One of Popsugar’s Best New Books for Summer 2020A thirty-year-old woman retraces her gap year through Ireland, France, and Italy to find love—and herself—in this hilarious and heartfelt novel.It’s been seven years since Chelsea Martin embarked on her yearlong postcollege European adventure. Since then, she’s lost her mother to cancer and watched her sister marry twice, while Chelsea’s thrown … twice, while Chelsea’s thrown herself into work, becoming one of the most talented fundraisers for the American Cancer Coalition, and with the exception of one annoyingly competent coworker, Jason Knightley, her status as most successful moneymaker is unquestioned.
When her introverted mathematician father announces he’s getting remarried, Chelsea is forced to acknowledge that her life stopped after her mother died and that the last time she can remember being happy, in love, or enjoying her life was on her year abroad. Inspired to retrace her steps—to find Colin in Ireland, Jean Claude in France, and Marcelino in Italy—Chelsea hopes that one of these three men who stole her heart so many years ago can help her find it again.
From the start of her journey nothing goes as planned, but as Chelsea reconnects with her old self, she also finds love in the very last place she expected.
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When Chelsea Martin’s dad announces he’s getting married her life goes into a tailspin. She feels that her life stopped when her mother died and she no longer knows what happiness or love is. After college she had embarked on a travel adventure through Europe. Even though she is now a top fundraiser for the American Cancer Society she feels something is missing in her life. She decides to recreate her European trip to see if she can find love and happiness again. She goes back to Ireland, France, and Italy in search of the three men she had met. The reader gets to travel with her and experience what she does. Does she find love? Or does she discover that love and happiness is found in the least likely place? I loved all the characters. They are written in such a way you can imagine what they look like. This is a very well written story about happiness and what’s right in front of you. I loved this book!! Highly recommend!
I was in love with this book before I even opened it up. That cover is adorable. and I totally agree that Paris Is Always a Good Idea, such a perfect title.
This is the perfect travel book, take the beach book or stay at home book.
Chelsea Martin has lost her mother to cancer and between that loss and work as a fundraiser for he American Cancer Coalition, her pursuit of happiness has been pushed to the back burner.
When her introverted Father decides to remarry that leap by him, pushes her to realize the last time she was happy was her gap year traveling through Ireland, France and Italy.
She sets off to retrace her steps to see if she can reclaim that feeling of being happy and being loved.
This is a delightful book that everyone will enjoy.
Wow, well this read left me with a mighty book hangover. Once I started, I was all in and found myself unable to put it down. I found myself captured by Chelsea’s plight and in tune with her every emotion. I had more than a few cathartic cry moments and after finishing it, unable to go to sleep. Jenn McKinlay rocked my book world and I can only say that this a #2020Favorite and a #mustread recommendation!
Chelsea is a young fundraising executive for cancer. Her life’s work is driven by the loss of her mother and her grief runs deep. She’s shocked when after seven years it appears her father is ready to move on, prompting her to take hiatus from her job, to try to recapture the exuberance of her nature from seven years before; when she was bold and happy and in love with life. She embarks on a trip, to relive where she was when the news of her mother’s illness brought her home from Europe.
What ensues is a deeply heartfelt, thoughtful examination of her life. Lest you think it’s all heavy, it’s not. It’s quite entertaining to follow her from the bogs of Ireland to the cafe’s of Paris, and finally to Italy. What makes this wonderful is the addition of her work nemesis, Jason Knightly. His appearance shake up her world as she works through her ever conflicting emotions and the connection they share. Knightly is not at all what we thought of him. My first impressions were pretty negative, but he turned that around and won Chelsea (and me) over. But Chelsea’s story is really about healing from her grief, allowing herself to live in the moment and be happy. Her family isn’t what it once was, but could it be so much more? YES, YES YES!!
I still feel the effects of this story. It just won’t let me go and I’m not ready to let it go either. I can’t recommend this enough. It touched me in a very deep way and has left me reflecting on Chelsea’s predicament and her growth. Jenn McKinlay is a new to me author and while the story captures heartache, it also provides some light and funny moments. After all, it is a rom-com and one of the best virtual vacations I’ve had. 5 ++ Stars and a #MustRead recommendation!!
There is always that one book that makes your heart feel warm and fuzzy. PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA is one of them. I really took to heart Chelsea’s character who went through great lengths to get over her grief, and eventually find the joy that is missing in her life.
Chelsea is going through some life difficulties – from the death of her mother to cancer, to her father remarrying and moving on with his life. I was captivated with the story line where to re-discover some things in life, you may have to look back and retrace your steps – for Chelsea, it was the time when she traveled to Europe during her gap year. I found it delightful to read about the beautiful Irish countryside, the elegant city of Paris and the charming Tuscany wineries.
I thought Jenn McKinlay was able to capture the human spirit of someone navigating loss and grief, while taking her readers along to a journey to find love in order to love and be loved again. Really enjoyed this one!!
Paris always a good idea is another Jenn Mckinlay masterpiece. What I love about this book is you felt all the emotions of the characters and really connected with them. This story is about the journey of overcoming grief and finding oneself again. There was humor and sadness as well as an unexpected love. Jenn Mckinlay is one of my favorite authors whether it be cozy mysteries or romance novels. This book did not disappoint I didn’t want it to end. This is a must read!
I’m eager to read this book