3.5
First of all, Kristin Harmel is a great storyteller and writer, she's easy and enjoyable to read. We got a good background of Colette and her families legacy. At the age of 7 she is taught how to be a thief, but an honorable thief. To steal from the unworthy and give to the worthy of sorts, similar to the Robinhood concept, that honestly was brought up over and over (it was too much).

A missing jewelry piece and a murder from the latter years of WWII is where this book takes place. I enjoyed how it ended. But for me. I've grown weary of the use of the WWII backdrop to set a story. So, this one wasn't a win for me. I didn't feel overly connected to the characters or the story. I thought it was a stretch doing this whole thievery concept...maybe it was real? I need to look it up.

That said, I'll definitely read her next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the gifted e-ARC of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I was so excited to get this one. Harmel is a fantastic author and really immerses you into her novels. Her stories are unique and the characters are unforgettable. I loved the different POVs and the different timelines. It had history, romance, and a mystery. Highly recommend.

Kristen Harmel evokes a wide variety of emotions from the sorrows and suffering of war; the pain of loss and betrayal; the weight of grief and regret; to the delight and relief of finding forgiveness, love, and personal connection. Almost ninety looks very good on Colette Marceau, with her family lost to her in the war, and only two close friends, Colette still dabbles in the family business as a jewel thief and, as a descendant of Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. She does not, however, target anyone who has not done something to, in her opinion, deserve being relieved of their jewels. Even the best intentions can become tangled up leading to unintended and undeserved circumstances. Colette must come to terms with the people and years that were stolen from her, as well as the moments and opportunities she relinquished on her own.

This book is itself a jewel with its sparkling moments and valuable insights. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel is a dual timeline POV that alternates between the World War II era of the late 1930s and early 1940s and 2018. Colette Marceau is a jewel thief like her mother. During WWII, her younger sister was killed with a priceless bracelet her mother had stolen from the Germans. Colette has been searching for that bracelet for over 70 years when it finally resurfaces at a diamond exhibit in her town. She goes on a quest to discover where the bracelet came from and try to solve the mystery of her sister’s death.

I have read several Kristin Harmel books and this is definitely one of my top favorites. There are so many historical fiction books about WWII, but this one took a very unique perspective. As a mystery fan, the jewel theft aspect was a big draw. I will definitely be recommending my this to friends and my book club!

Kristin Harmel continues to refine her skill as a story-teller and conveyor of history in her latest endeaver, The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau or as it is marketed in Europe, All the Diamonds in Paris. This book is stunning in so many ways just like the diamonds at the center of this dual-timeline story that spans wars, continents, and generations. Told with Kristin’s trademark talent of melding historical accuracy and an emotionally captivating plotline, The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau will linger in your thoughts for weeks after you are done.

Colette Marceau was raised in Paris with an awareness that she was descended, through her mother, from the infamous Robin Hood. Her skills as a theif were honed from a young age with the understanding that they must only be used to help those less fortunate. When the Germans invaded France in the early 1940s, fourteen year old Colette begins using her talents to aid her mother in supporting the resistance and their Jewish friends. But a pair of separated, matching butterfly bracelets and series of tragic events changed the trajectory of Colette’s life and ultimately leading her to seek the bracelets reunion before she dies.

“You’re going to do so much good in the world, my love. I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau took on even more significance for me after learning that Kristin wrote it while going through cancer treatment. She shared in her author’s notes how “that search for self” which she experienced during her cancer journey “goes into the very heart of this story, too.” I can totally attest that it did. Kristin deftly weaves contemplative moments into an engaging mystery that spans decades as well a very personal story of loss, love, and learning how to live a life that makes a difference. I loved both old and young Colette and found my affection for her grow page after page. Just as a diamond is initially interesting but becomes more beautiful as one sees all its different facets and even flaws, so did Colette become more attractive as more about her life, triumphs and struggles, unfolded page after page. All this is elevated by a plot that moves seamlessly between 1940s Paris and modern day Boston and is centered around a pair of custom, butterfly diamond bracelets that were separated during the Nazi occupation of France. This story and the truth behind what happened to the lost bracelet and where it ended up all these years is a page-turner from beginning to end! Finally getting that answered would have been a five star read for me, but just when I thought Kristin nailed it with a great plot twist finale she added in a second for good measure that left me happy for days

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is an achingly beautiful story. So much heart and emotion, tenderness and love wrapped up into this story...and while Colette's story not fully coming together until she was in her 90s is bittersweet...it's also compelling because second changes, love and redemption, it's never too late for that. I simply loved this story- it touched my heart in a way that will be with me for a while. And knowing all Harmel was facing as she wrote this story, you can feel her heart and soul go into the fabric of this novel. I could gush all day about this remarkable story.
Thanks to #Netgalley and Gallery books for the ARC.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is an emotional, immersive read that pulls you straight into the heart of occupied France and doesn’t let go. Kristin Harmel has a way of writing historical fiction that feels both sweeping and intimate, and this was no exception. Colette’s story is layered with grief, identity, resistance, and impossible choices—and even when the pacing slowed, I was completely invested in how it all played out.

The dual timelines worked really well, and the exploration of what it means to survive by becoming someone else was haunting in all the right ways. There’s heartbreak, yes, but also strength and quiet rebellion. If you enjoy WWII fiction with strong female leads and morally complex decisions, this one absolutely delivers. It lingers long after the final page.

This was my first Kristin Harmel novel and, while I love historical fiction, I wouldn’t usually pick up WWII books. However, I was intrigued by the plot and wasn’t disappointed. The main character, Colette, has been a jewelry thief - Robin Hood style - since she was ten. It runs in her family and is passed on from one generation to the next. Now in her nineties, she has her eyes set on one last piece, a bracelet that had been lost during the Holocaust and just resurfaced in an exhibition at a Boston museum. Told in a dual timeline, one during the 30’s and 40’s in occupied Paris and the other in the more present 2018 with Colette now living in Boston, this is a story about love, grief, family, friendship and survival but also about hope and second chances. Heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once, the book is beautifully and tastefully written, and the characters are well developed. Even after a life of tragedy and loss, Colette is a strong FMC and stays true to herself despite the hardships she endured. The book is a page-turner and had me hooked from the beginning. The well researched and gripping story transports the reader back to the horrors of the Holocaust and weaves past and present together artfully. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. Her note and dedication at the end is both heartfelt and hopeful. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you Netgalley, @GalleryBooks and @KristinHarmel for gifting me an Advance Reader Copy. It was an honor and joy to read it, and the above is my own opinion and honest review.

Can I say book of the year? OMG, I absolutely loved this book! I didn’t want it to end—the characters, the writing, the story—everything was amazing! I was completely hooked from start to finish and could not put it down. Did I mention I love this book???"

Thank you to Net Galley and Gallery Books for the ARC opportunity. Another great read by Kristin Harmel. The first chapter had me hooked—who doesn’t want to hear the story of an 80 year old octogenarian?!

I loved The Paris Daughter and The Book of Lost Names! To have the chance to read and review another outstanding historical fiction novel by Harmel was a complete dream!

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel is such a remarkable novel set in WW2 and present day in Boston.
Our characters are so genuine and so endearing. My heart broke into pieces.
The characters in this book will fill your heart with their love and emotion.
This book was so powerful. I devoured it in one sitting.
Kristin Harmel’s excellent writing was so compelling.
A breathtaking and gripping historical fiction read that’s full of courage and bravery.
Fans of Kristin Harmel and historical fiction are going to fall so in with this story. I know I sure did!

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

Thank You NetGalley and Gallery Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Ohhh I LOVED THIS ONE! Such a great historical fiction novel with bold characters that are COMPLICATED. Thank you @prhaudio for my early listening copy and thank you @gallerybooks for my early reading copy!

The story moves between the historical timeline and a modern timeline as Colette Marceau tried to find out what happened to her sister decades ago as the Jews were rounded up in France…all while still paying homage to her familial roots of Robin Hood. Yes, that’s correct: stealing jewels.

Modern Colette steals jewels to fund museums dedicated to the remembrance of Jews in the Holocaust. She holds a particular bracelet close to her heart- a twin to the one her sister had many decades before when she disappeared.

Historically Colette followed in her family’s footsteps to support the resistance and help other Jews escape France during the challenging time, all the while wondering what happened to her sister, her love, her father. Everyone that is important to her.

This is possibly Harmel’s best writing, all written during the most challenging time in her life (listen/read the author’s note!).

I received this an ARC from Netgalley. Kristin Harmel has done it again. While the story of Colette and her family is not based of true events, the historical events surrounding it are. Kristin's writing and story telling was masterfully done and extremely moving.

Kristin Harmel is one of those authors whose books I read, no questions asked. And again, Harmel has an amazing story to tell!!
Who wouldn’t love a story of family lost and found, diamonds , and jewel thieves, set during the French Resistance? This story is told in two timelines- Paris during WW2 and today in Boston.
Teenage Colette lives in Paris with her parents and younger sister Liliana. Their home is raided by the Germans and Liliana is kidnapped through a window. The girl’s mother was a successful jewel thief, and was training Colette to do the same. The stolen jewels are used to fund the resistence. When Liliana is kidnapped, their mother had sewn a valuable bracelet into each of the girl’s nightgowns for safekeeping. This is where the mystery begins.
We meet 90 year old Colette in Boston, she is still a thief, but is now funding a Holocaust center through her work. She discovers the other bracelet on display at a Diamond Museum and needs to find out where it came from. She always kept the bracelet that was sewn into her nightgown.
This book brought me to tears more than once. The tragic life that Colette lived, all of the unknowns of her family lead the reader on an adventure, although more of a quiet quest as Colette uncovers what really happened to the missing bracelet and those she loved and lost , as well as those she gained through her amazing life. It makes you question how you would feel about someone stealing precious jewels. Is it ok to do as Robin Hood once did or is a crime still a crime, no matter the outcome?
Such a beautiful story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this advanced digital copy. The opinions are my own.

This is the story of a woman indelibly marked by WWII. Now living in her eighth decade, her whole life has been dedicated to ensuring the Holocaust is never forgotten. She has an unusual family legacy which she uses to help her favorite charities. I loved this story about a strong resilient woman who is so intelligent and daring. It’s an engrossing read for anyone who enjoys historical or women’s fiction. Highly recommend. 4.5 stars

Kristin Harmel is one of my all time favorite authors. This book The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is my favorite of 2025 so far. No matter how many stories set in WWII I read, her books are always my favorites. She brings so much research, passion for her characters, and combines them into a beautiful story that leaves you missing the characters long after reading the book.

This story is told in two timeframes. WWII and current day. Colette is central to both time periods. She is focused on preserving her family's legacy and has both the courage and perseverance to do so. The Robin Hood heritage of her family is steal from the cruel and unkind and to benefit the French Resistance in WWII. Colette is desperate to know what happened to her 4-year old sister, Liliana, who disappeared on the night when everything changed. She also is looking for the sentimental and beautiful bracelet that had been sewn into her sister's nightgown.

As a reader, it is a joy to take this journey with Colette. You feel like you are in her shoes and she goes through an emotional roller coaster, filled with caring, loving people (for the most part), who she brings with her along the way. A very brave woman she is.

[Thank you too Net Galley and Gallery Books for the ARC!]

Another beautifully written story by Kristin Harmel. I know that no matter what she writes my heart will be shattered and put back together. This one was no different. She backs her stories with research, time, attention, and heart. I hear so often that people are sick of books set in this time period, but Kristin writes it so well. I'm always here for a story written by Kristin.

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery books for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“Jewels always carry a piece of anyone who has touched them.”

Historical fiction fans RUN don’t walk to read this gem of a book! It might be my favorite of 2025. Like the diamonds featured on the pages, this one sparkles!

It is the moving story of a teenager in WWII determined to keep her mother’s legacy alive and avenge her sister’s death by doing whatever she can to help the French resistance. If you like strong female characters, you won’t find one stronger than Colette! Her strength and bravery in the face of adversity is inspirational.

Told in two timeframes, WWII and current day, it weaves together how the events of 1940-1945 impacted Colette’s life after the war and then in America. It so beautifully details how trauma, legacy and family can have a lasting impact on our decisions and life trajectory.

Additionally, Harmel weaves together character lines so seamlessly. It is incredible how each story can come together in such a powerful and magnificent way. While WWII reads can be heavy and hard to stomach, there is so much grace and beauty in this novel. You will cry all the happy and sad tears throughout the story.

Like Colette, I, too, am determined to carry out my family’s legacy, and that might be why I was so drawn to her story. But even if that is not true for you, I think we can all agree with the author that “change happens one act of courage at a time, one act of kindness at a time, one act of faith at a time.” This is something we as readers are all capable of.

Thank you @netgalley, @GalleryBooks and @kristinharmel for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. This one is out today!

The dual timelines of WWII and current time, where the main character is around 90 years old, share a tale of theft and Nazis. Colette is taught to steal from only bad people at a young age in order to assist those who are in need. This is a skill that she continues as she ages, continuing to support those that were wronged. When a bracelet stolen during the war resurfaces, she must find out where it has been for all these years.

I enjoyed every single page of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau. The history was told in words true to the time with the characters living a life of strength and fear of the Nazis. The present time had Colette still being strong but also needing to know the truth of what happened to her sister. The dual timelines melded together, shaping the present time by what had happened in the past.

I love Kristin Harmel, Her historical fiction novels pull all the right threads to emote emotion, curiosity, empathy, and compassion. Set both in WWII and 2018, The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau follows Colette as she becomes a jewel thief, following the legend of Robin Hood. This was a page turning adventure and that all lovers of historical fiction will enjoy. Thank you to Net Galley and Gallery Books for the ARC!