The Paris Affair

'The Paris Affair' is a quirky, yet thoughtful and unpredictable story. Sebastian Braun recounts his tale while sitting in prison, to the prison priest., 'Can a man of evil deeds ever wash himself clean or are his future actions forever to be tarnished...?'. We slowly learn how Sebastian may have been enprisoned, but we are left page turning to find out how his story ends.

Sebastian is a German-born doctor who, after experiencing the atrocities of WWI, serving in the German army, retreats to an English island off the coast of France. Further, he retreats within himself, 'I simply do not want to be the main character in the story of my life'. The onset of WWII changes all of this; challenging his views on war, patriotism, and love. 'I can only conclude that while the last war took my life away from me, somehow, this one gave it back...'.

I have never previously read any of Melanie Hudson's other books, and this one certainly took me by surprise. I expected a usual (but often welcome) story of espionage and finding love. However, as Sebastian narrates the last 20 years or so of his life, the reader gains a thoughtful introspection on what really defines a person; head or heart. I did feel that a few of Sebastian's tales were repeated - albeit to different people and in different depths of detail, and it did slow the pace for a time. Reading this book, however, has made me want to look over Hudson's other works to see if they too are just a little different.

This book is quite simply epic! It should be made into a film, as the writing is so beautifully visual and presses all the emotional buttons. I was transported to 1940s Sark, Cornwall and Paris by Sebastian's story. Sebastian, a doctor, and gentle gardener from Sark, is now in a Nazi prison awaiting execution. He tells his emotional, funny, entertaining, and often heartbreaking story to Christoph, a prison chaplain, who turns out to be so much more in the end. Every character and setting is wonderfully drawn and totally believable - testament to the meticulous research that has gone into the book. During the course of the novel, we see Sebastian change his perceptions and ideas on the big questions, and come to terms with life, love, and ultimately death. A huge thanks to Melanie Hudson for writing such a phenomenal story, and I will remember to always play in the playground until the school bell rings!

I read this in a single sitting. It combined both world wars to create a unique and lovely character who is scarred by his experiences in WWI, yet finds the strength to do what is right against evil when it comes to his beloved home. Romance, history, and of course, the beautiful writing of Melanie Hudson make this an excellent addition to the WWII canon and one that you should not miss!!

The Paris Affair is a brilliant and very unique book - told from the first person perspective of the main character, Sebastian Braun. Sebastian is a German veteran of the First World War that has made a home and life for himself on the Channel Island of Sark. He is a smart, well-spoken and easily likable character that really quickly draws your attention and you become a fan of his really quickly. His picturesque life on the island comes to an abrupt halt when the Germans invade France and then the Channel Islands - and also when the beautiful and mysterious Sophie invades his heart.

The storyline of The Paris Affair is captivating, addicting, heart-warming yet heart breaking. The author does a fantastic job at setting the story line and going at a perfect pace. The character development is phenomenal. The banter and conversations between the characters was one of my favorite things about this book. The detailed conversations, raw and in depth emotions and funny banter amongst the characters was very well done.

If you like books that can be somewhat philosophical, tell a story within a story, with a strong dash of romance and mystery, and a surprise ending you will not see coming, then look no further because this book is a must read!

The Paris Affair is the first Melanie Hudson novel that I have read. How I have missed previous Hudson novels surprises me, but I am glad to have discovered such a talented and interesting author. The Paris Affair is compress and multilayered. The characters have depth and a quirkiness to them that held my attention to the end of the book, which I was disappointed to finally reach. I wanted to keep reading about these characters.

The Paris Affair is carefully plotted, with an effective use of real history interwoven into the plot. Edith Cavell and Dame Sybil are real historical characters, who share their lived with beautifully drawn fictional characters--Sebastian, Christoph, and Sophie/Juliette. There are, of course many other characters, who inhabit life on Sark, Cornwall, and Paris. The historical background is WWII and the impact on lives less conventional in nature.

I loved this novel. The Paris Affair was a book I hated to put down and was sad when I finished. I want to thank the author and publisher for providing this beautiful ARC novel. And thank you also to NetGalley for listing it. The comments above are my real responses after reading The Paris Affair.

I really enjoyed "The Paris Affair" by Melanie Hudson. The writing style is more descriptive, even poetic, than most novels of this genre. The characters are wonderfully complex and there are some great twists and an inventive plot. The book features a real life character in Sybil, the Dame of Sark - a brave and forthright woman who protected her island from the Nazis. Although Sark was occupied by the Germans, their rule was not nearly as onerous as on Jersey and Guernsey.

The idea of Sebastian being an identical twin is a cornerstone of the plot and enables an interesting story-line. Sophie is a bit of an enigma, and we never find out who she really is. This book is a great read and highly recommended.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

“The best thing one can do when the chips are down is focus on helping someone else - or something else. It wards off melancholy.”

“Flowers invoke nothing but joy in the giver and the receiver. They are not a luxury item at all. They are a necessity.”

Right from the start I knew this book was prime for screen adaptation. Author Melanie Hudson has set up her story’s opening so that it draws readers into her characters’ arcs from the outset. Immediately I needed to know why Sophie fainted and why Sascha felt he should be released from prison. Her vivid descriptions of the prison, of Paris, and of life on Sark make her writing visual and immersive. She also writes to connect with diverse readers because her story has universal themes we can all relate to; strength in the face of adversity, the power of love, ordinary heroism, the importance of friendship and support for our fellow man, and the perils of war.

Hudson’s characters are multidimensional - ones I’d like to meet and spend time with in real life. I loved Dame Sibyl Hathaway and found myself smiling when reading about her bravery, leadership and determination when facing the Nazis, reacting to Churchill’s decision, or rallying her fiefdom to work together. She truly was dynamic. I found myself cheering for the star-crossed lovers and for Dame Sibyl and Sophie who faced vast odds. In crafting her characters, Hudson raises the question - who are we really? - and allows us time and space to contemplate Dr. Sebastian Braun, Sascha Braun, Sophie Hathaway, Juliette Vernier, and Christoph Wagner. Who really were they?

The plot is well paced and structured and it pulled me into the deception, suspense and tension and my sigh of relief was welcome when things seemed to be working out for the characters. I appreciated the great balance between showing and telling as well as the reminder that we become someone else when we do things simply to be accepted by others. Sascha was a perfect example of this on more than one occasion.

Two things that will stay with me for a very long time: (1) the assassin’s teapot and (2) Christoph’s advice to carry on playing and not waste time waiting for the bell to ring.

I hope to see this on the silver screen one day.

I was gifted this advance copy by Harper Collins Uk, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This was an absolutely enthralling read from beginning to end. A real page turner, I couldn’t put it down. Melanie Hudson’s books just get better and better. Set in WW2 Sebastian is in a nazi prison in Paris waiting to be taken to be executed, during these days he tells his life story to the prison priest, which transports you to many places starting with Sark. There is a bit of everything in this book, romance, laughter and of course sorrow, it’s a real rollercoaster ride. The characters are excellently written and you become part of them. The historical research that has gone into this book is incredible. A fantastic story. A definite must read.

The characters are excellently written and you become part of them. The historical research that has gone into this book is incredible. A fantastic story. A definite must-read.

What a wonderful riveting read. Once I started this book I could not put it down.
Sebastian Braun, German born is living a quiet life as a Doctor and tending his garden on the Isle of Sark part of the Channel Islands. He has lived through the Great War and does not want to be part of any armed conflict every again. He lives a lonely yet fulfilled life until Sophie arrives on the Island and he finds love.
WWII is looming and the UK don’t defend the Channel Islands so the Germans are on their way. Sebastian either has to leave the island or submit to being enlisted as a German soldier.
The story that follows is suspenseful, tense and emotional. A truly great read.

The description of Birdsong meets The Nightingale is completely right with this book. It is beautifully written with vivid descriptions and rich imagery on almost every single page. I was completely enchanted and couldn;'t put it dpwn, I read it in one day.