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Meet Me in Paris
Listening Length: 10 hours and 55 minutes
Nine Americans in Paris. Seven intertwined love stories. One City of Light.
Love Actually meets The Notebook in a tale of love, loss, and finding your way home, all set over the course of one life-changing week in Paris.
Julia Glover has brought her twenty-three-year-old daughter, Piper, to Paris for the first time—but they know it will also be their last trip here together. Julia is dying, and as the mother and daughter desperately try to make memories together as the clock ticks down, the world opens up around them. Piper meets a cute French waiter, who might just understand her better than anyone she’s ever met, and Julia meets a man at a dive bar and struggles with how to tell him the truth about her future.
Rock star Jackson Quick’s glory days are behind him. He had a handful of hit songs thirty years ago, but he hasn’t toured in a decade. This week, he’ll launch his reunion tour in Paris, the city where it all began. But he wants more out of life than being defined by fame. When he meets a woman who finally sees him for who he is at his core, the ground shifts beneath his feet.
Henry McGee has been writing hit songs for decades—including Jackson Quick’s biggest hit, City of Light. But his secret is that every love song he’s ever written is for a woman named Celeste, whom he loved a lifetime ago, when they were both teenagers in Paris during World War II. He has spent eighty years believing she died—but when a letter arrives telling him the opposite, he’s on the first flight to France. Can he break through the haze of her dementia, using the songs he’s written all these years, to remind her of who they once were to each other—and to tell her he came back for her?
Henry’s granddaughter, Melody, has just discovered that her husband of twenty years, Gilles, a French cosmetics executive, is having an affair. When she confronts him, he tearfully apologizes and begs her to forgive him. But can she? And, perhaps even more importantly, does she want to? Or is there a different kind of life out there for her if she chooses to be alone?
These intertwining stories—plus several others—unfold over a few breathtaking spring days, as an unforgettable group of Americans in Paris must find their way to their own versions of happily ever after in the City of Light.
Nine Americans in Paris. Seven intertwined love stories. One City of Light.
Love Actually meets The Notebook in a tale of love, loss, and finding your way home, all set over the course of one life-changing week in Paris.
Julia Glover has brought her twenty-three-year-old daughter, Piper, to Paris for the first time—but they know it will also be their last trip here together. Julia is dying, and as the mother and daughter desperately try to make memories together as the clock ticks down, the world opens up around them. Piper meets a cute French waiter, who might just understand her better than anyone she’s ever met, and Julia meets a man at a dive bar and struggles with how to tell him the truth about her future.
Rock star Jackson Quick’s glory days are behind him. He had a handful of hit songs thirty years ago, but he hasn’t toured in a decade. This week, he’ll launch his reunion tour in Paris, the city where it all began. But he wants more out of life than being defined by fame. When he meets a woman who finally sees him for who he is at his core, the ground shifts beneath his feet.
Henry McGee has been writing hit songs for decades—including Jackson Quick’s biggest hit, City of Light. But his secret is that every love song he’s ever written is for a woman named Celeste, whom he loved a lifetime ago, when they were both teenagers in Paris during World War II. He has spent eighty years believing she died—but when a letter arrives telling him the opposite, he’s on the first flight to France. Can he break through the haze of her dementia, using the songs he’s written all these years, to remind her of who they once were to each other—and to tell her he came back for her?
Henry’s granddaughter, Melody, has just discovered that her husband of twenty years, Gilles, a French cosmetics executive, is having an affair. When she confronts him, he tearfully apologizes and begs her to forgive him. But can she? And, perhaps even more importantly, does she want to? Or is there a different kind of life out there for her if she chooses to be alone?
These intertwining stories—plus several others—unfold over a few breathtaking spring days, as an unforgettable group of Americans in Paris must find their way to their own versions of happily ever after in the City of Light.
11 pages, Audio CD
First published July 28, 2026
About the author
Kristin Harmel
28 books18.8k followersKristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling, USA Today bestselling, and #1 international bestselling author of The Paris Daughter, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker’s Wife, and a dozen other novels that have been translated into more than 30 languages and are sold all over the world.
Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. In addition to a long magazine writing career, primarily writing and reporting for PEOPLE magazine (as well as articles published in numerous other magazines, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and more), Kristin was also a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz. She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in February 2006.
Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Worthington, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. In addition to a long magazine writing career, primarily writing and reporting for PEOPLE magazine (as well as articles published in numerous other magazines, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and more), Kristin was also a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz. She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in February 2006.
Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Worthington, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,267 reviews
July 31, 2026
This is Kristin Harmel’s switch into contemporary fiction, outside of her successful historical fiction novels. I’ve enjoyed quite a few of them, especially Colette.Marceau.
Meet me in Paris is about seven people who are all connected in someway during 10 days in Paris. While there are seven different storylines, I was never confused.Harmel makes it easy for you to understand who is who and what their individual plot lines are. However, the multiple storylines was not the issue, the main problem was that the first 20% is all you need to read, and then you can jump to the last 15% and know exactly what happened and not miss a beat.
The story was so predictable, so basic and so much eye rolling. There’s no subtlety or drama, nothing that will shock you.
Just your basic run-of-the-mill contemporary women’s fiction that I wish I had skipped.
Meet me in Paris is about seven people who are all connected in someway during 10 days in Paris. While there are seven different storylines, I was never confused.Harmel makes it easy for you to understand who is who and what their individual plot lines are. However, the multiple storylines was not the issue, the main problem was that the first 20% is all you need to read, and then you can jump to the last 15% and know exactly what happened and not miss a beat.
The story was so predictable, so basic and so much eye rolling. There’s no subtlety or drama, nothing that will shock you.
Just your basic run-of-the-mill contemporary women’s fiction that I wish I had skipped.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel
I was attracted to this story because I've read three of Kristin Harmel's historical fiction novels and they were a good fit for me. This book does touch on historical fiction but seems more chick lit/romance, by far, and I was overwhelmed by the large number of characters we follow throughout the story. As the synopsis says, nine Americans in Paris, seven intertwining romances and I would have liked to have focused on fewer characters so that I could keep track of them better.
My favorite characters were the dying Julia and her daughter Piper, who has put the last several years of her life on hold to be with and to care for her mother. Now they are visiting Paris, where Julia has such great memories from when she was living in Paris when she was her daughter's age. Seeing these two women blossom to the men they meet is bittersweet, one woman with very little time, the other woman having newfound love overshadowed by upcoming loss.
There is also a rock star, two sets of women dealing with ruptured marriages, and more. The chapters are short and often it seems we move on in the middle of something that I wanted to have continued. It's a very small world with these characters, the way they intertwine and intermingle in ways that seem unlikely in real life. If you love Paris, there is plenty for you to enjoy and there is a bit of historical fiction that relates to a past book of Kristin Harmel's, a book I haven't read yet but plan to read/hear in the future. I appreciate the author's note at the end of the book. I read this with DeAnn so be sure to read her review because I know she handled this international trip in the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Publication July 28, 2026
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC
I was attracted to this story because I've read three of Kristin Harmel's historical fiction novels and they were a good fit for me. This book does touch on historical fiction but seems more chick lit/romance, by far, and I was overwhelmed by the large number of characters we follow throughout the story. As the synopsis says, nine Americans in Paris, seven intertwining romances and I would have liked to have focused on fewer characters so that I could keep track of them better.
My favorite characters were the dying Julia and her daughter Piper, who has put the last several years of her life on hold to be with and to care for her mother. Now they are visiting Paris, where Julia has such great memories from when she was living in Paris when she was her daughter's age. Seeing these two women blossom to the men they meet is bittersweet, one woman with very little time, the other woman having newfound love overshadowed by upcoming loss.
There is also a rock star, two sets of women dealing with ruptured marriages, and more. The chapters are short and often it seems we move on in the middle of something that I wanted to have continued. It's a very small world with these characters, the way they intertwine and intermingle in ways that seem unlikely in real life. If you love Paris, there is plenty for you to enjoy and there is a bit of historical fiction that relates to a past book of Kristin Harmel's, a book I haven't read yet but plan to read/hear in the future. I appreciate the author's note at the end of the book. I read this with DeAnn so be sure to read her review because I know she handled this international trip in the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Publication July 28, 2026
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC
May 27, 2026
3.5 ⭐ (rounded to 4)
This story will enchant those who aren’t intimidated by a large cast of characters and enjoy being immersed in a character-driven novel. If you enjoyed Love Actually, this novel was inspired by that storyline. If you are familiar with the author’s recent ‘battle’, you’ll understand her nod to it with one of her characters.
Kristin Harmel has crafted some of the most memorable characters; they’re so detailed and nuanced they feel real. Some are dealing with loss and looking for love; some come to Paris carrying heavy burdens; some need encouragement to be a light; some want to be seen for who they really are, and they are all hoping to grasp happiness. You’ll get 7 intertwining love stories set against the city of love and lights over one week. To tell you any more would be a disservice.
Although I prefer Harmel’s historical fiction, this was a welcome diversion.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This story will enchant those who aren’t intimidated by a large cast of characters and enjoy being immersed in a character-driven novel. If you enjoyed Love Actually, this novel was inspired by that storyline. If you are familiar with the author’s recent ‘battle’, you’ll understand her nod to it with one of her characters.
Kristin Harmel has crafted some of the most memorable characters; they’re so detailed and nuanced they feel real. Some are dealing with loss and looking for love; some come to Paris carrying heavy burdens; some need encouragement to be a light; some want to be seen for who they really are, and they are all hoping to grasp happiness. You’ll get 7 intertwining love stories set against the city of love and lights over one week. To tell you any more would be a disservice.
Although I prefer Harmel’s historical fiction, this was a welcome diversion.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 25, 2026
3.5-4! Going to think on it
The Notebook meets Love, Actually. Nine Americans in Paris. Seven intertwined love stories. One City of Light.
This sounds magical.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and the author, Kristin Harmel for an early ARC!
Publication date: July 28, 2026
The Notebook meets Love, Actually. Nine Americans in Paris. Seven intertwined love stories. One City of Light.
This sounds magical.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and the author, Kristin Harmel for an early ARC!
Publication date: July 28, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What to say about MEET ME IN PARIS... First of all, I would read Kristin Harmel's grocery list and be totally enthralled. But I am so, so, so excited to have a contemporary novel from my beloved KH. It is riveting and fast-paced and... well... I think my blurb below says it a little more eloquently, but five huge stars. Read it immediately! You will thank me!
The City of Light becomes the City of Love in Kristin Harmel’s breathtaking new escape celebrating life’s most complicated emotion in all its glory. Nine Americans descend on Parisian soil, their paths intertwining in a swoon-worthy and poignant tale of fresh starts and self-discovery that will make even the most cynical reader believe in the transformational power of true love. Kristin Harmel has long been one of my favorite authors, and with MEET ME IN PARIS, she has taken her ever-masterful storytelling to even greater heights. Harmel’s prose shines as brightly as her beloved Paris in what is sure to be the must-read novel of the year!
The City of Light becomes the City of Love in Kristin Harmel’s breathtaking new escape celebrating life’s most complicated emotion in all its glory. Nine Americans descend on Parisian soil, their paths intertwining in a swoon-worthy and poignant tale of fresh starts and self-discovery that will make even the most cynical reader believe in the transformational power of true love. Kristin Harmel has long been one of my favorite authors, and with MEET ME IN PARIS, she has taken her ever-masterful storytelling to even greater heights. Harmel’s prose shines as brightly as her beloved Paris in what is sure to be the must-read novel of the year!
July 28, 2026
Wherever you are in the world, and wherever you are in your life, you have the right to choose happiness— and to pursue your own happily ever after with your whole heart. Author's Note 99%
A contemporary novel about a group of strangers- all Americans, from different walks of life who find themselves in Paris and unexpectedly find love. Taking a break from historical fiction and setting a Love Actually type of tale in her favourite city (Kristin Harmel lived in Paris for a time) was an absolutely captivating novel. I began reading this last night before bed, and if I hadn't lost the battle with fatigue, I would have finished it last night. But it was the first thing I reached for today. Like the author, I, too, enjoy Love Actually, so this multi-character storyline where many characters intersect as strangers suited me. Hard to pick a fave storyline. Oh, who am I kidding? It was the two American veterans who served in Vietnam- George and Leo!
Publication Date 28/07/26
Goodreads Review 28/07/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
A contemporary novel about a group of strangers- all Americans, from different walks of life who find themselves in Paris and unexpectedly find love. Taking a break from historical fiction and setting a Love Actually type of tale in her favourite city (Kristin Harmel lived in Paris for a time) was an absolutely captivating novel. I began reading this last night before bed, and if I hadn't lost the battle with fatigue, I would have finished it last night. But it was the first thing I reached for today. Like the author, I, too, enjoy Love Actually, so this multi-character storyline where many characters intersect as strangers suited me. Hard to pick a fave storyline. Oh, who am I kidding? It was the two American veterans who served in Vietnam- George and Leo!
Publication Date 28/07/26
Goodreads Review 28/07/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 9, 2026
Set in Paris, the City of Light and Love, this sweet and charming novel brings together seven intertwining love stories. From strangers unexpectedly crossing paths and falling in love to old flames reuniting at various ages and stages in life, each arc brings its own unique warmth and emotional depth to the page. It's a lovely, heart-warming read that captures the magic, romance, and serendipity of Paris beautifully!
August 2, 2026
Following seven love stories over the course of an unforgettable week, Meet Me in Paris intertwines a large cast to explore love and lost in the famed city. Nine Americans, each with a unique reason, find their stories overlapping. Though one of the core storylines is rooted in a romance that began during World War Two, the novel remains in the present, being Kristin Harmel's first work of contemporary fiction.
Our key cast includes Henry and Celeste, who met as young adults during WW2. Now almost a hundred years old, they have the chance to reconnect after mistakenly thinking the other had died. Only, Celeste has dementia, and Henry must reach her through song. Also featured are mother and daughter- Julia and Piper- visiting the city before Julia dies to cancer. Piper connects with a French waiter, and Julia with an aging rock star.
To add to that, the novel follows the love lives of Henry's granddaughter (Melody), two gay veterans (George and Lou), Celeste's caretaker, a divorced woman visiting the city, and an Australian bar owner. However, with such a large cast, there was too much coincidental timing to make their stories all overlap. In some ways, things became so convenient in how the characters met. Somehow, it felt less believable than a Star Wars movie.
To follow the narrative, I really had to suspend some belief. For example, the key character, Henry, was nearly a hundred years old though we saw him run and perform at a concert. As a whole, the novel was hard to take seriously, with the dialogue becoming so cliche. All of the "bad" characters behaved like the bullies in a Disney show, saying things you would hear on a middle school playground. I could not get behind the writing of the characters, thinking it seemed almost done by a toddler.
What this novel did well at was making readers feel the pull of Paris. I remember as a little girl I was obsessed with the city, and this brought back fun recollections. The picture is painted on the rosier side, making this a light hearted read. It was simply too surface level and convenient to truly connect with.
Thank you to NetGallery and Gallery Books for this advanced copy!
Our key cast includes Henry and Celeste, who met as young adults during WW2. Now almost a hundred years old, they have the chance to reconnect after mistakenly thinking the other had died. Only, Celeste has dementia, and Henry must reach her through song. Also featured are mother and daughter- Julia and Piper- visiting the city before Julia dies to cancer. Piper connects with a French waiter, and Julia with an aging rock star.
To add to that, the novel follows the love lives of Henry's granddaughter (Melody), two gay veterans (George and Lou), Celeste's caretaker, a divorced woman visiting the city, and an Australian bar owner. However, with such a large cast, there was too much coincidental timing to make their stories all overlap. In some ways, things became so convenient in how the characters met. Somehow, it felt less believable than a Star Wars movie.
To follow the narrative, I really had to suspend some belief. For example, the key character, Henry, was nearly a hundred years old though we saw him run and perform at a concert. As a whole, the novel was hard to take seriously, with the dialogue becoming so cliche. All of the "bad" characters behaved like the bullies in a Disney show, saying things you would hear on a middle school playground. I could not get behind the writing of the characters, thinking it seemed almost done by a toddler.
What this novel did well at was making readers feel the pull of Paris. I remember as a little girl I was obsessed with the city, and this brought back fun recollections. The picture is painted on the rosier side, making this a light hearted read. It was simply too surface level and convenient to truly connect with.
Thank you to NetGallery and Gallery Books for this advanced copy!
August 16, 2026
Kristin Harmel's "Meet Me in Paris" is a beautifully written novel featuring seven intertwined characters. It has vividly described settings and themes of losing love, finding love, discovering oneself, and choosing happiness. The author's note, read in her own voice, is enlightening and her personal insight is truly appreciated. Madeleine Maby does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life.
January 8, 2026
Meet Me in Paris
By: Kristin Harmel
Pub Date: July 28, 2026
Publisher: Gallery Books
Some days are like Christmas. When I saw Harmel’s book was on Netgalley, I ran immediately and requested. She is one of my favorite authors and her books are always the perfect reads.
Paris is the fabulous city this novel’s stories are brought to live featuring nine Americans.
As the stories unfold, we will delve in the personal lives of a mother/daughter, a former rock star, a song writer, a lost love, and a husband and wife who are struggling.
Every story had me completely invested in their truths, struggles, emotions and wanted the best outcome for each. This novel had some hard subjects like death, infidelity, tough medical diagnosis and trust issues.
Every book Harmel writes a unique and emotional novel and I AM ALL IN!
By: Kristin Harmel
Pub Date: July 28, 2026
Publisher: Gallery Books
Some days are like Christmas. When I saw Harmel’s book was on Netgalley, I ran immediately and requested. She is one of my favorite authors and her books are always the perfect reads.
Paris is the fabulous city this novel’s stories are brought to live featuring nine Americans.
As the stories unfold, we will delve in the personal lives of a mother/daughter, a former rock star, a song writer, a lost love, and a husband and wife who are struggling.
Every story had me completely invested in their truths, struggles, emotions and wanted the best outcome for each. This novel had some hard subjects like death, infidelity, tough medical diagnosis and trust issues.
Every book Harmel writes a unique and emotional novel and I AM ALL IN!
August 16, 2026
I typically enjoy this author very much, but this book left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not appreciate the agenda being pushed in multiple of the storylines. The stories themselves were shallow and lacked a depth of character development that she has typically included in her story telling. I thought the style of this book - several stories all interwoven - made it hard to really get to know the characters in any way or even feel that their stories were realistic. She typically writes historical fiction and unless she goes back to that, this will be the last book I’ll read from this author.
July 31, 2026
'Take some chances! Life isn't just about making all the smart, safe moves'.
Inspired by Kristin Harmel's own experiences of living in Paris, 'Meet Me in Paris' has been aptly compared to 'Love Actually'. Following a group of Americans whose lives unexpectedly intersect in the City of Light, it explores love in all its forms—new love, lost love, family, friendship and, perhaps most importantly, learning to love the life you choose for yourself.
‘...there may be sadness in the world, but there's always joy, too, right around the corner. You just have to keep walking until you find it.’
At its heart, this is a story about embracing opportunities, remaining hopeful through life's disappointments, and recognising that every person we meet leaves us changed in some way. Some arrive for a lifetime, while others simply help us find the courage to take the next step.
The story continually flits between its many characters and interconnected storylines, making it occasionally difficult to keep everyone straight, while many of the plot developments are predictable. Even so, its warmth, optimism and feel-good message make it an enjoyable, life-affirming read.
'Sometimes people come into our lives to show us the way to the next step instead of staying around forever.'
Inspired by Kristin Harmel's own experiences of living in Paris, 'Meet Me in Paris' has been aptly compared to 'Love Actually'. Following a group of Americans whose lives unexpectedly intersect in the City of Light, it explores love in all its forms—new love, lost love, family, friendship and, perhaps most importantly, learning to love the life you choose for yourself.
‘...there may be sadness in the world, but there's always joy, too, right around the corner. You just have to keep walking until you find it.’
At its heart, this is a story about embracing opportunities, remaining hopeful through life's disappointments, and recognising that every person we meet leaves us changed in some way. Some arrive for a lifetime, while others simply help us find the courage to take the next step.
The story continually flits between its many characters and interconnected storylines, making it occasionally difficult to keep everyone straight, while many of the plot developments are predictable. Even so, its warmth, optimism and feel-good message make it an enjoyable, life-affirming read.
'Sometimes people come into our lives to show us the way to the next step instead of staying around forever.'
September 28, 2026
Meet me in Paris written by Kristin Harmel was a surprise pick by me… a general fiction novel about love, heartbreak and resilience.
Set in the heart of Paris, we meet about 9 different main characters, with just about as many supporting characters (a whirlwind to say the least) and with short chapters, we read 8 different stories unfolding about love and sorrow.
Each chapter capturing a different type of story and it goes back and forth funneling through each. So … honestly, keeping these characters and stories straight was an ambitious goal for this reader😬…
AND THEN to have these strangers all end up entangled with one another, in some way or another is just wild!
A peak inside:
🌼Julia and Piper: A mother and daughter on a trip …Julia a divorced woman dying of cancer with her adult single daughter.
🌼Henry and Melissa: an elderly man (99 years old) flies to Paris seeking recognition and love from the love of his life, Celeste, who has dementia and resides in a home care facility. He stays with his grand daughter whose marriage is in shambles.
🌼Shelby seeking fun and refuge after a failed marriage … joins her friends on a celebration trip to Paris who meets an Australian bartender named Russ.
🌼George and Lou: Two veterans with a loyal friendship travel to Paris with other veterans.
🌼Jackson Quick: A lonely American rock star returns to Paris for a reunion concert where he is set to preform.
🌼Kayla a young American care taker living in Paris and seeking a relationship with her French father.
This was a good book. It challenged me, but not in a good sort of way -lol. I found it hard to connect with each character the way I like to do so in a story. Yes… Well written, with compelling circumstances, but not super realistic. I did enjoy this though … you may too!
3.5 stars for this one!
Set in the heart of Paris, we meet about 9 different main characters, with just about as many supporting characters (a whirlwind to say the least) and with short chapters, we read 8 different stories unfolding about love and sorrow.
Each chapter capturing a different type of story and it goes back and forth funneling through each. So … honestly, keeping these characters and stories straight was an ambitious goal for this reader😬…
AND THEN to have these strangers all end up entangled with one another, in some way or another is just wild!
A peak inside:
🌼Julia and Piper: A mother and daughter on a trip …Julia a divorced woman dying of cancer with her adult single daughter.
🌼Henry and Melissa: an elderly man (99 years old) flies to Paris seeking recognition and love from the love of his life, Celeste, who has dementia and resides in a home care facility. He stays with his grand daughter whose marriage is in shambles.
🌼Shelby seeking fun and refuge after a failed marriage … joins her friends on a celebration trip to Paris who meets an Australian bartender named Russ.
🌼George and Lou: Two veterans with a loyal friendship travel to Paris with other veterans.
🌼Jackson Quick: A lonely American rock star returns to Paris for a reunion concert where he is set to preform.
🌼Kayla a young American care taker living in Paris and seeking a relationship with her French father.
This was a good book. It challenged me, but not in a good sort of way -lol. I found it hard to connect with each character the way I like to do so in a story. Yes… Well written, with compelling circumstances, but not super realistic. I did enjoy this though … you may too!
3.5 stars for this one!
August 21, 2026
Julia Glover is dying, she wants to visit her favourite place Paris with her daughter Piper and it will be their last trip together. One afternoon Piper meets Nicolas a French waiter and her mum visits a bar called Le Maison Grog (previously named The Red Telephone Box) and chats to a guy called Sam and she introduces him to drinking Pastis.
Jackson Quick is trying to reinvent his career as a rock star, thirty years ago he had a big hit song and this is the first time he’s toured in ten years and he will be glad when it’s over.
Henry McGee is a ninety nine year old song writer, and he wrote City of Light for his first love Celeste, they met in Paris as teenagers during the Second World War. Both thought each other had died, his discovers his beloved Celeste is alive and suffering from dementia.
Kayla Brock is a nurse at the care home where Celeste lives, she’s come to Paris to reconnect with her French father and notices an Algerian artist Nadim painting by a bridge.
Melanie Chaulet is Henry’s granddaughter, she’s married to Gilles, a French cosmetics executive, and discovers he’s having an affair. Henry doesn’t want to influence her decision and he knows Melanie deserves to be loved and Gilles isn’t the right man for her.
Shelby Anderson is in Paris with her girlfriends Corinne and Vanessa and she’s supposed to be celebrating her divorce, she feels sad and lonely. The only person who listens and understands is Russ the Aussie bartender and part-owner of Le Maison Grog.
George Jackson and Lou Robinson fought together in Vietnam, now both are widowed and in their seventies and on veteran’s trip to Paris.
I received a copy of Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel from Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. The bestselling author’s enjoyment and thoughts about the movie Love Actually, and first trip to Paris, is her stories inspiration and it has nothing to do with Christmas.
The narrative is about seven American’s all from different back grounds and age groups, how their lives overlap and intertwine, about losing and finding love, figuring out who they are, getting rid of guilt and burdens, while sad at times and it’s not without hope and set in the beautiful City of Light.
Four and a half stars and a great companion read for those who enjoyed Ms Harmel's The Sweetness of Forgetting.
Jackson Quick is trying to reinvent his career as a rock star, thirty years ago he had a big hit song and this is the first time he’s toured in ten years and he will be glad when it’s over.
Henry McGee is a ninety nine year old song writer, and he wrote City of Light for his first love Celeste, they met in Paris as teenagers during the Second World War. Both thought each other had died, his discovers his beloved Celeste is alive and suffering from dementia.
Kayla Brock is a nurse at the care home where Celeste lives, she’s come to Paris to reconnect with her French father and notices an Algerian artist Nadim painting by a bridge.
Melanie Chaulet is Henry’s granddaughter, she’s married to Gilles, a French cosmetics executive, and discovers he’s having an affair. Henry doesn’t want to influence her decision and he knows Melanie deserves to be loved and Gilles isn’t the right man for her.
Shelby Anderson is in Paris with her girlfriends Corinne and Vanessa and she’s supposed to be celebrating her divorce, she feels sad and lonely. The only person who listens and understands is Russ the Aussie bartender and part-owner of Le Maison Grog.
George Jackson and Lou Robinson fought together in Vietnam, now both are widowed and in their seventies and on veteran’s trip to Paris.
I received a copy of Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel from Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. The bestselling author’s enjoyment and thoughts about the movie Love Actually, and first trip to Paris, is her stories inspiration and it has nothing to do with Christmas.
The narrative is about seven American’s all from different back grounds and age groups, how their lives overlap and intertwine, about losing and finding love, figuring out who they are, getting rid of guilt and burdens, while sad at times and it’s not without hope and set in the beautiful City of Light.
Four and a half stars and a great companion read for those who enjoyed Ms Harmel's The Sweetness of Forgetting.
August 12, 2026
A magical and memorable week in Paris brings together a wonderful cast of characters, each with their own story, secrets, and reasons for visiting the city of light. From Julia returning to Paris with her daughter after 27 years, to a group of Vietnam veterans reuniting, an Aussie expat running a bustling pub, and a woman with a remarkable connection to the French Resistance and the man who has loved her for decades, I loved watching all of their stories unfold—and, eventually, intertwine.
The characters were the highlight for me. I especially enjoyed Jackson Quick, a famous aging rock star whose greatest hit was written by one of the other characters. As he begins a romance while keeping his true identity under wraps, his storyline was fantastic as he prepares for his comeback tour. And I absolutely loved the concert scene!
What really worked for me was the way these seemingly separate lives gradually connected in unexpected and profound ways. It reminded me of Love Actually, where different stories and characters come together to create something bigger and more meaningful. The authors note explains how the film inspired her in writing this book.
Harmel’s writing is easy to read, with a lovely flow that kept me engaged and curious as to how it all comes together. There were a few overused cliches about starting over in this that made me cringe a little. Also, I did wish there had been more description of Paris itself. With the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, Giverny, and all the other beautiful places they visited, I wanted to feel more immersed in the city rather than simply know they were there.
This was my first Kristin Harmel book, which surprised me since she usually writes historical fiction which I love. I’m definitely going to read The Book of Lost Names that I already have on my shelf.
The characters were the highlight for me. I especially enjoyed Jackson Quick, a famous aging rock star whose greatest hit was written by one of the other characters. As he begins a romance while keeping his true identity under wraps, his storyline was fantastic as he prepares for his comeback tour. And I absolutely loved the concert scene!
What really worked for me was the way these seemingly separate lives gradually connected in unexpected and profound ways. It reminded me of Love Actually, where different stories and characters come together to create something bigger and more meaningful. The authors note explains how the film inspired her in writing this book.
Harmel’s writing is easy to read, with a lovely flow that kept me engaged and curious as to how it all comes together. There were a few overused cliches about starting over in this that made me cringe a little. Also, I did wish there had been more description of Paris itself. With the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, Giverny, and all the other beautiful places they visited, I wanted to feel more immersed in the city rather than simply know they were there.
This was my first Kristin Harmel book, which surprised me since she usually writes historical fiction which I love. I’m definitely going to read The Book of Lost Names that I already have on my shelf.
August 24, 2026
“‘Take some chances! Life isn’t just about making all the smart, safe moves.’”
Well dang.
Unpopular opinion: these are not good love stories.
I have loved every historical fiction of Harmel that I have read. Apparently she’s been itching to write a book like Love, Actually and finally did with Meet Me in Paris, but it was highly disappointing.
First of all, haven’t we all seen Taken?! (which happened in Paris, mind you…) A mom does not tell her 23-year-old daughter to go out and find that waiter she thought was attractive and have some fun in the city and to just wake her up whenever she gets home. And if a guy keeps watching you leave your house and finally asks you if he can paint you, no, you do not do this. You don’t go with him to places he does not divulge and only says, ‘just trust me.’
This book is full of red flags.
Yes, of course these men you just met are all very sweet and look at you like you’re the only one in the room and make you feel special and say all the things you want them to say… they want something from you.
I think the whole take some chances thing and not always do the safe thing means try a new career, unfriend-zone your best guy friend because you do love him and it’s okay to risk the friendship if he could be your husband, move to a new country to learn a new culture, be vulnerable and share the new song or book you wrote and have been afraid to. It doesn’t mean go be alone with strange men in a foreign country because maybe in a perfect world you could marry them and everything will work out!
Harmel loves Paris and the summer she spent there changed the trajectory of her life, but, man, she just went alllll in on the whole ‘city of love’ stereotype of Paris.
All these people from all walks of life are in Paris to find someone to sleep with… I mean fall in love with.
Logically, sex is either a base instinct, a hunger that needs to be satiated, or it’s a cherished intimate connection we were made to have between two committed people. You can’t do both. Harmel tried and it’s a mess.
It felt like Harmel’s primary objectives while writing this book were as follows: 1) make it like Love Actually, 2) put it in Paris, 3) check as many diversity boxes as I can, 4) did I mention it should be in Paris?
Some people hated all the different storylines and characters to keep track of. I didn’t even mind that. I get the concept. But I only vaguely cared about two of the stories and even then they both had pieces I didn’t like.
She usually writes such good stories that capture the time period and engage a whole range of emotions, but there just wasn’t much here. It just felt sad. In a non-romantic way.
It basically felt like the theme was: forget about your past relationships, there’s something new and better in Paris!
“Something about Paris brought love to the surface, made people open their hearts in ways they never had before, made lovers out of strangers.”
Sure, two of the characters’ relationships involved affairs, so yeah, those might be worth moving on from. But couldn’t Harmel give us even ONE relationship that involved a husband and a wife that were drifting apart but rekindled their love in Paris? No. She could not. No redeemed love. Just out with the old, in with the new.
We get:
Henry and Celeste- Henry is 100 and his wife died years ago, but it has ALWAYS been Celeste for him (the woman he fell in love with back in WWII) who actually didn’t die back then like he thought and even though she has dementia she will for sure still be in love with him too
Melanie (Henry’s grandaughter) and Gilles- Gilles has a mistress (because I guess French people just expect that?) and Melanie has to decide if she will give him another chance
Amandine (the mistress)- I don’t know why we get chapters from her POV because we never circle back to her in any significant way… what was the point of that?
Julia and Jackson Quick- Julia got divorced (obviously) and is dying from cancer so she’s taking one last trip with her 23-year-old daughter, Piper (who is obviously single and ready to mingle) and also Julia is ready to mingle… with the American, trying-to-have-a-tour-comeback-rockstar Jackson Quick who pretends to be Sam
Piper and Waiter-guy- Piper and the waiter lock eyes when he pours her water and it. is. the. truest. love. And of course he knows poetry and stuff.
Shelby and Aussie-bartender-guy- Shelby is having a divorce party— where you haven’t actually signed the papers for the divorce with stupid Brandon-who-loves-the-yoga-instructor-because IVF-isn’t-working, but you still fly to Paris with your two best friends so you can get drunk a lot and hopefully find a rebound for a night or two. Shelby wasn’t going to go crazy like her friends, but then the bartender was Australian and really cares about her well-being so I guess we will do it after all.
Kayla and Nadim- Kayla takes care of Celeste and she needs a romantic love story too, so yes Nadim can paint her. Kayla’s there to try to have a relationship with her dad, but he’s actually just a jerk so let’s just fall in love with the man who stalks me outside my house and knows about cheese and make this relocation worth it
Did I miss anyone?
Oh yeah. Here’s the real kicker.
Lou and George- They are male Vietnam war vets, best friends since they served together, in Paris on a trip for Vietnam vets. Both of their wives have passed away, but one stroll by the Eiffel Tower and actually they’ve loved EACH OTHER this entire time, let’s kiss each other now. Just completely out of nowhere. This one made absolutely zero sense to me.
The Notebook callback with Henry and Celeste could have been intriguing if we spent more time on their history and we didn’t have to just throw Henry’s actual wife out the window like she didn’t even matter that entire time.
I also would have spent more time on Julia coming to terms with her terminal illness and wanting to share with Piper everything she won’t be able to once she’s gone. This one was the emotional one for me. That could have been a whole book.
They could have leaned harder into the ‘When it is dark enough, you can see the stars’ Ralph Waldo Emerson poem and how “it reminds us that when things are at their worst, there’s always light. You just have to remind yourself to look up and see it.”
But instead it’s just a little piece and it ends up being more about each of their love interests than a meaningful time together.
I will admit that I can see how readers who have personally gone through a hard divorce that involved an affair might resonate with the characters wanting to move on from that and find someone who actually cares about them. That their life isn’t over because their marriage is, that they are not less of a person.
There is definitely something to be said of that. The divorce rate makes me sad and I hate how so many of them involve abuse or affairs. But even then, I would prefer to read about them finding love without roaming the streets of a foreign country and sleeping with the first guy who ‘makes them feel special.’ That just doesn’t feel like the fresh start I would want for them. I would want something better, something real and lasting.
Harmel assures us, even though it’s only been a few days, it’s all real. But it’s not. We know it’s not. It’s more fantasy than romance at this point.
We also need to talk about the songs. They were not good. The best songs don’t usually do exact rhymes in an ABAB pattern, and if they do, it’s like once. For good songs you need close rhymes, you need variance. The songs felt like a poem I would have written in high school.
That’s probably a dumb thing to care about, especially because maybe if you could hear the song it wouldn’t seem so bad, but when you just read the lyrics it felt like it was jarring you out of a mediocre adult romance book into a mediocre juevenile romance book— which seems like it wouldn’t be a big jar… but it was at LEAST pickle-sized!
Recommendation
If you love new and exciting things (in Paris nonetheless) and love when you get to throw away something you’re tired of, and you loved the movie Love, Actually, then you might enjoy this book.
If you prefer love stories that are more realistic, have more redemptive qualities— and better songs— then I would recommend passing on this one.
It feels wrong to give a Kristin Harmel book such a low rating— I still love all of Harmel’s historical fiction that I’ve read and will 100% read her next historical fiction novel— but this one just wasn’t for me. I think there are way better love stories out there.
[Content Advisory: 0 f-words, 1 s-word; some closed door romance- except for the mistress chapters which are slightly more descriptive; a random LGBTQ relationship for like five minutes]
**Received a ARC via NetGalley**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | StoryGraph
Well dang.
Unpopular opinion: these are not good love stories.
I have loved every historical fiction of Harmel that I have read. Apparently she’s been itching to write a book like Love, Actually and finally did with Meet Me in Paris, but it was highly disappointing.
First of all, haven’t we all seen Taken?! (which happened in Paris, mind you…) A mom does not tell her 23-year-old daughter to go out and find that waiter she thought was attractive and have some fun in the city and to just wake her up whenever she gets home. And if a guy keeps watching you leave your house and finally asks you if he can paint you, no, you do not do this. You don’t go with him to places he does not divulge and only says, ‘just trust me.’
This book is full of red flags.
Yes, of course these men you just met are all very sweet and look at you like you’re the only one in the room and make you feel special and say all the things you want them to say… they want something from you.
I think the whole take some chances thing and not always do the safe thing means try a new career, unfriend-zone your best guy friend because you do love him and it’s okay to risk the friendship if he could be your husband, move to a new country to learn a new culture, be vulnerable and share the new song or book you wrote and have been afraid to. It doesn’t mean go be alone with strange men in a foreign country because maybe in a perfect world you could marry them and everything will work out!
Harmel loves Paris and the summer she spent there changed the trajectory of her life, but, man, she just went alllll in on the whole ‘city of love’ stereotype of Paris.
All these people from all walks of life are in Paris to find someone to sleep with… I mean fall in love with.
Logically, sex is either a base instinct, a hunger that needs to be satiated, or it’s a cherished intimate connection we were made to have between two committed people. You can’t do both. Harmel tried and it’s a mess.
It felt like Harmel’s primary objectives while writing this book were as follows: 1) make it like Love Actually, 2) put it in Paris, 3) check as many diversity boxes as I can, 4) did I mention it should be in Paris?
Some people hated all the different storylines and characters to keep track of. I didn’t even mind that. I get the concept. But I only vaguely cared about two of the stories and even then they both had pieces I didn’t like.
She usually writes such good stories that capture the time period and engage a whole range of emotions, but there just wasn’t much here. It just felt sad. In a non-romantic way.
It basically felt like the theme was: forget about your past relationships, there’s something new and better in Paris!
“Something about Paris brought love to the surface, made people open their hearts in ways they never had before, made lovers out of strangers.”
Sure, two of the characters’ relationships involved affairs, so yeah, those might be worth moving on from. But couldn’t Harmel give us even ONE relationship that involved a husband and a wife that were drifting apart but rekindled their love in Paris? No. She could not. No redeemed love. Just out with the old, in with the new.
We get:
Henry and Celeste- Henry is 100 and his wife died years ago, but it has ALWAYS been Celeste for him (the woman he fell in love with back in WWII) who actually didn’t die back then like he thought and even though she has dementia she will for sure still be in love with him too
Melanie (Henry’s grandaughter) and Gilles- Gilles has a mistress (because I guess French people just expect that?) and Melanie has to decide if she will give him another chance
Amandine (the mistress)- I don’t know why we get chapters from her POV because we never circle back to her in any significant way… what was the point of that?
Julia and Jackson Quick- Julia got divorced (obviously) and is dying from cancer so she’s taking one last trip with her 23-year-old daughter, Piper (who is obviously single and ready to mingle) and also Julia is ready to mingle… with the American, trying-to-have-a-tour-comeback-rockstar Jackson Quick who pretends to be Sam
Piper and Waiter-guy- Piper and the waiter lock eyes when he pours her water and it. is. the. truest. love. And of course he knows poetry and stuff.
Shelby and Aussie-bartender-guy- Shelby is having a divorce party— where you haven’t actually signed the papers for the divorce with stupid Brandon-who-loves-the-yoga-instructor-because IVF-isn’t-working, but you still fly to Paris with your two best friends so you can get drunk a lot and hopefully find a rebound for a night or two. Shelby wasn’t going to go crazy like her friends, but then the bartender was Australian and really cares about her well-being so I guess we will do it after all.
Kayla and Nadim- Kayla takes care of Celeste and she needs a romantic love story too, so yes Nadim can paint her. Kayla’s there to try to have a relationship with her dad, but he’s actually just a jerk so let’s just fall in love with the man who stalks me outside my house and knows about cheese and make this relocation worth it
Did I miss anyone?
Oh yeah. Here’s the real kicker.
Lou and George- They are male Vietnam war vets, best friends since they served together, in Paris on a trip for Vietnam vets. Both of their wives have passed away, but one stroll by the Eiffel Tower and actually they’ve loved EACH OTHER this entire time, let’s kiss each other now. Just completely out of nowhere. This one made absolutely zero sense to me.
The Notebook callback with Henry and Celeste could have been intriguing if we spent more time on their history and we didn’t have to just throw Henry’s actual wife out the window like she didn’t even matter that entire time.
I also would have spent more time on Julia coming to terms with her terminal illness and wanting to share with Piper everything she won’t be able to once she’s gone. This one was the emotional one for me. That could have been a whole book.
They could have leaned harder into the ‘When it is dark enough, you can see the stars’ Ralph Waldo Emerson poem and how “it reminds us that when things are at their worst, there’s always light. You just have to remind yourself to look up and see it.”
But instead it’s just a little piece and it ends up being more about each of their love interests than a meaningful time together.
I will admit that I can see how readers who have personally gone through a hard divorce that involved an affair might resonate with the characters wanting to move on from that and find someone who actually cares about them. That their life isn’t over because their marriage is, that they are not less of a person.
There is definitely something to be said of that. The divorce rate makes me sad and I hate how so many of them involve abuse or affairs. But even then, I would prefer to read about them finding love without roaming the streets of a foreign country and sleeping with the first guy who ‘makes them feel special.’ That just doesn’t feel like the fresh start I would want for them. I would want something better, something real and lasting.
Harmel assures us, even though it’s only been a few days, it’s all real. But it’s not. We know it’s not. It’s more fantasy than romance at this point.
We also need to talk about the songs. They were not good. The best songs don’t usually do exact rhymes in an ABAB pattern, and if they do, it’s like once. For good songs you need close rhymes, you need variance. The songs felt like a poem I would have written in high school.
That’s probably a dumb thing to care about, especially because maybe if you could hear the song it wouldn’t seem so bad, but when you just read the lyrics it felt like it was jarring you out of a mediocre adult romance book into a mediocre juevenile romance book— which seems like it wouldn’t be a big jar… but it was at LEAST pickle-sized!
Recommendation
If you love new and exciting things (in Paris nonetheless) and love when you get to throw away something you’re tired of, and you loved the movie Love, Actually, then you might enjoy this book.
If you prefer love stories that are more realistic, have more redemptive qualities— and better songs— then I would recommend passing on this one.
It feels wrong to give a Kristin Harmel book such a low rating— I still love all of Harmel’s historical fiction that I’ve read and will 100% read her next historical fiction novel— but this one just wasn’t for me. I think there are way better love stories out there.
[Content Advisory: 0 f-words, 1 s-word; some closed door romance- except for the mistress chapters which are slightly more descriptive; a random LGBTQ relationship for like five minutes]
**Received a ARC via NetGalley**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | StoryGraph
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 stars "Nine Americans in Paris. Seven intertwined love stories. One City of Light.
Love Actually meets The Notebook in a tale of love, loss, and finding your way home, all set over the course of one life-changing week in Paris."
Kristin Harmel departs from her typical historical fiction novel, staying in Paris to tell an emotional, captivating love story. Her character development is impeccable and I was invested in everyone's story. She explores love, loss, grief, and redemption as each character follows a unique path to bring them happiness. Fans of the author, romance and Parisian settings will love this one! I wasnt a fan of Love Actually but Harmel perfected the concept of connected love stories. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and Kristin Harmel for the gifted advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
Love Actually meets The Notebook in a tale of love, loss, and finding your way home, all set over the course of one life-changing week in Paris."
Kristin Harmel departs from her typical historical fiction novel, staying in Paris to tell an emotional, captivating love story. Her character development is impeccable and I was invested in everyone's story. She explores love, loss, grief, and redemption as each character follows a unique path to bring them happiness. Fans of the author, romance and Parisian settings will love this one! I wasnt a fan of Love Actually but Harmel perfected the concept of connected love stories. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and Kristin Harmel for the gifted advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
January 26, 2026
I sobbed like a baby and I’m gonna need a minute to emotionally recover from the heartbreak that is this book.
August 15, 2026
This can’t be the same writer as the Winemaker’s Wife, The Book of Lost Names and The Paris Daughter.
The subliminal messaging and shameless comparison to Love Actually.
Super disappointing.
The subliminal messaging and shameless comparison to Love Actually.
Super disappointing.
August 8, 2026
A little too predictable, a little too unrealistic. I’m a little fatigued with authors adding lgbtq characters just to check that box. Only 1/5 of the population is lgbtq so why does it have to represented in 100% of books?!?
September 12, 2026
I honestly am struggling with the rating on this one. I enjoyed some of the stories, but I struggled to connect with this book as it felt like there were too many characters. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters and feel the emotion as it felt like too much was going on.
I would have preferred a book about just Julia and Piper or just Henry and Celeste. There was just too much going on here to really love this book.
It wasn’t awful, but I wouldn’t really recommend it either so I guess I will go with 3 stars.
I would have preferred a book about just Julia and Piper or just Henry and Celeste. There was just too much going on here to really love this book.
It wasn’t awful, but I wouldn’t really recommend it either so I guess I will go with 3 stars.
August 4, 2026
Meet Me In Paris is a book that will have you feeling every emotion. There are so many touching moments in this book that you'll still be feeling things after you finish it. I immediately related to many of the characters and what they were going through. Kristin Harmel has a way of creating characters that you feel you know or want to know. This is a special book that I can't recommend highly enough. Yes, there are many storylines to keep track of, but it will be well worth it at the end! Now I need to find a way to get to Paris! Who's with me?
August 4, 2026
This is a story that truly makes you believe in love. Set against the stunning backdrop of Paris, the novel follows a group of people whose lives intertwine as they each journey through the city for deeply personal reasons.
We meet Henry, an elderly man searching for his long-lost love and trying to make her remember who he is as she suffers from Dementia; a gay couple who fought together in World War II and are only now finding the courage to live openly; Melody, who realizes she needs more from her marriage; Julia, who is facing cancer and taking one final trip with her daughter, Piper.
Each storyline is beautifully written, filled with emotion, hope, and resilience. The way these seemingly separate lives come together is incredibly powerful and moving. Every character brings a unique perspective, yet they are all connected by love in its many forms—romantic, familial, and self-love.
Heartfelt, inspiring, and unforgettable, this is a novel that stays with you long after the final page.
We meet Henry, an elderly man searching for his long-lost love and trying to make her remember who he is as she suffers from Dementia; a gay couple who fought together in World War II and are only now finding the courage to live openly; Melody, who realizes she needs more from her marriage; Julia, who is facing cancer and taking one final trip with her daughter, Piper.
Each storyline is beautifully written, filled with emotion, hope, and resilience. The way these seemingly separate lives come together is incredibly powerful and moving. Every character brings a unique perspective, yet they are all connected by love in its many forms—romantic, familial, and self-love.
Heartfelt, inspiring, and unforgettable, this is a novel that stays with you long after the final page.
September 29, 2026
This was a good read, but very cheesy, and predictable.
March 27, 2026
PUBLISH DATE: July 28, 2026
--------------------------------------------
****I HAVE NOT STARTED OR COMPLETED THIS BOOK PRIOR TO PUBLICATION DATE. WILL REVIEW WHEN ABLE TO FINISH****
*****4 STAR RATING AT THIS TIME AS IT IS THE AVERAGE RATING AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION*****
--------------------------------------------
PUBLISH DATE: July 28, 2026
BOOK TITLE: Meet Me in Paris
AUTHOR: Kristin Harmel
Gallery Books
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 368
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
--------------------------------------------
****I HAVE NOT STARTED OR COMPLETED THIS BOOK PRIOR TO PUBLICATION DATE. WILL REVIEW WHEN ABLE TO FINISH****
*****4 STAR RATING AT THIS TIME AS IT IS THE AVERAGE RATING AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION*****
--------------------------------------------
PUBLISH DATE: July 28, 2026
BOOK TITLE: Meet Me in Paris
AUTHOR: Kristin Harmel
Gallery Books
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 368
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 15, 2026
DNF at 64% and it pains me. I adored Harmel’s writing when she penned The Book of Lost Names. Her book from last year was a flop from me and now I can’t finish. This is not historical fiction, it’s contemporary, and I knew that going in that it might not hit the mark as all the others. I just didn’t realize this bad. Unfortunately between this and last year’s, she’s no longer on my auto-pickup pile when she publishes. And it’s a shame.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was lucky to get an Advance Reader's Copy of Kristin Harmel's Meet Me in Paris, a work of contemporary literary fiction which will be on sale in late July.
The novel follows nine Americans in Paris, their stories cleverly intertwining, as they make connections and soul search for the meaning of true happiness and love.
Kristin Harmel paints an unforgettable picture of The City of Light, giving the reader a tour of the sights that is vividly beautiful. She brings you into hotels, bars, and bistros that welcome you warmly, making you feel like you are sharing space with the characters.
Themes of sadness, joy, self-discovery, and the complexity of love, friendship, family, and relationships are masterfully woven throughout the stories. The reader falls in love with the characters, and with Harmel's Paris.
Readers familiar with Harmel's historical fiction will find a comfortable familiarity as the Vietnam War and WWII are referenced, giving the reader a glimpse of discovering a picture of history that only Kristin Harmel can bring to the page.
I couldn't put the book down, staying up well past my bedtime, emotionally attached to the characters, wanting each to find their true happiness. Thank you, Kristin Harmel, for another beautiful novel.
The novel follows nine Americans in Paris, their stories cleverly intertwining, as they make connections and soul search for the meaning of true happiness and love.
Kristin Harmel paints an unforgettable picture of The City of Light, giving the reader a tour of the sights that is vividly beautiful. She brings you into hotels, bars, and bistros that welcome you warmly, making you feel like you are sharing space with the characters.
Themes of sadness, joy, self-discovery, and the complexity of love, friendship, family, and relationships are masterfully woven throughout the stories. The reader falls in love with the characters, and with Harmel's Paris.
Readers familiar with Harmel's historical fiction will find a comfortable familiarity as the Vietnam War and WWII are referenced, giving the reader a glimpse of discovering a picture of history that only Kristin Harmel can bring to the page.
I couldn't put the book down, staying up well past my bedtime, emotionally attached to the characters, wanting each to find their true happiness. Thank you, Kristin Harmel, for another beautiful novel.
June 25, 2026
Thank you for the ARC! I love Kristin Harmel and I especially love her historical fiction books. This was not that genre. It was like the movie Love Actually (I spotted that before the author note!) and there were many characters and story lines to follow. I found it hard to keep up and connect with any. The writing was excellent as usual. The Paris backdrop was superb and I can’t wait to visit! I will keep reading anything by Harmel but this one just wasn’t my favourite.
August 5, 2026
Okay, I should really read the synopsis before reading books. I really thought this was going to be a "normal" historical fiction since that's what Kristin Harmel usually writes. What I got was a blend of love stories of several American tourists who were in Paris during the same span of a week, very similar to Love Actually.
Overall, I'd give this book 4 stars, it was a really good vacation read. I really liked how interwoven these characters became and how crucial of a part they played in each other's lives. Every character was going through something different and difficult, and they were all like ships passing in the night. Whether they passed by each other, overheard a conversion, or met that right person during the right time in their lives. While I really enjoyed the book and the individual stories, everything felt too cliche and a little too predictable.
*Insta-love
*Travel
*Paris
*Divorce
*Lost love
*Terminal cancer/Impending grief
*Life changes
Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley, Kristin Harmel, Gallery Books and for the ARC!
Julia Glover - 49, terminal cancer
Piper - 23, Julia’s daughter, mom and dad split when she was 10
Henry McGee - thought Celeste Didier had been imprisoned and executed during the war but she lived
Melanie Chauley - Henry’s granddaughter, married to Gilles, found out that her husband has been cheating
George Gallagher and Lou Robinson - besties, both widowed, met while they were serving during Vietnam
Jackson Quick - pop star who was popular during the 90s, performing in Paris
Kayla - Celeste's nurse
Overall, I'd give this book 4 stars, it was a really good vacation read. I really liked how interwoven these characters became and how crucial of a part they played in each other's lives. Every character was going through something different and difficult, and they were all like ships passing in the night. Whether they passed by each other, overheard a conversion, or met that right person during the right time in their lives. While I really enjoyed the book and the individual stories, everything felt too cliche and a little too predictable.
*Insta-love
*Travel
*Paris
*Divorce
*Lost love
*Terminal cancer/Impending grief
*Life changes
Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley, Kristin Harmel, Gallery Books and for the ARC!
Julia Glover - 49, terminal cancer
Piper - 23, Julia’s daughter, mom and dad split when she was 10
Henry McGee - thought Celeste Didier had been imprisoned and executed during the war but she lived
Melanie Chauley - Henry’s granddaughter, married to Gilles, found out that her husband has been cheating
George Gallagher and Lou Robinson - besties, both widowed, met while they were serving during Vietnam
Jackson Quick - pop star who was popular during the 90s, performing in Paris
Kayla - Celeste's nurse
August 4, 2026
This is NOT a historical novel.
Meet Me In Paris is a contemporary chick-lit/ romantic novel set in Paris.
There are many characters, including nine Americans, which was not an issue for me.
Hope is important.
As hard as it may seem. light (even if it’s a glimmer) can always be found in the darkness.
This novel was a departure from Kristin Harmel’s typical historical fiction. Still, it was a nice change of pace.
I watched some interviews with Kristin Harmel about Meet Me In Paris.
Harmel is one of team of podcasters of Friends And Fiction with a weekly episode. [See the episode from July 21, dropped July 23, 2026, featuring Meet Me In Paris & Kristin Harmel.]
Also, John Charles interviewed Kristin Harmel at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore on August 1, 2026.
The above, plus others interviews, can be found on social media outlets.
I am looking forward to Kristin Harmel’s next historical fiction novel to be released in 2027 🤞🏼.
Meet Me In Paris is a contemporary chick-lit/ romantic novel set in Paris.
There are many characters, including nine Americans, which was not an issue for me.
Hope is important.
As hard as it may seem. light (even if it’s a glimmer) can always be found in the darkness.
This novel was a departure from Kristin Harmel’s typical historical fiction. Still, it was a nice change of pace.
I watched some interviews with Kristin Harmel about Meet Me In Paris.
Harmel is one of team of podcasters of Friends And Fiction with a weekly episode. [See the episode from July 21, dropped July 23, 2026, featuring Meet Me In Paris & Kristin Harmel.]
Also, John Charles interviewed Kristin Harmel at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore on August 1, 2026.
The above, plus others interviews, can be found on social media outlets.
I am looking forward to Kristin Harmel’s next historical fiction novel to be released in 2027 🤞🏼.
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