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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this very much! In each section I found myself thinking, ‘I don’t care about the other one, just give me more of this!’ Until the next section started I wanted more of that section. At times I wondered whether the dual timeline was necessary but in the end I know it was successful and very well done.
The beginning of the book was really good. However, the more twists and turns were added in, the less I enjoyed it.
It got to the point where I was reading just to get the book over with. The last 100 pages were a wash for me.
BUT I looooooved the Paris 1940s scenes so much. saved the book for me!
It got to the point where I was reading just to get the book over with. The last 100 pages were a wash for me.
BUT I looooooved the Paris 1940s scenes so much. saved the book for me!
This was a really really lovely story.
I liked how it was presented with the dual timelines. I enjoyed both stories equally. Éliane and Remy both had heartbreaking lives but they managed to find love and push through.
There were some moment when I found there to be too much story, pieces I felt weren’t completely necessary. But I also finished this book in 3 days, so it was still very much engaging.
Definitely recommend this to fans of historical fiction with a hint of romance.
I liked how it was presented with the dual timelines. I enjoyed both stories equally. Éliane and Remy both had heartbreaking lives but they managed to find love and push through.
There were some moment when I found there to be too much story, pieces I felt weren’t completely necessary. But I also finished this book in 3 days, so it was still very much engaging.
Definitely recommend this to fans of historical fiction with a hint of romance.
When I got a flat tire months ago, I headed to Costco and noticed that my phone battery was low. Knowing I’d be there for a few hours, I bought this book on a whim. It took me a while to finish it but I’m glad fate chose this book for me because it’s not something I’d normally pick up. That ending though, total gut punch.
This book is an absolute page turner. I couldn’t put it down and I genuinely missed the characters when I was finished. glamour excitement, mystery, romance: everything you could ask for in a perfect summer read!
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
I love how Natasha Lester's books tell two intertwined stories and how the past impacts the present and future. I always learn about some aspect of history- in this case, art theft by the Nazis during the occupation of Paris. Her writing is beautiful and I especially adore the ways she writes about all kinds of love and friendship. I've read most (maybe all of her books) and The Riviera House is my favorite so far.
This is a riveting tale of time and art and I was engrossed in it from the first page. I must say that it is a well researched book about love, loss and art. This book will be a go-to book for readers who prefer different genres; history, romance, mystery and world war fiction.
Presenting the narrative alternatively worked well for the book because amidst history and art remained mystery as well.
A group of people in Paris working for the Nazis try hard to protect and catalogue the lost arts during the war. The struggles, fights and the endurances of the people involved makes the plot of the story along with their love for art and for one another.
The present day plot line focuses on Remi, who is on a goose chase regarding her inheritance of a villa and a painting that unfolds stories of love and betrayal.
Loosely based on actual events that occurred during the world war II, this book is a salute to the unsung heroes of war who took a step ahead to protect not only their closed ones, but the art and history of France. There are hundreds of books on the war and there will a thousand more. But every book holds a special place, for it speaks about the story of common people, how they were affected and how they contributed towards freedom.
I can’t keep thinking about this book and the true events that inspired it. It is truly a memorable read.
3.5* rounded up
In contrast to the brightness of the cover, this novel starts in very dark times as France becomes German occupied territory during WW2. We see the terror of those living in Paris and the desperation of those doing what they can to survive in the face of hunger and danger. Eliane is the main character in this part of the story and she's incredibly brave. Along with Rose, who is based on a real person, and a few others she catalogues precious artworks stolen by the Germans from their rightful owners so they can be reunited with their owners after the war. This part of the book really highlights the difficult choices that ordinary people had to make during wartime
The more contemporary timeline features Remy who has mysteriously inherited the beautiful Riviera house of the title. She is grieving and broken and it wasn't hard to understand why. I enjoyed that we got to spend quite a few chapters in each time period, really getting to know each character, their circumstances and the significant events. I did wonder what the connection was going to be as initially they seemed two completely separate stories. As we got to find out more about the connections, I found this really engaging and probably had a slight preference for the wartime timeline. Having said that, I liked seeing Remy begin to come to terms with what had happened to her and to almost give herself permission to move forwards. It seemed that the courage of the people in the past and what they had to deal with gave her the impetus to discover her own inner strength.
The Riviera House is well-researched and detailed historical fiction. Knowing that it is partly based on true events adds to the reading experience. Do make sure you read the author's note at the end where she talks about her research and honouring the experiences of the real people the book is based on. Recommended for those who enjoy wartime fiction and dual time-line narratives.
In contrast to the brightness of the cover, this novel starts in very dark times as France becomes German occupied territory during WW2. We see the terror of those living in Paris and the desperation of those doing what they can to survive in the face of hunger and danger. Eliane is the main character in this part of the story and she's incredibly brave. Along with Rose, who is based on a real person, and a few others she catalogues precious artworks stolen by the Germans from their rightful owners so they can be reunited with their owners after the war. This part of the book really highlights the difficult choices that ordinary people had to make during wartime
The more contemporary timeline features Remy who has mysteriously inherited the beautiful Riviera house of the title. She is grieving and broken and it wasn't hard to understand why. I enjoyed that we got to spend quite a few chapters in each time period, really getting to know each character, their circumstances and the significant events. I did wonder what the connection was going to be as initially they seemed two completely separate stories. As we got to find out more about the connections, I found this really engaging and probably had a slight preference for the wartime timeline. Having said that, I liked seeing Remy begin to come to terms with what had happened to her and to almost give herself permission to move forwards. It seemed that the courage of the people in the past and what they had to deal with gave her the impetus to discover her own inner strength.
The Riviera House is well-researched and detailed historical fiction. Knowing that it is partly based on true events adds to the reading experience. Do make sure you read the author's note at the end where she talks about her research and honouring the experiences of the real people the book is based on. Recommended for those who enjoy wartime fiction and dual time-line narratives.
It’s was a good story but a little slow and some parts could have been taken out to keep pace.