Surviving Paris: A Memoir of Healing in the City of Light

by Robin Allison Davis

A deeply personal account of a young Black woman who set out to shake up her life by moving abroad but got a lot more than she bargained for.

Surviving Paris is not Emily in Paris. It’s not a story of moving to the City of Light, meeting a dashing Frenchman, and raising beret-wearing enfants. It is not a romantic fantasy. It is a true story about a young, Black single woman and what happens when your Paris dream turns into a Paris nightmare.

After more than a decade as a journalist and television producer, Robin Allison Davis decided to shake up her life and move to France. But it wasn’t quite the life she expected. When she was just thirty-four, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Surviving Paris recounts her journey from diagnosis through multiple surgeries to surviving the strictest Covid-19 lockdowns, only to be told her cancer had come back—and how she got to finding herself healthy again, including all the detours in between.

While this book is about cancer, it’s not just about survival. It's a love story about cancer. It's a story about Robin's love of adventure, her love of love, and her love for herself. Grounded yet irreverent, informative and anecdotal, Surviving Paris has laughter, sorrow, and some unforgettable cringe-worthy moments. It also has courage, surprises, and remarkable depths of heart.

Robin writes about the struggles of finding her community and family away from home, dating on Tinder with one boob, and learning to be the best advocate for her medical care in a culture she doesn't completely understand, and that doesn’t understand her. Surviving Paris details the good, the bad, and the ugly of expatriating to Paris and one American woman’s unexpected and often hilarious journey—and her precious second chance at life.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

Published September 16, 2025

Reviews

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I was stunned as I read this memoir. I can not imagine moving to a new country (and continent) only to have to face cancer and a surgery while you are in a place where you don’t know many people and are far from those you do know. Between the medical journey, covid lockdown, and the cost of it all. This was an eye opening look at her journey as if the reader is in her shoes. Whether you can relate to any of her experiences or not, this is a must read especially for women.

[Sarahjini Nunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG!! Because of how flawless this story was told, I had to continually remind myself that it is a memoir and not fiction. This story of courage and resilience gave me such pause. As one who loves all things Paris, I was stunned! I’ve always heard people praise Paris for its universal healthcare system. I’d never stopped to consider the downside of it if you were a foreigner. Neither did I consider the systemic differences that exist between providers. Don’t all doctors have a bedside manner? No!!

I loved hearing about the Parisian landmarks mentioned and all the cultural differences between the Americans and the French. I’ve always found it fascinating. As I expected, the demeanor and manners of Parisians played a huge role in the authors experience. I cannot imagine navigating a new job, while living in a new country, while fighting a potentially debilitating illness alone….all during a pandemic. Her courage is admirable.

I’m so glad that Robin Allen Davis was brave enough to share this story. My eyes are now open to so much that I could’ve never imagined. Most importantly, this book served as my reminder to schedule my overdue mammogram! Thank you NetGalley and Amistad for the e-ARC!

[Torrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest, sad, and brave account of a woman's journey living abroad with breast cancer. Didn't take long to get through it. Enjoyed many aspects of it.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Memoir Writing Month! Recently, I’ve been reading more and more memoirs as I love seeing what other people go through in their lives and sometimes it does make me feel less alone. Hence, to honor this amazing month, I’d like to share my latest favorite, Surviving Paris by Robin Allison Davis.

In Robin’s story, she talks about what it’s like to navigate in a completely different country—France—after moving there from the U.S. What makes her journey more difficult is having to deal with cancer in a foreign place, with no friends or family by her side. But she MADE it eventually, and that’s what’s the most inspiring.

As an expat myself, it’s safe to say I’ve had my fair share of experience living abroad and overcoming a lot of things I never really have to worry about back home. Therefore, I can easily resonate with Robin especially when she first arrived in Paris and how daunting, challenging, and yet, exciting, everything was. It is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m left hopeful after reading her story.

All in all, Surviving Paris is a MUST READ! Robin’s life is so full of resilience, hope, and inspiration that I’m sure as a reader, you’ll find yourself in awe of this incredibly woman after reading about her self-exploratory journey in the City of Lights. Bonne lecture !

***Thanks to the author and Sabrina Dax for my gifted copy!***

[Stephanie Kimou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best, but hardest, most visceral memoirs I’ve ever read. Robin bares every scar, wound, nightmare, joy, confusion that comes along with not only being a Black woman in Paris, a city that quite literally can chew you up in a very distinct and patronizing way, but as a woman who traversed the jungles and barren fields of breast cancer during a pandemic. This book has become a flashlight for me, into the very mystifying and dark world of cancer treatments, giving me new perspectives of my mother in law who died of breast cancer, a woman who confused and enraged me with her decision to skip chemo therapy and pass on her own terms. A book changes your life when it helps you develop empathy for a loved one who you once were angry with, helping you develop deeper understanding and true love for their life and passing. This book has done that for me. Reading with tears in my eyes about the pain she experienced having catheters implanted into her chest, her agency belittled and her body mangled at the hands of a doctor who refused to respect her voice. It broke me down. It also was joyous to hear how tenderly people did care for her, did listen, did treat her with love. This book was a roller coaster in a beautiful way. Thank you Robin, my first five star review.

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

SURVIVING PARIS is a touching memoir about a Black American woman's experience abroad in Paris while navigating an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis. As someone who hasn't read many memoirs set in Paris I didn't have many preconceived notions going in other than a curiosity about how life there is different than life in an American big city. In this area the book delivered, from health to differences in the workplace to dating. It was particularly fascinating to get a more intimate look at the differences in the French and American healthcare system since it's a constant and charged debate in the US. There were some surprising downsides to French healthcare, at least when navigating a cancer diagnosis and I was grateful for the author's candor. While the story was compelling the pacing was bumpy, the story moves fast and I wanted more as some crucial parts were skipped over or mentioned in one or two sentences. Davis bemoans the difficulty in making friends and then suddenly has friends that she met at xyz event and now they're showing up for her at the hospital. Which is a lovely testament to community but it would have been nice to see them meet or hear more about their friendship. I also found the writing to be riddled with clichés and platitudes, this is not a memoir you pick up for beautiful or evocative writing. But it is honest, straightforward and occasionally funny so there is some personality within the pages. This was eye opening if not always enjoyable to read and while it is more than a breast cancer memoir I am extremely glad the author spent so much time and care sharing this aspect of her story.

[Yvette Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Amistad Books for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of Surviving Paris. Robin Allison Davis’ story begins with her moving to Paris, and as she settles into her life as an American experiencing life in Paris, she is diagnosed with breast cancer. As Davis goes through her medical treatment, readers learn how she deals with her medical condition, as well as learning to navigate living and working in Paris, as well as navigating the healthcare system in Paris. The differences in the American healthcare system and the system is Paris are explored, as is a reminder that certain medical laws that are more common in the United States are different in Paris, due to the influence of Catholicism.
Davis’ medical treatments runs parallel with her efforts to maintain employment and finding friendship and community in the city, while her family is back in the United States. Her challenges rise to another level as she undergoes treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. She tells her story of resilience and courage with transparency and candor, including sharing her experiences with individual doctors.
Surviving Paris gives readers an example that living in the “city of lights” can be quite illuminating, from finding employment, healing, friendships, and a place to live. I recommend this book, especially for young women, women who have faced serious illness, and those who support those women.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surviving Paris is a memoir that will both break and uplift your heart. Robin Allison Davis delivers a candid, unflinching, and deeply moving account of her journey as a young Black woman navigating life abroad, breast cancer, and the unexpected challenges of truly starting over in a foreign country.

This is not a glossy “Paris dream” story it is raw, honest, and full of grit. From dealing with a cancer diagnosis at the age of thirty-four to enduring multiple surgeries and the harshest Covid-19 lockdowns, Davis takes readers through every harrowing and humorous moment with grace, wit, and resilience. Her writing is witty, poignant, and suffused with a love of life, of adventure, and of herself.

What makes this memoir extraordinary is its relatability and courage. Robin’s story of advocating for herself in a culture she barely understands, dating on Tinder with one boob, and finding her sense of family and community abroad is both heartbreaking and inspiring. It’s a story of survival, self-discovery, and the power of embracing life in all its chaos and beauty.

For anyone interested in memoirs about resilience, personal transformation, and the raw realities of living abroad, Surviving Paris is an unforgettable read one that leaves you cheering, laughing, and reflecting long after the last page.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. Narration was ok. As someone who recently lost a spouse to cancer, I understood and related to some of Robin’s journey, her fight, her frustrations, her anxiety and her rollercoaster life. I greatly admire her strength and decision to stay abroad and get treatment while only having the support of family when they could travel there. Thankfully she had friends there to help. To me, it didn’t seem as if Robin liked or even enjoyed Paris the entire time she was there. She didn’t like her job or any of her apts. And while I know she felt her time was closing in (after freezing her eggs due to chemo) and wanting desperately to find a partner, she was repeatedly giving chances to men who clearly had no redeeming qualities (as she saw from past experiences with them).

She waited 3 months after finding her lump to go to the Drs yet was outraged when it took 2 weeks for the test results to come back. She mispronounced mastectomy (saying masectomy) every single time (approx 35) she said it in the book. She repeated several times about not having any family history of breast cancer yet the majority of people with breast cancer never have family history.

I am thrilled she is in good health and has a happy life now being cancer free. She is one of the lucky ones after all she went through.

[Stephanie Riis]

⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (for writing style)

I recently read Surviving Paris, a memoir that explores what it’s like to live in Paris as an American, and I was struck by the author’s authentic, engaging voice. Her writing style alone earned this book 4 stars for me.

Through her thoughtful observations, she gives readers a vivid look at both the beauty and the challenges of life in a foreign country. I especially appreciated how she didn’t shy away from sharing the difficulties — from cultural misunderstandings to the realities of dealing with illness far from home. Yet even in the midst of serious health struggles, she revealed how people in Paris stepped up to help, offering glimpses of unexpected kindness and humanity.

I don’t usually like to rate someone’s personal story, so my stars reflect how much I enjoyed her writing, not her lived experience. This is a book that will resonate with anyone interested in memoirs, expat life, or stories about resilience and connection.

Surviving Paris is a beautifully written reminder that while life abroad isn’t always the dream we imagine, it’s often the unexpected moments — and the people who reach out to help — that make the journey truly meaningful.

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy this ahead of time!

[Bookstaglam Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surviving Paris
By Robin Allison Davis
Release Date: 9.16.2025

4.5

Thank you Swamp Fox for a physical ARC of Surviving Paris through their Review It program. This was an accidental pick up, because I thought it was a historical fiction, but instead it was a memoir. I don't love memoirs but this one hooked me!

A deeply personal account of a young Black woman who set out to shake up her life by moving abroad but got a lot more than she bargained for.

Robin was a young adult living in the U.S. feeling like something was missing. She made the bold decision to uproot her life and move to Paris away from her family and her comfort zone. Thinking this was the biggest challenge she would ever face, she was severely wrong.

I praise Robin for telling her story, for showing that the grass isn't always greener on the other side, but instead different. It's all about how you handle and react to your situation. I can bet that this was a hard story for her to write and share. Even though I have never had cancer, I had some health setback around the same timing as her. Her story spoke to me. I couldn't imagine going through it alone in a different country.

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."
-Maya Angelou

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the gifted copy Amistad.

The author had my full attention from start to finish in this incredible memoir. It is about her life-changing move from the US to Paris and her experiences with breast cancer and finding her feet during the pandemic. She lived in constant fear of losing her job (and residency visa) due to her cancer and the medical bills continued to pile up, though nothing compared to how much the bills would bankrupt her in the US. Robin never lost hope after all that life had to throw at her.

Another thing I loved were all the real-life Paris experiences she had, and how I was able to relate to some of them from my trip there this past summer, such as the miles upon miles you walk daily, the long summer days where the sun doesn't set until 11pm, and the vibrant night life. Breast cancer also runs in my family and this book served as such an important reminder to get yourself checked yearly!

[Christine (Queen of Books)]

Sometimes I think I don't actually like memoirs all that much, and then I pick up one like SURVIVING PARIS.

I couldn't not keep reading. Robin Allison Davis has a way of telling her story that made me want to grab drinks and gab for hours longer. I didn't feel like anything was missing from the book; I just wanted to spend more time with her.

Part of my interest stemmed from how many threads were woven together: Davis is an American in Paris trying to find a place to live, a single woman in her 30s navigating dating, a Black woman living in the world. Add in a cancer diagnosis, and there was a lot here - this memoir isn't any one of these things but all of them together, including how they interact with each other.

An easy recommendation. And a nice bonus is that the writing's straightforward, so this was readable even when I felt under the weather.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surviving Paris is the author telling her story of moving from NYC to Paris, being diagnosed with breast cancer, and her resilience to beat all of her struggles in life! I had to keep reminding myself as I was reading that this was not a fictional story—this really happened!

Beautifully written, and full of so much insight and inspiration! I was so drawn into the author’s life that I really felt like I was with her going through each hurdle. Having recently traveled to Paris earlier this year, it was interesting to get more insight into the city, people and lifestyle. It was also lovely to read of how supportive her family was proving that distance doesn’t separate the love shared.

One of the most fascinating things to me was the difference between healthcare in the United States versus France. I was not surprised to find out healthcare there is cheaper. I was surprised to find out that they let you keep your scans and test results. As someone who works in healthcare, I found these comparisons fascinating!

If you’re looking for a standout debut memoir, this is it! couldn’t put this one down, and honestly wanted to know what happened next! Thank you for bravely sharing your cancer journey so openly and honestly.

[Courtney-Rose Dantus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t actually read what Surviving Paris was about before starting and assumed it would be a love story about the author finding romance with a Parisian man—or with the city itself. Robin quickly lets the reader know this is not that kind of book. At times, she’s disillusioned with Paris, and her honesty about those moments is what makes the story so compelling.

I would argue, though, that it is a love story of sorts. We witness Robin fall in love with herself—fiercely advocating for her own worth, sanity, and livelihood during one of the most trying periods of her life. And, in a quieter way, we also see her fall in love with Paris, even if that love is complicated and hard-earned.

A thoughtful, raw, and ultimately empowering read. Highly recommend.

[Jay Guillory]

I don't review or rate memoirs because they are personal accounts of someone's life! However, I will say this memoir is very eye-opening. The story is one of courage and resilience. Imagine battling cancer far from family and friends in a completely different country. It's so powerful to experience Robin's journey. It was also great to learn more about the Paris universal healthcare system and its downsides for foreigners. I can't imagine facing all of this during a pandemic, trying to make it work in a whole different country. The doctors in Paris are also different from those here in the States—no bedside manner whatsoever. Thank you to Robin Allison Davis for sharing this beautiful and very personal story with us! Thank you Amistad for my beautiful finished copy.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book opened my eyes to lots of little things I never stopped to think about. Especially when explaining all the little things that nobody talks about when dealing with cancer. It made me gain a new respect for cancer patients and survivors.
The only issue I had with this book was that the words were just...a lot. There wasn't much dialogue and the paragraphs were kind of overwhelming at some points. I had to take breaks, but it was manageable.
I would definitely recommend this book if you want to read something that makes you realize how unfair the world can be at times, but also how beautiful it has the possibility to be.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent memoir. The author manages to tackle her challenging experiences with a refreshing frankness that is also imbued with many moments of humor. The moments of lightness made the story all the more accessible and relatable, even to someone who never has experienced cancer. It’s rare a memoir is a “page-turner” for me, but I found myself throughout the book excited to read more and wanting to know what happens next.

[Quaterria Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Amistad for the gifted copy!

Surviving Paris: A Memoir of Healing in the City of Light by Robin Allison Davis is Robin's personal account of her journey in accomplishing her dream of moving to Paris and then handling an unexpected diagnosis of breast cancer.

This is not a sad story but a story of survival and triumph- a memoir that is raw, emotional and captivating. I could not fathom being in a situation like this and I have deep appreciation and respect for Robin as she gives voice to her story on paper for all to read. That's a different type of vulnerability.

"The elevator of life can be a wild ride of ups and downs. But change doesn't mean the end."

[Kay Iguh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Reading it was like being with a good friend over the weekend. I laughed, I cried, I felt swept away into the dream of another place and the realities of being there. An absolute must read for anyone wondering if they can.

[Satish · Rating 5 out of 5]

So brave! Amazing how she went through it all alone in an unfamiliar country, unknown medical system, barely speaking the language. Very few people could endure the experience. Bravo!

[Sara Makara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal and beautiful. Robin is a well of strength and determination. A must read.

[Mardi Michels · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Surviving Paris is not Emily in Paris. It’s not a story of moving to the City of Light, meeting a dashing Frenchman, and raising beret-wearing enfants. It is not a romantic fantasy. It is a true story about a young, Black single woman and what happens when your Paris dream turns into a Paris nightmare.

After more than a decade as a journalist and television producer, Robin Allison Davis decided to shake up her life and move to France. But it wasn’t quite the life she expected. When she was just thirty-four, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Surviving Paris recounts her journey from diagnosis through multiple surgeries to surviving the strictest Covid-19 lockdowns, only to be told her cancer had come back—and how she got to finding herself healthy again, including all the detours in between."

I read this book in a day - could not put it down. A compelling tale of resilience. Having moved to Paris solo at the age of 25 myself, I related to many of the author's experiences of flat-hunting and generally just getting on with life in Paris (though my experiences were many years ago). What sets this book apart from other "expats move to Paris and have a tricky time" tales is the cancer diagnosis (I cannot IMAGINE dealing with this in another language) with COVID thrown in for good measure. This is a tale of strength and, ultimately, hope. A fabulous read.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paris is the world’s most popular tourist destination, rightfully so, it’s gorgeous and somehow both ancient and modern and of course, chic. A journalist, the author moves to France in her thirties expecting to broaden her life & career, but her aspirations are halted when she’s told she has cancer. It’s not a problem of translating medical jargon from French into English, she really finds herself in such a beautiful city, not working or dating…but she is still alive, down one breast but with her sense of humor still intact. She was extremely engaging; I didn’t want to stop reading.