The author based this on real life story about a Parisian apartment that had been locked up for 70 years and  when it was opened it was found to be surprisingly well preserved and full of artifacts and paintings. Then she spun a beautiful tale of love and discovery around this.

I quickly got swept into the story of Cat flying to Paris to discover that she had inherited an apartment only to find that it actually belonged to Isabelle and should rightfully left to her daughter and children. 

When she together with Loic, the grandson, enter the apartment they are surprised beyond measure at how it has been preserved and all the stunning antiques and art work there is there. The author's descriptions of the apartment are so vivid that I was almost transported there. 

Together with Loic, Catstarts on a journey to discover why Isabelle left this apartment to her. As they uncover the mystery piece by piece, they are also drawn to each other. However, Cat is already engaged and fights her feelings. Loic challenges her to be true to herself, not just about her engagement to Christian, but also about settling for a life without passion.

Though  the story of the apartment is uncovered gradually, it was so interesting that I just had to keep reading it right through.   The book was a lovely mix of mystery, romance, fascinating history, great characters and very vivid descriptions.  I found this a captivating read from start to finish.

The premise of the book is based  on the real discovery in 2019 of an apartment In Paris which was left abandoned for 70 years and had been owned by the courtesan and actress Marthe d Florian famous during the period known as the Belle Époque..
A parcel with. key in it takes Cat on an adventure that will change her life forever and question what she thought was her future.
A beautiful love story which grips you from the very first page and you just can’t put it down.

I’ve become a huge fan of the author recently after reading a few of her book for blog tours recently. This is the first part of trilogy I’m taking part in a blog tour for and I look forward to reading the other two books. I loved this book. First off, Paris is my favourite city in the world. I went to Paris on holiday for a week about ten years ago and fell in love with the city. So I’m biased against any book set in the city. The blurb led me to think the book would have time shifts moving between Cat in 2015 and Isabelle in 1940. This structure isn’t used and the book set very much in 2015 with Cat uncovering Isabelle’s secrets and the reasons the house has been left to her. She also learns to listen to her heart and let herself be happy. I had such a good time with this book I didn’t want it to end.

I really enjoyed this author’s Beyond the Horizon. I thought it had interesting (and little-known) history and realistic characters. When I saw that more of her books were available, I was excited to see what else the author tackled. 

On the surface, this one had a fantastic premise. Cat receives a mysterious letter and key in the mail; the letter urges her to call a lawyer in Paris. When she does, she is told that she has to fly to Paris to settle…something. But it’s mysterious. 

Once everything is settled, she finds that she has inherited a Belle Epoque apartment that hasn’t been touched in decades. Everything from the furniture to the artwork and personal letters is just as the owner left it. 

I loved these parts of the novel. The author vividly created the apartment and its furnishings so that I could practically feel the dust tickling my nose and see the moth-eaten fabrics. This was well-done. 

I also liked how Cat was a bit “vintage” herself. She seemed to prefer dress styles from the 30s and 40s, which made her a throwback perfect for the era of the apartment. This was a nice touch and a clever connection. 

I gather from looking at publishing dates that this was one of the first novels (if not the first) written by the author. It shows in the dialogue and plotting. The conversations between characters seems very stilted and unnatural. For example, there are times when a name is used repeatedly instead of a pronoun.

There was also overuse of some words. Christian calling Cat “honey” ALL of the time comes to mind. I mean, I know that it’s possible he was just one of those people who only uses a pet name and that reflects his actual lack of commitment or connection to Cat. But it was a little too much. 

And while we are on the subject of Christian, I didn’t like him. He was a snob (as were his friends and family) and pretty much a jerk. I know that was the point, but it was jarringly obvious that he was not the one for her. 

The plot also meandered a bit. Loic and Cat seemed to argue too much about who the apartment actually belonged to – at times, it seemed as if neither one actually wanted it (which was weird). The middle could have used some tightening and each character’s perspectives could have been clarified. 

These are some things about the book that indicate it was an early attempt by the author because they seemed unpolished. I still liked the plot of this one, and (since I read a later book of hers) I know that she has improved over time, so I look forward to more from her!

The past comes calling!

Strangely compelling story of a young woman who inherits an apartment in Paris.
Cat Jordan travels from New York to Paris, clutching an old brass key as per a letter telling her of an inheritance from an unknown woman, Isabelle de Florian. It is only when the apartment is opened in 2015, having been closed since 1940, that an even more complex puzzle starts to unfold. There are many dead ends as Cat tries to come to grips with the path that has led to her.
Let my bias reign. The story half won me at Paris and totally clinched it for me with the references to vintage fashion. Top that off with the charming Frenchman and the brash fiancé, well what can I say? Bliss!
Based on a true occurrence, Carey has written a well crafted story that brims with hope, hidden secrets and mystery.
Engaged to a merchant banker, vintage clothes collector and photographer Cat couldn't be further from her fiancé's self centered, all white minimalist, deal brokering ideas. A man who never hears her.
Meanwhile there's the vintner grandson of Isabelle, a man who's followed his dream, is encouraging and an absolute dish. What is the connection between Asia belle and Cat's grandmother, 
(What with Vespas, a wonderful Parisian apartment, vintage clothes and a secret to uncover, I started looking over my shoulder for Aimee Leduc to come into play.)
Really, the main story is Cat's determination to solve the puzzle she's been handed and to return the apartment to as she sees it, the rightful owners.
A heart warming romantic mystery, set in the romance capital of the world, with an historical bent and enough intrigue to make it more than an enjoyable read. 

A Bookouture ARC via NetGalley 
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I remember in 2010 reading about the discovery of a Parisian apartment untouched by time and thinking what a fabulous backstory there must be. Well, that story has been written and what a story! I was entranced from the word go about how the discovery impacts on the lives of Cat in the USA and Loic in France and although this is pure fiction, never once did I suspend belief. 

Ella Carey skilfully weaves the lives of Isabelle and Cat's grandmother with a mysterious secret history that Cat has to unravel. The story telling is first class, the historical backstory impeccably researched and the characters so real it's hard to believe they don't exist. I found myself thinking about them long after i finished the book.

What a dream come true it would be to receive a letter stating there is an apartment in Paris that you now own. I dream of things like this, and hence, this book was a nice escape for me. It wasn't my favorite book I have read this year, and the writing style was something that felt a little off for me, honestly. Christian, the main character's boyfriend, was a bit annoying as well. Loic, however, was a completely different story. A nice escape read for a couple of days. 

My sincere thanks to the publisher and Ella Carey for providing me with an advanced copy.

A hauntingly beautiful love story that melds the lives of two people an ocean apart. An unexpected inheritance draws a young woman the abandoned apartment of a French Contessa and her search for the truth becomes an obsession that leads her to the arms of a dashing French man. The story will capture your heart. A lovely read.

I absolutely love this story and these characters... This story is filled with everything, from romance to mystery Absolutely stunning from start to finish.

A package comes in the mail with an old key and a letter? A mystery is already afoot for Cat because the letter is from a Paris attorney! It is claiming her grandmother is to receive something from a lady she had never heard of from either her grandmother nor her mother! Her family members have passed away and they are no help and no clues at the house. Who was this mystery woman and what was she going to find when she crossed over the ocean? 

This book is truly a remarkable story and a journey for Cat! It has a lot of wonderful drama and romance!
The author has given us historical facts and taken the plot into a majestic dimension that just unfolds at the right moments that keep you wanting to turn the pages! 

I would definitely recommend this book!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

The starting journey of the Paris Time capsule starts off with Catherine who is a photographer in New York receiving a mysterious letter from France. Which has a notification of some family needs she needs to take care of. It takes her on a journey where she meets unique items and people when she goes to France and tries to find out what happens to them. Since she inherits an apartment that looks like it hasn't been touched in eons along with everything inside. Who is this person or people where did they go? A lot of cultural things are brought up like how much was lost during WW2. Things people, the french resistance and its amazing heroics. Alot of this book made me tear up and gasp in certain areas.

One of the characters in here and their story of their apartment is based upon a true story. It took me a while to realize that. Since I had read about that particular incident when it happened I just didn't realize I was reading about it the whole time in a way.

This Arc Paris Time capsule was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I needed a good read to escape, and the story, mixing a mystery and the life of a young lady, fulfiiled this purpose. I'm well acquainted with the Parisian arrondissement described in the book, and felt like being there again. I read the book far more quicker than expected, got hooked, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I will recommend the book, the plot is so logic that you wonder if not everything is real after all.

I wanted to like this so much, and it just kind of fell flat for me.  This is the story of a New York city photographer, Cat that gets a letter stating that she has inherited an apartment in Paris.  The apartment has been abandoned but paid for since WWII.

This story is based on true events and had so much potential.  It is a quick read and there are some surprises that will make reading worth your while.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this advanced readers copy.  This book is due to release on October 6, 2020.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was an epic storyline taking the reader from New York City to Paris and back again. The picturesque quality really worked for me in telling the story. 
Cat finds herself the heir to an apartment in Paris after her grandmother has died and this woman left all her things to Cat. She must fly to Paris at a moments notice to discuss the inheritance with Dupointe, the estate lawyer. Upon arrival she meets a French man outside the building Loic and is told he is the woman's grandchild plus his mother is alive. What ensues is an adventure to find out why Cat was left this apartment when clearly her family should have it. She leaves behind her boyfriend Christian in the city and searches for weeks. Finally Christian arrives to romance her. However, the more Loic gets to know Cat, the more he feels they aren't well suited. 
This book was romantic, history at its finest and has a perfect ending that both surprises and excites at the same time.

This book was intriguing from start to finish and the descriptions and attention to detail were amazing. I loved the overall story but felt that the leading characters were not true to real life. However it was a magical story that I really enjoyed. Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I’m not quite sure what to say about Ella Carey’s first published novel. It’s both intrigued me and infuriated me. I was expecting to journey into the past but was taken on a circular trip about a young woman trying to solve the mystery behind an apartment that she inherited in Paris. 

Catherine Jordan is stunned time receive notice that she has inherited an estate in Paris from a women she had never heard of. Determined to discover the mystery of an apartment in Paris and its previous tenants. She ends up being on a journey of self discovery with only a tiny mention in the form of a letter explaining everything.

This story held my attention from the get go. It was very easy to read and follow but it lacked something I just can’t pinpoint yet. I absolutely loathed the characters of Christian and Elise, I think we’re meant to but they had absolutely zero depth or personality. The French characters were wonderful, especially young Jacqueline who just wants to help.

Would I recommend it, yes if someone is looking for a light read or to cleanse their reading pallet. No, if someone really wants a WWII fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Ella Carey for the chance to read this novel.

#ParisTimeCapsule #NetGalley
Thanks NetGalley, Bookouture and Ella Carey for this copy to review.
When a paper package tied with a silk ribbon was delivered to Cat she had no idea her life as she knew it would change forever.
A letter and an old brass key caused her to travel from NewYork to Paris in matter of few hours. 
She finds out she is the legal inheritor of an exquisite well preserved apartment in Paris that is full of unthinkable collection of vintage treasures and a painting that might be worth a fortune.
She had no idea who was Isabelle de Florian and why did she leave her apartment to her. 
Following Cat through France, where she tries to uncover the secrets of the past along with Isabelle's grandson Loic, we won't help but fall in love with the charming description of everything, the countryside, the food, the apartment ( which we discover from the author's note is a real apartment that was discovered in 2010 and inspired her imagination).
The book has a promising plot, characters though somehow the dialogue was a little off sometimes. You won't help but keep reading to unlock the truth, what happened in that apartment back there in 1940 that prevented Isabelle from ever setting foot back there again or tell that part of her life to her family, going to the extent of leaving it to a total stranger instead of them. 
I personally loved it and would definitely seek more of Ella's books.

Cat Jordan is a photographer in New York and yes she wants to be a photographer, but taking photos of fancy New Yorkers and their children isn't what she really wanted to do.  She is dating one of those fancy New Yorkers when she receives a mysterious package where she has inherited something as both her grandmother and mother passed away at young ages and this inheritance has passed down to her.  The catch is that she has to go to Paris to sort out the inheritance.

I loved the premise of the story.  The flow was a little slow, but with it being a short book it was ok.  Cat was a great character, I thought she was a great narrator and I loved her no stone left unturned attitude.  

My favorite part of all was the author's note that advises the reader that this book is based on a lot of truth.  The apartment left abandoned and the famous author - I was so excited to find out that there was truth behind the story.

I enjoyed this one, but not completely my favorite one.  It was a good read for an afternoon.