As the snow flutters down on the Eiffel Tower and fairy lights sparkle on the pavement cafés of Paris, meet the girl determined not to fall in love in the most romantic city in the world…
When Brooke arrives in Paris at Christmas, it feels like the perfect place to escape after being dumped by her long-term boyfriend. And while her head might be turned by the romance of couples strolling arm in arm along the riverbank, and the air scented with chocolat chaud, her heart remains firmly under lock and key – this trip is going to be about her.
Brooke might be able to resist the charms of one persuasive Frenchman who takes her to some of Paris’s most romantic spots, but when a chance encounter leads her to green-eyed Armand with his dark wavy hair and warm smile, she is annoyed to feel her heart skip a beat…
Still, what’s the harm of a holiday romance with no strings attached? Brooke is sure she can play it cool. But when Armand opens his heart to her in a candlelit restaurant and kisses her at the top of the Eiffel Tower, she throws caution to the wind. Armand isn’t her ex – and doesn’t she deserve a second chance at love?
But when Armand begins to blow hot and cold, she wonders if she has been taken for a fool. Why does he never answer his phone? Who is the mysterious tall blonde French woman who always seems to be watching Brooke? And when Armand leaves Paris without warning as Christmas Eve approaches, should Brooke try and find out more about the stranger she has found herself falling for?
Tilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the oldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop girl, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by embarking on a degree in English and creative writing, graduating in 2009 with first class honours. She wrote her first novel in 2007 during her first summer break at university and has not stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance fiction editor, and considers herself very lucky that this enables her to read many wonderful books before the rest of the world gets them.
Tilly is represented by the wonderful, gorgeous Peta Nightingale at LAW.
An exquisite cover for a romantic book set in Paris, to start... Absolutely, I take this.
The author gives such vivid pictures of Paris at Christmas that the reader can't help but see oneself there, which is something I really like. You will definitely enjoy the Parisian sights, sounds, and experiences in this narrative if you are a Francophile. There is also a lot of Christmas market delight and a strong holiday vibe.
Aside from how beautifully the writing captured the mood, the language and plot truly work together in this piece. Which I believe that encourages readers to remain interested in the book.
However, the middle of the story kind of disturbs me because it drags somewhat.
While the characters lacked much in the way of inspiration or intrigue for me, I was nonetheless intrigued enough to follow their relationship.
Overall, there is still a lot packed into this, from touching, genuine scenes to hilariously awkward situations full of romance sparkle and holiday cheer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookture for providing an ARC in return for a honest review.
Tilly Tennant writes such fabulous Christmas books, I couldn't resist being tempted by this years offering - Christmas in Paris.
And what a wonderful decision that turned out to be, for this is another incredibly charming story, one that transported me to Paris, and specifically one of the biggest Christmas markets in Paris in the Jardin Tuileries.
Brooke is finally starting to come out of her post break up funk, and has gone into business with her best friend, Felicity and they have with the help of Felicity's possibly dodgy cousin got a chalet in the market, and are hoping to have a fabulous Christmas in Paris.
And they both keep bumping into people in Paris that may just be what their heart desires, even if both Manon and Armand seem to be hiding something.
There is a great mix of seeing the touristy highlights of Paris, as well as some of the locations that you may need a fancier sort of dress for. I loved being shown around Paris as they girls discover it, as well as everything to do with their market stall.
It's a warm and cosy book, that really transported me to Paris. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with Brooke and Felicity and was never completely sure how it would turn out. It was a joyous read, and has definitely made me want to visit Paris at Christmas.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Oh thank you Tilly Tennant for another wonderful book! This author is so talented! She is so imaginative, every of her books has a totally different story! This is so great! And this one in particular is taking place in the beautiful streets and Christmas markets of Paris. The atmosphere is very festive but the streets of Paris can be dangerous, you have to be careful! This adds a bit of tension to the book which I loved! Also I loved to read about the wonderful friendship between the two main female characters and of course about the bit of romance happening in this story! I gave this book 4 stars out of 5! If you pick this book, you will have fun reading it!
Ahhhh traditional Christmas markets... aren't they just magical places? Tilly really does capture the magic and romance of the Christmas Markets in Paris and I could really envisage the smells and feels of the place, especially the cold and that feeling when you've got a cup of warm hot chocolate or mulled wine in your hand. One thing I really enjoy about Christmas markets is seeing the handmade and handcrafted objects that you can't find in the mainstream shops and high-street and this is what Tilly has focused on, I think it's this that adds that extra bit of charm and cosiness to the story.
Brooke and Felicity are really fab characters and their friendship is the main tie in this book, you just know that they're both there for each other no matter what and that this is a friendship that not only has, but will continue to, stand the test of time. They are both tested in this book and I have to say that I had my doubts about both of their love interests, but mainly Manon as I didn't trust her at all. When it came to Armand I wasn't 100% sure as he seemed absolutely lovely - I mean he had me at cheese fondue!!! - but there was that niggling question that he wasn't laying all of his cards on the table. Like Brooke I was sure that something was going to go wrong at some point...
This was a charming story with great characters and a fantastic setting that has left me thinking of Christmas Markets, chilly nights, hot chocolates and cheese fondue - it's a Christmas tradition for us and I am so ready for it! Now I just need to get reading more of Tilly's work, and most of them are on Kindle Unlimited which is amazing!
Christmas in Paris is a pretty clean, slow-burn pretty clean romance. It's a cute story, and is definitely worth the read. I can relate to Brooke in many ways, but there were a lot of things in this book that are very realistic and very complicated, which made it all the more realistic.
In the end, Brooke makes a decision that I feel was completely justified even though she ends up regretting her actions based on the decision. I think it's very adult though how the situation is handled following everything (can't give more details than that or they'll be spoilers!).
The only critique I have about this book is that the ending felt a bit rushed. Maybe that's because Kindle said I still had about an hour of reading, so the ending felt like it was sudden to me, but maybe not.
Overall, I gave Christmas in Paris by Tilly Tennant 3.5 ⭐ (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads). Tilly has many other books that I'm sure are just as good and many are set around Christmas, so I'm sure I'll be picking up another of Tilly's books to read in the future.
Just ok. Brooke takes off to Paris with her best friend and business partner, Felicity, to sell their jewelry in a Christmas market. Fresh off of a break up with the man she expected to marry, Brooke is not looking for romance or love but seems to find both in a Frenchman. The story is filled with token romance extras such as the "other" Frenchman who loves them and leaves them & ups and downs of her friend's relationship. Characters were pretty typical for me with nothing really inspiring or intriguing about them. Steady reading and anything Christmassy is usually up my alley but this one was a little too light for me but could be your cup of tea if you are looking for easy reading with not too much of an involved plot.
Nice, quick holiday read. The Paris scenery is described so well that I felt like I was there.
Brooke is getting ready to leave for Paris with her business partner and friend Felicity shortly after she watches her ex-boyfriend get married. She's not really looking for a new relationship in Paris, but she is open to it when one finds her. But is she ready?
Sweet story that you can savor with a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy day.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
This a sweet fun read from Tilly Tennant. I loved exploring Paris with Brooke and Felicity. The landmarks so well known were described beautifully and I thought the Christmas market sounded just wonderful - I could just imagine the little chalets with the smells of coffee and food to tempt. The relationships between Felicity and Manon, Brooke and Armand added a little intrigue to the story as we follow the two women on their search for a little fun in the French capital.
This totally swept me away to Paris, and I felt like I was walking the streets with these characters- through the good and the bad. This has so much packed into it from tender, heartfelt moments to laugh out loud funny awkwardness. All of the perfect ingredients mixed into making the best Christmas dish yet.
Best friends Brooke and Felicity head to Paris to sell their artisan products in the Christmas market. Felicity’s cousin Fabian has arranged for them to have a chalet to sell their handmade products in the biggest and most famous of the Paris Christmas Markets. He’s also arranged an apartment for them. Brooke is recovering from a breakup with her boyfriend of three years who met someone new and fell in love at first sight. Brooke decides to swear off men and just enjoy Paris while she works hard to make a financial success of their booth at the Christmas market. Felicity had decided to work hard but to enjoy all Paris has to offer. If that includes a Christmas fling, she’s ready.
They meet a sexy, edgy girl named Manon who lives in their neighborhood and Felicity is instantly attracted. Manon is a bit mysterious, but she and Felicity have a few dates, even after Brooke sees Manon with another girl that seems to be her girlfriend. While Felicity is out with Manon, Brooke is mugged while going home with all the cash from the day’s sales. She’s rescued by a very handsome Frenchman, Armand, who’s injured while chasing off the thieves. He’s taken away to the hospital and Brooke asks a woman, who appears to be his girlfriend, to please text her and let her know that Armand is ok.
There are lots of plot twists and a mystery to solve when their chalet is vandalized and Brooke and Felicity can’t make any money. Armand comes to find Brooke to be sure she’s ok after the mugging and assures her that the woman he was with is just a friend. Manon also assures Felicity even though the woman Brooke saw her with is her girlfriend they have an open relationship.
I couldn’t get invested in either of the romances in the story, unfortunately. I didn’t find Armand or Manon to be very likable and couldn’t feel chemistry in either relationship. I did enjoy the descriptions of Paris and the Christmas market and wish there had been more of that. I had enough interest to finish it, but the ending was predictable.
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
When Brooke arrives in Paris at Christmas, it feels like the perfect place to escape after being dumped by her long-term boyfriend. And while her head might be turned by the romance of couples strolling arm in arm along the riverbank, and the air scented with chocolat chaud, her heart remains firmly under lock and key – this trip is going to be about her.
Brooke might be able to resist the charms of one persuasive Frenchman who takes her to some of Paris’s most romantic spots, but when a chance encounter leads her to green-eyed Armand with his dark wavy hair and warm smile, she is annoyed to feel her heart skip a beat…
Still, what’s the harm of a holiday romance with no strings attached? Brooke is sure she can play it cool. But when Armand opens his heart to her in a candlelit restaurant and kisses her at the top of the Eiffel Tower, she throws caution to the wind. Armand isn’t her ex – and doesn’t she deserve a second chance at love?
My Opinion
Tilly Tennant has once again written a beautiful, festive novel. This was a cosy book that will whisk you away to Paris. With some great characters, this book will have you in the festive mood and leave you wanting to visit a Christmas Market.
I always enjoy reading one of Tilly Tennant books as they are relatively easy reads, not too taxing and always entertaining story from start to finish.
This has been a delightful fun story, lots of drama and all sorts going on, plus it’s Christmas and we are in Paris, perfect setting if you ask me. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, seeing how things played out for each of them. All good fun.
I've not been lucky enough to have had the chance to visit Paris yet, but having read this book, I now feel that I have been. The way in which the author Tilly set the scenes and described all the different places within Paris, is just felt so real and bought it all to life.
I wanted to adore this story, but just couldn't. The MC is believable, and I liked her, but her love interest was just too evasive for me to be comfortable with. The BFF's dalliance sounded like a PITA, and even if the friend was okay with it, I wasn't. Lots of local color, but Paris didn't come through as strongly as I hoped.
Cheated out of her perfect happily ever after, Brooke leaves for Paris and its holiday markets with her best friend. Setting up a stall to sell her handmade textiles, she is content to let the beautiful city soothe her. But when chance brings her to Armand, a debonair scrip writer, she starts to dream again. It is not long before it becomes a nightmare.
Brooke and Felicity are best friends who have an amazing experience in the city of love. I so enjoyed their friendship. The love story of Brooke and Armand set against the background of Paris is so sweet. I thought this was a lovely story!
For a book that has Christmas in the title it pretty much skipped over Christmas aside from taking place at a Christmas market. The epilogue jumps to the spring and the book was over like a blink. It felt a little rushed at the end.
I enjoyed this book! We are whisked off to Paris and the details of the story literally make you feel like you are there. The mystery surrounding how this will play out will keep you coming back for more. Grab this one with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy!
'A delightfully charming, Parisian Christmas romance story with plenty of oh-la-la, festive feels and tidings of comfort and joy' -TheBritishBibliophile
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ebook Advanced Readers Copy for me to read and leave an honest review. This review will also be left over on NetGalley as well. -------------------------------------------------------------
When you're a sucker for a good Christmas romance novel like I am, you grab one no matter what time of year it is. I grabbed Christmas in Paris by Tilly Tennant back in September after deciding to dive into something different to what I was currently reading at the time, and it had the appeal that draws me to Christmas romance novels, so I was very much looking forward to discovering the story within the pages.
Plus, I haven't had the pleasure of reading anything by Tilly at that point in time, so I had the added bonus of discovering a new author (to me) and their work.
Christmas in Paris promised a festive romance in the heart of the city of romance itself, Paris. Only, the girl going to Paris is keen to avoid the very thing the city is perhaps known for the most, among other things. So, what does fate decide to do? Throw the very thing she's not aiming to achieve, right in front of her. Literally. Dumped by her long-time boyfriend, Brooke and her friend set up shop in the centre of Paris at a Christmas festival, hoping to achieve their goals and make the season as merry as they possibly can, before turning back for England's green and pleasant land once their time was up.
Determined to make this trip about her (and her friend), Brooke might be swayed by the delicious offerings that come her way--namely, hot chocolate--but will she be swayed by the biggest thing her head and heart have locked themselves firmly away from? A man. More specifically, a handsome, suave, dashingly brave Frenchman with an accent guaranteed to make a woman swoon? All bets are off, on that one. Armand, the man in question, in hindsight is only temporary--or is he?
Seeing nothing other than a temporary--and very NOT permanent--arrangment with him, Brooke's head was turned when Armand opened his heart to a her when, even if she denies it, she very much needed someone to do that. Kissing her at the top of the Eiffel Tower most likely sealed the deal, thus Brook deciding to take the plunge while in Paris and soak up all the love while passing the Louvre with Armand. See what I did there?
However, all good things either come to and end or aren't as they seem. Soon the shine of the temporary romance with Armand wears off when the man himself starts to blow hot and cold. Not something Brooke can deal with, given the way things went down with her now ex. But how does she confront a man about it who she has no right to ask him why he is blowing hot and cold? She'll soon be back in England, and his life is here in France. She starts to wonder if she's been taken for a fool or rather perhaps, if she's the fool for caving into what she was trying to resist in the first place when she and her friend first came to Paris.
Brooke must overcome all her fears and thoughts running through her head--especially about the mysterious blonde that floats around her, watching her--, get on with her goals and with her stall. Only, is this possible when Armand out of the blue, leaves her in Paris without as much as a goodbye or an explanation as to where he is going?
Christmas in Paris is a holiday romance that delivers a story that is anything but boring or dull. Moments within this book will indeed warm you from head to toe both in terms of the swoon-worthy moments between Brooke and Armand, as well as the numerous foods and beverages they consume. Not to mention, you won't be able to guess what comes next. As much as it is about love, Paris is also a city full of mystery and allure, and that's what you'll get in spades in this novel.
Brooke embarked on a business trip with her best friend Felicity after her boyfriend breakup with her to get married to another person. She didn’t plan for a new relationship but it seems that there is one waiting for her in Paris, in the form of mysterious Armand.
It is a story of heartbreak and second chances. Brooke and Felicity is a charming character and their friendship is the main theme in this book. Their friendship were tested and I love to see how their friendship overcome it. There were plot twists and mystery surrounding them too. Overall, It is a warm cosy read to me.
Brooke seems to have survived the horrible heartbreak after her boyfriend dumped her. What she needs is a Christmas escape and there is no better place than Paris. The snow is falling beautifully on the romantic city of love, but she is determined to not fall in love. But when Brooke meets Armand with his amazing smile, she gets butterflies when he looks at her. The more time they spend together at romantic dinners and kisses at the top of the Eiffel Tower, she can’t control her heart. When Armand begins keeping things from Brooke, and lying to her, she can’t help but think that her second chance may just be another mistake. However, the spirit of Christmas may be exactly what she needs.
Oh my goodness this story of heartbreak, and second chances was absolutely perfect. I adored the detailed description of Paris in the winter Christmas season. I could almost feel the snow falling on my face as I looked up at the Eiffel Tower. The Christmas lights with romance in the air was perfect. The hustle and bustle of the season was so heartwarming. Each café was filled with love and laughter of the people enjoying their time together. This quick read had an amazing flow to the story and my heart went out to Brooke as she tried to find her place in life. The ending was perfect and I love that the author put the sport of Christmas joy right into my hands. I read this story in one sitting and I highly recommend this charming and festive read.
Thank you Tilly Tennent for such a wonderful, cozy Christmas romance. This lovely little story was so delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed your book. This is a definite must read.
As someone who selects books by their covers, I absolutely love this one!!! Is there anything better than a nice holiday romance set in Paris? What a perfect setting - it is probably my favorite thing about this book!
Brooke and her best friend, Felicity, have a business selling handmade crafts. They had planned to go to Paris for the month of December to sell their goods at the holiday market. But when Brooke’s boyfriend of three years suddenly broke up with her – marrying someone else in a matter of months – leaving her brokenhearted, they decided to go earlier to get some sightseeing in and maybe meet someone to take her mind off the pain.
This book really has me on the fence when it comes to rating it. I feel like the story has a lot of potential but the plot was kind of all over the place. At times it felt like the story was going on forever but at others, I felt there wasn’t enough description of things. It was a little confusing because my kindle showed that I had an hour left of the book so it made it seem as if it abruptly ended (a portion of another book was included).
The characters were relatable but I do wish there was more description with some of them. With the shadiness of a few of the secondary characters, it really keeps you guessing where the story is going to take you!
Overall this is a sweet, heart warming love story.
Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley and Tilly Tennant for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
When Brooke arrives in Paris at Christmas, it feels like the perfect place to escape after being dumped by her long-term boyfriend. And while her head might be turned by the romance of couples strolling arm in arm along the riverbank, and the air scented with chocolat chaud, her heart remains firmly under lock and key this trip is going to be about her. Brooke might be able to resist the charms of one persuasive Frenchman who takes her to some of Paris’s most romantic spots, but when a chance encounter leads her to green-eyed Armand with his dark wavy hair and warm smile, she is annoyed to feel her heart skip a beat… Still, what’s the harm of a holiday romance with no strings attached? Brooke is sure she can play it cool. But when Armand opens his heart to her in a candlelit restaurant and kisses her at the top of the Eiffel Tower, she throws caution to the wind. Armand isn’t her ex and doesn’t she deserve a second chance at love? But when Armand begins to blow hot and cold, she wonders if she has been taken for a fool. Why does he never answer his phone? Who is the mysterious tall blonde French woman who always seems to be watching Brooke? And when Armand leaves Paris without warning as Christmas Eve approaches, should Brooke try and find out more about the stranger she has found herself falling for? Really enjoyable read totally recommend Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture I just reviewed Christmas in Paris by Tilly Tennant. #ChristmasinParis #NetGalley
First off let's start by saying you can't get much better than a Christmas book set in Paris. What I really enjoyed about reading this book was the unique way I got to experience romance during the holidays in my favourite city without ever leaving my chair. While this book clearly falls in the romance genre, it also held my attention with a bit of mystery and the conclusion left me with a warm fuzzy feeling. I quickly fell in love with the protagonist, Brooke and really wanted her to open up and give love a second chance. She has a strong sense of self worth and valued her long time friendships. Brooke had her Bridget Jones's moment on Christmas Eve when she goes after her love. It was refreshing to read a story that didn't have a perfect romance because it made it more relatable. At the 75% mark, I did find the story dragged on a bit and hit a lull but I was invested in Brooke’s happiness to continue to the end. I felt her and Armand’s relationship had genuine chemistry. After reading this book it makes me want to book a flight to Paris over Christmas just to experience the romance and the holidays!
Thank you to @netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC digital copy. My thoughts are my own.
Christmas in Paris is a lovely cosy festive read, with the added extra delights of being in Paris! We meet Brooke and Felicity who are heading to Paris to run a stall selling their homemade goods at a Christmas market. I like Brooke and Felicity, who are best friends, and couldn’t blame Brooke for wanting to escape to Paris for a few weeks after having a relationship break-up several months before. I loved the idea of a Christmas market, having been to plenty in this country, and could just imagine how festive and fun it would be doing one in Paris.
I’ve read many of this author’s books and enjoyed them all, and this one was no different! This was an enjoyable, easy to read story, and as soon as Brooke and Felicity arrived in Paris it had me hooked! I’ve never been to Paris, so it was wonderful to experience some of the delights of the city when the two women visit some of the tourist hotspots and it’s certainly made me want to go around Christmas! Of course, this is a romantic read (it’s Paris, did you think it wouldn’t be!) and both Brooke and Felicity have their eyes on some of the local Parisians! Their relationships don’t always run smoothly though, and we are left wondering throughout the book where these are heading!
It's the perfect Christmas read, filled with fun, friendships and romance! The characters are likeable, and the location is wonderful! Yet again, this is another thumbs up read from this author! Would recommend!