J'adore Paris: Périls de la mode, entre le chic et le toc

J'adore #2

by Isabelle Lafleche

Good-bye New York la frénétique, bonjour Paris la sublime! Catherine a enfin le boulot dont elle rêvait et un amoureux fabuleux – qui est même prêt à faire de la place dans son minuscule appartement pour sa collection de chaussures! Seulement, tout n’est pas rose dans le merveilleux monde de la haute couture : ciblée par un menaçant réseau de faussaires, la nouvelle recrue de Dior devra mener l’enquête avec son fidèle ami Rikash pour se sortir du pétrin.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, France

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Hello!

So thrilled to meet you!

In addition to being a writer, I'm a tarot reader, yogi, and fashion lover. All of my books talk about fashion because it's been one of my passions since childhood.

Previously, I worked for over ten years as a lawyer before giving up my career to write. In 2005, I was responsible for the business affairs of a fashion designer where I developed a penchant for couture.

My first novel, J'adore New York, became an international bestseller. The sequel, J'ADORE PARIS, was published in 2013. I am currently working on the next J'Adore novel. Stay tuned for details!

Follow me on Instagram: ❤️

https://www.instagram.com/isabelle.la...

Find me on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i...

Reviews

[Anastasia ｼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character is Catherine Lambert, is a Parisian Lawyer, who just moved back to France, from working in New York, when she lands her dream job as intellectual property director for Christian Dior. She is reunited with her boyfriend Antoine. Her American friend Rikash joins her as she embarks on the ride of her life, fighting high-profile legal battles against internal counterfeiters.

I usually don’t read this type of genre [click-it] but I enjoyed this one! I definitely couldn’t put it down!! I really liked the use of description [of Paris, Catherine's new boss, her apartment, the interior of the Dior building,.. etc] If I ever visit Paris, I will definitely look around for all of the places mentioned in this book!

“The offices are decorated with neon-Louis XVI furniture and are dominated by grey, Mr. Dior’s favourite colour when he opened the famous house on avenue Montaigne back in 1947. The design is even more stunning than I remembered: both chic and understated, with lots of open space –the apex of luxury. The silk curtains dressing the window fall to the floor like ball gowns, delicate silver vases holding pink roses have been artfully placed throughout the room, and grey and white settees and oval-backed chairs provided artful seating areas.”

-page 23

I loved how the author included simple French words/sentences, it made it seem event more realistic…. “Oui, non, mon amis, bonjour, un malheur n’arrive jamais seul, c’est pas possible! …”

Although this is the sequel to J’adore New York you don’t necessarily have to read the first novel to figure out what’s happening; to be honest I didn’t even know this was the second novel in the series until I looked it up on Goodreads!

Overall, this novel was the perfect combination of fun, fabulous and entertaining! It’s definitely an exhilarating journey through high fashion! I highly recommend this if you like Click-it novels or novels like The Confessions of a Shopaholic, if you do then definitely check this one out!

Check out my Teaser Tuesday on this novel!

Happy Reading!

~Ana @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime~

This review was also posted at So Many Books, So Little

[Lianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

J’Adore Paris is just such a fun novel to read. Catherine in a way is really living the life, from her posh apartment that she shares with her gorgeous and smart boyfriend to the Dior outfits and the amazing restaurants and eateries across the City of Lights.

It was interesting to read about the counterfeiting underworld and its consequences, how it affects the company and the economy. I haven’t read novels or watched shows that touch on this issue and it’s quite a contemporary issue that firms face these days. The reader doesn’t have to have read the previous novel, J’Adore New York, in order to understand Catherine’s backstory and her ex-boyfriend’s trial; over the course of the novel the narrative explains everything quite nicely so there wasn’t a moment where I was feeling confused about events from the past. The author does a wonderful job in balancing the glamour of the job with the serious business of the position that Catherine and Rikash hold. Not everything is fun and games and there are moments here and there where things get even pretty dangerous.

The only part about this novel that I found kind of weird was Catherine and Antoine’s argument about the eShop case. It felt awkward, especially as I’ve come to understand from Catherine and other characters that Antoine that Antoine puts her needs and her first before his own needs. Maybe I’m missing something about the nature of the argument but I felt it didn’t have to go on as long as it did. Otherwise, I enjoyed reading J’Adore Paris. I highly recommend this novel for anyone looking for a light novel set in the City of Lights.

You can read this review in its entirety over at caffeinatedlife.net: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2...

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this one. I really did. A lawyer. Working for Dior. In Paris. But it was just so poorly written and incredibly repetitive (for real, I remember what happened in the last chapter and don't need constant recaps). It just fell totally flat for me.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2013/0...

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donne vraiment le goût d'aller visiter Paris !!! Un jour...

[J.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this quirky read. The character development was great - if you love fashion and a bit of mystery you will definitely like this book. Rikash is hilarious and Catherine is a woman after my own heart - she is comfortable with being different and has impeccable values - no one takes her down. The French intertwined with English text is refreshing and fun. I also like all the descriptions about Paris - never been but will be travelling there for my first time this fall. This is a nice easy read. I read it in soft cover.

[Bookevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous sequel to J'Adore New York. Loved it!

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sequel to J'Adore New York. Descriptions of Paris are very well done and adventures of Catherine and Rikash are thoroughly entertaining!

[Dramagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Isabelle Lafleche. If I ever visit Paris, I will definitely look around for all of the places mentioned in the book!
J'aimais beaucoup l'histoire!

[Andria Caputo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful! A great follow up to J'Adore New York. This book made me wish I was back in Paris, for good!

[Catherine McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoyed J'Adore New York, you'll want to pick up the continuing adventures of Catherine and Rikash. Food, fashion, intrigue, fun.

[Natasha W · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Interesting read.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novel gave a lot of insight into Counterfeit goods.

[Karine Arseneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encore un bon livre de fille pas conpliqué, ça donne tellement envie de revisiter Paris! (Et de magasiner un peu chez Dior! )

[Lucy Arnstein]

Great summer read

[Trias Oktavianti · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh Dear, there is another one J'adore Rome

[Elaine Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. J'Adore Paris A lawyer is hired to ,work in Paris, little does she know that she will be on the hunt for clothing counterfeiters. She and Rikash go out to the markets and on the roads looking for counterfeit Dior clothing. When these are found they call in the police and the clothing is taken from the market sellers and put in a bag. It is against the law to sell counterfeit clothing.

I received great enjoyment while reading this book.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Część znacznie słabsza niż "Kocham NY", z wieloma powtórkami i infantylnością. Na dodatek z błędami w tłumaczeniu (typu przeglądarka internetowa zamiast wyszukiwarka internetowa, co jest znaczną różnicą)...

[Madhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this book to read on vacation and I couldn't have chosen better. Light, fun and enjoyable read. It's a feel good book where you know the ending will be positive, and all loose ends will be tied into pretty bows. Perfect to relax and read by the beach!

[Angelika Kamińska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seria jest naprawdę w porządku, aczkolwiek ta częś�� była chyba najgorsza z 3. Serię czytałam co prawda kilka lat temu i pamiętam historię z 1 i 2 części, a tej niestety nie do końca.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the series was so great, it is almost like it was written by a different author. Now dare I get the third?

[Fran Cine · Rating 5 out of 5]

J’ai absolument adorée! Les intrigues furent intéressantes, impossible de déposer ce livre !

A must read, even if just for Rikash!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick light read.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This, and other reviews can be found on Just a Lil' Lost

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ (3.5/5 stars)

Catherine, a Parisian lawyer who had previously relocated to New York for work, has moved back to France to work at Christian Dior. As the intellectual property director, she is excited to be working at such a prestigious company but her dreams of a new glamorous job are thwarted when she finds herself caught up in a seedy world of counterfeiting. Catherine, with the help of her assistant Rikash, must try to stop the crime ring while trying to stay alive, stay out of trouble and stay happily in love.

I really enjoyed Laflèche’s first book, J’Adore New York, and was so excited to find out about the sequel. Set against the backdrop of the glam world along the Champs-Élysées, Catherine finds herself in another work-related predicament with her flashy assistant in tow. I had forgotten how irritating the character of Rikash was in the first book until he showed up in this one and all the memories came flooding back. To me, he felt way too over-the-top as being flamboyantly gay and came across like such a caricature. Perhaps he was there as a bit of comic relief but he was more aggravating than entertaining.

The fashion side of the story I did really enjoy. She includes some great messaging within the story, with comments on the idea of being skinny in this industry. I liked that there were quotes from prominent people in the fashion world included, however I thought there was too much of it. There were too many moments that introduced the quotes in the same way. For example, many times it would say “Sophia Loren/Coco Chanel/etc. once said……” which got noticeably repetitive. They’re great sayings but perhaps if it was inserted into the narrative a bit more fluidly.

Counterfeiting is such a huge problem, especially with major prestigious brands like Dior and it was interesting to follow how far a crime ring’s reach can be with something like that. I also really appreciated that all the French wasn’t necessarily translated each time. Often times, with the use of French or any other language, the author may feel compelled to find some way to translate every single thing that’s being said. Laflèche does a great job at explaining the parts that are pertinent to the narrative, while not dumbing it down for readers either.

J’Adore Paris is a fun novel that reads like a tour through the glamorous, and not-so-glamourous, sides of Paris & the fashion industry.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book featuring chic Parisian lawyer Catherine Lambert, but it is not necessary to have read book one J'adore New York beforehand. Having survived the cut-throat life of New York Catherine returns to her beloved Paris to take on a new job as corporate lawyer for fashion house Christian Dior. The beginning of the book is very upbeat and dreamy. Catherine is on a high to be back in Paris, in love and moving into her boyfriend's apartment and excited about her new role at Christian Dior. The descriptions of life in Paris as seen through Catherine's New York eyes are brilliant and vibrant especially the café scenes.

As she settles into her new life, it isn't long before things get a bit more down to earth. Her boyfriend becomes jealous, her work in the counterfeiting department is much more hands on and frankly dangerous than she had imagined and apart from her trusty assistant Rikash, it is difficult to know who is on her side, both at home and at work.

I loved the character of Rikash, gay and glittery, but always there for Catherine no matter what is thrown at them. He was born to be in the world of fashion and is having a ball at Paris Christian Dior. Catherine is strong and feisty but also a little vulnerable, but together with Rikash they have the team chemistry, strength and technical know how to tackle anything. I had no idea the life of a corporate lawyer could be so exciting and the world of counterfeiting so dangerous.

This was a fast paced read with plenty of adrenalin pumping moments perfectly offset with the romance of Paris and the glamour of the fashion world.

[Renée Sylvestre-williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's pretty much what you expect with a lawyer Mary-Sue. She gets a job at Dior, is really good at the raids of counterfeit goods, has a sidekick who makes her look even more brilliant, is stunning at her job, and has a loving, successful boyfriend. It's fluff but not even good fluff. She works at Dior, couldn't we get better descriptions of the products?

The issues in the book (fights with the boyfriend, the stalking, her photo circulated among counterfeiters) seemed contrived and there to amp up the pages.

It was a good book to read while working the Ontario provincial elections. I got through it in a day.

[Day's · Rating 4 out of 5]

The adventures of Catherine Lambert continue in Paris with a new job and a new love. As an intellectual property director for Christian Dior, she is up front and in the war against counterfeiters and the never-ending office politics. Isabelle Laflèche did a great job with this sequel. She kept me reading and guessing what would happen next. We also get a glimpse into the dark world of counterfeiting and it is an eye opener. After finding out what goes into counterfeit perfume, you can bet that I will never buy it! J'adore Paris is every bit as much fun to read as J'adore New York. I hope there's a third book.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an alright book. Nothing special I suppose. I thought it would be more interesting but it was more alright. It was basically the main character being great at everything and having a perfect life and things being handed to her. And I felt like a lot was forgotten at the end, like there wasn't closure for some things and very opened ended. Good enough read
3/5

[Elaine Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the references to fashion and the Paris culture. The use of famous quotes in the book was overkill and her job description was mostly unrealistic. The plot was oversimplified and the character development was amateurish. Overall, the book was fun and a good light read.

[Septembre · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
Interesting storyline and the novel provides a detailed tour of sorts of Paris and crash course on international counterfeiting but the writing is laborious at best and a bit cliché and repetitive at worst.