I absolutely love stories that combine a love of travel and writing. I've been to all the locations the mc has been to and it made me so happy to see that. Then add being a writer into the mix? I loveeeee it.

I started and stopped reading this book several times but it didn’t hold my interest, and I love WWII historical fiction. My apologies.

Siobhan Curham is a new author to me. This novel was beautifully written, and I recommend it to any WW2 historical fiction lover. I enjoyed the split timeline. I absolutely loved Florence!

Beautiful WWII story told in dual timelines. Both females are poweful and fun. And I was smitten with Otto!

A romance, à family story and a fast paced tragedy.

Thank you publisher and netgalley for the copy. Unfortunately I will not be reviewing this book as I couldn't finish it. I pick it up time and again but it never holds my interest. And I am finally giving up.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the dual narrative flipping back forth between modern day and the past. I loved Florence and Otto’s story and discovering it along with Sage. I got to the point where I didn’t want to put it down as I needed to know what happened next. A really well done book. I can’t wait to read Siobhan’s next book

This is a super fun read. I really enjoyed this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thoroughly enjoyable read. I always love a book written by Siobhan Curham. This escape to Paris was unforgettable. The plot twists and turns make it unputdownable. Thanks for a fantastic read.

****4.5 stars!****

*video messaging with one of my besties*

B: I watched this really interesting documentary last night. What did you get up to?

M: I was being parachuted behind enemy lines...

B: *nods knowingly* Ahh, good book then?

M: A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

Oh, and it was!

I lived this story.

Yet I feel compelled to make a confession *grimaces*. It’s taken over four months for me to write this review *hangs head in shame* “Why?”, I hear you ask.

*takes deep breath*

So, what I neglected to mention to my bestie on the video call was that The Mommy found me sobbing my eyes out in bed at 1am whilst reading this story. Note to self: don’t start unputdownable reads so late at night!

It’s safe to say, that for quite a while after, I wasn’t capable of mentioning this book without welling up… even if the ending did leave me with a smile on my face and a sigh on my lips.

Everything about this story captured my heart; from the twist in how the story is written, the parallels between Florence and Sage as they find where they fit in, fighting for what is right (even if you risk death by doing so), and one epic love story.

Now, given all I’ve said above, I bet I’ve caused another head scratching incident – haven’t I? Where has that half star gone to? Well, basically this is just a case of Laura throwing a strop *blush-shrugs* It happens! (Forty-two and I’ve still got it! *winks*) I was left with two “But what about?” questions. Which simply translates to I’m a nosey bish *smirks*.

If you love WWII fiction that you still think about months later then this is the book for you.

I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I am a sucker for a duel timeline. It keeps you in the book with no good place to pause because you are wanting to find out what happens next. You will be hooked so carve out enough time to finish it quickly!a must read for historical fiction lovers.

An American in Paris by Siobhan Curham is historical fiction at its best. I have read a LOT of books set during this era; this is one of the very best. I thoroughly enjoyed both storylines. Read this for something a little different from all the other Paris resistance books; you will love it.

This was a story on many levels. The present and the past brought together by a journal of 1937 Paris and found on a simple farm in Arkansas, USA. Florence is our original stalwart who has come to Paris as it has always been a dream of hers to live the Parisian life and savour it to the full. Meeting Otto was a life changing event for her - it was simply asking directions to her pensione! and everything changed.

The story goes on to document the changes in Paris and Florence's own life when Otto decides to go back to his country in Austria (with a very dire future) with what we know happened in Austria. Florence pursues her life in Paris in a different style - still entertaining people at the club she originally joined, but now her clients are the upper rank Germans whom she despises but whom she must patronize if she is to glean any information which will be useful for the British for whom she clandestinely works. The story is complicated and the journal is written as a memoir of Florence as a much older lady.

Her grand daughter Sage escaping an internet trolling goes to Arkansas to try to leave her influencer background and followers behind. It is she who is given the journal and then discovers the background of her grandmother, and her mother and the relations she never had. Always believing that she was unwanted and abandoned, she now finds a family.

History in the form of historical fiction well told, with a poignant love story told and two distinct time lines as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

In 1937, young American dancer Florence moves to Paris, where a friend runs a nightclub, for a fresh start. She meets and falls in love with Otto, a young Jewish artist visiting from Austria, and the two make plans to meet again the next time Otto can come back to Paris. Unfortunately, by the time Otto is able to safely return, the Germans have reached France, and nowhere is safe. Florence and Otto must use all of their resources to resist the Nazis, which may end up with tragic consequences for them both.

I really liked this story and the author's accurate description of life in Paris before and during the war made me feel like I was there.

At the beginning, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this historical fiction book. I knew from the initial chapter that it started pre-WWII, but that’s a lot of ground to cover. An abrupt change to a contemporary second chapter kept me off balance.
However, it quickly became apparent that the author’s intent was to draw as many parallels between Florence and Sage as possible even before their actual connection was revealed.
Once I realized this, I was fully engrossed in the story. By the end, I knew that it would be one that I remembered for a long time.
I liked all of the similarities – some subtle, some obvious – between the two women’s stories. I thought the author did an admirable job of letting those unfold and letting the reader draw their own conclusions.
I also liked how both women were strong, but didn’t actually realize it. Florence was a dancer who wanted to do more, but only had her words to offer; Sage had made a life as an influencer, but came to the realization that she really influenced nobody, because it was all for show.
Both women’s progressions were interesting and kept me hooked. Sometimes in a historical fiction novel, one time period seems a lot stronger or more real than the other. That wasn’t the case here; I was equally interested in both storylines.
I enjoyed the author’s sense of humor (for example, Florence and Otto’s “unmentionables” meeting and Sage trying to figure out biscuits and gravy). These moments, and several others, added humanity to the women.
Where I thought the author truly exceled was in the descriptions of Paris, both pre-occupation and with the arrival of the Nazis. She did a fantastic job of capturing the atmosphere of the city and beliefs of the people.
She also shined a bright light on how easy it was for some people to be fooled into supporting the Nazis’ rules and behaviors. Pretty stark lesson to learn there.
If that was a cautionary tale from history, Sage’s initial meltdown and perspective on social media was commentary on today’s obsession with surface matters. It made an interesting juxtaposition with Florence’s realization that gossip was more interesting to people than real news.
That was perhaps my favorite parallel between the two timelines. “We didn’t start the fire” and human nature hasn’t changed as much as we think it has.
Regardless, I highly recommend this book. It was a fascinating look at how history can easily repeat itself. Thought-provoking and entertaining, definitely one of my favorites.

Always been a fan of historical fiction. Loved reading this book. A true journey into World War II fiction indeed. If you are up for a heartbreak, go for it.

This was a remarkable novel and the best of historical fiction. I loved the two stories and how they connect. I appreciate the research that was done in the writing of this novel.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Any reader of WW2 historical romance fiction will love this book! It has love and passion, resilience and resistance, faith and heart. This book is definitely one to be on my shelf to read again and recommend to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

I adore historical fiction, so when I was given the opportunity to read this book I couldn’t resist. This is the first book by Siobhan Curham that I have read and i can wholeheartedly say that I adored this story.

The story is beautifully written and captures your attention right from the start. I particularly love how the story alternates between two eras, both of which are written atmospherically and truly take you in.

Sage – an Instagram influencer has lost her way and really needs to find her spark again, despite having a life filled with loyal followers and brands that pay her to represent them. She appears to have it all, but she is missing one vital thing – Happiness. Following a difficult night, and fuelled by alcohol, Sage posts an honest video, she is faced with a horrendous backlash of hatred and outrage, all of which is directed at her. This part of the story truly highlighted all that is wrong with social media. Sage is at her lowest point when a stranger from America contacts her. Sam presents an offer Sage can’t refuse. She is offered a calm place to gather her thoughts and recover, whilst she gets answers to the many questions from her past and tries to find away to move forward with her life.

Sage begins reading the memoirs of Florence, which were written several years after the war had finished. The love story between Florence and Otto is so heart breaking, yet heart warming at the same time. However, the thing that truly grasped my attention about her was the sheer determination and inner strength she showed throughout some of the darkest times, and the drive she had to survive whilst at her lowest. When Florence embarks on a solo voyage to start a new life in Paris, she continues to do all she can to to resist the Nazi’s, despite the obvious dangers this would present to her.

As soon as we meet Otto, and discover that he is not only an immigrant but also Jewish – it is obvious that he has arrived in the right place at the wrong time, in a historical sense. The bond that formed between Otto and Florence within the time they were able to spend together in Paris was simply beautiful.

Both women in this story are so very different, yet both of their journeys and struggles had me really praying for positive outcomes to their situations. It was impossible not to feel an emotional connection with these two wonderful characters, which just highlights how beautifully written this book is. The storyline throughout this book is unique and really grasps hold of you right until the end.

I could talk about this book all day long, but i will finish now by saying – if you love a good historical story, that is both heart warming and heart braking, then you definitely need to read this bool. I became so emotionally invested in this story, i know without a doubt it will stay with me for a very long time.

I loved taking part in this blog tour for a new WWII historical novel: An American in Paris by Siobhan Curham. Florence is a scrappy and big-hearted dancer who’s come to Paris to dance and ends up in love with a young man who’s escaping the Nazi’s. This story is told in shifting viewpoints between Florence in the 1940’s and her granddaughter that she never knew she had, Sage – a young “influencer” who has had enough of the limelight of social media.

Thank you for my review copy and making me part of the tour!

I really enjoyed this one and if you like this genre, you will, too!

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS; A POIGNANT WARTIME STORY

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of wartime historic fiction. I am a bit of a history buff and every time I read great book in this genre I learn something new about the impact war had on everyday lives and humanity. An American in Paris, the new novel by Siobhan Curham is no exception.

This is a poignant World War Two story of survival, friendship, love and loss. At times it is beautiful, at other times it is heart breaking. Especially as this is an emotive narrative that leads to a mother abandoning her new born baby.

It is the story of a young American dancer who dreams of becoming a writer. The same day that Florence arrives in Paris in 1937 she accidently scatters her underwear on the steps by the Sacré-Coeur. She also meets Otto, a passionate artist. Otto is an Austrian Jew with a warm, loving heart who has always dreamed of living in Paris, inspired by the city’s artistic history. He also possesses a fierce hatred of Hitler and the Nazis.

Otto has to return to Austria and although Florence throws herself into Parisian life she never forgets him. Then one day he returns to Paris – but as an exile having fled from Nazi persecution.

Florence’s poignant wartime story which starts in small acts of defiance against Nazi occupation and leads her on dangerous secret missions is juxtaposed with the story of Sage. A social media influencer, Sage has fallen from ‘celebrity’ grace in an almighty way as she mourns the recent death of her mother. As kindness reaches out to Sage from a very unlikely source, she finds she is connected to Florence’s wartime past. In finding this connection she finds her true authentic self.

This is a love story, but at its core it is a powerful story of loyalty and survival. The haunting story of Bessie, Florence’s friend is a story I will never forget. It also portrays the destructive legacy of post traumatic stress disorder, the power of compassion and kindness, including self kindness.

An American in Paris captured my heart and consumed me. Full of depth and warmth with a gripping story and also an unpredictable plot, this novel in my view makes a brilliant lockdown read.

Thank you to Sarah Hardy from Bookouture for bringing this great novel to attention and inviting me to the blog tour to help publicise it. Although Siobhan Curham has been a published author for twenty years, An American in Paris is her first historical fiction novel. I hope it’s not her last because I want to read more.