Member Reviews

THE PARIS DAUGHTER is Book 5 in the outstanding Lost Daughters series by Soraya Lane. I have loved every book so far and this one is no exception. Set mainly in Paris and told in dual timelines, this is a compelling and emotional story of love, loss, family secrets and daring to follow your dreams wherever they lead. In 1939 in Paris, we meet Evelina who has sacrificed everything to make her dream of becoming a prominent fashion designer come true. A devastating event forces Evelina to return to London and make an unthinkable choice about her future. In present day London, Blake has been presented with a small box that supposedly holds clues to her grandmother’s past. If what she is told is true, her grandmother was adopted as a baby from Hope House, a home for unwed mothers and the box contains items that could lead her to the identity of her great-grandmother. Now that her grandmother has passed, Blake decides to head to Paris to learn more about her family history. In Paris she is helped by Henri, a handsome fashion curator who has researched everything there is to know about Paris fashion. As together they discover the details of Evelina’s life, Blake and Henri embark on a romance of their own. The two storylines are woven together seamlessly from beginning to end. I truly enjoyed this captivating story and I can’t wait until the next installment in this series comes out. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Was this review helpful?

Written by one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. When she has a new book publishing, I greatly look forward to reading it.
The Paris Daughter is the fifth book in the Lost Daughters series, of which I have read all of the books. This is such a beautiful story, told in a time-slip manner.

1939 Paris: Evelina comes from a working background of farmers; it is to be her lot in life to become a farmer's wife like her mother and grandmother have before her, but she wants something more in life. She has a secret notebook with sketches of stunning evening dresses of the highest fashion. Her dreams are hers and hers alone as she's not supported in her dreams by her parents so she must leave home. Becoming a well-known fashion designer is an accomplishment she has worked years towards, and it is finally hers.

Modern times London: All women adopted from Hope House a helpful home for unwed mothers is given a box filled with precious mementos from their mother to help the now adult child find their parents if they want to. Blake has her grandmother's box, and it has items connecting her to a famous fashion designer of some years back. She is desperate to find who this woman is as she travels to the city of love and finds love there herself, unexpectedly. Will being surrounded by high fashion houses and designers bring the spark back into Blake's life and give her the courage to design again?

Upbeat, romantic, encouraging, a real page turner that I couldn't put down.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

The Paris Daughter by Soraya Lane is book #5 in the Lost Daughters series.
A beautifully written dual timeline story that is captivating from the very first chapter.
We meet Evelina in 1927 France. She has hopes and dreams of living in Paris and will not marry someone she does not love. She wants to follow her dreams. Her parents are ruthless and tell her she must leave.
In present day London, we meet Blake.
Blake has recently been given a box with clues to her past. She is determined to try to uncover those clues to learn more about her great-grandmother.
Blake travels to Paris on an assignment, hoping to meet Henri who is a fashion curator and the mystery starts as they get to know each other and unravel the clues in the box. Blake and Henri begin the journey to reveal an unknown past.
This is a story about romance, love, loss, difficult circumstances and the importance of following your dreams. I absolutely adored this book. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The Paris Daughter is a wonderful story.
The latest mystery box and the story behind it is slowly revealed in a heartfelt way.
It’s time for Blake to live for herself and she travels to Paris to discover her great grandmother but she finds so much more.
I loved the backstory and the ending was truly wonderful.
I didn’t want the story to end. I can’t wait for next book!

Was this review helpful?

A lovely heartfelt book with duel timelines set in one of my favourite places - Paris. This was the first book I read by Soraya Lane and while this novel is part of a series it is stand alone and I didn't feel I missed anything not being familiar with the author. This was what you'd expect from a historical novel set in Paris - heartache, intrigue and mystery. I also enjoyed the discussion of fashion and the desire to be Coco Chanel. Overall a heartwarming, entertaining read. Thank you for the opportunity to review this ARC!

Was this review helpful?

The Paris Daughter was such a great read!

I really enjoyed the 1930s-1940s to modern day.

The story is set in Europe, specifically London & Paris.

Blake is writing an article about finding out who her great grandmother is. She received a box with a piece of fabric and a drawing inside that was supposed to be given to grandma from her birth mom.

What kind of secrets do our ancestors carry? Scandals, affairs, lovers, adoption, and beautiful talent.

A wonderful read, thank you @NetGalley for letting me receive an early copy.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this dual timeline book.

The story is about the search a great granddaughter goes on for her great grandmother. After having given birth to daughter, she had no option but to give the child up for adoption, with only a box containing some information for hope of being found and being together again.

The story was emotional and very well written.

I highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Bookoture for having me on this tour of The Paris Daugther by Soraya Lane

From the moment I delved into this book, I found myself deeply connected to Blake. The captivating writing style immediately grabbed my attention in the opening chapter, making it hard for me to tear myself away from the pages.

I truly appreciate the way this book effortlessly intertwines the past and the present as we embark on a journey to unearth the secrets of Blake's boxes. It's fascinating to witness two remarkable women, Eveline and her great-granddaughter Blake, each portrayed in their unique and compelling lights as Blake traverses through France to unravel her family's enigma.
While diving into the mystery, Blake has a serendipitous encounter with Henri, a charming Frenchman, and sparks fly instantly. In just under 2 weeks, love blossoms between them. Despite a heartbreaking misunderstanding that leads Blake back to London, she remains optimistic. Her determination to uncover her grandmother's past is unwavering, and she believes that the truth will eventually come to light.

#BookotureTour #TheParisDaughter #SorayaLane #FamilyMystery #LoveStory #FrenchAdventure #UncoveringSecrets #StrongWomen #HistoricalConnections

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

This is part of a series about Hope's Home for unmarried mothers but it is perfectly possible to read and follow this as a standalone book.

This time we meet Evelina and Blake - Blake is the recipient of a box from Hope's legacy. She has no idea what the box contains or what the contents mean.
So we embark of a dual time line tale of a talented woman let down by the man who captivates her and her Great grand daughter who wants to find out who Evelina was. This means a trip to Paris to write a series of articles to save her job.
Inevitably in this series, Blake meets an enigmatic man who steals her heart and encourages her to see her own capabilities and to follow her own dreams even if he feels her motives are questionable.
All the while in the inbetween war years Evelina carves out her own niche within the fashion world - going to London at the start of WW2 to have her baby and where she finds Hope.

There were some inconsistencies in what on the whole was a well written book. The end seemed very rushed. There were important questions unanswered for Blake and no mention at all of the Perfume that Evelina had produced - though it is mentioned earlier in the book.

However this is a brilliant addition to the series - and the minor gripes I have does not mean it does not deserve its 5 stars.
A lovely read - so different to Soraya's other titles

Was this review helpful?

This book was a part of a series (you don't have to read any of them to read this book) but I didn't realize this until I finished this book. This was an emotional journey to find out the story of the contents in a box left to a daughter who was given up for adoption.

Told in two different eras, 1930's France and Present day London, by Eveline and Blake, her great-granddaughter who's running around France trying to solve the mystery of her family. While Blake's trying to find clues, she meets a gorgeous Frenchman, Henri, and the chemistry between them is instantaneous. They fall in love in less than 2 weeks. But after a misunderstanding, Blake returns to London with a broken heart. She's also no closer to finding out who fathered her grandma.

A fabulous read!!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Once again, Soraya Lane has written a story that’ll weave its way into your heart! This story of Blake’s search to find out more about her grandmother’s adoption was so sweet and full of emotion, not to mention a new passionate love! I’ve loved this series and can’t wait for the next book!

Was this review helpful?

It is a split-time fiction set mostly in and around Paris France. It's a story of love, dreams, and daring to live out one's life/dreams, despite what others say. Present day England & Paris follows the life of Blake, a journalist, as she researches the few clues she has to the life of her great-grandmother Eveline. 1930's Paris follows the life of Eveline, a self-taught seamstress who dreams of becoming the next Coco Chanel. Both stories follow dreams, romance, and heartache. The story was so engaging that it was hard to put down. Although book 5 in a series, it stands alone.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I am loving this series, The Lost Daughters by Soraya Lane. A captivating dual timeline about never giving up on your dreams, finding oneself, family, love, loss and determination. The Paris Daughter is a well written novel that draws you in from the very first page, it was so hard to put down. The journey through Paris was everlasting and mouthwatering. I can’t wait to read the next instalment. Highly recommended 5 star book and series.
I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for this copy of the novel, in exchange for my honest review.
#TheParisDaughter #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

This was a well crafted dual timeline novel based on the search from a great granddaughter for her great grandmother. She had given birth to a daughter in secret and was forced to give her up for adoption leaving a box of clues behind her in the hope that they would eventually be reunited.. it certainly pulled on the heartstrings as both of the main characters embarked on seemingly doomed relationships. The novel had a focus on haute couture which gave added interest although as part of it was set in Paris just before ww2 I wondered if and hoped that it would explore life in that city during the conflict. This did not diminish my enjoyment of an absorbing read

Was this review helpful?

This was the first book I have read by Soraya Lane. It was FABULOUS! I am alrady onto the third book in the same series. RUN, do not walk to read this series!! So glad I found a new author to follow.

Was this review helpful?

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

The Paris Daughter is the fifth book in the Lost Daughters Series by Soraya Lane. As with the previous books in the series I enjoyed the dual timeline of grandmother’s world and present time granddaughter’s life. Another clue has been left at Hope’s House. As usual the clue is vague, with a research journey following when found after Blake’s grandmother has passed.

A beautiful if heartbreaking wartime story is uncovered but also a new start and love for Blake. Blake must decide if she will risk all for love too. A lovely story taking place in the romantic city of Paris.

Was this review helpful?

I have read all the books in the Lost Daughter’s series and this new title, the fifth in the series, is another wonderfully engaging read.
Like the other books in the series the protagonist in this story Blake attends a meeting at a lawyers office that changes her life. She is told that her grandmother was born at Hopes House, a home for unmarried mothers and that she was adopted. A tiny wooden box containing a sketch of a dress and a piece of material is handed over to Blake and she is determined to find out what they mean and what is their connection to her grandmother.
Blake is a journalist and she uses the journey of finding out about her family as a story for her magazine.
The journey leads Blake to Paris to the fashion district to learn not only of her great grandmother Evelina but it is also a journey of discovery about herself.
There is romance, family secrets, trust and the bonds of family which make this another great read from Soraya Lane.

Was this review helpful?

My heart broke for Evelina in the beginning. I had similarities to hers leaving home to be on her own. I felt, with understanding, the struggles that come with that newfound freedom. Her dream to become a successful fashion designer, would it ever come true? It seems with her life, everything is give and take. But what else do you do in Paris other than pick up the pieces and move on.
The author bounces between decades telling you a story from the past, and one in the current day. This author is a master in this telling. Just as you cannot wait to turn the page on the past, the next chapter begins with the current day always keeping you on the edge of the next moment.
I loved Blake from the beginning with the current story. One to always care for her siblings, much like a mother would. Always the responsible one, always prepared. So when she receives a box to the past, would she have the courage to follow the past back to Paris to search for her great grandmother. Could she leave London and all her responsibilities?
As for the men in this book, I’ll not comment for fear of leaving any spoilers. Just know you’ll be enchanted with them as Evelina and Blake were. This book left me melancholy but I also felt that taking a chance, no matter how big, can lead you to great things. I would highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

Yes this is part of a series but it's also perfectly fine as a standalone. Lane has written a dual time line novel about Blake's hunt for information about her grandmother Evelina. The women are linked not only by genetics but also by their love for fashion. What happened to Eveline in 1939? What's in the box? Both questions are key to the story, which, oddly for this genre, is almost more interesting in the present time line when Blake is working with Henri, who becomes a romantic interest. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. An easy read,

Was this review helpful?