Roseanna M. White has long been one of my favorite historical fiction authors, and The Collector of Burned Books is yet another reason why. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II, this Christian historical novel is both poignant and powerfully relevant—even today.
White masterfully balances the gravity of war with a tender, bookish romance that never overshadows the deeper themes. Her writing is elegant, layered, and emotionally resonant. While the historical backdrop is sobering, the story is infused with hope, resilience, and the enduring power of words.
The characters truly shine. Christian and Corrine are compelling leads, each carrying emotional depth and complexity. Even the supporting cast is rich with personality and purpose. Christian’s faith felt so strong even when he was struggling. I enjoyed Corrine’s strength, skill and wit.
This story opened my eyes to aspects of the war I hadn’t considered before—especially the role of literature and censorship—and left me reflecting long after the last page.
The Collector of Burned Books is a beautifully written and thought-provoking read. It would make an excellent book club selection, offering plenty of meaningful discussion topics—from faith under pressure to the power of words.
Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction that lingers in both heart and mind.

On opposite sides two souls bond over the power of words.

Set in Paris during the Nazi occupation. Corrine has been carefully preserving a collection of banned books, passing covert messages among her students. Christian is a professor chosen by the Nazi's to identify and collect the banned titles from the libraries of Paris. On opposing sides, will their secrets bring them together?

Gripping WWIII fiction that explores the world of banned books and the power of ideas and words against tyranny. Ms. White's calculating prose packs a punch, exercising and displaying that power in the very fabric of this book. A compelling read that brings to life the frightening uncertainty of the German occupation, while showing the hope and resilience of the French people.

Christian and Corrine are both faced with the choice of standing by or doing something, and I admired their courage in the face of danger. I liked the themes of integrity and the sanctity of human life, as well as endurance and hope.

Overall, a compelling read, with strong characters that are likable and admirable, along with a message that packs a punch. It was very fascinating to learn about the banned book libraries and the early years of the war. A riveting read that brings a turning point in history to life!

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

I don’t even know where to start with my review. I loved this book and I cannot begin to narrow down to one quote to include. I highlighted so many lines in this book and they continue to speak to me weeks after reading this story.

Getting to know Corinne and Christian was such a treat. Watching them get to know each other, realizing there was more to each than they initially realized really made me think about what I would be willing to do in similar circumstances, questioning if I would be as strong as they are.

This book naturally leads the reader to confront their own feelings about book banning and its implications. I spent a lot of time contemplating book banning both in the time period of this book and present day.

One of my favorite parts of this novel was the nod to being Catholic. The discussions between Corinne and Christian, prayers they mentioned, the way they each battled with their beliefs at different times. I related so much to various things shared by each character and am so grateful for the way it touched my own life and walk with the Lord.

I think anyone who appreciates Christian historical fiction will really like this book.

Thank you to Tyndale for the copy of this book. All views are my own.

A moving WWII novel about the power of words and the courage to protect them. Rich in emotion and history, it honors those who fought censorship with stories. A must-read for historical fiction lovers.

The Collector of Burned Books is a well-written and emotional novel that shows how powerful words can be and the bravery needed to protect them against oppression. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, it tells the story of Corinne, a French woman who guards banned books, and Christian, a German professor who is forced into a job he hates. Their friendship highlights the importance of safeguarding truth and history, a message that feels especially relevant today as book bans increase. Although the pacing can slow down at times, the beautiful writing and strong message make this a meaningful and timely read that honors the lasting value of literature and free thought.

4.5 stars

As an avid student (and reader) of the World War 2 era, I have been reflecting often lately on how we’re closer to repeating one of the most egregious periods of history than I ever thought we would get. In The Collector of Burned Books, author Roseanna M. White gives us a compelling story with complex characters, yes, but also a nuanced look at the slippery slope that went from squelching dissent to controlling ideas to treating people as less than human – and worse. A gradual decline into madness that can start off sounding like a good thing (as long as you don’t dig too deep into the motives) but all too easily becomes a horrible nightmare and a permanent stain on the world stage because the hatred behind it went unchecked. Fiction like this is vital to help us remember and understand so we can recognize the signs and prevent it from happening again. And this quote below? I almost stood up and cheered when I read it, especially those last three sentences.

“Read novels, because they will put you in someone else’s skin. Read poetry, because it will give wings to your soul. Read science, because it will show you what’s possible. Read politics, because it will teach you how strongly people care about how their fellow men are treated, wherever they stand on what the best way is… Read things you hate and things you love and things you never thought you’d understand. And never, never accept the excuse that you’re not strong enough to handle it if you read something that offends you. You are. You’re strong enough to be offended and then try to understand why. You’re strong enough to grant that someone can be different and still be worthy of dignity. And if you aren’t? Then read more, until you are.”

The Paris setting during the Nazi occupation becomes the perfect canvas for these multifaceted brushstrokes of history as its rich legacies of literature and art and thought were at risk along with those who dared to resist this erasure of freedom and diversity. And the textured characters the author introduces were nearly all more than they seemed at first glance, serving as an important reminder that I appreciated – namely that no ‘book’ should be judged solely by its cover, that everyone we meet has a story already in progress, and that there may be more to that story than what we see. Both our hero and heroine are prime examples (though it’s not limited to them), and I loved uncovering new layers for each as the novel progresses. Christian Bauer’s German military uniform doesn’t remotely represent his beliefs, his heart, or what’s important to him, and while his forced & unwanted conscription does provide unexpected opportunities to protect and preserve all of the above, it is still far removed from the gentle, bookish man of faith he is. Also a bookworm, Corrine Bastien certainly has no reason at first to believe Christian isn’t the enemy of everything she holds dear, but she’s harboring a few secrets of her own from him too, so their cautious dance around an unlikely friendship (that grows into something more) creates an intriguing sort of tension between them which I enjoyed.

Bottom Line: The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White reminds us of the power of words, the impact of courage (whether whispered or shouted), and the importance of seeing each other as image bearers of the Creator. (Oh how our world would be different if we all treated each other with that last truth in mind.) As a story, it entertained me, convicted me, inspired me, and moved me. As a ode to books and bookworms, it delighted me. As a record of history and as a mirror on current society, it grieved me but also renewed my hope. Be prepared to stay on the edge of your seat as evil tries to win and close calls abound, especially if you become as deeply invested in the compelling characters and the outcome of their resistance efforts as I did. And yes I swooned a little too. After all, it wouldn’t be a Roseanna White book without some swooning on my part, though it’s also somewhat of a departure from her usual style. And for those to whom it matters, the dominant faith practice in this story is Catholicism (which does make sense given the setting but could feel a little heavy-handed in places to some readers). The Collector of Burned Books is an important story for our past, our present, and our future, and I will likely be recommending it often.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book )

I really enjoyed this new historical romance by Roseanna M White. My favorite series by this author is her Shadows Over England series which takes place during WW1. This story however takes place during WW2 in occupied France. I was immediately drawn to this book when I learned about it months before its release because it has to do with books. The focus is on books that had been burned and banned in Nazi Germany. Books that had made their way to France. In this story the author has these books being used in intelligence networking by those who are resisting the Nazis. The importance of books and the ideas contained within is an important part of this story.

But it is also the story of the relationship between a French professor named Corrine and a German professor turned Nazi named Christian who come together because of these books and the library they are contained within. I loved seeing their relationship change from suspicion to trust to more.

Corrine was quite feisty, though I did wonder how she didn't get into more trouble with the Nazis for the things she would say and the attitude she gave.

There was a great cast of characters, from friends and family to those they weren't sure they could trust. And that one villain they knew they definitely couldn't trust, the one that added suspense and danger and heartache. There were definitely some emotional scenes where I found myself in tears. But there were heartwarming scenes as well.

And I just loved the reveal of the connection to my favorite series.

I did also want to mention that the main characters are Catholic, so there is quite a bit of Catholic teaching and belief and practices.

received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

**3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars**

This book took me a while to get into it. It felt like it started slowly, and picked up when I was about 60% through it. After that point, I didn't want to stop reading because I wanted to find out how the story would end. I enjoyed the third person dual POV's from Corrine (French) and Christian (German) during World War II. I also enjoyed the encouraging theme of questioning what we know as supposedly true; it applied during this time in history, and I think it applies during our time today.

I think this book was well researched and written, and faith was well integrated into the overall story.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book.

When the Nazis invade Paris, they also take over a library full of books that were banned in Germany. The man sent to catalogue and update this and other libraries in Paris is Christian Bauer, who is only a Nazi officer as a means for survival. Corinne Bastien, a neighbor of the library and regular frequenter, makes herself a target of Christian and some of his Nazi compatriots when she sneaks into the library to try to recover some secrets she'd left behind. But Christian doesn't want to cause problems for her any more than he does anyone else. Will he be able to stay true to his beliefs when his superiors push for destruction?

I was excited to read this book, because I read and loved White's The Imposters series, set in Edwardian England, and I enjoy WWII fiction. However, it felt a little off to me. Corinne was a pretty terrible resistance worker, leaving evidence sitting around and drawing so much attention to herself. By the end of the book, the Nazis involved felt a little too much like an idealized version of what I'm used to, both in fiction and non-fiction. I actually hoped for information in an author's note explaining why White made some of the choices she did—factual evidence or anecdotes to explain why most of the German soldiers and authorities in this book are, frankly, more polite and forgiving than how they're usually portrayed, but there was nothing. It just felt somehow like the stakes and consequences were lower than they should be, given the setting.

On the plus side, Christian is a very sympathetic male hero. My favorite moments in this book are related to his story. I appreciate that his faith and devotion to his homeland require him to walk a thin line between going along with the Nazi Party and doing what he believes is right. And yet, he questions whether he is sinning when he lies to protect a life. I'm not sure I would agree with the line drawn here in answer to that question, but I also can readily admit that none of us knows for sure what we would do in this kind of situation. The main characters in the book are Catholic and observe various practices that are extra-biblical at best. This is probably not the best platform to go into detail or start a debate, but I think some people would appreciate knowing this information in advance. Overall, the book fell short of my expectations, but I think many people would easily overlook the things that brought the rating down for me.

📚📚📚📚/5

I love how I can go into a story and I might not fall in love with it during the first chapter, but by the end I am drowning in hope, inspiration, and joy with how much the story meant to me.

It took me a few chapters to really dive into this story. I felt like it was just a bit slow to start but the groundwork was being laid and the characters were evolving. The environment of the story was written beautifully and RW’s detail to WWII in Paris was thoroughly researched and described throughout the story. It really made me feel the urgency, fear, anxiety, and anticipation of that time in history.

The characters and chaos of the time were written so well. And the representation of physical and mental disabilities and deformities was written with care, understanding and grace.

I loved that the main theme of this story was surrounded around books. The idea that they might have the power to cause manipulation and tyranny within a society, therefore Hitler was banning certain books as a way to control society into agreeing with his own beliefs and ideals. The discussions between Christian and Corinne were interesting regarding this context and perfect for my lil book loving heart.

The romance may have been predictable but it was still enjoyable to watch and it was inspiring considering all these characters had gone through to get where they ended up, especially with the context of how life was in Paris in the 1940s.

I highly recommend this book if you like stories with a deeper meaning, stories that showcase many emotions throughout, stories that might be slower to read but not any less enjoyable, and stories that take place during WWII that might not be what you normally read about!

Burning books has always been a means for victors to control the cultures they defeat…a massacre–not of people, but of knowledge. Of the wealth of it. The preservation of it. But who decides what literature is good? Who decides what is to be censored, what is to be kept from our children, our impressionable, our easily swayed? The Church? The government?

Even the people could get so caught up in their own ideology that they forgot that the love of wisdom wasn't about being right. Each person deserves the right to decide for themself. If you're going to rail against injustice, then at least know what you what deserves your ire. Not that a few copies of books were burned, but that the people danced around the pyre.

Christian is a German director of the university library in addition to being a professor. He serves on the committee that compiled the list of banned books. At first he tries to argue for so many books, so many authors, but was it better to speak up and be permanently silenced or to work silently,” hidden among his enemies, saving books and saving people, too? Sometimes the very act of bravery that writing represented was the noose one put around one’s own neck…The words they hoped would liberate, educate, and empower could be used as evidence against them.

Corinne is a lover of contraband, raised by a woman who was one of the library’s most dedicated patrons. When this book-loving heroine/spymaster encounters the German bibliotheksschutz (library protector)/secret keeper, sparks fly. She wasn’t just falling in love with the German professor–she was falling in love with his son, and this was bound to end poorly. But my lips are sealed! Because spoiling what came next in a book was surely an unpardonable sin. Jesus had overlooked naming it as such, but that was only because novels hadn't been invented yet.

To Roseanna M. White for such a gorgeous and timely story, Thank you. Two little syllables that couldn’t begin to hold all the gratitude in your readers’ hearts!

The Collector of Burned Books is a Christian historical fiction and romance novel.

This book was set in Paris in 1940 during the first year of the German occupation during WWII. Our main character, Dr. Corinne Bastien is a professor of literature and philosophy at the Sorbonne. She has also befriended a group of German writers exiled from Germany who have established a library. A library filled with books on Germany's banned books list. Corinne meets Christian Bauer, a German sent to Paris to oversee the review and relocation of the books in Paris libraries. She quickly realizes that he is not whom he seems to be and may not agree with the ideals of the Party.

What follows is a story of freedom, love, loss, betrayal, and found family. While stories of WWII are often difficult to read because of the many horrors, I always feel inspired by the stories of those who resisted, those who came together and made a difference in whatever way they could.

The Collector of Burned Books is a reminder of what can be lost when we stop talking, stop allowing free will and free thought, stop having civil discourse and discussion, stop reading, and learning. What can happen when we ban books and only allow books that support one line of thought, one ideal. There were so many beautiful passages in this story. There are so many reminders of the importance of all of these things.

It wasn't as much about the books and the French resistance as I had expected it to be. But that was fine, because it was really such a beautiful story and it absolutely captivated me.

"The written word can build empires of tear them down."

A fascinating story with a compelling message, regardless of one's world-view. I as well as the main characters come from a christian worldview, and appreciated the faith thread woven through this story with it's strong theme espousing the freedom of allowing one to think, to explore different ideas, weighing these with their own worldview. "People don't just need to to be handed something to believe in- they must wrestle with it, against it, and for it before they can truly claim it is their own."

As a longtime fain of Roseanna White's books, I was tickled pink when I heard the title and read the description of this book. This is her first WWII era story. The idea of two professors fighting for the freedom of speech, the freedom of ideas, the freedom of the written word. One a German, one French.

I had no doubt there would be a sweet romance, with a swoony hero. But I was also attracted to the heroine, Corinne, full of a fighting spirit, for freedom of her countrymen, for those she loves. As she struggles to find her role in the fight for freedom, her path diverges into a thoroughly unexpected direction. Her initial encounters with Christian leave her full of contempt for a man who seeks to ban the books and hunt down their authors. But as she discovers the man behind the Nazi uniform, she realizes they are not so different. Their cause becomes united against those who threaten all she holds dear.

A must read for fans of historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Collector of Burned Books is a beautiful read by Roseanna M. White that captures a Book Lovers’ depth for words and the imaginary worlds they create and the ideas they inspire. In order to keep Nazi-occupied Paris influence at bay in 1940s France, everyone has their secrets in order to protect all the things that they hold dear and that make France special. This can be said of Corinne, a woman who is trying to protect France’s books at all cost so that everyone has the freedom to learn and formulate their own ideas about things. Corinne also uses the books to smuggle and receive information to those who need it most. Christian, a German forced to wear the Nazi uniform to protect all that Christian holds dear, has been giving the task of overseeing France’s books–keeping the ones that go with Nazi propaganda and burning all the ones that don’t. Christian, despite his uniform, has the same goal as Corinne and saving all of France’s books. When Christian and Corinne meet, their worlds collide and intertwine in ways they never thought possible, sending them on a rollercoaster ride of danger and intrigue, all in the name of Books and the Freedom of Ideas.

I absolutely love The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White from the very first beautiful page to it’s last! I love how Ms. White captured the essence of the quintessential Book Lover in the characters of Corinne and Christian. I especially love how Ms. White showed how books truly can and do transcend boundaries, as long as you have the Freedom to read them. I love the the layers of The Collector of Burned Books and how the book had many unexpected twist and turns that made the book hard to put down. The Collector of Burned Books was a very unique read for me in the World War Two Fiction genre, due to the subject matters that were brought out in the book. (Read The Collector of Burned Books for all the details!) I love how vividly painted and intertwined the storylines of Corinne and Christian were. I also love how some of the minor characters also crisscrossed Christian and Corinne’s respective storylines, showing the Reader that they were all in it together for the Greater Good despite what their title or uniform led you to believe about them. As a person with a disability, I love that disability was mentioned in the book and that the character of Felix was in the book. I love the stance that The Collector of Burned Books took not only on the importance of books and free thinking, but disability as well. I also love how the views were aligned with Christian values, illustrating the component of Free Will and how we are all Created in His Image. If you are looking for a book that is beautiful, unexpected, and shows how the Power of Words can change a society, I highly recommend The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White!

Have you read The Collector of Burned Books? What did you think of the book?

I would like to thank NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me a copy of The Collector of Burned Books to review, as well as Roseanna M. White and Rachel for letting me review, be a part of The Collector of Burned Books Launch Team, and for providing me the information needed for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My review is also on my blog Leslie’s Library Escape, Amazon, and Goodreads.

“These students had it all wrong—backward. Books didn’t burn. Books ignited. They lit the burning in others. Not with paper and match. With ideas. But then, that was their very argument.”

This was such a gripping and powerful story. It’s definitely one of my favorite reads of 2025.

It takes place during WWIl, but it feels very relevant with today’s society and the banning of books. We may live in a different era, but a lot of the thinking and rationale is still the same.

“Banned. Burned. When a people stopped entertaining opposing ideas, when they condemned the different as evil, then it was a short step from closed-minded to violently oppressive.”

I loved the themes of the importance of books and the expression of thoughts and ideas in them, and the freedom to choose what you want to read. The author does a great job in helping you understand why the Nazis banned certain books and authors, and how they worked on the younger generation to help implement their propaganda.

She also skillfully takes you into 1940 Paris, how easily it fell to the Germans, and what life was like for Parisians during the Nazi occupation.

The Collector of Burned Books is a beautifully written book that is riveting, insightful, and very thought-provoking. It gave me a greater appreciation for the freedom to read what I want to read, and for the brave people that fought against such evil and oppression. I can’t recommend it enough.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanne M. White
5 Stars

This books was breathtaking for me! I loved it so much. I related to the characters and felt the passion Roseanna had with writing this story from the very first chapters. What made this story really shine was the interconnected characters, themes of freedom, faith and honesty.

Roseanne really shares a story with depth and the Catholic faith displayed was beautiful and authentic to the time and characters. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1940, we see a story of resistance, not just with weapons but with words.

We follow Corinne who is a young woman finding refuge and purpose in a secret library filled with banned books. Her love for truth and literature make her a fierce heroine and that really comes to light as we get to know her.

On the other side of the war is Christian Bauer, a German professor trapped working for the Nazi's, forced into a role he never wanted. He has quite the internal struggle and his rebellion is beautifully portrayed as he works from within to preserve what the regime wants to destroy and control.

I loved seeing Christian and Corinne together in this story - they had chemistry, connection - it was great.

My favorite excerpt from this book was towards the end:
"Read novels, because they will put you in someone else's skin. Read poetry, because it will give wings to your soul. Read science, because it will show you what's possible. Read politics, because it will teach you how strongly people care about how their fellow men are treated, wherever they stand on hat the best way is." ....."Read things you hate and things you love an things you never thought you'd understand. And never, never accept the excuse that you're not strong enough to handle it if you read something that offends you. You are. You're strong enough to be offended an then try to understand why. You're strong enough to grant that someone can be different and still be worthy of dignity. And if you aren't? Then read more, until you are."

Overall...I will be thinking about this book for a while. Absolutely amazing. Readers of historical fiction will love this. I love that it felt like a love letter to books also. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers, TLC Book Tours and Roseanna M. White for a complimentary copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

That those only fighting against something never won. It was only when you had something to fight for that you stood a chance." - The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanne M White. This line in the novel I feel really fits this story of Corrine doing all that she can to save books and stories of those the Nazi's were intent of completely destroying from history. When the German's come to take over the Burned Book store, Corrine is fearful of what will happen next, although she is bound to still do what she can to protect as many of those banned books as possible. Christian who has come to take possession of the store, has his own hidden story and family secrets and often still cannot believe he has been given this position. A professor and lover of books, he knows the value of these and why the attempt to erase these writers and stories will never work. But when his work gets called into question he has now not only put himself in danger, but those he has come to trust and that includes Corrine. War doesn't usually come with second chances and so they must make some difficult decisions that they hope will hold and keep everyone safe until after the war. This was such a good read! I really didn't know about these banned book stores that were taken over. Thank you to the author and publisher for the complementary novel and to AustenProse tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

In the past eight months, I’ve read at least four World War II books set in France, and while each of them is unique, this book had one of the most unique elements I’ve found in most books set in that era. Through The Hiding Place, we get a little glimpse of some of Germany’s policies, but of the many other books I’ve read at the time, I don’t remember things like their determination to get rid of society’s “undesirables” coming through very often. I found that part of this story fascinating.

Plus, there’s the whole enemies-to-lovers trope in this book. I loved that!

Then, too, there is the bookish side of the story. With both main characters being professors of literature, there are lots of bookish conversations that go on, and even though I haven’t heard of many of the books discussed here, these characters’ love for philosophy and reading came through strongly. Here are two of my favorite quotes from the story:

“When society deliberately cultivated ignorance, they paid the price. Refuse to read anything that might be distasteful, and one soon lacked the ability to understand it.” — Christian

“ ‘No!’ Yes, she shouted it. Because spoiling what came next in a book was surely an unpardonable sin. Jesus had overlooked naming it as such, but that was only because novels hadn’t been invented yet, she was sure. ‘I’m only on chapter two—don’t you dare say a thing.’ ” — Corinne

I love Christian’s deeper thoughts at times (there was an extended passage I highlighted as well, dealing with reading and how books can challenge and change us in positive ways), and Corinne’s comparison of an unpardonable sin to spoilers? 100% spot-on!

If you enjoy historical romance with some grittier, faith-based content (the characters in this story are Catholic, and I appreciated getting that perspective, even if I’m not part of that faith group), I’d highly recommend you check out this book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and got the most delightful shock at one plot twist I did not see coming, even though I’ve been reading White’s books for years!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

“We’ll win, somehow. We’ll win this war. We’ll keep fighting, keep resisting, keep thinking and believing and praying—and someday, you’ll go back there and help rebuild. You just have to survive until someday, Christian.”

This story was absolutely fascinating and beautifully written. I was invested so much in the characters and even stayed up past midnight to finish, the stakes were so high at the end.

Christian has been forced into service in the German military and due to his academic knowledge, he’s tasked to oversee the banning of books in Paris during its occupation even if he doesn’t agree with it. He has more than one secret and I was impressed with his character. I loved that he portrayed how not every German during the war agreed with the agenda before them and how he represented the good.

Corrine is a Parisian who lives next door to the bookstore Christian has chosen as his headquarters and uses the banned books to pass information by those resisting German occupation and influence. Finding an unexpected kindred spirit in one another, they learn to trust and soon Corrine is not only falling for Christian but helping guard his most precious secret. What unfolds is a tale of bravery, heart, and hope.

I also loved how niche this was and that it’s not something I’d come across reading before which as an avid fan of WWII fiction, it’s always neat to learn more I didn’t know before. I was aware of burned and banned books, but I had no idea that the Germans applied that to the libraries in the countries and cities they occupied.

I received an advance reader copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I recommend this book.

Roseanna M. White’s passion for words shines through in her first, solely 1940s novel. Brilliantly capturing the angst and struggle of 1940 Paris, the theme of this novel was aptly quoted by its author, “…freedom of thought is intrinsically linked to freedom”.

While the storyline speaks to a time when the misuse of supposed superiority and power to bully was used to force the citizens of Paris into submission to the Reich, the battle it unfolds is one of the mind, ideas and challenging opinions, both written and spoken. A timeless debate that should be valued and held dear in every generation, this warning stated in the book is paramount- “…those other thoughts had been rooted out. Banned. Burned. When a people stopped entertaining opposing ideas, when they condemned the different as evil, then it was a short step from closed-minded to violently oppressive.”

Make no mistake. This is also a beautifully written historical romance encompassing the love of books and the love of teaching them, woven within the inevitable strife of being on opposing sides of the war.

Corinne Bastien and Christian Bauer slowly navigate through unspoken secrets, excruciating grief, and, above all, unfaltering faith in God. Trust in each other is difficult to cultivate but once they open up, they realize that at its core, they are both trying to protect the same things.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.