THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES by Kristin Harmel is a beautifully written novel with well-developed characters and an extensively researched subject that, when combined, will enchant you. Inspired by the heroics of a female forger in WWII, the talented Harmel weaves a tale that will stick in my heart and makes me want to learn more about the real-life people behind the story.
Told with a dual timeline, we meet Eva Traube, former graduate student and daughter of two Polish Jews who immigrated to Paris for a better life. When Germany occupies Paris, her father is arrested, and, thanks to arrangements he made, she and her mother are able to flee to the Free Zone, where she finds her purpose working with Rémy forging papers for Jewish children fleeing France. Determined to ensure the children don’t lose their identity completely, she and Rémy find a way to record the names in a code only they can read. As the two work together a friendship and more evolves.
I love watching Eva come into her own and grow as a person, despite her mother’s displeasure with her choices, and vocal distrust for those Eva works with. I hated watching how her Mother changed but could understand the reasons for the changes. I also love the way Rémy developed as a character. It was interesting to see the differences between Eva of present and Eva of the past and how much her family did not know about her past. The story touched my heart and I read the last quarter with tears in my eyes. There were a few twists and the ending was unexpected and very satisfying. THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES was, for me, a wonderful way to escape to a different time and place. One I got started I couldn’t put it down and flew through the pages. The only time I was disappointed was when I read the last word.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
#thebookoflostnames #kristinharmel #gallerybooks

Thank you NetGalley Publisher & Author for this gifted E-arc.

Summary
Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in sixty-five years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.

Review
This is a historical fiction book. Normally not my got go to but genre but this one sounded so good.
And boy was it fabulous! This book will bring you into the horrors of WWII! This book was so well written, and I was shocked I found myself scanning through the pages.
This was a beautiful book of heartbreak, love, survival.

This was my first Kristin Harmel book but it definitely isn't my last.

Rating
4/5

Wow!!! What a book! It gives me all the feels. I love historical fiction taking place during WWII and have read many fiction and non-fiction books regarding this subject. Kristin Harmel's research and dedication are reflected in this book. She is one of my favorite authors so I was excited, but a little anxious, to see if she could, yet again, write another best seller. Guess what? She did!! Doing it among many good authors writing about this time period.

The first thing that caught my eye was the beautiful book cover! Then, after reading just a few pages, I was fully captured by The Book of Lost Names.

Eva, a captivating main character is an experienced librarian. As all librarians do, Eva was shelving books one day at work when she came across a book titled The Book of Lost Names, a book she had not seen in 65 years. The book contains secret code and Eva is the only one that understands it.

Eva, Remy and Pere tell the story of the lives they have saved during WWII. They are everyday ordinary heroes during a dark time and wanted to make sure that others weren't forgotten or abolished from history. Their names are forever captured in The Book of Lost Names.

A BIG thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for this magnificent ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#TheBookofLostNames #NetGalley

Man, do I love a good historical fiction. Kristin Harmel takes us deep into World War II, following a heroine who helps Jewish children escape the Nazis.

Besides the ancients, World War II is one of my favorite periods to read about, and Kristin Harmel did it justice in The Book of Lost Names. It was just so beautiful. Written from two different timelines, the story kept moving. I'm an emotional reader, but the ending definitely got me.

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is a wonderful must read novel. This is my second book by Kristin Harmel and she did not disappoint. Ms. Harmel is a best selling author who spends an enormous time in research for her books. As the author states : "one of my favorite things about writing about the war [WW2] is that I'm able to dig deep into subjects many of us may not be familiar with."

The Book of Lost Names is a thought-provoking World War II historical fiction novel. The characters are so well crafted that you feel that you know them. You feel their hurts, fears and cheer for them when something good happens. The dialog between the characters is very well done. The setting begins in 1940’s Paris when the Germans take over the city and shortly moves to Aurignon, France. The description of the settings is phenomenal. You can easily picture yourself right with the main character sitting next to her and seeing what she sees. There are two time lines here but much of the book is spent during the war. The rest of the book occurs during 2005 with our older main character reflecting on her youth and the choices she has made. The main character is smart, thoughtful, brave, strong and resilient.

I don’t like to delve into the plot line as I like other readers to find out the treasure which lies before them. This book really stands out among one of my favorites in this genre. I have read about the French Resistance but this book
delves into something that brave people like our Heroine did for the Resistance’s cause. I couldn’t put this book down. If you fell in love with the Lilac Girls you will love this one. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.

I would like to thank Kristen Hamel, Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was the the first book that I read by Kristin Harmel and I thought it was excellent. Several of her other books have sounded interesting to me and made it onto my TBR, but it took a NetGalley deadline to get me to actually read one. I am so glad that I finally did and I look forward to reading more of her work soon.

I thought young Ava started out a bit naive. She made a couple of decisions that made me think that she was going to be one of those main characters that was foolish and I wouldn't be able to relate to her. However, she quickly became a brave woman that I could admire.

I thought the writing was engaging and had just the right amount of description. The feel of the story reminds me a bit of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. There is romance and danger, betrayal and loyalty, family and obligation, and most of all love. If you enjoyed The Nightingale, you will likely enjoy this story as well. If you thought that story was too light and focused on the romance, you may have a similar opinion of this story. For me, it was just right.

I enjoyed this touching, WWII story set in France and was all-set to give it 3 stars until the ending...any book that brings me to tears deserves an extra star.

I've read many fictionalized WWII stories, some of which are very dark, intricately detailed, heavily researched, and just plain heavy. This one tells the story of a young Jewish girl who escapes Paris with her mother and discovers she has a talent for forgery that can be used to save the lives of those who find themselves in need of a new name in order to escape to Switzerland. It is a well-told story, that moves along quickly with a few twists here and there, though not terribly unpredictable, made for a good story. The characters were enjoyable, though not as developed as I tend to gravitate to. It was a good story and I would recommend.

I received a copy of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Immediately this book captured my attention, as a book reader any title that has focus on a librarian, a book, a writer instantly captures me, but to add in France? & then such a great start, that just KEPT getting better?

For someone who typically isn't a huge history buff, this particular plot line just spoke to me, and right away grabbed me with all the feels.

Eva was a character after my own heart, her story was so relatable, so emotional. I encourage anyone who wants to celebrate the power of love, or can only imagine what life was like for Jews in this time period to pick up this powerful title.

After spending most of the coronavirus joining in for Fiction and Friends on Facebook that Kristin Harmel hosts with Mary Kay Andrews, Mary Alice Monroe, Kristy Woodson Harvey & Patti Callahan Henry I HAD to read this one, and I am just SO glad I did!

HUGE thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for sharing this incredible historical fiction masterpiece with me, I’ll be adding a copy to my shelves to keep forever.

A unique way to show good hearted people trying to save Jews and resistance fighters. Forging documents undoubtedly saved many lives. Hiding true identities in code within a religious tome is ingenious.

After Tatus is taken by the Germans, Eva will do whatever she can to save mamusia and herself. Her talents are discovered by the underground and she is quickly recruited to forge documents to help others to get to the safety of Switzerland. She thinks to record names secretly to preserve identities. The people of Aurignon are primarily good. They band together to use each person’s strengths or talents to help save others. In that, a little light shines amongst the darkness of such awful days.

This book is moving. At times, hope is present. At others, heartbreak reigns. All historical fiction books about WWII are tragic. However, The Book of Lost Names mixes in the joy of saving others. The two emotions mix and swirl to make this novel feel special amongst this genre.


I received an ARC from Gallery Books through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

A wonderfully written, emotionally charged story of a young woman who escapes the Nazi roundup of Jews in Paris, then decides to assist in rescuing children during World War II. Eva becomes part of a resistance group of forgers, manufacturing paperwork to move threatened children away from harm. To do this, the children's real identities are changed. Eva maintains a book....THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES....to allow the children to find their history at a safer place in history.
The story starts in 2005 when an 80+ yr old Eva reads an article on the discovery of her book, although no one knows exactly what the book contains. As Eva relives the book's origins, the story moves between the two periods. This is what my friend always calls a "boo hisser". A some point, you will sniffle and cry, it's that touching. Kristin Harmel deserves much more than 5 stars for this story, but that's all I have to give her.

Historical fiction is one of my new preferred genres and I couldn’t pass up a book about a book! I was pleasantly surprised at how “The Book of Lost Names” by Kristin Harmel consumed me. I was so invested in this story!

Here’s my summary I told a friend recently, without telling the actual story:


It was a going really really well. The anticipation grew and then something happens to make u think, wait, something seems weird. Then it goes back to really really good. And then surprise! Then what?! Why?! And is it safe?? Oh no, sad news. Fast forward a few years. Happy tears. Anticipation. Disappointment. Oh so sweet! Fast forward 60 years. Yes, I said 60. Oh joy! Happy tears! And oh no, worry sets in. Surprise, again!! The end.

A Jewish college student in France sees her father being taken by the Germans. In an attempt to save herself and her mamusita by escaping to Switzerland. Eva forges identifications for herself and her mother and takes her mother to a “safe zone” where she helps to forge identification documents for children who are being taken to Switzerland, where the Jews are free. Things are going well, but the Germans are closing in.

What will happen to Eva? What exactly is this book of lost names? Much of this storyline is factual. As much as it breaks my heart to imagine the brutality that occurred because of Hitler, I find stories like this to be comforting that there were people trying to help because they had a conscience. It gives me hope that even in the cruel times in this world, there are those who have big hearts.

This book was provided complimentary from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I give this book five out of five tiaras because it kept me guessing throughout the book and it gave me hope in humanity!

The book tells the story of the French resistance document forgers during WWII and specifically the story of Eva Traube. I have read other novels by this author and enjoy her writing style. Historical fiction, especially centered around WWII, is my favorite genre so I have read a lot of it but I have never read about the document forgers. Their work allowed so many people to escape a horrible situation. It was not without danger and I definitely felt that through the writing. I did find Eva's mother to be irritating in her steadfast refusal to see the way her world had changed but I shouldn't judge actions and feelings that I have no way of understanding. My only complaint with this book, and the reason that it didn't receive 5 stars, is that the ending was so abrupt. The entire book was building up to what was a predictable outcome (although no less of a buildup) and then it just ended. I did feel sadness that it took so long for the characters to get there (trying not to spoil it!) but I wanted more. Overall I enjoyed the story and look forward to more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ecopy for review.

Paris 1942 and the life is getting more difficult for the Jewish families. Like many other Jews, Eva's parents feel they are safe even as those around them are being rounded up. However, their denial is only false security when one night Eva's father is taken into custody. With advice given from her father if anything should happen she is to go to a man her father has arranged to help her, get forged papers and leave Paris, immediately.

Eva and her mother flee to the free zone, Aurignon near Switzerland, and find a boarding house that will take them in. It was there she recognized her talent for forgery. Watching her father repair typewriters for years, she has found the ability to forge documents and the papers necessary to help people escape the arms of the Nazis. Spending time at the local church, along with the priest and a fellow forger, Remy, she soon becomes involved in forging documents that help hundreds of Jewish people escape to Switzerland. Many of these are children, whose names have been changed along with their lives as they may never see their parents again. Deeply disturbed by this prospect, Eva, with the help of Remy, devises a system with secret codes hiding these codes in an 18th century religious book. Some 65 years later Eva at the age of 86 learns that the book was taken from the church near the end of WWII. At the Berlin Library both Eva and the book are reunited,, something she thought would never happen.

This book gave me the insight into the people who joined the Resistance. There was more than one way to fight the Nazis and these forgers put their lives on the line along with so many others. Tension filled and well written, this was a difficult book to put down. "Who will remember us?" This sentence is the essence of this novel, this sentence fills my heart with pain for those who did not survive. But for those that did, and for those of us who love historical fiction, these authors will not let us forget. Kristen Hamel has written many wonderful novels, add this one to the "pack." Books such as these are heart rendering and emotional.

My thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This books is my favorite so far by this author. While the story line of course is nothing new I learned a lot about how documents were foraged. The love story was just the right amount of romance without being the main focus. The story makes you say one more chapter and the next thing you know it is 2 a.m.! I also love the words of wisdom in there about religion and just humans in general! This is one of my favorites of the year!

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
Source: NetGalley and Gallery Books
Rating: 5 stars

In 1942, Eva was a young lady working her way through school and towards a career in literature. As a Jew living in Paris, Eva never imagined her entire world would come crashing down in the blink of an eye. Nevertheless, Eva’s world does upend the moment her father is arrested by the Nazis and she and her mother are forced to run.

Eva and her mother’s escape is nothing short of miraculous and it all has to do with their faked papers. The two women, both terrified and alone, find themselves in a small town within the so-called free zone. Hoping to rest and formulate a plan for rescuing her father, Eva nor her mother have any intention of staying in one place for too long. The risk is great, and the danger is very real. Though Eva doesn’t know it, word of her excellently forged documents has reached the local priest and when he finally approaches Eva, it is with an offer she finds both difficult to accept and difficult to refuse.

Forging papers in a Nazi-controlled world is madness, but Eva has the skill and along with her lone helper, Rémy they are able to churn out documents that will allow hidden Jewish children to get safely to Switzerland. The hours are long, the work is grueling, and the documents must be impeccable if they are to pass Nazi inspections. As if all this weren’t enough, Eva does this work knowing her mother disagrees with the assignment and routinely reminds Eva of her unfulfilled promise to recover her father. For Eva, the work is something she feels she must do, a task that is seemingly small but has tremendous ramifications for the children who are saved. Aside from the ever-present fear of being caught, Eva’s greatest concern is the children losing their own Jewish identity in order to make their escape possible.

As Eva’s life and work trudges on in the small town, the war rages on all around them and the threat of discovery is always looming. Rémy takes on a new and far more dangerous role within the resistance network and Eva welcomes a new partner. As the end of the war nears, the situation for Eva and her mother become desperate and desperate measures are taken. Outside of her mother, father, and Rémy, Eva’s greatest care is that the names of the children she has helped save never fall into the hands of the Nazis. To protect the book is to protect the innocent and Eva will do almost anything to ensure its safety.

The Bottom Line: Once again, I have found myself drawn to a Nazi-era/Holocaust read. Once again, I have myself sucked into one of Kristin Harmel’s exquisite reads and regret nothing. What a book this turned out to be! I found myself furiously turning pages as I became completely engrossed in this story. Eva’s life is extraordinary in the most horrific way, yet she deals with the challenges, the fear, the disapproval, and the danger with grace and humility. Eva’s journey is harrowing and as she comes ever closer to danger the pace of the book increases. Lest you think this is only a sad recounting of one family’s struggle during World War II, rest assured, there is an HEA and it is so worth all the danger, the fear, and the years that have passed. Once again, Harmel has woven a desperately beautiful story that reminds us of true evil and the wonderful bits of humanity, love, and grace that face down that evil and triumph over it.

Kristin Harmel can do no wrong and The Book of Lost Names was no exception. It tells a beautiful story of a young woman turned document forger in Occupied France during WWII. Harmel's way with creating well developed characters ensures you will feel a range of emotions. I know from previous experience to have tissues on hand when I am reading one of her books and The Book of Lost Names is not excluded. This book is easily one of my favorites by Kristin Harmel and all of the characters she creates leave an imprint on my heart. 5 stars

One of my favorite genres is WWII historical fiction and I really enjoy hearing about the heroes from WWII that are rarely talked about. I have read quite a few books and have learned a lot about the war, but I haven't read anything about these specific heroes. I had never read a novel about the underground forgers who helped Jewish children escape the Nazis and I was absolutely amazed at the strength and perseverance of the members of the resistance. Eva went from being an ordinary Jewish girl to one of the resistance's best document forgers. I was totally wrapped up in Eva and Remy's story and watching their love story evolve was something I truly enjoyed. The story is set in present time when Eva finds that her precious Book of Lost Names has been recovered in Berlin. She travels to Berlin to see the book after being gone for many, many years. The book flashes back to Eva's trials and tribulations during the war and how each character worked together to help secure a free France. I loved the way Harmel developed each of the characters in their own distinctive way and loved the background we were given about the history of forgers during the war. I would absolutely recommend reading the author's note at the end of the book. Harmel talks of her in depth research as well as other books on forgers in the war that have now all been added to my TBR. I wish I had read it slower because I really did not want it to end. This was my first book by Kristin Harmel and it won't be my last.

Thank you @netgalley and Gallery Books for this e-ARC.
I will be posting a review on Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, Amazon and my instagram page on 7/29/20.

Eva Traube was a university student when the Paris roundup of Jews occurred. Her childhood friend Joseph had warned her of rumors about the roundup but it was a favor for a neighbor that actually kept Eva and her mother safe. Her father, however, was sent to Auschwitz.

At the suggestion of her father’s boss Eva forges documents for herself and her mother and heads to the town of Orión in the Free Zone. There Eva become part of the resistance and a skilled forger. It is also where the Book of Lost Names is established. In this book the real names of the children being sent to Switzerland are encoded so that their real identity can one day be returned to them.

The Book of Lost Names is stolen by the Germans and 60 years later it is found. Eva, now in her 80s sets out to be reunited with the book. Learn more about Eva’s story by reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is a poignant, yet realistic Holocaust story primarily involving two forgers, Eva and Remy but with a strong cast of accomplices. It revolves around a Catholic church in a small mountain town in the free zone of France, Avignon. One of the many activities of this cell of the resistance is to smuggle children across the border to neutral Switzerland. Some are meeting their families there, most are now orphans looking for a new life. In order to succeed, they need new papers, with news names. Eva and Remy, and later, Genevieve provided these papers. Remy often was one of the adults who crossed the border with the children, pretending to be a parent. Until the last trip, when Eva went, too. But instead of crossing into Switzerland per her instructions, she came back into France with Remy and was able to spend one night with him before he returned to his other duties. She discovered the cell in her town, which included nearly everyone she knew had been arrested. There was a traitor amongst them. They didn't know who. The arrests included her mother, who she later discovered had been shot, regaling the shooter with the information that her daughter was a hero for all she had done.

This is a lovely story told in two parts: the early 1940s and 2005, which Harmel did masterfully, giving the reader the entire story, past and present. Her character of Eva, a young, and then older, Jewish woman from Paris was beautifully written so the reader empathizes with her very move. The peripheral characters will portrayed well enough to play their parts, especially including Eva's parents. The priest, Pere Clement, embodied all the ideal traits a priest should have. This was a beautiful story, as happy a story as an Holocaust novel can be, given the topic. There were heroes ... meet some of them. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The Book of Lost Names by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thebookoflostnames

The Book of Lost Names was an incredible story. I haven't read such a gripping WWII book in a long time. The love story that was woven through out the pages completely captivated me. I would describe it as a WWII Romeo and Juliet. I'm always fascinated by WWII novels and this one did not disappoint. I'm always excited to see the brave acts so many women committed during this horrific time period. I'd like to think I would be as strong as they all were. This story also gave me the courage to believe, no matter how horrible things get the unconditional love of family and friends can give a person the strength to keep fighting and never give up hope.