The Paper Palace (Reese's Book Club): A Novel

This beautifully written novel is by far, one of my favorite books. I could not put this book down, the story is very emotional, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes disturbing, sometimes comical, and other times a sheer joy! I loved how lyrical this writer is. I cannot recommend this book enough!

This was a great book! The ending fell a little flat in my opinion. But I really enjoyed the book.

4.5 wth stars!! I absolutely loved this book (other then the end). This was a book with so many lessons and so many hardships. While going through the past you get to enjoy watching characters blossom. With that there was a lot of pain in so many characters lives throughout. It was necessary. I can see why this book was chosen as a book of the month club book there is ALOT to discuss. Shoot I am discussing with myself nonstop. I think my favorite part is jumping from past to present. I needed that. It was all perfectly placed as well. It gave you background on why you ended up here with these characters. I mean I was in the Paper Palace with all the girls and I grieved with them. It was not all about negative stuff there was a lot of growth and love. It felt like a true story. Like was this someone’s life because I’ll be damned if it didn’t feel like it. And so I give you my second favorite thing is the characters. Omg I love everyone of them and despise many others too. You cheer them on and you cry with them. You second guess everything and wonder what could have been as well. This book was deep for me. Be aware there is a lot triggers and that comes with people writing all these negative reviews. What I say to that is know your boundaries and what you are comfortable with. There are warnings and people say I can’t handle child sexual trauma and that’s understandable. But it’s a part of a story. It builds this story. The pain, the strength, the hopelessness leads to the growth. I don’t think it was done poorly either this is real to some peoples life and I think it felt like it could have happened to anyone. Sadly it has. Now my only critique and the reason I could not give this 5 stars is because the damn ending. She left me. She has me mind boggled. And in some case that’s good. I guess it made me think non-stop about this book, so yea, that’s good. But I need more!! I told my hubby about it because even the next day I am frustrated. He says “is there a part two?” No dang it there is not!!! Get ready to ride the rollercoaster of emotions with this book. I think it is a fabulous summer read.

This novel had a lot of promise but ended up feeling disappointing. It moves at a snail's pace, packed with so many words that it often loses focus. The flowery language distracts from the story, making it hard to stay engaged. As a love story, it really misses the mark. The chemistry between the main characters feels rushed and shallow, overshadowed by lengthy descriptions that don't add much to their relationship. Instead of building up the romance, the author just skims over the meaningful moments. The climax falls flat, leaving you wishing for a more exciting conclusion. It wraps up too quickly and leaves many questions unanswered, making you feel a bit let down. Overall, it’s just an “okay” read. If you enjoy detailed writing and don't mind a slow plot, it might work for you. But if you’re looking for a captivating love story with depth, you might want to pass on this one.

I really enjoyed this book. There were moments in my day that I just couldn't put it down. I loved the location(s) (the scenery/imagery) the book took place in and the characters. Especially the relationship between Elle and Jonas and Elle and Peter. There were moments in the book that were twisted and difficult to read which may trigger certain people. So just know it does contain sensitive topics. The ending left me feeling bittersweet but overall a great summer read.

Easily one of my favorite books of all time and one I know I will reread again and again. It’s one of those books where I feel like each time you read it, something else stands out. The character development is phenomenal- the trauma, the realness, relatable yet not at the same time- it’s difficult to put down. I also find the imagery simply beautiful. This is a must read. I brought the book user and it was in good condition! Ever so slightly used but the pre-loved feel made the book all the more enjoyable !

The Paper Palace is a compelling and emotionally rich novel that I genuinely enjoyed reading. The narrative shifts between past and present, revealing the protagonist Elle’s inner struggles in a way that feels honest and immersive. The setting—a lakeside summer retreat—is beautifully depicted, adding atmosphere and emotional depth to the story. The author excels at exploring themes of family, memory, love, and the weight of past decisions. As the story progresses, the reasoning behind Elle’s final choice becomes clearer, making the journey rewarding even without fast-paced plot twists. Highlights: -Wonderful character development with deep emotional insight -Beautiful and vivid descriptions of the natural setting -Seamless transitions between timelines -Thoughtful exploration of family, love, and difficult choices -A lingering emotional impact after finishing the book The pacing may feel slow for readers seeking high drama, but for those who appreciate introspective, character-driven storytelling, this novel is richly satisfying.

Beautiful. The ending is magical. The writing is beautiful and pulled me in after a page. The book is about a mother’s choice and how our past shapes or rearranges those choices.