Star Crossed by by Heather Dune Macadam (Kensington Books, Citadel)

Memories of tragic love in Nazi-occupied Paris, written with empathy for all the protagonists who wanted to live, love, and create during WWII

The narrator lovingly tells her about her interesting family and her older, almost adult sister, Annette, who is full of creativity and dreams for the future. When Annette, a Jew, falls in love with Jean, a Catholic, not only the Nazi regime stands against them but also their family.

In addition to personal history, the book also follows the social, cultural, and artistic history of Paris during the Second World War. Young Jewish women were seen as a little more exotic, independently minded, intelligent, and, as their admirers hoped, sexually liberated. Like a fata morgana, Paris was an oasis of art, music, culture, and books.

For young artists and writers, hungry for a sense of direction and place, the Cafe Flore was the perfect oasis in a country whose sense of identity had been shattered by occupying forces. But really, they were well-read, well-informed Parisians, and best of all, Germans avoided them.

Engaging read and a tribute to the family, love and peace.

3,5/5