Review: Courtesans: Money, Sex and Fame in the Nineteenth Century by Katie Hickman

Courtesans: Money, Sex and Fame in the Nineteenth Century by Katie Hickman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In the nineteenth century, a remarkable group of women transcended their impoverished backgrounds to attain extraordinary power, independence, and wealth. These women, known as courtesans, defied societal norms and wielded significant influence, shaping their own lives and the lives of others.

With exceptional talents, extensive education, and remarkable literacy, courtesans held positions of authority in society. Although they were not accepted in the royal court, they established their own distinct world known as the demimonde. Within this realm, they governed their own hierarchies, adhered to unique etiquette and protocol, and enjoyed tremendous influence.

Courtesans excelled in various fields, including fashion, language, music, political intrigue, and, notably, their captivating erotic abilities. Simply being seen in public with a renowned courtesan was a highly coveted achievement, symbolizing social status and admiration.

I found this book to be a valuable resource for my college senior thesis. It provided me with informative content presented in an accessible and straightforward manner.

View all my reviews

ARC Review: A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan

A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from William Morrow Paperbacks via NetGalley.

Sometimes greatness had to be born of the ashes

Set in two different time periods, the book follows the stories of two resilient women as they navigate challenges, loss, and the pursuit of love in the ever-changing city of Paris.

In 1870, Lisette Vigneau, a headstrong young woman from a wealthy family, finds her life upended by the Prussian invasion of Paris. Drawn to the cause of the people, she abandons her privileged existence to join the fight for a better Paris. Through her determination, she opens a bakery to provide much-needed support to the impoverished community. As famine and rebellion grip the city, Lisette's resolve is tested, and she must confront the sacrifices she's made.

In 1946, nineteen-year-old Micheline Chartier grapples with the loss of her father and the absence of her mother. Left to care for her younger sisters, Micheline feels trapped and ill-equipped for the responsibility. When she enrolls in a prestigious baking academy, her life takes an unexpected turn. Alongside her classmate Laurent Tanet, Micheline searches for her missing mother while discovering her own path forward.

Both women encounter profound sorrow, but they find solace in the transformative power of love and make courageous decisions. They believe that through the act of baking, which combines simple ingredients like flour, yeast, and sugar with a touch of love, they can ignite personal revolutions. The strength and resilience displayed by both women are truly remarkable and go beyond what can be easily understood.

View all my reviews

Review: The Paris Apartment

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jess, in desperate need of a fresh start, finds herself broke and alone after leaving her job in unfavorable circumstances. Seeking refuge with her half-brother Ben in Paris, she discovers a surprisingly upscale apartment, leading her to question how Ben could afford such a place. However, Ben is nowhere to be found.

As time passes with no sign of Ben, Jess becomes increasingly curious about her brother's situation. The eccentric and unfriendly neighbors raise more questions than answers. While Jess had hoped to escape her own past, it becomes apparent that it is Ben's future that is now in jeopardy.

Amidst the cast of characters including a socialite, a kind-hearted individual, an alcoholic, a troubled girl, and the enigmatic concierge, everyone becomes a potential suspect and neighbor. Secrets and withheld information lurk behind closed doors, and Jess realizes that each person holds a piece of the puzzle.

In this gripping tale, suspicions mount, and the search for Ben intensifies. As everyone harbors their own hidden agenda, Jess must navigate the intricate web of deception to uncover the truth.

Jess truly shines as a dynamic character whose resilience captivates readers. Despite encountering numerous obstacles, she demonstrates remarkable strength and determination that leaves a lasting impression. Jess's ability to overcome challenges and adapt to unexpected situations adds depth to her character and makes her journey all the more compelling. I was engrossed in unraveling the mystery alongside Jess. The twists and turns bring an element of surprise and intrigue, keeping readers engaged and eager to discover what lies ahead. The unexpected plot twists keep readers on their toes, constantly challenging their assumptions and providing a sense of satisfaction when revelations come to light.

View all my reviews

Review: The Chateau by Catherine Cooper - ARC

The Chateau by Catherine Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Harper 360 via NetGalley.

Aura and Nick don’t talk about what happened in England. They’ve bought a chateau in France to make a fresh start, and their kids need them to stay together – whatever it costs.  A couple on the brink.  The expat community is welcoming, but when a neighbour is murdered at a lavish party, Aura and Nick don’t know who to trust.

A secret that is bound to come out… Someone knows exactly why they really came to the chateau. And someone is going to give them what they deserve.

This was not what I was expecting from reading this author's first book but I was pleasantly surprised.  The readers got a completely different view and story of the characters from one part to the next making the story a lot more interesting and impactful.  The reader thought they knew the characters in the first part of the book but the point of view was completely different later on.

View all my reviews

Review: The Chalet by Catherine Cooper - ARC

The Chalet by Catherine Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Harper Collins via NetGalley.

In the French Alps in 1998, two friends embark on a skiing trip in the midst of a blizzard. However, only one of them survives, leaving behind unanswered questions.

Twenty years later, four individuals linked to the missing man converge at the same resort. Each harbors a hidden secret, and it's possible that two of them may be implicated in a sinister act. Among them is a potential killer, waiting for the right moment. Someone holds the truth about what truly transpired that fateful day, and they are determined to seek justice. The price for their knowledge will be steep.

This was a really compelling book for me, I was excited by the idea of an unknown murder and how that related to the people vacationing there 20 years later. I also really enjoyed getting the different perspectives from the various guests and how they connected in their past. Fast-paced and very fun to read.    

View all my reviews

Review: The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in sixty-five years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.

The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War II—an experience Eva remembers well—and the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. Now housed in Berlin’s Zentral- und Landesbibliothek library, it appears to contain some sort of code, but researchers don’t know where it came from—or what the code means. Only Eva holds the answer—but will she have the strength to revisit old memories and help reunite those lost during the war?

As a graduate student in 1942, Eva was forced to flee Paris after the arrest of her father, a Polish Jew. Finding refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, she begins forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. But erasing people comes with a price, and along with a mysterious, handsome forger named Rémy, Eva decides she must find a way to preserve the real names of the children who are too young to remember who they really are. The records they keep in The Book of Lost Names will become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rémy disappears.

I really liked how the reader was able to get more insight into how World War II forgeries were done during the war. I also really liked that Eva was a little bit conflicted and hesitant about what she was doing, it brought realism to the story.

View all my reviews

Review: Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon

Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars

Set in 1936, Nancy Wake, an audacious Australian ex-pat in Paris, finds herself swept off her feet by wealthy industrialist Henri Fiocca. However, their romance is short-lived as the Germans invade France, prompting Nancy to adopt a code name and become a daring smuggler known as Lucienne Carlier. Evading capture and earning the moniker "The White Mouse" from the Gestapo, Nancy's life is at stake with a bounty on her head. Forced to leave Henri behind, she undergoes training with the Special Operations Executives in Britain, where she is given the name Hélène. Returning to France as Madam André, Nancy becomes a formidable leader in the French Resistance, armed with her wit, red lipstick, and the ability to acquire weapons from the Allied Forces. However, as the war progresses, the danger intensifies, and Nancy must protect her true identity, even at the risk of those she loves.

This was a fantastic book. I loved all of the characters in it, especially Nancy and Henri.  Henri was amazing, he seemed like the perfect husband.  I also really enjoyed all of his drinking rules, I’ll have to see if those could be put to good use.

View all my reviews