Friendship wasn’t enough. April promised her dying father she would study painting in Paris, but friends are few, her budget is tight, and her landlord increasingly won’t take “no” for an answer. Then she meets Victor.Victor is as chivalrous as he is wealthy, and if it weren’t for him, April would have already left the City of Light behind. Too bad Victor still has eyes for his ex-girlfriend, who … still has eyes for his ex-girlfriend, who is now back on the scene and wants to get married.
Although April and Victor swore to remain just friends, magical Paris seems to weave a different spell. The more their connection deepens, the more it becomes difficult to keep a proper distance. Or to remember why they should.
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I enjoyed Jennie Goutet’s A Noble Affair and was looking forward to her next novel. Fortunately, this contemporary clean romance was worth the wait—and then some. When Victor meets April, an artist visiting Paris, their attraction to each other is almost immediate (despite the untenability of their relationship), and the slow-building emotions that deepen their initial attraction is especially compelling in this luscious Paris setting.
Goutet takes risks with the obstacles blocking the paths of her hero and heroine, and it’s worth noting that April’s virtue and Victor’s chivalry are not heavy-handed or preachy. Instead, I found Goutet’s characters charmingly believable in their desire to do the right thing, and I rooted for them as they realized they might be perfect for each other…were it not for one or two major impediments!
Goutet’s signature elegance of prose and playful dialogue make this another must-read romance.
A wonderful clean romance set in Paris! April and Victor, an art student and a wealthy businessman. A budding friendship that grows into a sweet courtship. Yet it’s not quite that simple. Lots of intriguing plot twists that keep you guessing what will happen next. Highly recommend!
I had a free copy of this book, but this my voluntary and honest opinion. I really enjoyed the plot and characters in this book. I like the way April handles all the adversity that comes her way and grows though it. Jennie did a great job with characters of differing personalities. I would recommend reading this book.
The title and cover of this novel gave me the impression that I would be reading a cute boy-meets-girl type of romance. However, the story is far more intricate and flavorsome than that. Yes, there is romance, but there is also suspense, betrayal, and the meeting of soul mates where the attraction cannot be denied. The romance between the main characters builds slowly, based on friendship and mutual respect. April may appear to be delicate and whimsical, but she has the determination to be fully independent, earning her way towards the goal she has set before her. Victor has had his fingers burnt and he has no intention of allowing April to become a feature in his life. Nevertheless, she crawls into his heart and arouses his protective nature. When she experiences the destructive nature of her stalker, Victor comes to April’s rescue and although his ex-girlfriend belatedly makes it clear that she intends to accept his offer of marriage, Victor finds his heart being torn in two. The plot of this story is well thought out and interesting, keeping one in suspense throughout, whilst at the same time giving one insight into everyday living in Paris. Penelope’s group of friends envelop both April and Victor and I would love to spend an evening in their company. I received a copy of this book from StoryOrigin and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This book proves that so-called “sweet romance” can be every bit as deep, nuanced and passionate as the sexier books in the romance genre. The atmosphere in Paris is deftly evoked and the relationship between April and Victor is beautifully painted. I highly recommend this book. Gorgeous.