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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
I've seen Kristin Harmel's name around with historical fiction a lot and I wanted to step out of my typical YA and romance binge that I've been on lately. Yes, this book has some romance in it, but it's mostly a heartbreaking historical tale with the tiniest wink of romance. Seriously, did Kristin want to rip my heart out? And the twist at the end... I should have seen it coming, but I was far too engrossed with the characters to figure it out.
I do think this book could have been ironed at more, though. There were times where I felt like my eye was wandering off and I wasn't as connected to the story as I wanted. The characters made me incredibly frustrated with how self-centered they could be, all the while suffering through war time.
This is a well-researched book though and I really needed to know what happened to the characters.
So, it is a good read but not the best one I've read that feature World War 2 historical romances. But, good enough that I had to see it through.
Three out of five stars.
I do think this book could have been ironed at more, though. There were times where I felt like my eye was wandering off and I wasn't as connected to the story as I wanted. The characters made me incredibly frustrated with how self-centered they could be, all the while suffering through war time.
This is a well-researched book though and I really needed to know what happened to the characters.
So, it is a good read but not the best one I've read that feature World War 2 historical romances. But, good enough that I had to see it through.
Three out of five stars.
World War II in France, in Reims & Champagne (read during trip to Alsace - walking through vineyards, so definitely affected my reading; 3.5 stars) One of those novels that goes between two perspectives -- historical and present day -- until the two worlds connect and meet, and secrets are revealed/explained. Another piece of WWII history that I was not very familiar with; great historical setting. The relationships/romance didn't completely resonate with me, though I really liked the relationship between grandmother/granddaughter. Choices, bravery, selfishness, selflessness, complicity, intrigue, survival -- there's a lot going on here, and it's not always black and white. And you won't look at champagne in quite the same way again.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow, what an emotional journey that was! That has to be hands down the best book I have read in a long time!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A combination of The Things We Cannot Say and The Nightingale, although both of those were better. The last 3/4 of this book were very good, getting there was a bit of a slog. I LOVED the history of Champagne. 3.5 stars rounded up.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
sad
tense
slow-paced
I honestly was considering 2 stars for this one but it did keep me reading so I went with 3. The characters are not likable or fully fleshed out. Their reactions and choices feel false and the ending got an eye roll. Too much contrived drama. So 3 stars is my generous give to a pretty disappointing book.