THE ROOM ON RUE AMÉLIE - BOOK REVIEW

Title: The Room on Rue Amélie

Author: Kristin Harmel

Format: Paperback | Audiobook | E-Book

Pages: 416

Length: 10h07m

Published: 27 March 2018

Publisher: Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐

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Every once in a while, a book comes along that doesn’t just tug at your heartstrings—it wraps both hands around your heart and refuses to let go until you’ve turned the very last page… and maybe sat there for a few minutes after, blinking through tears and trying to remember how to breathe again. That was The Room on Rue Amélie for me.

I’ll be completely honest—by the end of the first chapter, I already had that all-too-familiar tightness in my throat. You know the one. The tell-tale sign that a story isn’t just going to scratch the surface, but dig deep and leave a mark. Kristin Harmel wastes absolutely no time pulling you into the raw, aching heart of her characters, and by page four, I already knew I was in for something emotional, gut-wrenching, and beautifully written.

The story centres on Ruby Henderson Benoit, an American woman who moves to Paris for love, only to find herself alone and heartbroken as Nazi occupation begins to tighten its grip on the city. What unfolds from there is not just Ruby’s story—but the intertwining lives of Charlotte, a young Jewish girl whose world is unraveling one law at a time, and Thomas, a brave British RAF pilot stranded behind enemy lines.

What makes this book so special is how Harmel weaves these three narratives together with such delicate care. Each character brings a different perspective—grief, hope, survival, sacrifice—and yet their paths cross in ways that feel both inevitable and devastating. The moments of connection between them are filled with tenderness and fear, small flickers of humanity shining through one of history’s darkest times.

I will say—going in, I had my reservations about the synopsis. (Full disclosure: I’m not a huge fan of overly detailed blurbs that feel like they give away half the plot before I’ve even opened the book.) And yes, by the halfway mark, I had a pretty good idea where the story might be heading. But that didn’t stop the twists, nor did it dilute the emotional gut punches waiting around every corner. Even knowing what might happen didn’t protect me from the moments that left me holding my breath or blinking away tears.

In terms of historical fiction, I’ll admit—this one leans a little more towards emotional, character-driven storytelling than deep historical immersion. If you’re going in expecting an intricate, detail-heavy WWII espionage novel, you might feel it skirts lightly over the bigger historical landscape. But honestly? That didn’t bother me. Because where this book shines is in its portrayal of love and friendship under impossible circumstances. It’s a love story, a story of courage, and a story about ordinary people making impossible choices for the people they care about.

Ruby’s transformation from a lonely, uncertain expat to a fierce member of the French Resistance was both believable and inspiring. Charlotte’s chapters were some of the hardest for me to read—heartbreaking in their innocence and terrifying in their reality. And Thomas... well, if you’re like me and already have a soft spot for fictional pilots, prepare yourself accordingly.

Kristin Harmel’s prose is simple but powerful—she doesn’t need flowery language to evoke emotion. Sometimes the quietest sentences hit the hardest. By the time I reached the final few pages, I was openly crying (not even bothering to hide it this time) and holding my breath with each word.

Final thoughts? This was a solid 5-star read for me. Not just for the story, but for the way it made me feel. For the reminders it gave me about bravery, about love, and about how sometimes, even in the worst moments of history, humanity finds a way to shine through.

If you’re looking for something beautiful, heartbreaking, and impossible to forget—The Room on Rue Amélie needs to go straight to the top of your reading list.

Also... fair warning: Tissues are mandatory for this one.