Starting Over in Paris

Hidden in Paris by Corine Gantz
Living in Paris 3 years after her husband's death in car accident Annie is a little undecided what to do with her life. Unsure how she'll continue to pay for her house she decides to take out an advertisement in American newspapers advertising a way to start over in Paris. Lola is a Beverly Hills housewife who with her two children escapes her aggressive husband and Althea is a young girl who feels invisible in her life, both of them answer the ad and move halfway across the world in hope a new life in Paris.

In a way it's hard for me to write this review, because while overall I did enjoy the book, I didn't quite love it either. I love the premise of starting over in Paris, and while I can't see myself deciding to move to Paris overnight, the situations presented all seemed to make sense.

I really enjoy Lola's character, but never seemed to quite get Althea. Although I think that's partially the point, that no one else has been able to get her, so as a reader I shouldn't necessarily be able to either. Overall I liked Annie as well and did like seeing her change throughout, but her character seemed to go through so many highs and lows. It was like a roller coaster being around her, and often time I'd get a little frustrated with how over the top she could be.

I think my biggest complaint is that I wanted to feel Paris more. While Paris is definitely there in someways it feel more like studying abroad and choosing to live in the dorms with other Americans instead of with a host family that's actually French. While there are Frenchmen who show up in the novel, I have to wonder how it would read instead if one of the other girls was French.

I definitely am glad I read the book, and would be more than willing to read anything else by this author. I only wish I had been able to get a little more lost in the story.

3/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I was not required to write a positive review. Nor was a review required. All opinions expressed are my own.