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

4.5 stars War is coming and people are frightened for themselves and their kids. Decisions are made that will change the course of their lives forever. Things do come full circle which was kind of amazing. This book kept me hooked from start to finish. Highly recommend.

The best way to describe this book is…superb

The atrocities of WWII must never be forgotten, and those of us who read about it, must read it from the best. That is why The Paris Daughter is a must read. Though it is heartbreaking, tragic and harrowing, we can’t turn a blind eye. This is our history and Kristin Harmel brings it to you with the beautiful prose of someone who truly understands the darkness of those times and the beauty of what friends will do to help others, even through their own hardships.

This is an emotionally charged story of two women who had to make some very hard decisions to protect their children after Germany invaded France, and one woman who tried to help her closest friend protect her child.

Ruth makes the heartbreaking decision to send her children away in the hopes of keeping them safe. Elise must run after her husband is arrested for his political views and, since she must reinvent herself so as not to be recognized, she makes the decision to leave her daughter, Mathilde, behind with her closest friend in the hopes of both protecting her daughter and staying alive herself. Juliette takes in Mathilde and vows to raise her as her own until Elise returns. Then the unthinkable happens when an errant Allied bomb hits Juliette’s bookstore.

The depth of human observation and real emotion that the author portrays is remarkable. I have read many, many historical fiction novels and this one stands out as one of the best. I give it 5 stars and am so grateful to NetGalley, Gallery Books and Kristin Harmel for the ARC of this wonderful book.

Kristin Harmel's latest novel The Paris Daughter is phenomenal!! A must read as soon as it hits shelves on June 3, 2023.

A chance encounter brings young mothers Elise and Juliette together in 1939 Paris, France. Both give birth to daughters who they raise as sisters. Though they become devoted friends at once, they cannot escape the looming Nazi occupation. The decisions they will soon be faced with to save their families are unfathomable. Elise must flee Paris or risk her own life and the life of her precious daughter before the Germans catch up with them. She makes the gut wrenching choice to leave her daughter in Juliette's care promising to come back as soon as it's safe. When Juliette's own world is suddenly destroyed, she leaves Paris for New York taking one of the girls with her. The other does not survive the German attack. Elise sets out on a desperate quests as the years pass to find answers about what happened to her daughter. Which daughter survived the unthinkable?

An gripping story of friendship, survival, and perseverance. Be sure to read the author's note at the end. A tear jerker!

A special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to voluntarily read this novel and provide feedback.

This is much heavier than I expected; not a light read at all. I had to set it down several times. Elise and Juliette were complicated, often in unhealthy ways, and I wanted to like both of them more. Grief ravaged them both, especially Juliette. Part 3 was my favorite, and while I was expecting a version of the actual plot twist, I was stunned to see it unfold. Cannot. Imagine.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Gallerybooks for the ARC e-book!

Kristin Harmel's books are always filled with heartbreak and enduring love and The Paris Daughter is no exception. Spanning the timeframe of just pre-WWII through 1960, it tells the story of two American women, Juliette and Elise living in pre-WWII Paris. Both expecting babies, they bond over the shear joy of motherhood. Soon circumstances force Elise to leave her beloved daughter with Juliette. Then, tragedy strikes. When Elise returns after the war, she finds Juliette gone and the neighborhood in ruins. Elise eventually traces Juliette to New York City, where she travels to unravel the tragedy. The book is historic fiction with suspense and mystery added in. The Paris Daughter will break your heart, and leave you thinking of a mother's love for her children.

There are books that come into your life for a reason. This beautiful and haunting historical fiction novel is one of the best books I've read this year. While I'm a fan of the Kristin Harmel's books, her latest story is a masterpiece. Reading how war ripped apart their worlds, it caused a rift between the best friends that was beyond repair.

Forced to leave her daughter behind, Elise LeClair knew that Juliette Foulon would keep Mathilde safe. Wrongly charged for her husband's actions, Elise needed to flee Paris and Mathilde was protected by the Foulon family. When the war ended, Elise returned to retrieve her daughter and found the bookshop erased from history. Sculpting busts of her daughter's face was the only way Elise was able to survive.

Flash forward to America where Juliette and Lucie are living after the war. After wedding a rich New Yorker, Juliette fashioned a bookstore that's a carbon copy of her family's store. While finding sanctuary in the business, Juliette refuses to let Lucie grow up forcing her daughter to remain tethered to the past. Now that Lucie is 20, she's a budding artist but hides her talent from her mother. Will she have the courage to become her own person or will she remain a shadow of herself?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of The Paris Daughter in exchange for an honest review. The twists and turns the story takes readers will paint a picture of the horrors they faced while carving out a new future.

I absolutely adore Kristin Harmel. She has been an auto purchase for me ever since The Book of Lost Names. I wasn't ready for this book to end and will be purchasing it as soon as I can get my hands on a physical copy.

When you follow an author that has written powerful, historical novels that have made an impact on thousands of readers, it’s pretty much of a given that her next book will also be an exceptional success. This is one that doesn’t disappoint. It’s a heartfelt story of three mothers and their children.

Elise met her husband, Oliver, in 1935 when she lived in NYC. She felt like she won the lotto when he proposed as he was an artist getting noticed throughout Europe with his dramatic brush strokes. After they got married, they moved to Paris. She was thrilled when she found out she was pregnant. However, on a walk in the park one day, she fell. Juliette who was with her two toddlers and also pregnant saw what happened. She asked her to immediately come back to their home, connected to their bookstore, where a doctor could examine her. Reluctantly, Elise went with her. And then, she was relieved to find out everything was okay.

Elise and Juliette became instant friends. They both were happy to have baby girls. Elise often would walk to “La Librairie des Reves” -- interpreted as “The Bookshop of Dreams” -- to visit with her friend. Juliette said, “I’ve always believed that books are simply dreams on paper, taking us where we most need to go.” The third friend was Ruth. She was customer of the shop, a Jewish widow, with two young children.

In 1939, they could see that everything was changing at an accelerated pace. Hilter invaded Poland and then the war began to spread rapidly throughout Europe. A year later, the Germans reached parts of France and it was becoming known that parents were giving their children to organizations to keep them free from danger during this time. When all Jewish males between 18 and 50 were arrested in Paris, it was time for Ruth to send her kids away to be safe. She said to her friends, “The world is crumbling all around us, and no one is doing a thing to stop it.” Elise and Juliette decided to stay in the city with their families.

The story is beautifully written and emotionally heart-breaking. The plot went deep into the feelings of the mothers at the time of how treacherous it was to worry about their children, their day-to-day lives and the unpredictable future. Many in Paris wanted to look the other way when the Germans invaded their communities. It was easy to feel the pain of the people with the settings and characters in the book.

In the Author Note, Kristin Harmel revealed her personal thoughts on the complexities of the past and current affairs. “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.” This brought tears to my eyes. In the story, there was always hope that one day, we would all live in a better world.

My thanks to Kristin Harmel, Gallery Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of June 6, 2023.

love love love any book by Kristin Harmel, this was a wonderful story set in Paris during World War II. the story will stay with you long after you finish the book.

Wow! Kristin Harmel does it again! I loved The Book of Lost Names and I loved this new book just as much! The story of Elise and Juliette and the decisions they are forced to make during the Nazi occupation is a MUST read! The story flows so well and even- there wasn’t a chapter where I felt things were slow or redundant. I read this in 2 days and felt myself slowing down because I didn’t want it to end! A wonderful, well written book that I will read again at some time. Highly recommend!!! Thank you to Kristin Harmel,Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. Thoroughly enjoyed it.