My Thoughts The Paris Housekeeper Author: Renee Ryan

 

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About the Book

Book: The Paris Housekeeper

Author: Renee Ryan 

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction 

Release Date: December 26, 2023

From the author of The Secret Society of Salzburg comes a powerful and moving story of bravery and resilience in World War II Paris and one woman who must face impossible choices to survive…

Paris, 1940

German tanks rumble through the streets of Paris, forcing frightened citizens to flee. But not everyone has the luxury to leave. Camille Lacroix, a chambermaid at the world-famous Hôtel Ritz, must stay to support her family back home in Brittany. Desperate to earn money, Camille also acts as a lady’s maid for longtime guest Vivian Miller, a glamorous American widow—and a Nazi sympathizer.

Despite her distrust of the woman, Camille turns to Vivian when her friend and fellow hotel maid Rachel Berman needs help getting out of Paris. It’s then that Camille discovers that Vivian is not what she seems… The American has been using her wealth and connections to secretly obtain travel papers for Jewish refugees.

While they're hiding Rachel in an underground bunker under a Nazi’s nose, a daring escape plan is hatched. But as the net grows tighter, and the Germans more ruthless, Camille’s courage will be tested to the extreme…

About the Author

Renee Ryan is the author of thirty novels and counting. She sold her first book in 2001 by winning the inaugural Dorchester/Romantic Times New Historical Voice Contest. She published her second book with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical and has since sold books to other Harlequin imprints and to Amazon's Waterfall Press. Renee grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned how to surf very poorly. Armed with a degree in Economics and Religious Studies from Florida State University, she explored various career opportunities, including stints at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency, and three cosmetic conglomerates. She went on to teach high school AP Economics, AP American Government and Latin while coaching award-winning cheerleading teams. She currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and a large, fluffy cat many have mistaken for a small bear.

• My Thoughts 

The Paris housekeeper is written by Renee Ryan. This is a beautifully written story of three women during World War II. The story is set in Paris. The story drew me in within the first few pages. 

We meet Rachel Berman, who is a Jewish Parisian citizen. She works at the Hotel Ritz, and when Germany invades Paris, she is terrified for herself and her family. Camille Lacroix, who is a chambermaid to an American widow is Rachel’s friend. Camille wants to help Rachel, when it becomes evidence that Rachel will be in trouble just because of her Jewish heritage. Vivian Miller who is an American widow who has been living in the Hotel Ritz for a long time. 

It appears that Vivian Miller, the American widow that Camille works for is a Nazi sympathizer. Camille learns that all is not what it seems that Vivian has been using her connections and her money to help obtain travel papers for Jewish refugees. 

However, the Germans soon start moving into the hotel Ritz, and it appears that one German soldier, Hans-Dieter Gunther Vin Bauer,  has taken a liking to Vivian and wants to date her. Vivian has seen with the soldier is thought  by many that Vivian sides with the Nazis. 

The author flips back-and-forth between the three women and their points of view. The story is so beautifully written, and you can feel their emotions coming off every page. 

In this story, we see the treatment of Rachel, disintegrate the farther and farther that the Germans invade Paris. And make sure heartbreak for her. Camille has some baggage of her past that she needs to deal with. She has fled her home town and send most of her wages back to her family in Brittany. Vivian, who lost  her dear husband, and wants to use her wealth and status for good.

The author has written, engaging characters and a storyline that will draw you in within the first few pages. Ms. Ryan has done careful research to bring her story alive. 

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.