All The Flowers In Paris

By Sarah Jio, Orion, £8.99

We often talk about letting go of the past but when it comes to certain subjects, some things aren’t easily forgotten.

It’s 1943 and Celine is trying to protect her family from the horrors of occupied Paris.

But when her fiance Luc is forced to leave, she captures the attention of an SS officer, putting both her and her family’s lives in danger.

Meanwhile, in 2009, Caroline awakes from an accident in Paris with no memory of her past.

Searching for clues in her apartment, she discovers a bundle of letters written during the war from a young woman, Celine.

In trying to uncover the truth of Celine’s past, Caroline may also just discover her own...

With an alluring dual narrative that promises to reveal a few surprises, this is an easy book to get lost in.

The readability of the book is certainly helped by Jio’s lovely writing, and she delivers an almost lyrical description of Paris and the world Celine lives in.

It is the type of appealing story that offers a bit of everything: romance, mystery and drama.

If you are looking for an easy-going historical story then you won’t be disappointed but if you’re looking for the perfect blend of fact and fiction, this probably won’t satisfy your expectations.

Although set in Nazi-occupied Paris, there isn’t a lot of historical context at the forefront of the narrative.

It feels more like a story that just happens to be set during that time period rather than one in which the historical setting is the main focus.

There are interesting aspects to the novel to keep you reading, including discovering Celine’s story through Caroline’s eyes, but some plot points lack development and tension.

Sometimes it’s nice to put on the rose-tinted glasses, suspend your belief (and cynicism) and get swept off your feet in a harmless, slightly sappy romantic historical drama.

It may not be the best war-inspired novel but it enjoyable in its own way.

Review by Emma Reekie. is