The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams (2025)

The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is a book that resonated for me- and also haunted me. Following two story lines, one set in 1986, and the other in occupied France in 1942, there is a expert interweaving of historical fact and the kind of fiction that is so well constructed and executed, that it feels like real life. Suzanne Belperron, one of the great innovators of jewelry design, and a personal icon of mine, is depicted with painstaking accuracy (thanks to extensive research) in the forties- and our contemporary heroine, Violine Duplessi, carries the story into the eighties. Tied together by missing jewels, there is danger, romance and mystery-and also a wonderful paranormal element that, no surprise, really speaks to me.

M.J. Rose is a master of historical fiction. I don't get a chance to read very often, but I make time for her books because they are so vivid and evocative that I get lost in the scenes in a way that doesn't happen for me very often. Take this magical ride. You won't regret it! An absolute must-read!

This is a well-written, entertaining, historical fiction novel that is based on actual persons and events. It has strong and capable, gifted female protagonists, a touch of romance, mystery, intrigue, and a satisfying conclusion. The author's notes are interesting and informative and are truly appreciated. I won this outstanding novel in a Goodreads giveaway, and this is my honest opinion.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that this book was the latest book in the Daughters of La Lune series. Having read all the previous books, I am tempted to read them again after finishing this one. Both storylines were captivating and it was almost with a sense of sadness that I finished the book because I really liked Violine. I would have loved to learn more about her finding out more stories through her gift of touching things and learning the history of the past owners. I also loved learning more about Suzanne Belperron, a gifted jeweller I'd never heard of before reading this book.

You can read this book on its own, but I recommend reading the books in order.

5 star page turner
What a pleasant surprise. I won this wonderful ARC in a Goodreads giveaway promotion.
I have read other books by M J Rose, but had never read anything in this series. I just loved it. It captured me from the very beginning.
It is a dual time line story. The story of Suzanne Belperron. A real jewelry designer during WWII. This is a captivating story based on her life. The story has fiction in it as well.

Violine Duplessi is an appraiser for an auction house. She has a special gift which has been passed on from generation to generation.
Violine and Suzanne’s life are woven together as Violine researches a mysterious trunk with secret compartments. Violine has a special feeling about the contents of the trunk.
The search brings her to Paris and to Suzanne’s secret past.

This is a compelling story about World War II and how Suzanne lived in constant danger to help Jewish people escape from the Nazi’s. A wonderful history of jewelry as well.

Authors Notes
Suzanne Belperron’s apartment in Paris was left in tact after her death. All her designs and papers were found in 2007 by Oliver Baroin.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: February 7, 2023

In 1942, Suzanne Belperron is well known for being one of the best jewelers in Paris. Catering to the rich and famous, she creates unique pieces that bring attention to her hard work and detail. However, behind the scenes she and her best friend, American socialite Dixie Osgood, are using Suzanne’s jewelry to barter the release of Jews held captive by the Nazis.

In New York in 1986 Violine Duplessi, an antiquity appraiser, seizes the oppourtunity of a lifetime when she’s asked to peruse Paul Osgood’s collection of furniture, jewelry, and other pieces left to him by his father. Violine is particulary drawn to an old trunk, and when she finds a secret drawer containing unmarked jewellery, she seeks to find the story behind it but what she uncovers was hidden for a reason- and not everyone is pleased that the secret will be revealed.

I was first introduced to M.J. Rose with her novel, “The Last Tiara”. Enthralled by Rose’s historical fiction with a creative twist, I was overjoyed to get the chance to read her newest novel, “The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams”. As the premise implies, the story is told in two time periods, from two strong, female protagonists. Both Suzanne and Violine face different challenges, but their connection spans the decades, and provides an engaging and entertaining read.

Rose has based some of her characters and situations on real life experiences during World War Two. Belperron, for example, actually existed, as did some of her more elite clients. I always appreciate when a historical fiction novel has some basis in reality, as it provides not only entertainment, but information as well.

“Dreams” provides an interesting look into the world of jewelry creation and development, which is an entirely new realm for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Rose made it relevant, and did not lose the reader with dry, procedural language. It was necessary to learn about Belperron’s jewellery design, and her work with famous designers and jewellery warehouses, and Rose managed to keep my interest throughout.

“Dreams” is a creative historical fiction novel that blends World War Two Paris and 1980s New York in a seamless, flowing way. Rose delivers an emotional, thought-provoking plot with relatable and lovable characters and I can’t wait to see what she creates next.

There are two stories interwoven in this novel: Suzanne is a jewelry designer in 1942 Paris, and is working with the Resistance. Violine is in 1986 Paris and America, and works for an auction house. She also has a hereditary gift which she tries to repress, passed down through generations of women: she can feel an object's history by touching it. Violine is asked to evaluate some items by Paul, and it is then she learns that his late aunt's trunk has a secret compartment which conceals some valuable jewelry. Was the jewelry stolen? Can Violine's gift, or her work with the Midas Society, help to identify the rightful owners? Recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a magical aura. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Treasure from Paris 1942 finds its way to an auctioneer in New York 1986. Two well crafted time periods intertwine beautifully. Art history meets psychometry. Based on a true story, the Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is a real gem.

Thank you Netgalley and AuthorBuzz for this captivating ARC.

I adore M.J. Rose and The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is just another book in the long line of them that I have read and loved. She is such a talented writer, and I loved the way she blended magic with her story - through both of our MCs at that! Violine and Suzanne each have their own talents when it comes to being able to read intimate objects, and I really enjoyed having the two viewpoints in different timelines and locations. Violine is basically trying to figure out part of Suzanne’s story while the reader also gets to see that story unfold, and it was an incredible juxtaposition that managed to add an air of mystery as well. There is a touch of romance here, but I wouldn’t call that a focus of the story. Love is definitely a resounding theme though, as well as a very interesting focus on history thanks to Rose’s inspiration being Suzanne Belperron.

The audiobook is another star of this show as narrated by Tavia Gilbert and Caroline Hewitt. I used a credit on Audible and was very happy I did since I can’t imagine reading this book any other way now. They did a wonderful job of bringing the magic of the story and the characters to life, and I highly recommend giving it a listen. The mystery and intrigue of the plot was a lovely experience and as a reader/listener, you could really feel the emotions coming across as well. Suzanne’s story is heartbreaking at times, and this definitely ended up being a bit of a tear-jerker for me. It was just a beautiful book, and if you love historical fiction and enjoy a dash of magic in your stories, I would tell you to pick up The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A duel timeline book. Well done.

I have enjoyed many historical fiction novels from author MJ Rose. Her feature of strong women have always stood out for me, and reading about Suzanne and Violine’s point of views makes for an invigorating read and in my two favorite cities - Paris and New York. I also love getting immersed into the world of high stakes jewelry and the auction scene. Certainly a fast paced read.

This book had it all for me. Suspense, mystery, history, a little romance, and, of course, it didn’t hurt that one half of the story takes place during World War II. The read is of two different time periods, World War II 1942 France and the second time period is 1986 the United States and France.

In 1986 Violine Duplessi takes an assignment to value some antiques for auction for Stephen Lamont, owner of the auction house Lamont Galleries. She meets the congressional candidate, Paul Osgood, the owner of the antiques that include a pristine trunk which had belonged to Paul’s Aunt Dixie. The trunk, which had been stored in the attic for forty years and it’s hidden contents are at the heart of our story. Paul knows some of the story but not about what is hidden but he chooses to keep some secrets to himself although he agrees that they need to trace ownership of the contents of the trunk.

The second story held my attention because of the interesting details of the 1942 story about Suzanne Belperron, jewelry designer and the love of her life, Bernard Herz. The descriptions of her work were just so interesting and her efforts to help Jews who were attempting to flee France and her connection to Paul’s Aunt Dixie.

Just a great book and very well drawn characters with an interesting story to tell.

I won this book in a First Reads giveaway. Thank you to the author M.J. Rose.

1940s Suzanne Belperron is a jewelry designer in love with a Jewish man. She takes over his business and does her best to protect him. One day he is arrested by the Nazis and Madame does everything in her power to free him. When that doesn’t work, she turns to the resistance that she is working for. Not only is she a jewelry designer, she works at selling old jewels and finery to fund the rescue of Jews.

1980s Violine Duplessi is an auctioneer with a hidden talent: items can show her their pasts. Even though she tried to get rid of her gift and hide it, it comes back with a vengeance during an appraisal in which she discovers hidden jewelry. What follows next is the quest to find the rightful owners to the jewelry and how the story ties into the past.

My thoughts:

I love a good HF from WWII that is about the resistance and doesn’t focus on the atrocities committed during that time period. To know there were people willing to risk everything to save even one person…it makes for a heart stopping read. This one was different than most because of the magical aspect. It wasn’t in your face magic, but subtle. I enjoyed the entire story line.

Thank you NetGalley and AuthorBuzz, Blue Box Press for accepting my request to read and review The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams.

Published: 02/07/23

Mixed feelings on this one. I was enticed by the premise. As the story unfolded, my imagination got the better of me. I was torn between finishing the book and not knowing how it ended. I chose to finish. However, this changed me: the cruelty in life, and being drawn for many years to World War II nonfiction, memoirs. biographies, psychology, and fiction put my senses on high alert.

The synopsis tells you what you need to know. I'm not repeating it.

I will say, I didn't like the love story. I thought the writing was middle grade to possibly young adult, however, the subject matter was too much for middle grade. The Author's Note is helpful and was welcomed. (Not always, sometimes I feel this space is used to fix what should have been written in the story.)

The time period, the jewelry in conjunction with stolen dreams, and events led me down a rabbit hole I would have never entered voluntarily in a fictionalized story. I'm going with three stars, I was so distracted differentiating between what I was reading, where the story went, and where it was going and all that simultaneously restricted my thought processes.

The Jewler of Stolen Dreams was a page turning and captivating adventure that I was absolutely obsessed with while reading. I have always loved historical fiction but this story was so much more because of the added magic and the multiple pov. I loved learning about the jewelry and how it and Suzanne helped save lives during war time. This book is based on Suzanne who was a real jewelry designer during the 1940s. If you like historical fiction with a bit of magic, mystery and a duel pov, this story is definitely for you.

Thank you @getredpr for this gifted copy.

Enthralled from the start, a little mystery, a little mystique, a little supernatural, fascinating history, and characters you want to know. A dual storyline of past and not-exactly-present that had me tapping the right side of my Kindle into the wee hours of the night.

I loved learning about Suzanne Belperron (look up her jewelry, exquisite). Her talent but mostly her bravery. And I always love to read about strong, savvy women who embrace their femininity.

I also loved the focus on WWII in Paris, the unbearable tension of living under occupied rule, and finally a story about how so many of the French risked their lives to do something about it.

And I loved Violine and Paul.

I guess I just loved this book!

I’m always excited when M.J. Rose has a new book coming out. I became a fan when I read The Reincarnationist because I love the way Rose blends fact with fiction, bringing famous or little known characters to life, with a twist of magic. Magic and great historical fiction? How can I say no?

Here’s the blurb: 1986: Violine Duplessy accepts a commission from Senate-hopeful Paul Osgood to appraise and auction off furniture from his home. Among his possessions is a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk that belonged to his aunt. Violine finds a secret compartment in the trunk, filled with valuable jewelry whose provenance concerns Violine. What she doesn’t disclose is her gift of psychometry, the ability to tell an object’s history simply by touching it. She views this gift more as a curse, since it’s caused tragedy in her life that she’s still recovering from. Regardless of where her knowledge comes from, she knows she needs to confirm that the jewels weren’t stolen, leading her and Paul on a hunt through Paris, where they might stir up secrets best kept buried.

1942: Despite the Nazi occupation of Paris, Suzanne Balperron has managed to keep her jewelry studio open and her resistance work quiet. With her friend Dixie Osgood, she collects and sells jewelry donated by Jewish families trying to raise funds to flee from France. The most dangerous part of the work is undertaken by Dixie, until Suzanne’s lover and business partner is arrested and she must determine just how much she’ll risk to save him.

Two historical fiction timelines - I can’t ask for much more. Granted, the 1980s timeline could have been set in just about any time period, except that it made a lot more sense for people who had actually lived through WWII to still be alive and active in business. I loved that aspect of this book since in the 80s, I was too young to pay attention to anyone who had lived through the second World War. From New York, to Paris, to the South of France, this book covered almost all of my favorite places to read about. The facts of Suzanne Balperron’s life are so seamlessly blended with the fictional aspects, I didn’t question anything (but do want to learn more about her and will probably try to find one of the memoirs listed as a resource.) The powers passed down through Violine’s family are also really well done and, frankly, intriguing. One of my biggest gripes in “witchy” literature is how inherent powers aren’t well presented. There was none of that here. As always in Rose’s work, the occult aspects are naturally woven into the storyline.

My one complaint, if you could call it that, is that the denouement felt rushed. While I’d guessed the antagonist beforehand, it wasn’t really revealed - merely mentioned in passing as if there was a conversation that had been edited out. I would have liked a bit more punch from the ending and I still had a few questions about the emphasis on French privacy laws; although, that could just have been me not picking something up.

Overall, a great read and if you’re not familiar with the author, this is a good book to start with.

I will review this soon.

I received an e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
I didn't realize this was Book #4 in a series when I requested it, but I know that I have enjoyed books by M.J. Rose before.
I did go back and read Book #1 in this series before I read this book. It was a bit more of a magical romance than I prefer to read so I skipped Books 2-3 and read this one next. It can be a standalone book, but I think reading Book 1 helped the references to past family history make more sense to me. If you like romance and some magical elements, then this is a good book for you. It didn't quite fit my current frame of mind, but I thought the parts about the stones and the jeweler it was based on were quite fascinating.

I loved this story… so many twists in a tale that weaves together two sets of characters 40 years apart into a search for several truths. This story focuses on Suzanne Belperron, a jewelry designer who actually did live and work in Paris, and whose work I have admired for years. There are many aspects of her life that remain unknown, so much of this book is a work of fiction. However, the story is fantastic, and I so wish it was all true! Mysteries of World War II and the French resistance unravel through these pages and there is an element of magic in the story -which it first could seem off-putting, but really does add so much. I read this for my gem club’s book club, and wished it would have gone on and on!

I LOVE this book and read it in a day! It’s the story of 2 women; one a jeweler in the ‘40s in occupied France and the other an auctioneer in NY in the 80’s. There is a string between them that the book brings to life.

It’s a great mystery and historical fiction work as the jeweler was a real person. The resistance in France was real too. But the book is so much more to me discussing the colors and aliveness of gems, the food and architecture in Paris, friendship, love, family, creativity, all with a little dose of my favorite…magic.

I do know the author but trust this is a completely unbiased review. It’s great. Put it on your WTR shelf now!

This is my first book by the author and I really enjoyed it. When I see a dual timeline in the historical fiction genre I cringe a bit because it is so over done. However, I felt M.J. Rose crafted a story that benefitted from the dual timeline instead of being stifled by it.

The book is clearly well researched and used with characters you can’t help but root for. I enjoyed the mystery within the plot and felt it was well played.

Thank you Blue Box Press & NetGalley for an arc to review.

This was an enthralling and captivating historical fiction piece with a touch of magical realism. Some of the characters are well known players of history and the others, are well crafted characters of the author's wondrous imagination. The story line juxtaposes 1986 New York City against 1942 Paris.

New York City auctioneer, Violine Duplessi, has always been a bit different. As a child, she suffered the ridicule of her classmates who would not or could not embrace Violine's extraordinary gifts. It was such a burden to Violine, that she tried desperately to negate and ignore her gifts. That is, until she's called to an estate to help assess the inherited holdings of U.S. Senate candidate, Paul Osgood. An old empty trunk from WWII of his deceased Aunt Elizabeth Estelle Osgood's, had been housed in the attic and apparently had some secrets of its own. In alternating chapters, renowned jeweler, Suzanne Belperron, an operative of the French Resistance, relays her fears and anxieties for her friends who have been seized by the French Nazi sympathizers and thrown into prison camps. One of whom is her business partner and soulmate. She strives to rescue him and others at great peril. Paul's Aunt Elizabeth - Dixie to her friends - was a very close and dear friend of Suzanne as it turned out. Together, they were partners in crime doing their Resistance work.

This was truly a fascinating read about an amazing woman of WWII Paris. Suzanne Belperron's jewelry designs were spectacular and pushed the design and color envelope - a designer ahead of her time, perhaps. The 1986 portion of this story envelopes a mystery as Violine seeks answers to the trunk's secrets. Eventually, the two stories intertwine and all is made clear to the reader.

Ms. Rose's writing is fluid, descriptive and quite poetic at times. The mise en scène was such that one could envision the winding streets of Paris and the noisy ones of New York City; smell the wafting aroma of french baguettes and croissants; the tangy odor of freshly spilled blood; and the intoxicating scent of a full blown rose. All in all, this was a most enjoyable read and this reader eagerly looks forward to disappearing into other works by this gifted author.

I am grateful to Ms. Rose and her publisher, Blue Box Press for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: Blue Box Press
Publication Date: February 7, 2023
No. of pages:
ISBN: 978-1957568270

5 star read and a must read of all that enjoy historical fiction!

The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is the real-life story of Suzanne Belperron, a sought after jeweler in 1942 Paris. She was an active member of the Resistance and used her jewelry designs and gem stones to save hundreds of Jewish lives during WWII. Violine Duplessi is an appraiser for an auction house in 1986 New York. She has a special gift - she can feel an object's history by touching it. Violine and Suzanne’s life are woven together as Violine researches a mysterious trunk filled with hidden secrets. The search brings her to Paris and to Suzanne’s secret past.

There are so many stories written about WWII and I appreciate that while the author uses the time period as a setting, the was is not the main focus. I loved getting to know about Belperron and her jewelry designs as they pushed the boundaries of both color and design - she was truly a designer ahead of her time. The author does a great job of keeping your attention by weaving in some mystery, suspense and a little romance as you are taken along the streets of New York and Paris, along for an adventure as you discover, along with Violine, just how the affects of the past are never really hidden.

If you are looking for a great historical fiction read I would definitely recommend picking up this one!

Violine has been called in to appraise an estate. When she runs across an old Louis Vuitton trunk, she knows the dimensions are not quite right. What she discovers is a hidden compartment full of jewelry. When she touches the jewelry she sees vivid images of people in distress. The more she delves into the situation the more dangerous her world becomes.

Violine starts to investigate the names on the boxes of jewels. She discovers that they are not names of jewelry stores from the past but names of people, people lost during the Holocaust. Violine heads to Paris to work with the Midas Society to return these jewels to the rightful owners. But, it is not as easy as she thought.

No one does dual timelines like M.J. Rose. I have been a fan of her books FOREVER! I love her history and the mysticism she puts into her books. And to say I loved this story is an understatement. I also loved Violine. Her strength is paramount to this story. The way the author weaves in her talent to read objects and see the past add so much to this tale.

Need an engrossing story from start to finish…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Read through NetGalley. History using cold, hard facts has never interested me very much. But history told through the life experiences of real people is something that I really enjoy. This story is set in 2 time periods and connects 2 women is very unexpected ways. One time period is 1942 in Paris during the Nazi occupation and the the other time period is 1986 in New York when some jewelry from the WWII era is found hidden away. It was especially interesting to see how the mystery surrounding the jewelry was unraveled. Throw in some romance in both eras and it made for a very interesting story. I would highly recommend.
Description from Amazon:Paris, 1942. Suzanne Belperron is known as one of the most innovative jewelers of her time. Elsa Schiaparelli and the Duchess of Windsor are just two of her many illustrious clients. What no one knows is that Suzanne and her dear friend, American socialite Dixie Osgood, have been helping transport hundreds of Jewish families out of France since the war began. But now, the war has come to Suzanne’s front door—the Nazis have arrested her business partner and longtime lover, Bernard Herz.

New York, 1986. Violine Duplessi, an appraiser for a boutique auction house, is summoned to visit the home of Paul Osgood, a scholarly lawyer and political candidate who aspires to take over the Senate seat of his recently deceased father. Paul has inherited everything inside Osgood Manor, from the eighteenth-century furniture to the nineteenth-century Limoges china. But a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk is what calls to Violine, with the surprising but undeniable thrum of energy that can only be one thing: the gift passed down to her by La Lune, the sixteenth-century courtesan.

Since childhood, Violine has been able to read an object’s history and learn the secrets of its owners by merely touching it, but she silenced her psychometry when it destroyed her last relationship. Why has it returned now?

While inspecting the trunk, she senses it holds a hidden treasure and finds a hoard of precious jewels that provoke nightmarish visions and raise a multitude of questions. Who owned these pieces? Why were they hidden inside the trunk? Were they stolen? Could their discovery derail Paul’s campaign and their burgeoning attraction to each other?

So begins a search that takes Violine to Paris to work with the Midas Society, a covert international organization whose mission is to return lost and stolen antiques, jewels, and artwork to their original owners. There, Violine will discover both her and Paul’s surprising connections to the trunk—and to Suzanne Belperron, who silently and heroically hid an amazing truth in plain sight.

Told through Violine’s first-person account and Suzanne’s diary entries, The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is a riveting story of magick, mystery, romance, and revenge. Inspired by the real-life legend Suzanne Belperron, it marks yet another masterpiece by New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author M.J. Rose.

So many “ah-ha!” moments in this story, I truly loved it. Having previously read “the Lost Tiara” by MJ Rose, I was delighted that some of the characters from the (fictitious) Midas Society return to legitimatize the story. Told in a dual historical timeline, this works so well to help understand the connection between the protagonists and how their past plays a role in their future. During WWII, we hear the story of Susanne, a Parisian jeweler and Dixie, an American living in Paris. Together they are involved in the Resistance and seek to help Jewish families survive the Nazi takeover of Paris. Strong women who were courageous and determined, we become immersed in their lives as they face danger. In present day, Violine works for an antique auction house that has been contacted by Paul Osgood who has come in to possession of a vintage trunk previously owned by his aunt Dixie who died in WWII. Violine, just by touch, can sense a story connected with an object if it is one of pain or sadness. She discovers there is more to the trunk that meets the eye and that there is a secret. Why would Paul’s aunt Dixie be in possession of this treasure? I love the added element of magical gifts of the women in Violine’s family. Violine is also a member of the Midas Society, whose mission is to return lost and stolen goods to their rightful owners once they’ve been tracked down. Through her investigation for the Midas Society of the treasures that were found and make connections to Paul’s Aunt Dixie, Violine encounters danger and deceit. Not everything is at it appears. MJ Rose writes to bring this time in history alive and help us to learn more about these courageous people in the face of adversity. The characters are diverse and well-developed. Susanne is based on a real person, although she did not smuggle jewels to the United States. More likely, jewels were sold by families to obtain funds in order to escape. I found myself engaged from the first page to the last. My one thought though was the abruptness of the ending. The story was flowing along, and then the last chapter moved forward and wrapped up everything nicely. Perhaps it should have been labeled Epilogue rather than a mere chapter. But that being said, MJ Rose is a great storyteller and I do enjoy her books.

Many thanks to #netgalley #mjrose #jewelerofstolendreams for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved this book! I was hooked from the beginning and didn't want to put it down. I enjoy dual timeline stories and M.J. Rose did a fantastic job switching back and forth from the 1940's to 1986.

The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is the story of Suzanne Belperron who became one of the best known and sought after jewelers of her time. I admit to not knowing a thing about her before reading this book, yet I felt I knew her well as I finished her story.

I never tire of reading about the roles women played in the Resistance movement. Suzanne Belperroon was an active member of the Resistance, using her jewelry designs and gem stones to save hundreds, if not thousands, of Jewish lives during WWII. I was drawn into her exploits through the amazing writing and a very descriptive story line.

There are two other fictional characters who are pivotal in telling this story. Violine Duplessi is a young woman working in a New York auction house who possesses a very unusual paranormal skill. Violine can touch an object and see/feel it's history. I had never heard of Psychometry and found this psychic ability most intriguing.

Dixie Osgood, an American socialite living in France, is one of Suzanne’s closest friends and her co-Resistor raising the money needed by the Resistance to continue their work. Dixie traveled on nursing ships with the gems hidden in her possessions to sell them to jewelers in America. The connection between Dixie and Violine, hinted at throughout this incredible story, reaches a satisfactory conclusion in the final chapters.

The love affair between Suzanne and Bernard Herz was genuine and the driving force behind Suzanne's involvement in the Resistance. Keeping him safe from the Nazis was her motivation for the many risks she took. She survived the war and continued working until 1974, creating pieces for royalty, movie stars and well-known dignitaries.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre as I always finish a book knowing more than I did when I started on page one. There is so much history beautifully woven into this story that when I finished the book I wanted to know more. Hence, my perusal of Suzanne’s life story, as well as learning more about Psychometry.

Thank You to NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams.

Thank you Brilliance Audio for the ALC and Get Red PR and Blue Box Press , #partner, for the finished copy of The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams in exchange for my honest review.

I’m still relatively new to M.J. Rose’s books. I read the trilogy she co-wrote with C.W. Gortner and absolutely loved those and and I’ve read one other of the books that M.J. Rose wrote by herself and I just love her writing style and that her books always somehow include jewels, this latest one included!

This book captivated me right from the start and I found myself completely enthralled by the story. And when you add in the fact that I ended up learning some new things while reading it…it makes it that much better! This is why I love reading historical fiction – I continue to learn such fascinating tidbits that make me dig a little deeper into what the story has taught me. I’ve read a lot of books set during WWII but I firmly believe there are still so many stories out there that still need to be told.

This dual-narrative is part historical fiction, part romance and part mystery with just a little magical realism thrown in. Usually with two timelines I am drawn to one over the other, but here I was equally invested in both characters. I loved how they were both driven to do what was right even though it wasn’t always the easiest or safest path. And they each had such fascinating careers – Suzanne being a jewelry designer and a member of the French Resistance during WWII and Violine an appraiser for an auction house in the 1980s.

I loved the way the author blended fact and fiction here to tell her story and of course without reading the author’s note at the end, you don’t really know what’s true or not. This is why I always make sure to read those author’s notes…they really provide such a wealth of information.

Another beautiful story by a fantastic author. I can’t wait to see what she gives us next!

Audio thoughts: This audiobook was done so well. Narrated by Tavia Gilbert and Caroline Hewitt, I thought each narrator really did a fantastic job of bringing these characters and the story to life. Their pacing was just right and they infused just the right amount of emotion and tension into their voices as needed.

You can see all my reviews at: https://www.alwayswithabook.com/

Like several world war 2 novels I have read, this book is written as two stories - one set in 1943 and one more recent, this time in 1986. As the book progresses, the connection between those two stories is revealed.

In 1942, we follow the life of Suzanne Belperron, a jeweler known for the exciting and unusual designs that she creates for her well-known clientele. She lives in occupied France, spending time with Bernard Herz, her Jewish lover and business partner. When Bernard is taken away by the Nazis, Suzanne does everything she can to get him back, whilst also helping Jewish families to escape to freedom, by selling their jewelry to raise funds for their tickets to get out of France. She works with members of the resistance, in particular her American friend 'Dixie' Osgood.

In 1986, Violine Duplessi is an appraiser for an auction house who is asked to assess a house full of antiques and treasures by Paul Osgood, a politician running for the senate seat left vacant by the death of his father. While inspecting an empty Louise Vuitton trunk., Violine realizes there is a hidden compartment, and with Paul's help she discovers jewelry boxes, containing very expensive rings, necklaces and bracelets that appear to have been hidden in the truck since the 1940's. Violine has had the gift of psychometry since her teen years - the ability to 'read' an object that she touches and determine details of its past owners. For the objects in the trunk, she gets nightmarish visions, and sees only fear and fright.

Violine works with the Midas society, a group who try to return stolen art and valuables to their owners, in an attempt to learn the history of these objects. The assumption is that they were stolen during the war - but is that really the case?

This is a very well-written novel based on the life of a real person, Suzanne Belperron. I loved the way the tale unfolded around the jewelry as a centerpiece. I was fascinated in the way that Violine was able to unearth the history and the details of what she found. Great read.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I'm thrilled to have discovered M.J. Rose's work thanks to an ARC from BlueBoxPress. This was my first read by her and now I'm hooked!

The story involves two timelines intertwined, switching off each chapter between 1940s occupied France and 1986 New York and Parris. The first is an emotional journey following the jewelry designer Suzanne Belperron and her struggles with not only helping those in her community who are being persecuted, but her own lover and business partner who has been arrested and held for the crime of being Jewish. Together with her friend Dixie Osgood, they use the resources at their disposal to do all they can to fight back against the horrors that the Nazi occupiers are committing in their beloved Parris. Helping people who need it while staying safe to continue their work is a delicate balance, and reading through their undertakings has kept me on the edge of my seat, hanging on every word.

In 1986 we are following Violine Duplessi, a young auction house appraiser, as she begins an assessment for New York politician Paul Osgood and discovers secrets housed in his Aunt's trunk that had been sitting in the attic for 4 decades. When Violine touches the jewelry housed in a secret compartment, flashes of emotion attached to each piece overwhelm her. Sadness, fear, and hopelessness from the previous owners rise up in her. Were these pieces stolen? The need to know their history becomes a priority, and so she begins her search for the original owners.

I love watching the two timelines work in a way that brought a cohesive story together. You can tell that Rose did her research, even giving a nod to The Monuments Men and their tireless work. I was excited to learn that Belperron was in fact a real jewelry designer who was part of the Resistance. This story is so well written that it brought so much emotion to me, much like Violine when she touches something with a story to tell. An absolute fantastic work, I can't wait to read more.