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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Torture, Violence, Antisemitism, Death of parent
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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:
Yes
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When Kelly Bowen announced she was writing a World War II historical novel, I was both excited to see what she’d bring to the table and a bit apprehensive, as she was essentially moving from one oversaturated subgenre (Regency romance) to another (World War II historicals). However, just like her Regencies were charming and inject her own flair to that genre(even if her more recent offerings weren’t necessarily my cuppa), she brings her own style to the table with The Paris Apartment.
I was immediately drawn into the lives of the central characters, both past and present. While it was not immediately obvious how all the threads tied together, the story was engaging enough that I was able to take it all in and soon became engrossed.
The lives of both Estelle and Sophie are both deeply moving, as they both work in their own ways for the Resistance movement against the Nazis. That their stories, while fictional, are based on the lives of real women who participated in the Resistance effort, makes it all the more poignant.
Meanwhile, Lia is Estelle’s granddaughter who inherits Estelle’s former apartment that played a pivotal role in her Resistance activities. She did not know much about her grandmother’s early life prior, and I enjoyed seeing her find out more about that part of her grandmother’s life. She also works with Gabriel, Sophie’s great-nephew, who is an art appraiser, in the process, and the two have a sweet romance. It’s very understated compared to the relationships in Bowen’s prior books, but it’s no less delightful.
I adored this book, and while I’m not sure all of Kelly Bowen’s established romance fan base will agree, I like that she’s branching out and trying new things, while also showing she hasn’t completely forgotten her romance roots. If you love historical fiction and want a fresh take on World War II, I think you‘ll enjoy this one!
When Kelly Bowen announced she was writing a World War II historical novel, I was both excited to see what she’d bring to the table and a bit apprehensive, as she was essentially moving from one oversaturated subgenre (Regency romance) to another (World War II historicals). However, just like her Regencies were charming and inject her own flair to that genre(even if her more recent offerings weren’t necessarily my cuppa), she brings her own style to the table with The Paris Apartment.
I was immediately drawn into the lives of the central characters, both past and present. While it was not immediately obvious how all the threads tied together, the story was engaging enough that I was able to take it all in and soon became engrossed.
The lives of both Estelle and Sophie are both deeply moving, as they both work in their own ways for the Resistance movement against the Nazis. That their stories, while fictional, are based on the lives of real women who participated in the Resistance effort, makes it all the more poignant.
Meanwhile, Lia is Estelle’s granddaughter who inherits Estelle’s former apartment that played a pivotal role in her Resistance activities. She did not know much about her grandmother’s early life prior, and I enjoyed seeing her find out more about that part of her grandmother’s life. She also works with Gabriel, Sophie’s great-nephew, who is an art appraiser, in the process, and the two have a sweet romance. It’s very understated compared to the relationships in Bowen’s prior books, but it’s no less delightful.
I adored this book, and while I’m not sure all of Kelly Bowen’s established romance fan base will agree, I like that she’s branching out and trying new things, while also showing she hasn’t completely forgotten her romance roots. If you love historical fiction and want a fresh take on World War II, I think you‘ll enjoy this one!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Hate crime, Religious bigotry