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Falling in Paris #1
Falling for French Kisses
Two rules for surviving Don't mess with the champagne, and never fall for your gorgeous hunk of a French boss.
But sometimes rules are made to be broken…
Freshest face in the city of love, don't speak the language, and I can’t make an espresso to save my life... what was I thinking, stepping on that Paris-bound plane?
Olivier Dubois, entitled French billionaire and culinary playboy, is certainly not the forgiving type. So when I make a blunder at his restaurant which results in a debt the size of the Eiffel Tower, he gives me two
I can either pay up, or I can cater to his crabby grandmother's every whim.
Living with his grandma gives me a chance to see another side of Olivier, and this side is someone I could fall for. But he is off-limits - not only is he my boss, but the rude French gal who keeps stopping by has a ring on her finger.
I absolutely cannot let myself get caught up in the longing looks Olivier casts my way every morning or the sight of his toastier-than-west-Texas self taking a midnight dip in the pool.
But it's impossible to keep my distance when he opens his soul to me.
The city of love makes no promises. With a domineering grandma and a catty fiancée against us, happily ever feels as far away as small-town Texas.
Bridget Jones meets Emily in Paris in this fish-out-of-water, workplace, opposites attract romantic comedy. Enjoy the oh-la-la chemistry and swoony smooches that is all closed-door heart and humor.
The series can be read in any order, so grab Falling for French Kisses and fall for the city of romance!
More swoony reads in Falling in
Cowgirls Love French KissesFalling for French KissesEnemies to French KissesChampagne and French KissesSecond Chance at French Kisses... and more to come!
But sometimes rules are made to be broken…
Freshest face in the city of love, don't speak the language, and I can’t make an espresso to save my life... what was I thinking, stepping on that Paris-bound plane?
Olivier Dubois, entitled French billionaire and culinary playboy, is certainly not the forgiving type. So when I make a blunder at his restaurant which results in a debt the size of the Eiffel Tower, he gives me two
I can either pay up, or I can cater to his crabby grandmother's every whim.
Living with his grandma gives me a chance to see another side of Olivier, and this side is someone I could fall for. But he is off-limits - not only is he my boss, but the rude French gal who keeps stopping by has a ring on her finger.
I absolutely cannot let myself get caught up in the longing looks Olivier casts my way every morning or the sight of his toastier-than-west-Texas self taking a midnight dip in the pool.
But it's impossible to keep my distance when he opens his soul to me.
The city of love makes no promises. With a domineering grandma and a catty fiancée against us, happily ever feels as far away as small-town Texas.
Bridget Jones meets Emily in Paris in this fish-out-of-water, workplace, opposites attract romantic comedy. Enjoy the oh-la-la chemistry and swoony smooches that is all closed-door heart and humor.
The series can be read in any order, so grab Falling for French Kisses and fall for the city of romance!
More swoony reads in Falling in
Cowgirls Love French KissesFalling for French KissesEnemies to French KissesChampagne and French KissesSecond Chance at French Kisses... and more to come!
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2023
214 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 25, 2024
Cute. Simple. Had to force myself to finish it.
February 11, 2024
3.5/5
This was a really cute read. While there's a bit that I just didn't like, Natalie herself is a breath of fresh air. She didn't let things faze her. She did stand up for herself, but she wasn't rude. She set boundaries and stuck to them. That's something I appreciate in a FMC. For me, Olivier was the issue. I found him to lack luster in the way he ran the business, treated his brother, dealt with Simone, and in the way he treated Natalie. For a big bad businessman, he let his father and Simone run all over him. He knew his brother had better ideas but didn't defend him until the end. He strung Simone along for YEARS!! And only dumped her because he wanted Natalie. I just didn't like him for Natalie. Natalie, who is so strong and has boundaries and knows her worth deserves better. Heck Sébastien was a better match for her than Olivier. Grandmama was also a character worth nothing! Loved her.
This was a really cute read. While there's a bit that I just didn't like, Natalie herself is a breath of fresh air. She didn't let things faze her. She did stand up for herself, but she wasn't rude. She set boundaries and stuck to them. That's something I appreciate in a FMC. For me, Olivier was the issue. I found him to lack luster in the way he ran the business, treated his brother, dealt with Simone, and in the way he treated Natalie. For a big bad businessman, he let his father and Simone run all over him. He knew his brother had better ideas but didn't defend him until the end. He strung Simone along for YEARS!! And only dumped her because he wanted Natalie. I just didn't like him for Natalie. Natalie, who is so strong and has boundaries and knows her worth deserves better. Heck Sébastien was a better match for her than Olivier. Grandmama was also a character worth nothing! Loved her.
January 8, 2024
I absolutely adored this book, the French culture and love triangle was well written. If you are a fan of Emily in Paris, this is the book for you!
The downfall for me was the ending, I was hoping it would be written a different way so was a bit let down by that. More heat would have been nice between Natalie and Olivier but I couldn’t put this book down!
I loved the characters, Natalie was so fun and full of life with her southern charm. Olivier was a complicated dominant male lead with class whom had a brick on his shoulders.
The downfall for me was the ending, I was hoping it would be written a different way so was a bit let down by that. More heat would have been nice between Natalie and Olivier but I couldn’t put this book down!
I loved the characters, Natalie was so fun and full of life with her southern charm. Olivier was a complicated dominant male lead with class whom had a brick on his shoulders.
November 9, 2023
This was cute and it brought back good memories of Paris and France. I didn't love their relationship dynamic, but it all worked out I guess.
April 14, 2023
This is a very light and fluffy read - maybe a bit too much so for my normal fare but I needed something simple and light to read at the time and this fit the bill. However, what kind of killed it for me was the frequent bashing of French people by the main character who allegedly aspired to become "more French".
Why, is what I wanted to know, if she was so judgy about them. The whole intro of the story is about how she was hired to be a hostess at a fancy restaurant to improve the "snooty" and terrible customer service provided by the French wait staff and how unfriendly and snobby the French are. I got the distinct impression that the author has never been to France or maybe went once and had a single bad experience that is now applied to all French people. I would have rated the book higher if not for this aspect.
Aside from that, at times, the writing was a little clunky and had little gems like this one:
I had to smile at the image of a braised lamb and seared swordfish literally strolling past her.
She finds some old letters written between sweethearts that had this passage and again, all I could picture was someone's eyeballs drifting into someone else's...sounds more painful than poetic.
There were also a few places where the French dialogue was incorrect, but that feels a bit nit-picky.
I did like Grandmère as a character and the setting of the family's country estate sounded amazing. I might try the next book in the series (purely out of being a sucker for novels set in France) to see if the writing had matured and smoothed out a bit.
Why, is what I wanted to know, if she was so judgy about them. The whole intro of the story is about how she was hired to be a hostess at a fancy restaurant to improve the "snooty" and terrible customer service provided by the French wait staff and how unfriendly and snobby the French are. I got the distinct impression that the author has never been to France or maybe went once and had a single bad experience that is now applied to all French people. I would have rated the book higher if not for this aspect.
It turns out, however, this is not just any old hostess job. No, no. I have a very specific duty. Make the staff nice. The Bouchon Noir was recently slated in a series of American culinary publications because of their poor customer service. My job is to turn that around. I am the face that greets people when they first arrive. I go around the tables of English-speaking clientele and make sure they are enjoying their meal, and I’m responsible for giving tips and tricks to the staff on how to offer a better customer experience.
Why wouldn't the waiter just ask when he saw that the client looked unhappy? Oh, yeah. That's because in France, the customer is never right.
Aside from that, at times, the writing was a little clunky and had little gems like this one:
Strolling in front of me now is braised lamb swiftly followed by seared swordfish.
I had to smile at the image of a braised lamb and seared swordfish literally strolling past her.
She finds some old letters written between sweethearts that had this passage and again, all I could picture was someone's eyeballs drifting into someone else's...sounds more painful than poetic.
It has been two days since my eyes had the gift of drifting into yours.'" Wow. The letter is only half a page, but every word is poetry...
There were also a few places where the French dialogue was incorrect, but that feels a bit nit-picky.
I did like Grandmère as a character and the setting of the family's country estate sounded amazing. I might try the next book in the series (purely out of being a sucker for novels set in France) to see if the writing had matured and smoothed out a bit.
June 9, 2023
It's been two months that our Texan girl Natalie has moved to Paris to make a name for herself and luckily after many rejections at various job openings she found the perfect place to work for the very famous Bouchon Noir owned by Olivier Dubois who first time meets her at the restaurant failing to serve him a proper coffee.
.
Natalie not knowing Olivier is her boss falls for Olivier and his very sturdy looks but once she gets to know who Olivier is she finds him stuffy,snobbish French man.
.
Olivier Dubois on the other hand lives to keep his restaurant and it's popularity alive and though other than the few times at work Natalie and Olivier have never gotten to know each other till Natalie has to payback the restaurant of a blunder she creates.
.
I took time in this book to warm up to Elsie 's writing because in book 2 her writing is magnificent. She learns her way through the plot and I really admired the way Natalie's character comes through. She is kind, jolly and vulnerable but where she deserves respect she demands it.
.
I also loved how Olivier breaks out of the expectations his family have from him and how sometimes love to blossom doesn't need grand gestures but the snooty, soft and unnoticeable things one faces with each other.
.
Natalie is my hero here. She is not weak because she wants to do something different than just becoming a mother back in her town Sage but brave to break out of her comfort zone.
.
I enjoyed book #2 . Didn't expect anything less from book #1. Waiting for the 3rd one which is coming out in 2024. Why😭🥹😌
.
Natalie not knowing Olivier is her boss falls for Olivier and his very sturdy looks but once she gets to know who Olivier is she finds him stuffy,snobbish French man.
.
Olivier Dubois on the other hand lives to keep his restaurant and it's popularity alive and though other than the few times at work Natalie and Olivier have never gotten to know each other till Natalie has to payback the restaurant of a blunder she creates.
.
I took time in this book to warm up to Elsie 's writing because in book 2 her writing is magnificent. She learns her way through the plot and I really admired the way Natalie's character comes through. She is kind, jolly and vulnerable but where she deserves respect she demands it.
.
I also loved how Olivier breaks out of the expectations his family have from him and how sometimes love to blossom doesn't need grand gestures but the snooty, soft and unnoticeable things one faces with each other.
.
Natalie is my hero here. She is not weak because she wants to do something different than just becoming a mother back in her town Sage but brave to break out of her comfort zone.
.
I enjoyed book #2 . Didn't expect anything less from book #1. Waiting for the 3rd one which is coming out in 2024. Why😭🥹😌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2023
An American girl goes to Paris
Natalie loves her parents and her small town but has no intention to take over their tomato farm. She has been dreaming of going to Paris for a long time. She convinces five of her best friends to go with her for a year. The six of them are living a studio flat and finding jobs. Natalie finally secures a job in a three star restaurant working as a hostess because she can speak French and English. She is also good at organizing and solving problems with patrons, improving the restaurant. Oliver has been tasked with taking over the family restaurant and making changes that will make it more profitable but his father won't let go of the reins. He is stressed dealing with family while he tries to organize things at the restaurant. He realizes Natalie is a valuable employee but he sees more. It was a lot of fun reading this. I love it when a book is more that I expected. I loved all of Natalie's friends.They are all different but united in support of each other. Oliver's family is complicated and has secrets I hadn't expected. A lovely ending.
Natalie loves her parents and her small town but has no intention to take over their tomato farm. She has been dreaming of going to Paris for a long time. She convinces five of her best friends to go with her for a year. The six of them are living a studio flat and finding jobs. Natalie finally secures a job in a three star restaurant working as a hostess because she can speak French and English. She is also good at organizing and solving problems with patrons, improving the restaurant. Oliver has been tasked with taking over the family restaurant and making changes that will make it more profitable but his father won't let go of the reins. He is stressed dealing with family while he tries to organize things at the restaurant. He realizes Natalie is a valuable employee but he sees more. It was a lot of fun reading this. I love it when a book is more that I expected. I loved all of Natalie's friends.They are all different but united in support of each other. Oliver's family is complicated and has secrets I hadn't expected. A lovely ending.
March 24, 2023
So adorable. This book was cute, funny, sweet, stressful, and even a little sad (but only a little). The locations in the book sound pretty amazing and I loved the characters, main and secondary. I look forward to the stories of each friend. I love Natalie’s optimism and strength navigating her new life. Olivier was a little more confused, and confusing in turns, but still a great male lead. He just had a lot to figure out. From their first meeting he has Natalie off-balance. The path from boss/employee to love was not smooth, but I enjoyed the ride. It’s a great story, well-written and engaging. Recommended!
October 12, 2023
This is exactly the sort of fluffy read I needed right now. No drama, no miscommunication tropes just a good old fashioned boss falls in love with employee in paris story. One star off because there was no spice and I felt it was needed because it’s Paris and I feel like it’s a bit of an injustice for it not to be at least a little bit spicy.
I’m not saying the characters were the best developed characters I’ve ever read and I felt like some things weren’t properly wrapped up but genuinely for a light read this was perfect.
I’m a bit annoyed we didn’t get more of Grandmama though, she was fabulous!
I’m not saying the characters were the best developed characters I’ve ever read and I felt like some things weren’t properly wrapped up but genuinely for a light read this was perfect.
I’m a bit annoyed we didn’t get more of Grandmama though, she was fabulous!
March 28, 2023
4 Stars
Tropes:
Opposites Attract
Boss/Employee
Dual POV
I have read a couple of Elsie's books, but this one is high on the list. I really liked this one. If you are looking for a sweet Romcom, definitely pick this one up.
I loved the details she used because it made me feel like I was in Paris with Natalie and Olivier. I really enjoyed most of the characters, Simone, looking at you. I loved Grandmama, she held her own and didn't hold back.
I liked that we got a glimpse of characters from her other books. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
Tropes:
Opposites Attract
Boss/Employee
Dual POV
I have read a couple of Elsie's books, but this one is high on the list. I really liked this one. If you are looking for a sweet Romcom, definitely pick this one up.
I loved the details she used because it made me feel like I was in Paris with Natalie and Olivier. I really enjoyed most of the characters, Simone, looking at you. I loved Grandmama, she held her own and didn't hold back.
I liked that we got a glimpse of characters from her other books. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
September 14, 2023
Paris has never been a bucket-list destination for me, but definitely fell in love with Falling for French Kisses! It's a sweet romcom that made me swoon several times while reading it. I loved the opposites attract vibe, the restaurant, Texas meets France, and Olivier's feisty grandmother. You get to experience the city as well as the countryside in Woods' book. It's wonderful! I'm looking forward to the next book in Woods' series, Falling in Paris.
Reviewed from an eArc. Thank you, Elsie!
All opinions are my own.
Reviewed from an eArc. Thank you, Elsie!
All opinions are my own.
March 29, 2023
So cute!
Falling for French Kisses was such a cute book! I really enjoyed Natalie coming into her own and how she didn't really need to be a "classy French lady" but her own wonderful self. Olivier had a lot of pressure placed on his shoulders from generations of family expectations, and I liked watching him go after what he wanted while still helping his family. Together, those two just made me smile.
Falling for French Kisses was such a cute book! I really enjoyed Natalie coming into her own and how she didn't really need to be a "classy French lady" but her own wonderful self. Olivier had a lot of pressure placed on his shoulders from generations of family expectations, and I liked watching him go after what he wanted while still helping his family. Together, those two just made me smile.
May 10, 2023
Falling for French Kisses is a sweet romance set in a fabulous location.
Great main characters. Although Oliver is more complex Natalie has the better journey throughout the book. Both are totally believable. Grandmere is absolutely delightful.
I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to all romance fans.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great main characters. Although Oliver is more complex Natalie has the better journey throughout the book. Both are totally believable. Grandmere is absolutely delightful.
I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to all romance fans.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 9, 2024
Great story
I started the series out of order and loved the story I read. Now, I'm starting from the beginning. A great group of Texan girlfriends travel to Pais for a year. Texas is called the friendly state for a reason. Respect and kindness are part of their DNA. French kisses is an example of what those traits can accomplish. But a winery in Colorado?
I recommend the series.
I started the series out of order and loved the story I read. Now, I'm starting from the beginning. A great group of Texan girlfriends travel to Pais for a year. Texas is called the friendly state for a reason. Respect and kindness are part of their DNA. French kisses is an example of what those traits can accomplish. But a winery in Colorado?
I recommend the series.
August 1, 2024
Natalie and Olivier have an adventure in how to make coffee at the beginning of the story and they make a wonderful dream and get the perspective families to doing what they always wanted to do instead of what was expected of them. It works well for Olivier's family the best. Grandmama is so spunky.
June 25, 2025
Ahh, Paris!
What a fun story. I love Paris and this story took me back there in so many ways. Elsie has a way of writing that puts you in the story. Just imagine you and five friends in a one room apartment. Just imagine yourself strolling the streets of Paris. Living in a huge chateaux in the countryside. Elsie will do all of this for you. So, enjoy the fun.
What a fun story. I love Paris and this story took me back there in so many ways. Elsie has a way of writing that puts you in the story. Just imagine you and five friends in a one room apartment. Just imagine yourself strolling the streets of Paris. Living in a huge chateaux in the countryside. Elsie will do all of this for you. So, enjoy the fun.
April 1, 2023
Sweet
A delightful story ! Love adventure and twists and turns of cultural differences and cute mess ups! Can't wait for more in this series and this author! Great job with this story.
A delightful story ! Love adventure and twists and turns of cultural differences and cute mess ups! Can't wait for more in this series and this author! Great job with this story.
April 27, 2023
Develops
Interesting read. The romance slowly develops. Beautiful setting that felt very French. Looking forward to the rest of the series. 4 stars because I felt the epilogue was lacking.
Interesting read. The romance slowly develops. Beautiful setting that felt very French. Looking forward to the rest of the series. 4 stars because I felt the epilogue was lacking.
June 24, 2023
super cute story
I absolutely adored this book and these characters. I can’t wait to hear more about these sweet Texas ladies. I loved how these two first met and their opinions of each other and how they changed as the story progressed.
I absolutely adored this book and these characters. I can’t wait to hear more about these sweet Texas ladies. I loved how these two first met and their opinions of each other and how they changed as the story progressed.
October 21, 2023
I thought overall the story line had great promise, but I kept getting frustrated by scenes that seems cut off in a clunky way or things that the novel seemed to build up and then skip over, like the light show or times when Natalie dealt well with customers were fully skipped
November 13, 2023
Started great
After about the second half I began to lose interest. Things became a little predictable and cliche. The intensity of emotions and mystery of certain pieces of the story just dwindled.
After about the second half I began to lose interest. Things became a little predictable and cliche. The intensity of emotions and mystery of certain pieces of the story just dwindled.
February 13, 2024
For the love of grandmama
I enjoyed the cute, romantic, and bantering first meeting between Natalie and Oliver. Grandmama steals the show. Not really, but I love how she is the matriarch of the family.
I enjoyed the cute, romantic, and bantering first meeting between Natalie and Oliver. Grandmama steals the show. Not really, but I love how she is the matriarch of the family.
February 29, 2024
C'est histoire es tres jolie! Very pretty story indeed. Natalie is a loving character that makes everyone she encounters smile and Olivier is your drop dead handsome Frenchman. They are very cute together. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
March 29, 2023
Enjoyed reading this book
May 23, 2023
Good story!
I enjoyed reading this story set in France! And I am looking forward to reading more books in this series!
Content:
Mild innuendo
Clean romance
I enjoyed reading this story set in France! And I am looking forward to reading more books in this series!
Content:
Mild innuendo
Clean romance
October 17, 2023
More of a 3.5, the last 30% was a struggle.
November 3, 2023
Wonderful
I enjoyed this romance filled with lots of cultural learning for all the characters. I so loved Natalie's infectious joy.
I enjoyed this romance filled with lots of cultural learning for all the characters. I so loved Natalie's infectious joy.
November 11, 2023
She had more chemistry with the grandma than him.
November 20, 2023
If you want a feel good romcom Elsie Woods has you covered! You can't go wrong with a Romcom series set in Paris!!
I received an ARC through Booksprout and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC through Booksprout and all opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews