Historical fiction set in Occupied Paris during World War Two. The book evokes many emotions, heartbreak, love, exhilaration, as we follow the path of one strong, courageous woman. Very thought-provoking.

I would like to thank Gallery Publishing for my ARC of this novel through Netgalley. In 1939, Ruby Henderson met Marcel Benoit, it was love at first site. She made up her mind very quickly to marry him and move to his native country, Paris, France. For a short time it was a very happy marriage, but as things began to heat up in the country politically, things began to cool off between Ruby and Marcel. Ruby started teaching English to the the Jewish girl, Charlotte who lived next door. They became very close, so close in fact, that Charlotte's parents asked Ruby to hide Charlotte when they were taken away by the Nazis. Ruby soon came to figure out that the distance she felt with Marcel, was simply his way of protecting her from figuring out that he was working for the Resistance. Ruby feels that she cannot just sit by and she decides to help with the Resistance as well. This leads to many hardships and trial for everyone involved.

I love stories about WWII and have read many of them. I loved Ruby and Charlotte's story, although at times it felt like the story was a bit too long in parts, I still really liked it.

I think I love WWII historical fiction a bit too much - I've read so many novels recently that they're all starting to sound the same.

And that's really my only criticism for The Room on Rue Amelie. It reminded me a lot of other historical fiction novels I've recently read, with certain parts feeling too familiar to The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (maybe it's a Kristin thing!?). However, Kristin Harmel did a wonderful job weaving together storylines in this book, and the relationships gave me all the feels. There are so many beautiful relationship dynamics, and I felt like I could perfectly imagine all of the characters and their interactions with each other.

The Room on Rue Amelie is set in Paris during WWII and follows Ruby, an American who finds herself in Paris after marrying a Frenchman; her young and curious Jewish neighbor, Charlotte; and Thomas, a British RAF pilot who is shot down in France. Be prepared to stay up late in order to see how the story plays out - you'll become invested in the characters in no time, and won't be able to sleep without finishing!

As I sit down to write my review of this incredible story the words escape me. I finished The Room on Rue Amélie a few days ago and it has haunted me ever since. How do I put into words the emotions that this book awakened in me?

Ruby Henderson Benoit fell in love. It was a simple glance at a man in a coffee shop in Manhattan that would forever change the trajectory of her life. She forgets all about the path that she was on and follows her husband back to his home in Paris. It's July 1939. Her parents warned her about going, with rumors swirling of Paris being on the brink of war, but nothing would stop her. Ruby wanted a life with the man she loved.

At first everything was like a dream. Her husband's career as an art dealer for his dads company put them in the most elite social circles and they were "soaking up life." Even if there was to be a war there is no way it would ever reach Paris. Less than two months later France, and their British allies, are at war with Germany. Immediately the climate of the entire city changes as well as Ruby's relationship with her husband. He is cold and distant, disappearing for days at a time without an explanation. As the country begins to crumble so does her marriage.

Being alone in a city where she knows no one Ruby is lonely and heartbroken. She begins an unlikely friendship with one of her neighbors, a ten-year-old Jewish girl named Charlotte Henderson. As the war intensifies so does the incredible bond between Ruby and Charlotte.

It is revealed to Ruby that her husband has been apart of an escape line in France, which helps aid allied RAF pilots that have been shot down. The escape line helps bring the pilots back to allied territory so that they can continue the fight against the Nazis. Ruby feels its her duty to also aid in the escape line and to do everything she can to fight the war herself. Thomas Clarke, as well as many of the RAF pilots that Ruby helps, feel the exact same way. Through the escape line many find more than just a means to fight against this cruel war. They find friendship, love, and even forgiveness in the most unlikely place: the middle of a war.

The Room on Rue Amélie is incredibly well written with characters that you root for from the beginning and a plot that keeps you guessing. You can feel the anxiety and pressure that these characters were under, being so close to the enemy, and fighting the resistance, knowing that they themselves were putting their own lives on the line for the cause.

There were moments where I had to stop reading, close my eyes, and will the tears away. No matter how many times I read about World War II and the Holocaust I am always rendered speechless, my heart aching. To imagine the horrors that were endured by so many is unfathomable. It's evil personified and the author does an incredible job of being sensitive to the subject.

This book is loosely based on the true story of Virginia d'Albert-Lake, an American woman who followed her love to Paris and found herself working for the anti-Nazi French Resistance during World War II by means of the Comet escape line. There are many parallels between Virginia and Ruby but the author took great care to give Ruby her own story, one that is painful yet beautiful.

This is a love story yes but not in all the ways you would imagine. It's a gripping read that is hard to put down and one that I highly recommend.

I read a lot of historical fiction, particularly taking place during WWII, so I can be a bit particular when reading some of these stories. No book has been as compelling and realistic yet daring since The Nightingale. I was so pleasantly surprised by this book, it has quickly become one of my favorites.

Similar to when I read The Nightingale, I found myself holding back tears and sniffling (even though I was on a crowded subway during my commute to and from work!).

The novel was well-written and also did a great job of keeping the reader guessing about who survives and who doesn't. A fantastic book that I can't wait for all of my friends to catch up on and read!

Ruby Henson’s followed her heart to Paris, however the German invasion and her husband’s unexplained absences, have frayed her whirlwind marriage. When a wounded RAF pilot shows up at her door, Ruby and her Jewish neighbor Charlotte—who’s only eleven—make a dangerous decision. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, Room reminds us that resistance, like love, begins with bravery.

Thx to Netgalley, Gallery books, and Kristin Harmel for this ARC. I have followed this author since I picked up my first book of hers “Italian for Beginners” so many years ago, those who know be, know that historical fiction is not my favorite read, but this book is an exception. The author gives us history, though not to much, and romance and mystery as well. I love that the character comes into her own in the book. She’s an American who decides to stay in a Paris even with the war approaching. She goes from a naive young woman to become a force in the underground. The ending was a definite “wow”, and other then that, it left me a bit speechless. I really loved it. Maybe this authors best book to date.

The Room on Rue Amelie by Krisitn Harmel is a story of the French Resistance in World War II. The story opens in March 2002 as a elderly woman is dying and her husband begins to recall when they met in occupied France. Flash back to December 1938, when American Ruby Henderson meets Marcel Benoit and falls in love. They marry and move to Paris to his apartment on Rue Amelie. It is a dangerous move as the rumbles of war are being to spread. By September 1939, Hitler invades Poland and World War II has begun. In their apartment building, Ruby befriends the Dacher family, a Jewish couple with an 11-year-old daughter, Charlotte. By October 1940, Hitler has occupied Paris and trouble for Ruby and the Dacher family. Soon Ruby and Charlotte are pulled in the French Resistance as part of the chain which helps lead fallen Allied pilots out of France. A choice that puts them all in danger. Despite the risks, they fearlessly help the pilots to the next stop along the escape line. Will they be discovered? Will they survive the war?
The Room on Rue Amelie is a beautiful story about the strength of the human spirit in times of great turmoil. While the book was marketed to fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and it does remind me of that story as the French Resistance is a major thread of both books, The Room on Rue Amelie tells another side of the French Resistance and focused more on the characters’ lives as they deal with the occupation of Paris and the harsh treatments of the Jewish. I enjoyed each character as they played their part in the struggle against the occupation. I cried with them when tragedy happened and I held my breath as they got closer to danger. I highly recommend The Room on Rue Amelie. If you have read The Nightingale, you will enjoy The Room on Rue Amelie.

The Room on Rue Amelie
is available now in hardcover and eBook
Paperback will be available on October 23, 2018

When I saw this book was being compared to The Nightingale and Lilac Girls, I knew I had to read it. Sadly, The Room on Rue Amelie does not live up to that comparison. I have read a TON of WWII novels and this one is just OK. I found myself occasionally skimming parts just to move the story along. It is a romance novel with a little WWII thrown in, and it didn't really provide anything new or unique in the WWII historical fiction genre.

This book had me at 'for fans of The Nightingale and The Lilac Girls', everything after that was a blur - I loved both of those books. With that kind of endorsement my expectation level was elevated.

The synopsis above doesn’t hold back much telling what this book is about, I'll confess to not being a huge fan of long synopsis's like that, there is too much of a risk of spoilers and the unveiling of storylines I would rather discover for myself.

The Room on Rue Amelie felt like more of a love story with the war as the backdrop. Well I enjoyed this book I felt that it was lacking the depth it needed to complete on the scale with The Nightingale. With so many glowing reviews I wondered what I was missing, but rather struggled to connect with the characters and found some situations hard to swallow. It was still an interesting read and I could tell that the author did a lot of research here. World War 2 in Paris is always heartbreaking to read about and I love to hear about those who did all they could to be part of the resistance.

My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advanced copy of this ebook.

Definitely for fans of The Nightingale, The Room on Rue Amelie is a book that will stay with me for a while! I absolutely loved this book and fell in love with Ruby's story. I felt so many emotions while reading this book and didn't feel able to put it down! The Room on Rue Amelie is the story of Ruby, an American woman in Paris who does what she can to help the Allies while living in Nazi-filled Paris. I felt many similar feelings as I did during The Nightingale, and there's a very similar storyline at parts. Still, this book is unique in it's own right and I loved it.

Kristin Harmel’s The Room on Rue Amelie takes place in Nazi-occupied Paris in WWII and follows the lives of three people whose lives unexpectedly cross paths during the course of the war: Ruby Benoit, an American woman living in Paris, Charlotte Dacher, a Jewish teen who lives next door to Ruby, and Thomas Clark, a British RAF pilot who is flying missions over France.

As the novel opens, Ruby meets and marries the man of her dreams, Marcel, a handsome Frenchman. She and Marcel move to Paris and Ruby dreams of walking hand in hand in the most romantic city in the world. Her dreams are soon shattered, however, as the Nazis invade France and everything changes, including Marcel, who becomes secretive and who also disappears for days at a time, only to come back and refuse to tell Ruby where he has been or what he is up to. The tension and the secrecy begin to take a toll on their marriage. When Marcel is unexpectedly killed, Ruby discovers what he has been so secretive about. Her discovery is life-changing…

Next door to Ruby and Marcel live Charlotte Dacher and her family, who are Jewish. They have been hearing rumors about what the Nazis are doing to Jews throughout Eastern Europe. Sure enough, as soon as the Nazis enter Paris, they begin imposing restrictions on the Jewish people, forcing them out of work and also requiring them to sew yellow stars on all of their clothing. Soon after, Charlotte and her family realize that all of the rumors they’ve been hearing about Hitler and the Nazis are true, as mass deportations begin and their lives are torn apart.

Thomas Clark is a British Royal Air Force Pilot. He has joined the RAF because he wants to protect England from Hitler and the Nazis but when his mother is killed in the Blitz, Thomas begins to doubt that anything he is doing is making a difference and questions whether it’s worth it to keep fighting. That is, until he meets Ruby and Charlotte. The unexpected connection he makes with them reignites his will to fight and he’s more motivated than ever to defeat the Nazis.

The Room on Rue Amelie is a riveting story about resistance, courage, and defiance in the face of seemingly impossible odds, and it’s also a moving story about love, fate, family, and the sacrifices we’re willing to make for those we love.

I was drawn to The Room on Rue Amelie primarily because the synopsis indicates it would be a great read for fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Martha Hall Kelly’s The Lilac Girls and in many respects, I was not disappointed with the comparison.

My favorite part of The Room on Rue Amelie was its focus on all of the regular citizens of Paris and surrounding areas and the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that they defied Hitler and the Nazis. The spirit of those people were what really made the book for me, especially those who worked on the “Escape Line” that is featured prominently throughout the novel. The purpose of the Escape Line was to locate downed Allied pilots before the Nazis could get them and then provide them safe passage over the mountains and into Spain where they could then be sent back to rejoin their units and continue the fight against Hitler. In many ways the Escape Line reminded me of the Underground Railroad with its many stops at different safe houses along the way and I just found it so inspiring that so many citizens were willing to risk their lives to work as part of the Resistance.

In addition to that, I also really loved the characters of Ruby and Charlotte. They are fiercely, independent women who want to do their part to fight Hitler in any way they can, even though all of the men they encounter want to push them aside and tell them it’s too dangerous and that it’s man’s work. I was especially drawn to Charlotte since, as a Jew, she was taking even more of a risk than Ruby was by putting herself out there. I also loved how close Ruby and Charlotte became as the novel progressed. They go from being mere neighbors to practically being like sisters, and their bond is wonderful to watch, especially since it contrasted so much with all of the tumult and danger that surrounded them.

The way Harmel structured the novel also appealed to me. It’s told in alternating chapters from the viewpoints of Ruby, Charlotte, and Thomas so it allows us to watch the war progress from three very different perspectives, which I thought really gave the story a lot of depth.

As much I enjoyed the story overall, I still had a few issues with it. The first is that it was more focused on romance than I expected it to be based on the comparisons in the synopsis to The Nightingale and The Lilac Girls, which don’t really rely on romance at all. There were a few times while I was reading when it felt like the events of WWII served merely as a backdrop to Ruby and Thomas’s thoughts about each other. Along similar lines, I was disappointed in the character development of Thomas. At first I enjoyed following the story from his perspective as he joined the British Royal Air Force, hoping to do his part to defeat the Nazis. It was interesting following along through his training and as he began to fly missions in the war. I thought Harmel did a wonderful job of showing all the conflicting emotions Thomas was feeling while in the sky shooting down other men, and then especially after his mother is killed during the Blitz, when he begins to doubt that his efforts are even making a difference in the war.

But then he just fell sort of flat for me. Once he meets Ruby, it seems like she’s all he ever thinks about. He only thinks about the events of the war in terms of how they can get him back to her. If he gets shot down again, it’s a way back to her. If he doesn’t go back and fight this time, he can stay with her, etc. It was a little disappointing how one-track minded he became, especially since it was insta-love between he and Ruby in the first place, which was my final issue with the story. I guess I just don’t believe in love at first sight because I was not at all sold on the idea that such an all-consuming romance could convincingly take place between two people who interacted for only a few days before parting company.

Even though I had a few issues with The Room on Rue Amelie, I’m still glad I read it because I very much enjoyed reading about the pockets of resistance throughout France and how big of an impact that they had on the war. Based on its focus on the relationship between Thomas and Ruby, however, I’m not sure I was really the ideal audience for this book. I think fans of romance would easily rate this even higher than I did.

This novel truly surprised me, and I'm glad I didn't stop reading it in the second chapter! In my opinion, some writers of Historical Fiction lean heavier on the romantic fiction side of a story, with only sprinkles of history thrown in. That is definitely not the case with Kristin Harmel's writing! The Room on Rue Amélie is a story of the French Resistance, specifically the escape lines for RAF pilots. There is romance, but this book contains more about love than sappy candlelight dinners.
The writing is good, the story is better, the research is great, and it was a fairly quick read.

I love books set in Europe during WWII, and this one isn't an exception. Right from the start, The Room on the Rue Amelie is a wonderful story. The characters are so well written that the story seems completely real. I felt like I was transported back in time to Paris during the war. I read this book very quickly because I wanted to know how the story ended. It is sad and happy at the same time. I definitely recommend this to lovers of books set during this time period. You'll be mesmerized.

4 stars to this historical drama of WWII, The Room on Rue Amelie!

I have enjoyed other books by Kristin Harmel, but The Room on Rue Amelie may just be my favorite from her.

Set in World War II, my favorite time period of which to read, the Epilogue of The Room on Rue Amelie set the intriguing stage, as it was not until the end of the book that I knew which loving elderly couple was portrayed.

In 1939, Ruby falls in love with a Frenchman and moves to Paris, against her parents’ wishes because the political climate of the time is uncertain. By 1940, Ruby’s marriage also becomes uncertain and now the Nazis have invaded her beloved Paris.

Ruby becomes close friends with a girl who is Jewish in her apartment who did not evacuate, and later in time, a shot-down RAF pilot appears who needs to make his way back to England. The story that unfolds is one of two fearless women who help others no matter the cost. I was inspired to find out that the story was loosely based on a real person.

The Room on Rue Amelie is an endearing story of WWII, lovingly told, of bravery and the utmost sacrifice. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and it’s delightful to have a well-researched, beautifully-written account that’s “lighter.” This does not mean that this novel was lacking in depth, but instead, I could read and enjoy with ease without re-reading at times in order to absorb all the content.

I read this book with Brenda, Norma, and Lindsay, and it was a treasure of a read to share with my sisters. For the Traveling Sister combined review, please visit Brenda and Norma’s blog: http://twosisterslostinacoulee.com

Thank you to Kristin Harmel, Gallery Books, and Netgalley, for the ARC. The Room on Rue Amelie is available now!

American Ruby Henderson comes to Paris with her new husband Marcel Benoit in 1939. Paris is a gay place to be. They live in an apartment his family has lived in for many years. As time goes by things change in Paris. The Germans invade and life completely changes. Ruby is friends with the Dacher family next door. Especially their daughter, Charlotte who is ten becomes friends with Ruby. Their problem is they are Jewish. As life changes in Paris Marcel is gone very often and will not tell Ruby why. She finds out he is helping pilots from England escape through the underground. Ruby starts to help when Marcel is killed. Then she takes Charlotte in before her parents are arrested. Ruby meets a pilot she falls in love with and we hear his story on going through the underground. The story gives you love, history and so much more but helps to realize what it was like in those years. .

I still cannot get The Room on Rue Amelie, by Kristin Harmel, out of my mind. This novel, based on the true story of Virginia d'Albert-Lake, brought the French resistance in World War II to life for me as no book of historical fiction ever has. I felt as if I were right there helping downed pilots escape the Gestapo. This is a love story set against the background of war, but it is so much more.

The Room on Rue Amelie is a story of bravery and extreme risk of torture and execution by civilians fighting the evil of Nazi aggression. It is a story of families ripped apart, and of the mass starvation inflicted as an effort to force an entire country into submission. It is a story of the human spirit trusting God in the fight for good against evil.

In 1939, main character, Ruby Henderson Benoit, moves to Paris with her new husband, Marcel, as war looms. There she meets her new neighbors, a Jewish family, the Dachers. Eleven-year-old Charlotte Dacher is immediately taken with Ruby, and they become close friends. While Ruby teaches English to Charlotte, the Germans and their swastika flags move into the city.

Secretly, Marcel disappears for hours, even days at a time, as he spirits away RAF pilots who have been shot down over France. When Marcel is captured and shot, Ruby takes up his work, but not without gender-biased resistance from those who worked with him. She soon meets RAF pilot, Thomas Clarke. They fall in love and vow to find each other after the war.

Quickly, Jewish restrictions and ration coupons for everyone are followed by mass deportation of Jews. When the Germans come for the Dachers, Charlotte’s parents beg Ruby to hide Charlotte. Soon both Ruby and Charlotte, who is older now, are part of the French resistance. I will not soon forget The Room on Rue Amelie.

What Made this Book Reviewer Grumpy?

Not much, just the usual split infinitives, beginning sentences with conjunctions, but most of all, using “bring” and “brought” when “take” and “took” should have been used.

A Miracle in the Room on Rue Amelie
The Room on Rue Amelie is a story of love and miracles set against the back-drop of war-torn France during WWII. It is a story of ordinary people finding their purpose, and putting their lives on the line for the greater good. It is a story that I know will stay with me for quite some time, not as a book hangover, but as a beautiful echo of characters well-loved, and a storyline perfectly ended. This book is a masterpiece, and it is worthy than far more than the five stars that I can award it.Related image

I already knew that Kristin Harmel is a wonderful story teller when I began reading The Room on Rue Amelie, since I am also a fan of When We Meet Again, which I have devoured more than once since its publication in 2016. But, even though I was anticipating another tear-inducing, emotional ride across time, my expectations were blown away by this book. From the lush descriptions and historical accuracy of the settings, to the depth of the characters and their relationships, this is a book that should not be missed by historical fiction buffs, or romance aficionados.

The main characters in the book, Ruby, Charlotte, and Thomas are all equally likable, and anxiety-inducing. I spent much of my time reading, with a deep sense of foreboding hovering over me, since I expected disaster at every turn. There were times when I was almost afraid to keep reading, since I knew sooner or later my heart would be broken…yet, each time I walked away, I found myself coming back See the source imagevery quickly. Ruby and Charlotte are both spunky and driven, determined to do the right thing, and fight for an end to the despotism of the Nazi regime, despite the risks to their own safety. In fact, it is through taking those risks, that they both grow into the lives they were meant to lead. Ruby’s obsession with fighting the war in her own way, by helping downed Allied pilots to safety, is an excellent reminder that we can all help to better the world, even through seemingly small actions. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s drive to help her fellow Jews and other refugees, even as it seems the rest of France is turning its back on them, is a stark reminder that age doesn’t matter when it comes to doing what is right.

Meanwhile, Thomas is a typical hero, who is fighting to preserve the type of life he believes people should have, and to keep his own loved ones safe. His faith in a better future for Europe, and for himself, is a reminder of the sacrifices and optimism that carried the Greatest Generation through theImage result for girl in field of poppies dark days of conflict during WWII. The danger the characters face, and the solace they find in each other, serves as a further reminder that family is about more than shared blood, and that home can be anywhere, as long as you are surrounded by those you love.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, The Room on Rue Amelie, reminded me of the debt that we owe to all of those who have fought against tyranny through the ages, but perhaps most particularly during WWII. Some heroes are well known, while others like those who worked as links in the escape networks, are not; yet all of them took tremendous risk to bring the world out of the darkness imposed by Hitler and the Nazis. This is a book that I cannot wait to share with my students, and with my friends…and to read again and again myself.

Awesome historical fiction book...truly a book that I couldn't put down. I had to keep reading! I had never read a book by Kristin Harmel before and this definitely makes me want to read another one. I loved the way the book started out with the older couple in California and then how Harmel brings you back to this couple in the end. It was a little slow in the beginning, but once Ruby becomes involved in helping downed airmen escape Nazi-controlled Paris I could not put it down. I thought the supporting characters were interesting and I loved the romance that grew between Ruby and Thomas. I was surprised by the ending...it was not what I had expected but I liked it!

This Advance Reader Copy of the book is courtesy of NetGalley and the book's publishers. I am not receiving any financial or additional benefit for posting this review other than the opportunity to read this book before it was released publically.

This is really a tale of two stories that blend so well together that the reader forgets that the author gives you a glimpse in the beginning for the book truly ends. In a time of war you can never be certain how your life will change just that it will change. The lives of Ruby, Thomas, Charlotte and Lucien will never be the same after WWII but the love that links them together changed lives around the world and lived for generations. Kristin Harmel paints a story so vivid you can picture yourself on the streets of Paris and in the skies above France. The Room on Rue Amélie is a five star read sure to please and leave the reader thinking of the characters for days to come.