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The Paper Girl of Paris
Now:
Sixteen-year-old Alice is spending the summer in Paris, but she isn’t there for pastries and walks along the Seine. When her grandmother passed away two months ago, she left Alice an apartment in France that no one knew existed. An apartment that has been locked for more than seventy years.
Alice is determined to find out why the apartment was abandoned and why her grandmother never once mentioned the family she left behind when she moved to America after World War II. With the help of Paul, a charming Parisian student, she sets out to uncover the truth. However, the more time she spends digging through the mysteries of the past, the more she realizes there are secrets in the present that her family is still refusing to talk about.
Then:
Sixteen-year-old Adalyn doesn’t recognize Paris anymore. Everywhere she looks, there are Nazis, and every day brings a new horror of life under the Occupation. When she meets Luc, the dashing and enigmatic leader of a resistance group, Adalyn feels she finally has a chance to fight back. But keeping up the appearance of being a much-admired socialite while working to undermine the Nazis is more complicated than she could have imagined. As the war goes on, Adalyn finds herself having to make more and more compromises—to her safety, to her reputation, and to her relationships with the people she loves the most.
Sixteen-year-old Alice is spending the summer in Paris, but she isn’t there for pastries and walks along the Seine. When her grandmother passed away two months ago, she left Alice an apartment in France that no one knew existed. An apartment that has been locked for more than seventy years.
Alice is determined to find out why the apartment was abandoned and why her grandmother never once mentioned the family she left behind when she moved to America after World War II. With the help of Paul, a charming Parisian student, she sets out to uncover the truth. However, the more time she spends digging through the mysteries of the past, the more she realizes there are secrets in the present that her family is still refusing to talk about.
Then:
Sixteen-year-old Adalyn doesn’t recognize Paris anymore. Everywhere she looks, there are Nazis, and every day brings a new horror of life under the Occupation. When she meets Luc, the dashing and enigmatic leader of a resistance group, Adalyn feels she finally has a chance to fight back. But keeping up the appearance of being a much-admired socialite while working to undermine the Nazis is more complicated than she could have imagined. As the war goes on, Adalyn finds herself having to make more and more compromises—to her safety, to her reputation, and to her relationships with the people she loves the most.
359 pages, Hardcover
First published May 26, 2020
829 people are currently reading
26403 people want to read
About the author
Jordyn Taylor
7 books329 followersJordyn Taylor is a New York City–based writer and journalist, currently the deputy editor at Men’s Health magazine; her work has appeared in the New York Observer, Mic, and Glamour.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,587 reviews
November 5, 2024
3.25 ☆
“did you make it here okay?”
“The trains ran smoothly.”
. ۫ ꣑ৎ the manuscript & marjorie
and the years passed like scenes of a show
the professors said to write what you know
🔑 ₊˚ෆ opening thoughts :
who wants to come on a girl’s trip to paris with me?? <3 the modern-day paris setting was everything!! And of course I just love WWII books and their settings. I had pretty high hopes for this book and it mostly fulfilled them– at least, the historical pov did. The contemporary one was a lil meh if I’m being honest; it was still fun though!
🧁 ₊˚ෆ characters :
. ۫ ꣑ৎ alice. mmm… I didn’t love her. She was cute and all but she acted like a middle schooler at some parts and she was also kind of clueless. There was some stuff that just took her way too long to figure out to the point where I knew the author was dragging it out on purpose. Overall I didn't really have strong feelings towards her.
. ۫ ꣑ৎ adalyn. SHE WAS AMAZING. She was so strong and did such amazing things. She lost her childhood and relationships that were important to her because of what she did for her country but she never regretted it. Her story is such a tragedy and she deserved so much better. I adored her <3
. ۫ ꣑ৎ others. luc was my bby 🥺 like actually, he needed a hug especially at the end!! And chloe… I wanted to slap her. Anyway. Paul was pretty cute. I wish we had met Gram as Gram, or at least that alice could have told her the truth.
🕯️ ₊˚ෆ romance :
In the contemporary timeline, it was a fluffy meet-cute without a ton of chemistry but it was fun nonetheless. In the historical timeline? Star-crossed lovers perfection! The angst ahh. I wish they had had more time together. Adalyn and Luc deserved their own book fr. I’m sorry, but Alice and paul can’t hold a candle to them.
🪞 ₊˚ෆ plot :
I will admit, if I haven’t made it obvious so far, I definitely preferred adalyn’s (historical) pov over alice’s (contemporary) and kind of wished this book had been fully historical fiction because the contemporary pov felt just a teensy bit pointless. Though I did enjoy it! And of course it made for some full-circle moments. And then the historical timeline was amazing. The writing somehow got 10x better whenever it was in the historical timeline?? There was no author’s note so I don’t know if this was pure fiction or based off of a real-life story, but I know there were extremely brave people like adalyn and her friends fighting against germany, and what went on in France during WWII is not talked about enough so I’m glad the author wrote this!
💐 ₊˚ෆ overall,
I always love a good historical fiction! (anybody have any recs… wink wink) This was equal parts a fun and sad story, though the contemporary part fell flat at times! And ofc this was a debut novel so I will definitely look out for more from this author. I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a good WWII novel 🩷
“No matter where I may be, if I’m breathing, I’m thinking of you.”
“did you make it here okay?”
“The trains ran smoothly.”
. ۫ ꣑ৎ the manuscript & marjorie
and the years passed like scenes of a show
the professors said to write what you know
🔑 ₊˚ෆ opening thoughts :
who wants to come on a girl’s trip to paris with me?? <3 the modern-day paris setting was everything!! And of course I just love WWII books and their settings. I had pretty high hopes for this book and it mostly fulfilled them– at least, the historical pov did. The contemporary one was a lil meh if I’m being honest; it was still fun though!
🧁 ₊˚ෆ characters :
. ۫ ꣑ৎ alice. mmm… I didn’t love her. She was cute and all but she acted like a middle schooler at some parts and she was also kind of clueless. There was some stuff that just took her way too long to figure out to the point where I knew the author was dragging it out on purpose. Overall I didn't really have strong feelings towards her.
. ۫ ꣑ৎ adalyn. SHE WAS AMAZING. She was so strong and did such amazing things. She lost her childhood and relationships that were important to her because of what she did for her country but she never regretted it. Her story is such a tragedy and she deserved so much better. I adored her <3
. ۫ ꣑ৎ others. luc was my bby 🥺 like actually, he needed a hug especially at the end!! And chloe… I wanted to slap her. Anyway. Paul was pretty cute. I wish we had met Gram as Gram, or at least that alice could have told her the truth.
🕯️ ₊˚ෆ romance :
In the contemporary timeline, it was a fluffy meet-cute without a ton of chemistry but it was fun nonetheless. In the historical timeline? Star-crossed lovers perfection! The angst ahh. I wish they had had more time together. Adalyn and Luc deserved their own book fr. I’m sorry, but Alice and paul can’t hold a candle to them.
🪞 ₊˚ෆ plot :
I will admit, if I haven’t made it obvious so far, I definitely preferred adalyn’s (historical) pov over alice’s (contemporary) and kind of wished this book had been fully historical fiction because the contemporary pov felt just a teensy bit pointless. Though I did enjoy it! And of course it made for some full-circle moments. And then the historical timeline was amazing. The writing somehow got 10x better whenever it was in the historical timeline?? There was no author’s note so I don’t know if this was pure fiction or based off of a real-life story, but I know there were extremely brave people like adalyn and her friends fighting against germany, and what went on in France during WWII is not talked about enough so I’m glad the author wrote this!
💐 ₊˚ෆ overall,
I always love a good historical fiction! (anybody have any recs… wink wink) This was equal parts a fun and sad story, though the contemporary part fell flat at times! And ofc this was a debut novel so I will definitely look out for more from this author. I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a good WWII novel 🩷
“No matter where I may be, if I’m breathing, I’m thinking of you.”
April 17, 2024
‧₊˚ 🎧 ꒱ now playing: marjorie & the great war
4☆ | I absolutely adored this, but it doesn’t quite compare to some of the other WW2 books I’ve read.
‧₊˚ 🥐 ꒱ I’m so happy I finally got to read this, even though the ending pretty much crushed my heart. The Paper Girl of Paris was almost half contemporary romance, half historical fiction, and I was here for it! Alice’s pov gave off more cutsie-love-story-in-Paris vibes, while Adalyn’s pov took place during the actual war. I think overall I liked Adalyn’s pov better. Reading about the different parts of WW2 is so interesting to me, and I think I learned some new things from Adalyn’s pov!!
characters:
‧₊˚ 🎀 ꒱ Alice: Omg Alice my little cinnamon roll! She was literally so adorable. I loved her personality, and her ‘turtle frame glasses’ and black coffee obsession hehe. Plus the character growth was definitely there 🥺 I want to be besties with her.
‧₊˚ 🎀 ꒱ Adalyn: I have so much respect for Adalyn. The way she sacrificed the things that meant most to her so she could keep fighting for her country was so admirable. I just hope that if I am ever in a situation like hers, I would do the same.
romance:
‧₊˚ 🕯️꒱ Alice + Paul: THEM>> Paul is also a cinnamon roll with glasses, which made their relationship all the more wholesome. When will it be my turn to meet a cute Parisian guy at a bakery??Probably never. The way that Paul cared so much about Alice thooo. Like he was so willing to help her with everything. I need a separate novel about them!! I really hope they get married eventually hehe. They were so cute 💗
‧₊˚ 🕯️꒱ Adalyn + Luc:
storyline/writing:
‧₊˚ 🍷 ꒱ The dual povs were everything! I loved how the author even changed the words she used in each pov to fit the time period better. Ok but like… I can’t believe Alice’s parents let her wonder around Paris with a teenage boy who they didn’t even meet until the end??? I don’t know why that bothered me so much, but it did lol. But I loved the plot, it was so intriguing. I don’t think I’ve ever read a WW2 set in Paris before. It was so interesting to read about what the French were doing during the war.
‧₊˚ 🥐 ꒱ The Paper Girl of Paris is my favorite read of April so far! Many thanks to all my goodreads girlies who hyped me up while reading this hehe, and sent hugs after I finished <3 I honestly can’t believe this was a debut novel, it was so incredible. xoxo, Ella.
4☆ | I absolutely adored this, but it doesn’t quite compare to some of the other WW2 books I’ve read.
‧₊˚ 🥐 ꒱ I’m so happy I finally got to read this, even though the ending pretty much crushed my heart. The Paper Girl of Paris was almost half contemporary romance, half historical fiction, and I was here for it! Alice’s pov gave off more cutsie-love-story-in-Paris vibes, while Adalyn’s pov took place during the actual war. I think overall I liked Adalyn’s pov better. Reading about the different parts of WW2 is so interesting to me, and I think I learned some new things from Adalyn’s pov!!
characters:
‧₊˚ 🎀 ꒱ Alice: Omg Alice my little cinnamon roll! She was literally so adorable. I loved her personality, and her ‘turtle frame glasses’ and black coffee obsession hehe. Plus the character growth was definitely there 🥺 I want to be besties with her.
‧₊˚ 🎀 ꒱ Adalyn: I have so much respect for Adalyn. The way she sacrificed the things that meant most to her so she could keep fighting for her country was so admirable. I just hope that if I am ever in a situation like hers, I would do the same.
romance:
‧₊˚ 🕯️꒱ Alice + Paul: THEM>> Paul is also a cinnamon roll with glasses, which made their relationship all the more wholesome. When will it be my turn to meet a cute Parisian guy at a bakery??
‧₊˚ 🕯️꒱ Adalyn + Luc:
storyline/writing:
‧₊˚ 🍷 ꒱ The dual povs were everything! I loved how the author even changed the words she used in each pov to fit the time period better. Ok but like… I can’t believe Alice’s parents let her wonder around Paris with a teenage boy who they didn’t even meet until the end??? I don’t know why that bothered me so much, but it did lol. But I loved the plot, it was so intriguing. I don’t think I’ve ever read a WW2 set in Paris before. It was so interesting to read about what the French were doing during the war.
‧₊˚ 🥐 ꒱ The Paper Girl of Paris is my favorite read of April so far! Many thanks to all my goodreads girlies who hyped me up while reading this hehe, and sent hugs after I finished <3 I honestly can’t believe this was a debut novel, it was so incredible. xoxo, Ella.
April 7, 2024
༺𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓪𝓹𝓮𝓻 𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵 𝓸𝓯 𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓼 ༻ ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.
·˚ ◌༘͙ 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒔! ⋆｡🕯. -ʚɞ
{𝟒 ☆’s}
{𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕: 𝟑𝟔𝟏}
{𝟑𝒓𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉!}
{𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆(𝒔): 𝒚𝒂 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏/𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆}
༶•┈┈┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈┈•༶
ೃ⁀➷ 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒔! *ೃ༄
~ 💌 this book was so emotional and i really enjoyed it! <3 also the cover is so pretty 😍
~ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ this book is told from a then & now perspective, which i thought was interesting! I did enjoy reading Adalyn’s pov more than I did Alice’s. Adalyn’s pov had a stronger plot line to me and I liked the romance between her and Luc better. not that i didn’t like Alice’s pov I just preferred to read Adalyn’s. I think this is a wonderful debut novel, and a great introduction into historical fiction! it’s easy enough to read and understand, plus the history behind it all is fascinating! also the authors descriptions about Paris are very detailed! i loved how she incorporated present day Paris and Paris back in the 1940s.
~ 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ it was fun reading about her discovering things from her grandmothers past! i thought her and Paul’s relationship was cute as well.
~ 𝑨𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒏 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ i loved her character much more than Alice’s. her pov was more history driven and action based. Adalyn is such a strong character and to read about the things she went through 🤧 her and Luc are so strong 🥹 i absolutely adored their relationship 🤧
~ 𝑷𝒂𝒖𝒍 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ he was cute, shy, nerdy! also he’s an artist 🙌🏽 always appreciate someone who can draw bc I can not 😭 him and Alice going around Paris was cute too 🤭
~ 𝑳𝒖𝒄 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ ahh my favorite 🤭 i loved him from the beginning! he’s so charming and mysterious 😫 but he has the biggest heart 🥹 he would without a doubt do anything for Adalyn. he’s a natural leader and I just adored him 🥹 the sweetest and most thoughtful man 🤧
༶•┈┈┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈┈•༶
~ 𝒒𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 💌 ⚠️ (some of these quotes might spoil something! read at your own risk if u haven’t read this book yet!!) ⚠️
・❥・”𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝑳𝒖𝒄 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝑰’𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔.”
-awww 🥹🥹
・❥・”𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈… 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑨𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒏.”
-Luc 🤧✋🏼
・❥・”𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒈𝒐,” 𝒊 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕.
“𝑰 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝒔𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓. “𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒊 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆… 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝑨𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒏. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒆, 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
-cry count: 1. see what I’m saying 🥹
・❥・”𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚?”
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒍𝒚, 𝑳𝒖𝒄.”
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒍𝒚.”
-NOT CRY. SOB.
・❥・𝑳𝒖𝒄 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒔, “𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒕?”
𝑯𝒆’𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒚.
“𝑶𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆” 𝑰 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓.
𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒎.
𝑯𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚, 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔.
-cry count: 3. MY HEART 🤧
༶•┈┈┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈┈•༶
~ 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ i would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction or wants to get into historical fiction! i would also recommend it if you’re a fan of books that take place during WWll and like Paris. as I said the descriptions of Paris 🤌🏽 a great debut novel, this book genuinely deserves more hype! and yes i will definitely be reading more historical fiction 🤭
༶•┈┈┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈┈•༶
➝ side note: how do we feel about this layout? i kept my same format just made it look better! give me feedback pls 😭
↠ 𝐫𝐭𝐜! ✧.*
i actually started tearing up 🧍♀️ i will need time to process 🤧
ೃ⁀➷ 𝓹𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭: i’ve heard great things about this one! this is also my first historical fiction 🤭 ahh so excited!! <33
·˚ ◌༘͙ 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒔! ⋆｡🕯. -ʚɞ
{𝟒 ☆’s}
{𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕: 𝟑𝟔𝟏}
{𝟑𝒓𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉!}
{𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆(𝒔): 𝒚𝒂 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏/𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆}
༶•┈┈┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈┈•༶
ೃ⁀➷ 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒔! *ೃ༄
~ 💌 this book was so emotional and i really enjoyed it! <3 also the cover is so pretty 😍
~ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ this book is told from a then & now perspective, which i thought was interesting! I did enjoy reading Adalyn’s pov more than I did Alice’s. Adalyn’s pov had a stronger plot line to me and I liked the romance between her and Luc better. not that i didn’t like Alice’s pov I just preferred to read Adalyn’s. I think this is a wonderful debut novel, and a great introduction into historical fiction! it’s easy enough to read and understand, plus the history behind it all is fascinating! also the authors descriptions about Paris are very detailed! i loved how she incorporated present day Paris and Paris back in the 1940s.
~ 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ it was fun reading about her discovering things from her grandmothers past! i thought her and Paul’s relationship was cute as well.
~ 𝑨𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒏 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ i loved her character much more than Alice’s. her pov was more history driven and action based. Adalyn is such a strong character and to read about the things she went through 🤧 her and Luc are so strong 🥹 i absolutely adored their relationship 🤧
~ 𝑷𝒂𝒖𝒍 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ he was cute, shy, nerdy! also he’s an artist 🙌🏽 always appreciate someone who can draw bc I can not 😭 him and Alice going around Paris was cute too 🤭
~ 𝑳𝒖𝒄 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ ahh my favorite 🤭 i loved him from the beginning! he’s so charming and mysterious 😫 but he has the biggest heart 🥹 he would without a doubt do anything for Adalyn. he’s a natural leader and I just adored him 🥹 the sweetest and most thoughtful man 🤧
༶•┈┈┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈┈•༶
~ 𝒒𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 💌 ⚠️ (some of these quotes might spoil something! read at your own risk if u haven’t read this book yet!!) ⚠️
・❥・”𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝑳𝒖𝒄 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝑰’𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔.”
-awww 🥹🥹
・❥・”𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈… 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑨𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒏.”
-Luc 🤧✋🏼
・❥・”𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒈𝒐,” 𝒊 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕.
“𝑰 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝒔𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓. “𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒊 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆… 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝑨𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒏. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒆, 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
-cry count: 1. see what I’m saying 🥹
・❥・”𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚?”
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒍𝒚, 𝑳𝒖𝒄.”
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒍𝒚.”
-NOT CRY. SOB.
・❥・𝑳𝒖𝒄 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒔, “𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒕?”
𝑯𝒆’𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒚.
“𝑶𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆” 𝑰 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓.
𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒎.
𝑯𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚, 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔.
-cry count: 3. MY HEART 🤧
༶•┈┈┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈┈•༶
~ 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ~ 💌
╰┈➤ i would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction or wants to get into historical fiction! i would also recommend it if you’re a fan of books that take place during WWll and like Paris. as I said the descriptions of Paris 🤌🏽 a great debut novel, this book genuinely deserves more hype! and yes i will definitely be reading more historical fiction 🤭
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➝ side note: how do we feel about this layout? i kept my same format just made it look better! give me feedback pls 😭
↠ 𝐫𝐭𝐜! ✧.*
i actually started tearing up 🧍♀️ i will need time to process 🤧
ೃ⁀➷ 𝓹𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭: i’ve heard great things about this one! this is also my first historical fiction 🤭 ahh so excited!! <33
June 28, 2021
Nothing for me here.
I feel kind of resentful of the fact that YA writers think that the only way to present info about a historical event to American teens is by wrapping it into not one, but two vapid teen romances. Also "world-building" that consists of mentioning croissants and champagne a lot (there is also a beret) isn't all that. This is not "Emily in Paris."
There is a little bit of historical context that can introduce uninitiated to the existence of French resistance during WW2, but overall this is dull, uninteresting, and with a depression subplot inelegantly tacked on.
A big meh from me.
Read something better, like The Unwomanly Face of War: An Oral History of Women in World War II or Heimat: A German Family Album or watch "Babylon Berlin" on Netflix.
I feel kind of resentful of the fact that YA writers think that the only way to present info about a historical event to American teens is by wrapping it into not one, but two vapid teen romances. Also "world-building" that consists of mentioning croissants and champagne a lot (there is also a beret) isn't all that. This is not "Emily in Paris."
There is a little bit of historical context that can introduce uninitiated to the existence of French resistance during WW2, but overall this is dull, uninteresting, and with a depression subplot inelegantly tacked on.
A big meh from me.
Read something better, like The Unwomanly Face of War: An Oral History of Women in World War II or Heimat: A German Family Album or watch "Babylon Berlin" on Netflix.
August 7, 2024
5 ☆
“Did you make it here okay?”
“The trains ran smoothly.”
♫ | the great war by taylor swift
it was war, it wasn’t fair
🪞 ₊˚ෆ overall thoughts :
“things never get any easier during wartime. either the war ends or life gets worse.”
↳ best 24 hours of my life! it’s been a longgg time since i read a book so fast. I absolutely loved it, such an easy five stars. All of my besties who adored this were so right <3 I loved everything about this book, the characters, the dual timelines, the Paris setting… I like depressing WW2 novels, but it was nice to have a more cheerful storyline to it as well!
🧁 ₊˚ෆ alice’s storyline :
life is so weird. just when you think you understand something, you realize it’s way more complicated than you ever could have imagined.
↳ alice’s story definitely felt like a contemporary romance novel. I wished she would’ve spent more time exploring Gram’s apartment. I guess there wasn’t really time for that, but I I still feel like we missed out. her romance with Paul was super cute, if a bit unrealistic lol. but seriously, she is so lucky! I would love to spend a summer in Paris, hello?! all the little cafes and shops sound so cute!
🕯️₊˚ෆ adalyn’s storyline :
“you can’t tell a soul what you’re doing- do you understand that? not a soul. not your family.”
↳ stop I adored adalyn! she is seriously such an amazing heroine. also very underestimated and under appreciated, poor angel. and luc! ahhh he gave me butterflies! love love love him <3 adalyn and luc deserved so much better than they got, justice for them where?!
on another note, I didn’t know much about the French Resistance beforehand, and it was super interesting! off to find another depressing WW2 novel about it hehe.
𝜗𝜚 one of the best books I’ve read in awhile, I recommend it to everyone, as it is criminally underrated. LOVE YOU!
xoxo, Ava
⊱✿⊰
☁️₊˚ෆ pre review !
best 24 hours of my life! it’s been a longgg time since i read a book so fast. I absolutely loved it, such an easy five star 🥺 full review after I process that ending-
-
🪞₊˚ෆ pre read !
guys im so excited! so many of my besties loved this <3 and its been a minute since I read historical fiction. also the dual timeline is going to eat! hoping this is a five star!
“Did you make it here okay?”
“The trains ran smoothly.”
♫ | the great war by taylor swift
it was war, it wasn’t fair
🪞 ₊˚ෆ overall thoughts :
“things never get any easier during wartime. either the war ends or life gets worse.”
↳ best 24 hours of my life! it’s been a longgg time since i read a book so fast. I absolutely loved it, such an easy five stars. All of my besties who adored this were so right <3 I loved everything about this book, the characters, the dual timelines, the Paris setting… I like depressing WW2 novels, but it was nice to have a more cheerful storyline to it as well!
🧁 ₊˚ෆ alice’s storyline :
life is so weird. just when you think you understand something, you realize it’s way more complicated than you ever could have imagined.
↳ alice’s story definitely felt like a contemporary romance novel. I wished she would’ve spent more time exploring Gram’s apartment. I guess there wasn’t really time for that, but I I still feel like we missed out. her romance with Paul was super cute, if a bit unrealistic lol. but seriously, she is so lucky! I would love to spend a summer in Paris, hello?! all the little cafes and shops sound so cute!
🕯️₊˚ෆ adalyn’s storyline :
“you can’t tell a soul what you’re doing- do you understand that? not a soul. not your family.”
↳ stop I adored adalyn! she is seriously such an amazing heroine. also very underestimated and under appreciated, poor angel. and luc! ahhh he gave me butterflies! love love love him <3 adalyn and luc deserved so much better than they got, justice for them where?!
on another note, I didn’t know much about the French Resistance beforehand, and it was super interesting! off to find another depressing WW2 novel about it hehe.
𝜗𝜚 one of the best books I’ve read in awhile, I recommend it to everyone, as it is criminally underrated. LOVE YOU!
xoxo, Ava
⊱✿⊰
☁️₊˚ෆ pre review !
best 24 hours of my life! it’s been a longgg time since i read a book so fast. I absolutely loved it, such an easy five star 🥺 full review after I process that ending-
-
🪞₊˚ෆ pre read !
guys im so excited! so many of my besties loved this <3 and its been a minute since I read historical fiction. also the dual timeline is going to eat! hoping this is a five star!
June 3, 2020
“Did you make it here okay?
The trains ran smoothly, Luc.
The trains ran smoothly.”
I just sobbed half the life out of my body.
This book was incredible. I will admit that in the beginning I was a little hesitant, which is why it took me so long to finish, but then when I got into it I was into it .
It was a really unique experience to have Adalyn’s POV and Alice’s where they ran parallel to each other and I honestly had a really good time making all the connections. Okay wait no that’s a lie. Most of the connections made me cry so much that I couldn’t carry on reading but it’s fine I’m fine.
Adalyn was such a good character. Her character development, her growth, her strength. Her everything. It was nerve wrecking to read her chapters and if you read this book you’ll know exactly what I mean. She broke my heart. Her and Luc. They made me cry and cry and cry. And so many of the things she said were so relevant regarding what’s happening in the world at the moment that it hurt 100 times more to read about the victims of such cruelty.
I definitely recommend this especially if you’re ready to get your heart broken.
(If you haven’t read the book now is your last chance to exit this review because major spoilers are incoming)
Alices parts were quite frustrating for me. There was just something about her that was annoying me, but in the end when she showed her mom the proper attention she needed I understood her. And Luc. Gosh, when she met him I was losing my mind.
Let’s talk for a second about how I cried for the last 30% of the book. So yeah, I did kind of expect some of them to maybe get hurt, and after Arnauld (who made me cry so much I can’t even explain) I wasn’t expecting more of them to die.
BUT THEN the author casually mentions that the photographer went to a freaking camp and died there. And I cried some more. And then Adalyn with the German soldier and I cried. And then Adalyn and Luc and I could feel the tragedy and I carried on crying.
And then May 31st happened and I sobbed.
The trains ran smoothly. WHO EVEN GAVE THE AUTHOR THE PERMISSION TO BREAK MY HEART LIKE THAT. it hurt so so so much to read that this book instantly became one of my favourites ever. Like ever.
So, again, I definitely recommend this especially if you’re ready to get your heart broken.
Thank you to Harper Collins for the ARC! 🤍
The trains ran smoothly, Luc.
The trains ran smoothly.”
I just sobbed half the life out of my body.
This book was incredible. I will admit that in the beginning I was a little hesitant, which is why it took me so long to finish, but then when I got into it I was into it .
It was a really unique experience to have Adalyn’s POV and Alice’s where they ran parallel to each other and I honestly had a really good time making all the connections. Okay wait no that’s a lie. Most of the connections made me cry so much that I couldn’t carry on reading but it’s fine I’m fine.
Adalyn was such a good character. Her character development, her growth, her strength. Her everything. It was nerve wrecking to read her chapters and if you read this book you’ll know exactly what I mean. She broke my heart. Her and Luc. They made me cry and cry and cry. And so many of the things she said were so relevant regarding what’s happening in the world at the moment that it hurt 100 times more to read about the victims of such cruelty.
I definitely recommend this especially if you’re ready to get your heart broken.
(If you haven’t read the book now is your last chance to exit this review because major spoilers are incoming)
Alices parts were quite frustrating for me. There was just something about her that was annoying me, but in the end when she showed her mom the proper attention she needed I understood her. And Luc. Gosh, when she met him I was losing my mind.
Let’s talk for a second about how I cried for the last 30% of the book. So yeah, I did kind of expect some of them to maybe get hurt, and after Arnauld (who made me cry so much I can’t even explain) I wasn’t expecting more of them to die.
BUT THEN the author casually mentions that the photographer went to a freaking camp and died there. And I cried some more. And then Adalyn with the German soldier and I cried. And then Adalyn and Luc and I could feel the tragedy and I carried on crying.
And then May 31st happened and I sobbed.
The trains ran smoothly. WHO EVEN GAVE THE AUTHOR THE PERMISSION TO BREAK MY HEART LIKE THAT. it hurt so so so much to read that this book instantly became one of my favourites ever. Like ever.
So, again, I definitely recommend this especially if you’re ready to get your heart broken.
Thank you to Harper Collins for the ARC! 🤍
July 3, 2024
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🥐 ꒱
4 stars
“‘Don’t go,’ I murmur into the fabric of his jacket.
‘I must,’ he says, smoothing my hair. ‘But I want you to know, when you’re doing your work, and you feel like you’re all alone.. I know who you really are, Adalyn. And no matter where I may be, know that if I am breathing, then I am thinking of you.’”
➳ it’s been a while since i’ve read this, but still: wth. i cannot get over the ending in adalyn’s plotline 🥹. so good, and so much better than i was expecting!! (im sorry i didn’t have faith in your recc, annabelle 😭)
✧˖*°࿐ plot
➳ the book the paper girl of paris contains two plotlines: one that follows adalyn, a teenage girl living through the german invasion of paris, and her great niece, alice, who is visiting present-day paris for the summer with her family.
➳ part of alice’s vacation to paris is meant to be spent figuring out what to do with her late grandmother’s old apartment, which she left to her. as she goes through the apartment, alice finds out many surprising things about her grandmother’s family’s past. searching through the apartment leads her to the discovery of adalyn, her grandmother’s older sister, who she had previously had no idea existed. soon, alice meets a paris boy 😮🤭🤭, paul, who helps her uncover the mystery of her family’s past before alice’s six weeks in paris ends.
➳ i can’t really say much about adalyn’s side bc SPOILERS 😞😞. it’s really good tho!!
✧˖*°࿐ characters
➳ i know this was my most recent read but i’ve already forgotten so much of it!! so this character portion… will actually have nothing in it 🤗. im sorryyy i cant remember anything bro
✧˖*°࿐ random
➳ something that i struggle with a lot in books is long chapters. unfortunately, this book can sometimes have REALLY long ones 😞. (if i remember correctly)
➳ i reallyyy enjoyed both like perspectives and timelines and the way they were brought together was written very well!
➳ the two love stories were so good. and the guys 😵💫tbh i like paul better tho
✧˖*°࿐ final thoughts
➳ i realize i’ve only written one complaint so far in this review. and… as far as i can remember, that’s my only one. “so elly, why did you not rate the paper girl of paris five stars?”, you may be wondering. well, historical fiction isn’t really a favorite genre of mine. so although i really enjoyed the book, it just kinda lacked the feeling that fantasy, mystery, and romance books give me 🙁.
➳ that being said, i think this book is super good! very interesting and attention grabbing, while also having lots of depth and some very serious topics. i strongly recommend this to everyone, even to people who think they can’t enjoy historical fiction! (ex: me 😭)
“‘Don’t go,’ I murmur into the fabric of his jacket.
‘I must,’ he says, smoothing my hair. ‘But I want you to know, when you’re doing your work, and you feel like you’re all alone.. I know who you really are, Adalyn. And no matter where I may be, know that if I am breathing, then I am thinking of you.’”
➳ it’s been a while since i’ve read this, but still: wth. i cannot get over the ending in adalyn’s plotline 🥹. so good, and so much better than i was expecting!! (im sorry i didn’t have faith in your recc, annabelle 😭)
✧˖*°࿐ plot
➳ the book the paper girl of paris contains two plotlines: one that follows adalyn, a teenage girl living through the german invasion of paris, and her great niece, alice, who is visiting present-day paris for the summer with her family.
➳ part of alice’s vacation to paris is meant to be spent figuring out what to do with her late grandmother’s old apartment, which she left to her. as she goes through the apartment, alice finds out many surprising things about her grandmother’s family’s past. searching through the apartment leads her to the discovery of adalyn, her grandmother’s older sister, who she had previously had no idea existed. soon, alice meets a paris boy 😮🤭🤭, paul, who helps her uncover the mystery of her family’s past before alice’s six weeks in paris ends.
➳ i can’t really say much about adalyn’s side bc SPOILERS 😞😞. it’s really good tho!!
✧˖*°࿐ characters
➳ i know this was my most recent read but i’ve already forgotten so much of it!! so this character portion… will actually have nothing in it 🤗. im sorryyy i cant remember anything bro
✧˖*°࿐ random
➳ something that i struggle with a lot in books is long chapters. unfortunately, this book can sometimes have REALLY long ones 😞. (if i remember correctly)
➳ i reallyyy enjoyed both like perspectives and timelines and the way they were brought together was written very well!
➳ the two love stories were so good. and the guys 😵💫
✧˖*°࿐ final thoughts
➳ i realize i’ve only written one complaint so far in this review. and… as far as i can remember, that’s my only one. “so elly, why did you not rate the paper girl of paris five stars?”, you may be wondering. well, historical fiction isn’t really a favorite genre of mine. so although i really enjoyed the book, it just kinda lacked the feeling that fantasy, mystery, and romance books give me 🙁.
➳ that being said, i think this book is super good! very interesting and attention grabbing, while also having lots of depth and some very serious topics. i strongly recommend this to everyone, even to people who think they can’t enjoy historical fiction! (ex: me 😭)
May 26, 2020
This was SUCH a heavy book to read, but also super interesting! It tells the story of the people who were brave enough to resist the Germans during the Second World War, and it was honestly so impactful and eye-opening.
Set in Paris, this story is about Alice who has recently lost her grandmother. And in her will, her grandmother wanted Alice to have her apartment in Paris, which up until then their family new nothing about. When they go to look in the apartment, they come to realise it hasn't been touched since the war. But why? Since her grandmother didn't like to talk about her past, it's up to Alice herself to find out what exactly happened; why did she inherit an apartment that hasn't been touched in decades?
First of all, I love everything set in Paris so that was honestly the first thing that interested me about the book. When I found out it was historical fiction set (partly) during the Second World War, I was sold. And I ended up really enjoying reading this (even though it was a hard read)! It was very interesting to find out the mystery of her grandmother along with Alice herself and it led me to have finished this book in a day. It's SO hard to imagine everything that is described from the perspective of Adalyn (Alice's great-aunt), who was in the resistance during the war. It definitely got me thinking more about the war and how hard it must have been. These people were so incredibly brave! And even though there was some drama in Alice's life throughout the book that I feel like wasn't completely necessary to tell the story, I still think this is an important read.
If you like reading (YA) historical fiction or are interested in the Second World War in any way, I would highly recommend it!
Thanks so much to HarperTeen for sending me an e-arc of this book 💕
Set in Paris, this story is about Alice who has recently lost her grandmother. And in her will, her grandmother wanted Alice to have her apartment in Paris, which up until then their family new nothing about. When they go to look in the apartment, they come to realise it hasn't been touched since the war. But why? Since her grandmother didn't like to talk about her past, it's up to Alice herself to find out what exactly happened; why did she inherit an apartment that hasn't been touched in decades?
First of all, I love everything set in Paris so that was honestly the first thing that interested me about the book. When I found out it was historical fiction set (partly) during the Second World War, I was sold. And I ended up really enjoying reading this (even though it was a hard read)! It was very interesting to find out the mystery of her grandmother along with Alice herself and it led me to have finished this book in a day. It's SO hard to imagine everything that is described from the perspective of Adalyn (Alice's great-aunt), who was in the resistance during the war. It definitely got me thinking more about the war and how hard it must have been. These people were so incredibly brave! And even though there was some drama in Alice's life throughout the book that I feel like wasn't completely necessary to tell the story, I still think this is an important read.
If you like reading (YA) historical fiction or are interested in the Second World War in any way, I would highly recommend it!
Thanks so much to HarperTeen for sending me an e-arc of this book 💕
May 4, 2020
This one is probably about a 3.5 for me but I rounded up because the ending was satisfying and improved upon some of the things I wasn't a fan of throughout the earlier parts of the book (mainly the portrayal of Alice's mother's mental health).
The Paper Girl of Paris is a blend of historical fiction and a present-day narrative as Alice tries to find out more about her family, specifically her great aunt Adalyn, after she inherits her grandmother's family home in Pairs, perfectly preserved and untouched since World War II. I was happy we get Adalyn's perspective because that was what was really gripping for me. Her narrative drives the story, coupled with the storyline of Alice trying to figure out what happened. The description of World War II, occupied Paris also felt authentic and I was interested in Adalyn and Chloe's family dynamic throughout that horrible time, as the two teens try to navigate that climate. As Adalyn becomes involved with her work (no spoilers), the stakes get much higher and I found myself enthralled and also constantly anxious for her and the others.
There were some parts of the writing that felt a bit odd and as I mentioned before, there were times that the portrayal of mental health was frustrating (though the characters seem to learn and grow by the end). But overall, this was a really engaging and fast-paced read.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
The Paper Girl of Paris is a blend of historical fiction and a present-day narrative as Alice tries to find out more about her family, specifically her great aunt Adalyn, after she inherits her grandmother's family home in Pairs, perfectly preserved and untouched since World War II. I was happy we get Adalyn's perspective because that was what was really gripping for me. Her narrative drives the story, coupled with the storyline of Alice trying to figure out what happened. The description of World War II, occupied Paris also felt authentic and I was interested in Adalyn and Chloe's family dynamic throughout that horrible time, as the two teens try to navigate that climate. As Adalyn becomes involved with her work (no spoilers), the stakes get much higher and I found myself enthralled and also constantly anxious for her and the others.
There were some parts of the writing that felt a bit odd and as I mentioned before, there were times that the portrayal of mental health was frustrating (though the characters seem to learn and grow by the end). But overall, this was a really engaging and fast-paced read.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
October 20, 2024
This book is an example of how audio can change the entire experience for the better. I know I would not have appreciated this book in the same way if I read it in print. For one, I am not in love with young protagonists, YA always feels a little superficial. For two, I have read an awful lot of WWII resistance works, so the next better be good. Its a high bar for me. But.... the voices of the audio brought it to life. For the young girl, the voice and the affectation was perfect! And for Adelyn, she did her story in a french accent reading her diary and her experience with an entire french feel. This audio experience completely made the story come alive. There was such emotion in the delivery and it was compelling and believable. I knew without question that in print this would have been a flat three. But in audio, it was more like a 3.8. I really got into both storylines. There were some very compelling hard parts and I thought the author treated the challenging dark subjects with sensitivity and depth.
April 30, 2021
A remarkable book told from two points of view.
One from the Granddaughter and one from the Grandmothers sister.
It’s about getting to know her Grandmother as a person and what unfolds.
One from the Granddaughter and one from the Grandmothers sister.
It’s about getting to know her Grandmother as a person and what unfolds.
Read
May 14, 2025𓆩♡𓆪🗼࿔ post-read
oooh this was fun! rtc!<3
𓆩♡𓆪🗼࿔ pre-read!
its been a while since i've read a historical fiction and i've heard this one is a fun one!! so i'm rlly excited! and plus i'm buddyreadding this with bestie ally💗 hehe i hope we love this bff!! how are uu?? how are ur reads?? hope u have a great dayy!🤍💌
oooh this was fun! rtc!<3
𓆩♡𓆪🗼࿔ pre-read!
its been a while since i've read a historical fiction and i've heard this one is a fun one!! so i'm rlly excited! and plus i'm buddyreadding this with bestie ally💗 hehe i hope we love this bff!! how are uu?? how are ur reads?? hope u have a great dayy!🤍💌
June 25, 2024
this book was everything 🥺 One of my first historical fiction like ever, and I absolutely LOVED it so much!!! I loved how the book switched between Adalyn and Alice's point of view, it really made the book that much more engaging! I loved how we got to watch the relationships between Luc/Adalyn and Alice/Paul grow! I loved the Paris setting, it was so unique and fun!!! I learned so much about the war and all the horrible events that took place, and I'm so thankful for the new perspective this book offered!! The writing was so well done too!!! Very simple, but sooo meaningful and interesting! I could literally feel the emotions on the page! 🥰 I felt so horrible for Chloe and her family, and it felt a little bit like a loose end that wasn't written *that* well. And I didn't like how much Alice used the excuse of "well my family just doesn't talk that much." Cmon girl! Do better!!😂 Anyway, the ending was so bittersweet! I was so sad and so happy at the same time ahhh!🥲 But watching Paul and Alice's relationship grow was so stinkin cute!! talk about a meet cute dude!!!!! alice's mom was another good side story, and I really felt for her and her situation. but overall, this book was so good! the pairs setting was amazing, it was so interesting, the characters were well written, and i just loved it!! it was written historical enough to where it was different from anything I've really ever read, but it was still easy enough for me to read and understand!
🤎 “Here is the thing that is true about fire: it creates power, but it also creates destruction. My fire has fueled many victories, but it has destroyed what I had with the person I love most in the world. My fire had caused me much pain but I can't put it out. I don't want to.” ⏳
Pages: 359
Language: 🤭
TW⚠️: War, violence, WW2, depression/mental health, suicide attempt of parent recounted
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Format I read: Paperback (library)
Would I recommend to others: Yes!
🤎 “Here is the thing that is true about fire: it creates power, but it also creates destruction. My fire has fueled many victories, but it has destroyed what I had with the person I love most in the world. My fire had caused me much pain but I can't put it out. I don't want to.” ⏳
Pages: 359
Language: 🤭
TW⚠️: War, violence, WW2, depression/mental health, suicide attempt of parent recounted
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Format I read: Paperback (library)
Would I recommend to others: Yes!
February 14, 2024
“Did you make it here okay?”
“The trains ran smoothly.”
˖*°࿐ •*⁀➷ ♾ stars☆|ya historical fiction romance|15+|♥︎♥︎/♡♡♡♡♡
➳ reread
➳possible minor spoilers ahead
ʚ⁺˖➳ plot
Alice and her parents are spending the summer in Paris, but she isn't fully interested in the normal sightseeing and pastry eating. When her grandmother passed away not too long before, she left Alice an apartment in Paris. But why? And why didn't anyone know about it? As Alice unravels the truth she meets a kind Parisian student named Paul, who offers to help her. Together, Alice and Paul dig through the past and discover secrets in both the past and present.
Everywhere Adalyn turns there are Nazis, and everyday brings a new horror of the Occupation. And everyday Adalyn longs to to fight back. When she meets Luc, the leader of a resistance group, she finally feels seen after years of holding back. But being apart of the resistance and maintaining her role in society grows difficult. As she gets deeper and deeper into her resistance work, she finds she has to make huge compromises, for her safety, and for her families safety, and her sisters safety.
ʚ⁺˖➳ writing
The writing was beautiful, and it kept up the weight of the story quite well I thought. Nothing bad to say about it.
ʚ⁺˖➳ romance
Omg the romance, in this story there are two and I ADORE them both with all my heart. I don't want to give too much away but the boys were both so amazing that I couldn't choose between them. Please don't ever ask me to...its impossible!
ʚ⁺˖➳ characters
⟡ Alice
Alice was SO relatable! I loved her mind as well, how it went all over the place at times because my mind does that too. Her pov was so well crafted and distinctive from Adalyn's, but sometimes their experiences were similar despite the year gap, and I LOVED that!
⟡ Adalyn
Adalyn is so brave, like I'm serious I would've cracked under all the pressure. She was such a strong character, that I didn't expect the first time I read this. And the ending with her...it was VERY sad. But her relationship with her sister was really sweet though and how they comforted each other was great!
⟡ Luc ♡
He is one of the best book boys ever! He's so respectful, and SO brave. Some of the things he said to make light of the terrible situation he was ripped my heart out at times.
⟡ Paul ♡
He is also one of the best book boys ever! He's so sweet and kind, and very talented. The summary says he's charming and I 100% agree.
{Both of those boys are why French boys are just so ♡♡♡ }
ʚ⁺˖➳ final thoughts
Overall this book has a place in my heart (you probably can tell) and as I said in my original review every time I read it I fall more in love with it. The characters, the world, the story, is all so amazing. If you don't normally read historical fiction and you feel like you've read one, read them all, I'd recommend this one. The story is unique, you see a side not written a lot about, and that's why I love this book. Please, if you can get your hands on a copy of this gem, read it. Not many people talk about this and it makes me so sad because of how good it is! This is one of the best debut's I've ever read!!
ʚ⁺˖➳ notable words
⟡ “But I want you to know, when you’re doing your work, and you feel like you’re all alone . . . I know who you really are, Adalyn. And no matter where I may be, know that if I am breathing, then I am thinking of you.”
⟡ “To meet someone outside my own family who shares my views... it's like being lost at sea and finally spotting land on the horizon.”
⟡ “Here is the thing that is true about fire: it creates power, but it also creates destruction. My fire has fueled many victories, but it has destroyed what I had with the person I love most in the world. My fire had caused me much pain but I can't put it out. I don't want to.”
if you got all the way down here, thanks for reading!
- 𝓛𝓲𝓿 <33
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
ʚ⁺˖➳original review
I have read this book many times. And every time I fall more in love with it. I am a big historical fiction fan, and this checks all the boxes for me. And besides both of the love interests are hot (especially luc) Anyway, this story was emotional and beautifully written. I’d recommend this to anyone who’s looking for another historical fiction read, and even if you’re not I highly encourage you to try this one.
5/5
“The trains ran smoothly.”
˖*°࿐ •*⁀➷ ♾ stars☆|ya historical fiction romance|15+|♥︎♥︎/♡♡♡♡♡
➳ reread
➳possible minor spoilers ahead
ʚ⁺˖➳ plot
Alice and her parents are spending the summer in Paris, but she isn't fully interested in the normal sightseeing and pastry eating. When her grandmother passed away not too long before, she left Alice an apartment in Paris. But why? And why didn't anyone know about it? As Alice unravels the truth she meets a kind Parisian student named Paul, who offers to help her. Together, Alice and Paul dig through the past and discover secrets in both the past and present.
Everywhere Adalyn turns there are Nazis, and everyday brings a new horror of the Occupation. And everyday Adalyn longs to to fight back. When she meets Luc, the leader of a resistance group, she finally feels seen after years of holding back. But being apart of the resistance and maintaining her role in society grows difficult. As she gets deeper and deeper into her resistance work, she finds she has to make huge compromises, for her safety, and for her families safety, and her sisters safety.
ʚ⁺˖➳ writing
The writing was beautiful, and it kept up the weight of the story quite well I thought. Nothing bad to say about it.
ʚ⁺˖➳ romance
Omg the romance, in this story there are two and I ADORE them both with all my heart. I don't want to give too much away but the boys were both so amazing that I couldn't choose between them. Please don't ever ask me to...its impossible!
ʚ⁺˖➳ characters
⟡ Alice
Alice was SO relatable! I loved her mind as well, how it went all over the place at times because my mind does that too. Her pov was so well crafted and distinctive from Adalyn's, but sometimes their experiences were similar despite the year gap, and I LOVED that!
⟡ Adalyn
Adalyn is so brave, like I'm serious I would've cracked under all the pressure. She was such a strong character, that I didn't expect the first time I read this. And the ending with her...it was VERY sad. But her relationship with her sister was really sweet though and how they comforted each other was great!
⟡ Luc ♡
He is one of the best book boys ever! He's so respectful, and SO brave. Some of the things he said to make light of the terrible situation he was ripped my heart out at times.
⟡ Paul ♡
He is also one of the best book boys ever! He's so sweet and kind, and very talented. The summary says he's charming and I 100% agree.
{Both of those boys are why French boys are just so ♡♡♡ }
ʚ⁺˖➳ final thoughts
Overall this book has a place in my heart (you probably can tell) and as I said in my original review every time I read it I fall more in love with it. The characters, the world, the story, is all so amazing. If you don't normally read historical fiction and you feel like you've read one, read them all, I'd recommend this one. The story is unique, you see a side not written a lot about, and that's why I love this book. Please, if you can get your hands on a copy of this gem, read it. Not many people talk about this and it makes me so sad because of how good it is! This is one of the best debut's I've ever read!!
ʚ⁺˖➳ notable words
⟡ “But I want you to know, when you’re doing your work, and you feel like you’re all alone . . . I know who you really are, Adalyn. And no matter where I may be, know that if I am breathing, then I am thinking of you.”
⟡ “To meet someone outside my own family who shares my views... it's like being lost at sea and finally spotting land on the horizon.”
⟡ “Here is the thing that is true about fire: it creates power, but it also creates destruction. My fire has fueled many victories, but it has destroyed what I had with the person I love most in the world. My fire had caused me much pain but I can't put it out. I don't want to.”
if you got all the way down here, thanks for reading!
- 𝓛𝓲𝓿 <33
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
ʚ⁺˖➳original review
I have read this book many times. And every time I fall more in love with it. I am a big historical fiction fan, and this checks all the boxes for me. And besides both of the love interests are hot (especially luc) Anyway, this story was emotional and beautifully written. I’d recommend this to anyone who’s looking for another historical fiction read, and even if you’re not I highly encourage you to try this one.
5/5
December 28, 2020
My best friend/adopted sis got me this book for Christmas this year. And I INHALED it in one sitting.
I must say that I figured out the plot fairly quickly, though there were a couple of twists that got me (LUC). But that's because I am a public history grad student who engrosses herself, among other time periods, in World War II. Kudos to the author for doing a good job of her historical research - the wartime France sections were truly alive.
The dual storylines were lined up perfectly to reveal the clues of the overall mystery concerning the apartment. Also, the resistance museum portrayal was par excellence and shows just how much people's collections help in public history. How Alice found her information (Google Translate, Facebook, etc.) reminded me strongly of real-life stories. Also, the cultural barriers were just enough of an inconvenience to remind us that they were there but not enough to cause too much havoc, a perfect balance!
Each of the characters was well-rounded, even the most secondary of characters such as Paul's sister, Vivi. My favorites were Alice, Paul, and Luc. It was really cool getting to know Chloe from both her sister's and her granddaughter's perspectives, rather than she herself. It really shows the character's life journey.
In terms of personal enjoyment, I would rate it 4 1/2 stars. If critiquing just the writing, then 4 3/4 stars.
Now for my conscientious readers, there are some issues. There is quite a smattering of mild language (the d-word being the most common). I was rather surprised that the author didn't substitute French curse words at first - which would have helped the world-building, I feel - but then I remembered that French curse words tend to be blasphemous in nature (i.e. sacre bleu refers to the Virgin's mantle).
There is some lustful content - there is an affair, inappropriate touching, making out, peer pressure for getting physical in a relationship, and passionate kissing. Most of these are in the wartime sections, and fairly skippable.
Also, one of the secondary characters does deal with a severe form of depression. One of the plotlines for one of the main characters is how to deal with that effectively, and I believe that it was pretty well done. As someone who has dealt with depression before AND been on a support for multiple people with depression, I can attest to the reality of both the depressive person (though I thought the portrayal was a little extreme) and the attempted support of the characters. Depression is hard for everybody, y'all.
RW Ratings:
Langauage: 3 1/2 stars. D-words, and taking Lord's name in vain several times, mostly in anger or stress.
Abuse: 4 1/2 stars. Some violence, torture, mention of concentration camps, nearly all shown in negative light. One character has severe depression, but that is well-handled.
Lust: 3 stars. There is an affair, inappropriate touching, making out, peer pressure for getting physical in a relationship, and passionate kissing. Most of these are in the wartime sections, and fairly skippable.
I must say that I figured out the plot fairly quickly, though there were a couple of twists that got me (LUC). But that's because I am a public history grad student who engrosses herself, among other time periods, in World War II. Kudos to the author for doing a good job of her historical research - the wartime France sections were truly alive.
The dual storylines were lined up perfectly to reveal the clues of the overall mystery concerning the apartment. Also, the resistance museum portrayal was par excellence and shows just how much people's collections help in public history. How Alice found her information (Google Translate, Facebook, etc.) reminded me strongly of real-life stories. Also, the cultural barriers were just enough of an inconvenience to remind us that they were there but not enough to cause too much havoc, a perfect balance!
Each of the characters was well-rounded, even the most secondary of characters such as Paul's sister, Vivi. My favorites were Alice, Paul, and Luc. It was really cool getting to know Chloe from both her sister's and her granddaughter's perspectives, rather than she herself. It really shows the character's life journey.
In terms of personal enjoyment, I would rate it 4 1/2 stars. If critiquing just the writing, then 4 3/4 stars.
Now for my conscientious readers, there are some issues. There is quite a smattering of mild language (the d-word being the most common). I was rather surprised that the author didn't substitute French curse words at first - which would have helped the world-building, I feel - but then I remembered that French curse words tend to be blasphemous in nature (i.e. sacre bleu refers to the Virgin's mantle).
There is some lustful content - there is an affair, inappropriate touching, making out, peer pressure for getting physical in a relationship, and passionate kissing. Most of these are in the wartime sections, and fairly skippable.
Also, one of the secondary characters does deal with a severe form of depression. One of the plotlines for one of the main characters is how to deal with that effectively, and I believe that it was pretty well done. As someone who has dealt with depression before AND been on a support for multiple people with depression, I can attest to the reality of both the depressive person (though I thought the portrayal was a little extreme) and the attempted support of the characters. Depression is hard for everybody, y'all.
RW Ratings:
Langauage: 3 1/2 stars. D-words, and taking Lord's name in vain several times, mostly in anger or stress.
Abuse: 4 1/2 stars. Some violence, torture, mention of concentration camps, nearly all shown in negative light. One character has severe depression, but that is well-handled.
Lust: 3 stars. There is an affair, inappropriate touching, making out, peer pressure for getting physical in a relationship, and passionate kissing. Most of these are in the wartime sections, and fairly skippable.
November 5, 2020
3.5 stars, but I’m comfortable rounding up for the feels this one gave me. I appreciated many aspects of this story: the multiple timelines and narratives, the Paris setting, the uncovering of a part of history I don’t know all that much about and the way it was made more personal.
May 28, 2020
This is a title where the topic of intended audience is so important - as an adult reader, I found myself unable to really get into the story, but I think as a younger reader I would have loved this.
It gives a lot for a reader to research and discover, and the journey that Alice and her new Parisian friend take to find out more about her grandmother was really interesting. In a perfect world, I would have loved to have way more of the past storyline, because I think that's where this book really stood out.
My biggest frustrations were how little of present day Grandma we were given - I understand that her not being around was basically what created the story and drove the plot - but there is so much that doesn't make sense about her actions after the war and prior to her death. I was also frustrated with how the mental health aspects of the book were handled - those portions seemed as if they were written with a much, much younger audience in mind.
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperTeen, & HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
It gives a lot for a reader to research and discover, and the journey that Alice and her new Parisian friend take to find out more about her grandmother was really interesting. In a perfect world, I would have loved to have way more of the past storyline, because I think that's where this book really stood out.
My biggest frustrations were how little of present day Grandma we were given - I understand that her not being around was basically what created the story and drove the plot - but there is so much that doesn't make sense about her actions after the war and prior to her death. I was also frustrated with how the mental health aspects of the book were handled - those portions seemed as if they were written with a much, much younger audience in mind.
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperTeen, & HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
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March 10, 2021
*4.99999999 bc i'm picky
we're loving that i've read not one but TWO five star books in less than a month. legitimately VIBES.
yes indeed we love to see it. first the kingdom of back, and now this? ladies and gentlemen, this is what it feels like to live in paradise. anyways. the feelings i have for this book are- real.
exciting... funny... poetical... heartbreaking...like very VERY aesthetic... this book has all i need. love and happy emotions! i just honest-to-god enjoyed reading this! it all comes down to that.
i laughed - and cried
and yelled at the characters - and loved the characters.
you see? it was the perfect combination! the calamity of joy and beauty and fireworks!
also, i felt it had a good even balance between the two povs: one set during world war 2, and another in modern day. and i was lowkey sHoOk to find that i actually liked both the narrators? and didn't get really annoyed by one (or both)? like, sir? what is this?
tl;dr: 💕✨❤️🥰🥳😘🤭💔⚠️😌🎉
u know????
we're loving that i've read not one but TWO five star books in less than a month. legitimately VIBES.
yes indeed we love to see it. first the kingdom of back, and now this? ladies and gentlemen, this is what it feels like to live in paradise. anyways. the feelings i have for this book are- real.
exciting... funny... poetical... heartbreaking...
i laughed - and cried
and yelled at the characters - and loved the characters.
you see? it was the perfect combination! the calamity of joy and beauty and fireworks!
also, i felt it had a good even balance between the two povs: one set during world war 2, and another in modern day. and i was lowkey sHoOk to find that i actually liked both the narrators? and didn't get really annoyed by one (or both)? like, sir? what is this?
tl;dr: 💕✨❤️🥰🥳😘🤭💔⚠️😌🎉
u know????
July 5, 2022
it appears to be sweet but it is weak and underdeveloped, i found the characters painfully shallow and thought that heavy matters were handled quite carelessly and with little to no effort
June 10, 2020
2.5 Stars
CW:
This WWII story is about Alice trying to uncover the mystery of why her grandmother left her an apartment in France in her will. She has uncovered the journal of Adalyn (her great-aunt) and tries to piece together why the apartment was abandoned after the war. The story is told in alternating narrative between Alice and Adalyn. I enjoyed Adalyn's voice more as her actions drove the plot forward. A couple of the characters had some mental health issues which, in my opinion, didn't seem to fit into the story. I feel like this was included in to add depth, but too me it felt superfluous as the main story-line was sufficiently engaging. That being said, I felt even this could have been fleshed out a bit and more tension added. At no point did I feel like I was on the edge of my seat as I have been in similar stories. Just an okay book for me.
CW:
This WWII story is about Alice trying to uncover the mystery of why her grandmother left her an apartment in France in her will. She has uncovered the journal of Adalyn (her great-aunt) and tries to piece together why the apartment was abandoned after the war. The story is told in alternating narrative between Alice and Adalyn. I enjoyed Adalyn's voice more as her actions drove the plot forward. A couple of the characters had some mental health issues which, in my opinion, didn't seem to fit into the story. I feel like this was included in to add depth, but too me it felt superfluous as the main story-line was sufficiently engaging. That being said, I felt even this could have been fleshed out a bit and more tension added. At no point did I feel like I was on the edge of my seat as I have been in similar stories. Just an okay book for me.
July 22, 2020
This story is about a girl who's grandma passes away and finds out she was left with an apartment in paris. This apartment has been locked up for over 75 years and Alice wants to know why? Alice meets Paul who begins helping Alice uncover the secrets that the apartment holds.
February 10, 2023
"Here is the thing that is true about fire: it creates power, but it also creates destruction."
A beautiful, eye-pleasing cover.
That's what made me add the book to my tbr list. And when I happened across the audiobook on OverDrive Media, I thought it was as good a time as any to check it out.
... I really need to remember the important motto of "don't judge a book by its cover."
Because that's what I did. And The Paper Girl in Paris made me pay for it.
Of course, I could have dnf it. And maybe I should have. But hope can be a fickle thing when it comes to books and plots. I hoped it'd be worth it in the end. That it'd redeem itself. But I suppose I should have known better, especially when Alice failed to grow as a character.
The 1940s timeline was, by far, the best part of the story.
Adalyn wasmore tolerable and somewhat smarter than her sister, Chloe, so I'm quite happy the 1940s was told from her perspective. I understand Chloe's frustration with the occupation, but I'm quite flabbergasted that her stupid, brash decisions never got her killed, or at least hauled in.
Anyway, back to Adalyn, she was such a great character. Her courage, her strength, and her fear/worries were very well done. She was selfless to the end, and the romance between her and Luc was a little better than the modern romance. Although, I admit, I did skip the scenes that were suggestive content.
Yes, I have to say that Adalyn's parts were the better parts of the story.
The same cannot be said about Alice, the granddaughter of Adalyn's sister, though.
Alice is the complete opposite of her great aunt; she's irresponsible, entitled, selfish, and gross all around. She acted more like a 2-year-old throwing a temper-tantrum. I loathed her parts with a passion. And now that I think about it, she really felt like a Chloe 2.0 which I don't know if that's a good thing or not. Probably not.
And Alice's romance subplot was horrendous. I cringed every time Paul came into the scene because then Alice's stupidity skyrocketed to a new level. It made the modern timeline all the more miserable to deal with.
Also, I was quite flabbergasted that Alice's parents let their child go prancing around Paris alone - then more so when she's going around with a boy she just met. It'd be one thing if she was an adult, but she's sixteen years old. I'm sorry, but that just seems so irresponsible to me to let a sixteen-year-old go galivanting around by herself in a foreign country.Is it just me? Am I that old fashioned?
My gut told me to stop as soon as Adalyn's chapters were done, but I wanted to hear the aftermath from Luc. And then I figured I may as well grit my teeth and hear Alice's conclusion. And guess what? It felt so incredibly rushed.
I would have enjoyed this so much more if Alice's perspective never existed. I think it would have been so much better for Adalyn to tell the entire story. And that's why I'm so torn on how to rate this. Even though I liked Adalyn, enjoyed her chapters more than Alice's, I can't ignore how awful Alice is as a character.
A beautiful, eye-pleasing cover.
That's what made me add the book to my tbr list. And when I happened across the audiobook on OverDrive Media, I thought it was as good a time as any to check it out.
... I really need to remember the important motto of "don't judge a book by its cover."
Because that's what I did. And The Paper Girl in Paris made me pay for it.
Of course, I could have dnf it. And maybe I should have. But hope can be a fickle thing when it comes to books and plots. I hoped it'd be worth it in the end. That it'd redeem itself. But I suppose I should have known better, especially when Alice failed to grow as a character.
The 1940s timeline was, by far, the best part of the story.
Adalyn was
Anyway, back to Adalyn, she was such a great character. Her courage, her strength, and her fear/worries were very well done. She was selfless to the end, and the romance between her and Luc was a little better than the modern romance. Although, I admit, I did skip the scenes that were suggestive content.
Yes, I have to say that Adalyn's parts were the better parts of the story.
The same cannot be said about Alice, the granddaughter of Adalyn's sister, though.
Alice is the complete opposite of her great aunt; she's irresponsible, entitled, selfish, and gross all around. She acted more like a 2-year-old throwing a temper-tantrum. I loathed her parts with a passion. And now that I think about it, she really felt like a Chloe 2.0 which I don't know if that's a good thing or not. Probably not.
And Alice's romance subplot was horrendous. I cringed every time Paul came into the scene because then Alice's stupidity skyrocketed to a new level. It made the modern timeline all the more miserable to deal with.
Also, I was quite flabbergasted that Alice's parents let their child go prancing around Paris alone - then more so when she's going around with a boy she just met. It'd be one thing if she was an adult, but she's sixteen years old. I'm sorry, but that just seems so irresponsible to me to let a sixteen-year-old go galivanting around by herself in a foreign country.
My gut told me to stop as soon as Adalyn's chapters were done, but I wanted to hear the aftermath from Luc. And then I figured I may as well grit my teeth and hear Alice's conclusion. And guess what? It felt so incredibly rushed.
I would have enjoyed this so much more if Alice's perspective never existed. I think it would have been so much better for Adalyn to tell the entire story. And that's why I'm so torn on how to rate this. Even though I liked Adalyn, enjoyed her chapters more than Alice's, I can't ignore how awful Alice is as a character.
February 14, 2021
Wonderful 😊
PLOT-
Alice arrives in Paris with her parents and a key to the apartment that she inherited from her grandmother. Chalking up her mother’s morose state to her grief, Alice explores the apartment and city without her parents. Like a time capsule that had been sealed away for the last seventy years, she discovers a diary that offers up more questions than answers about her family’s history.
This book is told in alternating narratives between present-day Alice and Adalyn in 1940s Paris, which I’ve found to be a common storytelling method – especially with my Paris Month reading. It’s an interesting way to be able to tell the historic aspect while also giving it a modern-day connection for the reader. Often the modern-day connection is some sort of mystery that needs to be pieced together, and that was certainly the case with this book. While Alice is trying to translate the found diary and figure out what had happened in her family’s past, Adalyn’s side of the story tells the readers about her life. Interestingly though, it didn’t necessarily line up between the two POVs. The readers got a fuller picture while Alice was still kept in the dark for longer.
For me, I felt the side story with Alice and her parents a little bit random. It was an interesting way to bring up mental health to younger readers that may also be experiencing similar things in their family, however then I would have perhaps liked to see a bit more to addressing the issue. I don’t necessarily disagree with the reaction that Alice has when a male character tells her how to handle it. It felt overly simplified and mansplainy.
I personally enjoyed the 1940s storyline a lot more. There was more detail and depth to the narrative and the characters. There was more heart and a more believable connection between friends and love interests. I probably could have read an entire book that was just Adalyn’s life story!
Overall, this novel felt like a rollercoaster of emotions at times. Intrigue, secrets, romance and heartache. I really liked seeing the outcome of it all getting pieced together!
PLOT-
Alice arrives in Paris with her parents and a key to the apartment that she inherited from her grandmother. Chalking up her mother’s morose state to her grief, Alice explores the apartment and city without her parents. Like a time capsule that had been sealed away for the last seventy years, she discovers a diary that offers up more questions than answers about her family’s history.
This book is told in alternating narratives between present-day Alice and Adalyn in 1940s Paris, which I’ve found to be a common storytelling method – especially with my Paris Month reading. It’s an interesting way to be able to tell the historic aspect while also giving it a modern-day connection for the reader. Often the modern-day connection is some sort of mystery that needs to be pieced together, and that was certainly the case with this book. While Alice is trying to translate the found diary and figure out what had happened in her family’s past, Adalyn’s side of the story tells the readers about her life. Interestingly though, it didn’t necessarily line up between the two POVs. The readers got a fuller picture while Alice was still kept in the dark for longer.
For me, I felt the side story with Alice and her parents a little bit random. It was an interesting way to bring up mental health to younger readers that may also be experiencing similar things in their family, however then I would have perhaps liked to see a bit more to addressing the issue. I don’t necessarily disagree with the reaction that Alice has when a male character tells her how to handle it. It felt overly simplified and mansplainy.
I personally enjoyed the 1940s storyline a lot more. There was more detail and depth to the narrative and the characters. There was more heart and a more believable connection between friends and love interests. I probably could have read an entire book that was just Adalyn’s life story!
Overall, this novel felt like a rollercoaster of emotions at times. Intrigue, secrets, romance and heartache. I really liked seeing the outcome of it all getting pieced together!
January 3, 2021
Wordpress Blog | Twitter
Sometimes I will read a book's blurb and just know that it will be a five star read, and this was one of those books. A dual POV told from the present day and past France during the Nazi occupation, this story reminded me of Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution. The thrill of first romance for both girls and the looming knowledge of the war just served to up the ante.
I loved the dual POV from Alice, who inherits her Grandmother's apartment in France, and Adalyn, who becomes part of the French resistance during WWII. I also liked Adalyn's diary and clues Alice pieced together. Both however, became confusing. We have more information than Alice, due to Adalyn's extra POV, while Alice just has the diary, so we have to wait for Alice to get to the same point as us as she uncovers clues about her Great-Aunt.
The ending was heart-breaking, but realistic. I did expect the ending, but the run up to it was terrifying as we got closer to the end of the war, as Adalyn got herself into more and more danger and Alice started to question why her family never discussed her mother's mental illness. The final pages made me happy to leave the characters, without feeling that the story was tied up too neatly.
Sometimes I will read a book's blurb and just know that it will be a five star read, and this was one of those books. A dual POV told from the present day and past France during the Nazi occupation, this story reminded me of Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution. The thrill of first romance for both girls and the looming knowledge of the war just served to up the ante.
I loved the dual POV from Alice, who inherits her Grandmother's apartment in France, and Adalyn, who becomes part of the French resistance during WWII. I also liked Adalyn's diary and clues Alice pieced together. Both however, became confusing. We have more information than Alice, due to Adalyn's extra POV, while Alice just has the diary, so we have to wait for Alice to get to the same point as us as she uncovers clues about her Great-Aunt.
The ending was heart-breaking, but realistic. I did expect the ending, but the run up to it was terrifying as we got closer to the end of the war, as Adalyn got herself into more and more danger and Alice started to question why her family never discussed her mother's mental illness. The final pages made me happy to leave the characters, without feeling that the story was tied up too neatly.
October 14, 2022
I love love love love love love love love LOVED this book. one of my fav debut novels!
i loved this setting, the whole Paris lifestyle, and the plot. the plot and mystery were amazing it actually got me a little on the edge of my seat, the multiple povs were good too. It had long chapters but I guess I pushed through! another thing is this book now that I look back was a little deep, so most people I would assume to have mixed feelings. But part of the reason I loved it was because it was my first book when I started booktok, so it will always have a special place in my heart <3
I'm gonna go back and reread so I can annotate but yea! i hope I can read one of Jordyn's novels real soon :)
i loved this setting, the whole Paris lifestyle, and the plot. the plot and mystery were amazing it actually got me a little on the edge of my seat, the multiple povs were good too. It had long chapters but I guess I pushed through! another thing is this book now that I look back was a little deep, so most people I would assume to have mixed feelings. But part of the reason I loved it was because it was my first book when I started booktok, so it will always have a special place in my heart <3
I'm gonna go back and reread so I can annotate but yea! i hope I can read one of Jordyn's novels real soon :)
November 21, 2021
Loved this so much. Highly recommend
May 20, 2022
☆ 4.5/5
November 25, 2024
Our teen heroine inherits an apartment in Paris from her grandmother and discovers a great-aunt she never knew about. She finds this aunt’s diary and works to translate it, eventually confiding about it to a Random Hot Guy™.
The book goes back in forth between the present (Alice) and Adalyn (the past), but it took me most of the book to realize that Adalyn’s account is NOT what is in the diary. So the reader is getting all this information that Alice is not, and I was judging Alice for being dim-witted when really she just didn’t have the same information I did.
It’s written well: pacing is pretty good and characters are pretty good. Recommended for YA historical fiction fans.
Language: Mild
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: explosions and gun violence; not graphic
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
The book goes back in forth between the present (Alice) and Adalyn (the past), but it took me most of the book to realize that Adalyn’s account is NOT what is in the diary. So the reader is getting all this information that Alice is not, and I was judging Alice for being dim-witted when really she just didn’t have the same information I did.
It’s written well: pacing is pretty good and characters are pretty good. Recommended for YA historical fiction fans.
Language: Mild
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: explosions and gun violence; not graphic
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
December 14, 2022
When Alice arrived in Paris to see the apartment her now deceased grandmother, Chloe, left to her, Alice thought she knew all about her grandmother. The moment she steps into the apartment that may as well be a museum from WWII, though, Alice is faced with a world of hidden truths about her grandmother's childhood.
Alice always thought her grandmother was an only child; that is, until she finds a room across from her grandmother's, and a diary that arises more questions than she has answers for. Most sixteen-year-olds would love nothing more than a summer in Paris enjoying the sights and flirting with the Parisian boys. For Alice, though, her time in Paris is more than a vacation. Alice is filled with a desire to uncover the secrets of her family's past, and she sets out across Paris to find what happened to the relative she didn't know she had.
.....
Adalyn cannot sit still while her country falls to ruins in the hands of the Nazis. Unlike her sister, Chloe, who wears resistance bands and openly confronts soldiers, Adalyn keeps to the shadows. As far as everyone can tell, she is a perfect Parisian making the most of the wartime by accompanying her popular mother to parties and balls across town. Inside, though, she is burning.
When Adalyn meets Luc, a young man who shares her silent passion to make a difference, she finds the opportunity to set out on a quest of resistance, danger, and romance. In order for her role to work out as safely as possible, though, Adalyn cannot tell anyone of her quest; even her best friend and sister, Chloe.
I cannot count the amount of times I slammed this book down, burst into tears, and then picked it up again, because I COULD NOT put it down. This book was filled to the brim with passion, curiosity, sadness, and anger, not to forget love, and shared an astonishing story of a girl and her secret, courageous adventures during the war. The way Alice's story was incorporated with Adalyn's was perfect, as readers began to decipher the truth of what had happened. I have read soooo many books about WWII, and this one definitely ranks very high on that list. I would 100% recommend, this book was amazing!!
Alice always thought her grandmother was an only child; that is, until she finds a room across from her grandmother's, and a diary that arises more questions than she has answers for. Most sixteen-year-olds would love nothing more than a summer in Paris enjoying the sights and flirting with the Parisian boys. For Alice, though, her time in Paris is more than a vacation. Alice is filled with a desire to uncover the secrets of her family's past, and she sets out across Paris to find what happened to the relative she didn't know she had.
.....
Adalyn cannot sit still while her country falls to ruins in the hands of the Nazis. Unlike her sister, Chloe, who wears resistance bands and openly confronts soldiers, Adalyn keeps to the shadows. As far as everyone can tell, she is a perfect Parisian making the most of the wartime by accompanying her popular mother to parties and balls across town. Inside, though, she is burning.
When Adalyn meets Luc, a young man who shares her silent passion to make a difference, she finds the opportunity to set out on a quest of resistance, danger, and romance. In order for her role to work out as safely as possible, though, Adalyn cannot tell anyone of her quest; even her best friend and sister, Chloe.
I cannot count the amount of times I slammed this book down, burst into tears, and then picked it up again, because I COULD NOT put it down. This book was filled to the brim with passion, curiosity, sadness, and anger, not to forget love, and shared an astonishing story of a girl and her secret, courageous adventures during the war. The way Alice's story was incorporated with Adalyn's was perfect, as readers began to decipher the truth of what had happened. I have read soooo many books about WWII, and this one definitely ranks very high on that list. I would 100% recommend, this book was amazing!!
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