An outstanding historical fiction that kept me on the edge of the seat. It is full of suspense. A modern day Robin Hood, Colette, has spent a lifetime lifting jewels from the cruel and unkind people and giving it to a good cause. 70 years ago, in 1942, Colette's mother, Annabel, was arrested by the Nazis and sent to her death for stealing jewels from a Nazi officer. Colette was responsible for watching over her sister, but she left her outside their window to go back and help her mother. When she came back, Liliane was gone and later her body was found floating in the Seine. One of the key elements of the story are the jewels sewn into the girls' dresses to give back to the Rosman's, a Jewish family, that were stolen from them. Colette still has half of the bracelets when they are placed together they make a butterfly. The pieces represent the Rosman's twins that the famous Jewish jeweler, Max Besner, made for the mother.
70 years later the other half of the bracelets shows up in a museum exhibit in Boston, Colette ventures out to find where it has been and who was responsible for her sister's death.
Lucas is director of the museum and has the information Colette needs. She recruits her friends Aviva, a lawyer and her best friend Marty to help her with the search. Colette has admitted to stealing over 30 million dollars worth of jewels and given the money to Jewish organizations that benefit survivors.
This is such a fabulous book. I held my breath each time Colette attempted a theft. I could feel the tension and relief when she succeeded. It is a thought provoking moment with each existing chapter during WWII. The horrors of the Holocaust is well reflected as families are scattered during such a horrible time in history. Another great story of the resistance group during such a difficult time.
Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Colette Marceau has been stealing jewels for nearly as long as she can remember, following the centuries-old code of honor instilled in her by her mother, Annabel: take only from the cruel and unkind, and give to those in need. Never was their family tradition more important than seven decades earlier, during the Second World War, when Annabel and Colette worked side by side in Paris to fund the French Resistance. But one night in 1942, it all went wrong. Annabel was arrested by the Germans, and Colette’s four-year-old sister, Liliane, disappeared in the chaos of the raid, along with an exquisite diamond bracelet sewn into the hem of her nightgown for safekeeping. Soon after, Annabel was executed, and Liliane’s body was found floating in the Seine—but the bracelet was nowhere to be found.

Seventy years later, Colette—who has “redistributed” $30 million in jewels over the decades to fund many worthy organizations—has done her best to put her tragic past behind her, but her life begins to unravel when the long-missing bracelet suddenly turns up in a museum exhibit in Boston. If Colette can discover where it has been all this time—and who owns it now—she may finally learn the truth about what happened to her sister. But she isn’t the only one for whom the bracelet holds answers, and when someone from her childhood lays claim to the diamonds, she’s forced to confront the ghosts of her past as never before. Against all odds, there may still be a chance to bring a murderer to justice—but first, Colette will have to summon the courage to open her own battered heart.

I don't think I've read a Kristin Harmel book I didn't like. This one was gold. It's rare to find a World War 2 book with a new story to tell (although I keep reading them all anyway! 🙂) but this was a fresh take, and it was beautiful. High praise! Absolute gem. Grab this as soon as it comes out! 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Like many of Kristin Harmel’s books The Stolen Lives of Colette Marceau has storylines in the present as well as in the past. Both timelines tell the story of Colette, a jewel thief like her mother and ancestors before her. Colette & her mother live by a strict moral code redistributing wealth from despicable people to help fund the French resistance.

This book was so good! I thoroughly enjoyed both the present and past stories and how the characters’ lives connected. This might be one of the most unique World War 2 books I’ve read in a while. If you love historical fiction and romance I recommend this book.

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

3.75 - enjoyed this one! my second kristin harmel book and they do not disappoint. historical fiction has my heart!!

Kristin Harmel does it again with this outstanding book. The fast-paced and gripping storyline kept me hooked from the first page. Part historical fiction and part mystery this novel does not have your typical WW2 storyline. It is imaginative and very well thought out. It's worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Galley Books for an advanced copy.

I have read several books set during World War II. The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau was somewhat predictable, but I enjoyed the story. It provided a different perspective and storyline that is unlike others I have read before. I am looking forward to seeing Kristin Harmel speak at The Oxford Exchange in Tampa next week.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on Tuesday, 06/17/2025.

Colette Marceau has been stealing jewels for basically her entire life, just like her mother did. They didn’t steal for personal gain, they only took from the cruel and unkind and give to those in need. During WWII they worked in Paris to fund the French Resistance. Colette’s mother is caught and is killed. Colette survives the war, only to have her past visit in the form on jewels her and her mother had stolen.

Kristin Harmel made me cry again. I absolutely love every story she shares with us. I love a good historical novel, add some mystery and love and I will be hooked. I couldn’t put it down. I kept sneaking reads at work and stayed up too late one night to read “one more chapter” (that we all know was two or three more)!

Thank you, Gallery Books and NetGalley for knowing I needed to read this!

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau may be my favorite Kristin Harmel book. An interesting twist on a WW2 story, Colette has spent her life being a jewel thief, stealing from people who are horrid.
Now, I don't agree with the stealing, and wish there had been a little more character redemption. But it was still a fascinating story & the ending had me in tears. I guessed some parts, others surprised me. This will be a reread for sure.

Oh, this one broke my heart time and time again. From a number of events that happened during the war to missed opportunities and secrets held for too long during the present day storyline there were several times I had to pause for a minute. Colette's background is tragic and infuriating and it makes her focus understandable. I loved her devotion to her goddaughter, Aviva, and her friendship with Max. I also really liked Aviva and her desire to help this woman who has been a constant safe harbor in her life even if she's shocked with everything that gets revealed.

After a somewhat slow beginning I was really pulled into the story, and it was one I thought about even if I wasn't reading. I've read a number of World War II historical fiction but this book had a different angle as it touches on the French Resistance in a very direct way. As well, the main characters are Jewish but their friendship with a Jewish family is a focal point. The 1940s timeline did drag at times as I found myself more interested in the search for the truth and the question of how does one find the truth when the records are gone and the memories of those left are quickly fading.

Colette drove me crazy at times. For her background and training she is impetuous and impatient at times when it is most important for her to be measured and careful. That and the somewhat slow beginning kept this from being a full 5 star book though I did really enjoy it. This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm looking forward to reading more by her.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is a WWII and contemporary Robin Hood story. By Kristin Harmel it is a gripping read with a remarkable heroine, a lost bracelet and most importantly a murderer to catch many decades later. Colette Marceau has lived her life following family tradition but has lost two sisters because of one tragic night. This is her last chance to follow the clues and the lost, now found bracelet to find the truth. An unforgettable story of bravery and choices with consequences, the WWII French Resistance and a pursue of personal justice.
4.5 Stars

Kristin Harmel writes emotional WWII books that focus on the impact of the war outside of the concentration camps. I loved how the main character and her family would steal from bad people in order to help those that need it. A modern day Robin Hood. It is told in dual timeline from the present to the main characters past in Paris from a child to the time of the war. I was so engrossed in this book that I didn’t notice the hours fly by.

Another FABULOUS dual timeline WWII historical fiction novel featuring a family of Jewish female thieves who are dedicated to stealing from those who have stolen from Jewish families during the war. Great on audio, this book had family secrets, sisterhood bonds, historical intrigue and SO much more! Easily a new fav by a much-love author and highly recommended for fans of authors like Kate Quinn and Pam Jenoff. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @simon.audio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was just outstanding! I loved it and couldn’t put it down. It’s a complex story full of so many surprises. I thought the information on how to steal jewelry was interesting. I really liked all the characters too. It was a tearjerker of a book!
Definitely recommend

The Stolen Life of Collette Marceau is great historircal fiction from Kristin Harmel.

"Collette has been a jewel thief almost her entire life, following a long family tradition. She and her mother both stole jewelry to fund the French Resistance in Paris in WW II. One night in 1942 goes horribly wrong. Her mother is arrested by the Germans and her little sister, Liliane, disappears in the chaos with an elaborate diamond bracelet sewn into the hem of her nightgown. Annabel was executed and Liliane's body was found floating in the Seine. The bracelet was nowhere to be found.
Seventy years later, Collette is still using jewelry to fund worthwhile organizations. Her life is upended when the bracelet appears in a museum exhibit. Now she can hopefully find out what happened to her sister on that terrible night."

This was my first book by Harmel but won't be the last (goes out to find back catalogue) Harmel captures the evil of the Nazis but also the spirit of the resistance in Paris willing to put themselves in dangerous places. Collette is an interesting character. No one notices a 90-year-old jewel thief. She still carries the burden of his sister's disappearance and death after all these years. There are a lot of things that happen at the end to answer all the questions. It almost feels like too much of a coincidence but Harmel makes it work. There are several emotional reveals including a couple that take your breath away.

Some great fiction from Harmel. Don;t miss this wonderful story.

A special thank you to Net Galley and Gallery books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kristin Harmel is the queen of historical fiction and continues to provide the most beautiful and tragic stories of our time. This very powerful story is told in dual timelines of the same character over her 90 year life.
" It is in the times of danger that we must summon our greatest courage."
Collette as a young child is taught by her mother to be a jewel thief during WWII. The women in her family carry on this tradition in the name of Robin Hood and their dedication to those in need. This powerful and tragic story builds to extreme and unbearable losses suffered by Collette during her life as she carries on the traditions of her family. It is not until the discovery of a unique and recognizable bracelet in a jewelry museum that Collette is forced to come to terms with her life's decisions, tragedies and the mysteries buried and unsolved. To share any more detail would spoil the twists and turns of this breathtaking novel.
Like no other author Harmel expertly weaves the details of plot and character in the most beautiful and satisfying manor.
These characters and their stories will remain in your heart long after the last page is turned. A must read!

I am always amazed when authors come up with something new. In this case a special twist reference to Robin Hood.
I love this book it seems to have everything,-an interesting plot, romance, mystery and tragedy. The characters were real to me as I got to know them.. Of course it was a bad time in history of World War 2, with the prosecution of the Jewish people and hoping everything would come out alright for them.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this arc and to the author for writing such a wonderful book.
.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Historical fiction set during World War II, juxtaposed to near present day, we find Colette Marceau learning the jewel thief trade, and the aftermath respectively.

Learning jewel thievery from her mother, the apparent family trade for centuries, Colette and her family's lives as they knew them, end in tragedy in the past. While present day, Colette tries to piece together what happened so many years ago with the help of her new found family.

I applauded the portrayal of elder Colette and friends, as many of the present day cast of characters were 85+ years and the importance of findings the truths of the past, no matter the age.

Beautifully written, with some moments of disbelief here and there. But then again, that's fiction.

Told in alternating timelines between the German occupation of France during WWII and modern day, the story of Colette Marceau's life pulled me in so much that I read this book in one day. Colette, a jewel thief taught her trade by her mother believing that she stole from undeserving, evil rich people to bring resources to good causes, is now an old woman still grieving the loss of her mother and sister many decades ago. When a rare and valuable bracelet, half of which Colette has in her possession and the other half of which was hidden in the hem of her 4-year-old sister's nightgown the night she was kidnapped, shows up in a museum Colette is determined to find the owner of the bracelet and learn the truth about what happened to her sister.

Kristin Harmel is a master of telling stories that span decades and bringing characters to life. I did not feel as much of a connection to the characters in this story as I have to some of her other books, but I did really enjoy trying to solve the mystery of what happened to the bracelets. There were a lot of moments of suspense and emotion in this story as well. Fans of historical fiction and WWII stories will definitely enjoy this one.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau was nothing short of perfection. As a lover of historical fiction, I was completely swept away by the seamless way this story blended past and present. The alternating timelines were so effortlessly woven together, each revealing more about the characters and their connections in a way that felt both natural and gripping.

From the very first page, I was hooked. The writing was flawless—every word felt intentional, and every scene pulled me deeper into the world of Colette and those tied to her story. The characters were so richly developed that I felt their emotions as if they were my own. It’s one of those rare books where you don’t just read the story; you live it alongside the characters.

This book is a masterclass in storytelling, and it’s one I’ll be thinking about for a long time. If you love historical fiction that is beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and utterly captivating, don’t miss this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery Books, and Kristen Harmel for an advanced copy of this beautiful book. I plan on purchasing a physical copy to live on my bookshelf forever.

Another wonderful historical fiction from Kristin Harmel. The other two I’ve read were 5 star reads but this one fell a little short of that for me. It was still a great story and wonderfully written, but I didn’t like the ending. I can’t tell you why because I don’t include spoilers in my reviews, but I would have preferred less of a “wrap up”. I was also really hoping for a “this was based on X’s life” in the author’s note because I really wanted Colette to be a real person. And maybe she did exist and just stayed anonymous. That’s what I’m going to tell myself because sometimes we need true Robin Hoods in this world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the complimentary copy of this book. As always, the opinions expressed within this review are completely my own.