The Socialite: A Novel of World War II

Written by J'nell Ciesielski

Narrated by Daisy May Parsons

When her younger sister runs away to Paris to live with a German officer high up in Hitler’s favor, English socialite Kat embarks on a dangerous journey to save her sister from the Nazis. Glamour, romance, and espionage collide in this exciting, high-stakes adventure.

As the daughter of Sir Alfred Whitford, Kat has certain responsibilities. Chasing her wayward younger sister, Ellie, to Nazi-occupied Paris was never supposed to be one of them. Unfortunately, Ellie has grown accustomed to the luxurious lifestyle her Nazi lover provides and has no intention of going back to the shackled life their parents dictate—but Kat will stop at nothing to bring her sister home.

Barrett Anderson was arrested for defending himself against a drunken bully of high birth. Given the option of jail or training Resistance fighters in Paris, Barrett chooses the latter. He poses as a bar owner, entertaining Nazis at night while his men train right below their jackboots during the day. An assignment to watch over two English debutantes is the last thing he needs, but a payout from their father is too tempting to resist.

From the moment Kat and Barrett meet, tempers flare and sparks fly. Despite their differences, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other in order to survive this deadly mission. In the end, their hearts may prove more traitorous than the dangers waiting around the corner.

Both a daring journey into Nazi-occupied Paris and a captivating love story, The Socialite will enchant readers with its beautiful prose and unforgettable characters.

Praise for The Socialite:

“Smart, savvy, and seductive, J’nell Ciesielski’s The Socialite takes the reader on a high-stakes thrill ride through the darkness of WWII–occupied Paris.”—Kristy Cambron, bestselling and award-winning author

“In the tradition of Ariel Lawhon and Kate Quinn, The Socialite immerses readers in the glamor and destruction of Nazi-occupied Paris. A picture-perfect portrait of early 1940s Paris, this impeccably researched love story stands out in a sea of WWII-era fiction with its distinctive crystalline voice and unforgettable hero and heroine.”—Rachel McMillan, author of The London Restoration

• Exciting World War II historical romance
• Full-length, stand-alone novel
• Book length: 110,000 words

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Apr 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9780785233558

J'nell Ciesielski

Bestselling author J’nell Ciesielski has a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories while weaving fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. She is a member of the Tall Poppy Writers and lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com.  

Reviews for The Socialite

[victoria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing!! Highly recommend! The writing is beautiful and the narrator is so easy to listen to.

[jynell-71874 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

To what lengths would you go to rescue your family when they are traveling down a dangerous path?

I love reading historical fiction set during WWII and even more so since traveling to Europe myself. Ciesielski brings Paris alive during this time period as Kat travels there in an attempt to "rescue" her sister Ellie, who is dating a Nazi officer. The added suspense to the typical historical fiction novel is one of my favorite to read and the plot in "The Socialite" does not disappoint. I found myself unable to put this down.

Does Kat succeed in bringing Ellie home? You'll have to read to find out!

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this and give my honest opinion!

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mixed feelings on this one - it's a fun book to read, but not quite as compelling as some of the other WWII-era historical fiction I've read. The first half of the book, despite a setting in occupied Paris, feels like a party description, as Kat and her sister Ellie parade through stylish Parisian apartments, nightclubs, museums, and even take a slide trip to Adolf Hitler's Bavarian hideout. Danger eventually catches up to these two sisters, but not before Kat falls in love and Ellie (finally!) breaks off her affair with a Nazi officer. The last half of the book picks up the pace, as they attempt to escape France with Nazis on their heels. Overall, this made for an enjoyable read, but it felt implausible in comparison to other novels which have explored this era.

[asheley-627878 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kat has come to Nazi-occupied Paris to rescue her sister Ellie, who is in a relationship with a Nazi. Ellie has a glamorous life in Paris, with fine clothing and parties with like-minded friends. She really doesn’t think about what all of that glitz and fun means for her family and to other people. Kat is afraid for her sister, who has always been a bit of a wild card and does not like being told what to do. Ellie does not want to go back home. Kat ends up getting help from a local bar owner named Barrett Anderson who secretly works as part of the Resistance. Unbeknownst to either sister, Barrett has been keeping an eye on them both.My favorite part of this story is the sister relationship. Kat and Ellie are so different, but they are family. Their relationship reminds me of my own with my sisters, except for the whole Nazi part. The writing is lovely and it was easy to be transported to Paris in 1941. I enjoyed the relationships in the story, particularly that of Kat and Barrett, which develops into a romantic relationship. I felt a ton of suspense with Kat working for the Resistance. There was so much danger involved. And I do not blame Kat one bit for risking her life in trying to save her sister.The Socialite is suspenseful and dangerous with a great romance and wonderful sisterly bond.I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Thomas Nelson!

[hes7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

English socialite Kat needs to bring her sister home, but Ellie has become accustomed to a lavish lifestyle in Nazi-occupied Paris, thanks to her Nazi boyfriend, and has no intention of leaving. Scottish bar owner Barrett Anderson is working to undermine the tyranny in the city, and as it turns out, becoming entangled in Kat’s dilemma could prove beneficial. As the pair navigates the complicated circumstances, nothing is certain—and danger never feels too far behind.J’nell Ciesielski’s The Socialite offers a fascinating look into the experience of Nazi-occupied Paris. A vividly described setting sets the story up to be quite atmospheric, while the characters—their personalities, their emotions, their choices (and romance!)—feel authentic. From beginning to end, The Socialite proves captivating, and I so enjoyed it. Historical readers, definitely pick up this book.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even though I don't have a sister I found myself wondering, as I read The Socialite, what I would have done and how far I would have gone to protect my sister if I thought that she was in danger, or worse yet, involved with a person who followed an ideology based on hatred and murder. This is the premise of J'Nell Ciesielski's story and what a story it is! Romance, betrayal, danger, and espionage are included and this is definitely a book that you won't soon forget. Ciesielski has created characters that seem to jump off the pages in this beautifully crafted story and she has given me an entirely new perception of England, Paris, and France during the era of Adolf Hitler and World War II.If you enjoy historical fiction and clean romantic fiction, you will certainly want to read The Socialite. The cover alone is incentive enough to add it to your bookshelf!I received a copy of this book from the author through Celebrate Lit. I wasn't obligated to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story blew me away with his details and historical facts. The story is rich in history and the author transported me back to when Hitler was in control. The man is pure evil and the thought of what he did to people is hard to comprehend. Everywhere you looked, his presence was known by the violence he loved to cast on others. Kat was so determined to bring her sister back home that she will risk her life. I loved her spirt of family and how she would do anything to rescue her sister from the evil clutches of Eric. As I got to know Kat I soon saw that deep down in her heart she desired to have her father proud of her. Her mission to bring Ellie home was out of unconditional love for her sister and the need to have her father say he was proud of her.Ellie was a real handful at times. She is so blind to Eric’s underhanded treatment of people that she finds herself like a puppet to him. She made me mad as she so willingly let him dictate her every step. Ellie is happy to see her sister but Ellie is stubborn and won’t believe that Eric is bad for her. I loved reading about how Hitler came into power and the struggles many people faced when he took everything from innocent people. The story is very detailed about the war and the fallout it had on the Jewish community. There is so much going on in the story that at times I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The character I liked the most was Barrett. Oh my what a man of integrity he is. He will risk his life to protect Kat and Ellie. There were several scenes when Kat and Barrett clashed that I found to be frustrating. Kat is so determined to do things on her own which ends up putting her, Ellie and Barrett in grave danger. Barrett is willing to lay his life down in order for Kat and Ellie to find their way home to freedom. I enjoyed reading the story and think it made sone interesting points. Courage comes from within and to never give up hope. Trust your instincts and follow the path that leads to the truth. The story shows how easy someone can be manipulated when they want to be loved so badly. The ending is an epic adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat. If you love history this book is a must read. As I end my review I wonder if we would be brave enough to stand up for what we believe in? I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[stardust_fiddle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Historical fiction has always been my favorite genre, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. One of the time periods that I tend to gravitate toward is WWII, and I’ve read fairly extensively within that category. As such, there aren’t many storylines that I haven’t encountered. This book, however, brings some interesting twists that make it distinguishable, and I have a feeling that it’s one read I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. Also, since the author is new to me, I am delighted to be able to add to my list of must-read Christian authors.As an introvert, the title “The Socialite” honestly makes me a bit nervous, and the obvious opulence displayed by the forward—facing woman on the cover is also polar-opposite to my nature. Looks can be deceiving, though, and that could function as a tagline for this story. With a diverse panoply of characters, author J’nell Ciesielski takes readers into Nazi-occupied France in 1941, as the Fuhrer is continuing to establish his control throughout Europe. Where the novel becomes unique is in its focus, exploring the lives of two sisters whose paths have diverged. Ellie is more of a free spirit, no longer wanting to be tied down by her demanding parents, whereas Kat has always been the model older sister, obedient and yielding. Thus it falls on her to retrieve Ellie from the very heart of the Nazi regime in Paris, where Ellie is living with and romancing a Nazi officer named Eric von Schlegel. Of course, that is very much easier said than done, and a bar owner and important member of the Resistance, training fighters underground, arrives on the scene. Needless to say, “The Socialite” is brim-full of action and adventure, as well as romance and the whole gamut of human emotions. An exhilarating read, I love how it engages the reader by taking situations that were plausible for the time and not only allowing readers to feel that they are experiencing events right along with the characters, but also to witness the characters’ thoughts. By doing so, readers realize that courage is not always strong and mighty, but more often a determination to succeed against the odds with the Lord’s help, by the grace of God. Another point that this book reinforces is that there can be some good in even the seemingly most evil people and events, and that sometimes we hide inside our ivory towers to try to escape what is happening when in fact God is calling us to suit up and march into battle. Fans of Kate Breslin’s “For Such a Time”, especially, and any Christian historical fiction and historical romance books will want to meet and read “The Socialite.” There is still much that we can learn from history, starting with the reminder that God goes before us and behind us, protecting and guiding us through every obstacle.I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[becky_l-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An author friend recently asked for the most romantic line from a book we’d read recently. I couldn’t think of one. Now that I’ve read J’nell Ciesielski’s The Socialite, I have the answer. “Most women would have crumbled by now, but not you. And as long as I’m next to you, I’ll not let you.” (Swoon!)“For good or bad, family has its way of leaving a mark on you no matter how far you roam.” If I could quote only one line that sums up much of the conflict in this novel, this would be it. Kathleen Whitford has traveled to Nazi occupied Paris to bring home her rebellious, wandering sister, Ellie. Unfortunately, Ellie is running from her controlling family into the arms of a German officer. Kat struggles with Ellie’s behavior, but then Kat begins to realize she herself is desperate to escape her family’s expectations of her. Also desperate to escape secrets is Scots barkeep Barrett Anderson, running from a past threatening to arise from a drunken alley to overtake him. Pawns in a game where the loser forfeits life and/or the war itself, all three are in dire need of escaping the Gestapo.Ciesielski presents the occupied people, the German conquerors, and the those who mingle in between so well. I don’t read much WWII fiction, and now I remember why not. Ciesielski is not overly gruesome, but just the thought of the atrocities that the Jews or Allied sympathizers faced had my heart beating triple time in terror. Amidst all the double-speak and wondering if the trio could stay out of German concentration camps, I had to laugh when one character well-described consorting with the German hierarchy... “we climb up the social ladder of snakes.”I loved some history tidbits. Like how rationing caused women to go from silk stockings to cotton stockings to staining their legs with tea. Ugh! Or how the German officers would require only German music be played. So, talented, wily artists would adapt well-known English tunes to mock their captors and cheer their countrymen.I had to smile, even as I was very anxious whether the three would be found out.Themes include betrayal, escaping family expectations, and overcoming pride.One theme, Barrett repeatedly reminds Kat, is that everybody serves an important purpose in the machinery of espionage. No role is more glorious nor less crucial. So reminiscent of the body of Christ, where each has a job, and all are needed, whether they appear so or not.What I may have wished for: an inclusion of God in the story, and a little less emphasis on lengthy details of kisses. Physical love is indeed powerful, but I like best when it is subtle and hinted at.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. This in no way influences my opinions, which are solely my own.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Page-turning adventureTake a socialite from England, transplant her into the lair of a German Major and then send her sister and a Scotsman to bring her back to England. It is 1941 in German occupied Paris. Ellie fancies herself in love with the German and Kat is here to change her mind and take her home to safety. Barrett, our Scotsman, is tasked with getting them both home in one piece. The character development was fabulous, especially in Kat as she grows from one who has always done what she is told into someone who can think and act for herself. I loved all the detail from Berchtesgaden and Chiemsee as I have had the privilege of visiting this incredibly beautiful area, including the Eagle’s Nest. There is plenty of action, suspense and romance along with a few surprises in this page-turning adventure. With rich detail, the author takes the reader along, teaching us all a little more of what true hardship is especially during a time of war, when connections mean life or death.This copy was received through Thomas Nelson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. My comments and impressions were in no way solicited.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As this book opens, we are in Paris, and what should be a beautiful place is now occupied by the enemy. Kat has made it there and wants to convince her sister to come home to England, and this is where we join the story,I can't even imagine the horror of living during this time of evil, but we are soon hobnailing it with the Germans and the leaders at the very top.There is a bit of romance, violence, and a fear that those we begin to care about may not make it out alive.I will note that this is definitely not a Christian book, and was surprised, but the read made this period very real.I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.

[medwards429 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Thomas Nelson/TNZ Fiction, JustRead Publicity Tours for providing a complimentary advanced review copy. A positive review was not required. All words are my own.

J’Nell Ciesielski is a new-to-me-author and she doesn’t disappoint.

Some “trigger” or content warnings might include:

* Anti-Semitism

* Nazis (particularly Adolf Hitler)

* Genocide (or rather a hint at it)

* Homicide

* Suicide

I have, as of last year, been choosing to read certain books outside my preferred genre. One of the historical time periods I enjoy – World War II. My grandfather served on an escort carrier in the Pacific, and my grandmother was home in the states with a young son (he was born in December 1943). Also, my grandmother’s family is from the Alsace-Lorraine area. So, the story grabbed my attention.

J’Nell Ciesielski’s “The Socialite” takes a dark, yet somewhat romantic turn in 1941’s occupied Paris.

The cover is striking, yet simple – a young woman on a balcony overlooking the Parisian skyline. One would hardly know anything is wrong from that view. No one would know or suspect that deep underneath the beauty is something ugly, sinister, and evil.

While it was hard to start at first, I was soon drawn in and felt like I was right there as it was happening. It was hard to put down, and at times I had to as I needed to breathe. At times subtle and light, this was at times terrifying – especially the scenes with Hitler. These were scenes I thought could have been left out, but at the same time, they highlight the reality of the evil that was present in that time.

This richly historical novel doesn’t hesitate to pull out all the stops. Intriguing, daring, bold, dangerous, shocking, brutal, passionate, edge-of-seat read that includes high society and spies. This also included violence and murder. It was a highly emotional read for sure.

Kathleen “Kat” Whitford is there to “rescue” her sister, Eleanor “Ellie” Whitfield from Nazi-occupied France. In addition, Kat is also there to rescue Ellie from becoming a pawn in the Third Reich’s propaganda machine. And, Ellie has no idea that her German lover is a married man with his own agenda.

Barrett Anderson, who is unassuming as a barkeep, is not only there to watch over them, but he is part of the resistance. I truly loved Barrett and Kat. And, had the situation not been as serious as it was, their banter would’ve been hilarious.

While categorized as a romance, there was more focus on the intelligence as well as escape of Kat and Ellie than on the romance with Barrett and Kat.

The “romance” between Eric and Ellie was creepy and disturbing; though not unrealistic for the time and situation it was set in.

Ellie begins to see Eric’s true evil when he shoots a Jewish man who breaks into the pub during a “party”. But, that still doesn’t convince her to leave – even his “punishment” of her and her sister. Once she and Kate learn of Eric (and his wife’s) true intent for her, Ellie knows she has to leave.

This is where the escape took up most of the plot, and was an edge of the seat journey that towards the end almost had me holding my breath.

Kat’s progression as a character was not surprising. She was the older, and obviously more mature of the siblings. There was one incident that surprised me that it didn’t seem to haunt her as perhaps it should’ve. Barrett’s past was revealed in chapter 25 and it was heart-breaking.

While the story had a “happy as can be, given the circumstances” type of ending (remember this was 1941 and the war wouldn’t end until 1945), I was still deeply concerned about the true fate of two of the “servants” from Ellie’s apartment – Pierre and Sylvie. Pierre (and his probably his family) and Sylvie were apparently hauled off towards Poland. Although I am almost certain most everyone knew what their fate was. That was what disturbed me the most. I think I would’ve felt better about the ending if they had been revealed to have been “okay”.

The ending did; again, given the situation; make me smile. Kat’s impulsiveness and determination were a wonderful sight and showed that her progression wasn’t just because of the circumstances or a plot device.

Ellie’s progression was more “told” by way of Kat mentioning it to Barrett. I would’ve liked to have seen more of a progression with her, and perhaps seen her one final time before the story ended.

Even though this was distributed by TNZ Fiction/Thomas Nelson, a Christian division of HarperCollins, this book has no real Christian references. This is a clean read with no real sex scenes and no offensive/questionable language. There is some heavy kissing with references to prostitutes and a whore house.

I would like to see a sequel to see where Ellie’s story might end up along with concluding Pierre and Sylvie’s fate – whatever it might be. Also, as I felt there could’ve been a “post-war” epilogue to see how all the characters ended up or where, that would be great to include in a potential sequel.

Those who enjoy a spy/intrigue fictional story set in World War II or fans of the author may enjoy this read.

[cherylk_44 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. Right from the moment I picked up this book until the last page, I was swept up into this world and the lives of Kat, Ellie, and Barrett. Kat is definitely the voice of reason. Whereas, her sister, Ellie was living in a bubble. The war was on their doorstep and they were walking through it but yet Ellie just wanted to live in the moment with planning parties and enjoying the luxury of dating a high ranking military man. Barrett is a gentleman, not to mention has tons of patience. He was tested over and over again but he never fully gave in to his anger. There is a bit of romance between Kat and Barrett. However, it was not the man focal point of the story. Which I liked a lot as this story is a historical story and not a romance one. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read historical fiction books. J'Nell Ciesielski swept me away into the pages of this story with a rich storyline and engaging characters with The Socialite.

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is an exciting book about Paris during the WWII. There are many ways to view this time period and this book shows us the differences between the rich and the poor, the way the conquering Nazis were treated and the way the Parisian citizens lived and the vengeance of the Nazis vs the people working in the Resistance. The characters were very well written and the plot was exciting and kept me turning pages to see how the book would end.Paris 1941 - Kat, a rich aristocrat from Britain has arrived in Paris to rescue her sister Ellie. Kat was always the perfect daughter who followed the rules of society while Ellie was the wild child who wanted to do things her own way. Several months before Kat arrived, Ellie ran away to Paris and started living with a high ranking Nazi officer. Ellie is living the life of luxury in Paris with Eric and has no intention of going back to Britain. She is thrilled with her life - her jewelry and furs bought for her by Eric and the ability to attend all the good parties in Paris with the other high ranking Nazis and their women. Kat despises the Nazis and knows that Ellie will be in deep trouble if she keeps following the life style she is living. Kat has the problem of keeping her feelings to herself while staying with Ellie and Eric. Helping Kat out is Barrett, the owner of a bar that caters to the Nazis while working with the Resistance and training new recruits. The more time that Kat spends with Barrett, the more that she is drawn to him even though she tries not to get involved with him, she does become involved with the resistance work that he was doing. In his own way, Barrett uses Kat and her social skills to infiltrate the Nazi inner circle in Paris. Even though he appears to be trying to help Kat and Ellie, he is hiding a secret from them that could ruin his growing relationship with Kat.The four main characters of the novel are all leading totally different lives and working for different causes - Eric is a Nazi who strongly believes in the goals of the Third Reich, Ellie, his mistress goes along with whatever Eric wants, her sister Kat is against the goals of the Nazis and Barrett is part of the resistance who wants the Nazi regime overthrown. They are living much too close to danger and when it erupts the main question is who will survive?

[mishker-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ellie Whitford has escaped the confines of her stuffy and aristocratic English home and has found her place in Occupied Paris.  Her boyfriend in the head of Culture and Social Movement for the SS.  As a high ranking Nazi, Eric von Schlegel has riches and the power to give Ellie anything she wants and Ellie revels in party planning and creating social circles for Eric.   Ellie's family wants her back, Kat Whitford has been sent to Paris to do just that.  However, getting out of Occupied Paris is a lot harder than getting in, so Ellie's father made sure she had the help of Barrett Anderson, a Resistance Operative for the SIS.  Barrett will be rewarded heavily for his return to England with the Whitford sisters.  However, Ellie's situation with Eric becomes more dangerous and plans for extraction are hastened.  The Socialite is an exciting romance at the height of World War II.  Well developed, thoughtful characters and an invigorating pace made The Socialite a moving read. Through Ellie, the influence of the Nazi's through art, music, theatre and social gatherings was shown.  I was intrigued by the groups visit to Hitler's Bavarian home, The Berghof and how he surrounded himself with his ideals.  Through Barrett,  the strength of the Resistance and what they were willing to do to oppose the Nazis was highlighted.  Kat's strength, hope and love for he sister was evident from the very beginning.  Kat has always believed herself to be a dutiful daughter, stuck in doing exactly what her father wants.  However, as soon as she arrives in Paris, Kat begins thinking for herself and realizing how capable she really is.  I loved the slow blooming romance between Kat and Barrett as they complimented each other's attributes, learned how to trust and heal past wounds.  Overall, a fast-paced, exhilarating romance through of different point of view during World War II.This book was received for free in return for an honest review.  

[kimpotter-309059 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Socialite by J’Nell Ciesielski is a stand-alone World War 2 era novel. Sent to occupied Paris by her father, Sir Alfred Whitford, to bring home her wayward younger sister, Kat never dreamed what awaited her there. Ellie has disgraced the family name and taken up with a Nazi officer. Now Kat must figure out a way to get her sister safely back to England. Barrett Anderson is working for British Intelligence, training resistance fighters in the basement of his pub in Paris. Sir Alfred hires him to bring his girls home safely. Will Kat and Barrett be able to rescue Ellie from the clutches of her Nazi suitor or will they be killed in the power struggle? The story line had great potential. The characters were very likable and meshed well. You had the good guys and the bad guys that made for that good vs. evil content. I liked Kat’s character. She was able to work thru her hurt and pain and find forgiveness. There was just a lot of things in the story that could have been left out.Disclaimer: This book had a lot of innuendo, drinking, smoking, kissing, heavy making out, content not appropriate for younger readers. The war scenes were very graphic.I received this book from Just Reads for my honest review.

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Socialite, the first novel I’ve read by J’nell Ciesielski, captivated my attention immediately. Although the story takes place in Nazi-occupied France during WWII and the sad happenings of that time are depicted, I appreciated that the storyline isn’t overwhelmingly dark. The plot focuses not on the atrocities of that time, but on the characters and their relationships. I quickly found myself invested in the lives of Kat, Ellie, and Barrett. Kat and Ellie’s sisterly bond persisted even through times of disagreement and danger. Kat and Barrett suited each other. I enjoyed their blossoming romance and how they prodded each other’s personal growth.The Socialite by J’nell Ciesielski is written for the general market as a clean historical fiction novel with underlying inspirational themes. This beautiful novel oozes historical research and earns a five-star rating from me. I had a hard time putting it down and would love to reread this novel in the future.Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

[grammy57 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was pleased to be able to read and review this book through Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing. I truly enjoyed the book. It is listed as a Christian book, but there truly wasn't much about being a Christian at all. But, it is a mostly clean book. One sister is living in open sin with someone but that is as "bad" as it gets.The story has a new twist on living during WWII. It told a little about the French resistance, it told a little about the Nazi's but it was mostly a love story. It was well told and the characters were very believable. It was a story that draws you in and you are pulling for the heroine throughout.The Kindle edition I was given was an ARC and it needed very little in the way of additional editing. This was very encouraging to me. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to my friends. My review is totally my own opinion and I am not required to leave a positive review. I give this book a 4 out of 5 star review.