Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin is an emotional look at the effects of war for the Americans who were living in Paris at the time of the German occupation during World War II. Lucie is an American ballerina at the Paris Ballet when the Germans come. Her very good friends, who had allowed her to stay with them while she attended school at the ballet, are Jewish and will have to leave the country, leaving their beloved bookstore behind. When Lucie offers to purchase the store, they are free to leave the country to find safety. However, she has never had a mind for business. She does, however, have a love for books and people. One of the people that she meets is Paul. He is also an American, a businessman who builds cars that the German military buys, and seems to be a collaborator. But, all is not as it seems. When Lucie begins helping the Resistance, she also discovers that Paul is doing the same, and they find more than attraction between them. However, they must pretend to be nothing to each other so that they aren't discovered and don't ruin any of the resistance work they are doing. When America and Germany go to war, they must find a way out of France and to their future together. This is only my second book by Sundin, but I truly enjoyed it. I love historical WWII fiction and I am glad to find authors who write clean fiction and embrace the hope of the Lord in their stories. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review the book. All opinions are my own.

This book was fabulous from start to finish! I was hooked from the very beginning, and my interest never waned; I was just captivated by everything, from the terrific characters to the plot to the historical details. Everything about it just drew me in! I really liked seeing the contrast between serious, business-minded Paul and artsy, creative Lucie and how they complimented each other. I adored sweet Josie and her stories. I am not a book-crier--I just don't cry when reading books very often at all--but this one got me! I was just invested in the story and the characters who felt so real.
This book is easily one of my picks for the best books of 2022 and the one I've enjoyed most so far this year.
5 stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Until Leaves Fall in Paris
by Sarah Sundin
Pub Date 01 Feb 2022 | Archive Date 01 Mar 2022
Revell
Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance


I am reviewing a copy of Until Leaves Fall In Paris through Revell and Netgalley:


American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. This as the Nazis march toward Paris in 1940. Lucie struggles to run Green Leaf Books due to oppressive German laws and harsh conditions, but she finds a way to aid the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.




Paul Aubrey Is a widower who wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. After they meet in the bookstore, Paul and Lucie are drawn to each other, but she rejects him when she discovers he sells to the Germans. And for Paul to win her trust would mean betraying his mission.



I give Until the Leaves Fall In Paris five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Such a fabulous read! I usually read for a couple of hours before going to sleep, to relax. Not with this book! It's breath taking and so very hard to put down, especially as the story builds. It's 1940 Paris where Lucie is in the ballet. Born American, she is staying with friends of her family, had been for years, studying ballet, living above their American bookstore. Then the occupying Germans made the Jews leave. The family friends were Jews. So Lucie bought the bookstore from them and left the ballet to run it. Paul is also an American, their family making luxury automobiles, but forced by the Germans to convert their factory to making trucks. Both have to adjust their way of life as the Germans cut back and restrict everything. Their loyalty to America, ideals and the people around them, plus being willing to sacrifice themselves to help defeat the Germans is basically the same. But they don't know it, until little by little. A huge last quarter of the book will leave you breathless and unable to put it down. When you try you can almost feel the action and danger pulsing, waiting to be picked up again. Such torture! But if you're like me you wouldn't have it any other way. As always a fabulous author, this is amazing Sarah!
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#UntilLeavesFallinParis #NetGalley.

Having just finished Sarah Sundin’s Until Leaves Fall in Paris, I must say that I think it is one of her best books yet. Set during the onset of World War 2 in occupied France, Sundin has created a story of depth, of intrigue, and of courage. The incredible bravery of those men and women who fought against Nazi tyranny both overtly and covertly, in spite of the severe consequences, was illuminated within the pages of this book, inspiring and challenging every step of the way. I could hardly put the book down.

Sundin has succeeded in putting flesh on a period of history that was fraught with danger but also with hope. My heart and mind were moved by the story, and I will continue to dwell on its message for days to come.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

DAZZLING!

Award-winning author Sarah Sundin is one of the most important and accomplished voices in writing WWII historical war romances. Her novels are based on meticulous research, have substantial, realistic plots, and are filled with characters that come alive and live in your mind long after you have finished reading the last word. Her latest release, Until Leaves Fall in Paris, is another DAZZLING example of her excellence in sharing a story. This story is set in 1940 as the Nazis continue their march to Paris. Sundin shares the lives of American ballerina Lucie Girard and widower Paul Aubrey, an industrial engineer factory owner and his precious little girl, Josie. Lucie is struggling to keep her beloved Green Leaf Books (English language bookshop) open. Paul is struggling with being a single parent as well as not letting his company be taken over by the Nazis. Each of them wants to be a part of the resistance but the risks are enormous. Lucie decides to allow her Bookshop to be used clandestinely and Paul agrees to work with the US Army through his factory. During these perilous times, the children seem more vulnerable than ever before. Lucie and Paul have met and it becomes clear that they are kindred spirits but they live in fear of being able to trust anyone for any reason. Lucie begins The Children's Hour where she reads stories, has a puppet show and play games with the children. This hour proves to be a turning point in the lives of Josie, Lucie and Paul. Lucie can incorporate her creative gifts of writing, dance, drama, and her compassionate spirit to guide Josie’s own story from the darkness of life. Sundin paints exquisite word pictures to describe the growing relationships between these three characters and it is a beautiful and reverential telling. Sundin will leave readers dazzled with this story!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

This was so good!
I love the way Sarah Sundin writes WW2.
She has that ability to pull you into the lives of people who lived this period of history.
I loved how the tension in the story kept me wondering what was going to happen next. The romance is one of my favorite from her!
It had the action, and the suspense that kept me flipping through the pages.
And that ending left me so satisfied!
A very happy reader!
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally. All opinions in this review are honest and completely my own.

Until Leaves Fall in Paris is the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last! It was beautifully written and captured me immediately.

I've read a lot of WWII books and I appreciated the different perspectives that Ms. Sundin gave us in this book. A lot of the books I've read are from a "locals" POV. This book is about two Americans living in Paris before America entered the war. It's interesting to see how they were treated differently than those born in Paris.

The author does an amazing job of weaving a tale of sorrow, hope, and love during the unsettled times of war. The characters are well-developed and real. You can feel their struggles as they have to battle with always having to look over their shoulders, always having to take care of your words and actions, and who you keep company with.

While this seems to be the second book in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I plan on going back and reading the first book now as the characters from that book are briefly mentioned in this one.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for offering a copy of this book for my honest opinion and feedback.

Until Leaves Fall in Paris is a page turner. A book I was happy to stay up late to read. A historical story that took me on a journey through time. I really enjoyed the charming characters and story. Highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Sarah Sundin.

I have been a fan of Sarah Sundin's for some time, but this is by far her best book yet! I am sure my husband is tired of hearing about these characters, but I just had to talk to someone about them, someone who wouldn't object to spoilers. Lucie, a ballerina turned book shop owner; Paul, an engineer and automobile factory owner; and Josie, a creative storyteller and four-year-old, all seem so real as they strive to remain faithful to God, France, America, and one another while surviving in Paris during the occupation. Readers will be compelled to remain in the story, fully engaged, as they follow these characters through dangerous times, and while being led to consider what their own choices might be under similar circumstances.

I most highly recommend Until Leaves Fall in Paris and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Until Leaves Fall in Paris is a historical WWII novel. At first, the book was slow and there was not as much suspense and adventure, and more romance than in most books set in this time frame. But things picked up and during the end, this book kept me turning pages. Thanks to author Sarah Sundin. publisher Revell, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.

Paul, an American widower with a young daughter, wanted to leave Paris in the early days of the war, but was persuaded by the US army to stay because of the intelligence he could get for them in his position as an auto manufacturer. But to do this, he must be seen as a collaborator - understandably unpopular among fellow Americans in Paris. Lucie has always wanted to be a ballerina, and danced with the Paris Opera Ballet for years until leaving to help her Jewish friends by buying their bookshop, which she's always loved. When a new customer, complete with delightful young daughter, comes in, she's attracted to him - until she discovers at church that he's a collaborator! Of course, the two are so different, he brilliant, rich and 'in society', she creative, poor and with only a basic education, that there could never be anything between them anyway, could there? As each works to resist Germany in any way they can, will they escape alive? And can two such different people have a future together even if they do escape?

I think this might be my favourite book by the author to date. Not only does she bring to life the effects of war and the German invasion on Americans in Paris, she also takes two characters who are likeable but fixed in their opposing ways and uses each to show the other a wider, richer view of life - the two sides of a leaf. The resistance work each did was also interesting, and added some good suspense throughout, but particularly towards the end. All in all, with characters one quickly comes to care for (including a delightful young girl bent on matchmaking), an inspiring message, an intriguing setting, an expertly woven plot and more than a hint of suspense, what more could one want? Highly recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

I enjoyed Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin. The characters were well developed and the storyline was believable. The storyline gave us fear, love, anticipation, and suspense. Everything a good novel should have. I thought the book was a bit long and would have been just as wonderful condensed in a few areas. It was a great book and I would recommend it. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars.

Until Leaves Fall in Paris is historical fiction from the WW II era, with romance thrown in. Sarah Sundlin is a gifted storyteller, but this was not one of my favorites.

I received a copy from the publisher and Net Galley. The opinions are my own.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. I was put off by the unusually formal dialogue and descriptions. I found the main character, Lucie, very one dimensional, and spent a large part of the book wishing someone else was the lead. The plot was slow moving to the point of boredom. For a large part of the book, the characters weren’t in any real danger. The dialogue between Lucie and Paul focused on the most inane topics, and even though this was an enemies to lovers story line, it was difficult for me to understand how they felt about each other at any given time.

#BookReview: UNTIL LEAVES FALL IN PARIS by Sarah Sundin

“Nothing of any worth lies on the easy path.”

If you have read When Twilight Breaks, this story occurred after that. It’s nice to read Paul’s story. I truly enjoyed these books. They can be read as a standalone.

This book took me on a journey into the lives of foreigners and French alike during the onset of German occupation in 1940 Paris. Fear, uncertainty, hunger and chaos were prevalent. Paul, a single dad, had to make hard decisions for his auto factory.. Lucie, a ballerina, bought a bookstore to help her friends. Options were limited but their conscience led them to make risky choices that aligned with their beliefs.

A story set in a bookstore made my bookish heart happy. Paul and Lucie met there. The romance was kept a secret but with sweet moments that left my heart melting. Josie was cute as well as her stories. I love these characters and I was invested in their lives. I kept reading because I wanted them to have a HEA. It was not an easy path but they had faith and hope. I cried and laughed with them.

This is a slow burn story with the inclusion of many historical details. The emergence of the resistance groups was interesting. People did different things to survive during these uncertain times. It was sad.

This book is full of quotable lines. I really enjoyed reading Paul and Lucie’s story. Love it. I look forward to more books by the author.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub date: 01 Feb 2022

Thank you Revell for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

#netgalley

Set during World War II, this story will be hard for readers to put down. The author weaves the lives of Lucie, a ballerina/bookshop owner and Paul, an automobile factory owner together beautifully. The story gives a different insight into life in Paris during the war. The effort and determination to survive and thwart the enemy is amazing. Loved four year old Josie, her imagination and insight into the German occupation. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction.

Another stunning WWII book from Sundin.

This book had such a fabulous setting in wartorn Paris and the characters were so unique. I truly loved how she used two Americans who chose to stay in Paris as the couple. I loved that Lucie owned a bookstore and Paul owned a automobile manufacturing plant. It was such a great combination.

The espionage, intrigue, secrets, and the like were so well done. I was so sucked into the book that it flew by even though it was long. The tension kept me on the edge of my seat too.

I loved the passion between Paul and Lucie, but truly Josie stole the show. I was so thrilled how everything played out in the book.

If you love WWII historicals you won't want to miss this one.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review

Eccentric American ballerina, Lucie Girard, has lived in Paris since her childhood. Out of a love for the city and her friends, she buys a local bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape while the Nazi regime occupies France. Meanwhile, Paul Aubrey has his successful automobile factory requisitioned for German use. Both Lucie and Paul have opportunities to stealthily join resistance causes, endangering their lives and the ones they love. When their paths cross, they must carefully navigate their growing feelings towards each other and their sense of duty to undermine Nazi Germany.

This novel fully captured my attention and left me wanting to turn pages past my bedtime. It was well paced for the most part, although I feel the intense ending could have been more detailed. I enjoyed the clean and sweet romance that budded between Paul and Lucie. I shed tears and smiled throughout, particularly enjoying Josie's character. As a fellow lover of books, I felt a strong connection to Lucie's fears and dreams. Full of tragedy, suspense, and forbidden romance, Sarah Sundin writes a lovely historical fiction that will capture your heart.

This book has an interesting historical context as it is told from the viewpoint of Americans living in Paris at the start of the second World War. As some return home to the USA and others stay, life becomes increasingly difficult for those remaining in their adopted country. Part of the jeopardy of the story is that we know when the attack on Pearl Harbour will happen, and that life for Americans in occupied France will become impossible. The alternatives are to flee or risk internment.

Against this background we have romance, resistance and reprisals. A good read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.