Published By: Penguin
Pages: 400
Released On: 08/10/2026
1961
In the streets of Paris, Lise Erlach is in love. Twenty-two years old, the beautiful young Ambassador’s wife enjoys the very best the city has to offer: glittering receptions, a magnificent residence and an address book filled with the numbers of the Parisian elite. She is wanted at every party…and by one man above all. Their affair dazzles them both but in a distant sea, a crisis is brewing that will change their paths forever.
Present day
As snow falls upon the Alps, Dulcie sits by her grandmother’s bed, undisturbed until the visitor arrives. He says he must tell her grandmother something urgently – something that will make Dulcie realise the beloved old woman before her is a complete stranger… With deep family secrets unlocked, can she get the answers she needs before time runs out?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I think I came into this book with the wrong expectations. I don’t know why, because the synopsis doesn’t say so, but I thought it was an historical Christmas book, which it isn’t. That’s not a negative on the book because it’s not like it’s promised something but not delivered on it, but it did mean I started on the back foot.
I am a big fan of multiple timelines and POVs, especially if the same characters appear in both because we get to see how they evolve. I liked bother in this but I preferred the scenes set in the 60s, there was just more glamarous and excitement.
There’s no denying Karen’s ability to give a sense of place, space, time, and atmosphere. Just the opening paragraph is loud enough to hook you.
It’ll definitely appeal to people who like dual timelines, a bit of glamour, espionage, history, and secrets. It didn’t hold my complete attention and it took me longer to read than normal because my focus kept drifting. I do think it could have been a bit shorter and that might have held my focus more.
I do prefer her winter books more than her summer ones but I think that’s because I personally prefer winter. I think this is my fifth of her books, and whilst it’s not as good as some of the others, in my opinion, it’s still a strong novel with an interesting story, good world building, well handled timelines, and engaging characters.
