An unforgettably romantic novel that spans four Christmases (1914-1918), Last Christmas in Paris explores the ruins of war, the strength of love, and the enduring hope of the Christmas season.New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor has joined with Heather Webb to create this unforgettably romantic novel of the Great War.August 1914. England is at war. As Evie Elliott watches her brother, … 1914. England is at war. As Evie Elliott watches her brother, Will, and his best friend, Thomas Harding, depart for the front, she believes—as everyone does—that it will be over by Christmas, when the trio plan to celebrate the holiday among the romantic cafes of Paris.
But as history tells us, it all happened so differently…
Evie and Thomas experience a very different war. Frustrated by life as a privileged young lady, Evie longs to play a greater part in the conflict—but how?—and as Thomas struggles with the unimaginable realities of war he also faces personal battles back home where War Office regulations on press reporting cause trouble at his father’s newspaper business. Through their letters, Evie and Thomas share their greatest hopes and fears—and grow ever fonder from afar. Can love flourish amid the horror of the First World War, or will fate intervene?
Christmas 1968. With failing health, Thomas returns to Paris—a cherished packet of letters in hand—determined to lay to rest the ghosts of his past. But one final letter is waiting for him…
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War changes everything–individuals, relationships, priorities, dreams–so it’s not surprising that stories set in wartime are so popular and, in this case, so engrossing. In Last Christmas in Paris, best friends Will and Tom head off to fight the Germans, leaving behind Will’s sister, Evie, and, soon enough, the hope of a Christmas homecoming. By the end of the war five years later, these young, spirited characters and their circle of loved ones have experienced the full spectrum of human tragedy and plumbed the deep reaches of the human heart. I was captivated by their story, and moved.
Webb and Gaynor artfully craft the narrative using letters and telegrams, a structure that drove me from one letter to the next, eager to learn what the response would be, or which secondary characters might swoop in to complicate the story. It was hard to tear myself away! The multi-layered plot kept me guessing about what the next missive might reveal and I admit my heart was often in my throat. And, yes, I cried.
A truly remarkable book brimming with passion, intelligence, courage, and humanity.
Last Christmas in Paris has to be one of the most touching historical romances I have read in some time. I’ve never read a book before that the majority of it is reading letters between several people corresponding during the war. The authors have done it in such a way that it’s very natural and way better than just reading a story. Loved the way it took you through the steps of war from “oh we are off to win the war, be back in a short while” all the way through to the realization that war is personal and the effects are felt in very deep, lasting ways. Their journey through those hard times was very touching to this reader. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves reading a very well written book full history, romance and emotion.
By the first chapter I was already in love with this book. Without any doubt I am totally captivated. i will be buying all the readers on my Christmas list this book, it’s a must add to everyone’s bookshelf.
If you have had an ache of longing since you finished reading THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY, or since the conclusion of DOWNTON ABBEY, this novel is just the tonic.
LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS: A NOVEL OF WORLD WAR I, is an epistolary novel. Told in letters, telegrams, and newspaper dispatches, the marvelous, tragic, romantic, and fascinating story of Evie and Tom is one for the ages. Readers will not be able to turn the pages fast enough to find out the fates of their beloved characters, all while trying to savor the delightful exchanges.
At turns ebullient and heartbreaking, and often in quick succession, LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS is a true gem in historical fiction.
Books like this should come with a warning: You might finish this while on a train and cry your eyes out, thus embarrassing yourself. Wonderful book and the letter-writing format was a refreshing way to read a story. I will definitely be recommending this one.
Romantic, realistic, and despite the epic tragedies of the Great War, hope and love abounds in this novel that follows the Christmas seasons between 1914 and 1918. I thoroughly enjoyed the epistolary nature of Last Christmas in Paris and found the characters and the world building to tug at my heart all the way to the last page.
I just finished this beautifully done book. I listen to this on audio book. And all narrators did amazing job with each of the characters. I felt each one of these characters while I listened. I honestly don’t think I have ever cried this much before while listening or even reading a book. Like I did with this one. I will recommend anyone to read or even listen to this book.
This will be a book that I will always keep close to me. These characters I will always remember. Evie is my favorite character. What a strong young woman she is in this book. This book I have to say out of all the Christmas books I have read this month is my favorite.
About this book:
This book is told letters from among friends who have gone to war. Evie starts writing letters to her brother Will and his good friend Thomas. While these two are over in France somewhere fighting in the war 1. Evie also writes to her friend Alice. These four lives change has the war goes on. And they continue to write each on wants going on during the war. There are a lot of things these four encounter during their time.
Reread December 1, 2020-December 6, 2020
I had to read this book again. It’s a book that I always think that I must reread every year around Christmas time. It’s almost has if I am there with Evie watching her hold her letters close to her heart when she them from Tom and her dearest friend Alice. Yes I cried once again reading this book for the second time. I plan to read about Tom and Evie every year. I don’t know how to tell you that I highly recommend this book. I love this book so much and the characters. That forever stole my heart when I read this book.
I can’t tell you how much I loved this book!!!!! It stole my heart. I had some high expectations, and it surpassed them by far. I had read the prologue, and I was in love already.
It has an epistolary format, that is, the story is told 90% through letters. And it’s just perfect. It makes it so easy to read and non-stoppable too. I just couldn’t stop reading. The writing is so beautiful! So poetic, romantic and fun. I love how we get to know the characters through the letters. It’s such a subtle and clever way.
The plot is magnificent. It keeps you up throughout the book. Of course, even more, as it is about WWI. It’s super engaging, moving, heart-wrecking and heart-clenching. The whole story reminds me about Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain. The dynamic is pretty similar but different at the same time.
I can’t express how much I loved Evie and Tom. Seriously. They’re just too much. And all the characters to be honest.
I must be honest, I did shed a few tears. But not out of sadness but… everything! It was just very moving.
Also, I loved how the narrative is not just about Christmas. Actually, Christmas is like a silent presence throughout the novel. But it still gives you that lovely Christmas feeling.
I don’t know what else to say but that this book is just perfect. Perfect. And I need a movie, please!!
I have no idea why it took me so long to read Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb but I’m glad I remedied that this December! I loved the unique format where most of it is told in letters/telegrams (epistolary style) with periodic viewpoints of Tom in 1968. I haven’t read a book like this before and I loved the idea of the authors bringing the story to life this way. I was fully invested in the story and these characters really stole my heart. I’ve read quite a few HF books based on World War II but not as many in WWI, so it was a good learning experience as well.
My paperback copy has some great information at the back, both about the writing of this book and the Great War, which was really helpful and interesting, but I also highly recommend the audio. There is a full cast and the narrators are Alex Wyndham, Billie Fulford-Brown, Morag Sims, Gary Furlong, Greg Wagland, Antony Ferguson, Derek Perkins, Jane Copland & Mary Jane Wells. It is no secret that I love when there is a cast instead of one person, and that was key for Last Christmas in Paris since there are technically quite a few viewpoints. They all did such an amazing job and I felt like I was completely enveloped in the story of Evie and Thomas.
Last Christmas in Paris is a story that I know will stick with me for a long time to come, and it was so beautifully written. I couldn’t even tell it was written by two authors, it flowed so seamlessly. I loved this book so much and I am already looking forward to reading more by these two, both together and their individual books.
A lovely book about the importance and power of friendship and love during wartime. This book takes place in England and France during WWI. The story is mainly told through letters exchanged by the main characters, childhood friends who write to each other throughout the war. The book describes the horrors of war, the difficulties on the home front, and the unbreakable bond between those who are so far apart, but always close at heart. A lovely book.
This is a new addition to my (very short) 5-star novel list. I loved this novel so much, I hugged it when I was done! It’s been in my TBR Christmas novels stack for far too long – I had no idea how lovely Evie and Tom’s story would be.
This is an epistolary novel told almost entirely through letters, telegrams, and newspaper columns. It’s primarily a WWI story featuring England and France with a second timeline in December 1968. It need not be read at Christmastime, but the experience is richer when you do.
I listened to the audiobook (with its talented cast of actors with British accents!) while occasionally following along in a print copy and that was the perfect arrangement. I rarely re-read books but reading this powerful novel may be my newest Christmas tradition.
If you haven’t read this yet, consider this me pressing this novel into your hands.
Last Christmas in Paris is a Hazel Gaynor-Heather Webb historical novel written in the form of a collection of letters. In the few pages of narrative that open the book, one learns that Thomas Harding is an old man, and a dying one, but one determined to spend his last Christmas in Paris. It is 1969. Thomas takes with him a stack of letters from the first world war, which he intends to read in their entirety in Paris.
The correspondence consists largely, though not exclusively, between him and his best friend’s sister, Evie Elliott. With the exception of a handful of narrative pages between each year (1914, 1915, and so on), the entire book takes the form of these letters, with the sporadic narrative filling in the gaps and allowing the reader to guess what secrets might be revealed in the course of the correspondence.
It’s hard to know why this book struck me as so mediocre. Partly, the style (letter after letter after letter) wore on me. At times the writing was repetitive. What got to me most was how formulaic it felt. This is a narrative that’s been mined time and again (especially in the craze for all things British Great War spawned by Downton Abbey), such that even the “twists” felt predictable. In other words:
Meh.
Meh plot, meh characters, meh writing. Or, as I evidently summed up a previous Hazel Gaynor read: this isn’t a bad book. It’s just not a great one, and there are too many of those for me to recommend this one wholeheartedly.
This was the second Gaynor and Webb book I’ve read recently (and the fourth Gaynor book I’ve read in the past several years). Interestingly, although the author names were familiar, I didn’t initially realize that, as the two are so different. Although not perfect, I preferred Meet Me in Monaco, but can see that that period and location could easily influence a reader’s preference for one over the other.
Three stars.
(This review was originally published at https://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2019/11/last-christmas-in-paris.html)
A well-written, historical novel set in an era of great destruction. The historical context is well researched. Thank you Hazel and Heather for another good read!
What a beautiful love story to remind us of the pain and struggles people suffered during The Great War. I found myself intrigued by the history references as the war progresses and the tid-bits we wouldn’t necessarily have known about the war such as the secret meaning behind where the postage stamp was placed. Once you’re finished reading check out the historical facts at the end.
A very well written and entertaining historical fiction/romantic novel about World War l.
If you liked the Guernsey Island Literary and Potato Peel Society you will like this book.
I loved looking at WWI thru the eyes of these characters. I found the beginning a bit pedantic, but the knowing of these historical events kept me coming back to see how they change and dealt with them. Enjoyable read.
LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS has been on my list to read since it came out, and while I’m happy I finally read it, I’m sad I didn’t read it sooner. What a wonderful, heartwarming and heartbreaking story.
Evie was so much fun. Feisty, upbeat, so full of hope and love. How could Tom not have fallen love with her the minute he laid eyes on her? And Tom, what a perfect hero of the story. So stoic, loyal, strong, and brave. I cried at the end as he put his uniform on and read the final letter from the love of his life fifty years after that first letter.
I love reading historical fiction and learning about the events of the past through the eyes of those who have come before us and how those now interpret their lives. This book flowed from start to finish for me and the pages flew by. I lost myself in the words, pictured myself flying down the lane on “Rusty the bicycle” delivering the post, and had tears running down my cheeks when “those” telegrams were delivered. Ms. Gaynor and Ms. Webb told a gripping tale and did a magnificent job of melding their styles into one seamless work. Definitely five stars and this goes on my keeper shelf.
I loved everything about this book.
This was so well-written. I felt as if I truly came to know the characters through their letters and the narrative.