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 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 and adding the art pieces was very enjoyable for me especially with Lia and Gabriel working together to discover the mysteries of 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.

This book has everything that I love in a historical fiction book. Dual timelines, unknown history of a relative, mysterious art and a picture into one of the most traumatizing times in world history.
.
In 2017 Aurelia inherits her grandmothers apartment filled with couture gowns, one of a kind art and a life that does not align with the grandmother she knew. She reaches out to Gabriel, an art restorer with a mysterious past of his own.
.
Set 75 years apart weaving the lives of Estelle and Lia and the beauty and tragedy of war torn Paris and the recovered Paris this is an epic story of love, loss and doing what it takes to survive and help the ones you love.
.
This book fascinated me. It’s hard to imagine that your grandparents lived in an entire life before simply being a grandparent and this glittering, dangerous, and heartbreaking tale had me mesmerized from page one.
.
Thank you #NetGalley and #ForeverPub for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
.

A story about secrets and generations. Modern day relatives are left to unravel secrets from during WWII after Lia is gifted an apartment in Paris from her grandmère that she never knew existed. The apartment is filled with artwork and secrets. With the help of Gideon, an art appraiser and restoration specialist, they unravel the mystery of the apartment and the history of two courageous women during the war.

WOW. Just wow. This book is not your typical WWII novel. It’s from the perspective of those that were against the Nazi’s and doing their own little part through the war. You will have a range of emotions while reading this book. Be prepared to dive in.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for a gifted copy of The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen. All opinions are my own.

The Paris Apartment is a dual timelime WWII historical fiction. The story alternates between 2017 and the past starting in 1939. It is told from four perspectives.

Lia inherits an apartment in Paris from her Grandmere. While the apartment is a surprise to Lia it is not nearly as big as the surprise of the artwork on every wall. Why didn't her Grandmere ever mention Paris? Where did the art come from? Who does the art belong to?

How well do you know your family members? Lia struggles to understand the part her Grandmere played in the war. The only way to understand is to find out more about the artwork.

I have heard about the stolen artwork and other items during WWII. This story takes you into the lives of two women and the people they cared for and worked with during the war. I enjoyed the storyline and the pacing of the story. It takes you to Poland, England, and France.

Bonus...The author includes Author's Notes,
Questions for Readers, and Further Reading at the end of the the book.

Historical Fiction
Women's Fiction
Release Date: April 20, 2021

The Paris Apartment is a fascinating novel that tells two intertwined stories set 75 years apart. Aurelia Leclaire is shocked when she inherits her grandmother's Paris apartment in 2017 because she never knew of its existence. Even more surprising are the major works of art that line the apartment's walls and the lavish evening gowns packed into the closets. When Aurelia also discovers pro-Nazi magazines she fears the worst and suspects her beloved Grandmother of being a Nazi sympathizer.
It is 1942 and Estelle Allard is a fixture at the Paris Ritz. She befriends the Nazi officers there and occasionally sings for them. Although she appears as a party girl, Estelle uses her connections to aid the resistance movement. Her best friend, and neighbor, is Jewish and when the Nazi's come for her and her family Estelle makes a life altering decision. She will do anything to help her dearest friend.
Told from Estelle and Aurelia's points of view, The Paris Apartment is definitely a page turner. The characters are amazing and the plot is easy to follow. Bowen skillfully combines history, intrigue, art and romance-a perfect combination.

Imagine: you inherit an apartment in Paris and when you enter, it hasn’t been touched since WW1. I mean...SWOON! 😍Everything inside is intact and undisturbed since 1943. The treasures this apartment holds! The plot for this historical fiction was unique and I was captivated. This apartment holds many treasures but it also holds a lot of secrets. As Lia unearths this apartment that her grandmother left her, she finds a treasure trove of art. She never knew this apartment existed, and never knew this side of her grandmother. Who was her grandmother, and why does she have hidden art and secret rooms?

This book was spectacularly written and I was completely hooked. The Paris setting was stunning! This is a dual timeline and multiple perspective novel, both of which worked tremendously together to bring this story to life. This was unique and emotional, historical and romantic. I ran the full gamut of emotions with this one and absolutely loved it! My thanks to @readforeverpub for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review!

The Paris Apartment is told from two perspectives both Lia’s and her grandmother Estelle. As we read about all of LIa’s fears we are living through Estelle’s worries during WWII. The story unfolds in a way that is emotional and riveting. We live through both women’s stories and we know the answers as to why Estelle’s apartment is found untouched, what the secret apartment was used for, and why she had Nazi paraphernalia where she lived. As Lia was worried, we would find out an answer in Estelle’s storyline. Kelly Bowen did a wonderful job describing life during WWII and all of the horrors that an occupied city faced, but all with a veneer of civility.

I think this is the first time where I’ve read a dual storyline novel where both of the plots were of equal interest to me. LIa had a mystery that she wanted to unravel and had the help of a handsome art restorer to help her do that. The budding love story wasn’t the main plot but it did provide her character with a bit of warmth that I think she might have lacked with out those feelings of attraction and love. As a juxtaposition, Estelle’s story was filled with emotional warmth and also darkness. Living during a time where people you knew were being killed, either in the war or in concentration camps her emotions were all hidden by this face she had to wear to both survive, and collect whatever information she could. The mystery that connected these to timelines was what moved both of their stories forward so effectively.

I was drawn into this novel right from the first page. It was so easy to read I found myself reading the book late into the evening, not wanting to break away from the story. If you like historical novels, I think you’ll enjoy the characters in this book. I’ve read a lot of WWII novels lately but haven’t read one set in Paris so I thought it was unique and the stylization of the time and the ease I had reading it really set it apart from the others. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest.

This is the first book I've read of Kelly's and I absolutely loved it. This was also her first historical fiction novel and you would never know it. Her first couple of chapters were so perfect. She has 4 POVs and two timelines. I thought I would have a hard time following all of the characters but it was the exact opposite. I found the voice of each one so easily and even though I've read so many historical fiction novels, I learned so much from this story revolving around The Ritz Hotel in Paris during WW2. I cried lots of happy tears at the end which is always how I want to finish a book. If this is your first historical fiction book -- it is perfect. If it isn't -- you are going to wish it was. Her writing was so easy to follow and she was able to make you feel exactly what what the French were going through during this time. I can't wait until her next book and she has a lifelong fan in me!!

Thanks to Forever for an advanced copy of The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen.

Dual timeline and multiple narrative historical fiction is my favorite and The Paris Apartment does a wonderful job of mixing the present and the past.

2017: Lia is surprised to find she inherited a Paris apartment after her grandmother's death. It's a time capsule from the 1940s with priceless artwork, couture dresses and some photos that make her believe her grandmother was a Nazi sympathizer. Lia wants to figure out where the paintings came from and a clue leads her to Gabriel Seymour an art restorer.

I was quickly drawn into the story and liked the characters and how the story tied together. As someone who reads a lot of WWII historical fiction, this was very enjoyable and wasn't as dark as some but you still feel the intensity of the characters actions and choices.

The author's note at the end was great, while all of the characters are fictional, they are based on some memoirs and records of a few different people.

What a beautifully told story of WW2. Deep, dark and haunting. What an edge of your seat historical fiction that was full of danger and amazing females. Loved this book! Had something for every reader.

Kelly Bowen does an amazing job of transporting the reader with intricate details and descriptions. A historical fiction that is part mystery and part women’s fiction. The story transitions effortlessly back and forth from 2017 London to 1942 Paris.

When Aurelia’s grandmother dies she inherits a Paris apartment that no one knew existed. The apartment is like a time capsule full of incredible art, couture gowns and Nazi propaganda from the 1940s. Aurelia is determined to solve all her grandmother’s secrets and enlists the help of Gabriel, an art restoration expert, with mysteries of his own. Estelle Allard, Aurelia’s grandmother, secretly works against the Nazi’s to help her friends and change the course of her family’s history.

This book draws you in from the beginning. The examples of women’s bravery and courage are entwined throughout the chapters, creating a historical novel that highlights the often forgotten women of the war.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A granddaughter searching for answers. An art appraiser with a discovery of a lifetime. Two women fighting to do their part for the war effort. Lives saved, but many lost. In a story spanning 70 years, The Paris Apartment alternates between WWII and the present, all while trying to solve the mystery of the precious valuables found hidden after the owner of the apartment dies.

I really enjoyed this historical novel! This story is full of mystery, heartbreak and had me hanging on the edge of my seat to connect the dots. I liked how the book accurately depicted the carnage and grave aftermath left during WWII. You can feel the pain through the pages as if this happened today.

Estelle and Sophie are fighters. They will do anything they can to help the war effort. I admired their bravery in the face of daily danger and how they could think on their feet at a moment's notice. But I also liked how the book showed the other side of their efforts. Despite who and what they saved, you could tell the isolation they felt living this dangerously and all they had to give up in order to survive.

While the book provide closure for many of the mysteries depicted in the book, there were a few pieces that I personally felt were a tad unfinished and left open to interpretation. I am also the type of reader that wants things tied up in a bow at the end and this book didn't necessarily do that for me. I don't think that is any fault of the books and probably more of my unrealistic expectations of the story.

I just finished a book about a woman expectedly inheriting a Paris apartment, so I was hesitant to pick up a similar work so soon. However, there was no need to be because this book hooked me from the beginning! Throughout the book, we get chapters alternating from the present day, back to Paris in the 1940s. The story develops through the different chapters told by Lia, Estelle, and Sophie, and they intertwine in such a good way. I was on the edge of my seat, wanting to know what happened to each of the characters, what they would find, and how they would all connect. This book kept me engaged and even up past my bedtime on a work night! If you like historical fiction, this is definitely a good read! Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy to review. This one comes out on Tuesday, April 20.

Such a nice book with multiple narratives and timelines. The story alternates between the present time and time during World War II. I loved all the characters and salute them for their passion in fighting against the enemy, for their bravery, and for their sacrifices made for the sake of peace. Kelly Bowen is a master of presenting the real heroes of the war.

Six years after her grandmother passed away, Lia finally went to the apartment she inherited. What a surprise it was to her when she saw dozens of paintings hanging on the wall and numerous of pictures of her grandmother who never mentioned being in Paris. The old magazines with pro-Nazi photos and articles from the war time convinced Lia that her grandmother was a liar and a traitor. Why did she keep this as a secret? Maybe now is the chance to find out who her grandmother really was.

During the World War II, Estelle Allard makes her own choice as it comes to surviving the war. She lives in the fancy Paris apartment just by herself. As others can wrongly presume that she is a Nazi collaborator, she is hiding the art collections behind her wardrobe full of expensive clothes. The secret place is used to hide the Jewish girl, wounded pilot and others who need protection.

This nicely written book has it all; war heroes with beautiful souls, engaged story in a dangerous time, and a victory with a love that awaits at the end.
I highly recommend this book. Happy reading!

Thank you @NetGalley and @ReadForeverPub for the ARC copy.

“We have to make it count for something. It’s all any of us have left.” Hope. is what keeps them going. This dual time frame, multiple POVs historical fiction hits all the spots you want in a great historical fiction. There are so many World War II focused novels but this is one of the few that I felt like tied a lot of activities together. At the same time, Bowen gives us great strong female protagonists and the story absolutely shines with all of them.
The modern storyline brings us Gabriel and Aurelia - Lia - and their discovery about the lives of their great-aunt and grandmother, respectively. Bowen begins in the Paris apartment of the title, which Lia's grandmother has left to her. Lia and Gabriel discover art, photographs, hidden rooms and closets, and try to piece together what it all means. Their discoveries take the story back to the World War II timelines, where we learn about Sophie and Estelle individually and when their paths cross.

Both Sophie and Estella are strong women, trying to fight the Nazis and survive. Estelle feels like she's only doing small things for the French Resistance, "crumbs" she calls it. But her small amounts of information have huge consequences. Sophie comes from British landed gentry, with an affinity for languages that lands her in Poland at the time of the Nazi invasion. Her journey leads to Bletchley Park and code breaking and eventually Paris.

There is so much emotion in this book. I can feel Lia's initial fears then wonder, Gabriel's excitement about art unless it's his own, Sophie's heartbreak and then focus, Estelle's frustration and nervousness then resolve. It made each character feel authentic in their own way.

The WWII events touched on are extensive but it doesn't feel overwhelming nor that any individual one is given short shrift. Instead, I think it showed how interconnected so many phases of WWII were connected. Moving injured airmen, Bletchley Park, code breaking, hiding art from the Nazis, the movement of Jewish children from France, the Paris roundup of Jews by the Paris police - it's all here in some facet and all related. And like any good historical fiction, it left me wanting to know more about each and every bit of it. Bowen provides a long list of resources in her author notes so readers can explore further.

Pacing is excellent. The higher tension moments are breathless and heart pounding. The tender emotional moments are similarly breathless, but in all the good ways.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I enjoyed Bowen's romance novels and am excited to read more from her in historical fiction. This will go on the keeper shelf after release.

Read if you like: WW2 Fiction, historical mysteries, dual timelines.
-
When Aurelia inherits her grandmothers Paris apartment, she unlocks a mystery that has been hidden for years. This was fun to read about and was interesting to see Lia and Gabriel try to figure out what happened.
-
I loved the character of Sophie! She was strong and intelligent and I wanted to keep reading mainly because of her! I also enjoyed reading from multiple perspectives! There is also the inclusion of spies in the book, and we get to see some strong women battle the Nazis from the inside.
-
CW: death of a loved one, war and violence, torture, PTSD.

4 stars
I have read a lot of WW2 historical fiction, with similar layouts, and have loved them all, I love learning about the history parts alongside the main character.

This story was told in a dual timeline from 4 different perspectives, two in the 1940s following Estelle and Sophie who are both involved in the resistance during the war. Then we follow Lia and Gabriel in 2017 who are trying to figure out the mystery of this Paris Apartment that Estelle has left Lia.

I loved all the art references in this book, talking about the storage and hiding of artifacts from the Nazis.

For the most part, I loved the pacing of the book, but the end felt kind of rushed, it felt like what was building up was going to be super dynamic and should have lasted a little longer than it did. Also, I feel like the romance was kind of rushed. The characters of Estelle and Sophie were fleshed out a little bit better than the other two main characters. all in all this book was a solid 4.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an E-arc that was provided for review.
all opinions are my own.

Review will post week of release date.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I opened this book for the first time on my Kindle. I’ve read and enjoyed many of this author’s historical romances, but this title is more of a historical fiction book, wrapped in a mystery, containing elements of extreme danger and desperation, all set against the Nazi invasion of France. That’s a lot, I know. And to be honest I was hesitant going in because the historical setting was Nazi occupied France. But then I fell into this story and didn’t come up for air for a good long while.

This book is told in alternating timelines and POVs, which is something I’ve come to truly enjoy over the last year or so after reading other books with this same storytelling style. The first character introduced is Lia, who has just inherited an apartment in Paris from her grandmother… an apartment that no one in the family knew about until the reading of the will. This apartment is like a time capsule from 70 years ago, full of priceless art, designer dresses, and expensive furs and jewelry. But after seeing certain photos and correspondence to her grandmother, Lia is convinced that she must have been a Nazi sympathizer and sets out to try and get the artwork back to whom it belongs.

There are actually three heroines who narrate and I won’t get into the actual storyline, or reveal their roles, but one is Lia’s grandmother and the other is a woman who has set her course to do whatever must be done to defeat Germany. As their timelines started to converge, and the truth of what happened in that apartment in the early ’40s began to materialize, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how it would all play out. Grieving for the lives lost, in terror for the people willing to do what must be done for the allied resistance, and in awe of these women’s bravery. The backdrop of WW2 and scenes of injured allied soldiers, desperate Jewish families being torn apart, and the men and women who in the shadows did whatever they had to do to find safe places and help those in need was both heartwrenching and riveting.

There are love stories within the narrative, but I wouldn’t classify this as a romance. Lia enlists the help of a man named Gabriel, who they soon discover is connected to these historical events, and there is attraction and then a deep connection, but their relationship isn’t the main focus. They do end up with a happy for now understanding, and I was pleased by this.

I do believe this author did a wonderful job of wrapping each main character’s story arc, and giving readers the closure they needed. The Paris Apartment is a beautifully written novel both heartbreaking and uplifting. This is one that will stay with readers long after they’ve read the last page.

Content Warnings: Death, grief, images of war

Final grade- A

Pre-bookstagram, I largely read thrillers, historical fiction, and a smattering of non-fiction books. [However, I am now super thankful to Booksta for opening my mind and shelves to a wider variety of stories and genres.] With that, a few years ago, I think I went through a m a j o r historical fiction binge, and kind of burnt myself out on the genre. However, I think I am finally back after finishing THE PARIS APARTMENT by Kelly Bowen in just two days - which is wild for a 400+ page book!

THE PARIS APARTMENT is told by multiple narrators, in two different timelines. Lia suddenly inherits a mysterious apartment in Paris from her late grandmother and, when she finally gets a chance to visit it, discovers it is full of rare art and some Nazi propaganda. Fearful that her grandmother was stealing art and served as a Nazi collaborator, she hires an art restorer to clean and identify the pieces, and determine if they were stolen during the war. However, what they uncover is a story of patriotism, loyalty to family and friends, and bravery from women during WWII.

This book has it all: a love story; fast-paced action and intrigue; heart-breaking moments; and a mystery you are racing to solve. And, it definitely left me drowning in ugly tears on my couch.

THE PARIS APARTMENT is out on April 20, so you still have time to pre-order or request your library purchase this book! And thank you so much to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the eARC to read, cry over, and review.

Have you ever been burnt out from a genre before?

CW // war; antisemitism and the Holocaust; torture; grief

My fave histfic of the year thus far! ♥️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Thank you @netgalley and @readforeverpub for my advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In 2017, we meet Lia who has inherited her grandmother's Paris apartment that was locked up since WWII. In it she is astonished to find magnificent art, shoes, glamorous gowns, fur and all the trimmings of elegance and splendour. She also finds photos of a Nazi official, which causes Lia to question her grandmother's role in the war.
Lia seeks assistance from an art curator and they embark on journey to uncover the stories held within the walls of the Paris apartment. A captivating, mysterious and emotional story that will stay with you for a long time. While some pieces were predictable, the writing was outstanding, the story was interesting, the pacing worked and it all came together in one exquisite masterpiece.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This book is out on April 20th and I highly recommend it!