4.5 rounded up. Fascinating + good audio but that’s definitely not all.

I can get fatigued reading historical fiction, I enjoy it and books like this make me want to read all the historical fiction.

This dual timeline book is set in 1942 and 2012. The MC Colette is continuing a legacy of her mother’s family and somehow I found it to be such an interesting storyline. However, the jewel thieving has lead to her life long heartache and made her an incredibly sympathetic character.

Despite her life of crime, I was rooting for Colette. As the wheels are put in motion for her to find out information about things that happened in 1942, I found myself unable to stop listening. I had to know more! I was not disappointed and found that the end was satisfying and felt like Colette could have love, family and peace.

Advanced reader copy provided by Gallery Books but all opinions are my own.

I thought I was moved by Kristin Harmel's other books about the German invasion of Paris during World War 11, but her newest hits all the right emotions. Harmel weaves such an intricate story, yet it is not difficult to follow all of the characters. Be prepared for being shocked along the way! My range of emotions went from sorrow to great joy throughout the book, and left me wanting more. Is there any way there could be a sequel? I want to know more, and I think that any reader would. Thank you to Netgalley for this free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This was just a ho-hum read for me. I was initially intrigued by Colette's background, the Robin Hood connection, and especially the fact that even in her late age she's still (successfully) stealing things. But the book bounces too much between the past and the present, and the back and forth got tedious after a while. Rather than feel like a dynamic "conversation" between Colette's life in Paris and that in the U.S., it really felt like the narrative was pressing the pause button on one to take readers to the other and vice versa. Also, technically speaking, Colette's life wasn't stolen -- her sister's was. So the title doesn't really fit. And many of the "plot twists" were way too predictable and felt like so many other books I'd read before.

The book also needed more time in editing to develop the characters; they didn't feel three-dimensional at all, more like character sketches. The premise of Colette stealing things and using the money she gets from those thefts for good was a good one, but there were too many missing holes for me in the details. Colette steals stuff, great, and she has a friend who's sweet on her who is her fence. But there are more people involved in the world of stolen goods, and it's hard to believe that not once in all the time Colette has been doing this has she been caught (especially in this day and age of digital footprints everywhere.) Even then, I was willing to suspend my disbelief to go along with what was happening in the story world, but the underdevelopment of the characters ultimately left me wishing the book was something different.

Another great book by Kristin Harmel! This story will appeal to fans of stories about WWII, themes of found family, split-time stories, and even mysteries. i did not want to put this one down!

*4-4.5 stars.

Just when you think every possible story about WWII has been written, an author comes along with a fresh storyline. This story is so touching, about a family of jewel thieves who claim Robin Hood as their ancestor and work under a code of honor to fund the French Resistance during the occupation of Paris. It has dual timelines--1942 and 2018--with the main character, Colette Marceau, still trying to learn who killed her sister almost 80 years later. Overall I really enjoyed the book, but the ending felt a bit like a Hallmark movie plot, charming but not very realistic.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and rhetorical opinions expressed are my own.

There is something riveting about a thief, especially one that compares themselves to the work of Robin Hood, which is what drew me into The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau. I am a huge fan of Kristin Harmel and love how she is able to write with such vivid clarity, making the time you read feel more like you’re watching a movie while wondering if there is any truth to the tale you’re reading.

At first, I struggled to get into this story. Colette felt off-putting to me as I read her justifications behind being a jewel thief, but the more the story began to unpack itself, I realized so much more about Colette and her lifelong mission, and before I knew it, I couldn’t tear myself away from the story. When I think of stories set during the Second World War, they are always wrought by tragedy, and this story has its fair share, but it also is a beacon of hope.

Colette has such fight in her, a determination that truly defined her life, and I had so much respect for her and those that helped her on her life’s mission. I cannot fathom the weight that she carried after losing so much and felt all the emotions she felt in my depths.

This novel took some twists and turns that I seriously wasn’t expecting, which made an already interesting story all the more intriguing, and even though I knew what was going to happen once I reached the ending, reading it still took my breath away. Seeing it all come to fruition and how it all tied together was masterfully woven in such a satisfying and poetic way.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is an incredibly powerful story that I know I will always hide in my heart, always remembering that “Diamonds have witnessed the past, and they will witness a future we can’t begin to imagine.”

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is a story of mystery, drama, and trauma. Going back to 1942 Germany to present day, this story goes through the roller coaster of loss and unspeakable tragedy.

Dual timelines is the perfect way for this story to unfold. Alternating between WWII in Paris and 2018 in the United States, Colette’s search for what happened to her sister is emotional and endearing. I gravitate toward historical fiction from WWII, and I found this one to be expertly crafted. The book is aptly titled as well. Colette’s family lived a legacy of stealing jewelry to fund the resistance and along with that her life as it could have been was stolen from her.

Thank you so much @gallerybooks for granting me access through @netgalley. This one is truly a gem!

Kristin Harmel has done it again. She write the best characters with the best stories. Colette is a thief who uses the stolen jewels to help those less fortunate. She has been doing this for years. She lost her mother and sister during WWII, but survived on her own. Then she finds the bracelet her mother had sewn into the hem of her sister's nightgown in a museum exhibit. How did it get there? Is the owner involved in what happened to her sister? Who else is looking into the history of the bracelet. Such a great read. Highly recommend.

Loved this historical fiction novel by Author Kristin Harmel. It had ALL the parts to make this novel complete including anticipation, fear yet still love! This was written in two timelines, one in World War II and the other current time. They pieced together beautifully so you could understand when and how things transpired. I couldn't put it down, kept me wanting more.

I would have never imagined a family involved in jewelry theft in the era of World War II. Kristin Harmel did a phenomenal job piecing this novel together with exactly how 2 bracelets came to be such a significant piece of this story and the lives of so many. Harmel brought me to tears and left my heart full with emotion and content.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or wants to try it for the first time.

This is the first book I've ever read from Kristin Harmel, and I thought it was amazing! I rated this book five stars. It is a historical fiction, however, there are bits of mystery and romance sprinkled throughout. I thought the main character Colette was fascinating right from the start. In the beginning, we find out that Colette is a 90 year old jewel thief, who still steals valuables in order to help Jewish charities and organizations. She only steals from neo-Nazis and those who are cruel and evil. Colette is a WWII survivor and is trying to figure out what happened in the death of her sister and of a boy she used to love. The ending was very unexpected and I enjoyed the conclusion of this book. I can't wait to read more from this author!

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Gallery Books. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Heist Fiction, WWII Fiction, France, Mystery
Format: Dual-Time and different POVs
Spice Level: Nothing is really on the page.
Gore Level: WWII and the atrocities are mentioned, but it is not front and center on the page. This is more a story about family bonds.

THE STOLEN LIFE OF COLETTE MARCEAU romps through history, stealing jewels along the way to give to the poor. The crux of the story is about family.

The concept of descendants of Robin Hood, stealing from the evil & rich to help others is a fun way to start. But there are also dilemmas about this occupation when others discover the truth.

I enjoyed how we bounced back and forth between the past and present day, but I can also see how that might confuse some people. Some of the characters are the same, which can both help and hinder clarity. This is a book where I was as invested in the past as the present (a hard feat to pull off, in my opinion).

I was worried it would be too depressing, but I actually found this book to be helpful. The ends tie up pretty tidily, and I think I wish there was something a little loose and not so pat by the ending, but I was still satisfied.

I recommend this book for mystery, romance, and historical readers.

Happy reading!

Kristin Harmel has proven once again that she is a master in historical fiction. The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is a wonderfully written story about a family in Paris during the early days of WW2. Annabel Marceau is a descendent of Robin Hood and has followed in the family tradition of stealing from those in the wrong and helping those in need. She is raising her oldest daughter, Colette in the ways of their family. Annabel and Colette are stealing jewels and watches to help fund the Resistance against the Germans. Sadly Annabel is taken in by the Germans after being seen stealing a piece of jewelry.

This is a dual timeline story and dual settings. 1940s in France and 2018 in Boston. The chapters alternate between settings and timelines.

Harmel has shown why I will always read any and every book she writes.

4 stars.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley- thank you.

When I pick up a Kristin Harmel story, I know I'm in for an emotional ride, and this book delivered. It's definitely the best book I've read this year. I have read so much WWII historical fiction, and I feel like I always learn something new through her books. I figured out most of the twists easily, but I think it's just because I have read so many of her books and recognize the clues. It didn't detract from the beauty of this story.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau explores how one moment in our lives can impact us forever. The story is told in alternative timelines and I found both to be captivating. I particularly enjoyed the older protagonist and her reflections on her life.

I’m not typically drawn to WWII historical fiction but this story had some unique elements - a Robin Hood backstory and light romance weaved into a story of loss and redemption, Ultimately I found this to be fairly predictable but I still enjoyed the unraveling of the story.

Title: The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau
By: Kristin Harmel
Pub. Day: June 17, 2025

Genre:
Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Romance, Audiobook

Trigger Warnings:
WWII, Grief, Loss,

Favorite Quotes:
"Take only from the cruel and unkind, and give to those in need."

"When we find ourselves in darkness, we can't wait for the light to find us."

“Change happens one act of courage at a time, one act of kindness at a time, one act of faith at a time. And those are things that all of us are capable of.”

Kristin Harmel does it again!!! The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is my new favorite! I love all works written by this brilliantly talented author!

Review:
I was completely drawn into The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau and read it in one sitting. This novel by Harmel draws the reader into a world of generational Robin Hoods—women who steal jewels from the rich to give back to those in need. Told through dual timelines, the story unfolds seamlessly, skillfully connecting deeply woven and relatable characters across generations. The author masterfully brings the untold stories of WWII to life with rich historical detail and emotional depth. Harmel’s storytelling continues to resonate, making her novels an automatic must-read for myself and so many others! Readers will find themselves eagerly anticipating her next release. Kristin Harmel’s become an automatic must-read for me, The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is no different, and I’m already counting down the days until her next release. Highly Recommended!!!

Thank you to Kristin Harmel, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am voluntarily leaving my personal review.

# TheStolenLifeofColetteMarceau
#KristinHarmel
#GalleryBooks
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

“𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚏𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚌𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚞𝚝. 𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚡𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚠𝚊𝚢.”

As with most dual timeline stories I had a favorite, and in this one, it was the 1940s story that caught my attention most. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚗 𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚎𝚊𝚞 isn’t based on any real people or situations but it is based on events that took place like the largest roundup of Jewish people who were forced to reside in the Vélodrome d'Hiver for three days before deportation.

Like with all of Harmel’s books there are some incredible twists, a few I suspected, and a lot of emotional moments. This one follows the path of jewelry made for a Jewish family that was stolen from them during the mass roundup. It’s quite the story and one that kept me flipping pages quickly.

“…𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢’𝚕𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚜, 𝚠𝚊𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎, 𝚏𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢’𝚕𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚘𝚗…”

* quotes from arc’s may be different than finished copies.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc via Netgalley

First of all, I absolutely love Kristin Harmel’s books, and this book was no exception to that. It may be my favorite of hers. I loved, loved, loved it so much that I finished it in just one setting. I don’t want to give specific details because I don’t want to give spoilers but I loved the characters and the plot-I didn’t want this book to end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 stars

As a woman in her 30s who loves historical fiction with emotional depth, I found The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau to be a powerful and beautifully written novel. Kristen Harmel brings Colette’s story to life with grace and heartbreak, weaving a tale of survival, identity, and love that lingers long after the final page.

The book shines in its portrayal of Colette as a fully realized, resilient woman. Her journey through the chaos of Nazi-occupied France, and the emotional aftermath, felt raw and honest. I was especially drawn to the themes of lost identity and how personal history shapes who we are—something that really resonated with me.

Harmel’s research and attention to historical detail made the setting immersive, and the emotional moments felt real without ever being overwrought.

Overall, this is a touching, well-crafted novel that I’ll be recommending to friends. It’s perfect for readers who love stories about strong women, buried secrets, and the quiet strength it takes to reclaim one’s life.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The “Stolen Life of Colette Marceau” is a book set in Nazi occupied Paris and present day (2018). It’s about Colette who is descended from Robin Hood and she spends her life stealing from the rich to fund organizations and charities. As Colette reconciles with her past can she find the healing (and justice) that her heart needs? I thought that this was a good book and was a unique take on a WWII/Nazi Germany storyline. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery books for the advanced reader copy!