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The Paris Affair
Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone. Nurse Edith Cavell, on the eve of her execution, 1915
Scarred by his experiences in World War I, German doctor, Sebastian Braun lives a quiet life tending to his patients and his beloved garden. Until Sophie Hathaway bursts into his life and challenges his dearly-held beliefs. And just at the moment Sebastian discovers love for the first time war is on the horizon once again, threatening not just his peace of mind…
As the Germans approach the Channel Islands, Sebastian has to make choices: be the peace-loving man he has become or stand up and fight for his principles? When he and Sophie are separated, Sebastian is left realising love may have eluded him forever. Until a chance meeting in Paris sets the wheels in motion for a dangerously devastating love affair.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, The Paris Affair is a poignant story, beautifully told of love, loss and the resilience of the human spirit.
Scarred by his experiences in World War I, German doctor, Sebastian Braun lives a quiet life tending to his patients and his beloved garden. Until Sophie Hathaway bursts into his life and challenges his dearly-held beliefs. And just at the moment Sebastian discovers love for the first time war is on the horizon once again, threatening not just his peace of mind…
As the Germans approach the Channel Islands, Sebastian has to make choices: be the peace-loving man he has become or stand up and fight for his principles? When he and Sophie are separated, Sebastian is left realising love may have eluded him forever. Until a chance meeting in Paris sets the wheels in motion for a dangerously devastating love affair.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, The Paris Affair is a poignant story, beautifully told of love, loss and the resilience of the human spirit.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
August 27, 2022
Sebastian Braun was only a teenager when he fought for Germany in The Great War, he was so traumatized by his experiences, he left Germany, vowed he would never pick up a gun again and studied medicine. Instead of taking lives, he now saves them, he lives in the Island of Sark and it’s part of the English channel Islands. He enjoys living in the tranquil place, tending his patients, and his beautiful garden.
Sophie Hathaway comes to visit her aunt Dame Sibyl, born in France to an English mother and American father, she married young and is now divorced. Sophie is like a breath of fresh air, a cynical Sebastian thought he was too old to fall in love and he's wrong. The Germans are poised to invade the Channel Islands, Sebastian has to make a difficult choice, he doesn’t want to leave and if he stays he might be forced to fight for Germany again?
The German forces arrive and he and Sophie are separated, Sebastian is determined to find her, and for them to live happily ever after in Sark. The couple do bump into each other in Paris and towards the end of the Second World War, Sophie’s working undercover and so is Sebastian. He's caught and detained in La Santé Prison, while waiting to be executed and he’s visited daily by a priest Christoph Wagner. He tells father Christoph about his life, regrets, his love for Sophie, how he ended up sitting in a Paris jail cell and wearing the shreds of a German officers uniform.
I received a copy of The Paris Affair by Melanie Hudson from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for an honest review. Based around true facts, it’s a story about a pacifist doctor and how he was involved in another war. His sorrow for what he’s done in the past and for all that he hast lost, most of all does he really know the woman he’s fallen madly in love with and will he ever see her again? The narrative was a little slow in the middle of the book, it does pick up it’s pace, the ending is unpredictable, took me by surprise and kept me guessing. Four and a half stars from me and I’m keen to read the authors previous book, The Last Letter from Juliet.
Sophie Hathaway comes to visit her aunt Dame Sibyl, born in France to an English mother and American father, she married young and is now divorced. Sophie is like a breath of fresh air, a cynical Sebastian thought he was too old to fall in love and he's wrong. The Germans are poised to invade the Channel Islands, Sebastian has to make a difficult choice, he doesn’t want to leave and if he stays he might be forced to fight for Germany again?
The German forces arrive and he and Sophie are separated, Sebastian is determined to find her, and for them to live happily ever after in Sark. The couple do bump into each other in Paris and towards the end of the Second World War, Sophie’s working undercover and so is Sebastian. He's caught and detained in La Santé Prison, while waiting to be executed and he’s visited daily by a priest Christoph Wagner. He tells father Christoph about his life, regrets, his love for Sophie, how he ended up sitting in a Paris jail cell and wearing the shreds of a German officers uniform.
I received a copy of The Paris Affair by Melanie Hudson from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for an honest review. Based around true facts, it’s a story about a pacifist doctor and how he was involved in another war. His sorrow for what he’s done in the past and for all that he hast lost, most of all does he really know the woman he’s fallen madly in love with and will he ever see her again? The narrative was a little slow in the middle of the book, it does pick up it’s pace, the ending is unpredictable, took me by surprise and kept me guessing. Four and a half stars from me and I’m keen to read the authors previous book, The Last Letter from Juliet.
September 28, 2022
The Paris Affair is a brilliant read for many reasons - Melanie’s books just keep getting better and better! Her writing has gone to the next level with prose and ideas that really touched me. I was swept away by her research told through a main character that was so unique for this genre and time.
‘What once brought so much joy, peace and a sense of completeness, was lost to me, perhaps because I knew–oh how I knew–that my little place of paradise would be lost to me soon, and that one way or another, my freedom and my absolute sense of being home would be gone.’
Set in WW2 Sebastian is in prison awaiting execution. During this time, he tells his life story to the prison priest, which transports the reader to many places - the Channel Island of Sark, the Cornwall coast and, yes Paris, but how I wish the book had been titled something different as I believe it does not do it justice and could steer potential readers away. To my mind, this is not a book about Paris or an affair. This is a book that spoke to my soul - Sebastian, spoke to my soul!
‘… in Sark I had been the ‘Good Doctor’ and then Sophie had called me ‘the Generous Gardener’, but to the authorities, none of this mattered because my place of birth marked me as the enemy, and so my life was reduced to nothing. I was reduced to nothing.’
Narrated from the first person perspective, Sebastian Braun is a German veteran of the First World War and has made a new life for himself on the island of Sark. You quickly become his advocate with his endearing nature and incredible understanding of life and the people in it. He is a complex man who, changed by the horrors he witnessed in WWI, wants nothing to do with this new war. His wish is to stay in his remote refuge and tend his garden - a well-educated doctor and deep thinker. Yes, there is romance that develops Sebastian’s character arc but the mysterious Sophie and invading Nazis are about to turn his life upside down.
‘You must also know how angry I am that a wonderful, kind man who wants and knows only peace, who would never hurt a soul, is forced to choose either one awful situation or the other.’
The Paris Affair is quality WWII historical fiction - something special. If you are looking for that something extra, that next level - a story within a story - look no further. Philosophically flavoured for quiet contemplation, a dash of mystery and romance, with an ending that I simply did not see coming is what sees me recommending that this is a book not to be missed.
‘My life, looked at in such a way, has been hell. But speaking with you, I have found that if I write my story in another way, if I spin the yarn with a lighter thread, I can only conclude that I have been blessed.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
‘What once brought so much joy, peace and a sense of completeness, was lost to me, perhaps because I knew–oh how I knew–that my little place of paradise would be lost to me soon, and that one way or another, my freedom and my absolute sense of being home would be gone.’
Set in WW2 Sebastian is in prison awaiting execution. During this time, he tells his life story to the prison priest, which transports the reader to many places - the Channel Island of Sark, the Cornwall coast and, yes Paris, but how I wish the book had been titled something different as I believe it does not do it justice and could steer potential readers away. To my mind, this is not a book about Paris or an affair. This is a book that spoke to my soul - Sebastian, spoke to my soul!
‘… in Sark I had been the ‘Good Doctor’ and then Sophie had called me ‘the Generous Gardener’, but to the authorities, none of this mattered because my place of birth marked me as the enemy, and so my life was reduced to nothing. I was reduced to nothing.’
Narrated from the first person perspective, Sebastian Braun is a German veteran of the First World War and has made a new life for himself on the island of Sark. You quickly become his advocate with his endearing nature and incredible understanding of life and the people in it. He is a complex man who, changed by the horrors he witnessed in WWI, wants nothing to do with this new war. His wish is to stay in his remote refuge and tend his garden - a well-educated doctor and deep thinker. Yes, there is romance that develops Sebastian’s character arc but the mysterious Sophie and invading Nazis are about to turn his life upside down.
‘You must also know how angry I am that a wonderful, kind man who wants and knows only peace, who would never hurt a soul, is forced to choose either one awful situation or the other.’
The Paris Affair is quality WWII historical fiction - something special. If you are looking for that something extra, that next level - a story within a story - look no further. Philosophically flavoured for quiet contemplation, a dash of mystery and romance, with an ending that I simply did not see coming is what sees me recommending that this is a book not to be missed.
‘My life, looked at in such a way, has been hell. But speaking with you, I have found that if I write my story in another way, if I spin the yarn with a lighter thread, I can only conclude that I have been blessed.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
August 29, 2022
“The best thing one can do when the chips are down is focus on helping someone else - or something else. It wards off melancholy.”
“Flowers invoke nothing but joy in the giver and the receiver. They are not a luxury item at all. They are a necessity.”
Right from the start, I knew this book was prime for screen adaptation. Author Melanie Hudson has set up her story’s opening so that it draws readers into her characters’ arcs from the outset. Immediately I needed to know why Sophie fainted and why Sascha felt he should be released from prison. Her vivid descriptions of the prison, Paris, and of life on Sark make her writing visual and immersive. She also writes to connect with diverse readers because her story has universal themes we can all relate to; strength in the face of adversity, the power of love, ordinary heroism, the importance of friendship and support for our fellow man, and the perils of war.
Hudson's characters are multidimensional - ones I’d like to meet and spend time with in real life. I loved Dame Sibyl Hathaway and found myself smiling when reading about her bravery, leadership and determination when facing the Nazis, reacting to Churchill’s decision, or rallying her fiefdom to work together. She truly was dynamic. I found myself cheering for the star-crossed lovers and for Dame Sibyl and Sophie who faced vast odds. In crafting her characters, Hudson raises the question - who are we really? - and allows us time and space to contemplate Dr. Sebastian Braun, Sascha Braun, Sophie Hathaway, Juliette Vernier, and Christoph Wagner. Who really were they?
The plot is well-paced and structured and it pulled me into the deception, suspense and tension and, my sigh of relief was welcome when things seemed to be working out for the characters. I appreciated the great balance between showing and telling as well as the reminder that we become someone else when we do things simply to be accepted by others. Sascha was a perfect example of this on more than one occasion.
Two things that will stay with me for a very long time: (1) the assassin’s teapot and (2) Christoph’s advice to carry on playing and not waste time waiting for the bell to ring.
I hope to see this on the silver screen one day.
I was gifted this advance copy by Harper Collins Uk, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
“Flowers invoke nothing but joy in the giver and the receiver. They are not a luxury item at all. They are a necessity.”
Right from the start, I knew this book was prime for screen adaptation. Author Melanie Hudson has set up her story’s opening so that it draws readers into her characters’ arcs from the outset. Immediately I needed to know why Sophie fainted and why Sascha felt he should be released from prison. Her vivid descriptions of the prison, Paris, and of life on Sark make her writing visual and immersive. She also writes to connect with diverse readers because her story has universal themes we can all relate to; strength in the face of adversity, the power of love, ordinary heroism, the importance of friendship and support for our fellow man, and the perils of war.
Hudson's characters are multidimensional - ones I’d like to meet and spend time with in real life. I loved Dame Sibyl Hathaway and found myself smiling when reading about her bravery, leadership and determination when facing the Nazis, reacting to Churchill’s decision, or rallying her fiefdom to work together. She truly was dynamic. I found myself cheering for the star-crossed lovers and for Dame Sibyl and Sophie who faced vast odds. In crafting her characters, Hudson raises the question - who are we really? - and allows us time and space to contemplate Dr. Sebastian Braun, Sascha Braun, Sophie Hathaway, Juliette Vernier, and Christoph Wagner. Who really were they?
The plot is well-paced and structured and it pulled me into the deception, suspense and tension and, my sigh of relief was welcome when things seemed to be working out for the characters. I appreciated the great balance between showing and telling as well as the reminder that we become someone else when we do things simply to be accepted by others. Sascha was a perfect example of this on more than one occasion.
Two things that will stay with me for a very long time: (1) the assassin’s teapot and (2) Christoph’s advice to carry on playing and not waste time waiting for the bell to ring.
I hope to see this on the silver screen one day.
I was gifted this advance copy by Harper Collins Uk, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 30, 2022
The Paris Affair is a brilliant and very unique book - told from the first person perspective of the main character, Sebastian Braun. Sebastian is a German veteran of the First World War that has made a home and life for himself on the Channel Island of Sark. He is a smart, well-spoken and easily likable character that really quickly draws your attention and you become a fan of his really quickly. His picturesque life on the island comes to an abrupt halt when the Germans invade France and then the Channel Islands - and also when the beautiful and mysterious Sophie invades his heart.
The storyline of The Paris Affair is captivating, addicting, heart-warming yet heart breaking. The author does a fantastic job at setting the story line and going at a perfect pace. The character development is phenomenal. The banter and conversations between the characters was one of my favorite things about this book. The detailed conversations, raw and in depth emotions and funny banter amongst the characters was very well done.
If you like books that can be somewhat philosophical, tell a story within a story, with a strong dash of romance and mystery, and a surprise ending you will not see coming, then look no further because this book is a must read!
The storyline of The Paris Affair is captivating, addicting, heart-warming yet heart breaking. The author does a fantastic job at setting the story line and going at a perfect pace. The character development is phenomenal. The banter and conversations between the characters was one of my favorite things about this book. The detailed conversations, raw and in depth emotions and funny banter amongst the characters was very well done.
If you like books that can be somewhat philosophical, tell a story within a story, with a strong dash of romance and mystery, and a surprise ending you will not see coming, then look no further because this book is a must read!
April 6, 2023
Sorry ....
... I only got to 33% of the book, i kept trying to get into it but the writing is not good, it's too flowery and descriptive, especially as the Doctor is a male and German by birth. A friend told me it was a really good book but I'm afraid, at the moment, I'll have to disagree. Perhaps one day I'll get back to it, but don't hold your breath.
... I only got to 33% of the book, i kept trying to get into it but the writing is not good, it's too flowery and descriptive, especially as the Doctor is a male and German by birth. A friend told me it was a really good book but I'm afraid, at the moment, I'll have to disagree. Perhaps one day I'll get back to it, but don't hold your breath.
September 30, 2023
‘Finding myself here in this place of dark depravity has, therefore, been of no surprise, because it was, ultimately, inevitable.’
Excellent historical fiction of World War Two in Paris and Sark. Well-developed, if complex plotline. Skillfully weaves actual people and events into the story. Appropriate literary allusions. Has variety and accidental feel of real life. Dialogue feels real. Told from the protagonist’s viewpoint of both previous actions and the “now” of his imprisonment.
‘Perhaps it is love that makes fools of us? I was hardly in my youth when I met Sophie.’ ‘Never fools. It is love that makes humans of us all.’
Compared to experience of actual resistance fighters, narrative seems tame. Told readers of Nazi and Resistance brutality but didn’t feel it. Hudson’s penchant for happy resolutions will leave little suspense of the final outcome.
‘For the first time in my life, I was in love: wholly, completely and honestly in love. My timing could have been better.’
Quibbles: The German term for a physician is Arzt, not doctor, which refers to Ph.Ds. Hudson’s timeline includes little time for college and medical schooling. Braun is pronounced the same in German as Brown in English; it’s English speakers who pronounce it incorrectly. Modernisms detracts. Contemporary readers with no sense of history may miss the contradictions.
‘Die show muss weitergehen.’
Excellent historical fiction of World War Two in Paris and Sark. Well-developed, if complex plotline. Skillfully weaves actual people and events into the story. Appropriate literary allusions. Has variety and accidental feel of real life. Dialogue feels real. Told from the protagonist’s viewpoint of both previous actions and the “now” of his imprisonment.
‘Perhaps it is love that makes fools of us? I was hardly in my youth when I met Sophie.’ ‘Never fools. It is love that makes humans of us all.’
Compared to experience of actual resistance fighters, narrative seems tame. Told readers of Nazi and Resistance brutality but didn’t feel it. Hudson’s penchant for happy resolutions will leave little suspense of the final outcome.
‘For the first time in my life, I was in love: wholly, completely and honestly in love. My timing could have been better.’
Quibbles: The German term for a physician is Arzt, not doctor, which refers to Ph.Ds. Hudson’s timeline includes little time for college and medical schooling. Braun is pronounced the same in German as Brown in English; it’s English speakers who pronounce it incorrectly. Modernisms detracts. Contemporary readers with no sense of history may miss the contradictions.
‘Die show muss weitergehen.’
October 12, 2022
Sebastian fought for Germany in the first war and now relocated to a remote island off the Pacific that he enjoys. Now he has met Sophie and has finally tasted what love is. She changes his mind, his ideals and even if he wants to take a stand against this current war that is quickly coming to his backyard.
This story is told so visually and poetically that I couldn't help but read this in only a few sittings. It was such a different take on the war and the effect on a different area as well.
This story is told so visually and poetically that I couldn't help but read this in only a few sittings. It was such a different take on the war and the effect on a different area as well.
November 26, 2022
'The Paris Affair' is a quirky, yet thoughtful and unpredictable story. Sebastian Braun recounts his tale while sitting in prison, to the prison priest., 'Can a man of evil deeds ever wash himself clean or are his future actions forever to be tarnished...?'. We slowly learn how Sebastian may have been imprisoned, but we are left page turning to find out how his story ends.
Sebastian is a German-born doctor who, after experiencing the atrocities of WWI, serving in the German army, retreats to an English island off the coast of France. Further, he retreats within himself, 'I simply do not want to be the main character in the story of my life'. The onset of WWII changes all of this; challenging his views on war, patriotism, and love. 'I can only conclude that while the last war took my life away from me, somehow, this one gave it back...'.
I have never previously read any of Melanie Hudson's other books, and this one certainly took me by surprise. I expected a usual (but often welcome) story of espionage and finding love. However, as Sebastian narrates the last 20 years or so of his life, the reader gains a thoughtful introspection on what really defines a person; head or heart. I did feel that a few of Sebastian's tales were repeated - albeit to different people and in different depths of detail, and it did slow the pace for a time. Reading this book, however, has made me want to look over Hudson's other works to see if they too are just a little different. I give it 4.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and HaperCollins UK for the opportunity to read and give my opinion on this book.
Sebastian is a German-born doctor who, after experiencing the atrocities of WWI, serving in the German army, retreats to an English island off the coast of France. Further, he retreats within himself, 'I simply do not want to be the main character in the story of my life'. The onset of WWII changes all of this; challenging his views on war, patriotism, and love. 'I can only conclude that while the last war took my life away from me, somehow, this one gave it back...'.
I have never previously read any of Melanie Hudson's other books, and this one certainly took me by surprise. I expected a usual (but often welcome) story of espionage and finding love. However, as Sebastian narrates the last 20 years or so of his life, the reader gains a thoughtful introspection on what really defines a person; head or heart. I did feel that a few of Sebastian's tales were repeated - albeit to different people and in different depths of detail, and it did slow the pace for a time. Reading this book, however, has made me want to look over Hudson's other works to see if they too are just a little different. I give it 4.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and HaperCollins UK for the opportunity to read and give my opinion on this book.
September 9, 2023
I hate writing reviews, so I stole this one. I agree with everything they stated…
‘The Paris Affair is a brilliant and very unique book - told from the first person perspective of the main character, Sebastian Braun. Sebastian is a German veteran of the First World War that has made a home and life for himself on the Channel Island of Sark. He is a smart, well-spoken and easily likable character that really quickly draws your attention and you become a fan of his really quickly. His picturesque life on the island comes to an abrupt halt when the Germans invade France and then the Channel Islands - and also when the beautiful and mysterious Sophie invades his heart.
The storyline of The Paris Affair is captivating, addicting, heart-warming yet heart breaking. The author does a fantastic job at setting the story line and going at a perfect pace. The character development is phenomenal. The banter and conversations between the characters was one of my favorite things about this book. The detailed conversations, raw and in depth emotions and funny banter amongst the characters was very well done.
If you like books that can be somewhat philosophical, tell a story within a story, with a strong dash of romance and mystery, and a surprise ending you will not see coming, then look no further because this book is a must
‘The Paris Affair is a brilliant and very unique book - told from the first person perspective of the main character, Sebastian Braun. Sebastian is a German veteran of the First World War that has made a home and life for himself on the Channel Island of Sark. He is a smart, well-spoken and easily likable character that really quickly draws your attention and you become a fan of his really quickly. His picturesque life on the island comes to an abrupt halt when the Germans invade France and then the Channel Islands - and also when the beautiful and mysterious Sophie invades his heart.
The storyline of The Paris Affair is captivating, addicting, heart-warming yet heart breaking. The author does a fantastic job at setting the story line and going at a perfect pace. The character development is phenomenal. The banter and conversations between the characters was one of my favorite things about this book. The detailed conversations, raw and in depth emotions and funny banter amongst the characters was very well done.
If you like books that can be somewhat philosophical, tell a story within a story, with a strong dash of romance and mystery, and a surprise ending you will not see coming, then look no further because this book is a must
August 19, 2022
This was an absolutely enthralling read from beginning to end. A real page turner, I couldn’t put it down. Melanie Hudson’s books just get better and better. Set in WW2 Sebastian is in a nazi prison in Paris waiting to be taken to be executed, during these days he tells his life story to the prison priest, which transports you to many places starting with Sark. There is a bit of everything in this book, romance, laughter and of course sorrow, it’s a real rollercoaster ride. The characters are excellently written and you become part of them. The historical research that has gone into this book is incredible. A fantastic story. A definite must read.
September 19, 2022
I almost gave up on this book a couple of times. To me, it was too philosophical, too wordy. I couldn’t read it for long stretches of time because I would get a little frustrated- just tell the story already. But the more I read, the better I liked it. By the last fourth of the book, I liked it a lot. This is really a 3.5+++ stars but that wasn’t an option. Sebastian was a doctor, a German doctor that fought in WWI as his twin brother Sascha. And now the world is on the brink of WWII starting and Sebastian does not want to fight for Germany or France or any country again. He has moved to the island of Sark. But he realizes that being a German, they will expect him to fight with and for them. The story is very convoluted but if you can hang with it, it is worth it at the end. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.
August 27, 2022
I love a good WWII tale. My thoughts are, if these stories aren’t shared, we will never learn from the past. This book was particularly magical as it was a mixture of real facts and people and fictional events.
The characters were so loveable and the twists and turns of their lives reflected the sacrifices people made during the war. I loved the fact that the book is set in different countries. I didn’t know much about Sark before this book, so it was good to go and learn more about this island. A thoroughly entertaining read.
The characters were so loveable and the twists and turns of their lives reflected the sacrifices people made during the war. I loved the fact that the book is set in different countries. I didn’t know much about Sark before this book, so it was good to go and learn more about this island. A thoroughly entertaining read.
November 20, 2022
*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
3.5 stars
This book was not exactly what I expected, but it wasn’t bad—just different. It was more about Sebastian (43/47) than it was about Sophie (35/39) and Sebastian. Because of the cover, I had expected more of the book to be from Sophie’s perspective than just the little bit at the beginning. Again, not a big deal, just not what I expected. I liked both of them.
I think my biggest deferment for really enjoying it more than average was the writing. It wasn’t bad. It just tended to skirt the edges of stream of consciousness, which has never been my thing. Sentences were very long and rambling, with Sebastian interrupting himself to share side details, even multiple times in the same sentence. The longest sentence I counted was 113 words (a close second was 109). I suppose it was fitting for his character, though.
I really loved this quote:
“But there is good and evil to all of us. It is more likely that I have striven to be good because I have witnessed evil on the battlefield and I have seen that good men can do bad things—I was such a man. We are all of us only a moment away from choosing to dance with the devil, and if I have striven for anything in life it has been to keep the unpleasant man that I am aware in could be at bay.”
Something else I really liked about this book was the humanity it gave to Germans and German soldiers—they weren’t all Nazis, and they didn’t all support Hitler. (Yes, there were many people who chose evil during the war, and many truly horrific things happened as a result. I do not mean to diminish that.) Sebastian was just a man who had basically been forced into service as a teenager during WWI and made choices that damaged his soul because of the love he had for his brother. But he desired peace. We as humans have a tendency to lump others into “us and them” categories. Even many of the people of Sark, who knew Sebastian, found it difficult to turn off their “German = bad” setting. But it’s vital that we take the time and make effort to distinguish between those who choose evil and those who are forced to comply.
How it ends:
Note:
Little swearing but also an f word. Mild, brief sex (mostly implied). Mentioned torture.
3.5 stars
This book was not exactly what I expected, but it wasn’t bad—just different. It was more about Sebastian (43/47) than it was about Sophie (35/39) and Sebastian. Because of the cover, I had expected more of the book to be from Sophie’s perspective than just the little bit at the beginning. Again, not a big deal, just not what I expected. I liked both of them.
I think my biggest deferment for really enjoying it more than average was the writing. It wasn’t bad. It just tended to skirt the edges of stream of consciousness, which has never been my thing. Sentences were very long and rambling, with Sebastian interrupting himself to share side details, even multiple times in the same sentence. The longest sentence I counted was 113 words (a close second was 109). I suppose it was fitting for his character, though.
I really loved this quote:
“But there is good and evil to all of us. It is more likely that I have striven to be good because I have witnessed evil on the battlefield and I have seen that good men can do bad things—I was such a man. We are all of us only a moment away from choosing to dance with the devil, and if I have striven for anything in life it has been to keep the unpleasant man that I am aware in could be at bay.”
Something else I really liked about this book was the humanity it gave to Germans and German soldiers—they weren’t all Nazis, and they didn’t all support Hitler. (Yes, there were many people who chose evil during the war, and many truly horrific things happened as a result. I do not mean to diminish that.) Sebastian was just a man who had basically been forced into service as a teenager during WWI and made choices that damaged his soul because of the love he had for his brother. But he desired peace. We as humans have a tendency to lump others into “us and them” categories. Even many of the people of Sark, who knew Sebastian, found it difficult to turn off their “German = bad” setting. But it’s vital that we take the time and make effort to distinguish between those who choose evil and those who are forced to comply.
How it ends:
Note:
Little swearing but also an f word. Mild, brief sex (mostly implied). Mentioned torture.
July 21, 2024
Finally, a book that really deserves 5 stars! It’s a lovely romance, a beautiful family saga and an interesting work of historical fiction that will keep you turning the page late into the night. I really enjoyed her writing, and will seek out her other books. I hope they’re as good as The Paris Affair.
November 28, 2022
I’m giving the novel 3.75 stars because I really didn’t start liking it until it little past the halfway mark, then I couldn’t put it down!!! A historical fictional account of WW2 and also a love story. It’s not sappy and just written so well!! Very well done!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2023
Very nice read. It has been quite awhile since I've read a good historical romance. Loved the setting of Sark. Spent a lovely day there myself and wanted much more time. Great descriptions and characters that as "theliterateleprechaun" has previously said would make a great film.
April 26, 2024
Was slow to start. I almost quit reading it but I was curious to see how it ended. It had some interesting twists that surprised me. Glad I read it since I love historical fiction. A couple very strong women characters were based off of real women.
October 26, 2025
This book takes place in the Channel Islands, specifically Sark, before and during WW2 which I did not know the history of. The story was charming, intriguing, exciting, and beautifully written.
May 6, 2024
I was not as pleased with this book as much as I had hoped. There were such long and rambling sentences that I found it difficult to get through the pages at times; not to mention the chapters. I really enjoy reading historical fiction ... especially if it is set during WWII. And this one had a little different aspect in that it showed that not all Germans and German soldiers aligned themselves with Hitler and his regime. While I was expecting more of the book to be focused on Sophie due to the cover, it really spent more time on Sebastian. While the book did improve by the a little more than halfway through, trudging through the first part had me forcing myself to read each page. However, there are plenty of very positive reviews and if you are a fan of historical fiction, then I encourage you to give it a try. Definitely don’t give up on it until you’ve read more than half of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
January 11, 2023
The Paris Affair was a captivating read, and I found myself getting lost in Sebastian’s story, as well as the powerful influences of the secondary characters that shone a beacon of light on Sebastian’s own journey. “The show must go on” was a running theme throughout the novel, a reminder that no matter the adversity, heartache, sorrow, we must continue on … and that is just what Sebastian struggled to do. The ending was satisfactory, if not slightly predicable. I, however, wouldn’t have wanted the novel to end any other way. It was a most wonderful read.
August 2, 2025
3⭐️⭐️⭐️ just ok. Descriptions of Sark and Dame Sibyl were wonderful- but the plot had a hard time holding itself up it was so scant. Hudson does character well though and the writing was particularly strong when she lets her sense of humour shine through
Sebastian Sophie Dame Sibyl - Sark - German invasion - SOE- twins
Sebastian Sophie Dame Sibyl - Sark - German invasion - SOE- twins
January 18, 2023
Slightly spoiler-ish below!
This was satisfying reading. I don't often get a male point of view in these WW2 romantic dramas but this is worth the read. We're being told Sebastian Braun's story by him as he sits in a Nazi prison in Paris awaiting execution. First we hear how he ended up in the Channel Islands after fighting for his homeland Germany in the first World War. I've grown hesitant to pick up a book set on the Channel Islands during this era since I've read so many of them already. This book's advantage is that it is set on not Guernsey or Jersey but Sark which I haven't read before. It's also interesting to read "an outsider" or immigrant's take on the islands after moving there. Also, the first third of the book is on the very idyllic island before Sebastian (and we) are forced to move on. Then we go to Cornwall and eventually on to Paris so it differs enough to not feel like something I've read before.
Sebastian is a dear, you end up wanting him to be okay even though he has a sketchy past. He is still effected by being a veteran of the first war and is trying to live a very quiet peaceful life. Suddenly he finds his world opening up again when he falls in love with another island newcomer, Sophie. Because of her and his search for her, he ends up meeting new and different people, experiences different places or places he knew in a new way. Often mistaken for a pacifist, he eventually wakes up to the desire of wanting to do more to end the war. We watch him struggle to reconcile taking the side of his adopted home (Britain) or the one he grew up in with his family and old companions (Germany).
Unfortunately, we're left wondering about Sophie. She's great in Sark and she's worthy of Sebastian. She's of American and French descent, her father was an ambassador and her first husband was a bad match for her. I like that, because she's American she's written as loud, somewhat brash, silly and giggly...because all American women are like that. I laugh but I did like her. It's not until later that everything we know about Sophie changes. She's an American spy working for the British SOE and her background, her job, her purpose and even her name could all be a lie. And we never find out what the truth is! It's frustrating but what we can take to the bank is that she wants to play a part, help the innocent. She's sincere in that and in her love for Sebastian. This novel was almost a gender flip: usually the man is off on dangerously mysterious adventures while the woman must wait where its safe. This was a fun role reversal.
The last third, what Sebastian ends up doing in Paris wasn't predictable but it also wasn't focused on too well. He must pretend to be his twin brother and so much of what should be harrowing and tense was glossed over in favor of the central romance. I would have preferred a bit more suspense here. I saw Sascha's, his brother, twist a mile off but I wasn't mad about that. How exactly Sebastian's time in prison climaxes was a perfect twist, I loved it and I loved that an object that is mentioned so much wasn't just a subject to fill the word count, there is a purpose to the heirloom.
I also think the cover designer did a massive disservice to Sebastian when settling on this cover. Why have a woman's back walking in Paris when Sebastian is the main character? We should have gotten a man on the cover (probably not in a Nazi uniform) but holding a doctor's bag or, fine, holding the woman's hand with his free hand. The woman facing the other way covers are extremely old now and you don't have to put a woman on the cover to get women to read the book. And to really quibble, perhaps the title is off too? We're only in Paris in the last third unless the author/publisher is counting Sebastian's time in prison. The German Doctor or The Doctor's Affair would maybe have been more on point.
So with these small issues and my frustration with unanswered questions on Sophie and glossing over Sebastian's espionage, my rating for this is actually a 4.5 but I'm fine with putting 5 on here since we can't do halfsies and otherwise, I loved the rest of the book, especially Sebastian.
This was satisfying reading. I don't often get a male point of view in these WW2 romantic dramas but this is worth the read. We're being told Sebastian Braun's story by him as he sits in a Nazi prison in Paris awaiting execution. First we hear how he ended up in the Channel Islands after fighting for his homeland Germany in the first World War. I've grown hesitant to pick up a book set on the Channel Islands during this era since I've read so many of them already. This book's advantage is that it is set on not Guernsey or Jersey but Sark which I haven't read before. It's also interesting to read "an outsider" or immigrant's take on the islands after moving there. Also, the first third of the book is on the very idyllic island before Sebastian (and we) are forced to move on. Then we go to Cornwall and eventually on to Paris so it differs enough to not feel like something I've read before.
Sebastian is a dear, you end up wanting him to be okay even though he has a sketchy past. He is still effected by being a veteran of the first war and is trying to live a very quiet peaceful life. Suddenly he finds his world opening up again when he falls in love with another island newcomer, Sophie. Because of her and his search for her, he ends up meeting new and different people, experiences different places or places he knew in a new way. Often mistaken for a pacifist, he eventually wakes up to the desire of wanting to do more to end the war. We watch him struggle to reconcile taking the side of his adopted home (Britain) or the one he grew up in with his family and old companions (Germany).
Unfortunately, we're left wondering about Sophie. She's great in Sark and she's worthy of Sebastian. She's of American and French descent, her father was an ambassador and her first husband was a bad match for her. I like that, because she's American she's written as loud, somewhat brash, silly and giggly...because all American women are like that. I laugh but I did like her. It's not until later that everything we know about Sophie changes. She's an American spy working for the British SOE and her background, her job, her purpose and even her name could all be a lie. And we never find out what the truth is! It's frustrating but what we can take to the bank is that she wants to play a part, help the innocent. She's sincere in that and in her love for Sebastian. This novel was almost a gender flip: usually the man is off on dangerously mysterious adventures while the woman must wait where its safe. This was a fun role reversal.
The last third, what Sebastian ends up doing in Paris wasn't predictable but it also wasn't focused on too well. He must pretend to be his twin brother and so much of what should be harrowing and tense was glossed over in favor of the central romance. I would have preferred a bit more suspense here. I saw Sascha's, his brother, twist a mile off but I wasn't mad about that. How exactly Sebastian's time in prison climaxes was a perfect twist, I loved it and I loved that an object that is mentioned so much wasn't just a subject to fill the word count, there is a purpose to the heirloom.
I also think the cover designer did a massive disservice to Sebastian when settling on this cover. Why have a woman's back walking in Paris when Sebastian is the main character? We should have gotten a man on the cover (probably not in a Nazi uniform) but holding a doctor's bag or, fine, holding the woman's hand with his free hand. The woman facing the other way covers are extremely old now and you don't have to put a woman on the cover to get women to read the book. And to really quibble, perhaps the title is off too? We're only in Paris in the last third unless the author/publisher is counting Sebastian's time in prison. The German Doctor or The Doctor's Affair would maybe have been more on point.
So with these small issues and my frustration with unanswered questions on Sophie and glossing over Sebastian's espionage, my rating for this is actually a 4.5 but I'm fine with putting 5 on here since we can't do halfsies and otherwise, I loved the rest of the book, especially Sebastian.
September 18, 2022
The Paris Affair is a standout WWII historical fiction novel. There are many stories focusing on people and events during WWII available to readers these days, and most of them are very good reads, but The Paris Affair is special. Sebastian is a complicated, complex man, changed by the horrors of the first World War and now wanting nothing more than to stay in his refuge with his small number of his patients and his garden. He is well-educated, a doctor, somber and thoughtful. He doesn’t feel love and traditional family life are for him and he plans to live out the rest of his life just where he is. Until another war comes along – and Sophie arrives. When the British leave and France is collapsing and the German Army is on the way, as a German doctor he will no longer be safe. Leave, fight or surrender? No good choice there. And his heart is not safe now, either. Against his will and his common sense he seems to have lost it to Sophie. He has choices to make there, too. And they are not easy, either.
The Paris Affair is enthralling, a compelling read that you won’t be able to put down. The action takes place from 1940 – 1945 and rotates among Paris, the Sark Channel Islands, and La Sante Prison where Sebastian is awaiting execution. The transitions are clear and understandable, and just enough information is provided each time to keep your interest peaked. This is the second book I’ve read by author Melanie Hudson and the writing is as excellent as ever. The characters are multi-layered and interesting, the descriptions of the Sark Channel Islands convey their beauty and the horror of war and the feeling of impending doom awaiting the German Army’s arrival feels real. The suspense waiting for Sebastian to be executed – or for there to be a miraculous reunion with Sophie – is nearly excruciating. But well worth the read.
Thanks to Harper Collins One More Chapter UK for providing an advance copy of The Paris Affair via NetGalley for my reading pleasure and honest review. This is a truly remarkable story. I recommend it without hesitation.
The Paris Affair is enthralling, a compelling read that you won’t be able to put down. The action takes place from 1940 – 1945 and rotates among Paris, the Sark Channel Islands, and La Sante Prison where Sebastian is awaiting execution. The transitions are clear and understandable, and just enough information is provided each time to keep your interest peaked. This is the second book I’ve read by author Melanie Hudson and the writing is as excellent as ever. The characters are multi-layered and interesting, the descriptions of the Sark Channel Islands convey their beauty and the horror of war and the feeling of impending doom awaiting the German Army’s arrival feels real. The suspense waiting for Sebastian to be executed – or for there to be a miraculous reunion with Sophie – is nearly excruciating. But well worth the read.
Thanks to Harper Collins One More Chapter UK for providing an advance copy of The Paris Affair via NetGalley for my reading pleasure and honest review. This is a truly remarkable story. I recommend it without hesitation.
April 6, 2023
The author’s writing in The Paris Affair has surpassed itself, with prose and ideas that touch the reader deeply, making it a brilliant read for many reasons. The main character, Sebastian, is unique for the genre and time period, and his story is narrated from a first-person perspective, allowing the reader to become his advocate. Sebastian is a German veteran of WWI who has made a new life for himself on the island of Sark, where he tends his garden and wants nothing to do with the new war. The story takes place during WWII, with Sebastian telling his life story to a prison priest as he awaits execution.
The book is set in various locations, including the Channel Island of Sark, the Cornwall coast, and Paris. Despite the title, the book is not solely about Paris or an affair. While romance does play a role in Sebastian's character arc, the book is much more than that. The mysterious Sophie and the invading Nazis are about to turn Sebastian's life upside down.
The Paris Affair is a quality WWII historical fiction that is thought provoking for quiet contemplation. It is a story within a story, with a dash of mystery and romance, and an ending that will surprise the reader. It’s a book not to be missed, as it speaks to the soul and touches the reader deeply. Sebastian's story is complex and engaging, and his understanding of life and people is remarkable. It is a book that will stay with the reader long after the final page has been turned.
***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***
The book is set in various locations, including the Channel Island of Sark, the Cornwall coast, and Paris. Despite the title, the book is not solely about Paris or an affair. While romance does play a role in Sebastian's character arc, the book is much more than that. The mysterious Sophie and the invading Nazis are about to turn Sebastian's life upside down.
The Paris Affair is a quality WWII historical fiction that is thought provoking for quiet contemplation. It is a story within a story, with a dash of mystery and romance, and an ending that will surprise the reader. It’s a book not to be missed, as it speaks to the soul and touches the reader deeply. Sebastian's story is complex and engaging, and his understanding of life and people is remarkable. It is a book that will stay with the reader long after the final page has been turned.
***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***
September 11, 2022
World war two historical fiction set in Sark, Cornwall and Paris. A truly amazing story based on real facts and fiction. As a teenager, Sebastian Braun fought for the Germans in World war I., he witnessed the horrors of the trenches and was also a member of the firing squad that shot a British nurse. After the war he vowed never to take up arms again, no matter what and eventually settled on the Channel Island of Sark. It was his haven, he loved the people and practiced as a doctor, he also met the love of his life Sophie but could they ever be together? Unfortunately, Germany became the aggressors again and as such, they invaded the islands. Sebastian knew in his heart that he would have to leave as he realised once the Germans landed on Sark it wouldn't be long before they found out his nationality and he would be conscripted into the army whether he liked it or not. He was supposed to be leaving with Sophie and two Polish men but she backed out at the last minute saying there wouldn't be enough room for her and it would make it a more dangerous crossing. The story continues with Sebastian first finding a welcome in Cornwall where he lives and tends the garden of his hosts and also works as a doctor once again. Sophie is never far from his thoughts but he doesn't hear from her and soon his life takes a frightening different path.
September 2, 2023
4.5 stars. This one took me a little bit to get into but once that happened I was swept away in the story and had to finish it off in one night. I had read to about page 40 before that. So here I am much later than I intended, having finished this wonderful book. I love a good war story and I liked that although there was a very important romance in the book, that it wasn’t the focal point at all times. I liked that the story surprised me, and although I guessed exactly who Christoph was, there were other parts that I didn’t guess. I adored the character of Dame Sybil, and seeing at the end that she is closely based on a real woman made her even better. I loved that there were just as many strong women characters as male characters. I liked the vast array of different relationships between many different characters. I liked that the author wrote Sebastian as (realistically) flawed but that he was also still hugely likeable. I could just picture the island of Sark, and the people that lived there. I love how Melanie Hudson writes and am pleased that I still have one left that she has written. Such a beautiful book, despite touching on and discussing some of the horrors of the Second World War.
September 11, 2022
The title of this novel is confusing as it’s not so much about Paris but more about the small Channel Island of Sark and Cornwall. The back story contains a glimpse of life in Sark, where a German born doctor, Sebastian, tends equally his garden and patients. Here he meets and falls in love with a woman who calls herself Sophie who unbeknownst to Sebastian is investigating him as a sympathiser and potential spy for the British. It is only much later that the story shifts to Paris where Sebastian poses as his brother Sasha, a high ranking Nazi. Sebastian is arrested in Paris for a non-related war crime committed by his brother, of which he is unaware. It’s a heart rendering story of the mental torment faced by Sebastian as he tells his story to a priest whilst awaiting his execution in a Parisian prison. An interesting concept for a novel, with traces of non-fiction events during the war and infamous people. Ms Hudson brought to life the characters in her novel, the beauty and tranquility of Sark and a very believable story line.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins One More Chapter for this advance copy.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins One More Chapter for this advance copy.
September 17, 2022
I loved historical novels and this was a good one. Wonderful characters from a creative author. There are two timelines to the story, and it opens at a prison in France where a man called Shasta Braun is set to die. He is visited by a Catholic priest, who offers to hear his confession. The man advises the doctor that his name is not Sasha, but that he is the twin brother Sebastian and is a doctor. He says he has nothing to confess, but will tell the priest his story.
The story begins with Sebastian as he flees France as the Germans invade and lands at a small island in the Channel Islands where he opens up his medical practice among other things. He meets a lovely woman Sophie who he falls in love with, but they become separated when the invasions expand, and so their story goes.
This is a story of a strong love that was tested by war, a long period of separation and tragedy and the resilience of those that believe that all endings don’t have to end unhappily. I loved the writing of Melanie Hudson, her obvious ability to research her subject and her wonderful characters.
I loved the book and recommend it highly. My thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK for the ARC. All comments are my own.
The story begins with Sebastian as he flees France as the Germans invade and lands at a small island in the Channel Islands where he opens up his medical practice among other things. He meets a lovely woman Sophie who he falls in love with, but they become separated when the invasions expand, and so their story goes.
This is a story of a strong love that was tested by war, a long period of separation and tragedy and the resilience of those that believe that all endings don’t have to end unhappily. I loved the writing of Melanie Hudson, her obvious ability to research her subject and her wonderful characters.
I loved the book and recommend it highly. My thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK for the ARC. All comments are my own.
January 4, 2024
3 1/2 stars
The Paris Affair has a very compelling story. However, it took me 3 tries to really get into the story because it's sort of clunky, especially at the beginning. The writing style isn't smooth and the novel could have used more editing. There were spelling errors and paragraph breaks in the middle of sentences, and this happened consistently throughout the book. The paragraph breaks in the sentences were especially distracting for me.
However, I liked the historical context and setting. There are very interesting characters and the story is engaging. I do feel like the synopsis of the story is slightly misleading as most of the story does not take place in Paris (although parts do). The Paris Affair has a quick pace and so I feel like parts of the story were glossed over or not explored as much as I would have liked.
Overall, I would say that this novel was definitely a good read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction and romance. There were definitely some bumps that detracted from the reading experience but not enough to ruin it entirely.
The Paris Affair has a very compelling story. However, it took me 3 tries to really get into the story because it's sort of clunky, especially at the beginning. The writing style isn't smooth and the novel could have used more editing. There were spelling errors and paragraph breaks in the middle of sentences, and this happened consistently throughout the book. The paragraph breaks in the sentences were especially distracting for me.
However, I liked the historical context and setting. There are very interesting characters and the story is engaging. I do feel like the synopsis of the story is slightly misleading as most of the story does not take place in Paris (although parts do). The Paris Affair has a quick pace and so I feel like parts of the story were glossed over or not explored as much as I would have liked.
Overall, I would say that this novel was definitely a good read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction and romance. There were definitely some bumps that detracted from the reading experience but not enough to ruin it entirely.
September 16, 2022
This book is quite simply epic! It should be made into a film, as the writing is so beautifully visual and presses all the emotional buttons. I was transported to 1940s Sark, Cornwall and Paris by Sebastian's story. Sebastian, a doctor, and gentle gardener from Sark, is now in a Nazi prison awaiting execution. He tells his emotional, funny, entertaining, and often heartbreaking story to Christoph, a prison chaplain, who turns out to be so much more in the end. Every character and setting is wonderfully drawn and totally believable - testament to the meticulous research that has gone into the book. During the course of the novel, we see Sebastian change his perceptions and ideas on the big questions, and come to terms with life, love, and ultimately death. A huge thanks to Melanie Hudson for writing such a phenomenal story, and I will remember to always play in the playground until the school bell rings!
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