The Paris Housekeeper by Renee Ryan

 

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.

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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 cheer leading teams. She currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and a large, fluffy cat many have mistaken for a small bear.

 

My Review

 Life changes almost in a minute when the evil that has been invading Europe turns its ugly eyes on France. Neighbor turning on neighbor, and soon bread lines, and certain people must stand at the end, and usually don't get anything.

The author gives us faces to those that are just trying to survive, one a young girl, a member of the now hated class, another an American heiress that tries to help the less fortunate, and the third, actually the Paris housekeeper, is a beautiful young woman, she seems to have the world on her shoulders, but goes about her life doing all she can for the lest fortunate.

This is story of intrigue, danger, fear, and yet, with all that is going on, you will chuckle as at one of the solutions the young housekeeper comes up with. Yes, this is a page turner, I needed answers, and loved that there is an epilogue at the end, and be sure to read the author's notes!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.