by Betty Taylor (GA): “Last Twilight in Paris” by Pam Jenoff pulls you in with its dual timelines and emotional depth. Living in postwar London in 1953, Louise finds a mysterious necklace that brings back haunting memories of her time with the Red Cross during the war. As she searches for the truth, we’re transported to 1940s Paris to meet Helaine, a Jewish woman caught up in the horrors of Nazi occupation and imprisoned in Lévitan, a department store turned prison.
The story is fast-paced and shines a light on a part of history I had no idea about—how Nazis used a Parisian store as a prison and storage space for stolen goods. Both Louise and Helaine’s stories are filled with love, loss, and determination, and the way their lives connect kept me reading.
If you’re into WWII fiction, especially stories about little-known parts of history, this one’s for you. It’s a mix of romance, mystery, and resilience that will stick with you after you’re done reading. 4 stars!
