“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
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Maybe I’ve read one too many WWII novels. This was a little Sarah’s Key with an overlapping modern day drama. Going back and forth between the two was a little much, just to tie them together in the end.
This was one of the best construct stories I ever read. Beautifully woven past and present tale of forgiveness and hope.
enjoyed it. will re-read.
This book had a rather unique storyline. The connection of the current day characters to those of the forties was complex but eventually well explained.
Loved, loved, loved! The intersection of people’s lives throughout time was amazing.
I loved the interplay of the timelines–that one very closely fed what was happening in the other. The mysteries from past and present kept me reading and I think that those who love WWII will really enjoy the timeline that lures the reader through that era. And for me, the idea that the secrets of the past were revealed in the present thread made for a perfect ending. Considering having multiple time lines the story was actually very simple and easy to keep track of between the different plots. Very well done. Loved it.
A box of love letters inside a Paris apartment unravels an engaging and heartbreaking story that begins in a family-run flower shop in Paris during WWII. Hence the title. Two women and a young girl figure prominently in the story, and try as I might, I was not able to connect the dots between them until it was spelled out. Lovely cover, beautifully written, kept me guessing and held my interest.
This story is excellent but the book, not so much. I wanted to love it but was unable to forge a strong connection with any of the characters. The premise of the story offers much potential but the book just didn’t live up to it. Because of this, it took me longer than I would have like to finish reading it. Yet, I did enjoy it and the outcome was satisfactory.
Great read!!!
My favorite historical fiction book of the year. Two women – two eras – two stories – one current day – one war-torn Paris under the threat of Hitler. The book was riveting, heartbreaking and an example of perseverance in a time when all hope was lost.
All the Flowers in Paris was a beautiful novel! I enjoyed how the story combined present day with the past during the 1940s. And I enjoyed how the characters’ stories were portrayed. Caroline is living in Paris but doesn’t remember anything about her life because she was in an accident and lost her memory. She spends her days visiting a local restaurant and going to art classes, trying to pick up the pieces of her real life. Years ago, Celine, along with her father and daughter are living in Paris during the war when the Germans have taken over the city. Celine’s life is torn apart by one particular cruel German soldier. Caroline stumbles upon the story of Celine and her family. Throughout the novel, we learn both Celine and Caroline’s stories. The story tells the emotional parts of the tragedies that they experienced in their lives and how they tried to overcome what happened.
All the Flowers in paris by Sarah Jio
Book has many stories inside.
Caroline ran into a truck and is trying to remember who she is and anything else about her life.
She finds letters from Luke to Celine-from the 1940’s and she finds one about the Germans putting the star on their flower shop-they are branded as Jewish and nobody wants them in town or in their building.
Caroline is getting a tour of Paris from Victor a man who works at many jobs.
Oma is the child and she’s confused as to why she thinks it’s her daughter.
Like how the stories all mesh together but otherwise I feel as if I got many stories for the price of one book.
Like this author and have read most of her works I could get my hands on.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Set in the City of Light, All the Flowers in Paris, written by Sarah Jio, is a split-story that opens with modern-day Caroline, who has amnesia. Caroline’s life is a blank sheet. Without a back story, she must fill in the pages of her life going forward.
While rooting through her apartment for clues to herself, Caroline discovers a packet of unsent love letters penned by a young widow named Celine, living in Nazi-occupied Paris with her father and young daughter Cosi. Celine’s father, a florist, is beloved by all, that is until his well-concealed secret is revealed: his mother was Jewish. Suddenly, everything is turned topsy-turvy for Celine and her family, and the wolf waits at the door.
For the complete review, go to https://kindredconnection.wordpress.com/2019/10/10/all-the-flowers-in-paris/.
Caroline has had a terrible accident. She has lost her memory. She discovers she has been living as a recluse in an old apartment in Paris. Plus, she discovers she not been a very nice person. She meets a wonderful man but as her memory slowly recovers, she wonders if she can trust him. Caroline also finds some old WWII letters in her apartment and this sends her on a unique quest.
Two different story lines in this novel create an emotional tale. Caroline finding Céline’s letters sends her on a search for the answers. The answers are not what she expects. Céline’s tale will tear your heart out. But, Caroline’s tale is not much better. When these two stories intertwine your emotions goes haywire!
I have been a huge fan of Sarah Jio forever! She has some amazing reads. This one is OVER THE TOP! First of all, it is in my favorite time period…WWII, there is a mystery and dark secrets….what is not to love!
Just wow… such a beautiful book that tugged heavily on my heart strings. I was definitely invested in these characters and loved the Paris location. Great historical fiction with love and loss in both periods of time.
I was captivated by Celine’s story. My heart filled with pain and anguish every time I would read her story. The fear she had to face and the decisions she had to live with was heart-wrenching. No matter how many WWII stories I read I never get immune to the pain they suffered. I learn something new every single time. I cannot even begin to comprehend what our ancestors experienced. I pray a time like that never occurs again.
Caroline’s story is equally filled with raw emotion. To wake up one day and not know who you are? Terrifying to say the least. I would probably die of a panic attack. She is a brave woman to trust those around her to find herself again.
Be prepared: have a full box of tissues at your side and don’t have any plans. You will not want to put this book down. It is a powerfully, moving story that will captivate you from beginning to end.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Random House Publishers, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Wonderful, wonderful book. The characters were believable and the story was so sad and heartwarming. So, so glad I can ad this to one of my favorite books.
I have been a huge fan of Sarah Jio’s stories since the day I read her very first novel. Her words weave together such beautiful, heartwarming tales and this book did not disappoint.
Her stories always seem to have a magical feel to them and leave me with such good feelings. I loved the dual story-line in All the Flowers in Paris and I loved it when the two women’s connection was revealed—because come on, you knew that was going to happen, right?
Caroline and Celine both had troubled pasts and have hardships to get through in their present lives. Traveling back and forth between the two time periods gave me a rich understanding of the two women and demonstrated the strength of these two amazing women.
I love opening a book by this amazing author and getting lost in one of her worlds. I get so excited when I learn that she has a new book out and I can’t wait! If you have not read any of her books yet, I highly recommend that you pick one up. All the Flowers in Paris would be the perfect one to start with.
Paris, to me, truly is a city of love and lights. The city just seems to celebrate enlightment “la ville lumière” and vibrancy “la joie de vivre”. Therefore, it is almost unbearable to think of the time when the city of love and lights was occupied by Nazis, who were filled with hate and darkness.
In Sarah Jio’s new novel, All the Flowers in Paris, we see this terrible time through the eyes of Celine. In 1943 Celine is a widow and single mother who lives with her father, the owner of a flower shop. Once her father’s partial Jewish ancestry is discovered, a yellow star is painted on the flower shop. The business is ruined when customers refuse to do business with them, neighbors become traitors, old friendships are lost, and the family is torn apart. Celine is then held hostage in the apartment of a high ranking German official, who lives at 18 Rue Cler.
Celine represents the strength, dignity and courage of French Jewish people and those in the Resistance movement during the war. She also shows the steadfastness of a mother’s love as she protects her young daughter, Cosi, from all the evil surrounding them. Celine’s boyfriend, Luc, is a policeman who leaves to fight for the resistance. His is mother is the owner of Bistro Jeanty, who tries to find favor with the Germans to keep her restaurant flourishing during the occupation. Celine’s childhood friend, Suzette, is one of the many who are seduced by the Germans, and end up conflicted and emotionally unstable.
The other main character in the book is Caroline, who is living in France in 2009. She suffers a head injury in a bicycle accident after leaving the Bistro Jeanty after an unpleasant encounter with an unnamed man. She wakes up five days after the accident with temporary memory loss. Upon discharge from the hospital, she returns to her apartment at 18 Rue Cler, to try to discover her true identity. She befriends the new owner of the Bistro Jeanty, Victor, as well as a college student who is studying the history of occupied Paris.
The plot follows not only Caroline’s recovery, but the reader learns of how the apartment connects the lives of Celine and Caroline. Like lotus flowers, they lead harrowing journeys, forging their ways through darkness, summon inter strength, and emerge and bloom triumphantly.
My favorite novel until now of Sarah Jio’s was The Violets of March. Today, All the Flowers in Paris has captured my heart. This is a story of loss, finding one’s way to be able to go on and find joy in life. The story is set in Paris during WWII and 2009. I was totally engrossed in both story lines. The common tie is that the characters from both periods live in the same apartment. Céline and her little girl are forced to live in the apartment of a German officer. Céline hides her little girl in a secret room beneath the floor. Caroline comes to Paris to get over the death of her daughter and rents the apartment, She is suffering from amnesia after an accident.
Jio skillfully threads their two stories together. Cannot say how much I loved this story! Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine books for entrusting me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.