One Summer in Paris: A Novel

Grace is a planner and with it being Valentine’s Day she has a wonderful plan: dinner with her husband of twenty-five years, a fabulous long trip to Paris in the summer and all the romance afterward. What she didn’t plan for was David’s announcement of his affair and a subsequent heart attack to round off the drama of her night. At nearly the same time Audrey is struggling through her school exams, planning on never studying again, heading off to Paris and leaving behind her mother’s erratic behavior all hinging on what she’s been drinking that day. Unfortunately, her mother had ‘reformed’ her attitude, a regular repeat occurrence, and cleared out Audrey’s room in her reactionary mood – tossing away much of the clutter but also Audrey’s carefully concealed and saved cash for her trip. Now, while Paris is still an option with a bookshop job that provides a small apartment in return for half-days worked, her funds are more limited than her non-existent French. Two women in Paris in ways unexpected: Grace reeling from her husband’s betrayals, Audrey trying to keep her head above water and find a second job so she can afford to eat – one that doesn’t require she speak French. A wander to a bookshop on an errand for her grandmother Mimi, Grace is suddenly thrown to the ground – her purse snatched, only to be rescued by a redheaded young girl with tons of attitude and street smarts. Here starts the beginning of a wonderful friendship between the two: Grace understanding Audrey’s learning disability and her background, having lived with an alcoholic mother herself. Audrey is great for Grace in giving her a place to dump her ‘need’ to help and smooth paths, as well as updating her confidence and look – with her skills with hair and makeup, her brash and almost bold approach to life and her surprise that someone as ‘together’ as Grace would be interested in her and her issues. These two display a wonderful friendship – where one is lacking or needs a helping hand, the other steps up – and allows them to open up and share – including when everything goes pear shaped and choices need to be made. Full of engaging characters and exploration of issues large and small – including a clear presence of ‘hope’ for the future and all the possibilities it could contain: the story is both hard to put down and perfectly escapist. Morgan has done a lovely job of showing relationship dynamics, dysfunction and particularly the need for flexibility when dealing with learning disabilities, as Grace uses pantomime, jewelry, repetition and simple reassurances to help Audrey learn French and recognize her own potential. With the return of lost loves, a new relationship and plenty of Parisian atmosphere, this story is a perfect escape read for everyone in need of a pick-me-up story. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Whenever I pick up a book by this talented author, I know it will be well written, thoughtful and with characters that what makes them perfect, is their imperfections. This is the case of Grace and Audrey. Two women that meet in Paris and end not only being neighbors but also friends. One goes to Paris after what she thought she had, a perfect life and a strong marriage of 25 years , was an illusion. While the other one, a young English woman , with a self-centered mother , leaves London for a summer in Paris. It’s a story about re-discovering oneself. About friendships, family relationships, or lack thereof, and hope for a better future. Add to the mix Paris, the city of lights and love, and you have another enchanting story. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I seem to be on a roll with really, really good books lately! This one is not what I expected when I first started as I expected a romance and it was not, it was more a woman's fiction but it was so good and I read it in practically one sitting because I could not put it down. Grace is planning a surprise for her husband on their 25th wedding anniversary, a month-long break in Paris. However, he has his own surprise for her. He wants a divorce and has been having an affair. Audrey is getting ready to graduate and doesn't expect to do well and not planning to go to university and has set up a job in Paris at a bookstore and it comes with a flat so she is moving to Paris. This is where these women meet. You would expect these women who are so far apart in age, actually Audrey could be Grace's daughter, and together they forge a friendship and bond that helps heal the devastation in Grace's life and Audrey finally has the unconditional love she has never had. This story was beautifully written and left me very happy. **Received this for review**