Mary Ellen Taylor has written a compelling, thought provoking, dual-timeline story that immersed me into the lives of three remarkable women - two in the past and one in the present. Opening with a harrowing scene in the days following the liberation of France, she then moves to present day, setting the stage for Ruby's story before returning to the past and the unfolding journeys of Cécile and Sylvia before, during, and after the German occupation of Paris.

The transitions between past and present felt organic and seamless as both stories unfolded. I was equally immersed in both timelines as well as the fates of the characters. Ruby may not have been caught in the life or death consequences Cécile and Sylvia faced at the hands of the Nazis but her life or death battle with cancer was no less consequential. I enjoyed her journey and the twists that awaited her, both personally and in her professional quest to discover the fates of Cécile and Sylvia. I especially enjoyed her unexpected romance (yes, there's a happy ending).

What strength all three of these women exhibited in the face of danger. Taylor doesn't hold back in showing readers all sides of them, especially Cécile and Sylvia. Their courage, vulnerability, morally questionable actions, wants, desires, and fortitude are all important parts of their human story.

A portion of this book with which I was not familiar was the path taken by the French film industry during WWII. I was not aware of the number of people who were compelled to work with the Germans during that time even though they were against everything the Nazis stood for, how they were forced to straddle two worlds without alienating either side. It's a fascinating part of the book.

If you enjoy dual timeline stories featuring complex women with the courage to face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, told with strength, compassion, emotional depth, and undying hope, pick up a copy of Mary Ellen Taylor's After Paris. I highly recommend it.
4.5 stars

*ARC received via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

The author writes with beautiful prose. It reminds me quite a lot of one of my favourite books - Resistance by Anita Shreve. My Gran and her family survived the war in England, so whilst their experiences would have been somewhat different, reading books like this help me feel closer to her.

Cécile, Sylvia, and Ruby’s story was exquisitely written. The author perfectly captures the essence of Paris seamlessly in both eras, and, even in the wartime passages, captures the hygge essence of the food and the culture.

An incredibly poignant tale about the atrocities of war, and the gumption it takes to stay alive and to choose love and kindness in spite of the horrors.

Had a diverse range of characters and was inclusive, which I loved.

I liked the subtle Easter egg nod to her other book - The Union Street Bakery. I also was lucky enough to receive an ARC for that, and am excited to start it, once I’ve finished other NetGalley ARCs that expire a little sooner.

An overall lovely book and I loved that the characters all got happy endings in their own ways.

I've read so many WW11 books over the past few years and am just not apt to pick them up much these days. However, After Paris, sounded like something I would like and I ended up loving it so much! Many times when I read a book with a split time line I prefer one over the other but in After Paris I loved both Ruby's contemporary story line and movie star Cécile and her dressmaker, Sylvia's stories in Paris in the 1940's. They were both captivating story-lines and I eagerly read this as much as I could while on vacation in England. It's amazing to think of what the ladies went through back then and how they stood up for what they believed in. I loved the themes of friendship and living your life to the fullest. My favorite historical fiction for the first half of 2025!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 13 May 2025

Mary Ellen Taylor's new novel, After Paris, delves into a mystery of a french actress named Cecile who was the rising star of French Cinema during the early 1940's at a time when German occupied France was increasingly getting more and more hostile toward the citizens there. What drew me into the story was the dual timelines and how this author weaved a spell around me as I followed Ruby's journey as she dived into the mystery of Cecile and her dressmaker, Sylvia. This is the first time I read one of this author's books though I enjoy her other author names' (Mary Burton) suspense/thriller books a lot. I am a sucker for good compelling WWII historical fiction about strong women during a time period where you don't hear much about them. This was a phenomenal book about three very strong women that had me glued tot he pages on a lazy Sunday afternoon and I literally read the book till I finished it several hours later as I needed to find out what Ruby was discovering about these two interesting ladies. Mary Ellen Taylor is a master storyteller who delivers a wonderful story told in 2 time periods with captivating characters that kept me glued to the edge of my seat the entire time. The characters were well written, intriguing and complex. I loved Ruby's strength and feistiness, especially as she dealt with her brother's lack of romantic relationships. Those scenes made me laugh a few times.

After Paris is full of twists, turns and secrets of the past that will keep the reader glued to the very end. I loved Ruby's journey and as a cancer survivor myself, her journey after beating the dreaded big 'C' is just what this author describes: Wary determination with a fear of letting someone near you in case 'it happens again'. The author delivers a story that is at times respectful of Ruby's journey as well as shows her inner strength after her fight with cancer. I loved how the dual timelines interconnected at times and showed Ruby how to move forward even as she navigated 1940's Paris information. This is an author who is seamless in keeping the story flowing from past to present and back again. The way this author weaves these two timelines into the story is fantastic and delivers a one-two punch that the reader will enjoy.

After Paris is more than one or three women's journey but a testament of life, of strength during times of adversity and hope for a future. With each page, past and present times, Mary Ellen Taylor delivers a timeless tale that will leave you breathless and eager for more. This won't be the last book I read of Mary Ellen Taylor and I can't wait to see what else this author has in the future for her readers. If you're fans of Natasha Lester's historical fiction books, you'll wantt o pick After Paris up as well.

Very good historical fiction with dual timelines! I love books by Mary Ellen Taylor and this was no exception. Her storytelling is intelligent and beautiful without being complicated. Easy to read, easy to follow and engaging all the way through. I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction especially if there's an interest in the Nazi occupation of France. My thanks to Montlake for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Oh my gosh! After Paris is phenomenal. The French film industry during wartime is not something that I know much about and After Paris has intrigued me to learn more. Cécile is a French actress trying to stay alive, work, and keep those who are important to her alive while becoming an “it-girl.” Ruby’s quest to find out what happen to Cécile while also keeping her learning out to live life again after winning her battle with cancer is her own type of battle.

After Paris is a dual timeframe book. I enjoyed that neither timeframe got more time than the other. Both timeframes were enthralling to me. I was invested in Cécile and Ruby’s story, as they were both fighting their own wars. Cécile and Ruby were lucky to have people in their corners to support them and lift them up as needed.

As I came to the end of the book, it was tied together perfectly. There are no cliffhangers for any characters, the characters lives are completed as best they can be. I love that I was not left with questions and needing more.

This book felt like holding a thread of hope woven through time, something quietly powerful and deeply human. I adored the way the past and present mirrored each other with such emotional clarity. The romance was gentle, wrapped in trust and healing rather than grand declarations. I found it incredibly moving that love here was never about rescue, but about finding someone who stands beside you, even when the road is terrifying. It left me teary, but in the best way, full of feeling and grateful for every page.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for this eCopy to review

I just finished After Paris by Mary Ellen Taylor, and I’m still reeling with the emotional weight of it. This novel was a beautifully layered exploration of survival, identity, and the quiet heroism of women across generations.

The story follows Ruby Nevins, a 25-year-old cancer survivor in present-day Virginia, who’s trying to rebuild her life and career. While researching a French film star for a tourism project, she stumbles upon a diary that pulls her into the lives of two extraordinary women from WWII: Sylvia Rousseau, a Jewish dressmaker living under a false identity in Nazi-occupied Paris, and Cécile Dupont, a glamorous actress secretly working with the Resistance.

What really struck me was how Taylor wove the timelines together. Ruby’s modern-day journey of healing mirrors the wartime courage of Sylvia and Cécile. As Ruby uncovers their stories, she finds strength in their resilience and it inspires her to embrace life more fully, despite her fears of recurrence.

The historical detail was vivid and immersive. I could feel the tension of occupied Paris, the fear, the hunger, the quiet acts of defiance. And the characters, especially Sylvia felt so real. Their choices weren’t always easy or clean, but they were deeply human.

After Paris is an emotionally rich and deeply satisfying story. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong female leads and a dual-timeline structure, this one’s worth your time.

This book is beautifully written and with well written characters.
Brimming with emotion and heart, these characters were so compelling. Their journey is fraught with fear and uncertainty, but they learn that taking a chance and opening one's heart is its own reward.
A well-researched novel with a dual timeline during World War II and present day follows three brave women facing impossible challenges.
Beautifully written and masterfully told, this story of hope, faith, and healing is sure to please readers of every kind.

I really enjoyed this book. If you enjoy historical fiction and strong women who not only survived WWII but participated in the Allies success, this story is for you. Present day Ruby is writing about 1940's actress Cecile's disappearance from Paris in 1942 and the story behind the disappearance. Ruby researches Cecile's story through the daughter of Cecile's dressmaker Sylvia. Sylvia's daughter has Sylvia's diaries that were not shared with her family until after Sylvia's death. This story tells the stories behind the women including Sylvia, Cecile, and Cecile's sister Emile. Are these women who they appear to be? Are they with the Allies or helping the Germans? Did they escape Paris? The strength of these women help encourage Ruby to be strong after her fight with cancer.

After Paris by Mary Ellen Taylor is a must-read for historical fiction lovers. The story spans 2025 and WWII, following journalist Ruby’s research on dressmaker Sylvia and her confidante French actress Cecile during the Nazi invasion. Sylvia’s diary, received from her daughter, offers a firsthand account of their time. Both timelines feature strong characters and a compelling narrative. This is my first book by the author, and I plan to read more.

Sensitive ww2 dual timeline novel

This is a very engaging dual timeline novel about women during ww2 and the present. It is a romance but also a very sensitive treatment of the basic issue of what a person must do to survive and how to deal with it in the future. Excellent book, highly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

I read 75% of this book but then put it aside because of all the sexual details it contained. Could not finish.

I've read a lot about WW2 for example re. the terrible plight of the Jews, the cruel superiority of the Gestapo who enjoyed creating fear, the Nazi wives, Hitler. Two topics in this book I wasn’t familiar with - women who spied for survival and yes, had relationships with Nazi officers and the French resistance. The entwined story of our 3 wartime women and how they survived this dark period in our world’s history was eye opening and captivating. The story also takes place during modern times (as well as reflecting back circa 1941-42) where Ruby, a young woman researches and writes primarily about one character, an elusive actress who disappeared around 1942. These were not easy times or safe times to live. I was drawn into each woman’ story and after reading felt spellbound and so much compassion for each woman. The author did an exceptional job of setting the stage and bringing in many details of interest for example, the officers living in stolen homes which had photos still on the wall of the families who had fled or surely had been taken to a concentration camp. There is a secondary topic of cancer and as a cancer survivor I was pleased that the author addressed this accurately, compassionately and realistically. I highly recommend this book and thank NetGalley and the publisher for this advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

My heart! Mary Ellen Taylor has been the only author that can keep me with a dual timeline. I cared about Sylvia, Cecila, Emily and Ruby. Different times, all strong women. My heart hurt, it was pulled, stretched and I was in awe of these individuals. Seeing the history play out and written so that you care about the individuals and see the world through their eyes was scary and informative. Ruby was relatable. I dealt with cancer, my sister had cancer, and I lost my dad and my husband to cancer, and I know many people can relate. The ending had its own surprises, several in fact. Thank you for the advanced copy, thank you for making me feel. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #AfterParis #MaryEllenTaylor #Montlake#NetGalley

This marvelous dual timeline historical fiction novel is fabulous, revealing the strength and courage women face now and what they faced in the 1940s during World War II in Paris, where German Nazis has taken over everyone and everything. Ruby spent time in Paris as a tour guide, focusing on films. After being diagnosed with cancer, she returned home to Norfolk, Virginia to be taken care of by family. In remission, she works on writing articles for a French film festival for the Virginia Tourism Bureau. She has focused on a beautiful actress, Cecile, who was filming movies in Paris during World War II. The Nazis had taken over and the French Resistance was secretly going against them while trying to survive. Cecile’s dressmaker, Sylvia, has a daughter, Ms. Bernard, who now lives in Old Town, Alexandria and is a valuable source of her mother, Sylvia’s struggle to stay alive during the war, along with Cecile and her sister Emile and husband Marc. Madame Bernard allows the truth of what happened to be found out by allowing Ruby the privilege of reading Sylvia’s diary and some letters, without telling her what she knows. The author brilliantly intertwines the current time with what happened then. I loved it.

I had a great time reading this book! It’s a chill, heartfelt story that flips between three women: Ruby in present-day Virginia, and Cécile and Sylvia in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris. The way their lives connect is interesting and kept me turning pages.

Ruby’s 25, a cancer survivor, and trying to figure out her next move while researching Cécile, a French actress who disappeared in 1942. Then there’s Sylvia, Cécile’s dressmaker and friend, who’s tough as nails and totally inspiring. Both were part of the Resistance, and their stories of courage and survival are intense. Ruby’s own path, learning to live boldly despite her fears, really hit home.

This book gave me a mix of hope, sadness, and mad respect for these women. I’d give it a 3.7/5 solid, emotional, and perfect for fans of historical fiction with strong characters.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Wow! What a fabulous read!
This book has so much, romance, mystery, suspense, courage and history. I was hooked from page one, a story of three women, two timelines, Paris 1940, occupied by the Germans and Norfolk, Present day.
Cecile is a glamorous actress in Paris, she mysteriously disappears in 1942, Sylvia is Cecile’s dressmaker and friend. Ruby is the present day, 25 years old, has battled cancer, she loves history, the old French films and fashion. She is writing a piece on one of the films Cecile starred in, she makes it her mission to find out what happened to her. She has tracked Sylvia’s daughter, who has diaries and letters which she slowly begins to share with Ruby, they help Ruby piece together the truth and the fascinating story of Cecile and Sylvia, their courage as they risked their lives to aid the French Resistance.
Ruby is taking steps to begin to rebuild her life, to have hope that she could have a future and love
This is a powerful story, filled with great characters, I liked Ruby’s brother and his friend Jeff. I highly recommend this book, it’s one of those books that needs a 6th star. A top read for 2025.
My first book by this author, I can’t wait to read more

Many thanks to Lake Galley & Montlake for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

This dual timeline novel follows the adventures of a modern woman who will go to great lengths to learn and put together the story of a dressmaker and a film star in 1940's war torn Paris.
Our main heroine Ruby is living in 2025 Virginia and used to work in Paris giving tours. However, a cancer diagnosis caused her to move back home and even though she survived the ordeal she lives in constant fear of it coming back and it has caused some issues when trying to live her personal life. She gets involved in researching a project about a film actress which gives her an opportunity to start living again.
In 1940's Paris we are introduced to dressmaker Sylvia who after losing her factory job becomes to the costume designer to actress Cecile. They become great friends and even though there is glamor on the movie set off the set there is still a war going on. Danger lurks with the Nazi occupation and if our heroines don't pay attention they could pay the cost.
I overall enjoyed this novel as I enjoy WWII stories and with the modern day character exploring the past was the icing on the cake.
I received an ARC copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

Fans of the dual time line WWII story will like this one for the characters, especially Sylvia and Cecile. Ruby's story in the present is interesting but less so than is the WWII story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.