[Review] The Riviera House by Natasha Lester

Release date: 8/31/21
Format: Paperback
Paperback gifted by: Forever/Grand Central Publishing

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Told in two separate timelines, one in Nazi-occupied France and the other on the present day French Riviera, The Riviera House is a must-read for fans of historical fiction. Alternating between Éliane, a French resistance fighter working to protect artwork from Nazi clutches, and Remy, a vintage fashion clothier, the newest from Natasha Lester portrays two strong women who’s lives are interwoven in profound ways. 

I was absolutely enthralled while reading The Riviera House. As someone who loves history, specifically the social aspects of history, I loved the story that Lester created for Éliane. Éliane’s parts of the story were sad, hopeful, gritty, heart wrenching, and powerful. And while Remy’s chapters were set during times of peace, her story was all of the same things as Éliane’s, just in a very different way. 

The parallels between the two women’s stories were beautiful and poetic. So many things happened to both women, across time and in vastly different scenarios, and it was moving to see how both women were brave enough to face their challenges head on and the many ways in which they were able to prevail. Both Remy and Éliane lost their families but were able to find the strength to forge ahead out of their comfort zone. Both women had to sacrifice, gained knowledge that they never wished to know, and found love during impossible circumstances. I can’t imagine the journey either woman had to take; Éliane for her bravery while fighting in the resistance against the Nazis, and Remy for perservering in life and in love after she lost everything. Both timelines were moving, and beautiful, and heartbreaking; Lester could have easily told each story separately, but she intertwined them in such a fantastic way and made the stories that much more meaningful in her approach. The Riviera House was a gorgeous story to read, and my words honestly won’t do the story justice. Both Éliane and Remy were fighters, and neither of them in the typical way. I loved seeing each parallel, even when I knew what it meant for the story. Each timeline had its highs and lows, and Lester made sure everything balanced out perfectly in the end. 

While Remy and Éliane are the stars of this story, Lester’s secondary characters - from Éliane and Remy’s loves, to their found families and beyond - are very well done as well. Readers will find characters to sympathize with, to despise, and to pity in both Paris and on the Riviera. No character is left one-dimensional. Lester took the time to make even the smallest character bloom with personality and motive. And while this historical fiction is far from a mystery, there are definitely some surprises along the line that were perfectly hinted at in the other timeline before the big reveal. 

Lester did everything right in The Riviera House. From well-constructed settings, to historical accuracy, to a strikingly beautiful plot, this story should be on the top of every historical fiction list. 

A huge thank you to Forever/Grand Central Publishers for gifting me a copy of The Riviera House. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.