Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 39: A Book-chat about The Bride of Blackfriar’s Lane with Michelle Griep & a Review of Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

THE BOOK

When the Nazis march toward Paris, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. The Germans make it difficult for her to keep Green Leaf Books afloat. And she must keep the store open if she is to continue aiding the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation—which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore.

In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?

THE REVIEW

Until Leaves Fall in Paris was a lovely novel. Although the male protagonist, Paul, made an appearance in Sundin’s previous book, When Twilight Breaks, this novel can be fully enjoyed on its own. Lucie’s character was well developed and delightful. Lucie felt that she wasn’t smart, but she worked through these insecurities and learned to appreciate her strengths. Paul’s daughter, Josie, is a wonderful addition to the book. Paul doesn’t recognize the intelligence and creativity in his own daughter. He’s very business-minded, and he sometimes overlooks the beauty right in front of him. Josie writes and illustrates stories about a character named Feenie, who represent herself (Josephine), and fights against the rock monsters (which represent the Nazis). Paul doesn’t understand the allegorical meaning of the stories. He thinks this is strange behavior, perhaps brought on by her motherless state, and he’s embarrassed by it until Lucie shows him the brilliance his daughter is exhibiting. In her own way, this child is processing their lives in German-occupied Paris.

I did not find any of the content offensive, but I am not as conservative as some readers. Tobacco and alcohol are mentioned, as well as marital affairs. The romance between Paul and Lucie was brilliantly executed.

If you’d like to read a World War II romance set in the midst of German-occupied Paris, with a bookstore based on Shakespeare & Co as a main feature, you will love Until Leaves Fall in Paris. Mix in the gripping suspense that naturally arises from these two Americans’ involvement in the French resistance, and it’s unputdownable!

THE AUTHOR

Sarah Sundin is the bestselling author of When Twilight Breaks and several popular WWII series, including Sunrise at Normandy, Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory. Her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly, as well as the Carol Award, the FHL Reader’s Choice Award, and multiple appearances on Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years.” Sarah lives in Northern California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

Reviewed by Alison Treat from Historical Fiction Unpacked and AlisonTreat.com

Hi, I’m Alison.

I write about freedom, my own and that of others. My books are Historical Fiction featuring the Underground Railroad. I also host a podcast called “Historical Fiction: Unpacked,” on which I talk to other authors about how the medium of story draws us in, ignites our curiosity, and informs us about the past, so that we can better live in the present.

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.