Cover Image: One Summer in Paris

One Summer in Paris

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Grace is a soon-to-be empty-nester, sad to see her daughter go off to college, but excited about spending more time with her husband David, beginning with a trip to Paris to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Unfortunately, he has other plans: to divorce Grace and move on with a woman half his age. So, she decides to make the trip herself. Once there, she meets Audrey, an 18-year-old Londoner who has been struggling with dyslexia and parenting her alcoholic mother for years. Knowing she needs to escape, she takes a job at a bookstore in Paris with the offer of a free apartment. When the two women each end up living above the bookstore and Grace begins to give Audrey French lessons, a fast friendship develops. Despite their differences in age, education, wealth and circumstances, they are both on a journey of self-discovery and, along the way come to share respect, trust and love (which Audrey has never been given unconditionally).

Although Sarah Morgan is a stellar romance writer, the friendship between these two is the driving force with the romantic relationships (yes, there are a few) taking a backseat. There are some sweet, sexy (but not too steamy) love scenes and the Paris that the tourists rarely take time to see. There’s also a charming subplot about a man who visits the story every day methodically looking for something in every book. When that mystery is revealed, most readers will shed a tear or two. Although Grace’s decisions will probably disappoint many readers, this delightful book is still the next best thing to spending a summer in Paris.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from HQN through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The setting of Paris was perfect, the 2 main characters were so enjoyable as their life story was told, and the fact that this was a romance was perfect. A great summer time read that I’ll recommend to my patrons.

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"One Summer in Paris" tells the story of two women who meet unexpectedly in Paris. Both are dealing with large life issues, and seeking to start over again. They help each other through their crises, and both women emerge as stronger women in the end.

This novel included humorous moments, but also dealt with some serious issues, such as alcoholism, risky behavior, midlife crises, dyslexia, and infidelity. The characters all experienced growth by the end of the book. The author left the reader with the impression that the characters would be better equipped to deal with their individual challenges, but there was still a road to follow on the journey to an improved life.

Readers are warned: this book includes use of the "f-bomb" and other swearing, and sexual scenes. Some themes may be distasteful to readers as well.

The scenes and descriptions of Paris were well done and evoked a feeling of being there. The author also used alternating viewpoints of the characters to good effect.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

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This was such a good story. I really enjoyed the friendship that developed between Grace and Audrey. They come from different places, have many different experiences, but have a common bond. With both facing uncertain times in their lives, they form a relationship that will endure time. New experiences for each of them has them depending on the other for support, guidance and advice from fashion to love. This is great read for anyone looking for a feel good story.

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I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Grace has planned a vacation to Paris with her husband, David, to celebrate their 25th anniversary, having no idea that he is going to ask her for a divorce that same night. When David asks her about reimbursing her for the cost of the trip so that he can take his girlfriend instead, Grace decides to take the trip by herself instead. Audrey has been counting down to graduation when she can get away from her alcoholic mother. She decides to go to Paris and lands a job in a bookstore that provides a place to stay. However, with no money, no friends, and lacking the ability to speak the language, Paris looks like it will have its own set of problems. When Grace and Audrey cross paths, the pair form an unexpected bond that can change their lives.

I absolutely loved this heartwarming book. I adore books with intergenerational friendships where the women can learn so much from each other's experiences and develop close bonds. Who could resist the setting in Paris and a bookstore, too? I feel like Mimi could have a book of her own – I would love to hear more about her exploits as a young woman.

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One of my new favorite books! This author has such a way with words the pages flew by in no time! I can’t wait to see the next work by this author! This was such a joy to read!

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I always enjoy a book shop story — and this one is a fresh take. Grace - newly separated and reluctantly trying on independence for size - meets young, insouciant Audrey on the streets of Paris, and a friendship for the ages is born.

Morgan writes excellent city-themed chick lit, and her Parisian perspective is so fun! She solves character conflict with whimsy, and keeps the reader positive throughout. I thought the Grace-Audrey friendship was fresh and well developed, and I found myself wishing I was the third friend at a bookshop, trying to speak French! Very good read.
NetGalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I found myself experiencing a lot of strong emotions while reading this book. Some unpleasant. It really made me stop and think about what I would do in different circumstances and caused me incredible frustration when the characters chose differently. As frustrated as I was, this is the mark of a good book. It had me thinking and engaged…

Sarah Morgan is incredibly talented at tackling everyday topics and showing the reader personal connections. I look forward to her next book.

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4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy multi-generational women's fiction. This was a mix of women working through personal and relationship issues with a bit of fluff.

I absolutely adored The Christmas Sisters by this author last year, and wanted to give some of her other books a try. As with the Christmas Sisters, this one started a little slowly for me, but really built up a powerful narrative of female growth, family, and friendship. I loved both Grace and Audrey and their unlikely friendship that brought them out of their shells and allowed them to move on in their lives. I liked that this book explored Paris too, that was a very fun atmosphere to read in. While I would not quite classify this as a romance I did enjoy the romantic elements of this story and liked that I didn't see every move coming. While this book ultimately left me feeling hopeful, I love that Morgan's books have a lot of depth to them as well. I would recommend this if you are looking for something that is a good mix of fluff and depth for a summer read.

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This was one of the best books I read so far this year. It entwines two woman with different lives and they help each other through two different situations. It sucks you in from the first page and you never want to put it down. It holds your attention through the while book. It reads smoothly with no hiccups.


** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review**

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One Summer is Paris tells the story of two women, Grace and Audrey. Grace's husband has just announced that he wants a divorce, and she must take the trip to Paris she planned for their twenty-fifth anniversary by herself. Meanwhile, Audrey, an English girl, wants to get away from her difficult home life by spending a summer working at a book shop in France (though she hates reading). When an unfortunate incident causes the two to meet, they become friends.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun vacation story, but it had darker moments and a lot of great lessons to learn about discovering yourself and successful relationships. The characters were able to grow so much and become amazing, kind, and independent people. Though a little predictable, it was a captivating storyline with very fun, relateable characters and a dash of romance and humor. Overall, a fantastic book.

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One Summer in Paris # NetGalley
Sarah Morgan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you are looking for a light romantic story set in Paris, then this is the book for you. The characters are very delightful and likable. There is enough use of Paris sights to make it picturistic. This is my first book by Sarah Morgan, but I will definitely look up her other books. I found her style of writing easy to follow. I will definitely recommend this book to friends and family and rate it 4 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy read of this book for an honest review.

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Very heartfelt.
To celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Grace has planned the surprise of a lifetime for her husband—a romantic getaway to Paris. But she never expected he’d have a surprise of his own: he wants a divorce. Reeling from the shock but refusing to be broken, a devastated Grace makes the bold decision to go to Paris alone.

Audrey, a young woman from London, has left behind a heartache of her own when she arrives in Paris. A job in a bookshop is her ticket to freedom, but with no money and no knowledge of the French language, suddenly a summer spent wandering the cobbled streets alone seems much more likely…until she meets Grace, and everything changes.

Grace can’t believe how daring Audrey is. Audrey can’t believe how cautious newly single Grace is. Living in neighboring apartments above the bookshop, this unlikely pair offer each other just what they’ve both been missing. They came to Paris to find themselves, but finding this unbreakable friendship might be the best thing that’s ever happened to them…

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OMG this book was everything. This was such a treat of a book about unlikely friendships that form a bond. As a child of an alcoholic, I could identify with both women's struggle with relationships and how they cope with life. I loved that the book was set in a Paris bookshop.

i have been recommending this book to friends.

This book was featured in What I am Currently Reading? 5/6/2019 and it will be featured in the Summer Reading Guide.

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This is my first book by Sarah Morgan and I really enjoyed it.
Honestly speaking, I wanted to read this book because there was the word Paris in it hahaha. Luckily for me, this book was such a delight to read!

Considering that the book is set in Paris which gave this storyline such an inviting magic. Grace and Audrey's story is one that is absolutely heartfelt.

One Summer in Paris is a book on heartbreak, embracing change and flourishing, it's about friendship... but most of all, it's about life and living in the moment.

I truly enjoyed this book so much! I

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One Summer in Paris is a very well written book. I enjoyed the plot, characters, setting and the author’s writing. I highly recommend this book.

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I loved this one! Book like this one really hit home to me and I identify with the main character Grace in so many ways. I loved the themes in this one, family and friendship, and most importantly starting over and forgiveness. Grace discovers herself, and what she wants her second half of life to be when she visits Paris for the summer. She forms new friendships and discovers some old ones as well. Her relationship with her daughter grows, but most importantly her relationship with herself grows and changes. She learns to trust herself, and to let go a little bit.

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I enjoy Ms. Morgan's light hearted romances but her women's fiction stories hit deep into the heart of the women as she exposes the heart and soul of her characters.

Ready to celebrate her twenty fifth anniversary, Grace is shocked when her husband announces that he's in love with a much younger woman. Grace moves to Paris for the vacation that she had planned and ends up re-discovering herself. In Paris she meets Audrey who's dealing with her own set of challenges.

Two female protagonists who complement each other and support each other as they discover themselves and a deep abiding friendship.

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Grace, the main character in this book is in her 40’, while she is getting ready to surprise her husband on her 25th wedding anniversary with a one-month trip to Paris. Her husband he’s announces that he has been having an affair with their former babysitter and wants out of their marriage.

Being forced by her daughter to take the trip to Paris on her own, she is feeling frustrated and miserable when she meets Audrey, who has moved to Paris recently working in a book store.
Audrey, 18, is a dyslexic daughter of an alcoholic and sometimes abusive mother. She is trying to rebuild her life and she moves from London to Paris not having any money or knowing what happens next, she starts working in a book store.
And what comes next is what happens when Audrey and Grace meet and all that that is happening in the coming month.

This book is like an emotional roller coaster. Made me laugh, cry and very emotional all through the book.
Sarah Morgan is an amazing storyteller.

Many thanks to Net galley and the publisher for sending me an advanced digital copy.

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As the old saying goes: "Secrets, secrets, are no fun. Secrets, secrets, hurt everyone". But everyone has secrets, don't they? Some secrets hurt more than others. Like Grace, whose husband decides to tell her his secret. That he's cheating with a friend. Their daughter's friend who is more than half their age. And he decides to tell her this at dinner for their 25th Anniversary.

Other secrets we keep so we don't get hurt or judged by others. Like young Audrey, who is dyslexic and just trying to get through high school. But it is hard to do when she has an erratic and constantly drunk mother.

Both Grace and Audrey meet by chance while each are escaping from their respective chaos in Paris. Both had more in common than they could have possibly expected and develop a strong friendship where they teach each other what it means to be completely honest and to bring out the best in each other. I loved that this book explored friendship love, parental love, love lost, and romantic love all in one story based in the city of love.

This is yet another wonderful book by Sarah Morgan! It is an emotional rollercoaster full of secrets: heartwarming yet tense, funny yet serious, hopeful yet grieving. The amount of character development among multiple characters was astounding. There was one character in particular that I absolutely had feelings of rage whenever they were involved in the plot but towards the end I found myself (begrudgingly) rooting for. It also is a great book that highlights the important benefits of traveling, particularly internationally, as well as the importance of a strong relationship with grandparents.

As someone who simply adores my grandmother, Mimi is my favorite character of the book. She is one of the main character's grandmother who is sassy, independent, unconventional, and just plain fun! She also has a secret that she has been hiding for decades that is later revealed.

I have read many other books by Sarah Morgan but, out of all of them, this was the hardest. This was simply not a book that I could finish in one sitting. Hear me out, it does get easier to read as the plot develops but, for me it was hard because, both main characters also had complicated relationships with their respective mothers. In particular, they both had difficult and unstable childhoods due to their mothers' addictions. I could relate to each of the main characters as this was something I had also experienced. This made reading the book difficult as it brought up a lot of things that I had spent a lot of time repressing. Which also made this book cathartic in that it helped me work through some of it rather than repressing it. (Ms. Morgan, you can bill me later for the therapy ;) ).

Therefore, if you are one who has also had to deal with a difficult childhood with a parent battling addiction, this book may be heavier than expected. However, I do still recommend it as it can also be healing.

I would also recommend this book for readers who enjoy stories about friendship, traveling, and romance. I would recommend this book for adult readers as it does have foul language, heavy topics, and sexually suggestive scenarios.

Please note: an electronic ARC of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (Thank you!).

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