Sarah Sundin's novels are always winners, and Until Leaves Fall in Paris was one of my favorites. A compelling story that quickly pulled me into its pages with great characterization and a setting I could love. Paris. WWII. Books. Ballet. A star-crossed romance. A child who needs protecting. Wonderful writing.

My first read by this author. Set in WWII France, and most before the American's are part of the war effort. We meet amazing people that put others before themselves during this hostile period. They ban together and fight the evil trying to take over their lives.
Eccentric American ballerina, Lucie Girard, has lived in Paris since her childhood. Out of a love for the city and her friends, she buys a local bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape while the Nazi regime occupies France. Meanwhile, Paul Aubrey has his successful automobile factory requisitioned for German use. Both Lucie and Paul have opportunities to stealthily join resistance causes, endangering their lives and the ones they love. When their paths cross, they must carefully navigate their growing feelings towards each other and their sense of duty to undermine Nazi Germany. Such an original plot which gives life to the most lovable characters- the ones you find yourself cheering for over and over. Lucy and Peter's story was fantastic, and this book had quite a few twists and turns. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

One of her very best books. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about this period of history. Can't wait for her next book!

Melt my heart, Sarah!

Y’all, this book totally tied the Normandy trilogy as my favorites of Mrs. Sarah Sundin’s books. So good!

Such rich detail! Every aspect of this story came fully alive to me, and that was, in large part, thanks to the exquisite attention to detail the author put into the writing as well as the research. I especially loved that the story was historically accurate, as proven in the author’s note where it was mentioned that certain terms were not used because they came about months or years after the story’s dates. This made for such an enjoyable story!

Lucie leaped off the page, and I think this was because the author let her own experience with ballet filter from her mind into her imagination and onto the pages. Each new detail added such depth to Lucie’s character, which, in turn, added more life to her journey.

The research on car manufacturing businesses of the era attributed to the genuine atmosphere, as well as heightened the tension, in certain key scenes. I’m not a mechanic, but these details felt completely realistic and era-appropriate.

The intricate application of the author’s imagination and large doses of whimsy infused light and color and playfulness into little Josie’s thread, particularly her “Feenee” stories. This little girl was definitely the bright spot among highlights in this novel.

Who am I kidding? I loved all of it!

As soon as I finished reading it, I let out a very happy sigh and said aloud, “Man, I wish I had time to read it again!” Yep, it was that good.

Paris truly popped off the pages. The details! Oh, I wish I knew how to properly pronounce all the street names! I love that they were included. I don’t know much about the layout of Paris, other than the Left Bank/Right Bank thing, but the beautiful inclusion of such details made it easier to imagine a nearly complete map. I love it when authors put out so much work to make a city or town, real or fictional, come alive like that.

This story was especially beautiful for how the French Resistance worked against tyranny during World War II. It was neat to see the passion of everyday people standing up for their personal freedoms and rights and beliefs.

Perception and assumption played pretty large roles in this novel, and they were worked to perfection. It was heart-wrenching to see certain characters assume particular wrong things about other characters’ behaviors, but this also made for the good kind of drama that I love reading.

I adored the sweet terms of endearment. They were literally sweet, which was cool. Such a quirky addition to the tale! I loved it.

I think writing up this review is convincing me to reread this gorgeous, lovely, amazing book in the next few weeks. Spending more time with Paul, Lucie, and Josie might be just what I need to kick off my summer reading.

Content: tobacco, alcohol, one replacement expletive, marital affairs mentioned

The story was decent enough for me to finish the story but I found the writing quite boring and lengthy to be honest. I think the character development is decent and the world building to be well done though.

I really enjoyed reading this. The friendship that evolved to attraction between the lead protagonists, the attention to historical detail and the sense of danger that seemed to lurk everywhere as they put their lives on the line to save all the held dear kept me turning the pages. I liked the evocative sense of place when describing Paris during WW2 and the way the writer captured the sense the artists and writers still trying to maintain creativity in the midst of death and chaos. Well written and beautiful story by Sarah Sundin.

This book is well-written and a definite page-turner. It focuses on the dilemma Americans may have faced being stuck in Paris during the German occupation, prior to the United States getting involved in the war. The main character, Lucie Girard, finds herself in possession of a book store when the Jewish store owners flee Paris. Any story with books in it is a guaranteed favorite for me!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’m gonna be frank, the last couple of books I have read have not been great. It has been a while since I have read a book that drew me in, characters that I attached myself to and a storyline that kept those pages turning. Finally a book that checked all those boxes.
Well developed loveable characters and a storyline that kept you wanting more, what was not to love about this novel.
Sundin writes in a way that makes you become part of the story, a fly on the wall of Green Leaf Books watching it all unfold.
Lucie a ballet dancer for the Paris Opera Ballet gives up her position to take over her Jewish friends bookstore. . They are fleeing the Nazi’s in now occupied Paris with the hope that they will return after the war and reclaim it.
Lucie is sickened by what is happening to her beloved Paris and finds a way that she can help the country fight for their freedom through the pages of her books.

Paul is an American business man that runs an automobile factory in Paris. Although he would much rather take her 4 yr old daughter home to America he has an important job to do. His factory is making vehicles for German civilians which he knows are being converted for military use. On the outside the city sees Paul has a collaborator but behind closed doors he is secretly passing crucial info onto the Americans and using his factory to help the resistance.
When their two worlds collide Lucie is intrigued until she finds out he is a collaborator but her heart just keeps telling her there is more to this man that what she sees.

A brilliantly told story by Sundin and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell for the advanced copy.

Captivating!

The kids thought something was wrong with me. I kept laughing out loud the first half of the book. Then they were a bit concerned because they caught me crying once or twice towards the end.

Paul and Lucie were amazing main characters, with depth and heart, and courage, and I wish I could sit down and talk to them about their experiences. But 4 year old Josie was my favorite. She stole my heart, and will probably keep it for many years.

Little Josie is able to express big things with her imagination, through stories she makes up, to help her process the scary things going on in Paris, in 1940-41. And it takes daddy dearest a bit of help to understand just what a gift his daughter has. I would honestly love to have her and my 4 year old grow up together. They'd have some incredible adventures!

I received an advance copy of this book from #NetGalley and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.

A beautifully researched novel . This is another aspect of life in occupied Paris in 1940.

Lucie meets Paul and is attracted to him but rejects him as she thinks he is collaborating with the Nazis. He is in fact working against the Nazis but cannot e pose this.

How precarious life was during the occupation even for Americans living there.

Sarah Sundin is a wonderful writer.

Thank you netgalley.

Until Leaves Fall in Paris is one of those stories that starts off slowly and I wasn't really invested in it until I read a good chunk of the book...but once I was hooked, I had trouble putting the book down.

The characters were great. I felt for Paul the most as he had to deal with his friends/community turning their backs on him. The romance was very good and I just loved the book.

All in all, Until Leaves Fall in Paris was an amazing story and I recommend it.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Somehow this was the first of Sarah Sundin’s books that I’ve read, and I was nothing short of positively charmed by every facet. Loads of romance between Paul & Lucie (even the separated kind), ballerinas, a book shop (of all places!) turned underground Resistance hub, and darling Josie and her precious stories of Feenee and the rock monsters. There was such creativity (and obviously loads of research) poured into the marvelous storytelling and I for one appreciated every single detail. It was especially sweet for me because my great-grandma was named Josephine, and from the stories I’ve heard, she too was called Feenie as a young woman, so I felt an extra special kinship with sweet Josie. I loved the themes of appreciating our God-given gifts, doing right even when it’s difficult, and following the paths that God guides you to. I absolutely recommend! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a review.

This story about two Americans who stay in Paris during WWII was absorbing, well written and totally enjoyable. The core of the novel takes place during the German occupation of the City of Light, where Paul Aubrey, a widower with a young child, is asked by the U.S. Army to stay and keep his automobile factory running while passing information to the military. For Lucie Girard an ex-ballerina who buys her favorite bookstore from a Jewish couple, allowing them to go back to America. This novel, different from others I have read about that time period offered a glimpse of how Americans joined the resistance and helped in their way. The interaction between the two protagonists was heartwarming. This captivating novel is one I would highly recommend...it is not your typical WWII novel (thank goodness) and one of my favorite reads so far this year. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

A gripping story of sacrifice, faith and love in the face of the German occupation of Paris.

Sarah Sundin doesn't disappoint in this compelling story that follows two Americans living in Paris during the early days of the German occupation of France. Lucie Girard is a ballerina who buys a bookshop to help her friends escape Paris, fighting to keep her doors open. Meanwhile Paul Aubrey is seen as a collaborator for profiting off of the war with his luxury cars, but what he shows the outside isn't the whole truth.

An engaging story that brings to life the contrast of what Paris was and what it lost when the Germans came. It was fascinating to read a story of the perspectives of Americans living in Paris, and how that put both Paul and Lucie in unique positions. Josephine was so adorable, she is a darling and perceptive child and I liked how Lucie draws her out with the puppets. Lucie is so graceful and has a natural way with children. I admired Paul for standing strong in the face of being openly spurned, he was a very brave and principled man.

Overall, a well written story of courage, faith, and love in the face of an unknown future. I loved how this book showed a different side of the the occupation and resistance, and showed the ways that everyday people fought back in big and small ways.

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

Intense, heart-rending, and heartwarming... All at the same time.
That's Until Leaves Fall in Paris in a nutshell.

One silly quirk -- I never quite did understand the meaning of the title. That aside, this was a fabulous book! While not in a series, it was most definitely connected to When Twilight Breaks and I loved seeing the little connections all throughout this book. So fun!

I'll definitely be looking forward to Sarah Sundin's next book!

A big thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with a complementary e-copy in exchange for my honest review!

I really loved this book and was sad to see it end. I became friends with the characters and the story really touched my heart.

Early Exclamations:

ALFKADFAJDGKJADKFAJDFKAJDFKAJSDFKLA

JOSIE

JUST JOSIE

Also, Lucie is the cutest.

aND I ADORE PAUL TOO.

And the Aubrey Automobile with their Au is hilarious but fun.

I am so bourgeois, y'all. So, so bourgeois. And I'm saying this to a bunch of creative reviews, readers, and authors, so consider me brave - but I do not get you. I want to. But I am so on Paul's side here. xD France is amusing, though.

That's all I have to say on the subject. I rambled more on my Goodreads review, including some spoilers, but I'll spare you those here. :P

Actual Analysis

I still have a book hangover from this one.

As I mentioned in my original squeals, I was delighted. Utterly delighted. I don't think I liked it as much as When Twilight Breaks, but it was a near second. I started it a bit skeptical but Lucie seems like just the type of chick I wouldn't like, but I often say that about Sundin's heroines and then end up utterly wooed.

Just ... oh, the beauty. The beauty through the pain. I am delighted - that's the only way I can properly express my love of this book!

All the characters were so real. All the situations so sweet. And the whole forbidden romance story ... Apparently that's my thing. Like, I had no idea, but apparently it is. Call it the rebel in me or the fact that I just can't bear to see two people with a genuine connection be denied access to each other.

Maybe I am a hopeless romantic after all ...

I want to be professional, but instead I'll leave you with those thoughts. READ THIS! Know that it's great. If you don't understand why after you read it, I'm happy to try to explain better.

Any Acknowledgements:

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange from my honest review, which I have given. No positive review was required.

TTFN!

~Kellyn Roth~

Just lovely!! I have read Sarah Sundin before and am always impressed at her ability to create meaningful characters and stories again and again. This was such a beautiful read, with both the characters, setting, and overall twists and turns of the story making it a wonderful story to enjoy. 10/10 recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Such a great historical fiction! I loved how the author really strived to show the many different perspectives of people living in Paris when it was occupied the Germans by during WWII. The beginning of the book was a slow build as we learned about the characters and perspectives, then the second half was one page turning suspenseful situation after another, the perfect blend. I enjoyed the romance between Lucie and Paul. Can't wait to read another book by this author!
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to post a positive review.

Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful!

Until Leaves Fall is about two Americans living in Paris during German occupation. One, Paul a widower, owner of a car manufacturing business and Father to Josie. Second, Lucie, a ballerina who impulsively took over the book store of her dear Jewish friends fleeing the country.

I don't want to give too much feedback on this one because it would be hard not to weave in a spoiler or two! But well worth the read.