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maria161985's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book to be interesting, from start to finish. I especially liked how Samantha was very detailed about how her life was before meeting Jean-Luc again, and how intriguing her life became once she had sent that first email off to Jean-Luc. I loved how candid Samantha was when describing her feelings, which made me feel more connected to her as a reader. It was definitely a wonderful ending for Samantha and Jean-Luc, one that I am excited to read about more in the upcoming books.
ljm57's review against another edition
4.0
This is chick lit of the highest order but what a fabulous true love story to get yourself lost in! Approaching 40, Samantha loses her job, walks out of her loveless marriage & penniless, moves back in with her parents. On a whim she googles the gorgeous Frenchman she spent a whirlwind 24 hours with in Paris, 20 earlier. They reconnect, spend more magical time together rekindling what they felt for each other. It is a wonderful real-life fairytale with the ultimate happily ever after. I think we’d all love to have a Jean-Luc in our lives. Ooh-la-la!
danibalkin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
rmarcin's review against another edition
4.0
A love story 20 years in the making. Samantha is in a loveless marriage and remembers letters written to her 20 years ago from a man she met on a trip to Paris. She takes a chance and writes to him and so begins their love affair.
deecreatenola's review against another edition
3.0
Boy, I wanted to love this book. It's about someone reconnecting with with a French lover and moving to France! What would there be not to love?
It *is* a cute story. I think the challenge was that I found the author a little whiney and high maintenance. I couldn't quite figure out why her French lover was so enamored with her. She has tons of insecurities and has some trouble living on her own.
I also found their reconnection a little unrealistic. I kept waiting for a bump in the road. But he was so perfect and so loving and so attentive. It's like there's no wrinkles at all in this relationship. If this were fiction, someone would say that was a big red flag. Yes, there were some issues with visas/nationalization, that sort of thing. But really minor and not unexpected. The relationship seemed too perfect. I would've liked to see them have even a minor disagreement, some little drama to make the rest of us feel like we could live in this same fairytale story. Surely even Snow White had the occasional argument with Prince Charming?
Finally, I thought it was self-published because there were issues a good editor would have caught. But it appears to be traditionally published.
All that said, it's a pleasurable quick read, just don't go in with too high expectations.
It *is* a cute story. I think the challenge was that I found the author a little whiney and high maintenance. I couldn't quite figure out why her French lover was so enamored with her. She has tons of insecurities and has some trouble living on her own.
I also found their reconnection a little unrealistic. I kept waiting for a bump in the road. But he was so perfect and so loving and so attentive. It's like there's no wrinkles at all in this relationship. If this were fiction, someone would say that was a big red flag. Yes, there were some issues with visas/nationalization, that sort of thing. But really minor and not unexpected. The relationship seemed too perfect. I would've liked to see them have even a minor disagreement, some little drama to make the rest of us feel like we could live in this same fairytale story. Surely even Snow White had the occasional argument with Prince Charming?
Finally, I thought it was self-published because there were issues a good editor would have caught. But it appears to be traditionally published.
All that said, it's a pleasurable quick read, just don't go in with too high expectations.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
”My God, what an idiot I’d been. Punctuated with passion, Jean-Luc’s letters still heated my soul twenty years later. So why hadn’t I written him back in 1989?
In March, I finished reading Paris Was Ours (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3256320129). In my review I mentioned that I really liked reading about Paris and that is why this book caught my attention. I was looking through the library catalog for a different book and this one came up also. So I checked it out. How bad could a book be about Paris? How bad could a book be that is essentially a true life fairy tale?
The basic answer is not bad at all. I had a good time vicariously living Verant’s life. If someone asked me if they should read this book, I would say yes, if you like romantic stories. Verant’s rediscovery of the love of her life was wonderful. Her life seems to still be a fairy tale. I am happy for her.
My only caveat is that Verant had made a total mess of her life before she found Jean-Luc again. I know I should not judge a person that I don’t know. I know life is messy and I know many things happen to us that we can’t control. I just struggled with Verant’s chaos. I don’t know why it bothers me so much. I am not a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” kind of person. Verant had serious problems, lost her job, had a divorce and ended up declaring bankruptcy. All of this is terrible, I should not blame the victim.
Whatever my problem is and it is my problem, this detracted from the fairy tale that Verdant was telling. And so, this book was fine and I am glad I read it. I just didn’t love it. I guess I wanted to love it because of my unrequited love affair with Paris.
In March, I finished reading Paris Was Ours (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3256320129). In my review I mentioned that I really liked reading about Paris and that is why this book caught my attention. I was looking through the library catalog for a different book and this one came up also. So I checked it out. How bad could a book be about Paris? How bad could a book be that is essentially a true life fairy tale?
The basic answer is not bad at all. I had a good time vicariously living Verant’s life. If someone asked me if they should read this book, I would say yes, if you like romantic stories. Verant’s rediscovery of the love of her life was wonderful. Her life seems to still be a fairy tale. I am happy for her.
My only caveat is that Verant had made a total mess of her life before she found Jean-Luc again. I know I should not judge a person that I don’t know. I know life is messy and I know many things happen to us that we can’t control. I just struggled with Verant’s chaos. I don’t know why it bothers me so much. I am not a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” kind of person. Verant had serious problems, lost her job, had a divorce and ended up declaring bankruptcy. All of this is terrible, I should not blame the victim.
Whatever my problem is and it is my problem, this detracted from the fairy tale that Verdant was telling. And so, this book was fine and I am glad I read it. I just didn’t love it. I guess I wanted to love it because of my unrequited love affair with Paris.
milshollini's review against another edition
3.0
Стига да не търсиш велики откровения и истини за живота, тази книга е изключително приятен начин да убиеш няколко часа. Като всяка истинска история на моменти звучи прекалено захаросано и невероятно и доста често като четеш какъв романтик е главният герой си казваш "Абе никой не говори така в истинския живот", обаче не можеш да не я дочетеш, нищо, че знаеш за щастливия край.
problemreader's review against another edition
4.0
I got this as an advanced reading copy. I found it really enjoyable. The story is so unlikely that is was nice to read about it actually happening.
hlogan's review against another edition
3.0
What a delightful story. This was a fun, light read, and it's inspiring to see how far one person can rise from an extreme low point in every aspect of her life. Thoroughly enjoyable!
melissakuzma's review against another edition
3.0
This story is so magical, that you can't believe it's true: a 19-year old meets a charming Frenchman in Paris and spends one day with him. They don't see each other or speak for 20 years, reconnect on the internet, and get married! Amazing, right? Unfortunately the quality of the storytelling doesn't quite live up to the story itself, but it was still an ok read. I pretty much like anything France-related!