This is such a sad, but hopeful historical fiction book about some of the unsung heroes of World War II, in this case the levels that people would go to to fund the resistance movement. Told in a dual timeline it follows Collete then and now, and is a nice book to read.

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I absolutely loved this story so much. I am a sucker for a split timeline and this one held mystery and intrigue.

While looking for what happened to her sister the night she died as a child in the war Colette tracks an important piece of jewelry last seen with her sister. When the bracelet resurfaces in a museum in Boston, Colette might be able to find her answers. Is she prepared for what she might find?

I have long been a Kristin Harmel fan and I will continue to read everything she writes!!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.

Kristen Harmel’s new book is a twist on the Robin Hood principle: steal from the rich to give to the poor. Colette Marceau learned at a very young age how to remove jewelry from a wealthy mark without them noticing. Her mother Annabel taught her and her first heist was at the age of 10. But a few years later her mother was arrested by the Germans in a raid, and her 4 year old sister later turns up dead in the Seine. Their mother had sewn a bracelet into the hem of Liliane’s nightgown, but was now missing. The novel alternates between the war and 2018, where a now elderly Colette has learned the bracelet is now in a Boston museum. If she can learn where the bracelet has been all these years, she”ll finally have answers to her tragic past. Recommended for all public libraries.

Kristin Harmel never disappoints and I absolutely loved her latest. Colette lead a fascinating life as a jewel
Thief taught by her mother and many generations before. The jewels all tie into how her life story is woven and the way it all ties together is lovely. Highly recommend for a book you won’t be able to put down.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

Finishing the year with a book that will be published in 2025. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was SO good! It is an emotional, gripping tale that beautifully weaves together themes of love, loss, betrayal, and identity. From the very first page, Harmel immerses readers in a world of mystery and tension, crafting a story that is as heartbreaking as it is captivating.

The novel follows Colette Marceau, a young woman who has lived a life built on secrets and deception. As a jewel thief, she has used deception to do good and right wrongs. The tension between Colette’s criminal past and her desire to find her sister gives the novel its heart-pounding intensity. Each clue she uncovers brings her closer to the truth, but it also brings her face-to-face with the consequences of her past choices

Wow! What a way to finish off 2024. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year. My recommendation: Rush to your local independent book shop or library to grab a copy as soon as it’s released on June 17, 2025.

Fast-paced, gripping mystery about a Parisian girl during WWII, a descendant of Robin Hood — and in a dual timeline, the same woman in 2018 in Massachusetts.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this excellent book by one of my favorite authors!

Read this if you like:

-dual timelines
-found family
-Robin Hood
-WWII stories
-a love story

I'm torn on this one because I loved Colette and her family's Robin Hood thievery, but there was a lot going on. Dual timelines tell the story of Colette's childhood during WWII and her life now as an elderly woman. She lost her sister and her mother during the war and when a bracelet that was hidden in her sister's nightgown surfaces, she knows she must track down the owner. She's been looking her entire life for the bracelet that would lead her to her sister's killer.

Young Colette is determined and headstrong and she hasn't changed as she's aged. She is a skilled jewel thief and has given millions to charity throughout her life. Her mother raised her to do good things and spread wealth to the less fortunate.

Her past catches up to her when the bracelet resurfaces and she must revisit her worst memories to move forward. Can she find her sister's killer before its too late?

3.5 rounded up to 4 ⭐. This wasn't my favorite book from Harmel, but it was a solid story that I enjoyed. I think I would have liked it more if there wasn't quite as much going on. We had a few love stories, a few shady characters, a cast of the resistance, dirty police officers, and bad neighbors. I would recommend it to those that enjoy a WWII story that isn't all doom and gloom and those that have enjoyed her previous books.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy to enjoy.

Kristin Harmel does it again! She’s a master storyteller that intertwines the past and present in a heart warming tale of heroism, enduring love, and family. Even after the story ends, it will remain with readers to do as Collette’s family legacy of doing good and to look for ways to contribute to society! Historical fiction fans will devour this story. Highly recommend! Five stars!

The cover is absolutely stunning and the book description was very interesting. The story unfolded in so many more ways than I expected. Absolutely loved the Robin Hood angle. I think I wanted a little more of that adventure, a couple more suspenseful twists, and a little less nostalgia. The book wrapped up in a very neat bow - although it was by no means a simple, happy journey. Was an easy read and I definitely enjoyed it, but I think there's a version of this that's a little more heist thriller that would have been more what I wanted. That being said - still recommend a read!

Collette lost her entire family as a teen in WWII Paris. Now, 76 years later and living in the USA, she is still searching for the person responsible when a photo changes everything. Absolutely wonderful.

Colette is descended from Robin Hood and her family has been stealing from the bad to support charities since are was a child. This book is a dual timeline between 1940's France when Colette is a child and 2018 when she is a nearing 90.

This book is based on two bracelets who were designed in France and rescued by Colette's mom as the owners were Jewish. Her mom sewed one into Colette's and her sister's nightgowns. Colette's sister was kidnapped and her body was found in the river a few days later. Colette has the other bracelet and has spent her life searching for the lost bracelet. She's determined to find out who killed her sister.

This is an excellent read, another one by Kristin Harmel!

A really great read. I loved all of the characters and how they intertwined with the past and the present. I also thought the book ended beautifully.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel is a beautiful story of of sacrifice and resilience in 1940’s Paris. Colette Marceau is haunted by the night that her mother was arrested, her sister vanished, and a priceless diamond bracelet disappeared. Decades later she embarks on a journey to uncover the truth. This novel is dual timeline, alternating between wartime Paris and the present day. The perfect historical fiction read with a bit of mystery!

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel is a gripping historical fiction novel set in dual timelines—one in Nazi-occupied France during the 1940s and another in more present times, 2018. As the story unfolds, both timelines become more intertwined, with Colette’s past and present gradually converging.

Colette comes from a long line of jewel thieves. Not just any kind of thieves, but those that have descended from Robin Hood. Their jewel captures are intended to punish those who have done wrong. The proceeds from the sale of the jewelry is then donated to organizations that help others.

Colette has lived a life of tragedy, enduring the loss of her mother, Annabel, and young sister, Liliane. She has also felt the stinging realities of a father that gave up on her, as well as the joys of a first love. Now, her biggest goal is to retrieve the missing bracelet that once belonged to a family friend and now is on display at a local museum in Boston. By retrieving the bracelet, Colette hopes to learn the truth. Where has the bracelet been all this time and who has kept it? Colette yearns to learn who is behind the deaths of her mother and sister.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and a huge fan of Kristin Harmel. The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is FANTASTIC! Colette is a modern day bad-ass. She conforms to no one and has strong and deep convictions. Colette evolves so much from the start to the end. You can feel her pain and her joys. She is a wonderfully developed character! This novel really got me thinking about right and wrong and who decides between those two distinctions.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kristin Harmel, and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery for the opportunity to read The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel.

Ms. Harmel is one of my favorite authors, and one who never disappoints her readers. With this latest novel, she gives us a magical story, and characters to fall in love with all backed by impeccable research. ?