Such a beautiful and well written story. The imagery of the pond and the house really reminded me of Where the Crawdads Sing and I couldn't put the book down!

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and it made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

I really enjoyed this family saga. I liked the different perspectives and the setting, and I found this really readable.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

"The Paper Palace" takes readers on a captivating journey through time and space, skillfully blending a unique narrative structure with rich geographical details. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Cape Cod, the novel unfolds over a single day while spanning fifty years, providing an atmospheric richness that adds depth to the central character, Elle Bishop.

One of the novel's standout features is its multilayered character development and exploration of complex themes. Elle Bishop's life is laid bare, from her childhood to the present day, revealing a tapestry of relationships that shape her character. The themes of abuse, loss, trauma, and hidden secrets add emotional depth, turning the story into a nuanced exploration of the human experience.

The tension between romantic ideals and adult responsibilities is a recurring motif in "The Paper Palace." Elle's struggle to choose between her genuine husband, Peter, and a past love, Jonas, serves as a focal point for the examination of irreversible life choices. The book masterfully balances the allure of young love with the complexities of adult relationships and family obligations, it makes you to reflect on the consequences of decisions made in the past.

The immediate immersion into the theme of infidelity adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative. By thrusting readers directly into the act, the author creates a sense of urgency and emotional intensity from the outset. This was a tiny bit disorienting at the beginning, as the initial lack of context leaves much to be discovered, but at the same time – it grips you from the get-go and you just need to keep reading to figure out who those people are, and why it happened on this day.

The non-linear narrative structure further contributes to the complexity of the story. Alternating between present events and past explanations, the timeline did confuse me a bit in the start. Distinguishing between the parts of the story related to Elle's grandmother, mother, and Elle herself can be a challenge, requiring a bit of patience and careful attention.

Despite disagreeing with Elle's decisions, there's a deep connection and sympathy expressed by the reviewer towards the character. This emotional investment in Elle's journey makes the narrative impactful, creating a nuanced portrayal that transcends the mere acceptance or rejection of her choices.

In conclusion, "The Paper Palace" is a captivating and emotionally charged read that skillfully explores the intricacies of human relationships and life-altering decisions. The novel's strengths lie in its atmospheric richness, multilayered character development, and the exploration of themes that resonate with the complexities of adult life. This book is highly recommended for those who appreciate a thought-provoking and immersive literary experience.

This was an absorbing, enjoyable, easy read. Although, I did find some of the back story rather disturbing. I think I would have preferred a more definite ending.

I am struggling to pen how I feel about this book.

I found the characters to be wholly unlikeable, with the exception of Peter. I do feel sorry for Ellie and perhaps her past is what caused her to be rather a horrible adult.

The story, while slow, gave lots of details into the history and childhoods of the characters, and I enjoyed the dual timeline.

An ok read.

Elle and Jonas meet when she is a teenager and he just 12, whilst staying with their families at their summer homes in the Back Woods, Cape Cod. Over the years their love grew and the age difference became less important. Elle moves to London and meets Peter who she later marries and Jonas marries Gina.
Will they stay with their respective partners or come together.

On paper this sounded right up my street as I love a complicated family drama. However there was nothing complicated about this as it took far too long to get into and then when something actually happened I didn't care any more. Full of unlikeable characters that I got bored of reading about.

Love the history around the characters. Lots of back story around the families which add to the depth of these characters.

This book is full of atmosphere, you can feel the heat, the tension and the regret. Elle is not a likeable character but I did connect with her and became absorbed in her journey. The book was a little slow for me but the pace did reflect the story and the exploration of the relationships in the book. I'd recommend it!

I enjoyed this book but felt the ending was a little too open to interpretation, I like my loose ends tied! It was well written and I liked the different timelines developing the plot as I read. I thought it was an interesting character study of families and how they shape us as people, how we react to each other etc.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this book.

OOff I loved this book!! This is not a beach read as Reese Witherspoon has mistaken it to be. This is an extended family drama that holds situations that will rip your insides apart! Dark moments of child abuse, neglect, incest, rape, and emotional abuse. I had no idea about the depths of this story!

With that said, oh how I loved this book! So much so that I purchased a copy to add to my library. What a beautifully written debut novel that is easily one of my top reads of 2022! All the stars!

a real sense that life could collapse around the main character. a compulsive read set in a rundown old american holiday area with strong traditions and family links that result in blurred lines and lack of responsibility. a good read that keeps you reading wanting to know how this works out. overall the characters were not likeable.

My thanks to NetGalley and Viking publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
A gripping page turner from start to finish.
Loving the different timeliness and the twist towards the end.
Well written and flows well. I would highly recommend this book.

The story follows Ellie as she tells her story in the present and takes the reader back into the past to where she grew up and met Jonas.
The story takes many twists and turns and can at times be a little hard to follow.
Also quite graphic in parts.
A good story but not a favourite

3.5⭐

This is definitely a book to make you think "what would I do?" Elle has to decide between her husband or her teenage love and it's a very complex decision due to all of the history surrounding the Paper Palace. This book wasn't quite the summer read I was expecting, but it is a thought provoking read nonetheless.

I really enjoyed this book and the authors style of writing with such detailed description. The whole storyline is great .. but … the ending !!! That ending lost the book a star . Still worth picking up and reading though . Thanks to NetGalley for the copy

I tried very hard to like this book but I just couldn't. A cast of unlikeable characters doing unpleasant things. I know it has been hugely popular but not for me.

An intense, emotive and compelling read which begins as Elle embarks on an affair with her childhood friend. The story swirls and hops around through time, reflecting the maelstrom of emotions as Elle evaluates everything that has brought her to this point and tries to work out what to do now.

A number of sensitive subjects are covered including abuse, rape and incest. The author deals with these well and also creates a cast of fully formed and believable, if not always likeable, characters.

This is my first read by this author and I will definitely look out for more.