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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
hopeful
mysterious
sad
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
For once a book with different narrators where I’m actually invested in all of the narrators stories and how the stories are intertwined with each other.
I really enjoy historical fiction and it was inspiring reading about the women and their part in ww2.
I read the whole book on the train and I could just see the apartment, art and everything else in my head. The descriptions gave lot’s of info but also left enough for my own imagination.
I really enjoy historical fiction and it was inspiring reading about the women and their part in ww2.
I read the whole book on the train and I could just see the apartment, art and everything else in my head. The descriptions gave lot’s of info but also left enough for my own imagination.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen is a story of strength and courage in a time where horrible things were happening.
This story is told from four points of view—two from the past and two in the present. I am not a fan of World War II fiction. It was a horrible time for our entire world, and I choose not to go there. However, this book is different than the few that I have read in the past. I enjoyed the way the author focuses on a few characters and tells their story beautifully. She uses the Paris Apartment to connect all four lives.
Aurelia inherits the Paris Apartment and a painting by an Englishman left in a safety deposit box when her grandmother passes away. However, no one knew anything about the apartment or remembered her grandmother talking about it. When Aurelia opens the door, it is like stepping into a time capsule. This is where Aurelia has to stop and really look around not to misjudge her grandmother.
I like Aurelia even though she seriously jumped to conclusions regarding her grandmother. She is a character with strength and good morals. However, she is also a bit closed off, but she seems to come around after a bit. One thing that I found strange was that her parents really didn't want anything to do with the apartment or really Lia. They weren't really part of her life. But I guess everyone has a different family life.
Estelle is Lia's grandmother, and she lived in the apartment until 1943. She never speaks of the war with her granddaughter. We get to see a little of Estelle's life before the war and after the Nazis took over Paris. Estelle has such courage and does whatever she can to help those she loves. However, sometimes she is so lonely and afraid of what her life has become.
I think Estelle is fabulous. She uses her strengths and position in society to help those in need, even at great risk to her own life. Estelle doesn't wavier in her convictions.
Gabriel Seymour
Gabriel is an art appraiser, and he restores art, but what most people don't know is that he is also a fabulous artist but hides that from most people. Lia hires Gabriel to assist with appraising and finding the home of the paintings found in the apartment. It turns out that perhaps Gabriel has a reason to be more invested than he himself knows.
Gabriel is a good character. I like him, yet he is a bit reserved. It makes it hard to get to know him. That being said, he comes around and in a big way.
I saved Sophie for last since she is my favorite character. Sophie is brave, courageous, knows multiple languages, and is sometimes a tomboy. She loves hard and long. Sophie gives everything to help the Allied forces.
I think she is perfect. They call her the ice princess, but I see that as another of her strengths. I won't tell you more about her, but I will tell you to read the book. It is marvelous.
My rating for The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen is five stars. I wasn't looking forward to it, but I realized what a brilliant story Ms. Bowen has created once I got into the book. The characters jump off the page, and the settings are so realistic that I could see the apartment in my mind. I highly recommend this book.
Will Aurelia unlock the secrets kept in her grandmother's Paris Apartment?
This story is told from four points of view—two from the past and two in the present. I am not a fan of World War II fiction. It was a horrible time for our entire world, and I choose not to go there. However, this book is different than the few that I have read in the past. I enjoyed the way the author focuses on a few characters and tells their story beautifully. She uses the Paris Apartment to connect all four lives.
Aurelia Leclaire
Aurelia inherits the Paris Apartment and a painting by an Englishman left in a safety deposit box when her grandmother passes away. However, no one knew anything about the apartment or remembered her grandmother talking about it. When Aurelia opens the door, it is like stepping into a time capsule. This is where Aurelia has to stop and really look around not to misjudge her grandmother.
I like Aurelia even though she seriously jumped to conclusions regarding her grandmother. She is a character with strength and good morals. However, she is also a bit closed off, but she seems to come around after a bit. One thing that I found strange was that her parents really didn't want anything to do with the apartment or really Lia. They weren't really part of her life. But I guess everyone has a different family life.
Estelle Allard
Estelle is Lia's grandmother, and she lived in the apartment until 1943. She never speaks of the war with her granddaughter. We get to see a little of Estelle's life before the war and after the Nazis took over Paris. Estelle has such courage and does whatever she can to help those she loves. However, sometimes she is so lonely and afraid of what her life has become.
I think Estelle is fabulous. She uses her strengths and position in society to help those in need, even at great risk to her own life. Estelle doesn't wavier in her convictions.
Gabriel Seymour
Gabriel is an art appraiser, and he restores art, but what most people don't know is that he is also a fabulous artist but hides that from most people. Lia hires Gabriel to assist with appraising and finding the home of the paintings found in the apartment. It turns out that perhaps Gabriel has a reason to be more invested than he himself knows.
Gabriel is a good character. I like him, yet he is a bit reserved. It makes it hard to get to know him. That being said, he comes around and in a big way.
Sophie Seymour
I saved Sophie for last since she is my favorite character. Sophie is brave, courageous, knows multiple languages, and is sometimes a tomboy. She loves hard and long. Sophie gives everything to help the Allied forces.
I think she is perfect. They call her the ice princess, but I see that as another of her strengths. I won't tell you more about her, but I will tell you to read the book. It is marvelous.
Five Stars
My rating for The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen is five stars. I wasn't looking forward to it, but I realized what a brilliant story Ms. Bowen has created once I got into the book. The characters jump off the page, and the settings are so realistic that I could see the apartment in my mind. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love reading books from this time period and this one sure didn’t disappoint. If you can, listen to the audio version as there are several voices and they bring so much more to the story. The bravery and anguish of the characters will keep you entrenched in the novel at every turn. It’s one of those ones that you’re almost sad to finish.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love World War II historical fiction, and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. I’m completely fascinated by Paris especially. So much art and history there and such a fight by the Parisian people to maintain all of that and their freedom from both sides of the war.
When Lia’s aunt Estelle dies, she inherits an apartment that no one knew even existed. She meets Gabriel, who’s grandfather’s painting she also inherits, and they discover the story behind the apartment and the connection between the two families. I couldn’t get enough of this book. I look forward to reading more by Kelly.
When Lia’s aunt Estelle dies, she inherits an apartment that no one knew even existed. She meets Gabriel, who’s grandfather’s painting she also inherits, and they discover the story behind the apartment and the connection between the two families. I couldn’t get enough of this book. I look forward to reading more by Kelly.