Book Review: THE LITTLE BOOKSHOP ON THE SEINE by Rebecca Raisin 

THE LITTLE BOOKSHOP ON THE SEINE
by Rebecca Raisin

ISBN: 9781335012500

Publication Date: 1/7/2020

Publisher: HQN Books

 Target / Walmart / Google / iBooks / Kobo

 

It’s The Holiday on the Champs-Élysées in a great big love letter to Paris, charming old bookstores and happily-ever-afters!

When bookshop owner Sarah Smith is offered the opportunity for a job exchange with her Parisian friend Sophie, saying yes is a no-brainer—after all, what kind of romantic would turn down six months in Paris? Sarah is sure she’s in for the experience of a lifetime—days spent surrounded by literature in a gorgeous bookshop, and the chance to watch the snow fall on the Eiffel Tower. Plus, now she can meet up with her journalist boyfriend, Ridge, when his job takes him around the globe.

But her expectations cool faster than her café au lait soon after she lands in the City of Light—she’s a fish out of water in Paris. The customers are rude, her new coworkers suspicious and her relationship with Ridge has been reduced to a long-distance game of phone tag, leaving Sarah to wonder if he’ll ever put her first over his busy career. As Christmas approaches, Sarah is determined to get the shop—and her life—back in order…and make her dreams of a Parisian happily-ever-after come true.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I only ran if chocolate was involved, and even then it was more a fast walk.

 

What? Just ’cause I’m an old woman that don’t mean I can’t appreciate beauty! My eyesight still works plenty fine!

 

Missy had a thing about boosting people up, she only saw the good in a person and threw compliments around like confetti.

 

The closest I’d come to confrontation was when the local book club dissolved into a heated argument, their opinions divided, and someone had to stand in and mediate. But I’d known those ladies my whole life, and all I had to do to calm them down was threaten to take the wine away.

 

He was my Mr. Right, there was no question about that. It was just a shame he wasn’t Mr. Right Here.

 

My Review:

 

I adored this tender story and debated and waffled in how to rate this lovely tale. The writing was easy to follow, highly relatable, and sweetly engaging while gently paced with several slowly evolving yet beguiling storylines and cast with a peculiar hodgepodge of curiously alluring and intriguing characters.   I enjoyed the leisurely, humorous, and captivating glimpses of the quirkiness of the authentic Parisian lifestyle and the secret marketing tactics utilized with the locals vs. tourist mentality. My heart seized at every mention of the iconic Notre Dame while I alternated between wistfully remembering my long-ago visit with the rather hideous gargoyles and recalling the more recent and distressing news videos of the beloved structure in flames. While it wasn’t an enrapturing breath-stealing romance or brain itching thriller, the descriptive and engaging prose kept me well entertained with a smile on my face for most of the day. I have finally hit a soft landing and alit on the smooth quality and skillful finesse of the talented wordsmith and a 4.5-stars rating while coveting more of the same.

About the Author

Author Website

Twitter: @JaxandWillsMum

Facebook: @RebeccaRaisinAuthor

Instagram: @RebeccaRaisinWrites

Goodreads

 

Rebecca Raisin is the author of several novels, including the beloved Little Paris series and the Gingerbread Café trilogy, and her short stories have been published in various anthologies and fiction magazines. You can follow Rebecca on Facebook, and at www.rebeccaraisin.com

16 Replies to “Book Review: THE LITTLE BOOKSHOP ON THE SEINE by Rebecca Raisin ”

  1. those secret marketing techniques you mention are something i have been on the receiving end of too, as a tourist and as a local mistaken to be a tourist!
    this book sounds like one i will enjoy (love to travel to paris via books) and that cover is beautiful

  2. Sometimes we all need a cute, relaxing read. Also, the running and chocolate quote is amazing. I think my bribe to run would have to be wine.

  3. I’m yet to read a Rebecca Raison novel. This sounds like it would be one I would enjoy.

  4. You are simply mind blowing in your words. My breath hitched… Gawd I thought only thrillers did that. Your review thrilled me

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