Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff Historial novel about a little known piece of WWII history. The Lévitan, a well-known Paris department store was utilized as a work camp to distribute and sort through European Jews' confiscated property. The story moves slowly since it is told from several points of view and timelines. The work is characterized by a strong sense of love and hope.

Thank you to the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

Another WWII winner by Pam Jenoff! Two stories are intertwined about two different women and their families during the Nazi occupation in France and post war Britain. Louise and Helaine’s experiences differ greatly, yet they both share the trait of dogged determination.

The mystery of a Mizpah necklace- where two halves come together to form a whole-forms the center of this tale. While Helaine is physically and emotionally separated from her family, Louise is separated emotionally from her husband suffering from WWII PTSD. This necklace serves symbolically as their bond.

I totally missed a huge clue in the story about two of the characters and salute Ms. Jenoff for pulling that off. Well done! Four stars from this reviewer.

If you love Pam Jenoff books, you will not be disappointed with this latest book. It was a wonderful WWII book showcasing two strong women. I loved how it was written from two perspectives, Louise, a non-Jewish RedCross volunteer and a young Jewish woman,Helaine, who married a non-Jew. The story goes back and forth between wartime Paris and 1953 London. There are twists and turns as Louise tries to find the rightful owner of a missing necklace.

Thank you NetGallery for giving me the opportunity to preview this gem.

When forces are determined to keep the truth buried, Helaine and Louise show how love and sacrifice thwart the efforts and illuminate the path to second chances. Jenoff showcased the juxtaposition of her main characters well and readers will have a compelling story that showcases two difficult, yet very different wartime experiences.

I always anticipate and appreciate a Jenoff book because I know I’ll get a well-researched and well-written piece of historical fiction that explores a little-known piece of history. Jenoff explored the complex wartime role of the Red Cross in Europe, piqued my interest in Mizpah charms, and wrapped me up in a compelling story about a Red Cross volunteer and a Jewish Holocaust victim.

I was most invested in Helaine and Gabriel’s story and enjoyed uncovering the threads of mystery.

I quickly found myself down a Google rabbit hole investigating the author’s inspiration for this book and have added Juliet Blackwell’s book, The Paris Showroom to my tbr in an effort to learn more.

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

We meet Louise who had helped the war effort by first donating her time with the Red Cross then actually going overseas to deliver packages with them. We meet her after the war has ended and her husband has come home changed and scarred by the war. She is now a housewife taking care of the home and the children while her husband goes to work and is still not quite with them when he comes home. Her adventure into the past starts when she finds a necklace while sorting goods at the secondhand shop. It reminds her of a different time and sets her off to find out the origin of the necklace and see if she can find out what happened to her friend all those years ago. What will Louise find when she starts this journey to uncover the truth? Will she find resistance from everyone, or will she be able to follow the crumbs to lead her to victory?

Pam Jenoff brings us the story of Louise and her quest to uncover the truth about her friend, the necklace, and the ugliness of war. We meet different characters and follow along as they live out their lives and the consequences of their decisions - both good and bad. Read to see if Louise finds the owner of the necklace and what her connection to it is. As you read, you are drawn into the story and keep going to find out what happens next. There are some parts that are difficult to digest and there are other parts where you are trying to keep up with them.

I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for this privilege. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was a strong historical romance book, though I am finding I have enjoyed others more. Something seemed to be missing for me here. Still enjoyed though.

We meet Louise who delivered packages to prisoners of war during World War II and Helaine who was a prisoner in the Levitan department store taken over by the Nazis that housed goods stolen from Jewish homes.

The prisoners had to sort through all of the goods, and the German officers would stop by to buy it.

Louise now has a husband and twin children and works in a secondhand store. One day she found a necklace that she recognized as one similar to the one her friend Franny had.

How did the necklace happen to be in a box with other items that came to the second hand shop with the name Levitan Department Store on the outside?

Could it be the same one?

Louise travels to France and meets her old heartthrob but he disappears and she continues to try to solve the mystery of the necklace and to find out what really happened to her friend Franny.

Will she find out about the necklace or simply find what prisoners housed in the department store endured and were forced to do?

We learn of Heleine’s fate, her eventual arrest because she was Jewish, and her time in the department store.

If you have read Pam Jenoff’s books, you know you will be reading a marvelous, well-researched historical gem with a pull-you-in storyline and with characters you will love and be able to feel their every emotion. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I typically enjoy Pam Jenoff's books. As an avid WWII reader, her books are always popping up in my feed. Last Twilight in Paris was about a very interesting and little known time that French Jewish citizens were held prisoner in a well-known furniture store right in the middle of Paris. I found it very clever that Jenoff wrote from two different character's points of view in slightly different timelines (rather than completely different periods) and wove them together into the present at the end. While both the characters and the plot were fairly well developed, I just felt like something was missing for me. I felt like it took me FOREVER to read this not epically long novel, and when I finished, I just felt relieved.

I love historical fiction and Pam Jenoff is one of the best authors of the genre. “Last Twilight In Paris” is thought-provoking, suspenseful, and a must-read for 2025. Jenoff does a beautiful job of expressing the heartbreak of war, while also showing the resilience of people still trying to hold on to hope and love amidst the horror. Well-developed characters that you can easily connect to and a thrilling plot made this one hard to put down.

Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance!

I will always read a Pam Jenoff book, regardless of subject. I love her writing style, the stories she crafts, and the lasting impression her books make. The Last Twilight in Paris was no different. We very well written novel that explores a different facet of WWII than we usually hear.

In 1953 London, Louise is helping to empty a box for her friend's shop and runs across a necklace she knows are has seen before. It dawns on her are saw it when helping the red cross delivering care packages in Germany and that her friend was killed that night. She's never figured out what happened to her but didn't believe it was just a car accident. Now she's on a mission to figure out the owner of the necklace so she can hopefully figure out what really happened to her friend. A great read!

“Last Twilight in Paris” by Pam Jenoff is an amazing and memorable masterpiece, weaving the events, people and places in history. I am a huge fan of Pam Jenoff, and have read all of her books, which mostly are set in the historical frame of World War Two. Kudos to the author for writing such a heartfelt and thought-provoking story. The author vividly describes the events, the locations, and the dramatic characters. The genres for this story are Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Adult Fiction, and World War Two Historical Fiction with a touch of Romance. The story mostly takes place in Paris and London during and after World War Two.

After World War Two, Louise, who helped deliver packages to prisoners in Nazi-occupied Europe for the Red Cross, is now a housewife with twins and a husband with PTSD from the war. She volunteers and finds half of a locket in a crate. This locket reminds her of one that a friend and singer during the War, had asked Louise to take it out of the camp . Louise was afraid to help this friend because of her fear of the Germans. Her friend had died shortly after that. On the bottom of the crate is the name of a famous Parisian department store. Louise is determined to unravel this mystery. You will be shocked to discover the information about this store.

This is a fast paced novel with danger, espionage, twists and turns, and unexpected revelations. There were a few intense and edgy UH-OH moments. I love how Pam Jenoff discusses the importance of loyalty, survival, communication, sisterhood, love and hope. I highly recommend this as a must to read book for 2025.

Another great read by Pam Jenoff. She always finds an interesting bit of history and creates an intriguing fiction story about the topic/time.

This is the back and forth story of Louise and Helaine. This story switches from 1953 post-war England to the years during the war in Paris. Louise finds a necklace that she recalls seeing during the war and is determined to find out the origins and if it connected the fate of her best friend during the war.

Pam Jenoff is a master storyteller of historical fiction. Every time I read one of her books, I learn so much. I highly recommend this book to anyone but especially readers that enjoy historical fiction.

Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest opinion. This is one book you shouldn't miss!

Pam Jenoff is a master at finding forgotten and little talked about pieces of history and crafting stories around them. "Last Twilight in Paris" is her latest entry into her Historical Fiction library. Set in dual timelines of 1940's Paris during WWII and 1953 Post-War England, Jenoff tells the stories of Helaine, a French Jew living in Paris during the German occupation, and Louise, an English woman who spent time as a Red Cross Volunteer in occupied Europe during the war. Helaine finds herself imprisoned by the Nazis in Levitan, a Parisian department store that sells the plundered belongings of European Jews to Germans and the French who collaborated with them. In 1953, Louise finds a locket that looks like one she saw in her time as a volunteer and is determined to find out his provenance. In her search, she discovers the history of Levitan where Helaine was imprisoned.

Jenoff, as always, skillfully weaves together the important moments in history with the stories of her fictional heroines. I thoroughly enjoyed Jenoff's books "Lost Girls of Paris" and "The Girl with the Blue Star". This book was no different. I highly recommend this read to anyone who is a fan of historical and WWII fiction. This book is perfect for fans of Kristin Harmel or Martha Hall Kelly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for allowing me to ready this book prior to publication.

I like this one . I like most of her novels and this was no exception. Her books are well researched and just overall good additions to this genre . I loved reading about Paris during the war .Overall wonderful book by this author
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

I am so excited this is Pam Jenoff’s latest book. My Dad and I read all her books together. My Dad turned 91, September 20th. Pam Jenoff is his favorite author and I love her books, too. He wants the Physical Book though. Fortunately, he is doing much better, so will order the Book for Him from Barnes & Noble and Signed by Pam Jenoff. He will love that. It is Spectacular just to look at.

I Read this book in 3 days, stayed up late to finish. The Stories Pam Jenoff comes up with are always so interesting. In a Paris Department Store, Lévitan, there are Jewish People Arrested and housed there. During the day, they must work unloading and sorting all the furniture, accessories, and home goods from Jewish Families Homes. The Jewish People have been sent East, clearly with no plans of Returning. Then the Merchandise is displayed and Germans can purchase it. This is horrible, but actually happened.

So, a young couple Helaine and her husband, Gabriel who is a top Cello Player, are trying to start a life together when the war harshly stumbles over their lives. Gabriel must leave the Country to play in an Orchestra and Helaine is Jewish, so eventually she ends up at Levitan. This is considered a good place to be compared to the Camps many are sent to, but it is brutal to be there. Helaine does not know if Gabriel is alright or her parents either. Helaine sneaks to the Rooftop and sees the glorious beauty of Paris all around her, and is in shock that she is caged in an Upscale Department Store frightened and hungry all the time.

Then there is Louise. She is eager to help with the war effort and volunteers to help The Red Cross. She even agrees to go into enemy territory to bring POW’s Care Packages with Food and Supplies. This is quite dangerous though. She meets a performer, Franny and each sees a kindred soul in the other. Yet, Franny seems to possibly be taking too many risks to help those suffering. She wants Louise to help deliver a heart necklace to a man’s wife. Louise wants to help, but also get home safely.

In 1953, Louise has married her husband, Joe, carrying psychological wounds from the war. They have two children and life has become a bit stifling for her. She works at a Shop in England, sorting out seconds hand goods. Her eye catches a heart shaped necklace, just like the one she saw back during the War. Could it possibly be the same one and if so, she wants to know the full story. So, she sets off to London and Paris to find out. It is quite a story.

It was so heartbreaking all the pain the war caused so many people, but through all that struggle we are reminded that even wounded people still can find ways to savor the joy in life. All the pieces of the story blend seamlessly and there is much beauty left after all the destruction.

Love Wins over Hate, even if you end up losing someone you love. My Dad is Going to love this Book. I love you, Dad. Can’t wait to talk this one over with you. 💕

This is my first Jenoff book, I had heard great things about her books before so of course I was really excited going into this one. Unfortunately this wasn’t for me, I DNF around 40-% mark. I love historical fictions but this one was VERY slow moving and I just couldn’t get into the story. So disappointing.

This is a historical fiction journey based on true times.
It is the best!
World War II and the Germans are invading Paris . They are confiscating all the Jewish possessions from the homes and selling them in a place named Levitan. These are people's treasures from many homes.
These people are also held there in this store and made to assist in setting up the goods. It is a Nazi prison!

Louise is a young woman who volunteered with the Red Cross at that time and now years later finds a necklace in thrift shop that she definitely remembers from the war days. Not remembering where she has seen this item she begins

It is in a box marked Levitan.
There are many sad stories from the time in the war including the death of Louise's dear confidant that has never actually been resolved.
Louise makes it her mission to find out who this necklace actually belongs to and what happened to her beloved friend.

This is where the mystery and journey begins to unfold throughout the chapters and World War II.

Pam Jenoff writes in a way that I felt as if I was actually there walking, talking and hiding at times. It is very well done and I encourage everyone to read this novel.
Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.

I received an advanced copy of the Last Twilight in Paris from the publisher. A fan of Pam Jenoff, I was excited to read her latest novel. It was very much a Pam Jenoff novel, which made it more of a comfort read than something groundbreaking. I liked the dual narratives and engaging characters. While I could see some of the twists coming, there were other connections that caught me by surprise. I would recommend for any World War II historical fiction fans.

Another gem by Pam Jenoff! Helaine is a Jew in Nazi controlled Paris, newly married to cellist, Gabriel. While he is away she is arrested and kept prisoner in a former furniture store, forced to sort through items stolen from houses as Jews are sent to concentration camps.

Louise is a former red cross worker who visited pow camps during the war. Their connection is a pair of necklaces made up of two halves of a heart - one worn by Helaine and the other kept by Gabriel. He tries to get his half to Helaine after he is arrested, but it never makes it and it ends up in Louise's shop almost 10 years later.

Part Holocaust fiction (which Jenoff excels at), part spy story, and part murder mystery, this book is hard to put down. Jenoff is always an automatic buy for me and this book does not disappoint. It is one of her best!