A beautifully written, poignant read full of intriguing characters and a delightful storyline, it was a pleasure reading this book!.

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Beautiful, poignant, evocative...yet also rather dark & triggering, too. So if reading about heavy topics like grief and death and coping with life while not really wanting to live is not your cup of tea, then give this one a miss.
Loved seeing Paris through the words, witnessing a world I don't know being opened to me like that, so it felt I was actually there at times. Julien was a sad character but one you want to root for (I'll admit knowing there was a happy ending made this one bearable for me), and the ending was beautiful. Took a little long, a bit of winding to get there, but I did finish this one with a satisfied smile and sigh, aka what I ask of a book promising me hope and uplifting

This is a cosy and charmingly escapist read about a romance novelist who has lost his muse. Julien has been struggling to feel romantic since his wife Hélène died. Now it is just him and his son. Yet it seems that Hélène knew her husband and she leaves a request with him, to write her a letter for every year she lived. Julien takes on the challenge and goes to the most famous cemetery in Paris with his letter in hand. This first letter takes a while to write, but eventually he does manage to pour his heart out onto the paper. I loved this idea because it works for so many reasons: Julien feels like he’s still communicating with his wife, he’s pouring out all the feelings that have nowhere to go, he’s slowly processing his grief and it’s interesting to see how letters can change as you move forward. However, on this morning in Montmartre something magical is about to happen.

This was an easy read, great for summer by the pool or in the garden. Yes, the beginning is sad, but it’s clear that Julien and his son have a renaissance at some point, I found the parts where he was with friends or family a little bit annoying. They weren’t very helpful or understanding of his situation and seemed to want him to rush his grief, possibly because it’s uncomfortable* for them, they think he should be looking at moving on, but he’s far from ready. His son Arthur is lovely. He is forthright and very blunt or straightforward, much to Julien’s embarrassment! This provides comic relief where it’s needed and that sense that these two are a unit and if you want to be with Julien you are taking on both of them. I thought Paris was depicted as quirky and charming, a romantic version of the real thing, but very seductive and enjoyable to immerse yourself in all the same.

The letters are beautifully romantic, and I loved Julien’s writing style too. What’s wonderful is how they move him forward.. He’s reminded that life is still out there and he doesn’t want to miss any of it. Most importantly for a writing therapist like me, I can see that the letters have done their job on Julien. They’re a place he can go when he wants to remember her, but then he can put them away again and get on with living. This book shows that what I advocate does work and I should never doubt the healing power of writing.

I don't know what it is about the books I read in June, but all of them seemed to fall a bit flat for me. I was really in the mood for a sweet romance, and the title of this seemed like just what I wanted! However, this started off a bit more like a P.S. I Love You kind of story, which maybe I just couldn't fully embrace. However, I also felt as though there wasn't much of a strong plot going on, and what was happening in Julien's life, I wasn't really interested in. I personally wasn't a fan of his romantic developments within the story, and I felt it was almost unnecessary, but being used in order to bulk up the story. I did enjoy the writing style but Love Letters fro Paris ended up losing my full focus towards the end of the novel, and I found myself skimming through to reach the end. It was a perfectly fine book, but I couldn't tell you anything I really loved about it. I would potentially read something else from Barreau if the subject matter interested me more.

2.5* rounded down
I really loved the descriptions of Paris and it felt like we were there with the characters. However, I wasn’t a great lover of the plot itself and I didn’t care for the ending so I was left feeling disappointed.

This was a great, little story that left me aching in a painfully nostalgic way. Full of heart, this story has a way of latching onto you.

A sweet and wonderfully French tale of lost love and how it can be reborn again. The epistolary parts of the novel were my favourite, with Julien's letters to Helene so heartfelt. A lovely summer read.

Love letters from Paris
By Nicolas Barreau
Pub date 9 feb 2021
I think this book was brilliant one of my favourite boos so far I was so happy when I got a e book for this I knew I was going to be hooked on it from the first chapter I felt everything that the author put into this book I understand the grief the hurt the pain the character felt such a heart warming book so strong with emotion. Jullien character was brilliant indeed I lost my father and I don’t think I could write letters to my dad like he did to his wife the letters were beautiful written I cried with this book in a good way I loved how’s he loved his wife so much and the hurt he felt for her I loved how the letters brought him hope and there was hope I loved that he was writing a book I would have loved to have heard more about the book in the story. I loved that he met people and I loved the mystery in the book I was shocked who was behind the letters at the grave in the end I loved how you meet people in the grave yard. that can bring love I knew it was had he had a son to bring up as well I would have like to known more about the relationship between him and his son they seems good together. The chemistry between him and characters were amazing I loved the suspense in the book you think you knew what was happening then another twist would come overall a brilliant book I hope there book two coming out I love to see more of what happens with the book and his son and a few characters in the book with out giving to much away oh and cover beautiful that what drew me into the book the cover I knew I was going to love this story.

I loved the storyline and the plot of this book it was a beautiful story but the writing just wasn't for me I really struggled with reading this one at times.
The father and son relationship was great and the love story was predictable and cute with a few twists and turns which in a book I love. I would certainly give other books by this author a read to see what they were like

Any romance set in Paris and I’m on it! I adore reading about Paris and what better place to set a romance. The book is a beautiful and heartwarming, a little sad at the start but quickly turns into a compelling and wonderful story and I savoured every minute of it. I lapped up the beautiful, rich and evocative descriptions of the streets and boulevards of Paris and mouthwatering cuisine. The author captures the atmosphere, sites and smells of Paris so well and I could almost imagine I was there.

In the beginning the novel is a little melancholic, Julien Azoulay loses his wife, Hélène, to cancer and on her death bed she asks him to write her thirty-three letters and assures him that by the time he’s written the last letter his life will have irrevocably changed for the better. This drew me in completely, I wanted to find out the significance of the letters and if indeed Julien’s life would turnaround. After Hélène dies Julien has a hard time coming to terms with her death, his life is lonely and he eventually finds a way to deal with this by pouring all his thoughts and feelings into writing the first of these letters. He continues to write letters and eventually this opens up a whole new chapter in his life and of rediscovering the love he thought he would never find again.

The characters are all wonderful and depicted so well and in particular I adored Sophie’s character, she’s confident and quirky and with her overalls and hair tucked inside a cap a little bit different from the norm. Arthur is a great little character and for a child still at nursery says some quite grown up and notable things to his grieving dad.

I really enjoyed the writing style which is descriptive but easy to read. The plot is really intriguing and had me completely engrossed until the end. I did have an inkling of how the ending would pan out but this just urged me to finish it to find out if I was on the right track. This is a wonderful, heartwarming and uplifting book without being too over-emotional. A quick and light read which is well written and with such beautiful descriptions of Paris you will want to pack your bags and go.

I absolutely loved the descriptions of Paris in this book. Paris is one of my favourite cities that I’ve been to, it’s been a couple of years since my last visit and I can’t wait to go back again. I loved reading the way Barreau described Paris, talking us through Julien’s trips to Montmarte and Sacre Coeur. It felt like I was back there looking out at those views with Julien.

From the synopsis I thought that I was bound to be a blubbering mess and feel so emotional throughout. This wasn’t the case though. This isn’t a bad thing, just not what I expected! I loved the idea behind Helene’s gravestone. It was so beautiful and the perfect final secret between husband and wife. So without spoiling the story, I was disappointed when that secret was exposed. I felt angry on Julien’s behalf, as opposed to his actual feelings. Although the ending of this book was expected, I kind of felt annoyed at that, that the reactions were not actually realistic, well not for me anyway. I guess I just wanted a more realistic ending, which to be honest surprises me as I’m usually disappointed when the ending deters away from what’s expected!

Although I know what I just said about the ending, I did still enjoy reading this book. It took me on lovely little journey back through Paris which is always a good thing ❤️

I do not usually choose this genre to read but the title and the blurb attracted me because Paris is a city that I have never yet been back to since my honeymoon in the 1980s.

The book tells the story of Julien, he is our narrator, who promised his wife as she was dying that he would write her 33 letters - one for each year of her life. She promised him that if he did this, by letter number 33, his life would have changed. Julien takes us with him on his journey through his grief as he writes the 33 letters, as well as his wanderings through Montmartre. I loved the descriptions of Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. They brought back such memories.


Julien is a character that you do have sympathy for, life is not easy for him as he has been left with a four year old son, Arthur. At the beginning of the book you feel he is existing and not living, he is so eaten up with his grief, he has lost the belief that joy and love exist. He is an author and so does not have a 9-5 routine. Apart from taking his son to nursery and picking him up, his days have no structure - he has even stopped writing. His time is taken up with regular trips to the cemetery to visit his wife's grave. As the time passes in the book, as a reader, Julien does frustrate you because you feel that he is wallowing in his grief. However, you never dislike him.

The other characters that appear in the novel are well drawn. Alexandre is a friend that we could all do with in our lives. Catherine, who is Julien's wife's best friend, is grieving, just like Julien, and you do wonder whether her proximity to Julien and Arthur is stopping both of them from moving on. Arthur is just adorable, almost an old head on young shoulders. The portrayal of a young child's attitude to a devastating loss is uplifting.

Partway through the book, I did start to get an inkling of the ending, but there were a couple of turns that did make me wonder. However, I did enjoy finding out that I had been right. It didn't spoil the book for me that I had half-guessed the ending.

This is a charming book, not overly sentimental, with a lovely representation of the relationship between a father and son, with a warming and uplifting message of hope and the power of love.

Julien Azoulay is famous around the world for his beautiful romance novels. But last year, he stopped believing in love when his beloved wife Helene died, leaving him alone to raise his young son.

If you love Paris, romance, and an uplifting quick read, then this is the book for you. The story takes you on a journey where you can imaging yourself walking down the streets of Paris in a warm summer, experiencing all that Paris has to offer. The book captures the scene very well.

I would describe this book and a holiday read - the type you may read around a pool or on a beach. Lighthearted and quick read. Lovely, eye-catching cover.

I'm not sure if I like this book. I like it because it answered my expectations of feeling like in Paris. I was not fond of it much because I didn't care about the characters and the love story. I don't know what to say because I'm not familiar with this genre and don't know if this is a good example or not. But I'm guessing it is not one of the best. Something was missing in this story, and that something was a huge thing. But I can say this; I didn't find the love story believable.

I red an advanced copy of, Love Letters from Paris, by Nicolas Barreau. This book started of great and was a sweet story, but then got off track.