Sarah Sundin has set the gold standard of World War II romances. I’ve had a few of her novels on my Goodreads TBR for a while. I was thrilled to receive a “top of my list” title from one of my reader group’s Christmas book exchange last year. And, this past week, I finally read Until Leaves Fall in Paris.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When the Nazis march toward Paris, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. The Germans make it difficult for her to keep Green Leaf Books afloat. And she must keep the store open if she is to continue aiding the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.
Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation—which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore.
In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?
MY THOUGHTS:
WWII romances is one of my favorite historical fiction genres. I love the courage of the characters, the way they battle despair with hope, how they can find love amidst a war filled with so much hate. The selflessness and grit of characters in such settings demonstrate why this generation of people is known as The Greatest Generation. As a history buff, I enjoy novels that transport me to places and times I will never personally experience. Until the Leaves Fall in Paris did not disappoint, capturing all of the above in one lovely story.
I enjoyed the character of Lucie. She grew quite a bit from the sweet but one-dimensional ballerina who thought herself unintelligent. Toward the end of the book, the loyalty, determination, wits, and commitment she demonstrated through numerous trials showcased her character’s development in believable fashion. She was kind and joyful, and her heart for others was evident.
Paul Aubrey was also an engaging character. A widowed father of a precocious little girl, he struggled to understand how to relate to his whimsical daughter while balancing running his business and spying for the Americans. His fortitude to continue doing what was right while suffering personal consequences, as well as his care for his employees, endeared him to me. He was an accurate depiction of men from this time in history, demonstrating a commitment to work and family, patriotism, and a strong work ethic.
Paul’s daughter, Josie, was darling. I felt Sundin captured her age realistically, and she added to the story, rather than detract as sometimes child characters do. And her made-up FeeNee stories—so adorable and layered with significance.
The setting of early-war Paris was vivid. I loved the descriptions of the streets and the Seine, the clothes, the ballet box, and Paul’s automobile factory. And with one of the main locations being a bookshop, sign me up! The story was rich with suspense surrounding the passing of secret French Resistance messages, hiding of RAF pilots, spying on the Germans while acting as a collaborator, and acts of sabotage to undermine the German war machine.
Misconceptions and danger worked against Lucie and Paul’s growing attraction toward one another, and that romantic tension was well done. And throughout the novel, the characters’ faith was woven into their thoughts and actions. Until the Leaves Fall in Paris was very satisfying and delightful story, and the other Sundin novels on my TBR are moving up on my list.
One final thought. That cover is so gorgeous, don’t you think? The muted colors take me back in time, and the woman perfectly captures a poised ballerina’s carriage. Très chic!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling author of The Sound of Light (February 2023), Until Leaves Fall in Paris (2022), When Twilight Breaks (2021), and four WWII series. Her novels have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. Until Leaves Fall in Paris, received the 2022 Christy Award and is a semi-finalist for the 2023 Carol Award, When Twilight Breaks and The Land Beneath Us were Christy Award finalists, and The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award.
A mother of three, Sundin lives in Southern California and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. She enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers’ groups. Sarah serves as Co-Director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference. You can learn more about Sarah and her books on her website.