ISBN: 9781662513442
Publisher: Montlake
Publication Date: 05/13/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars +(ARC)
From the author of The Brighter the Light comes a haunting tale of hope that spans generations, intertwining the lives of three women who fight for survival in 1940s France and present-day Virginia.
At twenty-five, Ruby Nevins has already endured more than most. But after two years of battling cancer, she’s warily determined to move forward. Researching a new project about a French actress, she soon uncovers an old diary that will change her life forever…
Cécile, the “it girl” of early 1940s French cinema, vanished from Nazi-occupied Paris in 1942. Sylvia Rousseau, Cécile’s dressmaker and confidante, left that same year. Working to piece together the truth behind Cécile’s disappearance and Sylvia’s extraordinary life, Ruby recognizes the women as kindred spirits. They risked their hearts and lives to aid the Resistance, and each day was a struggle to survive.
Ruby knows her cancer could come back, but she’s learning to embrace the future rather than fear it. If Cécile and Sylvia could live their lives in the shadow of death, so can Ruby. Because she knows there’s so much life—and love—to fight for.
About the Author
TIMELESS WOMEN'S FICTION
Amazon Charts bestselling author, Mary Ellen Taylor’s love of her home state Virginia is evident in her contemporary women’s fiction, including The Promise of Tomorrow, Winter Cottage , Spring House, and Honeysuckle Season. She brings her new home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina to life in her latest novel The Brighter The Light, and When the Rain Ends.
As do so many people, her protagonists search for their place in the world, exploring issues of family, home, love and belonging. Inevitably, Mary Ellen’s stories interweave setting, history and mysteries that span past and present.
Mary Ellen is also known nationally as New York Times and USA Today bestselling suspense novelist Mary Burton. Together, they have published fifty novels and five novellas. Mary Burton’s upcoming, What She Saw will be released, August 2025.
When not traveling or writing, Mary Ellen spends time with her husband enjoying walks on the beach with their miniature dachshund Tiki.
Connect with Mary Ellen
Exceptional Authors. Standout Books.
Elevator Talk.
Behind the Book & the Author
INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW.
Q&A Elevator Ride with bestselling author
Mary Ellen Taylor & AFTER PARIS
Coming, May 2025!
My Review
Southern storyteller, Mary Ellen Taylor (favorite author) returns following The Promise of Tomorrow with her latest poignant, compelling, and most powerful novel yet, AFTER PARIS.
From the stunning front cover, #covercrush, page one, to the satisfying ending, you will be transported from Virginia and France in this impressive tale of three strong women with dual timelines, memorable characters, rich in detail, history, and charm.
An exquisite Mother's Day gift & Book Club pick! History. Romance. Mystery. From a master storyteller comes a meticulously researched, beautifully written, haunting, and captivating story of resilience, love, and the enduring courage of three women spanning generations.
About...
Norfolk, VA 2025:
Ruby Nevis loves fashion, history, writing, film, and life. She one day wants to be a mother and she has had to be creative due to the cancer and treatment.
Three years earlier, she graduated from college and worked as a tour guide in Paris. Her specialty tours focused on films made in the City of Lights.
Her time there ended with her cancer diagnosis, and she headed back to the states. Her journey through Cancerland had begun. Her boyfriend, Scott at the time, decided he could not handle and returned to Paris. Her family and friends were supportive.
Ruby needed to work to keep her mind busy and The Virginia Tourism Bureau hired her to write a series of articles for the following year's spring French film festival. She was to write a profile on their feature film, Secrets in the Shadows, which stars the French actress Cécile.
Paris: 1940's
Cécile, the "it girl" of early 1940s French cinema, vanished from Nazi-occupied Paris in 1942. Sylvia Rousseau, Cécile's dressmaker and confidante, left that same year.
At age twenty-five, Ruby has had her share of struggles. But after two years of battling cancer, she's determined to move forward. Little does she know, while researching this new project and an old diary, this will change her life.
She works to piece together the truth behind Cécile's disappearance and Sylvia's extraordinary life, and sees the two women as kindred spirits. They risked their hearts and lives to aid the Resistance, and each day was a struggle to survive.
Ruby knows her cancer could come back, but she's learning to embrace the future rather than fear it. She meets with Sylvia's daughter to learn more from a diary (who holds secrets of the past) who lives in the DC area after her mother moved to the US after the war and had passed away—for a fascinating journey into the lives of these two incredible women while learning to overcome her fears and live for the future.
Why did they disappear? What did they discover about themselves that led them to change their paths?
If Cécile and Sylvia could live in the shadow of death, so can Ruby. Because she knows there's so much life—and love—to fight for.
My thoughts...
I loved AFTER PARIS and it will be on my top books of 2025 with all the stars. The author has outdone herself! No one does historical fiction better than Mary Ellen Taylor. I am a huge long-time fan and have read every book. Each one is a masterpiece, and you are assured you will come away learning something, inspired, and empowered.
AFTER PARIS is a haunting, yet beautiful tale — full of suspense, mystery, and romance, rich in history and character. These three women's lives are intertwined in a way that will keep you turning the pages. Ruby, a modern-day woman battling cancer, Cécile, the 'it girl' of 1940s French cinema, and Sylvia, Cécile's dressmaker and confidante, all fight for survival in the tumultuous times of 1940s France and present-day Virginia.
The author's research is highly impressive, from the fashion, the settings, the history, WWII, the film industry, dressmaking, and the incredible courageous women who risked it all to protect their country and lives. Her suspenseful stories always touch your heart and your mind.
The author dazzles with dual timelines (past & present), both equally as compelling, with multiple POV: Dominique, Ruby, Sylvia, Hauptmann Otto Wolfgang, and a chapter from Jeff (all marked and easy to follow). We learn about the The French Resistance, a secret network of French citizens who fought against Nazi occupation during World War II which is a fascinating topic of French historians.
In this poignant tale, Taylor showcases her talent for transporting readers through history with a charming romance, tenacious and fascinating women, and a strong takeaway.
I also enjoyed the parts set in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, which is a stunning location referenced in the story. If you have read MET's Union Street Bakery Series and Alexandria Series, you will enjoy revisiting this lovely area and the bakery. (I loved both these series).
I enjoyed the well-developed, highly relatable characters from the past and Ruby and Jeff in the present. I adored Eric, her brother, and Jeff (rooting for these two from the beginning). This book is full of heart, soul, wisdom, love, and loss but also of hope, resilience, triumph and second chances.
I highly recommend! If you have not read this author, you are missing out. I recommend reading her entire list and also her thrillers under Mary Burton. Coming 8/26 What She Saw.
Interview...
I am delighted and honored to host Mary Ellen Taylor for an upcoming May #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A ride. In this series, we go behind the book and up close and personal with the talented author, providing readers with a unique opportunity to gain insights into the writing process and the inspiration behind the book. (pub day, May 13). Sign up for my newsletter on my blog to have it delivered to your inbox.
Recs...
AFTER PARIS is for fans of compelling historical fiction, dual time-lines, multi-generational strong women with a sprinkling of romance and those who enjoy works by Joy Callaway, Camille Di Maio, Lynda Cohen Loigman, Kristin Hannah, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Jenni L. Walsh, Julia Kelly, and Patti Callahan Henry,
Special thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for a gifted advanced review copy for my honest thoughts. Perfect for book clubs and Mother's Day. I look forward to seeing who will be narrating the audio version. Move this gem to the top of your spring TBR list.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: May 13, 2025
May 2025 Must-Read Books
