As I say a lot in my reviews, I am a huge fan of historical fiction books … especially those that occur during WWII. I enjoyed the focus on three women during the war. The characters were well developed and you are on the edge-of-your-seat wondering how things will end. As is typical with novels set during WWII, there are difficult moments, but you are also treated to a view of how so many women sacrificed to help end Hitler’s atrocities.

Thank you to NetGalley and Love Inspired Trade for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Adult
Fiction
Historical
Historical Fiction
WWII

Courage, betrayal, and hope are just three themes running through the entirety of this captivating novel. The resilience of the characters under German occupation is a bright light in a world gone mad. Rachel, Vivian, and Camille each have their own stories that start to intertwine as the book moves forward. Choices are made that could lead to either death or life. They must decide how to live in the darkness of occupation and how to move forward in the face of betrayal and tragedy. Renee Ryan has written a compelling novel full of history, and emotion. The ending left me breathless! This is my first novel by Ms. Ryan and definitely won’t be my last. I thank NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Amazing story and captivating writing! Renee Ryan keeps you entranced thru the entirety of this novel! It will stay with you long after finishing! 5/5 stars!

I love getting ARC books
And especially those based in Europe during the war
Love this story
Definitely recommend it to others
#campnetgalley

WW II historical fiction is my favorite, the nightengale, book of lost names, wine makers wife, I could go on and on - and this one rates up there the story of these three women and secrets, lies, trust, friendships...

It is a story in which you will find yourself invested in the characters and staying up late to want to finish the page the chapter and the whole dang book! Definitely recommend!

Book: The Paris Housekeeper
Author: Renee Ryan
Book: The Paris Housekeeper
Author; Renee Ryan
Length: 336 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (Harlequin)
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

1940 Paris

The Germans are about to invade Paris, the city of love!
Everyone is trying to escape Paris as the German Nazis come sweeping in with their enormous tanks! It is horrific and everyone is scared, especially the Jews. Afraid the Jewish people will be humiliated, beaten and killed. However not everyone can afford to just leave without the financial means to grab a ship or transportation and find another place to live or hide out in. It is just not possible for many who have no wealth at all!

This is the story of women bonding together. This is where Camille Lacroix and Rachel Berman work as chambermaids together at the Ritz. Camille actually sends cash to her family in Dinan, a town in Brittany, France. She needs financial help to aid her family back home. To be able to succeed in helping her support her family she is also a ladies maid for the wealthy American, socialite Vivian Miller, who is also a Nazi supporter. She has been living at the Ritz for quite awhile now.

Except this has all been a disguise and Vivian is using her money and high ranking contacts in helping to get travel papers and passage for the Jewish refugees out of Paris!Of course she is putting her life on the line with every lie she tells and the papers she obtains to help the Jewish people get to safety. They are also hiding Rachel in a bunker right under the nasty Nazi’s supervision and unknown to them! This is extremely dangerous and this hidden secrecy will not last forever if they are not careful. They all know they could land at death's doorway if they are not extremely careful.

I love this book for so many reasons, for one my Jewish heritage, my young teenage father fought in World War 2 at The Battle of the Bulge In France in the Ardennes region in Belgium, Luxembourg and Northeast France. Over 81 thousand American casualties. I hope Dad shot a few Nazis to be honest! He watched or heard about how all his boyhood friends were killed in this horrific war run by a madman! Another reason I loved this book so much!

One of my favorite reads of the year. I do not want to give too much away as this is such a brilliant read! I love when true history is weaved with a fictionalized tale which is absolutely a total masterpiece! A book readers do not want to miss! I cannot recommend this book enough! I would scream it from the rooftops if people would listen! I just loved this book so very much!

Disclaimer: I received an advance readers copy from the publisher. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

The Paris House Housekeeper
“The Nazis had stolen her home. They’d stolen her property. The Americans had stolen her money. But it wasn’t over. It was never over when a strong woman was pushed to her limit.” Glamorous rich American widow Vivian Miller is a longtime guest of the Hotel Ritz and a Nazi sympathizer? But never underestimate a strong woman to do what it takes to survive, but still willing to help others. Even at a high cost to herself. This page tuner follows 3 women during their struggles of Nazi occupation in Paris.

A suspenseful novel of Nazi occupied Paris during WWII that had me turning the pages until the very end. Novels like The Paris Housekeeper are why I keep coming back to historical fiction again and again.

An amazing WWII read. I really enjoyed learning about these characters and following them on their dangerous adventures.

This was a very good read for me overall! I found it to be very captivating and really enjoyed our main character, as she was very strong and dignified. The writing style was really amazing for me personally - this was my first time reading anything by this author - and I’d read other titles by this author in the future!

This story vividly depicts what life was like in Paris after the invasion and take over by the German Nazis. It follows the story of three brave women and what they did to fight and resist this takeover. The reader is cheering and hoping for a positive outcome for all three. Although there were some slow parts in the book, it was an interesting historical period read.
3.5 stars

This book was quite the ride. Wow! I loved this story set in World War 2 Paris until the betrayal happened. It completely changed the tone of the book for me. While I understand it was nessecary to move the story along, it was still difficult to read.

The author did a great job of weaving together 3 different characters story together and keeping each story line seperate from each other yet still one cohesive story. I liked the premise of learning about the background of Vivian, in understanding her desire to help and how that led her down a non-virtuous path.

Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A positive review was not required.

A wonderful, heartbreaking story set during WW II. I just couldn't put it down! I love that the author was inspired by the story of a hero of mine, Irena Gut.

A well-done novel from occupied France in WW2. The story is suspenseful and shares a tremendous story of the bond between three women. The author does a great job of providing a story that will hold your interest.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this novel! One of my favorite things to learn about is WWII and Nazi Germany, Renee Ryan was able to take that time period and give us a novel full of women power. I absolutely love Camille, Vivian and Rachel in this novel, to be as courageous as these women would be amazing. The writing style is so well done, I didn't want to stop reading, it just flowed. Reading this it kind of felt like I was there, for the journey, the fear, the heartache, and the friendship these women found amongst all the fear surrounding them. What a powerful read, I would definitely recommend this to anyone, and can't wait to get a physical copy for my shelves at home.
Thank you Renee Ryan and Netgalley!

THE PARIS HOUSEKEEPER by Renee Ryan

📖Following her captivating previous novels, the author delivers another gem. The unlikely bond between Camille, Rachel, and Vivian shines amidst the darkness of Paris under German occupation, their resilience tested in unforgettable ways. These women face unimaginable hardships, forever altering their lives and those around them."

I savored the author's inclusion of fascinating historical tidbits about The Ritz. The backdrop of suffering felt authentic and added depth to the story's message about the weight of our choices, even small ones, can have such profound consequences.

Thank you #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rating : 4.5 stars

I loved this book so much! Following the stories of these three women as Paris was occupied by Germany was so interesting, and I just needed to keep reading to know what happened! A Jewish woman, an American, and a Parisian housekeeper with sister experiencing mental illness all work to fight for what was right in a terrible time in history. Hearing the situations from such different POVs kept the story fresh and interesting. If you like historical fiction or are wanting to give this genre a try, this is the book for you!

Thank you to @netgalley for an advance review of this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Love Inspired Trade for accepting my request to read The Paris Housekeeper.

Genre: Christian | Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction

Stars: 2.5 rounding up

This reads as a teen to young adult story to me. It is clean. All explicit acts associated with World War II are inferred. From that perspective this could be the book to ease into teaching conversations. As a young reader, I was all about the cover. WWII historical fiction books have a look. The nonfiction elements of war could be discussed.

As far as the book itself goes, I found it slow and boring. More than half the book, 51%, was setting up the ending. What Ryan did in 200+ pages could have been said in 30 pages? Especially when details are not being given; nor do I think they should be. Once her point was finally made, I was at the point of no return.

I'm rounding up to 3 stars as I don't recall another storyline where people were hidden in the actual Officers house. I do give kudos to Ryan for giving me that perspective to ponder over a cup of coffee.

In the Author's Notes -- Irena Gut’s heroic deeds are what she based the story on. Her autobiography -- In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer is given. I appreciate these references and will look for the book.

For me, I believe I have read too many WW II historical fiction books and perhaps that is why I'm not impressed.

Another fantastic book from Renee Ryan! I loved it from start to finish, and I appreciated the historical fiction approach from the Ritz and Paris in WW2.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review!

Having read several WWII books set in the Hôtel Ritz in Paris, I was excited to read Renee Ryan’s new book. There were many times Ryan had me on the edge of my seat as I followed the lives of three women. Vivian Miller is a rich American widow who is living at the Ritz and appears to be a Nazi sympathizer. She is actually spending her money to obtain false papers to get Jews out of the country. Camille Lacroix is a chambermaid and later works for Vivian when she lives with German general. Together Camille and Vivian hide Rachel, who is Jewish and worked at the Ritz in the laundry room, under the General’s house.

I found myself on the edge of my seat during very tense moments as the story progressed. This is a book that will stick in my mind for a long time. I generally don’t read a book for a second time. I can see myself coming back at a later date to reread Ryan’s book. I will definitely be recommending The Paris Housekeeper to my book club. There is so much to discuss. My thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.