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The French Honeymoon: A Novel
The Paris Apartment meets A Simple Favor in an unputdownable thriller about a honeymoon gone horribly wrong.
Sometimes, Paris is a terrible idea.
This is not how she imagined it, any of it. Taylor Quinn arrives at her honeymoon suite in the City of Lights alone, sans suitcase, but with wads of stolen cash. When she catches a glimpse of newlyweds Cassie and Olivier enjoying their happily ever after, she can't tear her eyes away. And Cassie makes their antics easy to follow as she reveals every detail of their picture-perfect trip on social media. Taylor's obsession builds as she tracks their every move. This was the kind of life she was supposed to be living, this was the honeymoon she dreamed of.
The illusion is shattered when she overhears a heated argument between Cassie and Olivier, which reveals that they're not the lovestruck couple they pretend to be. But Cassie and Olivier have agendas of their own and Taylor can't see the danger in getting in the middle of this until it's too late. And now, no one will get out of Paris unscathed.
Sometimes, Paris is a terrible idea.
This is not how she imagined it, any of it. Taylor Quinn arrives at her honeymoon suite in the City of Lights alone, sans suitcase, but with wads of stolen cash. When she catches a glimpse of newlyweds Cassie and Olivier enjoying their happily ever after, she can't tear her eyes away. And Cassie makes their antics easy to follow as she reveals every detail of their picture-perfect trip on social media. Taylor's obsession builds as she tracks their every move. This was the kind of life she was supposed to be living, this was the honeymoon she dreamed of.
The illusion is shattered when she overhears a heated argument between Cassie and Olivier, which reveals that they're not the lovestruck couple they pretend to be. But Cassie and Olivier have agendas of their own and Taylor can't see the danger in getting in the middle of this until it's too late. And now, no one will get out of Paris unscathed.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2025
230 people are currently reading
27655 people want to read
About the author
Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
18 books493 followersAnne-Sophie Jouhanneau is a bilingual French author based in the U.S. She has previously published novels and nonfiction books for teens, which have been translated into over twelve languages. The French Honeymoon is her debut adult novel. After graduating university in France, she moved to Amsterdam to begin a career in advertising. She then spent a few years in Melbourne before settling in New York City, where she lives with her French-Australian-American family, two gorgeous cats, and a whole lot of passports. Find her on social media @asjouhanneau.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 414 reviews
December 4, 2025
From the evocative setting to the multiple distinct POVs, The French Honeymoon had me captivated from beginning to end. I mean, who doesn’t love a story centered around forbidden love and a dysfunctional family? Starting—and ending—with quite the bang, the many subtle clues happily failed to tip me off to either of the two staggering, mind-blowing twists, both of which left my jaw on the floor. While I normally manage to guess at least part of each suspense/thriller that I read, this whole finely tuned plot managed to evade my armchair sleuthing right up until the open-ended conclusion.
With plenty of dark schemes, underhanded manipulation, and juicy drama, this fast-paced plot could do no wrong in my humble opinion. After all, thanks to three morally gray characters who ran the gamut from mildly cheer-worthy to the kind you love to hate, I got swept up in their plot-charging drama as soon as I met them. And let me tell you, those personas were really something. Incredibly well-developed, their backgrounds filled in their motivations and desires, creating individuals that felt utterly real as well as believably flawed. Oh. And, of course, beyond twisted.
All said and done, I’m now a whopping great fan of Ms. Jouhanneau. With precise plotting that spun tales within tales, the edge-of-your-seat suspense only grew more intense with each page. Add in the unreliable narrators and the original premise, and I couldn’t stop myself from binge-reading this popcorn thriller in only a matter of hours. So if you’re looking for a “thriller-lite” read that will keep your attention, grab this adult debut novel ASAP. After all, who can pass up a little vacation time in Paris all while being entertained by some spot-on characters and their dastardly deeds? Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
This is not how she imagined it, any of it. Taylor Quinn arrives at her honeymoon suite in the City of Love alone, sans suitcase, but with wads of stolen cash. When she catches a glimpse of newlyweds Cassie and Olivier enjoying their happily ever, she can't tear her eyes away. And Cassie makes their antics easy to follow as she reveals every detail of their picture-perfect trip on social media. Taylor's obsession builds as she tracks their every move. This was the kind of life she was supposed to be living, this was the marriage she should have had, this was the honeymoon she dreamed of.
The illusion is shattered when she overhears a heated argument between Cassie and Olivier, which reveals that they're not the lovestruck couple they pretend to be. But Cassie and Olivier have agendas of their own and Taylor can't see the danger in getting in the middle of this until it's too late. And now, no one will get out of Paris unscathed.
Thank you to Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 15, 2025
Content warning: stalking, infidelity, being drugged, murder
With plenty of dark schemes, underhanded manipulation, and juicy drama, this fast-paced plot could do no wrong in my humble opinion. After all, thanks to three morally gray characters who ran the gamut from mildly cheer-worthy to the kind you love to hate, I got swept up in their plot-charging drama as soon as I met them. And let me tell you, those personas were really something. Incredibly well-developed, their backgrounds filled in their motivations and desires, creating individuals that felt utterly real as well as believably flawed. Oh. And, of course, beyond twisted.
All said and done, I’m now a whopping great fan of Ms. Jouhanneau. With precise plotting that spun tales within tales, the edge-of-your-seat suspense only grew more intense with each page. Add in the unreliable narrators and the original premise, and I couldn’t stop myself from binge-reading this popcorn thriller in only a matter of hours. So if you’re looking for a “thriller-lite” read that will keep your attention, grab this adult debut novel ASAP. After all, who can pass up a little vacation time in Paris all while being entertained by some spot-on characters and their dastardly deeds? Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
This is not how she imagined it, any of it. Taylor Quinn arrives at her honeymoon suite in the City of Love alone, sans suitcase, but with wads of stolen cash. When she catches a glimpse of newlyweds Cassie and Olivier enjoying their happily ever, she can't tear her eyes away. And Cassie makes their antics easy to follow as she reveals every detail of their picture-perfect trip on social media. Taylor's obsession builds as she tracks their every move. This was the kind of life she was supposed to be living, this was the marriage she should have had, this was the honeymoon she dreamed of.
The illusion is shattered when she overhears a heated argument between Cassie and Olivier, which reveals that they're not the lovestruck couple they pretend to be. But Cassie and Olivier have agendas of their own and Taylor can't see the danger in getting in the middle of this until it's too late. And now, no one will get out of Paris unscathed.
Thank you to Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 15, 2025
Content warning: stalking, infidelity, being drugged, murder
November 28, 2024
“Sometimes, Paris is a terrible idea.”
The cover and the synopsis pulled me in, but the slow-burn, character-driven story wasn’t enough for me to get lost in the narrative.
I think being on the top end of the Gen-X classification means that I view the whole ‘picture perfect life’ so many Millennials and Gen-Z are striving to portray, as laughable. I also like a tautly paced suspense novel that keeps my heart rate elevated and my mind reeling. Keep this in mind when you give weight to my review.
I can’t put my finger on what was missing to make this book memorable for me. The beautiful descriptions of macarons from Laduree had me drooling and wishing I was able to get my hands on a box containing such a “festival of colors.” The mystery and the twist had potential. I was curious about marriage fraud, a honeymoon gone wrong and even more about how newlyweds could be so bent on murder after only knowing each other briefly. It wasn’t the characters; I enjoy reading about unlikeable characters. It wasn’t the ending; I enjoy ambiguous endings where I can surmise what could have happened with the windfall. I think it comes down to the uneven pacing; it ruined the impact for me.
This book had me appreciating my relationship and my marriage. I realize that I want to be careful with my expectations. I don’t want the fantasy version I portray or imagine to overshadow reality. I also want to question the motives for my social media presence.
The execution may be lacking in my opinion, but the story certainly has potential.
The cover and the synopsis pulled me in, but the slow-burn, character-driven story wasn’t enough for me to get lost in the narrative.
I think being on the top end of the Gen-X classification means that I view the whole ‘picture perfect life’ so many Millennials and Gen-Z are striving to portray, as laughable. I also like a tautly paced suspense novel that keeps my heart rate elevated and my mind reeling. Keep this in mind when you give weight to my review.
I can’t put my finger on what was missing to make this book memorable for me. The beautiful descriptions of macarons from Laduree had me drooling and wishing I was able to get my hands on a box containing such a “festival of colors.” The mystery and the twist had potential. I was curious about marriage fraud, a honeymoon gone wrong and even more about how newlyweds could be so bent on murder after only knowing each other briefly. It wasn’t the characters; I enjoy reading about unlikeable characters. It wasn’t the ending; I enjoy ambiguous endings where I can surmise what could have happened with the windfall. I think it comes down to the uneven pacing; it ruined the impact for me.
This book had me appreciating my relationship and my marriage. I realize that I want to be careful with my expectations. I don’t want the fantasy version I portray or imagine to overshadow reality. I also want to question the motives for my social media presence.
The execution may be lacking in my opinion, but the story certainly has potential.
November 12, 2024
Moral of the story: Don't post live location updates on social media (duh).
Surprised to see a French author portraying Paris in such a cliché way, but maybe this is because most of the story is written from the POV of two very unlikeable Americans. However, even in the French character's POV some things were overexplained:
-"The tax office—the French equivalent of the IRS"
-"Football (European football I mean, aka soccer)"
This thriller was short and had enough surprises to keep the reader's interest. The ending was also open to interpretation, which I enjoyed.
Thank you to the author, Netgalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC!
Surprised to see a French author portraying Paris in such a cliché way, but maybe this is because most of the story is written from the POV of two very unlikeable Americans. However, even in the French character's POV some things were overexplained:
-"The tax office—the French equivalent of the IRS"
-"Football (European football I mean, aka soccer)"
This thriller was short and had enough surprises to keep the reader's interest. The ending was also open to interpretation, which I enjoyed.
Thank you to the author, Netgalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC!
April 2, 2025
I loved the premise here and the tagline about Paris not always being a good idea was intriguing to me. You figure out almost immediately that none of the characters are very likable or even decent people but in a thriller, who cares? I found the pacing to be pretty fast and while some twists were surprising some weren’t but that was ok for me. I was assuming this would be about four stars for me until the ending and now I’m def bumping it down. I hate an ambiguous ending where you’re not sure what happened and that’s what we were given here. It could be seen as two different outcomes and I don’t like that at all, I want clear and concise answers. Blah. But if you enjoy that type of thing the rest of this was a pretty fun popcorn style wild thriller! The ending was just disappointing for me.
May 26, 2025
I hated every character in this book. I was hoping they all drowned or got hit by a bus in the end.
March 20, 2025
A fast paced and easy thriller to add to your TBRs!
This book kept me entertained and I sped right through it. I’m always a fan of multiple POV, and settings, so this book delivered there. The story wasn’t overly unique but it was well done. I would’ve liked a bit more closure at the end, just a longe epilogue perhaps. But overall, a read I would recommend!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
This book kept me entertained and I sped right through it. I’m always a fan of multiple POV, and settings, so this book delivered there. The story wasn’t overly unique but it was well done. I would’ve liked a bit more closure at the end, just a longe epilogue perhaps. But overall, a read I would recommend!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
November 30, 2024
I love love 😍🥰 to read books set in Paris with sexy men and beautiful places. The French Honeymoon definitely filled these boxes.
These deliciously wicked and twisted characters with there own personal agendas and plotting had me full on edge 🤩😑😩.
The reveals which I did guess but it for sure took me by surprise. Although I did wish for the suspense to have been built more. The last few chapters did feel rushed for me but, That ending though UFFF!!!!! 🤯😳😎🙌. It kept me guessing so much wow!!!😲✨.
I loved the drama that was going on between these three and the whole book was popcorn worthy read.
I'M CONTEMPLATING BETWEEN 3.75 TO 4 STARS.
Perfect for the fans of Fredia McFadden, or if you like unsympathetic characters with more of character driven thriller, with drama and so much scheming this is definitely worth checking out.
.
Also I did find few typos, hope so they will be edited before publication.
📚
Blurb :
Sometimes, Paris is a terrible idea.
This is not how she imagined it, any of it. Taylor Quinn arrives at her honeymoon suite in the City of Love alone, sans suitcase, but with wads of stolen cash. When she catches a glimpse of newlyweds Cassie and Olivier enjoying their happily ever, she can't tear her eyes away. And Cassie makes their antics easy to follow as she reveals every detail of their picture-perfect trip on social media. Taylor's obsession builds as she tracks their every move. This was the kind of life she was supposed to be living, this was the marriage she should have had, this was the honeymoon she dreamed of.
The illusion is shattered when she overhears a heated argument between Cassie and Olivier, which reveals that they're not the lovestruck couple they pretend to be. But Cassie and Olivier have agendas of their own and Taylor can't see the danger in getting in the middle of this until it's too late. And now, no one will get out of Paris unscathed.
.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this ARC
These deliciously wicked and twisted characters with there own personal agendas and plotting had me full on edge 🤩😑😩.
The reveals which I did guess but it for sure took me by surprise. Although I did wish for the suspense to have been built more. The last few chapters did feel rushed for me but, That ending though UFFF!!!!! 🤯😳😎🙌. It kept me guessing so much wow!!!😲✨.
I loved the drama that was going on between these three and the whole book was popcorn worthy read.
I'M CONTEMPLATING BETWEEN 3.75 TO 4 STARS.
Perfect for the fans of Fredia McFadden, or if you like unsympathetic characters with more of character driven thriller, with drama and so much scheming this is definitely worth checking out.
.
Also I did find few typos, hope so they will be edited before publication.
📚
Blurb :
Sometimes, Paris is a terrible idea.
This is not how she imagined it, any of it. Taylor Quinn arrives at her honeymoon suite in the City of Love alone, sans suitcase, but with wads of stolen cash. When she catches a glimpse of newlyweds Cassie and Olivier enjoying their happily ever, she can't tear her eyes away. And Cassie makes their antics easy to follow as she reveals every detail of their picture-perfect trip on social media. Taylor's obsession builds as she tracks their every move. This was the kind of life she was supposed to be living, this was the marriage she should have had, this was the honeymoon she dreamed of.
The illusion is shattered when she overhears a heated argument between Cassie and Olivier, which reveals that they're not the lovestruck couple they pretend to be. But Cassie and Olivier have agendas of their own and Taylor can't see the danger in getting in the middle of this until it's too late. And now, no one will get out of Paris unscathed.
.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this ARC
December 2, 2024
Taylor Quinn arrives in Paris for her honeymoon alone, carrying stolen cash. She becomes obsessed with a seemingly perfect couple, Cassie and Olivier, but soon realizes their relationship is not what it seems. As Taylor gets caught up in their secrets, she puts herself in danger with no way out...
This book, a slow-burning read, failed to ignite the flames of passion within me. As a resident alien myself, I was intrigued by the concept of a marriage between beings from different worlds. Yet, despite the promising premise, something crucial was lacking. I found myself unable to be fully captivated by the story, struggling to maintain interest as I trudged through its pages.
The characters, with their unlikable and unrelatable traits, failed to resonate with me. The portrayal of the evil sister and her possessive nature left me feeling disconnected from the narrative. It seemed as though the book simply did not speak to me, failing to draw me into its world.
However, I still believe that every reader should give this book a chance. After all, we all have different tastes and preferences when it comes to literature. Despite my own reservations, I must admit that the cover art was quite appealing.
In conclusion, while this book may not have been my cup of tea, I encourage others to explore its pages and form their own opinions. Who knows, perhaps you will find something within its depths that speaks to you in ways it could not for me.
Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book, a slow-burning read, failed to ignite the flames of passion within me. As a resident alien myself, I was intrigued by the concept of a marriage between beings from different worlds. Yet, despite the promising premise, something crucial was lacking. I found myself unable to be fully captivated by the story, struggling to maintain interest as I trudged through its pages.
The characters, with their unlikable and unrelatable traits, failed to resonate with me. The portrayal of the evil sister and her possessive nature left me feeling disconnected from the narrative. It seemed as though the book simply did not speak to me, failing to draw me into its world.
However, I still believe that every reader should give this book a chance. After all, we all have different tastes and preferences when it comes to literature. Despite my own reservations, I must admit that the cover art was quite appealing.
In conclusion, while this book may not have been my cup of tea, I encourage others to explore its pages and form their own opinions. Who knows, perhaps you will find something within its depths that speaks to you in ways it could not for me.
Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 4, 2025
While the premise was intriguing this book fell flat for me. I found it too slow and hard to finish. It definitely left me wanting more and wishing for more excitement.
March 16, 2025
I really wanted to love this one. The premise of a honeymoon going wrong and obsession quickly grabbed my attention. But the pace of the book was slow, I didn’t feel any connection to the characters, and then the ending just seemed rushed and too predictable.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to view this digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to view this digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC copy of The French Honeymoon by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. While the premise had promise, the plot ended up feeling confusing and disjointed. I struggled to connect with the characters or stay invested in the storyline. I wanted to love it, especially with the dreamy French setting, but it just didn’t deliver.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. While the premise had promise, the plot ended up feeling confusing and disjointed. I struggled to connect with the characters or stay invested in the storyline. I wanted to love it, especially with the dreamy French setting, but it just didn’t deliver.
Read
June 22, 2025Really wish I had liked this more. I'm not sure if it's the narrative structure, which tried to be a little too mysterious for my taste, keeping the reader in the dark about what the stakes of this situation actually are, or the characters, who were pretty uninteresting to me. By halfway through I was confused instead of intrigued. I think the premise had a lot of promise but the execution didn't grab me, sadly. Thrillers are incredibly hard to structure in a way that grabs the reader and slowly ratchets up the suspense and for me this was all unlikeable people and "vibes."
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Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Check out all this month's new releases on Jen Ryland Reviews
Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
June 17, 2025
Told in multiple first person POVs, this story follows three unreliable narrators:
- Taylor who travels to Paris with the sole purpose of spying on newlyweds Cassie and Olivier. It's not hard to guess why she's spying and stalking them.
- Cassie who is a vain, selfish, bratty and annoying woman who feels the need to constantly post live updates of her picture-perfect honeymoon.
- Olivier who is Cassie's French husband whom she met back in the U.S.
None of the characters were likeable, they all made really stupid decisions, and the twists weren't super shocking/original. But this was still an easy and entertaining thriller to read. I would've preferred if we had a more likeable character to root for though - it would have made the twists and ending more impactful.
- Taylor who travels to Paris with the sole purpose of spying on newlyweds Cassie and Olivier. It's not hard to guess why she's spying and stalking them.
- Cassie who is a vain, selfish, bratty and annoying woman who feels the need to constantly post live updates of her picture-perfect honeymoon.
- Olivier who is Cassie's French husband whom she met back in the U.S.
None of the characters were likeable, they all made really stupid decisions, and the twists weren't super shocking/original. But this was still an easy and entertaining thriller to read. I would've preferred if we had a more likeable character to root for though - it would have made the twists and ending more impactful.
October 28, 2025
this was a bit run of the mill... a thriller about dumb people doing impulsive things and you know know what? thats ok!
April 16, 2025
Book Review 📖
A honeymoon gone wrong, while her sister is following her to Paris to follow them. While she’s having an affair with her sister’s husband.
This domestic thriller was amazing to go through. It was so fast-paced, so well written. I flew through the book in no time. And WTF this ending!
Thanks for the ARC, this beauty have hit the store TODAY! 👌
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author : Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
Publisher : Sourcebooks Landmark
Pages : 304
Genre : Suspense, Thrillers
#bookreview #thrillersofinstagram #arcreview #arcreviewer #bookrecommendation #thrillersbooks #aprilrelease #5starsread #thefrenchhoneymoon #annesophiejouhanneau
A honeymoon gone wrong, while her sister is following her to Paris to follow them. While she’s having an affair with her sister’s husband.
This domestic thriller was amazing to go through. It was so fast-paced, so well written. I flew through the book in no time. And WTF this ending!
Thanks for the ARC, this beauty have hit the store TODAY! 👌
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author : Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
Publisher : Sourcebooks Landmark
Pages : 304
Genre : Suspense, Thrillers
#bookreview #thrillersofinstagram #arcreview #arcreviewer #bookrecommendation #thrillersbooks #aprilrelease #5starsread #thefrenchhoneymoon #annesophiejouhanneau
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2025
A rarity for me: a 1 star review. Yikes!
Not one of the three main characters is someone you'd root for to succeed. Not a pleasant story.
Maybe it was the narration of this audiobook, but this one really grated on me.
So much so, that I almost did a runner! But I try very hard to NOT mark any books as DNF.
Maybe The French Honeymoon would have fared a wee bit better (but not by much) if I had read it.
I found the chapters voiced from Olivier's POV to be almost unintelligible. Olivier is supposed to be a Frenchman speaking English, but the narrator laid on the accent a bit too thick for my taste.
After a while started to sound more like a German speaker to me.
And the Instagram obsessed Cassie POV chapters: how I loathed them.
Seeing the twisty genre, I was hoping for some sort of redemption at the end to make it all worthwhile, but nope. I still feel that I was left hanging, right past the epilogue.
Not one of the three main characters is someone you'd root for to succeed. Not a pleasant story.
Maybe it was the narration of this audiobook, but this one really grated on me.
So much so, that I almost did a runner! But I try very hard to NOT mark any books as DNF.
Maybe The French Honeymoon would have fared a wee bit better (but not by much) if I had read it.
I found the chapters voiced from Olivier's POV to be almost unintelligible. Olivier is supposed to be a Frenchman speaking English, but the narrator laid on the accent a bit too thick for my taste.
After a while started to sound more like a German speaker to me.
And the Instagram obsessed Cassie POV chapters: how I loathed them.
Seeing the twisty genre, I was hoping for some sort of redemption at the end to make it all worthwhile, but nope. I still feel that I was left hanging, right past the epilogue.
April 25, 2025
Hmm… bummer! Unsatisfactory ending. The story begins with intrigue into characters but then it just keeps going and going until you know what’s going to happen.
April 15, 2025
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of The French Honeymoon through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The French Honeymoon definitely grabbed my interest, with the tagline, “Sometimes, Paris is a terrible idea”. Taylor Quinn finds herself on a non-honeymoon in Paris, and is following newlyweds, Cassie and Olivier. Taylor has been obsessing over Cassie’s picture perfect Instagram posts, but when she hears an argument between the couple she realizes things aren’t what they seem. All three of the characters have their own selfish agendas, and there are twists to be revealed, that will change all of their lives.
I really enjoyed The French Honeymoon’s psychological thriller storyline. The setting of Paris was a great backdrop for the story, and I loved the juxtaposition of the awful motives of the characters in a city that’s supposed to be all about love.
The story is told through the three main characters POVs, and I enjoyed the fact that the book just focuses on these three characters. They are all unlikable characters, but it works well for this type of psychological thriller. I did find myself sympathizing the most with Taylor’s character, because of her backstory and Cassie was my least favorite.
There are some good twists to the story, which aren’t too difficult to figure out, but I still enjoyed how they were revealed and how the characters agendas all came together. The book does have an open ending, which I actually thought worked well for this story. I have my own hope of how things ended, but I liked that Jouhanneau left it up to interpretation.
If you are looking for a quick thriller with questionable characters and a great international setting, then I would definitely recommend reading The French Honeymoon.
The French Honeymoon definitely grabbed my interest, with the tagline, “Sometimes, Paris is a terrible idea”. Taylor Quinn finds herself on a non-honeymoon in Paris, and is following newlyweds, Cassie and Olivier. Taylor has been obsessing over Cassie’s picture perfect Instagram posts, but when she hears an argument between the couple she realizes things aren’t what they seem. All three of the characters have their own selfish agendas, and there are twists to be revealed, that will change all of their lives.
I really enjoyed The French Honeymoon’s psychological thriller storyline. The setting of Paris was a great backdrop for the story, and I loved the juxtaposition of the awful motives of the characters in a city that’s supposed to be all about love.
The story is told through the three main characters POVs, and I enjoyed the fact that the book just focuses on these three characters. They are all unlikable characters, but it works well for this type of psychological thriller. I did find myself sympathizing the most with Taylor’s character, because of her backstory and Cassie was my least favorite.
There are some good twists to the story, which aren’t too difficult to figure out, but I still enjoyed how they were revealed and how the characters agendas all came together. The book does have an open ending, which I actually thought worked well for this story. I have my own hope of how things ended, but I liked that Jouhanneau left it up to interpretation.
If you are looking for a quick thriller with questionable characters and a great international setting, then I would definitely recommend reading The French Honeymoon.
April 21, 2025
{2.5 stars}
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.
This story follows two women who are in Paris for their honeymoons, both ironically are not on the honeymoon they are pretending to be. This one didn't work for me. The twists were all ones you could see from a mile away. It just felt like a formulaic thriller that hit all the same beats of every other thriller.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.
This story follows two women who are in Paris for their honeymoons, both ironically are not on the honeymoon they are pretending to be. This one didn't work for me. The twists were all ones you could see from a mile away. It just felt like a formulaic thriller that hit all the same beats of every other thriller.
Want to read
August 26, 2024OMG IM SO EXITED I WILL READ ANYTHING THIS LADY WRITESSSSS
June 2, 2025
Girl marries a French man to make her ex jealous and get him a green card . Then there is a plot twist which was a bit silly . I didn’t really like this book .
April 8, 2025
For a lover of thrillers and France, I went in with very high expectations for The French Honeymoon. And while I did enjoy aspects of the story and how everything unfolded, I really wished I loved it more.
The French Honeymoon is told from multiple POVs and that was definitely necessary. Taylor arrives empty-handed to Paris for her honeymoon. No luggage and just the clothes on her back....and without a husband. Everything she does and says is questionable and I had to wonder if anyone suspected her actions from the start. Next we meet Cassie. If I questioned all of Taylor's actions, I questioned none of Cassie's. In my opinion, she is not a likable character. She is a surface level woman that thinks the world owes her. Social media and posting all the favorable things of her life to make others jealous is her m.o. She is a newlywed and is honeymooning in Paris with her husband, Olivier that she only recently met. A dream, right? But, just wait. Because Paris, love, marriage and all these characters merge in unexpected ways.
We meet the two main female characters first, but we can't forget about Olivier. His initial POV takes us back a few months and we see how he meets his future wife, Cassie. It brought in a great twist. I was interested in how a "marriage of convenience" can work when it comes to someone seeking to stay in the US. Could be love. Could be fraud. But this also made me not really like Olivier either. Basically this was a handful of unlikable characters out for themselves. BUT, a good thriller with unlikable characters can be exciting.
We were the wrong people coming together at the worst time, and the sky must have been pitch-black.
From then on we have the past and present timeline told from 3 POVs (Taylor, Cassie and Olivier) and we begin to see how the past set us up for the present. I liked seeing how Cassie and Olivier came together and the lies they told in order to make their relationship work, at least from the outside. But, my goodness, they were both awful. It wasn't until we got a twist from the past that made me way more invested in the characters. I loved being along for the ride in Paris along with the food, wine, shopping and beautiful locations, but I was so drawn to Taylor and how she was connected to the honeymooners. Her actions were always questionable, but she was what drew me in to the story.
While I felt this story had a lot of potential, I also didn't feel like I HAD to devour it. When a good thriller captures me, I cannot put the book down and I want to immerse myself into the world. I had some sparks, but it never fully ignited. Although this wasn't an all out page turner for me, I think it may resonate with other readers. Especially if you like unlikable characters with a setting that spans over the ocean. Along with all the deception and questionable actions from the characters, this could be a winner for many. It's a slower burn that unfolds piece by piece for a few twists and "aha" moments that will have you wanting to read more.
Overall, this book was ok. I may not have loved it as much as I wanted to, but I think it showed great potential and l can see myself reading another domestic thriller from this author.
The French Honeymoon is told from multiple POVs and that was definitely necessary. Taylor arrives empty-handed to Paris for her honeymoon. No luggage and just the clothes on her back....and without a husband. Everything she does and says is questionable and I had to wonder if anyone suspected her actions from the start. Next we meet Cassie. If I questioned all of Taylor's actions, I questioned none of Cassie's. In my opinion, she is not a likable character. She is a surface level woman that thinks the world owes her. Social media and posting all the favorable things of her life to make others jealous is her m.o. She is a newlywed and is honeymooning in Paris with her husband, Olivier that she only recently met. A dream, right? But, just wait. Because Paris, love, marriage and all these characters merge in unexpected ways.
We meet the two main female characters first, but we can't forget about Olivier. His initial POV takes us back a few months and we see how he meets his future wife, Cassie. It brought in a great twist. I was interested in how a "marriage of convenience" can work when it comes to someone seeking to stay in the US. Could be love. Could be fraud. But this also made me not really like Olivier either. Basically this was a handful of unlikable characters out for themselves. BUT, a good thriller with unlikable characters can be exciting.
We were the wrong people coming together at the worst time, and the sky must have been pitch-black.
From then on we have the past and present timeline told from 3 POVs (Taylor, Cassie and Olivier) and we begin to see how the past set us up for the present. I liked seeing how Cassie and Olivier came together and the lies they told in order to make their relationship work, at least from the outside. But, my goodness, they were both awful. It wasn't until we got a twist from the past that made me way more invested in the characters. I loved being along for the ride in Paris along with the food, wine, shopping and beautiful locations, but I was so drawn to Taylor and how she was connected to the honeymooners. Her actions were always questionable, but she was what drew me in to the story.
While I felt this story had a lot of potential, I also didn't feel like I HAD to devour it. When a good thriller captures me, I cannot put the book down and I want to immerse myself into the world. I had some sparks, but it never fully ignited. Although this wasn't an all out page turner for me, I think it may resonate with other readers. Especially if you like unlikable characters with a setting that spans over the ocean. Along with all the deception and questionable actions from the characters, this could be a winner for many. It's a slower burn that unfolds piece by piece for a few twists and "aha" moments that will have you wanting to read more.
Overall, this book was ok. I may not have loved it as much as I wanted to, but I think it showed great potential and l can see myself reading another domestic thriller from this author.
April 21, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Surprisingly this was my first honeymoon gone wrong story. And, a first read by Anna-Sophie Jouhanneau. The French Honeymoon was a psychological thriller about a woman, Taylor, who arrived at her honeymoon suite in Paris. She became obsessed with a couple, Cassie and Olivier, and tracked their every move. However, her illusion of this so called happy couple was shattered when she overheard a heated argument that revealed they weren’t the love struck couple Taylor thought they were. Turned out, Cassie and Olivier had their own agenda and Taylor couldn’t see the danger of getting in the middle of it until it was too late.
It didn’t take me long to figure out that none of the characters were likable or even decent. Fortunately, in regard to this story, it worked well. The characters were truly awful, and I couldn’t root for any of them. I believe Jouhanneau’s intention was for the reader to identify with Taylor, but unfortunately, I found her whiny and just as insufferable as Cassie, although in a very different way. Cassie got away with half of what she did and she shouldn’t have. She behaved utterly immature. Aside from the unlikable characters that worked in the best possible way, I really enjoyed the pacing. It moved swiftly between the main characters, Taylor, Cassie and Olivier and the story revealed a few surprises that I wasn’t expecting, however, there were a few circumstances that were predictable. On top of that, all three of the main characters had their flaws and that made this story more realistic despite some times it seemed far-fetched. All said, I think it best if the reader suspends some disbelief for this story to truly enjoy it because some of what happens is so unbelievable even a smart con artist would have trouble getting away with it.
Even though there wasn’t a great deal of substance to this psychological thriller, the storytelling was entertaining and had me engaged in the characters circumstances and how they would turn out. The ending left me feeling a bit confused and I think unfinished but when I reread it, I realized it was meant to be left up to interpretation
Overall, The French Honeymoon was a clever twist on the domestic thriller. I’m pleased to have tried this new to me author. Anna-Sophie Jouhanneau wrote a decadent binge worthy tale of obsession, greed, and betrayal. I recommend this if you are looking for a fast paced, consuming psychological thriller with a striking prose and exquisite Parisian backdrop to match. (Audio)
Surprisingly this was my first honeymoon gone wrong story. And, a first read by Anna-Sophie Jouhanneau. The French Honeymoon was a psychological thriller about a woman, Taylor, who arrived at her honeymoon suite in Paris. She became obsessed with a couple, Cassie and Olivier, and tracked their every move. However, her illusion of this so called happy couple was shattered when she overheard a heated argument that revealed they weren’t the love struck couple Taylor thought they were. Turned out, Cassie and Olivier had their own agenda and Taylor couldn’t see the danger of getting in the middle of it until it was too late.
It didn’t take me long to figure out that none of the characters were likable or even decent. Fortunately, in regard to this story, it worked well. The characters were truly awful, and I couldn’t root for any of them. I believe Jouhanneau’s intention was for the reader to identify with Taylor, but unfortunately, I found her whiny and just as insufferable as Cassie, although in a very different way. Cassie got away with half of what she did and she shouldn’t have. She behaved utterly immature. Aside from the unlikable characters that worked in the best possible way, I really enjoyed the pacing. It moved swiftly between the main characters, Taylor, Cassie and Olivier and the story revealed a few surprises that I wasn’t expecting, however, there were a few circumstances that were predictable. On top of that, all three of the main characters had their flaws and that made this story more realistic despite some times it seemed far-fetched. All said, I think it best if the reader suspends some disbelief for this story to truly enjoy it because some of what happens is so unbelievable even a smart con artist would have trouble getting away with it.
Even though there wasn’t a great deal of substance to this psychological thriller, the storytelling was entertaining and had me engaged in the characters circumstances and how they would turn out. The ending left me feeling a bit confused and I think unfinished but when I reread it, I realized it was meant to be left up to interpretation
Overall, The French Honeymoon was a clever twist on the domestic thriller. I’m pleased to have tried this new to me author. Anna-Sophie Jouhanneau wrote a decadent binge worthy tale of obsession, greed, and betrayal. I recommend this if you are looking for a fast paced, consuming psychological thriller with a striking prose and exquisite Parisian backdrop to match. (Audio)
April 18, 2025
Movies usually portray Paris as a city of romance and adventure, but "The French Honeymoon" takes a thrilling twist that combines turmoil and tragedy! The book's pacing is just right, with some explosive surprises that kept me on my toes! I’m a big fan of dual timelines and narrators, and this book has both, which makes it even more enjoyable. It’s a quick read, perfect if you don't have a big time commitment!
The adventure begins with Taylor checking into a honeymoon suite, but there’s something cagey about her—she has a bag of stolen cash and no husband in sight! She’s mysterious, which lures you deeper into the story. The way her puzzle piece fits into the bigger picture left me blindsided! I did not see that coming! She ended up being my favorite character. She had some evil plans, but I couldn't hold those against her!
Then we meet Olivier, a Frenchman in the U.S. on a work visa about to run out. His only chance to stay is to marry a U.S. citizen. He gets Cassie on board with his plan. Big mistake! Cassie isn't the best choice for this tricky situation, as Olivier learns very quickly when Cassie books a honeymoon in Paris, the last place Olivier wants to go. Olivier isn't the most likable character, but I couldn't find one redeeming quality in Cassie. I couldn't even admire any of her bad qualities! Cassie only cares about herself and making everyone envious of her life.
I was so excited to see how this ended! Why do authors do this to us?! Some readers enjoy ambiguous endings, but they make me want to pull my hair out. I enjoyed the setting, the morally complex characters, and the drama, but the vague ending lowered my rating.
Thanks to the author and Sourcebooks for providing this eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The adventure begins with Taylor checking into a honeymoon suite, but there’s something cagey about her—she has a bag of stolen cash and no husband in sight! She’s mysterious, which lures you deeper into the story. The way her puzzle piece fits into the bigger picture left me blindsided! I did not see that coming! She ended up being my favorite character. She had some evil plans, but I couldn't hold those against her!
Then we meet Olivier, a Frenchman in the U.S. on a work visa about to run out. His only chance to stay is to marry a U.S. citizen. He gets Cassie on board with his plan. Big mistake! Cassie isn't the best choice for this tricky situation, as Olivier learns very quickly when Cassie books a honeymoon in Paris, the last place Olivier wants to go. Olivier isn't the most likable character, but I couldn't find one redeeming quality in Cassie. I couldn't even admire any of her bad qualities! Cassie only cares about herself and making everyone envious of her life.
I was so excited to see how this ended! Why do authors do this to us?! Some readers enjoy ambiguous endings, but they make me want to pull my hair out. I enjoyed the setting, the morally complex characters, and the drama, but the vague ending lowered my rating.
Thanks to the author and Sourcebooks for providing this eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 15, 2025
Taylor Quinn dreamed of love and lace in Paris—but instead, she arrives alone, broke, and carrying a shady stash of stolen cash. Her dream honeymoon? Hijacked. Then she spots Cassie and Olivier, a picture-perfect couple living the life she was supposed to have. And Taylor? She can’t look away.
As Cassie’s glamorous posts flood social media, Taylor spirals into obsession, trailing them through Paris. But behind the curated smiles and Eiffel Tower snaps, cracks appear—and when Taylor inserts herself into their unraveling fairytale, things get dangerously real.
Anne-Sophie Johanna blends sharp humor with psychological suspense in a glittering-but-gritty thriller. Her writing is vivid—you can taste the espresso and feel the tension rising like Parisian summer heat. Taylor is messy, relatable, and teetering on the edge, while Cassie and Olivier hide secrets sharp enough to cut glass.
Fast-paced, stylish, and packed with twists, The French Honeymoon is a darkly addictive story about envy, identity, and the lies we post online.
Rating: 4.5 stars and a friendly PSA: never trust a filtered love story.
As Cassie’s glamorous posts flood social media, Taylor spirals into obsession, trailing them through Paris. But behind the curated smiles and Eiffel Tower snaps, cracks appear—and when Taylor inserts herself into their unraveling fairytale, things get dangerously real.
Anne-Sophie Johanna blends sharp humor with psychological suspense in a glittering-but-gritty thriller. Her writing is vivid—you can taste the espresso and feel the tension rising like Parisian summer heat. Taylor is messy, relatable, and teetering on the edge, while Cassie and Olivier hide secrets sharp enough to cut glass.
Fast-paced, stylish, and packed with twists, The French Honeymoon is a darkly addictive story about envy, identity, and the lies we post online.
Rating: 4.5 stars and a friendly PSA: never trust a filtered love story.
April 7, 2025
3.5 / 5 stars rounded up.
I really liked this one - it read like a guilty pleasure, featuring messy relationships, unlikeable and unreliable characters, and family drama. Everyone makes a lot of bad decisions, which are fun to watch from a far. I also feel like the author made some really purposeful choices on how she showed Paris from a tourist perspective, especially someone who has not had access to travel like this in the past. I know some readers didn’t enjoy that element, but it all felt really rooted in reality based on the characters' perspectives.
The story was easy to follow, fast paced and relatively short, which kept me reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an advance copy. It’s out April 15th. Opinions are my own!
I really liked this one - it read like a guilty pleasure, featuring messy relationships, unlikeable and unreliable characters, and family drama. Everyone makes a lot of bad decisions, which are fun to watch from a far. I also feel like the author made some really purposeful choices on how she showed Paris from a tourist perspective, especially someone who has not had access to travel like this in the past. I know some readers didn’t enjoy that element, but it all felt really rooted in reality based on the characters' perspectives.
The story was easy to follow, fast paced and relatively short, which kept me reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an advance copy. It’s out April 15th. Opinions are my own!
November 21, 2024
A multiple POV story about a woman alone on her honeymoon in Paris and a newlywed couple she sees in supposed marital bliss. Billed as "The Paris Apartment meets A Simple Favor," I expected this to be a thriller. It's much more of a literary fiction with some mystery/thriller elements. I don't think The Paris Apartment is a good comparison in terms of tone or pacing. This was a slow burn, character driven story. It was fine, but not what I was expecting or wanting.
Recommended for fans of more literary thrillers/mysteries and for fans of more unlikeable, unsympathetic characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.
Recommended for fans of more literary thrillers/mysteries and for fans of more unlikeable, unsympathetic characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.
December 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.25 Stars
I really wanted to love this one — the French setting, the slow-burn romance, the cozy village backdrop. And while it had moments I enjoyed, it just wasn’t what I was expecting.
The French countryside vibe is warm and inviting, and the food descriptions are spectacular. There are a few genuinely soft, heartfelt moments that I appreciated.
But the pacing dragged, the characters became frustrating, and a few parts were confusing. And the ending… a bit too ambiguous after such a slow build. I wanted a stronger emotional payoff.
If you enjoy gentle, atmospheric romances set in Europe, you may still love this. It just didn’t fully land for me.
QOTD???
Have you ever picked up a book that seemed perfect but didn’t quite deliver?
#BookReview #RomanceReads #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #CozyReads #BookOpinion
I really wanted to love this one — the French setting, the slow-burn romance, the cozy village backdrop. And while it had moments I enjoyed, it just wasn’t what I was expecting.
The French countryside vibe is warm and inviting, and the food descriptions are spectacular. There are a few genuinely soft, heartfelt moments that I appreciated.
But the pacing dragged, the characters became frustrating, and a few parts were confusing. And the ending… a bit too ambiguous after such a slow build. I wanted a stronger emotional payoff.
If you enjoy gentle, atmospheric romances set in Europe, you may still love this. It just didn’t fully land for me.
QOTD???
Have you ever picked up a book that seemed perfect but didn’t quite deliver?
#BookReview #RomanceReads #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #CozyReads #BookOpinion
May 4, 2025
I recently read The French Honeymoon by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, and while the premise intrigued me, the execution left much to be desired. The setup promised a thrilling ride, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver.
One of the main issues I had was with the pacing. Certain parts of the story dragged on, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters were also a letdown; I found them all unlikable and hard to connect with.
As for the twists, they were disappointingly predictable. I found myself anticipating the plot developments well before they occurred, which diminished the suspense and thrill that the book aimed to provide.
Overall, The French Honeymoon had an interesting concept but fell short in execution. I would rate it 2.75 out of 5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One of the main issues I had was with the pacing. Certain parts of the story dragged on, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters were also a letdown; I found them all unlikable and hard to connect with.
As for the twists, they were disappointingly predictable. I found myself anticipating the plot developments well before they occurred, which diminished the suspense and thrill that the book aimed to provide.
Overall, The French Honeymoon had an interesting concept but fell short in execution. I would rate it 2.75 out of 5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2025
Outstanding! I absolutely loved this debut thriller and can’t wait to read her next book that comes out in 2026. From beautiful, smart writing to a twisty, page-turning plot, to capturing the perfect setting of Paris (!), this is a thriller I couldn’t put down. Loved it!
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