Under the Same Stars
Instant New York Times Bestseller • A USA Today Bestseller • An Indie Bestseller • A Good Morning America Book Club Pick
"Under the Same Stars will leave you shattered and wildly hopeful." —E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars and Genuine Fraud
"Stirring and absolutely unforgettable" —Samira Ahmed, New York Times-bestselling author of Internment and Hollow Fires
"Full of banter, romance, humor and a little bit of magic" —Gayle Forman, author of Not Nothing and After Life
From New York Times-bestselling and Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray comes a propulsive historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.
It was said that if you write to the Bridegroom’s Oak, the love of your life will answer back. Now, the tree is giving up its secrets at last.
In 1940s Germany, Sophie is excited to discover a message waiting for her in the Bridegroom's Oak from a mysterious suitor. Meanwhile, her best friend, Hanna, is sending messages too—but not to find love. As World War II unfolds in their small town of Kleinwald, the oak may hold the key to resistance against the Nazis.
In 1980s West Germany, American teen transplant Jenny feels suffocated by her strict parents and is struggling to fit in. Until she finds herself falling for Lena, a punk-rock girl hell-bent on tearing down the wall separating West Germany from East Germany, and meeting Frau Hermann, a kind old lady with secrets of her own.
In Spring 2020, New York City, best friends Miles and Chloe are slogging through the last few months of senior year when an unexpected package from Chloe’s grandmother leads them to investigate a cold case about two unidentified teenagers who went missing under the Bridegroom’s Oak eighty years ago.
Pages: 471
ISBN: 9780374388942
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Available in: Hardcover, Ebook, Paperback
See all editions (8)Reader Reviews
1 rating
Liz M.
In 1940s Kleinwald, Sophie and Hanna’s storyline carries the emotional weight. Set against the rise of Nazi control, their friendship and the messages hidden in the oak feel both tender and dangerous. The romance is sweet, but the real heartbeat is the bravery threaded through their choices.
The 1980s West Germany timeline adds another layer, especially through Jenny and Lena’s relationship. The punk-rock rebellion against a divided Germany mirrors the emotional walls the characters are trying to break down. It’s messy, honest, and feels very age-appropriate for that restless teen energy.
And then 2020 New York brings the mystery full circle, with Miles and Chloe digging into a cold case tied to the oak. Their friendship is warm and grounding, and the investigation element keeps the pages turning.
What I loved most is how the tree itself—based on the real-life Bridegroom’s Oak in Germany—acts as a silent witness to decades of love and loss. It’s romantic, yes, but it’s also a symbol of resistance and connection across time.
Why 4 stars instead of 5? At times, I wanted just a little more emotional depth in certain transitions between timelines. Some moments wrapped up a bit neatly compared to the heaviness of the themes. But overall, it’s heartfelt, layered, and beautifully accessible for the 12–18 age range without talking down to its readers.
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