- Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Length: 404
- Publisher: Revell
- Release Date: February 1, 2022
Description
When the Nazis march toward Paris, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. The Germans make it difficult for her to keep Green Leaf Books afloat. And she must keep the store open if she is to continue aiding the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.
Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation—which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore.
In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?
“A compelling exploration of the seemingly simple good things that end up requiring great sacrifice and having far-reaching impacts.”–Booklist starred review
My Thoughts
Gift copy provided by Revell Books. I was free to express my opinion.
Since I never cared for history, in school or otherwise, I was surprised to discover that the more I read Historical Fiction, the more I loved learning through stories. Especially WWII. But actually, all history. Until Leaves Fall In Paris didn’t disappoint. If you haven’t read The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin (click for my review), it is another one that revolves around history with a beautiful story.
In this story, Sundin points out some basic, but not often addressed topics. Among them, the fact that most considered it absolutely necessary to support France. If a person gave the appearance of supporting Germany people felt justified in shunning them. Even to the extent that those who considered themselves religious became curt and ugly. Standing with the resistance could have horrifying consequences, it was understandable that some might fold to the enemy. But things in France weren’t always what they appeared to be.
And another fact that was made, which I’m sure we all know, it’s best not to be judgmental. And I’ll leave it at that.
Sundin also projected through the characters the degree of fear that was always present. For not only the characters but their families.
Though WWII seems to be very available reading in Historical Fiction, it always amazes me regarding the various avenues that authors explore. Almost never do they overlap as they bring to light different facts from their historical research. In this case, Sundin brings us two very opposite, it would seem, Americans who have chosen to stay in Nazi-Occupied France and help hold the country together.
My Concerns
Nothing
Final Thoughts
The story caught my interest quickly and kept me turning pages. For those who like historical fiction, romance, and the emotions that can occur during war, this is a book you won’t want to miss. If you might consider that the Christian theme will be too prevalent for your liking, rest assured that the historical theme takes precedence. Sundin does manage to address complicated morals and beliefs in a world of corruption and war.
Rating: 5 Stars
More Info
Inspiration Behind Her Stories
About the Author
Sarah Sundin is the bestselling author of When Twilight Breaks and several popular WWII series, including Sunrise at Normandy, Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory. She is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol Award winner, and her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly, and have appeared on Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years.” Sarah lives in Northern California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.
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I am Looking forward to reading this one !
Let me know what you think about it.