I don't normally read books set in the past but I am really glad that I read this one.
Set in the second world war it tells the story of a young woman working for the British intelligence services.
There is a crossover with modern day with a dying, famous, piano teacher who was a Nazi officer back then. The story of how they met is gradually explored through memories and food.
A fantastic book with lots of emotion throughout. Fabulous!

I absolutely love this story. It was heartbreaking but beautifully told. It has a dual timeline and told from a number of number of character perspectives. We have Christoph and it's his story. In 2002 (present timeline) he is losing his memories and he has help from Julia (a pianist that he mentored) when she finds a cookbook hidden in his house. She begins to cook the recipes and Christop being to remember his time in France during the German occupation of 1942 and the person he fell in love with there, Sylvie.

We also get the perspective from Sylvia/Lisette during 1942 and we see how the relationship forms between her and Christoph. Both are on opposite side of the war.

The story is really well written and captured me right from the first page. I fell in love with all the characters and the ending was superbly written. There were plenty of surprises throughout the book too and to sum up it is a story of survival, fall in love in the most unlikely of circumstances, loss, and endurance. I would highly recommend this to everyone and have no hesitation in giving it a well deserving 5 stars.

I love a good story set against the background of World War 2 and I was not disappointed.

The story sees Christoph relive his past through a younger pianist Julia. The past takes you to occupied Paris in 1942 and the story of Christoph (a German) and Lisette/Sylvie (a British SOE operative) and how they fare in Occupied Paris.

I was a bit put off by the appearance of the first menu in the book - as there's no explanation for it - but soon you understand where the menus fit in and they add to the atmosphere of the book.

I was fully transported to the time and fully wanted the lovers to find their happiness together.

An enjoyable read that effortlessly moves between wartime Paris and the present day. You want to know what happened to the main characters. Using the recipes they shared is a brilliant way to link the past to the present.

An amazing love story set in Paris in 1942 during WW2 . Emotional roller-coaster which is told from various people when the past is revisited in 2002. Wonderfully portrayed characters which develop as many secrets unravel. Throughout the book are recipes both French and German which I am certainly going to try in the not too distant future. Atmospheric and utterly engaging.

An amazing book which is a love story about two people from opposing sides of the Second World War whose love and loss conquered all.
It is a dual time story of how they met ,loved, and lost and found each other again.
I can’t recommend it enough
Five stars all the way

Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk and Penguin Random House for a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

Once again I am blown away by the writing style of this debut author. Fiona Schneider has captured the essence of Paris in 1942, and presented a time lapse novel spanning one man's life.
A beautiful story of how one man's life can be changed in the turning of a page. The recipes in an old cookbook, and the notes scribbled there are confusing to him, but with a little help, the story is unfolding.
Uncovering the mysterious past Christoph has buried deep within his mind, with the help of his student Julia and his son Daniel, will he ever find the answer he is looking for?
Netgalley.co.uk say, that this is the perfect novel for fans of Lucinda Riley, no wonder it appeals to me so much!
I loved it

I enjoyed this story, occupied France and Nazis aren’t my usual choice of read but something drew me to this and I’m glad I read it. Very emotional at times but a love story, or 2, and a duel timeline made this a very enjoyable read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

Started this book before bed last night and I struggled to put it down to sleep! I was totally emotionally invested in it! So much so I was dreaming about it and was convinced the Germans were downstairs looking for them!

Today I couldn’t put it down at my lunch and breaks. I saved some for home as I knew I wasn’t strong enough to finish it at work!
I am an emotional mess, what a compelling story with bravery of the resistance in Ww2 from both parties!

I now can’t stop thinking about it and wanting to read more. This book for me was outstanding and I will be highly recommending it!

A dual timeframe love story that jumps from WW2 Paris to a talented concert pianist in the present day. I enjoyed finding out how the threads of these stories wove themselves into a very good novel.

I need a warning when a book is going to be this emotional and sad. Of course a story in occupied france with people trying to outtrick the Nazis is going to be a hard read at times but the two love stories were what got me. The present day and past timeline threads wove in and out and , what can I say, it was moving.

Very emotionally draining but what a book!

This is a very enjoyable read.. I am usually wary of war novels because I get upset by details of the Nazi cruelties. This was tolerable, although the dread was always in the background. It had a nice intricate plot and the unusual thread of the recipes was a novel idea. The present day timeline with Julia kept the interest, and there were a few surprises. This is a well-written debut novel.

In 1942 Lisette, a French and German speaking chef, is recruited into the French resistance and is secretly flown from the UK to France with a new identity as Sylvie Dubois. Having been instructed not to take any personal items with her, she can’t resist packing her German grandmother’s handwritten recipe book but keeps it safely hidden. She works at Maxim’s closely alongside the Head Chef who is also in the resistance. Maxims is a favourite restaurant of the German military heirachy and their Kommandant, who has an eye for young ladies, soon insists that she transfer to the kitchen of his headquarters - the Hotel Meurice. There she befriends his young assistant Christoph in the hope of perhaps picking us some useful information that she can pass on to her mentor, Seraphin. She soon learns that Christoph is a reluctant soldier having been forced into the job in order to save his unwell sister from being killed by the Nazis. One thing leads to another and Sylvie and Christoph soon fall in love. However, she is forced to flee the country at very short notice, taking with her a wounded Frenchmen in order to save his life. The only thing she can leave for Christoph is her recipe book, in the hope that he may find her when the war is over.

In the summer of 2002 Julia, a concert pianist, takes a break from the concert circuit, and travels from London to Bonn to see her former tutor and seek his advice and guidance.. However she finds that he, Christoph, is very far from well and is losing his memory. He is admitted to hospital and she sets about trying to tidy up his home. She accidentally finds an old cooker book and, from notes alongside some of the recipes, realises that this has some connection with his past. She starts to cook som of the dishes in an attempt to make him eat and recover his health, and it also brings back memories of his past. She tries desperately to find Sylvie but all seems lost when she learns that Sylvie died in a prison camp………but did she die?

This is a glorious read, and a first novel published in English by Fiona Schneider - I hope she will write and publish many more !

What a pleasure this novel was to read. I loved the characters of Christoph, Sofie/Lisette, Julie and Daniel. This though is a heartbreaking story of the developing and enduring love between two persons on opposing side during WW2 as the backstory, with Julie, a classically trained pianist seeking answers to her mentor, Christoph’s past when his memory fades. All characters have their own moments of despair and sadness but with perseverance Julie and latterly with Daniel, unravel the history with the help of a cookbook written by Sofie, who in the recipes reveals her true identity.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Penguin for the opportunity to read this APC in exchange for an honest review

The Paris Affair takes us on a journey through time, where love knows no boundaries, not even war. 1942, Paris, amidst the chaos of World War II. Christoph, a German soldier, finds himself caught between duty and his own beliefs. He didn't sign up for this war, but he's fighting to save his sister. That's when he meets Sylvie, a fiery French chef working undercover. Sparks fly, despite the odds.

Christoph's engaged to someone else, adding a delicious layer of drama to their romance. But Sylvie's not just any girl; she's a secret agent, risking her life for her country. Love blossoms, but it's a fragile thing in wartime. Then, poof! Sylvie vanishes into thin air, leaving Christoph haunted by memories of their stolen moments.

Fast forward to today. Meet Julia, a pianist struggling to find her rhythm. She heads to France to reconnect with her mentor, Christoph, who's battling health issues and fading memories. Through a recipe book belonging to Sylvie, she uncovers the bittersweet story of love and sacrifice that once unfolded in the streets of Paris. Through the act of recreating Sylvie's recipes, Julia not only connects with the past but also helps Christoph reclaim his lost memories of his time with Sylvie.

As Julia and Christoph's bond deepens, they embark on a quest to find Sylvie, enlisting the help of Christoph's son, Daniel. Their journey to reunite Christoph with his long-lost love is fraught with challenges and revelations, ultimately culminating in a poignant exploration of the enduring power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.

The Paris Affair is a tale that blends history with heart. With every turn of the page, you'll be transported to a world where love conquers all, even in the darkest of times. It's a story that'll tug at your heartstrings and linger in your thoughts long after you've finished reading.

I’m always drawn to anything to do with WWII that also a dual time line story. This has both. A young woman wanting to help her country using the skills she already has, all whilst dealing with the enemy, but having feelings for someone totally wrong. The second young woman also has a talent, as a pianist but is losing her way. She goes to spend time with her mentor, and sets off on a journey she just can’t stop.

Both Sylvie and Julia are strong women in their own way, but, like all of us, have flaws, make bad decisions and are sometimes scared to let themselves go. I love Christophs’ character, both during WWII and also in the second time line in 2002, A man with principles who just wants to do the right thing even if it isn’t the best thing for himself. A very moving read, sensitively handled, giving a good taste of life in occupied Paris and all that that entailed. I liked the inclusion of the recipes from Sylvie’s book, a nice touch. Although you could see where one storyline was going, the other was more intricate and nicely written.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I can understand why this is billed as a breathtaking read, this book emoted every feeling you can have all in one truly heart felt story.

Told over dual timelines and locations of Paris in 1942, when the war was raging and Hitler had invaded France to the more present time of 2002 in Bonn, Germany.

In the 'now' Julia, a talented concerto pianist is visiting her elderly mentor Christoph in Bonn when he is taken ill. Staying to help him for a while, whilst cleaning Julia stumbles upon an old, worn book. Upon opening the book she is presented with a cookery book, full of handwritten recipes, personal notes and touches and entries of memories relating to Christoph. Julia takes it upon herself to use the recipe book to male Christoph a meal, which when served embarks a trip down memory lane.

Paris 1942, Christoph had no choice but to put on the German uniform and become part of something he has no belief in. Now working alongside the Commandment, he is soon sharing the same residence as Sylvie. Sylvie may be on the opposing side but his heart does not care. Working as a chef, Sylvie holds many secrets, but can she keep hold of them and share her heart?

**no spoilers**

This is an amazing tale of bravery, sacrifice, pure love and shows just how people can be perceived in circumstances they have no control over. There are some parts which are uncomfortable to read BUT how can anyone write or read anything from that devastating period that isn't uncomfortable? The times were harrowing, some of the world's worst atrocities happened and are still felt to this day. Whilst the detail isn't too deep, it's enough to send shivers down your spine and fill your heart with a shot of fear.

The setting was described impeccably, at times I could hear the sounds of the Paris streets around me and the devastation of what Christoph was witnessing.

The characterisation was perfect! They felt real, touchable and their emotions palpable. I adored Julia's love and kindness towards Christoph.

I don't want to go into any real detail as this is a book hard to fully explain without ruining it but so easily felt!

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC.

Historical romance isn’t my usual genre but I was offered this title for review and the blurb looked intriguing. Set in Paris in 1942, it involves a relationship between Sylvia, working for the French Resistance and Christoph, a German soldier. There’s a dual timeline between 1942 and 2002; Christophe’s health is failing and a trip back in time is used to help him.

The story is rich in period detail and there’s a strong sense of occupation and the conflict that arises from that, There’s also the human interest angle where individuals, regardless of background, are drawn to each other. This story is very carefully balanced so that neither the love or conflict angle dominates. It’s very well rounded and for that reason it has a real feeling of authenticity. Woven into the story was the unexpected pleasure of recipes; a neat twist that adds another very positive dimension. To my surprise, I found myself emotionally involved with these characters and that’s a sign of powerful writing. I invested in both and their situation and really enjoyed this unusual read. For that reason it’s definitely 5*.

Thank you for the free review copy.

I enjoyed reading this. The writer is very good at telling a compelling story. The characters were so interesting that I wished the book was longer. I liked also the idea of weaving recipes into the plot. This was well handled and the recipes moved the story along. I would buy this book.

A wonderful love story reaching from the second world war to the present day .It truly is an enchanting read.