Review: The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel
Looks Like Books contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclaimer to learn more.
The Paris Daughter is the latest book out by author Kristin Harmel, and if you like historical fiction set in the WWII era, you’ll want to pick up a copy of this book.
This is the 5th book that Kristin Harmel has set in Paris during the WWII years.
My review of The Paris Daughter includes a synopsis of the book, along with my 3 Rs of book reviews. Find out if you should read, reread, or completely reconsider reading The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel.
Contents
Who Is Kristin Harmel?
Kristin Harmel is an American bestselling author of contemporary and historical fiction novels. She was born just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, and spent her childhood there as well as in Ohio and Florida. She currently lives in Florida with her family.
Kristin began her writing career at the age of 16 when she became a sportswriter covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. She went on to write for numerous magazines and was a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz.
She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in 2006.
Summary of The Paris Daughter
In the shadow of war-torn Paris during the Nazi occupation, two young mothers, Elise and Juliette, form an unbreakable bond amidst the encroaching war. When Elise’s life is in peril, she entrusts her beloved daughter to Juliette’s care.
However, even the sanctuary of Juliette’s quaint bookshop is not immune to the horrors of war, as a devastating bomb shatters their lives.
Over a year later, with the war finally ending, Elise embarks on a desperate quest to find her daughter, only to discover that Juliette’s bookstore lies in ruins and her friend has vanished without a trace. Determined to unravel the mystery, Elise’s search leads her to New York, where fate reunites her with Juliette one final time.
In this exquisite and heart-wrenching novel, acclaimed author Kristin Harmel delves into the depths of resilience, motherhood, and love. “The Paris Daughter” is an unforgettable tale that will grip your soul and leave an indelible mark on your heart.
My Review of The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel
I expected this book to be good because I’ve read some of Kristin Harmel’s previous books. But I didn’t expect that I would gobble the whole thing up in little more than a day.
What I Liked About The Paris Daughter
I love historical fiction set in the WWII era, and this book certainly did not disappoint.
The Paris setting, of course, is wonderful. Despite the fact that it was set during the WWII era I didn’t like what was happening to the characters. What’s not to like about Paris, right? Reading this book gave me a few hours in which I could dream about living there! Just not during a war, OK?
I liked the main female characters, the mothers – Elise and Juliette – right from the start. I thought they were well-developed characters. Things got a bit dark with Juliette as the book progressed. But, it didn’t cause me to dislike her, but rather to feel sorry for her.
There were some unexpected twists and I was literally glued to the book all the way to the end.
A good portion of this book actually took place after the war and really dealt more with the issue of the characters trying to move on after experiencing heartbreaking loss. So, while the characters were experiencing grief they were also learning to move on with their lives. They were honoring their past, yet learning how to move forward. I felt there was a good lesson somewhere in there for all of us.
Every time I read another historical fiction novel set in WWII Paris, I think that I will have reached the end of wanting to read more! I’ve read so, so many. In this one though, I could really feel the pain of what the two mothers central to the story might have felt given the terrible situations surrounding their children. I’m a mom too, and I can’t imagine having to make choices such as the ones that were made in this story.
And finally, as usual, I found the author’s notes at the end of the book to be so interesting. This is where I was able to find out which historical events that were portrayed in the book were actually factual.
What I Disliked About The Paris Daughter
There wasn’t anything that I disliked about this book. That’s why I was able to polish it off in such a short time.
The Paris Daughter – Read, ReRead, or Reconsider?
And now, for my 3 Rs of book reviews. Should you Read, Re-read, or Reconsider The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel?
Read!
FAQs About The Paris Daughter and Kristin Harmel’s Other Books
Is The Forest of Vanishing Stars True?
Kristin Harmel’s Forest of Vanishing Stars was inspired by real stories of survival in the forests of Poland during WWII.
Who was The Book Of Lost Names based on?
The Book Of Lost Names was inspired by a true story of a young woman from World War II who had a talent for forgery and helped hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis
What is The Paris Daughter About?
The Paris Daughter is a historical novel about two friends, both mothers of young children who must make unthinkable choices to keep their family safe in the face of the Nazi occupation in Paris during WWII.
The Paris Daughter – Conclusion
The Paris Daughter is an amazing story of the depth of the tether between mother and child, and the strength of friendship.
I loved this book and I would definitely recommend reading it if you like the time period of WWII in your historical fiction.
You Might Also Enjoy These Books
If you like historical fiction, you might also like some of these.
Just in case you prefer to “listen” to your books rather than read them, here’s a chance to try Audible free for 30 Days (plus a few other things).
Is this your first visit to Looks Like Books? If so, be sure and check out my About page so you can learn a little more about me and my Looks Like Books mission.
