The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Paris Apartment

by Kelly Bowen

Published by Forever on April 20, 2021
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 416
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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 unearth hidden courage as they navigate the dangers of a changing world, altering history—and their family’s futures—forever.

The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen is a story of strength and courage in a time where horrible things were happening.

Will Aurelia unlock the secrets kept in her grandmother’s Paris Apartment?

This story is told from four points of view—two from the past and two in the present. I am not a fan of World War II fiction. It was a horrible time for our entire world, and I choose not to go there. However, this book is different than the few that I have read in the past. I enjoyed the way the author focuses on a few characters and tells their story beautifully. She uses the Paris Apartment to connect all four lives.

Aurelia Leclaire

Aurelia inherits the Paris Apartment and a painting by an Englishman left in a safety deposit box when her grandmother passes away. However, no one knew anything about the apartment or remembered her grandmother talking about it. When Aurelia opens the door, it is like stepping into a time capsule. This is where Aurelia has to stop and really look around not to misjudge her grandmother.

I like Aurelia even though she seriously jumped to conclusions regarding her grandmother. She is a character with strength and good morals. However, she is also a bit closed off, but she seems to come around after a bit. One thing that I found strange was that her parents really didn’t want anything to do with the apartment or really Lia. They weren’t really part of her life. But I guess everyone has a different family life.

Estelle Allard

Estelle is Lia’s grandmother, and she lived in the apartment until 1943. She never speaks of the war with her granddaughter. We get to see a little of Estelle’s life before the war and after the Nazis took over Paris. Estelle has such courage and does whatever she can to help those she loves. However, sometimes she is so lonely and afraid of what her life has become.

I think Estelle is fabulous. She uses her strengths and position in society to help those in need, even at great risk to her own life. Estelle doesn’t wavier in her convictions.

Gabriel Seymour

Gabriel is an art appraiser, and he restores art, but what most people don’t know is that he is also a fabulous artist but hides that from most people. Lia hires Gabriel to assist with appraising and finding the home of the paintings found in the apartment. It turns out that perhaps Gabriel has a reason to be more invested than he himself knows.

Gabriel is a good character. I like him, yet he is a bit reserved. It makes it hard to get to know him. That being said, he comes around and in a big way.

Sophie Seymour

I saved Sophie for last since she is my favorite character. Sophie is brave, courageous, knows multiple languages, and is sometimes a tomboy. She loves hard and long. Sophie gives everything to help the Allied forces.

I think she is perfect. They call her the ice princess, but I see that as another of her strengths. I won’t tell you more about her, but I will tell you to read the book. It is marvelous.

Five Stars

My rating for The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen is five stars. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but I realized what a brilliant story Ms. Bowen has created once I got into the book. The characters jump off the page, and the settings are so realistic that I could see the apartment in my mind. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen.

Until the next time,

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