**Potential for Spoilers**

A story of true tears, fears, and discovery, this was a fantastic read that combined fiction with history, with romance, and with thrill practically perfectly.

Throughout this story, we follow three main characters who each grow stronger and develop more and more in each chapter. We read about impressive strength and courage that seems impossible from an outsider’s point of view and feel the love that is shared between the protagonists as if we’re right there with them.

What prevents this from being a full 5-star read is a few unresolved plot lines. First, was César the one who created the first of Sarah and Mr. Lieb’s new identities? Second, what happened to Sarah’s mom and grandparents? Third, but not exactly surprising that the story ended without revealing this to us, what happens to each of the main characters? What is Joshua up to in England? Is he able to pick up his luthier business as Joshua Lieb? Did Simone and César get married? Did all three reunite?

Overall, this is a work I would absolutely recommend to others and I would definitely read more from the author should she publish more books like this.

It is the courageous story of a young Jewish woman who flees Germany to France, only to become a forger of identification documents, helping countless people in France escape to safety, particularly artists and musicians who made it as far as Vichy. This was such a beautiful story of courage, love, resilience, hope and determination. These characters never gave hope. This was the first WWII book that I read about what was happening in France as Germany moved in and it was so interesting. The book was full of such detailed descriptions that I felt like I was living in such a horrific and terrifying time with these characters and the characters were so well-developed.

I am not sure if I want stand up, screaming praises to Sarah and others that helped people escape Nazi capture or allow the tears to continue to flow that it needed to be done in the first place. The Forger of Marseille is a intriguing story that gives an in-depth view into the importance of forgers and those that assisted in the saving of lives.

The story begins in Berlin where the reader is pulled into a story of survival. Sarah is confronted by a Nazi officer that believes he can do as he wishes to a Jewish girl. The author's ability to grab my attention and create such empathy had me refusing to put the book down. So many lives were at risk.

Sarah soon finds herself traveling to Paris to attend an art school with Mr. Lieb, a man that had been like a father to her for many years. False papers in hand; they risked their very lives to find safety. Unfortunately, safety is objective. I have to admit reading a story that goes into detail of what live might have been like during the war is much better than studying a dry textbook. The likability of the characters had me invested in the words on the pages. I needed them to survive, but would they?

In Paris, Sarah discovers a new talent after meeting Cesar. She is soon helping others escape the Nazis by creating false papers. Day after day, she worked to save others become someone else, making travel easier. Paris won't remain the safe haven they thought it would be. The most important papers they might create is for themselves and Sarah's papa.

I was enthralled with their journey to Marseille from Paris in a little Citroen. A trip that used to take days dragged on for weeks. The inner strength of those on the roads has left me in awe. The pulled me back in time to gain an understanding of their suffering. I will never be able to grasp a snippet of what these people went through but I do know that we must make sure it never happens again.

Upon arrival in Marseille, Sarah and Cesar are soon in the thick of things. She is creating papers for British soldiers and many others. Cesar is putting his medical training to good use putting the people back together before they attempt to escape to freedom.

The tears flowed as I read about the tragedies. I bawled when Mr. Lieb was arrested and taken to a camp that was not fit for rats let alone human beings. For weeks he struggled, he fought to survive as those around him died.

As Mr. Lieb rotted in the camp, Sarah is called to help Varian Fry after his forger is arrested. I am so thrilled that Varian Fry's actions were a part of this story. His accomplishments, at high risk, should be remembered. His dedication to the cause should be told. Books, like The Forger of Marseille, are a great way to learn about the past. Take what you have read and research and learn.

Such a compelling and interesting book, that I couldn’t put down. The story telling and the characters in this book really wrap you in, my only complaint is that I wanted to know more of what happened with the characters- I really hope there is a sequel!

A delightful read! I didn't want to put it down. History at it's finest. I hope there is a sequel as I would love to learn more about the lives of these individuals through the rest of the war and beyond.

The Forger of Marseille follows Sarah (Rosemarie, then Simone) and her guardian Joshua Lieb (then Josef, then Mathieu) from Berlin, then to Paris, and then to Marseille as they attempt to flee the Nazis’ power. Originally seeking refuge in Paris, Rosemarie meets Cesar, a young Spanish Republican who fled his own country, and the two become involved -- as a couple, and in the Parisian underground. The found family continues to work for French freedom and for their own freedom despite the many challenges placed in their path. Joining larger resistance networks, Simone, Mathieu, and Cesar do what they can to bring undermine the Nazi and Vichy regimes. Meyers crafts a fantastic narrative, immediately pushing the reader into the dangerous world of 1930s Berlin, and her characters are equally wonderful -- vibrant, dynamic, brave, and a little cynical. Her characters develop greatly over the course of the novel, and their relationships with each other and other members of the underground also evolve as the need for greater action and security arise. This novel is driven forward by its characters and their relationships, with settings playing a smaller role, yet the locations are as critical to their identities (literally) as their relationships and alliances. Meyers paints a beautiful picture of the struggles of the French underground under the Vichy regime.

Very interesting read! I really liked this book, it gave a lot of great details. A very good WWII book.

The story of how a young Jewish woman from Berlin became a forger of identity papers in Marseilles during WWII. I hope there is more to the story and Sarah/Rosiemarie/Simone finds a happy ending with her love.