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A review by english_lady03
The Socialite by J'Nell Ciesielski
3.0
I've read one other novel by J'nell Cieselski, but this is her first published by Thomas Nelson. What I remember from her last one was a smart and spunky heroine who gets involved with an unconventional hero during WWI.
The Socialite is set in 1940 in the midst of occupied Paris, and delivers another smart and sophisticated heroine who gets thrown into the midst of the war. This time though, its not by her own choice. Her sole intention is to find her sister and bring her home, but soon learns that's not going to be an easy matter when she discovers Ellie has become the mistress to a Nazi officer and Barrett Anderson (literally) crashes into her life.
Chaos ensues providing an engaging read with espionage, the Underground Resistance and the characters having to navigate an increasingly dangerous set of circumstances as well as their burgeoning attraction.
At one point the sister get invited to Hitler's country retreat, meeting him and most of the German High Command. Having to hide your true feelings and intent in the heart of the dragon's lair is no easy task.
The Socialite presents a realistic view of the war, the sacrifices people had to make, but also the incredible courage involved. It also caries some interesting themes about how people have to veil the truth in the midst of evil, and sometimes make compromises in order to survive.
Its not all a serious war story though. There's banter aplenty between Kat and Barrett, as well as her sister and her boyfriend. Kat's internal monologue provide some of the best humorous interludes.
The characters also grow in a genuine way: its not just something we're told but can actually see.
I gave a lower rating for a few reasons. One was that there were a few things that came over as a little cliched or not entirely credible, second was that the story got a bit bogged down in its own complexity at times.
Finally, the Americanisms kind of got to me, coming from both the British and German characters. I know they have to make it understandable for the American audience, but I sometimes wonder, is it so hard to learn some words for things used in Europe? Rather then having European characters use terms and phrases that, honestly, make them less credible.
I could not really get past the reference to Kat's father being in a 'pushchair' at the end. That's a wheelchair surely? A 'pushchair' in Britain basically means one of those pram type efforts that babies and toddlers sit in.
Yeah, I keep imagining one of those.
Recommended for anyone who likes Historical Novels with strong female leads, or World War 2 fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Socialite is set in 1940 in the midst of occupied Paris, and delivers another smart and sophisticated heroine who gets thrown into the midst of the war. This time though, its not by her own choice. Her sole intention is to find her sister and bring her home, but soon learns that's not going to be an easy matter when she discovers Ellie has become the mistress to a Nazi officer and Barrett Anderson (literally) crashes into her life.
Chaos ensues providing an engaging read with espionage, the Underground Resistance and the characters having to navigate an increasingly dangerous set of circumstances as well as their burgeoning attraction.
At one point the sister get invited to Hitler's country retreat, meeting him and most of the German High Command. Having to hide your true feelings and intent in the heart of the dragon's lair is no easy task.
The Socialite presents a realistic view of the war, the sacrifices people had to make, but also the incredible courage involved. It also caries some interesting themes about how people have to veil the truth in the midst of evil, and sometimes make compromises in order to survive.
Its not all a serious war story though. There's banter aplenty between Kat and Barrett, as well as her sister and her boyfriend. Kat's internal monologue provide some of the best humorous interludes.
The characters also grow in a genuine way: its not just something we're told but can actually see.
I gave a lower rating for a few reasons. One was that there were a few things that came over as a little cliched or not entirely credible, second was that the story got a bit bogged down in its own complexity at times.
Finally, the Americanisms kind of got to me, coming from both the British and German characters. I know they have to make it understandable for the American audience, but I sometimes wonder, is it so hard to learn some words for things used in Europe? Rather then having European characters use terms and phrases that, honestly, make them less credible.
I could not really get past the reference to Kat's father being in a 'pushchair' at the end. That's a wheelchair surely? A 'pushchair' in Britain basically means one of those pram type efforts that babies and toddlers sit in.
Yeah, I keep imagining one of those.
Recommended for anyone who likes Historical Novels with strong female leads, or World War 2 fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.