Joachim and Javier von Hartmann are mirror twins, but are exact opposites. Born in Buenos Aires of German descent, their mother remarried and moves to Paris, France. Joachim moves with her, goes to school and becomes a trained butler. Javier stays behind and follows a path of crime. Olivia White’s beloved design magazine she founded has folded. She decides to take time off in Paris to regroup. Joachim’s family he served for years has passed away so. He goes to Paris to be with his mother. He takes a temporary job assisting Olivia as she decorates and renovates a chateau for a wealthy Russian. During this time Joachim finds out about his family history and Javier suddenly reappears. Olivia too is opening up about her family history. Are they just employer and employee? Friends? Can they be more then friends? This is a good, light, rainy day read that will keep you interested.

To my recollection, I think this is the first Danielle Steel novel with a both a male and a female protagonist – from the beginning. I liked this approach. This was a quick and easy read that held my attention from the first chapter. The characters were likeable and relatable – both grew up without fathers; their childhoods were unremarkable, but there were family secrets lurking about. Their relationship commitment phobia was another shared trait along with their devotion to their careers.

Like many of Danielle Steel’s novels, the cadence and method storytelling was predictable. Nonetheless, I still can’t wait for the next one - “Flying Angels” scheduled for release Nov 2021.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this digital ARC in exchange for my review.

Danielle Steel blows me away every time I read one of her books. The Butler is historical fiction at its best. I love the creative storyline, the characters I instantly connected with, and the perfect ending. I always recommend Danielle Steel, and will definitely be telling everyone about The Butler.

Another ARC from @netgalley @randomhouse and @officialdaniellesteel that will be out Oct 5,2021. This will be the 4th ARC. I can’t say that I enjoyed this one has much as the previous ones but overall I couldn’t stop reading . Family lies, scandal and trauma. Identical boy twins who are totally different . One good . One evil. Choosing different paths in life . One a butler and another a life of crime and drugs .” Of course there’s also romance too. Friends 1st that lead into something .

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Synopsis:

Two different worlds and two very different lives collide in Paris in this captivating novel by Danielle Steel.

Joachim von Hartmann was born and raised in Buenos Aires by his loving German mother, inseparable from his identical twin. When Joachim moves to Paris with his mother in his late teens, his twin stays behind and enters a dark world. Meanwhile, Joachim begins training to be a butler, fascinated by the precision and intense demands, and goes on to work in some of the grandest homes in England. His brother never reappears.
Olivia White has given ten years of her life to her magazine, which failed, taking all her dreams with it. A bequest from her mother allows her a year in Paris to reinvent herself. She needs help setting up a home in a charming Parisian apartment. It is then that her path and Joachim’s cross.
Joachim takes a job working for Olivia as a lark and enjoys the whimsy of a different life for a few weeks, which turn to months as the unlikely employer and employee learn they enjoy working side by side. At the same time, Joachim discovers the family history he never knew: a criminal grandfather who died in prison, the wealthy father who abandoned him, and the dangerous criminal his twin has become. While Olivia struggles to put her life back together, Joachim’s comes apart.Stripped of their old roles, they strive to discover the truth about each other and themselves, first as employer and employee, then as friends. Their paths no longer sure, they are a man and woman who reach a place where the past doesn’t matter and only what they are living now is true.
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6m

a set of twins... one turns toward the "good live" whereas the other turns toward a life of crime. This story tells the history of Joachim and his choices in life, and brings in a little story of Javier and his poor choices. I did enjoyed the bit of historical fiction brought into the story by the means of stolen art work. I also enjoyed this, as the characters were believable and relatable.

This was a interesting read about a guy.
Javier and his twin Joachim were born in Argentina. They had a rough upbringing. Their mom decides to move to Paris. Javier the rougher of the two stays behind. Joachim can’t decide what he wants to do in life. On a whim sees an ad for butler school. That starts his adult journey. Until he is no longer needed. He moves back with his mom. Instead of getting a new butler job he is a Jack of all trades and helps Olivia. Throw in several twist and turns, and you have a good little sadness and sorrow and a love story all in one.

I love Danielle Steele she never disappoints and this was no exception. I read this in one setting. I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down once I'd started. Definitely one to read again.

It’s not every day that my wish is granted at NetGalley and I believe this is the only 2nd time this has happened in the 6 years I’ve been with NetGalley. So when this latest book by Danielle Steel popped up for me, I was more than excited. It’s my 39th book by DS. Another great book by her. Twin brothers Joachim and Javier are so different. Joachim and his mother move from Argentina to London, leaving Javier behind. Joachim goes to butler school and later becomes a butler for a prominent family. Later he moves to Paris where he meets Olivia. I loved Olivia. I loved them as a “team”. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

As usual, another winner from Ms. Steel! A story of two scarred people finding the courage to put their past behind them and accept and embrace the love that was meant for them all along. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait until her next one is available!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

I haven't read Danielle Steels book in some time. It was a pleasant surprise.
Very interesting drama story.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Joachim at the age of seventeen moves to France with his mom and step father. His twin stays decides to stay with his friends family. Joachim wasn't sure what he wanted to do after high school. Several years later he decided to go to school to become a butler. After working for many years ge decides to spend more time with his mom. He later finds a job with Olivia who hasn't had an easy life. This book was an enjoyable read.

Joachim and Javier were twins, born in Argentina to a single mother (they were told that their father was dead). Years later, their mother referred to them as modern day Cain and Abel, and she wasn't far from the mark! Joachim was the "good twin", the one who later became "The Butler", while Javier took an evil path.

The story will draw you in and hold your attention, and, like me, and like so many of Danielle Steel's previous books, you probably won't want it to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

This novel focuses on a modern day out of work butler that takes a job as an assistant to a 40ish woman. He helps her move into a Parisian apartment. The sad truth is that while the main plot was rather boring and plodding, this book could have focused on the life of the butler's mother and been much, much more engaging and interesting. As it was, it was just another pale imitation of a story without enough meat to make it juicy and interesting.

I didn't make it very far into this one -- the first several pages were all "telling" and no "showing" -- isn't that like basic writing advice?

Danielle Steel takes you into the life of a butler with his own baggage. A truly enjoyable tale from a unique perspective. It’s rare she uses a male narrator, if this is the outcome she should do it more often.

A modern day Cain and Abel story mixed with Downton Abbey, Danielle Steel pens a tale filled with adventure and finding love in the midst of heartache. Liese von Hartmann provided her twin sons love and stability despite difficult circumstances. While Joachim was content without having riches, Javier felt resentful..

When darkness takes over Javier's life, the brothers are distanced not only by location but in life decisions.. Struggling to make piece with his brother's defection, Joachim forges a new life for himself. Becoming a butler, he helps others clean up their lives not realizing that he's glossing over his own sadness.

Taking a job near his aging mother, Joachim returns to Paris and begins working for Olivia White. Running from her past, she escapes to Paris for a new beginning. Offered the opportunity to remodel a chateau, the project forges a restoration of Olivia and Joachim's dreams. Will they leave their pasts behind or forever be stuck in their concrete views of the world?

Thank you to #NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the early edition of #TheButler in exchange for an honest review. From the first chapter, I knew this would differ from Steel's historical fiction or romance titles. I didn't have a clear direction of where the story was headed until Joachim commenced working with Olivia, Readers will delight in their friendship and fortitude by overcoming obstacles.

I enjoyed the read and fans will fall in love with Joachim, Olivia and their arresting adventures. Danielle Steel continues to 'usher' in charismatic characters.

The Butler by Danielle Steel. Heartwarming and enchanting love story. Joachim is a sensitive and empathic hero. Olivia is more pragmatic and not as reliable. Refreshing to read a story that leaves you feeling happy and content with the outcome.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

When Olivia decided to leave New York for Paris, her life transformed from gray to Technicolor. She chose to live rather than committing herself only to those things that she could not form personal attachments to. Joachim was similar in his behaviour but at least he showed more emotion in his interactions with his mother and what he was willing to give up for Javier. They both grew together and realized what is important. In doing so, it was really the true testament that love does make each person stronger together.

Over the past few years, I have enjoyed Danielle Steel’s books – some more than others. “The Butler” is one of her best, along with “Neighbors” and “Finding Ashley.” What distinguishes this offering from other books by this prolific storyteller is the introduction of two strong protagonists – one male and one female.

Joachim von Hartmann is The Butler. Born into a life of privilege in Argentina, his life takes an abrupt turn when he, his identical twin brother, Javier, and his mother are forced into poverty. It becomes apparent that despite the love he has for his brother, Javier is destined to pursue a life in the shadows, falling in with the wrong company and eventually crossing over into the illegal drug trade. At seventeen, Joachim relocates to Paris with his mother and his new stepfather and after a few years of struggling with his academic studies, he decides to enroll in a British program to train butlers. Joachim finds success and satisfaction in this unlikely career until his long-time employers die and he is no longer needed. At loose ends, he travels to Paris to spend time with his elderly mother.

Olivia White arrives in Paris after shuttering her business of ten years – a once successful and highly regarded decorator magazine. Her failed business, coupled with her mother’s death, has left her adrift and unclear what she wants to do with her life. Lacking the language skills to negotiate in French, Olivia seeks to hire an assistant to help her set up her apartment. With mutual skepticism, Olivia and Joachim meet through a local agency and agree to a trial period of employment. Much to their surprise, it is a good match of complementary skills and interests that leads to a friendship and more.

This was a quick and easy read that held my interest from the first chapter. I thought the characters were well developed, likeable and relatable. Both Olivia and Joachim grew up without fathers; one had a weak, self-centered mother, the other a strong and courageous one. These childhood experiences where further amplified by the discovery of long-held family secrets. Consequently, both were averse to commitment in relationships and devoted themselves to their careers at the expense of a balanced life. Their redemption comes at middle age in reevaluating their choices and choosing to take risks.

Some of the elements of the story stretched the limits of credibility, but this is a work of fiction and is highly entertaining. The only drawback I experienced was the author’s tendency to repeat background information, but thankfully this was at a minimum in this book.

My thanks to the author, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

After years of struggling to find his life’s path, Joachim von Hartmann sees an ad for training to become a butler. He loves his life and career until one day his job is finished.
Oliva White has seen her mother dedicated her life to a married man and is eventually left with nothing. Oliva vows not to follow her mother’s path. She dedicates her life to her magazine. Soon her mother’s health is failing along with the magazine. As this chapter in her life ends, she decides to move to Paris for a year to decide what to do with the rest of her life.
Olivia and Joachim met through a temp agent. Olivia employees Joachim and starts an unusual journey. Family secrets are slowly revealed in both of their lives and through this a friendship is formed then torn apart as Joachim tries to protect her from his family secrets.
The book was different from many of Danielle Steel prior novels. The Butler allows the reader to follow both Joachim and Olivia’s stories. There were many unexpected twists combined with twist that I was expecting in the beginning of the book that did not happen until much later in the story.
There was a lot of repetition in the book that became frustrating to me. I kept thinking I already read this many times throughout the book. The introduction of Olivia had some confusing sentences that I had to read carefully to understand who Olivia was. Her name was just kind of thrown in a sentence before explaining who she was.
I enjoyed the book and the history that was included. The news on May 4, 2021 has an article of an Expressionist painting estimated to be worth $18 million that was returned to the heirs of its original Jewish owner. The detainment situation at an airport led me to wonder how often this happens. Thank you Danielle Steel, Random House Publishing Group Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.