Publication date: 5 February 2015
Publisher: Penguin UK
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781405918930
Length: 95 pages
Genre: Chick lit
Age group: Adult
Source: Publisher
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon UK | The Book Depository
My rating: ★★★★
Nell is twenty-six and has never been to Paris. She has never even been on a weekend away with her boyfriend. Everyone knows she is just not the adventurous type.
But, when her boyfriend doesn’t turn up for their romantic mini-break, Nell has the chance to prove everyone wrong.
Alone in Paris, Nell meets the mysterious moped-riding Fabien and his group of carefree friends. Could this turn out to be the most adventurous weekend of her life?
Although I’ve read hundreds of amazing reviews of Jojo Moyes’s books and everyone I know adores her stories, I’ve never had the chance – or the time – to pick them up myself. So when Paris for One was released as part of the Quick Reads initiative, I jumped at the opportunity and decided to give it a go.
With only 95 pages, Moyes’s novel is a super quick read. Just like the rest of the Quick Reads titles, Paris for One is aimed at those who, for whatever reason, find reading a difficult and daunting task. However, it doesn’t mean that you, as a bookworm who can easily devour a book in a day, won’t enjoy it. In fact, it’s perfect for days when you’re running errands and you know there will be some waiting time here and there. Whether you need to pop into the post office, do the school run or you’re about to go on a quick lunch break, it’s a perfect companion. I loved the fact that I could read during my lunch break without having to carry a 400-page long hardback with me, like I did the week before.
As for the novel itself, one of the things that surprised me the most about this book is how much Moyes managed to pack into such a short story. A few chapters in, I already felt like I knew Nell and her friends – and it was great to see how much she’s changed by the end. There are authors who struggle with character development even though they have at least 300 pages to work with, and Moyes only had 95. Yet, I didn’t feel as if something was missing or as if the characters lacked depth.
To be completely honest, chick-lit is not my thing. At all. Apologies, dear chums who love this genre, but (for various reasons) I’ve never really been able to enjoy it. However, Paris for One is a great read. It’s still quite predictable on the romance front – I don’t think I’ve ever read a chick lit novel which wasn’t – but it’s a fun, heart-warming story and it made me want to visit Paris even more.
Paris for One is a funny and light-hearted story, which would be perfect for anyone who’s looking for a quick, entertaining read.
This one sounds short and sweet 🙂 I do read chick lit every now and then, but I haven’t read Jojo Moyes before, this might work as a good introduction!
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I used to read more when I was younger but I’ve never liked the really fluffy, predictable ones – if that makes sense. I was like you, I wanted to read this as an introduction and see what her style is like!
Do you know some other quick reads like JoJo’s? 🙂
I like Jojo Moyes’s books,thank you for sharing this.
I’m totally chick lit fan, sorry that you don’t like this genre so much, but it’s OK cause there are so many genres ;)!
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Read Me Before You and I promise you will be hooked! I agree, though, that this sounds like a great introduction to a great novelist!
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Aww what a cute cover. I hate to be that person, but I am so judging this book by its cover right now!