Lily Graham

Oh, this is such a gorgeous read. It's a fabulous unfolding of a story, one that I found that little bit different to other similar reads.

On a train from Moscow to Paris, a young woman named Annie meets an elderly lady named Valerie. After striking up a conversation, Valerie tells Annie the story of her life. And it's quite a life. We travel back first to 1962 when Valerie left her home in England to go to Paris after having just discovered that she has a relative she knew nothing of, her show more grandfather, Vincent. He's a grumpy old man, and a fairly typical Parisian. He won't allow Valerie to drink tea and has a rather unusual way of cataloguing books in his chaotic little bookshop.

We also go even further back to the Second World War as we, and Valerie, learn about her roots, her mother and why she was sent away by Vincent when she was only three. What Valerie learns is absolutely heartbreaking.

One of the things that made this book stand out for me at first glance was the setting of the bookshop. I wasn't wrong when I thought it would make the story even more interesting. I loved reading about it and hearing Vincent's rather unfathomable reasons for hating certain writers and loving others. It was so vivid that I could imagine myself there, browsing the books and listening to him and Valerie bickering.

I loved Valerie. She's quietly strong and determined, which she needed to be to deal with Vincent. But I have to say that I loved him too. You know those men who are gruff but underneath they have the best heart? That's Vincent.

The story Valerie comes to know about her background, her early years, where she came from, is utterly devastating, especially the conclusion of that strand of the story. I must admit I was hoping for a miracle but I didn't get one, and the passing of twenty years had done nothing to dim what happened in Vincent's mind. I could really feel his heartbreak over the past.

The ending is lovely and really sweet and made me sigh with contentment. All in all, it's a fantastic book and a wonderful story with some really memorable characters. I shall be checking out more of Lily Graham's books. show less

If I had to sum up this book in one word, it would be hope. Eva survived on hope, as did her daughter. And though the author did an amazing job of describing the horror that Eva and the other women endured, there is no way I could ever even comprehend the conditions at Auschwitz. The most astounding part of this story was that the main character actually gave birth to a daughter and she survived!! I always hesitate to say that books like these are good, because of the subject, but this was a show more really good book!!

I received this book from Netgalley and Bookouture for my honest review. show less

This is a wonderful story where the main character seeks to find out who she is and how she came to be separated from her family. The bulk of the story takes place in 1960s Paris where Valerie, cum Isabelle, spends her time working in a small bookshop and living in the apartment above while she hides her true identity from the bookshop owner. She needs to find out more about her mother and his she came to be separated from her during the war. What Valerie ends up finding is more than just show more the truth about her early life, it is a sense of belonging and love that she hadn't expected. A very well written story about a very difficult time, the heartbreaking pain that Parisians endured during the Occupation, what they overcame, and the many lives that were affected for years to follow. Excellent characters that you won't want to part with when the book is through and a story you won't soon forget. show less

I read a lot of WWII fiction and this love story set in Paris during WWII was definitely a winner in this genre. It was a real page turner with some smiles and some tears with a wonderful ending. It was a fairly short book and I think it should have been longer with more character development but overall I enjoyed it and definitely recommend it.

The novel begins with Valerie in her 90s taking the train back to Paris. As she tells her story to her seatmate on the train, her past comes alive. show more When Valerie was 3, she was sent from Paris to live with her aunt in England at the end of WWII. She knew that her mother had died but wanted to know why her grandfather didn't want to raise her. In her early 20s, she manages to get a job in her grandfather's book store in Paris. She doesn't tell him who she is when she starts her job but tries to get more information about her family. Her aunt warned her ‘He gave you away for a reason, Val. I know that you want this fairy-tale reunion but I’m just not sure you’re going to get it.’ but she still persists in trying to find out her history. Will Valerie and her grandfather be able to help each other or will the truth open up wounds that will never heal?

I enjoyed this short trip to Paris and wish this was a real bookstore that I could visit. This is a wonderful story about family and love and how they manage to exist even during the worst times. It's a book full of sadness at what could have been but also joy at the discovery of new friends and family. I highly recommend it. show less