Until Leaves Fall in Paris is another triumph from Sarah Sundin. When I gave my husband a rough outline of the plot, he raised an eyebrow and complimented the author. For context: my husband teaches people to fly Spitfires, and has an extensive knowledge of WWII. Also, he reads almost exclusively nonfiction. So this is high praise indeed.
The year is 1941, and while the USA remains neutral, those living in Nazi occupied France are under tightly controlled. Lucie Girard has lived in the French capital since she moved there to train as a ballerina, aged twelve. She then began life as a professional ballerina until the growing threat forces her oldest friends to flee, leaving Lucie to take over their bookstore.
Paul Aubrey has loved his life in Paris, despite the heartbreaking death of his wife. He’s raising their four year old and running his family’s car factory. When the Germans force him to start making trucks for their use, he wants to return to the US, but is persuaded to stay and pass information to the American Embassy. Paul plays the role of a collaborator well, despite being ostracized from his community.
Forbidden love
When Paul meets Lucie, he is captivated. The two begin a relationship until she discovers his apparent willingness to profit from German war funds. Then her dislike races to the fore. But as Lucie bonds with Paul’s daughter, the two have to fight to contain the growing attraction, even as Lucie struggles to equate Paul’s business actions with his heart. The truth comes out but both realize their relationship must remain a secret until they can escape back to the US. And that’s when the adventure really starts, but I can’t say any more about what happens.
But wow. Just wow. I stayed up way too late reading this from the middle to the end. The research, the evocative description, the tension, all put me squarely in war-torn France. At times I teared up, at times I almost sped read to see what happened. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially this era is in for a real treat. Highly recommended.
I received a copy from Netgalley, but the thoughts are entirely my own.
