Thirty Days In Paris by Veronica Henry

Book Burb

Years ago, Juliet left a little piece of her heart in Paris – and now, separated from her husband and with her children flying the nest, it’s time to get it back!

So she puts on her best red lipstick, books a cosy attic apartment near Notre-Dame and takes the next train out of London.

Arriving at the Gare du Nord, the memories come flooding back: bustling street cafés, cheap wine in candlelit bars and a handsome boy with glittering eyes.

But Juliet has also been keeping a secret for over two decades – and she begins to realise it’s impossible to move forwards without first looking back.

My Review
If ever there was a book to give me wanderlust it is Thirty Days in Paris by Veroica Henry. When I was invited to take part in this blog tour by Random Things Tours I thought I could do with thirty days in Paris, if not physically possible then mentally would be the next best thing. The main character Juliet is in her fifties, newly seperated from her husband and her children have flown the nest, so she wants to find out who she is now and where better to do that than Paris. Juliet has a past in Paris, and before she can face the future she has to face her past head on.

Thirty Days in Paris is a love letter to this beautiful city, the architecture, the food, drink and of course romance. As a central character I adored Juliet, and envied her in a way for being able to spend time in Paris. I felt I empathised and understood her as I am pretty much the same age and my daughter is also now an adult so the family dynamic is familiar. Juliet has always wanted to write a book, so the time in Paris is to write down what happened to her when she was twenty and working as a au pair. We are able to follow her story both now and thirty years ago and see how mauch she has grown stronger and more confident, leaving the naive young woman behind. I spent the whole book cheering her on as she looked up old friends and made new ones.

Victoria Henry’s writing is evocative of Paris, with detailed descriptions of the city itself, the wonderful food and drink capturing the atmosphere of Paris now and thirty years ago. I was captivated by the idea of reading Juliet’s story of her visit when she was twenty, her time as an au pair, and the build up to the reason she had to leave her friends and job so suddenly; this kept me on the edge of my seat. I also liked the inclusion of French phrases, it tested my recolection of my French and I felt it gave the book an authenticity. All of this combined to make such a brilliant and easy read.

Thirty Days in Paris is a wonderful feel good read that captures the beauty of Paris. Juliet is a character that many will identify with, I loved her confidence and positive out look on life and how she faces her new status head on. Beautifully written, this book takes you on a wonderful journey that left me with a huge smile on my face. The perfect feel good read.