this was a lovely read, the characters were great and I really enjoyed the story itself. I look forward to more from the author.

The Review

A charming and inviting story for any book lover and reader out there, author Rebecca Raisin has created a beautiful story that immediately brings the reader deeper and deeper into the narrative. The characters are relatable and the author does a marvelous job of showcasing a steady evolution of the protagonist throughout the story as Sarah attempts to find her voice and who she truly is along the way.

What really stands out however is the imagery used throughout the novel. The city of Paris has never felt more alive, from the iconic landmark of the Eifel Tower to the steps of Notre Dame and beyond. It is a well written and eloquently told story that readers will not be able to put down.

The Verdict

A must-read women’s fiction and holiday romance tale, author Rebecca Raisin’s “The Little Bookshop on the Seine” is a phenomenal read that is evenly paced and engaging throughout the entirety of the narrative. If you haven’t yet, grab your copies today!

Sartah Smith switches her little bookshop in Conneticut with Sophie in Paris so Sophie can escape from her ex. Books, a bookstore and Paris combine to produce a light but enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book!! Cute story!! Didn't like her boyfriend!! Didn't like that she stayed with him!! I liked that her and her friend switched bookstores!!

The Little Bookshop on the Seine was a lighthearted book and an easy read, light on the romance (because Sarah's globe-traveling fiancé is mostly present in her thoughts, but not in person in the book.)

Instead of a home swap like in the movie The Holiday, Sarah and Parisian bookshop manager Sophie swap bookshops, and we see how it all unfolds from Sarah's perspective. Unfortunately, it's not the glorious Paris escape that Sarah expects it to be due to a frankly overwhelming amount of trials, frustrations, and culture clashes. Running the bookstore is a much bigger endeavor than her small town bookshop. Dorothy isn't in Kansas anymore, and the residents of Emerald City have no time for her dowdy dress and walk all over her sweet demeanor.

I honestly felt frustrated for Sarah, even though everything she dealt with felt realistic. Through it all, she manages to to experience a little of Parisian life, and in the end grows and is transformed inside and out. Rebecca Raisin has created interesting characters andlovely scenes. As it's labeled a romance, I expected the romantic storyline to go in a different direction. This book is part of a series, and I haven not read The Little Bookshop on the Corner, and I don't think you need to have read it first to appreciate The Little Bookshop on the Seine, but doing so might have filled in a few holes of how their relationship even came to be.

I enjoyed the descriptions of Paris and the Once Upon A Time bookshop, but felt like the whole plot was wrapped up in the last two chapters and the rest was just the main character floundering in her new role as bookshop manager. At points it felt repetitive, but overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend if you are looking for a light read :)

This book was such a great read. It is a different genre than I normally read but I loved it. I loved the great storyline and was upset when it was all over! I might just read it again.

Two of my favorite things, a bookshop, and Paris, however, I really wanted more from this book. I didn't feel as though we really got to immerse ourselves into the characters' lives nor was the romance of the two that developed and involved. I found myself dragging through the book and not finding it very enjoyable.

Sarah Smith may have a gorgeous boyfriend, steadfast friends and her little bookshop but she often feels like everyone is doing and she’s just sitting there waiting for things to happen to her. When her boyfriend is yet again gone on another photo journalism assignment across the world she is feeling sorry for herself and eagerly accepts to trade “bookshops” with her friend Sophie.

Sophie owns the popular Once Upon a Time bookshop in Paris and she needs to escape the City of Lights after a heartbreak so surely these two can easily swap bookshops. Of course Sarah, never having set foot outside of the U.S., is in for a rude awakening but at the same time this may be just what she needed to gain a bit of self-confidence and learn how to stand up for herself. She has to deal with difficult employees, a boyfriend who she thinks may want to break up with her and figuring out how to make the most of things.

I have to say I was expecting the whole boyfriend situation to go in a different direction but this is a romance. Often I lost patience with Sarah and how easily some people just took her for granted but overall it was a light-hearted story which took me along Parisian streets where I could imagine myself doing some window shopping.

Thanks to @harlequinbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin!

The book begins when Sarah and Sophie pull a ‘The Holiday’ to temporarily switch homes and BOOKSHOPS! Both women own their businesses and need an escape from their lives, Sarah takes the opportunity to move to Paris and run Sophie’s popular bookstore that’s been in her family for ages. The story is mainly Sarah’s as she navigates managing employees, a new culture and a long-distance boyfriend who is often off the grid. Through her trials she makes friends, enemies and becomes a more true (and fashionable) version of herself.

For me, this novel had a little bit of magic in it! Which might stem from the fact I’ve wanted to own a bookshop ever since watching You’ve Got Mail... maybe someday!

A book about a bookstore is always enticing to a book lover. Right? Sarah owns a bookstore in Connecticut, in the town where she grew up and never left. She has a friend in Paris that also owns a bookstore. They decide to shake up their lives and swap locations for a few months. How hard can this be Sarah reasons. What’s not to love - books, bookstore, Paris!! Once Sarah arrives she wonders what she’s gotten into. The daily running of a bookstore is much different in Paris than in Connecticut. Sarah is contending with an interesting assortment of staff and their expectations and some hostility toward her. There are many cultural issues that she didn’t see coming. This book has wonderful atmospheric writing of scenic Paris and of the wonderful food it is known for. Will Sarah flourish here as she hoped or will it be a disappointment?

This is a quick, fun read, that is sure to please the reader who loves books and bookshops! The kind of palate cleanser book I like in between heavier reads.

I've loved Rebecca Raisin's writing and this book is no exception! She paints wonderful scenes, characters and stories and unravels them carefully with her own unique writing style. Another fantastic read from Rebecca.

A super fun, quick read. It's perfect for people who love books about books (as I'm sure many of us do).

Special thanks to Harlequin for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

Oh, I love a book about bookshops! This is a super cute & really quick read. A must-read for people who love books about books. Makes you smile!

Nice sample. Thanks for sharing it. I love books set in bookshops and the location was nice. I have added it to my wlishlist.

Oh this story was just so perfect and had everything I could ever want in a story. Its the perfect story to read with a giant cup of coffee or tea during a rain storm.

The writing was so well done and I loved the characters. I highly recommend this book!

Small-town girl, Sarah Smith, loves her bookshop more than anything. Well, maybe not more than her journalist boyfriend, Ringe, but it's a close second. Despite this she can't help but feel that her life has come to standstill. While others around her are getting married, starting families or having adventures, Sarah's life in Ashford seems mundane. Friend and fellow bookshop owner, Sophie, calls from Paris lamenting on her newest heartbreak to propose an idea - the two should swap bookshops for six months giving each of them a change of scenery and a chance for Sophie to escape running into her cheating ex. Without much thought and completely out of character, Sarah agrees. Days spent strolling the Paris streets, browsing the shelves at "Once Upon a Time" all during the romantic fall and Christmas season, she was giddy with excitement. However, upon arrival she finds she might have bitten off more than she could handle. People are rude, the employees are difficult - one of them is even stealing - and Ringe has been away working on a story for months. For someone who wishes life were a happily-ever-after romance novel, Sarah's Parisian fairytale expectations are not quite living up to what she hoped they would be. Sarah needs to find a way to turn things around for the shop as well as her own life before Sophie's store goes under. "The Little Bookshop on the Seine" is a book lovers dream. Who wouldn't want to spend their days inside "Once Upon a Time"? I could feel myself getting happier imagining myself inside its walls or daydreaming of the endless pastries and cheese Sarah described. This story reminded me so much of the Christmas movie, "The Holiday". If you are looking for a sweet, feel-good story be sure to add this to your TBR list. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for the copy. I tried to pick this one up but it did not work for me. Thank you for the opportunity to be an early reader.

The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin is a light-hearted read about two bookshop owners who decide to trade spaces for six months. Sarah Smith, from small town Ashford, Connecticut, heads to Paris to swap with her friend Sophie. Sarah yearns to go to Paris, and Sophie needs to escape a love affair gone sour.

Sarah’s journalist boyfriend Ridge Warner can rendezvous in Paris just as easily as in Ashford with his jet-setting freelance job. However, his endeavors consume so much time and energy, he can find little time for Sarah. Meanwhile in America, the community and Sarah’s friends embrace Sophie who heals her broken heart.

Beside man problems, Sarah deals with trouble at the bookshop on the Seine when the till is short over and over again, and the staff will not embrace a set work schedule. Soon sales plummet, and Sarah worries she is losing money for Sophie. On the other side of the ocean, Sophie has employed a number of business practices that are increasing Sarah’s business.

Will Sarah actually ever get out to see the sites in Paris or will she work non-stop trying to find the thief and bring some solidarity to the staff? Is Ridge The One or not? Is Paris all she thought it would be?

This is my first experience with author Rebecca Raisin, who pens Romance, Chick Lit, and Contemporary novels. With this book, she begins the The Little Paris Collection series.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting May 14, 2020.

I’d like to thank HARLEQUIN - Romance and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.