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catmegz's review against another edition
2.0
Unbelievable
I really wanted to like this story, but too many things were just too unbelievable in the modern portions of the story. A cafe owner who can afford to not only take large chunks of time off, but also multiple trips between CA and Europe? A lawyer who simply decides to ignore ethics for a cute girl? The owner who flip flops constantly? Too much for me.
I really wanted to like this story, but too many things were just too unbelievable in the modern portions of the story. A cafe owner who can afford to not only take large chunks of time off, but also multiple trips between CA and Europe? A lawyer who simply decides to ignore ethics for a cute girl? The owner who flip flops constantly? Too much for me.
jenifferswhim's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thisbookishmom's review against another edition
3.0
This was a decent book. Not super great, but kept me interested.
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Two storylines, one in 2010 and one in the 1930s, one that starts in California and one that starts in Paris, but both make their way to Germany and a castle where both women's lives will be forever changed.
Anna is sent to Germany to the home of her ailing grandfather to retrieve something. There she will find more than the intended purpose of her trip. In 1930, Isabelle makes a visit to this castle and falls in love with a man, but their paths will diverge and her life will go in a different direction.
Two storylines, one in 2010 and one in the 1930s, one that starts in California and one that starts in Paris, but both make their way to Germany and a castle where both women's lives will be forever changed.
Anna is sent to Germany to the home of her ailing grandfather to retrieve something. There she will find more than the intended purpose of her trip. In 1930, Isabelle makes a visit to this castle and falls in love with a man, but their paths will diverge and her life will go in a different direction.
bookofcinz's review against another edition
3.0
This is 2.5, rounded up to 3 stars.
I am such a huge fan of books written about WWII specifically the Nazi invasion. I mean, I have read a lot of historical fiction about this and I am always wowed, this one missed the mark entirely. I could not wait to finish it. I found myself glazing over the pages in an effort to just be done with it all.
I felt zero for the characters, the description did not wow me. I usually get a bout of the travel bug after reading these books, I felt nothing except annoyance. I am not sure where Carey went wrong I mean she seemed to have all the makings of a great novel:
- WWII
- Mystery of the Lake House
- The flashbacks between past and present
- A solid intriguing concept
Everything just did not come together for me. Maybe I will revisit in the future.
I am such a huge fan of books written about WWII specifically the Nazi invasion. I mean, I have read a lot of historical fiction about this and I am always wowed, this one missed the mark entirely. I could not wait to finish it. I found myself glazing over the pages in an effort to just be done with it all.
I felt zero for the characters, the description did not wow me. I usually get a bout of the travel bug after reading these books, I felt nothing except annoyance. I am not sure where Carey went wrong I mean she seemed to have all the makings of a great novel:
- WWII
- Mystery of the Lake House
- The flashbacks between past and present
- A solid intriguing concept
Everything just did not come together for me. Maybe I will revisit in the future.
al13ex's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure at first about this book, because I half expected to read a story that has romance and time as main elements. I wasn't wrong. The style of this book reminds me a lot of Kate Morton's books, because the reader accompanies the characters between the present and the past. So, it was a bit challenging to get into it, but it was worth it. I found a charming story about the past which was inspired from reality. I enjoyed reading it, although it doesn't linger in my mind. One reason for this could be the ending, which seemed a bit too easy to feel real. In a way, the characters were too different at the end compared to their initial entrance in the story and I felt like they couldn't just change like that. Nonetheless, the story was good and I liked it a lot.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
vagabondvikk's review against another edition
4.0
Very good short read
Got this book for free and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish it would have been a bit longer, maybe we will find out what happened to the Schloss if there is a sequel! As well as Wil and Anna! 😏
Got this book for free and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish it would have been a bit longer, maybe we will find out what happened to the Schloss if there is a sequel! As well as Wil and Anna! 😏
jtlars7's review against another edition
Entertaining enough and a quick read, but sometimes annoying. I wanted to delete every sentence that asked whether Anna would ever solve the mystery. ("Yes, there's 80% of the book to go, so I think the odds are good.") Seemed to be patterning itself on Kate Mortons' novels, even down to the title (House by the Lake vs. The Lake House.).
jasmyn9's review
5.0
The House by the Lake by Ella Carey was a beautiful mix of history and contemporary. Two tales unfold, tied together by Max Albrecht, Anna's grandfather. In the present, Anna is sent to find an item her grandfather holds dear. And while she is there, she stumbles on a mystery of what happened in the past and why he walked away from it all.
In the past, we see Max's life, at first luxury, and then turning to disaster. I highly recommend reading Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey as the two stories are entwined and build on each other.
Max's history in Nazi Germany did not end well. His is a love story gone horribly wrong. One that changed so many lives and he's been hiding from ever since. But it's time to unearth the past. I really felt for Max. He was caught between two worlds and two choices, and never given the chance to decide which road to take.
Anna was a very determined character. Once she set her mind to making things "right," she was all in. She doesn't understand what she finds at first, and digs deeper, always looking for the next string to pull until she finds out how everything happened.
She has a very sweet romance. While it wasn't the primary theme in the book, it was just enough to soften the edges of the tale. It made her more real and helped me root for her on her journey.
The way the two stories, history and present, wove together is what really makes this book a gem. The narrative bounces between the past and the present. But it's done in a way that helps advance both storylines and each adds an extra level to the other. I can't wait to read more by Ella Carey - she certainly has a way to pull me into the story.
***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book***
In the past, we see Max's life, at first luxury, and then turning to disaster. I highly recommend reading Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey as the two stories are entwined and build on each other.
Max's history in Nazi Germany did not end well. His is a love story gone horribly wrong. One that changed so many lives and he's been hiding from ever since. But it's time to unearth the past. I really felt for Max. He was caught between two worlds and two choices, and never given the chance to decide which road to take.
Anna was a very determined character. Once she set her mind to making things "right," she was all in. She doesn't understand what she finds at first, and digs deeper, always looking for the next string to pull until she finds out how everything happened.
She has a very sweet romance. While it wasn't the primary theme in the book, it was just enough to soften the edges of the tale. It made her more real and helped me root for her on her journey.
The way the two stories, history and present, wove together is what really makes this book a gem. The narrative bounces between the past and the present. But it's done in a way that helps advance both storylines and each adds an extra level to the other. I can't wait to read more by Ella Carey - she certainly has a way to pull me into the story.
***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book***
dmwhipp's review
1.0
So stupid it made my head hurt. For one thing, moved at a snail's pace. Additionally, the heroine -- who has no knowledge of her heritage except that she's German -- goes to Germany at her grandfather's request and within days is falling in love with a stranger and ready to save a house and town. Here's an example of stuff that irritated the hell out of me, "As usual, she was struck by his impeccable manners." As usual? She just met him the afternoon before! Also, if I had a grandfather of a certain age that immigrated from Germany, I'm pretty sure that at some point in my twenty-nine years of life, I might have tried to determine whether or not he had anything to do with the Nazis. I made it to 58% in this book and couldn't go any further. This was free with Kindle Unlimited, but I wish I could get a refund for the time I wasted.