Last Christmas In Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor has joined with Heather Webb to create this unforgettably romantic novel of the Great War.

August 1914. England is at war. As Evie Elliott watches her brother, Will, and his best friend, Thomas Harding, depart for the front, she believes—as everyone does—that it will be over by Christmas, when the trio plan to celebrate the holiday among the romantic cafes of Paris.

But as history tells us, it all happened so differently…

Evie and Thomas experience a very different war. Frustrated by life as a privileged young lady, Evie longs to play a greater part in the conflict—but how?—and as Thomas struggles with the unimaginable realities of war he also faces personal battles back home where War Office regulations on press reporting cause trouble at his father’s newspaper business. Through their letters, Evie and Thomas share their greatest hopes and fears—and grow ever fonder from afar. Can love flourish amid the horror of the First World War, or will fate intervene?

Christmas 1968. With failing health, Thomas returns to Paris—a cherished packet of letters in hand—determined to lay to rest the ghosts of his past. But one final letter is waiting for him…

What Did I Think Of Last Christmas In Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb?

I am so glad I listened to Last Christmas In Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect – except that this book is set during World War I and takes places through letters. As it turns out, it’s a good thing I went into this book as a mostly blank slate.

Last Christmas In Paris is told mostly through a series of letters and really the stars are Evie, who is a privileged young British woman and her friend, Tom, who is an officer and fighting the Germans in the war. Evie and Tom correspond as friends. However, as time and the war goes on, that friendship deepens over the letters into something more. It’s as though they bare their souls to each other. There are some dark moments in this book, as well as some moments that seem a little bit contrived. However, it just all works and I adored this book.

I could not tell the difference between the writing style of the two authors -Gaynor and Webb. Overall, the book flows really well. It’s a great read if you like books that are told via letter and if you like the friends to lovers trope – particularly a slow burn. This does not shy from the horrors of war, there is loss in this book. There’s also moments of joy and beauty. We also see the contributions of women to the war effort and get to read Evie’s perspective through her newspaper column. I really do think this slim historical fiction book is worth taking the time to read.

How’s The Narration?

The audiobook of Last Christmas In Paris is 8 hours and 8 minutes long. I listened to it at 1.25 and 1.5x speed. It’s one of those books that I am glad to have listened to a little bit slower than is my custom. It made it easier to absorb the events of what was happening as well. There are lots of narrators for this audiobook too and I think each one plays their part to perfection.

On A Scale Of One To Buddy The Elf, How Much Christmas Spirit Does This Book Have?

So, Last Christmas In Paris begins and ends during the Christmas season. The book covers a lot of space though between the two Christmases – the wartime years where it is decidedly not Christmas. So, this is pretty somber, serious book. There’s absolutely a love story happening here. However, it’s not a romantic comedy by any means. This book is absolutely not on the Buddy The Elf scale, but pick it up anyways, it’s gorgeous.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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