One Summer in Paris: A Novel by Sarah Morgan

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

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…

To celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Grace has planned the surprise of a lifetime for her husband—a romantic getaway to Paris. 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.

my thoughts:

Love, love, love this book!! OMG! I absolutely adored One Summer in Pars by Sarah Morgan. It was such a fantastic story.

Grace is celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary by treating her husband to a month in Paris. Their daughter will be traveling in Europe, so she figures its the perfect time for the two of them to take a vacation together.  Except, her present didn't get the reception she felt it deserved.  In fact, she wound up receiving some devastating news instead.  At dinner to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, her husband tells her he has been having an affair and that he is in love with the woman. Talk about shocker!! Grace is beyond stunned, hurt, and betrayed.  As she gets up to leave the restaurant her husband falls to the floor and has a heart attack.  She falters for a few minutes deciding whether or not to help him.  Of course she does in the end.  At the hospital he asks her to tell their daughter, but she refuses and tells he has to.  So, he does.  Life changes and no one seems happy anymore.  Her daughter asks her mom if she will still go to Paris.  Grace says she can't.  Her daughter urges her to go and tells her she will cancel her own traveling plans if her mom doesn't go.  Grace ends up going - when her husband asks for tickets to take his new girlfriend.  Yep, he has no shame.

Along with Grace's story we meet Audrey. A young lady who is finishing up her exams and ready to be free of her mom.  Audrey has fended for herself her whole life and she is tired.  Her mom is an alcoholic and knows nothing about her daughter's plans for the future.  Audrey is just hoping that this new man her mom plans on marrying will not find out she's an alcoholic.  She worries that will ruin her plans. Audrey wants to escape that summer.  She wants to head to Paris.  So, she finds herself a job and a place to stay.  And once her mom is marries, she heads off to the City of Light.  Of course, not speaking French is a problem, along with the fact that she hates to read and has found a job at a bookshop.  However, Audrey is tough and knows she will find a way to manage it all.

Luckily for us, the two become best friends.  Grace is out at night looking for a bookshop her grandmother, Mimi, had mentioned.  She's looking at a map when suddenly a man pushes her and snatches her purse.  Grace falls to ground and twists her ankle and cuts her head.  She turns to find a young woman running after the man and tackling him.  She recovers Grace's purse before the man takes off.  And she helps Grace clean up and get a ride back to her hotel.  That is how Grace and Audrey meet.  From that point, the two become attached to one another.  They bond over their problems and living in Paris.  Their friendship grows and blossoms and I just loved it so much.  I found myself loving how close they became so quickly and how much they helped each other to grow.  Their friendship is the root of the story and the highlight.

Morgan has written such a delightful story about Paris, love, friendship, and romance.  My heart broke at times and I cried  and cried.  My heart also melted when I read about the love, forgiveness, and friendship.  This book was so much fun to read.  I gobbled it up in one sitting and enjoyed every minute I spent with it. I can't wait to read more of Morgan's books.  And I would happily recommend this one to everyone looking for their next great read.



Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!