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Resistance Girl #3
The Parisian Spy
Paris, 1939
May a doctor adopt a soldier’s heart in times of war?
On the brink of World War 2, the American French Océane Bell travels from Chicago to Paris to finish her medical training at the Sorbonne.
The artist Jean-Jacques Riveau is the enfant terrible of Urban Realism in France but forsakes his paint brushes to join the French Resistance movement.
Cupido’s arrow is straight in the hearts of the two lovebirds but Océane steers clear from her boyfriend’s resistance activities. Until Jean-Jacques is arrested by the Gestapo and Océane’s convictions are heavily tested. She accepts a position as the personal physician to the head of the Paris Gestapo, Dieter Von Stein in the hopes of finding her beloved.
But Von Stein has other plans, with Jean-Jacques and with Océane. When he’s transferred to a position in Northern Africa, Océane reluctantly follows. In the Egyptian desert a personal tug of war enfolds between the two smart, tenacious people. Only one can win.
The Parisian Spy is the story of a reluctant spy-in-love whose medical precision and objective eye turn her into one of the most thought-after spies of the French Resistance.
May a doctor adopt a soldier’s heart in times of war?
On the brink of World War 2, the American French Océane Bell travels from Chicago to Paris to finish her medical training at the Sorbonne.
The artist Jean-Jacques Riveau is the enfant terrible of Urban Realism in France but forsakes his paint brushes to join the French Resistance movement.
Cupido’s arrow is straight in the hearts of the two lovebirds but Océane steers clear from her boyfriend’s resistance activities. Until Jean-Jacques is arrested by the Gestapo and Océane’s convictions are heavily tested. She accepts a position as the personal physician to the head of the Paris Gestapo, Dieter Von Stein in the hopes of finding her beloved.
But Von Stein has other plans, with Jean-Jacques and with Océane. When he’s transferred to a position in Northern Africa, Océane reluctantly follows. In the Egyptian desert a personal tug of war enfolds between the two smart, tenacious people. Only one can win.
The Parisian Spy is the story of a reluctant spy-in-love whose medical precision and objective eye turn her into one of the most thought-after spies of the French Resistance.
404 pages, Paperback
Published July 19, 2021
375 people are currently reading
664 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Byron
37 books191 followersHannah Byron is an acclaimed author of historical fiction centered on WWII resistance women. Born in Paris in the mid-1950s to a British mother and a Dutch father, she grew up with strong ties to France, the UK, and Holland, which continue to inspire her work. Most of her novels are set in Western Europe, where history and culture run deep.
After decades of balancing life as a mother, university professor, and translator, Hannah is now a full-time author. She writes passionate novels about resistance and romance set in the 20th century—topics close to her heart. Readers often describe Byron’s work as gripping, deeply emotional, and impossible to put down.
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After decades of balancing life as a mother, university professor, and translator, Hannah is now a full-time author. She writes passionate novels about resistance and romance set in the 20th century—topics close to her heart. Readers often describe Byron’s work as gripping, deeply emotional, and impossible to put down.
Get a FREE WW2 Novella https://www.hannahbyron.com/newsletter
Follow Hannah on BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hanna...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 17, 2021
I really loved “The Parisian Spy” by Hannah Byron. It is truly a great read. It is set within the historical background of WWII France and is incredibly accurate.
In wonderful story, we experience pain, patriotism, human drama and lots of thrills.
The main character, Oceana has many challenges on her hands. For example, she is a medical student who is drafted to work as a physician and later o works with the French resistance.
The book is extremely well written with fantastic characters and the pace is steady to where I read the book in one day.
I highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In wonderful story, we experience pain, patriotism, human drama and lots of thrills.
The main character, Oceana has many challenges on her hands. For example, she is a medical student who is drafted to work as a physician and later o works with the French resistance.
The book is extremely well written with fantastic characters and the pace is steady to where I read the book in one day.
I highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 20, 2021
The Parisian Spy by Hannah Byron
Note from the author and list of chapters starts this book.
Love this story. It starts out in Boston, a closeby city to me and 1938.
Radcliffe college. Oceanne (love this name) is studying near her friend Eliz and is worried she won't pass the final exam.
She wants to be a doctor and is so close to finishing. She meets up with her friend Martin and he tells her of the grade she received on her test....
she come up with a solution and it will go with her throughout her life. Love the parts where she meets others who are related to friends of her and her grandfather.
During the war she stays at her grandfathers in Paris and falls in love. When JJ is missing she decides to pick up where he left off in helping the French from the Germans.
She meets many along her route and over the years. She has to put her own life in harms way in order to find the information she wants
As a doctor a lot of doors open for her and she learns the truth about JJ. Love references to the French songs, some I learned when in Catholic school as a young girl.
Tragedy, pain, war, love, romance and patriotism all play a part in this book. Glad it was so indepth and not just a short story.
Love how the story wraps up at the very end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Note from the author and list of chapters starts this book.
Love this story. It starts out in Boston, a closeby city to me and 1938.
Radcliffe college. Oceanne (love this name) is studying near her friend Eliz and is worried she won't pass the final exam.
She wants to be a doctor and is so close to finishing. She meets up with her friend Martin and he tells her of the grade she received on her test....
she come up with a solution and it will go with her throughout her life. Love the parts where she meets others who are related to friends of her and her grandfather.
During the war she stays at her grandfathers in Paris and falls in love. When JJ is missing she decides to pick up where he left off in helping the French from the Germans.
She meets many along her route and over the years. She has to put her own life in harms way in order to find the information she wants
As a doctor a lot of doors open for her and she learns the truth about JJ. Love references to the French songs, some I learned when in Catholic school as a young girl.
Tragedy, pain, war, love, romance and patriotism all play a part in this book. Glad it was so indepth and not just a short story.
Love how the story wraps up at the very end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
July 28, 2021
This book illustrates the horrors of Nazi occupied France, and in particular Paris. Oceane has come to France to be with her grandfather at the beginning of WWII. She is a gifted medical student who is drafted into working in the short staffed hospital as a physician. After her resistance-tied lover disappears, she gets herself in trouble with the Gestapo and finds herself backing into the French Resistance efforts. She finds herself doing things that she never dreamed that she would or could do. She has to rely on the trustworthiness of many people to get her through the nightmare of the Nazi occupation.
This is a follow-on book to "In Picardy's Fields," in which we meet several of the characters in this book. The previous book takes place in a battlefield hospital during WWI.
Both books are well written, well thought out, and engrossing. I recommend both books to mature readers. Although details of hardships and torture are not graphic, they are included in the storyline because they need to be.
I received an Advance Reader copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review.
This is a follow-on book to "In Picardy's Fields," in which we meet several of the characters in this book. The previous book takes place in a battlefield hospital during WWI.
Both books are well written, well thought out, and engrossing. I recommend both books to mature readers. Although details of hardships and torture are not graphic, they are included in the storyline because they need to be.
I received an Advance Reader copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review.
October 3, 2021
La Rosa
Oceane Bell a young medical student living in Boston travels to France to stay with her grandfather and finish her medical education to be a doctor. She meets and falls in love with a French artist Jean-Jacques Riveau. Then world War II breaks out and Paris is occupied by the Nazi's. Oceane is working in the hospital and is forced to treat the Nazi's. Jean-Jacques becomes a fighter in the French resistance army.
This is a story about Oceane and Jean-Jacques or OC and JJ as they are often called. It is a story of the French resistance during WWII in France. A story of the young men and women that fought to free Paris and all of France from the Nazi's that occupied it. It is the story of two young people that become the most wanted spies by the Nazi's and live to tell about it.
The story is very descriptive of the horrors the Nazi's brought to the French people. How they changed their lives. There were the French that collaborated and worked with the Nazi's and would denounce a resistance worker and there were the French that helped the resistance and joined their network. These later often met with dire circumstances and tragedy but it was worth it to help free their country.
War is an awful thing, it changes people, even good people into someone and something other than themselves. That some perish is certain and that some live through it and manage to make the best of their life afterwards is a testimony to the human strength and determination. Quest for freedom is never free, it is never easy but it is always worth it in the end.
This book was a good book on the French resistance and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Hannah Byron and Book Sirens for allowing me to read a complimentary copy for my honest review. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views are my own.
Oceane Bell a young medical student living in Boston travels to France to stay with her grandfather and finish her medical education to be a doctor. She meets and falls in love with a French artist Jean-Jacques Riveau. Then world War II breaks out and Paris is occupied by the Nazi's. Oceane is working in the hospital and is forced to treat the Nazi's. Jean-Jacques becomes a fighter in the French resistance army.
This is a story about Oceane and Jean-Jacques or OC and JJ as they are often called. It is a story of the French resistance during WWII in France. A story of the young men and women that fought to free Paris and all of France from the Nazi's that occupied it. It is the story of two young people that become the most wanted spies by the Nazi's and live to tell about it.
The story is very descriptive of the horrors the Nazi's brought to the French people. How they changed their lives. There were the French that collaborated and worked with the Nazi's and would denounce a resistance worker and there were the French that helped the resistance and joined their network. These later often met with dire circumstances and tragedy but it was worth it to help free their country.
War is an awful thing, it changes people, even good people into someone and something other than themselves. That some perish is certain and that some live through it and manage to make the best of their life afterwards is a testimony to the human strength and determination. Quest for freedom is never free, it is never easy but it is always worth it in the end.
This book was a good book on the French resistance and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Hannah Byron and Book Sirens for allowing me to read a complimentary copy for my honest review. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views are my own.
July 19, 2021
The perfect book for history buffs. While this story has fictional characters on a fictional adventure it takes place during WWII. I can really appreciate the research that must have happened to develop the details about the war and civilian life. The Resistance Girls stories are connected by three girls having met in a Swiss boarding school for young ladies learning etiquette. Turns out two of them are the daughters of another set of friends, former students of the same school, who helped in the fight of WWI. Amazing what a small world it really is. Any of the books can read independent of the others but it’s always fun to read the connections. I was a recipient of an early copy and have written my review voluntarily.
November 11, 2021
The Parisian Spy: Absolutely Heartbreaking and Gripping WW2 Love Story
The Parisian Spy is a must read, pure and simple.
Historical fiction novelist Hannah Byron not only puts you into the thick of Nazi regime fears, but you feel the plight of her main character, Oceane Bell's, life plunge from promise and opportunity, to the depths of war torn despair. She takes you on a spellbinding journey from young student in Boston to resistance member through Europe, North Africa, and occupied France. It got to the point where I couldn't read fast enough!
High recommend The Parisian Spy from Hannah Bryon's "Resistance Girl" series.
July 30, 2021
In the third book of The Resistance Girl series, Hannah Byron introduces us to the daughter of Doctors Alan and Agnes Bell - Oceane. She is high spirited and willful. Oceane is at a crossroads in her life. She wonders whether her future is as a painter or doctor. Her parents understand her dilemma and suggest she take time to make her decision.
Oceane is in Europe as World War II begins. As an American, is she in danger? Hannah Byron does a magnificent job detailing the deterioration of Europe during the war. Her descriptions are vivid and, when necessary, appropriately bleak. This is a time of fear, hunger, and confusion dramatically illustrated by Oceane’s personal struggles.
Oceane’s story shows the untapped strength that appears under trying circumstances. Oceane was capable of so much more than she ever knew. This story is beautiful and inspiring, one you will cherish. As the book ends the epilogues thoughtfully provide a conclusion we all can enjoy.
Since this is part of a series, please read the prior books. Hannah Byron is such a delightful author, enjoy all of the series - her characters are wonderful!
Oceane is in Europe as World War II begins. As an American, is she in danger? Hannah Byron does a magnificent job detailing the deterioration of Europe during the war. Her descriptions are vivid and, when necessary, appropriately bleak. This is a time of fear, hunger, and confusion dramatically illustrated by Oceane’s personal struggles.
Oceane’s story shows the untapped strength that appears under trying circumstances. Oceane was capable of so much more than she ever knew. This story is beautiful and inspiring, one you will cherish. As the book ends the epilogues thoughtfully provide a conclusion we all can enjoy.
Since this is part of a series, please read the prior books. Hannah Byron is such a delightful author, enjoy all of the series - her characters are wonderful!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2025
The third book in the Resistance Girl series is Oceane Bell’s story. Torn between following both her parents into medicine or becoming an artist, Oceane finds herself in Paris living with her grandfather at the outbreak of WWII. Following the Nazi occupation of Paris, she decides that medicine will enable her to help with the war effort but Oceane is eventually drawn to the resistance movement.
July 22, 2021
Oceane is a sweet girl who at the the time is having a crisis should she become a doctor or should she be an artist . When she is sent to live with uncle and when she decides to finish her doctor's degree . She starts working at the local hospital as she studies at the Sorbonne medical school . Until the day her life is turned upside down and a man who will steal her heart walks in and a war starts . Oceane is swept up in the resistance and what she can do to find her love .Jean-Jacques has been taken by the Nazis. She is swept into the Nazi world by becoming Dieter Von Stein 's personal doctor and trying to find out where JJ is . With Dieter's plans are different and tease Oceane with little tidbits about JJ. Oceane needs to escape and get back to her family but will she be able to get out and back to France or will she get swallowed up in the resistance .
This is a story that has it all intrigue , romance and danger . The characters are so well written and complex . Oceane is a young woman who at the beginning is a naive student trying to figure out her life. Boy does she grow up fast through the book we see her become a very strong woman. She is passionate and very strong willed when it comes to her family and JJ . She truly grew up fast . JJ is an artist who is more then just an artist , he is a passionate man who loves with his whole heart . He opens up a world of passion in Oceane and helps her grow. There are so many characters that come into Oceane's life that help her through the wages of the occupation .
This is a book that once you start you can't stop . I was totally engrossed and was turning pages well into the night . The author has a writing style that takes you to the edge of your seat and keeps you there . Her characters are so well written and complex and they grow through out the book . The story is well thought out and really thought provoking . You will get transported back and be right in the action . I am usually not really into historical fiction but this author changed my mind . I truly enjoyed this story and can't wait to read other books from this author. So if you want a good historical romance check it out .
This is a story that has it all intrigue , romance and danger . The characters are so well written and complex . Oceane is a young woman who at the beginning is a naive student trying to figure out her life. Boy does she grow up fast through the book we see her become a very strong woman. She is passionate and very strong willed when it comes to her family and JJ . She truly grew up fast . JJ is an artist who is more then just an artist , he is a passionate man who loves with his whole heart . He opens up a world of passion in Oceane and helps her grow. There are so many characters that come into Oceane's life that help her through the wages of the occupation .
This is a book that once you start you can't stop . I was totally engrossed and was turning pages well into the night . The author has a writing style that takes you to the edge of your seat and keeps you there . Her characters are so well written and complex and they grow through out the book . The story is well thought out and really thought provoking . You will get transported back and be right in the action . I am usually not really into historical fiction but this author changed my mind . I truly enjoyed this story and can't wait to read other books from this author. So if you want a good historical romance check it out .
August 21, 2021
The Parisian Spy
Well, I can hardly say enough about this book. It takes the reader on travels and from low to high, from freedom in a wealthy family in The States ,with kindness, fresh air and sunshine to WWII in France with all its horrid unbelievable things and people that one can only imagine. From shear innocence to a world of pain and cruelty. The author paints a vivid picture of human nature under evil authority, and those who were abused by the diabolical nature of those in power.
Our main character Oceane, goes from teenage innocence to be a Resistance Fighter and spy in France, to meet with the atrocious leaders of the Nazi army. Oceane became the most wanted woman in the Resistance, she was Elusive and secretive. She was absconded to Libya with the General, and managed to escape, and that is when her fight with the resistance became overwhelming and real. Escaping and going undercover, changing her identity once again is so heartbreaking for Oceane and for the reader to digest. She was the most sought after agent by the Gestapo. The angst and mental anguish was taking control of her mind by the end of WWII. This book is very hard to put down. I wept with worry over the story. Unbelievable and magnificent book.
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Well, I can hardly say enough about this book. It takes the reader on travels and from low to high, from freedom in a wealthy family in The States ,with kindness, fresh air and sunshine to WWII in France with all its horrid unbelievable things and people that one can only imagine. From shear innocence to a world of pain and cruelty. The author paints a vivid picture of human nature under evil authority, and those who were abused by the diabolical nature of those in power.
Our main character Oceane, goes from teenage innocence to be a Resistance Fighter and spy in France, to meet with the atrocious leaders of the Nazi army. Oceane became the most wanted woman in the Resistance, she was Elusive and secretive. She was absconded to Libya with the General, and managed to escape, and that is when her fight with the resistance became overwhelming and real. Escaping and going undercover, changing her identity once again is so heartbreaking for Oceane and for the reader to digest. She was the most sought after agent by the Gestapo. The angst and mental anguish was taking control of her mind by the end of WWII. This book is very hard to put down. I wept with worry over the story. Unbelievable and magnificent book.
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September 5, 2021
Oceane is intent on becoming a doctor, but realizes during college that she may need time away from the field to discover what she truly loves. And I love that. So many people hate what they’re doing-and never find the courage to just stop and take a break before committing-and that’s how I knew this book would be everything.
She moves to Europe before the war starts, to go to boarding school, and live with her grandfather. And becomes one of the top spies in the Resistance. Once her fiancé goes missing, and she’s told he’s dead-she works to continue the work he was doing. She dives into working for German officers-telling their secrets and really making a difference. She never gives up. This was an amazing story. 4 stars-because while it had a beautiful ending, I was completely shocked at how calm she was through it all-bad news, and good news. I felt the ending could have been explained in a different way as to how all these characters came together in the end. It definitely felt a little rushed-but overall would recommend this book
She moves to Europe before the war starts, to go to boarding school, and live with her grandfather. And becomes one of the top spies in the Resistance. Once her fiancé goes missing, and she’s told he’s dead-she works to continue the work he was doing. She dives into working for German officers-telling their secrets and really making a difference. She never gives up. This was an amazing story. 4 stars-because while it had a beautiful ending, I was completely shocked at how calm she was through it all-bad news, and good news. I felt the ending could have been explained in a different way as to how all these characters came together in the end. It definitely felt a little rushed-but overall would recommend this book
September 30, 2021
A WWII story about an American doctor in training who falls in love with a French artist who becomes a most wanted Resistance fighter. I enjoyed it
January 25, 2022
The Parisian Spy: A Resistance Girl Novel Book 3 is written by Hannah Byron. This book takes us from Boston, Massachusetts to Paris, France to the Moroccan Desert during World War II. We go from the halls of Radcliffe College to finishing school in Switzerland to the Sorbonne in Paris. The action doesn’t stop and you want to keep reading until you finish the book and then you wish it continues.
Oceana Bell was the eldest daughter of two doctors who had worked on the front lines in World War I. They began as colleagues and eventually, following his divorce, married. Agnes left her home with her father in Paris to follow her husband to the United States with their two children. Only trips during the summer to Paris gave Oceana a chance to really know her Maxipa. When their son Authur had an accident and became incapacitated, Oceana took it upon herself to follow in her parents’ footsteps and become a doctor even when she wanted to paint. Her indecision came to a head when she failed a final exam at Radcliffe and tried to rectify the situation by cheating. She had help; but her father was able to keep Martin in school. As a result, she ends up going to finishing school in Switzerland to “find herself”. At the end of the year, she ended up staying in Paris with her Maxipa and going to school at the Sorbonne. It was at the end of her first year in medical school that World War II broke out. Allowed to work that first year in the hospital, she was allowed to stay on and treat soldiers and call herself a doctor. She learned on the “battlefield of the hospital”.
Caught in Paris during the German invasion, Oceana had to do her best to stay alive and keep her Maxipa safe while she also searched for her boyfriend JJ who left his art career to become a member of the Resistance. This brings her into various stages of danger as she tries to find him and thwart the Nazis at the same time.
Will she find where she belongs in the world? Will she eventually finish college and become an accredited doctor? Will she find out what happened to JJ?
Although it is a novel, this book gives a great picture of what went on during the occupation of Paris by the Nazis. It makes history come alive. I highly recommend this book and the series.
Oceana Bell was the eldest daughter of two doctors who had worked on the front lines in World War I. They began as colleagues and eventually, following his divorce, married. Agnes left her home with her father in Paris to follow her husband to the United States with their two children. Only trips during the summer to Paris gave Oceana a chance to really know her Maxipa. When their son Authur had an accident and became incapacitated, Oceana took it upon herself to follow in her parents’ footsteps and become a doctor even when she wanted to paint. Her indecision came to a head when she failed a final exam at Radcliffe and tried to rectify the situation by cheating. She had help; but her father was able to keep Martin in school. As a result, she ends up going to finishing school in Switzerland to “find herself”. At the end of the year, she ended up staying in Paris with her Maxipa and going to school at the Sorbonne. It was at the end of her first year in medical school that World War II broke out. Allowed to work that first year in the hospital, she was allowed to stay on and treat soldiers and call herself a doctor. She learned on the “battlefield of the hospital”.
Caught in Paris during the German invasion, Oceana had to do her best to stay alive and keep her Maxipa safe while she also searched for her boyfriend JJ who left his art career to become a member of the Resistance. This brings her into various stages of danger as she tries to find him and thwart the Nazis at the same time.
Will she find where she belongs in the world? Will she eventually finish college and become an accredited doctor? Will she find out what happened to JJ?
Although it is a novel, this book gives a great picture of what went on during the occupation of Paris by the Nazis. It makes history come alive. I highly recommend this book and the series.
October 23, 2021
A lovely uplifting story set against the horrific backdrop of war-torn France. I love these stories. Stories of everyday people set against some truly unbelievable odds, being asked to make the most impossible choices.
This book is the third in a series. I have to be honest, I have not had the opportunity to read the first two, but I feel I didn't lose anything from that as I truly enjoyed this with no prior knowledge despite there being a few references to previous novels in the series.
Oceane is a college student studying medicine in Boston, who moves to France with her grandfather to finish her schooling. When war breaks out, Oceane finds herself working in a hospital where she has to treat Nazis wounded in the fighting. In the meantime she has met and fallen in love with Jean-Jacques Riveau, a French artist who becomes a French resistance fighter.
This situation brings with it many difficult decisions for Oceane and Jean-Jacques, who end up becoming two of the most wanted spies in France.
I don't want to say much and ruin a great story by giving away spoilers. This novel is impeccably researched and if you like learning of the French resistance during WWII this is a highly detailed account. The pace is nicely set through the book, moving quickly it holds the reader's interest throughout.
I highly recommend this novel to WWII historical fiction fans.
Thank you to author Hannah Byron and to Book Sirens for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
This book is the third in a series. I have to be honest, I have not had the opportunity to read the first two, but I feel I didn't lose anything from that as I truly enjoyed this with no prior knowledge despite there being a few references to previous novels in the series.
Oceane is a college student studying medicine in Boston, who moves to France with her grandfather to finish her schooling. When war breaks out, Oceane finds herself working in a hospital where she has to treat Nazis wounded in the fighting. In the meantime she has met and fallen in love with Jean-Jacques Riveau, a French artist who becomes a French resistance fighter.
This situation brings with it many difficult decisions for Oceane and Jean-Jacques, who end up becoming two of the most wanted spies in France.
I don't want to say much and ruin a great story by giving away spoilers. This novel is impeccably researched and if you like learning of the French resistance during WWII this is a highly detailed account. The pace is nicely set through the book, moving quickly it holds the reader's interest throughout.
I highly recommend this novel to WWII historical fiction fans.
Thank you to author Hannah Byron and to Book Sirens for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
September 4, 2023
Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer! Oćeane is a budding physician but as exams and school starts winding down, she is questioning her education and career. Does she really want to be a physician or is she doing this for her parents? Needing to find herself, Oćeane heads across the ocean to enroll in the medical school in Paris and reconnect with her grandfather again. But the world has other plans when WWII breaks out and soon Oćeane is thrown hands on into what it means to be a heart doctor and that there are no sides in medicine. Doing her best to care for all that come through and throwing herself into her work has also helped her to forget about the nightmare of her boyfriend having been taken by the Nazi. So when an opportunity arises to get inside with the enemy, Oćeane doesn't think twice about it and also finds not all are enemies and are only doing what they can to stay alive. Taken to be a personal physician of the terrible Von Stein, Oćeane knows this is the only way to obtain information and get to the bottom of where Jean-Jacques could be, that is, if he is still alive. But Von Stein is nonfool to who Oćeane really is and the game of war becomes all too real. I really loved all the characters involved in this story and now I need to go back and read about Oćeane's parents! Thank you to the author for the free novel, I am really enjoying these resistance stories. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
November 5, 2022
This book was a Christmas gift. I lived in Boston and Paris, so I really looked forward to this read. It took me an incredibly long time to finish it. IMHO, too much time was spent on what was really a backstory, traveling with the protagonist to Switzerland, where she stayed through years of finishing school that sent me to sleep. I also wondered how she managed to keep her mother's stethoscope in her pocket for most of the book. Stethoscopes aren't tiny, and they don't fold up into small pockets. I carried one around for years, so yes, I do know about this, personally. The jump from being an intern to a fully-fledged cardiologist also had me wondering about how qualified she was for the job. Her exploits were at times really absorbing, but at others, lacked suspense. Best character was the grandfather. It was an okay read, but I won't be back for more.
January 6, 2022
What a delightful book. A love story entwined in the horrors of WWII, you cannot help but be engrossed in this beautifully researched book. The characters are very authentic and while essentially a work of fiction, the author has worked the storyline into a time in history very well documented, and the book highlights so well how nobody, no matter how rich or famous you were, no matter your family history or your nationality, wasn’t caught up in the ugliness and cruelty of such a horrible period in Europe’s history. I was so pleased to learn that there are 3 more books in this series, I am very much looking forward to reading them all. Thank you to Book Sirens for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
January 23, 2022
Océane is a confused young lady who is trying to decide her future in the medical field, so she travels to Paris to study. She meets a handsome artist whom she feels is out of her league, but their romance blooms. However, WW II separates them; Océane continues to work and later becomes a major part in the war, thus the title. The description, historical landmarks and events, plus the foreshadowing that lead to the conclusion surprised me at times. The book has some grammatical errors, and it took awhile to get to the next exciting part. I liked that Océane was determined to do what was necessary to save Paris and the people she loved. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 26, 2025
Boston, 1938. In The Parisian Spy van Hannah Byron gaat Océane Bell na de zomer geneeskunde studeren aan Boston University School of Medicine. (Harvard Medical School accepteerde in die tijd nog geen vrouwen.) Als dochter van artsen Agnès en Alan Bell is een andere studiekeuze vrijwel ondenkbaar. Een complot met studievriend Martin en een ontmoeting met de charismatische Parijse kunstenaar Jean-Jacques Riveau (JJ) doen Océane besluiten haar studie voorlopig stop te zetten, tot grote schrik van haar ouders. Een tweede ontmoeting met JJ drijft haar in 1939 naar Sorbonne, waar Océane naast haar studie samen met JJ een artistiek bestaan leidt in Parijs. Maar dan breekt de Tweede Wereldoorlog uit.
Lees de volledige recensie op elineschrijfthier.nl
Lees de volledige recensie op elineschrijfthier.nl
November 30, 2022
Actually very good to read. The character was interesting and so were the others as well. Having read the four novels now The books are really about strong women and how they are portrayed in those desperate times of WW11. This one is my favourite of them all in this series. Though the Diamond courier comes close as well.
April 9, 2025
I have always been a fan of WW2 historical fiction and recently found this "Resistance Girls" series. Nice and not so nice characters, a story that moves right along and a nice tidy ending. I thought the love story element was a bit "soppy" at the beginning but things turned out OK in the end. I loved the enduring love for family and friends.
January 18, 2022
Heart wrenching tale of WW2
I have read several of Hanna Byrons books, the war time stories of love, hate ,family , and wartime survival keep you on the edge of your seat. The family ties though each book keep you waiting to finish each story.
I have read several of Hanna Byrons books, the war time stories of love, hate ,family , and wartime survival keep you on the edge of your seat. The family ties though each book keep you waiting to finish each story.
August 27, 2022
A very excellent read, though the scars of war are evident throughout. It does show that evil MAY seem to be the winner at the beginning , goodness (through love, determination & desire etc.) WILL always be the winner in the end
January 29, 2023
Since my mother served in the FFI, I found this novel quite interesting. I appreciate the tribute to the brave men and women who fought against tyranny, as well as the recognition that not all Germans were evil.
October 11, 2023
Great WWII book with lots of information?
Learned a lot about WWII and the fighting in France. The love stories were very interesting and told of the waiting and wondering of the couples.
Learned a lot about WWII and the fighting in France. The love stories were very interesting and told of the waiting and wondering of the couples.
July 7, 2024
Partisan Spy
A fascinating and fast paced book. There were many twists and turns in this moving book that truly showed the harrowing life of the members of the French resistance.. A terrific book!
A fascinating and fast paced book. There were many twists and turns in this moving book that truly showed the harrowing life of the members of the French resistance.. A terrific book!
June 21, 2022
Follow Oceane's journey through WWII as she finds friendship, love & a passion to save Paris.
February 3, 2023
Fast paced and thought provoking
A fast paced, anxiety, and thought provoking read. However, it did seem unlikely that none of the protagonist’s close family passed away.
A fast paced, anxiety, and thought provoking read. However, it did seem unlikely that none of the protagonist’s close family passed away.
February 7, 2025
Book 3 does not disappoint- will read the entire series! Wonderful!!!
July 31, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed. Great writing great story.
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