The Secret Twins of Paris

by Suzanne Kelman

‘You must find her, my darling girl.’ Lily’s mother whispers, pressing a small brass key into her palm. ‘You must find my twin sister, before it is too late…’

Paris, 2011: Lily Tremaine’s hands shake as she opens the envelope addressed in her mother’s hand. The faded letter inside reveals the long-buried family secret that her mother had a twin she was separated from during the Second World War. A tear slides down Lily’s cheek, knowing the loss of a sister caused her mother so much heartbreak. And now, after all these years, her mother needs Lily to find her…

As Lily begins to piece together the fragments of her mother’s story, she meets Julien, a photographer whose research contains the clues she needs to unlock the past. As they pore over faded black and white photographs together, a warm feeling begins to stir in Lily’s chest. But she knows she can’t bury her own recent heartbreak just yet, not until she has fulfilled her mother’s wish.

When the truth of what happened to the young twins is revealed, it is more shocking than Lily could have ever anticipated. And with her mother’s health failing, she is running out of time to find her mother’s missing sister. Can Lily piece together long-buried family secrets from the war in time to reunite the lost twins of Paris before it is too late?

This heartbreaking and page-turning novel in the Paris Sisters series tells a story of resilience and hope 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 Secret Twins of Paris :

‘Beautiful… Devastatingly powerful… I found myself holding my breath… An unforgettable, heart-shattering read that will leave you in tears and stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow this story was a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. I loved it, I was totally captivated and couldn’t put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heart-wrenching… Beautiful… Heartbreaking… My heart pained so much it hurt… I had tears of sadness and other times tears of joy. This book has it all… A must-read.’ Cindy L Spear ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Amazing… Beautiful… A compelling and emotional read… I was hooked by it.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Beautifully written… [A] real page-turner… I admit to tears – both happy and sad tears.’Girl Who Reads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘So compelling that I couldn’t put the book down… Breathtaking.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘So heartbreaking… Wonderful.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

442 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

Suzanne 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

Reviews

[Carla]

4.5 Stars: It's 2011 when Lily Tremaine gets a call from her sister. She needs to come home, her mother has had a stroke and is asking to see her. She leaves Paris and heads to the south of France to see her mother. She gives her a brass key and tells her to find her twin sister. She then has a setback and Lily heads to Paris to her mother's old bank to discover what might be in a safe deposit box there. Thus Lily begins her search for her mother's twin. Born Rachel and Rebecca, they were separated in a raid on the village that was hiding Jewish Children. Lily gets help from Julien, a photographer, whose grandfather took pictures of the girls dancing when they were young. The story is told in a dual timeline, sharing the story of 4 women who lived in the same apartment and had ties to the twins, as well as in the present while Lily and Julien are searching.

I enjoyed this book and didn't realize it was part of a series when I requested the book to review. One of the characters in the past timeline, Gigi, is a sister of the women in the previous books in the series. They are referred to in this book, but you do not have to have read their stories to enjoy or follow this one. I enjoyed both timelines in this book with a slight preference to the past. Gigi and her 3 friends were all involved in the arts in some way and lived above the ballet studio. Gigi was a dancer, yet quite young compared to the others. She falls in love, but, there are secrets that cause her relationship to have major issues. The other ladies are a Jewish woman who is hiding her identity, an artist working for the resistance, and the stage manager at the theatre, whose brother is in the French police and trying to get her to rat out performers. The present story involves Lily and her search, but also her personal story where she and her husband are having issues. She works in a gallery and is quite smart, kind, and persistent. Her boss is a hoot, I really liked her. This is a story that almost had me in tears a few times. I enjoyed watching the theatre try and stay afloat with the Nazis in Paris. There were some tense moments. a few twists, and lots of secrets. I enjoy historical fiction, and found this story touched upon an area of life in Paris during the occupation that I hadn't read anything about before. I really enjoyed this book and will be going back and reading the other books featuring Gigi's sisters. If you enjoy historical fiction, especially stories set during WW2, then I recommend The Secret Twins of Paris.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this jaw dropping book

man i cant put into words how i feel about reading this book ...its a journey of discovery and heartbreak rolled into one

with dual time lines you catch up with both sides of the storyline and to the heart breaking conclussion.... tears rolled down my eyes reading this one....

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Twins of Paris is the latest book from Suzanne Kelman and although it is the fourth book in The Paris Sisters series if you haven’t read any of the previous books you’ll definitely find yourself seeking out the other instalments once you have finished this story. It’s full of hidden secrets, raw emotions, turmoil and upset during the darkest days that the city of lights during its occupation in World War Two. Told in the dual timeline format as were the previous three books, the plot weaves effortlessly back and forth between Paris in the war and the present. he chapters are short and snappy the majority of which end on cliffhangers which have you eagerly racing through the alternative timelines to see what would happen next. et at the same time there was a slight frustration that I wanted them to be longer as I found myself getting comfortable with a certain timeline and then bang it jumped forward to the present or vice versa. ut upon reflection this is what made the book flow so well and given my lack of attention span these days I found myself reading huge swathes of the book at a time as I found it compelling and I became deeply engrossed in the remarkable story unfolding.

The prologue alone would have any reader sitting up and paying attention. Paris January 1943, sees our main female protagonist, Gigi, at a train station with twins Rachel and Rebecca. She questions whether she is doing the right thing in sending the twins away. They have no one left and therefore Gigi feels there is no other alternative. Her sister Charlotte takes them away but will they ever be seen again? Fast forward to Summer 2011 and Lily receives a phone call from her sister Clare to say that her mother Rebecca has suffered a stroke and prior to the ambulance arriving she gave Clare a key for Lily saying she must go to the bank and discover the answers. Of course Lily is intrigued but also upset at the same time that she may have very little precious time left with her mother. She takes on the request of her mother with gratitude and a will to complete it. A letter along with a photo and worn ballerina shoes reveals Rebecca has spent her life searching for her missing sister whom she last saw in horrific circumstances during the war. She has always had a sense that somewhere out there she is still alive. Whether that is fact remains to be seen.

I admired the fact that Lily was deeply worried about losing her mother but she pushed those fears to one side and began the search and in doing so attempt to unravel secrets that had come to be during the war. Lily hopes that by untangling her mother’s past that she can make sense of her own life. To be honest, I found aspects of Lily’s personal life very predictable and that I had read this umpteen times over and I could see exactly where things would go for her. For example, trouble in her marriage to her husband Marcus which the reader could see was heading in the wrong direction. Meeting Julien whose grandfather took photos of Paris during the war is the starting place for her quest but it was quite obvious what would potentially happen there. So I would definitely say that the strand of the story set in the past was much stronger than those set in the present. But saying that I totally understand the inclusion of Lily as she was the conduit that bridged the links between the past and the present and as she discovered things I loved how we jumped back and saw how these fitted in with what was going on in the war. She literally was peeling back the layers, identifying clues and working to solve them and hopefully striving to have the past reveal the secrets it has held for so long.

Gigi was a fabulous character and the artistic world that she inhabited in Paris in the 1940’s showed the heartbeat of the city never lost its rhythm during the most desperate of times. Resistance can take shape in many different forms and this is a thread that runs throughout the book. Life alters significantly for Gigi with the arrival of the Germans to take over her beloved city. All her dedication and training to be a ballerina is just starting to pay off with a role in a show at the Palais Garnier theatre but that is curtailed by the new rules and regulations imposed by the Germans. Gigi lives next to her friends, Malina, Claudette and Elise and they all inhabit the artistic world in one form or another. Be it as an artist, a costume designer or a stage manager, their love for the arts shines through. The reader is taken behind the scenes into this world and shows how everything that was so precious to these people was disrupted and turned upside down by the arrival of the Germans. Instead of fulfilling their ambitions and following a profession they loved, a world of fear, suspicion and danger was created. Especially for those that were Jewish.

Gigi will do anything to help those in need especially those so very close to her own door. Despite her young age at only 18 in 1940, I thought she showed such great strength, courage and fortitude throughout. I almost forgot how young she was because there was such brilliant development of her character over the course of the war as she finds herself becoming deeply embroiled in Resistance work. Work that if her family knew she was partaking in they would have probably have her hauled back to live at home and keep her safe within the family cocoon. Through her life as a dancer she encounters composer Olivier who exposes her to a world she never knew existed with some new characters introduced based on real life people of the time. This was a real nod to the Paris of old before the war. Jazz clubs and singing and art all feature heavily and its truly like another world. Olivier was handsome and striking and as the story developed you could see that Gigi was falling hook, line and sinker for him even though there are those that warn her off him. But for what reasons? Is there more to him than at first meets the eye and perhaps not necessarily in the best of ways?

Gigi is the glue that hold the plot of the past together but also there are chapters from Charlotte’s viewpoint. She was a character whom I liked at some points but then at others I didn’t appreciate what she was engaging in and I felt she was going against the spirit and themes of the book and the series overall. That of women connected by sisterhood, courage and art. There were numerous times I found myself becoming very smug in thinking oh I know how this all pans out and I know who the twins mother is only to have my suspicions thrown out the window with the turn of a page. But in a way this was brilliant because then I was kept guessing until the last possible moment of reveal even though I was kicking myself that I hadn’t seen certain connections that in hindsight were obvious.

The Secret Twins of Paris is a brilliant addition to the series and the last few pages set us up nicely for what is to come in the next book when Charlotte will share her story. I liked what was explained as it was intriguing and has brilliant potential. Gigi’s story highlighted the courage of so many who resisted tyranny and oppression at a time when dark shadows fell over the world. Mystery, suspense, romance, daring escapades, resilience, loss, pain, separation and hope are all strong themes throughout what was an excellent book that is a must read for fans of World War Two historical fiction.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzanne Kelman always writes with fierce emotional intensity and honesty. And The Secret Twins of Paris is another prime example of a heart wrenching story set during the horrors of WWII. This time the ongoing resistance against tyranny is headed by a group of artistic individuals.

Musicians, singers and dancers, working to save the city of love, try desperately to prevent everything ‘that makes life beautiful’ from being shut down by the Nazis. During the darkest hours in history, under enemy occupation, Paris and its residents are bound by a new set of rules and restrictions. But still they make an effort to preserve what is sacred and to survive. Everyone is being watched and nobody can be trusted. Contradictions are everywhere. Sadly some take the enemy’s side to stay alive, while others find quiet ways to resist as they work undercover in theatre, ballet and jazz clubs. But there are many secrets lurking in these venues. Some shocking twists are about to unfold and Suzanne keeps us guessing, in suspense and on the edge of our seats wondering who will succeed and who will fail. There is a great fear that the Nazis will shut down the theatre. Which friends, family members and colleagues will be captured, questioned or sent away?

The novel opens with a heartbreaking Prologue in the past. Twin girls, ‘young and vulnerable,’ are leaving Gigi’s care. Her sister Charlotte is taking them on a train to safety. With their father gone and their mother needing to remain nameless to keep them safe, these children have no other options. Suzanne puts us in Gigi’s shoes and allows us to feel all the sad and fearful emotions one would expect as she lets them go.

Then in chapter one we are thrust forward to 2011 to meet Lily Tremaine (daughter of one of the twin girls). She is sitting in the hospital where her sick mother is ‘caught between life and death.’ Rebecca has survived loss and war but she has not fulfilled her silent wish. Secrets of her past life are contained within a bank security box. Now unable to explain or continue her lifelong desire, she asks Lily to retrieve the item so that she and her sister Clare can learn about their mother’s past. When Lily opens the box and reads the letter Rebecca prepared for them, she is shocked. She never knew her mother had a twin sister and that they were separated.

Lily then makes it her mission to find the missing twin sister Rachel. This is a huge part of the plot as it also leads Lily to make discoveries of her own. Her marriage troubles and betrayal unveil and heartbreak erupts. But in the midst of the broken mess, she sees a newspaper article that sparks her interest. Forgotten Photographs of Victor Renaud at an exhibition. That show 1940s Paris. This is great timing with her need to find answers about her family’s past. She attends the exhibition and hears Julien Renaud, a photographer and the grandson of Victor, speak about the history the photos reveal. She falls deeply into the past world and feels the ‘fear and resilience of a city under occupation.’ Then she sees a photograph of children at a train station and at its centre are twins. She wonders: is this her mother and twin sister? She approaches Julien and asks. But his grandfather’s notes are incomplete—whether done on purpose to protect identities, he does not know. This meeting is the start of a journey they take together to unveil more of the mysteries of the past. But another connection happens, too, that neither of them are expecting. Lily’s life will take a drastic turn.

We follow Gigi in the 1940s timeline that is filled with many twists, turns, surprises, heartache, attraction and romance. We live in the past through her eyes. Some friends become enemies. Betrayal of relationships abound. But we also see the inner workings of the theatre during this fateful era. And we learn about the suffering and chaos.

I felt transported to the setting with Suzanne’s vivid poetic descriptions. The characters past and present are wonderfully drawn. The plot believable about twins being separated during the Second World War. Set in two timelines: one during early 1940s (led by Gigi) and a more current one in 2011 (told through Lily Tremaine, daughter of one of the twins). You get the whole picture, clear and complete.

This is a profound story of risk, separation and loss but also one of victory, reunion and new beginnings. And most of all, courage and love beat at its core. My heart pained so much it hurt. At others time it raced so wildly I thought it would leap from my chest. I had tears of sadness and other times tears of joy. This book has it all. This is a must read for historical fiction lovers in 2026. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written and well researched novel takes place in two timelines - 1942 until the end of the war and 2011 when a daughter struggles to find out information about her family during the war.

The novel begins with a Prologue of ten year old twins being put on a train to find safety outside of Paris. The first chapter takes place in 2011 when one of the twins is in very bad health and asks her daughter to help her find her twin sister. They had gotten separated in a raid during the war and she wanted her twin found before it was too late. Lily never knew that her mother had a twin but promised to try to find her. Her search takes her to small corners of France and meeting people who remembered the twins and kept giving her clues of other people to talk to. A local photographer, Julien, helps her in her quest. There are sparks between them but Lily is married so it doesn't look like there will be an HEA. Will Lily be able to find her mom's twin in time that they can meet again?

The World War II timeline revolves around four friends who all work with a major ballet company. Lily is the star ballerina and the others work as dress makers and directors. They all love the ballet and are dismayed when the Nazis invade Paris and threaten to shut down any artistic events that do not favor Germany. The new rules in Paris put all of the women in danger and they band together to help each other survive but it turns out that some people help the enemy to survive while others become part of the resistance. There are a set of twins that belong to someone in the ballet company and all of the women do what they can to help them. World War II is full of pain and danger and threatened friendships. Will these four woman survive the war? Will the love affair between the ballerina and a member of the Resistance last until the end of the war? The chapters about the war are real page turners as the reader wishes for the survival of the group of friends.

This book is about family and friendship, love and destruction and about the struggle of the artists in Paris during WWII to keep their art alive despite the danger and restrictions by the occupying Nazi army. I loved all of the main characters and was extremely overwhelmed by their struggles. I admit to tears - both happy and sad tears. This book is the about strong women who have both resilience and hope in the face of the cruelty of the Second World War.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid Penultimate Book In Series. This is one of those entire series where you're going to want to read the entire series before this point - including the short story prequel that sets everything up - before you get here. Even though this one stands alone (*ish*), you really need that deep understanding of all that is going on here to fully appreciate this story, and really those prior books are just as strong as this one, so if you see this one first and are interested in it at all, you'll be glad you read them first anyway.

For what this book - and its predecessors - actually is though, it really is quite good. We get a dual timeline with both women's fiction and romance elements in both timelines - enough that yes, this book technically satisfies all known RWA/ RNA requirements to be "officially" classified as a romance novel - and all elements here are done remarkably well. Considering that some other authors struggle at times with one timeline or genre and Kelman here is not only juggling, but excelling in, a combined four different genre/ timeline combinations is really quite astounding, and an absolute testament to her storytelling abilities.

If you enjoy dusty rooms or cutting onions, you're going to love this book. (To be clear here, men don't cry. The room is either very dusty or we're cutting a lot of onions. We. Never. Cry. (And yes, this is a joke, but a joke explaining the other joke. ;) )) If you enjoy books that both transport you to another place *and* make you *feel* something within it, you're going to enjoy this book. If you enjoy books that are close enough to reality that you can more easily switch your brain off and accept the one presented in front of you, you're going to enjoy this book.

And when you get done with this book... well, you'll be glad to know that apparently we can expect the conclusion to this series later in 2026. I'm not sure *how* public the release date of Book 5 here is -I asked the publisher directly and have a longstanding working relationship with them across dozens of reviews every few months for several years now - but I feel reasonably confident that no one will get too upset with me for saying simply "by the end of this year". :D And seriously, I can't wait. Definitely going to be one hell of a back-end-of-2026 read, just as this book was one hell of a Book 5 of 2026 read for me.

Very much recommended.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bookouture does an amazing job of finding beautiful cover art for all their historical fiction novels and it was the cover that drew my attention to this book, closely followed by finding the author was Suzanne Kelman. I've read many of her books before, including all the previous books in this series. While this is book 4 in a series, I believe that it works well as a stand-alone. There are references to some characters in the other books, but this one is quite unique on its own.

The story is set in France, primarily in Paris but also in other parts of the country. It is dual-timeline, with chapters alternating between multiple characters in the second world war and Lily Tremaine in 2011. Lily is the daughter of Rachel, one of twin sisters who were inadvertently separated during the war. Rachel is in hospital in a coma, but in a lucid moment asked daughter Clare to give Lily a key to a safety deposit box that will "have all the answers". They know very little about their mother's background so Lily sets off to discover more. The papers send her a journey to find out what happened to her mother's twin Rebecca. It will make her question her life thus far and change her future forever. It made for a compelling and emotional read and had mystery and suspense that intertwined with the story from the past. I was hooked by it.

Kelman always does an excellent job at bringing the past to life. She chose to focus on the creative arts as a setting for much of the story. She did use real individuals for some of her inspiration. Ballet, the theatre, music and the people that made it happen were the characters that populated the story. Many were young and had a lot to learn about life and what one must do to survive in wartime. There were four main characters who made their way through the story in the past - Gigi, Eloise, Malina and Claudette. Each one had her own issues that played an important part in events to come and in solving the mystery of what became of Rachel. It is a complex story but well worth reading.

The book ended with hints of a future book in the series still to come. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open for it.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of this novel. Opinions are my own.

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot rave about this book enough! I do enjoy historical fiction and dual timelines, but I am often cautious when reading books with wartime themes, as I tend to take the stories to heart. This beautiful book reduced me to tears whilst leaving me uplifted and in awe of the strength found in love and human kindness.

In essence, the book tells the stories of a group of characters, but the main focus is on Gigi in wartime Paris and Lily, who is found in 2011. Together, their stories help to unravel the mystery surrounding the contents of a letter written by Lily’s mother.

The synopsis captures the essence of this story, but I will be careful not to include any spoilers, so Gigi’s story must be discovered by reading this beautiful book. However, I must say that the accounts of life in Paris in the 1940s are told incredibly well, and I felt a real sense of place and the sheer, overwhelming emotions that can only be imagined in such circumstances. I could almost smell the Gauloises cigarettes and taste the cheese and brandy. In particular, the descriptions of the theatre made me imagine the velvet curtains and agile ballet dancers.

Lily is a character whom I really felt for. Her quest to help find her missing aunt was such a challenge, but she was determined to answer her mother’s questions. Despite the weight of her own troubles, Lily showed huge strength of character, and I enjoyed getting to know her. Once again, the writing was sublime, and I genuinely felt like I was along on the adventure. At no point did I feel like the story dragged; in fact, the pacing was just right.

Suzanne Kelman is an author who writes beautifully and weaves stories that readers can simply step into. The handling of the darker elements was perfect, and despite my apprehensions, I was moved by the story rather than by any graphic descriptions of wartime atrocities. We are all aware of the horrors that occurred.

I cannot recommend this book enough, and I hope you will take a leap of faith and read it.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Twins of Paris grabbed me from the beginning of this dual timeline historical fiction. I found myself obsessed with Gigi and her friends in World War Two occupied Paris. I found myself excited to follow along with Lily as she searched for her mother's twin sister, an aunt she never knew existed let alone knew she was missing since World War Two.

Lily's search transports the reader to occupied Paris when the Nazis ruled over everything. I experienced the ill treatment of the Jewish citizens, the callus disregard for human life. Lily digs deep into the four best friends in a photo searching for the one that might be her grandmother. These four friends lived above a dance studio experiencing the horrors of war. They stood together, supporting and helping one another in times of great struggles. I read each page of this book hoping for a better future, knowing the war would end but not knowing what would happen to the women above the dance studio.

As Lily searched for truths; her life became more and more complicated. Her emotions and dedication to her mother drove her to keep going, searching, grasping for every hint. She needed to trust in herself even as she found she could not trust others. My heart broke for Lily as her life began to crumble. My respect for grew as she kept going, not giving up in her search.

I found myself crying for the young twins lost to so many. I found myself crying for the loss of innocence lost. I found myself broken, crushed by the loss experienced by the four women. I found myself excited with each discovery. I couldn't wait to see how it would end for all the characters that had become important to me.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been following this wartime series set in Paris which tells the story of a Parisian family during this dark time period in history. This book is about Gigi, a ballerina in the 1940s and Lily who lives in 2011. Lily’s mother suffers a stroke and she reveals via some old papers that she once had a twin sister who disappeared during the war. She has never stopped searching for her and Lily decides to investigate and try and locate her long lost aunt hoping that she is still alive.
I really enjoyed the alternate sections of the book, Gigi’s story, her resistance work and her romance with Olivier during the war and Lily’s life in the present as she struggles with a failing marriage and a quest to find out her mother’s background and family.
As ever with this author, the characters really came to life and the story was so compelling that I couldn’t put the book down. I felt the ending resolved some issues but also left me wanting to read more about the Paris Sisters.
The research about wartime Paris was very meticulously carried out so that the setting and the almost historical characters such as Josephine Duval ( Josephine Baker) made the novel all the more authentic. The bravery of those caught up in such awful times, was breathtaking and very inspirational.
I definitely recommend “The Secret Twins of Paris” and also the previous books in the series although all can be read as stand alone novels.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advance copy.

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many families were torn apart by the devastating effects of the war, and even in the present day, the scars of that time are still being felt. Lily clutched an envelope addressed by her mother, revealing a shocking truth: her mother had a twin sister named Rachel, who had been separated from her during the war. Determined to find Rachel, Lily embarked on a journey that would lead her to meet Julien, a photographer whose research held the key to unraveling the mystery.

Julien’s research provided Lily with crucial information that would guide her to find Rachel. As time is running out, Lily faced the daunting task of finding the answers her mother sought before it was too late.

“The Secret Twins of Paris” by Suzanne Kelman is a captivating time-slip story that exhibits the complexities of family, friendship, and unwavering determination. The plot twists and turns kept me engrossed, propelling me through the pages with a sense of urgency.

As tears streamed down my face, I couldn’t help but ponder the lasting impact of the war on individuals and generations. Among the profound loss, there was an enduring sense of hope that resonated throughout the story. This remarkable story took my breath away at times and touched my heart, ultimately leaving me with a sense of fulfillment. Kelman’s masterful storytelling is evident in every word she writes, and I eagerly anticipate her future works. This is a highly recommended read that will leave a lasting impression on readers.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in a row now I've read by the author.
I am very impressed by her writing style and very obvious love of writing, research and getting the word out about the courage so many women displayed during WWII, very many behind the scenes that we'll never know about.
As with many historical fiction books this one taught me so much about the time period. I've read many WWII books but never fail to learn new and interesting facts each time I read one.
A dual timeline, many WWII books focus on men and their part during the war, but I really enjoy the author giving women the credit they so rightly deserve for their risk taking and courage.
A focus on the arts, this time through ballet and though the theater was taken over by the Germans the show must go on.
From crew members to seamstresses to the ballerinas who led a secretive double life doing what they believed was right.
Tragic sadness, twins separated through no fault of their own, a lifetime of searching. A journey never ending.
A beautiful ending, I just loved reading this book. Through all the trials and darkness, you could feel that spark, that beating of hope. Just waiting, sure to come.
I will be reading many more books by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this story was a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. I loved it, I was totally captivated and couldn’t put it down. Will Lily find her mother’s twin sister who she got separated from in WW2? It’s a story of heartbreak, love and resilience. In 2011 Paris Lily starts the process of following and uncovering the clues that may lead her to find her missing aunt. Did she survive the horrors of war, will Lily find her and reunite the twin sisters? Highly recommend this book!

This book is published on 20 Jan 2026. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my honest review.

[Melissa * bookedwithmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an emotional read. Lily is attempting to fulfill what could be her mother’s last wish. During WWII her mother and twin sister were separated and they spent their whole lives looking for each other. Even though this is technically about Rebecca and Rachel, Lily learns a lot about herself and her life in her search.

It was easy to connect to Lily. Suzanne does a great job giving us characters that we want to connect with. I felt for her. As she gets her hopes up with every person she encounters, the let downs get harder and harder.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Lily find her missing aunt before it’s too late?
Split between 2011 and WWII, the book shifts back and forth to reveal the full story of the twins’ life and those who surrounded them.
Lily has her own personal drama unfolding as one door closes and another cracks open.
It’s a compelling book with many scenes that will have you choking back sobs.
If you search long enough, and are open to the answers revealed, you’ll find what you’re seeking.
Thanks NetGalley and Bookouture for the early read.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Twins of Paris is a wonderful dual timeline story that captured my heart from the very beginning. I really enjoyed reading the two timelines and they both made for a really interesting read. There are secrets and revelations to be discovered and I will admit to having a tear in my eye at times. The author has a way of bringing the settings and characters to life . I could actually visualise myself in Paris during the 1940’s sipping coffee at one of the many cafes. A wonderful historical fiction read that I would recommend to fans of this genre.

[Su Thor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece. Suzanne Kelman is a master storyteller and this book is no exception. The characters are believable and the Historical context is accurate. From page one, the reader is hooked. I enjoyed every minute of it, although it is an emotional tale, the delicate areas are dealt with respectfully.

Thank you Suzanne for the story, thank you to netgalley and publishers Bookouture for the advance copy in exchange for this freely given review.

[Lisa A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another unputdownable book from Suzanne Kelman and a great addition to this series. It's a series I'd love to read again once the final book is published, it's amazing what you forget about previous books. That being said, you can enjoy these as standalone novels. can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of 4 - So well researched. After finding out she has a twin she was separated from in WWII, Lily tries to find her. So heartbreaking. Suzanne Kelman is a wonderful author. Highly recommend!

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Paris, 2011, Lily Tremaine rushes to her mother, Rachel’s bedside, she knows that her mum won’t be here for much longer. When her mum gives her a letter and asks her to find her long lost twin, Rebecca, Lily is shocked as this has been a long-held secret by her mum.

Lily doesn’t know where to start looking for her mum’s twin. With the help of her boss and Julien, they all start looking for information. As time goes on, Lily and Julien spend more time together, and there is an attraction. Will Lily be able to find out in time exactly what happened to

In the 1940s, Gigi is a ballet dancer when the Germans occupy France. We follow Gigi and her friends as they struggle to keep going with their dancing due to the Germans wanting everything their own way.

With the resistance doing all they can to help liberate France, times are dangerous for everyone.

This is a breathtaking story of bravery, secrets and love. The meticulous research undertaken to write this book shines through.

I have read all four of the books in this series and have found them all to be emotional and outstanding reads.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.