Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for
The Brunswick by Callie Murray, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Brunswick Author: Callie Murray
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: May 19, 2026
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and/or authors. A review was not required, and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own. ****
When Cora provides a safe haven for Jewish refugee children, she discovers that opening her doors means risking everything, including her heart.
In 1939 Georgia, far removed from the war brewing overseas, Cora Cain's world feels small--and shrinking. There, she runs The Brunswick, her family's once-grand hotel, which is now struggling as the town's general store. When Thomas Watkins arrives seeking work and solace after his mother's death, a connection sparks between them. Through Thomas, Cora glimpses a life beyond obligation and her war hero father's unpredictable moods.
But everything changes when Cora is asked to turn The Brunswick into a sanctuary for Jewish children fleeing persecution in Germany. As Cora and Thomas prepare for the children's arrival, they struggle to confront their pasts--and the prejudice of their neighbors--as their fragile hope is put to the test.
Meanwhile, in Vienna, ten-year-old Charlotte is offered refuge in America. But even with the horrors she sees around her, she wonders how her parents could possibly send her away. As war's shadow begins to reach small-town Georgia, each person must face what love demands and decide what to hold on to and what to let go.
My Review
I just finished reading The Brunswick by Callie Murray. It is set in 1939 Georgia, but honestly, it didn't feel like a stuffy history lesson at all. It felt like reading a really intense, beautiful family story. What totally hooked me wasn't just the history, but how much I fell in love with the characters and how their choices changed everything.
There are so many characters I can't stop thinking about. Cora is the absolute heart of the book. She starts out so trapped running her family's struggling general store and taking care of her dad, who is deeply depressed after WWI. I felt so bad for her because she just gave up all her own dreams. But then she gets asked to turn her old family hotel into a safe haven for Jewish refugee kids. Watching her go from just surviving her life to fiercely protecting these children was so inspiring. She completely changes the whole direction of the story.
Then there is Thomas, who's such a sweetheart. He shows up dealing with his own massive grief after losing his mom, and he brings this beautiful, slow-burning romance into Cora’s world. He really impacts the story by pushing Cora to actually live her life, not just look after everyone else. Plus, he stands by her side when the local town starts turning against what they are doing.
George and Evelyn are the ones who first approach Cora with the crazy idea of housing the kids. They basically kickstart the whole plot and force this quiet, southern town to wake up and decide if they're going to help or just look the other way.
Sweet Charlotte is a ten-year-old girl waiting in Vienna, and her chapters broke my heart into pieces. Seeing the war through a child's eyes made everything feel so real and urgent. Her choice to leave her parents behind just to survive is what gives the book its massive emotional stakes. Seriously, the most heartbreaking part of the whole book is the separation scene in Vienna. Charlotte is only ten, her dad has already been taken by the SS, they are literally starving, and she has to say goodbye to her mom to get on a boat to America all by herself. She is so young that she can't even fully comprehend why her family is sending her away across the ocean. It was so raw and devastating, and it completely anchors the book's emotional weight. It makes you realize exactly what Cora and Thomas are fighting for back in Georgia.I honestly didn't expect a historical novel to feel this personal, but The Brunswick completely swept me away. It’s not just about history—it’s about regular people finding family in the darkest times. If you want a book that will make you cry but leave you feeling so warm inside, this is it!
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About the Author
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 3, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 10, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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