The Paris Daughter

Harmel, the bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names has returned with another sweeping World War II drama featuring two young Parisian mothers who have to make the most difficult choice of their lives. Juliette, a pregnant bookshop owner befriends Elise, a young artist pregnant with her first child, during a beautiful 1939 summer. As they become fast friends so do their daughters; but unease is growing in Paris as the Nazi occupation appears more and more likely. When Elise's husband's political activity puts her entire family in jeopardy she turns to her best friend for help; asking her to raise her daughter as her own until the war is over. It is the only way to keep her safe while Elise goes on the run. Years later, after the war, Juliette, her family, and Elise's daughter are nowhere to be found. What has happened and can anything ever be the same again? Brilliantly narrated by Madeleine Maby, whose accents and voices help elevate this narration into a work of art. Verdict: Heart wrenching, profound, and ultimately hopeful; this tale of love and loss will stick with readers long after they finish this book. A must for readers of WWII historical fiction. - Erin Cataldi