If you read my blog, you know I LOVE the writing of Pam Jenoff. She writes amazing stories of resilience and resistance in WWII with strong female protagonists. I loved this story, which had parallel tales in two time periods (my favorite structure for a historical fiction narrative!).


Here’s the scoop:

Last Twilight In Paris

By Pam Jenoff

On Sale: February 4, 2025

About the Book:

“A fast-paced and vibrant wartime tale of holding on to love against the odds and learning to fight for the truth.” –Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Daughter

A Parisian department store, a mysterious necklace and a woman’s quest to unlock a decade-old mystery are at the center of this riveting novel of love and survival, from New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff

London, 1953. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris, and she is certain she has seen the necklace before worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe —and that it holds the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war.

Following the trail of clues to Paris, Louise seeks help from her former boss Ian, with whom she shares a romantic history. The necklace leads them to discover the dark history of Lévitan—a once-glamorous department store that served as a Nazi prison, and Helaine, a woman who was imprisoned there, torn apart from her husband when the Germans invaded France.

Louise races to find the connection between the necklace, the department store and Franny’s death. But nothing is as it seems, and there are forces determined to keep the truth buried forever. Inspired by the true story of Lévitan, Last Twilight in Paris is both a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about sacrifice, resistance and the power of love to transcend in even the darkest hours.

Stories of World War II are a dime a dozen, so it’s a pleasant surprise when an author unearths a truly new to me part of the history and weaves an interesting story around it. In this case, it’s the true history of a Parisian furniture store where French Jews, held captive, were forced to sell the belongings stolen from other deported and imprisoned Jews to occupying Nazis. Rather than a straightforward recounting of life in this prison camp through the eyes of Helaine, Pam Jenoff concocts Louise, who volunteered with the Red Cross during the war and 8 years later is unable to let go of promises left unkept.

Splitting the story between the horror (though much less than other WWII Holocaust stories can be) and the mystery Louise tries to unravel adds a balance to Jenoff’s novel. I’m not always a fan of lightly fictionalized histories, which can feel like someone getting fanciful while writing a history textbook, and in this case the 1953 plot line made this feel true rather than historical. I did find myself tempted to skip ahead during Helaine’s parts, though they weren’t bad, just less interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin trade publishing for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review. Told in a dual time line of only ten years 1943-1953 the story centers around a necklace and its history from Nazi occupied London and Paris.
The two main characters of Helaine a Parisian Jewish woman who was imprisoned in a Parisian dept store selling stolen possessions to the Nazi soldiers and Louise a British Red Cross volunteer. The women's lives become entwined with the discovery of a necklace and the search for its owner.
Louise is haunted by this quest as well as the tragic death of her dear friend during her time as a Red Cross volunteer. Each of these characters is portrayed in a fascinating narrative. Once again Jenoff is able to bring to light a little known tragic part of WWII in such a touching way. She explores this history as well as the marriage and friendship during one of the most horrific times in history.
I highly recommend this historical fiction novel as an unforgettable read that will touch your heart.

When Louise finds a necklace in a box at a thrift shop, she feels it could be the key to unlocking tragic events in her past. She traces the necklace to Pais and encounters her former boss. Helaine is a young Jewish woman who has been imprisoned in a department store as she is trying to find her husband . The two story lines converge in a very satisfying and suspenseful read.

This is such a well-researched and immersive story that will stay with me for a long time! It is a captivating mystery that connects two women with very different wartime experiences. I learned so much while reading it and can’t recommend it enough for fans of historical fiction.

Enjoyable overall and the history of how the Paris department store was used was really interesting. However, the way details unfolded at the very end really annoyed me: the microfilm in the locket which was the clinching evidence was just wrong. It couldn’t have been undeveloped film—a single small piece, really? No. Maybe it needed to be enlarged but it could be have been undeveloped. And where would the POW prisoners have gotten microfilming equipment? Cranny was the one with the camera and film, it didn’t make sense that the prisoners would have needed to smuggle film to her, she should have already had the images. I also thought all the relationships were a bit undeveloped and there could have been more to the romance with Ian. And a few too many modern sensibilities—would Joe really have been so understanding?

I really enjoyed this book. I mean I am speechless and all I can say is wow. I learned a lot reading this book. I am actually ashamed of being German. I loved the ending because both couples ended up staying together. I am grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

"People's stories matter, and how they end, matters."

London 1953 - Louise Burns finds herself in a stagnant marriage. One day she makes a discovery that brings back memories of her life during WWII as a Red Cross Helper in Germany. Ian, a man she had a deep connection with during her time in Germany reappears to help provide clarity on what Louise discovered.

Paris 1939-1944 - Helaine Weil is a young Jewish woman who was extremely sheltered by her parents due to a medical condition. She was not allowed to leave her house for years. On her first outing alone, she meets Gabriel, a young musician.

The 2 stories connect through a mysterious necklace and the suspicious death of Louise's friend, Franny. The book is told in dual timeline from the two main female characters' perspectives.

This is a story about the horrors of World War II, survival, friendship, faith, and love. This is my first book by Pam Jenoff but certainly not my last.

Title: Last Twilight in Paris
By: Pam Jenoff
Pub. Date: Feb. 4, 2025

Genre:
Fiction, Romance, Historical, Women’s,

Trigger warnings:
Infidelity, Loss, PTSD,

Summary:
Dual Timeline Novel

1943: Helaine, a young Jewish woman, is going mad trying to find her missing husband who was fighting in the war. While on the hunt for information, Halaine is taken into custody. She is sent to work in an old department store, where the workers sort the old treasures of Jewish families.

1953: While going through a box of donated items at work Louise notices a familiar looking necklace with a locket. It evokes memories of a necklace once owned by her best friend, Frannie, who tragically passed away while they were both serving with the Red Cross during WWII. Could it truly be hers? And what is it doing here?

Review:
This is my first novel written by Pam Jenoff. She possesses a talent for unearthing forgotten fragments of history, inviting readers to immerse themselves in learning while discovering unknown parts of history. In Last Twilight in Paris, the readers learn about the Levitan Department where looted items owned by Jewish families were sorted and shipped away. Jenoff masterfully intertwines the two timelines to a beautiful mysterious piece of fiction. Personally, some of the twists were predictable so, I rounded up and gave this novel 3.5 stars. If you love Historical fiction, I highly recommend you give this novel a read.

Authors Similar to:
Kelly Rimmer
Kristin Harmel
Madeline Martin

Thank you to Pam Jenoff, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#LastTwilightinParis
#PamJenoff
#HarlequinTradePublishing
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

Pam Jenoff once again delivers a captivating blend of history, mystery, and romance in "Last Twilight in Paris". This gripping novel unearths the dark secrets of Levitan, a Parisian department store repurposed as a Nazi prison, weaving together the lives of two remarkable women: Louise, a postwar housewife drawn into a decades-old mystery, and Helaine, a Jewish woman imprisoned during the war. When Louise stumbles upon a necklace tied to her past, she embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind her friend Franny’s tragic fate. With evocative prose and meticulous research, Jenoff immerses readers in a poignant tale of love, survival, and resilience. The novel masterfully juxtaposes two wartime experiences, making for an unforgettable read. Fans of Kristin Hannah will adore this compelling historical fiction. Thought-provoking and beautifully written, "Last Twilight in Paris" is a must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted story steeped in history.

It was fascinating to learn parts of the war that I haven’t read about before. I enjoyed the story but the writing felt very choppy to me.

Expect 👉🏼 WW2 historical fiction, traitors, lockets, dual timelines

Thank you to the publisher for the #gifted arc.

Pam Jenoff is the queen of World War II Historical Fiction novels. Last Twilight in Paris is just another jewel on her crown of stunning literary artwork shared with us to make you tear up, sob, and hope for the best outcome you can possibly get.

Last Twilight In Paris follows a few individuals as a story is pieced together. All of it is centered on Levitan, a department store in Paris that closed down and then was used to sell pillaged items from Jewish homes that were then sold to Nazis. I enjoy learning about all the ways people found to survive during World War II, especially those in camps. This story was so unique because it was commented multiple times how lucky they were because it could be worse, and I agree. It could have been worse, but still terrible for them. But the idea behind it is still heartbreaking and Jenoff is so good at taking true stories and weaving them into these tales of survival that truly inspire me to learn more about that time. Jenoff's writing is smooth and she builds the story at just the right pace to keep you yearning for more, but not so fast that the story leaves holes in the timeline.

Jenoff's characters in this book were inspirational. I felt myself understanding their decisions throughout and hoping for a little more information about them, a small story about their past, just so I could know them better. Only a great author can make you want more and more from a singular character, but to do it for all the characters is remarkable.

If you have never read Pam Jenoff before, you are in for a treat. While the stories are heartbreaking, as most World War II stories are, they are rich with depth and information, ripe with feeling and loss, and leave you feeling more knowledgeable, more fulfilled, and filled with sympathy for those who had to live through this. It's hard enough reading about it. I cannot say enough good things about Jenoff's stories, including Last Twilight in Paris, and her writing in general. I will read her books every time without question and you should too.

I thought that the information which I understand was based on fact about the Levitan, department store being a sort of camp during the Holocaust was very interesting and something about which I was unfamiliar so that provided a bit of intrigue for me. However, I had trouble relating to the main characters in the story. I did not warm to them, and I also found it quite unusual that two of the main characters (husband and wife) were so easily reunited after the war was over. This seemed a bit far fetched to me. I would give the book three stars for someone wanting to know a bit more about the war years however, the story line seemed a bit contrived to me.

I don’t think there is a book by this author that I haven’t completely loved or been absorbed in. 'Twilight in Paris' was riveting, and I was so drawn into the story that I tuned everything else around me out. Isn’t that the mark of a good story? Told in dual timelines, it presents a narrative I had never encountered before, where Jewish prisoners considered to be of a higher class were held in a department store to sort through the stolen belongings of other Jewish families. The book is well-researched and filled with rich history, leaving you constantly thinking about the characters and their experiences. It is a beautiful work of historical fiction that will evoke deep emotions and linger in your mind long after you've finished reading.

For the most part, I’ve enjoyed works by this author, and her newest proved to be no disappointment. I would say that Jenoff does a fine job of depicting the life of a mother and wife feeling unfulfilled, as well as a child struggling with disappointing parents. She’s also quite adept at creating the intrigue, shining light on forgotten aspects of history, and writing binge-worthy books. Unfortunately, there is some telling where there could be showing, as she needlessly lays it out for the reader. Additionally, there are some “duh” moments with the characters, and while their slowness sometimes makes sense, at others it is just frustrating. So ultimately, which this wasn’t the most remarkable historical fiction, it was still a fun read filled with bits of historical facts unknown to me. And I always appreciate an in-depth author’s note!

I’ve read many WWII novels and usually it takes me a few days to read them as they are filled with so much information. I flew through this one. It was very different than the other stories. In this one Jewish People were gathered, arrested and housed in a Paris department store—Lévitan. They unloaded the trucks, sorted through the items, displayed them, the captured women dressed up to sell the items and the Germans purchased them. The items consisted furniture to accessories and of course were items taken from Jewish homes. I can’t believe this really happened. I’ve never heard about people being held captive in a department store. Plus the stories the author created around it was creative and I couldn’t put it down. It had multiple POVs and multiple timelines—though not too far apart from each other. Highly recommend to anyone who loves to read historical fiction!

4.5 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you @netgalley @pamjenoff and @parkrowbooks for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Last Twilight in Paris is a historical novel in two timelines. In 1953 London, Louise, who is a housewife after working for the Red Cross in World War II, finds a mysterious necklace and searches to find the history and the owner. During World War II, Helaine, a Jewish woman in Paris, is imprisoned in the Levitan, a famous old department store, where she has to sort through stolen belongings of Jewish families and display them in the store for visiting Nazis.

I wanted to read this novel because I like Pam Jenoff's fiction. I have a strong interest in World War II fiction, and this book tells about a facet of WWII that I was not familiar with (the Levitan).

This was such a well written and engrossing novel! I was interested in both women's stories (and the author handled dual storylines so well) but Helaine's story was really heartbreaking, as she was separated from her mother and her husband and the life she knew her whole life as a bright, creative Parisian from an aristocratic family. I found it fascinating how the stories intersected and resolved. This was such a unique read! I highly recommend Last Twilight in Paris for other fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone who is interested in the World War II era.

What an interesting read and another welcomed addition to World War II literature.
I'm always impressed when an author introduces me to some episode in Holocaust history with which I am completely unfamiliar. Her description and history of the Levitan Department Store in Paris was an eye-opener to me. The story revolves around Louise, a woman in postwar Paris, who uncovers a lost necklace. Jenoff masterfully creates a suspenseful and gripping tale.
Her research was so extensive and deep-rooted. Her characters were so well-defined. When I found myself rooting so intensely for the good guys and so disturbed by the unthinkable bad behavior, I knew this was a must-read for all.

Helaine grew up isolated from the outside world. Once she gets the courage to go for walks outside, she meets Gabriel and falls in love. However, soon after France is invaded by Germany. They are torn apart and unable to communicate.
Decades later in London, Louise reflects on her time volunteering through the Red Cross and recognizes a necklace worn by someone she lost during her time.
Last Twilight in Paris intersects these two stories in a gripping tale.

Good story. Heartwarming. Very good writing by Pam Jenoff. Fans of her work will be very compelled by this story. This was another good story by Pam.