May 1940. Fleeing a glamorous Manhattan life built on lies, Claire Harris arrives in Paris with a romantic vision of starting anew. But she didn't anticipate the sight of Nazi soldiers marching under the Arc de Triomphe. Her plans smashed by the German occupation, the once- privileged socialite's only option is to take a job in a flower shop under the tutelage of a sophisticated Parisian florist.
In exchange for false identity papers, Claire agrees to aid the French Resistance. Despite the ever-present danger, she comes to love the enduring beauty of the City of Light, exploring it in the company of Thomas Grey, a mysterious Englishman working with the Resistance. Claire's bravery and intelligence make her a valuable operative, and slowly her values shift as she witnesses the courageous spirit of the Parisians.
But deception and betrayal force her to flee once again-this time to fight for the man she loves and what she knows is right-praying she has the heart and determination to survive long enough to one day see Paris again.
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An emotional and heartfelt novel about the relentless determination of one woman, The Last Time I Saw Paris is an outstanding read.
Claire Harris Stone is living the life others can only dream of as an elite socialite in Manhattan. Yet her past has finally caught up with her and she is on the run to a new life and a new start. Claire has never had roots to tie her down to one place...until she meets Paris. She knows she belongs here and that she has finally found her home. Unfortunately the terror and destruction of the Nazi occupation of Paris have dampened the beauty and flourish of her new Parisian life. In order to survive and secure her forged identity papers, Claire agrees to work undercover for the French Resistance. It’s here she meets Thomas Grey, an Englishman also working for the resistance. As the years pass, Claire discovers her true feelings for Grey, but this war is certainly not the ideal place and time to fall in love. As the situation becomes more dangerous, Claire must fight for her freedom, fight for her love and fight to see another say in Paris.
The Last Time I Saw Paris is a historical novel that you are sure to treasure forever. The journey Claire takes is harsh and inconceivable to those of us who did not have to live through it. Yet, underneath all the harsh and dire situations lies a story of undeniable hope. This is a woman who lost hope time and time again, but the power of determination and love saw her through to the next day. This is not a light fluffy story to read on an easy afternoon. This is the kind of story that will impact you and stay with you long after you’ve read it. I re-read the last chapter many times after I finished it, wanting to relive the conclusion again and again. The overall story consumes you so much you cannot leave it, and want to relive the ending over and over again.
The romance isn’t the focal point of this novel, but it does play a very important part. Thomas Grey is a remarkable character and the perfect partner for Claire. He becomes a very important factor in Claire’s journey. He is the silent pillar of strength that forces Claire to endure and journey on. She finds a reason to survive, to fight for her Paris, and that reason is Thomas Grey.
It’s not a suspenseful book, per say, but very dramatic and realistic. There were too many times I wanted to skip ahead to the ending to see how it all turned out only because the story was so compelling. While this may not be a true to life story, Sheene makes it easy to imagine that Claire truly exists or someone did lived this life during our tumultuous history. Sheene has this unique talent of pulling the story out of the pages and creating this intimate and visual world right before your eyes. It is harsh, gritty yet breathtakingly beautiful.
While there is a remarkable romance between the pages, at the heart of this novel is Claire. This is her story, her journey and her conclusion. She is a character of sparkling wit and personality, and most importantly unquestionable strength. She inspires you and amazes you with her relentless determination and hope. Just when you think the day can’t become darker, it does. Just when you think she can’t go on anymore, she does. You would be doing yourself a great injustice if you pass up The Last Time I Saw Paris. Lynn Sheene has created a character along the lines of Scarlett O’Hara; classically beautiful, full of spunk, never ending determination and sure to be remembered as one of the most spectacular women in literary history.
~ Lisa |