This was an interesting mix of love story and quitting a life, and I very much enjoyed it. As a romance reader, it was fascinating to see a real life romance initially based solely on attraction since neither spoke the other’s language; I guess this is how people can fall in love, but it was definitely something new to me. The author got the Etsy dream back when it was still viable a decade ago and managed to create a life as an artist. It all seems a bit too perfect, but I’m rather jaded so oh well good for her. ( )

audio nonfiction, memoirs (34-y.o. Canadian copywriter from CA who mostly writes spam mail decides to quit her job in favor of living out a suitcase and spending time abroad as a travel/art blogger)
The author strikes me as naive in general, not to mention foolish to not be concerned about her retirement savings (does she even have retirement savings? what about health care?), but I did appreciate the part where she gets rid of all her excess possessions before she packs her bags for Paris. Fortunately things seem to have worked out ok for her--handsome boyfriend/husband and successful etsy subscription service). I think the print edition probably is more enjoyable because you don't have the narrator's annoyingly perky voice and you get to see the artwork. ( )

#Unreadshelfproject2020. Loved this. The Paris Letters is such a windeff idea. I would love to get one of those letters. It would be great to be able to pick up and move to Paris. She has some good money saving ideas. Great book, great art. ( )

I think this is the type of memoir you really have to be in the right mood to read. And when I started I may not have been in the right mood, as I found it extremely difficult to empathize with the writer AT ALL. I really do get tired of reading about 30-something women who whine and moan about not having a boyfriend, and is there something wrong with them that they don't. Blah blah blah.

However, this did eventually turn into more than just a woman's quest to find true love. And granted, I'm probably not being all that fair to being with. I was also skeptical about her ability to save up enough money in 1 year to be able to live in Europe for any amount of time without working. That could just be jealously speaking, though, as I have enough debt in student loans to fund a more-than-comfortable year in Europe. Sigh...I wish I had the kind of drive it took for this author to just get up and go. Very admirable.

I also really liked the formatting of the book (if that matters to anyone). I received the paperback edition, with both covers being copies of her watercolors. Really beautiful.

Overall I enjoyed the book, even with the already mentioned caveats. I think I will recommend this to people who are looking for inspiration in making some kind of major change in their lives, whether it be personal, professional, or whatever. It's good to know that it really is possible.

I received this from Goodreads First Reads. ( )

I read this book in one sitting. It was incredibly charming and addictive. I felt as if Janice was the little voice in my head speaking over my shoulder. I know it's a memoir, but it's so refreshing to hear her thoughts and concerns and have them mimic my own. Her sense of humour is wonderful, and the whole story was filled with romantic fantasy with just enough reality to fill the blanks. I was immensely excited to find out at the end that she is Canadian like myself, and currently living in my city! ( )