The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton

 

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @harperperennial for the review copy of The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton.

How many books are on your nightstand right now?  I have a lot – probably thirty books on my nightstand right now!

Nanee is an American who has moved to France in the 1930s.  She is wealthy and adventuress, flying airplanes and hanging out with artists.  After World War II starts, she tries to flee and ultimately joins the resistance.  She becomes known as the “postmistress” as she delivers secret information to those in hiding.  She also helps them to flee to safety.

Edouard Moss is a Jewish photographer who has fled Germany with his young daughter. Unfortunately after France falls to the Germans, he is captured and put into a concentration camp.  He met Nanee before the war and was struck by her beauty which reminded him of his late wife.  When their path collides again, Edouard has a chance for freedom, but what about his missing daughter?

I loved the characters in this book, especially Nanee.  She was such a strong and inspirational character.  She used her own wealth to rent a villa in Marseille and filled it full of artists and members of the resistance.  I loved learning at the end at this was inspired by a real-life Chicago heiress Mary Jayne Gold.  She helped thousands escape the Nazi regime.  I thought it interesting that both the real-life heiress and the fictional one grew up with a summer home on Lake Michigan.  I looked it up and it is south of Holland and became a part of Hope College.  I would love to see it!

This novel has a great setting, great characters, suspense, light romance, a cute dog, and an adorable little girl.  It was a great World War II historical fiction book with a unique story.  I enjoyed it.

Review Copy from Harper Books as part of the Bibliolifestyle Book Tour.  Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.