Publication Date: June 17, 2025

Length: 384 pages

Publisher: Gallery Books

I received this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Colette Marceau grew up during WWII. She lived in Paris with her mother, father, and younger sister. From an early age, Colette’s mother, Annabel, would tell her stories of their ancestor, Robin Hood. Her mother taught her the family craft. They would steal from those who were cruel and unkind to help those less fortunate. The danger was that they were taking jewelry from rich people while their victims wore it! Very high stakes for anyone. When the war came to Paris, Colette and her mother watched as the Nazis took Jewish possessions for themselves. Many Nazi officers would “gift” girlfriends with appropriated jewelry. Colette and her mother worked or attended events where they could steal the jewels from the Nazis and fund the Resistance. When a friend of Annabel was sent to a Nazi work camp, Annabel wanted to protect several cherished gifts her friend had received. Annabel knew her friend would need money after the war, and keeping her jewelry was a way to help. Annabel saw her friend’s bracelet on the wrist of a high ranking Nazi’s girlfriend, and wanted to retrieve it. She was spotted that night as being at the event where the bracelet went missing. Soon the Nazi’s were at the Marceau apartment. Colette’s family was arrested and taken to prison, except for the youngest member, Liliane. Colette saw someone take her sister from the apartment, never to return.

Years later, Colette is still stealing. She continued to live in Paris during the war, then emigrated to America. Throughout her life, Colette has anonymously funded many worthy organizations. One piece of jewelry has remained with her since those days back in WWII. Colette has a beautiful custom-made bracelet that belonged to a family friend. It is comprised of two pieces that can be worn alone or together. Colette has one piece of the bracelet. She learns that the second piece of the bracelet will be shown at a local museum. Where has it been? It had been sewn into the hem of her sister Liliane’s nightgown and was missing since the night of her abduction. How did the museum manage to acquire this piece? Colette yearns to find these answers, but doing so could reveal her occupation and destroy her standing in the community. Can she resolve the mystery while keeping her identity safe?

Kristin Harmel never disappoints! Colette’s story is one of twists, turns, love lost, and tragedy. Colette kept her dignity and convictions through very difficult circumstances. Even though we know stealing is unlawful, it is so hard to find fault with Colette when she has contributed to so much good. Will she find peace once the bracelet is restored? Harmel weaves the theme of unfinished business through several aspects of Colette’s life and resolves them perfectly. The story of Colette’s life is so vivid and memorable, it will touch many readers’ hearts.

I highly recommend this book to historical fiction readers, Harmel fans, WWII enthusiasts, and romantics. It is a beautiful story. Thank you, NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Kristin Harmel, for the advanced reader copy.

My rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻/5