The Socialite: A Novel of World War II

by J'nell Ciesielski

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
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

• ISBN10: 0785233520
• ISBN13: 9780785233527
• Publish Date: 14 May 2020 (first published 14 April 2020)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Thomas Nelson Publishers
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

[phyllish]

Espionage and danger abound

My rating is 4.5 stars

Intrigue and espionage abound in this World War II adventure.

Kat, a proper English lady, finds herself in occupied France, living in an apartment paid for by her sister's lover, a Nazi officer. As she attempts to influence her sister to return home without alienating her, she becomes embroiled in espionage and even finds herself a guest of Adolph Hitler himself!

Barrett is a scrappy Scot who runs a bar. Trains resistance fighters. And rescues damsels in distress. I enjoyed his brash confidence and quick thinking. Kat drove him crazy with her innocence and a face that gave away her feelings so clearly.

Moving quickly and whisking me away to another time and place, The Socialite was fascinating. Barrett's secrets and feelings of inadequacy due to the circumstances of his birth created a barrier between Kat and himself.

As you may imagine, with Kat's sister being a mistress, the story deals with some seedy subjects but handles them delicately. Though labeled as "Christian" on Amazon, there is no mention of God, nor any life-change due to His influence in the story, so I didn't classify it as such. In fact, the romance between Kat and Barrett was a little steamy. At one point in particular, it is clear that if their kissing had not been interrupted, things would have gone much further. There is no indication that either felt this would be wrong, other than for the sake of what society might think.

If you enjoy clean historical fiction, with a little passion, The Socialite is a great option for you.

Read my full review at Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.