Struggled with this book. Didn’t really connect with any of the characters and found it a bit unbelievable at some parts. Sorry

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I’m not sure about this book, I quite enjoyed it, the story was interesting but the characters didn’t make me like them, except for the boy, David. I felt so sorry for him, he had been through so much and still felt rejection from people he loved and trusted. Also I couldn’t quite understand why Laura treated David as a much younger child than he was, or maybe it was the era. The situation was a little unbelievable with the luck and fortune they managed to keep to continue n in Paris through all the dreadful things that were happening.

James Tucker’s "The Paris Escape" offers romance, intrigue, and adventure. From the moment you open the book, you’re transported to pre World War 2 with Henry, Laura and David who are traveling from the US to Paris aboard a ship.
The plot is a rollercoaster containing suspenseful twists and well-timed reveals. Tucker’s storytelling shines as he skillfully intertwines romance and suspense, creating a gripping story that is both heartfelt and exhilarating. The chemistry between Laura and Henry is palpable from the very beginning although they aren’t fans of each other at first. They meet David, a stow away orphan who adopts Laura and Henry as his family.
The characters are wonderfully developed, each with their own complexities and charm. You find yourself emotionally invested in their fates, rooting for their successes and feeling their struggles as if they were your own. Without giving too much away, I found my own heart racing towards the middle of the book and on while rooting for the main characters.
In summary, "The Paris Escape" is for anyone who loves a captivating story set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most romantic cities. As someone who is just starting to explore historical fiction, I highly recommend it! I did not want this book to end.

Laura travels to Paris in 1938, as part of a European trip. Henry, the head of European sales of her family business, is tasked by her father to chaperone her. She resents his role in the family business and believes she doesn't need a chaperone, while he sees her as entitled and cold.

They meet David, an orphan, who they quickly take under their wing. This forces Laura and Henry to make unified decisions, and their feelings for each other develop. As the Nazis occupy Paris, they must fight their way to safety.

The author sets the scene of Paris in World War II well and I especially enjoyed the last third of the book as that was when the action really started picking up. I didn't quite feel the connection between Laura and Henry and would have liked to see more relationship development.

There is nothing like historical fiction done well, and this is one of those stories. Our heroine is a bit of a spoiled rich girl to begin with, accompanied by a male chaperone who is also an employee in her father's armaments company, on a three month excursion to Paris. Once she returns, it is agreed that she will find a suitable husband and there is to be no "hanky panky" between her and her chaperone. That last part is pretty easy to agree to as neither really care for the other. However, they didn't count on running into a dusty little stowaway boy on the ship they are one for the trip to Paris, who worms his way into their hearts. This all takes place during a very dangerous time in history when Paris comes under siege of the Germans and it is the story of how they become a family and defy the odds stacked against them. I very much enjoyed this.