A moving and entrancing novel set in Paris during World War II about an American woman, a dashing pilot, and a young Jewish girl whose fates unexpectedly entwine–perfect for the fans of Kristen Hannah’s The Nightingale and Martha Hall Kelly’s Lilac Girls, this is ”an emotional, heart-breaking, inspiring tribute to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of love” (Mariah Stewart, … enduring power of love” (Mariah Stewart, New York Times bestselling author).
When Ruby first marries the dashing Frenchman she meets in a coffee shop, she pictures a life strolling arm in arm along French boulevards, awash in the golden afternoon light. But it’s 1938, and war is looming on the horizon.
Unfortunately, her marriage soon grows cold and bitter, her husband Marcel, distant and secretive–all while the Germans flood into Paris, their sinister swastika flags waving in the breeze. When Marcel is killed, Ruby discovers the secret he’d been hiding–he was a member of the French resistance–and now she is determined to take his place.
She becomes involved in hiding Allied soldiers–including a charming RAF pilot–who have landed in enemy territory. But her skills are ultimately put to the test when she begins concealing her twelve-year-old Jewish neighbor, Charlotte, whose family was rounded up by the Gestapo. Ruby and Charlotte become a little family, but as the German net grows tighter around Paris, and the Americans debate entering the combat, the danger increases. No one is safe.
“Set against all the danger and drama of WWII Paris, this heartfelt novel will keep you turning the pages until the very last word” (Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author).
more
For fans of Kristin Hannah’s “Nightengale” this is an historical fiction book that can’t be put down.
This goes down as one of my top three book loves of all time. I just happened upon it and was mesmerized. The author is fabulous and a lot of research went into this book. The characters are depicted so well. A MUST read!
I picked this book up at the airport with no expectations and greatly enjoyed it. The characters are realistic, it is very atmospheric, and it has a very satisfying ending. Could not put it down.
This book is wonderful. Great story that keeps you reading. It is inspirational as well as bittersweet.
Informs the reader about women in the resistance in Occupied France during ww11
Entertaining could not put down. If you like World War 1 or 2 books, this is a great story.
Enjoyed its ties to history.
Historical fiction that made me cry!
Love her books this one doesn’t disappoint. Ending was unexpected and sad. Thought about it for days after I finished it
An informative novel of the French resistance during WWII, and well written with meaningful characters, and a sense of reality that draws the reader in and is easy to read.
Historical World War II historical fiction spies, underground and suspense set in France. Defeating the Nazi‘s and their evil national socialist regime. Exciting read.
A great read, with wonderful characters, emotional and very realistic.
It was slow. Bogging down in parts but overall a good read.
Rachel Benoit is an American living in Paris, France with her new husband Marcel just before the start of WWII. When the war begins, she makes the decision to stay in Paris with her husband. The live in a beautiful apartment on Rue Amelie looking out towards the Eiffel Tower. Their neighbors the Dacher’s, have a daughter, Charlotte, who at the start of the war is eleven years old. Rachel becomes quite fond of Charlotte. As the war progresses into France life changes drastically changes for the Benoit’s and the Dacher’s. Marcel, Rachel’s husband, decides to join the French Resistance and aid in the escape channel through France for downed Allied pilots. Marcel wants to keep Rachel insulated from what he is doing. Little does he know that this will become her purpose as the war progresses. The Dacher’s are Jewish. In German controlled France it is no place a Jew wants to live. Charlotte doesn’t understand how people could hate her so much for being a Jew. The young girl suffers many humiliations and turns to Rachel as someone to talk to and to try and understand what is happening. Thomas Clarke is an RAF airman fighting the German’s in the air over France. His plane is downed over France and must make his way to the French Resistance to find his way back out of the country. Lucien is French and at the young age of fifteen, joins the resistance as a forger, a very good one. None of the, know what is about to happen but their lives will intertwine and change the courses of their lives forever.
This is a story of love, heartbreak, danger and friendship. You are gripped from the start and as the story progresses you can’t help but care for the characters and hope for a happy outcome. This is one book you cannot put down once you start. Kristen Hammel has written an amazing story that holds onto you and doesn’t let go.
I was completely transfixed by this story. If you read one book this year, this is the book. This is the first book I have read by this author but now I am going to go back and read more of her works. Beautiful story, which will break your heart but at the same time make you happy that you met the characters.
Strong characters that made me care about them. The story moved at a good pace and kept me interested. I would have given 5 stars but having read The Nightingale, this book came close but not quite. I would recommend the book.
“The Room on Rue Amélie” by Kristin Harmel was a book that I could not put down. I classify it in the same vein as “The Nightingale” and other tales of The Resistance in France during WWII. This is an emotional story that will keep you turning pages and wishing for more. It is an excellent novel.
American Ruby Henderson marries a Frenchman and moved to Paris in the last 1930’s. Although life at this point in Paris is romantic and full of adventure, the threat of war hangs over everyone’s head. Some just cannot believe that the Germans could take Paris and some are doing their best to leave before that happens. Marcel Benoit, Ruby’s husband, wants her to return to the States while he stays behind. She decides to stay and make the best of it because she thinks that, as an American, nothing that bad can happen to her.
France does fall to the Germans and Ruby and Marcel are having difficulties. Marcel is very secretive, leaving for days at a time with no explanation. Across the hall from the Benoits live a Jewish couple and their young daughter. Charlotte Dacher is away when the Gestapo deports her parents and Ruby hides her for the duration of the war.
Thomas Clarke is an RAF pilot bound to protect his country. When his mother dies in the German bombing, he wonders if he is doing enough. On a fateful flight where he has to bail out of his plane, he finds himself in Paris under the guide of the Resistance. There is a room on Rue Amélie where Ruby and Charlotte provide a haven for downed Allied pilots as they continue on the route to freedom. The highly dangerous mission of the Resistance helping the Allied airmen becomes a fight to survive for all of them.
I was sent a Kindle copy of this book by NetGalley.com for my honest review. You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-un. Other reviews can be found at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com. I have posted a review on Goodreads.com at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2325533772.
I loved The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and I think I liked this one even more.
The Room on Rue Amelie by Kristin Harmel is the reason I love historical fiction. In this novel you are introduced to many well developed, easily relatable, brave, and engaging characters. Ruby came to France for love and became inspired to help. Thomas flew missions in spitfires for the RAF to help the cause and found love and purpose. Charlotte lost everything, but found love, family, and a home.
Harmel shapes this novel marvelously. How and when characters are added seems to be an intrigal part of the plot line. I was transported back to the war and felt the anguish, courage, and love that binds people. Harmel’s use of imagery beautifully intertwines conflict and roles.
If you are a fan of Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly or The Alice Network by Kate Quinn you should read this novel. 5 star review! I highly recommend and appreciate Netgalley and Kristin Harmel giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic novel before its release on March 27th
Recently, I have started to read more novels with World War II as a back drop. Each has been stunning and heart-wrenching in its own way, and this was no exception.
The story is told via flashback, centered in Paris as the main characters’ lives intersect with the War and each other: an American woman determined to remain in Paris, at her husband’s side; a Jewish teen girl, and a British Pilot. Each was determined to do whatever they could for the War effort, and never imagined how their lives would change.
This novel highlights the amazing actions of everyday people in extraordinary circumstances. The ending was not what I expected, but added to the tears that were flowing freely from my eyes. This was a beautifully written novel that kept my emotions in a tangle as I turned the pages.
#TheRoomonRueAmelie #NetGalley
Story of life during the time which the Nazi troops occupied Paris, and what it was like for those who were Jewish.