This is a slight book, very much in the modern French tradition. It's a romance and, actually, quite a romantic book. It shows the ways that we fall in love in our mind, create visions of people off of whatever evidence we have. As far as the plot, it has a strong helping of While You Were Sleeping (which is fine; I liked that movie). I don't think this is a great literary novel, but I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in a French romance novel with captivating imagery and compelling characters (a gilder! a bookshop owner!). It's also good for people who want to read something about second loves, as not too many books feature leads who have both already lost someone whether through divorce or death.

What a fascinating and fun read! Most romances revolve around a meet cute of some sort with a couple tropes in there for good measure but Laurain takes that format and completely turns it on its head. Laure and Laurent don't meet for a significant chunk of the novel but they know each other so intimately. How? All thanks to Laure's rather unfortunate mugging of her handbag which Laurent discovers. It was really warming to read a love story that touched so heavily on the power of community and acts of kindness whilst also skimming the surface on parasocial relationships and the fantasies we attach to those we know very little about.

Such an original concept that really carried my interest throughout the whole book. Laurain captures the intimacy and personal natures of people's belongings so well and opens up this world of stories that lay not only in the things we own and the stories we have with our belongings but also the interaction between what different things we have and how revealing it can be of one's personality and identity. I loved some of the imagery we got throughout (particularly 'it was even more complicated than dissecting an octopus on a kitchen table.')

There were some points I wasn't particularly keen on. Firstly, the POV switch was pretty fluid between Laure and Laurent so at points felt really abrupt and was hard to adjust to/follow. Clearer POVs would've been really helpful as it did kind of break up the momentum when I felt like I had to refamiliarise myself quickly to a different POV. Speaking of POVs, I would've liked more of Laure's POV in the first half of the book. Even though her accident makes it obviously difficult to contribute to the plot in the first half, even if we heard a bit more from her before the mugging it would've just balanced out the POVs a bit as the weighting of POVs was too uneven for me.

Eventhough the concept was interesting in theory, it did translate onto page as a little creepy. It felt a bit stalkerish that we follow Laurent in essence stalking Laure whilst she's unconscious. It was out of goodwill and there's no evil aspect to his character but it just felt unsettling that he was trying to find her and picked up her dry cleaning etc. It would've felt less weird if they were both trying to find each other at the same time but it felt a tad parasocial when it was one way. I understand it was meant to feel romantic, and don't get me wrong there was romance, but overall it just felt more creepy than romantic. Also even when Laure stalks Laurent back, it didn't feel like the playing field was evened out it felt just as weird.

Speaking of the whole stalking aspect of the plot, I couldn't understand why she isn't the slightest bit freaked out? After being mugged by a stranger, another stranger enters her house without her knowledge, goes through all her belongings, photos and reads her diary. Why is she not freaked out?!!!?!?

I didn't get attached to either of the characters, which is understandable for a novella but it felt more plot heavy than character development focused. This just lowered the stakes for me and made some parts of the story feel like they passed me by. Also their names were so similar, I mean they're even similar to the author's name. It would've been nice to have differing names as a distinguishing difference between the two especially as I didn't feel like I really knew either Laure or Laurent.

Also a complete side note, but I think mistress is such a weird name for a cat owner. This might be just me but genuinely felt weird reading that. I was also confused why Pascal was on 'AshleyMadison.com' as a single man when that website is aimed at people in relationships looking to have affairs, but we move. On the note of Pascal, why was he in this book? He was actually such a gross friend and I really don't feel like having a side character who aggressively objectifies women is necessary or contributed anything to the overall story.

Such a fascinating concept but verged on creepy and stalkerish too much for me to really enjoy it fully.

This was a beautifully written novels that set a good expectation for itself and exceeded it. I love the chemistry dynamics between the lead characters . It was exciting to read something new and refreshing and I highly recommend this book.

Magnifique!

I was so happy to see the books of Antoine Laurain coming out on July 1st. Since highlighted by the Queens Reading Room, I’ve been looking forward to reading The Red Notebook. This charming tale didn’t disappoint, with well developed, agreeable characters all set in Paris!!

Thanks Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

A whimsical Parisian tale. When a bookseller named Laurent discovers a handbag on the street, he sets out on an endearing but unconventional, quest to return it to its owner. Through the contents of the bag he gradually pieces together the life of a woman he’s never met.

While I enjoyed the light, romantic atmosphere, I couldn’t quite shake a bit of discomfort with the premise. There’s an underlying sense of unease about a man delving so deeply into a stranger’s personal world and, in some ways, trying to insert himself into her life without consent.

Overall, this is a short read with a lot of heart, but one that also left me with mixed feelings about the line between fate and intrusion.

Such an short and sweet read! I loved the vibes of the setting. I'm European myself and live close to where this all takes place and I could perfectly see this all play out in my head. Even though it is translated, you don't feel it at all, it really kept the french feeling of the story which I always appreciate.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a short and quick read that you still feel connected to.

Thank you Netgalley and Pushkin Press for this eARC!

what a lovely fictional tale. this book falls into the lovely genre,lol. its such a whimsy but lovely story. its got sprinkling of all sorts of good feels throughout. you want to read more and it makes you feel good doing so. i love Paris so this was a win for me from the off. i also wish i could read French so i could read the original. id almost like to have both so i could switch between both to find out some of the lovey words i read in English and what they would be in French.
we are taken on a journey through the Paris streets and all that entails. we are told the story of a bookseller who find a handbag. wishing to get it back to its owner he searches inside to try and find some sort of identification. but instead he finds just a notebook with the writers musings inside. reading more he is feeling connected to this person and their writing and it takes him on a journey via the book to hopefully back to the owner. along the way he is taken to destination and people. we meet some brill characters and places i could just imagine so clearly in my mind.
this was such a cozy book. its not without its element of reality and of course the hardships. after all who is the person who left the bag and why did they leave it?

What an enchanting book. The author truly draws you in and immerses you in France and the story. A real delight to read.

4 Stars
One Liner: Interesting!

Bookseller Laurent Letellier finds an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street. He picks it up, intending to return it to its owner. However, the bag has no contact information, except for a little red notebook where the owner wrote her thoughts. As Laurent reads the book, he feels connected with her and wants to meet her. But he knows neither her name nor her address. Can he find the owner of the red notebook in the large city?
The story comes in the third-person POVs of multiple characters.

My Thoughts:
This is the English translation of a French novella. The setting is the beautiful Paris with its cafes, bookstores, and lovely streets, which aren’t devoid of dark elements like thieves.
The book starts with a graphic mugging incident. If this is a trigger, skim through the first two pages. The rest is fine.
Though this is a kind of romance, it is not your typical one. I’d rather call it general fiction with a sprinkling of rom.
Considering the premise of the MMC trying to find the bag’s owner, the book veers into stalking territory at times. That cannot be avoided. However, the author handles it with care and doesn’t make the reader feel uncomfortable. The MMC is aware of how his actions might seem and does his best not to act like a creep. It helps that he is not a bad guy.
The POV mostly jumps between the FMC and MMC, though we also get a few scenes from other characters. I wish the ARC were better formatted since these changes occur even in the middle of a paragraph, which is confusing and annoying.
I don’t want to reveal more since this story is best enjoyed without prior knowledge. Go where the book leads you! It’ll be an entertaining ride!
We also meet two cats and a couple of authors. There are a few discussions about writing and books, too!
The book ends on a hopeful note. It is a happy ending, of course, but the slice-of-life kind. I like how everything gets rounded up.

To summarize, The Red Notebook is a short yet sweet, poignant, and heartwarming story. It touches upon various themes and ends on a positive note.
Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Press, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Story of bookseller Laurent Letellier who finds a handbag on top of a trash bin. When he goes
to the police station to turn the bag in, he is informed that it will be at least an hour's wait. As he needs to open the bookstore, he decides to take the handbag with him and return the next day. After work, he searches the contents of the handbag to see if there is anything that will help him identify the owner. He finds a red notebook with the owner's notes and items that may help identify the mystery woman and becomes obsessed with finding her.
#TheRedNotebook #PushkinPresss #NetGalley

⭐️ 4/5
Third person limited POV
Linear timeline (with a few brief flashbacks to the past)
MMC: Laurent

This is a sweet, whimsical story about fate, love, and the little things that connect us. Laurent, a bookseller in Paris, stumbles upon an abandoned handbag with a red notebook inside, and the quest to find its owner leads him to unexpected discoveries. The book is full of charm with lovable characters and a lighthearted tone that balances the deeper themes of connection and serendipity.

The pacing felt just a little bit slow a couple times but the story is heartwarming and touching with a bit of Parisian magic which made it an enjoyable romantic mystery read!

Thank you Pushkin Press for this electronic ARC which was provided to me via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Interesting characters, not a deep plunge with complex plot, but a pleasurable surface experience of coincidences, authors, book store owners and ultimately love. Understated, and efficient in drawing its characters, Laurain has a lovely, easy style. I highly recommend this simple read.

What an thought provoking little book about chance encounters and happenstance.

I enjoyed the story of Laurent and his quest to find the lady who owned the bag he found in the street. As you come to know the characters, this book was a fun little read that I enjoyed. Some of the French places and language was a bit hard to follow at times but I would read other books by the author and enjoyed this book in an afternoon.

charming and whimsical novel about fate, love, and the power of small, seemingly insignificant moments.

Great premise to the story, I know it is a translation so sometimes it felt a bit choppy which may be due to change from French to English. I wish more of it had been in the diary format, as I prefer first person point of view to third person. Laure and Laurent finding each other was interesting to read!

Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk and Pushkin Press for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Written in French by Antoine Laurain and translated into English by Jane Aitken and Emily Boyce.

What happens when someone finds a discarded handbag quite by chance?

Laurent wants to hand it in to the police, but they are far too busy, "take it to lost property." he is advised. But Laurent wants to return it to its rightful owner.
He takes it home and is intrigued as to who its owner might be. He becomes inquisitive, deciding to look at its contents. There is no phone, no I'd card, no purse, indeed nothing to give him a clue, except a red moleskin notebook that has random thoughts and various odd lists written on its pages.
Laurent's mystery begins. Like a detective, he tries to piece together any snippets of information, which may lead to him finding the owner of the expensive looking handbag and the woman it belongs to.

An interesting idea for a novel, this book is very appealing. It makes me smile, as the romantic in me wants a happy outcome for Laurant and his quest. As each clue is uncovered, and each snippet becomes clearer, we find out more about the owner of the handbag, leading to a hopeful conclusion.

Lovely writing and another author who is fast becoming a favourite of mine.

Bookseller Laurent Letellier comes across an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street, and feels compelled to return it to its owner. Quickly ruling out the police station, which is always best avoided, he turns the contents out onto his kitchen table to see if they hold a clue. The bag contains no money, phone or contact information. But it does yield a small red notebook, full of handwritten thoughts and jottings that reveal someone Laurent would very much like to meet.
I had the audiobook of the book and was happy to receive and review the ebook. This is a typical Laurain, full of wit and stylish prose. I love his books and the adventures of Laurent in his pursuit of the owner are rich and varied. The ancillary characters are so well drawn especially his precocious daughter! I loved this book and would so recommend i, perfect for a summer read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC of The Red Notebook.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an Arc in exchange for an honest review.

I actually read this book 10 years ago and when I saw it on NetGalley, I decided to read it again. I'm happy to say that it still holds up as a sweet and engaging read. The premise is so unique and if you're a fan of the movie, Amelie, then you'll for sure love this book as well.

Netgalley ARC.
A charming and whimsical novel that explores the serendipitous nature of life, love, and human connections. Written by the French author, the book blends elements of romance, mystery, and a bit of Parisian magic to create a heartfelt and captivating read.

The story revolves around Laurent, a bookseller in Paris, who finds a woman's red notebook on the street. As he flips through its pages, he becomes intrigued by the life of its mysterious owner, whom he believes has lost her memory after a violent attack. The red notebook holds personal notes, fragments of thoughts, and an insight into the woman’s life that Laurent finds captivating, even though he knows nothing about her. As he embarks on a quest to return the notebook to its rightful owner, Laurent's life is forever altered.

One of the novel's strengths is its vivid setting. Laurain effortlessly paints a portrait of Paris, not through touristy landmarks but by showing the intimate, everyday moments that occur in its quieter corners—the kind of Paris that exists beyond the postcards. The city becomes almost like a character in itself, with its cafes, bookstores, and cobblestone streets serving as a backdrop for the unfolding of Laurent's journey.

The novel’s pacing is gentle, reflective, and unfolds at a leisurely pace, giving ample time for the reader to become invested in the characters. Laurent is a relatable and likable protagonist, whose obsession with the notebook feels grounded and believable. His interactions with the people around him, particularly his attempts to track down the notebook's owner, add a layer of light humor to the narrative.

A good story. Finding a red notebook within a purse leads the bookstore owner to seek out the owner. She had been attacked and is in a coma. Enjoyed this one, and the back and forth story line worked well. The ending felt a little abrupt, but otherwise really enjoyed this one and would highly recommend.