USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan returns with this heartwarming novel about the power of friendship, love and what happens when an ending is just the beginning… But she never expected he’d have a surprise of his own: he wants a divorce. Reeling from the shock but refusing to be broken, a devastated Grace makes the bold decision to go to Paris alone.
Audrey, a young woman from London, has left behind a heartache of her own when she arrives in Paris. A job in a bookshop is her ticket to freedom, but with no money and no knowledge of the French language, suddenly a summer spent wandering the cobbled streets alone seems much more likely…until she meets Grace, and everything changes.
Grace can’t believe how daring Audrey is. Audrey can’t believe how cautious newly single Grace is. Living in neighboring apartments above the bookshop, this unlikely pair offer each other just what they’ve both been missing. They came to Paris to find themselves, but finding this unbreakable friendship might be the best thing that’s ever happened to them…
more
“Now go and write your own story, and don’t forget the actions.”
Grace’s husband announces his affair on their 25th wedding anniversary, and their anniversary vacation reservation is now for one.
18-year-old Audrey has been gravely parentified by her alcoholic mother but a new man in her mother’s life gives her a reprieve, and she finally has the opportunity to start a life of her own.
Two women.
An inspiring Paris setting that promises new stories for them both.
A bump in the road brings these two together and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Building confidence, independence, perspective, trust, and optimism. One Summer in Paris shows that embracing pain and pushing past hopelessness can lead to incredible transformation. I loved this book. Check it out.
Grace has planned a surprise trip for her husband for their 25th wedding anniversary, a month in Paris. She gives it to him during their anniversary dinner. he in turn surprises her with an announcement that he’s been having an affair and would like a divorce.
Audrey has been working very hard saving everything she can so when she graduates from high school she can move to France to escape her life she has been living with her alcoholic mother.
There in Paris the unlikely duo newly single Grace and Audrey meet and become friends. They have absolutely nothing in common but their differences is what links them and through those differences they better themselves. Grace starts living for herself and Audrey starts to trust those around her.
I always found it interesting how each one of them knew when something was wrong with the other one, when one of them wasn’t being quite honest with the other. Their age difference didn’t seem to hinder that at all.
I really enjoyed reading this book and feel these two will end up being life long friends.
This story is as much about Audrey as it is about Grace. Both are running from something and need a push to set them in the right direction. The characters are excellent. The book is well written and describes both the coming of age drama and mid-life crisis that we all experience. It’s one of those books that makes you ask yourself, would I be strong enough to get through it and reminds us that above all else, we need a friend that we trust.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
4.5 stars
This book has everything I was looking for in a story. The Paris setting caught my attention first. Then, I was intrigued by Grace and Audrey’s stories and how they would mesh. I was not disappointed.
Both, Grace and Audrey’s stories were heartbreaking. Grace planned to surprise her husband, of twenty five years, with a trip to Paris. But, the surprised was on when Grace when David informed her that he was having an affair and wanted a divorce. Grace ends up taking the trip on her own. Audrey was running from her life in London. She wanted to spend the summer in Paris away from her alcoholic mother. But, she had a hard time finding a job because she didn’t speak French. It was fate that Audrey just happened to be on the street when Grace was mugged. Audrey, being the tough girl she was, stopped the man and got the purse back for Grace. They became friends after that and helped each other out in ways only good friends could.
This is a story of friendship, starting over, love and family secrets. It was an extremely enjoyable story. I was a little sad when the book was over. I could have read hours more of these characters.
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While Grace and Audrey are separate in many ways…age, life stage, experience, and whatnot…they are close at heart, reminding us that friendship is not restricted to those in our own generation. There is much to be learned from those older AND younger (as they both discover), much room to grow no matter your current age, and so much potential for things to still come out all right in the end. What happened to both Grace and Audrey was not ideal in any fashion, and yet somehow they not only found each other, but themselves along their crooked paths towards their unknown futures. The high hopes they initially held were thwarted time and again, but they never gave up…not truly…and in trudging through it, they were better for it in the end.
Honestly, I loved the progress/growth both characters showed along their journey, the connection they made with each other as well as those they met, the times and experiences they shared, the bookstore that gave them more than wordy wonders but a piece of themselves they didn’t even realize they were missing. It truly enchanted me, heart and soul. I will admit, I was worried for a bit for both our leading ladies. Grace had such a kicker of a moment coming up at book’s end, I really couldn’t fathom it going one way, hoped it went another, and yet how it ended up was a beautiful blend of give and take that really worked. Audrey had my heart in a bind as well because she was finally showing her true colors and despite her can-do attitude, walls kept being thrown up in her face. Even the sweetness she found in the city was causing her heartache, and yet the author makes it work in her favor while still giving us a satisfying end.
All in all, it was wonderful, magical, realistic, and even at times infuriating, but I adored every moment! Whether I was swooning, having a bookish moment, nodding in agreement, or gasping at a turn of events, it’s a definite MUST READ this Spring/Summer and one I highly suggest making room on your wish list for!
**ARC received for review; opinions are my own
Sublime.
A charming story of self discovery and friendship. When I read the first chapter I wasn’t sure whether I was going to enjoy this book but I soon became drawn into the story and I loved the descriptions of Paris. The characters were masterfully portrayed and totally believable, being at turns vulnerable and courageous. I especially loved the relationship that grew between Grace and Audrey.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
J’aime ce livre (I love this book)
I could not put this book down, and the last thing I wanted was for it to end. I felt like I spent a few weeks in Paris and made new friends walking along the Seine.
Sarah Morgan has done a wonderful job writing the perfect story for everyone who has dreamt of falling in love in the city of light.
I read an advanced copy of this book
An ode to the strong women and the tight bonds of true friendship that encourage them to be the best version of themselves, through tears and laughter, through pain and growth, love and loss, they always stand by us, hold us up when needed, and never say they are ‘just fine’.
When cheating and third person issues are one of my hard limits on the romance novels I read, the author’s name was the only reason I said yes to review this title. And I am immensely glad that I did say yes, and I want to thank HQ for sending me the eARC, cause this story, it shook the foundation. The story made me think, it made me laugh, brought tears to my eyes, it brought back sweet memories of Paris, and it made me reach out to my sister-friends. Rarely there is this deep, sweet, contentment in my whole being when I finish a book, but One Summer In Paris, with its theme of forgiveness and redemption, love and friendship, family and the tribe of people we bring to our lives, it just went directly to my heart and wowed me.
Grace, Audrey, and Mimi – three women of different generations, yet tightly bonded together were all effortless to connect with and relate to. Each of them dealt with issues in their lives that were real and plausible, contributing to the tale, giving life and love a new perspective.
The fourth ‘woman’ in the story – Paris itself – was as delightfully seductive as always, the city of lights, passion, and love delivering the delightful images, the ardent backdrop to the passionate story of women loving and living and learning, finding their inner voice, inner strength, and their own wolfpack.
One Summer In Paris is an experience that will touch your heart, it is a sensual, triumphant tale of women, life and loss, loving and living fully, tearing down the pretenses, and daring to be honest, open, and true to yourself and others around you.
It took my breath away
~ Five Spoons
One Summer in Paris is a wonderfully written story about two women trying to escape the turmoil of their lives and find a little peace and happiness. Audrey is a vivacious, young woman with learning issues and an alcoholic mom that she is constantly taking care of and worrying about. She is graduating from school and wants a little freedom and fun in Paris now that her mom is remarrying. Grace plans to surprise her husband of 25 years with a trip to Paris but he surprises her by announcing he wants a divorce. She goes on the trip alone to avoid all the pitying and compassionate looks from people. Audrey rescues Grace from a purse snatcher and a beautiful friendship begins. They both bring different advantages to aid and assist each other and the story that follows is filled with laughs, a few tears and many heartwarming moments.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.
Totally enjoyed it
If you love Paris as I do, any excuse to put myself into a story there is gold. I loved the main character’s spunk and her ability to open herself to what is. The characters are all interesting and full , some with a hidden history, that kept me more than interested.
This is my favorite new author! She skillfully weaves together several stories across generations and place. Beautiful. A book full of second chances. You will care about these characters!
Anything that takes place in Paris is my read. I love walking down the streets that. I know so we’ll.
”If you focus on living well in the moment, you will never have regrets about yesterday.” -Mimi
One Summer In Paris by Sarah Morgan is a wonderfully uplifting novel about the messiness of life at any age. As her daughter Sophie spreads her wings, Grace begins to prepare herself for an empty nest and her 25th wedding anniversary to husband David. Thrusted into a very different future then she ever imagined Grace’s life is turned upside down and she finds herself in Paris crossing paths with 18yr old Audrey who is also looking for a future of her own. “Life isn’t always pretty, but friendship gets us through the ugly bits” One Summer In Paris is about life, love, friendship, and all the ugly bits in between I loved this book and with each novel I continue to feel so privileged to be an influencer of Sarah Morgan and her lovely stories..she has quickly become one of my favorite authors! Harlequin #onesummerinparis #womensfiction #romance #sarahmorgan #harlequinbooks #earlyreader #bookinfluencer #booknerd #booksof2019 #littlebookpage
Really great book! Two sides of life collide to show that friendship and loving support can make all the difference in the world as you travel the roads of life. I really enjoyed the emotional upheaval they each had to go through before settling in to what was meant to be. Highly recommend!
Grace Porter thought she’d be setting off on this magical trip to Paris with her husband of twenty-five years, but he decided to spring the news that he wants a divorce on her the night she presented him with the anniversary present. What’s a gal to do but go by herself? Alone in Paris sounds ideal at a difficult time like this until she’s living the loneliness of seeing the sights she meant to share with David.
Audrey Hackett would do anything to get out from under the weight of taking care of her alcoholic mother after graduation. She has been saving for years for this special trip, and though her mother throws up roadblock after roadblock, she needs this time. Even if she’s heading somewhere she can’t speak the language of with little money to her name.
An unlikely friendship strikes up between this woman on the verge of upheaval and this teen just coming into herself as they both live over top of a quaint bookshop. They support each other throughout their growing pains, and realize that life isn’t always handing you the thing you need, but you can achieve anything if you have the right support by your side.
I seem to be on a roll with really, really good books lately! This one is not what I expected when I first started as I expected a romance and it was not, it was more a woman’s fiction but it was so good and I read it in practically one sitting because I could not put it down. Grace is planning a surprise for her husband on their 25th wedding anniversary, a month-long break in Paris. However, he has his own surprise for her. He wants a divorce and has been having an affair. Audrey is getting ready to graduate and doesn’t expect to do well and not planning to go to university and has set up a job in Paris at a bookstore and it comes with a flat so she is moving to Paris. This is where these women meet. You would expect these women who are so far apart in age, actually Audrey could be Grace’s daughter, and together they forge a friendship and bond that helps heal the devastation in Grace’s life and Audrey finally has the unconditional love she has never had. This story was beautifully written and left me very happy.
Grace plans a trip to Paris to celebrate her Anniversary only to f …
Grace plans a trip to Paris to celebrate her Anniversary only to find out her husband of twenty five years has been having an affair . She no longer feels needed as her husband leaves her and her daughter is graduating . She decides to take the trip to Paris on her own. Audrey goes to Paris to try and get away from her responsibility of taking care of her alcoholic mother and have her own adventure . By chance Audrey helps Grace when someone tries to steal her purse. The two become fast friend and it is apparent that they need each other in their lives. Sarah Morgan delights with this heartwarming adventure in Paris .I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
Pensive, uplifting, and delightfully addictive!
One Summer in Paris is a heartwarming, compelling tale that takes you on a journey to the magical City of Lights and into the lives of the middle-aged, newly single Grace and the young, unsettled Audrey as they discover together the importance of taking chances, accepting change, embracing the future, and finding contentment.
The prose is amusing and polished. The characters are complex, quirky, authentic, and endearing. And the plot is a beguiling story about life, loss, family, determination, kindness, forgiveness, self-discovery, happiness, romance, and the true value of friendship.
Overall, I would have to say that One Summer in Paris is thoughtful, emotive, and charming and with its rich characterization and beautiful storyline, it’s another stunning example of why Sarah Morgan is one of my all-time favourite authors.
I am very torn about this latest Sarah Morgan book. On the one hand, I love the unlikely friendship between Grace and Audrey. They are at different stages in their lives but have more in common than either one of them do with their peers. Audrey brings youthfulness to Grace, while Grace lends and air of experience to Audrey, without trying to be her mother.
I love the flow of this story and Grace’s grandmother, Mimi, is a hoot and a half!! The backdrop of Paris is wonderful and makes me want to visit, even though it’s not really a city I care about touring! That to me is a sign of a great author…painting a picture so beautiful, you want to live in that painting!
My issue is later in the book, and has to do with both Grace’s so-to-be-ex (and an old friend from the past, to an extent). While I’m not going to get into specifics, I felt the choice Grace ultimately makes is neither in her nor best interests or shows her growth.
Overall, I loved this book and it’s a solid 3.75 stars. I received an ARC from NetGalley, but I voluntarily left an honest review.
Woven like a fine tapestry. A story of love, betrayal and family. Friendship plays a very important role in this sweeping saga as it does in life.
Riveting and wonderful. I loved it.