Until Leaves Fall in Paris

During WWII many Americans were leaving Paris to return home, but some, like Lucie Giard and Paul Aubrey, stayed behind.

Lucie quit ballet and bought a bookstore so the Jewish owners, who helped raise her, could escape. Despite Americans leaving and books being banned, Lucie stays positive and finds ways to keep the store alive.

I liked how the author used the bookstore to show how limiting reading had become. Authors and titles not in line with German beliefs were being banned and burned. Lucie found a way to use the bookstore to help a greater good.

Paul used to build race cars, but in an effort to keep his business going and help his employees he switches over to trucks. He is now seen as a collaborator, but there is more to Paul than what he allows his former friends to see.

The two meet when Paul brings his daughter to Lucie's store. The two hit it off and help each other in areas of their life, but with the war and the work each is doing on their own now is not the time for a romance.

If you are looking for a Christian story this is a great one. The characters in the story lean on God to guide them through this time as they work for the greater good. Their beliefs are part of who they are and it didn't feel pushed on me as a reader.

I've been drawn to historical books recently within this time frame and this story did not disappoint.

Thank you Sarah Sundin, Revell Publishing and Love Books Tour for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What a delightful, high-suspense story! I read it all in one sitting, into the wee hours of the morning on a work night—tomorrow will be fun on 3.5 hours of sleep! Simply couldn't put it down and couldn't quit flipping pages. I'm pretty sure I'll reread the whole thing again when I get a paper copy.

Lucie has had a dream of being a top ballerina in the top Paris ballet for a long time until war closes in and she finds herself stepping up to take over the English bookshop for her Jewish friends as they evacuate Paris ahead of the Germans. When she meets the young car-factory owner, Paul Aubrey, sparks fly instantly when she sets out to capture his daughter's imagination and snags his broken heart in the process—but instantly, vey real issues force them apart. Both hold dangerous secrets and won't risk others in their lives as they do what they can against the German advances. And just when they begin to truly grow closer, America and Germany declare war and Paris erupts into a pit of danger.

Lucie and Paul truly have perfect chemistry and four-year-old Josie continually steals the show. Characterization is done so well that they spring off the page and seem to take on a life of their own.

I'm glad to count this action-packed WW2 romantic thriller as a new favorite for this year. Now I'm off to pout because I have to wait a whole year for the next Sundin book. (And maybe to sleep a little.)

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy. A favorable review was not required.