Captivated by the romantic City of Light, Annie realises first appearances are not always as they seem. Following Beatrice’s journey from the Great War, through the Roaring Twenties and to a very different life in Nazi-occupied Paris, Annie must piece together the events from the past, if she is to fulfil the legacy that Beatrice left for her to find…
I really missed not having a book by Alex Brown to lose myself
in in 2020 but I kept seeing her social media showing updates on her writing
process and cover reveals which gave me something to look forward to for 2021. As
much as I am not a fan of reading on my kindle I was so desperate to read A
Postcard From Paris that I couldn’t wait for the paperback release and having
now finished reading A Postcard from Paris I can tell you all, this was well worth
the wait so I forgive her for not giving me a book last year!
Annie needs some excitement in her life and the perfect
opportunity arises when her elderly friend Joanie inherits an apartment and
boutique in Paris left to her by a Beatrice Archambeau but she doesn’t know who
the lady is. Annie embarks on a mission to try and find out who Beatrice was and
as she uncovers the diaries she kept during the war she begins to form a picture
of the courageous woman, but what is the connection between Joanie and Beatrice?
This was such a heart warming and insightful read, certainly
up there with my favourite novel by Alex Brown. The storyline is predominantly
told from Annie’s point of view but we get a wonderful insight into the life
Beatrice lead through her own words in her diaries and I for one am not great with
dual time frames but with the past being unravelled to us in this way made it
all the more engaging and I looked forward to the chapters where we would be
taken back in time to see what a courageous woman Beatrice was and to gradually
pick up little pieces of the puzzle to see how everything fit.
The part Beatrice played in the war was portrayed well and
gave a small insight into the way they all lived in constant fear and secrecy
to stay safe but with thanks to a few brave souls who put their own lives at
risk to protect others some lives were spared.
The author describes in such detail the beauty of Paris, I
longed to be sat outside Odette with Annie, Maggie and Kristen on the cobbled
street under the red canopies eating freshly baked patisseries experiencing my own
Parisian adventure!
I found I was equally invested in both Annie and Beatrice lives
so I enjoyed moving back and forth between the characters watching them grow,
with Annie building firm friendships and finally taking time to look around and
find enjoyment in her life. The novel was such a positive and uplifting read
full of bravery, friendships, new beginnings and a touch of romance too.
I am a huge Alex Brown fan and her fictitious village Tindledale
is a favourite of mine so I was so thrilled to see Tindledale and a could of
the old characters pop up and have a connection in this novel.
I highly recommend A Postcard From Paris with its mix of
modern chic Parisian charm and heartwarming, heroic history.
Kindle Paperback
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