Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with an Advanced Review copy of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel.
This is a story of a woman who has been brought up to believe that she is a descendant of Robin Hood and must continue his legacy by stealing from bad people and giving it to a good cause with no personal gain. Kristin has taken these jewels and constructed a tale through time emphasizing the importance of love, heartache, family and hope. This was a lovely WWII tale with a fresh look at how families were broken up and somehow sewn back together over the course of 75 years.

What a beautiful book! I'd become reluctant to read yet another book about the Holocaust, but this one was a completely different spin on events. I was happy that the author didn't torture us with extensive descriptions of the atrocities that took place but instead focused on the French Resistance and, ultimately, survivor guilt. I enjoyed both timelines presented in the book as well as the author's ability to bring the characters to life. I particularly appreciated the people who stepped up to replace missing family members. One has to suspend belief over some of the coincidences that take place, but the book's great attributes make up for that. I'm so glad I read this book, and I highly recommend it.

A compelling page turner! This book shifted timelines between 1940s Paris and 2018 Boston, and little by little Colette’s story and her search for her sister who was found dead in the Seine during WWII is revealed. Colette was taught by her mother, a descendent of Robin Hood, to steal jewels to redistribute wealth from the wealthy. Perfect for any historical fiction reader, especially those with interest in WWII.

Thanks to NetGalley and the published for this ARC!

DNF at 27%. I like the *idea* of this book, with a family of people meting out justice to the rich by stealing from them to give to the poor. But the connection to Robin Hood was very weird. And the characters were dull, especially in the 2018 arc.

In 2018, we meet Colette Marceau, a nearly ninety-year-old woman on the verge of stealing a valuable canary diamond ring. Colette is a thief, but much like her mother and ancestor Robin Hood, she doesn't personally benefit from her daring exploits. She only targets those who are cruel, particularly those who support Nazi ideology. She has donated millions to various organizations and helped establish the Boston and New York Centers for Holocaust Education. Colette lost her mother, Anabel, and her sister Liliane in 1942, and cherishes a multi-diamond bracelet, one half of an interlocking pair, entrusted to her for safekeeping in Paris. The other bracelet had been sewn into her sister's nightgown, which disappeared after the four-year-old's body was found. When the missing bracelet resurfaces in a jewelry exhibit, Coleen, long tormented by her wartime losses, hopes this discovery will help her uncover who murdered her sister. Shifting to Paris from 1938 to 1945, the past is recalled as present-day events bring Coleen closer to learning the truth.

In The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau, author Kristin Harmel once again demonstrates why she is one of my favorite historical fiction writers. The portions set in Paris leading up to and during World War II are very emotional and captivating, as we get to know Colette and her mother, along with the history of the bracelets made for Anabel's friend Hélène Rosman. It was enjoyable to read about the vibrant Coleen in the present day, as she confronts her lifelong trauma. Although the book addresses heavy subjects, it is a truly heartwarming story.

It’s the latest installment from historical fiction writer Kristin Harmel, and I could literally not have been more excited to have received this ARC! I was obsessed with The Book of Lost Names and I knew that I needed to get my hands on this book pronto!

As Harmel does, she weaved a beautiful story of friendship, love, and family in a dual timeline WW2 France and present day Boston. The main character, Colette, has a very unusual job that has been passed down to her through generations. Her mother has taught her to be a jewelry thief. The catch? She only steals from those in the wrong, and donates the money to worthy causes. The closest to her heart is a Holocaust remembrance museum.

The one piece Colette cannot bring herself to donate is a bracelet her mother thieved before she was killed. The bracelets memories are so strong for Colette, and she’s been on a mission for seventy years to find its sister bracelet. A happenstance phone call has her spinning and wondering if she has found it at long last. Will Colette finally get the answers about her past that she seeks?

Thank you Kristin Harmel, NetGalley, and Gallery books for the advanced reader copy of this novel -out June 17th!

Colette Marceau is a jewel thief from a family of jewel thieves. But these thieves are descended from Robin Hood and only steal from bad people and give the proceeds to worthy causes. This story is split timeline - Colette in Paris in World War Two and then in Boston in 2018. The plot centers around twin bracelets commissioned by a Jewish man for his wife, the events in WW2 that eventually lead to the events in 2018.

This is a brilliantly told story for about 90% of the book. It’s dramatic and heartbreaking and infuriating as the poison of the Nazis spreads throughout Paris and continues to present day. Colette fights the only way she knows how. Where the story slips a bit is the wrapping up of the modern day events. No spoilers here, but it’s just a little too tidy and felt unrealistic. But the rest of the story is taut and well-written.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Family friendly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved weaving through time and characters in this book. It really goes to show just how small the world can be despite being vastly large. The storylines were so easy to follow despite change changing POV and time. This book was great and I only wish Marty would have had more of a part in the end.

Oh, my goodness, if you're a fan of historical fiction, grab this book when it hits shelves June 17th.

Kristin Harmel has become the enchantress of the historical fiction genre. Her characters jump off the page and live in our hearts as we are totally immersed in their stories.

Our protagonist in The Stolen Life, Colette, is certainly no exception. A jewelry thief she may be, but we totally fall in love with her and her story.

We have dual timelines of pre WW II and then the 1940s in Paris during the Nazi invasion and the French Resistance juxtaposed with modern day (2018) Boston. Of course, by this time, Collette has relocated to the US, but the mystery of jewels and her family linger. It is such an engrossing story with many interesting secondary characters. also.

Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery books, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Also, a big thanks to Kristin Harmel for further educating me on even more aspects of WW II and making me so invested in your characters in this tale. 4.5 stars from me

What happens when the descendants of Robin Hood continues the tradition of robbing from the rich to give to the poor during Nazi controlled France through Nazi leading people in the US? Read this book to find out. I love this take on getting even for the atrocities inflicted on the Jews and others by the Nazis.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copies.

This was my first Kristin Harmel book, and I already can't wait to dive into more of her titles. Colette was such a unique character, and I loved that her story was told in the present and the past. The jewel thief plot line was interesting and captivating, so much so that I couldn't put the book down. The writing was also stunning. I was crying at points, and fully in the edge of my seat at others. And with so much WWII books out there, it's nice to have one that feels unique. The twist had me feeling, and at times I felt like I was sitting with these characters. I truly loved reading this book. Thank you to Gallery books for an ARC to read and review!

I have no words. Usually I’m harsh with WW2 novels there’s so many out there. But my heart can’t even handle the beauty of this book. A old woman finally found her place in the world. She found her family, her love, and everything that brings it all together is one jewel toned puzzle piece after another.

The only disappointment I have is in myself for not picking up this wonderful author sooner.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
With dual timelines, this tragic World War 2 story alternates with 2018 as it follows the loss of Colette’s younger sister in the past that connects to the display of a diamond bracelet.in 2018.
Colette and her mother are jewel thieves descended from Robin Hood,,stealing jewels from Nazis and their sympathizers to give the money to the resistance during World War 2. Upon finding out about a diamond bracelet that disappeared in World War 2, Colette is determined to find out what happened to her sister who disappeared with the bracelet in Paris during World War 2.
I really liked the characters, and how they connected.

Loved! as a historical fiction girl this one just adds to the amazing backlog of Kristin Harmel!! I love Collette and I do wish however we got to see her pull her heists through out the book though.

Kristin Harmel’s books revolve around World War II, but always tell a story about the helpers. In this one Colette is a descendant of Robin Hood. Members of her family have always been thieves, taking from the wrongdoers and giving to those in need. In Colette and her mother’s case, this means stealing from the Nazis to help the Resistance in Paris. The story is told in 1942 Paris and present day Greater Boston. Colette is in her 80s in present day still struggling with the loss of her family during the war. The chapters from the past help the reader to understand the whole story. I just loved everything about this book, and especially loved the ending. It was a perfect story from beginning to end.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So good!!! Colette Marceau's life was been anything but easy, growing up in Paris during WWII. Her family are descendants of Robin Hood. They are jewel thieves who steal from the evil and use the money to do good in the world. In this book, we are taken on the journey of her life from the age of 6 to her nineties. This is a fascinating adventure with twists and turns throughout. I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling anything. Just pick this book up and start.

Kristin Harmel's books are hit or miss with me. Love some and some are just ok. This one ... 5 stars! Perfection. I can't wait to talk to someone about this book.

Thank you Gallery Books, NetGalley and Kristin Harmel for the advanced copy of this book.

The theft of art and jewelry by the Nazis is a well documented crime from World War II, but Kristin Harmel gives it a new twist in The Stolen Life of Collette Marceau. Collette is a descendant of Robin Hood and follows her family’s code to take from evil or cruel people only and use the proceeds to do good. After losing her family in occupied Paris, she continues what her mother started and eventually winds up in Boston, where she starts a Holocaust remembrance center with proceeds from her acquired jewelry. But she’s still haunted by what became of her sister and a long ago boy who wrote her poetry. When the bracelet her sister had when she went missing turns up in Boston, Collette must figure out the truth after all these years.

Rich in historical accuracy and full of intriguing characters, this novel is one I couldn’t put down. I enjoyed the dual timelines between the war and modern day and rooted for Collette to solve the mysteries of her past. The ending was also satisfying. I highly recommend this book. It's a 4.5 for me!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, for an ARC edition of this book.

Just WOW! What a beautiful, but tragic story about Colette’s 90 years of life from surviving Nazi invaded France and losing her family to continuing to be a “Robin Hood” jewelry thief into old age. The themes of identity, family, and love are prevalent. Kristin Harmel outdid herself with this one- it left me with tears and a story that will stay with me.

I really enjoyed this story of a modern day Robin Hood with hints of Tristan and Isolde in the time of World War 2. I loved the simplicity of the writing and how it captured my attention immediately. I enjoyed the moral questions it raised about doing what is lawfully wrong for a greater right. I liked the way the story unfolded in the present and the past and though I guessed the ending it wasn't completely predictable. If you like a quick, clean historical fiction with a little mystery and moral questions to ponder, be sure to add this to your growing TBR pile and be sure to read the author's note!


Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read it in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Historical fiction with dual time lines, following the main character in World War II Paris and modern day Boston. Collette was trained to be a jewel thief stealing from people who got their fortunes usually through illegal if not unethical means and giving to charities, believing she is a descendent of the original Robin Hood. At the age of almost 90 she comes across a bracelet thought to be lost forever that could lead her to the mystery of what happened to her sister 70 years ago and reunite her with others from her past. I really enjoyed this novel it it my first from Kristin Harmel and I look forward to reading more from her. I want to thank Netgalley and Gallery Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.