Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin - A Review

 



Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin was my second read of 2023 and my first fiction read of the year. I stumbled upon this book while browsing World War II era fiction and bought it after being drawn in by the blurb. I have to say, I'm glad that I did because this book was excellent from start to finish. 
      Until Leaves Fall in Paris follows Lucie Girard, a ballerina turned bookshop owner, as she navigates living and running a business in Occupied France. Lucie bought Green Leaf Books in an attempt to keep it running for its former owners, the Greenblotts, who are fleeing German Occupied France for America because they are Jewish. Unfortunately, Lucie soon learns just how difficult it will be to keep the bookstore afloat under German rules and restrictions. Adding to her dismay is the handsome businessman Paul Aubrey, owner of the Aubrey Automobiles factory in Paris, who appears to be a collaborator with the Germans. Despite her best efforts, Lucie finds herself liking Paul Aubrey, and his creative four year old daughter Josie doesn't help Lucie keep her distance. She finds herself enjoying both their company. 
      The book takes you on a journey through German Occupied Paris, France, where the reader experiences espionage and danger, and the power of hope and love. The way Sarah Sundin crafts a novel allows the reader to step right into the story, living each step alongside the characters. I became so immersed in the book that I found that I had to keep reminding myself that I needed to sleep at some point. I really enjoyed the cute first interaction between Lucie and Paul, with the help of Monsieur Meow, and I was so deeply moved reading chapters 45 and 46 that I actually cried at certain points, which is very rare for me. I found myself warring between wanting to finish the book in a hurry to see how it ends and never wanting it to end, savoring each chapter. 
     Until Leaves Fall in Paris is truly one of the best books that I've read in years and it serves as my gateway to Sarah Sundin's books, which I intend to devour one by one. Excellently written, superbly crafted. It will be a novel that I will be recommending for years to come. 

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