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The Paris Apartment
This heart-wrenching novel about family and war unearths generations of secrets and sacrifices—perfect for fans of The Paris Orphan and The Lost Girls of Paris.
2017, London: When Aurelia Leclaire inherits an opulent Paris apartment, she is shocked to discover her grandmother’s hidden secrets—including a treasure trove of famous art and couture gowns. One obscure painting leads her to Gabriel Seymour, a highly respected art restorer with his own mysterious past. Together they attempt to uncover the truths concealed within the apartment’s walls.
Paris, 1942: The Germans may occupy the City of Lights, but glamorous Estelle Allard flourishes in a world separate from the hardships of war. Yet when the Nazis come for her friends, Estelle doesn’t hesitate to help those she holds dear, no matter the cost. As she works against the forces intent on destroying her loved ones, she can’t know that her actions will have ramifications for generations to come.
Set seventy-five years apart, against a perilous and a prosperous Paris, both Estelle and Lia must summon hidden courage as they navigate the dangers of a changing world, altering history—and their family’s futures—forever.
2017, London: When Aurelia Leclaire inherits an opulent Paris apartment, she is shocked to discover her grandmother’s hidden secrets—including a treasure trove of famous art and couture gowns. One obscure painting leads her to Gabriel Seymour, a highly respected art restorer with his own mysterious past. Together they attempt to uncover the truths concealed within the apartment’s walls.
Paris, 1942: The Germans may occupy the City of Lights, but glamorous Estelle Allard flourishes in a world separate from the hardships of war. Yet when the Nazis come for her friends, Estelle doesn’t hesitate to help those she holds dear, no matter the cost. As she works against the forces intent on destroying her loved ones, she can’t know that her actions will have ramifications for generations to come.
Set seventy-five years apart, against a perilous and a prosperous Paris, both Estelle and Lia must summon hidden courage as they navigate the dangers of a changing world, altering history—and their family’s futures—forever.
406 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2021
About the author
Kelly Bowen
18 books1,331 followersAward-winning author Kelly Bowen attended the University of Manitoba, earning a BSc & MSc in veterinary studies. She worked as a research scientist before realizing her dream to write historical fiction. Currently, Kelly lives with her family in Winnipeg, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,260 reviews
May 16, 2021
I'm always attracted to books set during WW2. I think it's because it was such a terrible period for humanity but despite it all, there were always people fighting for freedom and justice. So much courage!
As soon as I saw The Paris Apartment, I knew I wanted to read it.
Lia's grandmother has passed away and she has left her an apartment in Paris. An apartment no one knew she had!
When Lia opens the door to the apartment, the only way to describe it would be a time capsule from the 1940s. The walls are filled with paintings that probably cost a fortune. The closet is filled with couture garments but the most shocking thing is the nazi propaganda left behind. Lia wonders if her grandmother was a nazi collaborator.
Lia is determined to find out more. She will go in search of true ownership of the paintings and she will enlist the help of Gabriel, an art appraiser.
Estelle is Lia's grandmother. Her story will be told in the 1940s. During those chapters, we learned what Estelle was really doing during the Nazi occupation of France, her visits to the Ritz, and her relationship with Sophie, a woman who looks like an ice princess and whose sole purpose left in life is to help bring the nazis down.
The Paris Apartment is a satisfying story of determination and strength. The dual timelines worked very well in this novel. Both were engaging although, Estelle's was way more unnerving for me despite knowing she lived a long life.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
As soon as I saw The Paris Apartment, I knew I wanted to read it.
Lia's grandmother has passed away and she has left her an apartment in Paris. An apartment no one knew she had!
When Lia opens the door to the apartment, the only way to describe it would be a time capsule from the 1940s. The walls are filled with paintings that probably cost a fortune. The closet is filled with couture garments but the most shocking thing is the nazi propaganda left behind. Lia wonders if her grandmother was a nazi collaborator.
Lia is determined to find out more. She will go in search of true ownership of the paintings and she will enlist the help of Gabriel, an art appraiser.
Estelle is Lia's grandmother. Her story will be told in the 1940s. During those chapters, we learned what Estelle was really doing during the Nazi occupation of France, her visits to the Ritz, and her relationship with Sophie, a woman who looks like an ice princess and whose sole purpose left in life is to help bring the nazis down.
The Paris Apartment is a satisfying story of determination and strength. The dual timelines worked very well in this novel. Both were engaging although, Estelle's was way more unnerving for me despite knowing she lived a long life.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
April 19, 2021
When a woman inherits a Parisian apartment undisturbed since WWII, she discovers that it may hold the key to unraveling her cold and distant great-grandmother's secret life -- a past of sacrifice during a mission to protect those she loved.”
The Paris Apartment is a spellbinding and enthralling work of historical fiction. I’ve read a couple other novels inspired by an actual secret, untouched apartment from WWII, and this was a unique twist completely different from the other novels. The historical detail is phenomenal, and the characters are richly drawn. I’m talking around this one because I don’t want to give away the heart of the story.
Passionate, intriguing, haunting, and remarkable, The Paris Apartment needs to be on the TBRs of all hist fic fans, especially those drawn to WWII stories. This one is a powerful standout that brings out every emotion. Well-done, Kelly Bowen!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
The Paris Apartment is a spellbinding and enthralling work of historical fiction. I’ve read a couple other novels inspired by an actual secret, untouched apartment from WWII, and this was a unique twist completely different from the other novels. The historical detail is phenomenal, and the characters are richly drawn. I’m talking around this one because I don’t want to give away the heart of the story.
Passionate, intriguing, haunting, and remarkable, The Paris Apartment needs to be on the TBRs of all hist fic fans, especially those drawn to WWII stories. This one is a powerful standout that brings out every emotion. Well-done, Kelly Bowen!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
July 19, 2021
The Paris Apartment
By Kelly Bowen
The story opens in the summer of 2017 in Paris France to an apartment left empty and buried under years of dust by Aurelia 'Lia" who inherits the apartment from her great grandmother for whom it seems has a secret past, and Lia is determined to find out. Inside the apartment is a lavishly furnished home with art, couture gowns, and some memorabilia from the past she hoped her great grandmother was never a part of.
The story is told in two alternate timelines one in 2017 with the point of views of Lia and Gabriel Seymour, and the other in the 1940's with the point of views of Estelle Allard and Sophie Seymour which was beautifully written that brought an immersive and intensely gripping back story of the courage these women have gone through against the evil of the Nazis.
Though I have read many World War II stories, this was very interesting and readable that highlighted a different perspective. Adding the mystery of the art pieces was very enjoyable for me especially with Lia and Gabriel working together to discover what happened in the the past.
The story culminated into a very emotional ending. I loved every bit of this well written, heart breaking and heart warming story full of hope.
Well done Kelly Bowen for this masterpiece.
By Kelly Bowen
The story opens in the summer of 2017 in Paris France to an apartment left empty and buried under years of dust by Aurelia 'Lia" who inherits the apartment from her great grandmother for whom it seems has a secret past, and Lia is determined to find out. Inside the apartment is a lavishly furnished home with art, couture gowns, and some memorabilia from the past she hoped her great grandmother was never a part of.
The story is told in two alternate timelines one in 2017 with the point of views of Lia and Gabriel Seymour, and the other in the 1940's with the point of views of Estelle Allard and Sophie Seymour which was beautifully written that brought an immersive and intensely gripping back story of the courage these women have gone through against the evil of the Nazis.
Though I have read many World War II stories, this was very interesting and readable that highlighted a different perspective. Adding the mystery of the art pieces was very enjoyable for me especially with Lia and Gabriel working together to discover what happened in the the past.
The story culminated into a very emotional ending. I loved every bit of this well written, heart breaking and heart warming story full of hope.
Well done Kelly Bowen for this masterpiece.
January 5, 2022
The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Paris Apartment is an incredible historic WWll fiction with two timelines, one in 2017 and the other in 1942. The storyline flowed so beautiful following very strong and determined characters which kept me completely intrigued to read the book in one day.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Paris Apartment is an incredible historic WWll fiction with two timelines, one in 2017 and the other in 1942. The storyline flowed so beautiful following very strong and determined characters which kept me completely intrigued to read the book in one day.
April 20, 2021
In 2017, Aurelia (Lia) Leclaire inherits her grandmother’s Paris apartment – a place she was unaware existed. What she discovers in this beautiful home is a treasure trove of valuable paintings. Aurelia has no clue as to how all this museum quality artwork came into her grandmother’s possession and why it has all been hidden for so long. With the help of Gabriel Seymour, an art curator and the grandson of the artist of one a painting bequeathed to her, Lia starts to unravel the secrets that have been locked away all these years. The story alternates between the present and the past as we learn about the life of Estelle Allard, Lia’s grandmother, during the Nazi occupation. Estelle, spends her evenings at The Ritz Hotel mingling with German officers to gain secrets which will help the Resistance. Sophie Seymour, a grieving widow, also dedicates herself to the cause and one of her missions brings her to Estelle for help.
The Paris Apartment is an absorbing book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The field of WWII books that take place in Paris has become a bit crowded but I found this story to be a particularly good one. The characters are well developed and both timelines are equally interesting. While it presents the seriousness and horrors of the war, it’s a lighter read than some of the other books of its kind, which was a welcome change for me.
Many thanks to Forever Publishing / Grand Central Publishing, NetGalley, and author Kelly Bowen for the opportunity to read this appealing book in advance of its April 20, 2021 publication.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
The Paris Apartment is an absorbing book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The field of WWII books that take place in Paris has become a bit crowded but I found this story to be a particularly good one. The characters are well developed and both timelines are equally interesting. While it presents the seriousness and horrors of the war, it’s a lighter read than some of the other books of its kind, which was a welcome change for me.
Many thanks to Forever Publishing / Grand Central Publishing, NetGalley, and author Kelly Bowen for the opportunity to read this appealing book in advance of its April 20, 2021 publication.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
September 9, 2021
The better-late-than-never review! 4+ stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Paris Apartment, by Kelly Bowen, was one of our book club reads for August and one that I really enjoyed.
The year is 2017, and Aurelia (Lia) inherits an apartment from her grandmother. The apartment is located in Paris and until that moment, Lia never knew the apartment existed. Even more intriguing than suddenly owning a mystery apartment? Its contents. Lia soon discovers her grandmother had a secret past.
Alternating between 2017 and the early 1940s, The Paris Apartment is an engaging read. Incorporating art, mystery, strong female characters, and wartime life, this is a book historical fiction readers will not want to miss!
Favorite quote from the book: “I became a reader. The purpose of the books, she always said, was not to learn what other people thought but to learn to think for myself.”
*WWII historical fiction*
The Paris Apartment, by Kelly Bowen, was one of our book club reads for August and one that I really enjoyed.
The year is 2017, and Aurelia (Lia) inherits an apartment from her grandmother. The apartment is located in Paris and until that moment, Lia never knew the apartment existed. Even more intriguing than suddenly owning a mystery apartment? Its contents. Lia soon discovers her grandmother had a secret past.
Alternating between 2017 and the early 1940s, The Paris Apartment is an engaging read. Incorporating art, mystery, strong female characters, and wartime life, this is a book historical fiction readers will not want to miss!
Favorite quote from the book: “I became a reader. The purpose of the books, she always said, was not to learn what other people thought but to learn to think for myself.”
*WWII historical fiction*
June 3, 2021
What a wonderful, wonderful book!!!
This is one of the best books I've read this year!!!
The story/stories are fantastic!
I'm not a fan of WWII stories, but this book was so great that I was astonished!
I could feel and sympathise with each character! I admit that I cried too...
Please, do yourself a favor and read this book - I'm sure you'll love it!!!
This is one of the best books I've read this year!!!
The story/stories are fantastic!
I'm not a fan of WWII stories, but this book was so great that I was astonished!
I could feel and sympathise with each character! I admit that I cried too...
Please, do yourself a favor and read this book - I'm sure you'll love it!!!
April 24, 2021
Equal parts heart-pounding, heartbreaking, and heart lifting, THE PARIS APARTMENT is an absorbing novel. Kelly Bowen has crafted a story of deep humanity and redemption, demonstrating the stunning beauty that can emerge from the darkest places. A true work of art.
July 18, 2021
I am once again in the minority on this book, which I read because of the high reviews and raves. I'm always up for a WWII historical novel, especially one that is set even partly in Paris.
This was a fast read, after a bit of a slow, clunky beginning in present-day Paris. Once Bowen brought us back to World War II and we began to read stories about people fighting in the resistance, the book was a page turner. Each time we popped back to the near-present, however, the story came to a screeching halt for me. I'm not sure why she chose to introduce the tension between the two main characters in 2017 -- must we really always have the potential for a romantic love interest? Didn't Dan Brown show us in The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons that you could have strong lead characters who weren't interested in a relationship? Even with the questions about whether they were attracted each other, I honestly did not think the tension had been sufficiently established between the two characters. Their story and the related stories became a bit too coincidental and therefore implausible for my taste.
What I felt was pretty unforgivable, though (aside from the cover art, which made the book look like a Harlequin romance, #SorryNotSorry), was the unoriginal decision to have characters admonish each other to "make it count" as Jack and Rose did in the movie, "Titanic." Of all the possible framings to use, taking one that had been popularized in such a famous movie made my eyes roll back in my head each time I read it.
So, overall, I'd say the book was uneven -- even for the readability of the World War II stories, the book offered nothing new in the genre of people fighting in the resistance. It did, however, offer a good diversion during the historical segments.
This was a fast read, after a bit of a slow, clunky beginning in present-day Paris. Once Bowen brought us back to World War II and we began to read stories about people fighting in the resistance, the book was a page turner. Each time we popped back to the near-present, however, the story came to a screeching halt for me. I'm not sure why she chose to introduce the tension between the two main characters in 2017 -- must we really always have the potential for a romantic love interest? Didn't Dan Brown show us in The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons that you could have strong lead characters who weren't interested in a relationship? Even with the questions about whether they were attracted each other, I honestly did not think the tension had been sufficiently established between the two characters. Their story and the related stories became a bit too coincidental and therefore implausible for my taste.
What I felt was pretty unforgivable, though (aside from the cover art, which made the book look like a Harlequin romance, #SorryNotSorry), was the unoriginal decision to have characters admonish each other to "make it count" as Jack and Rose did in the movie, "Titanic." Of all the possible framings to use, taking one that had been popularized in such a famous movie made my eyes roll back in my head each time I read it.
So, overall, I'd say the book was uneven -- even for the readability of the World War II stories, the book offered nothing new in the genre of people fighting in the resistance. It did, however, offer a good diversion during the historical segments.
April 17, 2021
Historical Fiction lovers! The Paris Apartment hits shelves on April 20th and you're going to want to read this one. I am so excited to have yet another Canadian author to add to my fav list!!
In 2017, Aurelia (Lia) inherits her grandmother's Paris apartment. A place Lia never knew existed. Inside she discovers vast amounts of famous art and stunning couture gowns. A museum of mysterious items. It leaves Lia questioning where these items came from and just who her grandmother really was...
I absolutely LOVED this book!! It was everything I hope for in a Historical Fiction novel. Filled with so much history! Beautifully written and oh so captivating. The main characters were fascinating, well developed and I felt a love for each one of them. And this storyline ... just wow. The alternating POVs and different timelines (set 75 years apart!) were so well done. Truly breathtaking. Huge five stars!!
Thank you so much to MBC Books and Forever for my gifted copy.
In 2017, Aurelia (Lia) inherits her grandmother's Paris apartment. A place Lia never knew existed. Inside she discovers vast amounts of famous art and stunning couture gowns. A museum of mysterious items. It leaves Lia questioning where these items came from and just who her grandmother really was...
I absolutely LOVED this book!! It was everything I hope for in a Historical Fiction novel. Filled with so much history! Beautifully written and oh so captivating. The main characters were fascinating, well developed and I felt a love for each one of them. And this storyline ... just wow. The alternating POVs and different timelines (set 75 years apart!) were so well done. Truly breathtaking. Huge five stars!!
Thank you so much to MBC Books and Forever for my gifted copy.
September 5, 2021
The headline in a news article some years back caught my eye: ‘Inside the Paris apartment untouched for 70 years: Treasure trove finally revealed after owner locked up and fled at outbreak of WWII.’ When I read the article and looked through the photos from this time capsule, I thought to myself, ‘I imagine a number of authors will turn this into a riveting story.’ Kelly Bowen has done exactly that with the tale of Estelle and Sophie in WWII occupied Paris and Lia and Gabriel in the present unravelling the mysteries of the past. This is one of those rare occasions in which I was completely engaged with both sets of narrators in a dual timeline plot. The research is evident on the page, and the story is topped off with an excellent author’s note and bibliography. This is an evocative, compelling read of suspense, betrayal, sacrifice, and courage.
April 23, 2021
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.
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.
February 19, 2021
I absolutely loved THE PARIS APARTMENT. I was hooked with the first page and couldn't put the book down. It had me on the edge of my seat, so to speak, eager to find out what would happen next. The story moved seamlessly back and forth between present day and the events of the past, introducing us to a cast of characters who felt incredibly real and about whom I cared deeply. Their fears were my fears; their journey became my journey. Every revelation, every twist and turn evolved just when I needed to know it.
The arcs for the main characters in the present were well drawn. I liked the romance, mystery, adventure, thrills, heartbreak, danger -- everything. My only complaint is that it ended way too soon! Unlike some books which are overwritten and would benefit from cutting and trimming, with this one I had the opposite feeling. There were so many interesting stories and appealing characters, I wanted to hear more detail and spend more time with each one! Kudos to author Kelly Bowen. I see that she's written historical romance novels up to now. I'm so glad to see that Bowen has written historical fiction and I look forward to reading her next book in this genre!
The arcs for the main characters in the present were well drawn. I liked the romance, mystery, adventure, thrills, heartbreak, danger -- everything. My only complaint is that it ended way too soon! Unlike some books which are overwritten and would benefit from cutting and trimming, with this one I had the opposite feeling. There were so many interesting stories and appealing characters, I wanted to hear more detail and spend more time with each one! Kudos to author Kelly Bowen. I see that she's written historical romance novels up to now. I'm so glad to see that Bowen has written historical fiction and I look forward to reading her next book in this genre!
August 30, 2021
Either the book company or Kelly Bowen's editor (or maybe both) did her a great disservice in sending The Paris Apartment to press in its current form. It could have been so much more.
Ms. Bowen is, you see, a pretty good writer, and the two narratives she crafts in The Paris Apartment -- a contemporary romance and a World War II spy-thriller -- had heaps of potential. But that potential was squandered in two halves that were underwritten, plot heavy and too quickly wrapped up.
There are a number of ways in which The Paris Apartment could have been improved, and I -- had I been Ms. Bowen's editor -- would have urged her to keep writing, keep improving her tale, and given her these options to choose from.
Option 1: Focus on WWII -- Too often lately, I have read books that split the narrative between some past and our present, attempting, I think, to hook us into a narrative with characters from today because, for some reason, storytellers seem to think we can't connect to characters from the past without characters from the present to guide us. Apart from the actual apartment (an apartment discovered in 2013 that hadn't been opened in 70 years) that inspired Bowen's title, there is no real reason for The Paris Apartment to offer a contemporary story line. Putting us back in WWII and WWII alone would have made for a tighter thriller, given us more time with the story's most compelling characters, and it all could have been focused on the Paris Ritz rather than The Paris Apartment.
Option 2: Tighten the Events -- If Bowen felt the need to keep both narrative threads, I would have advised her to shorten the time span she was covering in both threads. There is much in her plots that was work that she could have kept in her preparation file folders, work that an author needs to do but that readers don't need to read. Had Bowen dropped us right into the middle of the Paris Ritz and the mission, she could have deepened the tension and provided much more detail. The same goes for her parallel tale in today's France, dropping the poor romance and focusing, instead, on the much more compelling mystery she'd concocted for her contemporary characters.
Option 3: Expand -- As I said before, Bowen is a really good writer, so perhaps the best answer to what ails The Paris Apartment is for everything to be expanded. It is clear that Bowen wanted to cover a lot of ground. If that was the case, her publisher and editor should have let her, and if that meant that The Paris Apartment was twice its current length then fine. With more time, more attention, more storytelling, we would have cared more for all the characters, and Bowen would have been able to overcome some of her characters' (specifically her present day characters') more annoying personality traits. Moreover, this would also have allowed her to make her villains more realistic and, therefore, more frightening. Bowen's Nazis were ridiculous caricatures of villainy (the sort of lazy, Nazi-as-evil-villain we've grown accustomed to), but with hundreds of additional pages and more time spent amidst the occupiers of Paris, Bowen could have made them characters rather than caricatures, which would have made them far more compelling.
I think I would have preferred a mixture of Options 1 and 3. Had Bowen cut the spoiled contemporary brats and given us 600+ pages of Paris in WWII, that is a story I would have loved to read. As it is, The Paris Apartment was a disappointment, and a disappointment that made me feel sad for the author more than anything else. Kelly Bowen deserved better. Her writing deserves better. And if her editor and her book company failed her, that makes me despise the publication industry more than I did already.
Ms. Bowen is, you see, a pretty good writer, and the two narratives she crafts in The Paris Apartment -- a contemporary romance and a World War II spy-thriller -- had heaps of potential. But that potential was squandered in two halves that were underwritten, plot heavy and too quickly wrapped up.
There are a number of ways in which The Paris Apartment could have been improved, and I -- had I been Ms. Bowen's editor -- would have urged her to keep writing, keep improving her tale, and given her these options to choose from.
Option 1: Focus on WWII -- Too often lately, I have read books that split the narrative between some past and our present, attempting, I think, to hook us into a narrative with characters from today because, for some reason, storytellers seem to think we can't connect to characters from the past without characters from the present to guide us. Apart from the actual apartment (an apartment discovered in 2013 that hadn't been opened in 70 years) that inspired Bowen's title, there is no real reason for The Paris Apartment to offer a contemporary story line. Putting us back in WWII and WWII alone would have made for a tighter thriller, given us more time with the story's most compelling characters, and it all could have been focused on the Paris Ritz rather than The Paris Apartment.
Option 2: Tighten the Events -- If Bowen felt the need to keep both narrative threads, I would have advised her to shorten the time span she was covering in both threads. There is much in her plots that was work that she could have kept in her preparation file folders, work that an author needs to do but that readers don't need to read. Had Bowen dropped us right into the middle of the Paris Ritz and the mission, she could have deepened the tension and provided much more detail. The same goes for her parallel tale in today's France, dropping the poor romance and focusing, instead, on the much more compelling mystery she'd concocted for her contemporary characters.
Option 3: Expand -- As I said before, Bowen is a really good writer, so perhaps the best answer to what ails The Paris Apartment is for everything to be expanded. It is clear that Bowen wanted to cover a lot of ground. If that was the case, her publisher and editor should have let her, and if that meant that The Paris Apartment was twice its current length then fine. With more time, more attention, more storytelling, we would have cared more for all the characters, and Bowen would have been able to overcome some of her characters' (specifically her present day characters') more annoying personality traits. Moreover, this would also have allowed her to make her villains more realistic and, therefore, more frightening. Bowen's Nazis were ridiculous caricatures of villainy (the sort of lazy, Nazi-as-evil-villain we've grown accustomed to), but with hundreds of additional pages and more time spent amidst the occupiers of Paris, Bowen could have made them characters rather than caricatures, which would have made them far more compelling.
I think I would have preferred a mixture of Options 1 and 3. Had Bowen cut the spoiled contemporary brats and given us 600+ pages of Paris in WWII, that is a story I would have loved to read. As it is, The Paris Apartment was a disappointment, and a disappointment that made me feel sad for the author more than anything else. Kelly Bowen deserved better. Her writing deserves better. And if her editor and her book company failed her, that makes me despise the publication industry more than I did already.
January 21, 2021
Lia is shocked when her grandmother bequeaths her an elegant Paris apartment in 2017, one that’s been locked since the end of WWII. In it she discovers a cache of fabulous art, couture gowns, and photos of a high ranking Nazi official. Lia wonders if her grandmother collaborated with the Germans, so seeks help from art restorer Gabriel Seymour to uncover the truth. Together, they discover a tale of courage that will long stay with you. Beautifully written and highly recommended!
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 20 Apr 2021
#TheParisApartment #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 20 Apr 2021
#TheParisApartment #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
May 1, 2024
Quando Aurélia Leclaire – Lia para os amigos - herda um luxuoso apartamento em Paris, fica chocada ao descobrir os segredos ocultados pela sua Grandmère - uma colecção impressionante de vestidos de alta-costura e um tesouro de arte com obras de renomados artistas como John Constable, John Singer Sargent, Henry Fuseli, Munch, Charles Le Brun, Pissarro, Morisot, Kirchner, Heckel, Chagall, Edgar Degas e Turner.
E descobriu que a Grandmère não lhe deixara um apartamento em herança.
Deixara-lhe um museu.
O apartamento, fechado por setenta anos, é como uma cápsula do tempo.
Lia passou os dedos ao longo de uma saia cor de safira antes de retirar a mão, com medo de estragar o tecido. Fechou o guarda-fatos e encostou a testa às portas duplas. Os vestidos, os sapatos, as peles — havia ali uma verdadeira fortuna em roupa. Como havia uma fortuna em mobiliário requintado e em obras de arte.
Tudo escondido durante mais de setenta anos.
É na busca por respostas sobre a vida desconhecida da avó que Lia desvenda como Estelle Allard sobreviveu na Paris ocupada pelos alemães e como enfrentou a perseguição nazista.
As coincidências entre os anos 40 e 2017 são muitas. No entanto, a história poderia alcançar ainda mais potencial se as duas linhas temporais estivessem mais intrinsecamente ligadas, indo além da partilha de um simples apartamento. Especialmente durante a ocupação nazista, o apartamento não tem grande interesse, uma vez que toda a acção se desenrola no Hotel Ritz.
Quando os alemães marcharam sobre Paris, o hotel Ritz foi dividido em dois (…)deixou de ser apenas um chamariz para os mais abastados, para a realeza, para os artistas e intelectuais, e passou a ser o quartel-general oficial da Luftwaffe.
Quanto ao romance entre Lia e Gabriel Seymour, que se insinua desde as primeiras páginas, era totalmente dispensável.
E descobriu que a Grandmère não lhe deixara um apartamento em herança.
Deixara-lhe um museu.
O apartamento, fechado por setenta anos, é como uma cápsula do tempo.
Lia passou os dedos ao longo de uma saia cor de safira antes de retirar a mão, com medo de estragar o tecido. Fechou o guarda-fatos e encostou a testa às portas duplas. Os vestidos, os sapatos, as peles — havia ali uma verdadeira fortuna em roupa. Como havia uma fortuna em mobiliário requintado e em obras de arte.
Tudo escondido durante mais de setenta anos.
É na busca por respostas sobre a vida desconhecida da avó que Lia desvenda como Estelle Allard sobreviveu na Paris ocupada pelos alemães e como enfrentou a perseguição nazista.
As coincidências entre os anos 40 e 2017 são muitas. No entanto, a história poderia alcançar ainda mais potencial se as duas linhas temporais estivessem mais intrinsecamente ligadas, indo além da partilha de um simples apartamento. Especialmente durante a ocupação nazista, o apartamento não tem grande interesse, uma vez que toda a acção se desenrola no Hotel Ritz.
Quando os alemães marcharam sobre Paris, o hotel Ritz foi dividido em dois (…)deixou de ser apenas um chamariz para os mais abastados, para a realeza, para os artistas e intelectuais, e passou a ser o quartel-general oficial da Luftwaffe.
Quanto ao romance entre Lia e Gabriel Seymour, que se insinua desde as primeiras páginas, era totalmente dispensável.
March 10, 2023
I don't think I'll ever tire of reading well-done work on the Holocaust and the brave people who helped in many ways. In this fictional account, there are 2 very strong female characters, Estelle from France, and Sophia from England, who continually risked their lives in order to help save downed pilots, Jewish children who needing to be hidden and later to escape to Switzerland and, highly featured, rare and famous art pieces.
In 2017, Aurelia (Lia) granddaughter of recently deceased Estelle has found that Estelle left her a Paris apartment that no one in the family knew anything about. Estelle never even talked about the past or living in Paris. Once Lia arrives, there is an abundance of couture dresses and other treasures, including a secret room of hidden art pieces (we are talking masterpieces!) Lia meets up with a handsome grandson of someone in the story, and the attraction is pretty immediate and mutual. They try to puzzle their way through their relatives' pasts, via old photographs and paintings, and discover hidden and surprising facts about their ancestors and themselves.
My con's for this novel were few. It was primarily the overly, overly, lengthy details and conversations, sometimes so much so that it was boring so I hurried ahead on audio. Sometimes the wording or convos were so long and plain that I felt the author must think us simpletons. Also, the pushy and outspoken housekeepers, who worked 2 generations for one family, were very out of place, regardless of their generational relationships, bc “help” are the underlings.
Other pro's: Strong females, interesting and detailed characters, wonderful settings that put you right into a room or apartment, fun fictional info. on the Ritz Hotel of Paris, which the Nazi's made their headquarters during WWII, and compelling spy and clandestine info. on both sides. I particularly enjoyed learning about the actual "Enigma", cipher device used by the Nazi military to encode messages during this time. It was a tough nut to crack and the Nazi's changed the codes just as the Brits had figured one out.
Finally, Ms. Bowen has a truly, wonderful and creative imagination that I appreciated so much. She clearly did her homework on WWII and the horrific annihilation of so many Jews and supporters.
In 2017, Aurelia (Lia) granddaughter of recently deceased Estelle has found that Estelle left her a Paris apartment that no one in the family knew anything about. Estelle never even talked about the past or living in Paris. Once Lia arrives, there is an abundance of couture dresses and other treasures, including a secret room of hidden art pieces (we are talking masterpieces!) Lia meets up with a handsome grandson of someone in the story, and the attraction is pretty immediate and mutual. They try to puzzle their way through their relatives' pasts, via old photographs and paintings, and discover hidden and surprising facts about their ancestors and themselves.
My con's for this novel were few. It was primarily the overly, overly, lengthy details and conversations, sometimes so much so that it was boring so I hurried ahead on audio. Sometimes the wording or convos were so long and plain that I felt the author must think us simpletons. Also, the pushy and outspoken housekeepers, who worked 2 generations for one family, were very out of place, regardless of their generational relationships, bc “help” are the underlings.
Other pro's: Strong females, interesting and detailed characters, wonderful settings that put you right into a room or apartment, fun fictional info. on the Ritz Hotel of Paris, which the Nazi's made their headquarters during WWII, and compelling spy and clandestine info. on both sides. I particularly enjoyed learning about the actual "Enigma", cipher device used by the Nazi military to encode messages during this time. It was a tough nut to crack and the Nazi's changed the codes just as the Brits had figured one out.
Finally, Ms. Bowen has a truly, wonderful and creative imagination that I appreciated so much. She clearly did her homework on WWII and the horrific annihilation of so many Jews and supporters.
July 26, 2022
Marvelous! I listened to the Swedish audiobook version and was completely captivated by the story. This book works beautifully on both timelines, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially WWII novels.
December 17, 2024
I know I'm in the minority, but I do not understand the appeal of this book! It's unoriginal and slow. Girl inherits secret apartment from a relative. Girl realizes that there was a side to relative that she didn't know and now she must go on A Journey of Discovery. Girl hires Expert, who will obviously be the love interest. Interspersed with these modern day chapters are the chapters set in the '40s during WWII, and of course we have yet another Historical Fiction book full of genius rich women who are spies in Paris during the Nazi Occupation. There are so many historical fiction books about WWII female spies in Paris (and some of these are much more interesting to read) - The Alice Network, Dragonfly, The Lost Girls of Paris, etc. What I really could not get over was an apartment filled with art, furs, and silk dresses that has been abandoned for 75 years with the only damage to the collection being some dust! After 8 chapters of eye rolling I scanned the rest and seeing that nothing unexpected seems to actually happen I gave up.
January 19, 2022
Interesting concept. Very well plotted. Each chapter is a sort of vignette of one of the 4 main characters. I wish we could have got to know the characters better. I really liked the characters, settings, stories from the WWII timeframe. The stories were heartbreaking and harrowing, and I felt like we knew those characters better. The modern day timeframe felt more superficial and shallow. We didn’t get to know those characters well and the most interesting thing about them was what their ancestors did. There was some romance but not much.
Thanks Lorii for the buddy read!
Thanks Lorii for the buddy read!
May 19, 2021
4.5 stars for this dual time-line story.
Alternating between 2017 and 1939-1943, Ms. Bowen pulled off the feat of making both time-lines
equally important to this reader. I really liked our modern heroine, Aurelia Leclair, who inherits an apartment in Paris from her grandmother, Estelle Allard. Not just any apartment, but one that hadn't been occupied since 1943, in a city where her grandmother supposedly never lived. After a quick exploration of the apartment, Lia reaches a very unsettling conclusion about her grandmother's life in Paris.
The two women who feature in the WWII time-line, Estelle and Sophie, are fabulous! To say too much more about them would lead to major spoilers. However, both were doing their bit (and then some) in the fight against the Nazis. I worried about them both, and rightly so.
The modern story line gives us a bit of romance between Lia and Gabriel Seymour, the art expert she hires to help her dig into her grandmother's life in Paris. The WWII time-line gives us suspense and drama. The author also weaves in a few other unexpected connections between the characters; all leading to a very satisfactory conclusion.
The author's note at the end explains what was real and what she invented for the WWII part of the novel, complete with a bibliography. This history nerd loved that part.
Note: The 'apartment in Paris, closed since 1940s' tickled my memory.
There was such a discovery: https://tinyurl.com/dwrdsmyv
However, the story behind that apartment's owner has nothing in common with the story told by Ms. Bowen.
Alternating between 2017 and 1939-1943, Ms. Bowen pulled off the feat of making both time-lines
equally important to this reader. I really liked our modern heroine, Aurelia Leclair, who inherits an apartment in Paris from her grandmother, Estelle Allard. Not just any apartment, but one that hadn't been occupied since 1943, in a city where her grandmother supposedly never lived. After a quick exploration of the apartment, Lia reaches a very unsettling conclusion about her grandmother's life in Paris.
The two women who feature in the WWII time-line, Estelle and Sophie, are fabulous! To say too much more about them would lead to major spoilers. However, both were doing their bit (and then some) in the fight against the Nazis. I worried about them both, and rightly so.
The modern story line gives us a bit of romance between Lia and Gabriel Seymour, the art expert she hires to help her dig into her grandmother's life in Paris. The WWII time-line gives us suspense and drama. The author also weaves in a few other unexpected connections between the characters; all leading to a very satisfactory conclusion.
The author's note at the end explains what was real and what she invented for the WWII part of the novel, complete with a bibliography. This history nerd loved that part.
Note: The 'apartment in Paris, closed since 1940s' tickled my memory.
There was such a discovery: https://tinyurl.com/dwrdsmyv
However, the story behind that apartment's owner has nothing in common with the story told by Ms. Bowen.
June 30, 2021
Beautifully told time slip novel.
WWII historical fiction with the contemporary side taking place in 2017.
Very strong and courageous women just doing what they thought was their part and doing what is right while working undercover with the French Resistance.
The book is very well plotted and kept me reading as I admired these women standing up for what they believed in.
The stories are expertly woven between modern and wwii times with fascinating characters that you could easily visualize the story as you read it.
The book is heartbreaking yet uplifting and inspiring all at once.
Definitely kept my attention and one of my favorite reads this year.
Pub Date: 20 Apr 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
WWII historical fiction with the contemporary side taking place in 2017.
Very strong and courageous women just doing what they thought was their part and doing what is right while working undercover with the French Resistance.
The book is very well plotted and kept me reading as I admired these women standing up for what they believed in.
The stories are expertly woven between modern and wwii times with fascinating characters that you could easily visualize the story as you read it.
The book is heartbreaking yet uplifting and inspiring all at once.
Definitely kept my attention and one of my favorite reads this year.
Pub Date: 20 Apr 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
July 23, 2021
A few hours of my life that I will not get back….
Interesting story, but not the quality of writing or research that I expected from the reviews . For a book with Paris in the title, there was not much local colour or reference to the city itself. I found the writing uneven and schlocky at times, and there were some very improbable scenarios and anachronisms as well as plot details that just didn’t match up.
Interesting story, but not the quality of writing or research that I expected from the reviews . For a book with Paris in the title, there was not much local colour or reference to the city itself. I found the writing uneven and schlocky at times, and there were some very improbable scenarios and anachronisms as well as plot details that just didn’t match up.
January 21, 2021
A breathtaking, page-turning WW2 tale of courage, espionage, and true love. Kelly Bowen’s engaging characters will take you on an unforgettable journey of adventure and discovery. You won’t want to put the book down for even a moment! Five stars!
August 27, 2022
Repleto de personagens femininas que encarnam a força, sacrifício e determinação necessárias para sobreviver em tempos controversos.
Kelly Bowen deixou-me a suspirar com todas aquelas obras de arte.
Kelly Bowen deixou-me a suspirar com todas aquelas obras de arte.
April 29, 2023
Una hermosa historia de ficción que hace resaltar las hazañas de muchos valientes en tiempos de guerra.
December 5, 2022
5 Shining Stars ⭐️
"It may seem like I was daring and dauntless but I wasn’t, not really, not like you. I kept myself safely insulated by my strengths, hidden behind my books and lessons because those were easy. It took falling in love to make me understand that the things worth most in life are hard."
The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen is a captivating tale of two strong women displaying heroic endeavors and indefatigable resistance in occupied France during WWII. When Lia finds out that she has inherited a secret apartment with an extensive assortment of priceless paintings from her estranged late grandmother Estelle, she's resolute to uncover the long-buried history within its walls. Together with Gabriel Seymour, a respectful and highly recommended art appraiser, they set out on a journey through the past as if they stepped back in time to 1942 in hopes of finding answers regarding their ancestors. Set seventy-five years apart and told in dual timelines the story aesthetically blends in imaginary events and characters within real historical contexts to piece together the decade-defying moments in history, while shifting between the past (1940-46) and the present time (2017). Both timelines are woven together seamlessly and are riveting in equal measure.
I've always been very fond of stories that take place during WWII and naturally started to gravitate towards the historical fiction genre. So when I picked this book, I already knew I'd end up enjoying it regardless of the writing style, but WOW I'm pleased to say it far exceeded my expectations! Kelly Bowen has written an unforgettable novel on women's significant roles and contributions during the Second World War that is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her descriptive writing on the oppressed lives of the civilian population in post-war France with strands of heroism, hope, loss, and sacrifice along with an intriguing subplot on antisemitism, and a glimpse into the Nazi regime and its collaborators are all fascinatingly incorporated into the story that perfectly complement the plot line and make the characters feel real and conceivable. I started the book thinking the recurrent time shifts would be a major bewilderment yet contrary to my assumption, not only did the dual timeline and multiple perspectives fit the narration flawlessly, but also worked out well in a sense that added an air of mystery surrounding Estelle's backstory which piqued my curiosity and kept me glued to the pages.
It is well-known that writing this genre demands a lot of thorough and meticulous research from novelists so as not to misrepresent specific social or cultural norms and to capture the historical details as accurately as possible. So hats off to Ms. Bowen for writing such a memorable and profound story which, according to the Author's Note at the end of the book is inspired by real-life women whose courage and heroics during the war are often overlooked and forgotten.
This was an emotional read but was also an absolutely beautiful book. Can't wait to pick my next historical fiction novel sometime soon.
"It may seem like I was daring and dauntless but I wasn’t, not really, not like you. I kept myself safely insulated by my strengths, hidden behind my books and lessons because those were easy. It took falling in love to make me understand that the things worth most in life are hard."
The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen is a captivating tale of two strong women displaying heroic endeavors and indefatigable resistance in occupied France during WWII. When Lia finds out that she has inherited a secret apartment with an extensive assortment of priceless paintings from her estranged late grandmother Estelle, she's resolute to uncover the long-buried history within its walls. Together with Gabriel Seymour, a respectful and highly recommended art appraiser, they set out on a journey through the past as if they stepped back in time to 1942 in hopes of finding answers regarding their ancestors. Set seventy-five years apart and told in dual timelines the story aesthetically blends in imaginary events and characters within real historical contexts to piece together the decade-defying moments in history, while shifting between the past (1940-46) and the present time (2017). Both timelines are woven together seamlessly and are riveting in equal measure.
I've always been very fond of stories that take place during WWII and naturally started to gravitate towards the historical fiction genre. So when I picked this book, I already knew I'd end up enjoying it regardless of the writing style, but WOW I'm pleased to say it far exceeded my expectations! Kelly Bowen has written an unforgettable novel on women's significant roles and contributions during the Second World War that is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her descriptive writing on the oppressed lives of the civilian population in post-war France with strands of heroism, hope, loss, and sacrifice along with an intriguing subplot on antisemitism, and a glimpse into the Nazi regime and its collaborators are all fascinatingly incorporated into the story that perfectly complement the plot line and make the characters feel real and conceivable. I started the book thinking the recurrent time shifts would be a major bewilderment yet contrary to my assumption, not only did the dual timeline and multiple perspectives fit the narration flawlessly, but also worked out well in a sense that added an air of mystery surrounding Estelle's backstory which piqued my curiosity and kept me glued to the pages.
It is well-known that writing this genre demands a lot of thorough and meticulous research from novelists so as not to misrepresent specific social or cultural norms and to capture the historical details as accurately as possible. So hats off to Ms. Bowen for writing such a memorable and profound story which, according to the Author's Note at the end of the book is inspired by real-life women whose courage and heroics during the war are often overlooked and forgotten.
This was an emotional read but was also an absolutely beautiful book. Can't wait to pick my next historical fiction novel sometime soon.
April 6, 2021
Three days after finishing this historical fiction novel, I still can't stop thinking about it. From the first page to the last, it's an utterly intense, captivating story of bravery, tragedy, and sacrifice. It's told from the perspective of 4 characters in two time periods -the present with Lia who is bewildered after the death of her grandmother to find herself the owner of an apartment that has lain undisturbed since the latter days of World War 2 and Gabriel, the art curator who helps Lia make sense of what she finds and discovers his own personal connection to the apartment - and the past with Estelle, Lia's grandmother, whose position in Parisian society makes her uniquely capable of a role she never wanted but believes she must play and Sophie, a young English widow whose hatred of the Nazis fires her determination to exact vengeance.
Well researched and compelling, the switch from past to present is done seamlessly giving the reader some light-hearted moments in between the more heart-wrenching and suspenseful ones. There are a couple of romantic scenes in the novel but they are not the main focus; rather they serve to add another dimension to the characters making me care deeply about each person's fate. There is no way to read the story without feeling a range of emotions, from surprise to fear to relief to grief and thankfully, also to joy. While the author is known for her historical romances, this is her first foray into historical fiction and in my opinion, it's a resounding success.
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Well researched and compelling, the switch from past to present is done seamlessly giving the reader some light-hearted moments in between the more heart-wrenching and suspenseful ones. There are a couple of romantic scenes in the novel but they are not the main focus; rather they serve to add another dimension to the characters making me care deeply about each person's fate. There is no way to read the story without feeling a range of emotions, from surprise to fear to relief to grief and thankfully, also to joy. While the author is known for her historical romances, this is her first foray into historical fiction and in my opinion, it's a resounding success.
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
July 21, 2021
This is an excellent book for fans of The Nightingale and Kristin Harmel’s books. The story begins with a young woman who inherits an apartment in Paris from her grandmother in 2017. Although Lia spent a considerable amount of time with her grandmother as she was growing up, the woman was not extremely “grandmotherly”; in fact she was guarded and somewhat secretive. Yet she provided Lia with a sense of security and stability seemingly missing from her parents who were not completely present in Lia’s life. Upon her death, Lia inherits an apartment filled with art, gowns, and other remnants of a privileged life along with pieces of evidence that her grandmother may have been a collaborator with the Nazis occupying Paris. Along with Gabriel Seymour, an experienced art restorer, she embarks on a journey of discovery into the life of a woman she had never really known. The plot weaves seamlessly between the two timelines of 2017 and World War II Paris, and the reader is whisked on a journey of suspense and intrigue against a backdrop of unspeakable horrors. This novel is a must read and is more evidence that no matter how many novels set during this time period, there will always be stories waiting to be revealed! If you are looking for a book brimming with suspense, intrigue, love, betrayal, and triumph and tragedy, you will not be disappointed!
June 2, 2022
3 Stars
While I enjoyed the dual timeline and intersecting storylines using four POVs and each sharing their turn of events, their individual development was lacking. It seemed that it was too many characters with involved stories to fully develop each POV to a satisfying best. Unfortunately, I struggled to feel the kind of emotion or empathy a reader should have for this kind of story. The writing is good and the story is full of additional potential, but I simply needed more in order to immerse myself emotionally.
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