Two mothers.
Two daughters.
Two families torn apart forever.

Set against the backdrop of the Allied bombing of the German-controlled Renault factory in the nearby Boulogne-Billancourt, this book focuses on connections.

The first connection is between two women, Elise LeClair and Juliette Foulon, who meet one day in the park. They are drawn to each other because of their nationality and their pregnancy. When war breaks out, their friendship is tested.

The next connection is between mothers and children. Harmel begins by highlighting the loss of a child and weaves that thread throughout. She shows us that humans have an incredible capacity to love; it transcends time and space. The spotlight is put on three daughters and their relationships with the mothering influence in their life. This bond is put to test when war erupts and difficult decisions need to be made.

Another connection is between husbands and wives. Harmel shows us the stress marriages were under during war. For some wives, their dreams were put on hold as their husband’s goals took precedence and it increased the tension. For others, it strengthened the bond as they learned to work together. For all, secrecy caused cracks.

I loved the exploration of the power of art to both heal and unite. It was beautifully choreographed and Harmel continued to focus on it throughout her story. There was a warning for us, though, about harboring guilt. Harmel examined what happens when we refuse to acknowledge it in an effort to temporarily keep it from seeping into our lives. She shows that hiding it isn’t a permanent strategy and can have devastating outcomes.

Definitely amongst my top reads of this year, Harmel’s book highlights friendship, motherhood and loss. It’s a heart-rending read and so beautifully and sensitively written.

I was gifted this copy by Simon & Schuster Canada, Gallery Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Over the last few years, there has been a glut in the book market of WW2 stories. I read quite a few but then I had to back off. I still read the odd one but I am very picky about the ones I chose. I am thankful that I chose to read The Paris Daughter.

The Paris Daughter tells of 2 families that were split apart. Not all of them made it. The story is told from the mothers' points of view. One is a mother who was compelled to abandon her daughter for safety's sake. It demonstrates how the bond between mother and child endures. And how much suffering a mother can endure. The other mother faced tremendous loss. The story also shows us the different paths of grief. There is no rule book. A person cannot grieve by a set pattern.

The characters come to life. The reader lives their hardships along with them. It's not an easy book to read. But it is very compelling. The further I got, the better it seemed to get.

The ending was a bit of a twist. It was a twist that I was sort of expecting but nonetheless, it was well executed.

The Paris Daughter is well written. I'm not an expert on the war but it appears to be very well and accurately researched. The author's notes at the end of the book are excellent. She indicates how much research she did for the sake of accuracy for the events depicted.

I am very grateful that my generation and those that have come after me (here in North America) have not had to experience the horrors of war. Of course, it's a whole different story in Ukraine, the Middle East and Pakistan. It makes me wonder how the body and soul of the survivors can possibly endure what has happened. The collateral damage that happens to civilians, especially children, is beyond tragic.

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

Absolutely loved this story! Great character development and plot that was both gut-renching and heartfelt.
Enjoyed the time hope into 1960's New York and wasn't expecting an art theft twist. l always love reading a Kristin Harmel novel. Many thanks Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

FANTASTIC! This book was amazing - beautifully written, well researched and well developed characters. Great storyline that tied together perfectly. I didn't want to put this book down! Highly highly recommend for historical fiction lovers.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

💫The Paris Daughter 💫
By Kristin Harmel
Publisher: Gallery Books (June 6.2023)
Genre: Historical Fiction

I wish I knew how to describe this book properly without giving away details about what happens but I think simply put, it’s a journey combining grief and motherhood. It’s emotional, frustrating and yet… relatable. I feel like I know some readers will find anger towards the decisions Juliette makes so I think for this review I’m going to focus on the connections I felt and the ping pong of emotions that I think Juliette (and Ruth and Elise) has so that when the reader picks it up, they can try and understand why a mother would do what she did.

The book opened up with the loss of a daughter shortly after she was born. It’s clear that Juliette is forever changed by that despite welcoming two other children into her family later on. One being another daughter….

And yet, grief robs a mother when she says goodbye and the reality is that they are forever changed. The actions that happen after are all crumbs of a broken heart.

When reading this, I think a woman who is a mom may perhaps have a difft reaction then one who is not. Because simmering underneath every book we open is the knowledge that we come at it with our own lens. And for me in particular, I know Juliette’s grief, so it felt extra raw.

I’m not going to get into more details, but I will suggest going into this novel understanding that the author is writing a book about motherhood first and foremost, with the war as a backdrop. What happens within the pages are meant to explore family and what happens when your world ends as you know it… and how grief or fear can shape our decisions.

For me, it just pushed itself into my favourite spot by Kristin Harmel.

Side note: I Loved the connections to Aurignon from The Book of Lost Names

I've been a fan of Kristin Harmel for quite some time - even before she became a fixture in the historical fiction genre.

Most -not all - of her books have been hits for me, as this one was. That being said, not everything worked for me in this book. My only real complaints were twofold: Juliette in New York City was just too over the top for my liking. I understand that grief changes people but I felt the scenes went on too long and I really just wanted to skip over any part when she was having her episodes. The second issue for me was the ending - it all just seemed too coincidental that there would be a situation that would mimic what happened at the bookstore in Paris at the start of the war. On top of all the other (not very surprising) coincidences, it just took everything a tad too far.

All in all an interesting read, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction.

Kristen has done it again, another fantastic novel! I binge read the entire book yesterday. She kept me on my toes as at one point I was really considering how there was still half a book left to read when so much was done already. Once I continued on I was so glad the story wasn’t over. I did not see the plot twist coming near the end but once it was out it made so much sense. I loved the nod to her other novel The Book of Lost Names. I went through so many different emotions while reading through. Definitely pre-order your own copy!

- A massive thank you the the Author, gallerybooks simonandschuster and netgalley for the e ARC

I struggled to get into the book at the beginning until about 20%. I either found it slow or I was expecting the structure of a usual WW2 book with tragedy and suffering at the forefront.
This book was different in that it focused on relationships more so than what was happening in the war around them. Once I passed the 20% mark I couldn’t put it down and was up all night reading it, basically finishing the last 80% of the novel in one sitting.
I have it four stars due to the slow start but the book was great and I recommend it.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Daughter is an inspiring and heartbreaking historical fiction set in WWII Paris, which showcases the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable loss and grief. Kristin Harmel’s words flow beautifully, and I quickly became immersed in her characters’ lives and stories.

Harmel doesn’t shy away from disturbing subject matter, which comes with the territory when writing WWII historical fiction, but she handles it with such empathy and sensitivity. The characters whose tragic stories she shares are fictional, but they could easily be real people, as many of the events depicted in the book are historically accurate.

The theme of creating art as an outlet for grief was something that really spoke to me, and I loved that aspect of the story. Whether it’s writing, creating art, taking photos, having a creative outlet makes such a difference for one’s mental health.

I enjoyed the stories of both Elise and Juliette. Their fast friendship is tested all too soon, when Elise must entrust her daughter with Juliette, and it’s something that would have happened all too often during those terrifying times of war, when people had to leave their precious children with others to protect in order to give them a chance to survive the horrors that were occurring.

This story had some great twists and turns—-some I didn’t see coming, which I love. Harmel’s characters and descriptive prose pulled me into this tale, and with this book, she has become a must-buy author for me.

Kristin Harmel is a master of historical fiction set during World War II, and her latest book, The Paris Daughter, is another gem in her collection. With her impeccable research and talent for breathing life into characters, Harmel takes readers on an emotional journey that will linger in their minds long after they've turned the last page.

Set in 1939 Paris, The Paris Daughter tells the story of two American women, Elise and Juliette, who have married Frenchmen and are now faced with the looming threat of war. Despite their husbands' involvement in the Communist Party and the potential danger it poses, the women refuse to leave Paris. But when Elise's husband is arrested and she becomes a target of the Nazis, she seeks refuge with Juliette, who agrees to take in Elise's young daughter and keep her safe.

As the war rages on, Elise is forced to flee Paris, leaving her daughter behind with Juliette. When she returns after the war, she discovers that Juliette's husband and everyone but Juliette and a little girl were killed. The perfect ending to this story of friendship had me in tears. The heart-wrenching journey that Elise and Juliette must take to find closure and put the pieces of their lives back together forms the basis of the novel.

The Paris Daughter is a poignant tale of motherhood, friendship, and love, set against the backdrop of the cruelties of war. Harmel's characters are so vividly drawn that they will stay with readers long after the final page is turned. The novel explores the difficult choices that mothers must make to protect their children, and the lasting impact of those choices on their lives.
What sets The Paris Daughter apart is the author's remarkable attention to detail, which is evident in her research and the historical accuracy of the novel. Readers will appreciate the author's notes at the end of the book, which delve deeper into her research and provide fascinating insight into the true events that inspired the story.

In conclusion, The Paris Daughter is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, particularly those interested in World War II. Harmel's talent for crafting unforgettable characters and her impeccable attention to detail make this a book not to be missed.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the chance to read The Paris Daughter before it comes out on June 6, 2023. I really loved it!
You never know how your life will change because of a chance meeting in a park one regular afternoon in Paris. This book starts out as a WW2 story but morphs into a mystery. I liked Elise and found her character interesting and one to root for.
The book is split into three parts and I found each part engaging and I didn't want the story to jump into the time period of the next part. However, I was glad it did and enjoyed chasing the mystery into 1960s New York City.
Read this if you like historical fiction and if you like mysteries. This story has a lot: mother's sacrificing for their children, friendship and found family, the beauty of art, and even an art thief!
Easy 5 stars, I couldn't read it fast enough!

Heart stopping and gut wrenching. What would you do to save your child's life? Could you live with the outcome? Kristin pens a very raw account of how different women came to terms with their decisions. Absolutely loved this book and really brought up emotions with what is happening in todays political climate.

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel is a thrilling novel set during World War II. In Paris 1939:,young mothers Elise and Juliette become friends the day they meet in the Bois de Boulogne. When Elise becomes threatened the German occupation, she trusts Juliette with her young daughter. More than a year later, with the war finally ending, Elise returns to reunite with her daughter, only to find her friend’s bookstore reduced to rubble and Juliette nowhere to be found. Elise’s search leads her to New York and to Juliette for one final, fateful time.

Harmel does a wonderful job creating an inspirational story of bravery and courage during World War II. The Paris Daughter had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 4 stars. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. When I saw that Kristin Harmel had a new novel, I couldn’t wait to read it. Her stories have always been able to move me to tears and make me empathize with the characters. And her latest novel definitely did not disappoint. The story begins in Paris at the beginning of the second world war. Élise, a young first time mother, is taken under the wing of another young american born french wife. They become fast friends until circumstances, based in wartime, tear them and their families apart. The two womens’ lives take on new meaning throughout their experiences as they both grow to accept the past and embrace their futures. The characters came to life and made me continue to wonder how their lives would once again intersect. I, at times, was in awe of the strength each character exuded and at other times was brought to tears and could barely get through a chapter as I sympathized with the choices they had to make. I will definitely be encouraging others to read this novel.

Juliette and Elise are two American women who have married French men and moved to Paris, Juliette to a happy life and Elise to one that would turn out to be somewhat disappointing. In 1939, before the Germans invade France, the two women meet and become fast friends, as do their daughters Mathilde and Lucie, born three weeks apart. When the girls are two, something happens and Elise must flee Paris and leave her daughter in the care of Juliette. A few months later, a bomb falls on Juliette’s home, killing the whole family except Juliette herself and one of the two girls. She decides to go back to the States with her without leaving word for Elise—who she thinks is dead. It will be decades before the two former friends reunite and confront each other to secrets kept all these years.

This is the second WWII book by Kristin Harmel I read, and the second I love. She has a real knack for telling the stories of normal people during that horrible time, for making us feel all the feelings, while mixing in actual historical facts to ground it in reality. I’m not a mother so I couldn’t much relate to what Juliette was feeling and thinking, but it was written in a way that I could still understand it.

I don’t know if we were meant to guess at the two plot twists as early as I did, but even knowing what was coming didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book.

Kristin Harmel's books are an automatic 'add to the TBR list' for me, so I was trilled to receive an ARC of The Paris Daughter.

When two young, pregnant mothers meet in a Paris park, they become fast friends, as do their children. Their lives are then interrupted by the star of WW2, and Elise is soon forced to leave her daughter with Juliette as she escapes. Juliette and her family are in their bookshop when it is bombed, and Juliette leaves to try and put her life back together in America. Elise returns after the war and must do the same, always wondering about her daughter's final moments. Eventually she makes her way to American in search of answers.

The 'WW2 in Europe' market is quite saturated at this point, so I appreciate that while WW2 was the catalyst, the primary focus was on picking up the pieces after the war. I liked the small overlap with The Book of Lost Names. Being a mother, parts of this book certainly tugged on my heartstrings as I actively tried not to imagine myself and my family going through what these mothers went through. I always appreciate the amount of research that goes into Harmel's writing, and like how she gave context in her author's note.

The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars are two of my favourites in this genre, but this one did not quite unlock the same level that they did. It is a good story, and one I think you should read if you like historical fiction, but it is not one I will be raving about. I didn't feel much connection to the characters, and was left feeling underwhelmed. At under 300 pages, it is a shorter WW2 story, which might be appealing to some readers.

3.5 stars.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada, NetGalley and Kristin Harmel for the ARC.

Thank you to Simon and Schuester Canada, Netgalley and Kristin Harmel for the ARC copy.

I rate this book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I was super excited about this one as I love Kristin Harmel. It was a well written novel, and I enjoyed it but I honestly guessed the plot twist from the Goodreads synopsis before I even began reading and that kind of ruined it for me. If I were the author, I would consider changing the synopsis as to not make it such a dead giveaway.

I also found the book to be a bit slow and repetitive at times. I was also not totally happy with the ending. It just seemed random to add in another odd point in history… and kind of ruined what should have been a better conclusion. The plane crash happened and then it just kind of ended?

I do appreciate the obvious amount of research that went into this book, and will still continue to read Harmel books, but this one just wasn’t her best.

This book is definitely in the running for top spot of 2023! I’ve only read one other book written by @kristinharmel and I loved it. I knew I would love The Paris Daughter as well.

This story involves two mothers names Elise and Juliette. They both are Americans who fell in love with Parisian men and moved to France. Juliette is an owner of a bookshop in Paris where Elise is an artist. It was fate that brought them together. When war began in Europe, Elise became the target of Germans because of her husband. She did any mother would do and try to protect her daughter. When Elise had to flee she asked Juliette to take her daughter as her own. When it was safe she would return for her.

What happened next spanned over many years. There was heartache, pain and true love that I felt while reading this book. I had a feeling about the ending of the book but of course there were obstacles to this ending. This book is truly a five star for me!

If you are a fan of historical fiction, please pre-order this book now. It publishes on June 6, 2023. You will want to read it!

Thank you to @netgalley and @simonandschuster my advanced copy.

I recently had the pleasure of reading this historical fiction novel set in Paris during World War 2. The book tells the story of Elise and Juliette, two young mothers who find themselves facing the unimaginable. The novel's plot is masterfully crafted, and the author does an excellent job of keeping the reader engaged and emotionally invested throughout. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially those with an interest in World War II-era France. It's a beautifully written, thought-provoking, and emotional story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Beginning in 1939 in Paris, France two women Elise LeClair and Juliette Foulon meet and become friends. Though their lives and circumstances are both different they bond over their love for their children.

Both Women, whose lives are forever changed by WWII must deal with regret from the decisions they have made and the losses they have endured.

As always author Kristen Harmel does a truly beautiful job with this novel, well researched and very detailed.