3.5★s

Madeleine Grant, half French through her mother, was in Paris studying at the Sorbonne when she met Giles Martin, a young man whose casual way of life drew Madeleine to him, much against her will. After returning to London at Christmas to spend time with her father and step-mother, she informed them of her return to Paris. She and Giles married quietly, and the birth of Olivier followed. But when the war took hold, Giles sent Madeleine and Olivier home to England, declaring he would stay and join the Resistance.

As the Blitz took hold and London suffered through times of bombing, Olivier joined other children in being evacuated to the country. But disaster struck and a devastated Madeleine felt she had nothing left to live for, until she was approached by an officer, requesting her assistance in the war effort. Months of training saw her eventually head to France - she hadn't heard from Giles in years and didn't know if he was dead or alive. What followed was harsh, brutal and inconceivable, and Madeleine wondered if she'd ever see peaceful shores again.

The Paris Assignment by Rhys Bowen was, in parts at the beginning, a book I felt I'd read before. Some similarities, but I knew it couldn't be that as it's a new release. I enjoyed the last quarter of the book the most, and am having trouble articulating why it didn't gel with me as I thought it would. I've enjoyed previous books that I've read by this author, and although I read it completely, it was somehow "bland" in sections. Recommended to fans of historical fiction.

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

Reading The Paris Assignment I could not stop thinking about all lives that were touched by WWII, the families torn apart, misplaced children, the infamy against Jews, the number of lost lives, and the work of the resistance throughout Europe, and how lucky my family and relatives were by living in South America at those difficult times. Ms. Bowen writes about difficult topics with lightness and humor although passing the exact picture of how things happened at the time. A most interesting plot, well-written, and praise for the men and women who gave their lives to the benefit of others.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for the free copy of this book.

The Paris Assignment by Rhys Bowen is a stand-alone WWII story. The story is too complex to give a good summary but Madeleine was an English girl who met a French boy when she did a semester abroad at the Sorbonne. They fell in love and she fell pregnant. His mother wouldn’t allow them to marry but they did anyway and were happy for several years. Then the Nazis invaded Paris and Giles insisted the two of them leave. He couldn’t go because he had to fight for his country. Through a series of miscommunications Madeleine came to believe that both her husband and her son were dead. Since there was nothing to stop her so she trained to became a courier in war-torn France. For a while everything was fine, but then she got caught. The Nazis were not kind or honest, either, and so things for her went from bad to worse until she managed to escape and make her way back to England. Everyone was surprised to see her. Soon the war was over. Her new assignment sent her to Australia where it was believed that the Nazi who had treated her so horribly was hiding. She was to bring him to justice since she could identify him.

This is possibly the grittiest of Bowen’s war novels. It was a good narrative of the inhuman way the Nazis treated people as well as the horrid conditions in orphanages run by nuns in Australia. Plenty of research went into the building of this book, as well as sleepless nights, I am guessing. Madeleine was an excellent character for the many years we followed her. She had unbelievable choices to make and she made them. Her kindness to others turned out to be an asset in her travels. The plot was excellent and intricate. She outdid herself in terms of a historical novelist. I highly recommend this book.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Paris Assignment by Lake Union Publishing, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #LakeUnionPublishing #RhysBowen #TheParisAssignment

I was really anticipating this one. I've read a couple of other Rhys Bowen novels and I really like her writing style. While I liked this one and it started off really strong for me. It lost some of its lustre halfway through.

Madeleine lives in England with her Father and Step-Mother but has been studying abroad at The Sorbonne University in Paris. She is proficient in French (as her late Mother was French.) She meets Giles while at University and falls in love with him and is left pregnant. She begins a life in Paris with Giles and the baby, whom they name Olivier (Oliver.) As War is drawing near Giles urges Madeleine to return to her family in England with their son. He goes off to presumably fight with the resistance. While in England Madeleine is going to send Olivier to school in the countryside to keep him safe from the War. While a great tragedy occurs Madeleine decides to do her bit and is recruited by the Ministry as an SOE Agent. She begins delivering important messages.

There's a lot going on in this story. Almost too much that it took away from the character development. Madeleine is portrayed as a strong and resilient woman which I did appreciate but the story was too long winded. Olivier's story kept me reading. I just had to find out what would happen to him.

While Rye Bowen is an acclaimed author I feel that this one is not her at her best. However, I'll still continue to read her books.

I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy.

What a fantastic book! This story kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how they were going to survive the horrors they faced. I’m so glad the book ended as it did! I don’t want to give anything away, but anyone who enjoys a great survival story will LOVE this!

Heartbreaking, realistic story about a young woman who had led a good life in England. But her life changed dramatically when she took a semester abroad in Paris in the 1930's. She fell in love - with Paris and with a young communist with big ideals.

Then comes Hitler and WWII and everyone's life changes. Some people decide to fight for their natural or adopted countries. Many gave everything. Some of the characters in this book have heartbreaking endings, some have their lives changed forever.

The author has done her research and presents us with a touching, emotional book with historical accuracy. Definitely a must-read if you enjoy reading about the resistance fighters. There are other pieces of this story that I had never heard about before - also very troubling. I give this a 4.8 rating because it's a great story with well done historical research, but there are some coincidences that make the story work but are a bit too much to believe. I recommend this for young adults and older.

Another winner by the prolific Rhys Bowen. I had difficulty with the beginning of the book, but once Madeleine became a wife and mother it picked up and was hard to put down. We are taken to England, France, and Australia throughout the story, experiencing the terrible ravages and after effects of WWII. It’s an excellent book with love, adventure, depth, sorrow, and hope.

Rhys Bowen has now written several stand-alone novels set in WWII Europe, each with a unique perspective for a female protagonist. I have loved some of them. I wanted to love The Paris Assignment, but unfortunately could not get on board with a key plot line that was just too convenient in setting up the most significant motivational point for the main character. I was really hoping that at the end she would explain this as a true historical element of the story, but the only point she mentions as perhaps not being plausible is one that I found easily believable.

As usual for Bowen, the writing quality was strong, most characters were interesting, and the story unfolded in a well-organized manner. I’d recommend this book to someone who wants a quick read about WWII British spy training, the Paris/France occupation, and a bit about Australia during the time.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Netgalley, and Rhys Bowen for early access to this novel.

This historical fiction read covers the life of Madeleine Grant, beginning in her studies in Paris from England. While in Paris, she meets a charming man named Giles. Madeleine decides to stay in France, marries Giles, and they have a son named Olivier. Once the war begins, they have difficult decisions that must be made, including sending Olivier away on a train for safety, and securing work to aid in the overall war efforts. While Giles is off doing war work and not heard from, Madeleine agrees to intense training and work work herself. The story provides a perspective of war efforts and impacts, including orphan farms and the tie to Australia.

"The Paris Assignment" is the story of Madeleine, a girl with some French heritage, who studies at the Sorbonne in Paris for part of her degree course. Whilst there she meets and falls in love with a Frenchman. This is the tale of their love and devotion both before and during World War 2. It is also about families being broken apart by war, but not losing hope.

This is a well-written and engaging novel with some great characters and plenty of jeopardy.

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

The Paris Assignment is the newest WWII novel by Rhys Bowen. This novel follows Madeleine Grant, a courageous wife, mother, and resistance worker during WWII. When Madeleine meets Giles Martin while studying at the Sorbonne in Paris it is love at first sight. The two create a life together in Paris, get married and have a son, Olivier. They are looking forward to many happy years together when the Nazis start sweeping through Europe. In an attempt to keep them safe, Madeleine agrees to leave Paris with Olivier and return to London where he is tragically killed in a bombing raid. Madeleine has lost her son and has no idea if her husband is still alive. To avenge the loss of her family she volunteers to be sent to France as a spy. The events that follow are a sweeping tale of love, loss, sacrifice and remarkable courage. The characters in this novel are memorable and the emotions are raw and real. Bowen shows the ugly realities of war instead of creating a romanticized and unrealistic ending where everyone makes it out alive. This story is tense and emotional, I couldn’t put it down.

The Paris Assignment is another well written and researched book in the historical fiction genre that kept me involved in the story line and turning the pages.

Madeline and Giles along with their son Olivier are a happy family living in Paris when WWII breaks out and Paris is soon occupied by the Nazi's.

Madeline and her son leave for London but fearing for her son's safety she soon sends him to the country to live.

Once Madeline is recruited and trained for espionage work she returns to France and like many others faces danger at every turn.

Madeline and Olivier's story take a turn that the reader should follow on their own as I don't want to give away the story but it is a journey that will have you wiping your eyes and holding your breath for mother and son.

Rhys Bowen always writes a story that holds your attention and I never want the book to end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a compelling read.

The Martin family- Giles, Madeline, and Olivier - are torn apart when WWII starts. This latest from Bowen takes on all of WWII and after in a sweeping novel that has, perhaps, too much going on, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'll be the odd one out on this one, Those who haven't read many WWII novels might enjoy this more than I did.

Another fine histfic novel by Rhys Bowen, a master of the genre. She makes us feel we are in the middle of the action as MCs Madeleine and Giles fight against the Nazis and search for their lost young son. Pinned to the pages, I read through the night, wondering if the couple would survive and if they would ever find their child. Highly recommended!

This historical fiction, a blend of actual events and imagination, makes us relive the harsh reality of war. This is the story of Londoner Madeleine Grant who studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, married Giles Martin and raised peacefully their son Oliver ...till the war sets off alarms in France. The story will tell us what they did to survive.

The story is written with easy and it flows beautifully. The imagery throughout steady and unwavering and gives us several twists hard to phantom. It will be difficult not to be emotionally captivated with the description of horror suffered by those caught in the hands of evil men. Ms. Bowen held back on torture but did not mince her words describing the wrong done by the Nazi but also by those who took orphans in their care. The chapters of Oliver at the orphanage in Australia were an eye opener. Although it was not the first time I read how children were abused by religious orders it nevertheless touched me...How could they?...There is a lot of tension all through, it is hard not to want them to survive and lead a happy life. The story is not all doomed and groomed we have some romance and tender moments, family reunion and budding love.

With its excellent characters and gripping plot “The Paris Assignment” is a story that will inevitably pull most historical fiction buffs in and captivate them till they reach the last page. It did for me.

The Paris Assignment is a powerful and poignant historical fiction novel that offers a gripping portrayal of love, loss, and survival during one of the most turbulent periods in history. Rhys Bowen's storytelling prowess shines through as she delivers a compelling narrative that captures the essence of human strength and the power of hope. Fans of World War II fiction and historical dramas will find this book a deeply satisfying and emotional read.

The two great wars brought us so much good literature - each with a different perspective
all so different and all riveting reading. This was no different.

Maddie is one of the most conformist, mild souls you could envisage. Not one for confrontation,
anything for the sake of peace she goes along with her family plans in a plodding manner until
one day she decides to go as part of a study course to Sorbonne, falls in love with
France, finds a love of her own and makes France her home.

The story evolves from there, WWII breaks out, she and her young son forced to returnto England, her husband joining the Resistance and the heartbreak starts there. The story goes much
further than this with really heart breaking consequences which no person should be
called upon to bear.

The imagery throughout this book is the steadfastness to a cause, the stoic bearing of
misery still maintaining qualities of goodness isdifficul to imagine. Most people will
break under that pressure, just give up any attempt to be humane.

Powerful story

i just couldn't through it. the story is so underwhelmed. It just so basic and it was not really for me

Eu irei escrever em português porque vai me permitir me expressar melhor.
Então, uma das coisas que gostei foi que a história dura toda a Segunda Guerra Mundial, ou seja, mostrou rapidamente o processo do começo ao fim.
Mas isso também foi o que me deixou querendo mais. Como foi tudo breve, fiquei querendo algo que não fosse superficial.
Mas ainda assim, foi uma leitura fácil, cheia de reviravoltas (embora muitas delas não fossem surpreendentes).
Recomendo para quem quer ler um livro sobre a Segunda Guerra Mundial que seja bem breve nas cenas difíceis, mas ao mesmo tempo que não seja tão leve a ponto de tornar o livro meio sem sentido (afinal, é Segunda Guerra Mundial...).

A story of one woman's journey as she faces love and loss set among the backdrop of WWII. Well written.