The Room on Rue Amelie
Product ID: 83584798
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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, 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). Review: I loved the characters so much! - This was a great WWII story with tough storylines and unforgettable characters. I already miss each one of them, though I just finished the book. Kristin Harmel has done it again! Review: Action, Romance & Tears - To be honest, I just cried so hard while finishing this book that I don’t even have any words yet. But I feel that if a book can elicit that type of emotional reaction—it’s a worthy read. I enjoyed the occupied Parisian setting mixed with the resistance help and the multi perspective of the characters who all had different experiences in the war; the Jewish young girl, the American, the British pilot, the French resistance. Half way through I was worried it was “all too perfect” but jokes on me! The journey this book takes you on will have you pausing and taking reverence for all those who stood up against evil.
| Best Sellers Rank | #27,697 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #67 in Military Historical Fiction #283 in War Fiction (Books) #1,496 in Family Life Fiction (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 10,537 Reviews |
V**D
I loved the characters so much!
This was a great WWII story with tough storylines and unforgettable characters. I already miss each one of them, though I just finished the book. Kristin Harmel has done it again!
N**E
Action, Romance & Tears
To be honest, I just cried so hard while finishing this book that I don’t even have any words yet. But I feel that if a book can elicit that type of emotional reaction—it’s a worthy read. I enjoyed the occupied Parisian setting mixed with the resistance help and the multi perspective of the characters who all had different experiences in the war; the Jewish young girl, the American, the British pilot, the French resistance. Half way through I was worried it was “all too perfect” but jokes on me! The journey this book takes you on will have you pausing and taking reverence for all those who stood up against evil.
E**K
Top Notch
Harmal is an excellent writer who can weave a story that you cannot put down. This is a great book.
K**S
Excellent read
If I finish a book it’s likely five stars. This was a page turner and I loved it. Similar to The Nightingale in that it’s set in occupied France, but the rest is fresh and new.
K**R
Interesting war history
Truly enjoyed this book, a page turner for sure. This past week was one of those times it wasn't difficult to be in the dark due to the storm since I had a great book to keep me company. Seems that Kristen Harmel did a lot of research putting this story together. I Love historical novels that teach us some history about WWII and add some human interest to the facts. The Heroin was above average intelligence but sort of lived in fantasy land when she first arrived in Paris with her new husband. When life turned real for her in the war days of France shortly thereafter she did an about face and showed her strength and tenacity. An exciting story that reminded me of Nightingale. The power and means of teamwork that some had during the war in helping soldiers finding an escape route is beyond amazing. I cannot imagine how they did that while risking their own lives. Great Book!!
R**S
A beautiful but sad story well told.
The period of 1939 in Paris was a compendium of many outlooks: Fear, Hope and Confidence that the City of Lights and all of France would somehow evade the coming Nazi threat. The resident of the apartments on Rue Amelie are a varied group. Ruby is the protagonist, an American, and married to a rather nasty fellow named Marcel Benoit. Marcel is engaged in a clandestine effort to help downed RAF pilots to escape France and return to England so they can fly again. Ruby undertakes this hazardous duty when Marcel goes permanently missing. Ruby’s neighbors are a Jewish family, the Dachers, one of whom is a teen girl named Charlotte. When the gestapo take the parents away for “relocation,” Ruby becomes a proxy mother to Charlotte. The situation becomes ever more complicated when a downed RAF pilot named Thomas shows up at Ruby’s doorstep. She takes him in, hides him, and helps with his escape and return to England. During Thomas’s brief stay, he and Ruby fall in love and vow that they shall be together again on some fine day. This is a beautiful story and there are many poignant events which occur with the war’s backdrop during the early 1940s. You will become very familiar and sympathetic with the characters in this story as they try to evade the Germans so they can live to fight another day. There are many bright spots along the way but, as is always the case in a massive war involving millions of innocent civilians, you’ll encounter several tragic but realistic events which our characters will endure. I was close to tears near the end of this book and I’ll wager that you will be as well.A
G**L
brilliantly written, tear jerker
This book was very captivating and kept you wanting to read more and more. While the ending has a plot twist, it was so amazing and it without tears. Fabulously researched and well written sorry. Made me feel like I was there.
M**Z
Interesting, but sad
The author gives us a picture of what life was like in Paris during the Nazi occupation. The main character is part of the French Resistance. The problem I had with this book is the fact that it tells more of the love at first sight between the protagonist and a British pilot, not really developed, and leaves out the more emotional aspects of the Resistance movement. I felt that the author sometimes seemed to be in a hurry and did not really develop the events that led up to certain situations. It is an ok read, but I honestly think it could have been much better.
I**A
Brilliant book
I love Kristin Harmel’s books and this is one of her best. Loved the storyline and characters - a real page turner. I couldn’t put it down. One of those books that I wish I could read again for the first time.
P**H
A totally engaging read
I found myself totally engaged with the characters in this book. I just wanted to keep reading and as I neared the end - wished it would go on and on and never end.
H**R
grande livro
grande livro
L**R
wow what a great read!!
If you like stories from the war with people who are unbelievably resilient and courageous through so much you’ll love this book of fiction. Couldn’t put it down.
M**H
A view of the past
I first read Kristin Hammel when I mistook her for another author. I enjoyed the first book so much that I chose to read another one. This book wasn’t as intriguing as the first book, The Winemakers Wife, but it was a satisfying read. I was saddened by the ending, and truly expected it to end differently, but then again it is a bittersweet way to bring all the lovers together. I suspect I will read her again in the future, but for now I’m going to investigate some of the books she read while researching this story.
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