The Bookseller of Paris

The Paris Sisters, Book 2

By: Suzanne Kelman

Narrated by: Helen Stern

Paris, 1940: Madeline tries to scream, but she can’t breathe. A German soldier is working to free her from the rubble–but if he reaches her, he will find the books hidden beneath her clothes…

When the Germans seize Paris, its peaceful streets fill with terror overnight, and nowhere is safe. Desperate to help her friends, Parisian bookseller Madeline Valette turns her bookshop into a sanctuary for those in hiding, but she knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s found out.

So when she is asked to join the Resistance and smuggle banned books from Berlin, she accepts, desperate to defy the Nazis. And while she wants to save precious books from destruction, she also hopes her trips to Germany might help her find the last living connection she has to her beloved husband…

Because Madeline has received a letter from a German woman called Ada, the mother of her husband’s son. Facing persecution, the Jewish boy is in terrible danger. But where are they now, and can Madeline help them before it’s too late?

When Madeline finally finds Ada and the child, she realises Ada is at the mercy of a high-ranking Nazi official and both their lives are now at risk. Can Madeline get them to safety? Or will the unthinkable happen to this innocent child?

The second novel in the Paris Sisters series, this is the story of two women’s bravery in the face of the darkness of the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Roberta Kagan, Kristin Hannah, and Fiona Valpy.

©2024 Suzanne Kelman (P)2024 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Romance with mystery

Good story line. This story was delightful with romance and suspenseful. This story makes you angry and makes you laugh.

Okay

It was just okay. Liked book 1 much better. It didn’t keep my attention. It wasn’t the worse I have listened to but not the best either. Somewhere in the middle.

Interwoven timelines…

I loved this book from the beginning to the end. There was in-depth character development, characters with deep pain and loss that were able to resolve their anguish. It always left me waiting for more!

I loved the story line and the adventures of the lead characters.

I liked how the story unfolded. I didn’t want to stop listening to see how all the pieces were going to work.

Finally had to let it go

I really tried, but with only about 3hrs left, I decided not to go on with the book. I was disappointed with the narration, but it was acceptable. The prose was rather common, but also acceptable. It was when, unfortunately, there came the all too common sex scene that dragged on, yet did nothing to move the story along. I have no objection to a sex scene as long as it has a purpose. This one felt a bit insulting, Even so, I tried to finish the book, but could not. I could have continued if the narration was stronger, but it was unexpressive and couldn’t save the prose.