Elise and Juliette become fast friends when they meet at a beautiful park in Paris during the German occupation in 1939. When Elise is targeted by the Germans due to her husband's involvement with the Communist party, she must make the decision to leave her child with Juliette. Elise returns a year later to Paris to claim her child only to find Juliette's home and bookstore destroyed. She learns that Juliette and a little girl were the only survivors and have moved overseas. Years later, Elise finds Juliette in New York to find out what happened the day of the bombing where their friendship is once again tested.

The Paris Daughter was a good book that explored relationships between friends, husband and wives, and mothers and daughters. I felt like the book kept going and jumped through time quite a bit which became confusing to me at times. I also figured out the "twist" a lot sooner than the reveal but found the ending to be very satisfying. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Under these stars,fate will guide you home."

"I think when we know more about the past, we are better prepared to face the future, whatever comes our way..There is always light in the darkness even if that spark is sometimes hard to see."

That Paris Daughter set in France during WWII is an emotionally heartbreaking story that grabbed me in from the very first page. This is history that needs to be told again and again. To never be forgotten.
How can parents send their children away with strangers? They do so to keep them safe, hoping to be reunited with them. What were the alternatives?
Elise was forced to leave her daughter behind in the care of her friend Juliette and her family. She had to flee Paris. All she could hope for was Mathilde to be protected and safe. Hopefully to be reunited again once the war ended.
A story about friendship, grief, love, devastating loss, motherhood and the difficult, heart wrenching decisions that had to be made to protect her child. I had tears flowing as I read. A story that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Kristin Harmel expertly weaves a tale across decades and continents as she tells the story of a friendship between two mothers during World War II. One desperate mom sends her only child to live with a dear friend, only to wait decades to learn the fate of her child. If at points a little slow moving, readers will be enticed to read to the end to discover what happened.

Kristin Harmel is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction novels that take place during World War II. Her research is impeccable and her characters come alive on the pages of her books. The characters stay in my mind long after the last page and they make me smile and make me cry. I have enjoyed all of this authors books and The Paris Daughter can be added to her list of fantastic historical fiction.

It's 1939 in Paris and there are rumors of war. For two new friends, Elise and Juliette, their main concern is their family. Neither believes that the impending war will have drastic effects on their lives. Both women are Americans who have married Frenchmen and neither wants to return to America despite the danger. Elsie has small child and when her husband starts getting involved with the Communist party, she knows that it may bring danger into her life. When she is told by a friend of her husband's that her husband has been arrested and that the Nazis will come to arrest her soon, she flees to her friend Juliette's bookshop. Elsie knows that it won't be safe to be on the run with a small child and her friend Juliette agrees to make the little girl part of their family and protect her from harm. After a year of hiding to save her life, the war ends and Elsie returns to Paris to claim her daughter. What she finds is a bombed out bookstore and the news that Juliette's husband and everyone but Juliette and her daughter were killed not long after Elsie left Paris. Juliette has left Paris and no one knows where she's gone. Both women end up in New York. Juliette has married a rich man and built a book store that is the replica of her store in Paris. Will Elsie be able to locate her friend again to find out about the last days of her daughter's life and to put closure to her pain from the war? The perfect ending to this story of friendship had me in tears.

This book is about the cruelties of war but more importantly it's a book about motherhood and the difficult and often unthinkable decisions that a mother will make to protect her children and to help ensure their future. It's a story of friendship and love, grief and despair with characters that you won't soon forget. Be sure to read the author's notes at the end of the book where she goes into more detail about her research and the parts of the story that actually happened.

Kristin Harmel's new novel is an intense story of two women's lives before, during, and after World War II. Elise and Juliette are Americans married to French men and living in Paris in the 1930s. Elise is forced to flee German-occupied Paris as the war peaks and is advised to leave her little daughter, Mathilde, with Juliette, who has three children of her own and a bookstore to manage. The Resistance advisors say that the Germans will easily catch Elise if she is with her daughter. Reluctantly and deeply sorry, she entrusts her daughter with her dear friend. Juliette doesn't feel she can deny shelter to her best friend's daughter, so the pact is made, and both women hope it will be safe in a few months.

The war wasn't over for another two years, and the story moves on to the sad fact that Elise cannot find the family that took in Mathilde. The POV chapters articulate each woman's pain, sorrow, regret, and anger. The novel's second half is full of surprises, and the tension builds for the mothers. I was glued to the book for the resolution but also to try understanding the deeply seeded feelings of all involved in the war. It affected families as horrifically as it did the soldiers on the front. KH has written a unique historical novel about warfare and all its damage.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

4.75 stars ⭐️ Gripping, heartbreaking and captivating doesn’t even begin to explain The Paris Daughter. From the moment I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Kristin Harmel has a way with her historical fiction works that captivates you so completely that you don’t even want to come up for air until it’s over, and even then, you always want to know more of the story. In my opinion, the only fault of The Paris Daughter is that it lacked the epilogue my heart needed. Harmel does it again with another beautiful, heart-pounding WWII era historical fiction novel that you won’t soon forget.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely had to read another book by the fabulous Kristin Harmel. This story of resilience, tragedy, and the mother-daughter bond was absolutely breathless. If you think you're done with WWII novels, think again. This is so much more.

The story starts with a friendship between two women in Paris who give birth to daughters around the same time. WWII is about to begin, and the people of Paris are facing tough decisions; decisions that will mean life or death.

Fast forward to New York City in 1960: the characters have changed, but the past haunts them. I cannot provide any further details at the risk of spoiling this treasure of a novel. It comes to a satisfying and beautiful conclusion that conjures up all sorts of emotions. Thank you Ms. Harmel, NetGalley, and the publisher for the privilege or reading this novel!

5 enormous stars!!! Kristin Harmel is one of my favorite authors and her latest novel is the perfect example of why! The Paris Daughter is a deeply emotional novel that is set during WWII in Paris. Kristin Harmel brilliantly combines the historical fiction, women’s fiction and even the mystery genres together to create a novel that will absolutely stay with you! I love when a novel makes me feel like I went on a journey while reading and Kristin Harmel came through big time with this gem! The characters are well developed and extremely memorable. Sometimes I find historical fiction novels can be a little slower, but I found The Paris Daughter to be the opposite- the storyline is so fantastic that I finished in record time! Once you finish this epic novel make sure you read the Author’s Note- wow, have tissues on hand! The Paris Daughter is one of my top favorite reads this year and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel is a beautiful love story to mothers and daughters. During WWII we know that many families were separated by choice. Children were sent away to safety in the hopes that they would survive and one day be reunited with their loved ones. This story is definitely emotionally charged when two women must make this difficult decision and another woman must deal with a devastating loss.
With the ensuing German invasion of France this story begins with two American women who become fast friends and their children become friends too. Both married to Parisian men, they adjust to their lives in the beautiful Bois de Boulogne.

We are introduced to Elise and Juliette. Elise is an artist married to an artist. Her artist husband becomes politically involved and this brings a danger to their family.

Juliette and her husband Paul own a quiet little bookshop aptly names Librairie des Rêves (Library of Dreams). They have three small children and a picture-perfect life.

The story of these two women’s friendship and the difficult heart wrenching decision they must make just to try to stay alive is wonderful storytelling. Their promise to each other, that they would care for each other's children if something happened, is central to this story.

Because of Elise’s husband’s involvement with communism, she and her daughter, Mathilde, are in grave danger. Elise must leave and turns to her friend Juliette to take Mathilde, and keep her safe until she can return. The children are already all friends so of course Juliette is happy to bring Mathilde into her home.
All is well, until one day in 1943, Allied forces drop bombs intending to destroy the Renault Factory occupied by Germans (this really happened). But surrounding buildings were leveled because of an inaccuracy. (I looked up this disaster, and the pictures are very haunting). This changes everything for Juliette and her family.

Anyone who has ever read a book by Kristin Harmel knows how she can create this world of characters and places and keep you entranced until the very end. She weaves this story of love, friendship, loss, grief and pain along with artistry and hope.
She adds in her Author’s Note how she created this story adding real places and real disasters in both France and New York City. She states that she cares about accuracy and loves the idea of turning real history into fiction. I always look forward to her 'Author's Note' in her books.
I will recommend this book to anyone who loves a story of friendship, Paris, artists, libraries and family.

5 stars!!! Do not pass on this one! Whew, I am going to begin by telling you a little bit about the book. This will show you two women that are expecting babies near the same time. WWII is about to break out and one woman is in love with a man on the wrong side of the Germans, and the other is just trying to mind her bookshop with her family. Elise, is a hunted woman, as the Germans are seeking her and she knows that will mean death, so she makes the ultimate sacrifice to give up her child in hopes she will live. She finds her bookshop-owning friend, Juliette, and asks her to take on her child. Juliette has children of her own, but will gladly take a child that she views as not wanted by her mother.

Fast forward to the end of the war and both of the women's lives have changed, but what has happened to the children? Oh, I can't spoil this for you, but I hope you have become interested because there is most of the book left. There are many times when my heart was on the floor with emotion. I will also add that this book is hard to put down so plan accordingly.

I just finished the Paris Daughter and I am overwhelmed with emotion. Tears are streaming down my face. I lived this book as I read it. I heard the bombs, I felt the pain, the despair, the fear and the guilt. The Paris Daughter will stay with me a long time. I will reread it, and I will purchase for gifts for family and friends. It is a stunning masterpiece of historical fiction!

Juliette, a Young mother who owns a bookshop with her husband, befriends Elisa, a Young American artist who has married a famous French painter. As war approaches the women become friends and make a pact to take care of each other's children if anything should happen to them. This becomes necessary when Elisa is forced to go into hiding because of her husband's political activities. As the war advances and Paris is being bombed, tragedy falls on Juliette's family. The war ends and years pass when the two women re-unite. Long ago hurts and secrets are revealed.
Kristen Harmel is a master of historical fiction with a deep compassion for those affected by war and an impeccable researcher.
This story strikes a chord with all mothers who must make hard decisions affecting their children and how best to protect the children during wartime.

This is my 3rd book by author, Kristin Harmel, and she has become one of my favorite authors! Her books are always fantastic and this one is the best thus far. This story will grab you from page 1 and won't let go even after you finish it. It will pull on your momma heartstrings as you become a part of the lives of Elise and Juliette. It is based on true events that took place during WWII and the strength of what ordinary people had to endure. Parents had to make unthinkable decisions to give up their children in order that the children would survive in hopes that they would be reunited after the war.

Elise LeClair and Juliette Foulon were young American wives of husbands that were Parisian, both living in Paris during the German invasion. They met by chance and quickly became like family to each other. They had to make decisions to keep their children safe. They made a promise that they would care for each other's children if something happened to the other. Elise's husband was very involved in communism. Elise was wrongly charged for her husband's actions and had to flee Paris, but could not take her daughter, Mathilde, so she left her with the Foulon family. They promised to care for her until she could return.

In 1943, the U.S. Air Force dropped bombs intending to destroy the Renault Factory (this really happened). In real time, 650 bombs dropped and only 41% hit their targets. 327 civilians died and more than 500 were injured as a result. Many families were at home on this day. In this story, the Foulons were at their home/bookshop they owned. Their shop was destroyed. What happened to the family?

Fast forward after the war when Elise returns to reunite with her daughter, Mathilde, to discover the rubble of the Foulon's bookshop. The Foulons are gone and she is not able to trace their whereabouts. Will she ever find them and her daughter?

Harmel brings out so much researched detail bringing each character to life. It is a story of pain, emotion, love, friendship, resilence, and a mother's love for her children! Such an unforgettable story!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery books for an ARC of this digital book in exchange for an honest review. It was excellent and I highly recommend it. #TheParisDaughter #NetGalley

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel is a captivating historical novel. War touches all people's lives whether they are fighting or surviving. This novel begins in German occupied France and concludes in post WII in America. It weaves a well written story of two women and tells the sacrifices families must take to survive war. Hope and love prevail. This book deserves 5 stars! Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a compelling story of, ultimately, a mother willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save her daughter.

I won't repeat the plot, like so many reviews do, but, it was less a "life during World War II" story and more a feelings during the war and after the war.

While the story kept my attention, the twist was obvious from very early in the story - including the ultimate end of the story. Just knowing what would happen, however, didn't distract from the story because of how well written it was, even making one excuse the horrible choices certain characters were making.

I'd highly recommend this for those who enjoy historical fiction.

Thank you for this ARC! I always enjoy Kristin Harmel's books and was excited to receive this one. It started out strong, with several likable women as the main character. It quickly turned very dark and sad, perhaps I was not in the right mindset to read something with this kind of story. Although, given the time period of World War II, this is to be expected. I did not love the twist at the end, it felt forced and not necessary to make this an engaging story. If you enjoy reading historical fiction and books set in Paris or NYC, I think you should give this one a try!

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel captivated me from page one! This is a beautifully written, heartbreaking, yet hopeful book centered around friendships and the strength of a mother's love. Elise and Juliette, two American expatriates' and soon to be mothers, meet by chance in Paris in 1939, and quickly form a friendship. As World War II turns from a vague fear to a terrifying reality, both suffer devastating losses, neither sure that the other has survived. The story continues after the war, as the two women struggle separately to move beyond their heartbreak and loss. The book is well researched, incorporating many historical events I had not been aware of, both during and after World War II. I had never realized the crucial part that art played in the War, the Resistance and beyond. The characters of Elise, Juliette, and Ruth are ones I will long remember. But, personally, the characters and stories of Mathilde and Lucie were the most touching and memorable. I absolutely loved this book, and I felt the ending was masterful! The author notes at the end are a must read. I did receive a complimentary advanced copy from Netgalley, the author and the publisher, and I am very thankful. The opinions in the review are my own.

Kristin Harmel never disappoints!
The Paris Daughter takes place in WW2 France. Difficult choices must be made by families, some choices causing bitterness, disappointment, and betrayal. This is a dual POV story about a mother’s love for her daughter. Very touching.

THE PARIS DAUGHTER is compelling from page one as the reader gets swept up into the lives of Elise and Juliette. Harmel does a top notch job of conveying each of the women in distinct ways so that there's no confusion. One has a happy marriage; the other does not, etc. Paris is also conveyed beautifully. Throughout the narrative the sense of place is very evocative. I found the pacing to drag at times and would have appreciated a slightly more streamlined book. Some other reviewers have noted some coincidental developments that appear toward the ending. However, I appreciated how everything came full circle and found the ending to be quite satisfying. Historical fiction readers will love this one.

I've read all of Kristin's book. This was enjoyable but fairly predictable in the outcome... maybe because I have become familiar with her writing style. Still it sucked me in. Thanks