I love books about little know parts of history. And The Lost Girls of Paris is no exception. It did lag in parts and there was some romance I felt didn’t really further the story line but overall I really enjoyed this book. The characters were relatable and I'm always in awe when the “regular” girls choose to do the heroic. Not because I think we’re incapable but because I’m not sure I would have been able to in their shoes!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I wanted to love this one, but sadly I didn't feel like it grabbed me like The Orphan Train did. I decided to DNF at 33%, I may pick it up later. I think others could love this one if they haven't already read a lot of WWII fiction like I have.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and apologize for the delay in providing this feedback. I enjoyed the story line, the character development, the historical elements - all of it! Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

From the cover to the setting to the story. Absolutely enthralling and captivating. Jenoff is one of my favorite historical fiction authors!

I was drawn into this book from the first page and wanted to know more about Marie and the other "girls" who were sent to Paris and other areas to spy before D-day. I don't usually read a lot of historical fiction, but was intrigued by this book. Each chapter is told from a different point of view, going between Grace in 1946 New York, Eleanor in London both before and after the war, and Marie one of the "girls." Although this was a fictional account it felt very realistic and kept me wanting to know what would happen next. Because of this book I plan to read more books about this time period to find out more.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Harlequin/Park Row through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really wanted to love this book. It’s story was intriguing and it kept me hooked, but I had a hard time liking or understanding any of the characters. The main character, Marie, was supposedly the most favored spy of all the girls who were enlisted, but I couldn’t imagine why. She seemed to make one bad decision after another and broke almost every rule she was told. The romance in this book also seemed very unnecessary in both of the story lines. So while this book did have an interesting plot, it’s actual execution fell a little flat for me.

Jenoff's historical fiction novel takes place during and immediately after World War II. In 1946, Grace finds an abandoned suitcase with intriguing photos inside in Grand Central Station. She's compelled to figure out the mystery behind the photos. There are also two other perspectives: Eleanor, who ran a women's unit of quasi-spies during the war, and Marie, an Englishwoman who is drafted into Eleanor's service. I thought this story was immensely interesting with strong, resourceful women. There were several twists that I didn't see coming that did make this feel like a page-turner. However, there were a few elements that kept me from giving this a rave review. First, I felt like there was a romantic storyline inserted with no real reason at all. It felt totally unnecessary to make one of the women fall in love (especially after like 2 minutes of time with that person). Second, the character of Grace didn't really need to be in the story; her scenes didn't have any real weight and it was kind of unclear why she would have felt so drawn to the contents of the suitcase (enough to upend her life). Other readers on Goodreads have pointed out several historical inaccuracies as well, which leads me to think this book would have benefited from a stronger editor. Overall, though, I'm interested in learning more about the real-life group of women who secretly fought during the war - and that's probably the best compliment I can give a historical fiction read.

Very powerful. Haven’t been able to keep it in the library since we purchased it! We are also looking into acquiring the large print edition.

Meh. I need to stop reading these women in WWII books. They're all flowing together and mixing me up. This one's about women agents sending info by wire to confuse the Germans.

Aside from my psychological thrillers, historical fiction is one of my very favorite genres, and those who know me know I’m obsessed with anything Paris or France related!! @pamjenoff weaves an amazing tale of three women and the ring of spies they join during WWII and the woman desperate to learn their story in the #lostgirlsofParis. This is an absolute must read! I finished it one sitting (and I may have cried at times). It was mesmerizing! Thanks to @netgalley and @parkrowbooks for the #arc this past winter! This is one of my favorite books ever!

Adored this historical fiction novel about women helping with the French Resistance during WW2! It is always amazing to me how determined and brave people were during that time. Loved this book!

I was so sad that this was archived before I was finished reading it!! I liked the beginning of the story and was interested to see where Jenoff took readers. Sadly, I wasn't able to finish.

HOWEVER, it is my next book club read so hopefully I'll have the chance to read it soon!

Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Lost Girls of Paris by @pamjenoff. Hauntingly written story. Absolutely brilliant perspective of women in wartime, sucking my entire soul in from the first few pages. I could not stop.... “””One morning while passing through Grand Central Terminal on her way to work, Grace Healey finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench. Unable to resist her own curiosity, Grace opens the suitcase, where she discovers a dozen photographs—each of a different woman. In a moment of impulse, Grace takes the photographs and quickly leaves the station.””” Working on my backlist for the @netgalley #reviewathon challenge. I honestly wish I would have read this so much sooner. 📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
#thelostgirlsofparis #pamjenoff #netgalley #historicalfiction #nanasbooknook #bookstagram #partner #sponsored #ad #bookstagrammer #bibliophile #instabooks #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #arc #bookbuzz #bookcommunity #advancedreaderscopy
#bookworm #bookishnana #bookhangover

Based on a true story, The Lost Girls of Paris is another WWII novel that focuses on little-known people and organizations. The SOE employees girls fluent in French to work for their branch in France as radio officers. The story was extremely interesting, but the point of view, told from three different perspectives at different times, made it a little more difficult not only to follow, but to connect to the story. It took me about half way until I felt engaged, and as much as I loved the historical aspect, it just didn’t speak to me like other WWII novels.

However, the afterword illuminates the true historical figure this novel is based on, and I’m intrigued to learn more about her now.

I loved this one, and I am not a historical fiction type of reader. A great story with intriguing characters and well thoughtful plot lines that make this feel like a Netflix movie. In fact, I recommend that this get made into a Netflix movie! Highly recommended.

Very interesting and believable period piece for historical fiction. Everything seems to fit period and historically correct, it is important for me. Plot is interesting and easy to follow. Definitely recommended for readers who love WW 2 series.

The book moves between two such short spans of time, but the world changed so much during those years. In 1946, when Grace literally stumbles across a suitcase in Grand Central Station, even she is unsure why she removes a packet of photos of young women, some dressed in military looking attire. In 1943, Eleanor Trigg, employed with the Special Operations Executive (SOE), is tasked with finding women to go to France to aid the Resistance with counter intelligence, sabotage and radio transmitting. Soon, several girls are chosen, only a handful whose stories we actually learn about. The history of this is based in fact and real women, according the author's note at the end, which makes it very interesting. I read quickly to learn more about Marie in France, Eleanor's worries in England and about Grace in post war New York City.

Jenoff’s mesmerizing newest hits my sweet spot: WWII intrigue with brave female spies part of the Resistance who never return home. A grand tale unearthing their fate, beautifully written, meticulously researched, one of my faves this year for certain! 5 of the 5 Heartiest Stars!

Pub Date 29 Jan 2019. Available on Amazon.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#TheLostGirlsOfParis #NetGalley

Amazing, really gripping historic fiction. Really loved the writing, literally couldn’t put this one down. Highly recommend.

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
Park Row, 2019
Fiction/Historical; 384 pgs

Pam Jenoff has long been on my must read author list, and I was excited when offered the opportunity to read and review her latest, The Lost Girls of Paris. Women going undercover just at the beginning of World War II? I could not say no to that.

The novel is split between two time lines--that of 1946, where widowed Grace Healey is trying to re-build her life after the death of her husband during the war. On her way to work one day, an accident forces her to walk through Grand Central Terminal where she stumbles upon an abandoned suitcase. Curiosity gets the better of her, and she opens it, finding a dozen photographs of various women. Despite her better judgement, she takes the photos with her. It isn't until later she discovers the photos belonged to the now deceased Eleanor Trig, a British citizen with ties to the Special Operations Executive (SOE). The women featured in the photos are all missing, presumed dead. Grace sets out to find out the identity of the women and learn more about Eleanor. She gains help in an unexpected place, from a friend of her husband's.

Taking readers back to 1943, right before the war, Pam Jenoff introduces readers to Marie, a young mother who is recruited by Eleanor as a radio operator and special operative destined for Occupied Europe. Marie proves to be good at what she does despite both hers and Eleanor's initial reservations, but what awaits is danger and risk she never could imagine. Friendship, betrayal, and even love are the center of her story.

The Lost Girls of Paris was at times nail bitingly suspenseful and at other times heartbreaking--often both. The goal of the SOE was to sabotage the Germans in order to make it harder for them as they gained ground during the early part of World War II. It was a risk to add women to the mix, but the hope was their presence would be easier to hide than that of the British men who were already on the ground in the occupied areas. Most of the men in authority were against the move, but desperation made it happen.

I was just as curious as Grace to find out what happened to the women. I thought it was interesting that the author chose two timelines that were so close together. It provided a nice juxtaposition between the time just before and after the war.

While many of the characters and events in Pam Jenoff's novel are pure fiction, the role women played during that time in the war was very real. For many years, women's roles have been downplayed or ignored, and I am grateful to authors like Jenoff who bring them into the limelight.

It was impossible not to get caught up in Eleanor and Marie's stories. They were both amazing women who proved that women should not be underestimated. If anything, I wish there had been more. I wanted to know more about all the characters, especially the women in the trenches, an even deeper delving into just who they were. Of course, with the way the novel played out, that might have been hard to do. The author would not want to reveal her hand to soon. Over all, I thoroughly enjoyed The Lost Girls of Paris. This was my first Pam Jenoff novel, but it will definitely not be my last. I cannot wait to read more b her.