Renee Ryan writes lovely historical fiction that has beautiful cadence, memorable characters, and powerful impact. The Paris Housekeeper does have a smooth flow and interesting characters but felt a little too long and drawn out. This tale of war, greed, grief, loss, betrayal and sacrifice told from three women's perspectives was indeed powerful, even with the few places that were harder to read due to the awful gut-wrenching things that happened in Paris under The Occupation. I had loved The Secret Society of Salzburg and was hoping to love this book as much but I did not fully connect with any of the characters and felt the pace of the story was a bit slow. Still I learned much about Paris during the years of 1940-1942 and appreciated the arduous journey that Rachel, Camille, and Vivian undertook for survival and human decency.

If you enjoy WWII historical fiction, you will thoroughly enjoy this book filled with historical tidbits and thought-provoking questions. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Love Inspired via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

As the Nazis enter Paris, three women decide to remain instead of leaving. Working as chambermaids, Camille and Rachel rely on each other and help guest Vivian Miller survive the brutal onslaught. Well written historical fiction and recommended.

Definitely one of my favorite books of 2023! I loved The Paris Housekeeper by Renee Ryan. I always find her writing to be so detailed and in-depth. I love how the characters come to life and how they seem so real. This book was no exception. It was so good. It is told from the viewpoint of three different women in Nazi occupied Paris during WWII. Camille is a young Parisian who befriends Rochelle, a Jewish girl. Vivienne is an American widow staying at the Ritz. The three become linked when Vivienne and Camille try to help Rochelle and her mother escape before mass round-ups begin for Jewish women and children. It is quite touching and I love how real all three women were, both in their strength and in their brokenness. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I will be waiting for Renee's next book with bated breath!

I did enjoy reading this book, it was very suspenseful with a lot of action. Part of the story I did not appreciate as I am a Christian woman. It was hard reading about the Jewish people and what happened to them. The story was suspenseful but very sad.

What a powerful set of stories, all in one. Three women whose lives mingle at the Ritz during World War Two, traveling different paths but have one cataclysmic night. One is a rich American widow, one a French chambermaid and the third a nineteen-year-old French born chambermaid of Jewish descent. Each has a personal story with background and the challenges of living during the Nazi occupation when the world turns upside down. Vivian Miller, the widow has led an interesting life and has made the decision to live in France. Camille Lacroix and Rachel Berman are chambermaids who work at the Hotel Ritz.
Nazi occupiers take up residency in the beautiful Ritz making demands on anyone who is in their sight. The author interspersed true occurrences and actual people in the fictional story.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book from Harlequin through NetGalley and this is my own reaction to the story. It is at times intense, maddening, chilling and sad. I could 'feel' the horrific situations these women experienced. This author brings that out in this reader. I will say my only negative is that Vivian deserved better because to me she had strong beliefs and intentions, but I feel like her character changed and weakened. Camille and Rachel's characters were excellent. Each has a devotion to family; their stories were totally believable and unforgettable.
I really feel this is an excellent representation of a tiny portion of the nightmare of the war and occupancy of Paris.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of The Paris Housekeeper by Renee Ryan. This is the first time I have read a book by this author. I enjoyed her writing style. The story itself was captivating for it's testament to bravery, heroism, friendship, sacrifice, and courage. The story was told from three different points of view, Rachel, Camille, and Vivian set in France during WWII. I enjoyed this novel and I will definitely read others by this same author. I would highly recommend this book. It is a 5star book for me.

I have no words for this book, just speechless. Everything I say won’t do the book any justice so I’ll keep it short and simple:
This book is so poignant, so of the times it sometimes feels like some of these issues could be happening in 2023, it’s so raw, pulls your heart strings, makes you think, brings you into the French world of 1940s, it makes you smile and cry as well.
You won’t regret reading this book is all I’ll say.
I read a lot of historical fiction (one of my favorite genres) and this one is one of the most PG-13 ones that still manages to be detailed but not off putting while reading it.
5/5 stars.

Note: thanks netgalley and publishers for the ARC in exchange if an unbiased review.

A powerful story of 3 women on various sides of the conflict during the German occupation of Paris during World War II. The atrocities didn't just affect the Jews although they were definitely the most horrendous. Whoever lived in Paris at the time, lived through terrible times. The Germans were ruthless.
Rachel is a Jew and works in a famous hotel in Paris. Camille also works at the hotel and although she is French, she must remain in Paris to support her family that lives elsewhere and for reasons that no one else knows. Camille also acts, on occasion, as a lady's maid for a wealthy American widow, Vivan Miller, who must remain in Paris for her own reasons. These 3 women were amazingly brave and heroic as the story went along. They had to face incredible & horrific indignities. As I read this story, I didn't know if I could have been this brave. I know you never know what you can handle until you are put into a certain situation but these things were more than I think I could bear at times! Even though this is a fictional story, it is representative of what happened to women and people at this time. I liked the ending and the story of resilience that it ultimately showed. There were a few lingering questions about the women but the book would have been too long if everything got answered! There is definitely sadness as one of the women doesn't make it but that's realistic too. I treasure the lessons I learned & feelings I had reading this book!

This is a historical fiction about 3 brave women during World War 2. in Occupied Paris.

A rich American socialite choses to remain in Paris despite having the means and ample opportunity to flee. Her motives are to use her wealth to obtain illegal documents for those f!seeing the France. She sees an opportunity to further her cause. Except, she has to also sacrifice herself to do so.

Two maids working at the famous Ritz also have to survive. Rachel, is Jewish and her father believes they will be protected by their fellow French. It seems as though only Rachel sees the foolishness and danger in staying. Camille is sending her salary to her family .and is terrified the Germans will discover they have a mentally ill daughter.

The author does not hold back when describing the horrifying realities of German occupation. Except, it is not just the Germans. The French government, its police and its people are terrifyingly complicit in the persecution of French Jews..

One hears about the famous French resistance, but the sheer complicity and collaboration of the French people is horrifying

4.5
Wow, what a story, I could not put it down. This is a story is told from three points of view, a glamorous American widow Vivian Miller a long time resident at the Ritz in Paris, and two young women, a French chambermaid Camille Lacroix, and a Jewish chambermaid Rachel Berman, who work at the hotel as the Nazi's take over Paris in 1940, and ultimately take over the hotel. And the lengths each goes to in order to help others, or to navigate unjust persecution under the oppression from the Germans, and how all three lives become intertwined.

Author Renee Ryan is a amazing storyteller. Her unforgettable characters come to life on the page. They make tough choices, and exhibit courage in the face of difficult circumstances, and her books are hard to put down. I like the authors note at the end that tells about what is real history in the book.

I enjoyed it so much, I purchased a copy of the real life heroine the story is partially based on.

I highly recommend The Paris Housekeeper to lovers of WWII historical fiction.

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

While the book starts out as a typical WWII book, don't let that fool you. Renee takes a story about a couple of women working for the greater good and turns it into a jaw-dropping story. In this story, we meet three women. Vivian, a rich American living in Paris, evicted from the life she led, so she started working to help Jews escape occupied France. Camille is a young woman working in The Ritz, where Vivian lives and befriends her. Camille has a family secret she must keep because she knows the Nazi government would destroy her family if they discovered her secret. She and Vivian become unlikely friends and partners.

Camille has a friend, Rachel, who also works at The Ritz. Rachel is Jewish and knows her time at the hotel is coming to an end, but she doesn't want that to mean the end of her life, too. All three women will converge to make one story about friendship, trust, and sacrifice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the chance to read an advanced copy of The Paris Housekeeper by Renee Ryan. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this story. It had me sitting on the edge of my seat and turning the pages as fast as i could.
For anyone who loves books about WWII, especially ones that have strong female characters, this is the book for you!
The three female characters the author, Renee Ryan, described in this story showed how difficult it was to live in occupied Paris and how many of them did everything they could to resist the Nazi invasion of their beloved city and country.
I especially liked how Ryan wrote a story about three extremely different women who came together to fight for each of their lives. The courage she gave these woman had me crying and cheering all at the same time.
I'm also glad these stories about WWII and the women who joined the resistance are continuing to be showcased. It's such an important part of an awful time in world history that needs to be told.
Five stars for The Paris Housekeeper!

I read a lot of WWII fiction, and find this novel by Renee Ryan to be truly inspired and original. It is a story of the intertwined lives of three women living in Paris from 1940 to 1942. One is a beautiful, wealthy American widow, another a young French chambermaid working at the Hotel Ritz, and the last a young Jewish woman also employed at the Ritz. The French chambermaid, Camille Lacroix, orchestrates events, however unintentionally, which tie these three lives together. While historic events such as the June, 1942 Vel d'Hiv roundup are mentioned, with the author relying on the reader's historical knowledge, the story remains focused on these women, their relationships, the choices they make, and the impact they have on one another.

This novel is very well-written. Readers can not help but become emotionally involved with the three leading characters. This investment may cost the reader heartache and tears along the way. The ending will not be happy for all of the characters, but good can come out of even the saddest of events.

I highly recommend The Paris Housekeeper, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Harlequin via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This story was a compelling read about the choices people make to survive during unimaginable circumstances. This story by a new to me author, takes place in Paris at the start of WWII. It's told from 3 perspectives. Vivian is a rich heiress and a widow staying at the Ritz. She was displaced once the Nazis moved into the Ritz. Camille and Rachel are maids at the Ritz. Camille is working and supporting her family at the hotel. Rachel is Jewish and whose family stayed until it was too late, thinking that they'd be safe and that their neighbors would look out for them. Difficult choices were made by all of them, trying to help themselves and each other, as they dealt with the Nazis and their plans for the Jews. The story was based on real-life people and situations during WWII, with some creative license.

Thanks to Harlequin, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC of this novel.

Vividly written intense haunting story with complex and inspirational characters,a tear jerker situations, tragic events and twists and turns making this a real page turner! I could not put this book down, I felt as if I was part of the story and the characters took my heart with them. This book had me in tears at times, other times I was so angry at the situations. This is a must read!

THE PARIS HOUSEKEEPER by Renee Ryan is a powerful and moving story of bravery, resilience and sacrifice set in Paris during World War II. It is told from the points of view of three women, Camille, Vivian and Rachel who must make unthinkable choices to survive during this horrific time in history. Camille Lacroix is a chambermaid at the famous Hôtel Ritz. When the Germans invade Paris, those Parisians who are able quickly flee the city. But Camille uses her earnings to support her family in Brittany and must continue to work for their sake. She also acts as a lady’s maid to a wealthy American widow, Vivian Miller, who appears to be a Nazi sympathizer, but provides Camille with additional income. Rachel Berman is also a hotel maid at the Ritz, but being Jewish, she is constantly in danger. The three women come up with a daring plan to save Rachel and her family. Can they trust each other enough to evade the Nazis and avoid disastrous consequences for them all? This emotional story is filled with drama, suspense and true historical inspiration. Don’t miss the enlightening Author’s Note at the end. I enjoyed this heart-wrenching and compelling novel and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Thank you to the publisher, Love Inspired Trade, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Germans have seized control of Paris and many have fled the city, but some cannot afford to do so. Camille Lacroix is a maid at the famous Hôtel Ritz and her family in Brittany depend on her to send money home. She also takes up a job as lady’s maid to a rich American widow, Vivian Miller, who lives at the hotel though she is purported to be a Nazi sympathizer. When Rachel Berman, another hotel maid, needs help to get out of Paris before the Nazis round up what remains of her family, Camille has no other option but to turn to Vivian to help her friend. Vivian has been using her money, connections and closeness to the Germans to get forged travel papers for Jewish refugees fleeing the country and arranging for their escape – but Nazi control is growing, making it more and more difficult to get the documents. Rachel and her mother hide in an underground bunker as they wait for things to be arranged, but time is running out fast and they must escape before it’s too late.

I read a book by this author, The Secret Society of Salzburg, last year, and really enjoyed the writing style and narration so I immediately added this book to my TBR as soon as I noticed it and requested the ARC.

WWII historical fiction is not a new genre for me and I’ve read many set during the German occupation of France, but this book was a little different because it largely focused on very ordinary people who were just trying to survive the goings on of the time but saw an opportunity to help those in need and stepped up. There were alternting POVs for Vivian, Camille and Rachel, providing a variety of perspectives to the reader – a supposed Nazi sympathizer, an ordinary French girl struggling to survive in Paris for the sake of supporting her family and a Jewish girl desperate to escape the country with her mother.

I thought the blurb was a bit misleading for Vivian’s story because it was revealed to the reader very early on that she was working in the shadows to help Jewish refugees and even Camille got several hints that should have made it clear which side she was on. The other thing I found to be a bit of a letdown in terms of plot was that, like with The Secret Society of Salzburg, there was not as much focus on Vivian’s covert efforts to help Jews escape and most of it happened off page. The plot instead focused more on each character’s personal circumstances and the impact the war was having on them and the choices they had to struggle with as a consequence – which is not a bad thing necessarily, but it did make parts of the story lacking in action.

The writing was pretty good and the story easy to follow though the pacing was on the slower side. I’ve read a lot of dual timeline and non-linear narration books this year, so it was nice to go back to a straightforward narrative with no jumping around for a change. It allowed the tension to build throughout the story steadily as the danger to the characters grew and let the reader take in the impact of the difficult choices they had to make.

The characters were interesting and the way the author has written them allows the reader to really get a glimpse into not only their lives but their state of mind as they see the injustices going on around them and decide to do whatever they can to help. Rachel and Camille were very straightforward characters in both thoughts and actions, but Vivian was more complicated and it took a while to get an understanding of her motives.

The last couple of chapters were intensely suspenseful with some unexpected twists and things certainly didn’t play out like I thought they would. Like many books of this genre, the ending was a bittersweet one, but it was a touching story of friendship.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it for historical fiction fans!

A story about brave, gutsy, heroic women who put everything on the line for other people and because they want to do the right thing for humanity. I was scared and worried for the characters, and brought to tears by the ending. Taking place during a horrible era in our past that I hope we never experience again, this is a gripping and heart wrenching story. The book is loosely based on real historic events.

Excellent read. I highly recommend this book.

The Paris Housekeeper was an interesting WW2 historical fiction set in Nazi Occupied Paris. Well paced, suspenseful (especially towards the end), hint of romance...follows 3 different women and their experiences and how their lives interweave. Good characterization, honestly, I stayed up late finishing this one...
Thanks to #NetGalley and #HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Love Inspired Trade for the ARC.

Just when I thought I'd read enough books about Paris in WW2, along comes Renee Ryan with The Paris Housekeeper. What starts out as a very good historical fiction story turns into a nail-biting page-turner. The climax had me glued to the page.

The Paris Housekeeper has three characters. Rachel, Camille, and Vivian. Rachel and Camille work at Paris's famed Ritz, while Vivian is a rich American widow who lives there. When the Germans invade France, the three women find themselves involved in a dangerous plan to save Rachel from deportation to Auschwitz. All is well until an unthinkable betrayal endangers the plan and their lives.

There's no need to go into detail about the rescue plot. It's the characters that matter. Camille's story was inspired by a real-life French woman who worked as a Nazi's housekeeper and smuggled Jews out of Paris. (There seems to be no end to the stories of individual bravery during WW2. It's awe-inspiring.) As the Jewish victim, Rachel was at once sympathetic. You feel for her as her family is slowly destroyed by the Nazi's cruelty.

Then there's Vivian, the survivor who long ago lost her idealism. As the wolf in designer sheep's clothing, it was her journey that captivated me the most.

Ultimately, what makes The Paris Housekeeper stand out from other Occupied-Paris stories is the book's deeper themes. This book is about choices and the morally ambiguous space war forces people to live in. Is it all right to embrace evil for the sake of good? Can a person straddle the line between good and evil? What happens to dignity when desperation strikes? These are the questions plaguing Ryan's characters. And it's their answers that drive the plot to its spectacular climax.

This was my third Renee Ryan fiction, and she seems to get stronger with each one. Fans of Kelly Rimmer and Pam Jenoff will love this book. If Harlequin is smart, they will move her from Love Inspired and put her in Graydon House or another Harper Collins imprint where she'll get the visibility and fandom she deserves.

Thank you Harlequin and Netgalley for this advanced read.