The Butler by Danielle Steel is about love, family, and brothers. It’s a family saga that starts out in Argentina and goes to Paris, New York, and London. It’s an inside look into a dying profession, the butler, but so much more. The characters are strong, memorable, and very likable. Born Danielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel, the romance writer,is one of the bestselling authors alive today, selling more than 800 million copies of her books. The prolificauthor has written nearly 200 books and is known for working on many projects—from romance novels to children’s books to non-fiction works—at the same time. Danielle Steel is a master at developing deep and realistic characters and this book does not disappoint. Joachim and his mother are such loving characters, and so is Olivia. I’ll admit there is a bit of an info dump in the beginning of this book, but it’s worth it to plow through it, as the story is so very good. I just loved Joachim, his relationship with his mother and then his relationship with Olivia, it all seemed so real, and true. Eventually, Peter became a successful investment banker after leaving his town behind. Michael remained and established himself as a local doctor. When Wall Street crashed, and his wife left, Peter had no choice but to return to his childhood home. Although the brothers made amends, things take a turn when Peter meets Michael’s son Bill.

The initial premise of The Butler was intriguing and I was interested to see where this novel would go direction wise. Those who are fans of Danielle Steel will know that the author loves the cult television series Downton Abbey and France. Steel combines both these elements in her novel and she includes a focus on the wealthy, which is another of the author’s common narrative threads. The Butler looks at a family who take a tumble from the upper class due to an unexpected revelation. I enjoyed the way in which the war crime element involving the lead’s grandfather played out in this book. I actually would have loved more air time on this component of the novel as I found it fascinating. Likewise, I found Liese to be a very absorbing character with a compelling profession. I devoured the sections involving Liese’s art work and her dedication to recovering stolen paintings from the war. Steel presents a very intriguing subject area in minimal form only. I would have liked a stronger exploration of this highly engaging subject line. Olivia White has given ten years of her life to her magazine, which failed, taking all of her dreams with it. A bequest from her mother allows her a year in Paris to reinvent herself. She needs help setting up a home in a charming Parisian apartment. It is then that her and Joachim’s paths cross. In Danielle Steel's novel, "The Butler," the protagonist is a male named Joachim. Joachim and his twin brother, Javier, have led separate lives since adulthood. Joachim is characterized as sensitive, empathetic, and deeply attached to their mother, particularly due to their shared past. He feels a strong sense of protectiveness towards her. On the other hand, Javier has always been the more difficult and rebellious of the two, choosing a life vastly different from Joachim's. With some predictable elements and plot turns, The Butler takes an additional focus on Joachim’s twin brother Javier. Javier’s disappearance and possible death contributes to a valued level of suspense in this contemporary romance tale. Steel uses this aspect of her novel to explore the drugs trade and Argentina’s dark underworld. This was another alternative storyline focus for Danielle Steel. It was good to see Danielle Steel branch further afield with some elements of her new novel.

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A modern day Cain and Abel story mixed with Downton Abbey, Danielle Steel pens a tale filled with adventure and finding love in the midst of heartache. Liese von Hartmann provided her twin sons love and stability despite difficult circumstances. While Joachim was content without having riches, Javier felt resentful..

Thank you to #NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the early edition of #TheButler in exchange for an honest review. From the first chapter, I knew this would differ from Steel's historical fiction or romance titles. I didn't have a clear direction of where the story was headed until Joachim commenced working with Olivia, Readers will delight in their friendship and fortitude by overcoming obstacles. Stripped of their old roles, they strive to discover the truth about each other and themselves, first as employer and employee, then as friends. Their paths no longer sure, they are a man and woman who reach a place where the past doesn’t matter and only what they are living now is true. Romance author Danielle Steel’s name is synonymous with hot-and-heavy novels. We’ve compiled 16 of the best Danielle Steel books for your reading list. The Butler is an extraordinary tale of family, difficult decisions and destiny, from the world's favourite storyteller, Danielle Steel. Two different worlds and two very different lives collide in Paris in this captivating novel by Danielle Steel.Steel’s familiar writing style and descriptive character evolution will keep you engaged from start to finish, whether you’re craving a touching memoir, a hope-fueled romance novel, or an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Be sure to add the ten books above to your must-read list the next time you’re craving an escape from the daily grind. Want to read more romance books? Discover our list of best gay romance novels. How I Chose the Best Danielle Steel Books Wartime Paris is fraught with stress and fear, and a family is ripped apart by tragedy in this 1987 bestselling novel. Megan, Alexandra, and Hilary are three suddenly orphaned sisters who are cruelly separated after their parents pass away. Each sister beginsa new life. Olivia White has given ten years of her life to her magazine, which failed, taking all her dreams with it. A bequest from her mother allows her a year in Paris to reinvent herself. She needs help setting up a home in a charming Parisian apartment. It is then that her path and Joachim's cross.

Joaschim von Hartmann was born and raised in Buenos Aires by his loving German Mother, inseperable from his identical twin. When Joachim moves to Paris with his mother in his late teens, his twin stays behind and enters a dark world. Meanwhile, Joachim begins training to be a butler, fascinated by the precision and intense demands, and goes on to work in some of the grandest homes in England. His brother never reappears. Peter McDowell has always had a deep-seated animosity toward his sibling Michael. The two brothers differed dramatically despite being identical twins and growing up in the same family and community. Such differences inevitably turned them into enemies and drove them apart.

Joachim von Hartmann was born and raised in Buenos Aires by his loving German mother, inseparable from his identical twin, Javier. When Joachim moves to Paris with his mother in his late teens, his twin stays behind and enters a dark world. Meanwhile, Joachim begins training to be a butler, fascinated by the precision and intense demands, and goes on to work in some of the grandest homes in England. His brother never reappears. It’s a nice and simple story of love, loss and friendship and the power of new beginnings. Classic Danielle Steel. The Butler" delves into the complexities of sibling relationships, portraying the contrasting paths that Joachim and Javier have chosen. While Joachim seeks solace in a life of service, Javier embraces a more tumultuous existence. Their divergent choices and the subsequent conflict between them serve as a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery. This 2003 New York Times bestselling novel describes how two lovers who have lost the things they hold near and dear find hope—and each other. The story begins with a young girl befriending an older artist at the beach; the young girl, Pip, and her new friend, Matt, enjoy drawing lessons together, and Matt begins to notice Ophélie, Pip’s beautiful mother. Their time together is cut short when Pip and Ophélie must return to the city.