The Paris Library Paperback by Janet Skeslien Charles

Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together, perfect for fans of The Lilac Girls and The Paris Wife.

Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.

A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are—family, friends, and favorite authors—The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places.

My Review: 

Brilliantly written.

I was first attracted to this book because of the unique friendship between Odile and Lily.  I also wanted to learn more about Paris during WW2, and what the people living there went through and how they overcame the challenges of everyday life.  I was also curious about the American Library.   

I was quickly drawn into the story and enjoyed learning about both Odile and Lily’s lives.  There were a lot of twists to the story that I didn’t expect.  I admired Odile’s strength and how no matter what was thrown in her path, she stood strong to her beliefs and followed her dreams.  The one thing that took me by surprise was how she ended up in Montana.  When Lily’s curiosity led her to Odile’s house, I was also surprised how close they became and the secrets they shared.  

The author did a fantastic job writing this book.  It is one that I won’t soon forget.  It was entertaining and educational.  It’s a story about friendships, family, finding love and the love of books.  

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Review: V is for Valentine (Holly, Idaho, #3) by Jeannie Watt

 

Three weeks to win her heart…

Investment banker Felicity Evans returns home to Holly, Idaho, to answer her injured father’s SOS. He needs her to help him meet his construction deadline on a historic property by Valentine’s Day. Felicity swings a mean hammer, but her life is in Seattle and she’s leaving as soon as the project is finished. One problem with her quick escape plan? Danny Montgomery. Years after moving away, he still complicates her life despite her many efforts to forget him.

For as long as Danny Montgomery can remember, Felicity Evans—Felix to him—has tied his heart in knots. She’s spent years avoiding him after their childhood rivalry, but, short on help, has no choice but to hire him to help her finish renovations on a keystone project for her father. This time, Danny won’t let her ignore her true feelings.

He has until Valentine’s Day to make her his. Can he convince Felix to give them one more chance and prove they’re a perfect match?

 

My Review:

From friends to lovers.

When Felicity Evans returned to Holly, Idaho, to help her father on a restoration project, while he heals from an injury, she never expected to be working along side her neighbor and nemesis, Danny Montgomery.  Working together, they start reminiscing about the past and talking about life.  Then they share a kiss; one that neither one can forget.  With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, and it being a day of bad memories for Felicity, will Felicity be able to move on from the past to a happy future with Danny?

I enjoyed this book so much that I didn’t want it to end.  I sure hope we will get to revisit Holly, Idaho, again.  It was fun watching Felicity and Danny fall for each other, even though Felicity was afraid to love and a bit set in her ways and didn’t want to change.  I also liked catching up with the rest of the characters from previous books. 

 

Review: Iron Wolf's Bride (Wild West 2) by Karen Kay

 

I will return to you, my love…

Jane Glenforest's father believed she was too young to marry, so he’d stolen her and her newborn son away from the handsome Assiniboine Indian she’d wed and taken her to Surrey, England. In spite of divorce papers and rumors he’s wed another, Jane’s never forgotten the man who’d stolen her heart and given her son legitimacy. When Buffalo Bill's Wild West show comes to England—bringing her ex-husband with it—Jane’s curious to see her lost love, in spite of her new fiancé.

Although Iron Wolf's purpose in working for Bill Cody's Wild West show is to fulfill his father's vision to find and stop a deceiver, he fell in love with and married Jane Glenforest. But, no sooner had Jane given birth than her father stole her away. Now, a few years later, Iron Wolf is arriving in England with the hope of rekindling the love he once shared with Jane. However, instead of love, he finds his wife loathes him, believing he has married another. And, when he discovers she is engaged to another man, he declares war on both her and the fiancé.

But when their son is kidnapped, Jane and Iron Wolf must work together to rescue him. And, as danger escalates, they discover trusting each other might be the only way to save their son. Will Jane and Iron Wolf learn to forgive one another, to reignite the embers of a passion that never died, or will the lies of a deceiver destroy their love forever?

My Review:

An exciting and entertaining story.

Two and a half years after Jane and Iron Wolf are forcibly separated, they are reunited in England when Bill Cody's Wild West Show is in town.  But the reunion isn’t exactly how Iron Wolf hoped it would to be.  He discovers Jane is engaged to be married.  Within days, Jane and Iron Wolf’s son, Jeremy, is kidnapped and it’s a race against time to find and rescue him.  In the process, Jane lets down her guard and she starts to trust Iron Wolf again and falls back in love with him. 

I was instantly hooked on this book.  I couldn’t wait to see how Jane and Iron Wolf would get Jeremy back and come together as a family.  There were a lot of surprises in this book.  It was hard to know who was a good person and who was not.  I also learned a lot about Native American culture while reading this story.  This book is part of a series and I would definitely recommend reading them in order.  

Review: A Hometown Proposal (The Shannon Sisters #3) by C.J. Carmichael

 She’s looking for a second chance to reconnect with her daughter but finds so much more.

Since her husband’s climbing death a year ago, Maureen Shannon’s relationship with her twelve-year-old daughter has spiraled out of control. Desperate, she resigns from her partnership at a legal firm and moves back to her hometown in Whitefish, Montana, with the hope that family and nature can heal their wounds. Her investment in a heli-skiing and lodge operation makes financial sense, but her attraction to the owner doesn’t. He’s everything she’s come to hate—a man who makes his living chasing adventure.

Jake Hartman knows Maureen Shannon is off limits. She’s an investor in his company—a silent investor who's never silent. Worse, she’s a mom who’s beautiful, intelligent and makes him feel more alive than he’s ever known. A self-confirmed bachelor, he finds himself uneasily contemplating a very different partnership.

But will Maureen be able to let go of her past and build a future with a man who never imagined becoming a husband or a father?

 

My Review:

Romance, a mystery and a new beginning.

Widowed attorney, Maureen Shannon has decided to start her life again after losing her husband to a tragic accident.  Moving back to Whitefish, Montana, where her sisters live is the first step.  Becoming a silent partner with Jake Hartman’s Grizzly Peaks, a heli-skiing business and lodge, was the last thing she thought she would do.  But she did and now they have become close.  Maureen even lets her guard down starts a new relationship with Jake.  But with a moody teenage daughter who might feel like Maureen is replacing her father, Maureen may need to rethink her plans.  

This is the third book in the Shannon Sisters series and one that was hard to put down.  I enjoyed Maureen’s story and catching up with the other sisters.  There is a mystery that runs throughout the series and it was fun to see how it wrapped up and who solved it.  I would recommend reading this series in order.