World War II. Two women with dramatically different stories are brought together because of a necklace.

A lost Mizpah necklace leads Louise on a journey to find out its history. She is just sure she saw it years ago when she volunteered with the Red Cross in WWII. Louise begins to have flashbacks and relives the day she lost her beautiful friend, Franny in a suspicious accident.
Helaine is a newlywed in Nazi occupied Paris. While her husband is away Helaine is arrested and imprisoned in a former Paris department store. She is forced to sort items the Nazi’s have taken from Jewish homes. She is desperate to escape.

I always enjoy learning something new about WWII. So baffling that this store, Levitan, was real! Characters were well developed and I was invested in the story.

BOOK: The Last Twilight in Paris
AUTHOR: Pam Jenoff
PUB DATE: February 4, 2025, by Harlequin Trade Pub.
PAGES: 336
RATING: 4.5 stars
GENRE: Historical WWII Fiction/Jewish Literature Fiction

THANK YOU to @netgalley and @htpbooks for gifting me an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review!

QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: Told in dual timelines both during and after WWII, two stories unfold that are connected, and I found myself quickly turning the pages to see what would happen next. This is a story of two strong FMCs who fight their own battles for freedom and truth. I was captivated to see how it would all unfold, and I love that this was my first historical fiction read of 2025. I highly recommend and it comes out in 3 weeks! DON’T miss the Author’s Notes at the end!

#TheLastTwilightInParis #NetGalley #htpbooks #HarlequinTradePub #HistoricalFiction

4.5 Stars. Loved this book! It was so well written and definitely sucked me into the story. It was eye opening to read and the stories of the two ladies was woven together perfectly! Would highly recommend if you love historical fiction!

"Last Twilight in Paris" is a portal to a past both heartbreaking and hopeful, offering readers a glimpse into the lesser-known facets of wartime Paris.

Jenoff unearths the startling story of Levitan, a Parisian department store transformed into a macabre marketplace for stolen Jewish possessions. This revelation serves as a poignant backdrop to the intertwining tales of two remarkable women, each grappling with her own battles amidst the chaos of war.

Louise, a mother feeling her life mundane, embarks on a journey to close a chapter of her past that has haunted her and also to bridge the growing distance between her and her husband. Parallel to Louise's tale, we follow Helaine, a sheltered soul who discovers both freedom and love in the most unlikely of times. Jenoff's portrayal of Helaine's awakening amidst the turmoil of war captures the bittersweet nature of finding oneself in a world coming undone.

The author's exploration of the Red Cross's courageous efforts in delivering care packages to POWs adds another layer of depth to this already rich narrative. It's these historical nuggets, seamlessly woven into the fabric of the story, that elevate "Last Twilight in Paris" from a mere war novel to a profound exploration of humanity's capacity for both cruelty and compassion.

Jenoff's prose is at once elegant and urgent, propelling the reader through a narrative that is as unputdownable as it is enlightening. The intricate connection between Louise and Helaine's journeys unfolds with the precision of a master storyteller, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

Thank you, Park Row and NetGalley, for my free copy for review.

I can always count on Pam Jenoff giving me a lesson in history, while reading a captivating, fictionalized story. In this one, I learned of a high end department store in Paris that was used during WW2 as a work camp that sorted and sold goods that were confiscated from all the Jewish peoples homes after they were forced to leave.

As in typical Jenoff fashion, we are immersed into a beautiful mysterious tale that takes place between two unrelated women. Each have scars from the war in their own ways… One was a Red Cross volunteer, and the other was a newlywed Jewish woman. Louise, trying to move forward in 1953, finds a locket that instantly brings back a memory, there is something special about this necklace and she must find out… what follows is a story of hope and determination...

The writing is smooth, easy to follow. I enjoyed the way it was structured, the flow between past and present was exceptional.
While this didn’t pack the emotional punch that I tend to look for in historical fiction novels, it was a cozy read highlighting a very difficult/abhorrent time in history, and the ending was just perfect!

This would be great for fans of historical fiction especially those that are new to the genre of WW2!

Well-known for her historical fiction, Jenoff says she looks for Gasp events when she’s planning her books and in this case, the Gasp event was learning a Paris department store was used as a Nazi prison.
The story alternates from that terrible time in Paris and a couple – a Jewish woman and her cello playing husband - who find themselves torn apart. Her to the prison and him to playing for German soldiers and POWs. The other story line follows a woman in 1953 London who, when sorting items at the secondhand shop where she works, finds a necklace whose image sends her back to working with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe and the death of her friend she has always felt was not an accident.
A moving, page-turning read.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised the we are still learning new information about the atrocities put forth by the Nazi Regime. I enjoyed this story and the way it all came together at the end. Another great read by Pam Jenoff.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early read of this well written novel.

3.75 🌟
First, I'd like to thank NetGalley, Pam Jenoff, and Harlequin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

What I love most about Pam Jenoff's writing is her vivid descriptions of settings that transport readers to another time and place. Her ability to infuse depth and emotion into her stories is truly captivating, and The Last Twilight in Paris did not disappoint.

One of the highlights of this book for me was how interconnected all the characters were, almost like a narrative built on six degrees of separation. This element added a richness to the story, as each character's actions and decisions rippled through the lives of others. I found myself deeply empathetic toward Hélaine as her story unfolded, and I couldn’t help but hope for her and Gabriel to reunite after the war.

Another aspect I appreciated was Louise's timeline being set just eight years post-war. It felt like such a fresh and unique perspective within the WWII historical fiction genre, which often leans heavily on events during the war or decades later. The epilogue, also set just eight years post-war, was a wonderful touch. It provided closure while maintaining the immediacy of the aftermath, rather than leaping far into the future.

The way Hélaine and Louise’s stories intertwined over the mystery of the missing necklace was a standout element. Their connection not only brought resolution to a lingering question but also gave Louise a newfound purpose and passion for the future.

Overall, The Last Twilight in Paris is another stunning addition to Pam Jenoff's repertoire, blending emotion, intrigue, and history into a memorable story. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, particularly those who enjoy stories with interconnected characters and unique post-war perspectives.

Jenoff has another great historical fiction novel. While the book leans heavily on real life happenings, it brings it to life by following two unrelated women. One who worked as a volunteer with the Red Cross in the war, Louise. Another, Helaine, who lived through the war with her husband. Helaine was detained and forced to work in a department store while sorting and selling goods stolen from Jews. Through a twist of fate, Louise discovers a necklace a few years after the war and is intrigued by it because she is sure she has seen it before. What follows is how the story weaves around both Helaine's and Louise's lives.

I was so engrossed in this story and didn't want it to end. You know, one of those books you race to finish but regret it because you don't want it to be over. If you love historical fiction, or any book with a great human story, this is the book for you.

I was given this by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A quiet story set against the backdrop of Paris, weaving together two timelines and a touch of mystery.

In Twilight in Paris, Louise, living in the 1950s in Britain, stumbles upon a necklace she last saw during WWII—shortly before her friend’s tragic death. Determined to uncover the truth, her investigation leads her to Helaine, a French Jewish woman whose story begins in the 1930s and unfolds through the war years.

Helaine, a sickly child, was isolated by her parents out of fear for her health, adding an extra layer of heartbreak to her story. As Louise pieces together the mystery behind the necklace, the lives of these two women intertwine across time.

The dual timeline beautifully connects Louise and Helaine’s lives, blending mystery, resilience, and untold history. I especially appreciated learning about the Levitan store, a real WWII prison camp I’d never heard of before.

There’s also a memorable male side character who walks with a limp from a childhood injury, adding a layer of quiet resilience to the story.

While the ending felt a bit too neatly tied up for me, the journey there was heartfelt and thought-provoking. If you love historical fiction with emotional depth and a touch of mystery, this one’s worth picking up.

Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

Note on the ebook: there are no chapter and the font is very small. I assume that is because it's an advance copy and these points will be corrected for the final version.

London, 1953 – Louise and her husband are still adjusting to post war life, when she finds a necklace in a second shop. She recognizes this necklace; it looks like one she saw while working for the Red Cross. Can this necklace help unlock the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war? Louise tells her husband she is going to Paris where she seeks help from her former boss Ian to complete the story of the necklace.

Pam Jenoff stories are always amazing and the research she puts into them is A+! I had trouble putting this one down and was quite sad when it was over.

Thank you, NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. #LastTwilightinParis #NetGalley

Starting 2025 with a 5 star read! I normally don't like historical fiction but I loved this one! Set leading up to, during, and after WWII, <i>Last Twilight in Paris</i> follows the lives of two separate women who are tied together by a necklace. It was a great balance of history and romance and mystery, and made me want to check out the author's backlist!

Title:  Last Twilight in Paris
Author: Pam Jenoff         
Genre: Historical fiction      
Rating:  4.5 out of 5

London, 1953. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris, and she is certain she has seen the necklace before when she worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe —and that it holds the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war.

Following the trail of clues to Paris, Louise seeks help from her former boss Ian, with whom she shares a romantic history. The necklace leads them to discover the dark history of Lévitan—a once-glamorous department store that served as a Nazi prison, and Helaine, a woman who was imprisoned there, torn apart from her husband when the Germans invaded France.

Louise races to find the connection between the necklace, the department store and Franny’s death. But nothing is as it seems, and there are forces determined to keep the truth buried forever. Inspired by the true story of Lévitan, Last Twilight in Paris is both a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about sacrifice, resistance and the power of love to transcend in even the darkest hours.

I love World War II historical fiction, and I’ve read several of Jenoff’s books and enjoyed them. Add this one to that list. I’d never heard of Lévitan and prisoners being kept there, but the idea was terrible—especially how the neighbors just willingly turned a blind eye like so many did during Hitler’s atrocities. I loved reading Helaine’s story:  her sheltered life and the magical way she met and fell for her husband. Louise’s story was just as fascinating, both the past timeline and the current one, and all three stories turned into one fascinating read.

Pam Jenoff is a bestselling author. Last Twilight in Paris is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Park Row in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 2/4.)

Pam Jenoff’s Last Twilight in Paris is a story I’d never heard about World War 2—which is like catnip for me as a reader. Historical novels based on actual, little-known stories are irresistible.

The story begins in London in 1953, and we meet Louise, who, now that the war is over, is once again a housewife. When she finds a necklace in a secondhand shop, she gets caught up in a mystery she can’t resist trying to solve.

As the book unfolds, we learn of Louise’s role in the war, her former romance, and another mystery she could never solve—the unexplainable death of her good friend. Traveling between periods, the whole picture emerges while lies and secrets are uncovered. The new-to-me aspect of the novel was the department store, Lévitan. I had never known that certain Parisiennes were kept there as prisoners by Nazis. (Since you’re a history buff and avid reader, I’ll bet you had heard of it, but I was surprised!)

Themes of courage, sacrifice, love, deception, and resilience give this story depth and suspense. I especially loved the scenes in Paris during the war and learning more about the Red Cross's role. This is a well-researched, authentic story about a time none of us should ever forget.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for an advance reader copy.

I absolutely can not get enough of Pam Jenoff's books. I love that she finds the "gasp" moment in WWII history and creates such wonderful stories. In this, some Jews were rounded up and taken to a department store in Paris called Lévitan. At this store, the prisoners were forced to sort items seized from the homes of Jews and not only that, sell them. This was a dual timeline story as Louise finds a necklace in post-war England which is related to Helaine's story during the war. Get this book as soon as you can! Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who reads a lot of WW2 historical fiction, this book was truly amazing. This book follows two women's stories and a French department store. This book was extremely well researched and I enjoyed learning some things as I continued reading. The connection between the two women was engaging and this was overall a great mystery.

Another wonderful WWII historical fiction novel from Pam Jenoff. Here we have the story of two women, told in timelines a decade apart, whose characters and experiences are powerful, tragic and uniquely heroic.. Helaine is a sheltered young Jewish woman, a victim of the Holocaust living in Paris during the German occupation when collaborators secretly turned in their Jewish neighbors oftentimes to save themselves. Louise, ten years after the war, can't shake her experiences as a volunteer with the Red Cross who witnessed a different set of horrors as she traveled from France to Germany to distribute aid to POWs. The effects of what she observed have taken a deep toll on her marriage and family. The stories of Helaine and Louise are told in alternating chapters, interwoven and juxtaposed in a way that makes the reader care deeply for both of them,

For me, the best historical fiction shares a new perspective or untold story, and here, the setting is the unknown Paris department store Levitan, that was secretly converted during the war to a camp which imprisoned Jews who were forced to manage and sell the housewares and treasures plundered from Jewish homes to high ranking German "customers." What was most remarkable was the store-turned-prisoner camp was hiding in plain sight, while other non-Jewish residents of Paris either did not realize or ignored the reality of the store's forced-labor residents living on its upper floors in horrendous conditions.

The stories of Helaine and Louise are connected through the mystery of a lost necklace that re-emerges a decade later in a second hand shop in the English countryside, Their journeys are woven together with tight storytelling that will keep the reader turning pages until the truth is revealed at the very end. Fabulous read. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and Park Row for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

As always, Pam Jenoff has a way of capturing my attention from page 1. I think I would read this women’s grocery list and leave feeling my life was changed somehow.

This book tells the true story of Lévitan, a department store in Paris that was used as a concentration camp during WW2. Here they made the Jewish citizens separate and sell the furniture, jewelry etc of their own citizens.

This story is in part a mystery surrounding a found necklace and the decade old story behind it. As usual, Pam Jenoff’s extensive experience and research into the Holocaust brings a different light to a horrific time. Her characters leap off the page and wrap themselves around your heart. It was impossible to put this book done and took me down the rabbit hole of learning all I could about Lévitan.
You could feel yourself there in every word and every description. I smiled, I felt the tugs at my own heart and I shed a tear or a thousand. Another profound novel of a time I pray we never let ourselves forget.

Thank you to Netgally for a chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gorgeous book! But I honestly expected it to be an amazing read. Love this author with all my being and everything she puts out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC
The detailed research that went into this book is evident as the story is revealed on two timelines between Louis and Helaine. A necklace that Louise finds in a thrift store in England brings her to a former department store in Paris, that was once a prison during World War Two. The heartbreaking story unfolds as Louise looks for answers that are tied to the necklace. The story is fictionalized history that is based on the true story of Leviton, a department store that became a prison during World War Two.
This is a story that will stay with you long after the last page is read.