The Last Day in Paris

The Paris Sisters, Book 1

De: Suzanne Kelman

Narrado por: Helen Stern

“No, Mama, please don’t make me leave!” Sophie cries, clutching her teddy bear as her blue eyes fill with tears. “I’d rather be here in Paris with you, than far away somewhere safe…”

Paris, 1940: All over Paris, families are being pulled from their beds in the middle of the night. And ever since her husband was shot in cold blood, Brigitte Goldstein has known she is running out of time. She and her daughter Sophie are Jewish, so it won’t be long until the Nazis bang on their door.

But before she leaves, Brigitte must find her beloved husband’s painting, which was seized by the Nazis. She desperately hopes that if she saves it from destruction, then a piece of him will live on forever. And perhaps one day her daughter will uncover her father’s legacy, and the secret hidden inside…

Working in a museum under a false identity is Brigitte’s only hope. Until she meets Isabelle Valette, who confides in hushed tones that she is part of the Resistance. And when her new friend tells her of a train leaving Paris that can take children to safety, Brigitte knows her daughter must be on it, even if it breaks her heart.

But getting Sophie onto the train is dangerous. If they are caught smuggling a Jewish child out of Paris, they will be killed. And with the enemy closing in, can Brigitte get her beloved daughter to safety before it is too late?

The first utterly gripping novel in the Paris Sisters series, this is the story of two brave women and a secret that will tie them together forever, as the Second World War rages around them. Perfect for fans of Roberta Kagan, Kristin Hannah, and Fiona Valpy.

This audiobook includes the bonus short story The Paris Orphans, the prequel to the Paris Sisters series.

©2024 Suzanne Kelman (P)2024 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Interesting storyline

The story was interesting but there wasn’t a satisfying ending. Maybe the series will bring a more complete conclusion.

Last day in Paris

OMG!!! This book was as awesome as “A View Across the Rooftop” Incredible!! All too Real! Moving.

Very compelling story! But...

The dedication of this book is Rose Valland, who was an important real-life hero of WWII, secretly documenting the movement of stolen art that went through the Jeu de Paume in Paris. In this book, it is mentioned that the character named Isabelle Valette is doing the same.

I believe the same story could have been told with the character, Isabelle Vallette, acting as an assistant to Rose, leaving out the brief mentions of the important work Rose did to document the art in secret. Somehow it minimizes Rose's real life acts of bravery. I know many books fictionalize Rose Valland, but this author seems to do it unnecessarily. And it is missing an author's note to clarify and bring additional facts and perspective.

All that being said, the story is "page turner" and I would highly recommend it.

Somewhat boring

It was boring and didn’t keep my interest. The narrator was good but the story line wasn’t entertaining.