The Paris Promise is the third in The Paris Sisters series by Suzanne Kelman where it is now the time to learn of Antoinette’s story. It is a story full of secrets, bravery, sacrifice, persistence and strength as Antoinette is placed in an untenable situation where she must do things that are against everything she stands for and believes in. The plot reveals itself through the dual timeline format moving back and forth between Paris during World War Two and Wales/Brazil in 2012. The two timelines blend well together and there is plenty of mystery and suspense. There are innumerable twists and turns throughout the plot and I was convinced I had figured out fairly on what was going on but then the author threw a spanner in the works which had me completely thrown off track and I was a disappointed I hadn’t been correct. But then further along came another surprise and in fact I had been right initially but it’s the clever way in which this was written that has the reader believing one thing at one point and then within a chapter everything is turned on its head. At the heart of this book is a good thriller of sorts but not so much that it ventures down the path of the crime genre instead it combines perfectly with the suffering, pain, anguish and devotion that Antoinette has for her beloved husband Rene.

There is but a brief mention of the two sisters who featured in books one and two of the series so readers discovering these books for the first time needn’t worried that they wont be able to follow what is going on. Rather than the books being a direct continuation the stories stand their own ground and can be read separately. Antoinette and her husband Rene are both musicians and they lead an idyllic life with their son Benjamin until the Nazi’s invaded the City of Light and the colour was drained from the city they adored. A relentless machine of hatred has been created and with Rene being Jewish the target is very much on their backs. But Antoinette is wilful, powerful and has a passion for life and love which radiates through her every action, thought, word and deed. She is determined to stand up for what is right and just and even more so when Rene is part of a number of people arrested at a recital at the conservatoire and taken away to a camp. Antoinette can’t let the love of her life be taken just like that without a fight and boy does she fight with every ounce of tenacity that she possess.

Love is a characteristic that Antoinette carries with her every day and she knows that the bond she has with Rene is unbreakable. She will try her utmost to reunite with him even though it will cause her to venture down a dark and dangerous path and people will change their perception of her but if they knew the truth behind what drives her on then they would never judge her for it. She faces the harshest of times as she starts work for the Resistance working as a violinist in the Majestic Hotel which is the favourite haunt of the Nazi’s. She aims to be quiet and unassuming and hopefully will go undetected and in that way many titbits of vital information can be passed onto her colleagues in the Resistance movement which hopefully could free those who have been captured or even derail some of the Nazi’s future plans. But things start to get a little too close for comfort when she catches the eye of Otto Von Falkenberg.

Otto was menacing and creepy and I detested the way that Antoinette became beholden to him. It was like she was trapped within his grip and struggling to break free but at the same time she knew she had to play along with what he wanted even if it went against every fibre in her being. He became far too overly familiar with her and it read as if he thought this was his genuine right and Antoinette had to do whatever he wished whenever he asked. I thought it was remarkable that Antoinette was physically in that situation but mentally she could remove herself from what she was forced to engage in. It was a dangerous and unstable path that she was threading but she was very much conscious of not losing herself in the process. She had one ultimate goal and she never lost sight of what it was despite all the obstacles that were hurled in her direction. There was a major plot twist around the midway point and I felt it came too early for Antoinette’s aspect of the storyline and after that although she continued to be brave I just felt her story peetered out a bit and the present day storyline became much more dominant.

I thoroughly enjoyed the modern day storyline. It was very well written and really held my attention. But what I will say is that I found too much was given away in that we learned about Antoinette through Deana and I felt I was given too much info too soon because then we would go back to 1941 and instead of things being a surprise I was expecting things to happen. Now this didn’t happen all the time but it was something that was niggling away at me at certain points. Deanna is the granddaughter of Antoinette who when clearing her fathers attic so he can move into an assisted living facility discovers a very rare Stradivarius violin. Her grandmother hadn’t been wealthy or had connections. Had it been a gift or is there something darker behind it and there is something in her grandmother’s past that she knows nothing about. Advice is sought from her close friend Felicity who works in Sotheby’s and a mission soon ensues to discover who is the rightful owner of this most precious violin. Here is where the mystery and intrigue starts and the author has you guessing just exactly what is going on and questioning how did Antoinette come to be in possession of a violin that will play such a crucial and divisive role in the overall plot?

Deanna’s quest takes her and Felicity to Brazil of all places and I came to appreciate that a very good World War Two story was unfolding and one that didn’t need to feature the concentration camps in order to get the message across. I won’t say any more as to what happens in Brazil but suffice to say Deanna is just like her grandmother in that she won’t rest until she has all the answers. She knows to delve deeper than the superficial surface layers of first appearances and she never underestimates her powers of intuition. I liked her for this. There was a danger that a cliched romance element was beginning to appear for Deanna and I had my fingers crossed that it wouldn’t materialise because in my mind it didn’t feel natural but would have been contrived given the overall situation and how things unfolded. Deanna confronts the past in order to heal the present and does so with strength and an unbreakable spirit just like her grandmother all those years ago.

The Paris Promise was another great read from Suzanne Kelman, I just hope that this isn’t the last we have heard from the sisters as I think there is still at least one more sister to read about. All in all, it was very well written and researched and a little bit different from the usual World War Two historical fiction that I read which can only be a good thing

I just finished the third book in the Paris Sisters series, and it was a compelling dual-timeline read. When Deanna discovers a Stradivarius violin in her father’s attic, it launches her into a search for answers about her grandmother Antoinette’s mysterious past in Paris during World War II. The historical storyline was rich and emotional, as we learned more about Antoinette’s resilience and determination shining as she navigates life after her husband is taken away to the camps.

The present-day story involving the mystery surrounding the violin kept the story moving at a great pace. I enjoyed watching Deanna and her friend follow the trail of clues, uncovering both her family history as she learned more about the strength of her grandma. A great blend of history, mystery, and heart—I’m looking forward to the next in the series!

Thanks @bookouture, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.

It took me a minute to get into the story, once I did, I found myself captivated by the sheer determination of Antoinette. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, trying to keep tracks on her Jewish husband, torn with the choices she has to make, her life is one big mission. To complicate things she captures the attention of a Nazi Officer who sets his sights on her and a cat and mouse game commences.
It's well written, told from a dual timeline perspective, a recommended read.

The Paris Promise by Suzanne Kelman is a stunning conclusion to s deeply moving trilogy. With her signature lyrical prose and masterful storytelling, Kelman brings the story full circle in a way that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

Set against the evocative backdrop of wartime Paris, this novel seamlessly blends historical detail with emotional depth. The characters, especially Florence and her circle, feel like old friends whose fates you've been holding your breath for. Every moment is charged with the tension of the times, yet there's a persistent thread of resilience and love that pulls you through.

Kelman excels at creating moments that linger - quiet conversations, impossible choices, and the small acts of courage that define a life. While this book can be read on its own, those who've followed the series will find a particularly satisfying resonance in how past threads are tied together.

The Paris Promise is a story of bravery, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope. It's not just a book - it's an experience that stays with you long after the final page.

This book revolves around a long forgotten Stradivarius violin. I enjoyed the dual POV, learning Antoinette’s story, and her granddaughter’s journey in finding the story behind the violin. I was very invested in Deanna’s POV. Even though her father wasn’t ready for the truth about Antoinette, Deanna definitely was.

There was a lot of suspense in this one. The most Deanna discovers, the more in danger she is. Suzanne does a great job sucking you in. I read this one in a day because I just needed to know how it would end.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.

This is the third book in the Paris Sisters series but can easily be read as a standalone. After I’d finished reading this book I had to take time to process my thoughts before writing my review. I found this book to be absolutely amazing and one that really made me feel quite emotional at times. I’m not going to rewrite the story synopsis as that can be read in the book description above. What I will say is that Suzanne Kelman has written an absolutely fantastic book that is tense and gripping and utterly heartbreaking at times. Told in two timelines both were absolutely fascinating to read and I was totally absorbed in both timelines . Antoinette was such a brave woman and what she went through for her family was nothing short of incredible. If you’re looking for a historical fiction read to grip you from the prologue then look no further than this superb book.

Antoinette Valette, a professional violinist, had always dreamed of this life. However, as the Nazis invaded Paris, her dream began to slip away. Her husband and son were Jewish, and she feared for their lives. With no place to hide, they had no choice but to blend in.

When her beloved husband was taken away, Antoinette vowed to protect her son from the same fate. She sought the help of the Resistance, hoping they could ensure her son’s safety on the train leaving Paris. Reluctantly, she had to let him go, knowing it was her only option to keep him alive. She promised him she would find him.

The Resistance offered her a unique opportunity: to use her musical talent as a spy to infiltrate the ranks of high-ranking Nazi officers. Eager to protect her son, Antoinette accepted the assignment.

“The Paris Promise,” written by Suzanne Kelman, is an extraordinary and heart-wrenching novel. It’s a tale of hope, faith, and the unwavering spirit of never giving up on one’s dreams. The author’s vivid descriptions of Paris in the 1940s immerse the reader in the story.

As I turned the pages, my heart was repeatedly broken. The writing was so well-crafted that I couldn’t put the book down until I reached the very last page. I was deeply moved by Antoinette’s story and her willingness to risk her own life to save her family. If you’re seeking a remarkable historical fiction novel, “The Paris Promise” is a must-read. I highly recommend this wonderful book.

Loved it!! The Valette sisters are all truly amazing and put their lives in danger to help others. This book centered around Antoinette and everything she does to keep her husband and son safe. I really enjoy books with dual timelines and this was no exception. Loved reading about Deanna and her father, Ben in 2012 and Antoinette in the 1940s. My favorite part was the WWII storyline with Antoinette. Antoinette put herself in so much danger. There's no way Commander von Falkenberg didn't know Antoinette's true identity from the start. The orchestra community would definitely know who she was. Antoinette suffered so much. She sent Ben to London, hoping to eventually be reunited. Her husband was sent to a camp by the despicable von Falkenberg. Then she finds herself in a horrible predicament, one that she never dreamed of happening to her. Antoinette was one determined woman. After WWII ends, she makes it her mission to find René or at least what happened to him. Deanna's story starts with the mysterious violin she finds in her dad's attic. Deanna and Felicity go to Brazil and stay at a stranger's villa. Anything could happen to them. They know nothing about Carlos or his father Giovanni, who claims to be the violin's owner. From the start I was extremely suspicious about Giovanni. There was just something about him. Loved the ending, when the truth about everything is finally revealed.

Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, story and writing style. The next book in the series cannot come out fast enough. With each book, I love the Valette family even more. I can't wait for Giselle and Charlotte's story? With Charlotte, we will finally find out what happened to the children during the train ride. I look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Superb Tale Of Survival And Love Offers Hope For Modern Era. This is one of those dual timeline WWII historical fiction tales that manages to create a solid amount of survival tension without ever actually going into the concentration camps... and is rare in that it offers a fair amount of modern day hope as well.

The timelines here are each done particularly well, with tension ratcheting up throughout the book in each as hints are placed and ultimately secrets are revealed, and the timelines manage to play into each other in more than the usual ways - very nearly to what I hold as the ultimate visual in the dual-timeline approach, that of the final fight in the movie Frequency and in particular *that* sequence. Kelman never goes anywhere near there really, yet also manages to very nearly create the same effect in the reader's mind at one point.

Overall simply a superbly crafted, multi layered story that offers pointers for the modern era without ever being preachy about them at all - simply using its own story to show some things that we may consider more broadly, should we so choose. And yes, we very much should take these things to heart in reality, if we truly seek to avoid the horrors shown (and not shown so directly) here.

Very much recommended.

A gripping novel about one woman’s unimaginable sacrifices to keep her family.
It’s a poignant story because Antoinette has to do things that make her skin crawl in order to save her family.
It begs the question what would we do faced with a similar dilemma. In this case the only choices were bad so she had to select the best bad decision and live with it,
There were a few surprises packed into the story, one I figured out early on, but the others were well veiled.
It’s a compelling read that jumps between WWII and present day to give readers a well nuanced story.

This has been a wonderful trilogy, no.3 the best by far. It is such an emotional read, annoyance at the injustice, anger at the treatment (just because they can), sadness at the loss of the innocent, happiness, joy at the discovery.
Antoinette was a real hero, choices taken away when it means defending her loved ones. Even when it means having her love for music used against her.
In the present day we follow the path of Antoinette’s granddaughter Deanna as she aims to discover the truth. When it leads to herself and friend Felicity being invited abroad by a stranger who knows what they might discover!
Recommend this book.

I loved this book, could hardly put it down. Usually when reading dual timeline one part is more exciting than the other, this was not the case, they were equally so.
My favourite character was Antoinette for her bravery, it was a great story. Least favourite was Otto who was evil and manipulative. Now I just have to look forward to the authors next book.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book but man i am an emotional wreck now....

at times it was hard to read the choices that poor Antoinette had to make for her family and her fight to survive during the war....

its gripping in its extreme but what a storyline

this author certainly knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat

This is another of Suzanne Kelman’s emotionally charged WW2 stories. As usual Suzanne has pulled the reader in, so that we experience the many twists and turns in the plot as we fe3l each characters suffering, pain and brokenness. The men and women of the resistance are strong and dedicated, each one shows resilience as they each make personal sacrifices as the Nazi war engines move ever closer to uncovering their identity.
Once again Suzanne’s characters make decisions which all have consequences central to the dual storyline which surround the inherited violin. Read the book to find out the mystery behind it. After a few chapters, you too will be drawn in and I guarantee you won’t want to put the book down until the last scary moment!
Thank you once again Suzanne for this story of love, hope and resilience. Thank you too to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ark in exchange for my freely given and honest review.

3 1/2 stars
Set in France during ww2 this story follows the life of Antoinette, a violinist who is married to Jewish man. This was a great read, set both in the past and present day with a dual PoV of Antoinette during the war and then the present day of Deana who is Antoinette’s granddaughter. This was an emotional and gripping story of sacrifices, bravery, Stength, the power of love , courage. We read about the struggles and hardships thst Antoinette and her Jewish husband face but through it all there love for each other stays strong. I love Suzanne Kelman’s writing, you can feel the love between the characters and can really put yourself in their shoes. There’s lots of twists and turns throughout this book, some emotional scenes which will pull at your heart strings.
As much as I enjoyed this book I did find the dual pov a bit annoying as it goes back and forth with one chapter in the past and the next in the present etc. I also would have enjoyed reading more about Rene’s experience the camps and maybe a chapter with the family reunited after the war.
Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

oh this book definitely had all my emotions firing. i was heartbroken i was sad. i was angry and even more angry still! i was so aching for this woman, but also it felt more heartbreaking because we all know this is what many did indeed go through or similar...or dare i say it much more than this. we can never know the horrific things lots went through at the time. what they had to do for themselves and to themselves. what they had to do to others and for others. and when love, especially family love comes in to it? well it can make heroin's out of any woman. i know the strength of a mother. i know the strength of a mother when he has to fight for her child. ive seen it, and never seen anything like it. so i can only imagine what the mother in this book was going through. and can easily imagine her taking the greatest risk for those she loves but also for the worlds safety.
i also love how our main characters instrument was not only her mind and bravery but also her violin. it was both her weapon and her protector. she used to to cover herself amongst the worst of humans. but then also used to to fight back against them. egos the lot of them. thats something you can count on with bad people. so when our character used herself and violin to get amongst their secrets. well they merely didnt care or think enough of her to think she could be one of their biggest problems. and i love that.
this book is set in Paris amongst the time of war. when Suzanne's family and life is ripped from her arms. and her, ripped apart. Suzanne must use all she has to protect her husband and son and does so with her music. but this doesnt stop the worst happening. so Suzanne joins the resistance and using her violin she infiltrates as she performs.
she will be at risk with every note she makes. and the musicality theme only draws you in and adds depth to this brilliant book.
i adored this book. it held on to me the whole way through.

This is Book 3 of Suzanne Kelman's series "The Paris Sisters" and I think it was the most suspenseful book of the 3 that I've now had the pleasure of reading. The Vallette sisters in this series are all living in Paris when the Nazis occupy France during WWII. They each have their own unique personalities and special skills and abilities. Antoinette Vallette's life during the occupation is dramatically and tragically portrayed in The Paris Promise but she is not the only main character in the novel. There is a dual timeline that features Antoinette in the 1940's and includes an intriguing mystery for her granddaughter, Deanna, to go about solving in her 2012. timeline Both timelines have such well-developed characters that you can't help but love and care about them due to the hearts full of love that these two women have for their families. Their love of family has each of them in their own time, and in their own way, put themselves in harrowing situations that left me reading until 4 in the morning so I could find out what happens to them. I will not spoil this wonderful book for anyone by giving details of what they go through - I will simply encourage everyone who enjoys reading about women during WWII in France, and a granddaugher's reaction to the discovery of that story, to read The Paris Promise. I highly recommend this book. It is part of a series but can easily be read as a standalone story. I received an ARC from Bookouture and netgalley but all opinions are my own.

My goodness, this WWII story had me up all night. Heartbreaking. Be sure to follow this author, she is one of my favorites. I was given an ARC of this book. This review is my own.

This is a dual time line book that focuses on the heroic deeds that one of the main characters performed as part of the Resistance in France during WWII and her granddaughter's quest to find out more about the grandmother that she adored. In some dual time line books, it's easy to prefer the story in one time period but both time periods in The Paris Promise are full of excitement and adventure as both grandmother and granddaughter fight to save their lives and the lives of the people that they love.

The World War II time line is told through the story of Antoinette. She is a violinist and is married to Rene and they have one small child. Rene is a well known pianist who teaches at the local Conservatoire and is Jewish. When the Nazis take all of the Jewish musicians during a performance, Antoinette knows that she must do something to get the love of her life out of danger. She reluctantly sends her young son to safety outside of Paris and joins the Resistance. She infiltrates one of the Nazis hotels by playing music for their parties. While there she is forced to do things that frightened her but she knew that whatever she had to do would help save her husband. Antoinette's story line was very scary as she put her life on the line every day to help the Resistance and to try to reunite her family.

The second time line takes place in 2012 when Deanna is cleaning out her father's house so he can move to a smaller home. While cleaning out the attic she found a violin and when she had it appraised, she found out that it was a Stradivarius and worth millions of dollars. She didn't know why this violin was in the attic and why her grandmother had never played it but she was determined to figure out where it came from. Her search leads her to South America to a elderly man who worked in the Resistance with her grandmother. Things begin not to add up and she has to decide who really is the owner of the violin.

This is a beautifully written and well researched historical fiction story that looks at family and how their love and strength affect future generations. This is a WWII historical fiction that you don't want to miss.

My Paris Promise was a heartbreaking story set in the dangerous world of Nazi-occupied France.
Antoinette Valette, who was once a celebrated violinist, becomes a spy.

Parts of this story were so emotional. In a few parts, my heart broke for Antoinette.

Antoinette was a heroine. She was so brave and determined, and her loss drove her to get what she wanted.
I loved her character development. Going from a mother and loving wife to an unstoppable spy was awe-inspiring.

Not only was the story emotional, but it was also super tense and gripping throughout. A mother's love knows no bounds as she fights for her son.

If you love stories of women’s courage during wartime, try this. Suzanne is one of my favourite historical authors, and this didn't disappoint.

In 2012, Deanna is sorting through her father’s belongings in the attic, when she comes across her grandmother’s violin. Needing to downsize, her father says to get rid of it.

Going to a local music shop in Wales, Deanna is gobsmacked to find out that the violin is a Stradivarius; a rare violin. With her friend, Felicity, working for Sotheby’s, Deanna is determined to find out more about the violin.

In Paris, 1940, Antoinette, and her husband, René, are musicians. When René is taken by the Nazis, Antoinette is determined to find him and to be reunited with him and their son, Benjamin.

This is the third book in the series, although it can be read as a standalone.

The story is beautifully written, but must have been so challenging to write.

My heart broke for Antoinette; her bravery, courage, and commitment could be felt throughout.

Deanna was very much like her grandmother, and was determined to find out the truth about her.

A compassionate and romantic tale, that touched me deeply.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.