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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
Anyone who enjoys the very specific category of WWII historical fiction, set in Paris will enjoy this. A multi-generational story that intertwines two families, their shared history, and war secrets.
Loved this book. Had a hard time putting it down. Art, Paris, history, women being fearless, what more could you ask for?
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Loved the story, very touching. My favorite part was the relationship between Sophie and Estelle, loved the feminism representation in the book, how women did play an important role during WWII. This books really do show you how courage, friendship, bravery, and love do exist, even during the darkest of times. Loved the presence of art in the book (specifically the Degas paintings). The only thing I would have preferred was a better development in the relationship between Gabriel and Lia, if I’m beings honest I didn’t believe them.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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:
No
4.5
This story is told from four perspectives, Sophie and Estelle's during World War 2, and Lia and Gabriel's in the present. Lia is Estelle's granddaughter to whom she left her apartment, untouched for 70 years and filled with art and mystery. And Lia enlisted Gabriel's help to unravel their secrets. I found it difficult to put the book down, as I was as keen as Lia to lear the story of the apartment and its contents.
I especially loved reading the chapters about Sophie and Estelle. In some ways, they were quite different women, but at the core, both were amazing, strong women working out a way to act on their beliefs in a time that limited women's abilities to do so.
The Author's Note reveals that some parts of their characters are based on the memoirs and records of women who actually lived through the war. For me, that made this book all the more moving. I also appreciated the discussion questions and references for further reading. I love historical fiction most when I can then determine which parts are history and which are fiction.
This book touched me deeply. The way it spanned past and present and the way it presented an inheritance not only of wealth but of family felt personal. I was utterly engrossed and recommend it to all who enjoy historical fiction.
Thank you to @readforeverpub and @NetGalley for this book. The opinions here are my own.
This story is told from four perspectives, Sophie and Estelle's during World War 2, and Lia and Gabriel's in the present. Lia is Estelle's granddaughter to whom she left her apartment, untouched for 70 years and filled with art and mystery. And Lia enlisted Gabriel's help to unravel their secrets. I found it difficult to put the book down, as I was as keen as Lia to lear the story of the apartment and its contents.
I especially loved reading the chapters about Sophie and Estelle. In some ways, they were quite different women, but at the core, both were amazing, strong women working out a way to act on their beliefs in a time that limited women's abilities to do so.
The Author's Note reveals that some parts of their characters are based on the memoirs and records of women who actually lived through the war. For me, that made this book all the more moving. I also appreciated the discussion questions and references for further reading. I love historical fiction most when I can then determine which parts are history and which are fiction.
This book touched me deeply. The way it spanned past and present and the way it presented an inheritance not only of wealth but of family felt personal. I was utterly engrossed and recommend it to all who enjoy historical fiction.
Thank you to @readforeverpub and @NetGalley for this book. The opinions here are my own.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Excellent historical fiction set in WWII Paris, with a sweet contemporary storyline as well that ties together all the plot lines in a really engaging fashion.
When Lia inherits her grandmother Estelle's Paris apartment that no one in the family knew about, she is stunned to find it filled with priceless artwork and Nazi propaganda. Lia is devastated that her grandmother might have been a collaborator, but when she calls in art expert Gabriel to help her trace the provenance of the paintings, the two of them begin to uncover the truth of Estelle's courageous history, as well as that of a woman named Sophie who ends up having a family connection to Gabriel. I loved Estelle and Sophie and was thoroughly engrossed in both of their storylines. Lia and Gabriel aren't quite as fleshed out and have a rather predictable romance, but I still really enjoyed their story, which is not always the case in historical fiction with dual timelines.
When Lia inherits her grandmother Estelle's Paris apartment that no one in the family knew about, she is stunned to find it filled with priceless artwork and Nazi propaganda. Lia is devastated that her grandmother might have been a collaborator, but when she calls in art expert Gabriel to help her trace the provenance of the paintings, the two of them begin to uncover the truth of Estelle's courageous history, as well as that of a woman named Sophie who ends up having a family connection to Gabriel. I loved Estelle and Sophie and was thoroughly engrossed in both of their storylines. Lia and Gabriel aren't quite as fleshed out and have a rather predictable romance, but I still really enjoyed their story, which is not always the case in historical fiction with dual timelines.