Louise, in 1953 London, finds one-half of a Mizpah necklace. She is curious about the owner, and seeks to find the owner while at the same time trying to bring closure to her war experience of losing a dear friend under dangerous and suspicious circumstances. Her trek takes her to Paris and a meeting with her former boss. There, they learn the secrets of a department store that was used to imprison Jews, and sell goods that were confiscated from Jewish homes. As Louise gets closer to uncovering the truth, she finds that not everyone back during the war, and even now, is who they purport to be.

I loved this story! It goes back and forth between wartime and 1953, following Louise's movements then and now. In addition in tells the story of a young Jewish woman's imprisonment just before the end of the war, and her daring escape before the Nazis kill everyone in order to destroy 'the evidence'. The characters were well portrayed and the story line quite probable. It was an engrossing read, and I would happily read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars

Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

The war has ended, but the scars left behind for those who survived remain a haunting reminder of all that has been lost. Last Twilight in Paris provides a carefully developed and well thought out depiction of trying to move forward after WWII. The story depicts the challenges of embracing a new period in life when there are lingering questions, experiences, and memories that have not been overcome.
Last Twilight in Paris is told from two perspectives during different time periods. As the story begins, we are introduced to Helaine, whose story covers two periods of captivity throughout her life. We are then introduced to Louise whose experience of the war came from her time volunteering with The Red Cross. Louise survived WWII and seemingly moved forward with her life. She is married, has children, and works in one of the local shops.
However, Louise’s life takes a sudden and unexpected turn when she discovers a necklace that she recognizes from her time with The Red Cross during the war and then learns that the necklace arrived in a crate from a store in Paris. This discovery brings back painful memories and causes unanswered questions to arise. Louise cannot overcome the feeling that if she finds the owner of the necklace then she might somehow uncover the truth about the haunting loss of her friend. Will her journey lead to finding the truth and ultimately finding the peace she needs to move forward in her post-war life? How will the stories of two women who each experienced WWII from vastly different viewpoints come together to provide the answers needed?

Last Twilight in Paris is a captivating read that takes the reader on a journey of discovery. I greatly enjoyed the mystery surrounding the necklace and how the story shared fictional experiences related to WWII as its foundation. I appreciated the insight provided on other types of camps that were used during the war as this was not a topic area I have seen as a focus in other writings. I very much enjoyed Last Twilight in Paris and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction as well as those who enjoy a good mystery.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, The Hive, Pam Jenoff, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this work.

You’ve done it again Pam Jenoff! You’ve managed to dig up a “Gasp” topic to share with us readers, and have done it justice. An avid reader of WWII historical fiction, I had known of the plundering of goods owned by Jewish families who had been taken away from their homes. Appalling by itself, what this book shares adds another layer of terribleness to this. Levitan, a furniture (although in this story its history is portrayed as a department store) former store in Paris is turned into a prison for “privileged” Jewish slaves who are made to sort through goods taken from Jewish families after they’ve been torn from their homes. The slaves help prepare the goods to be put on display in the store and then sell them to Germans who have taken over their city.
Pam Jenoff creates a sort of mystery in this tale as well. The book has a dual timeline between Helaine (leading up to and through WWII), and Louise (in both the same timeline as well as during the 1950’s). Helaine is a a young Jewish woman who was very ill as a child and put into a protective bubble by her parents. She has just found love and an escape from her protective world just before the start of WWII. She shares a piece of a special necklace with her husband when they are forced apart. Louise sees half of that necklace during her work as a Red Cross volunteer during the war. She later rediscovers it years later while working in a shop. Have her own reasons for wanting to find the owner of the necklace, Louise sets out to do some sleuthing.
Although I started to piece things together on my own a bit early, I still enjoyed this part of it. I truly enjoy learning new things about the war, especially when it’s a good story. Thank you Pam, for another “Gasp” tale!
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, Park Row and Pam Jenoff for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Last Twilight in Paris.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres especially when I learn about little known facts within a time period that is quite familiar. This story is set during WWII Paris, particularly Levitan, a department store that housed affluent Jewish people who unloaded, sorted and sold Jewish stolen goods to Germans-a different type of concentration camp. Another storyline follows unknown details about the Red Cross. Add to it a mysterious necklace. There are many unanswered questions, many puzzle pieces missing and many characters to figure out. I was totally immersed in this story trying to piece together the bits of information given.
The plot was fast paced yet became repetitive and slow at certain parts. The story’s ending was excellent with all the loose ends tied up and all the puzzle pieces fitting together. I enjoyed being part of this story and look forward to more from this author.

Another fantastic HF story by Pam Jenoff. Louise and Helaine both have incredible stories to share about their experiences during and after WW2 from England and Paris. Set in 1953, with parts returning during to the War, Louise takes a break from her current housewife and mother situation to go to London and Paris to find the owner of a necklace that she saw during the war but resurfaced at her local thrift store. Helaine was a Jewish woman that was imprisoned at Levitan, a former department store in Paris. The Germans used the store as a clearinghouse for acquired goods from all the Jewish families they forced into internment camps. Louise uses former connections to help her track down the original owner of the necklace and someone from her past turns out to be a traitor.
I loved that this story was inspired by the true fact that the store was used to house Jewish prisoners in Paris. Again, unbelievable, but true, stories that need to be told and HF novelists do an amazing job bringing them to life. The dual time line was carefully crafted to fill in parts of the background of the story and added richness to the characters. I am constantly in awe of the women during this time period who were brave, brilliant, and creative to survive this tremendous tragedy. Even though Louise and Helene weren't real, they encompass was so many women accomplished or endured during and after the War. Once I started reading, the characters and story drew me in quickly and didn't let me go. I won't give away the ending, but will say that I was pleasantly surprised at some of the reveals and how the book wrapped up. The Author's Notes explain how she found this piece of history that she had to write about and what she fictionalized to tell the story.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of WW2 historical fiction that contains pieces of history we haven't heard about before.
#LastTwilightinParis #NetGalley #historicalfiction
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review will be published on Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, and Bookbub today. Will post on Amazon 2/4/25. Will be on my socials between now and 2/4/25.

A wonderful, well-researched and well-written historical fiction that explores a little-known piece of history during WWII. Two timelines that connect two women and their wartime experiences. One is a Jewish prisoner (Helaine) who we get insight into her sheltered life prior to the war then her experiences as a prisoner. The other is a non-Jewish woman (Louise) who was a Red Cros volunteer during the war. Louise’s discovery of a necklace years later takes her on a journey to find the history of the necklace and hopefully solve what happened to her dear friend who was killed during the war. I liked the connection of the two women who experienced the war very differently and eventually finds them meeting and giving each one a bit of closure. I had never heard of this bit of Holocaust history. A former store in Paris (Levitan) where “VIP” Jews were imprisoned and forced to sort and sell items stolen from Jewish home to German officers. This prisoner camp protected them from the horrors others faced at other camps, but they still suffered greatly. It is always difficult for me to read the horrors that the Jewish experienced, but it’s important to learn the history and this story is told in such a way that it is educational as well as a moving story. Highly recommend.

Reviews will be posted by release date on major retailers and website: https://comfychairbooks.com/

Pam Jenoff never disappoints. Last Twilight in Paris provided another opportunity to learn about two little-explored aspects of World War II history through the adventures and challenges of sympathetic and inspiring women characters.

I know this book will be a hit with Jenoff's many fans, and it may even bring some new readers into the fold.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the chance to read a digital ARC in advance of publication.

Loved this! I’ve read so many historical fiction books, especially about World War 2 and the Nazis. With each, I am shocked and horrified by what people (especially Jews) went through. This book successfully portrayed the difficulty of the time, but it also highlighted strength, friendship, and love. I like that it had parallel plots in 2 different timelines. It felt like solving a puzzle from two different angles.

Well worth the read! It felt like it may lead to a sequel, which I would gladly dive into.

A big thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have to say that I'm sorry I couldn't get into this. There are certain books that must be listened to and I believe this is one of them. The description is such that I really wanted to read this but it is too slow to start, even for a WW2 book. When it comes out on audio I will give it a shot, but until then I can't give it a review without being able to hear it.

Pam Jenoff’s “Last Twilight in Paris” is a captivating novel that offers a unique perspective on World War II history. Despite reading numerous books about the war, this one surprised me. Levitan, a furniture store in Paris where Jews were imprisoned, is the setting for a fascinating read packed with historical details. The characters’ interactions keep you engaged until the end. Highly recommend it!

A captivating and eye opening story of heartbreak and steadfastness. The POVs and timelines were seamlessly interwoven. I was invested in both women’s stories and anxious to see how they would come together. I loved learning yet another new thing about ww2. Amazes me how many untold stories there really are. This author never disappoints. I’ll be recommending to many.

No One writes WWII historical fiction like Pam Jenoff and this book is another fine example of this. I always learn something from her books. The dual timeline works very well in Last Twilight in Paris. All of the characters are well-developed and there was just the right amount of mystery and history.

Pam Jenoff's latest historical novel is a gripping tale of two women navigating the perils of World War II Paris. Through the perspectives of Louise, a non-Jewish Red Cross volunteer, and Helaine, a young Jewish woman who married outside the faith, the story explores themes of survival, identity, and resilience.
The narrative skillfully moves between wartime Paris and 1953 London, creating a compelling temporal landscape. At the heart of the story is Louise's quest to find the rightful owner of a mysterious necklace, which serves as a powerful narrative thread connecting the characters' lives.
Jenoff excels in crafting complex, strong female protagonists who demonstrate extraordinary courage in the face of historical upheaval. The dual narrative provides intimate insights into the challenges faced by women during this tumultuous period, revealing the nuanced ways individuals survived and persevered.
The novel's intricate plot, with its unexpected twists and emotional depth, will captivate readers interested in World War II historical fiction. Jenoff once again proves her ability to humanize historical events through personal, intimate storytelling.
A must-read for fans of historical fiction that brings lesser-known stories of wartime survival to light.

I absolutely loved this one! It was my first by Jenoff, but it definitely won't be my last. I can't believe it took me this long to read one of her novels! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

“Last Twilight in Paris” by Pam Jenoff pulls you in with its dual timelines and emotional depth. Louise, living in postwar London in 1953, finds a mysterious necklace that brings back haunting memories of her time with the Red Cross during the war. As she searches for the truth, we’re transported to 1940s Paris to meet Helaine, a Jewish woman caught up in the horrors of Nazi occupation and imprisoned in Lévitan, a department store turned prison.

The story is fast-paced and shines a light on a part of history I had no idea about—how a Parisian store was used by Nazis as a prison and storage space for stolen goods. Both Louise and Helaine’s stories are filled with love, loss, and determination, and the way their lives connect kept me reading.

If you’re into WWII fiction, especially stories about little-known parts of history, this one’s for you. It’s a mix of romance, mystery, and resilience that will stick with you after you’re done reading. 4 stars!

A women in early fifties Britain comes across a necklace that brings back memories of her time in World War II as a relief worker, while a woman in 1940s France leaves her sheltered home to marry a musician. The author weaves the two stories together in this tale of war, love and betrayal. Jenoff's stories are always intriguing, and this is no exception.

A riveting WW2 novel perfect for fans of historical fiction, LAST TWILIGHT IN PARIS exposes a little-known aspect of the war: the Levitan Department Store, which became a prison of sorts. Jenoff expertly weaves together multiple timelines and characters linked by an heirloom charm necklace. There is plenty of suspense to keep you turning the pages.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

Pam Jenoff once again has brought to light a part of WWII history that we do not usually hear or read about. A powerful mystery and riveting story of survival, love, and bravery during a very dark time in history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy of this wonderful novel. Looking forward to what Ms. Jenoff has in store for us next!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Publishing for an early copy of Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

Regular readers of historical fiction will no doubt find the little-known Levitan Department Store of Paris an intriguing setting for Nazi criminals to carry out the evil deed of separating stolen items and shipping them to Germany. Author Pam Jenoff has once again given readers a detailed, fast=paced and emotional experience that does not let up even at the conclusion of the War.

Jenoff has made use of multiple times lines and characters to share the story of an heirloom necklace that holds secrets that could affect those on both sides of the horrific conflict. Harriet, the young Jewish woman who falls in love with a cello player, marries against her parents' wishes, suffers separation from her husband and is taken prisoner to the branch of the Drancy detention camp in the heart of Paris, the former Levitan Department Store. Louise, a young British woman who joins a Red Cross mission to get packages to those in need in occupied France, learns of the mystery surrounding a Mizpah charm necklace and is relentless in finding the owner. Accusations of collaboration and not knowing a loved one's fate add to this highly-charged plot.

Pam Jenoff has a real gift for relating historical fiction in a clear manner which is invaluable in getting close to the characters.

A few of the occurrences in the book do seem a bit too convenient during such a stressful and confusing time, but the overall effort here is a winner for readers.

Jenoff is back with another amazing WWII historical fiction read-this one about a necklace, a French department store and two women’s stories. What I love about Jenoff’s writing is that there is action starting on page one. She educates and informs through the plot and not alongside it, so there is no slow burn build up or opportunities to put the book aside. This was my first time hearing about Lévitan, a French department store that housed arrested Jews during WWII. These Jews sorted through the stolen items taken from homes and displayed them for Nazi officials to buy. Alongside this piece of history, Jenoff weaves in a fabulous mystery that connects two women during their years surviving the war and a quest to figure out the truth ten years after.