Another remarkable take on the resistance efforts during WWII. So many amazingly courageous people during that time. I am happy to learn about them and grateful to the authors, such as Kristin, who bring them to life and remind us of their efforts. If only we knew the stories the diamonds and other precious gems passed from generation to generation hold; "if these gems could talk".

Colette is a thief, has been for most of her life. But her thievery is a bit more complex. As a descendent of Robin Hood, her family has always prided itself on taking from the rich and giving to those who most need help. For Colette as a child, this meant swiping jewels from Nazis and Nazi sympathizers and using those jewels to fund the resistance. As an adult, it’s meant finding people who somehow had a part in the atrocities committed during the Holocaust and using her ill-gotten gains to bring attention to that time. She’s never been able to move past her losses, however. Her mother and sister were killed by the Nazis, and her father abandoned her at a young age. So when a long forgotten bracelet makes its reappearance, she’s certain that it has secrets to tell, secrets that will give her the answers she needs about her sister's fate. This is a wonderful piece of historical fiction. Told in alternating timelines, the author takes us back to Colette’s childhood to give us a glimpse at the events that forever altered her life. Five stars!

This book was AMAZING! This book really made me think about the complexities of theft for the greater good. I loved the story of Collette and her secret life along with the dual timelines as she seeks justice for her sister. A compelling story with a great plot.

Kristin is such a beautiful author. This book draws you into the characters and their heartbreaking stories. But Kristin is always able to flawlessly leave you with a happy ending!

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Not my usual genre but heartwarming ending.
Wonderful storytelling and plotting.
And gorgeous cover!

With thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books/Simon and Schuster for this e-ARC.

I've grown to really love Kristin Harmel's writing. She tends to write a lot of female-centric, WWII-era historical fiction, so they can be heavy reads at times. Her latest novel is no exception! The story centers around Colette, a jewel thief who lives by Robin Hood's rules to take from the rich (or Nazis, in this case) to give to the poor. It wasn't my favorite of her books, but I still enjoyed it.

In The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau, Kristin Harmel delivers a gripping, emotionally layered historical fiction novel that blends suspense, tragedy, and moral complexity across dual timelines. The result is a haunting exploration of justice, grief, and identity—and a compelling portrait of a woman shaped by loss and conviction.

Colette Marceau has been stealing jewels for most of her life, trained by her mother, Annabel, in a family tradition passed down for generations: take only from the cruel and corrupt, and use the profits to help those in need. During the Second World War, that code was never more vital. In Nazi-occupied Paris, Annabel and teenage Colette used their skills to fund the French Resistance. But one night in 1942, everything changed. Annabel was arrested. Colette’s little sister, Liliane, vanished during the raid—along with a priceless diamond bracelet sewn into her nightgown. Annabel was later executed. Liliane’s body was found in the Seine. The bracelet was gone.

Seventy years later, Colette—now in her eighties and living a quiet life in Boston—spots the long-lost bracelet in a museum exhibit. After decades of carrying guilt and grief, she sees a final chance for answers. Where has the bracelet been? Who had it all these years? And could uncovering its path finally reveal the truth about what happened to her sister?

As Colette digs into the bracelet’s provenance, secrets surface. A familiar figure from her past steps forward with their own claim to the diamonds, and the search for justice becomes more personal—and more dangerous—than she ever expected.

Harmel crafts a poignant, fast-paced story that switches between 1940s France and present-day Boston. Colette is a standout protagonist: complex, fierce, and deeply human. Her life has been shaped by trauma, but she has remained loyal to her moral compass, even as she walks the line between lawbreaker and freedom fighter.

The novel explores grief, betrayal, and the blurry line between right and wrong. Harmel doesn’t offer easy answers—just real, flawed people making difficult choices. The bracelet itself becomes a symbol not just of loss, but of legacy. How many lives did it pass through? How many stories were tied to its glittering surface?

With The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau, Harmel adds another powerful entry to her World War II canon. It’s a tale that lingers, both in its emotional weight and its ethical gray zones. Historical fiction fans—especially those drawn to stories of resistance, survival, and redemption—won’t want to miss it.

Kristin Harmel, darn it, you did it again! I always swear I am done with WW2 novels, but then she goes ahead and writes another book set during the Great War. And can we please pause a moment for this cover? Can't you just see that book sitting on top of your pool bag waiting for you to dive into it? Reader be warned, this book will suck you in and not let go until the end (Scratch that the author's notes-that woman if she doesnt make you cry in the book, she will most certainly get you in her dedications and extensive research process-I didn't cry, but you probably will)
Anyway, you know the drill, read the synopsis for the plot-people get paid to write those and they are fabulous. But in this book we bounce back between 1942 and 2018, with each time period focusing on Colette Marceau, a jewel thief. Harmel ties the two timelines together by a set of unique twin bracelets which hold dark secrets and a deep lost romance.
This journey is beautiful and suspenseful. I could barely wait to finish the chapters because I had to know what happened in the alternate timeline. It was a tennis match of emotions.
Some may find the book a bit to "pretty" at the end, but girl you will be smiling the whole time. Don't rain on my parade!
Thank you SO much Kristen Harmel, Galley Books and NetGalley for allowing me to review this advanced readers copy of "The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau". I was not paid in exchange for my honest thoughts.

When I saw Kristin Harmel had a new book coming out, I knew I needed to get my hands on it asap!
This book pulled me in from the start. I loved the characters, especially Colette and Aviva. I loved the way the story explored what it means to do good in the middle of so much darkness. Kristin Harmel has such a gift for bringing history to life through strong, complex women. Her writing always feels heartfelt and immersive, and she truly brings the reader on a journey through history.

Kristin Harmel has written another incredibly haunting, yet beautiful story about how the people of Europe, especially France, fought back against the Nazis in WWII. This is an awesome and compelling book. I couldn’t put it down. So many emotions pulled at me from her words - fear, anger, hope, love, betrayal, steadfastness, and so many more - and I felt as if I was living in those pages. I’d say that Kristin Harmel has definitely found her perfect passion in historical fiction, and I look forward to more of her works in the future. I am very grateful to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and share my thoughts on this advance copy of the book. I highly recommend it.

4 glittering stars

This is my fourth book by Kristin Harmel, and it’s my favorite of hers. This is the type of historical fiction that I love to read. The characters have connections to a compelling historical time period, they are fleshed out, and I root for them in difficult situations.

This time, it’s a very well-written dual timeline featuring jewel thief Colette Marceau. We learn about her upbringing in France, and her mother explains that they can trace their roots to Robin Hood. Their code of honor is to steal from the bad people in the world and give it to those who need it.

During WWII, Colette and her mother steal from the evil people to fund the French resistance. It all comes to a tragic end, though, when her mother is caught, and Colette’s 4-year-old sister disappears as well with a valuable bracelet.

We jump 70 years later, and the bracelet has just been announced as part of an exhibit. Colette may finally get the resolution she has been seeking about what happened to her sister all those years ago.

Don’t miss the excellent afterword by the author.

I had high hopes for this, as I am a HUGE @kristinharmel fan and I was not disappointed!!! I loved this so much! The story of a descendant of Robin Hood and how she and her family fought against the Nazis in WWII, it was a unique story that had me completely hooked. Harmel is so, so good at making her characters feel real and her stories are always original and interesting. I cannot wait for people to read this one! It comes out on June 16!!! #kristinharmel #robinhood #newreleasebooks

Kristin Harmel’s WW2 stories highlight people who helped make a difference. In The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau the people are not those you would expect – they are a family of jewel thieves. I enjoyed the story and was engaged. The only thing I would fault the book for is tying things up too neatly and revealing character connections that are very hard to believe. Thank you to the publisher Gallery Books and to NetGalley for an early copy to read and review. This book comes out June 17, 2025.

I loved this book! I wasn't sure I would like it given the strange ties to Robin Hood but the author did a great job of using it as a way to add meaning to the plot. Colette's story is so sad. The story gave a different viewpoint to a book about WWII as it mainly focuses on Colette's life as an elderly woman who is haunted by living during the war and the unexpected disappearance of her beloved sister. A loss that shaped the rest of Colette's life. I have read all of Kristin Harmel's books and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys stories about WWII France, the meaning of family and redemption that can arrive at any time in our lives. I thank the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

I was fortunate enough to read an advance copy of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel. As a longtime fan of Harmel’s work—The Winemaker’s Wife remains one of my favorites—I was once again captivated by her ability to bring history to life through compelling characters and rich storytelling.

In this latest novel, Colette and her family become involved in the French Resistance. The events that unfold during this period are both harrowing and unforgettable, and I’m grateful for authors like Kristin Harmel who continue to shine a light on these critical chapters of history.

Colette is a survivor in every sense of the word. What she endures—and the strength she finds to keep going—is nothing short of remarkable. From the streets of occupied Paris to the South Shore of Boston, Harmel crafts an emotionally resonant and gripping narrative that I couldn’t put down. I finished the book in just two days.

I loved this! I love stories of the resistance in WWII, and this added another layer to that. This story weaves in an alternating timeline between WWII and 2018, with Colette as a jewel thief her whole life. The story of her thieving is super interesting with the how and the why. I don’t want to give anything away, but of course there is a mystery going back to the war time, and the ending is so satisfying. I can’t wait to read more by this author!

I was honored to receive an advanced reader copy of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau through NetGalley, and I can confidently say this book is nothing short of phenomenal. Kristin Harmel proves once again that she is a masterful storyteller, weaving a beautiful and brilliant narrative that deeply moved me.

The story of Colette is powerful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. Her life—so full of love, loss, and resilience—truly was stolen, and Harmel captures every emotion with grace and depth. I was completely captivated by Colette’s journey and touched by every character who shared her world. The emotional weight of the story stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

This novel is not just a story—it’s an experience. A stunning reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope. I wholeheartedly recommend it to fans of historical fiction and anyone who appreciates deeply emotional, beautifully written books.

I am grateful to NetGalley for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy of this novel by Kristin Harmel. This is my first read by this author and I enjoyed it very much. The story was well developed, with characters that came from a variety of experiences and situations. The dual timeline was handled well and was easy to follow throughout the novel. I am an avid reader of stories set in the time frame of World War II. Many of them are very predictably plotted, and focus on the fighting and relationships of soldiers. I loved that this author chose to focus on a few Jewish families and their French allies who tried to keep them safe or help them to leave Paris. It was a unique, courageous story, focusing on choices that could change the course of many lives over time.

The book begins to lay out the plot in Nazi occupied Paris very quickly. We learn what Colette's mother is committed to in support of her Jewish friends and neighbors. The more current time line also offers information about Colette well after the war and how she became connected to her dear Aviva. Colette comes from a family history of the "redistribution" of wealth that supports Jewish families as needed. We learn very quickly that she has lost family members, still struggling with what happened in Paris when she was young. The story weaves the past and present easily, and pulled me in easily. While I did suspect parts of the ending, I felt very satisfied by the choices the author made to tell this story. I recommend this one and intend to read more by this author.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel is a beautiful story about love. While this novel is about thieves, a child’s disappearance and murder, it also centers around love of family and country. In an attempt to help finance the French resistance, Annabel Clement, and her daughter Colette, steal jewelry from the Germans at significant risk to themselves. Along the way, Colette tries to solve the mystery of her sister’s disappearance. There are many interesting characters in this novel, all of whom grow both in friendship and love. It is a Robin Hood type story, but with a beautiful message. Love has a way of conquering all and in the end, love is all one really has. I enjoyed this novel.

Paris, 1934. When Colette turns ten, her mother Annabel, teaches her how to steal. When Colette questions stealing, she is explained the story of Robin Hood. It’s about taking from those who are cruel and helping those who are kind. And the golden rule is they never keep anything for themselves, except the twin bracelets belonging to her mother’s friend Helene.

Annabel and Helene are part of underground network. Annabel tries to persuade her friend Helene to leave Paris due to possible mass deportation of Jews. When Helene with her family are deported and the twin bracelets appear on mistresses’ wrist of a German officer, Annabel decides to do the right thing. At least, it’s the right thing in her mind, but that’s when she makes a fatal mistake. She lets emotions get in the way and loses her full concentrations, leading to fatal events.

Meanwhile, the bracelets are split in half, just in case, if the worst comes to pass, each girl, Colette and her younger sister, would have something to bargain with to keep them safe during the war. But her younger sister later is found dead and the bracelet sewn into the hem of her nightgown for safekeeping is gone until it turns up in the museum almost seventy years later.

This dual time line, switches between WWII and the present time when Colette is almost ninety and is proud of her achievement, funneling well over $30 million in stolen jewels to deserving organizations. One of the bracelets resurfaces at the Diamond Museum. As the bracelet reappears, it brings the painful memory back. Colette gathers her strength to find out where the bracelet came from.

As engaging as the story is, there are parts that are questionable if it’s believable. How did she support herself? Some dialogue of a young girl didn’t sound believable. The confirmation of the found body was questionable.

At the end, the story makes a good point that there is no point of holding on to the past. It robs one of good experiences.

Overall, the story has a good flow, is engaging and fast-paced, the characters are well-developed and interesting. The story doesn’t go into atrocities of the war which I personally preferred.