Paris At First Light is the first of Amanda Lees books I have read and I didn't realise this is the second book of the series (with more to come), it stands alone really well.

Paris At First Light is an engaging story that pulls you into the suspense and wonder of who could be a traitor to their county and friends. Juliette a resistance fighter that takes on her most dangerous mission during the war so far. A strong. independent, determined women that would do anything for her country and family, finds herself struggling with a blossoming love and her past while trying to discovering who the traitor/s is.

A wonderful story I really enjoyed filled with heroic women, bravery, resilience , hope and love.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Juliette is a stone cold resistance operator. Except when her children are threatened she throws all caution to the wind to do whatever is necessary to ensure their safety.
This was a different type of resistance WWII novel than what I have read. There is a steeliness and hardness that is a prevalent theme. Some of the best scenes are when Juliette is full on badass, whether in a London cemetery or visiting her aunt.
I feverishly tore through the chapters as the tension mounted and I wondered at the final outcome.
It’s a spellbinding historical novel set during one of the darkest eras of the 20th century.

A gripping , heart-wrenching historical novel.
Paris at First Light is a well written story with a great plot and engaging characters.
World War II
French Resistance fighters
Secret agents
Traitors
Spies
Kidnapping
Romance
So much courage, strength and resilience!
Although you can read this as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first book in the series “The Silence Before Dawn.”
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

After reading Amanda Lees' first book in her WW2 Resistance series, The Silence Before Dawn, I couldn't wait to tuck into this one. I wasn't disappointed. This book was equal to, if not better than, the first book in the series. The characters are believable, and the actual events from the war are woven into the story seamlessly. I hope there will be more in this series.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

It was 1944 and Juliette was back in Paris, preparing to foil a dreadful plot by Nazi followers and traitors, alongside Captain Daniel Diaz, while in London her fellow resistance members, Suzanne, Marianne and Christine, prepared to foil a similar plot. It would undoubtedly be highly dangerous, but they were all prepared. It was knowing who they could trust as the high-ups had been infiltrated by the worst imaginable. Clever, talented, these men would inevitably make mistakes, and they'd be waiting.

When Juliette learned her mother and two beloved children, eight year old Nicholas and six year old Natalie, had been spirited away from their safe house in England, she just knew who was to blame, and that they'd be brought to Paris. It was designed to make her vulnerable - which of course she was - but she vowed she would rescue them as well as help stop the dreadful plot. She couldn't bear to see her beloved France back in the hands of the Nazis...

Paris at First Light is the 2nd in the WW2 Resistance series by Amanda Lees and I loved it. First in the series, The Silence Before Dawn, was exceptional and this one is no different. The grit and determination of all the resistence members, but particularly Juliette, Suzanne, Marianne and Christine, gave the story its strength, and even when down, they would never give up. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this World War 2 novel about a band of very brave French resistance fighters. The focus of the story was Juliette but there were other characters mentioned in the novel and it soon became apparent that they might have featured in an earlier book by this author which I had not read. However this did not matter as the story itself could easily be read as a stand-alone although by the end of the book I was quite keen to go back and read the previous novel.
Juliette, a French resistance agent and American, Captain Daniel Diaz are sent back to France by the “Network “ tasked with going under cover and finding out about a plot to assassinate some allied leaders including Churchill and Eisenhower. Paris is no longer under German control as it is December 1944 but there are still German agents left behind and Juliette and Diaz have a dangerous job ahead of them, trying to prevent the enemy from recapturing the city.
Gradually it becomes clear that they both have feelings for each other but just as they start to act on them Juliette’s young children and mother are kidnapped and she has to expound all her energy to find them.
I really liked the lead female characters including Juliette, Suzanne, Christine and Marianne. I assume more of their background was revealed in “ The Silence Before Dawn”. All are strong women who are in extremely difficult situations where they can only rely on themselves.
I found it particularly interesting that different members of the same family could have such different views on the German occupiers. However it was all too believable as I look to current situations in the world today when family members can barely speak to each other due to their views on a certain political belief.
Some of the characters selfishly thought they would do better taking the German side despite the way the Germans were treating the French under the occupation.
This was such a good read that I was able to rush through it in no time without pausing for breath. I was really hoping Juliette and Diaz would get together at the end but I had to wait till the last pages to find out their fate
Definitely a recommended read to those who like World War 2 books such as The Nightingale and particularly to people who enjoy strong female protagonists
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advance copy.

Another page turner by Amanda Lees. The second book in the WW2 resistance series and just as good as the first . Paris at First Light is an engaging, thrilling story full of heart ache, tension, love and just a bit of romance.
You will be in awe of the bravery and the sacrifices the men and women who fought for the freedom of France against the Nazis and their followers.
Juliette, member of the resistance is on a secret mission with allied American and English agents to stop an assassination attempt on Churchill and Eisenhower. Captain Dan Diaz, an American agent and Juliette have history which cannot be contained once they set eyes on each other again. Juliette has escaped an abusive marriage and is reluctant to fall in love again but circumstances have a way of pushing Dan and her together especially when Juliette’s children are kidnapped. A roller coaster of a story while Juliette and Dan try to find her children while also stopping those intent on destroying the freedom of France.
A great weekend read!

Calling all history lovers, this book is for you.
Paris at First light by Amanda Lees is all heart, heart-breaking, heart-racing heart-pounding, and heart-warming.

Juliette, MFC, despite an abusive marriage and having to be parted from her children, is determined to be one of the best agents in the French Resistance. Freeing France is the only way to keep her children safe.

Juliette and her partner, American Army Officer Dan Diaz, set out on a secret mission in recently liberated Paris in 1944 to uncover and stop a perilous plot to retake France set forth by the Nazis.

This book is filled with twists, turns, romance, good humor, and suspense. Well worth

i really enjoyed this read it was full of action and romance and the story kept me completely gripped. I would definitely recommend it.

Bravery, selflessness, courage, duty and honor are just a few words that come to mind to describe Paris at First Light's main character Juliette. Despite an abusive marriage, having to be apart from her children and mother during an awful war, and being one of the best agents in the French Resistance, Juliette is a powerhouse of a character and a woman. After going through so much, Juliette has one thing that comes first: Free France.

Juliette is partnered with American Army Officer Dan Diaz to take on a secret mission in recently liberated Paris in 1944. They are on a mission to uncover and stop an extremely dangerous plot set forth by the Nazi's that are trying to take back France. While doing so, Juliette finds herself fighting off a spark between herself and Dan, who intrigues and infuriates her at the same time. In the middle of their harrowing investigation, Juliette finds out that her mother and children have been kidnapped. Who did it? Who can she trust? Is there a traitor amongst their team?

This book is filled with twists, turns, romance, good humor and a lot of suspense. Well worth the read to find out what happens!

This book drew me in from the first page. Spies, traitors, abusive spouse, and assignation plots make for a suspenseful read.
I find it very interesting that as WWII rages against Nazism, the communist party is so strong. Stalin killed more people than Hitler and destroyed many countries post WWII.
There is some language and a few descriptive sex scenes throughout the story.

This is the first time I have heard of this author, but I could not go past this blurb!

Paris, 1944: secret agent Juliette is on her most dangerous mission of the war so far. But then her children are kidnapped, and to get them back she may have to commit the ultimate betrayal – that of France itself…

Four years ago, when France fell to the Nazis, Juliette made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind her two precious children to join the Resistance and defend her country. Now a spy in Paris, she must work with Captain Daniel Diaz – an American agent she’s taken an instant dislike to – on a dangerous mission to uncover a deadly Nazi plot.

As the pair play their parts, Juliette begins to see another side to Daniel, and their feelings for each other start to grow. But just as love blossoms, Juliette receives a ransom note that changes everything. Someone in Paris knows who she is. And they’ve kidnapped her little son and daughter. The message is clear: betray your country, or you’ll never see your children alive again.

Juliette has sworn a sacred oath to save France at all costs, but she could never sacrifice her children. So, against all the odds, she decides to attempt the impossible: rescue her children and continue her dangerous work fighting the Nazi threat.

But as the mission forces Juliette and Daniel to the very brink, will they succeed on all fronts? And if not, will France pay the ultimate price, or will Juliette?

While this is the second in a series, I read this without reading book one and had no issue following the plot.

This was a nice read, however the action doesn't start until halfway through, prior to this it is just a lot of build up. If you don't like slow pacing, this won't be for you. The plot and characters were good, albiet rather predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

I received this ARC yesterday and today I finished it. Questions: "Do you believe in super-heroes (or in this case heroines)? Do you believe in women who can do anything nd everything, i.e. being a super mom as well as a super-agent/spy? Then this is the book for you. Historical Fiction that takes place in France in 1944 where our protagonist is pretty much all of the above. Yes, Juliette returns to Paris where she is now a spy working on a dangerous mission to uncover a deadly Nazi plot. Our woman in France, Juliette is deeply involved in this mission to save France at all costs. There is action, guns, secret meetings and a plethora of bravery to keep many HF readers more than interested. To top it all off, her children are kidnapped and not only does she make the decision to rescue them but to continue her mission to save France! To sum up this novel, the adjectives I would use to describe the plot are, just to name a few, courage, hope, betrayal and above all heart-wrenching. Yes, this book had it all and then some.

This novel was truly beautiful, heartwarming and a joy to read. I did not realize it was a second in a series, but can be a standalone.

Juliette is a mom, wife and a secret agent.

Paris 1944-her children are kidnapped and her husband is a horrible man. She left him once as he was abusive, but during the war she meets up with him again. Juliette is part of the Resistance and works with many counterparts and enemies.

Captain Daniel Diaz is an American agent whom she finds herself working with. Working alongside of him, their feelings grow, but when her children and mother, whom she had in hiding, are kidnapped, their mission is heightened as they are trying to cover a deadly plot of the Nazis. Can they save her family and uncover the plot in time to save all their lives?

This was my first by this author, and I will definitely read more by her. Thank you Bookouture, NetGalley and author Amanda Lees for this advanced copy. This novel is due out on November 23, 2022.

If I you are wanting a great escape this is exactly the book you will want to read. You will be so glad you did! The premise of this book sounded interesting from the very beginning. It was a quick, easy read and if you are looking for a quick, entertaining read then this is a great book for you! I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Lees has accomplished what many others have not - written a second novel in a series that stands on par with a successful first. It was with trepidation that I began this book, but Lees’ spectacular writing soon put my unfounded notion at ease.

“Louis’s hand in mine was too soft, his touch limp. But the feel of his lips on the back of my hand was like that of a slug, invasive and clinging.”

Oh, I love this vivid, descriptive writing. My lips furled in distaste, and I desperately wanted to wipe my hand when I read the above lines. Doesn’t Louis sound like a slug?! We’ve all met the type. Ugh. Eww.

Furthermore, Lees doesn’t dumb down her writing; she inspires her readers to stretch and embrace the beauty lurking in their dictionaries. She doesn’t just write to entertain; she writes to challenge us intellectually. She effortlessly shares a forgotten art - the art of big words - and makes us dig for the meaning! I.love.that. In fact, I’d read almost anything this woman writes - just for the eloquence of it all.

“He tried to glare at her down his patrician nose, but he was no match for her froideur.”

“I wanted to slap him. Hard. Instead, I went for my favorite weapon: hauteur. It was something bred into us Parisians.”

Lees is to be commended for offering something fresh and unique to readers. I hadn’t heard of Vehmic law, SIGSALY phone terminals, nor read about a mother who was willing to distance herself from her family for extended periods for the sake of service. I felt as though I was embedded in The Network and aware of the sacrifice the work entails. The fear and anxiety Juliette feels upon discovering her monster husband is watching her and that her children’s safely is in question is palpable. The love for her children is played against her love for her country, her people and her ‘job’.

One would think that living in a world reeling from anxiety and fear of a pandemic and of countries at war, that we wouldn’t be clambering for more wartime fiction. Yet, I’ve been prioritizing it every single time I’m choosing books lately. I’m absolutely fascinated by this tumultuous time in history, perhaps because I’m fully aware that it could happen again at any moment. LIke the author, the security and comfort in sneaking into a world where I know the resolution is as important to me as reassuring myself that despite our global circumstances, the human spirit is formidable and truly conquers all.

This can be read as a stand-alone, but I think readers will appreciate the backstory they’d get from reading The Silence Before Dawn. Both books focus on little known maneuvers and missions that helped win the war and highlight indefatigable heroines who embody intelligence, courage, and resilience.

I think I shrieked a little when I discovered that the author has planned a 7-book series. Keep them coming, please!

If you love reading about authentic characters who live in the moment and exhibit limitless courage, and enjoy books that feature hope and betrayal, this book is for you!

I was gifted this phenomenal book by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Juliette is playing her part to help her native France towards the end of WWII by having joined the Resistance working along side Captain Daniel Diaz. She has sent her children and mother to England to help keep them safe. but someone has found out about this. Her children are kidnapped, knowing she will do anything, even betray France and her colleagues, to get them back safely.

There are quite a few books out in this genre, but this is one of the better ones. The author has so obviously researched the era and immersed herself fully in it, which shows in how well this book is written. The characters are so believable, the author having taken inspiration from genuine accounts. When the story gets going it races along so that you feel then urgency in the actions of all the characters. You also realise the sacrifices and great courage that people had to make during the war, and willingly did so, even if it meant losing their lives or families.

I didn’t initially realise that this was the second part of the series. While it is a stand alone read, I think it would be better to read the first book before this. It felt a bit slow to start with, setting the scene, but as the book went on, it became a real page turner. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

“Paris at First Light” by Amanda Lees is the second in a series. I believe that this book can be read as a stand-alone (which was how I read it), but while the stories in each books is independent, I think knowing some of the characters from the first book (and how they fit together) would’ve helped. There’s a lot of build-up in this book - meeting the characters, setting the stage, and the like. However, the big major thing that happens (not a spoiler - it’s Juliette’s kids being kidnapped) happens around the middle of the book - and then the plot gets rolling … who took the kids, where are the kids, are the kids safe, how to get the kids. For me, it was slow going and I was confused as the beginning part of the books has things happening on the same day but in two different locations. I also felt that the passionate scenes between two characters, while it cemented their relationship, was a huge pause in the plot that I started skimming those scenes. Overall, I think if I’d read the first book this book might’ve been more enjoyable. As it was, it was an okay read for me. If the first book dropped in my hands, I might read it - as when the action got going, the story was engaging and engrossing.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Historical fiction written by a talented author. Secrets…spies…family…dangers of war…helping…this is a cannot put down novel about WWII and the sacrifices of those involved. It’s fiction but reads like nonfiction. The characters come alive on the pages. Spend an afternoon with the people in this book…a quick read…