Annie Lovell is keen to put the spark back into her life and when her elderly neighbour inherits an abandoned Parisian apartment she goes to Paris to discover more. Her curiosity takes an unexpected turn on discovering a bundle of secret diaries hidden within the walls, detailing the life of a young English woman, Beatrice Crawford, who volunteered in 1916 to nurse the soldiers in the fields of France.
Captivated by the romantic City of Light, Annie realises first appearances are not always what as they seem. Following Beatrice’s journey from the Great War, through the Roaring Twenties and to a very different life in Nazi-occupied Paris, Annie must piece together the events from the past, if she is to fulfil the legacy that Beatrice left for her to find…
It’s been such a long time since I last delved into one of Alex Browns’ gorgeous stories. Infused with heart, warmth and an insurmountable amount of mystery, A Postcard from Paris was a joy to curl up with and lose myself in. Browns’ ability to transport her readers from home to Paris is extraordinary, and the magic of storytelling glitters amongst the pages as a life lived decades before our own is revealed. Written in a flawless dual timeline, A Postcard from Paris was both uplifting and sad, an honest look at wartime and the sorrow that was endured by many. Not only this, but Brown captures beautifully the excitement of new friendships, the possibility of new romance, and the unravelling of a delicate story throughout the use of clues peppered throughout in a variety of formats which were glorious to discover. A wonderfully uplifting, spellbinding and romantic tale, A Postcard from Paris by Alex Brown is a delicious serving of escapism that will have you craving your own Parisian getaway.
One thing I love about Browns’ novels is that they are always, without fail, relatable in one way or another. In A Postcard from Paris, we meet Annie Lovell. Annie has hit that wall that I feel many of us hit at some point. The ‘am I living my life to the fullest?’ wall. I think we’ve all be here at some point, possibly more than once, and it can be a difficult and challenging place to be at. Annie’s only responsibility these days is her job, which isn’t really fulfilling her, mentally or emotionally. Her children are grown up and living their own lives, so Annie really only has herself to worry about. But she comes to find herself stuck in a rut, if you like. Her best friend Beth has moved to the other side of the world, and so loneliness is understandably beginning to take over. It is only when her elderly neighbour Joanie approaches Annie with an exciting proposition, that Annie begins to wonder if what she needs is a new focus in life. Something to be excited about, and interested in. Something to awaken her once more, and ignite the flame of trying new things and exploring new places, meeting new people and saying yes to new adventures.
Browns’ dual timeline in A Postcard from Paris proves a very effective way in which to tell this story. As Annie travels to Paris to discover a mysterious apartment which Joanie has inherited, readers are at the same time introduced to Beatrice Crawford, and as their separate tales are told, secrets are uncovered and connections are revealed. Browns’ ability to seamlessly slip between the past and the present is a pleasure to experience, and made my reading of this story all the more enjoyable. There really is something enchanting about being given such a beautiful glimpse of a life that was long ago lived, and it was magical to see Annie in the present day too, going about her life in the very same places that Beatrice had done all those years before. It pulled all of my emotions into play and I felt so close to Annie and Beatrice by the end of it, that I’m not ashamed to say that I shed a tear or two, maybe even three. There was so much emotion within this book, heartache and sorrow especially, grief and loss too, so it was impossible for me not to feel affected by it in some way. Brown writes deep from the heart and it certainly shows.
Not only was this an emotional and captivating tale, it sparkled with romance, the promise of adventure and the exciting possibilities of new friendship and endless laughter. Brown also explores the tension and sensitivities that can sometimes be born between mother and adult daughter, and the feeling of life perhaps becoming stale, and realising that you’re not living it to its fullest. One thing I’ve always loved about Browns’ stories is that they were always real, always relatable and always so effortlessly easy to lose oneself within. This was absolutely gorgeous, and an absolute joy to disappear within. I always look forward to a new Alex Brown novel, as escapism is without doubt guaranteed every single time.
With thanks to HarperCollins UK for providing me with a review copy of this book, that of which has no reflection my providing a fair and honest review. You can purchase your copy of A Postcard from Paris by Alex Brown here.
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