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By: Jo Jo Moyes

A Novella 

ISBN: 9780735221079

Publisher:  PENGUIN Viking

Publication Date: 10/18/2016 

Format: Hardcover 

My Rating:  3.5 Stars

A special thank you Penguin/Viking and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

JoJo Moyes returns following After You (Me Before You, #2) with a romantic and entertaining novella PARIS FOR ONE AND OTHER STORIES.

Nell is excited while waiting to take the train to highly-anticipated Paris when texting her boyfriend. He is not going to make it! He will meet up with her later (possibly). Shocked and angry, this was supposed to be a romantic getaway and her first visit to enchanting Paris.

At age twenty-six, Nell Simmons has never even been away for a weekend with a boyfriend, much less a trip by herself. Solo.

When arriving at the hotel, they have overbooked the rooms. She decides she will let nothing interfere with her trip. Until she realizes her boyfriend is not coming, and she is stuck rooming with another woman she does not know. A rude American woman, at that. The Frenchwoman at the reception desk is of little help. One room, twin beds, or a refund.

Things are not starting out too well. So much for the new underwear and the painted toenails. She has been stood up! If she had, to be honest, he was an unreliable boyfriend, period. She could go back to England; however, she is unlikely to get a train this late. She will return the following day. However, she decides to go out for a bite to eat.

She is trying to live in the moment. She usually plays it safe.No risk taking.

Upon returning to the hotel, the two women find they are not their ideal choice, of sleeping companions; fighting in a small space. However, the following day things change. The new ticket will cost too much to return home. She will have to look at all the happy couples. Now she hates Paris.

Until she discovers two tickets to an art gallery show by an artist she has vaguely heard of. They must have belonged to the American woman, whom she has found out has left. (her luck may be changing). The front desk says she should go. Maybe she will.

After a little shopping to be more “Tres chic” Parisian, and she is ready to go out with a Frenchman she picked up at an art gallery. With some chances and a witty list of “reasons to stay in tonight,” Paris turns out to be more than delightful! For the first time, she, Nell the careful girl from England is whomever she chooses to be.

From mistakes, being impulsive, to chance encounters. A magical Christmas novella of a girl who finds herself alone in Paris, but not for long! Along with other women in the following stories with unsatisfying relationships- find themselves trying out new identities, and different situations with a twist.

Some light-hearted fun and adventure from the “queen” of drama, in one short novella packed in the adorable holiday collection:

• Paris for One and other Stores:
• Between the Tweets
• Love in the Afternoon
• A Bird in the Hand
• Crocodile Shoes
• Holdups
• Last Year’s Coat
• Thirteen Days with John C
• The Christmas List

With Moyes’ own signature style- always lots of humor, mischief, charm, and holiday cheer.

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