I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic novel and read it in a day on holiday. When I put it down I just wanted to get back to it. It has the feel good factor of good relationships and how tested these may be at times..

Sarah Morgan is the author of the Snow Crystal Trilogy, a series of books that I read every Christmas because they are just such heartwarming fab reads. When I saw that One Summer in Paris was coming out I thought I’d give it a go, see if her summer offering was as good as the festive fayre I favour from her.

This review contains spoilers, so be warned, don’t read ahead if you don’t want to know a pretty big plot point….
Up until about 80% I would probably have given this book a solid 4 – 4.5 stars. It has good character building, a plausible plot, and relatable family dynamics. And then something happened that just completely ruined it for me.

Grace is a 47 year old teacher, with a loving husband of 25 years and a teenage daughter, who is about to depart for college. They live in America, in their small town, where every one knows every one else, and things have been the same forever.

One day Grace’s husband David, drops the bombshell that he is having an affair and leaving her. Not only does he drop his news on Valentines day, it is also their 25 year anniversary. Grace had planned a summer holiday to Paris for the two of them as an anniversary present, but now has to face the reality of either going alone or giving up the tickets. So first plus point for Grace is that she decides to go alone – hurrah!

Audrey is a teenager from England, who needs to get away from her alcoholic mother and the home situation that puts her in. She is a carer for her mother, cleaning up after her, making excuses for her. Her mother, Linda, has no time for Audrey as she is so wrapped up in herself. Audrey finally manages to save enough money for a summer trip to Paris, only for Linda to inadvertently throw it out. After much distress and angst, Audrey’s work pals buy her a ticket and she is on her way.

Grace and Audrey meet, they become firm friends, and we follow their summer in Paris.

Now, I was really enjoying this story. Grace was a super organised, pre-plan woman who fixes everything, always had a plan of action and generally had herself and her life put together. I enjoyed reading about her character and was appalled at David for ruining what they had with a stupid fling with a girl his daughter’s age. Audrey thought the same as me. So we were at lest at this point on the same wavelength.

Grace changes her looks and her personality in Paris, then just as she’s getting a bit of lovin’ from her ex-love Phillipe, David shows up and wants them to get back together. NO. Do not do this Grace. I knew where this was headed as soon as he arrived. In fact before he arrived, because Mimi came with him.

Mimi is Grace’s grandmother who effectively raised Grace after her parents were killed in a car crash. She’s vivacious, funny, outspoken, lively... and about 90 years old!

I was soooo hoping that Grace would surprise me and not go back to David, but in the end that is what happened, and that is why I changed my rating for this book from 4 stars to 3.5, rounded down!!

I was absolutely gutted. She even started saying that she could understand why he did it, and she was partly responsible for letting their marriage get so predictable. NO.... so I got angry  this could have ended on a high note where Grace realises she is better off without any bloke at all – she doesn’t need a cheater like David or a flake like Phillippe. She could have just been happy with herself. But nah, she couldn’t possibly handle being alone, she needs a man to be complete....?!

Audrey, I felt, completely changed from when she was home in London, to when she was in Paris. I felt like I was reading two different characters. Not just the progression of the character, but it was like a completely new character. She sounded down trodden in London, being caring and looking after her mum, but then in Paris she was sarcastic and rude. I struggled to like her when she was being obnoxious, but as she softened during her time with Grace, I found her a bit more appealing.

So overall, I did enjoy the majority of this book. It was only the ending that I had a particular problem with – but it coloured my take on the whole thing unfortunately. I will definitely read more Sarah Morgan though – this doesn’t change how much I love her other books! :)

This book was a winner from the first to the last page. I loved it and couldn't put it down. Every chapter had me wanting to see what would happen next.

Grace has been married for 25 years and is planning to give her husband a month long trip to Paris over their celebration meal. However, when her husband drops the bombshell that he has been having an affair Grace decides to go to Paris on her own. On the first day, after an unfortunate incident, Grace meets Audrey and a friendship Is formed. Both have had difficult childhoods but while Audrey has been struggling on her own, Grace has had her maternal grandmother guiding her.

The description of the bookshop, that played an important part in the book is brilliant as are the stories of the supporting characters. Another fantastic book from Sarah Morgan and one I have no hesitation in recommending

Real enjoyed this book! I thought it was going to be very sickly sweet and cheesy and it really wasn't. Exceeded all my expectations and kept my interest throughout,I really enjoyed the relationship between Grace and Audrey and loved the Paris setting.

I loved everything about this book, even the parts that were predictable. Of course it helped that it was set in Paris THE most romantic city in the world and Sarah Morgan captures the atmosphere and the surroundings beautifully - it made me feel like I was there (even though I have never been - how sad is that!) and could hear, see and taste everything.

Grace had not had an easy childhood but for the last twenty five years she has been married to David a man she still loves and cherishes and the father of her 18 year old daughter, Sophie. As a result of her upbringing, Grace likes to be super organised and plans for everything. She books a month long trip to Paris for their 25th wedding anniversary and plans to surprise him with it at their anniversary meal on Valentine’s Day. However, things do not go to plan and David tells her he wants a divorce and that he is having an affair. Grace’s world is shattered and she turns to her grandmother, Mimi for support.

Audrey is an 18 year old girl living in London. She too has had a chaotic upbringing and dreams of the day when she can leave school and move out of the home she shares with her mum. She applies for a job working in a bookshop in Paris even though she can’t speak the language.

The two ladies worlds collide and they embark on a wonderful friendship where they face up to the past and embark on a journey to discover who they truly are.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I loved this book! A novel about friendship, family and loyalty that will make you wish you had friends like Grace and Audrey and a relative like Mimi. The beautiful Paris setting definitely added an extra je ne sais quoi and I’ll be recommending this book far and wide. Thanks NetGalley!

I absolutely loved this book. The way the friendship between Grace and Audrey developed was beautiful and I loved that it was the main relationship of the book with the romantic relationships on the side. The setting was simply idyllic and made me want to visit Paris. Gorgeous book , thank you!

A beautiful story of love, family, friendship and trust.
Grace and Audrey couldn’t be more different, yet their friendship, despite their age difference enabled them to find out who they truly are. Set in Paris, this book is the epitome of life long secrets and putting your trust in people around you. Grace is the perfect wife and mother, whose amazing life is turned upside down by betrayal. Audrey is the daughter of a mother who doesn’t care. They go on a journey of discovery about themselves in the beautiful city of Paris. I don’t want to spoil the story other than to say just read this book, guaranteed unputdownable.

I loved this book, what a treat. Full of wonderful characters and interconnecting stories. I couldn't put it down. I loved the Paris setting and the difficult themes that were tackled. Although the underlying current was one of love and forgiveness, and was very uplifting. I didn't want it to end. Thank you

A lovely book full of friendship, family and forgiveness. Loved Grace and Audrey and watching the depth of their friendship grow. This was one of those books that I didn't want to end. Graces marriage is going through a tricky time and she ends up in Paris on her own, a chance encounter with Audrey sparks a friendship between these two completely different characters. Add in Elodie, Etienne , Mimi, Philippe, Graces errant husband David and Audrey's alcoholic mother and you have a brilliant read, with a very satisfying ending! Loved this book and will now be looking out for more from Sarah Morgan who is a new author for me.

Oh I enjoyed this book. The stories of Grace and Audrey and their unlikely friendship forged in a Paris bookshop cleverly intertwined as they played out over a summer month. The characters were engaging, the setting convincing and it was well written. Thank you so much.

One Summer in Paris was the perfect mix of likeable characters, a wonderful plot and a gorgeous setting. Organised Grace's safe and reliable life is rocked by the end of her marriage. Feeling lost and without hope, she reluctantly goes to spend the summer in Paris after persuasion from her grandmother. What starts out to be a hopeless and miserable trip, soon transitions into a summer to remember after Grace bonds with English girl Audrey. What follows is a wonderful story of hope and second chances. The perfect summer escape!

Another amazing brilliant book from Sarah. Great setting and characters. Loved the plot. One to curl up with in the sun this summer

Absolutely fantastic! I was drawn in to the characters instantly and literally read the book in 2 nights!

A great opening sentence which sets the scene for a gently dramatic read with a satisfying ending. Having recently spent a winter holiday in Paris, I enjoyed being taken back to the sights and sounds of the beautiful City of Lights. The Paris setting certainly adds to this story. A typical chick lit with everything tied up nicely at the end, this would be a perfect summer read.

When Grace’s husband announces on their 25th wedding anniversary that he would in fact prefer a divorce over the month in Paris she had planned, Grace must find the courage to make the trip for 2 a trip for 1.

18-year-old Audrey can’t wait to finish her exams and spread her wings, and a summer job in Paris complete with accommodation sounds like the freedom she craves., but with no money and unable to speak a word of French she might be doomed to fail.

When a chance encounter finds Grace and Audrey brought together, they form an unlikely friendship. But will they find they have more in common then they think?

Sarah Morgan never fails to entertain me with her heart-warming and captivating stories! As soon as her new titles appear on NetGalley I find myself hungrily requesting an ARC even though I already have a very long TBR pile.

This book is told mainly from the dual viewpoints of Grace and Audrey, with the occasional chapter from Mimi, Grace’s 90-yer-old French Grandmother. In these circumstances I often find myself preferring one protagonist over the other, happily that wasn’t the case here. I loved both Grace and Audrey equally but for different reasons. Grace was unsure of herself but motherly and kind whereas, Audrey was defensively brave and witty. Therefore, they complimented each other effectively.

Another thing that makes Morgan’s work so appealing to me is her use of sub-characters, each one has a point and a part to play. I sometimes read novels that have huge casts, half of which I could easily cut out as they have no significant role to add.

Following the development of the main protagonists on their journeys and seeing how they helped each other to change in order to overcome their circumstances was a joy. The backdrop of Paris was an added bonus. The author used a more local scene as opposed to the slightly overused tourist destinations which really helped to give a less generic effect.

As always, the story was somewhat predictable, but let’s be honest the light and comforting predictability is why we choose to read books in this genre. I would and will highly recommend.

Loved this book, set mainly in Pairs within multi generations who overlap and connect. Ostensibly armpit a woman in her 40's whose marriage falls apart, it also covers romance in the 70's, a girl in her first job overseas and a small niche bookshop on the left bank. I read of in almost one sitting, loved it and highly recommend it.
I will be looking out for Sarah Morgan's other books

I absolutely loved everything about this beautifully written book. Amazing. I’d highly recommend it to anyone.

If only I had known how addictive and how much I was going to be pulled into this story, I would have waited to read it for when I could give it my undivided attention. Well I was intending to read it on holiday, but my finger slipped and once I have a Sarah Morgan open on my kindle, I'm not closing it again until I have read it!

From very early on, there were many moments that had me giving mini gasps and had me reaching for the next chapter, eager to know what would happen next. Whenever I wasn't reading One Summer in Paris, I was yearning to find the time to be able to delve back between its pages.

There are initially what appear to be two very different stories going on, although it soon becomes apparent that they could connect - and the way the two main characters finally meet is definitely memorable and unexpected.

We have Grace who is in her mid forties, and decides she will go to Paris on her own, after her husband of 25 years announces he has been having an affair. And we have 18 year old Audrey who is hoping to escape her tricky family situation and spend the summer in Paris.

It was Audrey's story that resonated more with me, she is incredibly brave to move to a foreign country for a summer, with barely any money, no ability to speak French, and she's got a job in a bookshop, which for reasons of her own is a far from ideal thought.

I really loved seeing how these two ladies grew over their Summer in Paris, and struck up a truly lovely friendship that I really enjoyed seeing how it evolved.

The book splits its viewpoints between both Audrey and Grace and occasionally we get a chapter focusing on Mimi, Grace's grandma who is French and hasn't been to Paris herself for many years. I was smiling like a looney when certain things fell into place regarding Mimi.

I loved the descriptions of Paris, and this wasn't really the main touristy things, but more off the beaten track, and really about having this wonderful French city as a backdrop to the interesting dynamics between Grace and Audrey, and everyone else they come into contact with.

It's a truly wonderful book, that kept me on my toes, kept me yearning to read more when i needed to do work, and is another marvellous addition to my wow doesn't Sarah Morgan write amazing books list!!

Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.