Kristin Harmel's new novel is an intense story of two women's lives before, during, and after World War II. Elise and Juliette are Americans married to French men and living in Paris in the 1930s. Elise is forced to flee German-occupied Paris as the war peaks and is advised to leave her little daughter, Mathilde, with Juliette, who has three children of her own and a bookstore to manage. The Resistance advisors say that the Germans will easily catch Elise if she is with her daughter. Reluctantly and deeply sorry, she entrusts her daughter with her dear friend. Juliette doesn't feel she can deny shelter to her best friend's daughter, so the pact is made, and both women hope it will be safe in a few months.

The war wasn't over for another two years, and the story moves on to the sad fact that Elise cannot find the family that took in Mathilde. The POV chapters articulate each woman's pain, sorrow, regret, and anger. The novel's second half is full of surprises, and the tension builds for the mothers. I was glued to the book for the resolution but also to try understanding the deeply seeded feelings of all involved in the war. It affected families as horrifically as it did the soldiers on the front. KH has written a unique historical novel about warfare and all its damage.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

4.75 stars ⭐️ Gripping, heartbreaking and captivating doesn’t even begin to explain The Paris Daughter. From the moment I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Kristin Harmel has a way with her historical fiction works that captivates you so completely that you don’t even want to come up for air until it’s over, and even then, you always want to know more of the story. In my opinion, the only fault of The Paris Daughter is that it lacked the epilogue my heart needed. Harmel does it again with another beautiful, heart-pounding WWII era historical fiction novel that you won’t soon forget.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely had to read another book by the fabulous Kristin Harmel. This story of resilience, tragedy, and the mother-daughter bond was absolutely breathless. If you think you're done with WWII novels, think again. This is so much more.

The story starts with a friendship between two women in Paris who give birth to daughters around the same time. WWII is about to begin, and the people of Paris are facing tough decisions; decisions that will mean life or death.

Fast forward to New York City in 1960: the characters have changed, but the past haunts them. I cannot provide any further details at the risk of spoiling this treasure of a novel. It comes to a satisfying and beautiful conclusion that conjures up all sorts of emotions. Thank you Ms. Harmel, NetGalley, and the publisher for the privilege or reading this novel!

5 enormous stars!!! Kristin Harmel is one of my favorite authors and her latest novel is the perfect example of why! The Paris Daughter is a deeply emotional novel that is set during WWII in Paris. Kristin Harmel brilliantly combines the historical fiction, women’s fiction and even the mystery genres together to create a novel that will absolutely stay with you! I love when a novel makes me feel like I went on a journey while reading and Kristin Harmel came through big time with this gem! The characters are well developed and extremely memorable. Sometimes I find historical fiction novels can be a little slower, but I found The Paris Daughter to be the opposite- the storyline is so fantastic that I finished in record time! Once you finish this epic novel make sure you read the Author’s Note- wow, have tissues on hand! The Paris Daughter is one of my top favorite reads this year and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel is a beautiful love story to mothers and daughters. During WWII we know that many families were separated by choice. Children were sent away to safety in the hopes that they would survive and one day be reunited with their loved ones. This story is definitely emotionally charged when two women must make this difficult decision and another woman must deal with a devastating loss.
With the ensuing German invasion of France this story begins with two American women who become fast friends and their children become friends too. Both married to Parisian men, they adjust to their lives in the beautiful Bois de Boulogne.

We are introduced to Elise and Juliette. Elise is an artist married to an artist. Her artist husband becomes politically involved and this brings a danger to their family.

Juliette and her husband Paul own a quiet little bookshop aptly names Librairie des Rêves (Library of Dreams). They have three small children and a picture-perfect life.

The story of these two women’s friendship and the difficult heart wrenching decision they must make just to try to stay alive is wonderful storytelling. Their promise to each other, that they would care for each other's children if something happened, is central to this story.

Because of Elise’s husband’s involvement with communism, she and her daughter, Mathilde, are in grave danger. Elise must leave and turns to her friend Juliette to take Mathilde, and keep her safe until she can return. The children are already all friends so of course Juliette is happy to bring Mathilde into her home.
All is well, until one day in 1943, Allied forces drop bombs intending to destroy the Renault Factory occupied by Germans (this really happened). But surrounding buildings were leveled because of an inaccuracy. (I looked up this disaster, and the pictures are very haunting). This changes everything for Juliette and her family.

Anyone who has ever read a book by Kristin Harmel knows how she can create this world of characters and places and keep you entranced until the very end. She weaves this story of love, friendship, loss, grief and pain along with artistry and hope.
She adds in her Author’s Note how she created this story adding real places and real disasters in both France and New York City. She states that she cares about accuracy and loves the idea of turning real history into fiction. I always look forward to her 'Author's Note' in her books.
I will recommend this book to anyone who loves a story of friendship, Paris, artists, libraries and family.

5 stars!!! Do not pass on this one! Whew, I am going to begin by telling you a little bit about the book. This will show you two women that are expecting babies near the same time. WWII is about to break out and one woman is in love with a man on the wrong side of the Germans, and the other is just trying to mind her bookshop with her family. Elise, is a hunted woman, as the Germans are seeking her and she knows that will mean death, so she makes the ultimate sacrifice to give up her child in hopes she will live. She finds her bookshop-owning friend, Juliette, and asks her to take on her child. Juliette has children of her own, but will gladly take a child that she views as not wanted by her mother.

Fast forward to the end of the war and both of the women's lives have changed, but what has happened to the children? Oh, I can't spoil this for you, but I hope you have become interested because there is most of the book left. There are many times when my heart was on the floor with emotion. I will also add that this book is hard to put down so plan accordingly.

I just finished the Paris Daughter and I am overwhelmed with emotion. Tears are streaming down my face. I lived this book as I read it. I heard the bombs, I felt the pain, the despair, the fear and the guilt. The Paris Daughter will stay with me a long time. I will reread it, and I will purchase for gifts for family and friends. It is a stunning masterpiece of historical fiction!

Juliette, a Young mother who owns a bookshop with her husband, befriends Elisa, a Young American artist who has married a famous French painter. As war approaches the women become friends and make a pact to take care of each other's children if anything should happen to them. This becomes necessary when Elisa is forced to go into hiding because of her husband's political activities. As the war advances and Paris is being bombed, tragedy falls on Juliette's family. The war ends and years pass when the two women re-unite. Long ago hurts and secrets are revealed.
Kristen Harmel is a master of historical fiction with a deep compassion for those affected by war and an impeccable researcher.
This story strikes a chord with all mothers who must make hard decisions affecting their children and how best to protect the children during wartime.

This is my 3rd book by author, Kristin Harmel, and she has become one of my favorite authors! Her books are always fantastic and this one is the best thus far. This story will grab you from page 1 and won't let go even after you finish it. It will pull on your momma heartstrings as you become a part of the lives of Elise and Juliette. It is based on true events that took place during WWII and the strength of what ordinary people had to endure. Parents had to make unthinkable decisions to give up their children in order that the children would survive in hopes that they would be reunited after the war.

Elise LeClair and Juliette Foulon were young American wives of husbands that were Parisian, both living in Paris during the German invasion. They met by chance and quickly became like family to each other. They had to make decisions to keep their children safe. They made a promise that they would care for each other's children if something happened to the other. Elise's husband was very involved in communism. Elise was wrongly charged for her husband's actions and had to flee Paris, but could not take her daughter, Mathilde, so she left her with the Foulon family. They promised to care for her until she could return.

In 1943, the U.S. Air Force dropped bombs intending to destroy the Renault Factory (this really happened). In real time, 650 bombs dropped and only 41% hit their targets. 327 civilians died and more than 500 were injured as a result. Many families were at home on this day. In this story, the Foulons were at their home/bookshop they owned. Their shop was destroyed. What happened to the family?

Fast forward after the war when Elise returns to reunite with her daughter, Mathilde, to discover the rubble of the Foulon's bookshop. The Foulons are gone and she is not able to trace their whereabouts. Will she ever find them and her daughter?

Harmel brings out so much researched detail bringing each character to life. It is a story of pain, emotion, love, friendship, resilence, and a mother's love for her children! Such an unforgettable story!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery books for an ARC of this digital book in exchange for an honest review. It was excellent and I highly recommend it. #TheParisDaughter #NetGalley

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel is a captivating historical novel. War touches all people's lives whether they are fighting or surviving. This novel begins in German occupied France and concludes in post WII in America. It weaves a well written story of two women and tells the sacrifices families must take to survive war. Hope and love prevail. This book deserves 5 stars! Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a compelling story of, ultimately, a mother willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save her daughter.

I won't repeat the plot, like so many reviews do, but, it was less a "life during World War II" story and more a feelings during the war and after the war.

While the story kept my attention, the twist was obvious from very early in the story - including the ultimate end of the story. Just knowing what would happen, however, didn't distract from the story because of how well written it was, even making one excuse the horrible choices certain characters were making.

I'd highly recommend this for those who enjoy historical fiction.

Thank you for this ARC! I always enjoy Kristin Harmel's books and was excited to receive this one. It started out strong, with several likable women as the main character. It quickly turned very dark and sad, perhaps I was not in the right mindset to read something with this kind of story. Although, given the time period of World War II, this is to be expected. I did not love the twist at the end, it felt forced and not necessary to make this an engaging story. If you enjoy reading historical fiction and books set in Paris or NYC, I think you should give this one a try!

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel captivated me from page one! This is a beautifully written, heartbreaking, yet hopeful book centered around friendships and the strength of a mother's love. Elise and Juliette, two American expatriates' and soon to be mothers, meet by chance in Paris in 1939, and quickly form a friendship. As World War II turns from a vague fear to a terrifying reality, both suffer devastating losses, neither sure that the other has survived. The story continues after the war, as the two women struggle separately to move beyond their heartbreak and loss. The book is well researched, incorporating many historical events I had not been aware of, both during and after World War II. I had never realized the crucial part that art played in the War, the Resistance and beyond. The characters of Elise, Juliette, and Ruth are ones I will long remember. But, personally, the characters and stories of Mathilde and Lucie were the most touching and memorable. I absolutely loved this book, and I felt the ending was masterful! The author notes at the end are a must read. I did receive a complimentary advanced copy from Netgalley, the author and the publisher, and I am very thankful. The opinions in the review are my own.

Kristin Harmel never disappoints!
The Paris Daughter takes place in WW2 France. Difficult choices must be made by families, some choices causing bitterness, disappointment, and betrayal. This is a dual POV story about a mother’s love for her daughter. Very touching.

THE PARIS DAUGHTER is compelling from page one as the reader gets swept up into the lives of Elise and Juliette. Harmel does a top notch job of conveying each of the women in distinct ways so that there's no confusion. One has a happy marriage; the other does not, etc. Paris is also conveyed beautifully. Throughout the narrative the sense of place is very evocative. I found the pacing to drag at times and would have appreciated a slightly more streamlined book. Some other reviewers have noted some coincidental developments that appear toward the ending. However, I appreciated how everything came full circle and found the ending to be quite satisfying. Historical fiction readers will love this one.

I've read all of Kristin's book. This was enjoyable but fairly predictable in the outcome... maybe because I have become familiar with her writing style. Still it sucked me in. Thanks

4.5 stars War is coming and people are frightened for themselves and their kids. Decisions are made that will change the course of their lives forever. Things do come full circle which was kind of amazing. This book kept me hooked from start to finish. Highly recommend.

The best way to describe this book is…superb

The atrocities of WWII must never be forgotten, and those of us who read about it, must read it from the best. That is why The Paris Daughter is a must read. Though it is heartbreaking, tragic and harrowing, we can’t turn a blind eye. This is our history and Kristin Harmel brings it to you with the beautiful prose of someone who truly understands the darkness of those times and the beauty of what friends will do to help others, even through their own hardships.

This is an emotionally charged story of two women who had to make some very hard decisions to protect their children after Germany invaded France, and one woman who tried to help her closest friend protect her child.

Ruth makes the heartbreaking decision to send her children away in the hopes of keeping them safe. Elise must run after her husband is arrested for his political views and, since she must reinvent herself so as not to be recognized, she makes the decision to leave her daughter, Mathilde, behind with her closest friend in the hopes of both protecting her daughter and staying alive herself. Juliette takes in Mathilde and vows to raise her as her own until Elise returns. Then the unthinkable happens when an errant Allied bomb hits Juliette’s bookstore.

The depth of human observation and real emotion that the author portrays is remarkable. I have read many, many historical fiction novels and this one stands out as one of the best. I give it 5 stars and am so grateful to NetGalley, Gallery Books and Kristin Harmel for the ARC of this wonderful book.

Kristin Harmel's latest novel The Paris Daughter is phenomenal!! A must read as soon as it hits shelves on June 3, 2023.

A chance encounter brings young mothers Elise and Juliette together in 1939 Paris, France. Both give birth to daughters who they raise as sisters. Though they become devoted friends at once, they cannot escape the looming Nazi occupation. The decisions they will soon be faced with to save their families are unfathomable. Elise must flee Paris or risk her own life and the life of her precious daughter before the Germans catch up with them. She makes the gut wrenching choice to leave her daughter in Juliette's care promising to come back as soon as it's safe. When Juliette's own world is suddenly destroyed, she leaves Paris for New York taking one of the girls with her. The other does not survive the German attack. Elise sets out on a desperate quests as the years pass to find answers about what happened to her daughter. Which daughter survived the unthinkable?

An gripping story of friendship, survival, and perseverance. Be sure to read the author's note at the end. A tear jerker!

A special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to voluntarily read this novel and provide feedback.

This is much heavier than I expected; not a light read at all. I had to set it down several times. Elise and Juliette were complicated, often in unhealthy ways, and I wanted to like both of them more. Grief ravaged them both, especially Juliette. Part 3 was my favorite, and while I was expecting a version of the actual plot twist, I was stunned to see it unfold. Cannot. Imagine.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Gallerybooks for the ARC e-book!