I have long been a fan of historical fiction. I love learning the details about a time and place I can never actually visit. Plus, reading stories where where the characters are swept up in larger historical events are always fascinating. I have mixed feelings about All The Flowers in Paris, by Sarah Jio. Alternating between the 1940's and present day, the novel successfully presents the personal drama of a young mother in Paris trying to survive the Nazi occupation of WWII. However, what did not work, in my opinion, was the part of the story that took place in present day. I still found this story quite enjoyable and gave it a three out of five stars.

What I Liked:
Historical Details:

The author did a wonderful job of showing the reader what life was like in Paris during WWII. From what people wore to the standards of living various classes of people had, one could really get a feel for how Parisians lived. I particularly liked reading about the small pleasures Céline's daughter, Cosi, took in finding little treats to share with her stuffed teddy bear, and the joy she had in writing in a journal.

Story:

The story, set in 1940's Paris, is really riveting. As the story begins we see Céline, a young widowed mother, doing her best to ignore the signs that hard times are on their way. She and her father run a flower shop. If people are still ordering flowers for dinner parties, things can't be that bad, right? But when Céline's beauty is noticed by a brutal Nazi officer, she learns just how much the world has changed.

The novel shows the changes that occur slowly among her neighbors. It starts with people looking the other way as Germans harass minorities, and continues when people keep silent as their Jewish neighbors are arrested. What was once unthinkable is now accepted.

What I Didn't Like:

Modern-day Story:

I felt the story set in modern times was unnecessarily melodramatic. We learn early on that Caroline, the main character, has a bike accident leaving her mostly unscathed... except for a very large, and convenient, case of amnesia! Really?

This was just ridiculous. The author seemed to think that Caroline needed a huge reason to want to know more about the box of old letters she finds in her apartment. But if I found such a stash, I wouldn't need a blow to the head to want to learn more.

This was also an absurd premise for the romance in the story and again, totally unnecessary. There would have been plenty of emotional tension without this crutch.

Although the modern day story was silly, the tale of a young mother in Nazi-occupied Paris was very compelling. I recommend getting this at the library.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

After getting hit by a truck while riding her bike, Caroline wakes up in a Paris hospital with no memory of who she is. The life she is trying to piece together seems to indicate that she led a sad, lonely existence. A friendship with the owner of Cafe Jeanty makes her think she might like her new life better than her old. Caroline also discovers a bundle of letters in the third bedroom of her apartment, written by a woman named Celine in 1943, and Caroline wonders what Celine's story was. Written as a dual timeline book, we learn that Celine was a young widow in Nazi-occupied Paris, living with her father and 8-year-old daughter, Cosi. When their Jewish ancestry is discovered, Celine's father and daughter are taken to a work camp. Cosi, however, escapes the German soldiers and reunites with her mom, hidden in a terrible German officer's apartment.

The writing in this story is beautiful. Both story lines are intriguing and keep you wanting to find out what happens next. My only complaints would be that some of the surprises were easy to guess and that a paragraph supposedly written by 8 year old Cosi does not sound at all the way an 8 year old would talk. Readers who enjoy women's fiction and World War II fiction will love this novel.

All the Flowers in Paris is a dual timeline book set in Nazi-occupied and recent-past Paris.

In the first timeline, an American woman wakes up in a hospital without a clue as to her life or identity. As she struggles to piece together the mystery of her life, she becomes romantic with Victor, who she sees every day at a restaurant she has apparently frequented for years. Bit by bit, she uncovers the person she was before and discovers why she was always so sad before the accident that wiped her memory.

In the second timeline, Celine is a thirty-three-year-old widowed mother living with her daughter and father in occupied Paris filled with dangerous German officers. When her father’s flower shop is marked with a Jewish star, their lives take a terrifying turn. Before long they have to make a decision to leave their home or risk being sent to a work camp—or worse.

What is the connection between these two women?

Like many WW2 historical fiction novels, you have a 50-50 shot of guessing the likely plot, and that’s true here for the most part. However the present day plot line was a nice deviation from the norm. Let me just say that at first it was hard to read the WW2 sections because while it’s fiction, similar things really happened. However it was the other timeline that ended up becoming downright scary in parts.

This was a nice mix of historical fiction and romance with a dash of thriller. As a fan of two out of three categories, I enjoyed this book immensely.

This book greatly exceeded my expectations! I love stories that connect the past with the present and this one did so in a beautiful, heartbreaking way. We must always be reminded of the horror of this period in history.

I liked this book so very much. First set in Paris, immediately has my attention. Secondly set during the WWII, another draw. Gorgeous cover, always a plus. "Two women are connected across time by the city of Paris, a mysterious stack of love letters, and shocking secrets sweeping from World War II to the present." I could not put this one down, as I really wanted to know what Caroline's past was and how Céline's story ends. I would it heartwarming and would recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House publishing for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was very excited to read this book because I have never heard of Jews being captured in Paris. This is the story of present day Caroline as she struggles to recover her memory and stumbled upon the story of Celine and Cosi, who 50 years earlier were captured by the Germans. Their stories parallel throughout this book. For me, it was slow going. I considered abandoning it but once I made it 40% of the way I really began to enjoy it more. I couldn’t stop reading it till the very end. This book is set to release on 8/13/19.

A touching story told in present day and during WW2. During WW2, Celine's father owns a flower shop in Paris, and Celine has a daughter Cosi. They are Jewish and are betrayed by a neighbor. The father and Cosi are taken, but Cosi escapes, and follows her mother who is taken and used by a German officer. In present day, Carolyn wakes up after an accident, not remembering anything about her life. She meets a chef Victor, and they begin seeing each other. Meanwhile, she begins remembering having a daughter Alma, and other things...

I loved this book so much!!! I only have good things to say. Yes yes yes I would recommend it to a friend!!! All the stars!!!

Okay, everyone, you’ve got to read this book! I know what you’re thinking, “please, not another World War 2 story.” But there’s more to it than just that. There are two points of view, WWII and current day, both set in Paris, and both stories are great. I admit, Sarah Jim’s book are hit or miss for me. This one — it’s a winner! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

This was a beautiful book, I couldn't put it down. The story of Caroline in modern day and Celine in the late 1940’s during the occupation of Paris. So well written and heart wrenching.

4.5 stars. This was such a beautiful book, I could not put it down. The story wove between two women, Caroline in modern day and Celine in the late 1940’s during the occupation of Paris. Both women had such tragic, but at the same time hopeful and heartwarming stories. The writing was so beautiful and I could just not tear myself away. So much loss and heartbreak, but so much love and hope at the end of the day. Just wonderful!! Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

In the beautiful story, All the Flowers in Paris, by Sarah Jio, you find sadness, beauty, love and impressive determination. Admittedly, I am quite the fan of Sarah Jio, and in my still "unbiased" opinion of the story is wonderful; the writing is beautiful, the two time periods (during the war with Celine and more currently with Caroline) are told with such emotion, angst, grace and bravery. Celine is thrust into the war and an angry German officer while protecting her father and daughter, Cosi. Caroline has lost her memory after an accident and is desperate to remember her past. They come together eventually, This is a lovely addition to past books by this author. Thank you #NeGalley #AllTheFlowersInParis #Orion

There seem to be many books that have dual historical and contemporary timelines, especially those that center around WWII. This one is both unique and among the best of them.

I practically inhaled this book because I was so absorbed with reading it. It was a five star read for me both because of the excellent storylines and how they ended up being related and because it brought out so many different emotions. It was touching and beautiful in a alway that never felt as if I were being manipulated. I enjoyed both the historical and contemporary storylines.

I particularly enjoyed the first person narratives and their voices. I also liked the pacing, as the storylines moved along quickly yet felt comprehensive. I was not rushed and didn’t feel like I was being shortchanged as a reader, and some shocking and suspenseful plot points moved at a satisfying pace. I highly recommend this book!

This book follows two story lines, Caroline and Celine. In the present day, after an accident, Caroline wakes up in a Paris hospital with no memories. Piecing together who she is, she finds that she lives as a near recluse in a sprawling but stark apartment. During WWII, Celine, a young widow with a daughter, works for her father's flower shop. An attractive woman, Nazi officers are drawn to her, putting herself and her family in danger. In the present, Caroline finds a number of letters that Celine wrote to her love.

This book was a bit slow and extremely nostalgic. Caroline's timeline was pretty predictable. I wish the author had cut out Caroline's story line and focused on Celine and her daughter. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

Loved this book! I’ve always dreamed of seeming Paris and love reading stories about it. Great historical fiction, very beautifully written. Thanks Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!!

WOW! Beautiful, rich, emotional, stunning. Those are just a few of the words that I would use to describe this book. The story is gripping and highly motivational. I recommend lovers of historical fiction pick this book up ASAP!

I love reading all things Paris, but this book has to be one of my favorite! Sarah Jio paints such a charming and realistic image of Paris both present day, and during Nazi occupation. I fell in love with the characters, and their intricately woven stories.

Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this ARC!

This is a beautifully written story in dual timelines. Present day, kind of (2009) and WWII Paris. I found both timelines to be interesting, heartbreaking and captivating. I did not want this book to come to an end.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Sarah Jio for this wonderfully disturbing book! This book is due to release in August 2019.

All the Flowers in Paris by Sarah Jio Split Time Historical Fiction set in Paris, France during World War II and in the present day. Old secrets hidden in an apartment found by a woman with memory loss. Written in Jio‘s delightful style that immediately captivates from the first page to the last. I really enjoyed the characters and the historical details.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.

Paris, to me, truly is a city of love and lights. My husband and I love to share a kiss on the Pont Alexandre III bridge with the Eiffel Tower glowing in the background. The city just seems to celebrate enlightment “la ville lumière” and vibrancy “la joie de vivre”.

It is almost unbearable to think of the time when the city of love and lights was occupied by Nazis, who were filled with hate and darkness. In Sarah Jio’s new novel, All the Flowers in Paris, we see this terrible time through the eyes of Celine. In 1943 Celine is a widow and single mother who lives with her father, the owner of a flower shop. Once her father’s partial Jewish ancestry is discovered, a yellow star is painted on the flower shop. The business is ruined when customers refuse to do business with them, neighbors become traitors, old friendships are lost, and the family is torn apart. Celine is then held hostage in the apartment of a high ranking German official, who lives at 18 Rue Cler.

Celine represents the strength, dignity and courage of French Jewish people and those in the Resistance movement during the war. She also shows the steadfastness of a mother’s love as she protects her young daughter, Cosi, from all the evil surrounding them. Celine’s boyfriend, Luc, is a policeman who leaves to fight for the resistance. His is mother is the owner of Bistro Jeanty, who tries to find favor with the Germans to keep her restaurant flourishing during the occupation. Celine’s childhood friend, Suzette, is one of the many who are seduced by the Germans, and end up conflicted and emotionally unstable.

The other main character in the book is Caroline, who is living in France in 2009. She suffers a head injury in a bicycle accident after leaving the Bistro Jeanty after an unpleasant encounter with an unnamed man. She wakes up five days after the accident with temporary memory loss. Upon discharge from the hospital, she returns to her apartment at 18 Rue Cler, to try to discover her true identity. She befriends the new owner of the Bistro Jeanty, Victor, as well as a college student who is studying the history of occupied Paris. We follow not only Caroline’s recovery, but learn of how the apartment connects the lives of Celine and Caroline. Like lotus flowers, they lead harrowing journeys, forging their ways through darkness, summon inter strength, and emerge and bloom triumphantly.

Thank you #NetGalley and #BallantineBooks for my advanced reader copy. This book will be published on August 13, 2019.