HFVBT Review: Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I by Heather Webb and Hazel Gaynor + Tour-Wide Giveaway!

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Pub. Date: October 3, 2017
Pages: 384

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor has joined with Heather Webb to create this unforgettably romantic novel of the Great War.


August 1914. England is at war. As Evie Elliott watches her brother, Will, and his best friend, Thomas Harding, depart for the front, she believes—as everyone does—that it will be over by Christmas, when the trio plan to celebrate the holiday among the romantic cafes of Paris.

But as history tells us, it all happened so differently…

Evie and Thomas experience a very different war. Frustrated by life as a privileged young lady, Evie longs to play a greater part in the conflict—but how?—and as Thomas struggles with the unimaginable realities of war he also faces personal battles back home where War Office regulations on press reporting cause trouble at his father’s newspaper business. Through their letters, Evie and Thomas share their greatest hopes and fears—and grow ever fonder from afar. Can love flourish amid the horror of the First World War, or will fate intervene?

Christmas 1968. With failing health, Thomas returns to Paris—a cherished packet of letters in hand—determined to lay to rest the ghosts of his past. But one final letter is waiting for him…

What Did I Think About the Story?

Since reading and loving The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society a number of years ago, I've kept my eyes peeled for other epistolary novels, especially those that highlight some interesting part of history. I find that viewing a story through letters allows for more intimacy with the characters and provides a rawness and honesty that is harder to find in a strict narrative. Last Christmas in Paris is one such novel, allowing the reader an inside glimpse into what it was like living through WWI, both on the battlefield and on the homefront, through the written communications of some lovely characters.

The bulk of the story takes place during WWI and is told through letters exchanged between a small group of characters, with the vast majority being between Evie Elliot, a young woman living in London, and Thomas Harding, a childhood friend and best friend to Evie's brother, Will. Through their letters (along with letters to and from a few others, such as Evie's brother, her best friend Alice, and Thomas's father and his father's solicitor) the reader is able to really see and feel what it would have been like to be left at home, worrying and mourning for the men fighting in France while being left impotent to do anything about it, as well as what it was really like to fight in the battles, much worse than anything they were prepared for. The story that unfolds gives you a great sense of sadness, renewal, and determination as England's people did what they could to survive with the hope of betters days possibly ahead.

Interspersed occasionally throughout the letters is Thomas's musings at Christmas time in Paris of 1968, where he's traveled, along with all his wartime letters, for what seems to be his last Christmas in Paris. These were very short but served to drive home the feeling of the great amount of time that has elapsed since he fought in the war and the depth of how those years changed him and of how his life progressed after. There's a sense of sadness as we learn from the beginning that the love of his life has recently passed away and has left him a final letter, which he's to read on Christmas Eve. I have to admit I wished for more of these little snippets as they felt very poignant and emotional.  

What came as somewhat of a surprise for me was learning about the press regulations and newspaper restrictions that, surprisingly enough, have never really been discussed in any of the novels I've read from this time period. While I know there was quite a bit of propaganda and bolstering being done for a  number of reasons (including making it sound more appealing to encourage boys to sign up to serve and to cushion those at home from the true atrocities happening to their loved ones fighting) but I honestly had no idea that at least some of this was due to regulations being put into place by the War Office. I found the discussions surrounding Thomas's father's newspaper quite fascinating and am excited that this aspect was included.

I also didn't expect to enjoy the romance aspect as much as I did. I've never been one to seek out novels heavy in romance, which is probably why I enjoyed it in this novel as much as I did because the love and affections taking place through the majority of the story felt like a slow burn, more of a friendship that turns into a great love than a hot and heavy spark of passion. This made it feel more realistic overall and made it very touching and sweet. I didn't expect to become as invested in Thomas and Evie's love affair as I did, but by the time the story was over I was really sad to see it end. It left me with a feeling of deliciously simple sweetness and I loved it all the more for that feeling. 

I am pretty amazed that this story is a collaborative effort between two novelists I have read and enjoyed before - Heather Webb and Hazel Gaynor. At no point could I discern a difference that would separate the two authors' contributions and it flowed quite nicely. I'm always amazed when multiple authors write one cohesive story and I need to try and figure out which parts were written by which author, purely for my own amusement and knowledge.

Last Christmas in Paris is a delightful WWI novel that encapsulates so many remarkable feelings and situations: loss, love, tragedy, recovery, redemption, sadness, and so much more. Read it whether you love history, epistolary novels, or just a remarkably touching story. Highly recommended!

What Did I Think About the Cover?

It's gorgeous! I absolutely love the pop of red color on the ribbon and the woman's jacket, and having the setting as the Eiffel Tower and the packet of letters above it perfectly captures the story. Not much else to say other than it's perfect!


My Rating: 4.5/5.0

Thank you to the lovely Amy at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and William Morrow Paperbacks for sending me a free copy of Last Christmas in Paris in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine alone. Continue on below for more information about the book, it's authors, and the rest of the blog tour!

 

 

Praise for Last Christmas in Paris

 

 

"Beautifully told…the authors fully capture the characters’ voices as each person is dramatically shaped by the war to end all wars.”—Booklist

“For fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society comes another terrific epistolary historical novel that is simply unputdownable […] this remarkable novel will undoubtedly go on my keeper shelf.” —Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of The Night the Lights Went Out

“Humor, love, tragedy, and hope make for a moving, uplifting read. A winner!” —Kate Quinn, author of The Alice Network

“An extraordinary epistolary novel that explores the history and aftermath of the Great War in a sensitive, memorable and profoundly moving fashion. A book to savor, to share and discuss with friends, and above all to cherish.” —Jennifer Robson, international bestselling author of Goodnight from London

“There is a special talent to writing the epistolary novel and Gaynor and Webb have mastered it. Letter by letter, the complex lives of Evie and Thomas unfold as WWI wages on, bringing with it the heartbreaking news of physical and emotional casualties. And yet, in the midst of such sacrifices, an ever-deepening love surfaces, finding a unique way to live on in this devastatingly beautiful work of historical fiction.”—Renee Rosen, author of Windy City Blues

Buy the Book



Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Chapters | IndieBound | Kobo

 

 

About the Authors

 

 

HEATHER WEBB is the author of historical novels Becoming Josephine and Rodin’s Lover, and the anthology Fall of Poppies, which have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Elle, France Magazine, and more, as well as received national starred reviews. RODIN’S LOVER was a Goodreads Top Pick in 2015. Up and coming, Last Christmas in Paris, an epistolary love story set during WWI will release October 3, 2017, and The Phantom’s Apprentice, a re-imagining of the Gothic classic Phantom of the Opera from Christine Daae’s point of view releases February 6, 2018. To date, her novels have sold in ten countries. Heather is also a professional freelance editor, foodie, and travel fiend.

 

 

HAZEL GAYNOR is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Memory of Violets and The Girl Who Came Home, for which she received the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award. Her third novel The Girl from the Savoy was an Irish Times and Globe & Mail Canada bestseller, and was shortlisted for the BGE Irish Book Awards Popular Fiction Book of the Year. The Cottingley Secret and Last Christmas in Paris will be published in 2017.

Hazel was selected by US Library Journal as one of ‘Ten Big Breakout Authors’ for 2015 and her work has been translated into several languages. Originally from Yorkshire, England, Hazel now lives in Ireland.

 

 

It's Giveaway Time!!!

 

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away 2 copies of Last Christmas in Paris! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form HERE.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on October 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to residents in the US & Canada only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

 

Good Luck!!

 

 

Last Christmas in Paris HFVBT Schedule

 

Monday, September 25

 

Review at 100 Pages a Day
Review at Books of All Kinds

Tuesday, September 26
 

Review at The Lit Bitch

Wednesday, September 27
 

Review at Just One More Chapter
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective

Thursday, September 28
 

Review at So Many Books, So Little Time

Monday, October 2
 

Review at Let Them Read Books

Tuesday, October 3
 

Spotlight at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, October 4
 

Review at A Literary Vacation

Friday, October 6
 

Review at Library Educated

Monday, October 9
 

Review at A Bookish Affair
Review at Suzy Approved Books

Tuesday, October 10
 

Interview at A Bookish Affair

Thursday, October 12
 

Review at Creating Herstory

Friday, October 13
 

Review at Pursuing Stacie

Monday, October 16 

Review at Curling up by the Fire

Tuesday, October 17
 

Review at Faery Tales Are Real

Wednesday, October 18
 

Review at The Maiden’s Court
Interview at Faery Tales Are Real

Thursday, October 19
 

Review at A Holland Reads

Friday, October 20
 

Review at CelticLady’s Reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 



Cover Reveal! Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War + Giveaway!!

There are certain authors that I get particularly excited about when I see they have a new book coming out (I'm sure anyone reading this can relate). Well imagine my excitement when I hear a bunch of my favorite authors are getting together and coming out with a collection of stories all centered around the aftermath of World War I...yes, that noise you heard was my head exploding! I am so excited to share with all of you the cover reveal for Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War! Here's all the information you need to find out more about this wonderful collaboration as well as the GORGEOUS cover. I've already pre-ordered my copy and I hope you will consider doing the same if this sounds as marvelous to you as it does to me!

 

 

Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War 

 

by Heather Webb, Hazel Gaynor, Beatriz Williams, Jennifer Robson, Jessica Brockmole, Kate Kerrigan, Evangeline Holland, Lauren Willig, Marci Jefferson

 

 

 

William Morrow Trade Paperback; March 1, 2016; $14.99; ISBN: 9780062418548

 

 

Barnes and Noble / Amazon / IndieBound / Books-a-Million

 

 

 

Top voices in historical fiction deliver an intensely moving collection of short stories about loss, longing, and hope in the aftermath of World War I—featuring bestselling authors such as Hazel Gaynor, Jennifer Robson, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig and edited by Heather Webb.

 

 

 

A squadron commander searches for meaning in the tattered photo of a girl he’s never met…

 

 

A Belgian rebel hides from the world, only to find herself nursing the enemy…

 

 

A young airman marries a stranger to save her honor—and prays to survive long enough to love her…The peace treaty signed on November 11, 1918, may herald the end of the Great War but for its survivors, the smoke is only beginning to clear. Picking up the pieces of shattered lives will take courage, resilience, and trust.

 

 

Within crumbled city walls and scarred souls, war’s echoes linger. But when the fighting ceases, renewal begins…and hope takes root in a fall of poppies.

 

 

Excerpt

 

 

 

To whet your apetite, here's an excerpt from "Hour of the Bells", one of the short stories included in Fall of Poppies:

 

Beatrix whisked around the showroom, feather duster in hand. Not a speck of dirt could remain or Joseph would be disappointed. The hour struck noon. A chorus of clocks whirred, their birds popping out from hiding to announce midday. Maidens twirled in their frocks with braids down their backs, woodcutters clacked their axes against pine, and the odd sawmill wheel spun in tune to the melody of a nursery rhyme. Two dozen cuckoos warbled and dinged, each crafted with loving detail by the same pair of hands—those with thick fingers and a steady grip.


Beatrix paused in her cleaning. One clock chimed to its own rhythm, apart from the others.


She could turn them off—the tinkling melodies, the incessant clatter of pendulums, wheels, and cogs, with the levers located near the weights—just as their creator had done before bed each evening, but she could not bring herself to do the same. To silence their music was to silence him, her husband, Joseph. The Great War had already done that; ravaged his gentle nature, stolen his final breath, and silenced him forever.


In a rush, Beatrix scurried from one clock to the next, assessing which needed oiling. With the final stroke of twelve, she found the offending clock. Its walnut face, less ornate than the others, had been her favorite, always. A winter scene displayed a cluster of snow-topped evergreens; rabbits and fawns danced in the drifts when the music began, and a scarlet cardinal dipped its head and opened its beak to the beauty of the music. The animals’ simplicity appealed to her now more than ever. With care, she removed the weights and pendulum, and unscrewed the back of the clock. She was grateful she had watched her husband tend to them so often. She could still see Joseph, blue eyes peering over his spectacles, focused on a figurine as he painted detailing on the linden wood. His patient hands had caressed the figures lovingly, as he had caressed her.


The memory of him sliced her open. She laid her head on the table as black pain stole over her body, pooling in every hidden pocket and filling her up until she could scarcely breathe.


“Give it time,” her friend Adelaide had said, as she set a basket of jam and dried sausages on the table; treasures in these times of rations, yet meager condolence for what Beatrix had lost.


“Time?” Beatrix had laughed, a hollow sound, and moved to the window overlooking the grassy patch of yard. The Vosges mountains rose in the distance, lording over the line between France and Germany along the battle front. Time’s passage never escaped her—not for a moment. The clocks made sure of it. There weren’t enough minutes, enough hours, to erase her loss.


As quickly as the grief came, it fled. Though always powerful, its timing perplexed her. Pain stole through the night, or erupted at unlikely moments, until she feared its onslaught the way others feared death. Death felt easier, somehow.


Beatrix raised her head and pushed herself up from the table to finish her task. Joseph would not want her to mourn, after two long years. He would want to see her strength, her resilience, especially for their son. She pretended Adrien was away at school, though he had enlisted, too. His enlistment had been her fault. A vision of her son cutting barbed wire, sleeping in trenches, and pointing a gun at another man reignited the pain and it began to pool again. She suppressed the horrid thoughts quickly, and locked them away in a corner of her mind.


With a light touch she cleaned the clock’s bellows and dials, and anointed its oil bath with a few glistening drops. Once satisfied with her work, she hung the clock in its rightful place above the phonograph, where a disk waited patiently on the spool. She spun the disk once and watched the printed words on its center blur. Adrien had played Quand Madelon over and over, belting out the patriotic lyrics in time with the music. To him, it was a show of his support for his country. To Beatrix it had been a siren, a warning her only son would soon join the fight. His father’s death was the final push he had needed. The lure of patrimoine, of country, throbbed inside of him as it did in other men. They talked of war as women spoke of tea sets and linens, yearned for it as women yearned for children. Now, the war had seduced her Adrien. She stopped the spinning disk and plucked it from its wheel, the urge to destroy it pulsing in her hands.


She must try to be more optimistic. Surely God would not take all she had left.

 

*Reprint Courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers*

Giveaway Time!!

 

To celebrate the upcoming release of Fall of Poppies and today's cover reveal, HarperCollins is giving away copies of After the War is Over (by Jennifer Robson), A Memory of Violets (by Hazel Gaynor) and Land of Dreams (by Kate Kerrigan)! To enter fill out the rafflecopter form HERE.

 

Good luck!