Masterfully combining intrigue and heart-wrenching scenes of love and loss, Shiobhan Curham in ‘An American In Paris’ writes an enthralling story that puts readers in the middle of the chaos surrounding World War Two. With twenty years of writing contemporary fiction behind her, Curham’s historical fiction debut showcases the epic journey of a courageous woman in an unforgettable tale of wartime sacrifice and the power of steadfast love.

'An American In Paris' follows a young woman, Florence Thornton from Arkansas, who, fearing for her life, escapes from New York to join a dance troupe in Paris. Upon arriving in Montmartre, Florence meets Otto Weiss, a Jewish Austrian, and she soon finds herself abandoning her youthful dream and joining the resistance to fight against Nazi Germany.

In this dual timeline, readers are also introduced to Sage Segal, who, in 2018, has taken London by storm as a social media influencer. Unfortunately, having recently lost her mother to cancer, Sage’s life is in turmoil as she has inadvertently caused her own demise and is at a crossroads in her life. A fan leaves a comment on her Instagram feed that leads Sage to believe he knows about her grandmother; a woman neither Sage nor her mother has ever met. Like Florence, Sage runs, not from things, but to things. She leaves London for Arkansas to see if she can heal her past in an effort to move forward with her future.

Without knowing how countless innocent people lived through some of the most harrowing times in history, we can’t possibly, as a society, expect to move forward in the ways we feel are necessary and in a manner that truly matters. In fact, some of the best depictions of what life was like during WW2 are those that occur far from the front lines of battle and focus on regular people trying to live their lives as normally as possible under the dire circumstances. Curham has portrayed a clear picture of ordinary people who are forced to set aside their hopes and dreams to fight and gain a sense of purpose in their ever-changing world. We can see how resilient and resourceful humans can be when faced with the unthinkable.

Sprinkled with references to eagles and trees, Curham’s writing also highlights the works of the American poet, Walt Whitman. Her university focus in English literature is evident in her unique writing style which pays tribute to Whitman through her characters’ love of nature. In a recent interview, Curham reveals that she pinned a line from Robert Frost on her desk while she wrote. “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” It’s clear that Curham worked by this motto because her story evokes surprise and tears. What makes this debut historical fiction a spectacular read is Curham’s meticulous research. She has masterfully captured the nuance and danger of the resistance movement as well as life in occupied France. Deftly integrating obscure facts from her research, Curham has woven in the experience of a female undercover operative who parachuted and landed in a tree as well as a desperate man who escaped from a train full of Jews using a sweater and urine to create a story that grabs readers from the beginning and won’t let them go until they finish the last page.

I loved absolutely everything about this novel and won’t hesitate to claim it as my favourite historical fiction read of 2020. I’m excited to discover that this is the first of a two-book deal Curham has agreed to write for her publisher. This means that we have another delightful book to look forward to next year!

Thank you to Shiobhan Curham, Bookouture and NetGalley for this binge-worthy advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars
I read this in a single setting!
This book follows two women in two different centuries, something I don’t usually love, but this book grabbed my attention straight away.
Florence is 1937 was a standout. I’ve read a seemingly endless amount of World War II stories, and this was still so inthralling.
The dual storyline seems to be a popular thing lately. I definitely preferred Florence’s storyline. I was not convinced of Sage at first. Her present day storyline took me out of the main plot. It felt like a completely different book. I thought that there could’ve been a different way of telling the other half of the story. It definitely got better as it went on, and I ended up enjoying her plot at the end.
It’s a bit heavy, and at times heartbreaking but I ate it up.

*special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for a review!

Split between two time periods, An American in Paris tells the tale of Sage a modern-day influencer whose celebrity crosses multiple platforms, and her grandmother Florence who fights with the resistance in German-occupied France during World War II.

Sage hits a low on the anniversary of her mother’s death with a drunken diatribe recorded on her Instagram causing both an upheaval in her life, but also bringing some much-needed answers to questions about her mother.

Florence, a dancer and part time writer is immersing herself in Parisian culture when she meets and falls in love with a young Jewish man named Otto. Shortly after the Maignot Line is broken and Germans march on Paris drastically changing their lives.

Both women are at a crossroads in their lives, unfortunately Sage’s feels a little petty compared to what Florence faces. Yes, I do feel some empathy for the rage and ridicule Sage faces from her online community, but it feels rather unimportant in the face of literal war that Florence faced in her coming of age.

This was a quick read, enjoyable, but lacking depth that I usually can find in WWII novels. I would give it three and a half stars if Goodreads gave half options. Thank you to Netgalley and Siobham Curham for the advanced copy.

Social media influencer, Sage is on top of the world and then in one night of drunken stupor everything comes crashing down. She quickly becomes the top of the town and in the midst of all the hate mail...she receives an message that changes everything. Raised by a single mother, whom she recently lost to cancer, Sage knew very little about her family but the message she receives introduces her to a heroic grandmother and an uncle who welcomes her with open arms.

Prior to the start of WWII, Florence relocates to romantic, artistic Paris to be a dancer in a nightclub. The very first day, she meets the love of her life, her kindred spirit match, Otto. As an Austrian Jew, life begins to change dramatically for him as the Germans invade but their love never falters. Determined to fight back, they become involved in the resistance. And when Otto is captured for defacing a nazi poster, Florence becomes a part of the English SOE in hopes of rescuing her beloved from an internment camp. When the war ends, a broken-hearted Florence returns home to America and bottles up her experiences and the fact that she had a baby who she left on the steps of a church, Sages mother. At the age of eighty, Florence began to write her story and it’s presented to Sage when she meets her uncle for the first time. In her grandmothers story, she finds the family she’s always long for and more importantly, herself.

I loved every second of this book. I’m always drawn to multigenerational WWII stories and this one did not disappoint. Such strong, determined characters determined to make a difference in the face of evil pave the way for the next generation to do the same in a very different yet strangely similar world. The author paints beautiful pictures of Paris in this story...especially through the eyes of Otto. But it’s Florence who teaches us to be strong and that true love can give you a strength you never knew existed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Siobhan Curham for early access to this gem. I highly recommend curling up with this lovely story and reading it from cover to cover!

With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
First time reading this author was a really good dual time book can highly recommend.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS by SIOBHAN CURHAM is a WW11 love story that will really touch your heart.
Florence Thornton from Arkensas meets Otto Weiss from Austria in Montmartre near the steps of Sacré-Coeur on 14th June 1937. Elizabeth, Sage Segal's mother, is left as a newborn baby on the very same steps after the war is over..
Both Florence and Sage have a way with words - Florence uses hers, first of all in a fashion and gossip column, and then as part of her work for the Résistance, and Sage becomes a famous online personality.
Otto is an artist. He is Jewish and uses his talents to fight against the Nazis.
When Sage travels to Arkensas from London after the death of her online career, her uncle gives her Florence's manuscript to read. This changes her life, just as meeting Otto changed Florence's.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
The horrors of the Nazi occupation in France and the wickedness of anti-Semitism are well documented, as well as the courage of those who fought against the German onslaught.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

What a great story! Love the interplay between the characters, and how it's almost like 2 books in one. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy split time storylines.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read and review An American in Paris by author Siobhan Curham.
Gene Kelly is not in this story although one of the leading characters does dance!
The chapters alternate between two women, Florence in 1937 and Sage in 2018. The reader suspects that an eagle charm seems to connect the two but how and what does it symbolize?
Much of this novel revolves around Hitler’s invasion of France, and the hardships and bravery of the people. The other part is about a young woman whose life is in ruins.
The characters are very distinctive. There are continuing references to Walt Whitman’s poems, Sacre Coeur, trees and of course eagles.
The book is hard to put down. It really draws you in. A more personal WWII story. Keep the tissues handy.
An American in Paris publishes 01/04/2021.

I read a lot of WWII fiction and it never gets boring because each book looks at the war and the people it affected differently. An American in Paris is the story of an American woman who falls in love in Paris and decides to stay and do what she can to bring peace back to her adopted country.

This is a dual timeline novel but the most important time line is the one that takes place in Paris in the 1940s.
Florence is a dancer and is in Paris to dance at a friend's club. When she first arrives and is trying to find her apartment, her suitcase opens up on the steps to Sacre Coeur and the man who stops to help her ends up being the love of her life, Otto. It's 1937 and the people of France believe that that they are safe from the German armies. Otto is an artist from Austria where life has already changed for the Jewish citizens. In 1940, when the Nazis invade Paris, they both realize that their lives will drastically change. Otto goes into hiding because he's Jewish and both Florence and Otto begin to work for the resistance. Can her work with the Resistance help save Otto's life?

The current time timeline features Sage who is a media influencer until she posts some honest videos and the back lash against her becomes highly negative. As she is trying to find herself and her purpose in life, she meets an uncle that she never knew who had a manuscript written by her grandmother Florence during the war. Will reading the story of her grandmother help to put her current troubles in perspective?

This book has it all - historical information, lots of action and intrigue, friendship and most importantly love.
The characters are well written and believable. There are a few holes in the plot - things that happened that would have been impossible but they are easy to overlook once you get caught up in the scope and excitement of this novel. Another great WWII novel about strong women and the roles they played during the war.

An American in Paris by Siobhan Curham is a great dual timeline historical fiction novel that kept me entertained throughout.

This book has a little bit of everything: historical fiction, intrigue, mystery, twists and turns, love, loss, romance, and sadness.

This book weaves between “current day” Sage in 2018 and 1937-1945 Florence. Both are young women at pivotal points in their life trying to figure out who they are, their purpose and their paths, especially during life-altering crisis. Florence is an Arkansas born, NYC changed line dancer that finally travels to Paris in 1937 to meet up with her friend and mentor Bessie to dance in one of her shows and find a new and exciting life. There she meets her other half and the love of her life, Otto, an Austrian Jewish man and talented painter.

Sage is a young woman who lives in London and has created a flashy and empty persona through her successful influencer position, only to have it crashing down when she accidentally posts an inappropriate video. She then finds that she needs to find out who she really is and wants. She finds her escape when she receives an email from Sam, whom she finds out is actually her mother’s half brother that was unknown to anyone. Her mother, Elizabeth was abandoned in Paris at the end of the war. Sam seems to have the answers why, and Sage needs an escape. So she travels to Arkansas to find out more.

What then entails is an interweaving of stories, unlocking of mysteries, and the balance of heartbreaking love and loss, and heartwarming experiences of finding oneself and finding love again. I will leave the rest for the reader to experience, as there are several mysteries that are best left to be discovered while reading this excellent story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Florence and Otto and it was hard to read their bittersweet romance. I was unsure of Sage at first, however I enjoyed her development, awakening, growth, and chemistry with Hunter. I also enjoyed her newfound family with Sam. I also really liked how it all ended.

An excellent historical fiction. 5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.