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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
4.5★ | This dual timeline story revolves around a woman who inherits her
Grandmother's apartment in Paris full of art that was potentially stolen by Natzis. She is determined to return the art and we learn the origin of how this apartment came to be and all the things it was used for. I loved this one!
The only thing I needed more from was the romantic relationship storyline, or I also could have done without it too.
Grandmother's apartment in Paris full of art that was potentially stolen by Natzis. She is determined to return the art and we learn the origin of how this apartment came to be and all the things it was used for. I loved this one!
The only thing I needed more from was the romantic relationship storyline, or I also could have done without it too.
Aurelia (Lia) inherits an apartment filled with art from her grandmother Estelle. She fears her grandmother was a German collaborator during WWII. She hires Gabriel Seymour, an art appraiser, to help her determine if any of the art was stolen. Gabriel recognizes a picture of his great-aunt, Sophie, thought dead from a bombing in Warsaw. In fact, Sophie survived and became a spy.
Their investigation leads Aurelia and Gabriel to discover some interesting facts about their ancestors, who were actually heroes.
This is a story highlighting the very important role that the women and the resistance movement played in defeating the enemy. It is told in dual timelines and provides an interesting story to describe the risks that so many took to help save lives and defeat the Germans.
Their investigation leads Aurelia and Gabriel to discover some interesting facts about their ancestors, who were actually heroes.
This is a story highlighting the very important role that the women and the resistance movement played in defeating the enemy. It is told in dual timelines and provides an interesting story to describe the risks that so many took to help save lives and defeat the Germans.
I loved the book but took off a star for the totally unnecessary usage of swear words and Jesus name.
The story was great though.
The story was great though.
It was an okay read. The writing style for me felt a little bit forced, and I found myself “reading” rather than just getting lost in the book if that makes sense.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
4.5 - This was another REALLY great dual timeline WWII historical fiction with strong women characters working undercover for the French Resistance in Paris and I LOVED it! Lia inherits her grandmother's Paris apartment in the present (2017) and discovers it is full of priceless paintings and other valuable items but was she a Nazi collaborator or was there some other explanation?? Then of course we learn more about Lia's grandmother Elise and her activities during the war, as well as a Polish expat, Sophie (whose story was honestly my favorite). Sophie loses her husband early in the war and vows to make his death count. Filled with romance and heartbreak and women doing amazingly courageous work, this book is a must read for fans of the genre. The story was excellent on audio and highly recommended for fans of The Black Swan of Paris, The Paris secret or The lost girls of Paris. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
No
Pleasantly surprised by this book, the author really weaves together so many stories of amazing heroes during this time and ties it all together so beautifully at the end. At first I was a little upset we never find out what happened to Jerome, and there was some speculation in my book club that Estelle was pregnant with his child since we couldn’t remember any mention of a grandfather/husband. This was just us speculating, but it would have been another nice tie in. But I also kind of liked that there were some things left unsaid because that is what so many families during that time had to deal with. So many people are lost and their families don’t know what happened to them and so it made sense to me to not know exactly what happened to everyone. I also really liked the mention in the authors note that 70% of civilians helping hide and smuggle people and information were women. It shows just how underestimated women were during this time and how they were able to use that to their advantage.
Alternating timelines with World War II as a backdrop are always going to be my favourite type of book. A fictional tale that follows some amazing events surrounding the war while another protagonist uncovers some truths is even better.
The characters are well developed, and both timelines are equally interesting. While it presents the seriousness and horrors of the war, it’s a lighter read than some of the other books of its kind, which was a welcome change for me. Estelle and Sophie are fighters. They will do anything they can to help the war effort. I admired their bravery in the face of daily danger and how they could think on their feet at a moment's notice.
For the most part, I loved the pacing of the book, but the end felt kind of rushed; it felt like what was building up to something bigger.
There is a little bit of romance between Lia and Gabriel, and I would've enjoyed this book even more if the romance was more developed.
The characters are well developed, and both timelines are equally interesting. While it presents the seriousness and horrors of the war, it’s a lighter read than some of the other books of its kind, which was a welcome change for me. Estelle and Sophie are fighters. They will do anything they can to help the war effort. I admired their bravery in the face of daily danger and how they could think on their feet at a moment's notice.
For the most part, I loved the pacing of the book, but the end felt kind of rushed; it felt like what was building up to something bigger.
There is a little bit of romance between Lia and Gabriel, and I would've enjoyed this book even more if the romance was more developed.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dialogue was bad - who speaks like that. But plot and fast pace made it enjoyable.