A riveting WW2 novel perfect for fans of historical fiction, LAST TWILIGHT IN PARIS exposes a little-known aspect of the war: the Levitan Department Store, which became a prison of sorts. Jenoff expertly weaves together multiple timelines and characters linked by an heirloom charm necklace. There is plenty of suspense to keep you turning the pages.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

Pam Jenoff once again has brought to light a part of WWII history that we do not usually hear or read about. A powerful mystery and riveting story of survival, love, and bravery during a very dark time in history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy of this wonderful novel. Looking forward to what Ms. Jenoff has in store for us next!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Publishing for an early copy of Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

Regular readers of historical fiction will no doubt find the little-known Levitan Department Store of Paris an intriguing setting for Nazi criminals to carry out the evil deed of separating stolen items and shipping them to Germany. Author Pam Jenoff has once again given readers a detailed, fast=paced and emotional experience that does not let up even at the conclusion of the War.

Jenoff has made use of multiple times lines and characters to share the story of an heirloom necklace that holds secrets that could affect those on both sides of the horrific conflict. Harriet, the young Jewish woman who falls in love with a cello player, marries against her parents' wishes, suffers separation from her husband and is taken prisoner to the branch of the Drancy detention camp in the heart of Paris, the former Levitan Department Store. Louise, a young British woman who joins a Red Cross mission to get packages to those in need in occupied France, learns of the mystery surrounding a Mizpah charm necklace and is relentless in finding the owner. Accusations of collaboration and not knowing a loved one's fate add to this highly-charged plot.

Pam Jenoff has a real gift for relating historical fiction in a clear manner which is invaluable in getting close to the characters.

A few of the occurrences in the book do seem a bit too convenient during such a stressful and confusing time, but the overall effort here is a winner for readers.

Jenoff is back with another amazing WWII historical fiction read-this one about a necklace, a French department store and two women’s stories. What I love about Jenoff’s writing is that there is action starting on page one. She educates and informs through the plot and not alongside it, so there is no slow burn build up or opportunities to put the book aside. This was my first time hearing about Lévitan, a French department store that housed arrested Jews during WWII. These Jews sorted through the stolen items taken from homes and displayed them for Nazi officials to buy. Alongside this piece of history, Jenoff weaves in a fabulous mystery that connects two women during their years surviving the war and a quest to figure out the truth ten years after.

Pam Jenoff always manages to weave the best WW2 stories around circumstances forgotten to history. In this case, the plot revolves around a lost and found necklace, which leads to the Lévitan, a once famous Jewish owned furniture store in Paris that the Nazi used as a warehouse/store front to house seized Jewish owned heirlooms, furniture and so much more. Nazis officers could browse the looted goods and choose what they wanted for their own. Adding insult to injury, the store was also used as an internment camp for nearly 800 prisoners who were forced to organize and repair the stolen items. Imagine, finding your own heirlooms among the items you're forced to display for sale. That's what happens to newlywed Helene, who has become separated from her husband, Gabriel, as spends her days at Lévitan wondering if he is still alive. On the other side of the plot is Louise, an English woman who volunteers to help deliver Red Cross care packages to POWs. Louise befriends Franny, a fellow volunteer and performer, who is fearless at taking risks to help prisoners. When one prisoner asks Franny to deliver a necklace for him, Louise refuses to assist out of fear. Fast forward to1953 when Louise is a housewife working in an antiques shop, she comes across a necklace that looks identical to the one Franny was asked to deliver. Louise becomes obsessed with finding out who the necklace was intended for and what happened to the prisoner Franny was trying to help.    
There are so many interesting historical details to this novel. As always, the author weaves a tale that tears your heart apart and puts it back together again. Jenoff's novels are always memorable and stir the empathy we all need to have, and for that reason, she is a must buy author for me.

"Now I see that it is okay to tell my story and that my suffering is as real as anyone else's."
My first Pam Jenoff read and I definitely will come back to her again. l'd describe this as an extremely digestible WWIl historical fiction. It's a great place to start if you're new to the genre. The plot lines are easy to follow and keep you intrigued start to finish. The characters are well fleshed out and given unique traits to stand out. I specifically loved reading about Helaine's upbringing and her break from an overbearing family. Jenoff's storytelling puts the mystery and characters first and historical context second. Not at all a bad thing but I definitely prefer a more history oriented approach. I wanted to find myself sobbing reading this but unfortunately did not. I did tear up a bit at the bus scene at the end (iykyk). The ending wrapped up nicely.
This book was sent to me as an ARC through netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

This one took me a little bit to become invested in the story. After I did though, I couldn’t put it down.

The story of Helaine broke my heart. So many things endured because of hatred. Her determination to make it was inspirational and powerful and I really looked forward to the chapters about her.

Louise’s story was not what I was expecting. We slowly find out what she faced in her service during the war. Somehow I missed a huge clue that would have tipped me off to what actually happened. Watching her side of the story come together kept me flipping pages.

Jenoff always writes memorable characters and this book is no exception. This ended up being a unique story with a bit of history I was unfamiliar with. Be sure to read the note at the end.

Thank you to Harlequin for the copy of this book. All views are my own.

“Last Twilight in Paris” is a historical fiction WWII book by Pam Jenoff. In this book, the reader follows two women - different timelines - as a mystery unfolds. I found this book to be very slow moving as the lead up to the mystery unfolding happened, which is (for me) a bit surprising from Ms. Jenoff. While I knew places like the Levitan existed, I didn’t know the full extent of the ins-outs of a place like that. Once the mystery began unfolding more quickly, I found the pace of the book quickened and I began enjoying the book more. I think if one likes Ms. Jenoff’s books or historical WWII fiction in general, this could be an interesting book to read. Do read Ms. Jenoff’s author’s note, where she gives more information about how this book came to be - it was very interesting.

Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff Historial novel about a little known piece of WWII history. The Lévitan, a well-known Paris department store was utilized as a work camp to distribute and sort through European Jews' confiscated property. The story moves slowly since it is told from several points of view and timelines. The work is characterized by a strong sense of love and hope.

Thank you to the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

Another WWII winner by Pam Jenoff! Two stories are intertwined about two different women and their families during the Nazi occupation in France and post war Britain. Louise and Helaine’s experiences differ greatly, yet they both share the trait of dogged determination.

The mystery of a Mizpah necklace- where two halves come together to form a whole-forms the center of this tale. While Helaine is physically and emotionally separated from her family, Louise is separated emotionally from her husband suffering from WWII PTSD. This necklace serves symbolically as their bond.

I totally missed a huge clue in the story about two of the characters and salute Ms. Jenoff for pulling that off. Well done! Four stars from this reviewer.

If you love Pam Jenoff books, you will not be disappointed with this latest book. It was a wonderful WWII book showcasing two strong women. I loved how it was written from two perspectives, Louise, a non-Jewish RedCross volunteer and a young Jewish woman,Helaine, who married a non-Jew. The story goes back and forth between wartime Paris and 1953 London. There are twists and turns as Louise tries to find the rightful owner of a missing necklace.

Thank you NetGallery for giving me the opportunity to preview this gem.

When forces are determined to keep the truth buried, Helaine and Louise show how love and sacrifice thwart the efforts and illuminate the path to second chances. Jenoff showcased the juxtaposition of her main characters well and readers will have a compelling story that showcases two difficult, yet very different wartime experiences.

I always anticipate and appreciate a Jenoff book because I know I’ll get a well-researched and well-written piece of historical fiction that explores a little-known piece of history. Jenoff explored the complex wartime role of the Red Cross in Europe, piqued my interest in Mizpah charms, and wrapped me up in a compelling story about a Red Cross volunteer and a Jewish Holocaust victim.

I was most invested in Helaine and Gabriel’s story and enjoyed uncovering the threads of mystery.

I quickly found myself down a Google rabbit hole investigating the author’s inspiration for this book and have added Juliet Blackwell’s book, The Paris Showroom to my tbr in an effort to learn more.

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

We meet Louise who had helped the war effort by first donating her time with the Red Cross then actually going overseas to deliver packages with them. We meet her after the war has ended and her husband has come home changed and scarred by the war. She is now a housewife taking care of the home and the children while her husband goes to work and is still not quite with them when he comes home. Her adventure into the past starts when she finds a necklace while sorting goods at the secondhand shop. It reminds her of a different time and sets her off to find out the origin of the necklace and see if she can find out what happened to her friend all those years ago. What will Louise find when she starts this journey to uncover the truth? Will she find resistance from everyone, or will she be able to follow the crumbs to lead her to victory?

Pam Jenoff brings us the story of Louise and her quest to uncover the truth about her friend, the necklace, and the ugliness of war. We meet different characters and follow along as they live out their lives and the consequences of their decisions - both good and bad. Read to see if Louise finds the owner of the necklace and what her connection to it is. As you read, you are drawn into the story and keep going to find out what happens next. There are some parts that are difficult to digest and there are other parts where you are trying to keep up with them.

I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for this privilege. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was a strong historical romance book, though I am finding I have enjoyed others more. Something seemed to be missing for me here. Still enjoyed though.

We meet Louise who delivered packages to prisoners of war during World War II and Helaine who was a prisoner in the Levitan department store taken over by the Nazis that housed goods stolen from Jewish homes.

The prisoners had to sort through all of the goods, and the German officers would stop by to buy it.

Louise now has a husband and twin children and works in a secondhand store. One day she found a necklace that she recognized as one similar to the one her friend Franny had.

How did the necklace happen to be in a box with other items that came to the second hand shop with the name Levitan Department Store on the outside?

Could it be the same one?

Louise travels to France and meets her old heartthrob but he disappears and she continues to try to solve the mystery of the necklace and to find out what really happened to her friend Franny.

Will she find out about the necklace or simply find what prisoners housed in the department store endured and were forced to do?

We learn of Heleine’s fate, her eventual arrest because she was Jewish, and her time in the department store.

If you have read Pam Jenoff’s books, you know you will be reading a marvelous, well-researched historical gem with a pull-you-in storyline and with characters you will love and be able to feel their every emotion. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I typically enjoy Pam Jenoff's books. As an avid WWII reader, her books are always popping up in my feed. Last Twilight in Paris was about a very interesting and little known time that French Jewish citizens were held prisoner in a well-known furniture store right in the middle of Paris. I found it very clever that Jenoff wrote from two different character's points of view in slightly different timelines (rather than completely different periods) and wove them together into the present at the end. While both the characters and the plot were fairly well developed, I just felt like something was missing for me. I felt like it took me FOREVER to read this not epically long novel, and when I finished, I just felt relieved.

I love historical fiction and Pam Jenoff is one of the best authors of the genre. “Last Twilight In Paris” is thought-provoking, suspenseful, and a must-read for 2025. Jenoff does a beautiful job of expressing the heartbreak of war, while also showing the resilience of people still trying to hold on to hope and love amidst the horror. Well-developed characters that you can easily connect to and a thrilling plot made this one hard to put down.

Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance!

I will always read a Pam Jenoff book, regardless of subject. I love her writing style, the stories she crafts, and the lasting impression her books make. The Last Twilight in Paris was no different. We very well written novel that explores a different facet of WWII than we usually hear.

In 1953 London, Louise is helping to empty a box for her friend's shop and runs across a necklace she knows are has seen before. It dawns on her are saw it when helping the red cross delivering care packages in Germany and that her friend was killed that night. She's never figured out what happened to her but didn't believe it was just a car accident. Now she's on a mission to figure out the owner of the necklace so she can hopefully figure out what really happened to her friend. A great read!

“Last Twilight in Paris” by Pam Jenoff is an amazing and memorable masterpiece, weaving the events, people and places in history. I am a huge fan of Pam Jenoff, and have read all of her books, which mostly are set in the historical frame of World War Two. Kudos to the author for writing such a heartfelt and thought-provoking story. The author vividly describes the events, the locations, and the dramatic characters. The genres for this story are Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Adult Fiction, and World War Two Historical Fiction with a touch of Romance. The story mostly takes place in Paris and London during and after World War Two.

After World War Two, Louise, who helped deliver packages to prisoners in Nazi-occupied Europe for the Red Cross, is now a housewife with twins and a husband with PTSD from the war. She volunteers and finds half of a locket in a crate. This locket reminds her of one that a friend and singer during the War, had asked Louise to take it out of the camp . Louise was afraid to help this friend because of her fear of the Germans. Her friend had died shortly after that. On the bottom of the crate is the name of a famous Parisian department store. Louise is determined to unravel this mystery. You will be shocked to discover the information about this store.

This is a fast paced novel with danger, espionage, twists and turns, and unexpected revelations. There were a few intense and edgy UH-OH moments. I love how Pam Jenoff discusses the importance of loyalty, survival, communication, sisterhood, love and hope. I highly recommend this as a must to read book for 2025.