This book is so well written, and plants the reader right to the streets of Paris in 1953. It is exciting, and mysterious. I found myself staying up late reading it. I loved the characters.

I have literally found myself recently enjoying historical fiction books; I am not even sure why. It is like being able to see history through someone else's eyes, yet it isn't fully true; just some things are. With the Last Twiling in Paris, I had never heard of a department store being turned into a place that sold Jewish items that were plundered from their homes. So, to me, that was very interesting, and I had fun googling this information.
A necklace is what causes the memories to resurface, and the mystery of what happened to the entertainer all brings Louise to get answers.
It was interesting to see how the Red Cross was working behind enemy lines, as I never thought they were around back then, but they were.
We go between the past and the present. Louise was sending packages to help those who were captured. She couldn't really do much, and you could tell she wanted to. While across enemy lines, her friends die in a mysterious accident, and it bothers Louise even after she has moved on and started a family.
Heleine, another character, but has nothing to do with Louise, finds herself in trouble when the Germans come to Paris. She is taken to the department store to work and has no clue if her husband, who is a musician, is dead or alive.
The two lives of these characters come together, and it all has to do with a necklace and how their paths crossed without really crossing.
Overall, a great historical fiction story, and I plan on looking into this author's work even further.

Another Historical Fiction gem from Pam Jenoff, Last Twilight in Paris follows Louise, a housewife who is trying to get her life back, as she discovers a necklace in a box in a thrift shop. When she sees this necklace, it stops her dead in her tracks, as she knows where it came from and she begins to wonder if it'll help her find the answers to finding her long lost friend, Franny, who disappeared during the war.

This is one of Pam Jenoff's best books, in my opinion! Felt a lot like THE GIRL WITH THE BLUE STAR in terms of writing, storytelling, and character development.

I always appreciate when I learn something new about a time in history I have read a lot about. I had no idea about the furniture store in Paris that was used as a labor camp. Jenoff expertly crafts a narrative around this lesser-known piece of history, creating a compelling story about two women and their bonds through war that they had no idea about.

I was constantly hooked to the page and invested in what would happen. I did guess a few of the "twists," but that doesn't bother me so much in historical fiction. They definitely add to the intrigue and keep the reader turning the page.

I tend to like stories of people’s lives during WWII, and this story did not disappoint. But with what is happening in my country right now, a whole different set of emotions were churned up for me this time around.

The story is told from a split timeline, with Louise’s story taking place both during the war and many years later. Helaine’s story takes place during the war.

I was filled with fear for Helaine and her husband, Gabriel. I knew the fate of so many Jews during WWII, and while Gabriel wasn’t Jewish, he spoke out against the Germans frequently before he went away to perform.

Louise confused me a little. I wasn’t sure if she really loved her husband or was carrying a torch for Red Cross supervisor from back in the day. And I worried that her insistence in trying to discover what happened to her friend Frannie would become dangerous for her.

I don’t want to give away spoilers, but I developed several theories as I worked my way through the book, about possible spies, romances, betrayals, and deaths. Most of what I predicted came true, but not everything (and I was glad about most of the things that didn’t come to pass). There was one twist however, that I did not see coming at all.

The ending felt hopeful and made me content.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC through HTP Book Tours and NetGalley in exchange for a spotlight post and review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Certainly! Here’s your updated review with the recommendation note added:

⸻

Review: The Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

This book was really good—emotional, immersive, and deeply moving. Pam Jenoff delivers a powerful story that blends historical mystery, romance, and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. I felt completely pulled into the world of The Last Twilight in Paris, and it stayed with me long after I finished.

The characters are so endearing, and their emotional growth felt genuine and earned. I especially loved seeing the evolution of their relationships and how each of them carried the weight of the past. The story doesn’t shy away from heartbreak, but it also offers glimmers of hope and healing. You will feel all the emotions with this one—grief, love, frustration, and ultimately, satisfaction.

As a history teacher, I was especially fascinated to learn about Lévitan, the Parisian department store turned Nazi prison. That part of history was completely new to me, and Jenoff weaves it into the story in such a compelling and respectful way. It added depth to the novel and reminded me how many hidden stories from WWII are still waiting to be told.

I switched between the ebook and audiobook, and both formats are excellent. The narration by Saskia Maarleveld and Therese Plummer is outstanding. Saskia is always my favorite—she never misses a beat—but I have to say, Therese Plummer is quickly becoming a standout for me too. They both brought so much nuance and emotion to the performance.

The ending was especially satisfying—a necessary emotional payoff after some very heavy moments. It wrapped up the story beautifully and left me feeling hopeful, even after all the loss the characters had endured.

The Last Twilight in Paris is a compelling, heartfelt read that’s perfect for fans of historical fiction, especially those who appreciate a well-crafted dual timeline and stories rooted in lesser-known real events. I would especially recommend it to fans of Rhys Bowen—The Venice Sketchbook readers in particular will likely find a similar mix of history, romance, and emotional depth to love here. Highly recommended.

Another stunning masterpiece from Pam Jenoff! She really is a historical fiction favorite! The multi-POV plot was crafted so good it was very smooth to follow. I listened to audio as well and it was great!

🇫🇷 historical fiction
⏰ dual timeline
❤️ young love
🔎 mysterious necklace
🎻 cellist MMC
✍️ writer FMC
⛑️ Red Cross co-FMC & co-MMC

It is always a pleasure to read one of spam Jenoff’s novels. The character development was done so well and the dual timelines made it so easy to follow and keep up with everything happening within the then and now.

The buildup of heartbreak, angst and healing was done so well. I can’t wait for the next!

"Twilight in Paris" is a glimpse behind the shrouds of mystery and sadness that were the unexpected and unwanted remnants of a World War. The characters' stories and their lives post-war were reminders that life is hard.

Louise, an English Red Cross worker, is thrust into a mystery when she discovers a necklace that belonged to Helaine, a Jewish woman imprisoned in Paris during World War II. Louise last saw the necklace during the war when she visited a POW camp in Germany, and her friend was killed in a car crash shortly thereafter. Louise has always suspected that there was more to her friend’s death than a simple accident, and she sets out to solve the mystery of the necklace as well. This book is very enlightening about the treatment Jewish people endured in Paris during WWII, and I was invested in finding out what happened to Helaine and her family. I did get bogged down by the writing in the middle, but I loved the ending. And since this was my first read by Pam Jenoff, it was a great introduction to her work! If you like historical fiction, you’ll enjoy this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Park Row for my copies! ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

On the historical fiction front Pam Jenoff did not let me down. I found her use of the Levitan Department Store in Paris and the POW Camps informative nd engrossing. Yes, the book is compulsively fast moving and creates the wartime period vibrantly. However, except for Franny, I had difficulty believing in the characters who drive the story. In my mind they were props to tell a story and not a story in themselves. Additionally, too many of the events seemed contrived. In sum, I wanted to be blown away, but, I wasn't.

I love Pam Jenoff’s writing and she has written another compelling historical fiction novel. If you love historical fiction, dual timelines and WWII intrigue, this one’s for you!!

Set between 1953 London and Paris during World War II, the novel centers on Louise Burns, a former Red Cross worker, who discovers a puzzling necklace that brings new light to the long-unsolved mystery of her friend Franny’s wartime death.

At the heart of the story is Louise and Franny’s deep bond, which propels Louise’s search for the truth about what happened to her friend. As the plot unfolds through flashbacks and recollections, readers witness the strength of their friendship and the powerful emotions that tie them together.

Jenoff’s detailed research sheds light on lesser-known facets of the Holocaust, including the haunting past of the Lévitan department store and the harsh realities faced by Jewish prisoners in Nazi-occupied France.

The novel stands out for its rich emotional layers, compelling female leads, and a suspenseful, engaging mystery.

🎧The story bursts to life in audiobook format, thanks to the outstanding performances of Saskia Maarleveld and Thérèse Plummer.

These gifted narrators masterfully navigate the novel’s shifting timelines, infusing each character with emotional depth and distinct voice. Their narration captures every heartbeat of tension, heartbreak, and resilience, especially as the heroines confront the harrowing choices of wartime.

With flawless pacing and an extraordinary ability to express even the subtlest emotions, they elevate Jenoff’s richly layered storytelling. The result is a powerful, immersive listening experience that lingers in your mind and heart long after the final chapter.

Last Twilight In Paris is Pam Jenoff's most remarkable novels to date! (imho) Once again I learned something about the WWII era I never learned in school history classes or during college WWII history classes and that is one of the main reasons I love historical fiction. Impeccably researched, beautifully written. Highly recommended.

Jenoff is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I love discovering stories about history that are typically not known at all. If I had not read this book, I probably would never have known about Levitan and it's history with the Nazi's. While it wasn't as heartbreaking as novels surrounding the concentration camps during WWII, there are still horribly sad moments. So many people experienced loss and devastation during those years in countless ways. I love that authors like Pam take the time to research and bring those stories to life. It's so important to give them all a voice through books.

Highly recommend if you are a historical fiction fan.

Thank you Park Row Books and Pam Jenoff for the gifted eARC of Last Twilight In Paris. Pam Jenoff’s books are guaranteed to take you on a heartbreaking journey through history while highlighting strength, love and hope. I always enjoy a book that brings true facts to a fiction story and a necklace is a beautiful way to connect these stories of Helaina and Louise together. If you enjoy historical fiction, add this book to your TBR!

Another well researched and thoughtfully written WWII novel from this fabulous author. I really enjoy when an author can introduce another unknown element of the effects on people during the war and this book does it very well.

Thank you to Netgalley, Park Row Books, and Harlequin Audio for an advanced reading copy and an advanced listening copy provided for an honest review.

This story is told in dual narratives and timelines following Helaine in Paris at the beginning of World War II and Louise in 1953 London as she searches for answers in the death of her friend Franny while working with the Red Cross in 1944. Helaine was sick as a child and her parents have become very protective of her keeping her indoors. She longs to explore the city and meet other people her own age, and when she falls in love with a musician, the conflict puts a strain on her relationship with her parents. When Louise comes across a necklace that looks like the one that was in the possession of Franny when she died, Louise resolves to find out the truth about what happened all those years ago. Her journey will bring her to the former department store Lévitan, where Jews were imprisoned by the Nazis and forced to go through their belongings to redistribute to the Nazi officers.

I really enjoyed following Louise through her journey to find out what happened to her friend as well as her memories of the past. While I was a bit frustrated by the bubble that Helaine was raised in leading to her naivete of the world going on around her, especially when her new husband kept her in the dark as well, I still enjoyed reading about her experiences. I was interested to learn about the history of Lévitan as that was an aspect that I had not read about prior to this book. I thought the story came together beautifully in the end. I will say that there was a supporting character in the book that set off red flags for me a little too obviously and I had a hard time believing that one of the main characters trusted this person so much. It sent me off on a few rants and probably cost the book a half star though I rounded up for my rating.

I primarily listened to the audiobook for this read. It was narrated by Thérèse Plummer and Saskia Maarleveld. This was my second listen by Plummer, and Maarleveld is a favorite of mine. I definitely recommend the audiobook if you enjoy them. Both narrators did a great job with the storylines for both of the main characters.

Recommended to historical fiction lovers that enjoy World War II reads.

There were many heroes during the war. I love the stories of the ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

In another brilliant World War II historical fiction novel, Pam Jenoff brings the stories of Louise and Helaine to life as Louise, adjusting to her postwar housewife role, discovers a necklace that she’d seen while working for the Red Cross in occupied Europe. Looking for Helaine, the original owner of the necklace, with her former boss Ian’s help, Louise discovers the history of Levitan, a department store turned Nazi prison during the occupation of Paris and Helaine’s story there. However, the investigation and what it uncovers brings more secrets and uncomfortable truths to life, so Louise must do her best to figure out the mystery before the truth disappears. Helaine and Louise are excellent, fascinating characters, and their unique wartime and postwar experiences really bring them to life by offering insights into their personalities. The timeline skipping really helps the mystery develop and keeps readers guessing, while the historical details and atmosphere are so well-written and really immerse readers in the novel, the mystery, and occupied Paris. Based on the true history of the Levitan department store in Paris during the occupation, this dual-timeline World War II historical mystery novel is a fantastic new read that Jenoff’s fans will love.

Thanks to the publisher for the gifted e-copy.

Pam Jenoff writes some great historical fiction, and Last Twilight in Paris is the newest edition to the list. I enjoyed the multiple POVs, the dual timelines (even though they were only a few years apart), and the fact that I learned about an aspect of the war I wasn't previously aware of. We all know about the work camps, concentration camps, and death camps. I didn't know that there was a prison camp in an old department store building smack in the middle of Paris. All of the furniture and items that were stolen out of the homes of Jewish people were brought to this building, and the prisoners sorted and cleaned it all and then worked as salespeople as the higher up German officers "shopped" the items. to get sent back to their own homes. I knew the homes were ransacked and things were stolen, but I never really knew where it all ended up.

I also enjoyed reading about Louise's work as a Red Cross volunteer during the war. It gives us an inside look into the work the volunteers were doing to try to help the POWs.

As far as the rest of the plot, I was curious about what happened to the two parts of the necklace, and how Franny was involved. I liked that part of the story more than actually reading about Helaine and Gabriel, and I"m not sure why. I think it's because I never really bought their relationship, and Gabriel always struck me as kind of a sketchy character.

Jenoff always delivers a well written and. well researched novel.