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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Good historical content but Iistened to the audio version and found it very difficult to understand the narrator accent.
5 for the historical chapters, but Abi’s story didn’t engage me at all. I found the style disruptive and distracting. I know the point was that Abi found strength in Eliane’s story, but their traumas felt too disconnected for me to buy into it. Still, Eliane’s story is heartbreaking but beautiful. It was hard for me to believe the entire book was written by the same author.
What a great book! I really enjoyed every bit of this book, the historical story line,the romances and the resilience of the characters.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
This book was an easy read and good story. I felt the flipping back to present day didn’t really add any value.
Beautiful story from Fiona Valpy
Fiona Valpy is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors ~ this is the third book of hers I've read this year (and none before that). I loved this book ~ I wish I'd have read it *before* "The Dressmaker's Gift." They each can stand alone, but have connected/common characters. Also, I'd have loved to know more about Farber.
For those who want to know: no foul language, which I am very grateful for (and one reason I'm enjoying her books so much). Mild violence mentioned (WWII, so to be expected) ~ no details as happening, but more of a review of what had happened.
Fiona Valpy is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors ~ this is the third book of hers I've read this year (and none before that). I loved this book ~ I wish I'd have read it *before* "The Dressmaker's Gift." They each can stand alone, but have connected/common characters. Also, I'd have loved to know more about Farber.
For those who want to know: no foul language, which I am very grateful for (and one reason I'm enjoying her books so much). Mild violence mentioned (WWII, so to be expected) ~ no details as happening, but more of a review of what had happened.
This book checked a lot of boxes for me. It had two stories...one took place in modern day (Abi) and one took place during WWII (Eliane). I liked both characters so much because they both had struggles, but showed a lot of strength and perseverance. I loved how Abi's story unfolded from the yoga retreat to being picked up by the Chateau owners which gave her a really great opportunity to rediscover herself and gain confidence after coming out of an abusive relationship. Eliane's story was heartbreaking. When her bee hives were set on fire and when she traveled to Tulle and saw all the men and boys the Nazis had killed it was devastating, but the book showed us that she lived a long life after that and found joy after all the heartache.
Fantastic!
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. I am so glad that I entered. This book is so wonderfully written, so sweet and endearing. I could not put it down. I had to know what happened to the people in the story. Within the pages of this beautiful book you will find love, loss, sadness, strength, community togetherness and so many other things that make this book a treasure. I'm a lover of honey bees so that element to the story blessed my heart. Read it for yourself and you will see why. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. I am so glad that I entered. This book is so wonderfully written, so sweet and endearing. I could not put it down. I had to know what happened to the people in the story. Within the pages of this beautiful book you will find love, loss, sadness, strength, community togetherness and so many other things that make this book a treasure. I'm a lover of honey bees so that element to the story blessed my heart. Read it for yourself and you will see why. I look forward to reading more by this author.
This was a real struggle to get through. It felt choppy and I wound up not really connecting or caring much about any of the characters. I understand the gravity of the situation but it wasn't the best way to display it.
emotional
hopeful
sad
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:
No
A historical fiction novel about WWII in France. The book switches back and forth between the 1940’s and 2017. Lovely book, great story, and valuable history lesson about a terrible time in Europe.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
eh kind of mid. never felt truly deep enough in either the present day story or the past story. also wouldn’t put the two stories as like parallels to each other very interesting