The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White was a riveting tale of secret codes and evading Nazi rule in Paris in WWII. The author’s faith in God was evident in her characters as they leaned on the Lord’s grace and protection through their trials of survival and saving books the Germans deemed a threat.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

What a moving book! My heart ached for the characters but especially for the real people that endured such a horrific time in history.

Thank you Roseanna for such a great story.

Full of poignancy, truth, history, redemption, and love. Come for the story, stay for the message, leave not the same. Corinne is a woman ahead of her time. Highly intelligent, employed as a professor, and committed to seeing freedom for her beloved city. She is skeptical of Christian but drawn to his brilliant mind and passion for books. As their shared interests grow, so does their romance. Secrets are shared and pursuit of the right for learning and freedom in thoughts and opinions are kindled. The ugliness of the Nazi’s attempt to snuff the light of all things different, the hope of the resistance, and the beauty of redemption are woven together to create a memorable tale of the banned books and the people who fought for the truth’s they contained. I loved Christian’s authenticity, his deeply rooted faith, and his fierce protectiveness of those he loved. There are so many lines of memorable truth you will want your highlighter and a notebook ready. Be prepared to be inspired, challenged, and swept off your feet in this story.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

While this wasn't necessarily a cosy weekend read, I do love a solid historical romance. This author always does a fantastic job of weaving together historical details in all their difficult nature (if being set in and around WWII wasn't enough of an indicator) with a hope-filled story and well-written characters. It was beautifully written and one I will definitely re-read in future. Highly recommend to lovers of historical fiction, suspense and romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the complimentary copy I received in return for my honest review.

This powerful World War II novel weaves together history, espionage, and an unexpected friendship set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Paris. At its heart is the fight not just for survival, but for truth—hidden within the pages of banned books that defy oppression.

Corinne Bastien has spent years finding solace and purpose in a Parisian library that collects and safeguards the very books the Nazis seek to destroy. But when the German army seizes the city, her sanctuary is torn from her, along with the secrets she has hidden within its walls—secrets that could aid the Allies in their battle against tyranny.

Christian Bauer, a reluctant participant in the Nazi machine, is a professor forced into service under Goebbels to oversee the “relocation” of France’s libraries. But beneath his uniform beats the heart of a man who believes in knowledge, freedom, and the power of ideas—ideas that his own country is trying to erase. As he walks the tightrope between duty and defiance, he crosses paths with Corinne, and an uneasy alliance forms between them.

The novel is a testament to the power of words, exploring how books shape history, preserve truth, and unite people—even those on opposite sides of war. The tension is palpable, not just from the ever-present danger of discovery, but from the moral struggles both Corinne and Christian face as they navigate loyalty, survival, and trust in a time of darkness.

For fans of historical fiction that delves into the resilience of the human spirit, this book is both gripping and deeply moving.

What a remarkable story. I was aware that books were burned, but I had no idea how many steps were involved in the actual burning process. Like you, I hadn't given much consideration to the novels they selected. This author's masterful work on the topic demonstrates the power and innocence of the written word.

The author's skill in capturing the essence of the situation pleasantly surprised me and touched me deeply. The novel provokes reflection on the conflict and shows many of the people involved in getting this task done. It hadn't dawned on me that there were people trying to save as many books as possible on the to-be-burned list. That was another side of this story that stirred me.

This would be perfect for a book club pick because the novel covers a lot of ground. The book includes questions for group discussion. If you enjoy historical novels, this story is a-must-read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher, Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

This is a very detain oriented book set in Paris in WW2. The interactions of the characters are good. The amount of fine, minute details, makes for a long and heavy read.

Absolutely loved this story. The characters and the plot were so interesting I couldn't put it down. The Collector of Burned Books is a heartfelt story that I will think about for years. Thank you NetGalley for the arc. 5 stars

No this wasn’t on my list of February hopefuls but I felt like jumping into a Historical Fiction and I’m glad I picked this one.
We follow Christian and Corrine as they navigate Paris in WWII, Christian as a Nazi sent to dismantle Parisian libraries and Corinne as a female Professor at a university using banned books to smuggle information to the Allies. When their worlds collide we see glimmers of hope, humanity, and love through one of the most testing times of the modern world.
This book was uplifting and heart wrenching at the same time.

I would have loved the book to dive further into the information sharing with the Allies aspect of the story to add to the tension as I felt it sort of slipped away at the end but if you like WWII historical fiction with a sprinkle of romance you will enjoy this one.

Roseanna M. White does it again! The Collector of Burned Books is a provocative, fresh take on how people survived World War II in Paris - even when they came into constant contact with the Nazi administration.

The Collector of Burned Books isn't your typical story from this time period - it's not about the Holocaust, Hitler, or even any of the resistance movements, particularly. Instead it's about the force behind it all: the overwhelming importance of ideas, the power of the printed word, and what happens when people begin to fear that which is different from their own.

This book will challenge what you know and ask you to go deeper, and you'll want to go. Full of quotable truths that need to make their way onto t-shirts and posters, White pulls it all in: hate vs. love, genocide and eugenics, prison camps and blind loyalty and greed and idealism.

Main character Christian Bauer's idea of sacrificial love is one that you want to read. Tested to the extreme, he gives everything he has. Corinne Bastien has met her match in Bauer, because he challenges not only her skills but her ideas, hopes, and dreams.

This book fits so many niches: World War II/history, romance, historical suspense, and literary. Because of that, I'm sure it's one you'll enjoy. Give it a try - I bet you'll be glad you did.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Collector of Burned Books
by Roseanna M. White
Pub Date; July 15, 2025
Thanks to the author, Tyndale House and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.
Roseanna M. White delivers again. I read her last book, An Honorable Deception, earlier this fall, and it became one of my favorite books of all time. The Collector of Burned Books was a wonderful story of hope, triumph and bookish delight. I love books, writing, libraries , and a good character driven story.
Readers who like a story set during WWII should enjoy this gripping tale. It takes a personal look at what people may have experienced during the beginning of the war in a once vibrant city to one under increasingly stringent rules, shortages of food, and oppression of freedom.

The Collector of Burned Books

By Roseanna M. White

The story follows Christian Bauer, a professor who is tasked by the Germans to ensure books banned by Germany are removed from libraries in Paris. Christian soon meets Corinne, a Parisienne professor at the Sorbonne who lives nearby and frequents on of the smaller, Jewish run libraries in Paris.

This story had me captivated right from the start and became more and more intense as it developed. At times heartbreaking but always heart-warming, this story is an interesting take on people's lives during this horrific time.

Thank you Roseanna M. White and Netgalley for this ARC read!

The Collector of Burned Books is a beautifully written story set during the Nazi invasion of Paris.

Corinne Bastien is a professor of linguistics and philosophy in 1940s Paris. Despite the risks, Corinne bravely navigates not only academia as a female professor but also the dangerous world of espionage, doing her part to bring Nazi intel to the Resistance. Christian Bauer has been sent by the Nazi party to dismantle the Parisian libraries, including the Library of Burned Books. Christian, in his own way, fights to protect those he loves—both human and literary. Though proud of his German heritage, he opposes Nazi ideology and takes quiet but dangerous risks under the regime’s ever-watchful eye.

From the start, Corinne sees Christian in his gray Nazi uniform as the enemy. But as the story unfolds, a reluctant friendship emerges as they share their love of books and discover a deeper connection.

Roseanna M. White's books never disappoint; her attention to historical detail is unparalleled. From the very first page, I was drawn into 1940s Paris, feeling the tension and uncertainty of the time. Corinne is brave—strong, smart, and willing to risk her life for others. Christian, a bit of a book nerd, is the perfect foil for her. He challenges her preconceived notions of who he is and opens her heart to bigger dreams than she ever dared to dream. I love Christian’s heart—how he befriends everyone, from Parisians to fellow soldiers to scholarly Jews. He shows that true kindness and care can win more people to your side than words ever could.

This book was a stirring read that left me with a deeper appreciation for the struggles of World War II.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author Roseanna M. White and Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

If you like historical fiction, based in War World II, Paris, books, and faith. Then I have a recommend book for you! The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White releases in July 2025 and will be one to put on your to-be-read pile.

This is a new to me author, and bonus, she is a homeschool mom and has a few other historical books she has published, so I look forward to checking those out.

Now, back to the book, I really enjoyed all the characters in this book and learning what it would be like living during the time frame of the 1940s in Paris. The author shared a wonderful story, along with historical information about overcoming their struggles, the impact of books, working together, seeing that sometimes people are not always what they seem from the uniform, all was really encouraged to read amongst the difficulty. A reminder that having good character matters, to not jump to conclusions, and looking for good in others is important and can make a difference.

Here are a few highlights I made from the book that I think say a lot:

Books didn’t burn. Books ignited. They lit the burning in others. Not with paper and match. With ideas.
Choose your battles, she said on a low exhale. And bide your time. Not for revenge – but for the change to build friends instead of enemies. That’s what he told me that day. That the only way to defeat a bully was to win him over. they only way to truly defend what you believe is to make your enemy believe it too. Make him your friend.
Madness can never be cured from the outside. It can only be healed within.
They would be a force – students always were – but it was yet to be seen what kind of force they would be. Resistance? Or true surrender?
When a people stopped entertaining opposing ideas, when they condemned the different as evil, then it was a short step from closed-minded to violently oppressive.
The people could get so caught up in their own ideology that they forgot that the love of wisdom wasn’t about being right.
But what if it hadn’t just been some strange chance, or even Reinholdt’s conniving, that had led them here? What if it was what God wanted? What if the Lord had sent him here to try to mitigate some of the damage being done, to help those he could?
Without lively debate, the ideas that you most treasure never would have developed. People don’t just need to be handed something to believe in – they must wrestle with it, against it, and for it before they can truly claim it as their own.
But as too many in Germany had already learned, sometimes God didn’t intervene. Sometimes He let the monsters come. Sometimes good people, good Christians, good Jews were dragged of in the night, no matter the prayers they cried. He’d promised to be with His people through persecutions – not to prevent them.

This book, I feel, has a lot that can be learned from and applied to today’s world and conflicts we are seeing. This is definitely one of those books that will stick with me for a while and will be worth a reread again. I’m marking this as one of my favorites!

I am not sure if 2025 is just going to be a great year for books or if I am just finding all the right books for me. The Collector of Burned Books is another amazing five-star book. I would probably go as far as to say 6-star if that was possible. I want to thank Tyndale Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I am not a highlighter of books. Well, that's not exactly true. I will highlight and make notes in almost every non-fiction book I read however, for fiction, I am not someone who annotates my books. All that changed within the first few pages of this book. Page after page, there were powerful lines that hit me deeply, and I want to remember them forever.

"I think," he said slowly, "that the words we hear, the words we read, the words we sing along to on the radio and study in the papers with our morning coffee, become our thoughts. I think our thoughts become our beliefs. And I think our beliefs become our actions. That is why Goebbels sent us here, Kraus. Because words form the foundation of society. Ideas create culture. Control them, and you can control . . . everything." - Roseanna M White from The Collector of Burned Books.

I encourage everyone to read this book. Even if Christian fiction is not your typical genre, the lessons highlighted in this book are important for anyone to read, especially this year as more and more books are becoming banned in our country (US). Yes, it does have a religious aspect of the story, but that's because of the time frame the book is talking about. Religion played a huge role during Hitler's reign in Europe. The story is not heavy with religious ideas or persuasion outside the role it plays in the character's lives and experiences.

💌Review: The Collector of Burned Books

☕Rate: 5 Stars ( 10 Million Stars!!)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🍨Praise: The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M White has nestled inside my heart and I don't want it to ever leave! When I first saw the cover of this book I knew I was meant to pick it and read it. The way the woman on the cover, Corinne, stares outside of a Parisian window and looking at a striking man with secrets in a fedora That man being Christian! It's as if Jesus put His hand on my shoulder and told me this book is definitely for me to read!

💄 When I saw this World War II romance was on netgalley I knew it was meant to be! When I got the email that I was selected to read it before it's debut in July my heart soared! I knew once I read the story I would never be the same. Some books just do that. Some books become a part of your life and leave their mark on you. This is definitely that book! I couldn't get enough of Corrine and Christian! Both do not want this war and they are both fighting back in their own small ways.

💖 Christin is a soldier for Germany and is in charge of identifying books the bad guys deem unworthy and marking them. He meets Corrine! Who was working at the Library of Burned Books! The moment he sees her there's this small cosmic spark. A curiosity on both their ends. What start out as enemy vs. enemy becomes a love story that rival the Eiffel Tower in its golden glory at night!

🎙️ They both come to help one another escape people and situations that have made them both stay hidden along with their actions. Rosanna completely enthralled me with every moment these two were together. And every moment that they couldn't be together. My heart ached for the both of them when stolen moments had to be put on pause for bigger secrets! The side characters were all absolutely amazing! They really were helping these two people find their way to both each other and safety.

🍭 The enemy characters, the real enemies, were definitely written very well! I wanted to punch two of them LOL Every time a secret was revealed about either character I knew the patience they would give one another was a sign of their devotion and love for each other.

🕯️ Jesus was 100% evident in this book! It was always mentioned how He would get everyone through something that the world did not see coming. His strength and wisdom radiated through priests and prayer!

☕Characters: All the characters, whether they were good or bad, were casted in my head as if I was on a movie set! A beautiful World War II romantic movie set that I would have definitely have taken a lot of pictures on! I really love how the author described each scene as if she was painting a picture! I could feel every pastel and neon color warmly converging together to create a masterpiece that I would have to look at over and over. The characters were truly painted, in the writing sense, utterly beautifully.

💗More/Tropes: I read this book until 1:00 a.m. at times because the idea of going to bed without knowing what would happen next could not wait! The love between Christian and Corrine was definitely a lifetime story worth reading over and over.

🥞 The beginning, middle, and ending we're actually heart wrenching and heart pounding. Magical and moving. And so elegant and full of grace only Rosanna can write this! The ending was perfect!

🧁 When she told him one kiss was never enough I cried. His quiet masculine strength made me love him more and more. Her feminine grace and richly decorated Faith made me adore her more and more.

📖I will be getting this book in hardback from Baker Book House and I preorded it in paperback!

🎆 I wouldn't be surprised if Roseanna wins an award for this!

🍪 World War 2 Romance
🍪Christian Romance
🍪Adventure
🍪 Secrets
🍪Forbidden Romance
🍪 Beautiful Wording

Bravo Rosanna!! 💖

Wow! I was completely thrown for a loop with this amazing story! Roseanna's writing of this story captivated me from the very beginning. It wasn't a storyline I've ever read before and it was refreshing and so very beautiful. The character arcs of the story's protagonists, Corrine and Christian both show what determination to stand up against wrong means. The sacrifices that both had to endure to find true love will move the reader in such a powerful way. Roseanna does such a great job weaving true historical events with believable characters. Lastly, the story reinvigorated my belief in the redemptive work of True Love.

This one started out really strong for me. A library of banned booked in occupied Paris, a Nazi commander in charge of tracking down these and more banned books, a young professor determined to do her part in rebelling against the censorship. What’s not to love. About 1/2 way through though it started to fall apart for me. Everything became really rushed and in that it lost the “historical” part of the historical fiction. The Nazi occupation seemed just something mentioned so you remembered it was happening. You never really felt the grim situation caused by the occupation. Overall it was fine but it focused way more on the “romance” side of it while pushing the true hardships to the background.

Historical Christian Fiction is one of my favorite subjects to read. To have this historical fiction set in France during WW2 made me excited to start reading it.

The development of the characters, their actions, and their opinions of each other were believable. The author weaved in the history of what happened during this time period in such a way that it felt like you were learning a new aspect of WW2 and wanting to ask “Siri” for more details.

There was a heavy Catholic ideology throughout. I left thinking either the author is strict Catholic or she chose this religion for this story because it was the prevalent religion in France at the time and would make the characters more believable.

Overall a truly enjoyable read that was difficult to put down.

Netgalley provided an ARC in exchange for this review. all opinions are my own.

Thank you @netgalley x @roseannamwhite for the arc copy .
This book will be published on Jul 15 2025.

It's a slow burn romance novel that meticulously explored one of the history's greatest and notorious chapters. The time sets in World War II, Paris, the City of culture and libraries under the siege of German army, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.
Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.

Dr. Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. Her mother is a professor flew away to some other country with some books that Germany declared as banned book, these books bore harmful thoughts, it was astonishing that Jules Verne's novel Around the World in Eighty Days, was among them. One day she encountered with Christian Bauer. Christian is German but deep inside he doesn't support the atrocities that Nazis do. He is working in Nazi occupied areas to burn the books but actually he is trying to protect them.

The plot largely evolved around the two characters and only concentrated how the "love" blooming between them, it could have been better if it explored more about Nazi occupied Paris and gave us more insights about the lives.

Another thing is slow development and too much detailed description, it bogged down the story which can make some readers agitated.

Overall it's a good historical novel but unnecessarily dragged too much

Rating -3/5⭐