I have read many books about the struggles of people during World War II in Europe trying to flee the terrors of the Holocaust and Hitler’s occupation of different countries. I like this book because it differs from the others. Instead of focusing on one or two characters of the same background, it follows three women: Vivian Miller, a wealthy American widow who secretly works to save Jews and others; Camille LaCroix, a French woman who strives to save her sister with mental illness; and Rachel Berman, a young Jewish woman struggling to find a way to flee with her mother. The three meet at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, where Vivian lives and Camille and Rachel work. The tragedy of the story is that Vivian had to accept the scorn of others because she was thought to be a Nazi mistress and collaborator, when she saved so many people and was willing to sacrifice herself for others.
Camille struggled with her belief that no French people were fighting against their occupiers and the corrupt French gendarmes and officials. I found it hard to believe that she would not have heard of the Resistance, which was active and known to exist, although their identities were hidden. She would have to be extremely sheltered to not have heard something. Also, she had to know that Vivian was working with others in a network to be able to help Jews hide and ultimately escape.
The ending was happy for Camille and Rachel. Camille even is revered. Her flaw is that she did not have the moral courage to let others know that the true heroine was Vivian.
Overall I think The Paris Housekeeper is very good. It was exciting and engrossing. I would encourage those who love reading about World War II to read it to get another perspective.

The Paris Housekeeper by Renee Ryan is a WWII historical fiction book based on the lives of three women. Rachel (and her mother) are Jewish trying to survive during this horrific time period. Camille is German working at a famous hotel trying her best to stay out of trouble and yet having a strong desire to help the Jews, especially her friend Rachel. Vivial is an American heiress living in France trying to use her wealth to help Jewish people escape from the Nazi’s as much as possible.

Camille and Vivian’s life takes a drastic change when a Nazi officer falls for Vivian and takes her as his mistress. He moves Vivian into his home and Vivian takes Camille as her housekeeper. The tension builds when Camille moves Rachel and her mother into a secret bunker right under the nose of the Nazi officer.

Camille and Vivian desperately need to get Rachel out of the house before they are discovered. The tension in the story had to wanted to skip ahead to see what is next

This is my first book by Renee Ryan, but it will not be my last.

I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much for this opportunity.

Oh my goodness! What an excellent book! It is set in German-occupied Paris. There were three heroines: Camille, Rachel, and Vivian. Camille and Rachel worked his housekeepers in the Ritz Hotel and Vivian, who was a wealthy American, lived there. When the Germans came to town, Rachel lost her job because she was Jewish. Vivian became the mistress of von Bauer, a German officer. But she only did it to get the inside scoop on what they were doing. Actually she was working underground to help Jews escape. So when von Bauer acquired his own house, Vivian moved in and brought Camille along as his housekeeper. Vivian knew that Camille needed extra money and this job would pay her three times what she was making. Also, Vivian wanted to keep an eye on her, to keep her safe. Unfortunately, because the Americans thought Vivian was converting and collaborating with the Germans, they disowned her.

Rachel had a brother and a sister. Her sister got married and they fled to New York. Her father and her brother were taken by the Germans to a concentration camp. Camille wanted to save Rachel and her mother so she asked Vivian to get them papers so they could escape, which she did. Camille found a vault under the basement in von Bauer's home and she moved to Rachel and her mother in without telling Vivian, but eventually she found out.

Oh how I enjoyed this book! And the end was a nail biter. I love how the author portrayed the characters. They were very believable. And the storyline was such that it was not at all difficult to follow. I wish I could give this book 10 stars, but alas, I can only give it five, which I did.

Life changes almost in a minute when the evil that has been invading Europe turns its ugly eyes on France. Neighbor turning on neighbor, and soon bread lines, and certain people must stand at the end, and usually don't get anything.

The author gives us faces to those that are just trying to survive, one a young girl, a member of the now hated class, another an American heiress that tries to help the less fortunate, and the third, actually the Paris housekeeper, is a beautiful young woman, she seems to have the world on her shoulders, but goes about her life doing all she can for the lest fortunate.

This is story of intrigue, danger, fear, and yet, with all that is going on, you will chuckle as at one of the solutions the young housekeeper comes up with. Yes, this is a page turner, I needed answers, and loved that there is an epilogue at the end, and be sure to read the author's notes!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.

Camille and Rachel meet as housekeepers at the glamorous Ritz Paris, in 1940, as Nazis invade Paris and occupy the Hotel. Camille has a sister in a psychiatric facility, and Rachel is Jewish,,they must hide their secrets to protect their families. They are recruited by Vivian, an American heiress who lives at the Ritz who provides false papers to political refugees, All are in danger, and must work together to thwart the Nazis. This is an engrossing read based on the true event of high ranking Nazis living at the luxurious Paris Ritz during WW II.

In June 1940, the one thing that the people of Paris hoped would never happen, happened…the Germans entered the city. New laws fell into place, requirements were set and people disappeared. Three female Paris residents all had to deal with this in separate ways, but yet in the end would come together.

Camille Lacroix had become a chambermaid at the famous Hotel Ritz, in order to help support her widowed mother and sisters running a family bakery in Brittany. Especially one of her sisters, who had witnessed an event years before and was suffering from PTSD. Camille realizes that she can earn more money working as a lady’s maid for Vivian Miller and after the German’s take up residence at the hotel also as a server at the bar. Through all of this she learned so much and knew she would do anything to save her sister and also her friend Rachel.

Vivian Miller is a widowed American who is very wealthy. She lives in one of the suites and uses her connections and money to help get forged documents for Jewish families to be able to leave France. But a short time of Germany occupancy, her money is seized by the US Government for they believe she is a Nazi sympathizer. In order to survive and keep producing the forged documents, she will do whatever is necessary including becoming the mistress of a powerful German soldier. When asked by Camille to help get documents for her friend Rachel Berman, she agrees but at what cost in the end?

Rachel Berman worked as a maid in the Ritz hotel, after the Germans arrived, things started to change not only in the city but at her job. Her father believed that they would be fine, while they were Jewish, they were now French citizens, so if they followed the rules then they would live through the war. But Rachel knew that it wouldn’t be like that, she thought they should escape. It wasn’t under her father and brother disappeared and her sister quickly left with her new husband, that Rachel’s mother finally agreed they needed to escape. Now the question was how, who would help them, and would they take the risk of hiding in the bunker at a house occupied by a Nazi in order to live?

Renee with her writing did touch on some subjects that haven’t been truly talked about, women and what they did to not only survive but to help others along the way. This book allowed us to see things from different angles and views. There were a few parts that I had a hard time with, it dragged a little bit and I also wish Vivian had done more than just paid for documentation, but all in all it was a decent book. I will give it 4 stars.

I am very thankful to Net Galley for having the chance to read an ARC ahead of publishing.

I would like to thank NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), for allowing me to read this book and give my honest opinion. This book started and ended like two very different books. Camille, a house keeper at the Hotel Ritz, was friendly with a wealthy American who lived in one of their great suites. The story starts right before Germany invades France. Working along with Camille is Rachel, who was born Jewish. Soon after war breaks out and shocking changes happen with all three of them. Poor Rachel's father, who was in denial that the french weren't going to go against citizens, is sent to a camp with her brother. Vivian, the wealthy American ends up somewhere I didn't think. The ending before the ending was shocking. But oh so good!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoy historical fiction, particularly books focused on the WWII era. The Paris Housekeeper was told from several different points of view and it took me a little bit to really get into the story. However, once I did it was a heartbreaking story. When you remember that events that inspired this story actually happened it makes it even more heartbreaking. It's a sobering reminder that we need to remember and learn from history so that we can ensure that such terrible events never happen again.

Set during WW2, this story of 3 ladies is so carefully woven together. A rich woman, a housekeeper & a Jewish woman. A lot of time, duel point of view stories with more than 2 can be hard to follow, but this one was done perfectly. You never lost track of who was who and the story has me so engulfed. It got very intense towards the end, not knowing how it would turn out. Extremely good book.

From the first sentence I could feel that I would enjoy reading this book. Once the characters are recognized I could imagine them and feel there thoughts and emotions. The nazi subject is not an easy subject and the author made it real and wrote with compassion. This book will be remembered for a long time. Recommend.

I rated this book a 4/5. I thought this book was very well written and I loved the accuracy to the historical aspect. The author did a great job at placing you in the time period and truly making you feel what the characters of that time felt. Especially Rachel. I’ve always had an interest in reading about WW2 but I’ve obviously never understood what it felt like to be a Jew during this time. Reading from Rachel’s POV helped me to understand a little more and truly tore my heart up every time I read her perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or has an interest in WW2 history!

THE PARIS HOUSEKEEPER
BY
RENEE RYAN





An interesting story that deals with the lives of people from different classes and how they struggle
with the every day events of the Nazi occupation of Paris in their lives. Brought together by
circumstances that fall into place, the wealthy widow conspires with the resistance by befriending
the ranking Nazi officer and leading many to safety. The final chapters rush forward to a positive
solution showing the many dangerous steps people who care for others, will fight through to aid
those less fortunate. The housekeeper and the widow join in a series of events to save a couple
destined for untimely death. A feel good ending through a long and difficult struggle.


I have received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Four Stars

Spencer Birt
Sept 21, 2023

Three women one an American with money to spare, a young French chambermaid and a young Jewish hotel maid whose lives intertwine as Paris is being taken over by Germany in 1941.

Vivian Miller the rich American lives at the Hotel Ritz. Hiding from everyone what she is really doing in Paris.Camille Lacroix, who works at the hotel also acts as a lady's maid to Vivian for which Vivian pays Camille handsomely. Then Vivian asks Camille to go out of her comfort zone and hatred for the Germans to help her with a plan concerning the Germans. Not knowing what Vivian is planning Camille agrees because she needs the money for her family, mainly her sister . She will help Vivian under on condition, help her friend Rachel.. Rachel Berman is a Jewish girl as her superior would call her who also works at the hotel. She and Camille has a friendship that helps her get through some of the backlash of the hatred of the Jewish people. That is until it doesn't and Rachel finds herself alone except for her mother who is mourning the arrest of her husband and son and her sister. What is to happen to what is left of the Berman family? That is when Camille turns to Vivian for help. Can she trust her? Is she really doing something good with the money she has left, or is Vivian siding with the Germans?

Renee Ryan wrote three of the strongest characters I have read about in a long time. Each women had some struggle to overcome. To me Rachel the most because of not knowing what happened to her father and brother ,and also not knowing what will happen to her and the rest of her family. What I think really hits Rachel hard is that she thought Camille was a friend. A friend to turn to not to be betrayed by.

What a powerful story about one of the most horrific times in our lives. Shown through the eyes of three different women and what they had to do to get through it all. Vivian who was trying to do good for others and yet you feel she was betraying others. Camille who wanted to do right by her family, yet had to sacrifice what she believed in to do so. Then poor Rachel who had to suffer the horrors of a crazy nation to tear apart what she held so dear to her. How will they survive this nightmare. Gripping story with strong characters, heartbreaking decisions to be made with suspense, love and hatred. I couldn't put it down.

Thank you Harlequin Romance, NetGalley for the ARC copy of this gripping story. Thank you Renee Ryan for a true heart tearing story that everyone should read.

As German tanks move into Paris three woman know their lives have changed course. But where this new course will lead remains to be seen.
Vivian, a wealthy American will stay in Paris and try and use her funds to save as many people as she can. Camille is sending every penny she can home to care for her family. Rachel fears her family will not survive once the new regime implements the laws that were already enacted in Germany and Poland.
I really enjoyed reading all of the woman’s stories but Camille really embodies the idea of an ordinary person just doing what they can to help others in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Rachel loves her family so much and can see the writing on the wall but she refuses to abandon them, her strength is amazing. And Vivian is trying her best to stay one step ahead of the enemy while maintaining her own self.
I definitely enjoyed this book, and I always read the author notes when I finish a book like this. I was so excited that for once I knew the source material referenced as inspiration! In My Hands:The Story Of a Holocaust Survivor is one of the few non fiction/memoirs I have read. I read it as a teenager and loved it and is one of the books I credit with beginning a lifelong desire to know everything I can about what happened.
A massive thank you to @reneeryanbooks and @netgalley and @harlequinbooks for letting me review this novel.
#bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #readforjoy #readersofinstagram #theparishousekeeper #ww2 #historicalfiction #fictionbooks #booklovers #readersofinstagram #readreadread

Well written and full of realistic and relatable characters. I liked that much of it showed how gray circumstances and scenarios were during the war. While there was plenty that was black and white, right and wrong, there was still more that was ambiguous and blurred. Betrayal vs Sacrifice really was a great theme.

I liked Camille so much and I even respected Vivian in her flaws, as much as I very often didn’t want to. I thought her character provided a great opportunity to evaluate what you would do in her position when it’s not so cut and dry. And I thought Rachel was well painted in her struggle with constant fear and anger at her situation.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing an early copy of The Paris Housekeeper by Renee Ryan

Vivian Miller, Camille Lacroix and Rachel Berman face the occupation of Paris by the Nazis in different ways that will merge in a riveting climax of death and redemption.

Vivian Miller is a wealthy American widow using her considerable connections to secure exit papers for Jews desperate to leave Paris; Camille Lacroix is the very attractive maid at the Hotel Ritz whose past has put her in the never-ending quest to provide for her family; Rachel Berman faces the daily horrors of watching her fellow Jews fall to the inhuman policies of the Nazis in occupied France. When Vivian makes the distasteful decision to become the mistress of a high-ranking Nazi, the turn of events will place all three women in great danger while offering a temporary safe haven.

Paris housekeeper Camille who hides Rachel and her mother in a bunker under the Nazi's home is based on a real woman In Paris during the Second World War.. In addition, Coco Chanel (Nazi collaborator) and Shelomo Selinger (sculptor and survivor of the death camps and still alive) make appearances in this richly-detailed story of ways the most ordinary of people can make a difference against a mighty oppressor.

This fast-paced historical novel takes place in Paris in 1942 during the Hitler regime. Set in the iconic Ritz hotel, and then in Dancey, France, one sees what life was like for the Jews of Paris. What lengths will a wealthy woman and a poor housekeeper go to, in order to save many or just one? Friendship comes in many different packages, and this author has woven a wonderful tale. Highly recommended.

A compelling novel set in WW2 France.
History comes alive through the storyline of three women from distinct backgrounds whose lives intersect in Paris during the German Occupation.
The tension builds as the danger grows and the characters make difficult choices. It reminded me of a spy movie, especially in Vivian's case with the sacrifices she made to help others. The exciting ending was worth the wait and was quite moving. It is a tribute to the courage and fortitude of many unsung heroes as it is partly based on real people.
There is a mature adult situation, but not detailed. Mentions of the Jewish Holocaust and the prejudice of the time are gently handled and are important aspects of the story.
Recommend to mature readers who enjoy wartime tales. 4 stars

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
I adored this book and had such a hard time putting it down. Camille, Yvonne, and Rachel are all women of vastly different backgrounds and means who come together during WWII in Paris to fight the Nazis and try to survive. If you like WWII historical fiction, then give this one a try.

The Paris Housekeeper is a story which takes place during the Nazi occupation of Paris and is told in three distinct voices - French, Aryan-looking Camille, who is a maid at the Ritz Hotel and must earn money to care for her younger sister who is mentally ill, Jewish Rachel who also works at the Ritz for a while and whose successful father makes the incorrect decision to keep the family in Paris and Rachel suffers persecution, and wealthy Amerian widow Vivian, who remains in Paris and is willing to do anything (even sacrifice her own safety) to try to help Jews escape the Nazis. The story is well written and at times, I could not put it down, while at other times it was difficult to read. It did offer the happy ending I love so much. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.