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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
I loved Lester’s newer work and was pleased to find this one, I found the subject matter fascinating, I was really interested in the idea of saving the art amidst the chaos of WWII Paris.I did find the writing got bogged down at times and this seemed confusing or glossed over at times but the overall book was enjoyable.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
such an incredible story, and one of my favorite historical fiction books that I’ve read. I had never learned about this side of WWII before, and the story was so beautifully told. I did feel like I could do without the present-day story being quite as in depth, and I didn’t like what the author did with remy towards the end of the book. I think the modern story added a nice touch to the legacy of the original characters, but I think it could’ve been whittled down a lot more so it didn’t detract from the historical aspect.
Thank you Netgalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Natasha Lester for free e-ARC of The Riviera House in return of my honest review.
Well, along with The Riviera House being General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction, it is also a Romance. Definitely a romance. I wish the publisher was clear on that. There is no need to hide it.
Basically, The Riviera House is a two love stories - during WW II and our time that are entwined together. Both greatly written, all characters are well developed and it is a lovely book. It made me cry, it made me laugh, it is a really really well researched and well written book. Solid read.
I would definitely recommend to Romance lovers, especially if you prefer a romance set during major historical events. I am not sure that Historical Fiction fan would enjoy it as much, however, they might.
Well, along with The Riviera House being General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction, it is also a Romance. Definitely a romance. I wish the publisher was clear on that. There is no need to hide it.
Basically, The Riviera House is a two love stories - during WW II and our time that are entwined together. Both greatly written, all characters are well developed and it is a lovely book. It made me cry, it made me laugh, it is a really really well researched and well written book. Solid read.
I would definitely recommend to Romance lovers, especially if you prefer a romance set during major historical events. I am not sure that Historical Fiction fan would enjoy it as much, however, they might.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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
It's obvious the author has taken her time and done her research on this topic, this isn't a book of "could have happened", this is a book of "did happen".It alternates between 1939-45 and present day. I thoroughly enjoyed the history part of the book, the present part of the book was a little heavy handed for me. The constant angst and anxiety became a bit much. That being said having the dual time-frames helped add some suspense and intrigue to what happened in the past.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
The Past: When the Nazis invade Paris, they steal works of art owned by French museums and the Jewish people. Having been forewarned, the museum staff whisks away some of the most valuable works of art, including the Mona Lisa. But the plunder is astoundingly heartbreaking, in both quantity and value.
Two women work in secret and in constant danger to catalog the stolen art, so it can be returned to its rightful owners after the Nazis are defeated. One of them is a young woman named Éliane. Before the war, she worked at the Louve, as well as her family’s small cafe. She risks her life to save the artwork and what is left of her family.
The Present: Remy is struggling with depression after the loss of her husband and young daughter in a car accident. She retreats to a house on the Riviera, which she inherited as a baby. There she meets a photographer, Adam, who helps her take photos for her vintage clothing business. As she starts to unravel the mystery of a stunning painting that was also part of her inheritance, she falls in love again.
I enjoyed the parts of the book that takes place in Paris in the 1940’s. The sections that take place in the present, not so much. The present timeline section read like a boilerplate romance with very little substance. In my opinion, if this book had only taken place in the 1940’s, it would have been a much better book. I also took issue with the cover, which depicts a glamorous woman casually looking through a window. This is not a book about high society and fashion. It is a book about war, starvation, danger and the bravery of those who fought behind the scenes in the French Resistance.
My Rating 3.5 Stars, Grade C+
Two women work in secret and in constant danger to catalog the stolen art, so it can be returned to its rightful owners after the Nazis are defeated. One of them is a young woman named Éliane. Before the war, she worked at the Louve, as well as her family’s small cafe. She risks her life to save the artwork and what is left of her family.
The Present: Remy is struggling with depression after the loss of her husband and young daughter in a car accident. She retreats to a house on the Riviera, which she inherited as a baby. There she meets a photographer, Adam, who helps her take photos for her vintage clothing business. As she starts to unravel the mystery of a stunning painting that was also part of her inheritance, she falls in love again.
I enjoyed the parts of the book that takes place in Paris in the 1940’s. The sections that take place in the present, not so much. The present timeline section read like a boilerplate romance with very little substance. In my opinion, if this book had only taken place in the 1940’s, it would have been a much better book. I also took issue with the cover, which depicts a glamorous woman casually looking through a window. This is not a book about high society and fashion. It is a book about war, starvation, danger and the bravery of those who fought behind the scenes in the French Resistance.
My Rating 3.5 Stars, Grade C+