It’s such a pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for A Love Letter to Paris by Rebecca Raisin: published by Boldwood Books on 8th July, it’s now available as an e-book (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
I so enjoyed the last book I read from Rebecca, Elodie’s Library of Second Chances (you can read my review again here) – and it was just a little frustrating not to be able to read and review her most recent one, Summer at the Santorini Bookshop (you’ll find my spotlight post here), especially when I could see from the reviews how much others had enjoyed it. But I was so delighted when I heard that Rebecca had signed with Boldwood – and, as an unashamed fan of Emily in Paris, and with a particular soft spot for romance set in the city of love and light, this was a book I was really looking forward to…
Late at night when I wander the streets of Paris, my thoughts turn to her… How do I tell her how I feel? Perhaps, I need to show her…
The pretty little streets of Montmartre are abuzz with a rumour. Apparently a mystery matchmaker, known only as ‘Paris Cupid’, has somehow helped the city’s most famous bachelor find love.
But old-fashioned romantic Lilou is staying very quiet. She’d just wanted to set up her best friend, and to get on with her life selling whimsical old love letters, in Paris’s famous St. Ouen market.
She hadn’t imagined her little Paris Cupid project could ever have attracted so many people looking for true, heartfelt romance. Though the truth is that Lilou adores helping people find the right person. Even if her own love life is nothing short of disastrous.
But then a message arrives. And it’s just for her. Someone is in love with her. Someone who knows her secret. But they’re keeping their own identity secret too… Could it be from cheerful, talkative, flame-haired Felix? Or quiet, beautifully handsome Benoit? Or even Pascale – who drives Lilou mad every day?
After so long of helping others find their soulmate, is it time for Lilou to find love of her own in Paris herself?
Deliciously romantic, an insider’s view of Paris, a delightful heroine in Lilou, and an enchanting story – this was a book I so enjoyed.
Lilou has a unit within St Ouen market, Ephemera, where she sells diaries, prayer books and old love letters – something for which she has a passion, immersing herself in the lives of their previous owners. And after a few recent changes, she’s just getting to know her neighbours – the exuberant Felix with his printing press, Benoit gentle and studious, and the rather less likeable Pascale who complains about everything she does. And even worse, she knows he witnessed the confrontation that ended her last relationship – le scandale – to her shame and considerable embarrassment. Thank goodness for Genevieve – a loyal friend, a larger than life character, but also the only one who knows about Lilou’s secret life.
Undeterred by her own disastrous love life, Lilou’s set up Paris Cupid – a dating service with a difference, where she makes the matches but insists that the couples begin by writing letters to each other in the old-fashioned way. When she matches a friend with a previously notorious Lothario, who joined under a false identity, the business hits the headlines when he talks to the press about how his new romance has changed his life for the better. Everyone now wants to know who’s behind the agency – and Lilou’s equally determined that they don’t. But meanwhile, there’s a bit of a mystery unfolding – receiving unexpected gifts and letters, it seems she has an admirer of her own, but has no idea who it might be. Perhaps one of the men she’s working alongside? She really needs to find out…
This book was a total delight – the whole idea of developing romance in the old-fashioned way through the written word, the wonderfully detailed setting bringing Paris to life, the individuals at the heart of the story who were just so beautifully drawn. Lilou herself is adorable, and with her difficult romantic past I so wanted her to find some happiness. The supporting cast is superb too – especially the lovely Guillaume, who harbours some real sadness of his own, and the irrepressible Coraline on the flower stall, although she’s becoming a little too involved in trying to solve the mystery. And then there are the cats – a lovely touch, but one I’d rather you discovered for yourself.
This really was the the most gorgeous love story – emotional, one that brought a warm glow to my heart, and a real reminder of why I so often choose to read romance. An absolute delight, and a strong recommendation from me.
About the author
Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.
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