I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Lost in Paris by Elizabeth Thompson Published by Gallery Books on April 13, 2021
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When a deed to an apartment in Paris turns up in an old attic trunk, an estranged mother and daughter must reunite to uncover the secret life of a family matriarch.
Hannah Bond has always been a bookworm, which is why she fled Florida—and her unstable, alcoholic mother—for a quiet life leading Jane Austen-themed tours through the British countryside. But on New Year’s Eve, everything comes crashing down when she arrives back at her London flat to find her mother, Marla, waiting for her.
Marla’s brought two things with her: a black eye from her ex-boyfriend and an envelope. Its contents? The deed to an apartment in Paris, an old key, and newspaper clippings about the death of a famous writer named Andres Armand. Hannah, wary of her mother’s motives, reluctantly agrees to accompany her to Paris, where against all odds, they discover great-grandma Ivy’s apartment frozen in 1940 and covered in dust.
Inside the apartment, Hannah and Marla discover mysterious clues about Ivy’s life—including a diary detailing evenings of drinking and dancing with Hemingway, the Fitzgeralds, and other iconic expats. Outside, they retrace her steps through the city in an attempt to understand why she went to such great lengths to hide her Paris identity from future generations.
A heartwarming and charming saga set in the City of Lights, Lost in Paris is an unforgettable celebration of family and the love between a mother and a daughter.
A beautiful depiction of love, loss and family heritage with the gorgeous atmosphere of Paris highlighting every aspect. It won’t take long for you to be enthralled with the family saga unraveling as a young American living in London is suddenly thrust into an unexpected journey into the past of a loved one when a Paris apartment untouched since 1940 is discovered. In LOST IN PARIS Elizabeth Thompson wraps captivating characters around our heart and takes us on a journey of redemption. I’m not usually a fan of moving back and forth in time from present to past in a book, but Ms. Thompson’s voice eloquently weaves an unbroken storyline with a letter from the past at the beginning of each chapter unveiling the next moment they were uncovering in their search. I highly enjoyed every moment of the book!
Hannah is easy to like and sympathize with as we learn the life she has led with a mostly absent mother but a lifelong adoration of the grandmother who raised her.
Marla is extremely tarnished from Hannah’s portrayal of her, but as the book develops we watch her try the hardest she ever has to find a place in her daughters life and earn her forgiveness.
I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys an emotional plot interwoven with family, friendship and hints of romance.
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