Caroline is an American who lives in Paris in 2009. "He" has followed her there and she is furious. As she bicycles away from him, down a narrow street, a truck comes barreling at her. She also sees a mother and young child at the edge of the road. She has a choice. Turn left and hit the mother. Turn right and hit the truck. Caroline turns right. Five days later she awakens in a hospital with amnesia.

Celine is a young widow who lives in Paris with her Papa and daughter Cosi in 1943. They have a flower shop on the rue Cler. Luc is her fiancé. Her father's mother was Jewish but with a French surname, they think they will be safe. Then a German soldiers beats her Papa and paints a yellow star on the shop window. Celine knows they must escape Paris. Before they can make plans, a German officer, Reinhardt, tells Celine to report to his apartment if she wants to save her father and daughter. For a year she hides Cos in a small space under her bed in Reinhardt's apartment, sneaking her food as she is able.

The intertwining of the lives of these women, separated by over sixty years, is a fascinating story Sarah Jio unfolds in All The Flowers in Paris. The sweetness and optimism of Cosi is contrasted with the hatred and brutality of the Germans. A quote in Cosi's journal is worth repeating, but I am not allowed to do that in this review since I was allowed to read an uncorrected copy. You'll have to read the book to find out what she wrote.

This is my first book by this author, and I loved it! She is a talented author, writes a gripping story, and keeps me engaged until the end. When I first heard it was "another WW2 story involving women," I was a little skeptical at how this would be different from the many other good books out there. But she brought another element in the life of Paris during Nazi occupation, synced with a present-day protagonist in Paris, and beautifully weaves the story together.

I adore Sarah Jio's work and almost every single novel I fly through quickly and All the Flowers in Paris was no different. This is an extremely quick read and so if you're looking for something you'll dive into and get through quickly this is definitely your book.

As with most of Jio's books this takes place with two different female protagonists in different times. One is Celine who is living in Paris during the Nazi invasion in the 1940s. The other is Caroline who is in present day Paris. Celine is trying to keep her family safe and together during the war years and desperately hoping that no one discovers that her father's Mother was Jewish while Caroline is recovering from a terrible accident where she lost her memory.

It was an interesting and fast read and impossible to put down. While I found the ending was a bit predictable, it was still very engaging.

4.5 stars

I read the last half of this book in one sitting. These characters are so solid, speckled with flaws and virtue. The stories of two families wife together poetically without making the reader feel hand-held. The stories and language pulled me in so much that I'm definitely going to need a nap to make up for all of the sleep I just donated to this book.

Maybe it's hormones, but I wept for the last twenty-five percent of the book (with a digital book, I read in percentages). It was touching, terrifying, and displayed beautiful examples of self-sacrifice.

**Spoiler**
There were times in the book that I didn't know there would be a light to hold onto. I thought, perhaps war is just so awful that the book is teaching me to be grateful for my currently posh life. But then again, like Caroline's quick trip to the church, there is always light and hope.

This will be my book (and book club) recommendation for the foreseeable future.

I enjoyed All the flowers more than Jio’s other past/present books. Both female protagonists were compelling and strong and their male counterparts heroic. I didnt like the tragedy of the climax however... they were too painful and horrific to read about. It didnt leave feeling of happy ending but a sense of depression and sadly I probably wont be picking up a Sarah Jio novel in the near future. I was not expecting such horror to children, maybe if The blurb had hinted at a dark tragedy I would have been more prepared.

Now THIS is a novel that stays with you!

All the Flowers in Paris is a moving novel centered around two women both in Paris, Caroline who is from present day (2009) and Céline who is from the WWII era (1940’s). I was completely captivated by each woman’s history and circumstances! Sarah Jio masterfully connects the two ladies through letters Caroline finds hidden that Céline had written all those decades before and from that point on, I was riveted!

Sarah Jio does a wonderful job with painting a full picture of both the characters and setting! This novel played out like a movie in my mind and if this book ever does get adapted to the big screen, I already have a full cast picked out lol! All the Flowers in Paris is a 5 star novel that truly wow’ed me! I am excited to see what Sarah Jio has up her sleeve next!

Definitely NOT your typical Sarah Jio! Had someone placed the book in front of me to read, and not told me who the author was, I never in a million years would have guessed SJ! Not that it was in any way bad, it just didn’t have the signature warm, modern, heart-reaching pull that her others have.

Let me also add that I’m positive I’m in the minority when I admit to the above. Reason being- I have read WWII historical fiction at length, and was hoping for a different spin to be placed on this story- something that would set it apart from the others. While the present telling of Caroline/ Victor was a good addition, I still finished the book feeling like I had already ‘been there and done that.’ Some parts of the book happened in an entirely unconvincing manner, all too quickly wrapped in a nice package and topped with a bow... while other pieces were left to the imagination. The bulk of the story was well written however, and many will love it!

I will always return to SJ for any and every read she puts out. A tried and true favorite.

A solid read from Jio. Two stories that intertwine and show what love, loss, and forgiveness is all about. History and present day collide in an eventful and thoughtful manner. I found myself enjoying bits of the book, but not as a whole. It lacked a cohesive depth that I feel would have raised it up to a five star read. All in all a good book to bring with you on a plane or to the doctor's office.

This Is a captivating historical fiction novel that focuses on two women Celine and Caroline through their tragedies and redemptions. I love how the author intertwined the stories. I found myself wanting to keep reading to see what happens next. I loved the characters in the book. Both of the storylines were captivating and emotional. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. I will highly recommend this book to my coworkers and friends. I will also look into other books by this author!

A sad and poignant story about two women in two different times---WWII and present day. The characters were well defined and the suspense had me turning the pages. I will definitely read another book by this author.

I stayed up late into the night to finish Sarah Jio’s All the Flowers in Paris, about two women living in different time periods, but connected nonetheless. Celine, living in Nazi-occupied Paris with a Jewish father during WW2, goes to great lengths to survive and protect her family. Meanwhile in the present, Caroline struggles to recover after a bicycle accident leaves her with amnesia and no recollection of anyone in her past.
These intertwined stories created an intriguing, binge-worthy novel that promises to keep others up late reading as well.

There were plot lines that were a bit unbelievable and some that were predictable but I still read the book in 48 hours.

All The Flowers In Paris by Sara Jio is the story written from the view points of two women, Celine and Caroline. It was a beautiful back and forth between WWII era and current day. The characters were so beautifully and tragically written. I could not put the book down. I stayed up until 1 am to finish it. I could not wait to see how it ended. So much tragedy but so much love. I definitely picked an amazing first netgalley book!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC

This story switches between Caroline in modern day Paris, and Celine in WWII Paris. The topic of WWII and Celine's experience is sad overall, but there is a twinge of mystery in this book that keeps the pages turning as quickly as possible. Celine and her father and daughter have to experience the struggles with being Jewish during the war, and living in fear of the soldiers in the city. Caroline suffers memory loss due to a bike accident, and starts an exploration of learning who she is and who she was and who she wants to be. The story intertwines the story of these two women very well.

All The Flowers In Paris by Sara Jio is the story of two extraordinary women, Celine from the forty’s and Caroline the nineties. Their lives were so different but they were so much alike in their love for their families. Celine tried to protect her family, her father and daughter, Cosi during World War 2. Caroline couldn’t forgive her husband for what happened to their daughter. Two women so far apart in time, but their connection helps to heal old wounds. I loved this book. May be my favorite for the year.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC

I love Sarah Jios’ books this is another beautiful story full of wonderful characters. Her books always transport me to the time the location she sets her story in full of happiness sadness an emotional read.Highly recommend,#netgalley #randomhiusebalentinebooks.

5 stars! Loved this book so much! What a beautifully woven story that tugs at your heart at every turn!

I love historical fiction novels that follow two storylines that end up connecting and this book did not disappoint!

Cosi’s character is the sweetest, most pure little girl and I just loved reading about her and her mom, Celine, and all that they endure.

Add this to your must read list!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

I will read anything Sarah Jio writes. This story was sad, but redemptive and romantic as well. The characters were easy to love, and I just love how her stories come full circle.

Captivating and moving. Lovers of historical fiction and intriguing mystery alike will appreciate the well-written and thoughtful prose.

Two timeline and two different women highlight Jio’s latest tale. In the present, Caroline has awoken in a Paris hospital with a case of amnesia. She has no memory of the apartment where she has been living a rather sad and solitary life. As she tries to make sense of the vague memories of a man and child, she befriends a chef at a nearby restaurant. In the past, Celine is living a secret life in Nazi occupied Paris with her daughter, trying to scrape out a living with her flower shop. But when her secret is discovered by a German officer, Celine will have to do the unthinkable to save herself and her daughter. Caroline and Celine come together when Celine’s long hidden letters are found by Caroline in the apartment both women shared. This is a beautiful and moving story (does Jio write any other kind?). Highly recommended for fans of All the light we cannot see and The Nightingale