Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I

I simply cannot say enough about this very touching, heartwarming, Romantic story!!! It is so Beautifully written, with descriptions of characters, events, jokes, friendships, heartaches, and heartbreaks that you almost feel you know them, can feel their experiences, down to the wet feet and cold fingers in the trenches !!! It starts out as a trio of friends, a brother and sister, not very far apart in age, and their friend Tom that they both grew up with, playing games in the yards, going to school together, to celebrating Birthdays and Holidays together.Tom is more than a close friend..he's more family than anything else . The boys Will and Tom, go off and join the British Army, as Germany declares war, and are stationed right next to each. As time progresses, Will's sister, writes to them both,on the daily, not only missing them like crazy, but worried for their safety all the time.She tells them about what's going on back home, from the air raids, to the Zeplin attacks, to the rations, to all the horses being conscripted for the army..most everyone losing either a cherished thoroughbred as in her brother Wills horses, or a strong farm working horse. She talks about how all everyone is saying this will be a speedy war, over by Christmas..and they all look forward to being together again..and mostly to celebrate a safe and victorious win for King and Country !! Needlees to say ..that doesn't happen...and it actually takes 4 yrs from start to finish.Evie in the mean time writes so Faithfully to her Brother Will, and to Tom...who writes her back just as faithfully..more so than her own brother. It's not long before you can read between the lines that Evie is head over heels for Tom..but not sure if Tom feels the same as her..not just my friends kid sister, we would tease and play jokes on in a good hearted way. The story is written as if your reading their personal letters, with an occasional telegram thrown in to make it that much more realistic ! They are so bound by the letters that Evie sends to Tom as he is in the trenches seeing and witnessing horrific war experiences. They truly become his lifeline ! As the years go and their friendship deepens their feelings for each other are more than the words they write on paper! ..Oh my God...So Crazy Good..this book will touch your soul, keep you reading till late hours in the night..and DEFINATELY MUST have tissues !!! A FANTASTIC story, by a Fantastic Author !! A keeper for my bookshelf that is becoming dangerously close to hoarding !!! LoL. I wish it went up to 10 stars..that's where it should be !!!

How do I review this book? I first listened to the masterfully performed audiobook and urge you to go do the same. However, there's much to be said for reading such a book to oneself... It is almost entirely written in letters or telegraphs. Content is also clean (romantically, at least—there might have been a little language, there's a war going on, after all). I identify deeply with the years of correspondence...and discovering love in it. But for me it was too late and the story ended tragically. For those in this book, what needed to be said was at least written down...and you will have to read the story to know where those words went, and where they took each character. I devoured this book, slowing only because I didn't want it to end... When it did, my eyes were full of salty tears, but my heart was also full. High praise for any book, in my estimation.

This book was a fantastic read; I simply could not put it down! With the format being all letters except for the Paris encounters, you quickly get to know each of the characters on a meaningful level. Beautifully written/ wonderful book/ would recommend to anyone