The Last Letter from Paris

by Kate Eastham

For days she’s seen the flashes in the night sky. She’s heard the drone of planes and the thump of marching boots. Doors on every corner slam shut as the German flag billows over the Eiffel Tower. Leaving Cora just one chance to get her letter out of Paris…

June 1940, Paris. Cora Mayhew is stuck in the city she loves, far away from her home and her family. A foundling baby from the last war, she came to Paris in search of the truth about her birth mother. The fine silver locket she was found with is her only clue. But the pressure of war feels closer every day, and her adoptive family are desperate for her to return.

Frantically searching for information about her lost mother while she still can, headstrong Cora makes enemies of Nazi officials at every turn. But it’s a German soldier who finds her freezing, alone and losing hope. With golden-flecked hazel eyes, Max Heller offers to help her to escape. Should she trust the enemy – even one she might be falling for…?

Then a stranger unwittingly reveals a devastating truth about her mother, and Cora has an impossible decision to make…Should she abandon the search and her feelings for Max and make the dangerous journey home, or risk her life for the man she loves and a woman she’s never met? And as war closes in, bringing the cobbled streets to rubble, will the heart-wrenching letter she snuck out of Paris be her last?

A heart-breaking story of love, identity, and resilience in Nazi-occupied Paris as one woman searches desperately for the truth in the face of grave danger. The perfect wartime read for fans of The Dressmaker’s Gift , The Lost Girls of Paris and The Nightingale .

What readers are saying about Kate

‘ Guaranteed to have you grabbing for the tissues … I had a really hard time putting my Kindle down to do my adult responsibilities … Heart-breaking … This book is perfection .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ This book has everything . It makes you laugh, has you holding your breath and makes you cry . You won’t be disappointed!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ Get those tissues ready, you're going to need them … So well written, and the characters feel so well drawn that I found myself sobbing on many occasions.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Ensure you have time to read this in one sitting … Heart-breaking ’ @karen_loves_reading , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ Wonderful storyline and lovely characters all written beautifully.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I enjoyed this book very very much!… I'm so glad I chose this amazing story… Will make you laugh, cry… I was glued to the story until the end !’ Nicki’s Book Blog , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ Heart-breaking … The characters are realistic and sympathetic… Emotional .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Historical Fiction, France, World War II, Fiction

282 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2023

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★s

It was June 1940 and her Aunt Iris, along with messages from her parents in Montauk, had been begging Cora Mayhew to leave Paris and head back to America. But twenty-three year old Cora thought she knew best - Americans wouldn't be caught up in the war, she would be safe. But the day the invasion came to Paris and Iris was arrested while Cora was out buying bread, was the beginning of a nightmare that seemed it would never end.

Iris was missing, Cora had fled to Iris' good friend Francine's home, and there they hid. Francine kept Cora safe, but the German who'd taken over Iris' home - Karl Hesser - was a cruel, heartless man and it wasn't long before Cora knew she had to escape and find her way back to America. With help, Cora made her way through enemy territory - but she had more trials to face. Would she get home again? Would she see her mother and father, whom she knew would be worrying themselves sick? And was Iris alright?

The Last Letter from Paris was an exceptional historical novel by Kate Eastham, one which I enjoyed very much. The ending was unfortunately, quite unrealistic (hence the reduction in star rating), but up until that point, I loved it. Cora had an innate strength which saw her through much, while the search for her birth mother kept her occupied until the invaders arrived in Paris. Then she had more on her mind. Francine, Iris, Lulu - all well crafted characters; there were others who held an important role in the story as well. I have no hesitation in recommending this one to fans of the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora Mayhew, a foundling adopted at birth into a loving family, belongs and feels like an outsider all at once. She heads to Paris to search for the missing piece - the woman who abandoned her at birth. When given an opportunity to return to Paris, Cora hides her ulterior motives and accepts the challenge. What Cora can’t predict is that shortly after arriving, Paris is occupied by the Germans.

Set during the first year of occupation, a rarely utilized setting, Eastham is able to use the ominous tension to her advantage. Paris hadn’t been bombed yet, but the tension was palpable and normal activity was suspended. People tried to carry on with their lives but were in constant reminder of the enemy. Eastham shows the strength and durability of the human spirit.

It’s good to be reminded that we take ease of communication for granted. I can’t imagine being separated from loved ones without the technology to communicate with them. We pick up a cell phone and text internationally on a whim and are comforted in our unease. What must it have been like for those who didn’t have quick assurances?

While I would have appreciated a bit more character development and a tauter plot, I liked the espionage, the tension, the mystery, and the lengths Cora went to in finding where she belonged and what beliefs she was willing to bend as she tried to fit in. Eastham highlights bravery and love during wartime.

Does she find the missing piece? You’ll have to read to find out.

I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Christy fictional_traits · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cora Mayhew has always been a fighter, ever since her adoptive mother found her abandoned in the dying years of WWI, 'If you've been dumped by your own mother, it pays to hold on to every scrap of self-belief that you have.' Despite growing up in a loving, adoptive family, Cora is determined to find her birth mother and sets off to Paris to follow a lead, 'I will do everything in my power to find the woman who abandoned me...to find myself.' Not long after moving to Paris, living with a close family friend, WW2 breaks out and both Cora and her Aunt Iris are thrown right into its midst. In order to survive in an occupied city, Cora will need to call upon all her self-belief and stay alive.

'The Last Letter from Paris' is an easy-to-read WW2, historical fiction novel. Cora is a gutsy, if not somewhat naive character who manages to navigate a number of troublesome and dangerous situations. The book contains a little bit of espionage, a dash of action and subterfuge, along with a sprinkling of romance but I would have enjoyed some further character development. For me, this was an ok, feel-good piece of historical fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cora Mayhew is not only trapped in Paris in June 1940, but getting a letter to her family in America will be all but impossible with World War II underway. Cora left the safety of her home, and her adoptive parents, with her strong desire to find her birth mother. While she loves the family that has raised her since birth, she has never been able to get over the fact that she needs to find the truth about her mother.

Not only does Cora find herself in danger time and again, she has made enemies along the way. However, she makes a surprising ally in a German soldier named Max Heller. Can Cora trust Max when he offers to help her?

When Cora gets closer than she could’ve imagined while trying to learn about her mother, she is not only fighting the desire to return home to America, she’s also fighting growing feelings towards Max. If she cannot return home safely then, at the very least, she would like a letter to get to her family so that they will know that she is safe.

This compelling and memorable book by Kate Eastham combines excellent historical fiction and the horrors of WWII with that of the romance that brews between Cora and Max. Danger is never far behind, especially since they should be sworn enemies. Meanwhile, Cora never lets up in her determination to find out about her birth mother. Not only does Cora experience dangers along the way, when she loses contact with her aunt during the invasion, her resilience shone through.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/u2OMpeZyLuw

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cora is living in Paris after leaving her home to stay with her aunt. She is on a mission to find her birth mother. Cora was a foundling and she only has a couple of clues to find her birth mom.

While in Paris, she has one last chance to send her parents a letter before all communication is shut off.

The Nazis have invaded and things are getting really bad. The place she is staying at with her aunt and the Nazis have taken her. The Nazis actually let Cora gather a few things, since she is American and let her leave. She ends up staying with another family friend.

Now that the Nazis are taken over Paris, her mission focuses on finding her aunt and getting out of Paris. During her search, she comes heads-to-heads Max Heller, who seems smitten with her.
This story is heartwarming as Cora realizes her parents are truly her parents and she misses home. The journey it takes her to realize this among the chaos of the invasion sets her on a path that she could never have imagined. I am definitely looking for more of this author’s work.

[Sarah]

The Last Letter From Paris by Kate Eastham is an engrossing and emotive historical fiction story. It's filled with bravery, hope, loss and courage making it a page turner of a read and a must for fans of historical fiction set during the war.

[linda hole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book.. i liked the Main characters, their stubborness , their strength and their Quick minds. I felt like i was a part of the book, i could feel their pain, i could takepart in their friendships, i could cry with them, i could laugh with them. . The only part i did not like that much, was the ending. It felt too rushed. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is an easy to read, heartbreaking, gut wrenching novel that provides another perspective of events during WWII. I really enjoyed Cora because of how gutsy and brave she is – she is absolutely fearless and I wish I had half of her bravery. I enjoyed reading about her trials and tribulations as the American in Paris is trying to get out of Paris for her safety. Francine, Lulu, Iris and the others that she meets in Paris are all colorful characters that bring a lot to the novel. There is a bit of romance between Cora and Max, but to me it felt a bit rushed and I wished that it was explored a little bit more. I also wish that the story line about Cora’s birth mother was a bit more solidified. They never proved that the woman suspected to be Cora’s birth mother was actually her; I wish there was an answer to that. However, Cora’s adoptive mother, Evie, is the type of mother I wish every child had – she’s supportive and loving, even when it may hurt her. It was beautiful to read about the love that she has for Cora. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves to read historical fiction.

[Carolyn O’Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! It was a page turner. I didn’t have as much time to get back to this but when I did I couldn’t stop. A great read of an American girl searching for her birth mother in Paris just as Germany occupies Paris. You hold on to your seat in what she goes through and how she escapes.

[Sams_Fireside · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Mainly set in Paris during the first two years of WWII, the city has German occupation, but life isn’t yet as difficult as it will become in the later years. The swastika is flying above the Eiffel Tower and German soldiers are drinking in cafes and bars and moving themselves into apartments as though it’s their right.

Cora is an American girl who has recently travelled to Paris to try to find her birth mother and inevitably gets caught up in the midsts of the beginnings of the war. She willingly becomes involved with the resistance movement and we see more of their work as she tries to travel home to America.

I have read nothing before, which is solely set at the beginning of WWII, and it was enlightening to read something different. I loved discovering what small, but such important parts people had as a part of the resistance, as they tried to help others throughout war-torn years.

If you enjoy historical fiction and something set during the conflict, then give this a try. It’s full of intrigue, suspense and, of course, a spot of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review a copy of The Last Letter from Paris by Kate Eastham.

[Kayla Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Letter from Paris is about Cora, an American young woman that finds herself trapped in Paris on the eve of the Germans invading during the summer of 1940. Cora came to Paris a year prior to try and find her birth mother.

The story showcases Cora’s journey on trying to escape France and get back to safety. Cora’s journey is met with love, loss, resistance, self-discovery, and a lot of danger. She realizes in order to survive; she will have to play the Nazi’s game.

It’s also a dual character story. Some of the chapters are from the perspective of Cora’s adoptive mother back home in the States, and some are told from her aunt who lives in Paris and after the invasion, gets separated from Cora.

All in all, a good book, just a little unbelievable at the end, albeit an adorable ending still!

[Abigail Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great WWII read!
An American trapped in Paris as the Germans took over.
The back story is an age old desire to find biological parents no matter the cost.
There are many traumatic parts in this story but that is the reality of war. So many people are affected.
There is some espionage if you like those tense moments!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora is in Paris just as the Germans have invaded. Helping with the resistance puts her in harm’s way and she must flee Paris. Her train is blown up and she gets unexpected rescuing from Max, who is also a German solder.
It’s a story of survival with some romance added in. It’s a good story.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Within the first few chapters of The Last Letter from Paris by Kate Eastham, the names of some of the characters started to ring a bell with me. As I read so many books each year, specific details can evade me so I stopped and checked and discovered that Iris and Evie had featured in the author’s previous book The Sea Nurses. Even reading the brief prologue some of the information seemed familiar and I was glad to discover the return of much loved characters as I had felt there was definitely another story that could be told centred around these characters. This new book is a standalone though and it wouldn’t in any way feel as if you were missing out by not having read the first book.

This time around the story moves to World War Two and acknowledges how the lives of both Evie and Iris have unfolded since we left them at the end of World War One.Cora, the foundling adopted by Evie having been left by a Frenchwoman at a pier in Southampton, is now grown up and loves her life with Evie and her husband Adam in Montauk in America. But not knowing anything about her true heritage and who her mother was and how she came to be abandoned has long eaten away at her. She desperately wants to know all the details and one day she will go to France to try and find all the answers to the questions that have haunted her.

June 1940 and Iris has spent many years living in Paris following her time spent on the hospital ship Britannic. Her German husband has passed away but she is reluctant to leave the city where he is buried and she can be close to him and visit daily. Cora has for nearly a year being staying with Iris and until now she has enjoyed working in the American library but times are changing with the beginning of a new war. The Germans have marched into the city of light and the carefree days the Parisians enjoyed are over and done with. Iris finds it hard to comprehend that war once again has reached her doorstep as the memories and raw emotions from the previous war are still very much fresh in her mind.

For Cora, this time in Paris was a chance to grow independent and find her true self. Her mission to find out who her mother was and where she came from is at the forefront of her mind but given there was such scant details this to me seemed like attempting to find a needle in a haystack. I presumed the book would focus solely on her quest but as the rumblings of war grew ever present and danger, brutality, devastation, pain and suffering emerge each day the longing she has is put to the back of her mind as she tries to navigate this new world she finds herself in.

I found the book was like a ship riding through the waves, there were many peaks and troughs and lulls. It seemed that at points nothing much happened and then there was a resolution of sorts to some aspect of the story and I thought oh this happened too early and where can the story go from here. But the author took Cora on an adventure and not one full of laughs and pleasurable moments. Instead she is tested to the max and those she loves worry deeply about her as she does too when the worst happens. German soldiers take over Iris’ beautiful apartment and she is taken away with news of her whereabouts and the reason for imprisonment unknown. Cora has but a few brief moments to grab what she can and make her way to the home of Francine a long time friend of both Evie and Iris, who herself lost her husband in the last war. Francine was a wise woman and to all appearances old and just getting on with her life in Paris but appearances can deceptive and Cora soon finds that Francine is astute and well able to play the game and do her bit to stop the Germans. Here is where I felt the story really started to take off as Cora shows her true metal.

Cora is fierce, determined and headstrong and the restlessness and need to search for something drives her on. Yet at times, I found she put herself in dangerous situations unnecessarily and there was also a naivety about her. She didn’t often think of the bigger picture before she acted and as she becomes involved in the Resistance movement and although I applauded her for this I found her to be quite careless when others were trying to keep her safe whilst continuing their work. Karl, the German soldier who took over Iris’ apartment, becomes a dominant feature in Cora’s strand of the story and she is determined to avenge what he has done. She has a hatred for him that fuels her as the things take a very dramatic turn and she must flee from the city which she loved. She can’t bare to leave Iris behind not knowing whether she is alive or dead but her own life she has to put first.

Running alongside the exploits of Cora in France are chapters from Evie’s viewpoint back in America. She is distraught when she learns that Cora has gone missing on the day the Germans invaded the city. She feels helpless that she is so many miles away across the ocean unable to do anything but wander the coastline hoping and wish that things will turn out ok. I found at times going back to Evie disrupted the flow of the story when things were really getting going from Cora’s viewpoint. I understand they were there to show the connection between mother and adopted daughter and the love they had for each other and that Evie was desperate to know that someone who meant the world to her could not possibly be gone forever. There was a streak of anger in Evie too, that Cora didn’t heed the advice and get out of Paris before the Germans arrived. I think also in a way she was jealous that Cora could potentially discover news of her birth mother and that this would take her away from Evie. I felt the story would have worked perfectly without these chapters from Evie’s viewpoint but as I mentioned I do understand the reasoning for their inclusion.

The second half of the book was far stronger than the first and here is where I felt the story found its rhythm and true purpose. Cora swings from one disaster to another in her bid to evade Karl and make it to safety after an incident which turns everything on its head. I found the chapters from the midpoint to be much more taut than the earlier chapters. They were filled with information that drove the story on and there was less filler as I had found there to be quite a bit initially. Violence, inhumanity, danger, secrets and daring are all predominant features and you find yourself thinking with each turn of the page is this it for Cora? Has she taken things too far as she finds herself in numerous precarious situations? I found my reading speed picked up as I neared the final few chapters and I finally had become really invested in the outcome for Cora. The blurb mentions Max and to be honest I think the blurb needs to be rewritten in some parts because to me Max featured for such a short time and the blurb gives the impression it was for a good chunk of the book. For me, it was more about Cora getting to the safety of her end destination when all seemed lost as well as she hopefully discovering what happened to Iris.

The ending of the book was in my mind rushed and I would have loved some more exploration and again I was left with the feeling that there is room for another story. There are one or two burning questions surrounding Cora that I am desperate for answers to. I hope we will get these in the future. If not in a full-length book even a short story would suffice to satisfy my curiosity. Overall, The Last Letter from Paris, was a good read. It’s a story of daring and survival with some romance at a time when the word was falling apart and those existing in the most torrid of times did remarkable and amazing things when everything was firmly against them.

[Ginette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was well written. This is the first book I've read by this author.

As the Nazi's invaid Paris during WW2, Cora finds herself, an American, stuck in Paris. When her Aunt disappears, Cora goes to live with an older friend of her Aunt, Francine. Cora is determined not to leave France until her aunt is found, and also finds herself aiding the resistance in the early days of the Nazi occupation of Paris.

Small spoilers for my review: While I do admire Cora's courage throughout all her troubles, some of the trouble she finds herself in during the war is due to her impulsive behavior. For example, prior to the Nazi invastion, Cora was urged by her aunt and her parents back in the United States to leave Paris, but she stayed because she was searching for her birth mother. And then she is stuck in France and many people have to help her try and get out of France and put their lives at risk.

Larger spoiler - a main theme of the story is she is looking for her birth mother. This part of of the story was a main driving force for everything Cora did, but it really wasn't resolved in my opinion. She kind of learned of a red haired woman in the town she thinks her mother is from, and thinks she was her mother, and this is a huge leap to make in my opinion, and her understanding of who her mother is based on this information really hurts Cora emotionally, but there is no reason to really think this red haired woman is her mother. This ending of the story just didn't seam resolved for me.

I really appreciated the character of Francine, the older lady Cora stays with when she has no where else to go. Francine is a strong woman despite all the hurt she has been through, with the death of her husband and what she went through in the first world war. I believe this character and others in the story are part of an earlier book by this author - I wish I had read that book first. But Francine was still a great character in this book.

I received this book from netgalley and glad I had a chance to read it.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems like there are a lot of WWII historical fiction books out there. This one reminded me a bit of The Dressmaker's Gift or Nightengale.

This is a "heart-breaking story of love, identity, and resilience in Nazi-occupied Paris as one woman searches desperately for the truth in the face of grave danger."

Cora is the adopted daughter of 2 Americans. She was found during WWI when her birth mother left her by the pier that her adopted mother found her near. Cora has gone back to Paris to see if she can locate her birth mother. She ends up caught in the German occupation of the city. Her story covers her life as she tries to keep herself and those she loves and encounters safe.

Content: references of war and era typical smoking and drinking, there is one scene of physical abuse that could be a trigger, but in some ways necessary for the real nature of war

[Margie Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting and starkly realistic, a can’t put it down WW11 novel .

Heartbreaking in the realism portrayed of a war torn country, the cruelty of high ranking German officials, freedoms lost, property stolen and vandalized, lives lost. But the overriding theme of resistance and rugged determination to prevail over the enemy was the most inspiring feature of this novel. The heroine, Cora, did seem larger than life and was too fortunate and almost unbelievably escaped danger and death when it was most unlikely. A bit fairytale in that respect. I felt a sequel would help resolve a lot of lingering questions; I always want to know “ the rest of the story”! The time frame was so relatable to me having been born right at the end of the war to parents of German immigrants. Highly recommend this book and author one I will definitely follow.

[Linda Reiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read The Last Letter from Paris by Kate Eastham. A young woman who was broght up in America by loving parents was a founding whose mother abandoned her at a hospital in France. She decided to go to France to find her birth mother. After being in Paris for some time, the Nazis overtake the city and the woman is torn between going right home to America or staying in France until the woman she lives with, who has been arrested, is safe and released. She has several harrowing events in her time in France, especially with a particularly mean German captain. No spoilers given here, but it was an ok WWII story.

[peter walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this WW2 novel & am so pleased that goodness eventually overcame & beat the nazis , though it did show that not all Germans were bad & believed in the nazis ; while also showing the bravery , courage and belief in righteousness of ordinary people while suffering the evils of war. A very lovely novel & I can highly recommend it.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was rather disappointed in this novel, hence a 2* review : I found it very flat as well as dull as regards the narrator 's comments and descriptions of the main characters ' past and present life. Maybe this novel is aimed at young people. The main part covering the mystery was rather rushed as to its conclusion and did not satisfy me at all.

[Mrs Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely soul sensitive

I have been so engrossed in the story of Evie, Iris and their experiences that I wasn't prepared for this book. But I
I haven't been able to put it down for long. I got so totally caught up in Cora's story that I hardly lived my own life for three whole days!! So heart-wrenching and emotional. Thank you Kate Eastham.

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good novel

This is a very sweet novel tough to read at times. It was very real in so many places you felt you were there with Cora. It came out well in the end. This is a different type of W W 2 story that I highly recommend.

[Denise -Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written escape

Exceptionally woven thriller love story that will lull you in and have you chase the ending. It doesn't tie you in with any feelings for the characters at the end though - a bit of a let down. In fact the empathy you had for some is completely lost.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Musings

A heartbreaking WWII novel with absorbing characters and a fast paced plot. Plenty of emotional writing that pulled at my heart, but with a lovely romantic ending. A very happy reader!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book but the ending felt a bit off to me. It felt a bit rushed. There were elements that I liked but I felt that I was left with a lot of unanswered questions, a lot of threads that weren’t ended.

[Linda Timmons · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wimpy heroine

The main character, Cora, was depicted as a weak player. She saves the baby but is to distraught to look for food that she will need to survive. She consistently puts others in harms way and focuses mainly on herself(always needing to find her birth mother)

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book I was wondering what happened to Max. So happy everything turned out so good foe everyone. Sorry though about Francine.

[ROCKY · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome story!!!

[Terri Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Great Read

This was a story that drew me in from the first page to the last. So believable and so satisfying!

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded to 3.