"The Last Time I Saw Paris," by Lynn Sheene

 "The Last Time I Saw Paris," by Lynn Sheene

May 1940: Fleeing a glamorous Manhattan life built on lies, Claire Harris arrives in Paris with a romantic vision of starting anew. But she didn't anticipate the sight of Nazi soldiers marching under the Arc de Triomphe. Her plans smashed by the German occupation, the once-privileged socialite's only option is to take a job in a flower shop under the tutelage of a sophisticated Parisian florist. 

In exchange for false identity papers, Claire agrees to aid the French Resistance. Despite the ever-present danger, she comes to love the enduring beauty of the City of Light, exploring it in the company of Thomas Grey, a mysterious Englishman working with the Resistance. Claire's bravery and intelligence make her a talented operative, and slowly her values shift as she witnesses the courageous spirit of the Parisians. 

But deception and betrayal force her to flee once more--this time to fight for the man she loves and what she knows is right. Claire just prays she has the heart and determination to survive long enough to one day see Paris again...

If you enjoy books from World War II, set in France involving the French Resistance this book is for you.  Add in fast paced action, a lead character who you instantly fall in love with because you know she goes above and beyond what's needed.  Sprinkle in a romance and bravery and you have the perfect book.

This book is a page turner, as it goes from one dramatic plan to another.  You are sat on the edge of your seat at times as you just don't know if Claire is going to be found out.  And despite living a more glamourous lifestyle, she never forgets her roots and how she grew up in a poverty stricken house.  

One good thing about this book, is that you got right to the nitty gritty of the book after only a couple of chapters.  Some books take forever with the background before you get to the actual story.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Loved the book.  The only thing I would change/add was an epilogue as I would have loved to know what happened to some of the characters in the book after the war.  Overall a book well worth reading.

I purchased this book for my own reading, and the book review are my own words.