As Germans occupy her ancestral home in 1914 France, Aurelie realizes that she knows the German major's aide-de-camp, but their new love leads to betrayal and Aurelie's escape to her estranged American mother's home at the Ritz in Paris. Raised at the Ritz by her American grandmother, Daisy is involved in resistance activities during World War II until she learns a terrible family secret. In 1964, Barbara Langford is told by an American lawyer that her late husband knew Resistance fighter-turned-traitor La Fleur, and the two are off to Paris—and the Ritz. From historical fiction champs Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White.

The Paris Ritz has welcomed visitors for centuries, including Aurelie, Daisy, and Babs, each in her own time and with her own worries. In 1914, Aurelie and her American mother are living at the Ritz while they watch the Great War encompass the city and country they love. In 1942, Daisy isn't living with her grandmother anymore but she visits often, even though she'd rather not get caught up in her Resistance efforts. In 1964, Barbara has traveled from England to help a virtual stranger discover the identity of La Fleur, a member of the French Resistance. Babs has only seen this name once, at the bottom of a love letter she hid from her future husband, and she too would like to know more about this woman. All three of these "team W" writers (Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White) create engaging characters and complex relationships while setting a tone that matches the story's time period. Longtime fans will enjoy references to previous works by the authors (The Glass Ocean) and newcomers will be grateful for the discovery of three new authors to follow. The twist at the center of the story is worth the price of admission on its own. VERDICT A great choice for anyone looking for clever historical fiction with plenty of drama, action, and surprises in every chapter. [See Prepub Alert, 7/15/19.]—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH