In a Q&A, the 76-year-old talks about the medical emergency that delayed her book tour, how nostalgia for Paris sparked the novel and plans for a sequel

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with this ARC. Here is my honest review:

Ruth Riechl's writing transforms us to the past by alternating through our main character, Stella's, upbringing in NYC, and 1980s in Paris. Riechl's writing is so descriptive and profound that you feel very entertained as you follow Stella through her adventures in Paris. For anyone who has visited Paris or would like to, there are so many fun references to popular locations within the magical city.

Despite all the praise I have to give for Riechl's painting of a setting, I struggled to like the main character and preferred the unique and spirited side characters she encounters. Also, the blurb on the back of the book should draw more attention to a major trigger warning (SA) to warn readers!

For me, the highlight of this novel was its descriptions of food: preparing and eating it. It made me want to hop on a flight and visit some expensive Paris restaurants. As a fan of Shakespeare and Company, I also really enjoyed that aspect of the story.

The only reason this wasn't a five-star read for me was that certain plot points just strained my credulity a little too much. In a sense, it reads more like a fairy tale than a real-life story. But it was definitely enjoyable to read, and I have the feeling it will be the perfect kind of escape for a large number of readers.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in advance of publication.