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The Book of Lost Names

Description:

“A fascinating, heartrending page-turner that, like the real-life forgers who inspired the novel, should never be forgotten.” —Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday

Inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II, a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis in this “sweeping and magnificent” (Fiona Davis, bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue) historical novel from the #1 international bestselling author of The Winemaker’s Wife.

Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books when her eyes lock on a photograph in the
New York Times. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in more than sixty years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.

The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War II—an experience Eva remembers well—and the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. Now housed in Berlin’s Zentral- und Landesbibliothek library, it appears to contain some sort of code, but researchers don’t know where it came from—or what the code means. Only Eva holds the answer, but does she have the strength to revisit old memories?

As a graduate student in 1942, Eva was forced to flee Paris and find refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, where she began forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. But erasing people comes with a price, and along with a mysterious, handsome forger named Rémy, Eva decides she must find a way to preserve the real names of the children who are too young to remember who they really are. The records they keep in
The Book of Lost Names will become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rémy disappears.

An engaging and evocative novel reminiscent of
The Lost Girls of Paris and The Alice Network, The Book of Lost Names is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of bravery and love in the face of evil.


Editorial Reviews

Review

“You’ll want to add [The Book of Lost Names] to your #TBR list.” ― –Parade Magazine

"If you love historical fiction about World War II, you will enjoy this story of Eva, a young woman who during the war helps Jewish kids escape France by forging documents." ―
–St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“With meticulous research and an assured hand, Kristin Harmel once again spotlights French Resistance figures of the Second World War, unique heroes whose bravery and immeasurable sacrifices are too often lost to history. THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES is a fascinating, heartrending page-turner that, like the real-life forgers who inspired the novel, should never be forgotten. A riveting historical tale that I devoured in a single sitting.” -- Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday

“Harmel brilliantly imagines the life of a young Polish-French Jewish woman during the depths of WWII...Harmel movingly illustrates Eva’s courage to risk her own life for others, and all of the characters are portrayed with realistic compassion. This thoughtful work will touch readers with its testament to the endurance of hope." ―
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Not since “The Nightingale” have I finished a book and been so choked with emotion. Harmel was inspired by the true story of French citizens who fought against evil during WWII with courage and conviction. She shines a brilliant light on those who had their identities erased and lives destroyed, on a country and its people torn apart, and young women like Eva, who risked their lives with everyday acts of epic heroism. Sweeping and magnificent."
-- Fiona Davis, national bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue

"A heart-stopping tale of survival and heroism centered on a female forger who risks everything to help Jewish children escape Nazi-occupied France." ―
People (20 Best Books to Read this Summer)

“Harmel’s previous historical novels, including
The Winemaker's Wife (2019), illuminate heartbreakingly real but forgotten stories from World War II, blended with a dash of suspense and romance, and this does the same. Recommend to fans of romantic historical fiction, including All the Ways We Said Goodbye (2020)." ― Booklist

“A celebration of the power of books to give hope and healing, this lovely tale offers hope in troubled times.” ―
–The Toronto Star

“With exceptional skill, Kristin Harmel constructs
The Winemaker's Wife between the past and the present, giving equal weight and importance to both, all the while weaving a tale full of secrets and betrayals that puts to the test mankind's strength, fragility and vileness. Once you start reading this moving novel, you will not be able to put it down until you reach the last page.” -- Armando Lucas Correa, bestselling author of The German Girl, on THE WINEMAKER'S WIFE

"Harmel's engrossing latest reminds us that love, like resistance, begins with courage." ―
People on THE ROOM ON RUE AMELIE

"This book of historical fiction is also a surprising story of love, courage, and the resiliency of the human spirit....[Harmel] manages to draw her audience in, even to the point of unexpected tears at the story’s end.." ―
Jewish Book Council on THE ROOM ON RUE AMELIE

“Kristin Harmel writes with such insight and heart that her characters will stay with you long after you’ve finished her books.”
-- New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin on THE SWEETNESS OF FORGETTING

About the Author

Kristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels including The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Book of Lost Names, The Room on Rue Amélie, and The Sweetness of Forgetting. She is published in more than thirty languages and is the cofounder and cohost of the popular web series, Friends & Fiction. She lives in Orlando, Florida.

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting , tragic, betrayal & love

M. · June 30, 2025

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is one of those books that will sta with me long after I finish it. It’s beautifully written, emotional, and totally gripping. The story follows Eva, a young woman who becomes a forger helping Jewish children escape the Nazis during WWII. The way she balances fear, love, and duty is just incredible.I loved how the story flips between the past and the present, slowly unraveling secrets along the way. The characters feel so real, and the tension had me hooked the whole time. It’s heartbreaking, hopeful, and inspiring.

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely amazing book!

P.G. · August 8, 2025

I listened to the audio book, and immediately ordered it in hardback. This is one I had to own. Historical fiction, emotional roller-coaster, beautiful story! Eva and Remy are absolute heroes during a horribly disgusting time in our history.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Familiar, Yet Different Story Perfect for Bookworms of all Kinds

S.M. · August 9, 2020

As a book lover, I automatically find books like this one enticing. Even the cover enchanted me; it's the way I like to picture myself in a historical novel, or walking along the contemporary Champs-Elysses with a paperback friend. Plus, I sensed this book would be similar to The Book of Lost Friends, one of the best novels I've read so far this year.While Lost Names wasn't as similar as I expected, it's still a strong, well-written book. Eva Traube Abrams' understated bravery and intelligence, and the way she is pulled quite unexpectedly into the resistance, kept me rooting for her. Her forging talents amazed me, and the idea she and Remy had about encoding the book was nothing short of brilliant. Speaking of Remy, I enjoyed his banter with Eva, as well as how their relationship blossomed from "slightly annoyed and unwilling partners" to love.Lost Names also contains a lot of the deep ethical questions I expect from a well-written WWII novel. I especially liked Mamusia as a conduit for those questions. At face value, her actions and reactions can seem overly bitter and selfish, and she's so entrenched in denial that it's easy to write her off. But the deeper into the book you go, the more you realize Mamusia is stronger than she looks and wants the best for Eva, which includes remembering who she is. Considering the unrelenting Nazi campaign to erase Jewish identities, Mamusia becomes heroic in her own right.i loved the unexpected spiritual thread in Lost Names, too. I usually read Christian fiction, and while this is not that, I could sense the characters had relationships with God and wanted to explore those. I was particularly struck by Eva finding solace in a Catholic church, the last place she usually should've been and maybe would have been welcomed. Pere Clement, as well, was a pleasant surprise in that he was not a stereotype. Overall, the idea of Jews and Christians working together to stop the Nazi regime was a sobering reminder of our humanity, and a heartwarming thread.The suspenseful threads here are spot on as well. I had an inkling of who the traitor was at various points, but was also thrown enough red herrings that I wondered a couple of times. Additionally, I loved the twist with Erich. You'd think you'd see something like it in more WWII novels, but I haven't come across it much if at all. I would like to see more characters like Erich and Joseph in other novels, characters whose motives are the exact opposite of what you might expect but make total sense in the big picture and add an element of surprise to familiar story conventions.As always, it's the little scenes that make a great book. I'd have liked to see more of some; for instance, I loved Eva's scene with little Anne/Frania and wanted to see her interact with the children more. I wanted to see more introspection from Eva, especially about faith, and maybe more interactions with people, like Madame Noirot. Often, it seemed like Eva or Remy or someone else would have a brief interaction or moment of development, and then move straight to the next phase. That's kind of a hazard of a war story, I know, but I sometimes felt like there were a few blank spaces needing to be filled in.With all that said, Book of Lost Names is a solid 4.5 and nets a recommendation. I'll be looking for more like it, across all historical periods. And yes, it is a good companion to The Book of Lost Friends if you want to compare and contrast, or share both with your book club.

5.0 out of 5 stars captivating

V. · August 28, 2025

A very good read! Was recommended to me and a very interesting and well written book. I enjoy the story line.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Read it very quickly because I was so interested in the story.

T.B. · June 5, 2025

I loved this book! I knew nothing about this subject - people who forged documents and helped people to flee from the Nazis during WWII. The book is historical fiction, but the author did an excellent job of researching her material for the book. I enjoyed learning about what was done to help so many people, so many children, escape the horrors of concentration camps. The author created very believable, relatable characters that I became invested in early on in the book. I loved following Eva’s story and the people she cared about. This was my first book to read by this author - I definitely plan to check out more of her titles. Highly recommend!

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful

R. · October 16, 2025

It was amazing and wonderful. I so needed this Happy ending and this amazing belief in the power of God

5.0 out of 5 stars thought provoking read with a heart wrenching ending

R.L.B. · October 4, 2025

Loved this book. Went to bed each night looking forward to opening it and seeing how the lives of Eva and Remy would evolve. I’ll definitely be reading more Kristin Harmel books. Jeannine Brant

4.0 out of 5 stars Great piece of historical fiction with a strong female protagonist.

S. · May 16, 2022

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others who enjoy historical fiction. This title is my Book Club’s pick for May and although my fellow club members are getting burned out on depressing World War II stories, this one was inspirational enough that I think everyone will enjoy it.I especially like books who have strong female protagonists like this one. Eva Traube was a young Jewish girl in Paris during the start of World War II and despite her doubts & fears, she helped to save hundreds of young Jewish children escape France by expertly forging false travel documents for them. Along with another forger named Remy, Eva recorded the real names of the children and adults in the pages of an old religious textbook which she renamed “The Book of Lost Names”. By using the Fibonacci sequence, Eva and Remy used stars and dots above different letters in the text to denote each person’s real name and their newly assigned fake name in case they ever wanted to find out their true identities.The ending of the book is satisfying, albeit a little bit romantically far-fetched, but I enjoyed it overall and would definitely read other books by this author.

FAbuloso!!!

C.M. · November 10, 2021

Lo devoré en una semana. Fantástico.

Historical Fiction at its best

A. · November 2, 2021

4,5 stars!What can I say! Another wonderful Historical Fiction. I loved that the story was told from right in the thick of the war, with the MC roaming the streets with false papers while Germans where lurking on every street corner ready to uncover her false identity. Many of the previous books I've read in this genre was told from the resistance point of view or from those deciphering secret codes at Bletchley Park, so this was an interesting change.The story centers around Eva a young Polish Jew who’s father is arrested and deported by the French police. Collecting an old favour from one of her father's friends, she manages to forge her own documents and those of her mother’s and flee into the Free Zone. Her talent for forging documents doesn’t go unnoticed by the resistance and soon Eva finds herself helping a priest and a young Frenchman forge papers to help Jewish children escape to neutral Switzerland.As in many historical novels, the story is told with a double timeline that jumps from 1942 to 2005, when Eva, now an 86-year-old librarian, finally discovers the whereabouts of a mysterious coded book from her past that only she can decipher.Once again this story is inspired by true events and I can only bow to all those heroes and heroines who risked their lives to save innocent children.Amidst the horror and grief, we also get to witness a poignant love story that had our group gasping and hoping for the impossible! I can’t deny that I shed a tear more than once by the end of the book!The writing is fluid and the plot is quite simple yet very engrossing!

incredible and beautiful story

c.s. · May 11, 2022

I still love reading WW2 stories such as the Nightingale, The Nine, The Italian Girls, The Checkmate or The Light at Midnight which those are strong resistance female characters. I understand this book is another popular book you have heard is called “The Book of the Lost Names” by Kristin Harmel. I truly believe this should have made into movies by now. I loved reading a romance book also. I must say she writes engrossing, extraordinary, and captivating, and is one of the best books I have ever read. It gives you all the chills. It is a story between past and present, and it’s a story about faith, survival, trust in relationships but overall it’s all about hope. I enjoyed because there’s a twist in the story. The story is about Eva Traube, a French born and a Jew, grew up in Paris. Eva loves read books, when her father was arrested, she made a promise to her father, she will make sure she and her mother make it to Switzerland. She had an idea to get false papers from her father’s boss instructions and she continues to do, and flee from Paris to a small town called Aurignon to get false papers ready to get to Switzerland with her mum. Although, she decides to help the resistance to help forge papers for the children to escape to Switzerland. Did Eva and everyone survive as a result?

An excellent read.

S.M.P. · October 5, 2025

I throughly enjoyed this book. It is very well written and has many twists and turns.It tells the story of a French Jewess who becomes a Forger for the French resistance during Ww2.During the war the girl shows total resilientance and is very brave.Along the journey she finds love and a lot of sorrow.A great read.

One of the best books I have ever read!

M.B. · April 27, 2023

I have trouble finding the words to describe how much I loved this book! It is flawlessly written and the love story it offers was one of the best I found hidden within the pages of a book, leaving me wanting for more. I think a sequel to this story would make readers so happy. Highly recommended!

The Book of Lost Names

Product ID: U198213190K
Condition: New

4.7

AED7140

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Availability: In Stock

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Order today to get by 7-14 business days

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Imported From: United States

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The Book of Lost Names

Product ID: U198213190K
Condition: New

4.7

The Book of Lost Names-0
Type: Paperback

AED7140

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

“A fascinating, heartrending page-turner that, like the real-life forgers who inspired the novel, should never be forgotten.” —Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday

Inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II, a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis in this “sweeping and magnificent” (Fiona Davis, bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue) historical novel from the #1 international bestselling author of The Winemaker’s Wife.

Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books when her eyes lock on a photograph in the
New York Times. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in more than sixty years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.

The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War II—an experience Eva remembers well—and the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. Now housed in Berlin’s Zentral- und Landesbibliothek library, it appears to contain some sort of code, but researchers don’t know where it came from—or what the code means. Only Eva holds the answer, but does she have the strength to revisit old memories?

As a graduate student in 1942, Eva was forced to flee Paris and find refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, where she began forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. But erasing people comes with a price, and along with a mysterious, handsome forger named Rémy, Eva decides she must find a way to preserve the real names of the children who are too young to remember who they really are. The records they keep in
The Book of Lost Names will become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rémy disappears.

An engaging and evocative novel reminiscent of
The Lost Girls of Paris and The Alice Network, The Book of Lost Names is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of bravery and love in the face of evil.


Editorial Reviews

Review

“You’ll want to add [The Book of Lost Names] to your #TBR list.” ― –Parade Magazine

"If you love historical fiction about World War II, you will enjoy this story of Eva, a young woman who during the war helps Jewish kids escape France by forging documents." ―
–St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“With meticulous research and an assured hand, Kristin Harmel once again spotlights French Resistance figures of the Second World War, unique heroes whose bravery and immeasurable sacrifices are too often lost to history. THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES is a fascinating, heartrending page-turner that, like the real-life forgers who inspired the novel, should never be forgotten. A riveting historical tale that I devoured in a single sitting.” -- Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday

“Harmel brilliantly imagines the life of a young Polish-French Jewish woman during the depths of WWII...Harmel movingly illustrates Eva’s courage to risk her own life for others, and all of the characters are portrayed with realistic compassion. This thoughtful work will touch readers with its testament to the endurance of hope." ―
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Not since “The Nightingale” have I finished a book and been so choked with emotion. Harmel was inspired by the true story of French citizens who fought against evil during WWII with courage and conviction. She shines a brilliant light on those who had their identities erased and lives destroyed, on a country and its people torn apart, and young women like Eva, who risked their lives with everyday acts of epic heroism. Sweeping and magnificent."
-- Fiona Davis, national bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue

"A heart-stopping tale of survival and heroism centered on a female forger who risks everything to help Jewish children escape Nazi-occupied France." ―
People (20 Best Books to Read this Summer)

“Harmel’s previous historical novels, including
The Winemaker's Wife (2019), illuminate heartbreakingly real but forgotten stories from World War II, blended with a dash of suspense and romance, and this does the same. Recommend to fans of romantic historical fiction, including All the Ways We Said Goodbye (2020)." ― Booklist

“A celebration of the power of books to give hope and healing, this lovely tale offers hope in troubled times.” ―
–The Toronto Star

“With exceptional skill, Kristin Harmel constructs
The Winemaker's Wife between the past and the present, giving equal weight and importance to both, all the while weaving a tale full of secrets and betrayals that puts to the test mankind's strength, fragility and vileness. Once you start reading this moving novel, you will not be able to put it down until you reach the last page.” -- Armando Lucas Correa, bestselling author of The German Girl, on THE WINEMAKER'S WIFE

"Harmel's engrossing latest reminds us that love, like resistance, begins with courage." ―
People on THE ROOM ON RUE AMELIE

"This book of historical fiction is also a surprising story of love, courage, and the resiliency of the human spirit....[Harmel] manages to draw her audience in, even to the point of unexpected tears at the story’s end.." ―
Jewish Book Council on THE ROOM ON RUE AMELIE

“Kristin Harmel writes with such insight and heart that her characters will stay with you long after you’ve finished her books.”
-- New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin on THE SWEETNESS OF FORGETTING

About the Author

Kristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels including The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Book of Lost Names, The Room on Rue Amélie, and The Sweetness of Forgetting. She is published in more than thirty languages and is the cofounder and cohost of the popular web series, Friends & Fiction. She lives in Orlando, Florida.

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting , tragic, betrayal & love

M. · June 30, 2025

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is one of those books that will sta with me long after I finish it. It’s beautifully written, emotional, and totally gripping. The story follows Eva, a young woman who becomes a forger helping Jewish children escape the Nazis during WWII. The way she balances fear, love, and duty is just incredible.I loved how the story flips between the past and the present, slowly unraveling secrets along the way. The characters feel so real, and the tension had me hooked the whole time. It’s heartbreaking, hopeful, and inspiring.

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely amazing book!

P.G. · August 8, 2025

I listened to the audio book, and immediately ordered it in hardback. This is one I had to own. Historical fiction, emotional roller-coaster, beautiful story! Eva and Remy are absolute heroes during a horribly disgusting time in our history.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Familiar, Yet Different Story Perfect for Bookworms of all Kinds

S.M. · August 9, 2020

As a book lover, I automatically find books like this one enticing. Even the cover enchanted me; it's the way I like to picture myself in a historical novel, or walking along the contemporary Champs-Elysses with a paperback friend. Plus, I sensed this book would be similar to The Book of Lost Friends, one of the best novels I've read so far this year.While Lost Names wasn't as similar as I expected, it's still a strong, well-written book. Eva Traube Abrams' understated bravery and intelligence, and the way she is pulled quite unexpectedly into the resistance, kept me rooting for her. Her forging talents amazed me, and the idea she and Remy had about encoding the book was nothing short of brilliant. Speaking of Remy, I enjoyed his banter with Eva, as well as how their relationship blossomed from "slightly annoyed and unwilling partners" to love.Lost Names also contains a lot of the deep ethical questions I expect from a well-written WWII novel. I especially liked Mamusia as a conduit for those questions. At face value, her actions and reactions can seem overly bitter and selfish, and she's so entrenched in denial that it's easy to write her off. But the deeper into the book you go, the more you realize Mamusia is stronger than she looks and wants the best for Eva, which includes remembering who she is. Considering the unrelenting Nazi campaign to erase Jewish identities, Mamusia becomes heroic in her own right.i loved the unexpected spiritual thread in Lost Names, too. I usually read Christian fiction, and while this is not that, I could sense the characters had relationships with God and wanted to explore those. I was particularly struck by Eva finding solace in a Catholic church, the last place she usually should've been and maybe would have been welcomed. Pere Clement, as well, was a pleasant surprise in that he was not a stereotype. Overall, the idea of Jews and Christians working together to stop the Nazi regime was a sobering reminder of our humanity, and a heartwarming thread.The suspenseful threads here are spot on as well. I had an inkling of who the traitor was at various points, but was also thrown enough red herrings that I wondered a couple of times. Additionally, I loved the twist with Erich. You'd think you'd see something like it in more WWII novels, but I haven't come across it much if at all. I would like to see more characters like Erich and Joseph in other novels, characters whose motives are the exact opposite of what you might expect but make total sense in the big picture and add an element of surprise to familiar story conventions.As always, it's the little scenes that make a great book. I'd have liked to see more of some; for instance, I loved Eva's scene with little Anne/Frania and wanted to see her interact with the children more. I wanted to see more introspection from Eva, especially about faith, and maybe more interactions with people, like Madame Noirot. Often, it seemed like Eva or Remy or someone else would have a brief interaction or moment of development, and then move straight to the next phase. That's kind of a hazard of a war story, I know, but I sometimes felt like there were a few blank spaces needing to be filled in.With all that said, Book of Lost Names is a solid 4.5 and nets a recommendation. I'll be looking for more like it, across all historical periods. And yes, it is a good companion to The Book of Lost Friends if you want to compare and contrast, or share both with your book club.

5.0 out of 5 stars captivating

V. · August 28, 2025

A very good read! Was recommended to me and a very interesting and well written book. I enjoy the story line.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Read it very quickly because I was so interested in the story.

T.B. · June 5, 2025

I loved this book! I knew nothing about this subject - people who forged documents and helped people to flee from the Nazis during WWII. The book is historical fiction, but the author did an excellent job of researching her material for the book. I enjoyed learning about what was done to help so many people, so many children, escape the horrors of concentration camps. The author created very believable, relatable characters that I became invested in early on in the book. I loved following Eva’s story and the people she cared about. This was my first book to read by this author - I definitely plan to check out more of her titles. Highly recommend!

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful

R. · October 16, 2025

It was amazing and wonderful. I so needed this Happy ending and this amazing belief in the power of God

5.0 out of 5 stars thought provoking read with a heart wrenching ending

R.L.B. · October 4, 2025

Loved this book. Went to bed each night looking forward to opening it and seeing how the lives of Eva and Remy would evolve. I’ll definitely be reading more Kristin Harmel books. Jeannine Brant

4.0 out of 5 stars Great piece of historical fiction with a strong female protagonist.

S. · May 16, 2022

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others who enjoy historical fiction. This title is my Book Club’s pick for May and although my fellow club members are getting burned out on depressing World War II stories, this one was inspirational enough that I think everyone will enjoy it.I especially like books who have strong female protagonists like this one. Eva Traube was a young Jewish girl in Paris during the start of World War II and despite her doubts & fears, she helped to save hundreds of young Jewish children escape France by expertly forging false travel documents for them. Along with another forger named Remy, Eva recorded the real names of the children and adults in the pages of an old religious textbook which she renamed “The Book of Lost Names”. By using the Fibonacci sequence, Eva and Remy used stars and dots above different letters in the text to denote each person’s real name and their newly assigned fake name in case they ever wanted to find out their true identities.The ending of the book is satisfying, albeit a little bit romantically far-fetched, but I enjoyed it overall and would definitely read other books by this author.

FAbuloso!!!

C.M. · November 10, 2021

Lo devoré en una semana. Fantástico.

Historical Fiction at its best

A. · November 2, 2021

4,5 stars!What can I say! Another wonderful Historical Fiction. I loved that the story was told from right in the thick of the war, with the MC roaming the streets with false papers while Germans where lurking on every street corner ready to uncover her false identity. Many of the previous books I've read in this genre was told from the resistance point of view or from those deciphering secret codes at Bletchley Park, so this was an interesting change.The story centers around Eva a young Polish Jew who’s father is arrested and deported by the French police. Collecting an old favour from one of her father's friends, she manages to forge her own documents and those of her mother’s and flee into the Free Zone. Her talent for forging documents doesn’t go unnoticed by the resistance and soon Eva finds herself helping a priest and a young Frenchman forge papers to help Jewish children escape to neutral Switzerland.As in many historical novels, the story is told with a double timeline that jumps from 1942 to 2005, when Eva, now an 86-year-old librarian, finally discovers the whereabouts of a mysterious coded book from her past that only she can decipher.Once again this story is inspired by true events and I can only bow to all those heroes and heroines who risked their lives to save innocent children.Amidst the horror and grief, we also get to witness a poignant love story that had our group gasping and hoping for the impossible! I can’t deny that I shed a tear more than once by the end of the book!The writing is fluid and the plot is quite simple yet very engrossing!

incredible and beautiful story

c.s. · May 11, 2022

I still love reading WW2 stories such as the Nightingale, The Nine, The Italian Girls, The Checkmate or The Light at Midnight which those are strong resistance female characters. I understand this book is another popular book you have heard is called “The Book of the Lost Names” by Kristin Harmel. I truly believe this should have made into movies by now. I loved reading a romance book also. I must say she writes engrossing, extraordinary, and captivating, and is one of the best books I have ever read. It gives you all the chills. It is a story between past and present, and it’s a story about faith, survival, trust in relationships but overall it’s all about hope. I enjoyed because there’s a twist in the story. The story is about Eva Traube, a French born and a Jew, grew up in Paris. Eva loves read books, when her father was arrested, she made a promise to her father, she will make sure she and her mother make it to Switzerland. She had an idea to get false papers from her father’s boss instructions and she continues to do, and flee from Paris to a small town called Aurignon to get false papers ready to get to Switzerland with her mum. Although, she decides to help the resistance to help forge papers for the children to escape to Switzerland. Did Eva and everyone survive as a result?

An excellent read.

S.M.P. · October 5, 2025

I throughly enjoyed this book. It is very well written and has many twists and turns.It tells the story of a French Jewess who becomes a Forger for the French resistance during Ww2.During the war the girl shows total resilientance and is very brave.Along the journey she finds love and a lot of sorrow.A great read.

One of the best books I have ever read!

M.B. · April 27, 2023

I have trouble finding the words to describe how much I loved this book! It is flawlessly written and the love story it offers was one of the best I found hidden within the pages of a book, leaving me wanting for more. I think a sequel to this story would make readers so happy. Highly recommended!

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