“Sarah Jio weaves past and present in this eminently readable novel about love, gratitude, and forgiveness. I tore through the pages!”—New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker KlineTwo women are connected across time by the city of Paris, a mysterious stack of love letters, and shocking secrets sweeping from World War II to the present—for readers of Sarah’s Key and The Nightingale.When … of Sarah’s Key and The Nightingale.
When Caroline wakes up in a Paris hospital with no memory of her past, she’s confused to learn that for years she’s lived a sad, reclusive life in a sprawling apartment on the rue Cler. Slowly regaining vague memories of a man and a young child, she vows to piece her life back together—though she can’t help but feel she may be in danger. A budding friendship with the chef of a charming nearby restaurant takes her mind off her foggy past, as does a startling mystery from decades prior.
In Nazi-occupied Paris, a young widow named Céline is trying to build a new life for her daughter while working in her father’s flower shop and hoping to find love again. Then a ruthless German officer discovers her Jewish ancestry and Céline is forced to play a dangerous game to secure the safety of her loved ones. When her worst fears come true, she must fight back in order to save the person she loves most: her daughter.
When Caroline discovers Céline’s letters tucked away in a closet, she realizes that her apartment harbors dark secrets—and that she may have more in common with Céline than she could have ever imagined.
All the Flowers in Paris is an emotionally captivating novel rooted in the resiliency and strength of the human spirit, the steadfastness of a mother’s love, and the many complex layers of the heart—especially its capacity to forgive.
“Heart-stopping . . . Fans of emotional, romantic stories set during World War II will enjoy this heartbreaking tale of love and loss.”—Booklist
more
A riveting and realistic story of two women, decades apart in time, yet both finding a way to triumph over the darkness that threatens their lives.
Sarah Jio weaves past and present in this eminently readable novel about love, gratitude, and forgiveness. I tore through the pages!
Rue Cler is one of my favorite streets in Paris, and I loved revisiting it in the pages of this book. The dual storylines are a personal favorite, and both are deeply moving and unforgettable.
This is a beautiful well written love story to the city of Paris. It’s written in dual timelines – one is Celine’s story in the 40s when Paris was occupied by the Germans and the other is Caroline’s story in today’s Paris. Sometimes with dual timelines, I enjoy one story more than the other but with this book, I was equally interested in both timelines and anxious to find out how they would end.
Celine lives in Paris with her father and her daughter and they own a small flower shop. They have to be very careful because Germany has invaded Paris and the soldiers can be very cruel to the citizens. They are fearful for each other but despite all that is going on, Celine is falling in love with Luc, a young man that she’s known her entire life. When a cruel German officer discovers that her grandmother was Jewish, he makes her his mistress in exchange for keeping her family safe. Will her new life of pain and cruelty help save her father and daughter?
Caroline lives in Paris in the present day. At the beginning of the novel she is in an accident and wakes up with amnesia. She doesn’t remember who she is or anything about her past but has flashes about a child and is unsure if they are part of her life or not. As she learns her way around Paris again, she starts to spend time with the chef at a local bistro and thinks she is falling in love with him. In a back bedroom of her apartment she finds the letters that Celine wrote to Luc during her captivity in the apartment. She works with a student at the Sorbonne to find out more about Celine and her family. The parallel time lines bring the story together and I can promise tears along with joy.
This was a wonderful well written novel about love – especially love within a family. The dual time line is very effective in bringing us a fantastic story with well written characters and a setting in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
All the Flowers in Paris is Sarah Jio’s tenth novel. I have read all nine of her works, and I was eager to devour All the Flowers in Paris. Ms. Jio said she has been wanting to write a novel set in Paris and this was her love letter to that city. It is a dual timeline novel that goes between 2009 and 1943. I was more attracted to the historical story than the modern day tale. I thought Caroline’s narrative played out in an expected manner, though, it is a sweet, romantic story. Celine’s tale is heartbreaking and spoke to the violence of some of the Nazi soldiers. We also see how neighbor’s and friends would turn on other people especially if it would curry them favor with the German’s. I wish the author had taken the time to capture the era. The story lacked historical details. I did enjoy the descriptions of Paris in 2009, the apartment on rue Cler and Madame Jeanty’s café. I liked the flower motifs woven throughout the story. The last 20% of All the Flowers in Paris was the most intriguing as the action increased and we see how the various threads tied together. I thought All the Flowers in Paris lacked that special magical touch that I found in Sara Jio’s earlier works. Unfortunately, All the Flowers in Paris was reminiscent other World War II novels that I have read. I did find a couple of inaccuracies in the story (an example is that at one point it is mentioned Caroline dislikes espresso and then it states she had one every day). I believe I was let down by my expectations. All the Flowers in Paris has hidden letters, nasty Nazis, blooming flowers, lost memories, the city of lights, and a woman searching for answers.
I liked this book so very much. First set in Paris, immediately has my attention. Secondly set during the WWII, another draw. Gorgeous cover, always a plus. “Two women are connected across time by the city of Paris, a mysterious stack of love letters, and shocking secrets sweeping from World War II to the present.” I could not put this one down, as I really wanted to know what Caroline’s past was and how Céline’s story ends. I would it heartwarming and would recommend.
All the Flowers in Paris
by Sarah Jio
Masterfully told in a split-timeline, All the Flowers in Paris paints a layered story of of two women: Caroline, a contemporary woman who grapples to find her identity and handle her grief and Celine, a woman from the past, whose learns to survive, keeping alive what she loves dearly.
Celine and her daughter live an almost idyllic life in Paris. Working with her father in their family owned flower shop, Celine spends her days content among the flowers.
Overcoming the loss of her first husband, Celine forms an attachment to handsome Luc. Just as their romance blooms to a deeper level of commitment, WWII separates them.
Celine and her papa struggle to keep their flower shop open once the shop is defaced with a scrawled Star of David, marking them as of Jewish lineage.
Caught in the web of a high-ranking German officer, Celine does all she can to keep her and Cosi alive, but will it be enough?
Recovering from an accident, Caroline awakes to a foreign person—herself. Amidst her striving to regain her memory and identity, Caroline falls for the handsome owner of a Parisian restaurant, Victor.
By chance Caroline encounters a studio where art and healing go hand in hand, and she eventually discovers who she is, the past she’s come from, and who she grieves. But will she take the path of healing and forgiveness that her art calls her to?
Can both women say in the end: “I have come to learn that we can never lose what we love deeply and truly. It becomes a part of us.”
Historical fiction and historical romance readers will enjoy this richly arranged bouquet of wartime and contemporary fiction.
Love her books. She makes you fall in love with her characters. This is my favorite of hers.
This story was great, it had me hooked from the beginning, it is beautifully written with a fascinating plot and characters.
It is set in Paris during present time and during WWII, with the character connecting between times.
Celine, her father and daughter Cosi live in a Paris occupied by the Germans during world war II, and Caroline, a North American lives in the same apartment where Celine lived now in present day.
Caroline finds some letters in one of the bedrooms, written by Celine, that starts Caroline on a path to discovering what happened to that family. Meanwhile Caroline who has had an accident and lost her memory, has a journey of her own to rediscover who she is.
I connected to all of the characters, as the author really drew me in to each time period.
A wonderful WWII story which concentrates on relationships and not the fighting.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing group- Ballentine.
Realistic characters enhance the believable plot. The conclusion was sad but satisfying.
All the Flowers in Paris was unexpected because I thought it would be like other stories from that time that just jump into the occupation and see more about what the soldiers do and how they treated people. This story shows that in some ways, but it goes much deeper.
We take a look inside two different worlds; one is modern times with a woman (Caroline) who lives in an apartment who has been in accident and has lost her memory. She is trying to piece her life together and figure out who she is, but along the way she not only finds herself, she also finds the other world that Celine lives in Nazi occupied Paris with her young daughter Cosi.
We learn about Caroline as her memory gradually comes back and she realizes who the people around her really are, all the while we are watching in horror and amazement as Celine persevere in an a world that many people would have given up and lost all hope. Both women in this parrell worlds that are so different yet so alike so that even in the face of unimaginable pain and evil we can overcome. There is a tomorrow and there is good in the world. Sometimes you just have to look ahead and find the good in the next day.
All the Flowers in Paris is a soul piercing tale set in WWII that is both beautiful and devastating.
I liked the difference in the time frames and the comparison of the apartment
I like Sarah Jio’s books and so was looking forward to reading this one. It did not disappoint. Different from her usual setting (Washington State). I am very interested in historical fiction focusing on WWII, and this book was, to my mind, original in its focus with interesting characters and a fresh look at an area I hadn’t seen before.
A first time author for me, will definitely seek out her books & hope for more! Love the research that went into the history entwined throughout the intricate story.
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved the plot turns and twists. Such a great ending. I look forward to another from this authour.
A gem!
I loved it.
This book, set in two time periods was an intriguing look at two women. It is well paced and the characters were drawn well. It will go by quickly as you will want answers.
Absolutely loved this book. Loved the way the past was woven with the present. Wonderful characters.
Loved it. The characters were well developed and the story line was intricate. Well worth reading.