Petite Confessions: A Humorous Memoirette

by Vicki Lesage

From champagne bottles to baby bottles, this memoirette offers a humorous look at an American mom's decade in Paris.

Party Girl Vicki moved to Paris hoping to drink her fill of wine and fall in love. She accomplished her goal, but encountered many bumps along the way: romantic encounters gone awry, absurd French bureaucracy threatening her sanity, and two adorable but impossibly energetic kids keeping her on her toes. This memoirette takes you on a journey of the ups and downs of Vicki's 10 years in the City of Light.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to open another bottle of wine.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, France, Biography Memoir, Travel, Biography

113 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2015

About the author

Bestselling author Vicki Lesage proves daily that raising two French kids isn't as easy as the hype lets on. In her spare time, she writes, sips bubbly, and prepares for the impending zombie apocalypse. She just moved back to the US after living in Paris for 11 years, with her French husband, rambunctious son, and charming daughter in tow, all of whom mercifully don't laugh when she says "au revoir." She penned the Paris Confessions series in between diaper changes and wine refills. She writes about the ups and downs of her life at VickiLesage.com.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book is composed of a series of vignettes covering the author’s transformation from American party girl arriving in Paris looking for a good time to her transformation into a wife and mother of two juggling prams and babies in tiny Paris apartments.

Vicki LeSage has a talent for seeing the funny, quirky side of life and a real talent for writing about it. More often than not the joke is on her but she is also able to laugh at the strange foibles and frustrations of French life as seen by an outsider.

If you’ve read Vicki’s previous books, you’ll enjoy this additional side serving of humorous stories but if you haven’t yet read them you’ll probably want to after this teaser.

With thanks to the author for a copy of the book to read and review

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, just lacked a tiny bit je-ne-sais-quoi to mak it 4 stars...

Rather funny, and pretty much what it says in the title.
Kudos for the author for not making this a 'look-how-awesome-glamourous-I-am-living-in-Paris', but keeping it down-to-earth and real.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
A collection of very, very, very short stories designed to wet your appetite and get you to read her other, full length novels. It was cute and occasionally funny but did not make me want to read further.
Cocktail combinations included. I did like that.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

EBK-M, Kindle, @ 2015, Read 5/23/22. Nonfiction, Memoir, France, Recipes. A young woman moves from St. Louis, Missouri to Paris, France, falls in love and stays for 11 years. This short, humorous memoir recounts her two pregnancies in the City of Lights, and includes cocktail recipes after each chapter. 3☆'s = Good. Maybe I'll have to try a couple of those recipes!

[Nash Norden · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Vicki's books are fun to read. I adore Vicki's writing style and voice. Once I pick it up, I just can't put it down. It's a bit sad when I reached to the ending of the book. I want to read more! Vicki never fail to make me laugh. There are tons of laugh-out-loud moment. Most of them, are things that I didn't exactly expect/imagine of Paris, and the weird things that the French do.

Petite Confessions by Vicki Lesage is a collection of fun short stories. It's the perfect introduction if you haven't read any book by Vicki yet. I would totally recommend any books from Vicki, if you enjoy reading something humorous.

I received a copy of this book from the author to provide an honest review.

[Divya Dutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely!!

[Connie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Mrs. Lesage's writing style! For me, it is the mix of sarcasm (just like mine, that makes my daughter yell "shut up! You always embarrass me." - it is SO MUCH FUN!) and humor. She always comes up with the coolest things to write about. It is as if we are sitting outside of a small coffee shop visiting, and Vicki says "Let me tell you about the DAY I had!"

I will let you in on just a couple topics she writes about. One - the Facechat she has with her Mom across the lake (isn't England the "pond" from America?). Her son is telling Grandma all about his favorite topic "caca vroom vroom" otherwise known (but not yet to Grandma) the garbage truck. It is not only the cutest thing. Grandma doles out advice to her daughter about....... well, read the book! Do you honestly expect me to spoil it for you? While you are reading, find out why Mommy gets nervous that Grandma may find out the French word for "seal". That one made me roar, laughing so loud.

Two - 10 things to compare living in Paris with going to the dentist (or something about the dentist). Now, instead of a second topic I love, there are actually TEN of them in one chapter alone. I could almost say "You had to be there". However, I have never been to Paris. I did go to the dentist (too many times as a kid). You will find the comparisons spot on if not funny. Ah, but you WILL find them funny. Just like her others, this book will not disappoint! Make sure to tell all your friends, so you can all laugh together.

I was given a free copy of this book to read and give an honest review.

[Lizzie Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast, funny read that tickles your taste buds for the subsequent Paris memoirs by Vicki Lesage: Confessions of a Paris Party Girl and Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer. In this short book you get great essays and reworked pieces that first appeared on some hilarious sites such as BLUNTmoms, Established 1975, Mamalode, and When Crazy Meets Exhaustion.

A perfect quick read to put a smile on your face and a perfect introduction to Ms. Lesage's brand of sly humor and uniquely difficult Paris moments - such as accidentally eating a finger!!!!!! No, truly. Don't ask, get this book and you'll read all about it.

[Marin Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Petite Confessions by Vicki Lesage is quirky, funny and entertaining! I loved viewing life in Paris through the author’s “American” eyes.

I enjoyed Lesage’s dry sense of humor. Her short quirky vignettes about the challenges and adjustments of settling into her new life in Paris will keep you smiling page after page. I think my favorite snapshots of her life were 10 Ways Living in Paris is Like Dental Work and My Business Is None Of Your Business—laugh out loud funny. All I can say is I’m glad it was her and not me!

If you’re looking for a smile and a chuckle you’ll enjoy this quick, humorous read.

[Rob Neely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh... while the premise sounds interesting, the execution just didn't do it for me. The author likes to drink, life changed when she had kids, and there were a few semi-interesting stories that were unique to living in Paris - but mostly just sort of ho-hum. On the plus side - it's a quick read, otherwise I probably would've put it down after the first half hour, but I plowed through. The drink recipes at the end of each chapter make it potentially interesting - I might try them if my liquor cabinet has enough variety.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was following Vicki Lesage's blog for some time and read her previous hilarious books, so obviously I downloaded Petite Confessions as soon as it was out. Being Parisian I loved the stories she tells us with such talent and laughed out loud numerous times. I would definitely recommend this book, and it's free !!!

[Samantha Verant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vicki Lesage has done it again with this hilarious collection of short stories. If you aren't familiar with the other books in her Confession series, Petite Confessions is the perfect introduction to Vicki's fun and whimsical voice. Grab this book, a glass of wine, and laugh right along with Vicki. Petite Confessions will leave you smiling.

[binky boo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aw this was really cute. A book all about life in Paris, Vicki shares her true stories and matches each of them perfectly with a cocktail or alcoholic beverage recipe that sums up that chapter in her life. I'm glad I read this and my only criticism is that I'd have liked it to be twice as long. How sophisticated.

Format: kindle app (ebook)

[Lisa Montanaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny little ditty of a memoirette of an American woman living in Paris. Made me want to read her longer memoir. Laugh out loud at times! Reads like a series of short stories of her mishaps.

[Ava Aldridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wait

I kept reading. Glad I didn't buy the um..book. The story never did actual start. Like reading the diary of a career party girl.

[Carrie Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this book to make me laugh out loud. Not bothered about the recipes, I wanted the funny bits. I love quirky humour and relished the thought of a good chuckle, at least. There were a few moments which gave me a wry smile, but these were more down to relatable events from when my own children were very small than actually finding the text funny. If I think back to those times, marrying and living 60 miles from my birthplace and hometown, and including the fact that I worked in a pub/club for years, in addition to a full-time job 35 miles away and a husband on permanent night shifts, I can think of dozens of recollections which really were funny, but, notably, far wider in subject matter. I appreciate that the book had a theme, but I struggle to see how a few of them had anything to do with that theme at all, instead coming across as a mother desperate for alcohol in her internal thinking when it was clearly not an option. This lady moved to a whole new continent and, whilst the passage at the end states she's now relocated back to the USA, must've had opportunities galore for selecting genuinely hilarious examples. I also appreciate that writing with two little ones in tow is a real achievement, especially considering she has several full length books published as well.

That being said, and recognising her children were born fairly close together, this quote really struck me:
"Seven years of living in Paris had been filled with wine, cheese, and late nights that turned into early mornings. Hopping into a cab after the night’s partying had come to an end and the sun began to rise, I often didn’t know whether to greet the driver with “Bonsoir” or “Bonjour.” I lived city life to the fullest and never slowed down." .

With literally half the world at her feet, this is living life to the fullest? Is this really the culture we've become? How sad! The author already has a novel relating her party girl years, so I do find it disappointing that alcohol should also be the theme for the most wonderful years in the life of a new, young mother. I hope she casts about in her mind for material beyond drinking, hangovers and being pregnant, and maybe she already has in her other work, but I'm sad to say that I won't be investigating further. I wanted laughter, not antenatal and early years accounts of needing alcohol.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, funny read

Like the author writes at the end of the book, she wanted the book to be short because everybodys lives are busy. Thats what made this book great, the author lets us experience paris eventhough we may be all the way in a different country. Ive never been out of the USA, so reading this book was perfect for my gypsy soul and traveling to a faraway land from my couch. I love reading the slight complications and funny things that other peoples kids do. Maybe one day i will go to paris, or my mind can wander with this book. Thank you for the good read and the bonus cocktail recipes that ill have to try at a later date!

[Kissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this was an enjoyable short read, it didn't exactly match what I expected. I had hoped to see more comparisons between American and French culture as her life changes from party girl to Mom. Instead we were introduced to a random assortment of stories about drinking, medical appointments, and occasionally mentions of her husband and kids. I would have preferred the "confessions" to be revealed in chronological order. While it was clever to tie in cocktail recipes with each story, they all seemed to be typical standard selections and not ones with personal meanings (or if they did, it was quite minimal).

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick read, took less than an hour. But there were humorous short stories which were not after reading novels for so long. Most importantly, the stories, which are about the american author living in Paris, hit home with me as I am an american who has been living in Belgium for a year. The stories of some of the struggles of living in a foreign European country are things I have familiar knowledge of; its nice to know it isn't just me.

[Valeta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading "Petite Confessions". Vicki is honest and funny as she talks about her life as an American in Pairis. I felt like I could relate to her as she worked on staying healthy and raising children. I had a lot of giggles as it brought back memories of my own experinces. As for the cocktails, I'm more of a rum girl so I'd rather have more cocktail recipes made with rum.🥂 And my sweet pleasure....chocolate!

[Matthew Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small and light book that can be read in an hour or so. Reflections of a period of time living in Paris. This book reminded me a little of the works of Sandra Tsing Loh. It’s a fun read, I wouldn’t say hilarious, although maybe women or women who have given birth would. There isn’t much new here as the themes are pretty well worn. But it is an entertaining read.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a funny and Charming read about a woman who moves to Paris and ends up falling in love and starting a family. Each chapter ends with a delicious cocktail recipe. a double win-win good story and good recipes

[Whitney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. The title promises sassiness, recipes, and humor. Where were they???

I did not laugh at the episodes depicting stay-at-home parenthood, looking after a toddler and baby. That's a horror show.

The recipes were uninspired.

No sassiness whatsoever. Where is the sass???

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super fast, fun read.

I wanted something light and funny. Mindless, if you will.

The author is witty and real. Could envision her life as I've been to Paris multiple times.

I'll see if I can read more of her stuff.

[Deka · Rating 4 out of 5]

It Is What the Title Says It Is

Short lovely anecdotes to put a smile on your face with tie-in cocktail recipes. I like the author's way of writing. Will definitely be checking her other books.

[Lakisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny and fast read. Vicki talks about her life as a drinker in Paris and how the ups and downs of going from Paris party girl to Paris parent can make for great comedy. Was fun to read and has some great drink recipes.

[Tina Chaaraoui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny quick read. Looking forward to more writings from this author.

[starduest · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got this as a free Kindle book. It's not really humorous but mildly interesting and I liked the cocktail recipes.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the whole thing but it was super boring to me. It was more like glimpsing into a boring diary. Wasn't interested in any of the drink recipes.

[Mari the Illustrious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, relatable, and wonderful :D