This was my first book by this author, but definitely won't be my last. I love how this book is a dual story about a dressmaker and a cancer survivor set in Paris during WWII and present time both. Reading this book made me feel like I was there, right where the story was being set at, watching the women first hand. This book was deeply emotional to me, and left me turning page after page ignoring the time! I highly suggest reading this book! I can't wait to read more from this author!!!

This beautifully written and well researched novel has a dual time line that take place during World War II and
current times. The three main characters are all women and they all show the bravery and tenacious of women who are faced with almost impossible problems.

Ruby is a 25 year old writer who has just gotten a cancer-free diagnosis after suffering two years with the disease. She knows that the cancer could come back like it has for so many of her friends from the hospital so she tries to live her life to the fullest even as she worries about her future. She is researching a popular actress from the 1940s who vanished in 1942. When she uncovers a diary, she realizes that she needs to travel to Paris to find out more about the life of Cécile, the “it girl” of early 1940s French cinema. Sylvia Rousseau, Cécile’s dressmaker and confidante also disappeared at the same time. The novel shifts between Ruby in modern times and the historical story of Cecile and Sylvia and their work with the French Resistance. The more Ruby learns about the two women, the more she realizes that they risked their hearts and lives to aid the Resistance and each day was a struggle to survive. Ruby facing cancer is spending every day worrying about the possibility of the cancer returning. She realizes that she needed to learn to look forward to the future rather than fear the past just like Cecile and Sylvia had to do.

The characters in this novel were beautifully written and the story was very emotional. The two timelines melded together and there was no confusion as the story skipped back and forth. All three women showed how brave they were as they lived their lives looking forward to their futures. I know that there are a lot of WWII books to choose from right now but this is one that you don't want to miss.

After Paris was a great read giving you a non linear timeline from multiple viewpoints. I’ve read a lot of historical fiction novels about France in WWII and this gave me a fresh story and perspective. Definitely a book to add to your 2025 TBR stack.

I love this author and this new book by her. A dual storyline about a cancer survivor and a dressmaker in Paris durring WWII sets the storyline. Ruby, in the present, recovering from cancer, begins researching the history of the dressmaker (Sylvia) and what became of her after the war. Both women deal in fashion and the descriptions of the clothes are fabulous. Also, the conditions in Paris are written in such a way that the reader can place themselves there. Another great read by this author and I look forward to reading more of her books.

After Paris
Mary Ellen Taylor
Synopsis

Ruby is a cancer survivor looking for a person that has been missing since World War II. The missing person is Cecile who was an assistant to an actor during World War Two. These two share an incredible journey of self discovery and show remarkable courage. Ruby is writing an article about the Cecile. While she is researching on what to write, she finds one of Cecile's relatives and Madame gives her Cecile's journal that she used during World War Two.

Thoughts
Overall I liked the writing. It felt very easy to read. However, one critique is that the book is written as a romance but I felt like that was only the subgenre. It read more historical and adventurous. I really liked the character growth throughout the book. It had a nice plot line and generally quite slow paced. It was also at times a bit difficult to understand what was happening in the book. But it came together quite nicely and I liked the ending.

Audience
If you like a bit of mystery, adventure and historical elements to a novel, then this book is for you.

This story weaves two timelines together and joins the female characters in such a way that it draws you in. It tells the story of an actress during WW2, her seamstress, her sister as they fight to stay alive during the German occupation of Paris. The modern day timeline is that of Ruby, who is a fashionista putting the actress' story together for a feature article. Ruby is so likeable that you have to keep reading to find out how her life plays out. I didn't really anticipate the ending, as it was a surprise and a puzzle. I did feel like the ending was slightly rushed, but it all still came together nicely. Thanks for the ARC.

After Paris by must read author, Mary Ellen Taylor is a gut wrenching, deeply emotional dual time line story about a modern day writer researching a story about a famous Parisian actress who vanished without a trace midway through WWII. Both stories will keep the reader eagerly turning pages. This reviewer’s thoughts at the finish were, “Wow! I never saw that coming.” I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

After Paris by Mary Ellen Taylor is an engaging and thought-provoking novel that blends the past and present beautifully. The story follows Ruby Nevins, a 25-year-old woman who, after surviving a two-year battle with cancer, is cautiously trying to move forward with her life. When Ruby begins researching a French actress, Cécile, from the 1940s, she uncovers an old diary that leads her to a mystery involving Cécile’s disappearance during Nazi-occupied Paris, as well as the life of Sylvia Rousseau, Cécile’s dressmaker and confidante.

The novel shifts between Ruby's modern-day story and the historical accounts of Cécile and Sylvia, two women who risked their lives during the war to help the Resistance. As Ruby uncovers their pasts, she starts to see parallels between their strength in survival and her own journey to overcome cancer.

The characters in After Paris are well-developed, and the story is both engaging and emotional. Cécile and Sylvia’s lives during wartime are inspiring and show the deep courage and sacrifices women made in the face of danger. Through Ruby’s connection to these women, the novel explores important questions about survival and judgment. Ruby reflects on the choices these women made during the war, and it makes readers think: who can judge people just trying to survive in such a time of fear and danger?

Overall, After Paris is a highly enjoyable read with memorable characters and an emotional, thought-provoking story. It’s a beautiful reminder of the strength people can find when faced with life’s toughest challenges. Taylor does an excellent job of creating a story about survival, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is a gorgeous, haunting journey through time that grips you by the heart. The juxtaposition of Ruby’s fight for life with the bravery of these women in WWII creates such emotional depth. The way the author weaves the past and present together feels seamless, Ruby’s connection with these two women feels so real. The pacing is perfect, and the historical elements are richly layered, making it impossible not to get lost in this story.

Wow!!!

This was the first book I’ve read from this author, and it certainly won’t be my last.

From start to finish I was gripped, so much so that I stayed awake until 2am to finish it. Books with multiple timelines can often end up confusing and disjointed, but Mary expertly wove the stories together in a way that was just perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of both Ruby and Sylvia, and love how there were additional POVs at the start and end of the book from others - not too much, but enough to round the whole story out.

I would love to read sequels from the POV of Emile during the timeline of this book, and Otto through to the end of the war.

5 stars out of 5 ⭐️

I love this book and feel Taylor has a way with creating characters with heart and storylines that keep you engaged and motivated to continue reading
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

Oh my gosh
Ruby is a huge fan of historical French cinema and especially an actress named Cecile who was popular in the early 1940’s and then disappeared without a trace in 1942 and Ruby wants to try and find out what happened to her
A note before I properly start the review, some things may read a bit odd this time and apologies in advance, there are some bits of the book that I don’t want to spoil for you
This book is truly totally amazing and had me hooked from the very start. It looks at a part of the war that so often doesn’t get talked about, those who had to work with the Germans and in a more niche subject, the French film industry in wartime which is something I didn’t really know anything about before reading this book
The story is told primarily by Ruby and Cecile’s dressmaker Sylvia, whose daughter is assisting Ruby in her quest to find out what happened and to tell her mother’s story. To me, this worked really well and I could feel the danger and drama that Sylvia and Cecile had to go through and then the contrast with the modern characters which flowed and kept me reading
I will admit that there were some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming but which I loved and this book kept me hooked and reading late into the night, desperate to know what would happened
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy an unconventional war time book which will pull you in and keep you reading

I really enjoyed this as a story and enjoyed the look into these women's lives, the overall storyline worked well and was glad it had that element that I was looking for. Mary Ellen Taylor has a strong writing style and the characters had that feel that I wanted. I enjoyed the overall feel of this and enjoyed how it showed the different periods.