A charming British hero, the woman who tempts him, and a hands-off arrangement that’s oh-so-hard to maintain.My bags are packed and I’m ready to go. All I have to do is board a plane, and I’ll be on my way to fulfilling a promise I made long ago. Bonus points — my last week in Paris looks to be even better when I meet a gorgeous, clever American woman and make plans to take her back to my flat … back to my flat that night.
But before we can get together for what would surely be a fantastic final fling, my boss hits me with a double whammy. My previous client didn’t pay, so the trip’s postponed, and the new client I now desperately need is none other than the tempting American I’m about to take home. Time to keep my hands to myself. And as I do, we get to know each other while we wander the streets of Paris together, where I discover she’s witty, kind and has a delicious zest for life. Trouble is, I’m taking off for the other side of the world any day now.
What could go wrong with falling in love in Paris? Everything, if one of you is leaving…
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I really loved this book. The two main characters, Griffin and Joy are so witty and right for each other. I loved the word play and their attraction to each other. They are both very strong people and know what they want. There is a lot so descriptive sex in the book but the two main characters, Griffin and Joy are consenting adults. The I loved all the descriptions of Paris. It made me feel like I was actually there. I loved all the other character in the book also. This book is a really great delight and I would highly recommend it.
I loved the characters, and the setting in Paris.
I really enjoyed reading this and so much detail about Paris was provided. It was like being given a travelogue about the city. Very well written with likable characters…it took a while for them to admit to what they really want, but nicely written.
Wish I could give this book ten stars, yes, I loved it that much. It is set in the romantic city of Paris with romantic characters. Griffin Is dealing with a lot of sadness and Joy is getting over a relationship that died a year before she left. Lauren masterfully blends this together with the learning of a new language. The images Lauren creates are marvelous. You can see the angels and smell the chocolate.
This book was not only a good story, but was really well written. The author’s expert use of the written word awakened all my senses and took me on a multi-layered journey. This journey brought back many memories and gave me insights into my own love story. Brilliant!
I’ve gone back to this one a few times just for the “feel good” feeling I get from it.
Beautiful love story set in the romantic city of Paris. I was pulling for Joy & Griffin to not let each other go. Richard Armitage was the perfect narrator for this book
Perfect in every way.
I loved everything about Wanderlust. From the witty banter to the toe-curling sexiness to the sob-inducing poignancy. I laughed and cried in equal measure. Plus the wonderfully written text took me back to the rain-washed cobblestone streets of Paris. I could not have asked for a more romantic setting for this heart-warming story. Highly recommend it.
I love her books and this was a great book. I loved the story, the tension between characters. I hated it for to be done.
6 Hearts!
Wanderlust is Lauren’s next epic romance. I have read all of Lauren’s novels and loved each and every one of them but this is one of my favorites!! It was everything I expected and more.
Three months. That is how much time they had to explore the city of lights. To discover the unexpected in one of the most magical cities in the world. Three months of falling in love…
Joy has always wanted to visit Paris and now she will be living there. This was her time. She was ready for a fresh start. It was time to let go of the past and just live. To explore. To find herself. This job opportunity for running a fragrance lab in Paris came at the perfect moment, it felt right. She wasn’t looking for anything more than this. Then he spoke. She wasn’t expecting him. She could handle a man with an Australian accent. She could handle a man with a French accent. A man with a British accent made her weak in the knees especially one that looked like him. Griffin Thomas. Her translator.
Griffin loved American women. They were bold. They were confident. They knew what they wanted. And she wanted to learn the language. She also wanted to make their time pleasurable just they way he did but they couldn’t go there. But they could walk the streets of Paris. Find the unexpected. Tour the city like they belonged there. Take long walks with great conversations about dreams, family, traveling, and angels. Drink hot chocolate and walk through pink doors. Until one of them breaks and they have the most epic first kiss. This is how you fall in love in Paris.
Three months until one has to get on a plane to fulfill a dream. A promise.
Today…I was in Paris. The way Lauren describes the city made me feel that way. I have never been there but I felt it. As I was reading it was like I was walking the streets with Griffin and Joy. Sitting at a cafe eating a chocolate croissant. Walking in the rain. It was a beautiful day. Griffin and Joy made it even better. Their connection. Their beauty. Their love. Their silliness. I loved Griffin. He is one sexy Brit but he is more than that. He is loyal. He is sweet. He is romantic. He is also filthy. And he makes Joy feel desired, adored, and strong. And I loved her. She goes for what she wants. She is brave, funny, and full of passion. Together, they are magic.
Overall…it’s one of the most romantic books of 2018! I usually cry once in a Lauren book but this time around it was a handful of times. I was invested in this couple. Not just because of their love and amazing sex. It was also about their hopes and dreams. Together or apart.
Quotes:
This woman might be the toughest client I’ve ever had, since I’m going to spend every second resisting her.
“I’ll take the rain to get the diamonds,” she says, then reaches into her bag and fishes around for something.
“Enjoy every day, and eat it like a fruit,” I say in a low, dirty whisper.
Wanderlust By Lauren Blakely
What a gifted storyteller Lauren is as she weaves a vivid and vibrant life in Paris. From the storefronts the people and the atmosphere. I’ve been there and as I was reading it was as if I was there all over again.
Griffin Thomas is a translator living in Paris who speaks many languages. He is from London and specializes in French, Spanish, Italian, English and a little Portuguese. He planned to only be there for a year while he saved money and checked a few things off the bucket list he has kept in his pocket. He was ending his last contract expecting a big bonus when his bonus fell through keeping him in Paris longer.
Joy Danvers-Lively has dreamed about going to Paris but her vacation trip was canceled a few years ago when her now ex-boyfriend hurt his back. So when her employer asked if she would be interested in relocating to Paris to oversee the fragrance lab at L’Artisan she jumped at the opportunity. She is a ray of sunshine ready for a new adventure even if her French isn’t the greatest.
By chance Griffin and Joy meet each other at local bakery where he corrects her French when she was attempting to order a chocolate croissant. They begin to flirt back and forth but never reveal their actual names before they depart ways. Unbeknownst to them they would end up working together where things get interesting. I loved the real life reactions to their ups,downs heartbreak, loss,family devotion,friendships and love. I truly couldn’t get enough of this magical,sexy,emotional ride through Paris.
I loved the Narration of this book. The narrators took me through the streets of Paris and made the whole idea very romantic. Joy and Griffin had such great chemistry that I think was created through their narration.
I am not sure I would have enjoyed this book had I read it. I suspect I would have been skimming some pages had I read the book. Richard Armitage’s accent added a kind of magical quality that helped to transport you to the streets of Paris.
The actual storyline was ok. I liked Joy. I liked Griffin. I liked them together. I liked the whole concept of Joy creating perfumes, and even some of the information about how it was done. The whole bucket list concept didn’t thrill me, but I did love the realization Griffin ultimately had about the bucket list and Joy’s involvement.
I liked that Joy was willing to uproot and take a chance on a new location, with a new language, and a new life. Her enthusiasm could be a bit much at times, but that did not make her unlikable.
Hearing French being spoken added to the romantic feel of the book. I can’t say if the accents were on point or not, as I don’t speak French. I can say that they sounded good. I would not have been able to get that from reading the book.
I can definitely recommend the audio version of this book. Since book 2 is not in Audible Escapes, I have to decide if I want to purchase it. I actually think I might!
Two people meet in Paris, one develops perfume and the other is an interpreter. They fall for each other, but because the interpreter is employed by the perfume makers company, they have to resist their attraction. The characters are delightful.
Slow read in some but overall good.
I’m a big Lauren Blakely fan, and she really outdid herself with this one! Attracted to the book by it’s cover (ha, no pun intended), this story was so much more than a hot hunk! Characters had depth, punctuated with lots of witty/funny dialog, there was good advice for living (in making use of time, not squandering it!), and lots of great descriptions of Paris, the way of life there and the French language. This was a very heart-felt story for me, I shed more than one tear, and I highly recommend it!
Wow! Wanderlust is a beautiful friends to lovers story. I loved it! Griffin and Joy are great characters. Their slow burn story is well written. Now, I dream even more to go to Paris! I love the mix of languages (French, British and American). They sound beautiful together. The narration is perfect! Richard Armitage is a new narrator to me. His voice is very pleasant to listen to! Grace Grant is already one of my favorite narrators. Bravo!
It’s just so refreshing to read a story ,where two characters take there time to know one another and build the feelings for each other ,even thought they kinda know there is a connection ,a spark ,a feeling. Worth the read
5 star review of Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely
Audio review
Narrated by Richard Armitage and Grace Grant they brought Griffin and Joy to life for me. I particularly like a British accent and this made listening to this book a real pleasure.
Having recently been to Paris, listening to this story was even more special. The descriptions were so good that I could easily envision being back in Paris.
I loved Griffin, there was something about him that drew me to him. Having led a hard life, Griffin has plans to travel and the last thing he wants or expects is to fall for a woman in Paris. Joy was also a great character, she was the perfect partner for Griffin. I loved the friendship that developed between them, giving them a basis for a deeper more emotional relationship.
This is a sweet love story, romantic and a slow burn which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I’ve come back to this story a few times to reread. The premise is thoughtful and thought-provoking and makes me want to pick up my passport and head out to the airport.
I really enjoyed Griffin and Joy’s story. Lauren Blakey is so descriptive I felt like I was actually in Paris. I had actual montages going on in my head! Griffin and Joy checked off all each other’s boxes and were clearly meant to be. Their banter was great and I adored their friendship. I loved when they finally gave in more though(wink wink)! They let each other go to accomplish what they thought they wanted only to realize they belong together. Beautiful.