The message: don't let history repeat itself! I absolutely loved this brilliantly written historical fiction novel by Kristin Harmel - one of the best historical fiction writers I've ever come across. Family, parenting during strife, and a mother's love. What could be better?! This author does her homework - delving into true history to spin a positive and poignant portrayal of a time very few of us have actual knowledge of. Highly recommend.

Kristin Harmel is a go to author for me! I love the way she writes historical fiction so I was very excited to be approved for her newest book. Her research and character development are always we done. France…1936…Elise and Juliette are both American women married to Frenchmen. Elise and her husband are both artists while Juliette and her husband own a bookstore. The women become friends because of their children. Life changing decisions will be made after the Germans invade France and a bomb that is dropped in the wrong place will forever change so many lives. New York..1960…Juliette now owns a bookstore in NY and people from her past begin to return to her life and difficult decisions will need to be made. This is a book of resilience, family love, mother/ daughter relationships, sadness and so many other emotions!! This book had me crying but also turning the pages quickly to find out what would happen next.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this arc

A rare 5 stars for this book. I have now read almost all of her books, and plan to read the ones I haven't soon. After The Forest of Vanishing Stars, and The Book of Lost names ( and those who have read that one will be happy to see some characters here) I didn't think I could like another book more, but she has surpassed herself. Usually I read a book straight through,but this book was a little more emotionally difficult, so I took a few breaks. But finally today, I couldn't wait to find out if I was right about a plot point, so I read until I finished. (I was right and the ending made me very happy.) Some of you have WWII fatigue and I understand that, but the reality of today, especially with the war in Ukraine, we must realize that it is important to know history.
However, there is so much more to be learned in this book, as there is much discussion about art, particularly wood carving. Life in pre war Paris, the resistance, owning a bookstore, saving Jewish children, what mothers.will endure to save their children and much more.
This is a beautiful written,heart wrenching story and though I was emotionally wrung out, I was also relieved and happy. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this Advanced Readers copy. I will certainly recommend this to may many book clubs when it is published.

Oh my goodness! I hate when life gets in the way and I don't have time to read. It took me two weeks to read this book. All I can say is, it was worth the wait! Although, when I finally found some uninterrupted time, there was no way that I could put it down. The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel is at once poignantly gripping, sad, beautiful, and joyful. It is a testament to the capacity of love that we have as humans. And to the ability we possess to hurt those that we love the most. It is the story of two dear friends: Juliette and Elise. They are both young mothers in Paris at the start of WWII. Due to her husband's political leanings, Elise is faced with a terrible choice. She can stay or she can hide. But if she hides, she must leave her daughter or they will both die. She trusts Juliette with her most precious daughter, asking her to protect her as her own. But tragedy strikes Juliette too, destroying the world as she knows it.
When the war ends and Elise returns to find Juliette and her daughter, her world is shattered. Twenty years later she and Juliette are both clinging to the past in very different ways and across the world from each other. But, the past has a way of finding us exactly where we are. And in our lives, love and hope and faith are all entwined, as we see in this compelling novel. If you love historical fiction, you won't want to miss this! Read it now!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This book follows two female friends and how they both dealt with what WWII took from them. Grief and survival are important themes in this book. Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy! Sometimes the people you trust may be the ones that betray you 🥲

I am a big fan of Kristin Harmel, The Winemaker's Wife is one of my favorite books. This story took me a bit to get into and I won't reveal the twist, but I did see it coming so I didn't feel as drawn into the story as I usually do. It was overall an enjoyable historical novel, but it left me wanting a bit more.

I loved, loved, loved this book. Everything about it. It had me from page one and didn't let go. I really enjoyed the WWII and current day setting with real events that were very well researched and weaved throughout the book. It added reality to a story that was part of someone's imagination. I liked the characters and some surprised me throughout the book for good and for bad as Harmel developed their stories. The Paris setting mixed with the art scene was very interesting. I liked learning a bit about wood carving. That was a bit unexpected. The only thing I wanted at the end was a good epilogue. Harmel eludes to some things that could develop after the story ends but I kind of wanted to read it but that is me being selfish. Overall, a great read.

Kristin Harmel is a lovely writer. This book held my attention and is well-researched. The story was a good one, but I felt as if I knew exactly what was going to happen, so no surprises for the reader or guessing (which is what I enjoy.)

Kristin Harmel is known for her ability to create captivating worlds of characters and places that keep readers entranced until the very end. In "The Paris Daughter," she weaves a story that encompasses themes of love, friendship, loss, grief, pain, artistry, and hope.

Harmel's attention to detail and her ability to blend fact and fiction create a vivid and compelling narrative. She adds an author's note to the book, sharing how she drew inspiration from real places and historical disasters in both France and New York City. Harmel takes great care to ensure historical accuracy while turning real history into a fictional story, which is something that readers can appreciate and respect.

The novel's themes of friendship, Paris, artists, libraries, and family will resonate with a wide range of readers. Harmel masterfully weaves these elements into a cohesive and compelling story that readers won't be able to put down. Overall, "The Paris Daughter" is an excellent recommendation for anyone who enjoys a gripping story that is both emotionally moving and historically accurate.

A poignant, emotional and devastating story about 2 mothers and their children in wartime and what one does for that love. It's also suspenseful and sad but also heart-warming.

“Under these stars, fate will guide you home”.

What a wonderful, emotional rollercoaster of a story by Kristin Harmel. There were moments where I almost didn’t finish the book because the story was so sad. The descriptions were quite graphic, terrifying and depressing. I’m glad I powered through though because the end had tears of joy streaming down my face. Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy of the book.

What would you do to protect your child? In The Paris Daughter, by Kristin Harmel, Elise must decide to leave her daughter in order to save her. It is Paris in 1939 and Elise and Juliette become friend's in Juliette's lovely bookstore. They do not see the future war coming to them and how it could change their lives. When Elise becomes a target for the Germans, she decides to entrust her daughter with Juliette and her family, hoping the Germans will not notice one more child. She travels to the countryside in hiding. When the war is finally ending, Elise returns to the bookstore to find it demolished by war. There is no sign of Juliette and her daughter. She seeks to find out what has happened to them: Is her daughter alive? Or is the young girl that survived Elise's daughter?
Kristin Harmel is a brilliant storyteller and I would highly recommend this novel to historical fiction lovers.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy of this book to read and review! Historical Fiction lovers, have this book on your radar for when it publishes on June 6th!

Fate brings Elise and Juliette together one sunny afternoon in Paris. As the Nazi's begin to take over, each woman must make choices that will forever bond them together.

This book is a love letter to motherhood. It asks questions like, "how far would you go to protect your children?" I spent a lot of my time reading this one while holding my youngest, who is currently four months old. Parts of this book made me weep and hold him extra tight. I cannot imagine making the choices Elise and Juliette made, yet there are mothers in Ukraine probably making similar choices right now. Kristin Harmel writes a compelling narrative that will really make you think about others and their choices in a way you may not have considered previously. If you've liked her previous books, I'd definitely recommend this one.

CW: gaslighting, war stories, labor/delivery, death, antisemitism

The Paris Daughter
by Kristin Harmel
Pub Date: June 6, 2023
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Harmel has become one of my favorite authors. Her historical fiction is always top notch and well researched.
I highly recommend this book. This is a story of emotion, action, suspense, mystery and a few more surprised along the way,
This is one you will not want to miss.
What a beautiful book about a mother's love and the power of art to heal.
5 stars

This was an interesting Holocaust story, different in many ways from other books that cover this topic. Told from the perspective of three different mothers, Kristin Harmel truly captures the agony of the effects of war on families. During WWII, children were separated from their parents to protect them from the Germans. This novel is about three different families, two mothers who had to either send or leave their children to be cared for by others; a third mother who was able to keep her children with her with but suffered serious consequences.

I found the ending someone predictable, however, I did enjoy this author's use of language and comprehensive study of the history of the time.

Kristin Harmel has become one of my favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint. I can’t imagine living through a fraction of the utter devastation that these either of these women faced in their lives. Without giving away any spoilers, I really loved the message of forgiveness and understanding in this book.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

This is a touching story about 2 women during WW II. It was wonderful story with strong characters. Definitely a must read.

What would you do to save your child? That it the theme that runs through this novel. In Nazi-occupied Paris, three women must make agonizing choices in order to try and keep their children safe and alive. Ruth Levy sends her children away. Elise LeClair begs her friend, Juliette Foulon, to shelter her daughter, Mathilde, while she runs for her life. Juliette reluctantly agrees, because her daughter, Lucie, is the other child’s best friend. But deep inside, Juliette judges Elise’s choice harshly. When tragedy strikes, only one of the little girls survives. But which one? Years later their lives intersect again in New York, and they must deal with the consequences of their choices
This book is about love, sacrifice, survival, and debilitating grief. I didn’t care for Juliette, and suspected what was coming, but as the truth was slowly revealed, even more surprises were in store. For fans of historical fiction, this book is a gem.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of Kristin Harmel's newest work.

I love Kristin Harmel's books and this one didn't disappoint. Like many of her books, much of this is set in World War II France, but I loved how the story unraveled and though some might find the connections in America a little too neat, I enjoyed it, and have recommended it to several others already.

Once again Kristin Harmel does not disappoint! A story of friendship and love among women and their children. Elise and Juliette become fast friends during their pregnancies. The war rips their families and friendships apart. Juliette moves from Paris back to New York. They each felt they were forced to make decisions they did not want to live with. Ruth was also forced to make a life altering choice and was able to bring them together to discover each of their strengths. I was happy for the frigid temperatures to keep me in reading a 5 star ⭐️ historical fiction. Thank you Net Galley!