Interesting historical fiction set in and just after World War II. This book alternates between three perspectives - Eleanor, who creates and runs an operation of undercover female agents in France; Marie, one of those agents; and Grace who is in New York in 1946 and happens upon photos of some of those female agents and tries to figure out who they are and what happened to them. It was a little slow to get going but was a good read. This is the first book by Pam Jenoff that I've read but I will definitely check out her others.

All warfare is based on deception.

That is what Sun Tzu said in The Art of War.  In The Lost Girls of Paris, we learn that deception can carry a high price.

New York, 1946. When an accident blocks her usual route to work one morning, Grace Healey is forced to cut through the bustling concourse of Grand Central station, somewhere she normally actively avoids.  In her hurry, she fails to notice the corner of an abandoned suitcase sticking out from under a bench and trips over it; telling herself she’s merely looking for information about the owner, Grace surreptitiously opens the case and is surprised to find it contains dozens of photographs, each one of a different woman.  Jolted from her inspection by the sound of sirens outside and feeling guilty for being nosy, Grace tries to put the pictures back – and when that proves impossible, shoves them into her purse  and hurries away, once more intent on getting to work.

Later that evening Grace learns that the suitcase and the accident which forced her to race through Grand Central  are related. The woman who owned the luggage - British citizen Eleanor Trigg - was killed in the crash that had blocked Grace’s way to work. Heading to the British embassy in the hopes of connecting with Eleanor’s next of kin, Grace instead finds a conundrum.  Everyone seems unhelpful except those who seem conniving. Caught between the possible options of handing the pictures to someone who will simply shove them in a drawer or giving them to those who seem nefarious, Grace takes them home and launches her own investigation into what exactly happened to Eleanor - and why.

Moving back and forth in time between 1944 and 1946, the narrative establishes both Eleanor and Grace as independent young women trying to find their place in the world. The strong, driven Eleanor has a harder time of this since she is not just looking for a place but a place of power, a position which fully utilizes her strengths and talents. She finds it in 1944 at SOE (Special Operations Executive), a British WWII initiative which specializes in espionage. Initially, Eleanor becomes indispensable to the Director as an aide but when male agents in France begin to stand out simply for being civilians at a time when most men are in service, Eleanor proposes and receives permission to head a women’s unit.  Eleanor was excited about “her girls” and the good she knows they will do for the war effort. Until something strange starts to happen. Something which just might jeopardize the very lives of the young women Eleanor has sent into war torn, Nazi held Paris.

Grace has always been the good girl, the obedient daughter and loving wife, but after her husband’s death she seizes the opportunity to finally gain a small bit of independence. Living on her own in glamorous post-war New York, she works at a law office helping refugees from the conflict to build new lives. It can be a heartbreaking effort but it’s also deeply rewarding. Because resolving problems has become second nature to her, she finds herself picking up the puzzle of Eleanor with ease, determined to bring justice to whatever odd situation surrounds the mysterious woman. She’s aided in the endeavor by Mark, an old acquaintance who has recently taken up a new position in her life.  The ladies are in many ways two sides of the same coin but Grace is the kinder, gentler version of Eleanor. She is every bit as smart, focused, dedicated, driven and morally pure but she has a  warmth and liveliness that her British counterpart lacks.

A third character, Marie, one of Eleanor’s ‘girls’,  weaves in and out of the story, giving us a brief glimpse into the espionage work being done in the France of 1944. Marie is a fully realized character, a young woman with a daughter and complex romantic background who finds herself falling in love in the least likely of places at a most inconvenient time. While we are given a thorough understanding of who she is,  her storyline is one of the weakest points in the narrative because we get only brief glimpses of what she is doing. Her job - espionage - is crucial to both the war effort and our tale, but the scenes we are shown of her doing said work are more baffling than enlightening.  They simply don’t make sense in either the context of history or our narrative.

As a result of that and some issues with the resolution of the mystery, I felt the story  never coalesced into a truly satisfying whole. The Lost Girls of Paris is a good read but it had a great, truly intriguing premise that it never quite lived up to.  Fans of the author and lovers of the era will probably want to give this a read but newcomers to WWII fiction or Ms. Jenoff’s work will want to check her back list, which contains several stronger novels.

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If you like WWII fiction, this is definitely worth reading. It's not the best WWII book I've read, but it's solid and I was interested and it kept me coming back to find out what happened.

The story is about 3 women in 3 different places (a few years apart). Grace is in NY trying to build a life for herself after losing her husband in the war. One say she finds an abandoned suitcase in Grand Centra station and in the suitcase are pictures of young women. Grace tries to find out who the women in the pictures are and what happened to them. At the same time the reader meets Eleanor, a woman working for the British government during WWII. She's in charge of a special group of women "spies" who are trained and sent into Occupied France. One of those women is Marie. We follow the journeys of all 3 women to find out each of their fates.

This is book is based on real women operatives during WWII and the parts of the story that followed Marie and Eleanor were definitely the parts that were the most interesting and intriguing. I was genuinely interested in what happened to Marie and her fellow operatives and that kept me reading and wanting to read this book. Even more detail could have been added. At times I felt like we were racing though scenes just to get to the next thing. There wasn't enough depth and development for the book to be a complete powerhouse like The Nightingale or Beneath A Scarlett Sky, etc. but it was still entertaining and well done.

The chapters about Grace were just ok and not really necessary. It would have been enough to just write the whole book about Eleanor and the women she trained without the entire Grace storyline. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book from Park Row/Harlequin.

Pam Jeniffer provides us with a riveting story of the women behind the scenes during WW2.
A touching narrative on the power of women helping women, strength and courage - I couldn’t put it down.
The characters are so real, so lucid, that one is enlisted in their success from the very beginning. I highly recommend this book.

I just reviewed The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff. #TheLostGirlsOfParis #NetGalley


Thank you NetGalley for a copy in return for an honest review

The Lost Girls of Paris is a dual time story, featuring World War II in England/Paris and in New York after the war's ending. Told in three voices, two during the war and one later on.

The plot for this was very interesting and I love how it took a part of history that I knew nothing about and played on that. The SOE (special operations executive) is an organization I have never heard of before, though I have read about female spies, this book gave another view of the recruitment, training and what happened in France.

Mysterious as to what was happening to the girls, suspenseful on the ground in France, sympathetic to the bravery of the resistance and heartbreaking for those heroes of the past. The author has definitely done her homework here. As usual, I was partial to the past POV, though not really a fan of Grace’s it did bring closure to the past.

My copy of this book did not include Author Notes (which I love), hopefully, they appear in the final draft. But if you are a follower of the author on Facebook, she has posted some wonderful links that I thoroughly enjoyed and complimented this book perfectly.

Told in the alternating voices of these brave women, Jenoff has written a compelling story of romance, mystery, love, betrayal, and friendship. Once I started this book I kept reading to find out what happened to Marie and the other girls. Providing an inside glimpse into the dangers encountered in working in the Resistance; the need for leaving family and children behind, traveling to unknown destinations, living a "cover" identity and accepting that betrayal is a fact of this life. Grace and Marie both fall in love in unexpected situations and their actions have long-reaching consequences.

Pam Jenoff has been a long standing favorite author of mine. I read one of her earlier novels, The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach, and was completely sold on her writing. Since then I have read more of her books and absolutely love how she crafts a tale.

When this book came up for review, it was an instant yes without any hesitation. I am absolutely in love with the cover and she is such a strong writer in the WWII period that I had zero reservations about this one.

Had I never read any of her books or even heard of her, that cover alone would sell me on this book. It really is a beautifully composed cover and I love that the artist capitalized on the clock tower. I knew before even downloading the copy that it was going to be a wonderful read.

Summary

1946, Manhattan

Grace Healey is rebuilding her life after losing her husband during the war. One morning while passing through Grand Central Terminal on her way to work, she finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench. Unable to resist her own curiosity, Grace opens the suitcase, where she discovers a dozen photographs—each of a different woman. In a moment of impulse, Grace takes the photographs and quickly leaves the station.

Grace soon learns that the suitcase belonged to a woman named Eleanor Trigg, leader of a ring of female secret agents who were deployed out of London during the war. Twelve of these women were sent to Occupied Europe as couriers and radio operators to aid the resistance, but they never returned home, their fates a mystery. Setting out to learn the truth behind the women in the photographs, Grace finds herself drawn to a young mother turned agent named Marie, whose daring mission overseas reveals a remarkable story of friendship, valor and betrayal.

Vividly rendered and inspired by true events, New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff shines a light on the incredible heroics of the brave women of the war, and weaves a mesmerizing tale of courage, sisterhood and the great strength of women to survive in the hardest of circumstances (summary from Goodreads).

Review

This is am impressive story. I have noticed that a popular trend in historical fiction right now is writing about strong women with exceptional roles in history and I am loving it. This novel features two women who ended up being spies in WWII and they went in to extremely dangerous situations. On that fact alone, this book would be a 5 star read.

But Jenoff goes further and adds this special layer of friendship between the two main characters. Its easy to connect with the characters because the period is so unsettling and tension is high and in these women we find that there is no other choice but to accept them for who they are even if under normal circumstances we might not like them as readers. That’s why a war setting works so well in a story like this. It’s not normal circumstances and these aren’t normal women which sets them apart and endears them to readers.

This is historical fiction but it’s deeply rooted in history. This story is based on true events and it’s clear that the author has done a tremendous amount of research on her subject so it feels like an authentic story. I know there are some people who shy away from historical fiction because they don’t like all the history background, but in this book it’s exciting history. It’s suspenseful and there are little details within the story that I think will appeal to a wider audience.

I've read enough novels by Pam Jenoff to know better than to start reading one of her books in the evening. I ignored my inner monitor, did it anyway, and turned the final page at 3:30 AM. Yes, I was completely worthless the next day but it was so worth it.

Inspired by actual people and events during WWII, The Lost Girls of Paris is filled with everything I've come to enjoy in a Jenoff novel. The author's meticulous research immerses the reader in the 1940's, both during and following the war. The transitions from 1946 New York City to 1943 London to 1944 France were flawless, with spot-on pacing that held my attention from beginning to end, and vivid descriptions that took me on an incredible journey. Told primarily from the points of view of three women, this story follows ordinary women leading extraordinary, incredibly dangerous lives as secret agents during the war and the young woman who stumbles upon their story a few years later. It's filled with danger, tension, betrayal, anguish, bravery, suspense, sacrifice, and heart...and I couldn't look away.

Jenoff has a talent for creating fully-dimensional characters that pull me into their hearts and minds. I care about them. I'm invested in their lives and their happiness. I applaud their success, fear for their safety, celebrate the joy in their lives, and grieve their losses. My emotions were all over the place as I read this book because that's what a Pam Jenoff story does. It makes me feel.

Another thing Jenoff does in her books is teach, though you don't realize how much you've learned until you finish the story. While reading this book, I was fully immersed in the journey of the characters. It wasn't until the next day, when I began reflecting upon what I'd read, that I realized how much I had learned about this part of history that was made in England and France during the war. I knew nothing about this group of female secret agents who were smuggled into France to aid the resistance against the Nazis but through Jenoff's fictional characters, I feel as if I've come to know and understand at least a small part of the real women who were members of this exceptionally brave unit.

If you enjoy historical fiction, WWII fiction, women's fiction, or just an exceptionally well-written book that teaches you, touches you, and fills you with emotion, don't miss Pam Jenoff's newest novel, The Lost Girls of Paris. I highly recommend it.

The Lost Girls of Paris centers on the experiences of three women during WWII. Eleanor Trigg is the leader of a ring of twelve female undercover agents who worked as couriers and radio operators aiding in the resistance. Marie, a single mother, is recruited by Eleanor and sent into occupied territory. Grace is a widower who stumbles across an abandoned suitcase two years later in Grand Central Station, which contains photos of the twelve women led by Eleanor. Told from alternating POV, this story draws you in and keeps you engaged until the very end. This is a great historical fiction novel, and I look forward to reading more by Pam Jenoff.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an incredible, gripping novel about the brave English women who served as radio operators during WWII for the SOE (Special Operations Executive). Pam Jenoff must have done some extensive research on the SOE. The writing is so well done that I was pulled right in from the first chapter and found it difficult to put down. An amazing story about some remarkable and courageous women who risked their lives for their country. This is historical fiction at its best.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. I love and read a lot of historical fiction, and this is a particularly great one. A book about WWII women who liberate Europe from the Germans, this story includes multiple narrators and is a great style.

Pam Janoff has done it again with this book. I absolutely loved The Orphan Train and jumped at the chance to read this book. It did not disappoint. Thank you Netgalley for my copy! The story captured my attention from the first paragraph and did not stop until the end of the book. The plot is centered around three strong women during WWII. Eleanor Trigg works for Special Operations in England. She comes up with the suggestions to send women into France to blend in and help defeat the Germans, She hand selects Marie Roux, who is bilingual, as an operator. Grace, the third main character, finds a suitcase in Grand Central Station with photographs of women inside it.
The attention to detail is outstanding, the story is captivating and the writing is wonderful.

The buzz you’re hearing on this captivating book is well-deserved. I had trouble putting it down yesterday and when I woke up this morning, it was still on my mind. I’m writing this review with a bit of book hangover.

I’m really enjoying this new subset of WWII dramas that focus on the unsung women who helped liberate Europe from the Germans. It’s about time their efforts and sacrifices are recognized. This book was an enlightening and enthralling addition to the WWII library shelf.

Told from basically three viewpoints, I was enraptured by each one. The author does a great job of leaving a viewpoint with a cliffhanger, begging the pages to be turned.

This was the first Pam Jenoff book that I’ve read, but trust me, it won’t be last—I plan to check out her backlist ASAP.

I received an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Lost Girls of Paris. Pam Jenoff's descriptions of locations and actions allows the reader to vividly visualize events as they unfold. The characters are well formed and present as real people. The writing evokes a range of different emotions.
The Lost Girls of Paris is an intriguing story. It is a work of historical fiction based on women working as spies during World War II. The story centers on three women who are recruited by the British Government, trained and sent to France. Ms. Jenoff ensures that the reader develops a connection to the girls, making it hard not to become invested in them.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction, especially the World War II era.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #ParkRow for approving my request. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

The Lost Girls of Paris is a thrilling novel that is based on true events. Pam Jenoff masterfully crafts the story of a group of ordinary women that are recruited to the Special Operations Executive (SOE) division in Britain during World War II. Churchill authorized the SOE to "set Europe ablaze" through sabotage and subversion. In London in 1943 Eleanor Trigg is working for the SOE as a secretary. As male agents are being arrested Eleanor suggests sending women to France as operatives. Jenoff's story follows Marie, a typists recruited by Eleanor. The novel also focuses on Grace, a young widow living in New York in 1946. Grace discovers an envelope of about a dozen photos in an abandoned suitcase at Grand Central Station. Each picture is of a single young women. Grace senses that the photos are important and sets out to uncover their stories. Jenoff juxtaposes the past and present and this makes for a thrilling read. The Lost Girls of Paris is full of interesting characters and plots that make this Jenoff's best book yet and one of the top novels of 2019.

This is a beautifully haunting gem of a book. I wasn't a fan of historical books but authors like Pam Jenoff have been changing my mind and opening my eyes to a genre I would have skipped. You must just must pick up this absolutely amazing winner of a book and prepare to loose yourself.. You will not be disappointed. Happy reading!

Pam Jenoff is a master of historical fiction and I am always waiting with eager anticipation when I know she has a book coming. I remember wanting one so badly before I was reviewing, my father in law ordered it special just for me. If that doesn’t give you a good sense of my appreciation for her writing, well, clearly I’m doing something wrong. Or you’re crazy.

The Lost Girls of Paris is one of her best yet. Told from dual timelines, the story moves seamlessly. One woman (Grace) finds what seems to be official military-looking pictures of mysterious girls in an abandoned suitcase. Going against her better judgement, she surrenders to her curiosity and gives in to her need to find the answers of who these mysterious 12 young women were.

What she discovers is a somewhat secret organization run by an Eleanor Trigg. A leader who handpicked and trained women for the resistance against Germany in Europe. Just like Grace, you as the reader will become whole heartedly attached to these women. These men and women in this story are so full of heart and courage that I could never imagine having myself. These women had gumption. Then men- nerve.

The Lost Girls of Paris is inspired by true events, which makes this story even more amazing. A little more heartbreaking as well, to be honest. I had emotional reactions to this book. I laughed, I shouted out, I mourned. And yes, I cried. Actual tears. Jenoff took true events and recreated them in the written word. She puts you there. She makes you care. You’d be missing out completely if you did not read about those lost girls of Paris.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Lost Girls of Paris is a captivating historical fiction read about a secret group of WWII female agents formed by Eleanor Trigg in London. Anyone who has read one of Pam Jenoff’’s books can attest that there is always so much more to her pieces, and this one does not disappoint! Photographs discovered in an abandoned suitcase in Grand Central Terminal lead to the discovery of these brave and heroic female resistance spies and uncover their stories. I highly recommend this book - it is amazing! I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

Grace finds a lone suitcase in Grand Central Terminal. She discovers some pictures within this suitcase which puts her onto the trail of Eleanor. Eleanor is a lady tasked with putting together a group of women who will assist the resistance. Grace is determined to find out what happened to these women and what Eleanor was doing in NYC.

The SOE has incorporated women into their operations. Eleanor is placed in charge of this unit. She carefully selects these women and sees they are properly trained. But, you can have all of that going for you and still fail…if you are betrayed.

As most of you know, I love strong women and WWII is my favorite time period. So, this book is exactly my cup of tea. I will say, I was skeptical at the beginning… I mean…who actually goes through someone else’s suitcase? Don’t you turn it in to lost and found? So, this had me doubting the story just a bit. But the more I read, the more intriguing the tale. I was reeled in…hook, line and sinker.

To say I loved this book is an understatement. All the women, the espionage, the danger, the history and the mystery surrounding what happened makes up a unique story not to be missed!

I received this novel from Harlequin via Netgalley for a honest review

The setting and details about the operation during the war was intersting, but I found the reason for “present day”’s character involvement to be paper thin and the ending to be underwhelming.