A Nazi with hidden layers, a professor with secrets, an innocent child caught in the crosshairs of evil.

When Nazi officer Christian Bauer is sent to Paris to oversee the collection and destruction of German banned books at the Library of Burned Books, his job is far more complex than meets the eye. Professor Corinne Bastien, an outspoken patron of the library, comes under scrutiny when several of banned books are found in her possession. And so, begins the delicate dance of oppressor and the oppressed, secrets and subterfuge, where nothing is as it seems. Can the two come to a truce and work together for the good their fellow man all the while keeping up pretenses? As this tale delves into the evil that reigned during the Nazi Regime, it also restores faith in how many of the oppressed worked hard to stop the spread of evil. Roseanna White weaves a tale so poignant that my heart ached, I shed tears and couldn't stop flipping pages. It has lit a desire for me to dig further into this fascinating piece of history! This is a definite must-read for 2025 and for all bibliophiles

Wow! More than 5 stars !Roseanna White has quickly become one of my favorite authors! I think this book is her best so far! This book took me on a journey of good vs evil. How sometimes evil overcomes good and other times good overcomes evil. The Library of Burned Books provided more than just books. It held secrets and ideas. These secrets and ideas presented a problem for the Nazis. The setting of Paris during this time is not glittering lights and romance but one of a weary city. It's citizens subdued and withdrawn.

Corinne is amazing! She's brave, quick thinking, compassionate and not afraid to speak her mind. She loves the books and the authors that wrote them. The books also help her to send coded messages. Messages that she hopes will push the Nazis out of her beloved city. Christian is a complicated man. He loves literature. Unfortunately his assignment from the German army is to determine which books are "allowed" to stay in Paris. He has many secrets and often has to pretend that he's following orders even when it contradicts everything within him. He is a merciful man and he offers mercy to many "undeserving" recipients. Soon, he and Corinne find themselves working together to save not only books but human lives.

My heart was touched when the priest prayed over Christian; the blessing, the protection and the covenant. Words of healing and words of hope.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White. This was a great book that kept my interest the entire time. A book full of twists and turns and excitement that kept me guessing where it would end. This book captures friendship between religious Christians and their Jewish neighbors. This book shows that even war cannot change one’s beliefs. How can the French citizens and the Nazi invaders come to an agreement when one cherishes books and one chooses to destroy them? Read the book and find out for yourself.

This is a compelling story of the power of words.

"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."

The setting is Paris during WWII, but the ideas fit exactly in today's society and thinking on banning books. The parallels were strong, the ideas similar, the strength of stories and words will never change. I think I highlighted 50% of the text, it just hit me like a strong unsuspected wave when in calm ocean water.

A young, smart, and very pretty young professor had secrets and collected them like books on a shelf. She sent secret messages written in code in the margins of old books and shared them with her students. She also had friends and authors that were older and many were leaving Paris for safer places to live. Their books had been banned, 'verboten', and anyone with those books was under suspicion.

"Uncle Georges was wrong. Her best weapon was neither her mind or her looks. Her best weapons were the books-- and she was going to use them well."

A Young German professor wanted nothing to do with the Nazi party but is forced into uniform to protect his family as well as the books he loved but were considered a threat to the Nazi's. He is sent to France to 'deal with the relocation' of the books in their libraries after the occupation, but is determined to do what he can to preserve the books and their ideas. The problem is, people who are wary of the Nazi's can't see past the uniform. Those also wearing the uniform are eager to report on others who are not as committed, and used as spies for their superiors. He is called a 'bucherwurm' (bookworm) as a derogatory label, but he wants to be nothing more.

"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."

When their paths continue to cross and their discussions on books reveal more similar ideas than different- they both try and stay in their respective roles to keep themselves and their secrets safe. She could not imagine that anyone in a Nazi uniform could be someone else beneath it. He wants to explain to her, but recognizes the disdain she has for the clothes he is forced to wear.

Secrets are revealed, danger ensues, and hearts are involved. Faith is strengthened, written words are protected, and determination to share the love of learning is strong.

"If books had no power, they never would have been banned.".

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy of the story for my review. I highly recommend this story if you enjoy reading, historical fiction, and stories filled with faith and love.

Brilliantly told story of the Nazi invasion of Paris, France during World War II. In the story a woman who receives and smuggles information through coded messages in banned books, work is halted by the Nazi invasion. The library in which she and others in the resistance worked has been commandeered by the Nazis. She still has her job as a literature professor at the University, but for how long no one knows. The man tasked with disposing of the library is a lover of literature and has read many of the books that the Nazis deem inappropriate. He tries to find ways to make the banned books disappear, without actually burning or destroying them. The woman who lives in the apartment building next to the library is both suspicious and intriguing. He knows she is connected to the library somehow. The man and woman both have secrets and both have a job to do. She wants to trust him, but he wears a Nazi uniform. He wants to tell her the truth but that would put too many lives in danger.

A stunning tribute to the resilience of words and the quiet bravery of those who protect them.

The Collector of Burned Books is a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that explores the fight for truth, memory, and freedom under the shadow of tyranny. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, this story is a love letter to books and to those who risked everything to preserve knowledge and defy oppression.

Corinne Bastien is a compelling heroine—intelligent, loyal, and courageous in ways that feel deeply human. Her bond with the library of banned books is one of reverence and rebellion, and as the stakes rise, her story becomes both heartbreaking and hopeful. Christian Bauer, a reluctant soldier and fierce protector of culture, adds a complex and empathetic lens to the German side of the war. Their unlikely connection is moving and meaningful without ever feeling forced.

This novel asks hard questions: What would you risk for the truth? How do we safeguard memory when the world wants to erase it?

For fans of The Book Thief, All the Light We Cannot See, and readers who believe books are worth fighting for—The Collector of Burned Books is unforgettable.

Sadly burning books was one of the many things the Nazis did that took some of the freedoms away from the writers to the readers. I don’t like that we are now banning books today.
This book is so moving and brings together two people who had a love for books, but came from a different world. Corinne Bastien loves the library, and it is her sanctuary, but when the German army takes over of this Parisian library it hides so many of her secrets.
Christian Bauer is a German professor but does not agree with the Nazi party and treasures many books that would be a threat to Nazi ideology. Unfortunately he is being tasked to “relocate” several of the libraries in their army.
You can imagine how emotional this book is. Thank you Tyndale Fiction for the advanced e-ARC.

I loved journeying to WWII with this story! Roseanna M White did a wonderful job of writing about some sticky subjects, like the censoring of books that the Nazis did and how it is never a good thing when those in power want to tell us what we can and can't read. I loved the deep talks that the main characters have as they come from two different sides. This is a wonderful book to pick up and enjoy!

Roseanne M White takes the hot topic of free speech and plants it firmly in 1940’s Paris as the Nazis take over. Corinne is a young French woman using books that have been banned to send messages to various contacts in Europe. Christian is a German literature professor who joined the military in hopes to protect loved ones. He has been sent to Paris to catalog the books in the city’s libraries, removing the verboten ones.

This is a beautifully written and hard hitting story about what happens to a society that refuses to listen to other points of view, even if you disagree with them. It is not advocating that certain subject matter should be available to any age, but that every adult should be free to read and believe what they wish without fear of reprisal, a lesson many today would be wise to learn.

This is a powerful book that I enjoyed and would recommend to everyone.

This is Christian fiction so expect prayer and discussions about God and faith.

Family friendly.

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

It was a good read. The heroine was very likeable and I enjoyed the story. It’s a mild WW2 story. Thank you for the ARC.

This was such a great read, and brought to light what was happening in France, and Europe in 1940.
The story comes alive over books, yes, we take a lot for granted, but, at this horrible time in history, people were deciding just what you could read. Easier to control people if you own all their media.
The author does a great job highlighting what was happening to people whom they considered weren't perfect, wrong religion, or were what they didn't like.
This is a sweet romance story, but so much more! There is a delightful child, that yes, should not be alive, and I love some of the solutions to make it so he could enjoy life a bit more.
Danger is everywhere, and whom can you trust? There are a few that are willing to give the ultimate, and some are here in this read.
I did enjoy the epilogue, and in the end wanted to continue on in their lives! This is a must read!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Tyndale House and was not required to give a positive review.

The title got me reading, and the characterization, storyline, and well-researched details kept me engaged until the end. Lots of surprises, twists, and turns to keep me guessing - and I love the hope woven through this time - this topic - of despair. Eye-opening, faith-filled story that taught me much, and made me think. Recommended.

German authors’ books were burned in Germany. They fled to Paris, but then the Germans invaded. Christian Bauer was a literature professor in Berlin. He wanted nothing to do with the Nazis, but they sent him to Paris to “purify” France’s libraries. Corinne Bastien is a literature professor at the Sorbonne and lives nextdoor to the Library of Burned Books. With Christian, all she sees is his uniform.
Very lines: “What if the Lord had sent him here to try to mitigate some of the damage being done, to help those he could?” God “promised to be with his people through persecutions—not to prevent them.”
Books have power. That’s why it’s important to read.

What is it about the written word that causes people to fear it? And what kind of beliefs must one have that they cannot stand against reading what is written from a different point of view? Roseanna M. White probes these questions in her upcoming release, The Collector of Burned Books, in which two literature professors in very different circumstances find themselves both thrown together and pulled apart.

Set during the occupation of Paris in 1940, Corinne Bastien and Christian Bauer find themselves on opposing sides politically. But despite the glaring differences, they find that free thinking and literature brings them together in a dangerous way. Bauer is assigned the task of library protector, including responsibilities at the rather curious Library of the Burned Books, a place with which Corinne is quite familiar. Though their political responsibilities are as different as darkness and light, their intellect and sensibilities find each other in the city filled with strife. White’s research shines in this novel, allowing the reader to see the contrasts and similarities in humanity through focused shaping of the setting and characters. The debates about literature, censorship, and free thought are well balanced and provocative, inspiring the reader to consider their own stance on the situation. The reader is reminded that there is often a very true person hiding beneath the projected facade. Though Corinne and Christian are the main characters, understanding and openness shine in their small corner of the City of Lights. The Collector of Burned Books is an enthralling read for its fiction, and an inspiring one for the light it shines on literature as a valuable conduit for thoughts and ideas.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Due to the unexpected death of my husband, I did not finish. However, once I am able to focus again I would love to finish the story of Corinne and Christian if the book has not archived.

Releases July 15th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This novel is a heartfelt tribute to the power of books and the quiet bravery of those who protect them. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, it follows Corinne, a Frenchwoman deeply tied to a secret library of banned books, and Christian, a German professor reluctantly swept into the Nazi regime. Their unlikely connection unfolds against a backdrop of war, censorship, and resistance.

I was completely drawn into the setting—the descriptions of wartime Paris were vivid, and the emotional stakes felt real. Corinne’s dedication to preserving knowledge and Christian’s internal conflict made them compelling characters. Their bond grows slowly and naturally, which made it all the more powerful.

What I loved most was the reminder that even in the darkest times, ideas and truth can survive through those brave enough to protect them. This story lingers long after the final page—perfect for fans of historical fiction that blends heart, history, and hope.

"The Collector of Burned Books" is a beautifully written and thoroughly researched depiction of the challenges faced by individuals in occupied Paris during World War II.

The MC's dedication to secretly preserving treasured literature is inspiring. The romance between Christian and Corinne is truly enchanting, adding depth to the story. This novel embodies themes of strength, courage, and loyalty. Through their hardships, the characters’ reliance on God’s grace and protection highlights their journey of survival and their mission to save books deemed menacing by the Germans.

Perfect for a book club. If you appreciate historical novels that resonate with faith and resilience, this story is a must-read!
Thank you to Tyndale Publishers, NetGalley for the complimentary e-copy a positive review was not required. #TheCollectorofBurnedBooks #NetGalley.

This book was a refreshing read,just the kind of palate cleanser I needed. As an avid reader, I truly enjoyed it. After finishing, I found myself reflecting on the story, and it reignited my love for WWII historical fiction.

It offered unexpected friendships, touched on the timely issue of book banning, and of course, explored the ever-compelling WWII era—a favorite among many historical fiction fans.

If you’re a fan of the genre, I definitely recommend giving this one a try!

Roseanna White has written a powerful WWII story about the books Germany banned set in Paris with plenty of danger and intrigue in the story. There is great dialogue between characters on both sides of the ban and it's interesting and thought provoking to think about how books were treated during this time period. This story gives us all food for thought on the power of books and how passionate people are for and against certain books.

There is a great Christian faith ARC at the end. I can't believe how much she packed into this novel but she wrote a story that I didn't want to stop reading. I also read this several days ago and my mind keeps circling back to the story. I highlighted so many passages and will definitely add this to a re-read list.

I highly recommend this Christian Historical romance. This book would be great for ages 16+. I can see it being a great book for book clubs and for homeschool parents to add to a curriculum on WWII.

Thank you to Tyndale Publishers for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is my second Roseanna White book, but definitely won’t be my last. Historical fiction is probably my favorite genre and this did not disappoint. I appreciated learning more of the World War II era, and particularly the Nazi activity as they occupied different countries, including the resistance of the citizens and even the Germans forced into military service.

I came to really like the main characters and the outcome of their story. As I am not a Catholic, I also learned more about Catholicism, as that is a prominent theme in the book as well.

I received an ARC through the publisher for an unbiased review.