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Falling in Louvre
'A heartfelt, funny and romantic caper - a mashup masterpiece!' - Sandy Barker, author of 'That Night in Paris'.
Bertrand is King of the Pigeons…
Unofficially. From his perch atop a gargoyle on Notre Dame cathedral, he surveys his kingdom. He sees Sylvie Cloutier, art lover and ex-antiques dealer, making dinner for her bullying husband Henri, trapped in their loveless marriage like a bird in a gilded cage. He sees security guard, hopeless romantic and bookworm Philippe Moreau cycling through the streets of Paris in his crumpled uniform, late (again) for his night shift at the museum.
When Sylvie begs her husband to let her go to work, he gets her a job as an evening cleaner at the Louvre. He thinks such a menial position will dispel any ideas about independence she might have, but his plan backfires when she falls in love with kind, gentle Philippe. They decide to run away together, but there’s a major problem: neither of them has any money.
One stormy night in the Louvre, the answer to their prayers falls into their lap… But is it really the solution, or just another, even bigger problem?
What follows is a romantic, wistful but madcap adventure through (and under) the city of lights, involving a stolen painting, an art heist in reverse, and Eric Cantona. Will love find a way?
Bertrand is King of the Pigeons…
Unofficially. From his perch atop a gargoyle on Notre Dame cathedral, he surveys his kingdom. He sees Sylvie Cloutier, art lover and ex-antiques dealer, making dinner for her bullying husband Henri, trapped in their loveless marriage like a bird in a gilded cage. He sees security guard, hopeless romantic and bookworm Philippe Moreau cycling through the streets of Paris in his crumpled uniform, late (again) for his night shift at the museum.
When Sylvie begs her husband to let her go to work, he gets her a job as an evening cleaner at the Louvre. He thinks such a menial position will dispel any ideas about independence she might have, but his plan backfires when she falls in love with kind, gentle Philippe. They decide to run away together, but there’s a major problem: neither of them has any money.
One stormy night in the Louvre, the answer to their prayers falls into their lap… But is it really the solution, or just another, even bigger problem?
What follows is a romantic, wistful but madcap adventure through (and under) the city of lights, involving a stolen painting, an art heist in reverse, and Eric Cantona. Will love find a way?
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2021
140 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Leitch
25 books411 followersFiona Leitch is a writer with a chequered past. She’s written for football and motoring magazines, DJ’ed at illegal raves and is a stalwart of the low budget TV commercial, even appearing as the Australasian face of a cleaning product called 'Sod Off'. After living in London and Cornwall she's finally settled in sunny New Zealand, where she enjoys scaring her cats by trying out dialogue on them. She spends her days dreaming of retiring to a crumbling Venetian palazzo, walking on the windswept beaches of West Auckland, and writing funny, flawed but awesome female characters.
The first book in her 'Nosey Parker' series of cozy mysteries set in Cornwall will be published by One More Chapter in January 2021, with books 2 and 3 following in February and March.
Her debut novel 'Dead in Venice' was published by Audible in 2018 as one of their Crime Grant finalists. Fiona also writes screenplays and was a finalist in the Athena Film Festival Writers Lab, co-run by Meryl Streep's IRIS company.
Fiona is represented by Lina Langlee at the North Literary Agency.
The first book in her 'Nosey Parker' series of cozy mysteries set in Cornwall will be published by One More Chapter in January 2021, with books 2 and 3 following in February and March.
Her debut novel 'Dead in Venice' was published by Audible in 2018 as one of their Crime Grant finalists. Fiona also writes screenplays and was a finalist in the Athena Film Festival Writers Lab, co-run by Meryl Streep's IRIS company.
Fiona is represented by Lina Langlee at the North Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 14, 2021
Ooh I loved this book! I have enjoyed Fiona Leitch's other books so I was delighted when I saw she wrote a romcom set in Paris. An art heist, a love affair, and the Paris underground? You had my heart right there. Bravo!
September 24, 2021
Sylvie is trapped in an abusive marriage; she finally gets a little freedom when she gets a night job at the Louvre, and meets sweet Philippe.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is split between Sylvie and Philippe.
Sylvie is a ghost of her previous self. Her husband Henri is a terrible bully, who has worn her down.
Henri agrees to let Sylvie get a part-time job, and arranges a cleaning job at the Louvre, thinking she will be insulted by something so menial. Instead, Sylvie starts to find little pieces of herself, and new friends.
Philippe is a lost young man, coasting along with the bare minimum. He had to move back in with his mum, and managed to secure a job as a security guard. It's only when he meets Sylvie, that he starts to want more from life.
The first half of the book slowly builds the picture of Sylvie's miserable life with her husband. It feels realistic, and you can't help hating Henri and his manipulations.
Philippe is such a contrast, he's so gentle, and does everything he can to make Sylvie smile and believe in herself again.
The second half takes a somewhat kooky turn, as they try and fix a poor, hasty decision.
It was quite fun to watch them cope, and kept you guessing how everything would be resolved.
The not-so-good.
I personally thought that the first half was a little bit slow to get going, but eventually becomes a sweet romance, and all about Sylvie regaining her mental freedom.
I found the transition in storyline quite surprising, and I didn't think they gelled well. Both halves were well-written, but it just shifted from serious to kooky in a blink.
This is written in third-person omnipotent, which is my least favourite type of narrative. I didn't like how it shifted between characters, and even different scenes without a pause.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is split between Sylvie and Philippe.
Sylvie is a ghost of her previous self. Her husband Henri is a terrible bully, who has worn her down.
Henri agrees to let Sylvie get a part-time job, and arranges a cleaning job at the Louvre, thinking she will be insulted by something so menial. Instead, Sylvie starts to find little pieces of herself, and new friends.
Philippe is a lost young man, coasting along with the bare minimum. He had to move back in with his mum, and managed to secure a job as a security guard. It's only when he meets Sylvie, that he starts to want more from life.
The first half of the book slowly builds the picture of Sylvie's miserable life with her husband. It feels realistic, and you can't help hating Henri and his manipulations.
Philippe is such a contrast, he's so gentle, and does everything he can to make Sylvie smile and believe in herself again.
The second half takes a somewhat kooky turn, as they try and fix a poor, hasty decision.
It was quite fun to watch them cope, and kept you guessing how everything would be resolved.
The not-so-good.
I personally thought that the first half was a little bit slow to get going, but eventually becomes a sweet romance, and all about Sylvie regaining her mental freedom.
I found the transition in storyline quite surprising, and I didn't think they gelled well. Both halves were well-written, but it just shifted from serious to kooky in a blink.
This is written in third-person omnipotent, which is my least favourite type of narrative. I didn't like how it shifted between characters, and even different scenes without a pause.
September 29, 2021
If you're looking for a fun read, this book is it. It might not seem like it at first as we're introduced to Sylvie and her brutish husband, Henri. Intent on keeping her under his thumb, he gaslights Sylvie and allows her to get a menial job as a cleaner at the Lourve in the hope she won't find out about a secret he's been keeping. At her new job, Sylvie meets security guard, Philippe, a man who also has secrets, but ones that could lead to a new life. When a power outage at the Lourve presents an opportunity for Sylvie and Philippe to run away together, they take it, only to end up as part of a heist that they desperately want to set right. The story taking this turn is what really drew me in. I love a good caper, and combining it with romance and despised characters getting what they deserve, made it a great read. Highly recommended for anyone in need of a fun, romantic escape.
September 11, 2021
Falling in Louvre is a wonderful heartwarming romantic story with little touches of humour throughout. I really liked Sylvie and thought she was written so sympathetically and warmly as she navigated through her difficult marriage. I loved the adventure through the street of Paris and thought the secondary characters including Stephanie and Eric were great additions to the story.
September 22, 2021
I’ve never read a book quite like this one before – I went in expecting a romantic comedy, but it’s so very much more than that. Initially, I smiled at the way it started from the viewpoint of Bertrand the pigeon, then descending to street level and the lives of Sylvie and Philippe. She’s trapped in a controlling marriage, with memories of running her father’s antique shop before she made the worst decision of her life, unable to escape other than through the music she listens to in the hours when she’s alone – Philippe has found himself living back with his mother, in his childhood bedroom with the curtains covered in footballs and the poster of Eric Cantona on the wall, while he works on the nightshift as a security guard at the Louvre.
When Sylvie’s husband finds her a job, something she desperately wants to fill the empty hours, it’s not the one she expects – she’s to work at the Louvre too, but as a cleaner, although she’ll be surrounded by the paintings she loves and remembers in every detail after all the visits with her father. And when the couple meet – when he spots her gliding across the wet floor of the gallery, relishing her new-found freedom – they both know instantly that they’ve found “the one”.
The timing of the story is important – 2016, the city’s preparations for the hosting of the European Football Championships, and the weeks of rain that have caused the Seine to burst its banks and flood the underground city that lies below the capital. And when, one night, the Louvre experiences a weather-related power cut, the story takes a surreal turn – one of those moments of sheer madness that changes both their lives and takes the whole story in an entirely unexpected direction. And I really don’t want to tell you any more about the story – but I absolutely promise that you’ll love it every bit as much as I did.
I also promise that you’re going to love the two main characters, and the romance that develops – my heart ached for them, I was entirely invested in their story, and I was so desperate for them to find their happy ending. The comedy that runs through the book is quite wonderful – laugh out loud, but touched with the most fantastic moments of poignancy, and I found I often had a tear in my eye along with the constant smile on my face. The way the story develops is quite inspired, with a strong supporting cast to add depth and interest, and more than a few moments of drama with the most unexpected twists and turns. The book is a tribute to Paris itself – the author’s love for the city shines through – and the whole premise of the story is so very different and original. I adored the couple’s “adventures” – some of them taking them below the city, with some quite magical moments that will forever stay in my memory. There’s a wonderful pursuit sequence, a few moments that make you gasp, an uncertain outcome that has you on the edge of your seat – and then there are the cleverest touches of magic realism, but you’ll need to discover them with the same sense of delight that I did.
This really was one of those books that I want to thrust into people’s hands on the street and say “read it". It’s just the kind of escapism that we all need after the rather grim time we’ve all had recently – it’ll whisk you away, break your heart at times, fill you with joy, and you’ll be as impressed as I was by the originality of the story and the way it’s told. On her Twitter feed, I notice the author said that it’s “more than a rom, more than a com, and I’m very proud of it” – she’s absolutely right, and so she should be. This was, without question, one of my books of the year – I entirely loved it.
When Sylvie’s husband finds her a job, something she desperately wants to fill the empty hours, it’s not the one she expects – she’s to work at the Louvre too, but as a cleaner, although she’ll be surrounded by the paintings she loves and remembers in every detail after all the visits with her father. And when the couple meet – when he spots her gliding across the wet floor of the gallery, relishing her new-found freedom – they both know instantly that they’ve found “the one”.
The timing of the story is important – 2016, the city’s preparations for the hosting of the European Football Championships, and the weeks of rain that have caused the Seine to burst its banks and flood the underground city that lies below the capital. And when, one night, the Louvre experiences a weather-related power cut, the story takes a surreal turn – one of those moments of sheer madness that changes both their lives and takes the whole story in an entirely unexpected direction. And I really don’t want to tell you any more about the story – but I absolutely promise that you’ll love it every bit as much as I did.
I also promise that you’re going to love the two main characters, and the romance that develops – my heart ached for them, I was entirely invested in their story, and I was so desperate for them to find their happy ending. The comedy that runs through the book is quite wonderful – laugh out loud, but touched with the most fantastic moments of poignancy, and I found I often had a tear in my eye along with the constant smile on my face. The way the story develops is quite inspired, with a strong supporting cast to add depth and interest, and more than a few moments of drama with the most unexpected twists and turns. The book is a tribute to Paris itself – the author’s love for the city shines through – and the whole premise of the story is so very different and original. I adored the couple’s “adventures” – some of them taking them below the city, with some quite magical moments that will forever stay in my memory. There’s a wonderful pursuit sequence, a few moments that make you gasp, an uncertain outcome that has you on the edge of your seat – and then there are the cleverest touches of magic realism, but you’ll need to discover them with the same sense of delight that I did.
This really was one of those books that I want to thrust into people’s hands on the street and say “read it". It’s just the kind of escapism that we all need after the rather grim time we’ve all had recently – it’ll whisk you away, break your heart at times, fill you with joy, and you’ll be as impressed as I was by the originality of the story and the way it’s told. On her Twitter feed, I notice the author said that it’s “more than a rom, more than a com, and I’m very proud of it” – she’s absolutely right, and so she should be. This was, without question, one of my books of the year – I entirely loved it.
September 26, 2021
This is a charming romantic Parisian escapade. In 2016, Paris, the city of lovers was also, the city of flooding and football. The reader meets Sylvie, trapped in a controlling marriage, a shadow of her former vibrant self and Phillipe, a gentle individual through the eyes of Bertrand, a Parisian pigeon. Sylvie and Phillipe meet at the Louvre, not as romantic as it sounds, but they are drawn to each other and enjoy an epic, escapist adventure but will they find happiness?
Believable characters and the Parisian setting come to vibrant life through vivid imagery. Humour and poignancy ebb and flow into a plot full of adventure, mystery and romance with a magical twist.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
Believable characters and the Parisian setting come to vibrant life through vivid imagery. Humour and poignancy ebb and flow into a plot full of adventure, mystery and romance with a magical twist.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
August 2, 2021
This story was full of suspense and drama. It's always wonderful to go into the mind of a female protagonist with mental health/physical health issues - so called 'imperfect' lead. The main setting of the world famous museum adds to the mystery and intense situation. A good read.
September 26, 2021
If you think this is just another romcom set in Paris, then you’d be mistaken. It is so much more than that, it’s the perfect mashup of a romantic comedy with a cosy mystery, while also throwing the spotlight on domestic abuse with a dash on magical realism thrown in for good measure. Ooh, la la! .
2016 is the year of the Euros (European Football Championship) in France, and the country awaits a tidal wave of supporters from across Europe. Phillipe, a security guard at the Louvre is an avid football fan, his childhood bedroom an homage to his hero, Eric Cantona. Unfortunately, Phillipe once again finds himself living with his mother in that self-same bedroom after the break-up of his relationship. Working night shifts, he barely sees a soul, and is not exactly living the life he wanted or expected.
Sylvie, the daughter of an antiques shop owner, finds herself as far away from her dreams of running her father’s shop as she can possibly get, although she is grateful to her husband, Henri, for giving her the life she has now. An accident years before left her dependent on medication, and Henri makes sure she remains stable … and dependent upon him. You can see where this is going, can’t you? Sadly, for many years, Sylvie could not 😦 and she settled for the life he “allowed” her to lead whilst yearning to be back in her parents’ shop amid those wonderful antiques.
Sylvie wants to come off her meds; she knows it’s not going to be easy, but gradually the fog lifts and she starts to want more from life. Henri plays along in getting her a job at the Louvre. But he has only acted out of spite in not telling her the job is as a cleaner … in his words, it’s all she is worth! Nonetheless, Sylvie is glad of the chance to escape home for a few hours each night, even more so when she meets Phillipe. Cue the romance – it’s subtle and sweet, and oh so satisfying to see them both come out of their mutual cocoons and live and love again. But the dark cloud that is Henri looms in the background, and the more you learn about him, the more you’ll want Sylvie to cast of the shackles and be happy with Phillipe.
Then the perfect storm hits Paris and floods the city, including the Louvre. Both Sylvie and Phillipe are called into work to help save the precious items on display. At which point, Phillipe does something rather stupid, yet for all the right reasons. His actions on that cold, wet, dark night set the story up for its mystery and for their future. It’s funny, endearing, tense and a little dangerous in that it could land them both in jail.
As I said at the start, it’s not a regular romcom. Henri’s behaviour will infuriate you, Phillipe’s “attachment” to Eric Cantona will amuse you, and Sylvie and Phillipe’s relationship will warm your heart. A fabulous read with believable and relatable characters amidst a setting brought to life by an author who knows her oignons
2016 is the year of the Euros (European Football Championship) in France, and the country awaits a tidal wave of supporters from across Europe. Phillipe, a security guard at the Louvre is an avid football fan, his childhood bedroom an homage to his hero, Eric Cantona. Unfortunately, Phillipe once again finds himself living with his mother in that self-same bedroom after the break-up of his relationship. Working night shifts, he barely sees a soul, and is not exactly living the life he wanted or expected.
Sylvie, the daughter of an antiques shop owner, finds herself as far away from her dreams of running her father’s shop as she can possibly get, although she is grateful to her husband, Henri, for giving her the life she has now. An accident years before left her dependent on medication, and Henri makes sure she remains stable … and dependent upon him. You can see where this is going, can’t you? Sadly, for many years, Sylvie could not 😦 and she settled for the life he “allowed” her to lead whilst yearning to be back in her parents’ shop amid those wonderful antiques.
Sylvie wants to come off her meds; she knows it’s not going to be easy, but gradually the fog lifts and she starts to want more from life. Henri plays along in getting her a job at the Louvre. But he has only acted out of spite in not telling her the job is as a cleaner … in his words, it’s all she is worth! Nonetheless, Sylvie is glad of the chance to escape home for a few hours each night, even more so when she meets Phillipe. Cue the romance – it’s subtle and sweet, and oh so satisfying to see them both come out of their mutual cocoons and live and love again. But the dark cloud that is Henri looms in the background, and the more you learn about him, the more you’ll want Sylvie to cast of the shackles and be happy with Phillipe.
Then the perfect storm hits Paris and floods the city, including the Louvre. Both Sylvie and Phillipe are called into work to help save the precious items on display. At which point, Phillipe does something rather stupid, yet for all the right reasons. His actions on that cold, wet, dark night set the story up for its mystery and for their future. It’s funny, endearing, tense and a little dangerous in that it could land them both in jail.
As I said at the start, it’s not a regular romcom. Henri’s behaviour will infuriate you, Phillipe’s “attachment” to Eric Cantona will amuse you, and Sylvie and Phillipe’s relationship will warm your heart. A fabulous read with believable and relatable characters amidst a setting brought to life by an author who knows her oignons
September 23, 2021
Never underestimate the power an out of hours cleaning job can give.
Bullied by her controlling husband, Sylvie knows she isn’t happy, but has no idea how much she needs to escape, until an unexpected taste of freedom and independence, gives her the clarity she has been missing for the last few years. Henri and his actions are deplorable, but despite the sensitive and emotive subject, this book is very funny. From the pigeons above the Notre Dame and the Sacre Coeur, to the sewer tunnels beneath the famous streets, to the quiet galleries of the Louvre at night, this book swept me off on a wonderfully different adventure in Paris, alongside a cast of misfit characters, all who had their part to play in this humorous love story.
The scrapes and situations Philippe and Sylvie find themselves in as they try to find a way to be together, are brilliantly written. The twists and turns of the plot, combined with the witty writing style and the love and friendship that held everything together, left me with a huge grin on my face.
I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be such an entertaining and humorous read, but it proved to be just what I needed to balance the woes of the pandemic.
If you are looking for a funny escape that is refreshingly different, I suggest picking up a copy of Falling in Louvre. I’ve not read any previous books by Fiona, but I’ll certainly be adding her cosy mysteries to my reading lists from now on.
Bullied by her controlling husband, Sylvie knows she isn’t happy, but has no idea how much she needs to escape, until an unexpected taste of freedom and independence, gives her the clarity she has been missing for the last few years. Henri and his actions are deplorable, but despite the sensitive and emotive subject, this book is very funny. From the pigeons above the Notre Dame and the Sacre Coeur, to the sewer tunnels beneath the famous streets, to the quiet galleries of the Louvre at night, this book swept me off on a wonderfully different adventure in Paris, alongside a cast of misfit characters, all who had their part to play in this humorous love story.
The scrapes and situations Philippe and Sylvie find themselves in as they try to find a way to be together, are brilliantly written. The twists and turns of the plot, combined with the witty writing style and the love and friendship that held everything together, left me with a huge grin on my face.
I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be such an entertaining and humorous read, but it proved to be just what I needed to balance the woes of the pandemic.
If you are looking for a funny escape that is refreshingly different, I suggest picking up a copy of Falling in Louvre. I’ve not read any previous books by Fiona, but I’ll certainly be adding her cosy mysteries to my reading lists from now on.
July 23, 2025
Cute and a fun little adventure
I bloody love Fiona Leitch! Even if this isn't a murder mystery whodunnit- there's a good adventure especially of matters of the heart ♥️
Very cute, little smutty but you can skip over that
I bloody love Fiona Leitch! Even if this isn't a murder mystery whodunnit- there's a good adventure especially of matters of the heart ♥️
Very cute, little smutty but you can skip over that
July 16, 2021
This is a wonderfully written book, with moments of humour, a slow-burn romance, and a deep dive into an important issue all wrapped up in a heist. Terrific mashup from the Queen of Mashups - highly recommended for romance readers, cosy mystery readers, and those who want to read something special.
August 31, 2021
I have to say that I expected all the French romantic clichés to fall out of this book, but it was much more grounded and sophisticated than that. Sylvie is a very troubled character and her despair is not something to brush off lightly. I was desperate for her to leave her horrid situation. Once Sylvie and Phillipe meet and make plans, the book really takes off and although there are some (slightly) too far fetched moments you believe in them and are rooting for them for sure. It was a great escape to Paris, and the Louvre is the perfect setting for this lovely read. I definitely felt like I was in Paris, walking the streets and soaking up the atmosphere. Just lovely.
August 20, 2021
Such a delight of a quirky romcom. Loved the characters, including very much Bertrand. Made me want to revisit Paris.
September 30, 2021
Falling in Louvre is a beautiful little story. Young Sylvie is trapped in a loveless marriage following a tragic accident. Her husband is a bully, and as the story goes on, we see his suspicious reasons why. She is not allowed to leave the house except for necessary chores, and he always knows where she is. When she asks to go working, he arranges a job for her that he is sure she'll hate – as a cleaner at the Louvre. But Sylvie, a former antiques shop owner, loves art, and she enjoys her few hours of freedom.
And then there's Philippe. A quiet, withdrawn young man working as a security guard at the Louvre. Living with his mother following a divorce, he is sick and tired of his mediocre job, but has nowhere else to go. Paris is an expensive city!
As the story progresses, it's unavoidable that they fall in love, slowly and gently. But without means, where could they go? What could they do?
Then, during a vicious storm and the flood of a century that spills into the lower cellars of the Louvre, where precious artworks are kept in safety, they seize a chance to make money. But they soon realise that the item they stole is far too hot to handle. So their troubles only begin...
Falling in Louvre kept me engaged throughout. The setting is beautiful Paris, and the romance is realistic and sweet. The characters are well-drawn. Both are flawed, and both don't expect miracles to happen in their lives. Until they do happen!
Sylvie's dependence on anti-depressants is portrayed realistically, and not over the top. Her husband's attempts to keep her on them is mean, serving his own purpose. With Philippe's support, she manages to slowly wean herself off them – and her former character returns. At times, I found her reaction to her husband a little unrealistic, especially given her independent former self, but her dependence on her tablets explains much. There is also a sense of guilt as he looked after her following her accident. She's a complex character.
I loved the way the story unfolded, and, just as they euphorically think their woes are gone, obstacles are thrown into their path. There are a good few laugh-out-loud moments, and many more sweet moments that make this story memorable.
The French used is to a large extent accurate, but not always, so it would've benefitted from a native speaker to go through all the instances where she uses French. But the author displays great knowledge of Paris and its way of life, which more than makes up for a handful of minor points.
Falling in Louvre is well worth checking out. If you love a sweet romance, with a dash of adventure, in a beautiful setting, it's definitely for you!
I received a free ebook copy in return for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.
And then there's Philippe. A quiet, withdrawn young man working as a security guard at the Louvre. Living with his mother following a divorce, he is sick and tired of his mediocre job, but has nowhere else to go. Paris is an expensive city!
As the story progresses, it's unavoidable that they fall in love, slowly and gently. But without means, where could they go? What could they do?
Then, during a vicious storm and the flood of a century that spills into the lower cellars of the Louvre, where precious artworks are kept in safety, they seize a chance to make money. But they soon realise that the item they stole is far too hot to handle. So their troubles only begin...
Falling in Louvre kept me engaged throughout. The setting is beautiful Paris, and the romance is realistic and sweet. The characters are well-drawn. Both are flawed, and both don't expect miracles to happen in their lives. Until they do happen!
Sylvie's dependence on anti-depressants is portrayed realistically, and not over the top. Her husband's attempts to keep her on them is mean, serving his own purpose. With Philippe's support, she manages to slowly wean herself off them – and her former character returns. At times, I found her reaction to her husband a little unrealistic, especially given her independent former self, but her dependence on her tablets explains much. There is also a sense of guilt as he looked after her following her accident. She's a complex character.
I loved the way the story unfolded, and, just as they euphorically think their woes are gone, obstacles are thrown into their path. There are a good few laugh-out-loud moments, and many more sweet moments that make this story memorable.
The French used is to a large extent accurate, but not always, so it would've benefitted from a native speaker to go through all the instances where she uses French. But the author displays great knowledge of Paris and its way of life, which more than makes up for a handful of minor points.
Falling in Louvre is well worth checking out. If you love a sweet romance, with a dash of adventure, in a beautiful setting, it's definitely for you!
I received a free ebook copy in return for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.
October 2, 2021
4.5 Stars
I fall upon any book with Fiona Leitch’s name on the front cover with glee and in Falling in Louvre, she has once again outdone herself with a magical, hilarious and enjoyable romantic tale that is simply divine.
Former antiques dealer Sylvie Cloutier is passionate about art. However, all her joie de vivre has been snuffed out by her bullying tyrant of a husband Henri who delights in making her life miserable. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Sylvie might live in the most romantic city in the world, but there is certainly no joy or happiness in her heart thanks to the awful man she has the misfortune to be married to. When she finally manages to convince him to let her go to work, he gets her a job working as a cleaner at the Louvre. Henri thinks Sylvie is going to be dejected at having to do such menial work, yet little does he realise that his wife might just find the happiness which has long eluded her..
Philippe Moreau is a gentle giant of a man who works as a security guard at the Louvre. With his nose always buried in a book, Philippe works night shifts at the museum and immediately strikes up a friendship with new cleaner Sylvie. Sparks immediately begin to fly between the two of them and they quickly find themselves falling head over heels in love with one another. Philippe and Sylvie would love nothing more than to run away together and a make a new life for themselves where they can be together all the time. But as neither of them have any money, their romantic dreams are set to never come true – until a solution to all of their financial problems lands in their lap. But is their bid for freedom going to be a success? Or just another disappointment?
Will Philippe and Sylvie manage to build a future together? Or will they be thwarted at every turn?
The world can simply never have enough heartfelt, whimsical and uplifting novels by Fiona Leitch. She writes so beautifully and is so funny that once you start reading one of her books, you will find yourself devouring them in one go. Falling in Louvre is a lovely tale about second chances, taking a chance on happiness, the hypnotic beauty of Paris and the magic of falling in love that tugged at the heartstrings and made me roar with laughter.
A fantastic romantic read from an outstanding writer, Fiona Leitch’s Falling in Louvre is a fun and feel-good caper you will adore.
I fall upon any book with Fiona Leitch’s name on the front cover with glee and in Falling in Louvre, she has once again outdone herself with a magical, hilarious and enjoyable romantic tale that is simply divine.
Former antiques dealer Sylvie Cloutier is passionate about art. However, all her joie de vivre has been snuffed out by her bullying tyrant of a husband Henri who delights in making her life miserable. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Sylvie might live in the most romantic city in the world, but there is certainly no joy or happiness in her heart thanks to the awful man she has the misfortune to be married to. When she finally manages to convince him to let her go to work, he gets her a job working as a cleaner at the Louvre. Henri thinks Sylvie is going to be dejected at having to do such menial work, yet little does he realise that his wife might just find the happiness which has long eluded her..
Philippe Moreau is a gentle giant of a man who works as a security guard at the Louvre. With his nose always buried in a book, Philippe works night shifts at the museum and immediately strikes up a friendship with new cleaner Sylvie. Sparks immediately begin to fly between the two of them and they quickly find themselves falling head over heels in love with one another. Philippe and Sylvie would love nothing more than to run away together and a make a new life for themselves where they can be together all the time. But as neither of them have any money, their romantic dreams are set to never come true – until a solution to all of their financial problems lands in their lap. But is their bid for freedom going to be a success? Or just another disappointment?
Will Philippe and Sylvie manage to build a future together? Or will they be thwarted at every turn?
The world can simply never have enough heartfelt, whimsical and uplifting novels by Fiona Leitch. She writes so beautifully and is so funny that once you start reading one of her books, you will find yourself devouring them in one go. Falling in Louvre is a lovely tale about second chances, taking a chance on happiness, the hypnotic beauty of Paris and the magic of falling in love that tugged at the heartstrings and made me roar with laughter.
A fantastic romantic read from an outstanding writer, Fiona Leitch’s Falling in Louvre is a fun and feel-good caper you will adore.
October 6, 2021
'Falling In Louvre' by Fiona Leitch is a unique novel in the way of, it's not just a run of the mill rom-com. This is romantic comedy interwoven with a mystery. It also shows a serious side by highlighting domestic abuse, which is sensitively dealt with so even with this the story still manages to be funny too.
Sylvie is a downtrodden, bullied housewife who knows she is unhappy. Her husband, the intolerable Henri, allows her to work as an out of hours cleaner at the Louvre and no more. He needs her to know he is the boss. What he doesn't plan for is that Sylvie has a little independence and loves it.
The story spans the length and breadth of Paris. It begins from a pigeons view, high above to the sewer tunnels running beneath the Parisian streets. A slightly crazy adventure with some interesting characters making for a funny love story that sweeps you away.
Philippe is security guard at The Louvre. A hopeless romantic and a bookworm, who is forever late to work looking like nobody owns him. Luckily (for him) Sylvie falls in love with this kind and gentle soul and they try to form a plan to run away together, one problem...they have no money! The situations they find themselves in as they try to run away are of side-splitting quality. Fiona Leitch has such a witty writing style that I had a smile on my face as I read this. The twists and turns just add to the comedy and the friendship and love are the glue that holds everything together in this humorous rom-com with added mystery.
A truly different read than I expected and one I truly enjoyed. Rather an uplifting read than a serious, heavy story. If you are searching for a funny escapist read that will also touch your heart try 'Falling In Louvre'. I do recommend it.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Fiona Leitch for the copy of the book.
Sylvie is a downtrodden, bullied housewife who knows she is unhappy. Her husband, the intolerable Henri, allows her to work as an out of hours cleaner at the Louvre and no more. He needs her to know he is the boss. What he doesn't plan for is that Sylvie has a little independence and loves it.
The story spans the length and breadth of Paris. It begins from a pigeons view, high above to the sewer tunnels running beneath the Parisian streets. A slightly crazy adventure with some interesting characters making for a funny love story that sweeps you away.
Philippe is security guard at The Louvre. A hopeless romantic and a bookworm, who is forever late to work looking like nobody owns him. Luckily (for him) Sylvie falls in love with this kind and gentle soul and they try to form a plan to run away together, one problem...they have no money! The situations they find themselves in as they try to run away are of side-splitting quality. Fiona Leitch has such a witty writing style that I had a smile on my face as I read this. The twists and turns just add to the comedy and the friendship and love are the glue that holds everything together in this humorous rom-com with added mystery.
A truly different read than I expected and one I truly enjoyed. Rather an uplifting read than a serious, heavy story. If you are searching for a funny escapist read that will also touch your heart try 'Falling In Louvre'. I do recommend it.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Fiona Leitch for the copy of the book.
October 13, 2021
Absolutely brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 September 2021
I am a huge fan of Fiona Leitchs writing, and have yet again fallen in love with one of her books. Falling in Louvre (how great is that title!) is a wonderful book, filled with everything you'd want from a proper romantic comedy. There's some brilliant twists in the story, exactly what I alway expect from this writer. Philippe and Sylvies love story is as beautiful as one could ever dream of. There's also a horrible husband, a sarcastic pidgeon, a world famous painting and a heist I did not expect, ane everything lovely and exiting you'd expect from a book set in Paris. Well done to the writer, and now I'm looking forward to her next book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 September 2021
I am a huge fan of Fiona Leitchs writing, and have yet again fallen in love with one of her books. Falling in Louvre (how great is that title!) is a wonderful book, filled with everything you'd want from a proper romantic comedy. There's some brilliant twists in the story, exactly what I alway expect from this writer. Philippe and Sylvies love story is as beautiful as one could ever dream of. There's also a horrible husband, a sarcastic pidgeon, a world famous painting and a heist I did not expect, ane everything lovely and exiting you'd expect from a book set in Paris. Well done to the writer, and now I'm looking forward to her next book.
November 7, 2021
What an unexpected absolutely brilliant read, such a pleasure to come across a book with originality, romance, light suspense and humour. I’ve never heard of the author before but I think she is really one to watch if the novel is anything to go by. It’s quirky and yes at times somewhat unrealistically opportunistic but for me that’s what romantic novels are all about. It’s pure escapism, full of lovely realistic heartwarming characters you really fall for and moves quickly through the storyline. The ending is superb. I really can’t fault this in any way so I will give it top marks. A refreshing, luscious, quirky, modern love story - what a treat 😍
October 21, 2024
When I first started this I mistakenly thought it was part of the Bella Tyson series, the first few chapters i found a bit dark as I hate reading about domestic abuse and nasty people, so didn’t know whether I was going to enjoy it, still waiting for a crime and Bella to arrive.
However all of a sudden I was hooked , after several more chapters and thoroughly enjoying the book I researched and whoops . No Bella here: I didn’t find it greatly funny but I did find it amusing. A great story line, wonderful characters I love it when heroes have flaws too, I loved the adventures and how they ended the book. So I am so pleased I stuck with it.
Loving this author..
However all of a sudden I was hooked , after several more chapters and thoroughly enjoying the book I researched and whoops . No Bella here: I didn’t find it greatly funny but I did find it amusing. A great story line, wonderful characters I love it when heroes have flaws too, I loved the adventures and how they ended the book. So I am so pleased I stuck with it.
Loving this author..
October 27, 2025
This is Ms. Leitch's BEST work!
"Falling in Louvre....." is fabulous! It was difficult to put it down & I couldn't wait to be able to relax and pick it back up! The characters are believable and likable ( except Henri, of course). Phillipe & Sylvie's story is romantic & it is easy to cheer them on through their twists, turns, struggles & successes...I look forward to reading her next book!!
"Falling in Louvre....." is fabulous! It was difficult to put it down & I couldn't wait to be able to relax and pick it back up! The characters are believable and likable ( except Henri, of course). Phillipe & Sylvie's story is romantic & it is easy to cheer them on through their twists, turns, struggles & successes...I look forward to reading her next book!!
November 9, 2025
What a lovely read. As a reader having more information than Sylvie you are screaming at her to not drink the tea. I had realised what was happening before it was shared with the reader but it made it all the more tense. What could potentially have got very dark stays on the right side of cosy read. Obviously the happy ending is expected but you are rooting for Sylvie and Phillipe. I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by this author
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2024
A very readable story!
I enjoyed the brilliant descriptions of Paris, they made me feel that I was there alongside the very realistic characters. There were many surprising twists in the tale, which kept me hooked; however, I disliked intensely the bad language, which was totally unnecessary and made me cringe!
I enjoyed the brilliant descriptions of Paris, they made me feel that I was there alongside the very realistic characters. There were many surprising twists in the tale, which kept me hooked; however, I disliked intensely the bad language, which was totally unnecessary and made me cringe!
January 23, 2022
Another joyous romp from Fiona Leitch. No grisly corpses in this one, but there are still laughs aplenty, and a few tears along the way. A thoroughly enjoyable journey through (and underneath) the streets of Paris.
July 15, 2022
This book gave me a feeling that I was back in Paris and that I knew Paris way better than I do. It starts as a romantic story, but swiftly moves on towards action and adventure. I liked the characters very much and it kept me wanting to read more and see what will happen next. Delightful.
April 22, 2025
Slow starter
It starts out much slower than Ms Leitch's murder mysteries, but it does pick up the pace and includes her trademark twists and turns along with wonderful background about Paris. Yes,it is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
It starts out much slower than Ms Leitch's murder mysteries, but it does pick up the pace and includes her trademark twists and turns along with wonderful background about Paris. Yes,it is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
October 12, 2021
Pleasant read
Enjoyable book with a great ending disliked the husband who deserves a bad ending. The main characters were good and glad the ending was good for them.
Enjoyable book with a great ending disliked the husband who deserves a bad ending. The main characters were good and glad the ending was good for them.
October 14, 2021
An uplifting tale of heartbreak, love, and adventure. I really enjoyed this book.
April 5, 2022
Enjoyable.
August 19, 2023
What a cute, light, funny read!
February 7, 2025
What a fun author, loved this book, did not want it to end. Characters are colorful, story moves quickly. Light-hearted—
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