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The Little Bookshop on the Seine

(The Little Paris Collection #1)

Rebecca Raisin (Goodreads Author)

3.57 · Rating details · 4,995 ratings · 832 reviews

It’s The Holiday on the Champs-Élysées in a great big love letter to Paris, charming old bookstores and happily-ever-afters!

When bookshop owner Sarah Smith is offered the opportunity for a job exchange with her Parisian friend Sophie, saying yes is a no-brainer—after all, what kind of romantic would turn down six months in Paris? Sarah is sure she’s in for the experience o ...more

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Paperback, 416 pages

Published January 7th 2020 by HQN (first published October 16th 2015)

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Dec 31, 2019 Holly B rated it really liked it

Shelves: enjoyed-the-setting, read-in-2019

Enjoyed the bookshop swap premise and setting in Paris. A lighter, quick read with a bit of romance.

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Jan 05, 2020 Berit☀️✨ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: blog-tour, arc-physical, 2020

Books, food, romance, and Paris what more can you want from a book? This was such a fun story with a slight holiday vibe. Rebecca Raisin brought the beauty of Paris to life with her descriptive writing and dazzling storytelling. Sarah feels as though she is in a bit of a rut so when her friend Sophie who lives in Paris offers a book shop swap she jumps at the chance. The city of lights, holiday time, and a book shop, it’s a dream come true. But has Sarah bitten off more than she can chew? The bo Books, food, romance, and Paris what more can you want from a book? This was such a fun story with a slight holiday vibe. Rebecca Raisin brought the beauty of Paris to life with her descriptive writing and dazzling storytelling. Sarah feels as though she is in a bit of a rut so when her friend Sophie who lives in Paris offers a book shop swap she jumps at the chance. The city of lights, holiday time, and a book shop, it’s a dream come true. But has Sarah bitten off more than she can chew? The bookshop is busier than she expected, the staff is unreliable at best, and her boyfriend seems to be putting his job before traveling to Paris. Will Sarah be able to find her inner strength and turn things around?

Sarah was a great character, but I did want to give the girl a major peptalk. This book shop swap was not as advertised. Sarah was doing her friend Sophie a favor and Sophie didn’t seem to give her the knowledge she needed to be successful in this bustling hostile environment. I am not certain if this is a French thing, but I cannot imagine working anywhere especially retail where people popped in and worked when they chose to? There was no set schedule? Just reading about it stressed me out. Fortunately Sarah made some good friends that made this all a little more bearable. As the book progressed the magic of Paris inhabited Sarah more and more. I loved her character development throughout the story. The romance in this story was really in the background, this really was more about Sarah becoming fierce. I was glad of how things ended with Sarah and her boyfriend.
Cute story, charming characters, books, and Paris.

🎧🎧🎧 The audiobook was narrated by Sally Scott. I am pretty certain that she is British, so I am not certain why she was narrating a book that was primarily told from an American’s perspective? I mean if I had to speak in a British accent I’m sure people would find all kinds of things wrong with it. While her French accent I thought was brilliant, her American accent bothered me a bit. She dropped her R’s that drove me nuts, but did admittedly bother me less as the book went on.

This book in emojis. 📚 🇫🇷 🧀 🥖 🎄

*** Big thank you to Harlequin and Harper Audio for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

For more of my reviews and bookish thoughts please visit my blog ...more

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Jan 11, 2020 Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: blog-tour, netgalley

A book about a bookshop?! Count me in! What is not to like?! Have you seen the cover? I am in love.

Sarah Smith loves her little bookshop in her quaint little town in Connecticut. Life is good for Sarah, she knows everyone, has a great group of girlfriends and a drop dead gorgeous boyfriend. What more could a girl want? Will she be willing to walk away from all this for six whole months? You bet! When Sophie begs her to switch places so she can escape her cheating ex, Sarah realizes this is a cha ...more

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Jan 13, 2020 DJ Sakata rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: womens-fiction, contemporary-romance

My Rating:

4.5

Favorite Quotes:

I only ran if chocolate was involved, and even then it was more a fast walk.

What? Just ’cause I’m an old woman that don’t mean I can’t appreciate beauty! My eyesight still works plenty fine!

Missy had a thing about boosting people up, she only saw the good in a person and threw compliments around like confetti.

The closest I’d come to confrontation was when the local book club dissolved into a heated argument, their opinions divided, and someone had to stand in and me ...more

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May 11, 2016 Julie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, contemporary-romance, e-book, christmas-theme

The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin is a 2016 Carina Press UK publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher/author and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I fell in love with Rebecca Raisin’s Gingerbread Café novels and so it is a no brainer that I would follow her straight to her next series with eager anticipation.

While this story has a holiday theme, it can be enjoyed any time of the year because love and romance are always in season.

This story cent The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin is a 2016 Carina Press UK publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher/author and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I fell in love with Rebecca Raisin’s Gingerbread Café novels and so it is a no brainer that I would follow her straight to her next series with eager anticipation.

While this story has a holiday theme, it can be enjoyed any time of the year because love and romance are always in season.

This story centers around Sarah Smith, who resides in our favorite small town of Ashford, and lives her life surrounded by books as she owns a charming little bookstore. Her life is comfortable, a little predictable, with her only real concern being the financial situation the bookstore is in due to an increase in rent, but no additional sales to make up the difference.
But, when Sophie, her friend from Paris, who also runs a bookshop, pleads with Sarah to switch places for a while so she can recover from a humiliating breakup, Sarah scoffs. But, Sophie convinces her to try it and well, why not? Sarah has never done anything this spontaneous and it’s about time she put a little pizzazz in her life. With her boyfriend, Ridge, away on assignment this is the perfect opportunity to see Paris and hopefully enjoy a little adventure.

However, the charming city of romance is anything but. When Sarah arrives at the bookshop she is appalled by several things, such as the sheer volume of business, the amount of paperwork, the disorganized and disrespectful staff, and most disturbing of all, the money that seems to vanish from the tills and the shoppers who blatantly steal books without any reprimand.

Not only that, Ridge is out of pocket more so than not. Their relationship has turned into a game of phone tag, leaving Sarah to wonder if a long distance relationship will work out in the long run.

This is a charming story about learning to open yourself up to new ideas, to branching out a little, gaining confidence and taking risks, even if it is much more comfortable to stay in a nice cozy little cocoon where we feel safe and secure.

I enjoyed the Paris setting, meeting Sarah’s new friends and watching her blossom in the nicest way possible.

Rebecca Raisin has a wonderful voice and produces emotional and heartfelt stories with likable and zany characters I always grow to care about and look forward to touching base with again.

This story will appeal to those who like sweet romance and women’s fiction/Chick-lit style novels.

4 stars
...more

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Dec 31, 2019 Suzanne Leopold (Suzy Approved Book Reviews) rated it really liked it

In small-town Connecticut, Sarah Smith’s bookshop is struggling. As quiet and peaceful as Ashford is, her business has become a little too quiet. Despite her wonderful group of friends, Sarah feels stuck, and her mostly long-distance relationship with freelance journalist Ridge has become increasingly distant as he is constantly called away on stories. When offered the chance for a bookshop exchange with her friend Sophie, Sarah has no trouble saying yes. The best part - it’s in Paris.

Sarah head ...more

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Feb 17, 2020 Brooke — brooklynnnnereads rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

As a reader, there is nothing that enchants me more than a setting of a bookshop. However, as much as I loved the setting, I wished for more in the story and I also wished for more in the romance.

Honestly, the story was fairly boring. I held out hope that it would get better once the main character met a new love interest. Well. I can't give any spoilers away but know this: I was disappointed on that front. That's all I will say.

For the romance component of this novel, there was no chemistry a ...more

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Feb 13, 2020 San rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

I really loved the setting of this book. Paris seems like really magical and charming place here and when I was reading I just wanted to find myself there with all characters. The story itself was so cute that I was sucked into it form the first page and couldn't put book down. Main character, Sarah's life is great but she doesn't feel 100% content with it and is trying find something more. When she gets a call from Sophie,bookstore owner, she gets interested in bookstore swap. It kind of remind ...more

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Jan 05, 2020 Mackey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: women-s-fiction, books-read-2020, fiction-general, favorites, my-reviews, netgalley-ew, love-story-romance

Rebecca Raisin is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors so this post is extra special. You may recall that I read, reviewed and LOVED her book, “Rosie’s Traveling Tea Shop” but that is simply my favorite among many of her books that I’ve read. Now added to that list of faves is “Little Bookshop on the Seine.” I mean, who doesn’t love a story set in both Paris and a bookstore!?

Sarah owns her own little bookstore in a small town across the street from her best friend’s cafe. Readers of Rebec ...more

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Oct 06, 2015 Cora Tea Party Princess rated it really liked it · review of another edition

5 Words: Paris, love, Christmas, relationships, books.

This was a perfect Christmas story and a fantastic continuation of Sarah and Ridge's story from The Bookshop on the Corner. It was also the perfect introduction to the Little Paris collection and I will absolutely be reading on.

From the very first page, that was me. Sucked right in. This book is pretty magical, perfect for the festive season. But it is also startlingly realistic. It isn't a fairy-tale. It has me craving gingerbread lattes and ...more

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Nov 20, 2017 Kerry rated it did not like it · review of another edition

I just quit this at the 3/4 mark. I could not go on. By far the worst book I have read in forever. The story was so silly and poorly written. I’m happy to read cheesy and somewhat unbelievable romances occasionally, especially around the holidays, but this was really terrible. Errors in the writing and terribly written minor characters-yuck. Just glad I only paid 99cents. I cannot believe how anyone rated this one above 3 stars max!

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Oct 11, 2019 Obsidian rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

So this was just a so-so romance read. I usually am all over Christmas romance books, but this one was pretty lackluster. The heroine (Sarah Smith) is a doormat for a good 3/4 of this book. And it didn't help that Raisin threw in a side plot dealing with letters that were left behind that added nothing to the story. I think the main problem is that the book at first reads as if this is a second book in a Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

So this was just a so-so romance read. I usually am all over Christmas romance books, but this one was pretty lackluster. The heroine (Sarah Smith) is a doormat for a good 3/4 of this book. And it didn't help that Raisin threw in a side plot dealing with letters that were left behind that added nothing to the story. I think the main problem is that the book at first reads as if this is a second book in a romance series. We hear very little details about Sarah's romance or her friends in Ashford because the author acts like readers should already know. I think that is what ultimately threw me for a loop while reading this. Since this is book one in this romance series, it's a shame that there was not more backstory added before moving the setting to Paris.

"The Little Bookshop on the Seine" follows bookstore owner Sarah Smith. Sarah lives in the town of Ashford and loves her bookstore. Business is slow though and now that her roving reporter boyfriend Ridge is dashing about trying to nail news stories, she feels stuck. When her friend Sophie asks about switching lives and jobs for six months due to a romance gone wrong, Sarah initially hesitates, but then jumps at the chance. Six months to be in Paris and to have romantic days and nights with Ridge is too much to resist. Of course nothing goes right, and Sarah wonders if switching her job and life for six months was a bad idea.

As I said above, Sarah is a doormat. I was hoping that Raisin was going to have some magical realism elements due to at the beginning of the book she mentions how books "talk" to Sarah and how Sarah is able to pick up what books suit a potential owner. We don't unfortunately get a lot of details about her romance with Ridge besides him calling her and trying to talk to her about what underwear is she wearing at any given time. I was actually pretty disappointed with this romance, it just didn't seem to be more than them having sex with each other in between times when Ridge was traveling.

Sarah is also not a great boss. The workers at the bookshop she encounters she is scared to really deal with for a long long time in the book. Money goes missing along with a rare book and Sarah is scared she's going to cost Sophie her business. I just got tired of reading about it again and again. Sarah was overworked and tired through most of this book. It's broken up here and there by her going out in Paris, but not by much. I was pretty disappointed we didn't get more scenes of her exploring Paris and all that it had to offer.

The secondary characters are barely developed I thought. We had a bookshop worker Oceane (I think that was her name) that seemed way too good to be true. And then Sarah had to deal with a nasty one named Beatrice that she is too intimidated by most of the book.

Sarah also it seems barely talks to her friends or her mother back home. We just have her fretting about Ridge for most of the book when people ask her about where her "lover is". I am like Liz Lemon, the word lover bums me out.

The writing I thought needed to be tightened up. A lot. The book started to feel very repetitive. Also the months seemed to go by too fast and all of a sudden it was Christmas. The flow was just up and down. I think adding in that side-plot of the letters that Sarah found and read with a random author she met added nothing to this book.

I already mentioned that this book reads as if it's the second in a romance series, and it does. The author acts as if you should know who everyone is and how Sarah met Ridge, etc. It got aggravating after a while. I felt like I missed a prequel or something. When I went investigating I found that the stand-alone book about Sarah before this was called "The Bookshop on the Corner" and is the first book in that series called "Bookshop." I don't know why Raisin spun off this character from the other series for this new one, but it just doesn't work for me.

The setting of Paris at times was well done, but this book could have taken place anywhere after a while since most of the book takes place in the bookshop and has Sarah dealing with nasty customers and/or workers in the store. I needed something uplifting to read about. Heck, go explore the countryside, get some wine, something. When I get more of an experience of Paris by watching the Highlander series, the author has gone way off track.

The ending just kind of plops down and everyone gets a Happily Ever After. ...more

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Nov 28, 2019 Erin Clemence rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, kindle

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Quiet and reserved bookshop owner Sarah Smith is given the oppourtunity to swap bookstores with her friend Sophie in Paris, both of them leaving their lives behind and taking over the others’ business and homes. Normally a home body, Sarah jumps at the chance and soon she is living in Sophie’s house in Paris, and running her bookshop. However, she is soon overwhelm Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Quiet and reserved bookshop owner Sarah Smith is given the oppourtunity to swap bookstores with her friend Sophie in Paris, both of them leaving their lives behind and taking over the others’ business and homes. Normally a home body, Sarah jumps at the chance and soon she is living in Sophie’s house in Paris, and running her bookshop. However, she is soon overwhelmed by the lackadaisical, carefree ways of the employees, the hectic days, and the rude customers. That, combined with the fact that her boyfriend is countries away, and Sarah begins to regret her decision. As Christmas approaches, Sarah makes a final plan to get Sophie’s bookstore, and her relationship, back on the right track.

As you can expect, this was a completely cheesy, gushingly romantic Christmas read. Normally, not something I’d ever pick up. However, Ms. Raisin swayed me with her unfailing love of all things literary, and I instantly connected with Sarah (the heroine who says goodnight to her books each night, is a closet “book smeller” and has more friends in bookshelves then in real life) and of course, the pull of all things Parisian didn’t hurt either.

Predictable and completely saccharine, this novel plays out like a Hallmark Christmas movie, but since it IS the season, it was worth exploring.

This novel is first in a series, following Sarah and her friends both in the United States and abroad. As I adore all novels about books, bookstores, or libraries, this one had more pull to me than the other ones. Typically a genre I don’t venture into, it was pleasing and uplifting. The ending was predictable and unrealistic, but that is the way of these types of novels and I was not unsatisfied.

For those who are fans of the romance novels, or who adore Hallmark Christmas movies, this novel will find a fan. Also, the deep connection Sarah has with her books and her fellow book lovers will make a connection with every truly passionate reader.
...more

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Mar 03, 2020 Tiffany rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a light read but very enjoyable with likable and relatable characters!

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Nov 10, 2018 Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018-books, aww2018

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
We all dream of a Parisian style happily ever after. In Rebecca Raisin’s 2015 release, The Little Bookshop on the Seine, her leading lady, Sarah Smith is given a chance to fulfil this dream. A bookshop swap affords Sarah with the opportunity to trade her own bookshop in the small town Ashford, for a Paris based bookshop for a six month period. Sarah hopes this temporary move to Paris will strengthen her relationship with her investigative reporter boyfriend *https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
We all dream of a Parisian style happily ever after. In Rebecca Raisin’s 2015 release, The Little Bookshop on the Seine, her leading lady, Sarah Smith is given a chance to fulfil this dream. A bookshop swap affords Sarah with the opportunity to trade her own bookshop in the small town Ashford, for a Paris based bookshop for a six month period. Sarah hopes this temporary move to Paris will strengthen her relationship with her investigative reporter boyfriend Ridge. At the same time, Sarah’s unconditional love for books will be combined with the perfect working holiday! The Little Bookshop on the Seine is a wonderful tribute to Paris, bookshops, friendship, love and personal growth. Words cannot express how much I absolutely adored this novel!

I first spied The Little Bookshop on the Seine at a recent local fiction festival held in my home town of Perth. This sparking little gem of a novel quickly caught my eye and a chat with the genuinely lovely author sold me. As a huge Francophile and booklover, a novel that combines two elements I hold dear to my heart had me entranced. I purchased the book immediately and although I had never read any of Rebecca Raisin’s books before, I had a strong feeling this book was for me. I was not wrong on this hunch, I have a huge book crush on Rebecca Raisin!

From the outset, based on the cover, title and blurb, I had an initial feeling that The Little Bookshop on the Seine was going to be a straightforward cosy style romance. Well I was very wrong indeed! I will say this contemporary fiction novel with romantic elements, coming in the form of side narrative threads. The Little Bookshop on the Seine primarily focuses on the very intriguing life journey of Sarah Smith, the central character of the story. When we first are acquainted with Sarah she seems a little naive, but as the Paris opportunity beckons this slightly naive and less confident young woman gains her wings in the city of love and she soars. It really is such a rich and fulfilling character journey to follow. Those who are hard core romantics will not be disappointed, there is a beautiful love story full of heart and emotion between Sarah and Ridge. The tussle between personal priorities and true love between Sarah and Ridge will tug at your heartstrings. Love is also in the air, Parisian style, for the secondary character set of The Little Bookshop on the Seine. This added bonus keeps all romance readers very happy indeed!

There were some wonderful resounding themes that I was able to draw from The Little Bookshop on the Seine. From self confidence, friendship, love, travel and exploration, to self belief. All of these themes work well to ensure the narrative is full, engaging, surprising and full of unexpected possibilities. Paris has a formidable presence in the novel and I felt this strongly. Raisin breathes life into the pages of her novel so that Paris emerges as a full bodied extra character. I loved reading about some familiar and also some less familiar sights of Paris. The culinary delights, quaint shops and the Parisian people Sarah encounters along the way adds so much vibrancy to the novel. A standout for me was Anouk, the antique jewellery shop owner, this was so well done by the author. I just adored Anouk and her shop! Rounding off the sensational atmosphere this novel evokes is the gentle insertion of a festive flavour. What a bonus to set you in the mood for Christmas, which is only a few weeks away now!

I am convinced that Sarah and I are kindred spirits, I took an immediate liking to Sarah and I found so much connection between our worlds, despite our varied life circumstances! I enjoyed my time with Sarah and her acquaintances so very much. I must admit I didn’t want to leave the pages of this novel, even though I was grinning from ear to ear with the ending Raisin issued.

Rebecca Raisin has dazzled me with her passionate story of Paris, books and love. The Little Bookshop on the Seine is solely deserving of a five star rating. I’m off to seek out the rest of Rebecca Raisin’s books and I assure you, I will be at the head of the line for her next new release! ...more

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Oct 11, 2015 Elaine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the first Rebecca Raisin I have read and it feels like the second in a series, although the product description does say “The Little Paris Collection #1”, so don’t quote me on that – it is just that you get the feeling of a past story right from page one. Sarah Smith is a small town American who has never travelled much beyond Ashford, the quintessential small town she grew up in. Until now, that is, when she is offered the chance to “swap book shops” for six months. She will go to Paris This is the first Rebecca Raisin I have read and it feels like the second in a series, although the product description does say “The Little Paris Collection #1”, so don’t quote me on that – it is just that you get the feeling of a past story right from page one. Sarah Smith is a small town American who has never travelled much beyond Ashford, the quintessential small town she grew up in. Until now, that is, when she is offered the chance to “swap book shops” for six months. She will go to Paris to run her online friend Sophie’s shop and Sophie will come to America and run Sarah’s shop,

Sarah is the ultimate romantic, who loves nothing more than immersing herself in a good romantic read and she sets off with the same notions any of us would have if we were to visit Paris for the first time. She dreams of strolling along the banks of the Seine, climbing the Eiffel Tower, nibbling on croissants whilst discussing books with fellow bibliophiles. But, will the reality match up to her dreams and what effect will the move have on her relationship with journalist Ridge, who is frequently away from home on assignments?

It is very much a feel good read, entertaining and flowing well. I loved to read about her exploring and discovering Paris for the first time, including all the hidden nooks and crannies that are kept hidden from the tourists. It really brought Paris to life but didn’t feel as if I were reading a travel guide. I also loved the way she brought a small town chintzy American Christmas to sophisticated and chic Paris.

It is extremely romantic, love is most definitely on the menu here and Sarah firmly believes in a happy ever after at all times for all her romance reads – but is she being unrealistic? Can she really expect to find her happy ever after with Ridge? The product description mentions her wandering around Shakespeare and Co, but in the Netgalley proof I was sent, the shop in Paris is called “Once Upon A Time”. I do hope the final name is that, because what better name could you have for the shop when you want to everyone to live happily ever after.

Many thanks to the publishers via Netgalley for the review copy.

...more

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Oct 18, 2017 Cat rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books

How disappointing. I kept waiting for the heroine to realize her boyfriend was cheating on her, because how could he not be the way it was written? The man's (female, presumably super attractive) photographer answers his cell phone for him completely out of breath. What the hell else could be going on? I kept waiting for the realization... The heartbreak... The realization that they'd grown apart anyway so it wasn't as tragic as she thought it was, and oh here's the amazing, kind, talented write ...more

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Jan 09, 2020 Andrea C. *andreasbookishlife* rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-arcs

A big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Originally 3.5 stars but changed to 4 stars.

This book had a lot of great charm. I really enjoyed the Paris setting; the descriptions of the atmosphere and its beauty were just great. If you love traveling books like I do, this has a great setting. I also really liked the characters and how their personalities were so unique to themselves and their identity. Everyone was described ...more

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Nov 14, 2019 Zoe rated it really liked it

Cosy, heartwarming, and sweet!

Full review to follow shortly.

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Jan 09, 2020 "Avonna rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: gifted-from-publisher, net-galley

Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

THE LITTLE BOOKSHOP ON THE SEINE by Rebecca Raisin is a new women’s fiction novel that is the first book in the author’s “The Little Paris Collection” and the second in “The Bookshop” series. This book is set in Paris during the holiday season, but it can be enjoyed any time of the year and it can be read as a standalone.

Small town bookshop owner Sarah Smith is feeling something is missing from her life. She has all her books that ...more

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Oct 13, 2015 Rachel Gilbey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I have no idea how Rebecca Raisin does it, but she keeps writing enchanting heart warming stories, that you never want to end, and The Little Bookshop on the Seine is no exception. This is such a loving story, with some stunning descriptions of Paris.

In fact this is Paris in the run up to Christmas, and not just the tourists Paris, we are taken to all manner of local secret places, as Sarah becomes more comfortable in Paris, and her French improves. Sarah is amazed, as am I , about the The Litt I have no idea how Rebecca Raisin does it, but she keeps writing enchanting heart warming stories, that you never want to end, and The Little Bookshop on the Seine is no exception. This is such a loving story, with some stunning descriptions of Paris.

In fact this is Paris in the run up to Christmas, and not just the tourists Paris, we are taken to all manner of local secret places, as Sarah becomes more comfortable in Paris, and her French improves. Sarah is amazed, as am I , about the The Little Antique Shop, and with its owner Anouk, who will only let you into the shop with a recommendation from someone who is already her customer. I have a feeling she is the star of the next book of this series.

The Little Bookshop on the Seine is the follow up to The Bookshop on the Corner, and we get to not only see the continuation of Sarah's story, but also of some of the other Ashford residents too, mainly Cici, Lily and Lucy. As someone who has read all of Rebecca's previous books, these recurring characters, and cameos by them, is always welcome and adds to the charming feel of the books. Of course if you are new to this author, then this completely works as a standalone too.

Sarah's descriptions of both her bookshop, and also the French bookshop she does a swap with Sophie, her penpal, with really show how much of a bibliophile Sarah is. Much like in Harry Potter, where the wand choses the wizard, Sarah believes that the book will chose the person.

Of course there is a huge contrast between the quiet, almost failing bookshop that is Sarah's and the big bustling, Parisian shop, that has crowds of people in it the whole time, and that would take ages to explore the whole store. And the two girls management styles couldn't be more different, with Sarah initially coming up against resistance for any order or changes she wishes to make, as there are long standing traditions.

Sarah having always been a bit of a bookworm, and an introvert really grows as a person on this exhange in Paris, and its wonderful to see her blossom. Of course nothing is smooth, not least her boyfriend Ridge, who is always jetting off somewhere.

I felt honoured to be able to accompany Sarah on this journey of self discovery, in a foreign country, seeing how she coped with life's challenges, and also striking up some new friendships.

I loved every second of The Little Bookshop on the Seine, easy to read, with words oozing charm and good feeling, that just made me feel warm and cosy. I would suggest curling up on the sofa, with a glass of something, and some chocolate (the French food descriptions will make you hugnry, especially of the French Patisserie), and just escape into this wonderful story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Carina for this review copy. This was my honest review. ...more

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Jun 26, 2019 Carlene Inspired rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, romance, netgalley, reviewed-books, ng-group-challenge-2019, ng-2019-challenge, women-s-fiction

Sarah Smith feels like something is missing. She's got her bookstore, her friends, her books, and Ridge Warner, but she's no longer satisfied with it all. Then she gets a call from a fellow bookstore owner, Sophie, who interests Sarah with the idea of a bookstore swap. Without much thought, Sarah trades spaces with Sophie and moves to Paris to run Once Upon a Time. She's got a list of items on her bucket list she'd like to complete while there, along with spend some quality time with Ridge while Sarah Smith feels like something is missing. She's got her bookstore, her friends, her books, and Ridge Warner, but she's no longer satisfied with it all. Then she gets a call from a fellow bookstore owner, Sophie, who interests Sarah with the idea of a bookstore swap. Without much thought, Sarah trades spaces with Sophie and moves to Paris to run Once Upon a Time. She's got a list of items on her bucket list she'd like to complete while there, along with spend some quality time with Ridge while he's home from writing assignments, but Paris's most popular bookstore might prove to be too much for Sarah.

If my reading/sleeping habits are something you know about, then you will know what I mean when I say the following. I stayed up until 11 pm reading this book in one sitting. I love sleep, I'm in bed at 9 pm every night, but this book was one I could not put down. I considered it at 9, again at 9:30, and gave myself another thirty minutes once it hit 10, but I could not put it down. I needed to know the ending, I wasn't sure if it was a HEA or not, but I had to know. Now that I do know, I need to get this book into the hands of every person I know! Seriously, it's that good. I haven't read a Rebecca Raisin book before, she's a new-to-me author, but I will be reading all her books after this.

Sarah is me in book form; I truly believe in the magic of books and I'd give my right arm to have her bookstore (and her man). She's a true romantic, total bookworm, and feeling a little lost in life as she faces some unsure future plans. I love that Sarah said yes to the switch, despite the fact that it seemed so out of character for her. That's what makes a book so adventurous and fun, doing something out of character is always a good story line. Plus, Paris! Rebecca Raisin described it with so much detail that I literally hungered for some macaroons and wine. I could see the cobblestone streets, the Siene, and all the beautiful people. Ridge is one hunk of a man as well and I definitely enjoyed seeing their relationship play out long distance. Especially as Sarah found herself fitting in to Paris and with her fellow coworkers.

The bookstore she took over was so interesting to read about and I loved all the individual characters we met there. I never felt like I had one main character, there were several, and it was so entertaining to read their interactions and read about Sarah's growth as she does all the things she'd never thought she'd do before. The building is phenomenal, one I'd only wish to see in real life. The romance is beautiful, a very key part to the story, but Sarah's interactions with the bookshop patrons were my absolute favorite. I'd be very interested to see what happens with all the characters and can't wait for this series to keep growing.

The Little Bookshop on the Seine is the first book in The Little Paris Collection, but is not the first book about Sarah. While it can be read as a standalone (I read it as such), there is a series called The Bookshop and you can start from the beginning with Sarah in The Little Bookshop on the Corner. ...more

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Dec 29, 2019 Carol (Reading Ladies) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-and-other-arcs, books-about-books

2.5-3 Stars (rounded to 3 for fans of Romance)

Thanks #netgalley #harlequin for a free e copy of #thelittlebookshopontheseine in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sarah is living a quiet life in a small town, owns a small, quaint bookstore, and enjoys spending time with her close friends. Even though she has a boyfriend, she seldom sees him because he’s a freelance journalist who chases stories around the world. Sarah also has in internet friend, Sophie, who owns a bookstore 2.5-3 Stars (rounded to 3 for fans of Romance)

Thanks #netgalley #harlequin for a free e copy of #thelittlebookshopontheseine in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sarah is living a quiet life in a small town, owns a small, quaint bookstore, and enjoys spending time with her close friends. Even though she has a boyfriend, she seldom sees him because he’s a freelance journalist who chases stories around the world. Sarah also has in internet friend, Sophie, who owns a bookstore in Paris. Sophie is unhappy and offers Sarah a chance to switch jobs for a while, each running the other’s bookstore and living in each other’s homes. Sarah, feeling that something is missing from her life, decides to accept the offer. It seems odd that she has never left her small town and yet she conveniently has a passport, adequate luggage, and can be ready to leave the country for a major life change in two days....but I digress.

The charming part of the story is the setting. We get to experience Paris as a local and envision a quaint and quirky bookshop (although the book references are a bit over the top).

The less charming part of the story is the stereotypical, “just-walked-off-the-pages-of-a-romance-novel” boyfriend. In fact, I spent most of the story hoping she’d break up with this smooth talker and find someone else. I do not trust him with Sarah’s heart!

Although the story is character (and setting) driven, Sarah is the only character that is somewhat developed (the others were fairly flat). She manages to find her voice, gain some confidence, and overcome a few of her challenges. However, when I arrived at the story’s end (HEA because Romance), I thought: “That’s it?” I realized I had been waiting for something more exciting to happen.

If you are looking for an easy reading, light Romance without substantial themes, a steam factor of 1 (completely closed door), and don’t mind minimal character development or minimal plot, you might enjoy this read.

For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com ...more

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Aug 08, 2019 Shalini rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of the most beautiful books I have read in recent times in this genre. The book had everything which captured my heart and turned me into mush. Rebecca Raisin is a fabulous storyteller, the one who knows how to capture the spirit of the place and infuse magic in her words.

Sarah a bookseller from Ashford USA and Sophie from Paris decided to exchange their bookshops. Sarah came armed with dreams and a desire to do something different, maybe find herself in the process. The first day itself w ...more

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Jan 11, 2020 Jasmine rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: deserve-more-readers, just-fine, kindle, read-to-review, skimming-through, light-read, netgalley, ebooks-ibooks, happy-ending, positive-ideas

***Actual Rating: 3.5/5 Swoony Christmas Stars***

To begin with, The Little Bookshop on the Seine has everything I'm looking for when it comes to chick-lit, women fiction, contemporary romance. Simply imagine strolling down the beautiful streets during Christmas time in the city of Love...and French kiss, a.k.a. Paris, with your significant other, mmm, how romantic is that!? The pure imagination already gets me all swoon-worthy, let alone having an old-fashioned bookshop in the same picture. ...more

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Jan 03, 2020 The Lit Bitch rated it really liked it

It’s the last day of the decade and I can’t believe a new year and decade is already here! I am closing out this year with a fun little romance number here that is set in Paris.

This book wasn’t a hard sell for me. I mean come on…..a bookshop romance set in Paris with a little holiday flair? No brainer right there.

Everything I hoped to get out of this book, I got. I hoped for romance, a happy ending, and a fun trip through Paris—check, check, check. I especially was looking forward to revisiting It’s the last day of the decade and I can’t believe a new year and decade is already here! I am closing out this year with a fun little romance number here that is set in Paris.

This book wasn’t a hard sell for me. I mean come on…..a bookshop romance set in Paris with a little holiday flair? No brainer right there.

Everything I hoped to get out of this book, I got. I hoped for romance, a happy ending, and a fun trip through Paris—check, check, check. I especially was looking forward to revisiting some of my favorite things about Paris with this one and I totally felt transported and happy while reading it.

This book’s tag line boasts ‘a great big love letter to Paris, charming old bookstores and happily-ever-afters!’ and I would 100% agree with this tag line. It is all those things and surprisingly, it had more as well! This book has a lot of different characters for the main character to interact with and grow from which was fun to see. I especially enjoyed the friendship between Sarah and Beatrice.

But the thing that stands out in this book for me is the lovely Paris descriptions. I felt like I was back there walking the same streets and exploring the city of love and lights but also laughing along with some of the not so special things about Paris. When I visited a few years ago for the second time, I too had trouble with my passport and found the people exceptionally rude and snobbish. So I had to laugh at some of Sarah’s issues with the Parisian people. I thought this made the book all the more realistic and lovable. Paris is so easy to romanticize and sometimes it becomes this idillic place of romance when in reality no one wears deodorant and no one will admit to speaking English so I loved that the author balanced the city and its people with romance and realism.

While at first I wasn’t a fan of the love interest Ridge, by the end I felt invested in their relationship. At first Ridge seems rather self centered and just absent—literally. But as the story goes on, their relationship is tested and they are forced to either grow apart of grow together and I loved watching how that played out through the novel.

This is a wonderfully charming romance specifically aimed at readers and I am completely here for it. It was a quick fun festive read that I was able to finish in a few days (which was pretty good for a 400+ page book!) that left me longing for Paris and more great books! Rebecca Raisin is a new to my author but I am thrilled to see that this is part of a series set in France. I can’t wait to see where the next story goes!

See my full review here ...more

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Jan 17, 2020 Booksandchinooks (Laurie) rated it liked it · review of another edition

A book about a bookstore is always enticing to a book lover. Right? Sarah owns a bookstore in Connecticut, in the town where she grew up and never left. She has a friend in Paris that also owns a bookstore. They decide to shake up their lives and swap locations for a few months. How hard can this be Sarah reasons. What’s not to love - books, bookstore, Paris!! Once Sarah arrives she wonders what she’s gotten into. The daily running of a bookstore is much different in Paris than in Connecticut. S ...more

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Jan 07, 2020 ReadingGirlReviews (Gina) rated it really liked it

Shelves: blogtour, netgalley, 2020

Let's be honest here, I'm a sucker for any book that written about books. You know you are too, come on, don't lie, it doesn't matter what genre you read. Any book that has bookstore, bookshop, library, reading, novel, or the word book in the title is an immediate automatic purchase. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, our secret stays right here, where everyone can read it, but no-one but you and I ever will.

Little Bookshop on the Seine was one of those books. I knew when I saw it I wanted t Let's be honest here, I'm a sucker for any book that written about books. You know you are too, come on, don't lie, it doesn't matter what genre you read. Any book that has bookstore, bookshop, library, reading, novel, or the word book in the title is an immediate automatic purchase. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, our secret stays right here, where everyone can read it, but no-one but you and I ever will.

Little Bookshop on the Seine was one of those books. I knew when I saw it I wanted to read it, so I had no problem agreeing to be on Harlequins blog tour. Here we are with two girls, one in the USA and one in Paris who decide to swap bookstores for a few months, just for a break from their own hum-drum lives. Who wouldn't jump on that??? Well, Sarah Smith certainly does, except things are not exactly the relaxing routine she is used to. Her plans of working in a quaint Paris bookstore and visiting the romantic sites go completely out the window when she realizes The Little Bookshop is a busy nightmare, and now it's losing money under her watch. Not to mention her personal relationship seems to be taking its own mini-vacation. This is one of those books where you just want to slap your hand to your head and say 'what else can happen?' Well, this is where I have to tell you, you gotta read it to find out.

I truly enjoyed this read, and I learned so much about Paris while I was doing it. There was a little down time here and there, as Rebecca Raisin takes time describing Paris in such detail, but it's so beautifully written and presented that you can actually picture everything in your head, so you don't really mind the down time at all. Reading about Sarah, watching her find her way in Paris, in the leadership role at the bookshop, and in her personal life and relationships was so heartwarming. There is a little romance, a little mystery and a few twists and turns that keep you constantly turning the pages and makes this book an absolutely delightful read. I can't wait to see what Rebecca Raisin does with Sarah's character next. (Sara was first introduced in The Bookshop on the Corner). 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 for Goodreads.

Thank you so much to Rebecca Raisin, Harlequin Blog Tours, and HQN Books for a gifted copy of this book for my honest and unbiased opinion. ...more

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Oct 20, 2015 Bethany Clark rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Let me begin by saying how much I LOVE this cover! I would have to say it's my favorite of 2015 to date! The colors are amazing, Sarah looks amazing and the Paris back drop couldn't be more beautiful. As I have stated in some of my tweets, after reading this piece I am planning a trip to Paris!
The details that Rebecca used in regards to the city alone paint the most amazing picture and I truly felt as though I was there and could imagine everything that Sarah was seeing!

I am jealous of Ms. Sarah Let me begin by saying how much I LOVE this cover! I would have to say it's my favorite of 2015 to date! The colors are amazing, Sarah looks amazing and the Paris back drop couldn't be more beautiful. As I have stated in some of my tweets, after reading this piece I am planning a trip to Paris!
The details that Rebecca used in regards to the city alone paint the most amazing picture and I truly felt as though I was there and could imagine everything that Sarah was seeing!

I am jealous of Ms. Sarah! She is a book shop owner! That would truly be my dream job! And to top it all off, she gets to do an exchange with her dear friend Sophie in Paris! Sophie needs to get away from the city of love after her relationship goes to shambles and she no longer can bare seeing the new "happy couple" daily. After nearly 1 second, if that, Sarah says YES! She will take over Sophie's book shop for 6 months and Sophie will travel to Ashford to run hers!

Sarah can't believe that she actually stepped out of comfort zone and said yes? She has never been on a plane let alone out of the country? What is she thinking? Paris at Christmas, who would say no?

After saying yes, she wonders how she will tell Ridge? What will he think of her sudden change of plans? He travels the world over, it shouldn't be an issue, or will it?

So many sites to see, and 6 months to do it, it should be a breeze right? Well you would think, but not so much for this new book shop temporary manager in Paris France! When first arriving at the shop, she is thrown right to the wolves, I mean customers. She was hoping to catch a bit of sleep but these customers won't have that!

The employees, they are very rough around the edges, and are walking all over poor Sarah daily. She needs to realize being nice Sarah from Ashford will not get her anywhere. Will she turn around and head home or will she learn to be the manager that Sophie believes she can be?

She is having a hard time focusing on the craziness of the store, when her knight in shining armor, Ridge, has been rather absent from her life. They keep missing each other calls, or no calls for weeks at a time...Will their relationship make it through this test?

This story is an intricate web of story lines that are all perfectly developed and told to the reader. You really feel like you are right there with her every step of her journey.

Pour a glass of wine (or two), sit by the fire and enjoy! ...more

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Feb 04, 2020 Kristin (Always With a Book) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, review-book, series-book, read-in-2020

This is the first book I've read by Rebecca Raisin and I have a feeling it definitely won't be the last! I'm a complete sucker when it comes to books about books or bookshops and this completely nails it on both fronts, not to mention that it is also set in Paris, a city that I hope to one day visit.

One of my favorite movies to watch around Christmastime is The Holiday and so I absolutely loved that this book was a slight twist on that. I loved that Rebecca Raisin gives us all the sights and sou ...more

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About Rebecca Raisin

Rebecca Raisin

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Other books in the series

The Little Paris Collection (3 books)

Books by Rebecca Raisin

The Bookshop on the Corner (The Bookshop, #1; The Gingerbread Cafe, #2.5)

The Little Antique Shop under the Eiffel Tower (The Little Paris Collection, #2)

Christmas at the Gingerbread Café (The Gingerbread Café, #1)

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“My life is too lonely without fictional people crowding my mind.” — 26 likes

“Second hand books had so much life in them. They'd lived, sometimes in many homes, or maybe just one. They'd been on airplanes, traveled to sunny beaches, or crowded into a backpack and taken high up a mountain where the air thinned.

"Some had been held aloft tepid rose-scented baths, and thickened and warped with moisture. Others had child-like scrawls on the acknowledgement page, little fingers looking for a blank space to leave their mark. Then there were the pristine novels, ones that had been read carefully, bookmarks used, almost like their owner barely pried the pages open so loathe were they to damage their treasure.

I loved them all.

And I found it hard to part with them. Though years of book selling had steeled me. I had to let them go, and each time made a fervent wish they'd be read well, and often.

Missy, my best friend, said I was completely cuckoo, and that I spent too much time alone in my shadowy shop, because I believed my books communicated with me. A soft sigh here, as they stretched their bindings when dawn broke, or a hum, as they anticipated a customer hovering close who might run a hand along their cover, tempting them to flutter their pages hello. Books were fussy when it came to their owners, and gave off a type of sound, an almost imperceptible whirr, when the right person was near. Most people weren't aware that books chose us, at the time when we needed them.” — 6 likes

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