Australia Days Book Review: The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin

Blurb

As warming as hot chocolate, visit Paris this winter and watch the snow fall

Le Vie En Rose

Bookshop owner Sarah Smith has been offered the opportunity to exchange bookshops with her new Parisian friend for 6 months! And saying yes is a no-brainer – after all, what kind of a romantic would turn down a trip to Paris…for Christmas?

Even if it does mean leaving the irresistible Ridge Warner behind, Sarah’s sure she’s in for the holiday of a lifetime – complete with all the books she can read!

Imagining days surrounded by books, munching on croissants, sipping café au laits and watching the snow fall on the Champs-Élysées Sarah boards the plane.

But will her dream of a Parisian Happily-Ever-After come true? Or will Sarah realise that the dream of a Christmas fairytale in the city of love isn’t quite as rosy in reality…

Amazon USA Amazon UK Amazon Au

Review by Tanya

  I have been eagerly awaiting this since I heard about the plot and again this is a great feel good book from Rebecca with a serious side. Some of the characters follow on from the Gingerbread series but this book could be read as a standalone and it's perfect for this time of year although it could be read anytime. 

I loved the magical element of Paris and the romance that comes through. The research into the area certainly comes across (although I cannot confirm this as I have never been there). It has definitely made me want to visit there and I think that Christmas and the markets would be an ideal time. I was intrigued by the introduction needed to some shops and the mysterious things that may be found in the back.

The characters were wonderful and oh so different they each added a special part to the book and in the development of Sarah. I happily observed the changes in the characters through the interactions and how they opened up to each other. The style of Oceane and her willingness to help Sarah see her style potential was great (I just wish I could meet an Oceane). Her background story was interesting and I would love to know more about her family. TJ was such a loveable character and you could not help warming to him. I imagine he would be a great friend always knowing when to help.

The friendships that developed all helped the advancement of the bookshop which at first I was not in love with as there seemed no warmth however this grew on me over the time and I would like to investigate the shop and all the rooms. I can imagine spending many hours walking around and toughing the books.

Well done Rebecca on a great first book in the series and I look forward to reading the next.