In 1942, during WWII, mothers were forced to make the most impossible decision, to give up their children in a hope for their survival. 108 children were smuggled from France by the sheer determination and will power of a select few who wanted to save as many lives as they could from the Nazi regime.
In 1992, Valérie Portheret, a law student working on her thesis, stumbled across the 108+ names written in a documentation at Chateau de Peyrins. This event leads Portheret on a 25 year adventure to find all 108 children to right the wrongs that many would like to forget from the Holocaust.
Overall rating 5/5
The dual timeline is an exquisite way to give voices to the victims of such atrocities. This book is a reminder of how a few who fight for what is right can lead to a lasting impact that can span for decades. Thank you to writers like Escobar who remind us of these historical events and the suh brave individuals.

*Thank you Mario Escobar, Netgalley and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I knew a bit about the topic of hiding Jewish children but not this particular event. Valerie is a law student doing research originally on Klaus Barbie but she stumbles upon a list of 108 names of children that were taken from a prison camp and hidden within plain sight by foster families. She makes it her goal to find all of the children whose lives were saved and hear and record their stories. This is a dual storyline with Valerie in 1992 and France in 1942 as told by those adults who risked their lives to save the Jewish children from extermination. Overall I really enjoyed this one!

*4.25 stars*

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsFocus and HarperMuse for an ARC of the audiobook.

One thing I know I can count on with a Mario Escobar historical fiction is that it will be thoroughly researched. The Forgotten Names is no exception as Escobar unfolds a story where past characters try to save children born to foreign born Jewish families in France and a present day student tries to locate them under their new names and identities. Based on a real story, The Forgotten Names will leave your heart on the floor on more than one occasion as you can't help but wonder how people could become so cruel.

Narrator Saskia Maarleveld does a fantastic job telling this story with just the right amount of emotional pull in her voice. The accents and characters were masterfully reenacted as she brought The Forgotten Names to life.

Thank you HarperCollins Focus for the gifted ALC.

What a fascinating topic to explore. There is a huge amount of World War II historical fiction out there, and after reading many I've stepped back from the genre somewhat, waiting for something original. I think Mario Escobar has tapped into a fascinating true story of a woman researching what has happened to some of the Jewish children smuggled out of France during the occupation. I loved the fact that many Protestants, Catholics and Jews alike came together united in their efforts to rescue and save these souls. Just more ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the midst of trials and danger. They were truly sacrificial of their own lives and peace.
Other reviewers have mentioned a choppy plot presentation, but I am not sure they realize this is likely due to the translation. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and didn't feel that way at all. It was very well done with a narrator masterful at a French accent and pronunciations as well.
Although I know it must be historical fiction since dialogue was added, I feel this was well-researched and was perhaps mostly nonfiction. Auschwitz Lullaby has been on my TBR list for some time, and now that I've read this Escobar book, I'll head to that one next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this ARC.

This book was so heartbreaking. As a mother, it's hard to fathom what these families went through and the strength it took to make the hard decisions. As a human, I can't comprehend the cruelty to one's fellow man. The determination and heart of the main players on this book is awe inspiring.

My first ever audiobook. I knew Mario Escobar always writes engrossing historical novels, so I knew I would be easily engaged.
"The Forgotten Names" is based on true events in Lyon during WWII. Jewish families had been removed from their French lives and were all heading off to German extermination camps. In August 1942, these French parents were faced with a horrible choice: watch their children die, or sign them over for safe keeping...probably never seeing them again, but at least giving them hope of salvation.
Fifty years later, it becomes one woman’s mission to match the abandoned names with the people they belong to.
And so we learn the stories of the children, their saviours and their tormentors (Klaus Barbie, the “Butcher of Lyon")
Mario did a great job of capturing the voices and emotions of both the children and the parents.
Told in dual timelines, "The Forgotten Names" is a reimagined account of the true stories of the French men and women who have since been named Righteous Among the Nations and the children they rescued, as researched by the law student Valerie.
Engrossing book told by a single narrator who tells the story well.
Thanks to Harper Collins Muse, Mario Escobar and NetGalley for my copy.

During August of 1942, French parents had to make life altering decisions….watch their children possibly die, or abandon them forever. Although a woman fifty years later decides she is going to make it her life missions to match the names of those abandoned to who they belong to.

Valerie Portheret researched the 108 children who disappeared in her doctoral that escaped deportation and death in the German concentration camps. She was so intrigued with all of the people involved in saving the most innocent victims at this time.

The men and woman who helped with these children are named Righteous Among The Nations. They helped them remember their forgotten names.

This book has pulled on all of the heartstrings, and just played such a big part of history! What a marvelous book! Very well done. Looking forward to finishing this and hearing the beautiful ending. A great audiobook for those who enjoy history. 💛 Thank you @harpercollinsfocus @netgalley @marioescabar

The concept of finding names on a list and working towards their story is an intriguing plot line. You can tell the author did a lot of research on this historical timeline, which is reflected in how it reads. There seems to be little fiction or storyline. Instead it reads very historical textbook. It alternates between past and present- but it was a hard transition to follow between the two perspectives. The present tense was about someone doing research- which I found to be a slow read. The past tense includes lots of characters and locations. A very interesting historical event that is worth learning about.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for an ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Recently Released on June 11, 2024.

This is an impassioned and moving tale involving the disappearance of 108 children during the occupation of France by Germany in 1942. Valérie Portheret, a law student, is researching her doctoral thesis. What she discovers is astonishing. She uncovers how 108 children were saved from the Nazis.

Due to a loophole in the Nazi doctrine, a coordinated effort by clergy, civilians, the French Resistance, and members of other humanitarian organizations risk their lives to save these children. But to do this, the mothers must give up their rights to their children. And to save their children’s lives…these mothers did just that!

Talk about a tough decision with life time consequences. I do not see how these mothers did this. How agonizing and terrifying. I swear, I learn something new every day about this terrible time in history.

No one tells a Holocaust story quite like Mario Escobar! My favorite novel by this author is The Teacher of Warsaw. I highly recommend you read that book as well!

This novel is superbly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.

Need a good, emotional read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I enjoyed this audiobook. I knew I liked the author and the narrator is one of my favorites. It is a book that kept my interest and made my commutes fly by. Very well done.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this audiobook provided by NetGalley.

As this book began I was worried if I would be able to keep the characters straight. However, I needed’t have worried, it all came together quickly.

This dual timeline, historical fiction book was both fascinating and shared the emotion of the mothers, the people who saved the children and Valerie.

I think my favorite part was that this book didn’t focus on the horrors or those who perpetrated the horrors. Instead the story definitely kept the children and the helpers in the forefront. This was a good reminder that there were people willing to do the right thing and risk themselves in the face of evil.

Advance reader copy provided by Harper Muse and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

It’s hard to say I enjoyed this audiobook, but I am glad I listened through to the end. The narration was excellent, and the story was heartbreaking, difficult, but ultimately redemptive. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rounded up from 3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley I was able to listen to the audiobook. I love historical fiction, especially those based on true events during WWII with very serious topics that are difficult to read but so important to remember and learn from. A powerful illustration that tells of both the best and worst of what human beings can do to and for one another.

This was a very raw and honest story of the World War 2 time with the Nazi rule of 1942. Escobar did an excellent job of character development and keeping the reader engaged throughout the entire story. I found it easy to empathize and imagine what it would be like to be placed in this situation, strictly because of the amazing style of writing. This really put you into the shoes of unimaginable situations. I would recommend this story to everyone, as we can all use a real story about learning to do what is "right" followed up by a heartwarming story through impossible circumstances. 10/10 recommend!!
Thank you to Mario Escobar, NetGalley, and HarperCollins Focus for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another one not to be missed.
Although I love to read Historical Fiction, I sometimes have a very hard time with the Holocaust and everything related to it…and here we are…

This book has dual timelines and takes place in France, 1942, as well as in 1992 when Valerie, who is studying to be a lawyer, needs to write a thesis. She chooses the topic of Klaus Barbie (I could be wrong with the spelling??) who was the main Gestapo in Vichy, France, and was absolutely ruthless.

The author delves into the lives of the Jewish people who were trying to protect their families, and/or escape, to keep them safe.
Some of the choices that they had to make, well, I’m not sure I’d ever be able to make them….

Going back to 1992, well, Valerie finds that were were over a hundred children who were moved from the camp and protected/taken in by families/ adopted, which means that these families were LITERALLY taking their lives in their hands…because at the time, people were executed for much less.
And she decides that she is going to try to:
1. Find out more information on who these children were and
2. Meet with as many of them as she can to share all that she’s found.

In the end, the author reveals that many of the people in the book were REAL!
As was Valerie and her efforts with these children!

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 5!

#TheForgottenNames by #MarioEscobar and nicely narrated by #SaskiaMaarleveld.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsFocus and #HarperMuse for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
The book was released on 6/11/24.

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends!! 📚⭐️

Wow! The Forgotten Names is the incredible story of 108 children who escaped being sent to the Nazi concentration camps due to the extraordinary efforts of many. I'd never read anything on this particular WWII topic, and I was engrossed in this story. I did have a little struggle following the significant number of characters and names, and the dual timelines seemed to (minimally) disrupt the flow, it was a solid and interesting read with overall great storytelling coupled with clearly in depth research. This story is difficult and important. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves history - fiction or nonfiction!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Focus, and Mario Escobar for an audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book. It was a WWII story I have not heard before. The French people who risked everything to save the children of Lyon was heartbreaking and riveting. The counter plot of Valérie researching what happened to these children then working to reunite them with their true identities was fascinating especially since it’s based on true events, I really enjoyed this story.

The narrator was fabulous & I especially enjoyed that she pronounced the French bits perfectly.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for a copy of this audiobook.

This is a compelling piece of historical fiction. I appreciated the retelling of a real event in history. It does get very intense at times and has some very tough retellings, although nothing graphic.
I did listen to this on audio and I really like this narrator. (Second book I have heard her read). I did find that did contribute to some confusion at times about the wide variety of characters. The story does go back and forth between different characters with a several different threads that do come together. I think this might be easier to read in a hard copy where I could doublecheck names or dates.

I loved listening to this book, because of all of the words in French.

I cannot believe that this is based on a true story. I couldn’t imagine being a parent, and sending my children away, knowing I was going to die, and hoping that I was keeping my children safe. The author did a great job of capturing the voices and emotions of both the children and the parents. This is a WWII story that is new and fresh, and should be read by everyone!

Thoroughly engrossing historical novel of the worst and the best in Lyon during the occupation by the Nazis. The story of the children and the sacrifices of the parents are both heartbreaking and heartwarming. An excellent recounting of something to which most people are unaware. Narrator is easy to listen to.