Cover Image: The Last Letter from Paris

The Last Letter from Paris

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Cora finds herself in a bind when the Germans take Paris while she's there hoping to find her birth mother. She briefly works with the Resistance and then meets a German soldier but realizes she must flee across hostile territory to make it back to the US where her adoptive mother Evie has been desperately worried about her. This is told both of their perspectives and to her credit Eastburn has given them different voices. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. For fans of WWII fiction.

Was this review helpful?

The Last Letter from Paris is a touching story of a young woman, Cora Mayhew, who is trying to find her mother after being abandoned as a baby during WWI. Now in Paris during WWII, she must decide whether to stay and try to assist the resistance efforts or escape to safety back to America and her adopted family. While some of the historical aspects and Cora’s sentiments didn’t ring true to me, the beautiful theme of a mother’s love, and those who are our bonus mothers, made this a heartwarming read.

Special thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the advanced copy. #TheLastLetterfromParis

Was this review helpful?

I read a lot of historical fiction, and in recent months I've enjoyed a few books that were set during WWII, which is why I was interested in this.

I liked this book a lot. While I was reading, I felt very emotionally connected to the characters, and very invested in the story. What I usually find with books like this is that they make me feel a cocktail of emotions, making me tearful and warming my heart at the same time. That was something that happened on this occasion too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Was this review helpful?

This story is about an American woman stuck in France during WWII. What started as a search for her birth mothers turns into an uncertain future while the German occupy her home.

I had a hard time finishing this book. It felt monotonous and dragged on then the ending felt rushed. Good potential but fell flat for me.

Was this review helpful?

I read this as an ARC from Bookouture and Netgalley. This is a beautiful book about an American being stuck in Germany during WWII. This novel focuses on the lengths and steps that people will go to find their biological parents.

Was this review helpful?

A World War 2 novel set in Paris as it falls to the Germans, The Last Letter From Paris is an easy and enjoyable read.
Cora is a young American girl living with her aunt in Paris. When the Nazis arrive she resolves to stay on relying on her country’s neutral status. Searching for her aunt, Iris who has disappeared, presumed captured by the enemy, Cora moves in with elderly Francine and decides to help the resistance.
Cora has an ulterior motive for being in France- she is trying to find her birth mother who abandoned her when she was a baby.
Cora’s adoptive mother, Evie, found her and has given her a loving home but feels conflicted that Cora wants to find the woman who gave birth to her. When France falls Evie has no further contact with Cora and worries about what might have happened to her daughter.
I liked the various characters described in the book and the plot moved at a fast pace as Cora resolves to stay in Paris and is then forced to leave and escape across France.
My only criticism would be that the ending seems unlikely and rather rushed in the epilogue. The search for Cora’s birth mother also throws up some coincidences and there are also loose ends which I would have preferred to have been tied up.
All in all it was a compelling read which kept my attention from the very first page.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc.

Was this review helpful?

The story is abount a young American women trapped in germany whilst the war is one. She was living with one of her mothers best freinds when she was arrested leaving her no safe place to go. it tells how she ended up looking after a baby whose mother had died and how what she had to do just to survive.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great WWII read!
An American trapped in Paris as the Germans took over.
The back story is an age old desire to find biological parents no matter the cost.
There are many traumatic parts in this story but that is the reality of war. So many people are affected.
There is some espionage if you like those tense moments!

Was this review helpful?

Kate Eastham's writing style drew me right in from the very beginning of this book. The Last Letter from Paris tells the story of Cora, who was raised by adoptive parents, Iris and Adam, in NY after being abandoned as a baby by her biological mother. Cora, who believes that her biological mother was French, travels to Paris, moving in with a friend of Iris's and is there when the Nazis occupy Paris in 1940. The main and supporting characters are all likeable and it felt like I was there with Cora in France, watching as her beloved city is invaded by enemies. Corra suffers a lot of hardships but ultimately this story delivers the happy ending that I love so much. Highly recommend - and I am looking forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Fantastic descriptive book about WW11. Ups and downs of trials of being in Paris, kept you on your toes. Do read.

Was this review helpful?

Cora, an American, is in Paris hoping to find the birth mother who abandoned her with nothing more than a spiral necklace. She has been raised by a wonderful couple in New York but still dreams of finding her mother. While she is in Paris, the war breaks out. She stays with her Aunt until the Germans take over the apartment and sends the Aunt to prison. Cora must find her way alone. She meets some interesting characters while doing some work for the resistance but finds herself in danger with German officers. Her journey home to her mother and father is perilous and fraught with obstacles.

Toward the end of the book, I found myself skimming portions because it became somewhat monotonous. The ending of the book in the Epilogue, seemed rushed and unbelievable.

Was this review helpful?

The Last Letter from Paris is about Cora, an American young woman that finds herself trapped in Paris on the eve of the Germans invading during the summer of 1940. Cora came to Paris a year prior to try and find her birth mother.

The story showcases Cora’s journey on trying to escape France and get back to safety. Cora’s journey is met with love, loss, resistance, self-discovery, and a lot of danger. She realizes in order to survive; she will have to play the Nazi’s game.

It’s also a dual character story. Some of the chapters are from the perspective of Cora’s adoptive mother back home in the States, and some are told from her aunt who lives in Paris and after the invasion, gets separated from Cora.

All in all, a good book, just a little unbelievable at the end, albeit an adorable ending still!

Was this review helpful?

Frantically searching for information about her lost mother while she still can, headstrong Cora makes enemies of Nazi officials at every turn. But it’s a German soldier who finds her freezing, alone and losing hope. With golden-flecked hazel eyes, Max Heller offers to help her to escape. Should she trust the enemy – even one she might be falling for…?
The storyline was engaging and really pulls you in, with the suspense level increasing as the story progresses.
The characters are realistic and believable, and you can certainly feel yourself sharing in their emotions throughout. Overall four stars.

Was this review helpful?

I love historical fiction books especially those set during WW2 but unfortunately I found The Last Letter from Paris a disappointing read. I found the plot weak and I struggled to finish the book to be honest.

Was this review helpful?