Title: The Paris SecretAuthor: Lily Graham
Publisher: Bookouture
Genres: Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction
Publication Date: October 4, 2018
Rating:
On the brink of the second world war, a beautiful Parisian bookshop hides a heartbreaking secret that will tear one family apart forever …
The last time Valerie was in Paris, she was three-years-old, running from the Nazis, away from the only home she had ever known.
Now as a young woman, Valerie must return to Paris, to the bookshop and her only surviving relative, her grandfather Vincent, to find out what really happened to those she loved. As she gets to know Vincent again, she hears a tragic story of Nazi occupied Paris, a doomed love affair and a mother willing to sacrifice everything for her beloved daughter.
Can Valerie and Vincent help each other to mend the wounds of the past? Valerie isn’t after a fairy-tale ending, she only wants the truth. But what is the one devastating secret that Vincent is determined to keep from his granddaughter?
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
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Review: The Paris Secret by Lily Graham
The Paris Secret by Lily Graham is an epic story set during World War II. It tells the tale of how Valerie discovers the truth about her heritage through the use of alternating timelines. The writing is beautiful, and the characters are ones that you will instantly fall in love with.
❀ Nazi Occupation of Paris
The occupation of Paris during the second world war is not something that I know much about, however Graham has really detailed quite a bit in The Paris Secret. The way in which the treatment of the citizens of Pairs by the Nazis in the novel is depicted is so heart wrenching. Valerie’s family endures so much pain and hardship, that it is noble of them to send her off to England to seek a better life.
❀ Flashbacks
At the beginning of the novel, Valerie sets off to unravel the mystery of her past. Graham reveals bits and pieces to her readers through the use of flashbacks to the 1940s from the point of view of Valerie’s mother. This family saga is one that will surprise and shock you as the pieces start to fit together about the family’s past.
❀ Parisian Setting
There is something about the Parisian setting and the fact that the book takes place in a bookshop that really draws me in. The characters in The Paris Secret are also well developed and enjoyable to read about. I especially loved Vincent, Valerie’s grandfather, as he is such a fun and crusty old man. His thoughts on books are so humorous and add quite a bit of depth to the story.
If you enjoy historical fiction set during WWII, I highly recommend Lily Graham’s The Paris Secret. by Lily Graham. There are so many layers to the novel with its use of dual timelines and interesting characters. The concept is also one that I have not read before, and I have learned so much about the German occupation of France.
Book Quotes: The Paris Secret by Lily Graham
BOOK BEGINNING
The old woman on the train didn’t look like the kind of person who had a secret burning darkly, deep inside her chest. The kind of secret that twisted itself around the heart, squeezed tighter than a fist, ready to burst.
FRIDAY 56
Madame Joubert had read the English woman’s letter, in perfect schoolgirl French, and decided that someone with a library degree seemed like a sign from the heavens. Ignoring Dupont’s protests, she told him to write back and agree to her terms.
About Lily Graham
I write contemporary romance that feature drama, humour, and sometimes a bit of magic.
The Summer Escape is my first novel with Bookouture, previously published as An Invincible Summer.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
This one sounds so good! I love WWII fiction — even if it can be difficult to read at times. Great review!
There are some parts that are hard to read, but the romance aspect is so wonderful in this one.
Wow, this looks like it would be an amazing read! I love books set in World War II, because it’s not something we should be forgetting. It’s definitely a book that’s right up my alley.
I totally agree with you, Stephanie. It amazes me how much I am still learning about it.
Nice review! I don’t read War fiction books much but I love reading books with historical setting. This sounds like a great read. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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It really is an enjoyable read. 🙂
This book seems really good and I find the cover so charming for some reason.
The cover is what really drew me in at first. It is so pretty! 🙂
I’ll definitely have to check this one out – I really enjoy dual timeline stories, books set in Paris, and books set during WWII! It ticks off a lot of my boxes!
it’s a perfect read to get swept away with. I hope that you enjoy it as well. 🙂
Stiiillll not my kind of book, but I enjoyed reading your review!
Haha! Thank you, Jaime. 😉