I received a free ARC from #NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Paris Never Leaves You forges new ground for this avid reader of historical fiction. The novel alternates between Paris during the Nazi occupation and New York City ten years later. The protagonist, Charlotte, is a young widow with a small daughter. She does her best to stay on the sidelines, to not attract anyone's attention so that she and her daughter might survive the Nazi occupation of Paris. Quiet Charlotte runs a bookstore but she still must obey the ever-changing draconian rules of the occupying force. When a German doctor comes into the bookstore, Charlotte does her best to ignore him without causing offense. But the struggle to survive and her daughter's hunger make her vulnerable to the German's kindness. Not everyone, however, views Charlotte's actions with an understanding heart and she is labeled a "collabo horizontale." For her and her daughter to survive they must leave Paris.

A decade later Charlotte and her daughter are now in NYC where she has a job working for a publishing company. Her secrets about her escape from France and her relationship with Julian, the German doctor, are slowly and painfully revealed. Can there be kindness and love with a German soldier? Can all, should all, German soldiers be labeled as Nazis? Are all wartime relationships with the enemy collaboration? Can the past horrors of war ever be viewed through a different lens?

Feldman does an extraordinary job presenting all characters as fallible human beings rather than simplistic caricatures. A very different take in WWII fiction.
#NetGalley #ParisNeverLeavesYou

The premise of the story is good and I was interested in Charlotte & Vivi’s story. But I didn’t like Charlotte’s character, even after the details from her life in Paris came to light. She never seemed to really care deeply for anyone—and then suddenly she did. Her husband, the doctor, Horace...she was too wishy washy. The ending was disappointing as well. I did not like her relationship with Horace. He seemed more like a father figure and taking her for rides on his wheelchair was just dumb when they hadn’t even started a relationship.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.


The author alternates between New York in the 1950's and Paris in the 1940's in this compelling story about a publisher, Charlotte and her baby daughter, Vivienne. These two survive the German occupation of Paris during the WWII thanks to a mother’s determination and the kindness of a German soldier. Upon the end of the occupation and under the pretense that they are Jewish, the two are sponsored by acquaintances of Charlotte’s father and find a new life in the United States. Vivienne seeks and understanding of their past, her father, and her Jewish heritage by asking for more information from her mother who is reluctant to answer fearing she will have to start all over once again.

I found that I couldn’t put this book down. I needed to know who from Charlotte's past was trying to find her, what happens to the German soldier, does Vivi ever get her answers, and what happens with the triangle of Hoarce, Hannah and Charlotte. This was truly an enjoyable story that I would highly recommend.

Publication Date 06/02/2020

Such a wonderful read!!! I’ve read many WWII books and this is one of my favorites. The story alternates between Paris and New York. The characters are so real. I look forward to reading more. Thank you Ellen Feldman for this wonderful book!!!!

Ages ago, I read author Ellen Feldman’s “Lucy,” and it was a wonderful read. I’m sorry to say tht I haven’t read any of her five books since then, but I plan to rectify that soon. In this, her sixth, novel, Feldman deals with a form of PTSD as invoked by the title. Charlotte can never forget what happened in Paris during the Nazi Occupation. Her daughter Vivi, was barely a toddler, but the events of those extraordinary times also seem to prey on her.

The novel opens in Paris, in 1944. Charlotte and other Jews are ripping the stars from their clothing. Paris had been liberated and with it the camps. But the opening scene turns frightful when an angry mob attacks a woman known as a collaborator.

The scene then shifts to New York, 1954 (I love dueling timeline!). Charlotte is a book editor at the prestigious publishing house of Gibbon & Field. The “Field” is none other than Horace Field, one of Charlotte and Vivi’s sponsors, which allowed them to come to America.

A letter, not the first, has arrived at Charlotte’s desk. She’s on her way to a meeting and slips it into the trash. Readers don’t know who it is from and Charlotte’s apprehension regarding opening it foreshadows the fear she feels that her past is about to come for its revenge.

One of the things that I admired most about this novel was the seemless transition between Charlotte’s life as a bookseller in Occupied Paris to her contemporary circumstances without using chapter breaks.

In Paris, Charlotte is managing a bookstore with ther friend and the store owner, Simeone. Many think they are sisters, but they are not. One afternoon a Nazi officer comes into the bookstore, just browsing. Fear races through Charlotte’s veins, but she manages to stay calm. That officer’s arrival will have implications in her life forever.

I don’t want to give too much away, and I was surpised that there was no synopsis on the book’s cover. But as Feldman weaves her story, she drops little bombshells ar just the right time to make this reader sit up straighter and stay up way past her bedtime. Even when I thought the book was going to plateau, another little bomb oes off, and I’m up even later. Therefore, “Paris Never Leaves You” receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Paris Never Leaves You is a fast-paced, straight to the point historical fiction and is alternating between wartime Paris and 1950s New York. It is focusing on the same character in both time periods. Charlotte and her daughter Vivi have left after the war and are now living in New York City. Charlotte is an editor at a publishing house and doesn't like to talk about her past. As her daughter gets older and more curious, she wants to know where they came from and who her family is.Charlotte hasn't been completely truthful, honestly she just let people assume things. But when her daughter gets closer and closer to finding out the truth, she will have to be the one to come clean to her.

I enjoyed this book but I had a couple of issues with it. First of all I just couldn't fully connect to Charlotte. I just didn't know enough of her life, and that is because she is very secretive, especially in present time. I just needed more depth and details of what was going on. Also the transition from present to past and vice versa was a bit chaotic. There were a couple of times I was confused in which time period the scenes were taking place. The book was too short and rushed for it to have a big impact on me. Instead of a fully realized story I was getting snippets, and it just didn't feel complete. I just didn't have enough time to grow closer to the characters. Also the ending was a bit abrupt and left me unsatisfied.

An emotional journey that is unlikely to leave me anytime soon. Ellen Feldman did a remarkable job of taking the reader from the present to the past and back again throughout the book. The history of the past influencing the future is revealed chapter by chapter. Charlotte’s story is one of survival and the price that is paid to keep not just herself but also her daughter safe in war torn Paris. Ellen Feldman not only tells Charlotte’s story but also taught this reader lessons in history. The end left me longing for more of the story and needing the closure that Charlotte and her daughter Vivi were seeking. Thank you for opportunity to receive the copy of this book. These opinions are truly my own.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This is a story about identity, survival, motherhood, love, friendship and guilt against the backdrop of WW2. Charlotte and her daughter Vivi survived the German occupation of France and have started over in New York City. Through flashbacks, we learn what they endured and how they survived the war which illuminates why Charlotte doesn't like to talk about the war. But Vivi wants answers and the answers might finally let Charlotte move forward.

There were some unique aspects of the war that I hadn't heard about before (no spoilers!) that made this an interesting read.

I love reading historical novels and books about Paris. I'm kinda torn on this one. I wanted to like it more, but the characters seemed pretty annoying and unlikable to me. I thought there was a bit of a twist near the end, but it wasn't enough to redeem the characters for me.
If you enjoy reading about WWII and want to read something a little different, then try this book.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

This historical fiction set during WW2 was an engrossing and thought-provoking read where a daughter questions her heritage and about their life before New York. It's a little different than some other books in that the main character's method of survival was kept secret known only to her, and she felt some guilt. I don't want to say any more because it may spoil the book for others. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I've read a lot of WWII Historical FIction recently and while I know many others have loved this book, I just couldn't get into it. I don't know it is genre fatigue? It felt disjoined to me and I didn't find the main character likeable.

Thank you St Martin’s Press and Ellen Feldman.
Dual timeline between Paris in the 40’s and New York in the 50’s.
This story is both heartbreaking and uplifting. I loved all the characters but I especially loved the little girl who was searching for the truth about her father.
I am so happy I read this story of courage, love and survival in a devastating time in history.
Well written, highly recommend.
5 stars 🌟

Paris Never Leaves You was a very captivating historical fiction alternating between the 1940s Paris and the 1950s NYC. It centered on a Parisian widow, Charlotte, who worked as a bookseller during the German occupation of France during WWII. Her will to survive and do whatever was necessary was not based on her own needs but that of her young daughter, Vivienne. Shame and guilt were always present, but a mother’s love knew no bounds.

Tensions were high as Charlotte and her daughter tried to escape their homeland by unconventional means. These means eventually found its way to her current NYC home and her daughter’s inquisitive nature. Charlotte thought she left the shame and guilt of Paris behind, but these past events made themselves known in the present and emotional confrontations and heart-wrenching consequences occurred.

This was a well written and engaging story. If you like historical fiction, you’ll enjoy
this one as well.

ARC given for an honest review.

This is a story of survival, love, hardship and strength!
World War II is finished, but the effects continue on for many.
Charlotte and her daughter Vivi are in NYC in the 1950's and Charlotte has to teach her daughter how life continues and times are slow to change.
The timelines alternate from Paris to NYC, and it was difficult at times for me to follow.
However, the plot is excellent and it is a wonderful book!

Paris in 1944; New York City in 1954. This is the story of Charlotte and her daughter Vivi living in Paris during occupied WWII in occupied France and then 10 years later in New York City. One of the few historical fictions I’ve read that depicts the humanity of both sides of the equation - the personal and moral struggles of individuals on opposite sides. In 1944, Charlotte Floret is the struggling widow with her infant child Vivi running a bookstore in German-occupied Paris. Food is scarce, friends and families are turning each other in to survive, and she has few options. Surprisingly, the bookstore still remains open with people occasionally stopping in, including a German officer. Fast forward and we’re in 1954 with Charlotte and Vivi in New York City having escaped Paris and created a new life. Tenants of the owner (and his wife) of the publishing house where Charlotte works reviewing aspiring authors’ manuscripts and Vivi is a teenager attending school curious about her own background, looking for family ties, and wanting to understand where she came from. Charlotte, on the other hand, does much to evade her daughter’s questions, deflects conversations, and results in Vivi’s frustrations and her accusations that Charlotte is hiding something. And, she’s not wrong. The storyline goes back and forth - back to 1944 and then to the present day 1954 - it’s well done and flows well. There are challenges Charlotte face in 1944 and there are challenges that Charlotte face in 1954 - and they are complicated - by difficult decisions, emotional struggles, moral dilemmas, and the will to survive. How will all this get resolved or will it? This is a well done historical fiction with a nuance that makes it just a tad different, resulting in a well-satisfied read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was an amazing piece of historical fiction that kept me engrossed. My only complaint was that the book had to end. Each of the four main characters has secrets and the wartime setting enhanced the storylines. The author did a great job writing about what individuals will be to survive and of the sacrifices a mother will make for her child.

This is a wonderful book. It is the story of a young French mother, widowed when her husband is killed in the war, living and surviving in Germany occupied France during World War II. The nature of her survival and how she ultimately escapes to America fills her with survivors’ guilt. The character development is superb and the descriptions of living in a country occupied by a foreign power is so well researched that the reader is transported via the written word. I cannot recommend this book enough, especially if the WW II genre is one you enjoy reading about.

The story begins in 1954 with Charlotte Foret as an editor at Gibbon and Field in NYC. Her and her daughter’s story is revealed through dual time line, going back to WWII.

Most of the past story is revealed through Charlotte’s thoughts, making it feel often as it goes abruptly from present to past and vice versa. I need a good structure for fluency purposes.

A lot of scenes are about Charlotte being in one place, but thinking about another event. There is too much jumping around with thoughts, instead of story progressing forward.

Charlotte’s daughter wanting to know about her father moves the story back in time again. It’s like the story is moving forward, but not really.

The secrecy about her life in Paris keeps building up and building up, thus slowing the pace a bit.

It seems as there is no clear path to the plot. It’s a little bit of the present and past, something continues to be missing. A good structure to connect it all.

For me the story had the strongest point, when it was alternating in time being separated by chapters. It had clarity.

The most interesting part of this story ended up being about the publishing world.

I thoroughly enjoyed Paris Never Leaves You by Ellen Feldman. The story takes place in two time periods and places, Paris in WWII during the 40s and NYC in the 50s and follows bookseller Charlotte and her daughter Vivi and their journey through WWII and its aftermath. It questions different views on morality and doing what you need to do to survive and maintain your humanity in horrendous times.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this thought provoking novel in exchange for my honest opinion. A beautifully written novel!