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Paris #2
Paris Ever After: A Novel
#1 Amazon Best-Selling Author in Women's Fiction
Can Amy’s rocky start in Paris turn into a happy ever after? Amy didn’t realize how stale her life was until she jetted off to Paris without telling a soul—not even her husband—and had the adventure of a lifetime. Now as she tries to establish herself in the City of Light, she finds that despite a fun (and quirky) group of friends and the ability to indulge in French pastries whenever she wants, reinventing her life is much harder than she imagined.
Then on Amy’s thirtieth birthday, two unexpected visitors leave her wondering if she will soon be saying au revoir to Paris and the new life she’s struggled to build. Her estranged husband, Will, shows up—but is he interested in reconciliation or separation? And a young woman who arrives on Amy’s doorstep unleashes chaos that could push Amy out into the street.
Amid secrets and surprises, set in enchanting gardens, cozy cafés, and glittering Parisian streets, Amy must choose between two very different worlds. And each has a claim on her heart.
As Amy’s Parisian dream starts to fall apart, she must decide: return to the stability of Will and Phoenix (if that’s even still an option) or forge her way forward in Paris?
"Magnifique! The surprise-filled narrative is smart, wry and poignant. Five stars!" – Patricia Sands, author of the best-selling Love in Provence series
"An entertaining read for Francophiles, foodies, and romantics." – Kirkus Reviews, Best Indie Book July 2018
Book club discussion guide included.
Interview with the Author
Paris Ever After is a standalone sequel to The Paris Effect. So I don’t need to read The Paris Effect first?
Each book can be enjoyed on its own, but like a café crème and macaron, they go great together. Both stories take you on a journey through Amy’s Paris, a Paris few casual tourists ever see. But each story has its own surprising, often unpredictable path of self-discovery as Amy struggles to confront the challenges being thrown at her.
What inspired you to write the book?
Readers made me write it! I was privileged to be invited to more than a dozen book clubs that had read The Paris Effect, and it was unanimous: People really wanted to know what happened next. Their questions got me thinking, one idea led to another, and voilà, a new book was born. And spending more (virtual) time in Paris was not exactly a hardship. The next best thing to being in Paris is writing—or reading—about it!
I love books about Paris! Will I like this one?
I believe so! But this isn’t your typical Paris novel. It has touches of chick lit but at its core it’s women's fiction: Amy must determine “the right thing” and find the courage to do it. She’s pushed and pulled by the other people in her life, and by her own passions and compunctions, but in the end the decision is all hers. You could also say it’s a love story—Amy’s love for her new friend Margaret, for her best (and lost) friend Kat, for her husband (in spite of all that’s happened between them), for her unborn child, for Paris, and a new love.
Many books have been written about Paris.
Can Amy’s rocky start in Paris turn into a happy ever after? Amy didn’t realize how stale her life was until she jetted off to Paris without telling a soul—not even her husband—and had the adventure of a lifetime. Now as she tries to establish herself in the City of Light, she finds that despite a fun (and quirky) group of friends and the ability to indulge in French pastries whenever she wants, reinventing her life is much harder than she imagined.
Then on Amy’s thirtieth birthday, two unexpected visitors leave her wondering if she will soon be saying au revoir to Paris and the new life she’s struggled to build. Her estranged husband, Will, shows up—but is he interested in reconciliation or separation? And a young woman who arrives on Amy’s doorstep unleashes chaos that could push Amy out into the street.
Amid secrets and surprises, set in enchanting gardens, cozy cafés, and glittering Parisian streets, Amy must choose between two very different worlds. And each has a claim on her heart.
As Amy’s Parisian dream starts to fall apart, she must decide: return to the stability of Will and Phoenix (if that’s even still an option) or forge her way forward in Paris?
"Magnifique! The surprise-filled narrative is smart, wry and poignant. Five stars!" – Patricia Sands, author of the best-selling Love in Provence series
"An entertaining read for Francophiles, foodies, and romantics." – Kirkus Reviews, Best Indie Book July 2018
Book club discussion guide included.
Interview with the Author
Paris Ever After is a standalone sequel to The Paris Effect. So I don’t need to read The Paris Effect first?
Each book can be enjoyed on its own, but like a café crème and macaron, they go great together. Both stories take you on a journey through Amy’s Paris, a Paris few casual tourists ever see. But each story has its own surprising, often unpredictable path of self-discovery as Amy struggles to confront the challenges being thrown at her.
What inspired you to write the book?
Readers made me write it! I was privileged to be invited to more than a dozen book clubs that had read The Paris Effect, and it was unanimous: People really wanted to know what happened next. Their questions got me thinking, one idea led to another, and voilà, a new book was born. And spending more (virtual) time in Paris was not exactly a hardship. The next best thing to being in Paris is writing—or reading—about it!
I love books about Paris! Will I like this one?
I believe so! But this isn’t your typical Paris novel. It has touches of chick lit but at its core it’s women's fiction: Amy must determine “the right thing” and find the courage to do it. She’s pushed and pulled by the other people in her life, and by her own passions and compunctions, but in the end the decision is all hers. You could also say it’s a love story—Amy’s love for her new friend Margaret, for her best (and lost) friend Kat, for her husband (in spite of all that’s happened between them), for her unborn child, for Paris, and a new love.
Many books have been written about Paris.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2018
173 people are currently reading
489 people want to read
About the author
K.S.R. Burns
4 books332 followersK. S. R. Burns is the author of THE PARIS EFFECT (Velvet Morning Press 2016), a novel about love, food, France, betrayal, adventure, and escape. (Hint: Nothing is what it seems.)
Writing as Karen Burns, she is also the author of THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF WORKING GIRL: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use (Running Press 2009).
Writing as Karen Burns, she is also the author of THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF WORKING GIRL: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use (Running Press 2009).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
June 3, 2018
I didn’t love the beginning of this novel, where the author is catching the reader up on what happened in book one, which I didn’t read, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed being transported to Paris and getting caught up in Amy’s dilemmas.
Amy is pregnant and hasn’t spoken to her husband in months. She wants to tell him he’s going to be a father, but he’s still in Phoenix and won’t return her calls or emails. Though they fought, which is why she’s still in Paris, she thinks things can still be repaired, especially since he’s going to be the father of a baby girl.
Amy happens to have astonishing luck meeting people who go out of their way to help her, including by offering her room and board. It stretches the imagination, as does the fact Amy misreads a situation that you, the reader, will figure out well before she does.
Still, I’d recommend this series to anyone who is going to spend anytime in France or would like to but can’t afford it. I’ve been to Paris, but I learned a lot about French customs that I didn’t know and wish I had known before I’d traveled there.
I love Paris and reading about how Amy can pay out of pocket for prenatal care and giving birth even without insurance because health insurance is so much less expensive there is yet one more reason to be jealous of Parisian life.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
For more reviews, please visit: http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
Amy is pregnant and hasn’t spoken to her husband in months. She wants to tell him he’s going to be a father, but he’s still in Phoenix and won’t return her calls or emails. Though they fought, which is why she’s still in Paris, she thinks things can still be repaired, especially since he’s going to be the father of a baby girl.
Amy happens to have astonishing luck meeting people who go out of their way to help her, including by offering her room and board. It stretches the imagination, as does the fact Amy misreads a situation that you, the reader, will figure out well before she does.
Still, I’d recommend this series to anyone who is going to spend anytime in France or would like to but can’t afford it. I’ve been to Paris, but I learned a lot about French customs that I didn’t know and wish I had known before I’d traveled there.
I love Paris and reading about how Amy can pay out of pocket for prenatal care and giving birth even without insurance because health insurance is so much less expensive there is yet one more reason to be jealous of Parisian life.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
For more reviews, please visit: http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
April 16, 2018
Paris Ever After
K.S.R. Burns
MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️▫️
PUBLISHER Velvet Morning Press
PUBLISHED May 1, 2018
Paris Ever After is a cute and quirky story full of magical thinking
SUMMARY
Amy Brodie jets off to Paris without telling a soul—not even her husband. Originally, it was only going to be for a couple days while her husband was out of town. But it turned into a longer stay than she had planned. She met a group of quirky friends while trying to find her way in the City of Light, who have taken her under their wing. She has been in Paris five months now, her tourist visa has expired, and it’s her 30th birthday and a party with her friends is in the works. On this very same day as her birthday her estranged husband, Will, shows up in Paris. Because she he has no idea whether he wants to reconcile or separate she avoids him for several days. On the day after her birthday, a young woman arrives on Amy‘s doorstep, unleashing chaos among her friends, and leaving Amy homeless. As Amy’s dreams begin to fall apart she doesn’t know which way to turn. Should she attempt to reconcile with Will and return to Phoenix Arizona, or should she continue to forge her way in Paris?
REVIEW
Paris Ever After is a cute and quirky story, set in a fabulous city complete with some terrific food references and Amy’s favorite Parisian Madeleine recipe. Amy’s character and her story left me wanting. Her decisions which propelled the narrative were somewhat irrational, and flying off to Paris without telling her husband is only the first! Perhaps, by not reading an earlier Burns book—The Paris Effect—I probably missed something about Amy’s mindset. I would definitely recommend reading The Paris Effect before Paris Ever After. The writing was good, but sometimes it felt like the story was an out of control car careening down a narrow Paris street, bouncing off one wall and then off the other. Sometimes that can be fun but I found there to be far to many coincidences happening to make Amy’s story seem realistic. Thanks to LibraryThing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
K.S.R. Burns
MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️▫️
PUBLISHER Velvet Morning Press
PUBLISHED May 1, 2018
Paris Ever After is a cute and quirky story full of magical thinking
SUMMARY
Amy Brodie jets off to Paris without telling a soul—not even her husband. Originally, it was only going to be for a couple days while her husband was out of town. But it turned into a longer stay than she had planned. She met a group of quirky friends while trying to find her way in the City of Light, who have taken her under their wing. She has been in Paris five months now, her tourist visa has expired, and it’s her 30th birthday and a party with her friends is in the works. On this very same day as her birthday her estranged husband, Will, shows up in Paris. Because she he has no idea whether he wants to reconcile or separate she avoids him for several days. On the day after her birthday, a young woman arrives on Amy‘s doorstep, unleashing chaos among her friends, and leaving Amy homeless. As Amy’s dreams begin to fall apart she doesn’t know which way to turn. Should she attempt to reconcile with Will and return to Phoenix Arizona, or should she continue to forge her way in Paris?
REVIEW
Paris Ever After is a cute and quirky story, set in a fabulous city complete with some terrific food references and Amy’s favorite Parisian Madeleine recipe. Amy’s character and her story left me wanting. Her decisions which propelled the narrative were somewhat irrational, and flying off to Paris without telling her husband is only the first! Perhaps, by not reading an earlier Burns book—The Paris Effect—I probably missed something about Amy’s mindset. I would definitely recommend reading The Paris Effect before Paris Ever After. The writing was good, but sometimes it felt like the story was an out of control car careening down a narrow Paris street, bouncing off one wall and then off the other. Sometimes that can be fun but I found there to be far to many coincidences happening to make Amy’s story seem realistic. Thanks to LibraryThing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2020
Leaving Arizona and heading to Paris after a fight with her husband seemed like the right thing to do.
Heading back home again after a fight with her husband in Paris and then heading back to Paris definitely was the right thing to do, but now that Amy finds out she is pregnant Amy isn’t sure she wants to tell William and go back to the United States or stay in Paris.
A tough decision, but then William arrives in Paris on Amy’s birthday. What does she do now? William has ignored her texts and e-mails for months. He is ignoring them as she stalks him the day after he arrives in Paris.
One problem after another happens, and Amy has to let her French friends take care of them. The biggest problem was hers, though.
She had to decide about staying in Paris or heading back to Arizona. If William ever did get back to her while he is in Paris, the problem would need to be addressed. Addressing the problem wasn’t that simple, though....William actually complicated it instead of making it clearer, but it all worked out in the end.
The marvelous, sweet, delightful story line and descriptive writing style of Ms. Burns pulls you into the life style of the characters and into the French way of life. The descriptions of the scenery, bakeries, people, and food will have you wanting to immediately make plane reservations.
PARIS EVER AFTER is an enjoyable read for women’s fiction fans and Paris addicts. A perfect summer read. 4/5
This book was given to me by the author. All opinions are my own.
Heading back home again after a fight with her husband in Paris and then heading back to Paris definitely was the right thing to do, but now that Amy finds out she is pregnant Amy isn’t sure she wants to tell William and go back to the United States or stay in Paris.
A tough decision, but then William arrives in Paris on Amy’s birthday. What does she do now? William has ignored her texts and e-mails for months. He is ignoring them as she stalks him the day after he arrives in Paris.
One problem after another happens, and Amy has to let her French friends take care of them. The biggest problem was hers, though.
She had to decide about staying in Paris or heading back to Arizona. If William ever did get back to her while he is in Paris, the problem would need to be addressed. Addressing the problem wasn’t that simple, though....William actually complicated it instead of making it clearer, but it all worked out in the end.
The marvelous, sweet, delightful story line and descriptive writing style of Ms. Burns pulls you into the life style of the characters and into the French way of life. The descriptions of the scenery, bakeries, people, and food will have you wanting to immediately make plane reservations.
PARIS EVER AFTER is an enjoyable read for women’s fiction fans and Paris addicts. A perfect summer read. 4/5
This book was given to me by the author. All opinions are my own.
April 25, 2018
First I have to mention that I didn't know this was the second book in a series so I haven't read the first book, The Paris Effect. Looking back on my reading experience of Paris Ever After, that's a good thing because I certainly wouldn't have read this novel otherwise. [Adding that you don't need to read the first novel before diving into this one.]
I do want to say that I am still intrigued by the concept, by the idea for this story. I just believe it could've been executed better.
Can you see where this is going? I struggled writing this review because I really don't want to bash the author at all but Paris Ever After simply wasn't my cup of tea at all.
The entire story felt very repetitive when it comes to our MC's - Amy's - past. I felt like it was said over and over again how it came to be she's living in Paris. The overall story line was welcome, sure, but at one point it became ridiculous to have the reconfirmation of what had happened over and over again.
Talking about Amy... She got on my nerves quite a lot. She's supposed to be 30, yet she's very egocentric and judge-y. She has this tendency of whining and being ridiculously naive to the point of me wanting to bash my head against a wall.
You can easily have a character you don't like, but this time it totally ruined my reading experience at times and that's just... wrong. I couldn't connect with her at all and it's something I felt is needed when it comes to romance novels like this one. You want to be able to understand their actions, reactions and thoughts but I didn't.
Usually when romance novels like this one are set in Paris, you can feel the Parisian magic ooze out of the story but in this case? The opposite was true. I didn't lose myself to its magic at all. Some descriptions almost pulled it off but they didn't enthrall me as I expected them to.
Apart from that I also got annoyed by all the translations from French to English. I completely realize and accept that's due to my knowledge of French which made the translations absolutely unnecessary but I still couldn't help but get annoyed by it. Every French word was translated one way or another and it took away from my enjoyment. Again, I realize this is subjective and is totally my own fault.
Then we have the ending of this novel. Everything felt way too convenient for my liking. Orchestrated, easy and unrealistic are the words to describe my thoughts about the entire novel when I finished reading. I saw every twist and turn coming - even the ones who shouldn't have been overly obvious. I can't remember reading any clear foreshadowing, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was, really.
I'm so sorry for having to write a review like this; but being honest is pretty much in a reviewers' job description so yeah...
1 / 5
I do want to say that I am still intrigued by the concept, by the idea for this story. I just believe it could've been executed better.
Can you see where this is going? I struggled writing this review because I really don't want to bash the author at all but Paris Ever After simply wasn't my cup of tea at all.
The entire story felt very repetitive when it comes to our MC's - Amy's - past. I felt like it was said over and over again how it came to be she's living in Paris. The overall story line was welcome, sure, but at one point it became ridiculous to have the reconfirmation of what had happened over and over again.
Talking about Amy... She got on my nerves quite a lot. She's supposed to be 30, yet she's very egocentric and judge-y. She has this tendency of whining and being ridiculously naive to the point of me wanting to bash my head against a wall.
You can easily have a character you don't like, but this time it totally ruined my reading experience at times and that's just... wrong. I couldn't connect with her at all and it's something I felt is needed when it comes to romance novels like this one. You want to be able to understand their actions, reactions and thoughts but I didn't.
Usually when romance novels like this one are set in Paris, you can feel the Parisian magic ooze out of the story but in this case? The opposite was true. I didn't lose myself to its magic at all. Some descriptions almost pulled it off but they didn't enthrall me as I expected them to.
Apart from that I also got annoyed by all the translations from French to English. I completely realize and accept that's due to my knowledge of French which made the translations absolutely unnecessary but I still couldn't help but get annoyed by it. Every French word was translated one way or another and it took away from my enjoyment. Again, I realize this is subjective and is totally my own fault.
Then we have the ending of this novel. Everything felt way too convenient for my liking. Orchestrated, easy and unrealistic are the words to describe my thoughts about the entire novel when I finished reading. I saw every twist and turn coming - even the ones who shouldn't have been overly obvious. I can't remember reading any clear foreshadowing, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was, really.
I'm so sorry for having to write a review like this; but being honest is pretty much in a reviewers' job description so yeah...
1 / 5
March 27, 2018
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my review or rating.
Please note that I did not read the first book in this series, "The Paris Effect."
I really loved the cover. Honestly the cover is what made me request this book. Also it's about Paris. I dream of traveling there and eating all the cheese and pastries I can stand. And yet this book made Paris boring. It made Paris an afterthought. I didn't even know that was possible, yet here we are. We have an unlikable main character (Amy) who through ridiculous happenstance manages to come out of the end of this book with a perfect life. It just didn't feel realistic to me at all. The secondary characters were not developed at all (we have Amy's landlord Margaret, her boss/friend Manu, and a random stranger who has befriended them from the last book named Hevre). The writing was not working for me at all. Probably because every five seconds Amy is telling you she has to eat something. And mostly it seems to be cheese and chocolate. I don't know, I just found the whole book boring.
"Paris Ever After" follows Amy as she settles into her new life in Paris. Burns gives readers a quick rundown of Amy's life prior to this book, her best friend died, she fled to Paris without telling her husband (his name is Will) and then Will said they were done and she fled back to Paris. Amy is sort of working (she never seems to show up there) for her friend Manu and also I think runs a blog (it's a throwaway line) and mostly spends most of this book trying to work out what to do when her estranged husband comes to Paris looking to meet up with her and a young woman who has ties to Manu and Margaret also appears.
I found Amy childish to the extreme in this book. She is about to turn 30 (and eventually does during the timeline of this book) but acts like she's 3. Will shows up in Paris, but she spends most of the time either hiding from her (she wants him to make an effort to talk to her) and then following him around Paris without him seeing her. I wish I was joking. She acts entitled and doesn't even seem to get the part she has played in their marriage falling apart. I wish that I could say that I at least had sympathy for Will, but nope, he's a jerk in a whole other way. I just find it hard to read books when I don't have anyone to root for. And when you have an unlikable main character you start to wonder why you are even bothering. Unless I am reading a "Gone Girl" type book, I want my romance novels to actually have a heroine I don't want to throttle.
The other characters read as stereotypical French people. Hevre acts spoiled (he's a Baron) though you have to be pretty obtuse to not pick up on the fact that something that way doesn't pass the smell test. I didn't care an iota about Manu. He was just there. Margaret got on my nerves and what Burns did with her character didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I just chalked it up to plot reasons and let it go.
The writing didn't work at all. The book felt like it was scrambling to me to have something interesting to say. Amy barely does a thing besides traipse from scene to scene with people falling all over themselves letting her stay with them. If that's true I need to go to Paris as quick as possible.
The flow didn't work either. You have an overall plot with Amy and Will, but there are two other side plots happening in this book and it takes until the very end to wrap those up as well as Amy and Will.
The book takes place in Paris though Paris barely feels alive in this book. We do have a scene where Amy takes Will around Paris and that is about it. I still didn't get a great sense of Paris or why Amy is so happy living there (besides the fact she managed to just live rent free with people and have everyone concerned about her well-being at all times).
The ending was too pat and not believable at all. I won't get into it here since there would have to be spoilers, but let's just say that Amy's life is perfect. I can't see the author revisiting the character again after this book since I think there's nothing left to say.
Please note that I did not read the first book in this series, "The Paris Effect."
I really loved the cover. Honestly the cover is what made me request this book. Also it's about Paris. I dream of traveling there and eating all the cheese and pastries I can stand. And yet this book made Paris boring. It made Paris an afterthought. I didn't even know that was possible, yet here we are. We have an unlikable main character (Amy) who through ridiculous happenstance manages to come out of the end of this book with a perfect life. It just didn't feel realistic to me at all. The secondary characters were not developed at all (we have Amy's landlord Margaret, her boss/friend Manu, and a random stranger who has befriended them from the last book named Hevre). The writing was not working for me at all. Probably because every five seconds Amy is telling you she has to eat something. And mostly it seems to be cheese and chocolate. I don't know, I just found the whole book boring.
"Paris Ever After" follows Amy as she settles into her new life in Paris. Burns gives readers a quick rundown of Amy's life prior to this book, her best friend died, she fled to Paris without telling her husband (his name is Will) and then Will said they were done and she fled back to Paris. Amy is sort of working (she never seems to show up there) for her friend Manu and also I think runs a blog (it's a throwaway line) and mostly spends most of this book trying to work out what to do when her estranged husband comes to Paris looking to meet up with her and a young woman who has ties to Manu and Margaret also appears.
I found Amy childish to the extreme in this book. She is about to turn 30 (and eventually does during the timeline of this book) but acts like she's 3. Will shows up in Paris, but she spends most of the time either hiding from her (she wants him to make an effort to talk to her) and then following him around Paris without him seeing her. I wish I was joking. She acts entitled and doesn't even seem to get the part she has played in their marriage falling apart. I wish that I could say that I at least had sympathy for Will, but nope, he's a jerk in a whole other way. I just find it hard to read books when I don't have anyone to root for. And when you have an unlikable main character you start to wonder why you are even bothering. Unless I am reading a "Gone Girl" type book, I want my romance novels to actually have a heroine I don't want to throttle.
The other characters read as stereotypical French people. Hevre acts spoiled (he's a Baron) though you have to be pretty obtuse to not pick up on the fact that something that way doesn't pass the smell test. I didn't care an iota about Manu. He was just there. Margaret got on my nerves and what Burns did with her character didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I just chalked it up to plot reasons and let it go.
The writing didn't work at all. The book felt like it was scrambling to me to have something interesting to say. Amy barely does a thing besides traipse from scene to scene with people falling all over themselves letting her stay with them. If that's true I need to go to Paris as quick as possible.
The flow didn't work either. You have an overall plot with Amy and Will, but there are two other side plots happening in this book and it takes until the very end to wrap those up as well as Amy and Will.
The book takes place in Paris though Paris barely feels alive in this book. We do have a scene where Amy takes Will around Paris and that is about it. I still didn't get a great sense of Paris or why Amy is so happy living there (besides the fact she managed to just live rent free with people and have everyone concerned about her well-being at all times).
The ending was too pat and not believable at all. I won't get into it here since there would have to be spoilers, but let's just say that Amy's life is perfect. I can't see the author revisiting the character again after this book since I think there's nothing left to say.
May 2, 2018
Following on from the first book in this series (The Paris Effect) we are thrown back into the crazy world of Amy and her new life in Paris. While PARIS EVER AFTER by K.S.R. Burns can be read as a standalone novel, I recommend that you read the books in order as it will give you a greater understanding of Amy and what drives her.
As Amy's birthday approaches there have been a lot of changes in her life but none as big as what is happening to her now. And when her estranged husband, Will, suddenly reappears in Paris and a young woman lands on her doorstep, everything that Amy had planned is even more up in the air. Amongst the beauty and magic of Paris, can Amy untangle the secrets and her own emotions enough to find the life that she truly wants or will her french dreams fall to ruins around her?
Enjoyable and a little crazy is the best way to describe Amy and PARIS EVER AFTER by K.S.R. Burns but with the sounds and sights of stunning Paris coming alive on every page, plenty of drama and secrets, you certainly won't be bored and it is well worth a read.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author
As Amy's birthday approaches there have been a lot of changes in her life but none as big as what is happening to her now. And when her estranged husband, Will, suddenly reappears in Paris and a young woman lands on her doorstep, everything that Amy had planned is even more up in the air. Amongst the beauty and magic of Paris, can Amy untangle the secrets and her own emotions enough to find the life that she truly wants or will her french dreams fall to ruins around her?
Enjoyable and a little crazy is the best way to describe Amy and PARIS EVER AFTER by K.S.R. Burns but with the sounds and sights of stunning Paris coming alive on every page, plenty of drama and secrets, you certainly won't be bored and it is well worth a read.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author
June 1, 2018
Amy has been staying in Paris for the past few months. After the death of her best friend, she had to fulfill their dream of going to Paris. The problem, she took off without saying anything to anyone, including her husband. When she returns home, he says he doesn't want to see her anymore, so she goes back to Paris. She makes new friends, finds a place to live and even finds a little job to keep her busy. But as she is gathering items for her birthday celebration, she sees her husband in Paris. What is he doing here? Why didn't he tell her he was coming? Why hasn't he replied to any of her texts or phone calls? And why does he look like that? Over the few days he is in Paris, Amy's life will change dramatically. Will she return to the States with him, or will she stay in Paris, ever after?
Thank you to KSR Burns for a copy of this book and the opportunity to read and review it.
When I first started reading this book, I was sure I was going to love it. Amy and I share the same birthday so I was bound to connect to her. But for me the story fell flat. There were good parts to it, like learning more about Paris and the sights there. Some of the plot seemed a bit far-fetched. I can't say too much without giving away the story. I did read the book from cover to cover though and it didn't make me want to stop reading it, which is why I gave it 3 stars.
I think other readers may enjoy this story more than I did. If you like Paris and are familiar with French, maybe this will speak to you better than it did me. Sometimes I find that books with a lot of foreign phrases that aren't translated are difficult. This book did explain the phrases a lot, but their were parts that left me confused. Maybe because this is a sequel the story fell flat for me, I' not sure.
I will read other books by KSR Burns. In fact, I'm going to go back and read this first book
to see if that helps.
I felt the same way about the Me Before You series. I had to read the whole thing to enjoy each individual book.
Thank you to KSR Burns for a copy of this book and the opportunity to read and review it.
When I first started reading this book, I was sure I was going to love it. Amy and I share the same birthday so I was bound to connect to her. But for me the story fell flat. There were good parts to it, like learning more about Paris and the sights there. Some of the plot seemed a bit far-fetched. I can't say too much without giving away the story. I did read the book from cover to cover though and it didn't make me want to stop reading it, which is why I gave it 3 stars.
I think other readers may enjoy this story more than I did. If you like Paris and are familiar with French, maybe this will speak to you better than it did me. Sometimes I find that books with a lot of foreign phrases that aren't translated are difficult. This book did explain the phrases a lot, but their were parts that left me confused. Maybe because this is a sequel the story fell flat for me, I' not sure.
I will read other books by KSR Burns. In fact, I'm going to go back and read this first book
to see if that helps. I felt the same way about the Me Before You series. I had to read the whole thing to enjoy each individual book.
April 19, 2018
Amy goes to Paris, leaving a husband behind without saying a word. The ability and ease with which she did this took my breath away. Can one just walk away from a husband, home, job, and just jet off to Paris to "find oneself".
Anyway Amy does just that. She lands on her feet, finds a beautiful woman who takes her into her home and heart, links up with her friends and has now made a life for herself. She also did not realize when she left Will her husband that she was pregnant. Now she is well advanced in her pregnancy, still not sure what she is going to do, ambivalent about her feelings towards Will and Manu (whom she found in Paris!) protective of her unborn child and basically not sure of anything.
Fast forward and she discovers Will has come to Paris looking for her. At the same time she is thrown out of her home in Paris with the return of a long lost daughter who does not want her anywhere around her mother. Will seems strangely reluctant to have any conversations with her, keeps putting it off even meeting her and though she thought he was back to ask her to return (on bended knee) it does not seem to be quite so straightforward
I found all the characters very charming in very different ways. I found Amy to be the least charming of the lot. She sounds like a spoilt brat who expected things to fall into place, the way she wanted it to. I however loved the descriptiveness of the entire story, the Paris setting, the lives and details of the few Parisiens who dotted this novel.
Anyway Amy does just that. She lands on her feet, finds a beautiful woman who takes her into her home and heart, links up with her friends and has now made a life for herself. She also did not realize when she left Will her husband that she was pregnant. Now she is well advanced in her pregnancy, still not sure what she is going to do, ambivalent about her feelings towards Will and Manu (whom she found in Paris!) protective of her unborn child and basically not sure of anything.
Fast forward and she discovers Will has come to Paris looking for her. At the same time she is thrown out of her home in Paris with the return of a long lost daughter who does not want her anywhere around her mother. Will seems strangely reluctant to have any conversations with her, keeps putting it off even meeting her and though she thought he was back to ask her to return (on bended knee) it does not seem to be quite so straightforward
I found all the characters very charming in very different ways. I found Amy to be the least charming of the lot. She sounds like a spoilt brat who expected things to fall into place, the way she wanted it to. I however loved the descriptiveness of the entire story, the Paris setting, the lives and details of the few Parisiens who dotted this novel.
May 8, 2018
After reading The Paris Effect some time ago, I was pleased to hear there would be a sequel.
I was eager to read Paris Ever After and catch up with Amy to see what had been happening since we last left her.
The book opens with a little taster of where we left off on the last book just incase all had been forgotten.
Once again we are treated to the delights of Paris, with vivid descriptions of the food, buildings, gardens and culture of Paris, we are lost and transported right back into the life Amy has now created for herself.
But life may not be that simple, Amy is now pregnant and when estranged husband Will turns up out of the blue, Amy needs to decide what she is going to do.
Amy is still living with Margaret, but when her lost daughter Sophie turns up and takes an instant dislike to Amy, her life and plans are put into jeopardy.
Once again I didnt want to put the book down and was eager to turn to the next page.
A perfect read for when you want to get lost and escape to a different country.
https://francebooktours.com/2018/02/2...
I was eager to read Paris Ever After and catch up with Amy to see what had been happening since we last left her.
The book opens with a little taster of where we left off on the last book just incase all had been forgotten.
Once again we are treated to the delights of Paris, with vivid descriptions of the food, buildings, gardens and culture of Paris, we are lost and transported right back into the life Amy has now created for herself.
But life may not be that simple, Amy is now pregnant and when estranged husband Will turns up out of the blue, Amy needs to decide what she is going to do.
Amy is still living with Margaret, but when her lost daughter Sophie turns up and takes an instant dislike to Amy, her life and plans are put into jeopardy.
Once again I didnt want to put the book down and was eager to turn to the next page.
A perfect read for when you want to get lost and escape to a different country.
https://francebooktours.com/2018/02/2...
August 9, 2019
Enjoyed it. Nothing exciting about this book, it's just about relationships with people and Paris :P
I've never been able to relate to a character in a book before like how I do with Amy. She loves her baby in her womb soooo much it's heart warming :) She's always thinking of her. Every decision she makes is based around her baby.
Reminds me soooo much of One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan, with the odd exboyfriend/husband chasing after a girl who fled to Paris. The girl is in the hopes to renew/reset her life in Paris and wants to change things about her life. It also reminds me of Paris for One and Other Stories Jojo Moyes for basically the same reasons lol I feel like reading these 3 books in a short time frame was a bad idea because I'm morphing them into one big hot mess lol
William (main character Amy's husband) reminds me of one of my ex boyfriends actually, practically a walking encyclopedia, so smart, but not so smart in social and emotional situations... Seems to be the right guy but really isn't.
Margaret was a funny and entertaining character but I didn't like the whole drama about her long lost daughter, that was just boring and just seemed like extra and unnecessary for the story.
I really did not like the ending, it was pretty disappointing.
I've never been able to relate to a character in a book before like how I do with Amy. She loves her baby in her womb soooo much it's heart warming :) She's always thinking of her. Every decision she makes is based around her baby.
Reminds me soooo much of One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan, with the odd exboyfriend/husband chasing after a girl who fled to Paris. The girl is in the hopes to renew/reset her life in Paris and wants to change things about her life. It also reminds me of Paris for One and Other Stories Jojo Moyes for basically the same reasons lol I feel like reading these 3 books in a short time frame was a bad idea because I'm morphing them into one big hot mess lol
William (main character Amy's husband) reminds me of one of my ex boyfriends actually, practically a walking encyclopedia, so smart, but not so smart in social and emotional situations... Seems to be the right guy but really isn't.
Margaret was a funny and entertaining character but I didn't like the whole drama about her long lost daughter, that was just boring and just seemed like extra and unnecessary for the story.
I really did not like the ending, it was pretty disappointing.
April 16, 2018
Can Amy’s rocky start in Paris turn into a happy ever after? Amy didn’t realize how stale her life was until she jetted off to Paris without telling a soul—not even her husband—and had the adventure of a lifetime. Now as she tries to establish herself in the City of Light, she finds that despite a fun (and quirky) group of friends and the ability to indulge in French pastries whenever she wants, reinventing her life is much harder than she imagined.
Then on Amy’s thirtieth birthday, two unexpected visitors leave her wondering if she will soon be saying au revoir to Paris and the new life she’s struggled to build. Her estranged husband, Will, shows up—but is he interested in reconciliation or separation? And a young woman who arrives on Amy’s doorstep unleashes chaos that could push Amy out into the street.
As Amy’s Parisian dream starts to fall apart, she must decide: return to the stability of Will and Phoenix (if that’s even still an option) or forge her way forward in Paris? Amid secrets and surprises, set in enchanting gardens, cozy cafés, and glittering Parisian streets, Amy must choose between two very different worlds. And each has a claim on her heart.
My Thoughts: In our first look at Amy Brodie in Paris Ever After, she is still reeling from the death of her best friend Kat. The death that sent her flying off to Paris on a trip that she and Kat had planned, but was derailed by her death. But then, after just a few weeks, Amy returned to Phoenix…to a bitter fight with William that catapulted her back to Paris. On her second day, she meets an older woman named Margaret, who offers a room, and in a short time she begins to feel at home.
Her life is now full of beautiful café lunches; soirees at Margaret’s, with her two friends Herve and Nanu; and a new pregnancy with baby daughter Catherine. Just before she left Phoenix that last time, William gave her a parting gift. He does not know, however, and now she faces a dilemma.
Can she share her news with him and see if there is anything left of the marriage? What will her future hold: Paris or Phoenix?
A lovely book full of scenes that I loved, some characters that were wonderful, and others that were not. Secrets come out and an unexpected reunion between Margaret and someone she thought she had lost would upend Amy’s plans. Where will she belong now? As the story drew to an end, I was hoping for a sequel so that I could spend more time with these characters. 5 stars.
***My e-ARC came from the publisher via NetGalley.
Then on Amy’s thirtieth birthday, two unexpected visitors leave her wondering if she will soon be saying au revoir to Paris and the new life she’s struggled to build. Her estranged husband, Will, shows up—but is he interested in reconciliation or separation? And a young woman who arrives on Amy’s doorstep unleashes chaos that could push Amy out into the street.
As Amy’s Parisian dream starts to fall apart, she must decide: return to the stability of Will and Phoenix (if that’s even still an option) or forge her way forward in Paris? Amid secrets and surprises, set in enchanting gardens, cozy cafés, and glittering Parisian streets, Amy must choose between two very different worlds. And each has a claim on her heart.
My Thoughts: In our first look at Amy Brodie in Paris Ever After, she is still reeling from the death of her best friend Kat. The death that sent her flying off to Paris on a trip that she and Kat had planned, but was derailed by her death. But then, after just a few weeks, Amy returned to Phoenix…to a bitter fight with William that catapulted her back to Paris. On her second day, she meets an older woman named Margaret, who offers a room, and in a short time she begins to feel at home.
Her life is now full of beautiful café lunches; soirees at Margaret’s, with her two friends Herve and Nanu; and a new pregnancy with baby daughter Catherine. Just before she left Phoenix that last time, William gave her a parting gift. He does not know, however, and now she faces a dilemma.
Can she share her news with him and see if there is anything left of the marriage? What will her future hold: Paris or Phoenix?
A lovely book full of scenes that I loved, some characters that were wonderful, and others that were not. Secrets come out and an unexpected reunion between Margaret and someone she thought she had lost would upend Amy’s plans. Where will she belong now? As the story drew to an end, I was hoping for a sequel so that I could spend more time with these characters. 5 stars.
***My e-ARC came from the publisher via NetGalley.
June 8, 2018
I really enjoyed this adventurous frolic through the streets and tunnels of Paris... and fell for the setting first and then the characters. I adore reading about Paris and love the way the French language is interspersed eloquently throughout Paris Ever After. Author, KSR Burns does a splendid job of introducing the reader to Amy- she's a hot American pregnant mess who has somehow made friends with the neatest characters. You know- the people we would love to have as our own friends in a far away land. The characters themselves are quirky, fun, complicated, and most importantly interesting! Each character seems to have their own story waiting to be shared.
Things seem to be settling into a fun and easy routine for Amy and her new friends Marguerite and Manu when two people show up into her world unannounced. Enter her estranged husband, Will and Marguerite's long lost daughter Sophia. Sophia brings in chaos and Will has news to share with Amy.... Amy also has news to share too and is bursting to tell him that they are now expecting a little girl she has already named Catherine.
I felt this book was really well written. I was intrigued with the scenes, the food, the stories, and the characters... not necessarily in that order. I like the way Amy works through her grief in missing her best friend Kat. I wanted her to really give Will a hard time in this book, but feel that she handled herself pretty well given the situation.
There were just a few confusing parts when Marguerite falls apart.. I felt the scenes were written well but left more unresolved than I cared for. The tension seems to build and build and then the resolution is just too quick and light...and then the book shifts toward something else. So a little bit of head spin there just to keep things interesting, but I am not sure clarity was not resonating for me.,
Overall, a fun and adventurous route to an ever after that takes the reader on a tour through parts of Paris that the everyday tourist does not get to encounter with big surprises along the way!!!!
I appreciate the advanced reader copy to review from Netgalley and Velvet Morning Press.
Things seem to be settling into a fun and easy routine for Amy and her new friends Marguerite and Manu when two people show up into her world unannounced. Enter her estranged husband, Will and Marguerite's long lost daughter Sophia. Sophia brings in chaos and Will has news to share with Amy.... Amy also has news to share too and is bursting to tell him that they are now expecting a little girl she has already named Catherine.
I felt this book was really well written. I was intrigued with the scenes, the food, the stories, and the characters... not necessarily in that order. I like the way Amy works through her grief in missing her best friend Kat. I wanted her to really give Will a hard time in this book, but feel that she handled herself pretty well given the situation.
There were just a few confusing parts when Marguerite falls apart.. I felt the scenes were written well but left more unresolved than I cared for. The tension seems to build and build and then the resolution is just too quick and light...and then the book shifts toward something else. So a little bit of head spin there just to keep things interesting, but I am not sure clarity was not resonating for me.,
Overall, a fun and adventurous route to an ever after that takes the reader on a tour through parts of Paris that the everyday tourist does not get to encounter with big surprises along the way!!!!
I appreciate the advanced reader copy to review from Netgalley and Velvet Morning Press.
June 8, 2018
This is a book 2 in a series but there is a recap at the beginning, so it can be read as a stand-alone:
Amy's best friend died, she left Phoenix to go to Paris for a few days without telling her husband William, who got mad and told her to go to hell. Currently, she's 5 months pregnant (with her husband), living in Paris with an old lady, whose daughter had disappeared but now have reappeared and is kicking Amy out of the apartment. William comes to Paris with unknown intentions.
This was a quick and relatively fun read. I didn't care for most of the characters. Amy was naïve and submissive but it was bearable most of the time. She had a giggle about the fact that for one character (a creepy French guy), feminism is a "serious affront". But she was also kind of funny and passionate about things at times, which saved her from being boring.
The constant confusion Amy went through about the weirdness of the French characters worked well for me as a Czech reader as well. I have a feeling they were supposed to be quirky but they were more like just unlikable for me. Her American husband was a total jerk (abusive, misogynistic, homophobic etc.) and it made Amy look stupid for marrying him in the first place. We didn't learn much about the new love interest. The development of the romance between those two was believable but unfortunately, it wasn't shown (in this volume, at least).
Although the characters made me think "oh yeah, I really wouldn't want to move to France", the descriptions of the city and food were quite satisfactory. Overall, it was fine, although it would probably be better enjoyed by people who adore anything French.
I got this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest (as always) review.
Amy's best friend died, she left Phoenix to go to Paris for a few days without telling her husband William, who got mad and told her to go to hell. Currently, she's 5 months pregnant (with her husband), living in Paris with an old lady, whose daughter had disappeared but now have reappeared and is kicking Amy out of the apartment. William comes to Paris with unknown intentions.
This was a quick and relatively fun read. I didn't care for most of the characters. Amy was naïve and submissive but it was bearable most of the time. She had a giggle about the fact that for one character (a creepy French guy), feminism is a "serious affront". But she was also kind of funny and passionate about things at times, which saved her from being boring.
The constant confusion Amy went through about the weirdness of the French characters worked well for me as a Czech reader as well. I have a feeling they were supposed to be quirky but they were more like just unlikable for me. Her American husband was a total jerk (abusive, misogynistic, homophobic etc.) and it made Amy look stupid for marrying him in the first place. We didn't learn much about the new love interest. The development of the romance between those two was believable but unfortunately, it wasn't shown (in this volume, at least).
Although the characters made me think "oh yeah, I really wouldn't want to move to France", the descriptions of the city and food were quite satisfactory. Overall, it was fine, although it would probably be better enjoyed by people who adore anything French.
I got this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest (as always) review.
April 12, 2018
There are some journeys you live through that you enjoy so much you are sorry when they end. It’s much the same with reading books. I was so taken with The Paris Effect that I not only wrote a glowing review but asked the author if I could read a review copy of the sequel when it came out. Two years later I have been lucky enough to follow Amy on her own journey in Paris Ever After. Once again I found myself immersed in her intensely personal Paris experience to the extent that I could almost smell the brioche in the bakery and even began thinking in French! Karen Burns has skilfully conjured a Paris that seeps into the senses and the heart, and her characters are so tenderly and convincingly drawn that I can almost believe they are still really living there. I will not give away the plot, except to say that it kept me turning the pages avidly despite my reluctance to finish the book and end my journey through its delightful pages! It is masterfully written, and dare I say even an improvement on the first book? The story presents enough surprises to keep a reader guessing, and a resolution that feels, with a deep sigh, just right. Added to this marvellous mix are hints about cooking that had my mouth watering, and a final recipe that had me itching to get into my kitchen and try it out. Bravo, Karen Burns! Please add me to your fandom.
April 27, 2019
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest book review.
It was a hit-or-miss story for me. Amy decided to leave everything behind and went to Paris, not because of YOLO or that she's a wanderlust, but because she wants to find herself.
AND Take note: she is married - literally leaving her poor husband without any valid reason or whatsoever.
.
.
.
Ooops! Not that kind of Paris.
.
.
.
there we go!
I understand that sometimes, we need to step out of our comfort zone and explore what we truly want and what makes us happy - but not to the point that we abandon someone, let alone a husband.
I admit that most of the times when I face a problem, I run away from it - either not caring or just sleeping it off - thinking that it'll vanish when I start to care again or when I wake up. BUT NO. The problem will still be there and the only way to solve it is if you face it and critically think what steps to do to never arrive at the same problem again .
April 12, 2018
I read the first book in the series, and although I loved Burns's writing style, the quirks in the plot, and her masterful description of Paris - (seriously. I live in France and I still learned things about Paris and appreciated its beauty through her writing in ways I had not before) - I didn't love the ending of that first book, which left a major thread hanging when I prefer everything to be tied in a neat little bow. That's just a personal preference, wholly unrelated to the book's worth.
However, with Paris Ever After, I couldn't find a single flaw. Not only did I get to enjoy her beautiful, descriptive writing about Paris, I was swept up into a plot that was fantastic but still believable. I stayed up late to see what would happen next and regretted when I reached the last page. And I got my happy ending! I will be recommending this book to all my friends.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
However, with Paris Ever After, I couldn't find a single flaw. Not only did I get to enjoy her beautiful, descriptive writing about Paris, I was swept up into a plot that was fantastic but still believable. I stayed up late to see what would happen next and regretted when I reached the last page. And I got my happy ending! I will be recommending this book to all my friends.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2018
Magnifique! Fall in love with Amy as she stumbles through her new life in Paris, gradually learning what means the most in her unscripted world. Burns' dry sense of humor and intimate knowledge of Parisian life are woven through the story as perfectly as the Hermès scarf in one of the book's most unforgettable scenes. Heartwarming and full of colorful characters, the surprise-filled narrative is smart, wry and poignant. You won't want to put it down. Five stars!
March 4, 2018
This is a tale of love found, lost…and found again?
Amy’s got a lot going on—homes on two continents, a marriage on the rocks, and friends who may not be what they seem. K.S.R. Burns does a masterful job of drawing us into Amy’s world as she lurches from crisis to crisis. I had a hard time putting the book down because I kept wanting to know what happened next. And talk about surprises! This book is full of them.
Paris Ever After is a well-written novel with a fast-paced plot and a colorful cast of characters. One of those characters is Paris itself and Burns draws a loving portrait of this most beautiful of cities. As you turn the pages, you’ll find yourself longing to nibble on a buttery croissant at a café near Notre Dame, or maybe take a stroll along the banks of the Seine. And don’t forget the hot chocolate!
What path will Amy ultimately choose? Read this book and find out!
Amy’s got a lot going on—homes on two continents, a marriage on the rocks, and friends who may not be what they seem. K.S.R. Burns does a masterful job of drawing us into Amy’s world as she lurches from crisis to crisis. I had a hard time putting the book down because I kept wanting to know what happened next. And talk about surprises! This book is full of them.
Paris Ever After is a well-written novel with a fast-paced plot and a colorful cast of characters. One of those characters is Paris itself and Burns draws a loving portrait of this most beautiful of cities. As you turn the pages, you’ll find yourself longing to nibble on a buttery croissant at a café near Notre Dame, or maybe take a stroll along the banks of the Seine. And don’t forget the hot chocolate!
What path will Amy ultimately choose? Read this book and find out!
July 16, 2019
I’d read the author’s previous novel, The Paris Effect, and like this sequel even more! What a fun romp in The City of Light with characters we grow to care very much about. 5/5
Thanks to the author, Velvet Morning Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#Pariseverafter #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Velvet Morning Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#Pariseverafter #NetGalley
May 2, 2018
It has been a few years since I read book one, The Paris Effect, where the likable, but rather screwed up Amy takes a life-changing trip to Paris, but I remember clearly that I found certain parts of it, and some of the characters, slightly disturbing. However, it was a real page-turner that kept my mind on full alert, as things aren’t always what they first appear to be. I was delighted to have the chance to return and see where Amy was now.
The Amy we find in Paris Ever After at first appears to be happier, more in control, and with a good reason to see her future with more positivity than I dared hope. Margaret, the friendly face who took Amy under her wing on her first visit to Paris, seems to be even more involved in Amy’s life now, but is showing a fragility that means theirs has become a mutual looking-out-for-each-other relationship. However, it doesn’t take long for events to upset their equilibrium and it is the unexpected visitors who provide the main plot this time.
Amy certainly seems to have a knack of finding herself in somewhat bizarre situations alongside a real mixed (and often mixed up) set of friends. As well as the unexpected guests there are their unusual stories to take in too, and at times it seems uncertain if there is a place for Amy either in Paris or back in Phoenix.
With lots of plot twists that seem to turn her life upside down, Amy eventually finds the focus she desperately needs, which gives her the ability to take control and decide where she will make her future, and who will be alongside her. I certainly felt much happier for Amy at the end of this book than I had at the end of the first.
If you are looking for something a little bit different, but with engaging characters, a fast moving plot and a good sense of place, this Parisian book could be just the thing for you this summer.
The Amy we find in Paris Ever After at first appears to be happier, more in control, and with a good reason to see her future with more positivity than I dared hope. Margaret, the friendly face who took Amy under her wing on her first visit to Paris, seems to be even more involved in Amy’s life now, but is showing a fragility that means theirs has become a mutual looking-out-for-each-other relationship. However, it doesn’t take long for events to upset their equilibrium and it is the unexpected visitors who provide the main plot this time.
Amy certainly seems to have a knack of finding herself in somewhat bizarre situations alongside a real mixed (and often mixed up) set of friends. As well as the unexpected guests there are their unusual stories to take in too, and at times it seems uncertain if there is a place for Amy either in Paris or back in Phoenix.
With lots of plot twists that seem to turn her life upside down, Amy eventually finds the focus she desperately needs, which gives her the ability to take control and decide where she will make her future, and who will be alongside her. I certainly felt much happier for Amy at the end of this book than I had at the end of the first.
If you are looking for something a little bit different, but with engaging characters, a fast moving plot and a good sense of place, this Parisian book could be just the thing for you this summer.
April 11, 2018
(I was given a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
I'm a sucker for any book set in Paris! Paris Ever After is a perfect choice for fellow Francophile women's fiction fans (alliteration is fun!).
Who doesn't dream of running off to live in Paris? While that is not a practical idea for most of us, we can live vicariously through Amy. Although I wouldn't want to deal with what is going on in her crazy life! Paris Ever After is a fun bit of escape. Check it out if you are in need of a (mental) vacation to Paris! (While this is a follow-up to The Paris Effect, it can be read as a standalone novel.
I'm a sucker for any book set in Paris! Paris Ever After is a perfect choice for fellow Francophile women's fiction fans (alliteration is fun!).
Who doesn't dream of running off to live in Paris? While that is not a practical idea for most of us, we can live vicariously through Amy. Although I wouldn't want to deal with what is going on in her crazy life! Paris Ever After is a fun bit of escape. Check it out if you are in need of a (mental) vacation to Paris! (While this is a follow-up to The Paris Effect, it can be read as a standalone novel.
April 5, 2018
Paris is a city almost every girl wants to live in at some point. So, who wouldn't want to run-away to the "City of Lights" from a rocky marriage and heartache in Arizona? This K.S.R Burns' novel was hard to put down at night, I was immediately drawn into Amy's story. Paris Ever After is a great read, perfect for your summer reading list!
April 27, 2018
I received this book through LibraryThing giveaway and so thrilled to receive. I read the The Paris Effect so it was great to slide right into the sequel. I typically am not a fan of series but really enjoyed these two books. It gave you a flavor of life in Paris but also of life challenges in general. Many times life has a way of turning things around and new doors do open when others are closed. It was just a delightful story and I would recommend both of these stories (to get the full enjoyment, read them both).
May 17, 2018
*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Paris Ever After is a sequel of The Paris Effect, but it can be read as a standalone. I have to be honest though, I think reading the first book is necessary to actually understand the story. You basically get thrown into the story, knowing little and learning about the characters and their past through the plot. However, in my opinion it would have helped to know these things beforehand.
We follow Amy, who is actually from Phoenix, but currently lives in Paris. She is married to Will, but she tries to avoid him and she has built a life in Paris now. Things get more complicated, when he shows up and tries to find her. She is carrying around a little secret as well and she meets different kind of people in Paris. They become part of her life. She has to make a decision though; about what she really wants.
The storyline was a bit of a mess. I felt it was jumping around a lot and at times there were too many things going on. I really enjoyed the little snippets of Paris, but unfortunately the spark didn’t fly for me.
Amy as a character was a difficult one for me. I couldn’t relate to her at all and some of her decisions didn’t make sense for me. I really struggled with this story and also the ending, shame!
Paris Ever After is a sequel of The Paris Effect, but it can be read as a standalone. I have to be honest though, I think reading the first book is necessary to actually understand the story. You basically get thrown into the story, knowing little and learning about the characters and their past through the plot. However, in my opinion it would have helped to know these things beforehand.
We follow Amy, who is actually from Phoenix, but currently lives in Paris. She is married to Will, but she tries to avoid him and she has built a life in Paris now. Things get more complicated, when he shows up and tries to find her. She is carrying around a little secret as well and she meets different kind of people in Paris. They become part of her life. She has to make a decision though; about what she really wants.
The storyline was a bit of a mess. I felt it was jumping around a lot and at times there were too many things going on. I really enjoyed the little snippets of Paris, but unfortunately the spark didn’t fly for me.
Amy as a character was a difficult one for me. I couldn’t relate to her at all and some of her decisions didn’t make sense for me. I really struggled with this story and also the ending, shame!
May 1, 2018
Paris Ever After is a fun and at times emotional read. Amy is definitely one I could relate with. KSR Burns did a fabulous job making Amy a true to life character. I felt like I knew her and understood her life. Of course, I would love to go off to Paris for awhile! I am glad I was able to see the city through her eyes. The author’s talent shines by describing the details of the setting, making a reader feel as though they were part of the story. Amy goes on quite the adventure that she would have never expected. Will this lead to a new life and perspective for Amy? There was in no way could I have predicted how it would have ended for her.
I give Paris Ever After 4 1/2 stars and look for more by this author in the future.
I recommend this book for those who love good contemporary fiction.
I received this back from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I give Paris Ever After 4 1/2 stars and look for more by this author in the future.
I recommend this book for those who love good contemporary fiction.
I received this back from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
March 8, 2018
As a Francophile, I am partial to books with a Paris setting. I enjoyed this romp around Paris with Amy, a woman from Phoenix, Arizona who fled to Paris after the death of her best friend, leaving behind a troubled marriage. With some unusual characters, like Margaret, a woman who treats Amy like a daughter, Manu and Herve, the novel follows Amy’s personal growth. I liked it.
April 2, 2018
Paris Ever After is the sequel to Amy's story. I was very slow to warm up to the main character because she relied completely on other people to take care of her. She runs away from her husband and then acts indignant and surprised when she's replaced. I did enjoy the sites and food of Paris the author mentions because both are tres magnifique. The best part of the entire book is the cover; it's very attractive and what initially drew me to request the book. The story fell short, however.Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.
June 9, 2018
This was a jam-packed little novel from K.S.R. Burns. She takes us on a magical journey through Paris, and on a wild ride of a story line for Amy, the main character. I found myself devouring this book in a very short amount of time. I wasn’t disappointed with the ending and appreciated the fact that there is a happy ending. This is apparently the second book about Amy, but I don’t feel it is necessary to read it before picking up this one. There is enough of a backstory shared with the reader to keep you up to date and aware of what is going on in Amy’s life.
We find Amy in Paris, fulfilling her dream that she shared with her best friend, Catherine, who is no longer with her. The two had this trip planned for a long time. Unfortunately, Catherine isn’t able to see this dream come to fruition, as she has recently lost her battle with cancer. When Amy’s marriage becomes a bit rocky she takes the opportunity to pack things up and go to Paris. K.S.R. Burns does a wonderful job of bringing to life the wanderlust of the city of Paris. From the descriptions of the places that Amy visits to the food that is consumed and made, you feel as if you are there experiencing the city along with Amy.
Things go well for Amy at first. She manages to find a place to live in Margaret’s home. Margaret has a daughter, Sophie that is missing and has been for two years so she has the room to spare and the desire to help a young woman that is in need. That is until Sophie shows up and demands her place in her home back. This is just one obstacle that Amy is faced with overcoming.
The other obstacle is Amy’s estranged marriage to husband Will. She hasn’t told him that she is carrying his child and isn’t sure how to break the news to him. Suddenly though he thrusts himself back into her life when he shows up in Paris. He isn’t necessarily there to reconcile though and has a big secret of his own. I wasn’t a huge fan of Will though I did see where the need for a protagonist is necessary in this novel.
Where will Amy go from here? She has found herself in some complicated and difficult situations. She has a baby cooking by her ex, and he has someone new that promises to disrupt any chances they have of making their marriage work. Will Amy return home in the states or decide to stay in Paris and make a life for herself and her daughter? There is a love interest for her that promises to make the book that much better and add a twist that one didn’t see coming. Will she end up getting her happily ever after?
I can honestly say that this being my first read of K.S.R. Burns I was pleasantly surprised with all the action that was packed into a concise and short novel. I found myself breezing through it and wanting more. I will definitely go back, even though it isn’t necessary, and read the first book to have the extra background of the story. I found this the perfect escape read for an afternoon in the sun.
We find Amy in Paris, fulfilling her dream that she shared with her best friend, Catherine, who is no longer with her. The two had this trip planned for a long time. Unfortunately, Catherine isn’t able to see this dream come to fruition, as she has recently lost her battle with cancer. When Amy’s marriage becomes a bit rocky she takes the opportunity to pack things up and go to Paris. K.S.R. Burns does a wonderful job of bringing to life the wanderlust of the city of Paris. From the descriptions of the places that Amy visits to the food that is consumed and made, you feel as if you are there experiencing the city along with Amy.
Things go well for Amy at first. She manages to find a place to live in Margaret’s home. Margaret has a daughter, Sophie that is missing and has been for two years so she has the room to spare and the desire to help a young woman that is in need. That is until Sophie shows up and demands her place in her home back. This is just one obstacle that Amy is faced with overcoming.
The other obstacle is Amy’s estranged marriage to husband Will. She hasn’t told him that she is carrying his child and isn’t sure how to break the news to him. Suddenly though he thrusts himself back into her life when he shows up in Paris. He isn’t necessarily there to reconcile though and has a big secret of his own. I wasn’t a huge fan of Will though I did see where the need for a protagonist is necessary in this novel.
Where will Amy go from here? She has found herself in some complicated and difficult situations. She has a baby cooking by her ex, and he has someone new that promises to disrupt any chances they have of making their marriage work. Will Amy return home in the states or decide to stay in Paris and make a life for herself and her daughter? There is a love interest for her that promises to make the book that much better and add a twist that one didn’t see coming. Will she end up getting her happily ever after?
I can honestly say that this being my first read of K.S.R. Burns I was pleasantly surprised with all the action that was packed into a concise and short novel. I found myself breezing through it and wanting more. I will definitely go back, even though it isn’t necessary, and read the first book to have the extra background of the story. I found this the perfect escape read for an afternoon in the sun.
October 24, 2018
PLAN B
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
This is a review of an audio edition of the book. There is no audio edition on GR.
A woman who leaves a husband she only married because it was important for the moment and then when the moment passed there was no common ground. After she takes off for France they both move on. It’s interesting, and Amy knows it, that her lack of unhappiness at the separation, and her halfhearted attempts to gets not a harbinger in touch with him, is not a harbinger of good news for her relationship.
When she sees Will, turned up by surprise, and goes on to her birthday party; when she finds the unexpected girl mentioned in the blurb far more upsetting than her spouse showing up the reader should realize there’s not much holding the couple together. Her professed willingness to go back with him to Phoenix (of which she speaks with about as much affection as one would for cleaning toilets), is also halfhearted.
The arrival of a young woman on her doorstep, referenced above, is a wrench in her safe position, her plan b. These two events happening within twenty-four hours represent the crossroads of her life, both push her off being able to stay in a harbor where she has no need to make a decision.
I did not believe the friends she’s found in France as characters: they are all too much – over the top. caricatures. Too many parents and friends have died to make this story.
Amy is like flotsam and jetsam on the wave of tumultuous change, only directed by a new priority and new feelings. Most of what happens to her is chance, good fortune mostly.
This story is one that takes place in Paris because sometimes it is legendarily a a place of second-chances, amazing occurrences and new beginnings. Could it take place elsewhere – is Paris intrinsic in the algorithm of change that occurs in Amy’s world? I don’t know. But, Paris seems to be a kind of authorial shorthand for this.
Elise Arsenault is new to me as a narrator. I only have a little French so whether her French pronunciation is fabulous I cannot say, but her emotional expression is spot on and she has not overacted.
This was an unusual and interesting premise and I enjoyed it. I would have liked it to be a little less of a fairy tale. She’ll need the good king and queen as well as the knight in shining armor to save her. But, it was a good read.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
This is a review of an audio edition of the book. There is no audio edition on GR.
A woman who leaves a husband she only married because it was important for the moment and then when the moment passed there was no common ground. After she takes off for France they both move on. It’s interesting, and Amy knows it, that her lack of unhappiness at the separation, and her halfhearted attempts to gets not a harbinger in touch with him, is not a harbinger of good news for her relationship.
When she sees Will, turned up by surprise, and goes on to her birthday party; when she finds the unexpected girl mentioned in the blurb far more upsetting than her spouse showing up the reader should realize there’s not much holding the couple together. Her professed willingness to go back with him to Phoenix (of which she speaks with about as much affection as one would for cleaning toilets), is also halfhearted.
The arrival of a young woman on her doorstep, referenced above, is a wrench in her safe position, her plan b. These two events happening within twenty-four hours represent the crossroads of her life, both push her off being able to stay in a harbor where she has no need to make a decision.
I did not believe the friends she’s found in France as characters: they are all too much – over the top. caricatures. Too many parents and friends have died to make this story.
Amy is like flotsam and jetsam on the wave of tumultuous change, only directed by a new priority and new feelings. Most of what happens to her is chance, good fortune mostly.
This story is one that takes place in Paris because sometimes it is legendarily a a place of second-chances, amazing occurrences and new beginnings. Could it take place elsewhere – is Paris intrinsic in the algorithm of change that occurs in Amy’s world? I don’t know. But, Paris seems to be a kind of authorial shorthand for this.
Elise Arsenault is new to me as a narrator. I only have a little French so whether her French pronunciation is fabulous I cannot say, but her emotional expression is spot on and she has not overacted.
This was an unusual and interesting premise and I enjoyed it. I would have liked it to be a little less of a fairy tale. She’ll need the good king and queen as well as the knight in shining armor to save her. But, it was a good read.
June 4, 2018
In all honesty, I disliked & liked Paris Ever After. I will tell you I have not yet read Paris Effect & I could be missing crucial pieces of the puzzle. I may go back to read the first book in search of those details that could change my opinion but until then I can only go by what I know.
Dislikes:
How could Amy find out she's pregnant by her husband, that she ran out on, and not try harder to let him know? I get he was hurt or angry or both that she left & told her to go & not come back but this is bigger than that. I thought it was selfish of her.
When Amy sees that William has traveled to Paris, OF COURSE TO FIND HER, how could she not immediately contact him? She has monumental information. That should have been her priority.
I knew immediately when she described the visual changes in William & then his selfies that he DIDN'T send to her, that there was someone else. How could she not? Especially after she'd been gone for months & didn't look like she was ever coming back? Ever think that there wouldn't be someone else if she would have done better in letting him know she was pregnant? I understand changes in these facts would mean the rest of the story essentially wouldn't exist but these are the things that made me angry with Amy.
And William? He should have told Amy immediately his reasons for being in Paris, not led Amy on & then sleep with her. GAH!! It takes two to tango but as a woman, I know, that wouldn't have happened if Amy had known his true intentions for being there.
How could William turn his back on his daughter if he was so 'family oriented' as he was described as being?
My heart hurts from so many scenes. This is a book hangover I may not get over very soon.
Ok, enough complaining.
Likes:
Well written story.
Even though so many situations made me want to scream, I had to keep reading to see what happened, how it all worked out.
I found the support characters interesting, as well as their stories that intertwined with Amy's.
I'm glad Amy got her HEA.
Definitely, a great book club read because it will open dialogue for what I'm sure will be some interesting discussions & debates.
Dislikes:
How could Amy find out she's pregnant by her husband, that she ran out on, and not try harder to let him know? I get he was hurt or angry or both that she left & told her to go & not come back but this is bigger than that. I thought it was selfish of her.
When Amy sees that William has traveled to Paris, OF COURSE TO FIND HER, how could she not immediately contact him? She has monumental information. That should have been her priority.
I knew immediately when she described the visual changes in William & then his selfies that he DIDN'T send to her, that there was someone else. How could she not? Especially after she'd been gone for months & didn't look like she was ever coming back? Ever think that there wouldn't be someone else if she would have done better in letting him know she was pregnant? I understand changes in these facts would mean the rest of the story essentially wouldn't exist but these are the things that made me angry with Amy.
And William? He should have told Amy immediately his reasons for being in Paris, not led Amy on & then sleep with her. GAH!! It takes two to tango but as a woman, I know, that wouldn't have happened if Amy had known his true intentions for being there.
How could William turn his back on his daughter if he was so 'family oriented' as he was described as being?
My heart hurts from so many scenes. This is a book hangover I may not get over very soon.
Ok, enough complaining.
Likes:
Well written story.
Even though so many situations made me want to scream, I had to keep reading to see what happened, how it all worked out.
I found the support characters interesting, as well as their stories that intertwined with Amy's.
I'm glad Amy got her HEA.
Definitely, a great book club read because it will open dialogue for what I'm sure will be some interesting discussions & debates.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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