Book Review - Up The Seine Without A Paddle by Eliza Watson

Amazon UK

Title: Up The Seine Without a Paddle

Author: Eliza Watson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 29th October 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

What do you do when the City of Love doesn't love you?

Caity Shaw takes on Paris and her next event planner job with a bit more confidence--which is immediately shot down when she's forced to take responsibility for a six-year-old brat. They're kicked out of a famous museum, and she goes from being a glamorous event planner--for a funeral directors' group--to a reluctant au pair. Just what she doesn't need as she struggles to regain self-esteem whittled away by an emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend.

Declan, Caity's hot Irish coworker, helps her maintain her sanity and sense of humor when she is repeatedly thrown out of places in Paris. He also perpetuates her facade as an experienced planner, a goal she'll never achieve if she's spending her days at puppet shows. Caity and Declan spend evenings exploring Paris and researching her Irish grandmother's mysterious past, uncovering secrets that could tear Caity's family apart. Declan reveals his own secret, which might bring Caity and him closer, despite her attempts to keep an emotional distance from the charming womanizer. However, the only way to help Declan open up and heal might be to confide in him about her past.

Caity finally has faith in herself--can she learn to have faith that others won't judge her mistakes?

Well this is a book that kept me smiling from the opening chapter, right until the end. There are so many funny scenes in this, in addition to Caity's deeper issues, and the mystery over her grandmother's history all combined in this wonderful book. 

As the second book in the The Travel Mishaps of Caity Shaw series, I do believe it works as a standalone, but since the first book was also really enjoyable, it would be a shame to miss out and not get a more comprehensive feel for these characters.  There are also continuing storylines, which are great for those who have read Flying by the Seat of My Knickers, but may be a bit confusing at first for people new to the series. 

The unofficial recurring theme of the book seemed to be, how many places can Caity get herself thrown out of accidentally in Paris, for a whole number of unusual reasons. This is in part because she seemed to be the babysitter of 6 year old Henry whose parents seemed to not really care that most of the activities going on would not appeal to their child. 

Caity, thanks to Declan who she first met in the previous book, has bluffed her way into working this meeting in Paris, and she is determined to prove herself, and not let her lack of experience show. She is only just starting to gain some self-esteem after splitting with her ex-boyfriend and the problems that relationship had. 

The more I get to see of Caity, the more I like her, she is so enthusiastic about everything to do with this job, perhaps with the exception of touring the catacombs, and even gets to see a few things in Paris a bit off the beaten track, thanks to needing to entertain Henry. 

I'm very intrigued as to what happened with Caity's grandmother, and feel that we will hopefully get more information slowly revealed in the future books of the series, which is just one reason why I am already looking forward to the next book. 

Up The Seine Without A Paddle is a wonderfully light hearted and easy to read book, that will lift your spirits after a tough day, while allowing you to travel to Paris from the comfort of your living room., which is just one of the many reasons that I wholeheartedly love this book, and series. 

Thank you to Eliza Watson for this cop of the book which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Flying by the Seat of My Knickers by Eliza Watson

Amazon UK

Title: Flying by the Seat of My Knickers (The Travel Mishaps of Caity Shaw Book 1)

Author: Eliza Watson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied review copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 20th February 2016

Rating: 4 Stars

Why run from your troubles when you can fly instead? 

When Caity Shaw is fired from her first job that doesn’t require an elf uniform, her older sister, Rachel, an event planner, hires her to work a meeting in Dublin. Caity jumps at the opportunity to travel abroad and escape her pathetic life. However, even four thousand miles from home, there’s no avoiding debt collectors, an overbearing mother, and haunting memories of a controlling ex. 

While in Dublin, Caity suffers a series of humiliating mishaps, causing her to lose even more faith in herself. Caity struggles to earn Rachel’s respect—and to keep Declan, her hot Irish coworker, at arm’s length. Declan repeatedly saves Caity’s butt and helps boost her self-confidence, making it difficult to keep her distance from the charming womanizer. When Declan helps her research her Irish grandmother, Caity discovers the mysterious past of the courageous woman she barely knew might hold the answers to her future. 

If you have never been abroad this may be a hilarious book for you, or even if you want to reminisce about your first time in a foreign country, or even in a proper job. For this is Caity Shaw's first time properly abroad, and has only been hired for the week because her mum persuaded her sister Rachel to take a chance. 

Caity by the sounds of it has a bit of a nightmare ex, back in the States so this week in Dublin is a welcome chance to prove herself as well as have a bit of time out even if its working. However things don't get off to that smooth a start, and leaves Caity desperate to gain confidence and show her sister she can do things without messing up. 

There are some other storylines in this relatively short book, including discovering more about Caity's Irish heritage but as this is the first book in a series, I suspect more will be learnt in upcoming books. 

My favourite parts of the book were when fellow employees Gretchen and Declan are telling Caity all about previous events they have worked, in a variety of costumes, and all other sorts of mishaps that can occur on the job. Due to work I've done in the past I did recognise some of the potential pitfalls, and really enjoyed seeing Caity deal with various situations. 

The title of this book is brilliant, the use of the word knickers is definitely deliberate, as there is a fair amount of novelty knicker shopping involved, even when Caity doesn't really have the time to. Some amusing descriptions not only of the various knickers, but valid reasoning why they are mentioned, and even I was slightly shocked at the prices of them! 

This is an enjoyable light hearted story, and an excellent start to a promising series. This is the first book I have read by Eliza Watson, and I'm already eagerly awaiting my next. 

Thank you to Eliza Watson for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.