Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was another retelling of the apparently true lost Paris apartment story, vacant since. WWII. It was different because of the stories about famous writers, including Hemingway and Fitzgerald. I’ve read several fictional books about this apartment, and this is one of the better ones. I highly recommend this book if you like historical fiction.

I have never been to Paris and probably never will get a chance to go. So, I travel vicariously through books. This book hooked me in the first chapter! I had read a book with a similar plot, I thought and was worried that this would be a complete rehash of that book. But it wasn't and I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Hannah and her mother, Marla, have had a contentious relationship for years. Hannah was raised by her Gram and, because of the past, doesn't trust her mother. But when her mother brings a key to the past, Hannah reluctantly takes off to Paris. And the story only gets better from there!

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

After a slow start the characters began to seem real and the dual time frames became more interesting. I particularly enjoyed Ivy’s story as she became immersed in Paris and the well-known people she met. I felt the ending was rushed as Hannah discovers more about her family. A good story about the family dynamics between a mother and her daughter.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book mostly about a mother, Marla, and daughter, Hannah, that don’t have much of a relationship when they find they’ve inherited an apartment in Paris that the daughter’s great grandmother lived in and the past there that was never told to either of them. The book does start a bit slow but it is necessary to set the stage for the book. I enjoyed the historical fiction aspect of the great grandmother’s past the best but it is a small section of the book. This is a great read and totally took me to Paris!

This book captures you from the beginning! I love the journal looks back into the past. I loved the story! My only wish is that it could have been a bit longer to provide more depth for the end. I feel the last quarter of the book seemed rushed. I would have liked more about her finding out about her dad, her relationship with her mom, her great grandmother’s secrets, and her relationship with Aiden.
But it was still a very well written and enjoyable read!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Lost in Paris. highlights Hannah and her mother Marla who have a difficult relationship and Hannah’s great-grandmother Ivy who harbored a secret life in Paris in the 1930s and 1940. A key to an unknown Parisian apartment seemingly owned by Ivy is found. This sets Hannah and Marla off on an adventure to Paris. The story is told by Hannah and interspersed with entries from Ivy’s newly discovered diaries. Secrets and discoveries move the story along. It is an interesting and thoughtful book.

Hannah Bond left Florida to escape family, specifically her alcoholic mom with ongoing boyfriend issues. On her own she's built a satisfying life, giving Jane Austin tours to sometimes unruly tourists in the English countryside. A quiet life steeped in literary tradition is comfortable, if not thrilling.

All that peace is upended when said mom with boyfriend issues turns up on Hannah's doorstep with a black eye and a supposed deed to a Paris apartment. Hannah, while exasperated, is compelled to assist her mother in tracking down the apartment and unraveling the mystery of why Hannah's grandmother would have had the document in the first place.

What unfolds is equal parts adventure and reconciliation as the two women navigate rebuilding their relationship among the streets of Paris. At times the child is the parent, and the parent needs understanding and forgiveness. But what develops is a fresh understanding of each woman's strengths and willingness to embrace family again.

This story is the stuff of fantasy, and headlines, with the untouched apartment theme, drunken Jazz Age nights, and artist lover components. Fortunately the author doesn't get heavy handed with these aspects, but does indulge the reader in a glimpse of Zelda and Scott!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in return for this review.

I would give this book 4.5 stars.
Hannah is a young book worm who moved from Orlando to England for college and stayed. She shares an apartment with two other women and runs Jane Austen tours for a living. Hannah was mostly raised by her grandmother since her mother was pretty much nonexistent in her life. After her grandmother's death, Hannah and her mother have to figure out a way to communicate and to get along since everything was left equally to the two of them. While going through family possessions they make discoveries about the lives of not only Hannah's grandmother but her great-grandmother that will change their lives forever.
There is some historical fiction, mystery, family drama, and of course, love in Lost in Paris. Strong character development; very enjoyable, quick read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read copy in exchange to honest review.

What a great story! This book has a dual timeline, 1930-1940 told by Ivy and 2020 told by Hannah. Ivy is Hannah's grandma who tells about her time in Paris right before the start of the war and during it. Ivy has passed away and while Hannah and her estranged mother, Marla, have to deal with Ivy's estate they uncover a family secret and in doing so heal their relationship.

This story made me laugh at times and it also made me cry. I think this would be a great story read during Mother's Day. It shows that even through the complex and dysfunctional mother/daughter relationship, love is still alive and there are always more than one side to a relationship. .

First, thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Lost in Paris is about an American woman living and working in England. She is visited by her estranged mother who informs her that together they have inherited an apartment in Paris after the recent death of her grandmother. No one knew that the apartment existed- when it was acquired and why it was kept a secret. As mother and daughter work together on the apartment, they find a journal that sheds a lot of light on her past. They also learn together how to heal old wounds and build the start of a new relationship with one another. I really enjoyed this title. It was an easy read with likable characters and an interesting, mysterious storyline. I loved finding out about the past with them and seeing their growth in the process. Nice read that I would definitely pass on to friends.

Hannah Bond has left her mother (Marla) and her life in Florida behind to pursue her love of books and all things literary by leading Jane Austen themed tours through the British countryside.
All is well until New Years when Marla shows up unexpectedly at Hannah's London flat sporting a black eye and an envelope containing old letters and a deed to a Paris apartment that she recently discovered.
Hannah and Marla have had a strained relationship as did Marla and her Mother. The letters were written by Ivy, Hannah's great grandmother, and tell an almost unbelievable tale. Almost. What transpires next will bring Hannah and Marla closer, bring discoveries and truths to light, tie loose ends up, and bring closure to both of them while also opening them up to a bright new future.
A fascinating women's fiction blend of loosely based historical fiction, romance and mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed!

When Hannah inherits an apartment in Paris that has been shut up since World War II, she doesn't know what to think. The more she uncovers in the apartment, the more she learns about her family's past. At the end of every chapter, there is a diary entry from Hannah's great-grandmother. Ivy's diary reveals what it was like to live in Paris during the 1920s and 1930s.

Lost in Paris is the perfect daydream, discovering an apartment that has been left to you and hasn't been touched in decades. While I was surprised that the apartment didn't factor more into Ivy's story, Hannah's discovery of it and uncovering more of her own story made for an entertaining read.

“Someone, I don’t know who, said the Seine is the only river in the world that runs between two bookshelves.” 💖💖💖

Well if I wasn’t already completely in love with Paris before, I would be now. This charming story about a semi estranged mother and daughter trying to rebuild their relationship in Paris was just so sweet. Told as a story within a story, Hannah Bond is living in London as a Jane Austen-themed tour guide. When her grandmother passes away, amongst her things is a deed to an apartment in Paris. It is told via letters from Hannah’s great grandmother Ivy in the 1920’s and present day. Will Hannah and her mother Marla be able to put aside their differences to uncover the mysteries that the abandoned apartment holds?

I visited Paris in 2019 and it very quickly became one of my favorite cities. I loved imaging the streets and architecture as I read the story. The middle of the book stalled just a bit and it did wrap up a little too perfectly in the end. But overall it was an adorable story about the power of family, secrets, love and forgiveness. And what story with Paris and London as a backdrop isn’t enjoyable?

Elizabeth Thompson is a new author to me and on whose books I will definitely be reading more of! Lost in Paris had me completely mesmerized as I too was lost in Paris.

Since leaving Florida Hannah enjoys a wonderful quiet life leading Jane Austen-themed tours through the British countryside. Hannah fled Florida escaping her life with her alcoholic mother who had an affinity for choosing the wrong men. Their relationship is complex and fraught with resentment and frustration.

When Marla shows up with an envelope containing a deed to an apartment in Paris, an old key, and newspaper clippings about the death of a famous writer named Andres Armand left by her great grandmother Ivy, she wants Hannah to go with her to Paris to discover what it’s all about. Intrigued but suspicious Hannah decides to go with her mother to Paris.

This wonder filled story is written in a duel timeline from both Hannah and Ivy’s perspective. This story gives Hanna and Marla an opportunity to work on their relationship as they uncover the mysteries of an apartment frozen in time.

I most enjoyed the excerpts from Ivy’s diary and her life in the 1920’s and her life in Paris. The author did a wonderful job with the research for this time period. Her descriptions of Paris were so vivid and rich, just beautifully done. She brought the city to life exquisitely, the sights, sounds, and smells were all so clearly described and the authors attention to detail made me feel as if I were there.

I did find that I didn’t care for Marla at all but the other characters were interesting and enjoyable. The story was intriguing and interesting.

Thank you Ms. Thompson for this wonderful story

Marla may be Hannah’s mother, but her Grandmother is the one who was always there for her, especially when her mother wasn’t, which was often. To say their relationship was strained is an understatement. As far as Hannah was concerned, limited contact was the best option. It’s quite a shock when, just as she’s wrapping up her last tour before her vacation, Marla calls to tell her she is in London… so much for a peaceful vacation. Hannah is shocked at the reason: Marla found a deed to an apartment in Paris in Hannah’s great-grandmother Ivy’s things. They never knew Ivy had been to Paris, much less had an apartment. The two head to Paris and find the apartment, abandoned since 1940, everything covered in dust and cobwebs, but looking like the occupants left, expecting to return at any time. They find Ivy’s journals and other surprising items, which lead them on a quest to find out who Ivy was and what happened for her to leave and never return. The more they learn, the more they realize how much of Ivy’s life was a mystery.
LOST IN PARIS by Elizabeth Thompson entranced me from page one, taking me to Paris with Hannah, Marla, and even Ivy. I love the dual timeline Thompson uses to tell the story. In the past timeline we have Ivy’s journal entries, while the present is told from Hannah’s point of view. Hannah is an interesting character, but her confidence in herself and her abilities seems low, she seems content with where she is in life, afraid to take chances. Once we meet Marla and learn more about her and their relationship, Hannah is more understandable. Ivy was a revelation, a strong woman who, despite her fear and no job, followed her dreams and headed to Paris. I enjoyed meeting Hannah and Marla and watching them navigate their relationship as they traced Ivy’s life, uncovering secrets and mysteries of the woman both thought they knew. I also enjoyed how the journey had each woman re-evaluating their own lives and relationship. Thompson did a wonderful job creating the characters and taking us to Paris. Her descriptions of the locations made me feel I was there, and, I hope, one day I will be able to get Lost in Paris.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#elizabeththompsonauthor #elizabeththompson #lostinparis #lostinparisnovel #simonandschuster #gallerybooks

Miraculously, my April 5-star streak has survived my fourth read of the month! I enjoyed this book so much, it even inspired me to pull out a little high school French: J’ai adoré le livre Lost in Paris. C’est mon livre préféré de 2021 à ce jour.

For some now-unfathomable reason, Lost in Paris had been the book longest languishing on my Netgalley shelf. I have at least two other books containing the word “Paris” in their titles on my TBR right now, that I suppose I worried the book would feel repetitive or predictable. It did not.

Lost in Paris is a beautiful blend of three genres: historical fiction, literary fiction, and romance. Its protagonist (Hannah) is an American living in England as a Jane Austen tour guide, nursing a lot of resentment for her absent, alcoholic mother (Marla) who she believes will never change. So when Marla shows up to Heathrow unannounced on New Year’s Eve, Hannah is more than a little mad.

That night is the catalyst for a whole lot of change in Hannah’s life. First off, she meets Aiden, a Mr. Darcy-look-alike with a Scottish brogue, at her friend’s New Year’s party. At that same party, she’s 90% sure her mom is flirting with multiple friends of hers (yikes), and all this is on top of the big news her mom just sprang on her: they jointly inherited an apartment in Paris that no one has occupied since her great-grandmother Ivy in 1940.

I cannot say more without spoiling all the delightful twists and turns of this book, but let me just say that they are delightful. When I realized I was at the 99% point on my e-book, I just about cried–I wanted more of Hannah’s life and of Ivy’s Paris in les années folles (“the crazy years” aka 1920s Paris). Au revoir, mes amies!

Hannah is living in London and giving tours about Jane Austen. She is loving every minute of it until her mother, Marla, shows up out of the blue.

Hannah and Marla are not on the best of terms. Marla has a lot of making up to do. So, when she shows up with a key and a deed to a Paris apartment, Hannah is not believing a word! Little does Hannah know, this apartment will change her life forever.

I adore Hannah. And Marla grew on me. So, these two together struggle to repair their relationship and find out about their past. And what a past it is!

Is this story perfect…no. But, I swear, I was engrossed. I did not want to put this book down. I just had to know more about this apartment! The author creates such a unique situation and it is so intriguing!

Need a book that completely takes you away…THIS IS IT!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Every so often, photos emerge of abandoned homes that are stuck in time. Breakfast is still on the table, clothing is still in the closet, the bed still is unmade form the night before - from the night decades before. I'm also intrigued about the people who left. Who just...leaves it all behind?

Lost in Paris is a lovely fiction book about a mother and daughter - and their quest to find out about their grandmother/mother's life in Paris. They are given a key to an apartment, that hold the secrets they didn't know they were missing.

This is a comfortable book. It's easy to read and light enough that it's a distraction. I love the idea of a secret apartment and of lives lived before our own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the story of a mother/daughter relationship at heart. Most of it takes place in Paris, which is romantic and historical. There are several different things going on in both of their lives and they handle their situations in their own ways. I really liked the chapters that were written by Ivy via her diary starting back in the 1920s. Nice read with some historical fiction about many famous authors before they were discovered.

I didn't love this book, but I did like it. Unfortunately, I just don't think it was quite as much my style as I wanted it to be based on the description—I think I went into it expecting it to be similar to Fiona Davis's work, where historical fiction meets the present day in an interesting twisty, way, but this was more solidly women's fiction than historical.

The story follows Hannah and Marla, a mother and daughter who have a strained relationship. After finding out they've inherited an old Paris apartment, they travel to France and begin to sort out their affairs—both those related to the apartment and their relationship.

I really enjoyed some things about this book—the diary entries from Ivy (Hannah's great-grandmother) interspersed throughout the narrative help bring the past to life in the present day story. The descriptions of Paris are beautiful.. The research that went into this book really shines through as well—I know quite a bit about Lost Generation writers living in Paris in the 1920's and 30's, and everything presented in this book tracked with what I know. All around, it was a nice book and a heartwarming story.

The only reason I didn't love it is because I found myself a little bored at times, but again, I don't think that was the book so much as it was me just not being into this kind of story as much as I hoped. I will definitely be looking out for future books from Elizabeth Thompson though.