The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris by Daisy Wood

 💖💖💖💖/5

The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris by Daisy Wood, is about a broken marriage, healing, romance and well researched history. Set in the city of lights during the 1940's and in present time told by the points of view of the two main characters.

 

It was Paris 1940, Jacques and Mathilde have been married a short time when the horrors of war began to affect their lives; the Germans had taken over the city, and no one was safe. Jacques continued to work in his beloved little bookshop, La Page Cachée, while Mathilde worked at the nearby art gallery. The couple lived in an apartment a couple of floors above the bookshop, under the close scrutiny of Madame Bourdain; unsure if she can be trusted. Mathilde finds living under German occupation difficult, as the Gestapo are watching her movements and she needs to flee Paris. Jacques sends Mathilde into hiding, vowing to meet in a little spot, on the day of their wedding anniversary each year. Mathilde would be safe and Jacques would be helping in the war effort, using the secret room in his bookshop, he created before the war started, to hides boxes, supplies, people escaping across the borders, and eventually Jewish children. He desperately hopes Mathilde is safe in the countryside, as he can’t contact her, hopeful to meet after the war ends.

Juliette and her husband Kevin traveled from America to France for a much needed holiday, in the year 2022. Juliette’s grandmother had been born in the city of love and lived through the war years; although she refused to talk about it before she died. Juliette was left a painting, that was a large part of her grandmother’s life and she was determined to find the little square depicted. Kevin can’t wait to return home, and when Juliette discovers why, he left, leaving Juliette to search alone for her Parisian roots and investigate her grandmothers mysterious past. Juliette grandmother left her a picture of a square in Paris and she explores the Parisian streets and cafes trying to find it. Juliette finds a derelict old store for sale, in the square she'd been drawn to. Juliette decided to renovate and re-open the old store, calling it The Forgotten Bookshop. As she sets about renovating the old bookshop she uncovers the hidden secrets from the past.

Daisy Wood flawlessly combines the past and the present in a wonderful and well written dual timeline tale. Jacques, Mathilde, and Juliette are interesting characters, making it enjoyable to read about their connection the story about war, love, loss, betrayal, rebellion, defiance, hardship, secrets, greed, and fate. I highly recommend The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris to other readers.  

 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.