I love dual timeline historical fiction stories. They tell a story about the past. They tell a story of how that past still affects the present. The dual time line of All the Diamonds in Paris didn't disappoint.

I travelled between Paris durnig World War Two and Boston in 2018. A series of tragic events that occurred during World War Two will come back into the present because of a diamond bracelet about to go on display in a museum. It wasn't a simple bracelet but one of two that, when put together, made a butterfly bracelet.

All the Diamonds in Paris reminds the reader of the horrors of WW2. As a reader, I got a glimpse of the treatment of the Jewish people. I experienced the attitudes of others towards the Jewish people. I was reminded of the sense of entitlement that the Nazis had during that time.

An SS officer, thinking he deserved the bracelet, will cause of a series of events that brings the reader into the present while learning of the past. The determination of Collette wanting answers about the bracelet will expose the shocking truth that changes everything.

** spoiler alert ** ** spoiler alert ** Thank you to #NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review this ARC. I give this novel a 5/5 ⭐️!

It was FANTASTIC, and I don’t give 5 stars out often.
Anabel made me cringe when we first met her and I honestly thought she was a little lost in the head. She raises her daughter Collette to believe she descended from Robin Hood (yes the one from the fables). When Collette turns ten she begins her thief training and scores her first pocketwatch kicking off her lifes purpose. Taught to only take from those individuals they found to be evil and underserving of their wealth.

When Collete comes into the frame, we meet her as an 89 year old woman who has funded Holocaust and other charities. She steals a yellow ring from a neo-nazi that did some regrettable things to ger children.

The love and friendship that was formed between Collette and Marty had me tearing up. A love that transcended decades and could never be as her uncle discouraged her had me in a chokehold once Marty started saying sweet things to her in the shop when he first comes into the story.

Then lets briefly mention the intrigue surrounding the bracelets from the twins, and how it lead to deaths and tragedy.

As you can tell by the summary of how this book starts, yes this book is a dual time slip, and it also has plot twists a hint of mystery, heartbreak, and poignant moments that will stay with you. I could not put this down and had to binge it as fast as I could. Harmel is phenomenal author and I have enjoyed her other books greatly as well.

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Kristin Harmel’s All the Diamonds in Paris is a captivating historical fiction novel that blends romance, mystery, and the resilience of the human spirit. Set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Paris, the story follows the journey of a young woman determined to uncover her family’s past while protecting a hidden treasure.

Harmel’s meticulous research shines through in her vivid descriptions of wartime Paris, immersing readers in the city’s beauty and darkness. The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, intertwining past and present narratives that build intrigue and emotional depth. The protagonist is compelling—intelligent, courageous, and deeply human—making her journey one readers will eagerly follow.

One of the book’s standout elements is its exploration of themes like love, sacrifice, and the value of history.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from an author I had not read before. Seeing how the story developed across the dual timelines was fascinating. A difficult book to put down. The only thing I found a little unbelievable was the Robin Hood connection but I guess the robbing the rich to give to the poor needed to be explained somehow.

Such a sad book in many ways. You felt the loss keenly throughout the book. But how exciting to read about the nearly 90 year old jewel thief. It was refreshing to see the world through the main characters eyes as an older woman. Great dual time aspect story and good resolution a the end with a few twists along the way.

Kristin Harmel is a phenomenal storyteller. All the Diamonds in Paris is brilliantly plotted, beautifully written and has a collection of characters that are compelling and complex.

The dual timelines set in WW2 in Paris and then in recent time in the US balanced the narrative well.

Most of the story is told from Colette's perspective and she tries to make peace with the division of her family, following a German raid. A major part of the novel is Colette's family history with being jewel thieves for the purpose of doing good - a modern day Robin Hood. Filled with romance and kindness, I absolutely loved reading this and highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

I am a huge fan of Kristin Harmel and I was delighted to get the opportunity to review her newest book All the Diamonds in Paris. The story is set in a dual timeline in 2018 in America and in the 1940s in Paris. The central character is Colette a French teenager that has been taught to steal by her mother to help those in need. I loved this book and I devoured it over a course of a day!

“When we find ourselves in darkness, we can’t wait for the light to find us.”

Without a doubt, this book will be in my top 2025 reads!

An 89-year-old looks back at her life as a wartime Robin Hood ~ stealing from the Nazis and collaborators to give to the French Resistance.

This book is about:
✔️Rebalancing the scales of justice and the lifelong effort to do so
✔️Desperately finding a home in a broken world
✔️Our identity and what shapes us
✔️loss, grief, secrets
✔️Being forced to do illicit things for the greater good in wartime

My takeaway: We are all capable of doing extraordinary things to effect change; become an agent of change

I was gifted this extraordinary book by Headline and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.