The Book Of Lost Names is a beautifully written novel set in World War II times. The characters are so well developed and the story is very well told in a different perspective than most novels set in this era. This is a book you will not be able to put down once it is started. Highly recommend!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

It is a story that takes place in France during world war 2. It is about a women who is good at forgery and helps save many Jewish children to get away from the Nazis.. it is fast reading and poignant

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a superb WWII historical fiction novel set in France that dealt with forgery. The main characters Eva and Remy operate a forgery cell in southern France that provides paperwork for Jewish children to escape into Switzerland. The two fall in love but due to timing, religion, and family they do not marry. Eva's mother seemed to be a selfish sort that laid out major guilt trips. I didn't really care for her character at all. This book made me think about religion as Eva developed a deep relationship with a Catholic priest who helps her to grow and love. A WWII novel wouldn't be compete without a double cross and this book has that too. Well researched and written!!! I will definitely keep reading novels by Kristin Harmel.

3.5 stars

“You are still you. You’ve just found the strength inside yourself that was there from the start.”

Eva, a young Jewish woman living in Paris during the Nazi occupation, is thrust into a life of forgery, secrets, and immense danger. Much like other historical fiction books set during WWII, such as Harmel’s own ‘Room on Rue Amelie’ and the beloved Kristin Hannah book ‘The Nightingale’, this is a story about bravery, selflessness, hope, honor, and love during the most frightening time in the 20th century.

When Harmel released the synopsis of this novel, I was immediately interested. I won’t say I was disappointed by the novel, but I will admit it wasn’t as exciting as I thought it might be. It starts and ends very strong, but the middle lacked a plot layered enough to hold my interest. The middle of the book is about forgery—only about forgery. I thought it needed more subplots and background activity. Day after day of Eva forging documents got dull and the threat of being discovered didn’t feel real until the end of the book. The ending was very emotional and saved the book for me. I flew through the last few chapters and at some points was so emotional I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. A book is extremely well written when it makes you feel that sort of intense emotion.

Overall, I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy WWII historical fiction and those who, like myself, are already fans of Kristin Harmel.

Octogenarian, Floridian, and part-time librarian; Eva Traube Abrams is many things including a former member of the French resistance during World War II who specialized in forging official documents. Born in Paris to Polish immigrants, Eva was a free citizen until 1942 when the Nazis began rounding up Jews and Eva’s father was arrested and sent to Auschwitz. Swiftly employing her artistic abilities to create new identities, Eva and her grieving mother flee to a small town in the Free Zone where they hope to cross the border into Switzerland. But soon Eva’s talent at forgery is discovered by an underground network of Catholic townspeople working to save Jewish children and they convince her to stay and make hundreds of false documents for their safe passage before the Nazis discover them. Several of Harmel’s recent historical fiction novels illuminate heartbreakingly real but forgotten stories from World War II, blended with a dash of suspense and romance, and The Book of Lost Names is no exception. Recommended for public libraries and fans of romantic historical fiction similar to All the Ways We Said Goodbye, by Beatriz Williams, et al.

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, I started this book and read it until the end. Laughing and crying all the way. Compelling story, gripping characters and a different view from the usual WW2 tales now out. This small part of WW2 resistance was life changing for everyone, including the reader. The characters were insightful and well drawn. Am now looking forward to listening to the audio version, and re-reading this superb work.