I really enjoyed reading this historical fiction story, although parts of it felt far-fetched. Colette, a descendant of Robin Hood, continues that path stealing jewelry from Nazi’s during WWII and modern-day Nazi’s as well in the current timeline. The story follows a bracelet of a friend of Colette’s mother where Colette tries to find the bracelet hoping it will lead to answers on her sister’s death. Would someone really go through all that trouble for a bracelet that was stolen from them during WWII? I’m not sure. With that said, the characters were great. I loved reading about Colette’s adventures. I enjoyed the dual timelines. This was a fun historical fiction that I didn’t want to put down.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new historical fiction novel by Kristin Harmel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

As a direct descendent of Robin Hood, Colette Marceau has been stealing jewels as long as she can remember, abiding by the code of honor to take only from the cruel and unkind and give to those in need. Colette and her mother, Annabel, worked together in Paris to help fund the French Resistance. But one night in 1942, Annabel was arrested by the Germans and Colette’s young sister disappeared, along with a diamond bracelet sewn into the hem of her nightgown. Seventy years later, Colette has done her best to move on, but when the long-missing bracelet turns up in a museum exhibit, she’s desperate to find out where it’s been and hopefully find answers about her sister.

Told in these two distinct timelines, this is another wonderful book by Harmel. While the atrocities of WWII are on every page, the focus is on doing what’s right, a mystery, and the bonds of family. While events may have unspooled a bit too perfectly, it takes nothing away from the beautiful story. The descriptions of both the beautiful jewels and the stealing of them, was fascinating as well. Be sure and read the author’s notes.

A female descendant of Robin Hood, now an octogenarian, longs to reconcile with a tragic mystery in her past in this sweeping dual timeline novel. A family of jewel thieves that steal from Nazi sympathizers and give to holocaust causes, found family, and decades-old secrets unravel throughout Harmel's book. This was a delight to read due to Colette's feisty demeanor. The dual timelines worked really well and I felt that I really was immersed in World War 2 Paris. I was so engrossed I stayed up to finish it and unravel the mystery and it was well worth the late bedtime.

Not only was this an amazing story but I appreciated the author’s comments at the end describing her battle with cancer and identifying supportive individuals. Thanks to #NetGalley and #TheStolenLifeOfColetteMarceau for advanced digital copy.

Mother-daughter jewel thieves who steal to help the Resistance movement in France during WWII. Told in two timelines, we see daughter Colette being trained by her mother the art of stealing jewels right off those wearing them. Decades later Colette wants to know what happened to the bracelet, who killed her sister and what happened to her love, Tristan.

For those who love WWII, a little mystery and a romance story, you will enjoy this book. I personally wasn't sure how much I bought into the "real " Robin Hood story. It also moved a bit too slowly in the first third of the book.

Personal note - I wish author Kristen Harmel good health and glad to hear of her recovery. I want to also encourage all women to do your own self-exams, get regular check-ups and take your own health very seriously. My own self-exam found cancer that a mammogram did not show.

My thanks to Net Galley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy of this e-book.

Another extraordinary work by Harmel.
First, I couldn’t help but keep gazing at the exquisite cover of the book!
When I began the first chapter I was immediately swept away into the story. Harmel’s writing does that for me because it is completely absorbing.
I did figure out a major plot twist long before it was revealed and I also had to ask what if she was wrong about a major assumption Colette made about the most horrible night of her life.
I liked how,she brought all the story lines together like the two halves of the interlocking bracelet which is center stage in the story.
The one part I did struggle with was a question of morality-does committing a wrong act for good purposes excuse the action? I can’t answer that for other readers and Harmel addresses this in her author’s note.

Kristin Harmel writes the best historical fiction. This one is about a real life Robin Hood. Stolen jewels, holocaust, found family. Really great book!

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel is a worthy addition to her long list of hits. This book is entirely readable and makes one appreciate theft. It is an unlikely story, based in Nazi France but comes with an ending any romance reader will appreciate. People do come together in the oddest ways. Colette’s mother was a thief, a good one. It was family tradition. The stories said they were descended from Robin Hood so they only stole from bad people to help good ones. Her father was a school teacher. She had come from England to France to marry him. They had two daughters, Colette and a much younger one, Liliane. Colette had lost Liliane and then they had discovered her dead body floating in the river. Her mother was gone, most likely dead, and her father didn’t want her anymore. Her mother had been caught. She had stolen from Nazi and he punished her for it. She was dead. Colette lived with family friends until the war was over and her uncle from England came to fetch her. Now she was very old; had stolen and gifted over $30,000,000 in her lifetime. But for the first time she was sharing her story, and what a story it was.

Excellent read told in two timelines. Colette was the last of her line; the last of the descendants of Robin Hood. But she had one more thing to accomplish and it started when her foster daughter brought her a photo in a magazine. She told Aviva the story and why it was so important to her. What an unlikely story and yet such a great read. The characters are warm and lovable, even the ones you don’t want to like. The plot is rich and complex, as only a Nazi story can be, although thankfully they play a small part in it. The surprises are myriad and exquisite. It is a wonderful read and probably a better listen.

I was invited to read The Stolen Life Of Colette Marceau, by Gallery Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #GalleryBooks #KristinHarmel #TheStolenLifeOfColetteMarceau

The third book I've read by Kristin Harmel and I am definitely impressed once again. I was hooked right from the beginning. Harmel is skilled in writing captivating historical fiction books.

This one has dual timelines. During the WW2, 1940s Colette Marceau, is a jewel thief in Paris. Her family are descendants of Robinhood. She was taught to only steal from the cruel and unkind and uses that money to fund the French Resistance during WW2.

In the present, 2018 Boston, she has always wanted to know what happened to her sister during the war, and has always harbored guilt over things that happened back then. She's long been searching for a diamond bracelet that belonged to her sister, when she spots it in a museum. Could this lead her to find out what had happened to her sister all those years ago?

This was a fast paced, and entertaining. The mystery held my attention the whole way through. I definitely think historical fiction fans will enjoy this one.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

“It is in the times of danger that we must summon our greatest courage.”
Colette Marceau is taught to steal by her mother, Annabel, from an early age. With a strict code of honor to only steal from the cruel and unkind people and give to those in need. During World War II, their efforts help fund the French Resistance to save those escaping from the Nazis. But one night in 1942, it all goes wrong. This novel drew me in immediately as Colette must face the reappearance of a priceless bracelet that may hold the answers she seeks in a decades old murder. With every theft Colette makes I found myself holding my breath, hoping she wasn't caught. Filled with incredible characters, I loved this well-written historical fiction tale of family, bravery, loss, revenge and finding hope in the darkest of times. I highly recommend this sensational read!

I thought that this was incredibly well done. A dual timeline book - switching between the horror of Nazi Occupied France and modern day USA. Colette grew up in France during WWII and we experience the horrors of that time frame. Today she is a modern day robinhood, stealing jewelery from Nazi's and Nazi collaborators. When a bracelet shows up that was sewn into the dress of her sister who was found dead, she goes on a wild goose chase to discover who owned it. The story flowed seamlessly. The characters were incredible. I am a huge historical fiction fan, but I actually found that the modern day mystery is what pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. I thought the characters were well developed, flawed and wonderful. They all fit their roles well. The research that was put into the historical fiction portion was well done. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys historical fiction and mystery.
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

After swiftly devouring this book, it’s safe to say that The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is my most favorite book written by Kristin Harmel.

This dual timeline story takes place in 2018 and the Second World War. The story is centered on a family of jewel thieves who are descendants of the famous Robinhood. The code of the family is to only steal from those who are evil and redistribute the wealth to worthy causes. While Colette’s mother is out stealing jewels to fund the French resistance, her actions cause her family to be targeted by the Nazis, and if things could not get any worse, her youngest daughter goes missing when the Nazis come to raid her family’s apartment. Colette continues in her mother’s legacy until the present day when a local exhibition including a unique bracelet tied to her past surfaces, causing a whirlwind of questions and emotions. Colette knows that chasing after the diamond bracelet will aid her in uncovering the secrets from her past.

This book was much different from Kristin Harmel’s other books. The whole idea of the book being centered on jewel thieves is brilliant. I enjoyed the multi generational romance, the found family, and the wartime drama. I always love how the author ties in all the loose strings. The book is a fantastic read for people who enjoy WW2 historical fiction.

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary and all thought are my own.

A fascinating story with family, love, horror and mystery.

Colette Marceau's mother taught her at a young age about the family history and how to steal. Set during World War II, her mother, Annabel, is arrested and her younger sister goes missing the same night. Along with a butterfly bracelet, that Colette has the matching half. Colette thinks they're both gone, until the bracelet shows up 70 years later. It's a really interesting story line, the historical line is amazing and the current line is really moving and pulls both the timelines together in a beautiful way.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

This is an intriguing historical drama. It is a time lapse story that jumps between 2018 and 1934… there is a Robin Hood theme of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Annabel Clement was born to be a thief, just like her mother, her grandmother, and her great-grandfather before her. You can take from people who are cruel and unkind and use what you’ve taken to make the world a better place, then what you have done is heroic, not criminal. Her 10year old daughter did not want to believe her. But she learned her family trade just the same.
I don’t believe stealing is a good trait but it made for an intriguing story. I enjoy historical books that take place during the WWII era. The author researched and wrote a compelling story of that time and modern day. It held my attention and had me anticipating the ending. I also appreciate there was no foul language in this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I cried reading the first chapter, and cried a few times throughout this moving story! I've read many of Harmel's historical fiction and she is an incredible author.
Colette is an elderly Frenchwoman whose family have a history of living up to Robin Hood and stealing from the rich to help the poor. In this case, it was Colette learning to steal jewels from the Nazis and sympathizers during WW2 occupation of Paris.
This dual timeline goes between her younger years and her later years where she is still involved in heists and is trying to find a missing bracelet that disappeared when her sister died.
Highly recommend this emotional story!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

This new historical fiction book had several things I like: dual timelines, a mystery to be solved, and a WW2 setting (but in France). As a descendant of Robin Hood, Colette has been raised to steal jewels from the evil and wealthy and use those jewels to benefit the poor and oppressed. As the Nazis come to power and occupy France, Colette's mother is arrested for stealing a pair of bracelets that had belonged to her Jewish friend but had been taken from her by a Nazi soldier. In the aftermath Colette's younger sister disappears wearing a nightgown with one of the bracelets sewn into the hem and is found floating in the Seine. This sets Colette on a lifelong quest to find the missing bracelet and also who it was that killed her sister. In the modern day timeline the bracelet has resurfaced and Colette, now elderly, hopes to finally find out the truth of what happened to her sister and is determined to get answers. The story kept me interested the whole way through, though it did wrap up a bit too neatly to be believable. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

As today’s events get heavier, I’ve found that I don’t read as much historical fiction. But Kristin Harmel is a favorite because I always find her books interesting, intriguing and educational. The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is all of those things and more.

The story centers around Colette Marceau, a jewel thief who steals to benefit the greater good. In dual timelines, we see Colette in France with her mother and sister—both of whom meet tragic fates during World War II. In the present day, Colette is faced with her past when a special piece that she thought was lost decades ago with her sister has now emerged, leaving her with more questions than answers.

I was moved to tears by this story and how beautifully it was written. There’s tragedy, as expected, but it’s not grotesque or drawn out. There’s a lot of reflection and interesting storylines that come together in a mostly expected, but satisfying way. This would make for a great book club selection as there’s so much to discuss and reflect on. I’ll be thinking about this one for some time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read a copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Gallery Books for the gifted ARC!

How was this my first Kristin Harmel book? I have had some sitting on my shelves for years, but never dove in and now I'm seriously regretting not reading her work sooner!

Colette Marceau is a modern day Robin Hood who steals from the worst of the worst in order to help those in need. Right? Wrong? It depends who you ask, but she's just following in her mother's footsteps the way she was taught. Told in dual timelines between 1942 and 2018, we watch as Colette's mother, Annabel was arrested by the Germans and how the ramifications of that horrible time still haunt Colette today. Even after 70 years, Colette is still seeking answers and when something from her past shows up unexpectedly, she's more determined than ever to solve the mysteries associated with it!

I thought the entire story was beautiful, but the ending was so well-executed I was sitting there in stunned silence.

After already being an emotional wreck, I read the author's note that stated she wrote this book while fighting breast cancer, and my awe and respect for her just multiplied! I can't wait to read whatever she writes next!

This would make an excellent book club pick! There is so much here that would lead to deep discussion!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Truly 4.5⭐️’s - Kristin Harmel has again written a beautiful piece of WWII historical fiction. I loved the alternating timelines and Colette’s story.

I was immediately pulled in and enthralled by this story from the very beginning. Gripping and emotional, it moved me to tears at points and warmed my heart at others. Morally complex and tragic against a backdrop of jewels and thievery. And as Colette searches for answers she discovers so much more about herself in the process. A protagonist so unlike anything you’d expect who in unapologetically morally grey but so convincing in her rational that I couldn’t judge her for her actions. And while the story centers around Colette, Harmel has given us characters and a storyline so memorable, I continue to think about it well after the last page. The dual timeline story had me unable to put this book down!
The reader is quickly thrust into a 1942 occupied Paris and the horror and confusion as the Parisians wake to find their Jewish friends gone overnight. Colette and her mother are jewel thieves and have been stealing jewels to fund the French Resistance. One night, after a heist has gone horribly wrong, Colette’s young sister is taken – her body later found but the bracelet which was hidden on her missing. Seventy years later, the bracelet resurfaces and Colette is determined to finally find out what happened to her sister that fateful night and who is responsible.