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3.2 AVERAGE
3.2 AVERAGE
clom00's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jkmondelli's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Complicated
3.5
slahlum's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Classism
fern17's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
emilyleahywalker's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
A dual timeline story that is heartwarming and moving, engrossing and entertaining.
I liked the well thought characters, the plot that flows and the historical parts.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I liked the well thought characters, the plot that flows and the historical parts.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
booksnbookends's review against another edition
4.0
A group of five friends, who went to University together whilst chatting decide now that they've paid off their respective mortgages and their children have grown up, it might be the perfect time to move into a mansion in France. Crazy as it is, it just makes sense. After finding the perfect chateau, they up sticks and move to a their new property, which has more history that even history teacher Lu could possibly imagine!
This is a gorgeous contemporary book with a dual timeline. I loved the historical elements in the story being interspersed throughout. There's a great deal of history relating to the French Revolution with plenty of mystery to slowly unravel throughout the book.
The book seemed to be perfectly paced and the two narratives ran seamlessly alongside one another. Both sets of characters from each timeline were likeable and realistic. It felt like a real mix of a read with very vivid imagery of both narratives. I found myself excited to swap timelines each chapter and felt like it was brilliant escapism.
A lovely easy read perfect for being stuck inside during lockdown but it would be even more enjoyable to read on holiday!
This is a gorgeous contemporary book with a dual timeline. I loved the historical elements in the story being interspersed throughout. There's a great deal of history relating to the French Revolution with plenty of mystery to slowly unravel throughout the book.
The book seemed to be perfectly paced and the two narratives ran seamlessly alongside one another. Both sets of characters from each timeline were likeable and realistic. It felt like a real mix of a read with very vivid imagery of both narratives. I found myself excited to swap timelines each chapter and felt like it was brilliant escapism.
A lovely easy read perfect for being stuck inside during lockdown but it would be even more enjoyable to read on holiday!
bringmybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Look.
Kathleen McGurl just gets it. The dual timeline plot narrative can be tricky if not done right, but it can be BRILLIANT when done well. Enter Kathleen.
I honestly don't really know how else to explain it other than this author writes books that you WANT TO READ. That you HAVE TO FINISH. Ones that you CANNOT PUT DOWN. I don't tend to wander too far from my favorite historical genres, WWI and WWII, but I figured for McGurl (author of a favorite from last year, The Forgotten Secret) I would do it.
Venturing into revolutionary era France was not exactly new to me, but it's not something I would even remotely consider myself learned in. However, that really didn't matter. McGurl does a great job with show & tell without ever making the reader feel inadequate or that they're being told something, which is not something that I think comes easy to every historical fiction writer.
I really liked both the past and present day stories (um, hi, hello, where are my four friends that want to go in on buying a chateau in France? Give me a ring, yeah?), and it's fair to say that this book HOOKED me right from the start. (Brilliant prologue. Just. Brilliant.)
Also, if you need any more incentive to give her a try? After finishing this book, I went to my ereader and bought up basically all of her backlist. Kathleen McGurl is the real deal, y'all.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
Kathleen McGurl just gets it. The dual timeline plot narrative can be tricky if not done right, but it can be BRILLIANT when done well. Enter Kathleen.
I honestly don't really know how else to explain it other than this author writes books that you WANT TO READ. That you HAVE TO FINISH. Ones that you CANNOT PUT DOWN. I don't tend to wander too far from my favorite historical genres, WWI and WWII, but I figured for McGurl (author of a favorite from last year, The Forgotten Secret) I would do it.
Venturing into revolutionary era France was not exactly new to me, but it's not something I would even remotely consider myself learned in. However, that really didn't matter. McGurl does a great job with show & tell without ever making the reader feel inadequate or that they're being told something, which is not something that I think comes easy to every historical fiction writer.
I really liked both the past and present day stories (um, hi, hello, where are my four friends that want to go in on buying a chateau in France? Give me a ring, yeah?), and it's fair to say that this book HOOKED me right from the start. (Brilliant prologue. Just. Brilliant.)
Also, if you need any more incentive to give her a try? After finishing this book, I went to my ereader and bought up basically all of her backlist. Kathleen McGurl is the real deal, y'all.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.