I felt like I was in Paris for this amazing books. I could smell the city. The story is so engrossing and I just couldn't stop reading. Absolutely excellent and with a diverse range of characters it felt like I was watching a TV show at times. Highly recommend.

I don't know why but for some reason I thought this book was going to be a nice easy fluffy read. Predictable at all points and I'd go along for the journey. A palette cleanser of a book. Boy was I blinking wrong. At all costs this isn't a fluffy read.

Last Chance In Paris is a story which mainly follows Claire and Ronan as they go on a city break to Paris. We get to share their experiences in the city of love. And, we also learn of the heartbreak that they have endured in the past. Check for trigger warnings before reading this story, I'm sure elements of Claire and Ronan's tale could be a tough read for some.

Interspersed within Claire and Ronan's story are the other characters that are in Paris too. Harry, a hot shot producer. Dan, a student outliving his time in Paris, Mirelle, an elderly lady with a past. And two Ukrainian sisters who have landed in Paris.

"I’ve always believed that certain places are like magnets and draw you towards them should you happen to walk within their radius."

Lynda Marron writes a beautiful tale, bringing these characters together. I loved the whole element of fate that weaves its way through the story. It's enchanting

My main draw towards this book was the setting. I absolutely love Paris. And Marron captures everything that I love about Paris is the narrative.

"But that you belonged to Paris, that the city owned a tiny part of you and the same tiny part of every other soul sitting on those steps, mesmerised."

Last Chance In Paris was one of those books that surprised me. I didn't expect to be pulled into the narrative with such emotion, I found myself crying at the stories. I was well and truly invested in the lives of the characters.

"It’s better for your heart to harbour one impossible desire than none at all."

Last Chance in Paris is in short a beautiful and soothing balm for the soul. Set against the backdrop of Paris, the book follows a group of individuals as they converge on the city for a long weekend. Their lives intertwine as they explore the city’s landmarks, from Notre-Dame and Shakespeare & Co to Pere Lachaise cemetery and Montmartre. The characters include Ronan and Claire, a young couple from Cork hoping to rekindle their relationship; Harry, a Hollywood producer reflecting on his poor life choices; Mireille, a widow from Dijon uncovering secrets from her past; and Yeva, a young Ukrainian refugee caring for her sister while waiting to be reunited with her father.
Marron’s writing immerses you in the experiences of these characters as they navigate the city and their own lives. The book is a heartwarming and comforting read, with emotional depth and warm, enjoyable characters. The only risk in picking up this book is the immediate desire to book a city break to Paris - which, in fairness, is never a bad thing .
In summary, Last Chance in Paris is a beautiful tribute to the City of Love and a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming and uplifting story.
Huge thanks to @sultanabun @eriubooks for the arc via @netgalley and I’m looking forward to receiving my preordered copy when it’s published on February 8th

I'm a very recent follower of @sultanabun after seeing some gorgeous reviews of her upcoming debut novel Last Chance In Paris. When I spotted it on @netgalley, I couldn't resist requesting and was thrilled to get the chance to read it early.

I honestly can't believe this is a debut! Lynda Marron is clearly a natural born Storyteller. This book is about Claire & Ronan, who escape to Paris for a weekend to try to reconnect and save their marriage. There is a trigger warning here, and I'm trying really hard not to reveal anything. The topic was handled so sensitively and respectfully. I have personal experience of this, so I found the depiction of grief so real and well written and not over dramatised. There's more I'd love to say, but I really don't want to spoil for anyone.

We are introduced to a few other characters who have interweaving storylines. I loved this part, I really enjoyed the variety of characters and found the different pov very easy to follow.

This is a stunning debut. I cried a lot but this book is filled with hope and joy. I would thoroughly recommend it. 5⭐️

Huge thank you to @netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

I enjoyed this story about several travellers who are all in Paris during the same weekend. For Claire and Ronan, it’s a trip to hopefully resolve some marital difficulties and their paths cross with some other characters along the way. Their stories are all different and entirely separate, but the slight ways in which their paths become intertwined is both interesting and intriguing. An enjoyable read!

Seven people on a make or break holiday in Paris, all with different stories hoping for a good outcome . Well written invoking sadness and joy with those outcomes. Enthralling reading, waiting for those outcomes.

Last Chance in Paris
Lynda Marron

A lovely winter warmer of a book; our cast in this tale find themselves in Paris for last minute spontaneity but the main story revolves around Claire and Ronan who are going through some marriage difficulties and who are trying to find a way forward as a couple.

You can tell from reading this story that a lot of the author herself has gone into it. I really enjoyed the setting, the colourful characters with interlocking storylines. Everyone is going through some heartache or difficulty. The overarching theme is to look for the light on the darkest of days, to know that life is a thing to endure and to enjoy in equal measures. To live life without regret and to be aware that THESE are the good old days, the ones we are currently living.

A very strong 3.5 stars.


"I think we have to live hard, as hard as we can. Live furiously. Revel in the joy of it and suck up the pain, because that’s the deal. If you hide away from the rotten, ugly bits of life , you do yourself out of the beauty of it. Sure, you can’t beat death, but you can cheat yourself out of living."

‘Only an idiot would travel without a book.’

When I saw this opening line, I knew I was in safe hands with @sultanabun. Have I ever seen an opening line that resonated so much?!

This is such a gorgeous read and one I was really glad of during a wild and freezing January. Thank you so much to the publishers for an advanced copy on NetGalley.

The story unfolds over a long weekend in Paris, with multiple points of views and various interconnected visitors. There’s a young and gas newly married Irish couple, a Hollywood icon, a love struck American student and an older French lady making up for lost time. The story is really emotional, warm and moving. All involved do plenty of reflecting on recent or very distant traumas or life choices that have brought them to Paris on this fateful weekend. There are some upsetting storylines, you may want to check content warnings for this one.

I desperately want to book a weekend away to the city of light after reading this gorgeous book. It will stay with me for a long time. It’s out on February 8 and if, like me, it’s been a while since you’ve jetted away, this will hit the spot. 4.5/5

Loved this book!
The characters, the writing, the setting, it ticks all the boxes . It's the perfect escapism on a cold winters day or a joy to read if you are basking in the sun . These people will stay with you when you are not reading and you will want to pick it up as soon as you stop. It reads like an anthology movie (which I love) , think along the lines of I love New York, Love Actually , New Years Eve , if you are a fan of those films then this is the book for you . It's sad, happy, emotional and also it gets you to think about life, what matters, what doesn't and how to just be content . I loved it so much and now I just want to see a movie version !

A book with “Before Sunset” references? Say no more.

…but actually, there is a bit more to add!

I was delighted to receive an e-ARC of this wonderful book, written by Irish Bookstagram favourite Lynda Marron @sultanabun. Even before knowing the premise, I was keen to get my hands on this. As anyone who follows Lynda knows, her reviews and general observations on life are sharp, thoughtful and often nothing short of poetic. I’ve often thought that I’d love to read a novel written by her, and I wasn’t wrong.

I’m ashamed to say that I’ve only been to Paris once, at the age of 10, a day’s break from the main attraction of Disneyland. My brain has almost been fooled into believing the opposite, having read this atmospheric and effervescent debut. It’s also had me incessantly planning to get back there at the earliest opportunity. “Shakespeare and Company” is the obvious first stop, but I’ll be hopping to Cimetière du Père Lachaise, taking in the city from the steps of Sacré-Coeur as the sun sets, chilling with a book in Jardin des Tuileries…

Not unlike your favourite mug of tea or coffee, this charming book is full of warmth and compassion. A number of difficult themes and deeply human stories are dealt with, all with the utmost of sensitivity. I did wonder initially if there were a few too many characters to get to know, but I was swayed by the time I reached the book’s conclusion. The stories were expertly interwoven, and all impactful. There’s something for everyone here. I know and care for these characters, just like I do Jesse and Céline. Highly recommended.

Claire’s husband Ronan has planned an impromptu weekend in Paris to save their marriage, but she is unconvinced a trip to the city of love can get them out of the mess they’re in. Elsewhere in the French capital, a hotshot Hollywood movie producer is wondering how he can rebuild bridges, a student from Boston is torn between home and his new city, an elderly lady from Dijon is making the trip for a meeting that will change her life and a Ukrainian teenager struggles to keep herself and her sister safe.

What an absolute gem of a book. I can’t speak highly enough of it and I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. It’s no surprise to me as an avid reader of the author’s posts on Bookstagram that she has a special way with words, but that wit combined with authentic characters and a mesmerising plot was just the tonic I needed on these gloomy January evenings.

My sheer joy at reading was possibly enhanced even further by travel plans I have for this summer which involve a weekend in Paris, but the sharp writing immersed me in the city streets - I felt like I was really there (I was also jotting down travel tips as I read!). The book tackles one particularly difficult storyline but it’s handled beautifully in my opinion (check trigger warnings or DM me if you need more info).

A fellow bookstagrammer said she found the book reminiscing of Maeve Binchy and as an avid reader of Maeve, I wholeheartedly agree with this. Last Chance in Paris is a sharply written, comforting read and I will be recommending it widely.

I have the physical book on pre-order but couldn’t wait once i saw it on Netgalley. Will I read it again when it arrives on the doorstep come 8th February? I wouldn’t rule it out, despite an ever-growing tbr of previously unread books 🤭

Irish couple Claire and Ronan are heading to Paris. They’ve suffered a terrible tragedy and are hoping a weekend away will help them move forward. The novel is interspersed with other smaller plots that work well and add to the overall novel. It’s a charming book full of warmth and compassion that you will find hard to put down. Thank you to NetGalley, Black & White Publishing and the author for the chance to review.

Anyone who has read a book review penned by Lynda Marron, will know she’s a marvellous way with words, a natural talent. So, when I was kindly offered a review copy of her debut novel, how (and more to the point, why) would I say no?

Last Chance in Paris is, at heart, a romance, but it’s not just any old romance novel. Oh no! It’s an emotionally charged and thought-provoking story about the complexities of human relationships, love, and personal growth. Add in a perfectly described picturesque backdrop of Paris, and really, what more could you need?

Central to the story are our Cork couple, Claire and Ronan, who are on a make-or-break visit to the City of Love. They’ve both suffered immensely over the last year, but neither quite knows how to open up or just to ‘be’ around the other.

But theirs is not our only story; skillfully interwoven, we also hear from a big-shot movie producer, Harry from Hollywood, who ponders regretfully on a life ill-lived; student Dan from Boston, torn between following his heart or a heavy sense of duty; a teenage Ukrainian refugee, Yeva, who struggling to get by day to day, will go to any lengths to protect her little sister; and widow Mireille from Dijon, who needs to be braver than ever to confront a past she’s kept deeply and painfully buried.

Honestly, there’s all the emotions in this one! Last Chance in Paris is a true delight, a book with wonderfully well-developed characters that play out in your mind with cinematic vibrancy.

A splendid read, g’wan, and order a copy now; it’s out in February - hint, hint, it’d make a perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

5⭐️

Many thanks to Eriu Books for the physical and electronic advance copies; as always, this is an honest review.

'Last Chance in Paris 'by Lynda Marron. This is an absolute gem of a book! I'm a sucker for anything set in Paris and this was so magical. A book with lots heart, great and relatable characters and a nice touch of whimsy. Paris really came alive in this novel and some very difficult topics were handled with sensitivity but also realistically. I loved Claire and Ronan, they felt so Irish and real.Their relationship was explored so well and didn't feel clichéd. A real touch of Maeve Binchy here and a lack of pretension which made it a lovely read. Really enjoyed this and would recommend. Great book to start the new year!

Thanks @netgalley

5*

@sultanabun

#irishbookstagrammer #bookstagramireland #bookstagram

Last Chance in Paris is a mesmerising read that immerses you throughout.

This book goes beyond a simple romance; it explores layers of charm and tragedy.

The book's cinematic quality, kept me hooked until the very end and you feel you're in the book yourself. A spellbinding read that leaves you content and hopeful, I hope this debut book finds a wide audience. Highly recommend!

Reading a fellow bookstagrammer's debut novel comes with a lot of anticipation and a certain amount of trepidation - what if I don't like it? How do I review it? Do I say nothing?!

I need not have had any such concerns when it comes to Last Chance in Paris, the debut novel from Lynda Marron who reviews books on Instagram as @sultanabun with an eloquence and thoughtfulness that offer the reader an insight into what she is like as a novelist.

In Last Chance in Paris, we meet Ronan and Claire, a young Cork coup[e in desperate need of reviving their flagging marriage, Harry, a hotshot American film producer with a chequered love life and a heart full of regret, Yeva, a young Ukrainian refugee struggling with life in a new city, and Mireille, a widowed French woman with a determination to confront the past. All paths converge in Paris, by the Seine, at Pere Lachaise cemetery, Sacre Coeur and many other French landmarks that anyone with a love for Paris will recognise.

I was reminded early on of French writer Valerie Perrin, so you can imagine the smile on my face when her name popped up. Last Chance in Paris is tender, romantic, poignant, sentimental in parts but never overly so, and so full of love, but if I had to describe it in one word it would be life-affirming (tears were shed). If you love a well-written story that wraps its arms around you, this one is for you. Maeve Binchy meets Valerie Perrin on the Left Bank! 5 stars

*Many thanks to @sultanabun @eriubooks for the arc via @netgalley. I have this book pre-ordered but couldn't resist an early read. Last Chance in Paris will be published on 8 February and will make the perfect Valentine's Day/Mother's Day gift to yourself, your mum, your partner, your best friend! As always, this is an honest review.

I love a book where you really get to experience the flavour of where it is set. Paris holds secrets, hope and fears in this novel for a few people and its very emotional! It was very heartfelt and full of charm as well as tragedy so I was disappointed to see the cover - this suggests romance or a light hearted read which it isn't - well there are moments but it's more layered than that.

I absolutely loved this book.
Lynda marron has produced a book where the characters are real and believable without a lot of modern fluff.
Claire and Ronan have suffered the most devastating of losses and their story is intertwined with other characters who find themselves in Paris over a long weekend.
Can they survive the problems that they face...well the short answer is ..they have to....that's life.
At the end of the book, the main character Claire is travelling home, contemplating the complexity of life. The author pens these words....
'You can look at life as a long list of endings, she thought, or you can see it as an infinite series of new beginnings. That much - the way you decide to look at it - is up for the taking. The thing is, you keep trying. '
Loved, loved, loved it.

#lyndamarron

It is a long time since a book enchanted me like this one did. I got into bed last night and picked it up , I was around the halfway mark and couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to these characters.

Last Chance in Paris follows an Irish couple, Claire and Ronan, as they take a a weekend break to Paris. The couple have been through a deep tragedy in the previous year and while Claire has little interest in going away she feels obliged to go along but doesn't see how a couple of nights away can save their marriage. When in Paris their lives briefly intertwine with several other people , a Hollywood director regretting the choices he made in life, an American student deeply in love with a Parisian waitress, a displaced Ukrainian girl struggling to protect her sister and an older French woman about to meet someone she has been waiting to meet for almost 60 years.

This story is written with such care, compassion, consideration and just the right sprinkle of magic. Paris is like another character in this tale as its sights scents , secrets and sounds are captured in such vivid detail, I felt like I was walking the streets with these characters. I loved how their lives briefly intertwined and how each character was developed as the story unfolds. It is hard to believe this is a debut novel as the writing is so assured, Marron's writing reminded me at times of Maeve Binchys’ while remaining wholly original. I would watch this story on the big screen, it read like a movie at times.

A spellbinding read that left me feeling content and hopeful. Wishing the author every success with this book, I feel in my bones this one will be read far and wide.


5 stars.


*** One other thing and it is not a criticism as such just that I would never have been drawn to this book cover if I saw it on the shelf. That is most likely a me problem as I would have have missed out on this beautiful read but a part of me feels the cover doesn't do this book justice. More a note to myself not to judge a book by its cover.

So so excited for this one! I will be sharing my full thoughts and review very soon upon completion. I love sort of the anti love story. How Claire and Ronan will or will not repair their relationship over the course of the novel. Paris as a setting is never a bad idea and also how the other characters intertwine in the story.