I have read several of Kristin Harmel's novels about World War II, and I believe that this is the best one yet! The way she intertwines the lives of her characters feels almost as though you are witnessing the interactions first hand. The notes of romance, betrayal, love, and loss carry this novel beyond ordinary historical fiction to an exceptional example of a masterpiece, just as the butterfly bracelet was a masterpiece that impacted so many lives. This book will remain with me for quite some time.

A beautifully written story set in WWII Paris and modern day America. Colette’s mother is a direct descendant of Robin Hood. Her family, including a teenaged Colette, continued the tradition of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. This lifestyle leads to plenty of trouble.

Kristin Harmel is one of my favorite historical fiction writers, and The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is no exception.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kristin Harmel, and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read and ARC of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau.

Kristin Harmel’s historical fiction is always well researched and emotional, and this was not an exception. The generations of jewel thieves was so interesting to read about. The character of Collette was such an incredible person and her story was very moving and emotional. While the story was predictable, it was enjoyable to read. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I've never read a Kristin Harmel book that I didn't love, and The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is no different. This is a historical fiction novel, written with a dual timeline. The premise of locating and identifying stolen wartime items interests me and the fictional story that Harmel wove into her research makes it even more interesting. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

I was given an ARC of this book in return for a review.

What a fabulous read! Be sure and pick this one up June 2025.

Jewel thief, Colette Marceau, comes from a family of jewel thieves. The family code is that you only steal from the cruel unkind and you give to the poor or deserving. In WWII Colette lost her mother and young sister. Colette sends her life trying to find out what actually happened to her sister and the bracelet that was sewn in her nightgown when she disappeared. Read this one to find out what happened to Colette's sister and the journey the bracelet took.

Another wonderful novel by Kristin Harmel! I have been a fan of her novels for many years and this is another historical fiction that was difficult to put down. The story was beautifully written and very engaging to the reader.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau
by Kristin Harmel
Pub Date: June 17, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I adore this author and her books! It is hard to impress me but she writes well researched and enjoyable historical fiction.
She returns with an electrifying new novel about two jewel thieves, a priceless bracelet that disappears in 1940s Paris, and a quest for answers in a decades-old murder.
I was immediately hooked on the premise of generations of women stealing jewelry from the nefarious to help the needy. When a bracelet resurfaces after being last seen on Colette’s dead little sister decades ago, the mystery of what happened begs to be solved. The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau weaves a fabulous tale of heartbreak and bravery and just how hard one will fight for those they love. I absolutely loved Colette, who was clever, plucky, and quirky. Kristin Harmel has done it again with this marvelous book!

I have read a lot of WWII novels and I am no longer easy to impress with these historical fiction novels. Kristin Harmel does a great job of making this one unique and I WAS impressed! The story revolves around a family who is said to be decedents of Peter Pan. They steal jewels from Nazis and donate their profits to those who were wronged by them. There is some mystery and some romance too.

I would recommend this one to anyone who likes historical fiction. release date is 6/17/25. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Kristin Harmel hits another historical fiction out of the park again! The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau takes place mainly during World War II. Colette's mother is a Jewel thief, but has a strict code (as descendants of Robin Hood) of only stealing from those who are evil or bad. Colette joins her mother, but during WWII so much can happen! I loved the way Kristen writes. How she develops the characters through difficulties and hardships, and then also weaving in a beautiful story of love. Kristin binds so much together through tragedy, hardships, love, time, loss. And for me I didn't feel like any of the resolutions/endings were predictable at all. This part is what keeps me reading and guessing and hoping. I really enjoyed this new book by Kristin Harmel. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for allowing me an advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

When I read the synopsis for this book, I was immediately intrigued. I just finished it and it did NOT disappoint. I loved the character development as well as the mystery that was woven through the book. Colette was such a quirky, spry character and I appreciated the motivation behind her family's history with stealing. What better way to fight against the ones that benefit from the downfall of others than to beat them at their own game like a Holocaust Memorial Center funded by unsuspecting Neo Nazis. I loved the description of the bracelets in the book and kept wishing there would be an illustration of it in the book somewhere-as well as the ring.

Thank you for the Advanced Readers Copy of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau.

I am a huge fan of Kristin Harmel. I have read every book she has written. The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau was another fantastic read. From the very first page the store drew me in, and I could not put it down.

I really liked this book. The story about a family running a jewelry theft business was super interesting and made me want to learn more. There were some really sad parts, especially when we found out the truth about Collette's little sister's death. The characters felt so real – I could imagine having a conversation with them. I definitely recommend this book. It was easy to read and left me wanting more.

A beautiful story woven between 1940s Paris and current day America. From the first page, I was riveted. The character development was phenomenal and all the pieces fell perfectly into place.

This is the 4th book I’ve read from author, Kristin Harmel and I loved it so much. At first I was worried that nothing could live up to her other books but I was wrong. It has it all: heartbreak, mystery, loss, love, faith, courage, deceit, and forgiveness. Set in alternating times, 2018 in Boston and 1944 WWII in Paris. We see how so much of our past affects our future. - However, Family History and tradition are wonderful but don’t let them take away your chose for your future. One of my favorite quotes (there are so many)
- “We’re all capable of doing extraordinary things to effect change. “ Received as an ARC through NetGalley.

Beautifully written, wonderful book. loved every word of it. It was incredibly engaging the entire time. I didn't want to put it down!

Wow, what a book! Just when you think you have the mystery solved, the author throws in another wrench. It didn’t feel forced though. Beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read.

I adore this book, and I can’t wait for it to be released so others can fall in love with it too. I received this advance copy from NetGalley in conjunction with the author and publisher. It was a beautiful and powerful story of legacy, redemption, lost love, family dynamics, and the trials of wartime. I can’t recommend it enough!

Kristin Harmel is one of my favorite authors. I so enjoy and typically learn something new about WW11 and resistance fighters in her books. Colette is an octogenarian and the protagonist. The premise of stealing is at the core of the story. Or, in this case taking back that of which has been stolen. The book is also about family, the love of others and forgiveness. I especially like Kristin’s personal words written in the author’s note.

Thank you #NetGalley, #GalleyBooks, #KristinHarmel and#TheStolenLifeofColetteMarceau for the arc for my honest review.

the middle of the book was a little repetitive. I loved the way the families were tied together at the end. A little romance was appreciated. Nice to see octogenarians as main characters.

Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. Kristin Harmel does it again! Every book of hers that I have read thus far I have given 5 stars to and this book is no different. This is a historical fiction book with dual timelines, one is set in Nazi occupied France in 1942 and the other is in more present times, 2018. I loved the story line, the characters, the emotions that are stirred, how she intertwines the past and the present and most of all how masterfully she pulls it all together at the end of the book. LOVED IT!