Scan barcode
lisamshardlow's review against another edition
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.
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
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
themagicalinbetween's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
"War is nothing like I expected it to be. An adventure certainly, but I didn't count on the way it would destroy my easy view of things. Make me ache for home and the simplicity I had taken for granted. Like the solitude of my bedroom, or a cup of scalding tea first thing in the morning."
I spend most of my reading time in historical fiction of some kind, but more often than not, it's World War II books as they are much more numerous and popular. A fellow Bibliophile gifted this book to me (audio version which was splendid, the actors are fantastic) and it was wonderful.
There's something about the way this World War I story unfolds that draws you in almost immediately. There's a feeling the characters are mostly quite likeable and written in such a way that makes you deeply connected with them and their journeys. In my experience, this takes a bit of talent as an author as more often than not, books are written with the intent of having the reader grow to love the characters as they develop. Somehow, Evie, Will and Tom feel like old, welcome friends straightaway and you immediately wish for their success, happiness and joy.
As an epistolary novel, there's a real sense that you are living through the "great war to end all wars" with Evie, Will and Tom, not just because of the way the months and years go by but because they are letters. Letters which are personal and intimate to each other, that leave you feeling as if you are reading someone's journal, their life unfolding before you. The choices they face, the frustrations, losses, longings, heartaches and ultimately purposes. It's a deeply moving, and profound account of World War I, and at times, heartrendingly devastating to think that there will be another World War to follow, though not told in this story. While somber and often filled with accounts of hardships, losses and realities of war, it is a reflective story filled with purpose, the profound sense of responsibility and choices, and ultimately the redemptive joy of hope.
Excellent WWI novel. Highly recommend the Audio version.
Things to note: mild language. mention of mental illness/PTSD and recovery. (less)
I spend most of my reading time in historical fiction of some kind, but more often than not, it's World War II books as they are much more numerous and popular. A fellow Bibliophile gifted this book to me (audio version which was splendid, the actors are fantastic) and it was wonderful.
There's something about the way this World War I story unfolds that draws you in almost immediately. There's a feeling the characters are mostly quite likeable and written in such a way that makes you deeply connected with them and their journeys. In my experience, this takes a bit of talent as an author as more often than not, books are written with the intent of having the reader grow to love the characters as they develop. Somehow, Evie, Will and Tom feel like old, welcome friends straightaway and you immediately wish for their success, happiness and joy.
As an epistolary novel, there's a real sense that you are living through the "great war to end all wars" with Evie, Will and Tom, not just because of the way the months and years go by but because they are letters. Letters which are personal and intimate to each other, that leave you feeling as if you are reading someone's journal, their life unfolding before you. The choices they face, the frustrations, losses, longings, heartaches and ultimately purposes. It's a deeply moving, and profound account of World War I, and at times, heartrendingly devastating to think that there will be another World War to follow, though not told in this story. While somber and often filled with accounts of hardships, losses and realities of war, it is a reflective story filled with purpose, the profound sense of responsibility and choices, and ultimately the redemptive joy of hope.
Excellent WWI novel. Highly recommend the Audio version.
Things to note: mild language. mention of mental illness/PTSD and recovery. (less)
bbingham's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nhilton's review against another edition
5.0
Wartime historical fiction and Christmas in one book—I couldn’t put it down!
labraitz94's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
maboelion's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
ilovecatsdotcom's review against another edition
3.0
A solid 3.5. This is definitely a love story, more than the intricacies on WW1 (but you still get a high level version of those as well). The letter writing format felt a little repetitive over four years time and everything was a little on the nose. All in all it’s a sweet, quick read.