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.

Guys, this book. I don't know if there are words to describe it. It is eye opening, thought provoking, inspiring, challenging, and so much more. And if you think this historical novel has nothing to do with the world today, well I am going to politely tell you that you are wrong. Everything about this book is relevant today.

White opens your eyes to the world of books - the books that people "shouldn't" read. And don't we see that everywhere today? Ban this book and ban that book. People all over social media trying to determine what others should and should not read. Spoiler alert - we shouldn't be doing that! People should read whatever they want to read, even if it goes against our beliefs, our opinions, or whatever. We are in charge of what we read, and should let them be in charge of what they read. And isn't that the entire message of this book? What the certain political party during WWII tried to govern what people could and couldn't read. Honestly, my hope is that this opens our eyes to how big this issue is.

Now on top of this we have a sweet, slow building romance between Christian and Corinne that I just absolutely loved. And we can learn a lesson from them as well - don't judge a person by their looks, their outfit, etc... You have no idea what they truly believe, how they think, or anything of that nature. Corinne just assumed Christian was the enemy, until she got to know him. And shouldn't we do that as well?

The lessons we can learn from this book are extraordinary! And on top of that, the writing is exquisite, the plot is intriguing, the romance is sweet, and there's a few surprises along the way. This book had a different feel than White's other books, and honestly I was ok with that. I thought this was perhaps her best work! I highly recommend to historical fiction fans.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a treat for all types of readers this book is. The historical romance reader like myself? Oh my, yes. The lover of suspense? Yes! Also that reader looking for DEPTH- a story that causes you to think and ponder questions about philosophy, literature, mercy, injustice, depravity, the power of words… you get the picture. But what White does so well is that she doesn’t alienate any of those readers with the other aspects of the story. The blend she balances intertwines them so well that I found myself sighing over the romance in one breath and joining her on a deep thought the next, all while wondering how our characters will deal with the next twist!

Corinne and Christian are memorable and nuanced. Felix is an absolute delight. It took me a minute (well into the second half where it was super obvious, I’m embarrassed to say) before the lightbulb lit and I placed who Corinne’s uncle is in White’s universe, but once I did I squealed with delight. I think I just wasn’t expecting him, which made it all the sweeter.

I love historical fiction where I learn something. Check. I love stories that keep me on the edge of my seat. Check. I don’t always love to think deeply while reading for pleasure, but this story gently draws you into it, and I truly appreciated all the depth, insight, dialogue, and questions it made me ponder, as it would for any lover of words and books. And the romance was just icing on the cake, subtle enough for the non-romance reader but oh so sweet for those of us that cherish it.

I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.

The Collector of Burned Books is another winner from White, a master of historical Christian fiction. Set in Paris during WWII, Books shares the intertwined stories of Corinne and Christian, both professors in their respective countries and would-be librarians. But both characters have secrets that could lead to their deaths--and to the deaths of the ones they hold most dear. As Corinne and Christian slowly bond over their love of books, their true philosophies come into the light, and the two unexpectedly find themselves working together to keep their loved ones and a slew of books safe from destruction.

Books is definitely a book about books--the people who write them, the thoughts within them, the effects they have on the world. As an avid reader, I loved the clever ways that Corinne and Christian went about protecting books and using them to undermine the Nazis. I also loved the discussions on the importance of books in society and how their destruction could have significant impacts on a generation and their beliefs. Banning and destroying books is still an issue in today's society, and it's always interesting to read about how the most well-known instance of book banning changed the world, and not for the better.

As far as the characters, Corinne and Christian were fine. A bit bland, but sweet and clever and well-suited for each other. The romance was similarly straightforward, but what really shined were the friendships! I loved the multigenerational friendships and how people of different ages worked together and learned from one another as well as how it was those friendships that were typically the catalysts for the moments of suspense in the story. The plot had a few surprising twists, but the ending was a bit abrupt and didn't hit me emotionally the same way White's books typically do.

Nonetheless, Books is an exciting, beautifully-written story about book, unlikely friendships, and standing up for what's right.

As I’ve come to expect from Roseanna White this book was very well written. I deeply appreciated the character development and the secrets that were discovered along the way. I also noted how skillfully the author wove philosophical discussions into the heart of the story. The novel itself was captivating.

I’d never heard of a library in Paris for books that the German’s were burning during the war and I’m not entirely sure that I understood the logic behind Bauer’s role in relocating books that the party had already decried, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. In war I think there are a lot of things happening that I don’t understand the motive behind, so I was able to dig in to the narrative as it unfolded without wondering about the logic behind what was happening.

While I think the author excels at her series that build on networks of people this was an excellent stand alone novel (and it does nod its head to characters from other series as well, which is always a nice touch).

As a human, this book challenges how you see the world and what things would cause you to take a stand. As a reader, this is an excellent tale about the power of words and why they matter. As a lover of fiction this is a tale to whisk you away to another time and place. As a historical reader this book builds on an aspect of WWII that I’d personally not spent a lot of time considering. All in all, this book has much to offer and I recommend it.

I received a free digital copy of this book to review. In return I am giving you my honest opinion.

I absolutely adored The Collector of Burned Books! It’s one of those epic reads that’ll stay with me long after reading. It’s not only thought provoking & suspenseful, but a beautiful love story dedicated to the power of books, & freedom. It’s also a poignant enemies to more, forbidden romance that completely captured my heart. This must read story is definitely a new favorite from Roseanna M. White.

In 1940 Paris, books have suddenly become dangerous when Germany invades France. Professor Corinne Bastien is intelligent, fearless, witty, & a force to be reckoned with especially when her beloved Library of Burned Books is threatened & the books she’s hidden secrets in could be exposed. When a German professor’s sent to “relocate” the French library, she’s determined to save as many books deemed dangerous as she can. But there’s more to the professor than appears, & she suddenly finds herself having deep, meaningful discussions with him. But, can she trust him?

Though he protested the burning of books in Germany, Professor Christian Bauer’s been forced into uniform & sent to Paris by Goebbels to take care of the subversive books that have become a threat to the fatherland. Forced to walk a careful tightrope to protect those he loves, he does just enough to avoid suspicion while trying to preserve the very books he’s come to destroy. The beautiful woman who questions him at every turn sparks in him an attraction he thought long extinguished. But, can he trust her with his deepest secrets or will his convictions be turned against him?

I loved Corinne & Christian! Their love story was filled with twists & turns. The suspense is constant as they try to hide their growing feelings & activities involving the books from the Germans. Christian is such a kind, thoughtful man. I loved his willingness to do everything he can to protect friends, family, & Corinne.

This book definitely had me on pins & needles with every interaction between Christian & his superiors. He’s constantly under surveillance & must be so careful with every move he makes. I loved the message not only of the importance of the written word, but in listening & trying to understand the opinions of those we might disagree with. There were so many fantastic quotes that I found myself constantly underlining. I also appreciated discussions of imperfections & how unrealistic & inhumane views of perfection leads to death & tyranny.

It’s a brilliantly written story that I highly recommend. I also loved the tie in to the author’s Shadows Over England & Codebreakers series through the amazing character of Georges Piers. I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily.

As a longtime fan of Roseanna’s books, I was uber excited when this book was announced. I am a huge fan of WW2 era stories and as awesome as Roseanna’s WW1 books are, I knew this one would not disappoint, and it did not! This is a well written story with the eye to detail that is always present in Roseanna’s stories. From the debate on banning books to fighting against everything the Nazi regime stood for and believed, this book is a powerful read and I can’t recommend it enough!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased my own copy. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this story! The plot, characters, and setting all hit the right notes for me. I enjoyed the glimpses into what life was like in Paris at this time in history as well as the quick glimpses into the male main character's time spent in Germany in the early days of Hitler's power. I really enjoyed that the plot was not predictable. I never felt like I knew what was coming, but not in a stressful or super-suspenseful way - just more of a real-life, getting to know new people and their story kind of way. I loved how so many secondary characters were richly developed - they are what really made this story for me! Cameos of characters from previous series from this author were an unexpected treat! I appreciated how the author explored the faith journeys of both main characters. Both are Catholic, and while I am not Catholic and in fact strongly disagreed with several things they did and said, I felt it was a historically accurate picture of how Catholic French and German people thought and behaved during WWII, and I'd rather read that than something I agree more with that is less historically accurate.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of her launch team. Opinions expressed are my own.

If you could save one book from being burned, which book would you pick?

German expatriate authors gathered in Paris after Nazis started to burn books in Germany. They opened a library that has collected together all of the banned books on the Nazis list. When the Germans enter Paris, Christian Bauer, a former literature professor that has been drafted by the Nazis is sent to close the library of banned books and to relocate France’s other libraries. Once there he meets Corinne Bastien, a professor and patron of the library who has been using it to help to spread these forbidden ideas. What will happen to the library? Will Christian be able to protect the literature that he secretly loves? Will love blossom between the two?

My thoughts on this novel:
• I thought this was an interesting look into an aspect of WWII that I have always found disturbing, the burning of books and limitations put on the spreading of ideas.

• I enjoyed both the characters of Christian and Corinne. I loved their banter and witty conversations about literature.

• Everyone seems confused that Corinne is a professor. They think she looks younger than she is. The Nazis tell her she should be trying to get married and having children. They also say that this type of job should be left to the men. Unfortunately, this rhetoric seems prevalent still to this day.

• This novel expressed the importance of books and ideas. If you feel you need to suppress ideas and books in order to control people, what does that say about your ideology? We’ve seen a rise in book banning over the last few years in the United States and is concerning.

• This book did make me ponder, what would people do if this started to happen? If a politician told you that a book was “bad”, would you throw it away or burn it and go along with the crowd? Would you hide the book? Would you help keep the word alive? I have consistently been against book banning when it has unfortunately cropped up in my life.

• Christian was a complicated character. Further into the story, his motivations are revealed. Why would a man who loves the written word like him go along with the Nazis? He wants to help his friends, but he also has a much deeper and more personal reason.

• The ending of this book was perfect.

• There is a great authors note and discussion questions at the end of the novel. It was so interesting that there really was a library of burned books in Paris.

Overall, The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White was a thought-provoking historical fiction novel with an intriguing story and wonderful characters.

Book Source: Thank-you to @roseannamwhite @tyndalehouse @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour.

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White captured my attention with its haunting prologue. The strong opening set the stage for this potent story of truth, tension, literature, and hardship. I marked many quotes and found inspiration in the way that Corinne and Christian drew strength from their faith in God. It was a pleasure to watch their relationship evolve from strangers divided by nationality and war to a strong couple united in honesty and heart.

The Collector of Burned Books isn’t shy about its themes: the power of words, the correlation between banning books and the stripping of freedom, the necessity of reading widely, allowance for other viewpoints, and respect for those we disagree with. Whether stated outright by characters or woven into the plot, these ideas flowed from beginning to end of the story. Given our current social and political climate, these themes made the novel feel timely and important.

While The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White felt like a love letter to books, reading, and literature, it was not an easy read. The horrid realities of Nazi occupation were present: the terrible treatment of anyone considered “less than”, the warped ideology that people swallowed, the deception and lies, the culture of fear and mistrust. The author portrayed these elements realistically and, during heavier parts of the story, I could only read two or three chapters in a day.

The Collector of Burned Books is a book that simultaneously captivates with its characters while pushing readers to think about the connection between literature and freedom. I recommend this novel to those who enjoy WW2 historical fiction. Five stars for this sobering, timely, well-written story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

In 1940 Paris, Corinne Bastien is sad to lose access to the library which held books that were banned and inaccessible elsewhere. Christian Bauer is in Paris, a German conscripted against his will by the Nazis. He also loves books and believes books and ideas are worth fighting for. Somehow these two connect and form an unlikely friendship.

This is a beautifully told historical novel and a celebration of books and reading and literature. The friendship between these characters was compelling and the message about books was so strong and heartfelt. I love historical fiction and especially books set during World War II.

I recommend The Collector of Banned Books for other historical fiction readers. I look forward to future Roseanna M. White reads!

The Collector of Burned Books has a different approach in telling a story about WWII. Its a story where words are more powerful than physical prowess, bombs, fights. Obvioulsy all the violence related to the war is there but it's rather interesting to read how people from colliding worlds may join forces to work and do what they believe in.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

As a lover of books, I have been long fascinated by heroic efforts of those who saved books from Germans burning them during World War II. I was therefore intrigued by the premise of this novel (not to mention the cover is stunning!), and I found myself instantly drawn to Corinne and her courageous acts. It was easy to love Christian too (despite Corinne’s initial antagonism) and his desire to do the right thing in spite of pressure from his forced work with the Nazis. Their relationship slowly grow as they worked towards the same goal from opposite sides of the war. There were great spiritual themes as well about trusting God despite difficult circumstances. Life may seem dire, but God is still in control. As is typical with this author’s books, her writing provides a deep and meaningful novel that stuck with me long after I finished it. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I thought this was a pretty fascinating story. Typically, when I think of a World War II story, I think of bombing, air raids and major destruction. Although this was on the calmer side of war, there was still plenty of criminal behavior, brutality, and evil. What I really enjoyed was the knowledge and intelligence of the main characters and many supporting characters, that they try to fight their battles with words and only stooping to physical abuse when absolutely necessary. I would have liked to have learn more of the code breaking that Corinne and her mother were working on. The love story was sweet and touching and I enjoyed the exceptional relationship with Felix by both Corinne and Christian. It was also pleasing to read the beautiful lessons of faith, forgiveness and belief and God I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"Books didn’t burn. Books ignited. They lit the burning in others. Not with paper and match. With ideas." - Collector of Burned Books.

Roseanna White's long awaited, explosive and prophetic novel Collector of Burned Books explores what happens when a totalitarian regime or people decide to shut themselves off from ideas, people and anything different from themselves, their beliefs and ideologies.

" When society deliberately cultivated ignorance, they paid the price....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. - Collector of Burned Books.

Dr.Christian Bauer of the University of Berlin is tasked by Goebbels the powerful Minister of Propaganda himself in the Third Reich with finding and destroying literature that disagreed with the Reich's beliefs, ideologies and was opposed to Hitler in Occupied Paris.

Little did he know of the heavy secrets Dr. Bauer himself carried, secrets that if discovered would promptly dispatch him to a prison camp at the very least.

In the course of his task, Dr Bauer comes across Dr. Bastien of the Sorbonne and her daughter, Corinne who hates him for all that he stands for and his task as a destroyer of books and knowledge. Corinne herself carries deep secrets that would result in her death if discovered.

Will Dr. Bauer find Dr. Bastien's secrets or she his? Or will the Nazis find them out, destroying them?

Will the Nazis succeed in their aim of gaining a compliant peoples to their ideology by destroying the different? What about today's regimes, groups of people that share a common feature etc and their attempts to control people's beliefs, thinking, ideologies by stamping out, punishing, or at the very least harassing those in disagreement with them? When did we become so intolerant of differing beliefs? White gives us a lot to ponder and make choices for ourselves in the event we, God forbid, face such a situation.

”...funny thing about books— the more you tried to ban them , the more brightly they burned in the hearts and minds that found them anyway...." Collector of Burned Books.

I received an ARC copy to read,but my views are my own, uninfluenced by any other considerations than the excellent writing.

#CollectorOfBurnedBooks #WorldWarTwoFiction
#ChristianHistoricalFiction #BookBurning #BookWorms #BookLovers #RoseannaMWhite #TynedaleHouse #TheBookishPilgrim

The Collector of Burned Books is a stunning, beautiful read! As a fan of WWII fiction, I was deeply moved by the realistic and impactful characters.

Corrine’s caring and courageous nature makes her easy to connect with. Her initial feelings toward Christian are relatable, and their journey through history is both engaging and heartwarming. I was especially touched by Christian’s backstory.

This story is rich with depth and meaning, filled with moments that make you pause and reflect. The themes of hope, romance, healing, and faith are beautifully woven together, creating such a powerful narrative.

If you appreciate historical fiction that combines real history with depth, meaning, and emotion, this book is a must-read.

First Line: It was a parade for no one.
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Author: Roseanna M. White
Page Count: 368

#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are 100% my own.

I loved this book! The Collector of Burned Books contained so much to consider and discuss. I feel like it would be a great bookclub book.

Is there more than one way to stand up for your beliefs and be an activist? Should we hold others up to our standards and beliefs and force them on society? Is it always wise and effective to boldly and socially make a stand, or is there value in strength in quietly making a difference and protecting those you hold dear?

Corrine is a Parisian professor who is a member of a library that contains many of banned books. Christian is a German officer tasked with going through the books. These two seem at odds, yet Christian’s mercy and more forward way of thinking seems to be in contradiction with the role he has to play. As the book goes on secrets emerge, which bring these two closer together and closer to danger.

I loved how this book shows that there are so many different ways to be strong. I loved seeing the humanity in the people, who came from many different backgrounds. I loved the acts of courage, both quiet acts and more public acts. I have loved other books by this author, but this one was perhaps a new favorite for me.

📚 The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White

🔥 About This Book:
- Christian Historical Fiction
- World War II Novel
- Paris, 1940
- POV: Corinne and Christian
- Available July 15th, 2025
- She’s a French reader
- He’s a German professor
- They unite to protect banned books from destruction
- Parents Guide: kisses only, no swearing, mild violence and innuendos

📦 My Thoughts:
Love love loved this one! I’ve read many books by this author but this might be my favorite one so far! If you are a fan of World War II fiction, this one is a stand out. What an incredible story of two people coming together from opposite sides of World War II. It’s impossible not to cheer for these characters through all the obstacles they faced on a daily basis. I loved the beautiful themes revolving around books and ideas. With the perfect touch of romance, this was a page turning experience for me. I did not want to put it down!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beautiful! I read this book in basically one day. I loved the insight into someone who joined the Nazis more by compulsion than they believe, and I loved that insight into the propaganda and literature and the influence that has on a nation and a people. Beautiful themes of free will, free thought, and what's at the heart of a nation, both France and also Germany, who also suffered in its own way. The romance was sweet and I loved how it all came together by the end without being cliché. On a faith observation, the characters are overtly Catholic and see the world through that perspective.

Definitely recommend this book!

I was enjoying this WWII story a great deal,but it seemed like a fairly typical story of this genre. Then chapter eleven changed everything, nothing was typical from that point forward. A story I was enjoying became a story that I absolutely couldn't put down.

In addition to being an enthralling story, The Collector of Burned Books is a story filled with wisdom centered around faith and the value of the written word. Just like the value of faith increases as one practices it, the value of the written word increases as one partakes of it, especially when one reads books that challenge one to think.

I am grateful that Roseanna M. White has given me food for thought that challenges me to extend mercy even when difficult, and when harsh justice might seem well-deserved. She also has motivated me to consider creating a more well-rounded to-be-read list. My thanks goes to Tyndale House Publishing for providing me with a complementary copy via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.