Didn't enjoy this as much as the other two...but the central premise of 'the middle aged woman starting over in a new place,' has never been my thing. ( )

If you enjoyed The Little Paris Bookshop then you’ll enjoy this book just as much.

But, if you’re one of those miserable people who didn’t like The Little Paris Bookshop, or just want to hate on every piece of uplit ever written then you’ll probably be better off just passing it by.

What struck me most about this story is how much Marianne’s life with her gaslighting husband reminds me of my own mother. Like Lothar, my father was also a sergeant-major in the army, and although it was the British Army they spent most of the first 15 years of their marriage living in Germany. Sadly, my mother never left my father, instead she chose a life of benzodiazepines and any other crazy medication she could get off her quacks.

Reading this book made me think what might have been possible for my mother and her two children if she’d only had the courage to leave and get away. If you are being gaslighted, then be aware that the person doing it is a sociopath and the only way you deal with sociopaths is to run away, far away, and never look back.

Bye for now. ( )

Perhaps not quite as charming as [b:The Little Paris Bookshop|23278537|The Little Paris Bookshop|Nina George|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1412462018l/23278537._SY75_.jpg|42866547]...

Translation by Simon Pare, narration by Emma Bering ( )

So, I liked this but that was about it. If you like "feel good" stories then you will probably have more interest in it than I did. The beginning started out strong but then I felt like the rest of it was a bit predictable. It was filled with some interesting characters that were brought to life really well. If that's your thing then definitely give it a try. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review. ( )

Another incredibly wonderful story from Nina George. This book follows the life of just-past middle-age Marianne, a woman who has watched life pass her by for so long she can't sit back and just watch any longer. She decides she must make a change and this heartbreaking and heartwarming story follows what happens when she takes that plunge. In typical Nina George fashion, the characters are incredibly real and you find yourself drawn into the story like it's all happening around you. The seaside village is so vivid you can smell the salt air and delicious seafood awaiting you. Cancel the plans you have for the next couple of nights, open a bottle of French wine, and read this book slowly to really feel the story envelope you as you get to know Marianne, Lothar, Colette, Geneviève, Jean-Rémy, Laurine, Pascale, Emile, Yann, and all the others you will not want to part with when you finish this delightful book. ( )