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The Paris Sisters #2
The Bookseller of Paris
Paris, 1940: Madeline tries to scream, but she can’t breathe. A German soldier is working to free her from the rubble – but if he reaches her, he will find the books hidden beneath her clothes…
When the Germans seize Paris, its peaceful streets fill with terror overnight, and nowhere is safe. Desperate to help her friends, Parisian bookseller Madeline Valette turns her bookshop into a sanctuary for those in hiding, but she knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s found out.
So when she is asked to join the Resistance and smuggle banned books from Berlin, she accepts, desperate to defy the Nazis. And while she wants to save precious books from destruction, she also hopes her trips to Germany might help her find the last living connection she has to her beloved husband…
Because Madeline has received a letter from a German woman called Ada, the mother of her husband’s son. Facing persecution, the Jewish boy is in terrible danger. But where are they now, and can Madeline help them before it’s too late?
When Madeline finally finds Ada and the child, she realises Ada is at the mercy of a high-ranking Nazi official and both their lives are now at risk. Can Madeline get them to safety? Or will the unthinkable happen to this innocent child?
The second unputdownable novel in the Paris Sisters series, this is the story of two women’s bravery in the face of the darkness of the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Roberta Kagan, Kristin Hannah, and Fiona Valpy.
Readers are loving the Paris Sisters
“Once I started I could not put this book down… Reached into my heart and pulled every emotional string imaginable. It left me in tears… Kept me on the edge of my seat… holding my breath at times. Guaranteed to make you cry… Stunning… Gorgeous… There’ll be lots of tears!” Cindy L Spear ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Addictive… I can’t stop thinking about it… Grabbed me and won’t let go.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A powerful, heart-wrenching war story… This story ripped my heart out… Amazing… Truly remarkable… I won’t forget anytime soon.” @creaseinthespinebooks ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Phenomenal… was able to pull on my heartstrings… Beautiful… Amazing.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Heart-wrenching… Grips readers from the first page and refuses to let go… Tugs at the heartstrings… Prepare to be moved to tears.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I felt so many different emotions moving through the novel… Fantastic.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A powerful, heart-wrenching read… Fantastic.” Christian Bookaholic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When the Germans seize Paris, its peaceful streets fill with terror overnight, and nowhere is safe. Desperate to help her friends, Parisian bookseller Madeline Valette turns her bookshop into a sanctuary for those in hiding, but she knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s found out.
So when she is asked to join the Resistance and smuggle banned books from Berlin, she accepts, desperate to defy the Nazis. And while she wants to save precious books from destruction, she also hopes her trips to Germany might help her find the last living connection she has to her beloved husband…
Because Madeline has received a letter from a German woman called Ada, the mother of her husband’s son. Facing persecution, the Jewish boy is in terrible danger. But where are they now, and can Madeline help them before it’s too late?
When Madeline finally finds Ada and the child, she realises Ada is at the mercy of a high-ranking Nazi official and both their lives are now at risk. Can Madeline get them to safety? Or will the unthinkable happen to this innocent child?
The second unputdownable novel in the Paris Sisters series, this is the story of two women’s bravery in the face of the darkness of the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Roberta Kagan, Kristin Hannah, and Fiona Valpy.
Readers are loving the Paris Sisters
“Once I started I could not put this book down… Reached into my heart and pulled every emotional string imaginable. It left me in tears… Kept me on the edge of my seat… holding my breath at times. Guaranteed to make you cry… Stunning… Gorgeous… There’ll be lots of tears!” Cindy L Spear ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Addictive… I can’t stop thinking about it… Grabbed me and won’t let go.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A powerful, heart-wrenching war story… This story ripped my heart out… Amazing… Truly remarkable… I won’t forget anytime soon.” @creaseinthespinebooks ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Phenomenal… was able to pull on my heartstrings… Beautiful… Amazing.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Heart-wrenching… Grips readers from the first page and refuses to let go… Tugs at the heartstrings… Prepare to be moved to tears.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I felt so many different emotions moving through the novel… Fantastic.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A powerful, heart-wrenching read… Fantastic.” Christian Bookaholic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2024
1451 people are currently reading
1253 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Kelman
17 books634 followersSuzanne Kelman is an Amazon international bestselling author in America, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Her books have sold over 475,000 copies worldwide and accumulated ten rights deals across eight territories.
Her WW2 historical fiction books are published by Bookouture - an imprint for Hachette U.K.
She is also the author of the bestselling book, "The Rejected Writers' Book Club", published by Lake Union, which is the first book in the Southlea Bay series. Other books in the series include, "Rejected Writers Take the Stage" and "The Rejected Writers' Christmas Wedding".
Kelman is an award-winning writer/screenwriter whose accolades include the Best Comedy Feature Screenplay Award from the L.A. International Film Festival, the Gold Award from the California Film Awards, and the Van Gogh Award from the Amsterdam Film Festival.
In 2015 her script, Held, was recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures and was shortlisted to the top ten in the Academy Of Motion Pictures Nichols Fellowship competition.
As well as a screenwriter and a published author, Suzanne is also a playwright, and her award-winning comedy play, "Over My Dead Body", had its World Premiere at Outcast Theatre in Washington, Fall 2019.
Born in the United Kingdom, Suzanne now resides in Washington State.
Please sign up for her newsletter to stay in touch - https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com
Her WW2 historical fiction books are published by Bookouture - an imprint for Hachette U.K.
She is also the author of the bestselling book, "The Rejected Writers' Book Club", published by Lake Union, which is the first book in the Southlea Bay series. Other books in the series include, "Rejected Writers Take the Stage" and "The Rejected Writers' Christmas Wedding".
Kelman is an award-winning writer/screenwriter whose accolades include the Best Comedy Feature Screenplay Award from the L.A. International Film Festival, the Gold Award from the California Film Awards, and the Van Gogh Award from the Amsterdam Film Festival.
In 2015 her script, Held, was recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures and was shortlisted to the top ten in the Academy Of Motion Pictures Nichols Fellowship competition.
As well as a screenwriter and a published author, Suzanne is also a playwright, and her award-winning comedy play, "Over My Dead Body", had its World Premiere at Outcast Theatre in Washington, Fall 2019.
Born in the United Kingdom, Suzanne now resides in Washington State.
Please sign up for her newsletter to stay in touch - https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 5, 2024
“Love can drive us to do the most courageous things, especially in the darkest of times.”
There’s nothing quite like a reality check to make one embarrassed for whining! Just when I thought I was having a hard week, I read this book that made me realize I know nothing about difficult days! I welcomed the chance to pivot after reading “that hardships are sent to allow our bravery to shine as well as reclaim a part of us that is unloved.” Olivia Stapleton and Madeline Valette reminded me to love myself more fiercely - even the parts I once deemed unlovable. Like these women, I discovered that building defensive walls of protection and wallowing in the pain of disconnection helps nobody. Both Olivia and Madeline dug deep and found the strength they didn’t know they possessed, allowing them to offer solace to helpless victims of a ruthless regime.
Madeline is an antiquarian bookseller in Paris who sets aside her grief to help a little boy in Nazi Germany who needs her help.
Olivia Stapleton finds old letters that lead her to believe she has a dark legacy. Her determination and her love for her grandfather allow them to process the weight of the past and consider that they are descendants of a member of the Gestapo.
Both timelines were equally compelling, the tension was high and the setting, especially Herrenhaus Eichenwald, was realistic and immediately pulled me into the story. I loved the connections to the rest of the Valette family towards the end of the book. Heartbreaking at times, this book will remind you about the power of love.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
There’s nothing quite like a reality check to make one embarrassed for whining! Just when I thought I was having a hard week, I read this book that made me realize I know nothing about difficult days! I welcomed the chance to pivot after reading “that hardships are sent to allow our bravery to shine as well as reclaim a part of us that is unloved.” Olivia Stapleton and Madeline Valette reminded me to love myself more fiercely - even the parts I once deemed unlovable. Like these women, I discovered that building defensive walls of protection and wallowing in the pain of disconnection helps nobody. Both Olivia and Madeline dug deep and found the strength they didn’t know they possessed, allowing them to offer solace to helpless victims of a ruthless regime.
Madeline is an antiquarian bookseller in Paris who sets aside her grief to help a little boy in Nazi Germany who needs her help.
Olivia Stapleton finds old letters that lead her to believe she has a dark legacy. Her determination and her love for her grandfather allow them to process the weight of the past and consider that they are descendants of a member of the Gestapo.
Both timelines were equally compelling, the tension was high and the setting, especially Herrenhaus Eichenwald, was realistic and immediately pulled me into the story. I loved the connections to the rest of the Valette family towards the end of the book. Heartbreaking at times, this book will remind you about the power of love.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 3, 2025
"Paryžiaus seserų" serijos antroji dalis. Pirmoji buvo laaaabai gera, tęsinys neatsiliko savo gėriu. Na, ne visai tęsinys.. tai antrosios sesers Madelinos pasakojimas.
Dramos tikrai netruko, istorinis fonas labai stiprus, o dvi laiko linijos ir šokinėjimas tarp jų ne vargino, o tik dar labiau skatino susidomėjimą knyga.
Madelina vieno Paryžiaus knygynėlio savininkė, neseniai palaidojusi savo vyrą ir štai gauna laišką skirtą būtent jos vyrui. Prašymas atkeliavęs iš Berlyno ypatingas - buvusi jos sutuoktinio žmona prašo išgelbėti jųdviejų sūną, pusiau žydą septynmetį berniuką. Madelina ilgai nedvejojus pasiruošia iškeliauti į Vokietiją. Kelionėje moteris privalo ne tik surasti berniuką, bet ir atlikti kelias slaptas užduotis.
Kaip Madelinos istorija susijusi su knygų pardavėja Olivija, kuri 2011-siais netikėtai Londone atranda nuotrauką, kurioje pavaizduota moteris šalia nacių karininko yra jos prosenelė?
Puikus, neištemptas pasakojimas, kupinas paslapčių, neatsakytų klausimų, šiek tiek šeimos dramos ir praeities žaizdų, kurias dažniausiai įmanoma užgydyti laiku ir meile.
5⭐️ nuo manęs ir sakau autorei ačiū už puikiai praleistą laiką 👌
Dramos tikrai netruko, istorinis fonas labai stiprus, o dvi laiko linijos ir šokinėjimas tarp jų ne vargino, o tik dar labiau skatino susidomėjimą knyga.
Madelina vieno Paryžiaus knygynėlio savininkė, neseniai palaidojusi savo vyrą ir štai gauna laišką skirtą būtent jos vyrui. Prašymas atkeliavęs iš Berlyno ypatingas - buvusi jos sutuoktinio žmona prašo išgelbėti jųdviejų sūną, pusiau žydą septynmetį berniuką. Madelina ilgai nedvejojus pasiruošia iškeliauti į Vokietiją. Kelionėje moteris privalo ne tik surasti berniuką, bet ir atlikti kelias slaptas užduotis.
Kaip Madelinos istorija susijusi su knygų pardavėja Olivija, kuri 2011-siais netikėtai Londone atranda nuotrauką, kurioje pavaizduota moteris šalia nacių karininko yra jos prosenelė?
Puikus, neištemptas pasakojimas, kupinas paslapčių, neatsakytų klausimų, šiek tiek šeimos dramos ir praeities žaizdų, kurias dažniausiai įmanoma užgydyti laiku ir meile.
5⭐️ nuo manęs ir sakau autorei ačiū už puikiai praleistą laiką 👌
August 21, 2024
This is another heart-warming historical fiction novel from Suzanne Kelman. Though there are some minimal linkages to the Paris Sisters book 1, this is a stand-alone story and can be read independently even if you have not read the first book.
The theatres of action are the same as in book 1 – Paris, Germany and the UK. This is told in two timelines: 1940 to end of WW 2, and 2011 onwards.
In 1940, Paris, Madeline runs a bookshop ‘Elegance of Ink’ after her husband Alex has passed away. She has a regular set of customers such as Monsieur Deveaux who always buys a newspaper. She meets a lady Dominique who has moved here recently, and she joins the bookstore. One day, Madeline gets a letter addressed to Alex from a lady named Ada from Germany. The letter mentions their being married earlier and says they have a son Kurt. Ada and Alex divorced, and she later married someone else. Alex did not know of his son before he died. Kurt is half Jewish since Alex was Jewish. In the prevailing situation, Ada Implores Alex to save Kurt. Madeline is shocked and thinks about what her next steps should be. In her heart she knows that however dangerous, she has to help Ada and Kurt.
In 2011, England, Olivia (Livi) is an antiquarian bookseller. She is divorced and has a cat Tommy for company. At an auction she comes across poetry books and photos of her great-grandmother Ada in a consignment. She bids quite high, stretching her savings to acquire the package. Livi’s grandfather came to England as a war orphan and is reclusive, preferring to not speak of the past. Livi wants to know more about her family and takes a chance she gets to visit Germany. She makes multiple visits to uncover the details of her family.
As with many of her books, this has very strong and impressionable female characters, and a moving story. The final sections are somewhat predictable. The characters are all well-developed and the story captures the essence of the period very well – a sense of fear, rabid antisemitism, and the tragedy & despair of war. Above all, though, this is a story of love & relationships. The author mentions in the afterword that she based the story very loosely on real events & characters, and the references make for interesting reading. A book I very much recommend!
My rating: 4.5 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for a free electronic review copy.
The theatres of action are the same as in book 1 – Paris, Germany and the UK. This is told in two timelines: 1940 to end of WW 2, and 2011 onwards.
In 1940, Paris, Madeline runs a bookshop ‘Elegance of Ink’ after her husband Alex has passed away. She has a regular set of customers such as Monsieur Deveaux who always buys a newspaper. She meets a lady Dominique who has moved here recently, and she joins the bookstore. One day, Madeline gets a letter addressed to Alex from a lady named Ada from Germany. The letter mentions their being married earlier and says they have a son Kurt. Ada and Alex divorced, and she later married someone else. Alex did not know of his son before he died. Kurt is half Jewish since Alex was Jewish. In the prevailing situation, Ada Implores Alex to save Kurt. Madeline is shocked and thinks about what her next steps should be. In her heart she knows that however dangerous, she has to help Ada and Kurt.
In 2011, England, Olivia (Livi) is an antiquarian bookseller. She is divorced and has a cat Tommy for company. At an auction she comes across poetry books and photos of her great-grandmother Ada in a consignment. She bids quite high, stretching her savings to acquire the package. Livi’s grandfather came to England as a war orphan and is reclusive, preferring to not speak of the past. Livi wants to know more about her family and takes a chance she gets to visit Germany. She makes multiple visits to uncover the details of her family.
As with many of her books, this has very strong and impressionable female characters, and a moving story. The final sections are somewhat predictable. The characters are all well-developed and the story captures the essence of the period very well – a sense of fear, rabid antisemitism, and the tragedy & despair of war. Above all, though, this is a story of love & relationships. The author mentions in the afterword that she based the story very loosely on real events & characters, and the references make for interesting reading. A book I very much recommend!
My rating: 4.5 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for a free electronic review copy.
December 30, 2025
Knygos apie knygas yra mano silpnybė. Kaip ir istoriniai romanai. Tai buvo gardus desertas, įtraukiantis skaitinys, kurį drąsiai galėčiau rekomenduoti.
Madelina Valet su vyru Paryžiuje turėjo knygyną. Deja, Madelina anksti tapo našle, tačiau knygynas tapo jos paguoda. Visa Europa keliavo link II pasaulio karo, kai Madelina gauna pasiūlymą vykti į Vokietiją ir gelbėti žydų literatūrą nuo sunaikinimo. Apsispręsti padeda ir keistas laiškas, adresuotas mirusiam vyrui. Buvusi žmona papasakoja apie tai, kad jis turi sūnų, kuriam Berlyne iškilo pavojus (Madelinos vyras buvo žydas). Taip moteris tampa slaptąja agente ir kartu ieško Ados su berniuku.
Meilė knygoms ir literatūrai lydėjo viso romano metu. Daug nuorodų į klasikinius kūrinius, knygyno idėja kaip užuovėjos, kur nieko pikta nutikti negali… Labai patiko šie motyvai. Ne mažiau jaudino ir Madelinos uždrausta veikla: ji buvo slaptoji agentė, slapyvadžiu Paryžiaus knygininkė. Na, ir Madelinos pėdsakais sekanti Olivija, kuri sendaikčių aukcione aptinka prosenelės fotografijas ir bando išsiaiškinti giminės istoriją.
Skaityti buvo lengva ir įdomu. Puslapiai vertėsi savaime: tiek praeities, tiek dabarties istorija jaudino, žadino smalsumą. Madelinos drąsa, sustelkimas ir nesavanaudiškumas be galo žavėjo. Beje, Madelinos veikėja sukurta pagal realiai gyvenusią slaptąją agentę, kuri gabeno retuosius spaudinius.
Manau, kad patiks istorinių romanų gerbėjams ir drąsiai galėčiau rekomenduoti. Įtraukianti istorija, kuri nepaliks abejingų.
Madelina Valet su vyru Paryžiuje turėjo knygyną. Deja, Madelina anksti tapo našle, tačiau knygynas tapo jos paguoda. Visa Europa keliavo link II pasaulio karo, kai Madelina gauna pasiūlymą vykti į Vokietiją ir gelbėti žydų literatūrą nuo sunaikinimo. Apsispręsti padeda ir keistas laiškas, adresuotas mirusiam vyrui. Buvusi žmona papasakoja apie tai, kad jis turi sūnų, kuriam Berlyne iškilo pavojus (Madelinos vyras buvo žydas). Taip moteris tampa slaptąja agente ir kartu ieško Ados su berniuku.
Meilė knygoms ir literatūrai lydėjo viso romano metu. Daug nuorodų į klasikinius kūrinius, knygyno idėja kaip užuovėjos, kur nieko pikta nutikti negali… Labai patiko šie motyvai. Ne mažiau jaudino ir Madelinos uždrausta veikla: ji buvo slaptoji agentė, slapyvadžiu Paryžiaus knygininkė. Na, ir Madelinos pėdsakais sekanti Olivija, kuri sendaikčių aukcione aptinka prosenelės fotografijas ir bando išsiaiškinti giminės istoriją.
Skaityti buvo lengva ir įdomu. Puslapiai vertėsi savaime: tiek praeities, tiek dabarties istorija jaudino, žadino smalsumą. Madelinos drąsa, sustelkimas ir nesavanaudiškumas be galo žavėjo. Beje, Madelinos veikėja sukurta pagal realiai gyvenusią slaptąją agentę, kuri gabeno retuosius spaudinius.
Manau, kad patiks istorinių romanų gerbėjams ir drąsiai galėčiau rekomenduoti. Įtraukianti istorija, kuri nepaliks abejingų.
July 20, 2024
A story of love, betrayal and war. Written in two timelines by the talented Ms. Kelman whose stories are filled with passion, bravery and forgiveness. They are based on great women of the past. And true to form, once again, Suzanne has enchanted, inspired and educated me with her latest outstanding war rendition The Bookseller of Paris with characters that lept off the page, found a way into my heart and made me feel a multitude of emotions.
In the historical timeline, we meet Madeline who is modelled after real life heroine, Adele Kibre, an exceptional spy chosen to preserve knowledge by the Allies during WW2. This woman successfully and bravely carried important material across enemy lines. She had numerous connections with bookstores, libraries and underground groups and navigated through some dangerous territory. Microfilm was the key and Adele learned micro-photography to take shots of important documents. She had an amazing life of service and it is easy to see why she sparked Ms Kelman’s story.
Fictional character, Madeline is a symbol of bravery and resilience. She is a Parisian bookseller. But she is so much more. She is a preserver and protector of stories, history and other important reading material—keeping hope alive in readers’ hearts. Which is why she gets the code name Story Keeper when she becomes a Resistance agent. She is a woman of action and we witness her dedication. Besides her Resistance duties, she also is on another mission that involves her late husband. After receiving a letter from a German woman named Ada, she learns her husband was married before and has a son. After recovering from the initial shock, she vows to find Ada and her part-Jewish son, Kurt, and save them. What follows are some nail biting events that kept me on the edge of my seat!
In the more recent timeline, we learn about this boy who is now an old man and a grandfather to another point of view character, Livi. His scars are evident from the events he witnessed. Much healing is needed. His granddaughter, in pursuit of answers, discovers who was his father. This knowledge will set him free from the torments of his greatest fears. And Livi will uncover the missing piece of her own life.
I have not mentioned the romantic elements of this novel. But yes, there are some wonderful relationships in both timelines of couples that I admired. I won’t delve into that area for the review, though, but rather leave it for the reader to enjoy! There are some beautiful and heartbreaking moments romantically.
During the reading of this novel, I was reminded of an article ‘How the American Librarians Helped Defeat the Nazis’ and was amazed at how they used their skills to gather and share intelligence with Allied forces. These women played an important role that we must never forget for they have left behind a great legacy of knowledge as a result of their courageous acts.
The Bookseller of Paris is another excellent story by Suzanne Kelman that provides an unforgettable experience. This is a glorious tribute to the story keepers of the past. The cast of characters are memorable, the plot has many twists and reveals and many scenes are haunting. The poetic prose is beautifully rendered. I had to keep a box of tissues close by as my eyes were constantly fighting back the tears. It is obvious this story is close to the author’s heart as her sincerity and love for her characters shine through. 5 Stars for an Epic reading experience. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.
In the historical timeline, we meet Madeline who is modelled after real life heroine, Adele Kibre, an exceptional spy chosen to preserve knowledge by the Allies during WW2. This woman successfully and bravely carried important material across enemy lines. She had numerous connections with bookstores, libraries and underground groups and navigated through some dangerous territory. Microfilm was the key and Adele learned micro-photography to take shots of important documents. She had an amazing life of service and it is easy to see why she sparked Ms Kelman’s story.
Fictional character, Madeline is a symbol of bravery and resilience. She is a Parisian bookseller. But she is so much more. She is a preserver and protector of stories, history and other important reading material—keeping hope alive in readers’ hearts. Which is why she gets the code name Story Keeper when she becomes a Resistance agent. She is a woman of action and we witness her dedication. Besides her Resistance duties, she also is on another mission that involves her late husband. After receiving a letter from a German woman named Ada, she learns her husband was married before and has a son. After recovering from the initial shock, she vows to find Ada and her part-Jewish son, Kurt, and save them. What follows are some nail biting events that kept me on the edge of my seat!
In the more recent timeline, we learn about this boy who is now an old man and a grandfather to another point of view character, Livi. His scars are evident from the events he witnessed. Much healing is needed. His granddaughter, in pursuit of answers, discovers who was his father. This knowledge will set him free from the torments of his greatest fears. And Livi will uncover the missing piece of her own life.
I have not mentioned the romantic elements of this novel. But yes, there are some wonderful relationships in both timelines of couples that I admired. I won’t delve into that area for the review, though, but rather leave it for the reader to enjoy! There are some beautiful and heartbreaking moments romantically.
During the reading of this novel, I was reminded of an article ‘How the American Librarians Helped Defeat the Nazis’ and was amazed at how they used their skills to gather and share intelligence with Allied forces. These women played an important role that we must never forget for they have left behind a great legacy of knowledge as a result of their courageous acts.
The Bookseller of Paris is another excellent story by Suzanne Kelman that provides an unforgettable experience. This is a glorious tribute to the story keepers of the past. The cast of characters are memorable, the plot has many twists and reveals and many scenes are haunting. The poetic prose is beautifully rendered. I had to keep a box of tissues close by as my eyes were constantly fighting back the tears. It is obvious this story is close to the author’s heart as her sincerity and love for her characters shine through. 5 Stars for an Epic reading experience. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.
December 23, 2024
Page turner
August 23, 2024
A woman who changed not only lives but saved banned books from Germany. A woman of integrity, heart and a sense of duty to save her neighbors and family. And to protect some very important pieces of literature.
August 8, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awe inspiring book
well she did it again... suzanne kelman made me cry at the ending.....
told in a duel time line, the war years tell the tale of Madeline, a bookseller from paris and also known as the story keeper who helped to get thousands of books away from the germans and to safety, but along with that she also had to find her deceased husbands first wife and his child kurt....
the other time line is taken up with olivia, at a book sale olivia stumbles across photos hidden in some old books that are of her great grandmother and she vows to find out all she can about her.....
but she also wants to reunite her family with her estranged grandfather as she journeys to germany to deliver a book to one of the buyers she stumbles across devastating photos that hint at her grandfathers earlier life
what a tale this was... gripping in its entirety and with tears running down my face at the end... but what a ride...
cant wait for the next book in this series
well she did it again... suzanne kelman made me cry at the ending.....
told in a duel time line, the war years tell the tale of Madeline, a bookseller from paris and also known as the story keeper who helped to get thousands of books away from the germans and to safety, but along with that she also had to find her deceased husbands first wife and his child kurt....
the other time line is taken up with olivia, at a book sale olivia stumbles across photos hidden in some old books that are of her great grandmother and she vows to find out all she can about her.....
but she also wants to reunite her family with her estranged grandfather as she journeys to germany to deliver a book to one of the buyers she stumbles across devastating photos that hint at her grandfathers earlier life
what a tale this was... gripping in its entirety and with tears running down my face at the end... but what a ride...
cant wait for the next book in this series
June 21, 2024
A novel that did fail to grip me. Two timelines (WWII, 2011) which completely destroyed the tension one might have felt during the war. I actually feel this novel is more about romance than anything else. The characters were very predictable in their development. This was particularly obvious in the modern timeline when the main character, a woman with not only a traumatic past, but also falls in love as it so often happens in the two timelines novels. This story might appeal to younger readers.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
August 5, 2024
Madeline Valette is the next sister to have her story told in Suzanne Kelman’s, Paris Sister’s series. Book one gave us brief glimpses of her where there were suggestions that she disappeared for periods of time which made me curious but all is revealed here. The story moves back and forth between two timelines, Paris during World War Two and the present day setting takes place in Britain and Germany. There was a lot of chopping and changing between the two periods but after a while I did become accustomed to the fact each chapter would be from a different viewpoint.
As the title The Bookseller of Paris suggests Madeleine runs her own bookshop, The Elegance of Ink (what a great name for a bookshop) in Paris. Her business is her sanctuary and anchor, a small island in a sea of instability following the death of her beloved husband Alex and the invasion of Paris by the Germans. Madeline cares for all her customers and without them and the bookshop she would be truly lost and adrift as the grief she feels is deep and long lasting.
Madeline receives a letter addressed to her late husband. It’s from a woman named Ada asking for help. It transpires that Ada was his former wife who resides in Berlin and she needs help in getting their half Jewish son Kurt out of Berlin. For the laws against Jews are increasing by the day and if captured Ada and her son will be sent to a camp. Madeleine is bereft when she reads this letter as she never knew Alex had been previously married let alone that he had a son. From the point of when she reads the letter this is where the reader sees the true grit, resilience and strength that Madeline possesses and this will be tested time and time again throughout the course of the story. Anyone else would have probably binned the letter and not given it any more thought. After all, it was a deceit by Alex, an omission of the truth and why should she take this burden on herself when all she is trying to do survive the war which has brought so much upheaval to the citizens of Paris and beyond. It took a lot of courage to decide that she would search for Kurt and bring him to Paris if she could and I admired her for taking on this quest which was relentless and put her in great danger many a time.
Soon Madeline is part of the Resistance and thanks to her American passport, courtesy of Alex’s heritage, she is able to slip in and out of Germany carrying back banned books and literature and using microfilm to copy important documents. At the same time she hopes to find news of Ada and Kurt's whereabouts. I thought it so incredibly brave that time and time again she slipped into the lion’s den. She could just have easily hidden herself in the bookshop continuing her daily life just trying to get by to the end of the war. Instead, she chose to put herself out there in the firing line and her trails lead her to Eichenwald, a beautiful house in Berlin where a Jewish family once lived but now is home to Frederick Mueller, a member of the Gestapo. When she learns important life altering information, Madeline doesn’t run from the source instead she wants to know more and finding Alex’s son and getting him to safety is always at the forefront of her mind.
The story takes a dark turn when we learn of Frederick and what he is capable of but in the middle when Madeline meets Jacob, the caretaker for the estate, I felt this was where a lull occurred. The same happened in the present day timeline also. It kind of came out of nowhere and dragged the plot down for a good chunk of the midway point of the book as I thought it transformed into a full blown love story and the aspects regarding espionage, spying and secret agents took a back seat as did the main crux of the story. Don’t get me wrong I know there is usually some form of romance in books in this genre and especially those that use the dual timeline format but I wanted more action, adventure and excitement and I found myself thinking oh I’m not enjoying this as much as the first book. With every turn of the page I was waiting for the pace to pick up again and then thankfully around the 75% mark it did and things got back on track and I found myself fully invested in the eventual outcome. Even, if at some points I found myself getting mixed up with some details regarding events or links establishing themselves between the past and the present. A reread of a couple of pages every so often helped me with this issue. Madeline became a warrior in her quest and I thought the way her story evolved became bittersweet, emotional and poignant.
Olivia is the character who we follow in the present and although I preferred Madeline’s story, the modern day aspect was still a vital cog in the overall wheel. Olivia has suffered from such emotional trauma in her past that she is still finding it difficult to reconcile and move on. When the details of what she went through emerge you can understand why she feels this way. She is an antiquarian bookseller and upon discovering a link to her families past in a sale lot of books she went to view, a whole can of worms is opened up. She questions everything she thought she knew about her family and one thing makes her think that she needs to delve deeper into the past. For what she learns surely can’t be true. A photograph and a bundle of letters has her setting out on her own quest as Madeline did all those years ago.
It was almost as if Olivia had a map that she had to follow, uncover the clues and hidden meanings and the answers she so desperately wanted regarding her heritage will make themselves known. In doing so she will connect with her grandfather Kurt who has remained an enigma for as long as she can remember. She tries to get through to him but he is cold, aloof and hurting so very deeply. He has blocked the trauma of past and refuses to unlock it. But Olivia is resolute and her journey takes her to Germany where she meets Markus and as mentioned previously this is where romance took over until things went back to familiar territory with the search. But what does Olivia uncover, and will this knowledge help bridge the gap between the past and present?
Reading Suzanne Kelman’s end notes I discovered that the character Of Madeline was based upon Adele Kibre, a woman who saved thousands of books and produced over 3,000 reels of microfilm smuggled from Nazi occupied territories. This made the admiration I had felt for Madeline grow even further. I love when stories are based upon real people as it sheds light on little known people who did so much so selflessly for the war effort. The epilogue to The Bookseller in Paris was fitting and emotional and it gave the story a resolute and conclusive ending. The literary themes throughout will bring a smile to your face and apart from the over reliance of romance halfway through I found this to be an engrossing and fascinating read which has left me eager to know which sister will feature in book three.
As the title The Bookseller of Paris suggests Madeleine runs her own bookshop, The Elegance of Ink (what a great name for a bookshop) in Paris. Her business is her sanctuary and anchor, a small island in a sea of instability following the death of her beloved husband Alex and the invasion of Paris by the Germans. Madeline cares for all her customers and without them and the bookshop she would be truly lost and adrift as the grief she feels is deep and long lasting.
Madeline receives a letter addressed to her late husband. It’s from a woman named Ada asking for help. It transpires that Ada was his former wife who resides in Berlin and she needs help in getting their half Jewish son Kurt out of Berlin. For the laws against Jews are increasing by the day and if captured Ada and her son will be sent to a camp. Madeleine is bereft when she reads this letter as she never knew Alex had been previously married let alone that he had a son. From the point of when she reads the letter this is where the reader sees the true grit, resilience and strength that Madeline possesses and this will be tested time and time again throughout the course of the story. Anyone else would have probably binned the letter and not given it any more thought. After all, it was a deceit by Alex, an omission of the truth and why should she take this burden on herself when all she is trying to do survive the war which has brought so much upheaval to the citizens of Paris and beyond. It took a lot of courage to decide that she would search for Kurt and bring him to Paris if she could and I admired her for taking on this quest which was relentless and put her in great danger many a time.
Soon Madeline is part of the Resistance and thanks to her American passport, courtesy of Alex’s heritage, she is able to slip in and out of Germany carrying back banned books and literature and using microfilm to copy important documents. At the same time she hopes to find news of Ada and Kurt's whereabouts. I thought it so incredibly brave that time and time again she slipped into the lion’s den. She could just have easily hidden herself in the bookshop continuing her daily life just trying to get by to the end of the war. Instead, she chose to put herself out there in the firing line and her trails lead her to Eichenwald, a beautiful house in Berlin where a Jewish family once lived but now is home to Frederick Mueller, a member of the Gestapo. When she learns important life altering information, Madeline doesn’t run from the source instead she wants to know more and finding Alex’s son and getting him to safety is always at the forefront of her mind.
The story takes a dark turn when we learn of Frederick and what he is capable of but in the middle when Madeline meets Jacob, the caretaker for the estate, I felt this was where a lull occurred. The same happened in the present day timeline also. It kind of came out of nowhere and dragged the plot down for a good chunk of the midway point of the book as I thought it transformed into a full blown love story and the aspects regarding espionage, spying and secret agents took a back seat as did the main crux of the story. Don’t get me wrong I know there is usually some form of romance in books in this genre and especially those that use the dual timeline format but I wanted more action, adventure and excitement and I found myself thinking oh I’m not enjoying this as much as the first book. With every turn of the page I was waiting for the pace to pick up again and then thankfully around the 75% mark it did and things got back on track and I found myself fully invested in the eventual outcome. Even, if at some points I found myself getting mixed up with some details regarding events or links establishing themselves between the past and the present. A reread of a couple of pages every so often helped me with this issue. Madeline became a warrior in her quest and I thought the way her story evolved became bittersweet, emotional and poignant.
Olivia is the character who we follow in the present and although I preferred Madeline’s story, the modern day aspect was still a vital cog in the overall wheel. Olivia has suffered from such emotional trauma in her past that she is still finding it difficult to reconcile and move on. When the details of what she went through emerge you can understand why she feels this way. She is an antiquarian bookseller and upon discovering a link to her families past in a sale lot of books she went to view, a whole can of worms is opened up. She questions everything she thought she knew about her family and one thing makes her think that she needs to delve deeper into the past. For what she learns surely can’t be true. A photograph and a bundle of letters has her setting out on her own quest as Madeline did all those years ago.
It was almost as if Olivia had a map that she had to follow, uncover the clues and hidden meanings and the answers she so desperately wanted regarding her heritage will make themselves known. In doing so she will connect with her grandfather Kurt who has remained an enigma for as long as she can remember. She tries to get through to him but he is cold, aloof and hurting so very deeply. He has blocked the trauma of past and refuses to unlock it. But Olivia is resolute and her journey takes her to Germany where she meets Markus and as mentioned previously this is where romance took over until things went back to familiar territory with the search. But what does Olivia uncover, and will this knowledge help bridge the gap between the past and present?
Reading Suzanne Kelman’s end notes I discovered that the character Of Madeline was based upon Adele Kibre, a woman who saved thousands of books and produced over 3,000 reels of microfilm smuggled from Nazi occupied territories. This made the admiration I had felt for Madeline grow even further. I love when stories are based upon real people as it sheds light on little known people who did so much so selflessly for the war effort. The epilogue to The Bookseller in Paris was fitting and emotional and it gave the story a resolute and conclusive ending. The literary themes throughout will bring a smile to your face and apart from the over reliance of romance halfway through I found this to be an engrossing and fascinating read which has left me eager to know which sister will feature in book three.
July 15, 2024
I enjoy a good WWII historical fiction novel with strong female characters who are spies. Suzanne Kelman’s The Bookseller of Paris (Book Two in the Paris Sisters series) did not disappoint. The book’s traction and plot would have been better served without the dual timeline writing style. It seemed like I was reading two books, both detracting from what is a great story about a female spy in WWII tasked with helping the Allies preserve books, newspapers, and history that the Nazis destroyed. Based on some real-life heroes, I think the author could have given readers more by keeping this story in the years of WWII and not flip-flopping back and forth between 2011 and the war years. This practice took me out of the war years with each new chapter, interrupting the flow of the story. And honestly, I was not at all interested in the drama created by Livi. It seemed forced and out of place in what could have been an exciting novel. Now, do not get me wrong. I loved the book. I could get to like Madeline, but her backstory left us hanging. How could she not know her dead husband Alex was married before to a German woman? What did it have to do with this story? This question followed me throughout the reading but was never explained. I found the characters during the war years engaging, but none of the characters in the present era grabbed me. Two storylines and two romances seemed to be the plot. After reading the book cover information, I was hoping for a great spy novel that brought the efforts and sacrifices of Madeline front and center. Instead, her character dangled, teased, and then suddenly appeared in her nineties. Although the story resonated and was an easy, quick read, it seemed to flip and flop, dropping storylines or character arcs right and left. Although the story resonated and was an easy, quick read, it seemed to flip and flop, dropping storylines or character arcs right and left, leaving room for improvement in the well-developed setting in Germany and the bookstore in Paris. The author had so much research at her fingertips, and I felt she should have focused on the bookseller in Paris and her spy work. The story was more a tale of two romances after loss than a true WWII spy mystery. Although I enjoyed the book, there were a few instances where I got lost, which was aggravating because the author never provided a proper reason for Alex's backstory not being explained. Three stars. Thank you to Net Galley for the free ARC. This review is voluntary and mine alone.
June 17, 2025
The Bookseller Of Paris by Suzanne Kelman is a powerful, heart-wrenching dual timeline novel that I loved. It is the second book in The Paris Sisters but can be read as a stand-alone.
The action is mainly set in Paris in 1941 and also in 2011. This is a cosmopolitan read as in 2011 we travel from London to Scotland to Berlin and to Paris. In 1941 we journey between Paris and Berlin.
In present day a granddaughter is trying to piece together her grandfather’s past. She wants to know her heritage – could she really be related to a high-ranking Nazi? Her grandfather has been a recluse tainted by his father’s stance. He has spent a lifetime feeling guilty for the sins of his father.
Books are central to the story. In both time periods, the leading ladies are passionate about books. Novels by Jewish authors were smuggled out of Nazi Germany during World War II or they would have been lost forever. Books and writings tell our stories. “Our personal stories… They connect us to the past and remind us of who we are.” Books are more than just a social commentary on the time. “Books are our testament to having lived, loved and learned.”
We see the courage needed to stand up against the Nazis. “Love can drive us to do the most courageous things, especially in the darkest of times.” We never know what is in our core until it is called out of us.
The Resistance members were scattered over Europe. “True courage might also be found in the numerous small acts of defiance.” Ordinary men and women were called to do extraordinary acts of bravery.
An old house in the Berlin countryside was a hive of Nazi activity after it was seized from its Jewish owners. The land and house remained as a museum of the Holocaust. “Places like this… serve as a reminder of the past, no matter how painful or disturbing it may be… so we don’t forget.” We must never forget those who perished and those who bravely stood up for the innocents.
All the characters were well drawn and believable. The story consumed me from the start. We must never forget the six million innocents who perished nor those brave souls who stood up against the darkness and evil. The Bookseller Of Paris was such a powerful read.
The action is mainly set in Paris in 1941 and also in 2011. This is a cosmopolitan read as in 2011 we travel from London to Scotland to Berlin and to Paris. In 1941 we journey between Paris and Berlin.
In present day a granddaughter is trying to piece together her grandfather’s past. She wants to know her heritage – could she really be related to a high-ranking Nazi? Her grandfather has been a recluse tainted by his father’s stance. He has spent a lifetime feeling guilty for the sins of his father.
Books are central to the story. In both time periods, the leading ladies are passionate about books. Novels by Jewish authors were smuggled out of Nazi Germany during World War II or they would have been lost forever. Books and writings tell our stories. “Our personal stories… They connect us to the past and remind us of who we are.” Books are more than just a social commentary on the time. “Books are our testament to having lived, loved and learned.”
We see the courage needed to stand up against the Nazis. “Love can drive us to do the most courageous things, especially in the darkest of times.” We never know what is in our core until it is called out of us.
The Resistance members were scattered over Europe. “True courage might also be found in the numerous small acts of defiance.” Ordinary men and women were called to do extraordinary acts of bravery.
An old house in the Berlin countryside was a hive of Nazi activity after it was seized from its Jewish owners. The land and house remained as a museum of the Holocaust. “Places like this… serve as a reminder of the past, no matter how painful or disturbing it may be… so we don’t forget.” We must never forget those who perished and those who bravely stood up for the innocents.
All the characters were well drawn and believable. The story consumed me from the start. We must never forget the six million innocents who perished nor those brave souls who stood up against the darkness and evil. The Bookseller Of Paris was such a powerful read.
August 17, 2024
The second book in The Paris Sisters series is about saving books from being destroyed when the Germans invaded Paris. The main character, Madeline, is based on Adele Kibre who smuggled over 3,000 reels of microfilm and other written material across enemy lines and risked her life on a daily basis to accomplish her goal.
Madeline Valette is the owner of a small bookstore in Paris. Her beloved husband has recently died and the bookstore that they owned helps get her through the long days without him. When the Germans invade Paris, life changes dramatically. She's given a list of banned books to remove from her store. When she's asked to join the Resistance to smuggle banned books from Berlin, she accepts, desperate to defy the Nazis. Because she still has an American passport, she can travel to Germany with no problems. Not only is she desperate to get books out of Germany but she has a personal goal as well. She received a letter from a woman claiming to be her husband's first wife and the mother of his only child. She never knew that her husband had a child but she vows to get him out of Germany to a safe place. She places her life in danger during every trip she makes to Germany and as the war continues, her trips become even more difficult. Will she find her husband's son and get him to safety?
Olivia is the main character in the present day time line. She works with old books and when she's at an auction, she finds a book with pictures of her grandmother in the back of the book. She feels a strong need to find out why her grandmother's pictures are there, despite her mother telling her not to look into it. Her grandfather is estranged from the rest of the family but she contacts him to find out more information which he is very reluctant to disclose. As in the first book, the World War II timeline is much more interesting and exciting than the present day timeline but they both work well together to show the effect that the past has on the future. This is another well written and well researched novel and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Madeline Valette is the owner of a small bookstore in Paris. Her beloved husband has recently died and the bookstore that they owned helps get her through the long days without him. When the Germans invade Paris, life changes dramatically. She's given a list of banned books to remove from her store. When she's asked to join the Resistance to smuggle banned books from Berlin, she accepts, desperate to defy the Nazis. Because she still has an American passport, she can travel to Germany with no problems. Not only is she desperate to get books out of Germany but she has a personal goal as well. She received a letter from a woman claiming to be her husband's first wife and the mother of his only child. She never knew that her husband had a child but she vows to get him out of Germany to a safe place. She places her life in danger during every trip she makes to Germany and as the war continues, her trips become even more difficult. Will she find her husband's son and get him to safety?
Olivia is the main character in the present day time line. She works with old books and when she's at an auction, she finds a book with pictures of her grandmother in the back of the book. She feels a strong need to find out why her grandmother's pictures are there, despite her mother telling her not to look into it. Her grandfather is estranged from the rest of the family but she contacts him to find out more information which he is very reluctant to disclose. As in the first book, the World War II timeline is much more interesting and exciting than the present day timeline but they both work well together to show the effect that the past has on the future. This is another well written and well researched novel and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 15, 2024
1940, French bookseller Madeline discovers that her late husband had a son in Germany, making the boy half Jewish and in danger under Nazi rule. Meanwhile she is also enlisted by the Resistance to save banned books. 2011, Olivia discovers a photo of her great grandmother with a Nazi and wants to find the truth about her heritage...
The Bookseller of Paris is the second book in The Paris Sisters series. I have previously read and reviewed the first book, The Last Day in Paris.
Madeline is adjusting to life as a widow as well as the occupation of Paris by the Nazis. She is shocked when she finds out that her husband had fathered a child that he never knew about. She wants to travel to Germany to see the boy and protect him if possible. She also has another secret mission which also puts her in danger.
Olivia spots a photo in an auction lot and recognises her great grandmother Ada. She knows very little about her family history and is estranged from her grandfather Kurt. She travels to Scotland to meet him properly and try to find out about his past. I enjoyed her exploration and investigation of the truth behind the family secrets, in tandem with events unfolding in the 1940s narrative.
I thought both timelines were equally vividly portrayed and effectively imagined. The use of the two timelines allows the plot to unfold and interlink, and I thought this was well executed by the author. The writing style was easy to read and the characters felt authentic. At the end of the book is an author's note which demonstrates the author's research and basis on real events and people. This added extra depth and emotion to the plot and character depiction.
The Bookseller of Paris is a hugely emotional and enjoyable historical novel based on real life people for added poignancy.
The Bookseller of Paris is the second book in The Paris Sisters series. I have previously read and reviewed the first book, The Last Day in Paris.
Madeline is adjusting to life as a widow as well as the occupation of Paris by the Nazis. She is shocked when she finds out that her husband had fathered a child that he never knew about. She wants to travel to Germany to see the boy and protect him if possible. She also has another secret mission which also puts her in danger.
Olivia spots a photo in an auction lot and recognises her great grandmother Ada. She knows very little about her family history and is estranged from her grandfather Kurt. She travels to Scotland to meet him properly and try to find out about his past. I enjoyed her exploration and investigation of the truth behind the family secrets, in tandem with events unfolding in the 1940s narrative.
I thought both timelines were equally vividly portrayed and effectively imagined. The use of the two timelines allows the plot to unfold and interlink, and I thought this was well executed by the author. The writing style was easy to read and the characters felt authentic. At the end of the book is an author's note which demonstrates the author's research and basis on real events and people. This added extra depth and emotion to the plot and character depiction.
The Bookseller of Paris is a hugely emotional and enjoyable historical novel based on real life people for added poignancy.
July 22, 2024
What. A. Book!
The Bookseller of Paris, the second installment in Suzanne Kelman’s Paris Sisters series, is a captivating read that demands its predecessor, The Last Day in Paris. I devoured each book in a single day, unable to resist their allure.
Kelman’s storytelling is masterful, weaving together history, romance, and suspense into a compelling narrative. We follow Madeline Valette, a book-loving widow, and Olivia, a present-day historian and book dealer. A chance discovery at auction — something that can only happen in a book — a mysterious box secured after a fierce bidding war—propels Olivia's story forward. Inside, she uncovers a rare Hesse book, a collection of haunting poems, and a photograph that will forever change her life.
The novel beautifully intertwines Madeline's past with Olivia's present, creating a rich tapestry of characters and events. Both women are fully developed and captivating protagonists. With its blend of history, romance, suspense, and family drama, the novel keeps readers captivated as they root for both characters’ triumphs and empathize with their challenges. I found myself returning to the first book throughout reading to reference characters or situations that were threaded between the two books, which made the reading all the more richer.
A must-read for World War II enthusiasts, The Bookseller of Paris is a poignant exploration of the Holocaust and it's aftermath without graphic detail. It’s a story of hope and human connection that will stay with you long after the final page.
The Bookseller of Paris, the second installment in Suzanne Kelman’s Paris Sisters series, is a captivating read that demands its predecessor, The Last Day in Paris. I devoured each book in a single day, unable to resist their allure.
Kelman’s storytelling is masterful, weaving together history, romance, and suspense into a compelling narrative. We follow Madeline Valette, a book-loving widow, and Olivia, a present-day historian and book dealer. A chance discovery at auction — something that can only happen in a book — a mysterious box secured after a fierce bidding war—propels Olivia's story forward. Inside, she uncovers a rare Hesse book, a collection of haunting poems, and a photograph that will forever change her life.
The novel beautifully intertwines Madeline's past with Olivia's present, creating a rich tapestry of characters and events. Both women are fully developed and captivating protagonists. With its blend of history, romance, suspense, and family drama, the novel keeps readers captivated as they root for both characters’ triumphs and empathize with their challenges. I found myself returning to the first book throughout reading to reference characters or situations that were threaded between the two books, which made the reading all the more richer.
A must-read for World War II enthusiasts, The Bookseller of Paris is a poignant exploration of the Holocaust and it's aftermath without graphic detail. It’s a story of hope and human connection that will stay with you long after the final page.
July 30, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
This is the 2nd book in The Paris Sisters series, but could also be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. It's a dual timeline WWII novel full of heartbreak, hope, courage, and healing. Characters from the first book make brief appearances and I can see already that this series is going to tie together nicely without being repetitive. Suzanne has a lovely writing style that draws you right in from the very first page and makes you feel like you are a part of the story.
I really connected with the main characters - they are well developed and their experiences are relatable. I enjoyed being part of Livi's healing journey and my heart broke for Kurt. I also had a few laughs along the way at his grumpy old man tendancies. I would have loved to have more of Kurt's story, but maybe that will be revisited later in the series! In the WWII timeline, my heart broke for Madeline and all that she endures. I think her timeline was my favourite out of the 2.
I enjoyed reading the author notes at the end of the book explaining what parts were based on fact.
If you're looking for a quick historical WWII novel based on fact that's insightful, has a touch of romance, and isn't too heavy, I highly recommend you pick up this book. I look forward to reading more in this series and continuing the journeys of the Valette sisters!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture publishers, and Suzanne Kelman for the opportunity to read an advance copy for review. My review is unbiased and all opinions are my own.
This is the 2nd book in The Paris Sisters series, but could also be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. It's a dual timeline WWII novel full of heartbreak, hope, courage, and healing. Characters from the first book make brief appearances and I can see already that this series is going to tie together nicely without being repetitive. Suzanne has a lovely writing style that draws you right in from the very first page and makes you feel like you are a part of the story.
I really connected with the main characters - they are well developed and their experiences are relatable. I enjoyed being part of Livi's healing journey and my heart broke for Kurt. I also had a few laughs along the way at his grumpy old man tendancies. I would have loved to have more of Kurt's story, but maybe that will be revisited later in the series! In the WWII timeline, my heart broke for Madeline and all that she endures. I think her timeline was my favourite out of the 2.
I enjoyed reading the author notes at the end of the book explaining what parts were based on fact.
If you're looking for a quick historical WWII novel based on fact that's insightful, has a touch of romance, and isn't too heavy, I highly recommend you pick up this book. I look forward to reading more in this series and continuing the journeys of the Valette sisters!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture publishers, and Suzanne Kelman for the opportunity to read an advance copy for review. My review is unbiased and all opinions are my own.
July 20, 2024
Going between two timelines, you learn the story of a young woman's origins.
Timeline #1 features Madeline, a young woman in Paris, widowed and the proprietor of a bookstore. She receives a letter addressed to her late husband begging he help his ex-wife get their son out of Germany. Madeline is blindsided as she did not know he's been married before and from the letter, he had no knowledge of a son. She feels compelled to help this women and hopes to fill a void with her step-son.
Timeline #2 features Livi, a thirty-something woman in London who discovers photos of her great-grandmother inside a book at an auction. She's disturbed to see her relative alongside a Nazi officer, seemingly in love. She decides to reach out to her estranged grandfather, Kurt, to learn more about her family's past.
Overall, the story was enjoyable and the plot moved along at a clip that kept me interested. There were times when things didn't fully make sense to me, especially when it came to motivators for Madeline and Livi.
What I did like was reading one person's take on how the women who risked their lives to smuggle out books and documents from Nazi-controlled areas. The characters and places were mostly fictional, but reading the author's note gives you the names of the people and places that inspired her.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Timeline #1 features Madeline, a young woman in Paris, widowed and the proprietor of a bookstore. She receives a letter addressed to her late husband begging he help his ex-wife get their son out of Germany. Madeline is blindsided as she did not know he's been married before and from the letter, he had no knowledge of a son. She feels compelled to help this women and hopes to fill a void with her step-son.
Timeline #2 features Livi, a thirty-something woman in London who discovers photos of her great-grandmother inside a book at an auction. She's disturbed to see her relative alongside a Nazi officer, seemingly in love. She decides to reach out to her estranged grandfather, Kurt, to learn more about her family's past.
Overall, the story was enjoyable and the plot moved along at a clip that kept me interested. There were times when things didn't fully make sense to me, especially when it came to motivators for Madeline and Livi.
What I did like was reading one person's take on how the women who risked their lives to smuggle out books and documents from Nazi-controlled areas. The characters and places were mostly fictional, but reading the author's note gives you the names of the people and places that inspired her.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
September 21, 2024
In this interesting dual timeline historical fiction novel, Kelman continues the Paris Sisters series with Madeline Valette’s life in 1940s Paris and Berlin as part of the Resistance. Smuggling banned books back to Paris to save them from the Nazis, Madeline hopes that she will also find a new and unknown tie with her late husband -- his son with Ada, now the wife of a high-ranking and cruel Nazi officer. Told from Madeline’s perspective as it happens and from her step-great-granddaughter’s attempts to reconstruct Madeline and Ada’s lives, Kelman’s novel is powerful, complex, and emotional. With incredibly high stakes and some fascinating insights into the French resistance and book bans under the Nazi regime, this World War II historical fiction novel has some of the key elements of other incredible books in the genre. Madeline and Ada are fascinatingly complex figures, and their dynamic is also particularly interesting, while their separate narratives are really interesting to follow. Madeline in particular carries the narrative with her strength and bravery in her acts of resistance, making readers really care about her story. With its powerful characters, complex narrative, and vivid historical setting, World War II historical fiction fans will not be disappointed with the latest Paris Sisters book by Suzanne Kelman.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.
August 3, 2024
This dual time line historical romance is set in World War 2 and 2011. In the earlier time period the reader follows the story of Madeleine Valette who runs a bookshop in Paris whearas the more modern setting is about, Liv a young woman who reconnects with her grandfather whilst trying to trace his family history. A war orphan, Kurt has lived a solitary life in Scotland reluctant to have any contact with his family.
As the book progresses the author tells his story through Madeleine’s eyes and includes her wartime exploits as a member of the French Resistance with the codename of StoryKeeper.
As well as being an historical romance there is also plenty of excitement as the characters in the War try to evade the Nazis.
I liked both Madeleine and Liv, both damaged in different ways but trying to do their best. Both find love in the course of the novel which made the story all the more poignant.
I must admit that the ending moved me so much that I had tears in my eyes- it’s truly a beautiful story and I highly recommend it, particularly if you are a fan of historical books set in the war years.
I’ve read a few of Suzanne Kelman’s books and they’ve all been compelling and well researched so if you enjoy “The Bookseller of Paris”, I suggest you read some of her others too.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
As the book progresses the author tells his story through Madeleine’s eyes and includes her wartime exploits as a member of the French Resistance with the codename of StoryKeeper.
As well as being an historical romance there is also plenty of excitement as the characters in the War try to evade the Nazis.
I liked both Madeleine and Liv, both damaged in different ways but trying to do their best. Both find love in the course of the novel which made the story all the more poignant.
I must admit that the ending moved me so much that I had tears in my eyes- it’s truly a beautiful story and I highly recommend it, particularly if you are a fan of historical books set in the war years.
I’ve read a few of Suzanne Kelman’s books and they’ve all been compelling and well researched so if you enjoy “The Bookseller of Paris”, I suggest you read some of her others too.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
July 26, 2024
The Bookseller of Paris by Suzanne Kelman is an intriguing historical fiction book with dual timelines. Madeline is the owner of a bookshop in Paris during 1940. She begins to work with the Resistance by acquiring and hiding banned books from the Nazis. When a letter arrives addressed to her late husband, she discovers her husband has a son by another woman named Ada. Because her husband was Jewish, it puts his son in danger. Madeline begins a search to locate this woman and her son Kurt.
The story switches to 2011 where we find Livi who is an antique bookseller. At an auction she discovers a book containing a photograph of a woman who resembles her great grandmother. Livi sets out to find out more about her family’s past by reaching out to her grandfather.
This is a wonderful story of triumph over adversity, courage, love, and redemption. Both women in the story press on through difficult circumstances in a search for truth and forgiveness. It is heartwarming and heartbreaking at times. This story held my attention throughout. I love how both women in the story were steadfast in their search for meaning while facing discouraging and life-threatening obstacles. This book is a five-star read for sure.
The story switches to 2011 where we find Livi who is an antique bookseller. At an auction she discovers a book containing a photograph of a woman who resembles her great grandmother. Livi sets out to find out more about her family’s past by reaching out to her grandfather.
This is a wonderful story of triumph over adversity, courage, love, and redemption. Both women in the story press on through difficult circumstances in a search for truth and forgiveness. It is heartwarming and heartbreaking at times. This story held my attention throughout. I love how both women in the story were steadfast in their search for meaning while facing discouraging and life-threatening obstacles. This book is a five-star read for sure.
August 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this dual timeline World War 2 historical fiction. The author weaves a tale that about seven year old Kurt Armstrong and his escape from occupied Berlin. His mother knows that her son is in danger. His father is Jewish. Out of desperation he writes to Alex asking for his help.
Madeline mourns for her husband, Alex who died two years earlier. Imagine her surprise when he receives a letter telling him about Kurt. There is only one thing she can do, rescue a stepson she didn't know existed from an ex-wife that she never knew about it.
Madeline's determination to find Alex puts her in a unique situation to rescue banned books and documents. Trip after trip she searches for Alex as she smuggles books and film documenting books out of Germany under the guise of buying and selling books. The reader gets a small glimpse into the dangers those devoted to save a culture, a history encounter every day. Every breath may be the last. Every person encountered might turn you in.
In 2011, Kurt's granddaughter, Olivia, is at an estate auction. She stumbles across pictures of her Great-great grandmother Ada, some poetry and letters. Following Olivia's journey searching for the truth was the most exciting portion of the story. First she has to contact a grandfather she really doesn't know. Kurt has lived his life thinking he is the son of a monster. He has kept his distance. He had to keep his birthright secret.
Olivia goes to Germany searching for answers. I became obsessed with her discoveries. I devoured the stories. My heart broke for Jacob, a resistance worker that had been close to Madeline. It was so much fun watching her and Marcus solving puzzles. They were able to solve mysteries, and fill in gaps in Berlin's WW2 resistance history.
Madeline mourns for her husband, Alex who died two years earlier. Imagine her surprise when he receives a letter telling him about Kurt. There is only one thing she can do, rescue a stepson she didn't know existed from an ex-wife that she never knew about it.
Madeline's determination to find Alex puts her in a unique situation to rescue banned books and documents. Trip after trip she searches for Alex as she smuggles books and film documenting books out of Germany under the guise of buying and selling books. The reader gets a small glimpse into the dangers those devoted to save a culture, a history encounter every day. Every breath may be the last. Every person encountered might turn you in.
In 2011, Kurt's granddaughter, Olivia, is at an estate auction. She stumbles across pictures of her Great-great grandmother Ada, some poetry and letters. Following Olivia's journey searching for the truth was the most exciting portion of the story. First she has to contact a grandfather she really doesn't know. Kurt has lived his life thinking he is the son of a monster. He has kept his distance. He had to keep his birthright secret.
Olivia goes to Germany searching for answers. I became obsessed with her discoveries. I devoured the stories. My heart broke for Jacob, a resistance worker that had been close to Madeline. It was so much fun watching her and Marcus solving puzzles. They were able to solve mysteries, and fill in gaps in Berlin's WW2 resistance history.
August 6, 2024
No book set in a WWI or WWII setting is not intriguing. Each story with the background of the Resistance in whatever setting it is, has its human story of courage, endurance and loyalty to the country of their birth. This was no different.
Set in 1940 Madeline runs a bookshop in Paris but she can see the troubling signs ahead. She has lost her husband Alex and is struggling to live without him. A letter arrives from Germany indicating that Alex has a son Kurt, and this is heartbreaking news for Madeline who only then realises her husband has had secrets kept well hidden. Determined to do right for the boy, she embarks on a scheme of using her books as a cover to get into Germany and rescue Kurt.
Fast forward and Olivia discovers a cache of letters and photographs of her great grandmother Ada with a high ranking Nazi officer and her estranged grandfather Kurt also in the pictures. Trying to put the pieces of the jigsaw together and acknowledge that she may herself have Nazi ancestry is a hard pill to swallow.
Like Madeline, Olivia sets out on a journey of discovery to put the record straight and reconcile with a grandfather who up to now has not wanted any contact with the family.
A very emotional, heart breaking story of a family.
Set in 1940 Madeline runs a bookshop in Paris but she can see the troubling signs ahead. She has lost her husband Alex and is struggling to live without him. A letter arrives from Germany indicating that Alex has a son Kurt, and this is heartbreaking news for Madeline who only then realises her husband has had secrets kept well hidden. Determined to do right for the boy, she embarks on a scheme of using her books as a cover to get into Germany and rescue Kurt.
Fast forward and Olivia discovers a cache of letters and photographs of her great grandmother Ada with a high ranking Nazi officer and her estranged grandfather Kurt also in the pictures. Trying to put the pieces of the jigsaw together and acknowledge that she may herself have Nazi ancestry is a hard pill to swallow.
Like Madeline, Olivia sets out on a journey of discovery to put the record straight and reconcile with a grandfather who up to now has not wanted any contact with the family.
A very emotional, heart breaking story of a family.
August 8, 2024
One New Revelation Can Change Everything. This is, ultimately, a tale of exactly what the title says. As a dual timeline tale, the linkage here is rare, but rare in the sense of the now-mythical banana chocolate chip cookie from Chips Ahoy - done once years ago, and *may* (HOPEFULLY, in the case of the cookie, I've missed it ever since!) eventually come back.
Discussing the 2010s era timeline at all is a spoiler in that it isn't mentioned at all in the description of the book (at least as it exists at publication in August 2024), but it was one that I could very much relate to given my own family's history. It was also the timeline where this book could be classified as a romance, but that is all that I will say here.
The WWII story is compelling, though we've actually seen its pivotal moment in at least The Last Day In Paris (Book 1 of this series), if not The Paris Orphans (Book 0). The story here is more both how we got to that particular moment and what happens after - both compelling, if at least slightly different, mysteries.
Overall this was a tense book full of both the peril of WWII in so many facets as well as the long tail of its aftermath in so many different ways. Very much recommended.
Discussing the 2010s era timeline at all is a spoiler in that it isn't mentioned at all in the description of the book (at least as it exists at publication in August 2024), but it was one that I could very much relate to given my own family's history. It was also the timeline where this book could be classified as a romance, but that is all that I will say here.
The WWII story is compelling, though we've actually seen its pivotal moment in at least The Last Day In Paris (Book 1 of this series), if not The Paris Orphans (Book 0). The story here is more both how we got to that particular moment and what happens after - both compelling, if at least slightly different, mysteries.
Overall this was a tense book full of both the peril of WWII in so many facets as well as the long tail of its aftermath in so many different ways. Very much recommended.
August 6, 2024
Madeline Valette owns a bookshop in Paris and when the Germans take over the beautiful city she loves, she is left with nowhere to go. She turns her beautiful, treasured bookshop into a safe hiding place for those that need it. Soon she is asked to join the Resistance and her mission is to smuggle banned books from Berlin. Madeline says yes and knowing that it was a way for her to begin searching for her husband in Germany as she travels back and forth. Madeline receives a letter from a woman named Ada who is the mother of her husband’s son. Ada is facing persecution, and needs Madeline to rescue them. Madeline risks everything to find and rescue Ada and her stepson. Soon they are all in danger of surviving this horrible war.
The Bookseller of Paris, written by author Suzanne Kelman is an emotional story of survival. This phenomenal unputdownable treasure kept me up late at night flying through the pages. This beautifully written story pulled me in at the very first page, and didn’t let me go until the very end. This amazing story is the second installment in a wonderful series but can be read as a standalone novel. I highly recommend this gripping and emotional story.
The Bookseller of Paris, written by author Suzanne Kelman is an emotional story of survival. This phenomenal unputdownable treasure kept me up late at night flying through the pages. This beautifully written story pulled me in at the very first page, and didn’t let me go until the very end. This amazing story is the second installment in a wonderful series but can be read as a standalone novel. I highly recommend this gripping and emotional story.
July 17, 2024
The Bookseller of Paris is the gripping story that has two strong women featured.
Its 1940 in Paris and Madeline grieving for her late husband continues to run their bookshop hoping that books will continue to give people comfort and a distraction from the stress of the war.
Madeline is recruited to smuggle books out of Berlin as well as putting herself in even greater danger hiding people from the Nazis.
In 2011 we met Olivia who is finds a photo of her grandmother during the war which raises many questions and she is on a mission to learn more of heritage.
Both women have remarkable stories and I cheered for them both, I cried for them both but most of all I admired them.
The tension mounts with every chapter.
Suzanne Kelman is a master of bringing history to life and The Bookseller of Paris is no exception.
Highly recommend The Paris Sisters series or any book by Suzanne Kelman.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the privilege of reading and reviewing The Bookseller of Paris.
Its 1940 in Paris and Madeline grieving for her late husband continues to run their bookshop hoping that books will continue to give people comfort and a distraction from the stress of the war.
Madeline is recruited to smuggle books out of Berlin as well as putting herself in even greater danger hiding people from the Nazis.
In 2011 we met Olivia who is finds a photo of her grandmother during the war which raises many questions and she is on a mission to learn more of heritage.
Both women have remarkable stories and I cheered for them both, I cried for them both but most of all I admired them.
The tension mounts with every chapter.
Suzanne Kelman is a master of bringing history to life and The Bookseller of Paris is no exception.
Highly recommend The Paris Sisters series or any book by Suzanne Kelman.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the privilege of reading and reviewing The Bookseller of Paris.
August 9, 2024
I knew as soon as I started this book, I wouldn't be able to put it down and it kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning.
This is a series which I strongly suggest you read in order. Book 0 is The Paris Orphans, book 1 is The Last Day in Paris and this is the Paris Sisters series.
I've read most all of the author's books, and I'm always so impressed by how well researched the books are. She adds little known facts about WWII into her books making them so realistic that I feel as though I could take the hand of the scared and crying child in the book and comfort them.
With this being a dual timeline at times you don't make the connection right away in some books, not the case here. I very much enjoyed meeting one of the characters as a child in one of the timelines and seeing them as an adult as well. We are shown how the effects of the war and all they had to go through affected who they became.
During WWII ordinary people, many of them women became heroes as they went exhibited extraordinary bravery far above what they though themselves capable of.
Highly recommended!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a series which I strongly suggest you read in order. Book 0 is The Paris Orphans, book 1 is The Last Day in Paris and this is the Paris Sisters series.
I've read most all of the author's books, and I'm always so impressed by how well researched the books are. She adds little known facts about WWII into her books making them so realistic that I feel as though I could take the hand of the scared and crying child in the book and comfort them.
With this being a dual timeline at times you don't make the connection right away in some books, not the case here. I very much enjoyed meeting one of the characters as a child in one of the timelines and seeing them as an adult as well. We are shown how the effects of the war and all they had to go through affected who they became.
During WWII ordinary people, many of them women became heroes as they went exhibited extraordinary bravery far above what they though themselves capable of.
Highly recommended!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
August 12, 2024
THE BOOKSELLER OF PARIS by SUZANNE KELMAN is a well written WW11 novel in which we follow Kurt, a half Jewish boy from 1940 in Berlin until 2011 in Scotland. I like the sensitive way in which the author tells the story of the young widowed bookseller, Madeline, who risks her life by going to Berlin to find Kurt, who is her late husband’s child by his first marriage, whilst smuggling banned Jewish literature out of Germany, and filming information that could help the Allies. She is extremely brave as she stands up against the horrors of the Nazi regime……
In 2011, Olivia, an antiquarian bookseller from Oxford, comes across photos and a book of poetry that raise questions about her family heritage. After contacting her grandfather in Scotland, she goes to Berlin to uncover the truth…….
I really enjoyed the literary theme, the well rounded characters, and the clever way in which the story played itself out.
This is an excellent read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
In 2011, Olivia, an antiquarian bookseller from Oxford, comes across photos and a book of poetry that raise questions about her family heritage. After contacting her grandfather in Scotland, she goes to Berlin to uncover the truth…….
I really enjoyed the literary theme, the well rounded characters, and the clever way in which the story played itself out.
This is an excellent read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
November 14, 2024
I loved The Bookseller of Paris (The Paris Sisters Book 2) by Suzanne Kelman! It is a dual timeline book that follows main character Madeleine starting in 1940 and main character Olivia "livi" in 2011. While it may seem strange to "love" a book that describes life under Nazi rule in the '40's and the long-lasting effects of life under Nazi rule still present in 2011, Suzanne Kelman has created characters and scenarios with so very much love in them that I felt at the end that I had just read a dual timeline romance novel. There are definitely heart pounding dramatic and suspenseful scenes that take place giving the reader information of what people experienced during WWII but it was the inner qualities of the main characters that captured my interest as the author shared their thoughts, emotions, and actions throughout the book. I loved the characters and I loved the book! I strongly recommend this to people who enjoy reading about women living in Europe during WWII. I received an advanced readers' copy of this book from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.
September 3, 2024
A truly wonderful book! A story worthy of the telling. World War 2 brought many tragedies and separations. Some separations came with the finality of death, but others had to be lived through along with the anxiety and anger that came with it. All of this is brought out in the real lives of Madeline; Jacob; Kurt and Ada against the backdrop of the war. A chance find by Olivia in 2011, brings with it emotions, joy, sadness and eventually reconciliation.
The story is well written and the suspense created make this a book worth reading. As the pages turn, as the story unfolds, keep your hankies close by, it’s a tear jerker. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down.
Thank you Suzanne Kelman for writing this book, as always you made it real. Thank you to bookouture for publishing and NetGalley for this advance copy to read and review. This review is honestly written and freely given. Thank you.
The story is well written and the suspense created make this a book worth reading. As the pages turn, as the story unfolds, keep your hankies close by, it’s a tear jerker. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down.
Thank you Suzanne Kelman for writing this book, as always you made it real. Thank you to bookouture for publishing and NetGalley for this advance copy to read and review. This review is honestly written and freely given. Thank you.
August 8, 2024
I was engrossed early on in the book and found myself eager to read more. We follow Madeline in the 1940s and Livi aka Olivia in 2011.
Both have been through it and the people who tie them together are Olivia’s grandfather, who is a closed off cantankerous man, keen to leave his memories hidden. Madeline is still grieving her husband Alex when a letter arrives. This is where the lies, the truth and the different ways we honour our loved ones comes into play. It’s inspiring, heartbreaking, intriguing all in one. All the sentiments, the horror, discoveries and pain that tie the characters together are well thought out. A definite must read. The atrocious truth of WWII never fails to shock me, even in historical fiction. Nothing was safe, not even books, no one and nowhere was safe. Who to trust and whom to believe?
Both have been through it and the people who tie them together are Olivia’s grandfather, who is a closed off cantankerous man, keen to leave his memories hidden. Madeline is still grieving her husband Alex when a letter arrives. This is where the lies, the truth and the different ways we honour our loved ones comes into play. It’s inspiring, heartbreaking, intriguing all in one. All the sentiments, the horror, discoveries and pain that tie the characters together are well thought out. A definite must read. The atrocious truth of WWII never fails to shock me, even in historical fiction. Nothing was safe, not even books, no one and nowhere was safe. Who to trust and whom to believe?
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