Although I enjoyed both stories in this dual timeline historical novel, I found the historical element more engaging. Perhaps this was because I am a fan of historical fiction or perhaps because the book is more heavily weighted towards the historical story. Nicole, I have to say, didn't particularly grab me as a character yet her grandmother did.

The unravelling of secrets toward the end was very well done and the setting of the Ritz seemed very well researched.

Perfect for fans of WW2 fiction.

4.5★s

It was 1944 in Paris when Louise was working as a maid at the luxurious Ritz Hotel, where it was now home to many top-level Nazis. Louise watched and listened while doing her work, basically invisible, and each night she would report to Frank, who would pass it all on to the Resistance. The Germans were always on the hunt for members of the Resistance and those working with them in the Ritz had to take care.

When pilot Kit Harrington and his brother Charlie flew their bomber over Paris and it was shot down, they both thought they'd be captured by the Germans. Indeed they searched for them both - neither knew where the other was, whether they were safe or captured. When the Resistance individually helped the pair, they had no idea if they would survive the war...

Present day, and Nicole Beaumont received an old black and white photo from her aunt who lived in Paris. This photo would be the beginning of a family searching for answers to secrets held during the war, and after, and with both Nicole's beloved Granny Louise, and her mother, dead, she wasn't sure she'd find the answers. But heading for Paris was the first step.

The Paris Maid by Aussie author Ella Carey is another wonderfully written historical novel which is based on fact. I did find myself a little confused for some of the story, as I tried to work out who was who, as they only had a code name. But I'm still finding Ms Carey's historical novels breathtaking, and the suffering of the people of Paris before the city was liberated is hard to swallow! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is NOT just another historical fiction book about the French Resistance!

With so many books out there set during WW2, featuring the Ritz over-run by Nazis, involving cameo appearances by Chanel and highlighting the French Resistance, Ella Carey’s books stand a head above.

Why? Because she doesn’t just re-tell this dangerous period in history and pepper it with interesting characters, she recreates it for her readers. Her attention to setting grabs readers’ attention and then she holds it with authentic characters … all while continuting to pull in her readers and engage them so that they feel they are part of the story.

“The Ritz is not just any magnificent hotel. The Swiss-owned hotel is officially neutral, but the reality is everyone is tied to one side or the other, sometimes both. If the inhabitants of the hotel are not Nazis, then they are underground. If they are not underground, then they are collaborators. Only a fool would answer their bedroom door in the Ritz.”

Carey plants a seed of doubt with her readers, making them question the motives of all the characters. This keeps the plot moving along and the reader involved.

Carey knows how to tap into readers’ emotions. I’ve read about many downed pilots in enemy territory before, but the little angel in this story kept me interested and alert. The sibling bond was well developed, so those of us with siblings related to Charlie and Kit.

The central mystery was threaded throughout the story and once I learned that a beloved family member of the main character had been accused of something unspeakable, I just had to find out how and why. I felt like I was being reeled in for the duration of the story. I love that feeling!

There’s no doubt that Carey’s love of Paris and her father’s involvement in the RAF added to the authenticity of this spectacular story.

Historical fiction lovers will not want to miss this book as it’s Carey at the top of her game.

I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The Paris Maid
By: Ella Carey
Review Score: 4 1/2 Stars

Five Key Feels
-I loved the setting of the Ritz during World War Two.

-Carey does an amazing job of making you feel the emotions of the characters, regardless of their own moral compasses.

-I loved the connection between Louise and Sasha.

-This story came together so well at the end, and I loved how the ties of family played out.

-No spoilers, but there were a few twists and turns that I did not see coming.

——

The Paris Maid was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Bookouture. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: 4/6/23

I loved this book. I have read other books about the Ritz during the Nazi occupation, but I loved what else Carey brought to this story. It was so engaging, and I loved watching the storylines intertwine. It was so well done.

If you love Historical Fiction, you will love this book!


#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #historicalfiction #arcreview #netgalley #theparismaid #ellacarey #worldwar2

I didn't love this. Personally I think the dual timeline thing has been done to death and quite often there is one timeline (usually the modern day one) that is much, much weaker than the historical. I wonder why the author's don't just write a historical novel?
The storyline was weak - it really didn't make sense to me that someone would go to all this effort to disprove a photo simply because she saw it.
This is the second book my Ella Carey I have tried and I haven't been able to finish any of them.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

A quick read that will have you at the edge of your seat until the very last chapter. It also helps that the book is based in the world famous Ritz hotel in Paris. I enjoyed Coco Chanel and her mask on a cushion quite a bit. A nice touch

WWII was a maelstrom of deceit, danger, and disguise.
The Paris Maid fills all of those roles. A granddaughter travels to Paris after seeing a disturbing picture of her grandmother, accused of being a collaborator. Was she or was she a member of the resistance?
The story flowed fast, set right before the liberation of Paris. What seemingly is a simple family connection turns out to be more complicated and rewarding.
This book will turn readers upside down and inside out, get ready to be twisted while reading a treat of a story.

The Paris Maid by Ella Carey is a dual time-line story, with the first timeline taking place in Nazi-occupied Paris during WWII with half-French half-German Louise working as a maid at the Ritz hotel while also working for the French Resistance. The second timeline is that of Nicole, granddaughter of Louise, who knows nothing of her grandmother's background or history during the war and is shocked to see a photo of her grandmother taken during the liberation of Paris where she was attacked by townspeople who accused her of being a collaborator with the Nazis and her hair was cut off and a swastika was drawn on her forehead. Nicole travels to Paris to learn about her grandmother's history and why Louis was accused of collaborating with the Nazis - and she does learn the truth of her history through many plot twists and turns that I did not expect. What a great story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw that this book was historical fiction set in WW2 times which happens to be one of my fave genres, it was an easy choice for me to decide to give this book a read, plus the book cover and blurb were highly appealing.

It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of Louise, Kit, Sasha and Charlie back in 1944 and that of Nicole in present day, I was captivated right from the first few chapters. I loved how the story went back and forth from 1944 to present day which was done so seamlessly.

Overall I loved the story, it was shocking, emotional, heart breaking and insightful in equal measures. The story really pulled me in and grabbed me tight. It was tense hard reading in places when you imagine that this is what it really was like in Paris back in WW2 times. It was also insightful too as I learnt a fair bit in regards to WW2 in Paris and the Nazi’s, the history of which I was not fully aware of, so it’s thanks to this story that I now have a more in-depth view of just how things were really like back in those times.

I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I have absolutely loved reading this from start to finish.

The Paris Maid is duel timeline story as well as told in alternating chapters from each main character in the book. There are many characters to keep track of which did take me awhile to figure out who was who.
A historical novel about the resistance fighters and their resilience during WWII. The majority of the story revolves around the resistance working at The Ritz where many German officers were guests.
A emotional historical story that is a must read for any historical fiction lovers.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Having read a substantial amount of historical fiction set during WWII in Paris, I have always been shocked that The Ritz in Paris was one of the few buildings not bombed. This of course was because the Nazis took over the hotel.

Current day in London, Nicole receives a message with an old photo from 1944 with a women with a shave head and a swastika painted on her forehead. She believes this is her grandmother, but how could she have been a traitor?

Nicole and her husband are expecting their first child, and she is determined to prove her grandmother was not a traitor. Sadly her mother and grandmother have passed so she has to rely on others.

Paris, 1944-Louise starts working as a housemaid at The Ritz. She is shocked at how many high ranking Nazis along with others are staying at the hotel. She has been working with the resistance and quickly ends up helping a downed pilot. She has been able to do this relatively easy as she has her own room.

Soon another girl Sasha is her roommate and another maid. Sasha is well known for being the mistress of a high ranking Nazi. Both girls have their secrets. A few twists kept me engrossed in this well-written novel.

Will Nicole be able to clear her grandmothers name or will she be devastated? Family is extremely important and plays an important role in this emotional novel.

Thank you Bookouture, NetGalley and author Ella Carey for this wonderful novel, which is available April 6, 2023.

QOTD? What was the last book you read by an Author that you absolutely could not put down? This one is a must for historical fiction lovers.

Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to preview the book. This historical fiction book drew me in from start to finish. It's a dual timeline story that begins during the present day, when Nicole, receives a shocking photo of her grandma with a swastika on her forehead. Is it possible that she was a traitor? It takes place mainly during WWII when her grandma Louise is working at the Paris Ritz as a maid. It was there that a lot of the high-ranking Nazis stayed. As a maid she was invisible and she relayed the information she learns to the French Resistance. When a mysterious young woman arrives that looks a lot like her and she shakes things up. It also follows Kit, a British pilot who is shot down in enemy territory, along with his brother, and is hidden by the resistance as they figure out where to send him. I enjoyed this story and loved learning about the different perspectives of the time during WWII.

Nicole is shocked when she receives a photo of her grandmother Louise showing her head shaved and a swaztika on her forehead. This sets up a dual time line novel that shifts back to 1944- where the more interesting story lies, Louise worked as a maid at the Ritz Hotel and found herself on a knife's edge at all times thanks to the Nazis who lived there, She had a secret, though. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, There aren't a lot of surprises here for those who read the WWII genre but Carey does tell the story well,

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

When you read this book, The Paris Maid, some parts may not make sense but as you continue, things become clear about the events that took place.

You will enjoy this story if reading about WWII is something you enjoy.

I highly recommend this book. It portrays how people put themselves first to help those they didn’t know, without knowing what will happen to them if found out.

This novel is set in both the present day and WWII era following Nicole (present) and her grandmother (past). Nicole finds a picture of her grandmother with her head shaved what looks to be dressed like a Nazi collaborator. She is shocked at her finding so she decides to travel to Paris to the Ritz Hotel where the picture was taken. I enjoyed this book, I wasn't blown away with the current day parts (wish it explained her relationship more with her grandma), but I enjoyed it!

Thanks to #NetFalley #bookouture and the author for an #ARC of #TheParisMaid.
I generally really enjoy a historical fiction story, and while this has a great premise to be a good story. I did find it fall slightly flat. It didn't have the pull or mystery of a book that you NEED to keep reading. 2.5 stars.

Nicole is devastated when she finds a photo of her beloved grandmother, taken in 1944 Nazi occupied Paris, apparently showing her as a Nazi sympathiser. She is determined to clear her name, and this book follows a dual timeline (modern day and 1944) to help her try to do this.

An interesting premise, with the book set in the glitzy Ritz Hotel, and lots of famous names dropped in throughout. There are three main story arcs, told through Nicole, her grandmother Louise who worked at the hotel, and American pilot Kit. I've read a lot of WWII fiction, and the story this one is based on was new to me - with The Ritz being such an important location in 1944. Definitely worth a read for those interested in the era.

The plot:
So basically Nicole who lived in London with her husband and currently pregnant is shocked to find a message from her distant (on a relationship basis) a picture of her grandmother was punished in front of The Ritz hotel at France as a collaborator to the Nazi. Nicole couldn't accept the fact that her grandmother, Louise, was a collaborator so she flew to Paris to investigate the real story behind the picture. So we follow Nicole's journey and Louise's journey back in 1944.

Now, you see I already said in my update that the premise of the story is very weak. Why? It's because there was a very small info dump about Nicole's family and Louise's family that I cannot fathom why would Nicole go through that length? I mean of course it's bad if you found out your grandmother is a part of the Naz but she said that her grandmother didn't like to talk about the past. The relationship between Nicole and Louise felt nonexistent so I couldn't persuade myself to believe that this is a very strong foundation to start the whole plot.

Since this is dual timeline book, I would say the past timeline was better than the present. Well, actually I couldn't even review the present time timeline due to how little they exists in the book. The present time mostly consists of the journey of Nicole investigating the picture but I wouldn't even called it investigating, since she did nothing but prodded and poked the picture and ask around. I mean I supposed it's because she's pregnant and there was no way to make a pregnant lady embarked on a thrilling investigation alone in another country by herself, but still, since there was only few chapters for present time and there was barely even scene where she investigated the picture I still wouldn't called it investigation. Now this conclude to my conclusion that this book could do very well without being a dual timeline book. The author and the editors could remove the present timeline completely and this book would end in a better note. Because I prefer the past timeline than the present and it almost even felt like the present timeline was unnecessary. So even though the plot's inside was great but it wasn't framed properly

the ending:
Although sad and succeeded in making my heart break a little, it was something new that I haven't read before. It did impress me a little but other than that it was just that, though it could've been packed in a better packaging as a plot-twist. I'm sure it could be a lot more impactful if the author do that.

the writing:
I was confused when I found out that we have 3 POVs in here. But Insupposed the last time I read a historical fiction book with WW2 background also consists of 3 POVs, so I supposed you couldn't help that with a dual timeline book either. But it wasn't fit to my liking even though the author used the 1st person POV and I even liked Kit's POV better and the author used 3rd person POV in his. The writing just felt proper in Kit's POV and in Louise's there was just too much sentence and monologs that made no sense in my head. There was a lot of unnecessary monologs too.

the characters:
It was weird that there were so many characters in this book and yet no one speaks through me. It's like nobody stood out than the rest you know? Though of course Louise and Kit certainly made more impactful impression in my head and though it's quite sad since Nicole is also the main character here but she was just so plain, boring and flat. I supposed I couldn't even review her since there were barely any of her POV in the book.

final thoughts:
I have mixed feelings and though it was exhilarating and fun to read some points were just didn't make sense to me. It's been a while though to have a book that I dreamed about, most of the time it was a sign of a good thing and I supposed it is a good thing. I devoured this pretty fast because I'm just to curious to find out about the ending, so 3 stars for this book.

This is a new twist on the story of the WWII resistance fighters. These ones were working at the Ritz Hotel in Paris right under the Nazis who were staying at the hotel.
In the present day timeline, Nicole finds a picture that reveals that her grandmother Louis’s was a collaborator and worked as one of the maids at the Ritz during the occupation. While she cleans and serves, she overhears things that she shares with the French Resistance. Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway were among the guests staying at the hotel that Louise took care of, and she also meets various other hotel staff and an Allied pilot who makes a big impact on her life and future.
In the present day timeline, Nicole is experiencing her first child and wants to know more about her ancestors so when she finds the picture she is truly shocked because her grandmother would never talk about her past and the investigation into the secrets behind her grandmother’s history will give her some answers and might be what brings her broken family back together.
The story tells of strong women, the absolutely incredible work of the resistance and the allied forces and the resilience of the people during the time. Fans of Kristin Hannah will enjoy this book.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

A maid at the Paris Ritz Hotel can be invisible. Louise listens to boastful Germans and reports their conversations to the underground during World War II. In the present day, her granddaughter Nicole sees a photograph of her grandmother, her head shaved as a horizontal collaborator. She journeys from her English home to Paris to find out what Louise’s life was really like.
A good WWII novel with a twist that was unexpected.