A Postcard From Paris By Alex Brown

‘A Postcard From Paris’ is the latest book in the ‘Postcard’ series by Alex Brown.

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 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…

Alex is back with another story brimming with history and strong female relationships set in the most romantic city in the world.

The story is primarily seen through the narrative of Annie, who has been asked to go to Paris on behalf of her older friend Joan, who’s been left an apartment and shop from a deceased relative by the name of Beatrice. Unable to travel, Annie has been given the task to tidy up the apartment and the shop as they prepare to sell it. But whilst on this trip, Annie befriends two women, who like Annie are at a crossroads in their life. Maggie’s husband has died and outspoken New Yorker Kristen has just come out of a messy divorce. Both women take Annie under their skin as they delve into the elusive history of Beatrice, a mysterious British woman that has divided opinions in the city.

I adored this story, from the exquisite descriptions of the city to the dialogue between the new friends. Alex has written a beautiful story that really pulls the reader in. The characters are fabulous mix of personalities from the kind hearted Annie who’s been given a second chance at life. Her children are grown up and have flown the nest. Her daughter Phoebe is a complicated character who’s never properly got over her father deserting her family. As the story progresses, we seem Annie blossom in confidence, rediscover her passion for creativity and love. The love interest in the story is such a sweet addition to the story, Ethiene is a handsome and charismatic character that the reader instantly falls in love with.

The story is also seen through Beatrice’s perspective through letters and diary entries and this makes for fascinating reading, set during the Second World War. Beatrice is a wonderfully strong character, who wants to make a change and help people during the horrendous time and her contributions do make for tear jerking reading.

The two perspectives make for captivating reader and are weaved cleverly together.
‘A Postcard from Paris’ is a beautifully written emotional and engaging story that is filled with hope, magic and charm.

You can buy ‘A Postcard From Paris’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.