📖 Overview
Kristin Harmel is an American novelist who specializes in historical fiction, particularly stories set during World War II. Her work frequently explores themes of resilience, family secrets, and untold historical events, with many of her novels incorporating dual timeline narratives.
Harmel gained widespread recognition with her 2012 novel "The Sweetness of Forgetting," but her breakthrough success came with "The Book of Lost Names" (2020), which tells the story of a Jewish woman who helps forge documents to save children during the Holocaust. She has published over a dozen novels, including bestsellers "The Forest of Vanishing Stars" and "The Winemaker's Wife."
Before focusing on historical fiction, Harmel worked as a journalist for People magazine and wrote contemporary fiction, including several works in the women's fiction genre. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide.
Harmel continues to write from her home in Orlando, Florida, where she lives with her family. Her research process typically involves extensive travel to the European locations featured in her books, as well as interviews with Holocaust survivors and their descendants.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently rate Harmel's historical fiction higher than her earlier contemporary romance works. Her WWII novels earn 4.3-4.7 out of 5 stars on both Amazon and Goodreads.
Readers praise:
- Deep historical research and attention to detail
- Complex female protagonists
- Emotional depth in handling difficult subject matter
- Dual timeline narratives that connect past to present
- Clear, accessible writing style
Common criticisms:
- Predictable romance subplots
- Some historical details feel forced into dialogue
- Earlier contemporary works described as "formulaic"
- Occasional overuse of coincidence to drive plots
A Goodreads reviewer notes: "She makes history come alive without sensationalizing tragic events." An Amazon reader critiques: "The modern storylines sometimes feel unnecessary and distract from the historical portions."
"The Book of Lost Names" maintains a 4.6/5 on Amazon (98,000+ reviews) and 4.4/5 on Goodreads (185,000+ ratings). "The Forest of Vanishing Stars" averages 4.5/5 across platforms.
📚 Books by Kristin Harmel
The Book of Lost Names (2020)
A semi-retired librarian reflects on her past as a document forger who helped Jewish children escape Nazi-occupied France while searching for a coded message she left in an ancient book.
The Forest of Vanishing Stars (2021) A young woman kidnapped and raised in the wilderness uses her survival skills to help Jewish refugees hide from the Nazis in the forests of Eastern Europe during World War II.
The Winemaker's Wife (2019) The story alternates between present-day New York and 1940s France, following characters connected to a champagne house that became part of the French Resistance.
The Room on Rue Amélie (2018) Three lives intersect in occupied Paris: an American woman, a Jewish teenager, and a British Royal Air Force pilot working with the French Resistance.
When We Meet Again (2016) A journalist investigates her grandfather's past after discovering he was a German POW who worked in Florida's sugarcane fields during World War II.
The Life Intended (2014) A widow begins experiencing dreams about the life she might have had with her late husband while navigating a new relationship and career working with deaf children.
The Sweetness of Forgetting (2012) A Cape Cod bakery owner uncovers her grandmother's hidden past that spans from the Holocaust to a Muslim-Jewish connection in Paris.
After (2010) A woman who lost her fiancé in the September 11 attacks discovers photographs suggesting he had been living a double life.
Italian for Beginners (2009) A woman travels to Rome to find herself after her marriage ends, leading to unexpected connections and revelations about her family history.
The Art of French Kissing (2008) A woman takes a job as a publicist in Paris, where she encounters professional rivalries and romantic complications.
How to Sleep with a Movie Star (2006) A magazine editor's life becomes complicated after an encounter with a famous actor leads to tabloid attention.
The Forest of Vanishing Stars (2021) A young woman kidnapped and raised in the wilderness uses her survival skills to help Jewish refugees hide from the Nazis in the forests of Eastern Europe during World War II.
The Winemaker's Wife (2019) The story alternates between present-day New York and 1940s France, following characters connected to a champagne house that became part of the French Resistance.
The Room on Rue Amélie (2018) Three lives intersect in occupied Paris: an American woman, a Jewish teenager, and a British Royal Air Force pilot working with the French Resistance.
When We Meet Again (2016) A journalist investigates her grandfather's past after discovering he was a German POW who worked in Florida's sugarcane fields during World War II.
The Life Intended (2014) A widow begins experiencing dreams about the life she might have had with her late husband while navigating a new relationship and career working with deaf children.
The Sweetness of Forgetting (2012) A Cape Cod bakery owner uncovers her grandmother's hidden past that spans from the Holocaust to a Muslim-Jewish connection in Paris.
After (2010) A woman who lost her fiancé in the September 11 attacks discovers photographs suggesting he had been living a double life.
Italian for Beginners (2009) A woman travels to Rome to find herself after her marriage ends, leading to unexpected connections and revelations about her family history.
The Art of French Kissing (2008) A woman takes a job as a publicist in Paris, where she encounters professional rivalries and romantic complications.
How to Sleep with a Movie Star (2006) A magazine editor's life becomes complicated after an encounter with a famous actor leads to tabloid attention.
👥 Similar authors
Kate Quinn writes historical fiction focused on strong female characters during World War II and other significant conflicts. Her novels incorporate detailed research and multiple timelines, similar to Harmel's storytelling approach.
Pam Jenoff specializes in Holocaust and WWII-era narratives with romance elements. Her work features European settings and explores resistance movements during wartime.
Martha Hall Kelly bases her historical fiction on true events and real historical figures from World War II. Her novels connect multiple time periods through interconnected character stories.
Susan Meissner creates dual-timeline narratives that bridge historical events with contemporary storylines. Her books often examine family relationships and lost connections across generations.
Lisa Wingate writes stories that uncover hidden historical events and their impact on present-day characters. Her work combines historical research with family secrets and forgotten narratives.
Pam Jenoff specializes in Holocaust and WWII-era narratives with romance elements. Her work features European settings and explores resistance movements during wartime.
Martha Hall Kelly bases her historical fiction on true events and real historical figures from World War II. Her novels connect multiple time periods through interconnected character stories.
Susan Meissner creates dual-timeline narratives that bridge historical events with contemporary storylines. Her books often examine family relationships and lost connections across generations.
Lisa Wingate writes stories that uncover hidden historical events and their impact on present-day characters. Her work combines historical research with family secrets and forgotten narratives.