1.5 stars

tw: plane crash; miscarriage; possible suicide

tropes:
- soulmates/ soulmate bond/ soulmate dreams
- missed opportunities/"ships in the night"
- mistaken identities

This book was so promising. I tend to enjoy books where two characters meet, "know", and then don't reunite until later due to outside forces. But the pacing is ultimately what did this book in. The book spends a long time in certain parts of the characters lives, like when they first meet as children, and then skips through years of time and dwells in weird spots. This wouldn't be a problem, except the majority of the book is recapping the characters separate lives. They spend the majority of the book apart. I love angst, and this did provide that, but the payoff wasn't there as you barely get to see the characters interact. It's a series of the characters having near misses with each other, for YEARS, and then getting updates about the characters separate lives that I honestly don't care about that much. The book constantly tells you about their bond and longing for one another, but hinges completely on their magical soulmate bond. The reader barely gets to see them interact. Every single obstacle gets thrown in their way, and it becomes tedious after a while. The romantic pay off is not there.

In addition, some more minor complaints are the side characters and the lack of sense of time period. This was supposed to take place from the 50s to 70s, and I kept forgetting. There were no references to the time period at all. Also, the side characters were flat and many were awful people that the characters kept in their lives for no reason that the readers are shown. These characters have sudden and unearned personality changes throughout the book as well, with readers being told they are "different" without having to work for it.

The prose isn't awful, which is why I didn't want to rate it so low but I can barely find points that I enjoyed about this. I kept reading, not because I was enjoying it, but just to see more of the couple interact and if there would be pay off! I do think this would actually make a much better film, as so much of the characters separate lives could be shown as flashes on screen and it would be much more fulfilling. This had so much potential...

When I first read the description for this book I was so excited to read it! By the middle of the book I was already frustrated and felt it was drawn way out. With each new event that happened it became more and more unbelievable. I love romance novels and this hist didn't hit the mark for me.

If you enjoy tons of angst, believe in soulmates and the power of fate, this book is for you!
I do actually enjoy angsty reads, but this was too much for me. It was agonizingly, frustratingly slow and unbelievable- the sheer amount of situations the characters run into. I can only handle so much, if done well, and this book sadly took the way of a soap opera. However, I could not put it down and wanted to find relief badly. My poor husband had to listen to my every huff and puff, recounting of the tale and rants along the way.
Don’t get me wrong, it was not a bad story. I think lots of people will enjoy it. Just too much for me. Thank you to Netgalley and Aria Fiction for an ARC copy to review.

I really enjoyed this book!! The soul stirring feelings these characters had for each other was inspiring and had me fighting for them! The secondary characters were also good and added to the overall story. The plot kept me engaged and fretting at the same time. I was both relieved and sad to finish this book but I truly enjoyed the writing.

What can I tell you about this book? First of all, this book left me speechless. I haven´t read such an amazing story in a long time. I immensely enjoyed the whole rollercoaster ride full of emotions. And I cried a lot. I am a crier and I am not ashamed of it.

The storyteller is 80 years old woman reading her granddaughter from a book about her life written in the form of a diary. In between, you´ll find talks from the present and lots of unanswered questions. I really loved the build of the whole story and both main characters.

Leon and Zara were seeking half of their lives their soulmate. They had a strong connection, dreams about the other, hearing the voices of the other one. It was sort of calling for your soulmate. Zara could even vision things seen from Leon´s view.

They first met when they were teenagers, although without seeing one another. It was just a short encounter, but they have known then they were somehow connected and became penpals. Then Zara disappeared. Leon tried everything but his efforts never seemed successful.
Then they met in their 20 again, they both were carrying another names but then there was this connection again...stronger than ever...
Though the life had other plans with both of them.....
They had to break their friendship because of ...well simply because life happens... and then came the unpredictable, unbelievable and unbearable that life can throw in someone's way.....

But no need to worry... the end is absolutely epic..... you'll see for yourself. It's just simply amazing.

What a beautiful story!!!
Dominique and Alexander had a chance encounter as teens. From that moment on their souls were connected and they had a bond that was unbreakable. However, life and all its obstacles, kept tearing them apart from one another. But ultimately true love always found a way to bring two heart destined for one another back together.
This was a heart warming book of love and destiny that touched me deeply. It is a book about the kind of love everyone hopes to have in their lives one day. I highly recommend it!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book had such a profound impact on me that I actually had a dream last night about a lost book. I really believe in soul mates and that they speak to each other regardless of where they are in life. Such a beautiful portrayal of characters in Dominique and Alexander. I enjoyed every minute of this book.

This book drew me in from the start. A chance meeting in the dark. A lifetime of searching. Every time I thought they found each other they let it slip away one way or another. A beautiful, tragic, sweeping romance. A story about soulmates and their inevitable destiny.

I LOVEEEEEEEEE ITTTTTT SOOOOO SOOOO SOOOO MUCHHH!

My dear friends, please stop what you’re doing and if you want to take a moment by listening to your heart, getting lost in an marvelous journey in one of the most romantic cities on the earth- yes, I’m talking about the one and only Paris, or let’s pronounce as “Pari”- I highly and truly recommend you to read this heartbreaking, face bloating, soul crushing, inner romance awakening, tear jerking, fantastic book over and over again!

This is not kind of book you just read and forget the next day, this epic, beautiful, extremely emotional story stays with you forever and steals a part of your soul! I’m telling you my dear friends: Just READ IT READ IT READ IT! (I wanna make a special video for this book by rewriting Jackson’s “Beat it” song lyrics and singing “Just read it, read it, read it” as I’m making some nonsense dance moves between moonwalking and breakdance! But you got the point JUST READ IT!)

So let’s take a quick look this story which broke my heart into smithereens: (Yes! I found out a cruel crazy redhead like me has a real heart and it can truly ache for something! Special thanks to dear Olivia Lara bring out the secret romantic hiding inside of me for years and made me order strawberries and champagne for my husband. I wish he came home earlier before I drank the whole bottle!)
This is Leon and Zara’s long journey throughout the course of 20 freaking years, they’re thrown into each other’s life by so many coincidences but the cruel faith has other plans about the paths of their lives. They always feel something always missing in their lives because they were soul mates and meant for each other but unfortunately they cannot have their dreamy HEA because of the circumstances they cannot control.

So they lived at other cities but they always want to find each other with deep yearning and heartbreak. (I’m sobbing right now! I’m just an ugly crier and innocent two dogs in the house are already terrorized the voices I’m making right now. Should I go outside to howl to the almost full moon?)

I’m gonna hold myself at this moment not giving much spoilers but most of you know my book taste and I’m not easy grader so if you make peace the hopeless romantic side of yours, just give this book a try and earn to have an amazing visionary journey at the fabulous, remarkable locations of Paris. (When I was teenager, I watched Robert Downey Jr’s “Only You” and after that I started to learn Italian. After reading this book, I’m not gonna learn French but I’m so sure I’m gonna get a quick trip to Paris to visit the locations mentioned in the book.)

So this is not just good novel, this is fabulous book! Truly well-deserved my shiny, Parisienne, glamorous, ultra romantic, heart wrenching, brilliant five gazillion stars!

I just got in love in this book and I still cannot believe this debut novel. Dear Olivia Lara, please keep on writing and make me cry and break my heart more with your amazing talent.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Aria for sharing this lovely ARC in exchange my honest review.

People dream of Paris, but falling in love in Paris is what epic love stories are made of.

In 1954 teenagers Zara and Leon meet each other in the blind dark in a french museum. They instantly feel a intense pull for one another when they spend an hour talking about their love of classic art and Paris.

Due to uncontrollable circumstances Zara and Leon are forced apart. Through the years and different cities, they always long and search for each other feeling that a piece of them is missing. Through the course of 20 years Leon and Zara are thrown into each other’s lives. But things are never truly what they seem and love is never simple.

Set in the beautiful backdrop of my favorite city of Paris, I felt transported to the city streets and iconic locations while following Zara and Leon on their journey. I felt emotionally connected to both characters and how they refused to give up on what they wanted and continued to follow their hearts on their search for true love.

What really matters is this, Someday in Paris is a romance novel for the ages. This book had such a monumental impact on me and touched me to my core. I will never forget this beautifully written and at times heartbreaking journey I went on reading this story. Though it’s only March, this will hands down be my favorite book of the year and one of my favorite books I’ve ever read.

I’ll be dreaming of Paris tonight.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this wonderful Arc. Olivia Lara, I will read anything and everything you write.

A lovely story. Zara and Leon meet in a library when they’re kids, as it’s dark they can’t see each other. They start to write to each other and share stories everyday. Leon’s friend Nicola thinks he’s stupid to carry on writing to someone who he doesn’t even know how she looks.
Unfortunately, they decide to meet up but circumstances that take place in Zara’s life mean they aren’t able to. Things change and life takes them both in different directions.
Afterwards Leon’s friend meet Zara in a museum and she thinks he’s Leon. They continue to meet and Leon also meets Zara. But he’s not called Leon now.
What follows is heartache, separation and betrayal. Kept me hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! The main story was beautifully told, with plenty of suspense, would Zara and Leon finally be together? Would Nicole and Vincent get out of their way? Oh they drove me mad, so dishonest and selfish, such a contrast to the extremely good-natured lead characters.

The story kept me hanging on and reading late into the night to find out how Zara and Leon’s love story ended. Very well-done!

This was a wonderful book. What a powerful love story. I was rooting for Zara and Leon the entire time. Their story will warm your heart and soul the whole time you are reading it. Even though they had to face some tragedy they came out stronger and better people for them.

When to begin...First this is the cutest little story i've read in awhile. The characters pull you in and tug at your heartstrings. This was definitely a book that kept me up late into the night. I will of course update this with more details once the book is released as I don't want to give any spoilers! I will definitely add this Author to my list of favs!!

This is a book for hopeless romantics, for those who dare to dream, and for those who believe in true love everlasting.

'Someday in Paris' is a beautiful tear jerker about two people named Zara and Leon who first meet when they are 15 years old in a darkly lit room in an art museum which prevents them from seeing each other's faces.. Fate keeps them from forming a relationship as much as it keeps them searching for each other. Their paths continue to intertwine and intersect throughout their lives but yet, they can never seem to be together as life keeps separating them in heart-wrenching ways. They both have prophetic dreams about each other which keeps them searching for a love they believe they can have...that is also closer than they are led to believe.

The magic of Paris as a backdrop to this beautiful story serves as a great way to evoke the timelessness of this love story...that no matter where life takes you, true love seems to make the world stand still. I emotionally connected to the characters who were strong, passionate, and persevering. I admired Zara and Leon who always tried to listen to their hearts and for making the best of their situations no matter how difficult things got. I found myself getting teary eyed during many moments reading this book because the author had a very effective way of evoking emotion and pain. I also really liked the pacing because events happened quickly which kept me engaged with the story. I could not put it down.

While reading this book I began thinking about how one person can open you up to a myriad of experiences you would never have experienced, had you not met. Life works in mysterious ways, painting your life with seemingly disconnected experiences that when looked at from afar, turns into a beautiful work of art. You should always follow your heart’s desires, because it will always take you to where you are meant to be.

I haven’t been moved by a romantic story in quite some time, and ‘Someday in Paris’ made me believe that maybe true love does exist, and that maybe, the person you love is your purpose and your destiny.

Some books leave you a print in your heart which make them difficult to forget, that’s what happened to me with the book “Someday In Paris”; emotive, sweet and unforgettable I will have always a copy with me to re-read it in the moments of need. I’ve read a lot of romance books and even if they all have a heart not all let you without a breath when you read them! This is the story of Zara and Leon, a love that tries to resist everything and everyone while the fate tries to keep them separate. It will seem “simple” but the story is so beautiful, told by Zara in the present to her daughter, remembering all her life. Because their family has a legend, the women of the family have a dream wherever their age when they meet the love of their life. They could try to find them or forget the dream, it’s their choice, but as I am sure you know, the feeling you have when you are with the one you love is difficult to forget. So, this is the story of how Zara and Leon met when they were young (15!) but they seem to always cross paths but never to crush, they always feel a deep connection when they meet, but never long enough to get their relation more profound. I really don’t have words to explain how much I loved this story, Zara is a strong woman that will always try to follow her dreams, personal and professional; and that’s what makes this story beautiful, she is not waiting for her love, she searches for it with all her strength. I really don’t want to make any spoiler, but this is the most beautiful book I’ve read in a while and it will be on my top ten this year for sure!

This book was so good. I didn't to put it down! The characters were well rounded, and the storyline sucked you into it and made you feel like you were really there. The author did an great job telling this story.