Wow! This is another fantastic WWII read.
Drue, an American actress, recently married to a Frenchman, chooses to stay in Paris after her husband, who had weak lungs, marches off to interpret for the British forces.
First by radio and then later as a Resistance worker, Drue navigates through the long years of war and occupation including a death warrant hanging over her, relying on her acting skills.
It is difficult to justify America always coming to the aid of those in wars far away from home. However, thanks to Japan declaring war on the US, we don’t have to read of Hitler finishing his dastardly plans.

Goodnight from Paris is an absolute gem of a read - the pacing is perfect, the featuring of lesser known WWII history is excellent (I had no idea that American women in France were put into internment camps after the USA entered the war) and I can’t recommend this more.

The novel centres on Drue Leyton Tartière, an American actress married to a Frenchman, who stays in Paris despite the expectation of a German invasion. She ends up broadcasting for Paris Mondiale, reporting on Parisian life to those in the USA, and trying to share what life is really like in occupied France.

While I was fairly certain much of the novel was based on fact, I didn’t realise quite how much until I read the Author’s Note. I didn’t want to ruin the book by accidentally reading about what happens to them (been there done that!) so I didn’t learn until after that Drue Leyton Tartière was an American actress married to a Frenchman and living in Paris, and - in fact - almost everything that happens to her throughout the novel is true. The majority of secondary characters are also real people, and not just simply based on people she may have known.

Healey manages to wend fact and supporting fictional narrative so perfectly that I hadn’t even realised that so much of the book WAS fact. The fictional aspects simply serve to bring the details, the minutiae that gets missed in historical archives. The story is powerful and should be on any historical fiction fan’s bookshelf.

5 stars!

A rollicking good read! Jane Healey’s inspiring, well researched Goodnight from Paris is itself inspired by the quite amazing life of Hollywood film star Drue Leyton Tartiere, who married a Frenchman and opted to remain in France for the duration of World War II, despite the fact her husband had left Paris to contribute to the war efforts. Madame Tartiere initially puts to use her skills and well established contacts by broadcasting to the USA from midnight to 6 am Paris time to give her fellow Americans a sense of life as an expat in Paris - and to advocate for American aid to French and British Allies. Following the USA’s entry into WWII, she flees with her Alsatian maid Nadine and her radio boss Jean to the charming French village of Barbizon, where they become active members of the French Resistance. I’ll refrain from including a number of spoilers, but will say I was astonished to read in the well written Author’s Note following the story that several of the occurrences I surmised were surely fictional in nature had actually been experienced by the real Madame Tartiere.

Healey is a good storyteller. The character of the brave, persistent and strong-willed Drue Leyton Tartiere is well drawn, and Healey expertly describes the many locations in which the story is set. I did feel the novel would have been more impactful and better paced if about 15-20% of the content had been edited out to create a tighter story. The tale meanders a bit here and there. Also, the ending felt a bit awkward and out of sync with the narrative and pacing. And I wished Nadine’s character had been more fully developed. All that said, this was a very enjoyable bit of histfic that kept me turning the pages, and I am happy to have learned about Tartiere’s life and heroic escapades. I’ve read all of Healey’s novels to date, and look forward to her next. Three and a half stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a complimentary ARC. Opinions are entirely my own.

Needing a good escape book, I was so excited for this ARC from Jane Healey. This historical fiction novel based on the real-life of Drue Leyton Tartiere is immediately captivating! I felt like the pages flew by and it was an enjoyable read. Through so many incredibly difficult times, she is a protagonist to truly root for, and I was happy to see her prevail. This will be an easy recommendation when it is published in March! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

In 1939, Hollywood actress Drue Leyton is married to a Frenchman who is off fighting the war while she is left alone with her housekeeper. With her career and family an ocean away, she is eager and willing to take an opportunity at a radio show. She befriends a famous wartime journalist and is urged into a political type of role. When it is no longer safe in Paris, she is willing to risk it all for everything she loves, and everything she’s fighting for.

This book was stunning and all I was looking for in a historical fiction book. My only complaint with it, is that at time it felt slightly long and drawn out. Like we spent too much time in areas that weren’t very relevant to the main plot. But the book was amazing, and I did enjoy it. I enjoyed that the author did her research into the real life Drue Leyton and crafted a fictional, yet believable story based in facts. I was rooting for Drue the entire time and loved her journey.

If you are looking for a powerful historical fiction from an American based in Paris during World War 2, then check this one out March 7th! Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, @getredprbooks, the author, and @netgalley for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for this honest review.

"I know the risks of this journey, but there are more dangers in not doing enough right now in the face of such a brutal enemy. My love for my country is stronger than my fear of what might happen to me."

Put Good-night from Paris on your reading list now! This is the 3rd book I've read from Healey and it's (IMO) her best work! I've enjoyed all of her books and have come to put a lot of trust in her as an author - she tells a great HF story without giving me nightmares! I love that her stories are real, fascinating, and compelling without being traumatic. I could not put this book down, and I haven't stopped thinking about it since I read it in November.

This is the true story of Hollywood actress Drue Leyton, an expat living in France in 1939. When her French husband is deployed, she has two choices - return to her super cushy lifestyle in America, or become a radio broadcaster, joining forces with journalists, political operatives, and activists, to help shake America into fighting in the war. What follows is a dramatic and amazing story of bravery and ultimate victory for good. I absolutely loved this one and am so excited for bookstagram to devour it! This releases March 7, 2023! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read this one in advance ❤️

Content: one fade-to-black intimate scene between a married couple

4.5 stars

BRILLIANT! (Love Makes the Difference!)

I have a short list of authors who write novels set during WWII and I cannot wait to read their next release. Jane Healey is on my list because her novels have been researched extensively, they are typically based on a true story, and her characters are larger than life and invite you to be a part of the story and make you want to know more about them.

Healey’s latest release, Goodnight from Paris, is the extraordinary story of former Hollywood actress Drue Leyton, married to Frenchman Jacques Tartière, now living as an expatriate in Paris in 1939. They are newlyweds but her husband feels compelled to do his part in the War and volunteers as a liaison for the British Military. Drue is asked to serve as well in a capacity she has no experience in but she is a quick learner and soon becomes quite a sensation. She broadcasts radio programs to the United States to shake them out of their apathy and get them involved in helping France! As she embarks on her new career, she begins to receive all manner of threats because of her political passions.

It is at this point that Healey once again showcases her impeccable writing skills as she takes readers on a harrowing journey of what life was like during the bombings of Paris, as well as other parts of France, and what life was like for the French during the occupation. She writes of the despair of the separation of families by death, capture, and imprisonment (and what life was like in different prisons), deprivation of food, cruelty, and disdain for human life, and she also writes of the opposite way people respond in the darkest of times by treating one another with a smile, a kind word, sharing what meager resources they had, mercy, and, yes, love. Love can always be found even in the darkest moments! Healey uses her character, the ex-pat Drue, to communicate the needs of France to the United States. Drue’s love for France is what made the difference in saving so many other people's lives before the War was over!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by Lake Union Publishing & NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book for my honest review. Any Historical Fiction that Jane Healey writes, I will read. I first read Beantown Girls and was crying by the end of it. When I saw that Goodnight from Paris was available to request, I had to get my hands on it.

Drue Leyton, a famous Hollywood actress from the United States. is living in Nazi-occupied France with her husband. When her husband goes off to fight with the British Army, Drue is offered a once of a lifetime chance to report on the war to back home through the radio. She is adamant to stay in Paris to relay everything that is occurring in Europe during this time. Her fight along the resistance's other characters is truly remarkable and will leave you in awe.

I was never aware of Drue Leyton and her story before Jane Healey chose to write about it. This is what I find so amazing about Jane. She really showcases the World War era in a realistic way. As a Veteran myself, I resonate so much with these characters and what they endured. It leaves my heart in shreds and my eyes watery. The love, passion, courage and sacrifices that were made by these characters makes them so authentic. I finished this book in one sitting and felt like I was transported back in time. Thank you, Jane Healey, for showcasing the bravery that women have, that is often overlooked when speaking about the military!

ARC received by the author via NetGalley. Thank you so much for the opportunity!

A 5 out of 5 must read for 2023!

Jane Healey consistently delivers on phenomenal historical fiction with a strong female lead; Goodnight From Paris was another slam dunk. The book follows the story of Drue, an American actress turned French Resistance Fighter during the Nazi occupation. The best part? It is based on a real woman's life, Drue Leyton Tartiere.

Drue's new husband, Jacques, a Frenchman, deploys to fight with the Allies leaving her in France. Soon after she is given the opportunity to host a radio broadcast to the U.S. highlighting the struggles that France is experiencing under the ever growing threat of Nazi invasion. She uses the broadcast as an opportunity to open America's eyes to the plight of France and the world. America's help was needed and she was willing to do anything in her power to get this point back to the states. Unfortunately, this leads to her being added onto the Nazi hit list as someone opposing their rule. Does this stop our strong and amazing, Drue? Nope! She instead digs in her heels and does what needs to be done (to the extreme at times!) and continues to fight for what she knew was right.

From a zoo, to an imprisonment to multiple scrapes with danger Goodnight from Paris will have you turning page after page following this passionate and patriotic woman's story.

My only complaint? I wanted more! An epilogue. A sequel. Something more to continue learning more about Drue and her companions. My only suggestion for my fellow readers? Don't start reading this book unless you have a hot cuppa next to you and plan on staying up past midnight to finish the book. Oh, and don't forget the tissues because there will be tears.

The magic of Jane Healey's book Goodnight from Paris is her captivating story of the bravery and strength of Drue Leyton, an American film star living in France during WWII. When Drue's husband decides to enroll in the French military, she seizes the opportunity to work for a radio show, using her on-air interviews to compel America to come to France's aid. Germany responds by issuing a death warrant which changes the trajectory of Drue's life. The author does an amazing job of putting the reader in Paris during that tense time before occupation.

As the war progresses and Drue's life is in danger, she is forced to flee Paris under a new identity, navigating the perils of daily life under German occupation. Drue and her circle of friends who are like family become an integral part of the French resistance. Every day making impossible decisions that risk their lives while saving others.

This book was compelling and well-written. The author's notes answer your questions about what is fact and what is fiction. I was surprised by how much was historically true even if every fact was not. Drue Leyton was an amazing woman and Jane Healy created this enjoyable read to learn about why.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of "Goodnight from Paris" in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I thought that all the characters were great and that the plot moved along really well. I especially enjoyed the perspective of an American in France during the German Occupation. Even more impressive to me was that this book is based on the life of the real Drue Leyton. I've never heard of her before so I was glad obtain more knowledge of her contributions to the war effort. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in WW2 fiction.

Goodnight from Paris by Jane Healey is an excellent WWII-era historical fiction
I read this book in 1.5 days.This is a well researched book I found this book engaging from start to finish, highlighting those willingness to risk their lives to free their country from the Nazis. I always love a good European war historical books, Drue Leyton is a name which was new to me so I appreciate the authors notes. I also loved Beantown Girls by Jane so I knew her kind of writing style, looking forward to her future books.

Thanks netgalley for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book. It had wonderful settings and enticing characters. Every step of the way was an adventure. It will pull at your heart strings, but so worth the enchanting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and and lake union Publishing for providing me with a copy of Goodnight from Paris for my review.
The book is about an actress Drue Layton who moves to Paris and gets married to Jacque Tartieres just before the war. He went to help the British as an interpreter. She is offered a job in the U.s. but chooses to stay to help her new country of France. She is asked by Jean Fraysse to do broadcasts on Paris Mondale. She speaks her mind to tries and tries to get the USA to help in the war.
Jean gets sick was told to broadcast for the Germans without Drue, an American.. They are advised to leave Paris and stay in a villa and lease a farm nearby. Drue leaves with Nadine, her maid.

The story of how she preservers thru the resistance to help the French people during the German takeover was so well written and an eye opener to the detail. There is so much love, fear, power, commitment to the story. The research was so carefully put into this historical fiction.

I recommend this story for those who like WWII. Stories and the bravery of those who gave their all to help the French. I totally enjoyed this book.

Excellent story based on a real American actress and her work for the French resistance during WWII. At one time she was incarcerated at th zoo in the Moneky house. Peopled with interesting characters danger and daring - this is a page turner

As an avid WWII historical fiction fan, I’m always on the hunt for books that are slightly different than ones I’ve read in the past. This book did not disappoint! I’ve read, and enjoyed, one other historical fiction novel by Jane Healey and I was excited to read this one.
Based on the life of American actress Drue Leyton, this novel focuses on the time period when she marries the love of her life, Jacques Tartiere, and moves to France, his home country just prior to WWII. France becomes her home and when the war breaks out and Jacques goes to help the British with their war efforts, Drue decides to stay in her new home country and do what she can to protect it, rather than fleeing to the safety of America. When Drue is approached to do a radio program that could assist in bringing American soldiers into the war, she agrees. Drue proves to be a force to be reckoned with. She is portrayed as a strong woman who does what she can to bring an end to the war. She uses her acting skills to protect herself and her loved ones when needed. She is a very likable, strong woman and I truly enjoyed reading about her. The other characters in the story are also very well developed- some of which you will likely grow to love and others not so much! I felt the hope, sadness, loss, and love of these people.
Jane Healey reveals at the end of the book what was based on true facts and real people vs things she used a bit of creativity with to make the story work. I appreciate that she stuck to a great deal of real history. I was in Europe as I read this story which made it all the more real for me. I highly recommend it to those interested in WWII historical fiction that’s a bit different from other stories previously written. Thank you to Jane Healey and Netgalley for an ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest opinion.

'Goodnight from Paris' is based on real-life American actress Drue Leyton who, after marrying a Frenchman, chose to say in France for the duration of WWII and become a part of the Resistance.

Drue's husband, Jacques, joined the British Coldstream Guards as a translator early in the war. However, instead of evacuating the city back to her home in Los Angeles, Drue takes up a job in broadcasting; supporting the French Government in promoting France to Americans. Increasingly, Drue sees radio as an opportunity to plea to the Americans to see the war as not a European issue, but a world issue. Once the Nazis invade France and occupy Paris, they issue a death warrant against Drue for sharing her opinions so explicitly. However, undeterred, Drue continues her work in France and joins the Resistance that begins to form. Like many who fought with the Resistance, a cat-and-mouse, high-stakes game unfolds.

I am always captivated by everyday citizens who chose to actively stand up for what was right and fought fear daily for their own lives. As an American, well before the Americans joined the war effort, Drue stood passionately patriotic for her adopted country. I enjoyed reading about life in Paris, and France, from the onset of WWII, leading up to the occupation, until liberation. You get a real appreciation for just how long the war was, and just how many years people had to live in a state of fear and anxiety - not only for themselves but for all of their loved ones. Jane Healey does a great job of building a picture of Drue's work and courage over the duration of the war. As a reader, you become increasingly invested in Drue's life and the outcome of the war for her personally. I love reading about true-life characters, even if their story has been fictionalised for easy digestion. In my opinion, so much has been said about so few great women; so little about so many. Thank you Jane Healey for bringing another courageous woman to my attention.

I thoroughly the enjoyed the book. The writing and descriptions were excellent. The pace moved quite quickly. The story, however sad, is not new unfortunately. A newly-wed woman left in Paris to make her own life while her husband is off on some secret mission, never to return. The woman becomes part of the Resistance and in the process meets several other upstanding human beings who each in their own way fight for the same cause. The ending is when the Americans come and free France. An excellent book. An old plot.

Goodnight from Paris by Jane Healey is a beautifully written and captivating novel that transports readers to the streets of Paris during World War II. The story follows the true story of American Hollywood actress, Drue Leyton, who loses her French husband while living in Paris at the height of the war. Despite the dangers and challenges she faces, Drue is determined to do whatever she can to help the resistance. Healey does an excellent job of bringing the atmosphere of Paris during the war to life, and her depiction of the WWII France is both vivid and evocative. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged from beginning to end. Overall, Goodnight from Paris is a compelling and moving novel that offers a unique and powerful perspective on one of the most tumultuous periods in history. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone with an interest in World War II.

So this is one book that has to be read it's a very important paRt of our history and of the unsung woken hero's from WWII.

Drue Leyton Tartiere was a remarkable woman and I'm happy the author wrote her story in this wonderful historical fiction novel. A definite must read

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for allowing me to read this book.

All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else.