Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I

Hazel Gaynor · Heather Webb

Oct 2017 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

An unforgettably romantic novel that spans four Christmases (1914-1918), Last Christmas in Paris explores the ruins of war, the strength of love, and the enduring hope of the Christmas season.

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…

Ratings and reviews

5 Stars for Last Christmas in Paris! As the war begins, Tom Harding and Will Elliot are called to the front and exchange letters with Will's sister Evelyn. First, I love that most of this book consists of letters. I first had some reservations on whether I would be able to get all perspectives and ideas of what happen, I read on, I found that it was all there. letters of fear, courage, war, disdain, hope, and torment. Dripping from the pages in letters that kept soldiers alive. Friendships develop in the form of letters, information exchanged, columns are written, battles are had, deaths put strain on people, and still they endure because they have to. I felt the emotional turmoil, the fear, the anger, the confusion, the hope, and the love. You can't help but get invested in the characters and feel what you feel. High praise for including such talent within the pages. A twisting of history, war, friendship, and love is sure to leave you with a story that you will carry with you. A lovely read that leaves my soul touched and deeply moved. And needless to say, I cried like a baby while I read certain passages of this book.

Good

Good

About the author

Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author known for her deeply moving historical novels which explore the defining events of the 20th century. A recipient of the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award, her work has since been shortlisted for multiple awards in the UK and Ireland. Her latest novel, The Last Lifeboat, was a Times of London historical novel of the month, shortlisted for the 2023 Irish Book Awards and recipient of the 2024 Audie Award for Best Fiction Narrator. Hazel’s work has been translated into twenty languages and is published in twenty-seven territories to date. She lives in Ireland with her family.

Heather Webb is the award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of ten historical novels, including her most recent The Next Ship Home, Queens of London, and Strangers in the Night. To date, her books have been translated to eighteen languages. She lives in Connecticut with her family and two mischievous cats.