Mandy writes fantastic Christmas fiction and this is no different. 

What I also loved about this book was the inclusion of kidney transfusion and the lifelong effects and complications of that. It's something very rarely dealt with in books but is so important.

However, I do feel like this book could have been a lot shorter. I also don't know how I feel about books referencing the pandemic. I'm not sure I'm ready to read about this yet, while we're still in the thick of it.

Full review: https://www.inabookshell.com/2020/11/review-perfect-paris-christmas-by-mandy.html

I’m not gonna lie, I was pretty skeptical about this book. When I read the synopsis on NetGalley and saw the cover, I immediately requested it because I was impressed. But when I started to read it, I read the first chapter and couldn’t complete it because I had other things to do. This happened a couple of times. The beginning was a bit of a bore but once Keeley arrives in Paris, everything turns interesting. 

Ethan and Keeley are going through different kinds of pain caused by the same event. They don’t know how to deal with it. Keeley suffers from the death of her sister, Bea and she’s also conscious of the fact that she adopted Ferne’s kidney and it's always on the back of her mind. Also, her parents' coddling is not helping. On an invitation from her kidney donor’s mother, Silvie Durand she flies to Paris on vacation. She runs into Ethan, a hotel owner, and finds a connection. I was interested to see where the story would go because Ethan and Keeley are from different regions and I wasn’t sure how they were going to handle all that. Although A perfect Paris Christmas is their story, the characters that I fully connected to were Erica and Jeane. I felt they were more real and had and were more interesting than the main characters. 


Bathrooms had acoustics to rival the best concert hall, according to Erica.
Jeane and Bo-Bo were cute as well. Ethan doesn’t know how to handle things and his unease was well-portrayed. They have such deep conversations, Ethan and Jeanne, and all the more reason for adults to stop adultism.  


‘Money equals opportunity.’

‘You do not think you can be yourself and find success in life?’ Ethan asked. 

‘I do not think it,’ Jeanne carried on. ‘I know it.’ 


There was a lot of terminologies I wasn’t familiar with. But that didn’t distract me much. Btw, I knew where Rachel’s storyline was gonna go. I knew what was going to happen with Rach and some special somebody. 

This book is written in 3rd person, has slow pacing but I finished reading it in 2 days. It was a pretty quick read for me. There were many chapters but they were short.  Perspectives changed chapter-to-chapter. The descriptions were engaging and flowy. 


“Their framed reflections in this old mirror was like looking at an old photograph, its edges blurred, slightly rumpled, but the two people were knitting together so easily, so perfectly. 
The most meaningful book I’ve read in a long time. I like the entire kidney-transplant concept, it's something that might make people uncomfortable and it was very cool to see that included in a Christmas/holiday romance. ‘A Perfect Paris Christmas’ is Ethan and Keeley’s story though and through. Recommended to all romance book lovers who want to read something deep/philosophical. It’s a very beautiful and bittersweet novel. I’m going to be adding all of Mandy Baggot’s other titles onto my tbr. Also, I forgot to mention one thing. 💖Joe Jonas>Nick Jonas. The previous sentence may or may not have something to do with the book😃. ARC provided by Aria publishers and Mandy Baggot via NetGalley. Thank you.

What a lovely book this was great storyline, great characters,  read it in one day as was hooked to it x

On the whole it was OK, but rather slow and issue-laden, which made it feel somewhat contrived.
Not all the action takes place at Christmas, so whilst there are festive elements it's not as seasonal as other Christmassy books. You could read it any time of year.

I adore Mandy Baggot, so I instantly jumped at the chance to take part in this blog tour.
This has been a gorgeous gem to read and has left me with a big smile on my face. I literally haven't been able to put this one down.
I love the characters in this book, I've wanted the characters to have happy endings from early on.
I have adored the setting of this book, I have been able to escape from the comfort of my own home.
This is one of those gorgeous reads, that you can't help but fall in love with. The characters and the setting are just perfect.
This is another book of Mandy's with a gorgeous cover and the story inside is just as magical and heartwarming. I'm definitely feeling Christmas after reading this book.
This is without a doubt a five star read that I haven't able to put down. I definitely recommend this one.

Ethan and Keeley's meet cute is one of the sweetest ever, and I think it's safe to say its because of Pepe. Can we all have a Pepe of our own, please?
I loved how the really deep issues are handled in this book; I thought just enough attention was focused on each and we see the development they each deserve.  I especially loved the book once the characters are in Paris.
The only reason this book isn't a five star is because it very much feels like it is set in the world after COVID which cool, give me something to look forward to but who knows when we are actually going to get through this, so that bothered me a bit.

The one thing better than a slow burn? An unwilling burn. You know the kind - where both characters have absolutely zero interest in falling in love, yet can't help it from happening? Add in a lot of personal growth, recovery from tragedy, a feisty secondary romance, the kind of misunderstandings and near misses that are usually reserved for the higher rated 90’s romcoms, and of course: Paris in the run up to Christmas? Honestly, I'm not sure what more you could want – A Perfect Paris Christmas delivers it all! 
Christmas all around

This wasn't what I was expecting. It's better! It's quite a sad, emotional rollercoaster of a Christmas book with love and romance. In an accident Keeley lost her sister and she lost her kidney. Her mother didn't cope and smoothed Keeley. She ends up escaping to Paris.

I loved the story. The characters were adorable. Quite emotional but really heartwarming. You need a box of tissues, hot chocolate and a big snuggle blanket for this book. Loved it.

I'm reading this book as part of the blog tour

A great Christmas read. 
The story follows Keeley who has had a difficult year but ends up on a trip to Paris to meet her donors family. The story explores the issues of life and death, grief and love. A lovely read

Paris at Christmas, what isn't there to love. Especially after watching Emily in Paris on Netflix I enjoyed the parisian vibes from this book. A perfect Christmas read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

In this very festive sweet treat we meet Keeley Andrews who after a personal and painful experience lands in Paris with her best friend Rach. It’s in Paris where Keeley finds love, which sounds so idyllic at Christmas time doesn’t it!? What could possibly go wrong? 

In a turn of events early in this story where Mandy explores themes such as tragedy and huge loss for Keeley and her family. But she also goes into the importance of organ donation. You will see what I mean when you read this story for yourself. 

I have to say I wished Pepe played a much bigger role but in parts I was giggling (actually I mean belly laughing!) but in others nearly on the verge of tears. It’s a smooth transition between emotions reading this story and that’s down to Mandy’s writing. 

I’ve been a fan of Mandy’s books for ages now and I thoroughly enjoy every one I’ve read. ‘A Perfect Paris Christmas’ has all the feels and takes you on a magical journey. I loved each characters development throughout the story. It was amazing to see Keeley flourish and show how strong she is. I give ‘A Perfect Paris Christmas’ a sparkling 5*/5* 😊 

Thank you to Aria Fiction for an advanced copy of this book.

Another enjoyable cozy holiday story. The characters were likable and story line was well written. I enjoyed it.

When transplant recipient Keeley is invited to spend Christmas in Paris by her donors family she she jumps at the chance.  After the worst year of her life she is due some happiness. And when she keeps bumping into Ethan is fate telling them something?

Keeley is still recovering from an accident that killed her sister and left her needing a kidney transplant when she receives an email from the mother of her donor inviting her to visit her in Paris on an all expenses paid trip.   Keeley jumps at the chance and is soon off with her best friend for the pre Christmas festivities and when she literally bumps in to a man with a penguin and helps to recapture it the adventures definitely begin......... but what secrets does Ethan the penguin man have and will they be able to overcome all of their problems?

Another great book by this writer, plenty of fun and escapades amongst the serious issues with some great characters, especially Jeanne and Bobo who steal the show!

This is the kind of book that you want to read after this rubbish year and with the horrible weather. Such a feel good book that makes you smile.

A really lovely heartwarming Christmas novel by one of my favourite authors. This wasn't my favourite of hers but I still enjoyed it all the same and it was a nice easy read.

*sniffs*

*mutters* Bleeping hormones... they’ve got a lot to answer for, I’ll tell you. Or maybe I can just blame the author – what do you think?

*shakes head*

Nah *nods*, that’s very true. *taps chin* I am a sap. Although in my defence, Keeley and Ethan’s story is so beautiful and heartfelt that I couldn’t help but shed a tear or two. *shrugs* Okay, okay, okay – I sobbed. Happy now?

Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. 

Pfft *crosses arms*, I’d like to see the state of you once you’ve finished. Then we can talk!

I’ll deny this till I’m blue in the face, but I’m a sucker for festive feel-good reads.  However, APPC was waaay more than that. This book was a surprise and a delight. 

Keeley and Ethan’s story dealt with some very sensitive and emotive subjects (and does so sympathetically). Yet, the author manages to do what at first seems impossible. She manages to strike the perfect balance between knowing when to ramp up the emotion then breaking the tension with a burst of levity.

I had several snort-giggle moments. They are the best kind, aren’t they? When the laughter just bursts free because it can no longer be contained. 

Keeley is brave and strong. She just needs a gentle nudge to help her find her feet again and embrace the future – whatever it brings. 

Plus, let’s face it, resistance is futile against a smexy Frenchman! Especially when he doesn’t give his heart freely. Le sigh, it just makes it all the more sweeter. 

With well-meaning (but meddling) families, a carefree bestie, questionable cosmetics, a penguin (yup, you read that right!) and a surprise addition or two, all set against the backdrop of the City of Love (and, let’s not forget, the most wonderful time of the year!), I dare you not to love all things APPC.

My first Christmas-themed read of 2020 and Mandy Baggot has set a really high bar for those that follow this festive season!

Soooo...

Is it too early to break out the Christmas decorations then?

*ducks*

I’m only kidding! *giggles*.

The thing I love about Mandy Baggot’s books is the way the words suck you in until you can almost believe you are there, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells. The books just seem to capture the essence of whichever place they are about.

This time we are in Paris at Christmas time - what is there not too love! Keeley and her friend Rachel find themselves in Paris as guests of Madame Silvie Durand, the mother of Keeley’s donor. Whilst there Keeley is knocked off her feet (quite literally) by Ethan Bouchard. What neither of them know is that the other has a connection to Fearne, the girl whose kidney Keeley received. 

A perfect read as we welcome the dark nights and cooler weather - make yourself cosy and curl up in your favourite armchair before you lose yourself in this wonderful story. 

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

4.5 Stars

If I'm really good this year, please can Santa bring me a Pepe of my very own. 

He has such a small role, but it has to be one of the most memorable meet cutes I've read in a while between Ethan and Keeley, thanks to Pepe. 
'
There are some deep issues raised within this book, and I really loved how they were dealt with. Jeanne really grew on me as the book progressed. 

And I thoroughly enjoyed everything once they are in Paris. I don't want to give away the reason they are in Paris, but let's just say it's not necessarily the reasons you may imagine. 

What did frustrate me though was the book was clearly set in appeared to be a post Covid world, there were references to anti bacterial gel, social distancing, drop in tourism due to the first half of the year, but I personally don't want references to pandemic we are living through appearing in what should be an escapist read from reality. 

Other than that, this was classic Mandy Baggot, a gorgeous hero to fall in love with, fabulous travel elements, a caring and loveable best friend, a four legged friend, Pepe, and plenty of plot to please you. 

I was a really enjoyable read, and there are some lovely festive gestures in there too.

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Not for me! The characters are very dislikable, the story just jumps right in. The writing isn’t bad but it didn’t draw me in. Thanks for the preview!