Reviews

Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I by Hazel Gaynor

josie_adair's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 ⭐️
My heart! I usually read fiction from ww2, this was an interesting change set in ww1. These are letters and telegrams between a kind writer corresponding with her closest people. This is a story of war, romance, heartache, and hope. Excellent Christmas read!

lelyreads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

aelane23's review against another edition

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5.0

I love books that are written in letter format. This was well written, and an enjoyable listen!

jbrueck's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book. I loved reading about the war through a variety of letters and loss and happiness people went through. It was touching and I always enjoy a satisfying ending as well.

alexaisreading__'s review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Enjoyed this WWI love story told in letters and dual timelines! I think I read it too soon after The Alice Network and it’s a very different vibe - much more relationship-oriented and sweet - so I wasn’t as into it as I maybe would have been without that comparison. However, it was extremely cozy and well-narrated. It felt kind of like watching Call the Midwife for reasons I can’t articulate but certainly appreciated. 

nikkipierce's review against another edition

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5.0

What an adventure between Evie and Tom. This was a brilliantly written novel with much excitement in the face of terror.

ylvasorli's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5-4⭐️

hollys_book_nook's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Normally I really enjoy historical fiction, but this one didn’t quite meet my expectations. It was very well-written and I enjoyed the letters sent back and forth between characters! I do wish the letters hadn’t made up a majority of the book though. My mind would wander a lot because it felt like, at times, nothing was happening. The romance between Evie and Tom was incredibly sweet and I love how organically their romance developed. I loved Evie’s character and how strong and persistent she was. The articles she wrote were so interesting to read! Overall, just an okay read this round.

lisamshardlow's review against another edition

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5.0

Evie says goodbye to her brother Will and his best friend, Tom. Both Tom and Will sign up to become soldiers during World War One and are sent to the Front in France. The story is told as a series of letters sent between the characters. As the war was promised to be over by Christmas, they all dream of Christmas in Paris.

Oh my god, I absolutely LOVED this book! I really enjoy epistolary (letter/diary/journal format) novels anyway, and I will read anything written that way, so I knew even before starting this that I would love it. I just didn’t realise how emotional it would also be. I absolutely loved the friendship and love that blossomed between Evie and Tom; their letters are just so beautiful. I couldn’t stop reading - I just wanted to know what was going to happen next! I kept thinking, "I’ll just read one more letter," and there I was hours later, still reading. It was heartbreaking but joyful at the same time.

I don’t think there was anything that I didn’t love about this book, except that certain crucial things didn’t happen until it was almost too late! But even then, it wasn’t really something that I didn’t like about it.

This story gets 5 out of 5 stars and then some! I thoroughly enjoyed Last Christmas in Paris from start to finish.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, romance, feminism, war stories, friendship, and Christmases in Paris.

aduda06's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75