I. Discussion Guide: Mystery, Memory, and Morality

Use these questions to prompt a conversation about the historical details, the character motivations, and the complex ethical choices made during the war.

The Mystery and the Past

1. The Catalyst: The discovery of the necklace in a secondhand shop triggers Louise's investigation. What made the necklace such a powerful symbol, and how did its initial appearance set the tone for the journey back to the past?

2. Franny's Death: Louise is driven by the mysterious death of her friend, Franny. What did you initially suspect about Franny's involvement in the war and the cause of her death? Did the truth surprise you, and how did the revelation impact your view of her character?

3. Keeping Secrets: The novel explores secrets kept for a decade after the war. Why were certain truths buried for so long? Do you think the characters who chose silence were acting out of protection, shame, or fear?

Historical Setting: Lévitan and Wartime Paris

1. Lévitan Department Store: The story is inspired by the true history of Lévitan being used as a Nazi prison. How did this unusual setting, a place of consumerism and glamour turned into a place of confinement affect the atmosphere and the characters' experiences?

2. The Parisian Resistance: The novel deals with sacrifice and resistance. In what ways did the characters Helaine, Louise, Ian, and others show resistance, and which form of resistance overt action vs. subtle survival did you find most compelling?

3. Post-War London 1953: Louise begins the story in post-war London. How did the shift in setting from occupied Paris to 1953 London highlight the difference between memory and the reality of post-war life for women like Louise?

Character, Love, and Sacrifice

1. Louise's Transformation: Louise transitions from a post-war housewife back into a determined investigator. How did this journey allow her to confront her own past, including her romantic history with Ian?

2. Helaine and Her Husband: Helaine's story centers on her separation from her husband. Discuss the sacrifices and choices Helaine made during her imprisonment. How does her love story contrast with the love story between Louise and Ian?

3. The Power of Love: The book explores the power of love to transcend even the darkest hours. In this context, does love primarily mean romantic love, or does it include platonic love and familial bonds?

II. Themed Menu: A Taste of Paris

The menu is inspired by the Parisian setting and the elegance of a department store café, but with a focus on simple, classic flavors.

🍽️ Themed Snack: Parisian Cheese & Radish Bites

A simple, classic French appetizer that combines the elegance of Paris with the simple ingredients of wartime survival.

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces

• 1 stick 8 oz good quality unsalted butter, softened

• 1 bunch fresh radishes, thinly sliced

• 1 tsp flaky sea salt 

• Optional: Soft Goat Cheese or Cream Cheese

Recipe:

1. Toast the baguette slices lightly if desired, or serve fresh.

2. Spread a generous amount of softened butter or cheese on each baguette slice.

3. Top the butter/cheese with 3-4 thin slices of radish.

4. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the radishes for texture and flavor. Serve immediately.

🍷 Themed Drink: Le Crépuscule The Twilight Spritzer

A refreshing, slightly romantic drink named after the twilight in the book's title.

Ingredients per serving:

• 1/2 cup dry rosé wine or sparkling white grape juice for a non-alcoholic option

• 1/4 cup club soda or sparkling water

• 1/4 cup cranberry juice for the twilight color

• Garnish: A lemon twist or a few fresh raspberries

Recipe:

1. Fill a wine glass or a tall tumbler with ice.

2. Pour the rosé or juice and the cranberry juice over the ice.

3. Top with the club soda or sparkling water.

4. Gently stir once and garnish with a lemon twist or raspberries.

III. Themed Activity: Deciphering the Clues

Engage your book club members in a quick mystery challenge based on the idea of decoding the past.

🔎 Activity: The Codebreaker Challenge

Setup:

• The Clue: Prepare a short, cryptic message The truth lies where the light once shone or a short quote from the book.

• The Code: Use a simple substitution cipher like the Caesar Cipher where you shift every letter by 3 or 5 places to encrypt the message. Example: A=D, B=E, C=F, etc.

• Print the coded message on a decorative piece of paper labeled Lévitan Clue.

• Provide scratch paper and the Key  "Shift 5 letters back to decode."

The Challenge:

• The Goal: Challenge the club members individually or in pairs to quickly decode the message using the provided key.

• The Discussion: The first person or team to correctly decode the message wins a prize. Use this activity to discuss how difficult it must have been for resistance members to communicate under constant threat.

IV. Themed Door Prizes

Award prizes based on the novel's key settings and objects.

1. The Necklace Clue Prize: A small, elegant vintage-inspired locket or a delicate silver necklace.

2. The Parisian Elegance Prize: A tube of high-quality French hand cream or a small box of French macarons.

3. The Codebreaker Prize: A beautiful leather-bound journal for documenting their own mysteries or memories.

4. The Lévitan History Prize: A history book about Paris during WWII or a gift certificate for a subscription service that focuses on historical fiction.

➡️Tap link to download the kit!

https://tinyurl.com/2w2da7wn

❗️Don't forget to come back and tell us how your meeting went and if there anything else you would like us to add to our book club kits!

❄️Happy Tuesday, my friends! So many of you were enthusiastic about my Christmas Book Baubles over on Instagram - I thought I'd give TWO away. These will be custom to the books you've read this year (2025) and it doesn't matter how many books you've read, I have multiple sizes of glass bulbs!

❄️ What is it? I've created a Christmas ornament with tiny replicas of each book read within the span of a year! This is totally custom.

⪼ How to Enter:
❄️ Comment below with how many books you have read this year!

⪼ Bonus Entry
❄️Follow @amanda.the.bookish on IG
❄️Like + share (you can share to stories or repost, both count!)
❄️Tag your bookish friends (1 name per comment)

(link to the post on my Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/DSnfu79Ep5n/)

⪼ One winner will be chosen from the comments here
⪼ One winner will be chosen from the comments on IG

⪼ International! I will cover shipping to the US, Canada, and Mexico, and contribute to shipping internationally

⪼ Boring Rules:⁣⁣
-GA begins December 23rd and ends 9 PM MST on January 1st. Winners will be drawn soon after⁣ 
- you must be willing to share your Goodreads/ Storygraph / book journal list of books read in 2025
-Not affiliated with IG or Meta, or any book tracker app, just me
-I will contact one winner through this account , and one through the email you provide to Bindery
-Private + public acc welcome⁣, 18+/ parental permission
-I reserve the right to disqualify any account for breaking the rules⁣⁣

Love stuff like this? Become a paid subscriber for less than a cup of coffee a month. Supporting me here means I get to work toward making this imprint a reality; and in the meantime you get to access cool perks like my bookclub, videos deep diving into books, and my sommelier knowledge!

⭐Book Club Review: Last Twilight in Paris⭐

The way Pam Jenoff blends her stories spotlighting pieces of history many people have never heard of and turns them into heart-clenching, emotionally rich reads is nothing short of stunning. This story delivers powerful character development, immersive dual points of view, and an unforgettable atmosphere that sweeps you straight into both women’s lives. It’s fast-paced and full of heart, hope, betrayal, love, twists that hit hard, and moments that stay with you well after the final page.

⭐️And now our individual reactions:

Kaci a.k.a. I-swear-this-necklace-is-a-sign:

The minute I picked up that dusty little box in the secondhand shop, my world tilted. I knew that necklace from a place I don’t talk about much. And suddenly I’m hopping across the Channel to Paris like it’s no big deal because apparently I can’t resist a good mystery or unfinished business. Or certain old coworkers. Ahem.

Stacey definitely-not-still-invested Stacey:

Kaci showing up at my door after all this time with a necklace and a look that says, “we’re about to ruin our peace again”? Yeah, I should’ve expected it. One mention of Lévitan and I knew we were chasing ghosts again. And honestly? I’d follow her into the thick of it every time.

Lisa survivor, fighter, absolute icon:

I remember the department store before the Germans took it before it became a place where hope went to die. Before they tore me from the man I loved. My story isn’t gentle, but it’s real. And that necklace? It holds pieces of a truth buried for far too long. Watching Kaci and Stacey dig into the past felt like an old wound finally receiving air.

Ashley gone, but not forgotten:

If I could speak to them, I’d tell them I never meant for the secrets of that time to linger like ghosts. But wartime truth rarely dies quietly. Kaci always had the biggest, most stubborn heart. I’m grateful she didn’t let my story fade into rubble and silence.

Alisha yes, I get a POV I’m the necklace:

Hi. It’s me. The real MVP. I’ve seen more drama than a whole season of prestige television. If humans would stop boxing me up and actually listen, these mysteries would go so much faster. Until then, I’ll keep being the sparkly breadcrumb trail leading everyone to truth, healing, and maybe even love. You’re welcome.

Jess Paris herself eternal drama queen:

Ah, mon chéri, my streets hold secrets older than heartbreak. Kaci walks my cobblestones like she’s chasing ghosts and perhaps she is. I never give answers gently, but I always give them. In my shadows, truth waits patiently for the brave.

⭐Final Thoughts from all of us! Last Twilight in Paris is a gripping blend of mystery and history fast-paced, emotional, and rich with resilience, sacrifice, and deeply human moments. Jenoff delivers characters you feel, a past you can almost touch, and revelations that linger long after the last page.

❓If you discovered a mysterious object from your past sitting in a thrift shop, would you…

A) Go full detective mode,

B) Pretend you saw nothing and moonwalk away

C) Buy it immediately because this is clearly the start of your main-character arc?

What are you choosing? 📚✨

❗️If you are in a book club and need a book club kit for this book then come join The First Editions! A discussion guide, themed menu, activities and more!

Well to all the lucky folks in my bindery, here is the cover reveal for The Tenth Muse: Rebellion. The second volume in my charity anthology. It's available for pre-order now on amazon!

Friends,

I know it’s been a busy week, but I’ve got one more very hot news slice to share! We are publishing another book!!!

Cracks in an Ocean of Glass is a lush literary horror and I know you are all going to devour it!

Want to get a taste of Kristy's writing? Pick up some of her other books tagged below!

Grab your favorite snack, get comfy, and let’s find out your true reader identity. Choose the answers that sound the most like you and tally your points at the end!

1. It’s a rainy afternoon. What are you reading?

A. A cozy fantasy or heartwarming adventure rain + magic = perfection! (2 pts)

B. A fast-paced thriller that makes me forget the weather entirely. (3 pts)

C. A swoony romance because rain is basically mood lighting. (1 pt)

D. A stack of picture books or graphic novels pure comfort reads! (4 pts)

2. You walk into a bookstore. What’s your first stop?

A. The fantasy/sci-fi shelves calling my name like a prophecy. (3 pts)

B. The new releases table I must inspect EVERYTHING. (1 pt)

C. The kids' section the colors! The whimsy! The guaranteed joy! (4 pts)

D. Mystery/thrillers give me clues, give me chaos. (2 pts)

3. What’s your ideal reading snack?

A. Literally anything I can eat without getting crumbs on my book. (1 pt)

B. Popcorn which will absolutely get everywhere, and I do not care. (4 pts)

C. Tea and something tiny and fancy, like I’m in a British mystery. (2 pts)

D. Chocolate. Always chocolate. (3 pts)

4. Choose your perfect fictional best friend.

A. The bold, chaotic sidekick who always gets you into fun trouble. (4 pts)

B. The loyal softie who brings snacks and emotional support. (1 pt)

C. The mysterious one with a tragic backstory and killer eyeliner. (3 pts)

D. The brave adventurer who always says “We’ve got this!” (2 pts)

5. What’s your reading superpower?

A. I can finish a book in one sitting without even blinking. (3 pts)

B. I reread my favorites so often I basically know them by heart. (1 pt)

C. I can predict twist endings like a literary psychic. (4 pts)

D. I can read anywhere cars, noisy rooms, upside down doesn't matter. (2 pts)

✨RESULTS TIME! Tally your points!✨

5–7 points: The Cozy Dreamer: You love warm, comforting reads that feel like a hug. You’d probably live inside a storybook cottage if you could.

8–11 points: The Romantic Heart: You feel deeply, swoon easily, and love stories where the emotions are as dramatic as the weather. You bring tissues everywhere.

12–15 points: The Brave Adventurer: Epic quests? Bold characters? Sci-fi creatures? You’re there. Your imagination never sits still.

16–20 points: The Plot-Twist Detective: You pick up clues no one else notices. Thrillers, mysteries, and twisty tales are your natural habitat. You know the killer before page 50.

📍Let us know you reader type in the comments!

August was quite a book traveling month for me. New Voices, New Rooms was the destination in Atlanta, Georgia. Between there and Enola, Pennsylvania, there are many bookstores.

The first one we stopped at was Miss Willa's Bookshop in West Virginia.

About Miss Willa's Bookshop

Miss Willa's Bookshop, located in Charles Town, West Virginia, is an independent bookstore that offers romance-only novels written by authors both well-known and debut, traditional and indie.

Owned by # 1 New York Times Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout, the bookshop is named after Willa Colyns, a character from JLA's Blood and Ash series. When JLA decided she wanted to fulfill one of her dreams by opening a bookstore, she immediately knew she wanted to showcase the genre that not only started her love of reading but also writing. 

I love that so many authors are opening up their own indie bookstores. When Jennifer Armentrout announced her new venture in opening up a bookstore in West Virginia, I was stoked.
I knew I wanted to go there, and the group of us made the pitstop on our way to Georgia.

It's such a cute shop.

I loved the decorations.

What a cool wall.

This is so funny to me and matches the vibes of JLA’s books!

There were many romance books of all sub-genres.

Classics of the genre were on the shelves along with their more recent counterparts.

A group photo was a must.

Truth.

I left with a Beverly Jenkins novel that I didn't already own. And of course a sticker commemorating the occasion. I love buying stickers from bookstores. If I don't have space for more books or don't find a book I really want, I still like to support stores. So if there's a sticker or postcard, I'm there for it.

I can’t wait to visit again!