Drue Leyton is a beautiful American film star, living in France while her husband is fighting against the Germans. When the Germans attack Paris, Drue must decide if she wants to return to America or use her talents to help fight back against Germany.

I absolutely loved learning about Drue. I found her story and her life extremely compelling and wanted to know what was going to happen next. But honestly the only reason I continued this book is because I knew Drue was a real person, and not because of the actual book.

I had several issues with the book, starting with the excessive, repetitive dialogue. Drue would narrate herself doing something, then have four conversations where she would repeat what she had just done (which we already know). For a story with so much tragedy, I did not feel any narration particularly heart-wrenching. When a character dies, Drue narrates “I cried for days.” And that’s it. Very matter-of-fact when I want to be compelled to cry for her. Not my style.

Overall it was ok! Again, her story is harrowing and I really enjoyed learning about her and the other characters.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of Good Night in Paris! All opinions are my own.

3/5 stars

This was just so-so in terms of historical fiction. Everyone who reads historical fiction has probably read so many novels set before, during and after WW II and this one just didn't capture my interest nearly as much as others. Even though it was based on a true story, I found the story quite droll. Hope you have better luck!

Goodnight from Paris comes out next week on March 7, 2023 and you can purchase HERE.

With my hair tucked under a navy-blue beret and my windbreaker over my dress to protect me from the autumn breeze, I rode through my adopted city, reminded at every turn why it had captivated Americans like me for centuries --from the picturesque bridges crossing the Seine to the cream-colored apartment buildings with their matching balconies and mansard roofs to the ornate street signs. And then there was my favorite part of Paris-- the cafes on almost every block, their terraces crammed with Parisians sitting together around tiny wrought iron tables sharing drinks and cigarettes.

This is a gripping, story of a Hollywood star, Drue Leyton, married to a Frenchman, and living in France when occupied by the Nazis. Her husband is working for the British military in Brittany.
Living in Paris, alone with her maid, Nadine, Drue is lonely and despite much different than being an actress, she agrees to work at a radio station as a broadcaster. The program is broadcast to America with the purpose of letting Americans know what is happening in Europe during the war. Everything that Drue reports or says needs to be approved, however, she does not feel an accurate picture of what is really happening with the Nazis is being disseminated so she begins to provide an honest picture of the circumstances without prior approval. She hopes to stir up apathy in America spurred on by an American journalist to speak the truth. Drue is well-known in the United States from her roles in movies and it is the hope of the radio station that American will listen to her.
This is a fascinating story based on the real activities of Drue Layton during the French Resistance. As things heat up, Drue is willing to risk whatever it takes to help her husband’s country. She and Nadine are forced to get out of Paris and move to the country where they grow food to help those that do not have enough. They take in injured American and British Airman who have parachuted out a burning plane, hiding them all over Paris, and in their own home. Drue is arrested because she is an American woman and goes to prison, however, she manages a daring escape, pretending she has cancer, which nearly kills her.
I have enjoyed all of Jane Healey’s books, however, this one is mesmerizing. I could not put it down until the last page was turned. I highly recommend reading the Author’s Notes at the end. Although this is categorized as historic fiction, you will learn much of the facts and the people in this riveting story are part of the actual history of this period.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

THIS is an amazing book! I was so invested in this story! I couldn’t put it down! Shed tears along the way! Highly highly recommend!

Fascinating read about a Hollywood actress living in France with her husband when the Nazi’s have occupied France. Romance, intrigue and adventure make for a story that I could not stop reading and raced to finish.

I love anything WWII and this book will be on of my favorites. Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read and review this book!!!

This was a good book. Though fiction, it is loosely based on an American actress who lived in France throughout WWII . She first began working in Paris on the radio, airing in Europe and America, trying to convey to Americans how they must get involved in Hitler's war. It touched on her time in prison and her dedication to the French resistance. It showed how people did what they had to do to protect their loved ones in a very dangerous time. I admired Drue the way she put herself in danger time after time, to help others and her adopted country, France.
Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really enjoy historical fiction but am sometimes frustrated by how many historical fiction books are set in WWII. I selected Goodnight from Paris as I've been to Paris 've been to Paris and see some of the outground communications post and therefore was intrigued by the story.

I found the story engaging with good pacing. What made this story stand out for me were the cast of characters with I thought were done particularly well. I enjoyed learning about this real life heroine and this aspect of WWII. Also, the dash of romance mixed in increased my enjoyment. This is a great beach read or curled on the couch read. Going to put this authors other books my to read list.

Do make sure to read the Authors Note at the end as it provides very interesting historical details about the characters.

It is sometimes hard to write a review about a book that was really good, and this is one of them. There may be some spoilers in this review.

This book is a fictional account of the real life of American actress Drue Leyton. It takes place in France during WW2, from October 1939 - August 1944. The beginning of the book tells the story of Drue beginning her resistance work as an overnight radio broadcaster on a station that broadcast stories to the United States, and from there follows her work throughout the war, with the occupation of France by the Germans until the liberation of France in 1944.

The reason writing a review about this book is difficult is because it does cover so much time. As I was reading it, there were times when I thought it was impossible for all of these things to occur to one person during the war. But in reading the Author's notes and other resources, Drue Leyton really did so much during the war. How she managed to not be captured by the Germans for even her early work as a broadcaster, criticizing the Germans, is amazing. This really was a well written book and well researched. I've read many books about WW2, and also the resistance efforts in France during WW2. It is amazing how many stories there are to tell, and how I learn something from all of them. In this one, I learned about how the Americans were imprisoned in Vittel once America declared war on Germany. Vittel wasn't the same as the concentration camps, but still a difficult experience none the less.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and am very glad I read it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Yet another book about Paris during WWII. But not boring. A new twist filled with interesting characters that grab your heart. A story of strong, brave people.

I find Jane Healey's books to be really good for readers who are new to historical fiction - she very clearly outlines her stories, her writing is crisp, and she doesn't delve TOO deep into the horrors of war that it would scare off more sensitive readers.

It's always fascinating to read historical fiction that features real people at the center of the story, and this was no exception.

Terrific fact based historical fiction. Healey has done a wonderful job of bringing her characters to life in thos novel that both informs and entertains. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. For fans of the genre.

Inspired by a true story , american actress Drue leyton. She sacrificed her career for love. The book has it all love, loss, heartache, reaistance and strength. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

This book is based on fact and the American actress who was married to a Frenchmen. . She lived in Paris during WW2 and it follows her work helping with the Resistance.
It’s a good story with strong women willing to go the distance and do whatever needed done.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Excellent book of historical fiction!

When I started reading this book, I had no idea that it was based on a true story. I quickly became fascinated with Drue, her strength, depth of love for her husband and friends, and her resilience in terrifying situations. The book spans the time period just before Germany’s occupation of France and continues until the Allies liberated it. As an American Drue was in danger of being exiled, but she was married to a Frenchman who was fighting in the war and wanted to stay close.

Before reading, I had limited knowledge of the time, but now I feel well-educated. The story captured my interest and I enjoyed reading it. I feel so badly that America took so long to enter the war, causing so much suffering. Well-written and researched, highly recommended.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Drue Leyton is an American actress living in Paris in 1939, under the dark cloud of another world war and she's just married her French husband Jacques Tartière. All men are called up for duty, Jacques fails the medical and he leaves Paris to be a liaison for the British troops arriving in Brittany.

Drue’s agent organizes for her to meet with Jean Fraysse, he wants her to do a radio broadcast, five nights a week and be the Voice of America. Drue is lonely without Jacques, with her maid/friend Nadine for company and she decides to let her fellow American's know about the tension and nervous waiting game going on in France and what the Germans are doing in occupied countries.

Drue chats to some very famous people on her radio segment, including Dorothy Thompson and she was one of the first journalists to interview Hitler, Josephine Baker and Sylvia Beach from the bookshop Shakespeare and Company. Drue is supposed to keep to the script and what's has been approved by the French ministry of Information she likes pushing the boundaries and even Franklin Roosevelt listens to her broadcast. The Germans and the war are not a European problem but a world one and Drue soon finds herself on a list and if caught the Germans threaten to kill her.

Drue, Nadine and most of the staff at Radio Mondail leave Paris and travel to Vichy, France. Drue isn’t safe here, she has to move to the French countryside, she rents a villa in Barbizon and uses her married name. At this stage, I did wonder where the narrative was going and I thought the story was only about Drue working for a radio station in Paris and it was going in a totally different direction.

Goodnight from Paris is based on a true story and the incredible wartime experiences of Drue Leyton Tartière, she is a truly inspirational woman and a brave one. Drue helps the French underground resistance, she and a network help save and hide downed American, British and Canadian pilots.

I received a copy of Goodnight from Paris by Jane Healey from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Healey is one of my favourite historical fiction authors, because she writes stories about real women who do extraordinary things, and her latest book is amazing and I want to learn more about Drue Leyton Tartière. A woman who was smart, loyal, fearless and courageous, I felt complete admiration for her and I was amazed by everything she achieved and endured, and five stars from me. I highly recommend reading Goodnight from Paris and the authors previous books, The Secret Stealers and The Beantown Girls.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel, based on a real life movie star from the early part of the twentieth century, Drue Leyton. Set in France during WWII, Drue has moved to France from Hollywood after marrying a handsome Frenchman. She is an American and was semi-famous for her parts in the Charlie Chan movies. As the Nazis bear down on France, Drue is asked to broadcast a radio show from Paris to encourage American support of France. She gets a death threat from the Germans for her efforts.

After the Nazis take over Paris, Drue and her co-workers and housekeeper move to Barbizon and join the Resistance movement. Drue survives it all by faking uterine cancer while interred by the Germans. She eventually helps a number of Allied airmen escape France after crash landing on missions against the Germans.

This was a good novel but not a great one. The main character seems to have a hair trigger temper and mouths off to the Germans at times. This trait did not seem authentic. Also, the two love interests in the book did not come across well. We're told she's in love, but we don't really see it.

Overall, however, this was an interesting story and, since it was based on an actual person, a story that needed to be told. Recommended.

Drue Leyton is a Hollywood actress, living in Paris at the start of WW2. As her French husband goes off on war duties, she stays behind and sends radio broadcasts to America, detailing life wartime life and begging America for help.

This is a story based on facts. Very detailed facts. Drue puts herself in danger to help others. Parts of the story are very intense. Seeing the newscasts from Ukraine helps to give this story life. While the war was fought eighty years ago, war is war. The tragedies and human losses don't change.

I Googled Drue….I had to see what she looked like. She was a beautiful woman. I am amazed at the strength, bravery and courage that she had while putting herself in danger.

Kudos to the author for the research she did to relate this story. Most of the characters are real people. Ms. Healey admits to using literary license in some instances but she stays very close to facts as she learned from her research.

This book gives a totally different perspective on the war from others that I have read. It is interesting, compelling and informative.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers copy.

I really love historical novels, and this was a good one, based on the life of American movie actress Drue Leyton, a star in the late 30’s. She is living in Paris with her French husband Jacques Tartiere, who joins up to serve as an interpreter for the British at the start of WWII. To keep busy, Drue does radio broadcasts to the States, describing what is going on in Paris, with the beginning of Nazi occupation. As she becomes bolder in her broadcasts, the radio station is shut down and a death threat is put out on her. She, along with her closest friends, take refuge in the country, were she begins to assist with the war effort.
This is a story based on the life of a courageous woman, who just happened to be an actress. Jane Healey is a very skilled writer, as I’ve enjoyed in her previous novels. Her characters are well developed and she captures the pain, sacrifice and struggle of war time, as well as the bravery of those that lived it. Her research of Drue’s story is so thorough, that the reader can really feel the pain and suffering of those living it.
This book is certainly five star worthy. My thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union and the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Goodnight From Paris follows actress Drue Leyton as she becomes a part of the resistance during WW2. I learned quite a bit during this book and I’m always surprised by how much there is still to learn about this war. I also admired all the perseverance these characters showed during these very difficult times. There was a lot of information and action in this book, but there wasn’t a ton of depth or emotional writing which is what hooks me to WW2 books. I liked this one, but I didn’t love it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Set in France during the events of WWII, this is a historical fiction based on the life of Drue Leyton Terrane, an American actress and member of the French Resistance. I liked the story and really enjoyed all of the information in the author's note detailing where fact and fiction were integrated into the story.

What I liked.

1. It was interesting to have the perspective of a person that I had not read much about. As an American actress, Drue Leyton had many opportunities to return to the United States. But the love of her adopted nation and her husband kept her in France during the war.

2. The radio broadcast aspect and how Drue manages to ruffle the feathers of all her opponents. I love that she didn't back down. The scene where she interviews Josephine Baker was one of my favorites in the book.

3. The entire first part of this novel made for some great reading. I loved the relationships between friends, colleagues, and her husband, Jacques.

What could have worked better?

1) Part 2 was interesting about the American roundups and Drue's imprisonment but I felt my interest waning in the last 20% of the book. It felt like the author was realizing that she had to wrap things up quickly.

2. The relationship between Drue and another character was inevitable. I just knew the minute they were on the page that it was going to happen. I do understand from Jane Healey's note that there was evidence to indicate it's possible but I saw no passion or chemistry beyond two friends seeking comfort from one another.

3. Okay, I have a pet peeve that I will freely admit when it comes to books and films about WWII. Having visited France, Belgium, and Holland, the efforts of ALL ALLIED FORCES are recognized as you venture through many communities. At least when I visited these countries in the summer of 2013, the signs read " Thank you to our Liberators" and included the flags of many allied nations, not just ONE. Drue Leyton helped pilots from many Allied Forces and in the post-war years was recognized by many of them including the French, British, Canadian, and American governments. To Jane Healey's credit, Drue always does utter the words "allied forces" when discussing war updates. But all of the other characters appear to just emphasize " Americans" coming to save them blah, blah, blah. Now to play devil's advocate, maybe other characters were doing this because Drue was American and they wanted to pay her homage. But yeah, it wasn't a SOLE country's effort, they were a group and it's insulting to me as the granddaughter and great-niece of Francophone Canadians who served overseas and in Canada during this war. Many, many men and women in many countries served in various capacities. It's kind of like when Team Canada has won gold at the Olympics( another pet peeve towards my fellow Canucks) and broadcasters go on and on about Sidney Crosby( who is a great player but hockey is a team sport) instead of all members of the team- it's just a lousy way of telling a narrative. Maybe something that publishing companies would like to keep in mind for the reading audience. 🤷‍♀️ Like I said, it is just my personal pet peeve!

In summary, I liked it for offering a different perspective and a person that I didn't know anything about .

Expected Publication 07/03/23
Goodreads Review 15/02/23

#GoodnightfromParis #NetGalley.