If, like me, you loved Where the Crawdads Sing then you will love this book as well. The situations our narrator Elle experiences are harrowing in places but always beautifully written and I cared about the characters so much. There is so much to talk about that this would make a perfect book group read.

A beautifully written novel that sucks you in from the first page and takes you straight to the Cape in summer. It’s a story that seems so simple at first, but grows in complexity at every jump back into the protagonist’s past. Touching, subtle and atmospheric.

I loved this novel and felt that it has so many ingredients of what makes up a perfect novel for me. It is a beautifully written and compelling read, exquisitely observed. Elle's infidelity at the start of the novel and the following 24 hours of her life are entwined with the history of her family over 50 years and looks at her chaotic and traumatic childhood and shows how we carry our childhood experiences with us throughout our lives. I loved the setting and the pace of this novel. The formatting of the proof made a complete immersion challenging at times so I will definitely be buying myself a finished copy. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.

Gosh, this was good. It's a book about secrets and lies that bind and break both people and relationships.
The book begins with an act of infidelity and the rest of the book delves into Elle's life at how she has reached this point. Through masterfully woven memories we discover the events that built deceptions and instigated the snap decisions that affect everything. There were a few moments where I thought the language around the sex was a little OTT, but it does depict how Elle considers that sex... dirty and illicit, and how she considers herself too come to that.
Elle's childhood is chaotic and her family somewhat dysfunctional, after all her mother had her own memories to contend with. I felt sorry for the mother, she's a mother who, like all mothers, lives with the knowledge that they could have done better. And Elle, even as a child, understood her mother was more fragile than the bolshy exterior would have one believe. But hindsight is wonderful yet soul destroying stuff. It's where guilt and regret can merge into something that can break you. And it never rests, always there, influencing more crappy decisions and spoiling the best of lives.
Yes, I know, everything could have been so different had everyone, especially the children, just spoken out, but secrets only become secrets when they're hidden. And the longer they're hidden, the bigger they grow and the deeper they cut until they're embedded and so deep they're impossible to release.
I know some readers read to escape the horrors of real life and want to read books about lovely people having a lovely time in a tidy life with roses in the garden etc, etc, and that's fine, this book is not for those readers. This is a book about the complex chaos that surrounds a lot of family life.
I'm going to be getting a paperback copy when it's released so I can have a copy on my shelf. I'll read it again and it'll be available for guests.
I will also be looking out for more of this author's work.
Big thanks to Riverhead Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

A family saga of a book, with two stories running alongside each other until they converge.

Elle is born into a dysfunctional family, and along with her sister Anna, grows up amongst selfish adults who care for their children in their own ways.

The one story takes place over 24 hours in the now, the other story is Elle growing up, falling in love, dealing with horrific situations and getting on with life.

The story is meandering and at times confusing, but parts are beautiful and descriptive. There is no big reveal or tension climb. It took a while to get into the book, but I did enjoy it, though I feel the ending was ambiguous, perhaps what the author intended or maybe I missed something.

Thank you NetGalley.

Having read some extremely positive preview comments about this novel, I promoted it on my reading list - and this was a good decision. 'The Paper Palace' is beautifully written; it is engrossing; it is epic and sad, evocative and memorable. Essentially, It is a superb read, and this is why.

Cowley Heller's novel has two storylines - but these are closely linked, and one is as essential as the other. The story begins in current times, and takes place over a twenty-four hour period. It sees Elle, her British husband Peter, and their three children (Maddy, Finn and Jack) staying at the family's summer house - 'the paper palace' - on Cape Cod. Seemingly, the house has seen better days; it seems to be falling apart, but this doesn't stop the family enjoying their time there. At the start, readers are told that Elle had sex with Jonas, an old childhood friend, and so begins the rest of the story.

At the beginning, the decades preceding the main story are interspersed. We learn of Elle and her sister, Anna; what happened to Conrad; and, the terrible secrets that Elle has carried with her from childhood through to being an adult. As the book progresses, the back story dominates - and readers are privy, then, to the complexities and intricacies of Elle's life, building up to the current day (a full day from where the novel begins) - and it's not until the very end that we have some sort of resolution. Cowley Heller keeps us hanging through to the end - but even then, we're not entirely sure what decision Elle has made.

This novel is clever in that the peripheral characters and essential, even though we're not, as readers, given too much information about them. We feel sorry for Elle - but then we might think she's dreadful for doing what she has done, and there is no right answer to this, I guess. Characterisation is strong - the Britishness of Peter (although I can't help but think he wouldn't smoke in the house, and around his family - seems a little implausible in our modern age, particularly given the type of man he is); and Elle's mum (not 'mom') is brilliant - caustic and dry.

I so want to give this 5 stars but it's a 4 star book for me - and the main reason for this is the somewhat confusing/clunky nature of the time structure and introduction of people at different times. With a little tweaking, I think this would be the perfect novel - it is nearly there, but not quite. Still, it's a stunning read and provides a cerebral and thought-provoking read.

The Paper Palace is a home away from home for Elle, a sanctuary that she has visited all of her life.

This story is the story of a child who plays with her family, a teenage girl who falls in love, and a grown woman, wife and mother trying to navigate her past, present and future. Amid a life time of chaos and tragedy.

I loved it to be honest, it took me a while to get into the book, but once I found my feet and understood what was going on (it jumps back and forwards a bit) I powered through.

Some fantastic supporting characters, Wallace, the edgy and distant mother/grandmother and Anna the rebellious sister.

A really sad story in places, but easy to read and some real depth.

Really enjoyed the story through the bulk of it however did feel a little overwhelmed at the ending which let the book down in my opinion.

Unfortunately, I could not finish this book. I didn't enjoy it and only made it until 10% in. It just wasn't for me but maybe other people will enjoy it.

A story spanning 24 hours interspersed with 50 years in flashback. It takes place in a simple holiday home in Cape .Cod where Elle Bishop is staying with her much loved husband Peter, her mother and her two children. Something happens after dinner that causes her to reflect on what might have been if she, and the boy she loved at that time, had not been involved in the drowning of a 19 year old youth. The back stories of the main characters are pretty harrowing and their respective families clearly carry much of the blame for the irrational behaviour that is subsequently exhibited.
Much of the writing is lyrical especially where it is describing the beauty and peace of this Cape Cod sanctuary but this only serves to make the incursion of rape, killing, betrayal and suicide all the more harrowing.
One is left wondering if the participants ever found real happiness or whether the best they could hope for is to live forever wondering "what could have been?"

I was hooked from the beginning to the end. It was beautifully written and the story flowed well. By the end I felt I knew the characters and loved for each of them. An intriguing love triangle which kept you reading to find out what way Elle will turn. Fascinating and totally captivating.

I really wasn't sure about this book when I first started it but I'm pleased I never gave up on it. It was a slow burner for me and then I couldn't put it down!
The story of Elle, her stolen childhood and the two men that she loves

"The lies begin early. But so do dreams and hopes and stories"

What a beautifully written book. The author's use of language paints outstandingly beautiful pictures. The way she effortlessly weaves the story through different times is wonderful. The ending was satisfying, but I was also sad that there was no more to read!

This book has an attractive and romantic setting mainly at the Cape in New England but also in
New York and London. The setting at the Paper Palace is beautifully devised and used. The palace is a self constructed building in need of attention but a good retreat for family and friends. The major character in the book is Eleanor whom we get to know from childhood, when she meets a younger boy,Jonas, on holiday up there. They have a continuing love affair but marry others. The families involved in the book are all dysfunctional.entering and leaving marriages on a regular basis. Much of the story reflects the effect of all that on the various children. The book makes a ‘nice’ read but there is no tension, suspense or pressure to know the ending. So, well written, but no surprises.

This is the first book that I have reviewed for Netgalley and I was not disappointed. I read it slowly as I wanted to savour the wonderful descriptions. The Paper Palace holds many secrets. The story is told in flashback with plenty of page turning suspense. The characters are well depicted and there is much for the reader to relate to. I don’t want to give away spoilers but this book will be one that we will read in book group. As a librarian, I love this paragraph “ I hold my book to my face, sniff the pages. I love the way library books smell: more important than regular books, a grand olden-days smell, like the steps of a marble palace, or a senator”. I eagerly await Miranda’s next book.

I don't usually read family saga type books but something about this one caught my attention. It takes place over twenty-four hours, with flash backs that cover almost fifty years. This is a story of lost innocence and first love and the corrosive effect of secrets.

Elle grew up with her sister in a dysfunctional family. Holidaying in the backwoods in the paper palace of the title, she meets Jonas. Although he is a couple of years younger than her, they develop a close friendship. All is well until Elle's step brother comes to stay.

In the present, Elle is again holidaying in the same place with her husband and children. Jonas is also there with his family.

The relationships are well drawn. Cowley Heller gives them all the complexities of real life. I particularly liked the way the relationship between Elle and her sister grows from childhood animosity to adult friendship.

At the heart of this novel are secrets and tragedy. Past events echo down the years. As the past is revealed the reader comes to understand the main characters actions and why Elle finds herself having to chose between the husband she loves and Jonas who she has loved since childhood.

Ella's husband, children and mother are on holiday at the property they jokingly call the Paper Palace. It's a family holiday home set in the woods near Cape Cod which has been passed down through the generations. The story picks up 'the morning after the night before', where Ella has cheated on her husband with life long friend and holiday neighbour Jonas. The story is set over one day, where Ella has to decide if she's going to stay with her husband or end her marriage for Jonas. The two of them are bonded by tragedy from years before, and Jonas felt that they were always meant to be. It's also set over 50 years, as the reader finds out about the origins of the Palace, her grandparents and parents relationships, and also about Ella's childhood, and the events leading up to the day in question.

I really thoroughly enjoyed this book. I felt that the author had such a brilliant way with the twists in the tale. There were several times throughout that I didn't see what was coming and it just smacked me in the face, so to speak. I loved the flashbacks to the past, although I did have to stop and think about where the story was in time and what had happened up to that point a couple of times, but I think that's just because so much happened. I felt that the author did a wonderful job in describing the scenes, the small details that would probably go amiss in other books. I have nothing negative to say at all, and would thoroughly recommend it, especially to people who love a family saga. I would only perhaps warn that there are themes of abuse throughout.

‘The Paper Palace 💕’ by Miranda Cowley Heller
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5
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Before anyone else is awake, on a perfect August morning, Elle Bishop heads out for a swim in the glorious freshwater pond below 'The Paper Palace' -- the gently decaying summer camp in the back woods of Cape Cod where her family has spent every summer for generations. As she passes the house, Elle glances through the screen porch at the uncleared table from the dinner the previous evening; empty wine glasses, candle wax on the tablecloth, echoes of laughter of family and friends. Then she dives beneath the surface of the freezing water to the shocking memory of the sudden passionate encounter she had the night before, up against the wall behind the house, as her husband and mother chatted to the guests inside.
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A beautiful story which spans over 50 years through flashbacks and follows Elle, as young girl growing up with a dysfunctional family and present day Elle, who is trapped in a love triangle.

The book for me, started off slow and I struggled to get into it. However as soon the secrets and lies started to unravel I was hooked and couldn’t put the book down!

I loved the writing style and how the reader finds out about Elle’s past through her memories. I loved seeing the relationship form between Elle and her sister Anna. The characterisation was great and really believable - the mother was absolutely brutal and spoke her mind, which came across well.

The main focus is on the love triangle between Elle, her husband Peter and childhood romance Jonas. Jonas tells Elle he has loved her since the first day they met and Elle therefore has a big decision to make, does she leave Peter and her three kids to be with Jonas? Or does she stay with Peter and ignore she too has always and will always, love her childhood sweetheart....

Read the book to find out!! 🥰
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Thanks to @netgalley and @mirandacowleyhellerauthor for the advanced copy! Publication date 8th July 2021 📖

Jonas and Eleanor met as children at the 'pond' where their families holidayed. Jonas was a couple of years younger than Elle but even so they soon forged a friendship which they renewed each year. But it's Elle's family that is the centre of this book. Elle has an older sister Anna who she adores although the feeling is not mutual when they are kids. Anna is one of a kind. So is their mother who is now married to Leo after her husband died. Leo has two kids of his own, Conrad and Rosemary but Elle doesn't see much of them until Conrad comes to stay with them after his own mother has had enough of him.
Elle doesn't like Conrad. It seems no one does.
The novel follows Elle and Jonas throughout their lives in the form of flashbacks. Although there have often been large gaps where Elle and Jonas have lost touch, once they re-unite their friendship and bond is as strong as ever. An incident in childhood has shaped both of their lives forever. As middle-aged couples, Elle and Peter, Jonas and Gina form a strong friendship and enjoy activities together along with their children. Until one day when the special bond between Jonas and Elle refuses to be denied.
I really enjoyed this story. We really get to know the characters well through the clever structure which gives us little peeps into their pasts that shapes them all. Like life, nothing is as it seems as secrets spread their tentacles into everyone's lives forcing choices they might not ever have made had certain events never happened. Wonderfully immersive, I recommend this book.

Absolutely loved this book!! Big family sagas are my favourite, and this one was totally immersive. Spanning 24 hours and 50 years, the story covers decades of family legacy, love, tragedy, secrets and lies and was engrossing, heartbreaking and entertaining all at the same time. Highly recommend.