This turned out to be a very good read with a twist at the end. Even though the concentration, worker and POW camps have been written about; I have not heard about the stores that the Jews were forced to work in. Especially selling the household contents of other Jewish families to Nazis. It was like a slap in the face for just being a Jew. I found myself looking up the Levitan store in Paris and found pictures. The book was well written. Also the ending was on a good note.

How do you review a book that is absolute perfection? From the plot to the characters to the multiple storylines and everything in between, Last Twilight in Paris is a book that will forever live in my soul. Narrators Thérèse Plummer and Saskia Maarleveld brought so much life and depth to their roles that I struggled to press pause throughout the journey. I absolutely loved it!

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the gifted ALC.

Louise discovers a necklace while working in a thrift shop after the war. She is immediately flooded with memories and remembers the necklace from her time as a Red Cross volunteer during the war. Her best friend died under mysterious circumstances during that time and she remembers the necklace. She becomes obsessed and begins tracking down any information she can about it. Is there a connection to her friends death? As Louise travels looking for clues another narrative about a young woman named Helaine unfolds. Both women's stories are full of danger, love, sacrifice and heartbreak. The two women seemingly have no connection until Louise begins to trace the necklaces history to Helaine.

This was a riveting story that kept me up late into the night reading. It was was written with so much emotion and attention to detail. I found myself researching the history of some of the events mentioned in the story and was sucked in. The authors note gave some good information and places to find more. I love that!! Yes it was dramatized but it was done so well. What a great story from a sad time in history.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4 ⭐️

This historical novel is set during and after World War II. In France before and during the war, we see Helaine, a young Jewish woman from a privileged family who marries cellist Gabriel. And in 1953 England, we see Louise, a married mother who works at a thrift shop where one day she discovers half a heart necklace, which looks just like the one she saw during the war when she traveled to Europe with the Red Cross - a necklace she saw someone giving to her friend Franny just before Franny was killed. Louise embarks on a journey to try to figure out the necklace's past, which eventually leads her to Levitan, a French department store which was used during the war as a prison camp for Jews who were forced to clean and sell other Jews' belongings - and where Helaine eventually ended up.

I have read a lot of Holocaust fiction, so it's always interesting when a book actually teaches me something new that I hadn't heard about before - and I certainly had never heard about Levitan, so I really appreciated that. However, I felt like this book was so slow and took SO long to get going. The publisher blurb mentions Levitan and based on the author's note, that was her whole inspiration to write this book - so why then does it take 50% of the book for Louise to find out about it, ad 60% of the book before Helaine even arrives there? However, things definitely got more interesting at that point, though then the book wrapped up perhaps a bit too quickly and neatly.

So overall, I'm glad I read it, but wouldn't necessarily say it's a must read. I did enjoy the audio narration, with dual narration (one for each character) by Therese Plummer and Saskia Marleveld.

3.5 stars.

In a year that makes me want to sink deeper and deeper into a comfort cocoon, I am trying to make myself read a bit outside of my norm. I’ve noticed that historical fiction is a genre I rarely indulge in and, after reading The Last Twilight in Paris by @pamjenoff, I can’t remember why.

Told in dual POV The Last Twilight in Paris focuses on Helaine, a young Jewish woman living in Paris who spent most of her life isolated at home following a childhood illness, and Louise, a British mother and wife who volunteered with the Red Cross during the war and now works part time at a secondhand shop. When Louise finds a necklace in an old crate she recognizes it immediately from her time during the war and sets off to find the owner and resolve a mystery that has plagued her for years. With some chapters following her present day search, which brings her back in the orbit of the man she once loved, others bring us back to Louise’s time as a volunteer when she befriended a vibrant woman named Franny. In Helaine’s chapters we see her sickly youth, her struggle for independence, her chance at love, and her internment in a unique type of work camp. I was fascinated and horrified to learn about Lévitan, a former sophisticated department store that was turned into a Nazi prison/shop where items stolen from Jewish homes were sorted, cleaned, and sold by prisoners to Nazi soldiers. I had never heard of such a camp and reading the despair the women suffered and the constant fear of being sent to a place ever worse was harrowing. Despite dealing with difficult subject matter, The Last Twilight in Paris maintains hope throughout and has two strong and brilliant women as its heart.

I am so happy I decided to give this book a try. WWII fiction is so abundant but @pamjenoff always manages to make her characters shine and give us a new perspective. I alternated between the ebook and audio and both were wonderful.

This was my first book by Pam Jenoff and I absolutely loved it! I am newer to historical fiction and have read quite a few lately but none from this time frame yet. It takes place during World War II and after and is loosely based on real people and their roles during the war. The camp at the Parisian department store was different and some of the women were tasked with cleaning up the Jew possessions that were taken when they were captured and making them look brand new for the Germans to come shop from. There was another storyline running at the same time of a woman, Louise, traveling with Franny, a singer, and the Red Cross to deliver care packages to the concentration camps. Louise knew that Franny was trying to help some of the Jews escape but when she dies all of a sudden, Louise is heartbroken to have lost her best friend. Fast forward to after the war when Louise found the necklace that Franny had been trying to get back to the cello players wife and she starts to look into the journey of the necklace. It was an intriguing story and I really enjoyed listening to it. The narrators really brought the story to life.

4.5/5

One of the main reasons I chose this audiobook is because it has two of my favorite narrators, Saskia Maarleveld and Therese Plummer. I've never read anything by Pam Jenoff, and now I'm glad I did. Last Twilight in Paris takes place during and after World War II, and if you've read any of my reviews, then you already know that's my favorite timeline in historical fiction. I also love when I can learn some new historical facts about the era in the process, and that was the case with this story. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but the plot was very intriguing and contained a little bit of everything - love, romance, mystery, heartbreak - just to name a few. I would also classify it as a "clean" story, since there was no graphic language or scenes, so if you enjoy those types of books, then I would highly recommend it. As always, Saskia and Therese did an incredible job narrating, and it thrilled my little soul to hear them narrating this book together. Overall, I'm glad I took a chance on this new-to-me author, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

Book Review: Last Twilight in Paris

Pam Jenoff delivers a piercing depiction of Jewish life in Nazi-occupied Paris, weaving a gripping tale of love, war, and the fight to survive. Set against the backdrop of a real-life Parisian department store where Jews were forced to sell stolen belongings, the novel illuminates a shocking and little-known piece of WWII history.

With lyrical and poignant prose, Jenoff crafts a story of love, loss, and inner fortitude, balancing historical accuracy with an intriguing mystery that keeps the pages turning. Fans of WWII fiction will be riveted by this fast-paced and vibrant wartime tale of resilience, female friendship, and the courage to fight for the truth. Last Twilight in Paris is yet another testament to Jenoff’s place as one of the most important and authentic voices in historical fiction today.

Last Twilight in Paris beautifully weaves together the stories of two women who were affected by World War II. Louise is a young British woman who opts to do her part by volunteering with the Red Cross after the war breaks out, while Helene is a young Jewish French woman whose life is in serious danger once the Germans take over. I enjoyed the differing narratives, as well as the narrators that read each woman's story, and as always, Jenoff includes lots of historical information to make this novel feel realistic. I would have liked more information about the twist at the end, as it felt a little rushed, but overall, I really liked this book! Thank you to Harlequin Audio for my eALC copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff is a heartfelt and poignant historical novel that takes readers back to the time of World War II, capturing the heartbreak, resilience, and deep emotional bonds forged in times of conflict. The story follows an American woman named Chloe, who moves to Paris during the war and becomes involved with the French resistance. She uncovers hidden secrets, grapples with forbidden love, and faces the brutal realities of the war. The book beautifully captures the atmosphere of wartime Paris, with richly detailed settings and deeply emotional character arcs.

Things I Liked:
1. Emotional Depth and Character Development: One of the standout qualities is the books ability to evoke strong emotions. Chloe is a well-developed character whose journey of love, loss, and survival resonates deeply. The book's focus on character relationships—whether familial, romantic, or friendships—adds significant emotional weight to the narrative. The emotional growth of Chloe and other characters throughout the book felt genuine, making their struggles and victories impactful.
2. Rich Historical Setting: The historical backdrop of World War II and the setting of Paris during its occupation are beautifully realized. Pam Jenoff does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of the challenges faced by the citizens of Paris, with the constant tension of war lurking in every corner. The details of daily life under German occupation and the sense of fear and hope make the setting feel immersive. As a reader, it felt like I was truly transported back in time, experiencing the era alongside the characters.
3. Well-Researched and Informative: The novel is well-researched, with attention to the complexities of the French Resistance and the hardships faced by Parisians during the war. The book provides an intriguing look into the little-known aspects of history, which adds an informative layer to the story. Pam Jenoff's commitment to capturing the authenticity of the time period is evident and is one of the novel’s strengths.
4. Tension and Suspense: The pacing of the novel works well, especially when building suspense. There are several moments where the danger of Chloe’s situation, as well as the risks involved in her interactions with the Resistance, keep you on the edge of your seat. These moments of high tension mixed with personal stakes give the book a sense of urgency that keeps it engaging.

Things I Didn’t Like:
1. Predictable Plot: While the book is emotionally charged, some of the plot developments felt somewhat predictable. The romance between Chloe and her love interest, in particular, followed familiar tropes and lacked some of the complexity that I was hoping for. I could see certain twists coming from a distance, which reduced the element of surprise that I typically enjoy in a historical novel.
2. Pacing Slows in the Middle: While the book starts off strong and has plenty of suspenseful moments, the middle portion of the novel drags a bit. There were several chapters that felt like they could have been trimmed down, as the focus shifted too much onto emotional introspection and less on advancing the plot. This pacing issue made the middle part of the book feel a little too slow and repetitive.
3. Secondary Characters Felt Underdeveloped: While Chloe is a strong protagonist, some of the secondary characters lacked depth. Several key figures in the story, such as Chloe’s fellow members of the French Resistance or other love interests, didn’t feel as well-rounded as they could have been. A more nuanced exploration of their motivations and inner conflicts would have added more dimension to the story, making their roles in the narrative more impactful.
4. A Slightly Too Neat Ending: The conclusion of The Last Twilight in Paris, while satisfying, felt a bit too tidy. Given the tension and hardship the characters face throughout the book, I expected the resolution to be a little more complex or bittersweet. Instead, it wrapped up in a way that felt somewhat rushed and less true to the grittiness of the wartime experiences explored earlier in the novel.

Conclusion:
The Last Twilight in Paris is an emotionally rich and historically immersive novel that explores themes of love, resilience, and survival during World War II. Pam Jenoff crafted a compelling narrative that will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction with a focus on relationships and wartime struggles. I found it to be an impactful read.

What a fantastic audiobook. The narrator did such a great job with this story. And the story itself was both beautifully written and heart wrenching.

Louise discovers a necklace that sends her down a rabbit whole mystery. She knows the necklace was once connected to her friend, Franny, who died mysteriously. She decides to do her own investigation to unearth the secrets of what happened. She also works with Ian - a former lover - on this adventure.

The journey takes them to learning more about a department store, which used to be a Nazi prison and woman who was separated from her husband.

Inspired by a true story, this historical mystery was beautifully written! I loved learning more about this time period through these character's eyes.

I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narration gave it so much more feeling and depth. I absolutely devoured this book because I couldn't put it down. Pam Jenoff did an excellent job with the characters and the story line. I felt like I was there through the triump and heartbreak because of the amazing writing style of this author. I can't wait to read more from her. I highly recommend this novel for the history/historical fiction readers out there.

Thank you Net Galley, Harlequin, and Pam Jenoff

𝑳𝑨𝑺𝑻 𝑻𝑾𝑰𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 𝑰𝑵 𝑷𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑺 𝒃𝒚 𝑷𝒂𝒎 𝑱𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒇𝒇 which was graciously provided to me by @harlequin_audio @htp_hive through @netgalley!

The audio of this novel was superb with Thérèse Plummer and Saskia Maarleveld giving each timeline a distinct voice and smooth transitions.

I don't gravitate toward WWII historical fiction, but there are a couple of authors for whom I cannot resist their storytelling. @pamjenoff is one of these and I am so glad I can sit under her tales and absorb not only great stories, but also stand witness to the truth in these fictional characters' journeys.

This is a story with multiple perspectives that had me engaged, even in the love story! There was the cultural drama/trauma that was occurring (which frankly, feels eerily similar to today), family drama, friendship and marriage issues, as well as a mystery around a particular necklace that ties the two timelines together.

I was absolutely fascinated to learn for the first time about nazi "camps" outside of what I had previously known. This shop was a massive rubbing of salt in the wounds of Jewish captives and is just another demonstration of the psychological torment endured.

No human being should ever be stripped of their humanity, which is a reminder for today, and why I will sit under these stories to remind me how easy it is for tyrants to gain control when we stay silent.

Another wonderful HF from Jenoff. This one centers around a cellist, a necklace, and a department store that turns into a prison during WWII. Like many of her other books, Jenoff brings to light facets of history that are less commonly known. I always welcome the opportunity to learn more when I pick up her books, and this one did just that. The dual narration worked well, bringing to life Louise and Helaine.

Pam Jenoff’s Last Twilight in Paris is a gripping historical mystery that unearths long-buried secrets of war and resilience. When Louise discovers a necklace tied to her Red Cross past, she sets out to uncover the truth behind her friend Franny’s death. With the help of her former love, Ian, she follows clues to Lévitan, a Nazi prison hidden within a Parisian department store, and Helaine, a woman torn from her husband during the war. Blending history, romance, and suspense, Jenoff delivers a haunting tale of sacrifice, resistance, and the enduring power of love.

London, 1953. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris, and she is certain she has seen the necklace before, when she worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe—and that it holds the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war.

Louise is not going to give up easily. She is on the hunt for the truth. But, she soon discovers, not everything is as it seems.

I love a book which has me researching. And I went down a rabbit hole researching Lévitan. This author created such a unique tale about this tragic time period.

Even though this is not my favorite book by this author, it is still a great story! (My favorite is The Woman With The Blue Star.) This has a dual timeline and it is full of secrets, drama and great characters!

Thérèse Plummer is one of my favorite narrators. Add in Saskia Maarleveld and you have a great team!

I received this novel from, the publisher for a honest review.

During WWII, Louise helped take packages to POWs in France and Germany. She met the famous Frannie, who asked her to take a necklace to someone in Paris. Louise refuses, and Frannie ends up dead the next day.

Years later, Louise finds a necklace that looks identical. She is determined to find out the truth about the necklace and Frannie.

This was a fast-paced, dual-timeline novel with multiple characters. I flew through it and absolutely loved it.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. Pam Jenoff is a go-to for WWII Historical Fictions and while I liked this book, I didn't love it. It took a little to draw me in and was a little predictable. I don't think it helped that I just finished (and loved!) a WWII two book about two bracelets being lost and reunited with their owners years and years later.

An outstanding work of historical fiction about Nazi Germany, a department store, a necklace and true love. This has just the right combination of history, romance and suspense. An enchanting story and excellent character development. The audio edition has an outstanding flow and is easy to follow with stellar narration. For fans of Kristin Harmel and Kristin Hannah.