Cover Image: The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris

The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris

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Member Reviews

Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the chance to read The forgotten bookshop in Paris by Daisy Wood. 

This book alternates between the present day with Juliette in Paris and 1940’s Nazi-occupied France with Jacques and his wife Mathilde. After Mathilde goes into hiding Jacques stays behind to watch over their bookshop. One night he risks everything when he allows a mother and child to seek refuge in his beloved shop. 
Juliette has been dreaming of going away to Paris, and finally gets her wish; however as the holiday goes on she discovers her marriage is not what she believes it to be, and when she runs across an abandoned shop for sale she takes a chance on starting a new life. 
While I enjoyed this story, I probably would have enjoyed it more had I not read it right after another dual timeline book about Paris. It was unfortunate that I was comparing the two, but I do recommend this to those who enjoy historical novels in the WWII era with a dual timeline. 31/2 stars.
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The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris by Daisy Wood. All I can say is, if you are a fan of historical WWII fiction, then you need to get this book and read it! Captivating from the start and beautifully written, it will draw  you in and keep you craving more. It is told in a dual timeline, following Jacques and Mathilde's story in the early days of the war, and Juliette's story in present day. Jacques and Mathilde are young and in love, but war is in France and they must do their part to resist. When Mathilde has to leave, Jacques goes on, assisting the resistance any way that he can, while running his book store also. Juliette went to Paris with her husband, only to discover that he has been cheating on her. When she stays in Paris, she discovers more about herself and her family history than she could have imagined, culminating in a beautiful promise for the future. A lovely book that feels like it will stick with me. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.
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This is my second read of Daisy Wood and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. I’m a big fan of historical fiction, and of course books too, so this was a winner for me! The bravery that these men and women had to show in occupied France when they were living amongst the enemy is hard to comprehend, not to mention those who played any part in the resistance. Maybe it’s because I’m a new mum, or maybe this is the way I’ll always feel now, but the references to parents handing over their children to strangers in a bit to spare them as they head to the concentration camps is really hard to take. The modern day parts of this story brought the beauty of Paris to life and made me miss the city, and who wouldn’t love the idea of opening a bookshop!? I really enjoyed this book and thank you to @harpercollinsuk for the copy.
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Historical Fiction is my favorite genre, and this story was a very enjoyable and interesting read. The characters, Jacques and Mathilde I felt where well defined and a pleasure to get to know however while I did enjoy the story, I found the romance a but sappy for me! 
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. 
I give this story 3 1/2 Stars
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This was amazing!!! It was everything in a historical fiction that I love! Going back to the past and then going to present. Loved how it ended!
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I did not have time to write before it reviewed. Since its archive date is not set, I will read in the near future
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This is a duel timeline WWII historical fiction novel. I read tons and tons of these books and I must say this is one of the better ones that I have read so far this year. I usually don't care much for dual timelines as I find myself always wanting to read the historical parts way more than the scenes set in the present. This wasn't the case with this book. I enjoyed both the past and the present stories. 
I was proud of Juliette for being brave and starting a totally new and independent life for herself. That took a lot of strength and courage. As for the past, Jacques' story touched my heart, both heart-wrenching and uplifting. I loved Jacques' character. 
When Jacques' wife is arrested by the gestapo and subsequently leaves town and then is said to be arrested yet again, although there is no record of her, he finds himself unwittingly pulled into working with the resistance himself. 
I don't like giving spoilers so I will go no further only to say you need to read Jacques' story and see how it eventually ties into Julliette's story. Tyng the two stories together was done seamlessly and I totally enjoyed both. I would recommend this book to all historical fiction fans. 
Thank you to Avon Books and to Net Gal;l;ey for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
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A great dual timeline read. I almost always learn something new when I read a story about this time in history. 
Thanks for the advanced copy. I really enjoyed it
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I have read quite a bit of historical fiction about WW2 and Paris. However, few books have touched my heart the way that The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris has. Daisy Wood impeccably weaves together a dual timeline focusing on Juliette, an American housewife starting over in Paris, and Jacques, a Parisian bookseller who finds himself an unlikely member of the French Resistance. I found myself equally enamored by their two stories. Jacques was a particularly enigmatic character who will stay with me for some time. Once I started this book, I could not put it down and found myself racing to find out what the connection was between their stories. If you love books, history, and tales of strength, this book is for you. 
I received an ARC from NetGalley and all thoughts are my own.
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A duel time-line novel of Paris during WWII and present time.  
A heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of love and hope.
A unique and interesting story with a bookshop theme that kept me intrigued.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.
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Jacque has a bookshop but its 1939 and soon his wife is in hiding and Jacques fears for his bookshop and his life.
One night a young women and child appear on his doorstep begging for help and they are only the first.
In modern times Juliette is in Paris searching for the square of her grandmothers painting. 
How are the two connected and will Juliette find the answers she wants.
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This is an easy read, a page-turner even. 

There are two narrative strands, both taking the reader to Paris. The first one to Paris under German occupation in the 1940s where we meet young Mathilde and Jacques, who are just about to fall in love with each other and Jacques fulfilling his dream to own a little book shop on one of the little picturesque Parisian Squares. Both, in different ways, get involved with the Resistance movement, which results in their separation, with Mathilda moving to the South and Jacques continuing to utilise his bookshop for his many good deeds.

The second strand plays out in 2022. An American couple, Juliette and Kevin, visit Paris. Juliette however is on a special mission. She travels with a picture of Paris, that she inherited from her grandmother and of which she believes that it carries the key to an important part of her family’s history. She sets out to find this place on the picture in order to learn what it had meant to her gran. When she finds out that Kevin has been unfaithful, she spontaneously decides to stay in Paris and starts a journey of emancipation and discovery.

Her discovery of the old book shop in her gran’s picture tells the tale of Jacques, a good and brave (too good and too brave?) man who helped those persecuted by the German occupiers.  His selfless actions and also his deep love for Juliette’s grandmother, Mathilde, form a very moving part of the story, which – in my view – gets slightly marred by the many clichés used in plot and language.

Despite the plot being highly predictable and in its predictability also highly unlikely, all in all it turned out to be a satisfying read. 

I am grateful to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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This was such a good book. I love historical fiction, especially when it is about eras/ situations that I previously knew nothing about and this was definitely one of those books. It was so well researched and so compelling in its narrative that not only did I love reading it but I felt that I learned too. A really enjoyable read and perfect for any fans of historical fiction. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
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WWII Historical dual timeline

This is a very readable ww2 historical/modern era  novel set in Paris.  It delves into what is really valuable to a person and what you can do when there seems to be nothing possible.  I thoroughly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via netgalley.  This review is optional and my own opinion.
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I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

I really enjoyed this book. I love reading books that take place in Paris and this was one of my favorites.
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With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Any book about books automatically moves up in my ratings because I just imagine getting lost in these bookshops and the proprietors are people I think I could be friends with in real life. I enjoyed the dual timelines of Jacques and Juliette and the book kept me guessing about how the characters would end up being connected. I also really enjoy World War 2 historical fiction and enjoyed the historical backdrop of the half of the book set in the 1940s.

4.5 stars for this historical fiction.
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Amazing! I becomes so wrapped up in the story and characters, I just couldn’t put it down. The story is a dual timeline, the story of Mathilde and Jacques set in Paris 1940 during the German occupation. A story of love and survival during a terrible time in history. Mathilde is passionate in her fight for freedom and Jacques is the quiet type running his little bookshop. But when Mathilde must escape Paris due to her involvement of the Resistance, Jacques stays behind. Slowly he gets involved with the Resistance and lives in constant fear of getting caught and if his beloved wife is still alive.
The second timeline is in 2022 and Juliette story. Finding out during their vacation in Paris that her husband is cheating on her. She sends him packing and is drawn to a area in Paris that is the place of her grandmother favorite picture. The same cafe, the unusual lamppost. What is the story in this little part of Paris and there must be a reason it calls to Juliette. So she extends her stay and finds answers to her family past.
Very moving story, have tissues ready. Not the ending I expected, but in real life probably happened more often then any of us could ever imagine. A definite must read! Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.  #NetGalley #TheForgottenBookshopinParis #HarperCollinsPublishers
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What an incredible novel. I loved the duel timelines and was instantly drawn in to Jacques world and couldn't wait to see how Juliette's story would tie in. An absolutely outstanding story of love, loss, resistance and hope. I'm looking forward to Daisy Woods next novel.
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Dual-timeline, this story, set in occupied Paris during the 1940s and contemporary 2020 Paris, has a great sense of time and place that is immersive. It's a story of courage, heartbreak, loss and love and the atrocities of WW2. Full of historical and locational details, it's easy to visualise the settings, and with believably layered characterisation, it keeps you turning the pages.

There is a mystery to solve for Juliette in 2020 and an adventurous and emotional journey for Jacques and Mathilde. Both stories are compelling, but the evocative 1940s Paris resonates with the reader.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
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In 1939 a couple meets and falls in love. Jacques has just opened a bookshop in Paris. Mathilde works in the museum. Their lives are changed drastically by the German occupation of the city. 

In 2022 Juliette and her husband take a holiday in Paris during which she realises how much they have grown apart. He returns to the U.S. alone after she decides to stay. She discovers an empty shop for sale. Then she discovers that the forgotten bookshop hides many secrets. 

There are two stories here all playing out in Paris. This is a beautifully written book, sad one minute happy the next. The wonderful description draws you into the book and is quite captivating. This is a book for anyone interested in Paris and its history during the Second World War. It’s a book filled with human emotion and a terrific read I found difficult to put down.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #AvonBooks for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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