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drkaylabaldwin's review against another edition
5.0
*I received this copy as a Goodreads Giveaway.
To start, I loved this book. I feel like I've read lots of similar, but highly romanticized novels. This novel was more real and raw. Love, war, survival, guilt; this book has it all. I don't want to give away spoilers but there were some surprises in this book that had me cheering and others that had me crying.
To start, I loved this book. I feel like I've read lots of similar, but highly romanticized novels. This novel was more real and raw. Love, war, survival, guilt; this book has it all. I don't want to give away spoilers but there were some surprises in this book that had me cheering and others that had me crying.
kristengbaker's review against another edition
4.0
There were many things to love about this book. The characters were realistic and believable. They weren't heroes, just regular people who were forced to make heartbreaking decisions during terrible times. This was an interesting perspective on World War II that I hadn't read before and the surprising twists made me want to keep reading.
terryliz's review against another edition
3.0
While I mostly enjoyed this book about a widowed woman with an infant daughter barely scraping by in WWII Paris, there were some things I thought could be better. This is actually a dual timeline novel and perhaps because I was reading an e-galley copy, I found the transition between timelines hard to delineate at times until I'd read a couple of paragraphs. Also, I may have missed it, but I'm not quite sure why Charlotte couldn't leave Paris with her daughter Vivi during the war when it is revealed later that her circumstances are not what she presented. I think her relationship with her female resistance friend could have been fleshed out more and I think her post WWII romantic connection to her editor seemed a bit abrupt. All in all, though, this was an easy read; I just thought it could have been more.
micasreads's review against another edition
4.0
**I received this books as an ARC from Netgalley in return for my honest review upon completion**
I am a huge World War II historical fiction fan and have read many books from the perspective of the Jewish families who have dealt with the atrocities of the Holocaust. This book told a very different story. This is the story of a Christian widow in Paris during the Occupation, she comes to depend upon a German soldier with a secret and he helps save her and her child from the Nazis.
I enjoyed the different take on the Occupation and the story was very well told and consistently kept my attention. I believe when released this story will do well amongst fans of the genre.
I am a huge World War II historical fiction fan and have read many books from the perspective of the Jewish families who have dealt with the atrocities of the Holocaust. This book told a very different story. This is the story of a Christian widow in Paris during the Occupation, she comes to depend upon a German soldier with a secret and he helps save her and her child from the Nazis.
I enjoyed the different take on the Occupation and the story was very well told and consistently kept my attention. I believe when released this story will do well amongst fans of the genre.
thebrownbookloft's review against another edition
4.0
Summary: After nearly four years of Nazi occupation, the people of Paris are emotionally drained and starving. The German soldiers in the city, sensing the end of their rule, are increasingly cruel to the French. Citizens are harassed, rounded up, shot or sent to the camps. The tension is so great that Parisians are turning on each other, making accusations and killing their fellow citizens for reasons based on nothing but rumor. The primary allegation against the victims of the mobs is collaboration.
In 1944, Charlotte Foret and her baby daughter, Vivi, are struggling to survive. They work in a bookshop owned by her friend, Simone. Charlotte’s husband was killed in the war. Charlotte, Vivi, Simone and her young daughter live on the money from the meager book sales and their special ration cards, but food is still in extremely short supply. They they are slowly starving to death.
A German soldier begins to quietly frequent the bookshop. He says he is a doctor and helps Vivi through an illness. After Simone is taken by the Germans, Charlotte reluctantly accepts the doctor’s small gifts of food and his friendship. It is the only way they can survive. In the definition of the mobs, she is a collaborator.
Many years later, teenage Vivi is searching for her identity. Charlotte, who has buried her past, comes face to face with her guilt for what she did to survive the war in Paris.
Comments: For me, the central theme of Paris Never Leaves You is guilt, both survivor’s guilt and Catholic guilt. I’ve been fortunate enough to never experience the former, but I sure know a lot about the latter. My mother was fiercely Catholic and sent me to Catholic School in the 60’s and 70’s for thirteen years (including Kindergarten).
I fully related to Charlotte’s inability to forgive herself and move on with her life. After the war, she became an emotional wraith, just passing through life without really living it. While physical present and functional, she lived in the past, unable to form attachments beyond her unduly protective relationship with her daughter, Vivi.
I’ve read several other women in WWII novels, but none quite like this one. Where most of them feature a heroine character drawn from real life, Paris Never Leaves You is about ordinary people just trying to survive in an extraordinary time.
Highly recommended for readers of Historical Fiction, General Fiction, Women’s Fiction and stories about World War II.
In 1944, Charlotte Foret and her baby daughter, Vivi, are struggling to survive. They work in a bookshop owned by her friend, Simone. Charlotte’s husband was killed in the war. Charlotte, Vivi, Simone and her young daughter live on the money from the meager book sales and their special ration cards, but food is still in extremely short supply. They they are slowly starving to death.
A German soldier begins to quietly frequent the bookshop. He says he is a doctor and helps Vivi through an illness. After Simone is taken by the Germans, Charlotte reluctantly accepts the doctor’s small gifts of food and his friendship. It is the only way they can survive. In the definition of the mobs, she is a collaborator.
Many years later, teenage Vivi is searching for her identity. Charlotte, who has buried her past, comes face to face with her guilt for what she did to survive the war in Paris.
Comments: For me, the central theme of Paris Never Leaves You is guilt, both survivor’s guilt and Catholic guilt. I’ve been fortunate enough to never experience the former, but I sure know a lot about the latter. My mother was fiercely Catholic and sent me to Catholic School in the 60’s and 70’s for thirteen years (including Kindergarten).
I fully related to Charlotte’s inability to forgive herself and move on with her life. After the war, she became an emotional wraith, just passing through life without really living it. While physical present and functional, she lived in the past, unable to form attachments beyond her unduly protective relationship with her daughter, Vivi.
I’ve read several other women in WWII novels, but none quite like this one. Where most of them feature a heroine character drawn from real life, Paris Never Leaves You is about ordinary people just trying to survive in an extraordinary time.
Highly recommended for readers of Historical Fiction, General Fiction, Women’s Fiction and stories about World War II.
pawprintsinthesink's review against another edition
4.0
One letter. All it takes is one letter to shock Charlotte Floret from her life in 1955 New York and send her careening back to occupied Paris. As the story goes between her postwar New York life and her life living under occupation, Charlotte remembers who she was and must face her past.
Paris Never Leaves You captivated my mind and heart from the very first page. The writing is clear and concise, with the perfect balance of imagery and action. The dual timeline is exquisitely executed, as each is equally intriguing. There are heart-pounding scenes made even more suspenseful by delicate foreshadowing, unexpected plot twists, and high stakes.
The setting of this novel is magnetic. 1950s New York is an interesting place to explore, and occupied Paris is bone-chillingly terrifying. The juxtaposition of normal life a mere ten years later with the brutal hatred and bloodlust is intense at times, but well placed with a resonating reason for its existence. The reader is offered a rare dual perspective as Charlotte sees the carefree Paris of her youth beneath the heartbreaking war-torn reality of the 1940s.
Although the subject matter is heavy and the stakes impossibly high, the intense plot is metered with humor and small moments of joy. Charlotte’s job in a Parisian bookstore offers respite from the ravaged streets of Paris, while a comedian of a hardware store owner brings levity to the 1950s scenes. The dialogue throughout is fantastic, with realistic conversations alongside witty banter.
The real heart of this novel is the characters. They are masterfully and beautifully crafted. From the major roles to the unnamed side characters, each is fully developed and stands on their own. The primary characters are flawed, but relatable. The characters are complex and intricately woven, as are their relationships with one another.
Aspects of this book remind me of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale (in the best way!). This novel would make an excellent book club pick, as the characters and their actions invite ample discussion.
While I shy away from divulging themes when discussing books, as they often hint at plot details and result in unintended spoilers, there is one theme I want to share. However, if you want a completely spoiler free review as I promised, this paragraph is hidden at the bottom of the post. If you’re curious about the theme I couldn’t resist sharing my admiration for, visit pawprintsinthesink.com. Otherwise, stop now and you'll be safe.
I’m grateful to St. Martin’s Press and Booked Up All Night for the advanced reader’s edition of Paris Never Leaves You that I won in a sweepstakes. Books are the best, and this one was spectacular. Thank you.
Ellen Feldman’s Paris Never Leaves You is out June 2, 2020.
Find more book reviews at www.pawprintsinthesink.com
Paris Never Leaves You captivated my mind and heart from the very first page. The writing is clear and concise, with the perfect balance of imagery and action. The dual timeline is exquisitely executed, as each is equally intriguing. There are heart-pounding scenes made even more suspenseful by delicate foreshadowing, unexpected plot twists, and high stakes.
The setting of this novel is magnetic. 1950s New York is an interesting place to explore, and occupied Paris is bone-chillingly terrifying. The juxtaposition of normal life a mere ten years later with the brutal hatred and bloodlust is intense at times, but well placed with a resonating reason for its existence. The reader is offered a rare dual perspective as Charlotte sees the carefree Paris of her youth beneath the heartbreaking war-torn reality of the 1940s.
Although the subject matter is heavy and the stakes impossibly high, the intense plot is metered with humor and small moments of joy. Charlotte’s job in a Parisian bookstore offers respite from the ravaged streets of Paris, while a comedian of a hardware store owner brings levity to the 1950s scenes. The dialogue throughout is fantastic, with realistic conversations alongside witty banter.
The real heart of this novel is the characters. They are masterfully and beautifully crafted. From the major roles to the unnamed side characters, each is fully developed and stands on their own. The primary characters are flawed, but relatable. The characters are complex and intricately woven, as are their relationships with one another.
Aspects of this book remind me of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale (in the best way!). This novel would make an excellent book club pick, as the characters and their actions invite ample discussion.
While I shy away from divulging themes when discussing books, as they often hint at plot details and result in unintended spoilers, there is one theme I want to share. However, if you want a completely spoiler free review as I promised, this paragraph is hidden at the bottom of the post. If you’re curious about the theme I couldn’t resist sharing my admiration for, visit pawprintsinthesink.com. Otherwise, stop now and you'll be safe.
I’m grateful to St. Martin’s Press and Booked Up All Night for the advanced reader’s edition of Paris Never Leaves You that I won in a sweepstakes. Books are the best, and this one was spectacular. Thank you.
Ellen Feldman’s Paris Never Leaves You is out June 2, 2020.
Find more book reviews at www.pawprintsinthesink.com
ckmurphy1958's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoy reading books about WWII but this didn't quite capture me like some others. The story starts ten years after the war has ended and then flashed back to tell Charlotte's story. I did not immediately pick up which time frame we were in at certain times. I also felt that since it was only a ten year span, did we really need to have the flashbacks? Just start at the beginning and tell the story.
td3's review against another edition
3.0
I found the premise of this newest book by Ellen Feldman intriguing. Set in a Paris bookstore during WW ll, Charlotte finds herself drawn into a forbidden romance during the German occupation in France.
Charlotte, who lost her husband earlier during the war, captures the attention of a German officer who visits the bookstore. Charlotte is the mother to a young daughter, Vivi who is suffering from malnutrition due to the scarcity of food. The German officer notices this and begins to bring food for the child. Charlotte struggles with accepting his offerings, but eventually gives in due to her concern for the child.
As you can guess, the relationship escalate as the Allied forces move into France and Charlotte and the officer both find themselves on the wrong side of things. The couple resorts to drastic measures to save themselves as the war comes to an end.
Through a stroke of luck, Charlotte ends up in the United States, with a wonderful job and a safe place to live. The problem is that Charlotte cannot find happiness due to her struggle with guilt and the lie she has been living with since she came to the United States.
I liked the story and the portrait it portrayed of France during the war. As for Charlotte’s romantic relationships, I felt as if she never allowed herself to fully acknowledge her feelings due to the guilt she carried. The story got off to a slow start and ended a bit abruptly, but it seemed Charlotte had set herself on the right path going forward, so in that sense it was a satisfying ending.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
Charlotte, who lost her husband earlier during the war, captures the attention of a German officer who visits the bookstore. Charlotte is the mother to a young daughter, Vivi who is suffering from malnutrition due to the scarcity of food. The German officer notices this and begins to bring food for the child. Charlotte struggles with accepting his offerings, but eventually gives in due to her concern for the child.
As you can guess, the relationship escalate as the Allied forces move into France and Charlotte and the officer both find themselves on the wrong side of things. The couple resorts to drastic measures to save themselves as the war comes to an end.
Through a stroke of luck, Charlotte ends up in the United States, with a wonderful job and a safe place to live. The problem is that Charlotte cannot find happiness due to her struggle with guilt and the lie she has been living with since she came to the United States.
I liked the story and the portrait it portrayed of France during the war. As for Charlotte’s romantic relationships, I felt as if she never allowed herself to fully acknowledge her feelings due to the guilt she carried. The story got off to a slow start and ended a bit abruptly, but it seemed Charlotte had set herself on the right path going forward, so in that sense it was a satisfying ending.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
maesreadingworld's review against another edition
3.0
Charlotte survived living in Paris during WWII with a young child. Now in America the past keeps coming to her. Told in past and present you revisit her life trying yo survive in Paris. This is an amazing story of finding yourself, survival, and love.
I enjoyed Charlottes story of survival and how she handled things in her bookshop. She did all she could to help her daughter. When she finally made her way out of Paris, she struggled with the things she had done before and who she knew before. I love all the relationships that formed, friends and lovers.
I enjoyed Charlottes story of survival and how she handled things in her bookshop. She did all she could to help her daughter. When she finally made her way out of Paris, she struggled with the things she had done before and who she knew before. I love all the relationships that formed, friends and lovers.
bookcrazyblogger's review against another edition
3.0
Set both in Paris during World War II and New York City during the 1950’s, Paris Never Leaves You follows widowed Charlotte and her young daughter Vivi. WWII-era Charlotte, who is recently widowed, is attempting to run a bookshop in Paris as a livelihood for her infant daughter and herself. She is helped in the bookshop and with childcare by a fellow French Jewish activist. Charlotte is determined to do what it takes to survive. In 1950-era New York City, Vivi is starting to become curious about her father and their past history in Paris, especially their Jewish connection. I personally really enjoyed this novel. There were a few twists that I did not see coming. What happens when you must pretend to be something you’re not in order to survive? What would you do to feed your children? What would you do to live? I liked how this was a second-chance romance as well although that part did also feel sketchy.