Tuesday 3 November 2015

Book Review - The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin - Blog Tour

Amazon UK
Title:  The Little Bookshop on the Seine
Author: Rebecca Raisin
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Carina
Publication Date: 16th October 2015
Rating: 5 Stars


Le Vie En Rose

Bookshop owner Sarah Smith has been offered the opportunity to exchange bookshops with her new Parisian friend for 6 months! And saying yes is a no-brainer – after all, what kind of a romantic would turn down a trip to Paris…for Christmas?

Even if it does mean leaving the irresistible Ridge Warner behind, Sarah’s sure she’s in for the holiday of a lifetime – complete with all the books she can read!

Imagining days wandering around Shakespeare & Co, munching on croissants, sipping café au laits and watching the snow fall on the Champs-Élysées Sarah boards the plane.

But will her dream of a Parisian Happily-Ever-After come true? Or will Sarah realise that the dream of a Christmas fairytale in the city of love isn’t quite as rosy in reality…

I have no idea how Rebecca Raisin does it, but she keeps writing enchanting heart warming stories, that you never want to end, and The Little Bookshop on the Seine is no exception. This is such a loving story, with some stunning descriptions of Paris. 

In fact this is Paris in the run up to Christmas, and not just the tourists Paris, we are taken to all manner of local secret places, as Sarah becomes more comfortable in Paris, and her French improves. Sarah is amazed, as am I , about the The Little Antique Shop, and with its owner Anouk, who will only let you into the shop with a recommendation from someone who is already her customer. I have a feeling she is the star of the next book of this series. 

The Little Bookshop on the Seine is the follow up to The Bookshop on the Corner, and we get to not only see the continuation of Sarah's story, but also of some of the other Ashford residents too, mainly Cici, Lily and Lucy. As someone who has read all of Rebecca's previous books, these recurring characters, and cameos by them, is always welcome and adds to the charming feel of the books. Of course if you are new to this author, then this completely works as a standalone too. 

Sarah's descriptions of both her bookshop, and also the French bookshop she does a swap with Sophie, her penpal, with really show how much of a bibliophile Sarah is. Much like in Harry Potter, where the wand choses the wizard, Sarah believes that the book will chose the person. 

Of course there is a huge contrast between the quiet, almost failing bookshop that is Sarah's and the big bustling, Parisian shop, that has crowds of people in it the whole time, and that would take ages to explore the whole store. And the two girls management styles couldn't be more different, with Sarah initially coming up against resistance for any order or changes she wishes to make, as there are long standing traditions. 

Sarah having always been a bit of  a bookworm, and an introvert really grows as a person on this exhange in Paris, and its wonderful to see her blossom. Of course nothing is smooth, not least her boyfriend Ridge, who is always jetting off somewhere. 

I felt honoured to be able to accompany Sarah on this journey of self discovery, in a foreign country, seeing how she coped with life's challenges, and also striking up some new friendships. 

I loved every second of The Little Bookshop on the Seine, easy to read, with words oozing charm and good feeling, that just made me feel warm and cosy. I would suggest curling up on the sofa, with a glass of something, and some chocolate (the French food descriptions will make you hugnry, especially of the French Patisserie), and just escape into this wonderful story.  

Thanks to Netgalley and Carina for this review copy. This was my honest review. 

1 comment:

  1. Sounds lovely - another one for the list! Angela Britnell

    ReplyDelete

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