Tag: paris

Book Review: Host for the Holidays (Christmas Escapes #2) by Martha Keyes

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 378 pages
Author: Martha Keyes
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 26th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Madi is counting on Paris’s reputation as the City of Love. Now she just needs to figure out if it’s old love or new love…

Madi

After two years and zero proposals, my relationship could use a little spark. Paris during the holidays seems like just the ticket—one perfect, final opportunity for my boyfriend to take things to the next level.

The fact that he’s rented me the tiny servant quarters in the apartment of a very good-looking Frenchman is . . . puzzling. And when he asks that Frenchman to take me around the city while he’s busy at work trainings? Color me confused.

Is this some sort of pre-engagement test? If so, I’m not sure I’m doing too hot.

Rémy

Offering to host my friend’s vacation rental means making sure the first review is five solid, sparkling stars. When the guest who shows up is a beautiful American woman, I’m thinking my task might be more enjoyable than I thought. Until I find out she has a boyfriend. Madi deserves to have an amazing time in Paris, though, so I’m more than happy to oblige when the guy asks me to show her the city.

It’s cool. I’m cool. This is all for that five-star review…

◆ Host for the Holidays is a closed door romance full of fun, chemistry, and a generous dash of the magic of Paris

ADORED.

Oh my goodness, this writing was magical!! I absolutely LOVED the Paris setting during Christmastime.

I knew this was the author’s first contemporary book and I think she nailed it. I would happily read more stories set in a modern setting from her easy. Keyes made Paris come alive and these characters had my whole heart.

Remy was absolutely adorable. I was swooned away by his kindness. He had the purest heart and his interactions with Madi were pure. They had chemistry from the beginning and I loved reading about them exploring Paris and falling in love. I think there was a great balance of plot and Christmas stuff that is exactly what I’m looking for in a holiday read.

I do wish the boyfriend to ex-boyfriend plot line wasn’t around as long as it was. And I did think it showed up at a few inopportune times.

Otherwise, great book. Can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: April 6th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Seventeen-year-old Mia, an American girl at an elite summer ballet program, has six weeks to achieve her dreams: to snag an audition with one of the world’s best ballet companies. But there’s more to Paris than ballet—especially when a charming French boy, Louis, wants to be her tour guide—and the pair discover the city has a few mysteries up its sleeve.

In the vein of romances like Love and Gelato, this is the perfect summer adventure for anyone looking to get swept away in the City of Love.

TAKE ME TO PARIS.

This was such a sweet YA read! I loved seeing parts of Paris and truly felt transported there. The writing was perfect for this and I was swept away into this story of following passions and having a summer romance.

Speaking of the romance, it was adorable. Louis and Mia were super cute and I would easily watch this movie. Louis was kind and this contrast to Mia that I loved. They both learned things from each other throughout the book and there was a realistic conflict and resolution that I am always here for.

A big focus was Mia and her ballet school. I LOVE books about dancing and this was no different. She went through some self discovery and was able to stand up in her own way. I really wish I could have watched the actual ballet scenes including Swan Lake (another point for this needing to be a movie!!).

The ending took me for a loop, but I ultimately thought it made both characters stronger and confirmed a lot of emotions and desires. There was such hope and light for it all that it gave me plenty of warm fuzzies. Definitely reminiscent of Anna and the French Kiss vibes (but, a whole different story!).

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: car accident resulting in injury/hospitalization, alcohol consumption

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Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins

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Isla

 

Rating: ☆☆☆.75
Audience: YA, language, a few love scenes (including intense make-outs), no violence
Length: 339 pages
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: August 14th, 2014
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

 

NOT AS CHARMED THIS TIME AROUND.

I picked this up to re-read on a Sunday because I have book mail coming Tuesday that I will be reading immediately and I thought this was a cute book!

I like the idea of the “series” not being a “series”. The characters from one book, appear in another, but the main characters get their own story line for each book. It’s creative and fun.

What I realized the second time is that oh my goodness, so many hormones. That’s mostly what Isla and Josh are really dealing with. Not the other external factors, the fact that they are madly in love after less than a month and plot to go have sex. This unfortunately stood out a lot more this time around.

I still think it’s a cute book and I enjoy the way it reads. It’s fast and precise without a lot of extra hoopla that bogs it down. Isla especially would make me laugh with her inner thoughts. She’s a love-struck hormonal teenager just like the rest of us once were.

Definitely some language (including f-words). Love scenes are a little descriptive, but also don’t go over the edge like you’d see in New Adult+.