The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is a dual-timeline novel about two remarkable women, Suzanne Belperron, a jewelry designer and a member of the French ResThe Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is a dual-timeline novel about two remarkable women, Suzanne Belperron, a jewelry designer and a member of the French Resistance during WW2, and Violine Duplessi, an appraiser for an auction house in NYC in the 1980s.
In occupied Paris, Suzzane, with the help of other members of the Resistance, is helping Jewish families to flee from the Nazis. In 1986, during an appraisal for one of her new clients, Violine discovers a hidden cache of jewelry in an old travel trunk. With her supernatural abilities as one of the daughters of La Lune, Violine senses that the jewelry hides painful secrets, and she feels compelled to discover these secrets. Her investigation leads her to Paris, where she learns about Suzanne, her role in the Resistance, and her connection to the jewelry.
The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is a part of the Daughters of La Lune series. It's part historical fiction, part romance, and part mystery with a supernatural twist. It's a captivating and well-written story that I found hard to put down. Suzanne Belperron was a real-life character. I found her story very compelling. I enjoyed reading the author's note at the end, and as soon as I finished the book, I googled Suzanne Belperron (her jewelry designs are exquisite!). Violine is an entirely fictional character, but I enjoyed her story too. I highly recommend The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams to historical fiction and mystery fans.
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Half-Blown Rose is a sexy and escapist story about a 44 years-old woman, Vincent, who, following her husband's betrayal, moves to Paris, wher3.5 stars
Half-Blown Rose is a sexy and escapist story about a 44 years-old woman, Vincent, who, following her husband's betrayal, moves to Paris, where she gets inspired by art and food, makes new friends, and starts a passionate affair with a much younger man.
The premise of Half-Blown Rose reminded me of one of my all-time favorite books, The Idea of You by Robinne Lee. I adored the Paris setting and enjoyed Vincent's journey very much. I loved most of the book, except the last few chapters. I did not understand some of the decisions Vincent made in the end. I still would recommend this book to fans of unconventional and messy love stories.
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I love books set in Paris but feel burnt out on WW2 books, so I went into The Paris Apartment with low expectations. I am happy to say I enjoyed this I love books set in Paris but feel burnt out on WW2 books, so I went into The Paris Apartment with low expectations. I am happy to say I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I enjoy books about missing/stolen art and that's what elevated this book for me, not to mention Kelly Bowen's beautiful and moving writing. The book has two different timelines and three main heroines. In WW2 occupied France the lives of two brave women, Estelle Allard and Sophie Seymour, collide when they are thrown together on a dangerous mission against the Nazis.
In the present, Aurelia Leclaire inherits an apartment in Paris when her grandmother Estelle passes away. An apartment that has been closed up since 1943 and which is full of priceless art. What Lia discovers in the apartment makes her question if she ever really knew her grandmother. With the help of an art appraiser Gabriel Seymour, she learns the provenance of the paintings and her grandmother's role in the French resistance.
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 ending of the book is very emotional and it made me cry! I highly recommend The Paris Apartment to historical fiction fans and francophiles.
*ARC provided by the publisher and MBC Book Tours....more
I enjoyed The Widow of Rose House and was looking forward to reading The Brightest Star in Paris. It has a lot of elements that 3.5 stars rounded to 4
I enjoyed The Widow of Rose House and was looking forward to reading The Brightest Star in Paris. It has a lot of elements that I love: Parisian setting, ballet, second chance romance, and ghosts. I had a good time reading this book. I loved Amelie and Ben as a couple. The only thing, I wanted more steam and swoon because I prefer steamy romances.
I enjoyed revisiting the characters from The Widow of Rose House (when I picked up The Brightest Star in Paris, I didn't realize the two books were connected). It was fun seeing the eccentric Moore family together and laugh at their antics. I would recommend The Brightest Star in Paris for those who enjoy ghost stories and second chance romance.
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I love books set in France, and I enjoyed The Secret Recipes of Sophie Valroux last year, so I was very excited to read the next book, Sophie Valroux'I love books set in France, and I enjoyed The Secret Recipes of Sophie Valroux last year, so I was very excited to read the next book, Sophie Valroux's Paris Stars. And although I did enjoy it, I didn't love it as much as the first book. I felt that the writing wasn't as strong as in the first book. The best things about Sophie Valroux's Paris Stars are the French setting, the Chateau's quirky inhabitants, and the mouthwatering food descriptions.
But I wasn't impressed with the main heroine, Sophie, in this book. She kept making all the wrong decisions when the right ones were staring her in the eye. And why did the swoony romantic hero from the first book, Remi, became a controlling and jealous boyfriend in this book? He annoyed me!
I would recommend Sophie Valroux's Paris Stars to francophiles and foodies. But be aware that this book is not a stand-alone. You have to read The Secret French Recipes of Sophie Valroux first.
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If you love books with a magical circus setting, I highly recommend The Ladies of the Secret Circus by Constance Sayers. It's one of the best books I'If you love books with a magical circus setting, I highly recommend The Ladies of the Secret Circus by Constance Sayers. It's one of the best books I've read with this premise. It has all of my favorite things: Parisian setting, mystery, romance, and paranormal elements. I loved Sayer's debut, A Witch in Time, and her second book did not disappoint either. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author!
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Highlights: Paris setting, mature heroes, love triangle, writer's block.
Maggie Finds Her Muse is a witty tale of a romance author suffering from writHighlights: Paris setting, mature heroes, love triangle, writer's block.
Maggie Finds Her Muse is a witty tale of a romance author suffering from writer's block who goes to Paris to find inspiration to write her latest book. When not writing, Maggie spends time exploring Paris, eating delicious food, and meeting new people, including a charming Frenchman, Max. Maggie's ex-husband, Alan, is also in Paris, visiting their adult daughter, who lives in France. It appears Alan wants to rekindle their relationship, so Maggie is torn between the two men.
I adored this book. I loved that Maggie was a mature heroine in her late forties. I loved the Paris setting, and Maggie's "American tourist" faux pas made me laugh out loud. I also adored all the romance publishing and bookish references. We get a bit of "book within a book" following Maggie's writing process and getting to know her characters. I had this book on my TBR for a long time, and I am glad I finally read it.
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The Silvered Serpents is the second book in The Gilded Wolves series by Roshani Chokshi. I enjoyed it, probably even more than the first book. In The The Silvered Serpents is the second book in The Gilded Wolves series by Roshani Chokshi. I enjoyed it, probably even more than the first book. In The Silvered Serpents, Severin and his team travel to Russia in the hunt for The Devine Lyrics, a long-lost book that rumored to grant the powers of God.
After the events of the first book, Severin's team is fractured but they need to work together to succeed and stay ahead of the Order and the Fallen House, who are also hunting for The Devine Lyrics. I was glad to be back in The Gilded Wolves universe, revisit the characters, and learn more about their pasts. I loved that the story is set in Russia! This book has ended on a cliffhanger, and I am very eager to read the final installment.
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I have been waiting for a new book from Janet Skesleien Charles since reading and loving Moonlight in Odessa in 2011. When I heard about her new book,I have been waiting for a new book from Janet Skesleien Charles since reading and loving Moonlight in Odessa in 2011. When I heard about her new book, The Paris Library, I was doubly excited because I love books set in Paris. The Paris Library was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021. The book is based on a true story of librarians and workers of the American Library in Paris, who kept the library open through the Nazi occupation and delivered books to their subscribers.
I am sad to say The Paris Library didn't live up to my expectations. I was in a funky reading mood when I started reading it, so maybe that's why I didn't love it as much as I wanted to, but I wasn't captivated by the story. I usually find WW2 stories emotional and moving, but in this case, I didn't feel any connection to the characters and wasn't moved by their struggles. I found most of the characters one-dimensional and lacking complexity. Often, their actions didn't make sense to me. This book also had dual timelines, with the second timeline being 1980s Montana. I found the storyline of the 1980s even less developed than the war-time storyline.
The Paris Library will appeal to historical fiction readers and anyone who loves books about libraries and book shops. This book has mostly positive reviews, I think I didn't read it at the right time, or my expectations were way too high.
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The Little Bookshop on the Seine is an easy-breezy read with the best setting, a Parisian bookshop. It's a perfect read for anyone who loves Paris andThe Little Bookshop on the Seine is an easy-breezy read with the best setting, a Parisian bookshop. It's a perfect read for anyone who loves Paris and books about books. It has interesting characters, a touch of romance, and a touch of magic. The plot is a little weak, but the setting more than makes up for it. It brought up the best memories of my Parisian visit and made me want to return to the magical city. Read this book when you feel nostalgic for Paris or dream of visiting it.
A Witch In Time has all the elements that attract me to a book: witches, demons, past lives, reincarnation, and a cursed/doomed love. This book is aboA Witch In Time has all the elements that attract me to a book: witches, demons, past lives, reincarnation, and a cursed/doomed love. This book is about a human, a witch, and a demon stuck in a perpetual looped curse that three of them have to relive in multiple lifetimes. It all starts in 1895, when a Parisian painter, Auguste Marchant, seduces sixteen-years old Juliet. Juliet's mother, a minor witch, curses Auguste to eternal damnation, accidentally tying Juliet to Auguste's fate. Lucas is the demon who is chosen to be the so-called administer of terms of the curse and whose job is also to protect Juliet. Lucas falls in love with Juliet but is forced to witness Auguste and Juliet's doomed love affair time after time.
I loved almost everything about this book, it's like it was tailor-made for me. The only thing that I wished to see more of is Lucas and Juliet's relationship, instead of Auguste and Juliet's doomed affair. A Witch in Time is one of the most unique love stories I've ever read. I definitely would recommend it to anyone who loves to read fantasy romance and books about witches, demons, and curses.
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I love books set in Paris, so I was attracted to Paris Never Leaves You immediately, but I've read a lot of WW2 books and I am no longer particularly I love books set in Paris, so I was attracted to Paris Never Leaves You immediately, but I've read a lot of WW2 books and I am no longer particularly interested in this time period. Because of that, I was trepidacious when starting this book. I am happy to say that I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The story reminded me of one of the plotlines in The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, so I would recommend this book to everyone who loved The Nightingale.
Paris Never Leaves You is about Charlotte, who works in a Parisian bookstore during the occupation, and her infant daughter Vivi. To ensure her daughter's survival, Charlotte will have to compromise her soul and her beliefs. Ten years after the liberation, she and Vivi live in New York, and not many people know about their time in Paris. Charlotte is trying to keep her past buried, but the past doesn't like to stay hidden.
I read this book in one sitting; the writing style made it hard to put to down. I was invested in Charlotte and Vivi's story. I enjoyed both 1940s and 1950s timelines equally. Paris Never Leaves You is a compelling story of survival, and I am glad I gave it a chance!
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I am very torn about how to rate The Paris Orphan. I loved the first two-thirds of the book but was disappointed with the last t3.5 stars rounded to 4
I am very torn about how to rate The Paris Orphan. I loved the first two-thirds of the book but was disappointed with the last third. I love historical fiction, and this book has all the makings of the great story set during WW2. It's a dual timeline narrative that starts in 1942 and is about an American soldier, Dan, and a female journalist, Jess, who are thrown together during the war in Europe, and who find themselves taking care of a french girl, Victorine, who lost all her family. The second timeline takes place in 2004 and is about Victorine's daughter, D'Arcy, who knows very little about her mother's early years in France.
The writing was beautiful, and the descriptions of war and devastation were heart-wrenching. The characters are complex and fascinating. I loved Dan, Jess, and Victorine, and seeing these three people form a strong bond and become a family amidst the horrors of war.
What disappointed me is the way their story progressed after the war. The third part of the book stopped being a well-written historical fiction and became a cheesy melodrama. It reminded me of the numerous daytime soap operas. Every convoluted, far-fetched thing you could think of happening in a soap-opera happened to these characters. Unfortunately, I cannot say what these things are because of spoilers. But the added drama was so unnecessary. Dan, Jess, and Victorine already lived through the war (which is dramatic enough) there was no need to add more melodrama. And the ending was not at all what I wanted it to be.
For the most part, this book was 4-5 stars, but the last few chapters were more like 2.5-3 stars. I am just not sure how to rate The Paris Orphan.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
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