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Someday in Paris
'It's about dreams and taking chances. Missed opportunities and mistakes. Loss and sacrifice. But above all, it is about love. The kind of love that survives time, distance... even death. The kind of love I wish for you.'
Finding the one is only the beginning...
1954. Zara is fifteen the first time she meets Leon. During a power cut in a small French museum, the two spend one short hour in the dark talking about their love for art, Monet, and Paris. Neither knows what the other looks like. Both know their lives will never be the same.
1963. In Paris, Leon no longer believes he will ever find the girl he lost that night. After dreaming about him for years, Zara thinks she has already found him. When they meet at an exhibition, they don't recognize each other – yet the way they feel is so familiar...
Over the course of twenty years, Zara and Leon are destined to fall in love again and again. But will they ever find a way to be together?
The magical new love story of 2020, perfect for hopeless romantics and fans of One Day and The Notebook.
Finding the one is only the beginning...
1954. Zara is fifteen the first time she meets Leon. During a power cut in a small French museum, the two spend one short hour in the dark talking about their love for art, Monet, and Paris. Neither knows what the other looks like. Both know their lives will never be the same.
1963. In Paris, Leon no longer believes he will ever find the girl he lost that night. After dreaming about him for years, Zara thinks she has already found him. When they meet at an exhibition, they don't recognize each other – yet the way they feel is so familiar...
Over the course of twenty years, Zara and Leon are destined to fall in love again and again. But will they ever find a way to be together?
The magical new love story of 2020, perfect for hopeless romantics and fans of One Day and The Notebook.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2020
About the author
Olivia Lara
3 books280 followersBorn and raised in Romania, in a family of book lovers and storytellers, Olivia studied marketing, communications, and photography, and worked as a journalist for a newspaper and news television network.
An unapologetic citizen of the world, she spent a few years in Greece, Sweden, and France (which will always have a special place in her heart), before settling in the US. Olivia now lives in sunny California with her photographer husband and daughter, where she works as a marketing executive and writes. Oh, and let's not forget the ever-growing menagerie that completes the family: Pumpkin—the hyper-active Maine Coon-orange tabby mix, three black cats: Shadow, Pepper, and Salem and the newest addition, a siamese kitten, Frumpy.
When she's not writing or thinking about writing, Olivia reads (across all genres), watches old movies and collects vintage books, vinyl, and eerie paintings. And if she's out and about, she's either taking photos, riding a bike, or trying to take photos while riding a bike (not a good idea!)
SOMEDAY IN PARIS, her debut, published by Head of Zeus in May 2020 became a B&N, Apple, Kobo and Amazon Top 100 Bestseller and was shortlisted for the Romantic Fantasy Novel Award in 2021. Her second novel, THE MEETING POINT, was published again by Head of Zeus, on September 2 2021, as an ebook (and hit the Apple Industry charts, BN bestseller list and was a top 50 Amazon bestseller). THE MEETING POINT paperback will be published on December 9, 2021 in the UK, and in April 2022 in the US.
Join Olivia's mailing list: http://bit.ly/2IPvm9i
Learn more about Olivia on:
www.olivia-lara.com
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/olilara_writes
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/olivialara....
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/olivialaraau...
Add Someday in Paris to your TBR list: http://bit.ly/SomedayinParis
Add The Meeting Point to your TBR list: http://bit.ly/TheMeetingPoint-GR
An unapologetic citizen of the world, she spent a few years in Greece, Sweden, and France (which will always have a special place in her heart), before settling in the US. Olivia now lives in sunny California with her photographer husband and daughter, where she works as a marketing executive and writes. Oh, and let's not forget the ever-growing menagerie that completes the family: Pumpkin—the hyper-active Maine Coon-orange tabby mix, three black cats: Shadow, Pepper, and Salem and the newest addition, a siamese kitten, Frumpy.
When she's not writing or thinking about writing, Olivia reads (across all genres), watches old movies and collects vintage books, vinyl, and eerie paintings. And if she's out and about, she's either taking photos, riding a bike, or trying to take photos while riding a bike (not a good idea!)
SOMEDAY IN PARIS, her debut, published by Head of Zeus in May 2020 became a B&N, Apple, Kobo and Amazon Top 100 Bestseller and was shortlisted for the Romantic Fantasy Novel Award in 2021. Her second novel, THE MEETING POINT, was published again by Head of Zeus, on September 2 2021, as an ebook (and hit the Apple Industry charts, BN bestseller list and was a top 50 Amazon bestseller). THE MEETING POINT paperback will be published on December 9, 2021 in the UK, and in April 2022 in the US.
Join Olivia's mailing list: http://bit.ly/2IPvm9i
Learn more about Olivia on:
www.olivia-lara.com
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/olilara_writes
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/olivialara....
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/olivialaraau...
Add Someday in Paris to your TBR list: http://bit.ly/SomedayinParis
Add The Meeting Point to your TBR list: http://bit.ly/TheMeetingPoint-GR
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 261 reviews
June 18, 2020
I LOVEEEEEEEEE ITTTTTT SOOOOO SOOOO SOOOO MUCHHH!
My dear friends, please stop what you’re doing and if you want to take a moment by listening to your heart, getting lost in an marvelous journey in one of the most romantic cities on the earth- yes, I’m talking about the one and only Paris, or let’s pronounce as “Pari”- I highly and truly recommend you to read this heartbreaking, face bloating, soul crushing, inner romance awakening, tear jerking, fantastic book over and over again!
This is not kind of book you just read and forget the next day, this epic, beautiful, extremely emotional story stays with you forever and steals a part of your soul! I’m telling you my dear friends: Just READ IT READ IT READ IT! (I wanna make a special video for this book by rewriting Jackson’s “Beat it” song lyrics and singing “Just read it, read it, read it” as I’m making some nonsense dance moves between moonwalking and breakdance! But you got the point JUST READ IT!)
So let’s take a quick look this story which broke my heart into smithereens: (Yes! I found out a cruel crazy redhead like me has a real heart and it can truly ache for something! Special thanks to dear Olivia Lara bring out the secret romantic hiding inside of me for years and made me order strawberries and champagne for my husband. I wish he came home earlier before I drank the whole bottle!)
This is Leon and Zara’s long journey throughout the course of 20 freaking years, they’re thrown into each other’s life by so many coincidences but the cruel faith has other plans about the paths of their lives. They always feel something always missing in their lives because they were soul mates and meant for each other but unfortunately they cannot have their dreamy HEA because of the circumstances they cannot control.
So they lived at other cities but they always want to find each other with deep yearning and heartbreak. (I’m sobbing right now! I’m just an ugly crier and innocent two dogs in the house are already terrorized the voices I’m making right now. Should I go outside to howl to the almost full moon?)
I’m gonna stop myself at this moment not giving much spoilers but most of you know my book taste and I’m not easy grader so if you make peace the hopeless romantic side of yours, just give this book a try and earn to have an amazing visionary journey at the fabulous, remarkable locations of Paris. (When I was teenager, I watched Robert Downey Jr’s “Only You” and after that I started to learn Italian. After reading this book, I’m not gonna learn French but I’m so sure I’m gonna get a quick trip to Paris to visit the locations mentioned in the book.)
So this is not just good novel, this is fabulous book! Truly well-deserved my shiny, Parisienne, glamorous, ultra romantic, heart wrenching, brilliant five gazillion stars!
I just got in love in this book and I still cannot believe this debut novel. Dear Olivia Lara, please keep on writing and make me cry and break my heart more with your amazing talent.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Aria for sharing this lovely ARC in exchange my honest review.
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My dear friends, please stop what you’re doing and if you want to take a moment by listening to your heart, getting lost in an marvelous journey in one of the most romantic cities on the earth- yes, I’m talking about the one and only Paris, or let’s pronounce as “Pari”- I highly and truly recommend you to read this heartbreaking, face bloating, soul crushing, inner romance awakening, tear jerking, fantastic book over and over again!
This is not kind of book you just read and forget the next day, this epic, beautiful, extremely emotional story stays with you forever and steals a part of your soul! I’m telling you my dear friends: Just READ IT READ IT READ IT! (I wanna make a special video for this book by rewriting Jackson’s “Beat it” song lyrics and singing “Just read it, read it, read it” as I’m making some nonsense dance moves between moonwalking and breakdance! But you got the point JUST READ IT!)
So let’s take a quick look this story which broke my heart into smithereens: (Yes! I found out a cruel crazy redhead like me has a real heart and it can truly ache for something! Special thanks to dear Olivia Lara bring out the secret romantic hiding inside of me for years and made me order strawberries and champagne for my husband. I wish he came home earlier before I drank the whole bottle!)
This is Leon and Zara’s long journey throughout the course of 20 freaking years, they’re thrown into each other’s life by so many coincidences but the cruel faith has other plans about the paths of their lives. They always feel something always missing in their lives because they were soul mates and meant for each other but unfortunately they cannot have their dreamy HEA because of the circumstances they cannot control.
So they lived at other cities but they always want to find each other with deep yearning and heartbreak. (I’m sobbing right now! I’m just an ugly crier and innocent two dogs in the house are already terrorized the voices I’m making right now. Should I go outside to howl to the almost full moon?)
I’m gonna stop myself at this moment not giving much spoilers but most of you know my book taste and I’m not easy grader so if you make peace the hopeless romantic side of yours, just give this book a try and earn to have an amazing visionary journey at the fabulous, remarkable locations of Paris. (When I was teenager, I watched Robert Downey Jr’s “Only You” and after that I started to learn Italian. After reading this book, I’m not gonna learn French but I’m so sure I’m gonna get a quick trip to Paris to visit the locations mentioned in the book.)
So this is not just good novel, this is fabulous book! Truly well-deserved my shiny, Parisienne, glamorous, ultra romantic, heart wrenching, brilliant five gazillion stars!
I just got in love in this book and I still cannot believe this debut novel. Dear Olivia Lara, please keep on writing and make me cry and break my heart more with your amazing talent.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Aria for sharing this lovely ARC in exchange my honest review.
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March 24, 2020
1.5 stars
tw: plane crash; miscarriage; possible suicide
tropes:
- soulmates/ soulmate bond/ soulmate dreams
- missed opportunities/"ships in the night"
- mistaken identities
This book was so promising. I tend to enjoy books where two characters meet, "know", and then don't reunite until later due to outside forces. But the pacing is ultimately what did this book in. The book spends a long time in certain parts of the characters lives, like when they first meet as children, and then skips through years of time and dwells in weird spots. This wouldn't be a problem, except the majority of the book is recapping the characters separate lives. They spend the majority of the book apart. I love angst, and this did provide that, but the payoff wasn't there as you barely get to see the characters interact. It's a series of the characters having near misses with each other, for YEARS, and then getting updates about the characters separate lives that I honestly don't care about that much. The book constantly tells you about their bond and longing for one another, but hinges completely on their magical soulmate bond. The reader barely gets to see them interact. Every single obstacle gets thrown in their way, and it becomes tedious after a while. The romantic pay off is not there.
In addition, some more minor complaints are the side characters and the lack of sense of time period. This was supposed to take place from the 50s to 70s, and I kept forgetting. There were no references to the time period at all. Also, the side characters were flat and many were awful people that the characters kept in their lives for no reason that the readers are shown. These characters have sudden and unearned personality changes throughout the book as well, with readers being told they are "different" without having to work for it.
The prose isn't awful, which is why I didn't want to rate it so low but I can barely find points that I enjoyed about this. I kept reading, not because I was enjoying it, but just to see more of the couple interact and if there would be pay off! I do think this would actually make a much better film, as so much of the characters separate lives could be shown as flashes on screen and it would be much more fulfilling. This had so much potential...
tw: plane crash; miscarriage; possible suicide
tropes:
- soulmates/ soulmate bond/ soulmate dreams
- missed opportunities/"ships in the night"
- mistaken identities
This book was so promising. I tend to enjoy books where two characters meet, "know", and then don't reunite until later due to outside forces. But the pacing is ultimately what did this book in. The book spends a long time in certain parts of the characters lives, like when they first meet as children, and then skips through years of time and dwells in weird spots. This wouldn't be a problem, except the majority of the book is recapping the characters separate lives. They spend the majority of the book apart. I love angst, and this did provide that, but the payoff wasn't there as you barely get to see the characters interact. It's a series of the characters having near misses with each other, for YEARS, and then getting updates about the characters separate lives that I honestly don't care about that much. The book constantly tells you about their bond and longing for one another, but hinges completely on their magical soulmate bond. The reader barely gets to see them interact. Every single obstacle gets thrown in their way, and it becomes tedious after a while. The romantic pay off is not there.
In addition, some more minor complaints are the side characters and the lack of sense of time period. This was supposed to take place from the 50s to 70s, and I kept forgetting. There were no references to the time period at all. Also, the side characters were flat and many were awful people that the characters kept in their lives for no reason that the readers are shown. These characters have sudden and unearned personality changes throughout the book as well, with readers being told they are "different" without having to work for it.
The prose isn't awful, which is why I didn't want to rate it so low but I can barely find points that I enjoyed about this. I kept reading, not because I was enjoying it, but just to see more of the couple interact and if there would be pay off! I do think this would actually make a much better film, as so much of the characters separate lives could be shown as flashes on screen and it would be much more fulfilling. This had so much potential...
July 18, 2021
☆ 5 AMAZING Soulmate Stars ☆
Oh my goodness. I need to release this breath I've been holding for the last 10% of the story...
Can you say rollercoaster-of-emotions? YUP!
I just got off this ride and my heart is bruised but happy. My heart and I were taken on a ride we didn't see coming. I'm so happy I got on it.
~ you see, since I was fifteen, I have only dreamed of one love, one soul, one heart.
This was recommended to me by a friend and with all the enthusiasm she had for it I got all excited myself and I read it.
The story was so well written. I loved it.
Yes. It put me through the ringer but what perfect angsty book doesn't?
Here's a book to all the angst lovers!
There were times when I was like
And I might've done this a few times
There were times I felt so strung out I just wanted to read the ending, the HEA and the further I got the more I felt this would not end good and that made me nervous but I continued reading because I just couldn't stop.
I also had to tell myself that this might be one of those books that ends perfectly for the characters even if it's not the ending I wish for BUT.... the ending WAS PERFECT!!! ♡
I am convinced, now more than ever, that nothing is more important than love. In all its shapes and forms, at all ages and no matter what the ending is. Love is the destination, the journey. Love is the reason.
☆ The experience is so worth it ☆
Someday in Paris is a MUST READ of 2020.
Oh my goodness. I need to release this breath I've been holding for the last 10% of the story...
Can you say rollercoaster-of-emotions? YUP!
I just got off this ride and my heart is bruised but happy. My heart and I were taken on a ride we didn't see coming. I'm so happy I got on it.
~ you see, since I was fifteen, I have only dreamed of one love, one soul, one heart.
This was recommended to me by a friend and with all the enthusiasm she had for it I got all excited myself and I read it.
The story was so well written. I loved it.
Yes. It put me through the ringer but what perfect angsty book doesn't?
Here's a book to all the angst lovers!
There were times when I was like
And I might've done this a few times
There were times I felt so strung out I just wanted to read the ending, the HEA and the further I got the more I felt this would not end good and that made me nervous but I continued reading because I just couldn't stop.
I also had to tell myself that this might be one of those books that ends perfectly for the characters even if it's not the ending I wish for BUT.... the ending WAS PERFECT!!! ♡
I am convinced, now more than ever, that nothing is more important than love. In all its shapes and forms, at all ages and no matter what the ending is. Love is the destination, the journey. Love is the reason.
☆ The experience is so worth it ☆
Someday in Paris is a MUST READ of 2020.
July 2, 2020
4.5 Stars
This book was epic. A 20 years tale of love, loss, missed opportunities, longing, sadness and eventually happiness. I loved the premise of dreams and if in fact do some people get signs from dreams. And how does fate and timing play a role in your destiny for better or worse?
No cell phones, no social medial, just letter writing and talking to one another. Times were simpler than but the connection people made was much more real than in today’s time, imo. Zara and Leon meet at the age of 15 in a library when the power goes out. All they have is their brief encounter, just talking and not even seeing each other because of the dark, but Zara had dreamt of Leon. And so their epic journey begins. It is filled with heartbreak, lost years, found years, other people, coincidences, and many many dreams in the 20 years that this story takes place. It’s told in his and her POVs and it’s emotional and beautiful.
This book is a testament to true love and no matter how fate and timing play a role when finding your soulmate, the heart is always in control and will always forever love it’s other half.
This book was epic. A 20 years tale of love, loss, missed opportunities, longing, sadness and eventually happiness. I loved the premise of dreams and if in fact do some people get signs from dreams. And how does fate and timing play a role in your destiny for better or worse?
No cell phones, no social medial, just letter writing and talking to one another. Times were simpler than but the connection people made was much more real than in today’s time, imo. Zara and Leon meet at the age of 15 in a library when the power goes out. All they have is their brief encounter, just talking and not even seeing each other because of the dark, but Zara had dreamt of Leon. And so their epic journey begins. It is filled with heartbreak, lost years, found years, other people, coincidences, and many many dreams in the 20 years that this story takes place. It’s told in his and her POVs and it’s emotional and beautiful.
This book is a testament to true love and no matter how fate and timing play a role when finding your soulmate, the heart is always in control and will always forever love it’s other half.
August 15, 2021
Without question 5.0 Exquisite Stars!! There are not enough magical adjectives to describe the beauty of this story!! Someday in Paris moved me beyond words and to quite a few tears.
"It's about dreams and taking chances. Missed opportunities and mistakes. Loss and sacrifice. But above all, it's about love. The kind of love that survives time, distance. Even death. The kind of love I wish for you."
In 1954, as children, Zara and Leon meet at a French museum where the power has gone out. They can't see each other, but they feel an unexplainable intense pull toward each other, as they each chat about their love of art and Paris. They both feel as if the universe is telling them something, but uncontrolled circumstances force them apart. Time and time again they are drawn towards each other as they desperately try to get back, and time and time again they are left yearning. Over the course of 20 years this undeniable force leads them to cross each others path. Fate's fickle effects pull them together and rip them apart, but their dreams continue to haunt them foretelling only glimpses of what may be. There lives are intertwined through art, yet kept apart in the most heart-wrenching of ways.
The beauty of this story in honestly beyond words. Its not only elegant, but excruciating. Your heart will be torn from your chest in so many ways. It will have you believing in forgiveness, and acceptance, but have such a yearning for a different outcome each time these characters cross. You prepare yourself for the worst with each circumstance but hope for the complete best because your not sure how much more your heart can suffer. Author Olivia Lara evokes so much emotion and pain, that I never knew existed in the most effective and thoughtful way. 'Someday In Paris" is a story that transcends the traditional love story genre. It takes your breath away, offering promising hope, of what it truly means to unconditionally love someone. Serendipitous and remarkably romantic!
"...nothing is more important than love. In all its shapes and forms, at all ages and no matter what the ending. Love is the destination, the journey. Love is the reason"
A thousand thankyous go out to NetGalley and the publishers at Aria for giving me the privilege to review this, and to author Olivia Lara for writing the most beautiful story that will forever stay in my heart. I also look forward to purchasing a hardcopy of this once released, it will most definitely be on my favorites shelf. Highly recommend you won’t be disappointed!
"It's about dreams and taking chances. Missed opportunities and mistakes. Loss and sacrifice. But above all, it's about love. The kind of love that survives time, distance. Even death. The kind of love I wish for you."
In 1954, as children, Zara and Leon meet at a French museum where the power has gone out. They can't see each other, but they feel an unexplainable intense pull toward each other, as they each chat about their love of art and Paris. They both feel as if the universe is telling them something, but uncontrolled circumstances force them apart. Time and time again they are drawn towards each other as they desperately try to get back, and time and time again they are left yearning. Over the course of 20 years this undeniable force leads them to cross each others path. Fate's fickle effects pull them together and rip them apart, but their dreams continue to haunt them foretelling only glimpses of what may be. There lives are intertwined through art, yet kept apart in the most heart-wrenching of ways.
The beauty of this story in honestly beyond words. Its not only elegant, but excruciating. Your heart will be torn from your chest in so many ways. It will have you believing in forgiveness, and acceptance, but have such a yearning for a different outcome each time these characters cross. You prepare yourself for the worst with each circumstance but hope for the complete best because your not sure how much more your heart can suffer. Author Olivia Lara evokes so much emotion and pain, that I never knew existed in the most effective and thoughtful way. 'Someday In Paris" is a story that transcends the traditional love story genre. It takes your breath away, offering promising hope, of what it truly means to unconditionally love someone. Serendipitous and remarkably romantic!
"...nothing is more important than love. In all its shapes and forms, at all ages and no matter what the ending. Love is the destination, the journey. Love is the reason"
A thousand thankyous go out to NetGalley and the publishers at Aria for giving me the privilege to review this, and to author Olivia Lara for writing the most beautiful story that will forever stay in my heart. I also look forward to purchasing a hardcopy of this once released, it will most definitely be on my favorites shelf. Highly recommend you won’t be disappointed!
November 18, 2022
What an amazing book. The narrative of "Someday in Paris" goes beyond the bounds of the typical love story subgenre. It stops you in your tracks and gives you a glimmer of hope for what true unconditional love is all about.
The story starts with a grandmother giving her granddaughter a very unique tale from her "dreams." During she delivers the tale, we are transported back in time and introduced to Zara and Leon. Two teenagers who are drawn together by fate and who share a passion for art over the span of 20 years become entangled after experiencing a power outage.
Well drawn, lovable, passionate, strong, and brave characters are present. On the page, they seemed incredibly real. The supporting characters added a great deal of dimension to the plot and the major ones.
The pacing was another aspect of the book that I really enjoyed because it kept me interested in what was happening. I was unable to put it down. This story's beauty is truly indescribable. We get to experience every single scene as if we were gazing at those exquisite paintings or wandering about Paris and seeing it for the first time, thanks to the writer's great style of presenting this story.
This book caused me to cry several times while I was reading it, which is great for me because it's been a while since I've been moved by a love story.
Well, this is unquestionably highly recommended for anyone seeking a romantic getaway or a love that is on the mature side but not overly corny! :)
The story starts with a grandmother giving her granddaughter a very unique tale from her "dreams." During she delivers the tale, we are transported back in time and introduced to Zara and Leon. Two teenagers who are drawn together by fate and who share a passion for art over the span of 20 years become entangled after experiencing a power outage.
Well drawn, lovable, passionate, strong, and brave characters are present. On the page, they seemed incredibly real. The supporting characters added a great deal of dimension to the plot and the major ones.
The pacing was another aspect of the book that I really enjoyed because it kept me interested in what was happening. I was unable to put it down. This story's beauty is truly indescribable. We get to experience every single scene as if we were gazing at those exquisite paintings or wandering about Paris and seeing it for the first time, thanks to the writer's great style of presenting this story.
This book caused me to cry several times while I was reading it, which is great for me because it's been a while since I've been moved by a love story.
Well, this is unquestionably highly recommended for anyone seeking a romantic getaway or a love that is on the mature side but not overly corny! :)
June 8, 2020
I really wanted to love this book but it was just okay for me. Story had very good potential but a lot of unnecessary things happened and after that I lost interest for this book.
***ARC provided via NetGalley.
***ARC provided via NetGalley.
September 6, 2020
Once in a while you will run into a beautiful book that will steal your heart away for the beautiful setting, amazing characters and mesmerizing story of true love.
This is it!
Olivia Lara wrote an amazing story that gripped my heart and didn't let go. Until now I am still tearful and just in awe of the fantastic writing that is just oh so beautiful. If you love a great romance read, you cannot miss this book.
Truly fantastic.
This is it!
Olivia Lara wrote an amazing story that gripped my heart and didn't let go. Until now I am still tearful and just in awe of the fantastic writing that is just oh so beautiful. If you love a great romance read, you cannot miss this book.
Truly fantastic.
May 14, 2020
I cannot express just how breathtakingly beautiful this is!!
If I was one of those reviewers who rated books then this wouldn’t be a mere five stars, this would easily be a ten-star book. Honestly, there aren’t enough words to fully describe just how beautiful this is; it’s incredibly moving, magical, unforgettable, enchanting, full of everlasting love.
“…nothing is more important than love. In all shapes and forms, at all ages and no matter what the ending. Love is the destination, the journey. Love is the reason.“
Is that one of the most beautiful quotes, or what?
Believe me, this perfect book is full of positive and powerful ‘it’s all about love’ moment that I could weep…something I did more than once while reading this, it does turn you into a human watering can at times.
Easily one of the most romantic books I have read, it settles itself into your heart and refuses to leave, this is a book that will be talked about, read and loved for many, many years to come. If you love ‘The Notebook’ then this is the book you absolutely need to read, it feels like I have been apart of something very special by being apart of this blog tour and having the opportunity to review this exquisite book, it leaves its mark on every reader who dares to open the first page.
I do realise that I am waffling and this review will probably make no sense at all, but my thoughts are so scrambled, I want to say so much about this, yet my brain won’t connect with my fingers on the keyboard and they are just typing nonsensical waffle.
Honestly, I best actually say something about the story instead of fulling this review with lots of heartfelt gushing.
The story opens to an old lady who has ‘dreams’ telling her granddaughter a very special story, as she tells the story we are whisked back in time where we meet Zara and Leon; two teenagers share a love of art and who after spending a power cut they are torn apart by circumstances and over the course of twenty years they become entwined in what I think is one of the greatest new love stories on the time; one of which is full of missed chances, hope, loss, sadness, laughter, joy and of course love.
I absolutely adored every aspect of this book, I loved the beautifully poignant plot which swept me away, the characters are perfect the love that swirls around Zara and Leon is magical, they are instantly likeable and you know from the moment of meeting them that they will take you on a memorable journey. The setting of Paris the most romantic city in the world and the intricately entwined love of art is the perfect backdrop to this epic love story and it makes you dream of Paris, I do have a real soft spot for Paris as it is; even though I have never stepped foot there I have this pull towards this beautiful and historic city which made reading this book even more special.
This book is like a rare gift to every romantic heart who craves a true, unquestionable love story, Olivia Lara I want to hug you, bow down to you and thank you for bringing such a joyously beautiful and memorable story to the world.
I am astounded that this is Olivia’s debut book, this is amazing! I can see a hugely successful writing career spanning out into the furture for her and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
It’s a timeless classic! – there isn’t any more I can say, it really is a beautiful, heartbreaking love story that will forever stay lodged inside my romantic heart.
I have to say a huge thank you to the Aria team for allowing me to be apart of this blog tour and to Olivia just for writing this spell-binding book
If I was one of those reviewers who rated books then this wouldn’t be a mere five stars, this would easily be a ten-star book. Honestly, there aren’t enough words to fully describe just how beautiful this is; it’s incredibly moving, magical, unforgettable, enchanting, full of everlasting love.
“…nothing is more important than love. In all shapes and forms, at all ages and no matter what the ending. Love is the destination, the journey. Love is the reason.“
Is that one of the most beautiful quotes, or what?
Believe me, this perfect book is full of positive and powerful ‘it’s all about love’ moment that I could weep…something I did more than once while reading this, it does turn you into a human watering can at times.
Easily one of the most romantic books I have read, it settles itself into your heart and refuses to leave, this is a book that will be talked about, read and loved for many, many years to come. If you love ‘The Notebook’ then this is the book you absolutely need to read, it feels like I have been apart of something very special by being apart of this blog tour and having the opportunity to review this exquisite book, it leaves its mark on every reader who dares to open the first page.
I do realise that I am waffling and this review will probably make no sense at all, but my thoughts are so scrambled, I want to say so much about this, yet my brain won’t connect with my fingers on the keyboard and they are just typing nonsensical waffle.
Honestly, I best actually say something about the story instead of fulling this review with lots of heartfelt gushing.
The story opens to an old lady who has ‘dreams’ telling her granddaughter a very special story, as she tells the story we are whisked back in time where we meet Zara and Leon; two teenagers share a love of art and who after spending a power cut they are torn apart by circumstances and over the course of twenty years they become entwined in what I think is one of the greatest new love stories on the time; one of which is full of missed chances, hope, loss, sadness, laughter, joy and of course love.
I absolutely adored every aspect of this book, I loved the beautifully poignant plot which swept me away, the characters are perfect the love that swirls around Zara and Leon is magical, they are instantly likeable and you know from the moment of meeting them that they will take you on a memorable journey. The setting of Paris the most romantic city in the world and the intricately entwined love of art is the perfect backdrop to this epic love story and it makes you dream of Paris, I do have a real soft spot for Paris as it is; even though I have never stepped foot there I have this pull towards this beautiful and historic city which made reading this book even more special.
This book is like a rare gift to every romantic heart who craves a true, unquestionable love story, Olivia Lara I want to hug you, bow down to you and thank you for bringing such a joyously beautiful and memorable story to the world.
I am astounded that this is Olivia’s debut book, this is amazing! I can see a hugely successful writing career spanning out into the furture for her and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
It’s a timeless classic! – there isn’t any more I can say, it really is a beautiful, heartbreaking love story that will forever stay lodged inside my romantic heart.
I have to say a huge thank you to the Aria team for allowing me to be apart of this blog tour and to Olivia just for writing this spell-binding book
May 15, 2020
5 "Anything Can Happen" Stars!!
Someday in Paris is a beautiful story. Hands down, this is an incredible, at times heartbreaking, book about finding one's soulmate but then struggling to hang on to them. The book starts out with a discussion between a grandmother and her grand-daughter about love and making a magical connection with "the one." It leads to the grandmother sharing her own story and the majority of the book details that account. I loved the flashbacks to the past with little snippets in the present day.
There's a lot to this story and I'm not going to overshare because I really feel that it's best if you learn everything as you're reading it yourself. It will make for a much richer reading experience. I will just say this book is written in a way that it feels different from anything I've read in a while....that's another reason I enjoyed it so much. The storyline is woven together seamlessly in a way that naturally draws in the reader. To me, this book really did take on a somewhat magical quality. One of the things that initially led me to read this book was the pretty cover. I was very pleased to discover that the words inside were every bit as lovely.
"Maybe in another life, or maybe in my dreams."
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Someday in Paris is a beautiful story. Hands down, this is an incredible, at times heartbreaking, book about finding one's soulmate but then struggling to hang on to them. The book starts out with a discussion between a grandmother and her grand-daughter about love and making a magical connection with "the one." It leads to the grandmother sharing her own story and the majority of the book details that account. I loved the flashbacks to the past with little snippets in the present day.
There's a lot to this story and I'm not going to overshare because I really feel that it's best if you learn everything as you're reading it yourself. It will make for a much richer reading experience. I will just say this book is written in a way that it feels different from anything I've read in a while....that's another reason I enjoyed it so much. The storyline is woven together seamlessly in a way that naturally draws in the reader. To me, this book really did take on a somewhat magical quality. One of the things that initially led me to read this book was the pretty cover. I was very pleased to discover that the words inside were every bit as lovely.
"Maybe in another life, or maybe in my dreams."
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 20, 2020
A fantastic read! An absolutely unforgettable love story.
You will lose your heart to this epic romance.
Highly recommended!
You will lose your heart to this epic romance.
Highly recommended!
November 28, 2021
"It's about dreams and taking chances. Missed opportunities and mistakes. Loss and sacrifice. But above all, it is about love. The kind of love that survives time, distance. Even death. The kind of love I wish for you."
Gente, no tengo palabras. Pienso en este libro y me pongo a llorar. Both por lo mucho que me hizo agonizar, y por la felicidad que me trajo.
Amo este tipo de historias. El angst que me genera que los protagonistas se amen pero que por cosas de la vida no puedan estar juntos. Otros ejemplos de este estilo son One Day y One Day in December. Y sin embargo, con éste me pasó algo que con los otros no: necesitaba un final feliz. Estaba muy investida en la trama y en la historia de los personajes, y leer un final donde uno de los dos terminaba muerto, o donde ellos no terminaban juntos me habría destrozado.
Desde el principio me sentí atrapada. El índice (el hecho de que la historia arranca siendo de Zara y Leon, y de repente pasa a ser de unos tales Dominique y Alexander, y luego aparece un Anthony) me llenó de curiosidad y una sensación de foreboding. Y cuanto más leía, más quería saber y menos quería que el libro se acabara.
“Maybe in another life, or maybe in my dreams,’ he whispered.
‘Maybe in another life, or maybe in my dreams,’ she whispered simultaneously.”
Siento que la idea del libro es muy original, y está bastante bien ejecutada. Como las mujeres de la familia de Zara tienen este "poder" donde pueden soñar con su otra mitad me pareció sumamente interesante y novedoso. Me gustó también que el final fuera una especie de círculo que came full cycle. Dios, Olivia reina de mi vida te amo y amo que hayas creado esta joyita.
No me alcanzan los dedos de las manos y los pies para contar la cantidad de veces que este libro me puso nerviosa. ¿Viste cuando ves una película y los personajes se pasan por al lado sin saberlo, o se pierden de encontrarse por una milésima de segundo? Y uno piensa "qué casualidad". Bueno, como así hay millones en este libro. Y cada uno de ellos me desesperaba porque honestamente por un momento pensé que nunca se iban a encontrar. Que nunca se iban a properly conocer. Y eso me ponía sumamente nerviosa jajaja. Pero al mismo tiempo me parece un hermoso concepto. Como siempre estamos destinados a cruzarnos con nuestra otra mitad, incluso sin saberlo, incluso sin hacerlo a propósito.
"It's strange, isn't it? I don't even know what you look like, yet I do. How could I not? You're in my heart. You are part of me."
No sé qué más decir. Es la primera vez que no puedo articular correctamente en una reseña cómo me siento con respecto a un libro. Sólo quiero destacar que lo amé con todo mi corazón, y que me hizo inmensamente feliz.
Si les gusta el romance, y les gusta sufrir, then this is the book for you. Y si no les gusta sufrir también léanselo. You know, léanselo independientemente de qué géneros literarios les gusten y listo.
5 de 5 estrellas.
May 24, 2020
"Someday in Paris" was an absolute dream come true of a book and I most wholeheartedly recommend it to readers who love: romance, art, and historical fiction genres-all of which I happen to be a fan of. The story behind "Someday in Paris" is complex, the characters are dynamic, and the skilled craftsmanship put into the plot by author Olivia Lara has left me without words. While I was hooked by the comparisons drawn to books like "The Notebook" and "One Day", I felt that "Someday in Paris" far surpassed those in the sheer unrelenting force behind the ever-shifting elements inside of the story. It wasn't just time and space that was keeping the characters Alexander and Dominique apart, it was almost like the universe was making them work for every shred of what they were somehow destined to share, and I loved them all the more for it.
I drew parallels to the love stories of the greats and I appreciated the research Lara put in the world of art she created for her readers. And that's just what it was, the characters fell in love early on in the art world and they grew up in it, completely surrounded by it in one way or another. I am a museum professional myself and I could totally see how much the author knew about what she was writing. There weren't just casual overviews of art, she wasn't just touching on the subject as a backdrop for her book, she was diving us straight on, head-first into it, and boy did I love it. Having been introduced to Monet's paintings at an early age and loving the city of Paris, (which I hope to visit someday), I thought the book a genuinely crafted wonder.
Thank you, Mrs. Lara, for creating a story that I felt touched my soul.
I drew parallels to the love stories of the greats and I appreciated the research Lara put in the world of art she created for her readers. And that's just what it was, the characters fell in love early on in the art world and they grew up in it, completely surrounded by it in one way or another. I am a museum professional myself and I could totally see how much the author knew about what she was writing. There weren't just casual overviews of art, she wasn't just touching on the subject as a backdrop for her book, she was diving us straight on, head-first into it, and boy did I love it. Having been introduced to Monet's paintings at an early age and loving the city of Paris, (which I hope to visit someday), I thought the book a genuinely crafted wonder.
Thank you, Mrs. Lara, for creating a story that I felt touched my soul.
October 11, 2021
This story was painful most of the book was a combination of soulmates mixed with Murphy’s Law, but I give the author clapping hands for pulling me out of my sad stupor at the very end with a full circle and a satisfying ending I really didn’t think possible.
#4nevergiveupstars
#4nevergiveupstars
February 26, 2020
This is a book for hopeless romantics, for those who dare to dream, and for those who believe in true love everlasting.
'Someday in Paris' is a beautiful tear jerker about two people named Zara and Leon who first meet when they are 15 years old in a darkly lit room in an art museum which prevents them from seeing each other's faces.. Fate keeps them from forming a relationship as much as it keeps them searching for each other. Their paths continue to intertwine and intersect throughout their lives but yet, they can never seem to be together as life keeps separating them in heart-wrenching ways. They both have prophetic dreams about each other which keeps them searching for a love they believe they can have...that is also closer than they are led to believe.
The magic of Paris as a backdrop to this beautiful story serves as a great way to evoke the timelessness of this love story...that no matter where life takes you, true love seems to make the world stand still. I emotionally connected to the characters who were strong, passionate, and persevering. I admired Zara and Leon who always tried to listen to their hearts and for making the best of their situations no matter how difficult things got. I found myself getting teary eyed during many moments reading this book because the author had a very effective way of evoking emotion and pain. I also really liked the pacing because events happened quickly which kept me engaged with the story. I could not put it down.
While reading this book I began thinking about how one person can open you up to a myriad of experiences you would never have experienced, had you not met. Life works in mysterious ways, painting your life with seemingly disconnected experiences that when looked at from afar, turns into a beautiful work of art. You should always follow your heart’s desires, because it will always take you to where you are meant to be.
I haven’t been moved by a romantic story in quite some time, and ‘Someday in Paris’ made me believe that maybe true love does exist, and that maybe, the person you love is your purpose and your destiny.
'Someday in Paris' is a beautiful tear jerker about two people named Zara and Leon who first meet when they are 15 years old in a darkly lit room in an art museum which prevents them from seeing each other's faces.. Fate keeps them from forming a relationship as much as it keeps them searching for each other. Their paths continue to intertwine and intersect throughout their lives but yet, they can never seem to be together as life keeps separating them in heart-wrenching ways. They both have prophetic dreams about each other which keeps them searching for a love they believe they can have...that is also closer than they are led to believe.
The magic of Paris as a backdrop to this beautiful story serves as a great way to evoke the timelessness of this love story...that no matter where life takes you, true love seems to make the world stand still. I emotionally connected to the characters who were strong, passionate, and persevering. I admired Zara and Leon who always tried to listen to their hearts and for making the best of their situations no matter how difficult things got. I found myself getting teary eyed during many moments reading this book because the author had a very effective way of evoking emotion and pain. I also really liked the pacing because events happened quickly which kept me engaged with the story. I could not put it down.
While reading this book I began thinking about how one person can open you up to a myriad of experiences you would never have experienced, had you not met. Life works in mysterious ways, painting your life with seemingly disconnected experiences that when looked at from afar, turns into a beautiful work of art. You should always follow your heart’s desires, because it will always take you to where you are meant to be.
I haven’t been moved by a romantic story in quite some time, and ‘Someday in Paris’ made me believe that maybe true love does exist, and that maybe, the person you love is your purpose and your destiny.
March 6, 2020
People dream of Paris, but falling in love in Paris is what epic love stories are made of.
In 1954 teenagers Zara and Leon meet each other in the blind dark in a french museum. They instantly feel a intense pull for one another when they spend an hour talking about their love of classic art and Paris.
Due to uncontrollable circumstances Zara and Leon are forced apart. Through the years and different cities, they always long and search for each other feeling that a piece of them is missing. Through the course of 20 years Leon and Zara are thrown into each other’s lives. But things are never truly what they seem and love is never simple.
Set in the beautiful backdrop of my favorite city of Paris, I felt transported to the city streets and iconic locations while following Zara and Leon on their journey. I felt emotionally connected to both characters and how they refused to give up on what they wanted and continued to follow their hearts on their search for true love.
What really matters is this, Someday in Paris is a romance novel for the ages. This book had such a monumental impact on me and touched me to my core. I will never forget this beautifully written and at times heartbreaking journey I went on reading this story. Though it’s only March, this will hands down be my favorite book of the year and one of my favorite books I’ve ever read.
I’ll be dreaming of Paris tonight.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this wonderful Arc. Olivia Lara, I will read anything and everything you write.
In 1954 teenagers Zara and Leon meet each other in the blind dark in a french museum. They instantly feel a intense pull for one another when they spend an hour talking about their love of classic art and Paris.
Due to uncontrollable circumstances Zara and Leon are forced apart. Through the years and different cities, they always long and search for each other feeling that a piece of them is missing. Through the course of 20 years Leon and Zara are thrown into each other’s lives. But things are never truly what they seem and love is never simple.
Set in the beautiful backdrop of my favorite city of Paris, I felt transported to the city streets and iconic locations while following Zara and Leon on their journey. I felt emotionally connected to both characters and how they refused to give up on what they wanted and continued to follow their hearts on their search for true love.
What really matters is this, Someday in Paris is a romance novel for the ages. This book had such a monumental impact on me and touched me to my core. I will never forget this beautifully written and at times heartbreaking journey I went on reading this story. Though it’s only March, this will hands down be my favorite book of the year and one of my favorite books I’ve ever read.
I’ll be dreaming of Paris tonight.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this wonderful Arc. Olivia Lara, I will read anything and everything you write.
May 20, 2020
Fate. Dreams. Chance. Destiny. Tragedy. Love.
All are represented in this book. This beautiful story had me entranced. From a chance meeting in a darkened museum to years of missed opportunities and unkind occurrences...this story was a whirlwind of emotions, at times utterly heartbreaking and completely frustrating. I sometimes felt that fate couldn’t possibly have dealt these characters such heartbreaking circumstances...but I stayed hopeful that through all the trials and tribulations in their lives, that happiness would prevail.
This was a very different and unique book. It was a powerful story of happenstance, following dreams, and always believing in the magic of true love.
“Because love is a magical thing. And if one thing can bring two people together, that is true love, even if to everyone else it seems impossible.”
All are represented in this book. This beautiful story had me entranced. From a chance meeting in a darkened museum to years of missed opportunities and unkind occurrences...this story was a whirlwind of emotions, at times utterly heartbreaking and completely frustrating. I sometimes felt that fate couldn’t possibly have dealt these characters such heartbreaking circumstances...but I stayed hopeful that through all the trials and tribulations in their lives, that happiness would prevail.
This was a very different and unique book. It was a powerful story of happenstance, following dreams, and always believing in the magic of true love.
“Because love is a magical thing. And if one thing can bring two people together, that is true love, even if to everyone else it seems impossible.”
June 20, 2020
An epic love story that’s both heartbreaking and frustrating. Beautifully written.
April 25, 2020
100 Stars and moreeee!!! I'm speechless, I dont know what I need to write without giving away anything about this masterpieces... This book was EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! EVERYTHING!!!! did I said it was EVERYTHING!!!
This book was super mega romantic, the most romantic book I've read in a very long time, it was heartbreaking, it was full of emotions, I couldn't put it down and you know how I knew this book was more than whatever I read before? because I couldn't stop thinking about the dialogs, the scenarios the characters everything was following me around my daily life, like I was inside the book having conversations with the characters.
Someday in Paris definitely is one of my FAVORITE books of this year, I'm still in shock, my emotions still so raw, I cry so much in the last couple of days, my heart was in my troth, I didn't know what was going to happen next, the more I thought I knew the more the story kept turning and turning to different directions making me feel that I was so lost but in a very good way. I was at 90% and I was still crying.
The way the writer brings out this story is beautiful, we get to live every single scenario like if we were looking at those beautiful painting like if we were walking around Paris and living it for the very first time... I've never been to Paris and this book really made me feel like I've been there so many times. the colors, the smells, the amazing sunsets, and beautiful flowers everything was so real.
Dominique is a very strong heroine, I love her so much because she was mature, intelligent always trying to keep her dreams and hope alive no matter how many times people will try to dissuade her from her projects and hope, she was determined so determine until the end.. she had a wonderful heart, and she gave so much love to people that really need it, especially people who were alone living the same situations like her.
Alexander was an amazing hero I fell in love with him so much, he was caring, intelligent, handsome, with so much heart and empathy making him vulnerable from certain situations but when it came about his dreams and love nothing will stop him. he really was Dominiques Soulmate.
The secondary characters wow also breathtaking, they gave so much depth to the main characters and the story, making Someday in Paris a masterpiece. Nico, Vincent, JJ, Anne, Constance all of them really were wonderful.
This book really made me believe in love more than ever, if someone tells you, love is not as we think it is, run away and ignore them. I want to write so much about the book and express all my feelings but I will let you find your own path into this world.
I'm going to re-read this book for sure, I'm going to buy the paperback for sure and I'm going to die finding a way to get a signed paperback copy because this book needs to be in my bookshelves forever!!!
GETTTTT THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book was super mega romantic, the most romantic book I've read in a very long time, it was heartbreaking, it was full of emotions, I couldn't put it down and you know how I knew this book was more than whatever I read before? because I couldn't stop thinking about the dialogs, the scenarios the characters everything was following me around my daily life, like I was inside the book having conversations with the characters.
Someday in Paris definitely is one of my FAVORITE books of this year, I'm still in shock, my emotions still so raw, I cry so much in the last couple of days, my heart was in my troth, I didn't know what was going to happen next, the more I thought I knew the more the story kept turning and turning to different directions making me feel that I was so lost but in a very good way. I was at 90% and I was still crying.
The way the writer brings out this story is beautiful, we get to live every single scenario like if we were looking at those beautiful painting like if we were walking around Paris and living it for the very first time... I've never been to Paris and this book really made me feel like I've been there so many times. the colors, the smells, the amazing sunsets, and beautiful flowers everything was so real.
Dominique is a very strong heroine, I love her so much because she was mature, intelligent always trying to keep her dreams and hope alive no matter how many times people will try to dissuade her from her projects and hope, she was determined so determine until the end.. she had a wonderful heart, and she gave so much love to people that really need it, especially people who were alone living the same situations like her.
Alexander was an amazing hero I fell in love with him so much, he was caring, intelligent, handsome, with so much heart and empathy making him vulnerable from certain situations but when it came about his dreams and love nothing will stop him. he really was Dominiques Soulmate.
The secondary characters wow also breathtaking, they gave so much depth to the main characters and the story, making Someday in Paris a masterpiece. Nico, Vincent, JJ, Anne, Constance all of them really were wonderful.
This book really made me believe in love more than ever, if someone tells you, love is not as we think it is, run away and ignore them. I want to write so much about the book and express all my feelings but I will let you find your own path into this world.
I'm going to re-read this book for sure, I'm going to buy the paperback for sure and I'm going to die finding a way to get a signed paperback copy because this book needs to be in my bookshelves forever!!!
GETTTTT THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 13, 2020
Do you believe in soulmates? Is there a person out there that you were meant to be with? Zara, aka Dominique, met Leon, aka Alexander in the art history library in a small French Museum. The power has gone out, so they can't see each other, but they talk for awhile and connect on a level that only comes along once in a lifetime. Life goes on and although they almost meet again, something always happens to prevent it. Nine years later they meet again, but do not realize they are Zara and Leon as they are using other names, yet they connect once again and know that there is something there that they can't resist.
This is a beautiful, extremely emotional story that I am still thinking about. Zara and Leon spend most of this story apart. They both lead their own lives, but always feel like something is missing. I liked both of these characters and wanted them to get together, although I felt bad for the people that would be hurt if this happened. This story takes place when there is no social media or cell phones, so they use letters to communicate. When Zara moves due to a tragedy, they lose touch and it takes years to get back together. This is a love story that takes place over 20 years. It is sweet, it is sad, and at times it is heartbreaking, but it is a wonderful journey. I enjoyed this one and recommend it to those who enjoy a romance involving finding your true love. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
This is a beautiful, extremely emotional story that I am still thinking about. Zara and Leon spend most of this story apart. They both lead their own lives, but always feel like something is missing. I liked both of these characters and wanted them to get together, although I felt bad for the people that would be hurt if this happened. This story takes place when there is no social media or cell phones, so they use letters to communicate. When Zara moves due to a tragedy, they lose touch and it takes years to get back together. This is a love story that takes place over 20 years. It is sweet, it is sad, and at times it is heartbreaking, but it is a wonderful journey. I enjoyed this one and recommend it to those who enjoy a romance involving finding your true love. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
September 3, 2021
I am not a fan of love stories...until I read this book.
I went against everything that everyone tells you to do when choosing a book.. and I picked it purely on it's cover. What can I say, I was in one of those moods where I just needed a bit of random in my life, and it worked out for the better.
Having no idea what the book was going to be about, I started on my adventure. It took me a good couple of chapters to find my rhythm, and after chapter 5, my reading pace increased as I could not put the book down. It was easy to read and to follow the story, I soon understood what was happening.
Without giving too much away, it's basically about 2 young souls who meet because of deep gut instinct, and how their lives intertwine and pass as they grow up into adulthood.
It is about the "what if I just did this" or "if I listened to my instinct" feelings we all experience in our own lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm glad my "gut" told me to pick this book haha.
I went against everything that everyone tells you to do when choosing a book.. and I picked it purely on it's cover. What can I say, I was in one of those moods where I just needed a bit of random in my life, and it worked out for the better.
Having no idea what the book was going to be about, I started on my adventure. It took me a good couple of chapters to find my rhythm, and after chapter 5, my reading pace increased as I could not put the book down. It was easy to read and to follow the story, I soon understood what was happening.
Without giving too much away, it's basically about 2 young souls who meet because of deep gut instinct, and how their lives intertwine and pass as they grow up into adulthood.
It is about the "what if I just did this" or "if I listened to my instinct" feelings we all experience in our own lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm glad my "gut" told me to pick this book haha.
June 2, 2022
Without question 5.0 Exquisite Stars!! There are not enough magical adjectives to describe the beauty of this story!! "Someday In Paris" moved me beyond words and to quite a few tears.
"It's about dreams and taking chances. Missed opportunities and mistakes. Loss and sacrifice. But above all, it's about love. The kind of love that survives time, distance. Even death. The kind of love I wish for you."
In 1954, as children, Zara and Leon meet at a French museum where the power has gone out. They can't see each other, but they feel an unexplainable intense pull toward each other, as they each chat about their love of art and Paris. They both feel as if the universe is telling them something, but uncontrolled circumstances force them apart. Time and time again they are drawn towards each other as they desperately try to get back, and time and time again they are left yearning. Over the course of 20 years this undeniable force leads them to cross each others path. Fate's fickle effects pull them together and rip them apart, but their dreams continue to haunt them foretelling only glimpses of what may be. There lives are intertwined through art, yet kept apart in the most heart-wrenching of ways.
The beauty of this story in honestly beyond words. Its not only elegant, but excruciating. Your heart will be torn from your chest in so many ways offering forgiveness, and acceptance, but have such a yearning for a different outcome each time these characters cross. You prepare yourself for the worst with each circumstance but hope for the complete best because your not sure how much more your heart can suffer. Author Olivia Lara evokes so much emotion and pain, that I never knew existed in the most effective and thoughtful way. 'Someday In Paris" is a story that transcends the traditional love story genre. It takes your breath away, offering promising hope, of what it truly means to unconditionally love someone.
"...nothing is more important than love. In all its shapes and forms, at all ages and no matter what the ending. Love is the destination, the journey. Love is the reason"
A thousand thankyous go out to NetGalley and the publishers at Aria for giving me the privilege to review this, and to author Olivia Lara for writing the most beautiful story that will forever stay in my heart. I also look forward to purchasing a hardcopy of this once released, it will most definitely be one my favorites shelf.
"It's about dreams and taking chances. Missed opportunities and mistakes. Loss and sacrifice. But above all, it's about love. The kind of love that survives time, distance. Even death. The kind of love I wish for you."
In 1954, as children, Zara and Leon meet at a French museum where the power has gone out. They can't see each other, but they feel an unexplainable intense pull toward each other, as they each chat about their love of art and Paris. They both feel as if the universe is telling them something, but uncontrolled circumstances force them apart. Time and time again they are drawn towards each other as they desperately try to get back, and time and time again they are left yearning. Over the course of 20 years this undeniable force leads them to cross each others path. Fate's fickle effects pull them together and rip them apart, but their dreams continue to haunt them foretelling only glimpses of what may be. There lives are intertwined through art, yet kept apart in the most heart-wrenching of ways.
The beauty of this story in honestly beyond words. Its not only elegant, but excruciating. Your heart will be torn from your chest in so many ways offering forgiveness, and acceptance, but have such a yearning for a different outcome each time these characters cross. You prepare yourself for the worst with each circumstance but hope for the complete best because your not sure how much more your heart can suffer. Author Olivia Lara evokes so much emotion and pain, that I never knew existed in the most effective and thoughtful way. 'Someday In Paris" is a story that transcends the traditional love story genre. It takes your breath away, offering promising hope, of what it truly means to unconditionally love someone.
"...nothing is more important than love. In all its shapes and forms, at all ages and no matter what the ending. Love is the destination, the journey. Love is the reason"
A thousand thankyous go out to NetGalley and the publishers at Aria for giving me the privilege to review this, and to author Olivia Lara for writing the most beautiful story that will forever stay in my heart. I also look forward to purchasing a hardcopy of this once released, it will most definitely be one my favorites shelf.
August 17, 2022
talk about a love story! I still have tears in my eyes. so beautifully conveyed and smart. just a classic IMO. love story meets fairytale meets labyrinth meets The Notebook- i mean!
"she held on to him as if she was losing her balance. as if she was afraid it was all a dream, and she would wake up and he'd be gone."
"she held on to him as if she was losing her balance. as if she was afraid it was all a dream, and she would wake up and he'd be gone."
July 25, 2020
What a pleasant surprise this book was! I just finished it with tears in my eyes. A moving story that chronicles true love over many years, and without a doubt one of the best books I have read.
May 29, 2021
Couldn’t stop reading until I was done. Hoping for some of those magical reveries tonight!
May 5, 2020
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
I kindly received Someday in Paris in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.
Someday in Paris begins in Colmar (France), when Zara and Leon, meet each other in the Linden museum in 1954 at the age of fifteen. Leon is on a school excursion from his boarding school La Rolande in Switzerland. He has escaped to hide in the museum. While the museum has a power outage Zara and Leons paths cross. They can’t see each other, but they talked about their passion of art, Monet and Paris for the whole time they are together until Leon had to go back to his class.
Zara and Leon know something is different. The teenagers feel an instant magical connection, an invisible bond between the two of them. They don't want to say goodbye for good so Leon promised Zara to write letters to her. He kept this promise and the two became pen pals. Many letters were exchanged until one day Leon missed their meeting in Colmar. After that Zara disappears ... Leon tried everything to find her but without success. The book unfolds over the next twenty years, bouncing from Paris, New York, Colmar and woven together by a love of art, particularly Monet.
"It's about dreams and taking chances. Missed opportunities and mistakes. Loss and sacrifice. But above all, it's about love. The kind of love that survives time, distance. Even death. The kind of love I wish for you."
I have no words to express my feelings towards this wonderful book. No matter what I say, it won’t be enough. All I know with utmost confidence is that I might have just read one of my FAVORITE book of all time. The writing is perfection. The characters are well-drawn, endearing, passionate, strong and brave. The story is completely unforgettable. This is possibly the most powerful debut I've ever read. I absolutely cannot believe that Olivia Lara has never published a book before.
Have you ever read a story that so CAPTURED you, that even as you put it down, the emotions it evoked in you stuck with you all throughout the day, until you could return to it again and were sucked in even MORE? Have you ever read a story that stole your breath away, made your heart feel like it was being twisted into a pretzel, and kept squeezing until you felt…SHATTERED? And yet it also filled your heart to bursting with a love so beautiful it brought tears to your eyes?
Have you ever read a story that made you FEEL SO MUCH, that it felt like it was TOO MUCH - too much longing, too much pain, too much anger, too much love - and you needed breaks from it, while also feeling COMPELLED to keep reading, and you actually thought: "HOW CAN I SURVIVE THIS BOOK?!?!" Have you ever read a story of a love so INTENSE and CONSUMING, that it transcends the pages it is written on and etches itself into your heart? Someday in Paris was such a story, for me!
Olivia Lara has a truly uncanny gift for really making you FEEL everything that her characters are going through. I FELT Zara and Leon fall in love, I FELT their longing, I FELT their desire, FELT their heartache, FELT their joy, FELT their pain, FELT their happiness, FELT their loss, FELT their desperation, but more than anything FELT their LOVE .
Normally I am not talking about ratings in my reviews but I make an exeption for this book. I don't give many 5-star ratings, but I would have given this book 500 if I could have! Nothing I could say would do this book justice, it is just that incredible! If you haven't read it, do it now! Request on Netgalley or pre-order your copy on your favourite retailer website. You won't be sorry. This epic tale of love and loss is a must-read for any romance reader. Your heart will hurt, but the pain will be worth it!
There's one more thing that makes this book even more special to me. I visited the Linden Museum in Colmar, where Zara and Leon met, two years ago. I wish I had read the story back then. I would have seen the museum with completely different eyes. Probably I would have just sat in one of the rooms and cried. Overwhelmed by the feelings to be in Zara and Leons special place.
I would like to thank Aria Fiction from the bottom of my heart for letting me read this book before publication. Should this book ever be available in paperback, I would buy it without hesitation. I would like to have this beautiful book on my bookshelf. A little note to Aria Fiction: Olivia Lara is a gem. Never let her go and publish whatever she writes. It will always be a winner. I am sure of that.
I kindly received Someday in Paris in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.
Someday in Paris begins in Colmar (France), when Zara and Leon, meet each other in the Linden museum in 1954 at the age of fifteen. Leon is on a school excursion from his boarding school La Rolande in Switzerland. He has escaped to hide in the museum. While the museum has a power outage Zara and Leons paths cross. They can’t see each other, but they talked about their passion of art, Monet and Paris for the whole time they are together until Leon had to go back to his class.
Zara and Leon know something is different. The teenagers feel an instant magical connection, an invisible bond between the two of them. They don't want to say goodbye for good so Leon promised Zara to write letters to her. He kept this promise and the two became pen pals. Many letters were exchanged until one day Leon missed their meeting in Colmar. After that Zara disappears ... Leon tried everything to find her but without success. The book unfolds over the next twenty years, bouncing from Paris, New York, Colmar and woven together by a love of art, particularly Monet.
"It's about dreams and taking chances. Missed opportunities and mistakes. Loss and sacrifice. But above all, it's about love. The kind of love that survives time, distance. Even death. The kind of love I wish for you."
I have no words to express my feelings towards this wonderful book. No matter what I say, it won’t be enough. All I know with utmost confidence is that I might have just read one of my FAVORITE book of all time. The writing is perfection. The characters are well-drawn, endearing, passionate, strong and brave. The story is completely unforgettable. This is possibly the most powerful debut I've ever read. I absolutely cannot believe that Olivia Lara has never published a book before.
Have you ever read a story that so CAPTURED you, that even as you put it down, the emotions it evoked in you stuck with you all throughout the day, until you could return to it again and were sucked in even MORE? Have you ever read a story that stole your breath away, made your heart feel like it was being twisted into a pretzel, and kept squeezing until you felt…SHATTERED? And yet it also filled your heart to bursting with a love so beautiful it brought tears to your eyes?
Have you ever read a story that made you FEEL SO MUCH, that it felt like it was TOO MUCH - too much longing, too much pain, too much anger, too much love - and you needed breaks from it, while also feeling COMPELLED to keep reading, and you actually thought: "HOW CAN I SURVIVE THIS BOOK?!?!" Have you ever read a story of a love so INTENSE and CONSUMING, that it transcends the pages it is written on and etches itself into your heart? Someday in Paris was such a story, for me!
Olivia Lara has a truly uncanny gift for really making you FEEL everything that her characters are going through. I FELT Zara and Leon fall in love, I FELT their longing, I FELT their desire, FELT their heartache, FELT their joy, FELT their pain, FELT their happiness, FELT their loss, FELT their desperation, but more than anything FELT their LOVE .
Normally I am not talking about ratings in my reviews but I make an exeption for this book. I don't give many 5-star ratings, but I would have given this book 500 if I could have! Nothing I could say would do this book justice, it is just that incredible! If you haven't read it, do it now! Request on Netgalley or pre-order your copy on your favourite retailer website. You won't be sorry. This epic tale of love and loss is a must-read for any romance reader. Your heart will hurt, but the pain will be worth it!
There's one more thing that makes this book even more special to me. I visited the Linden Museum in Colmar, where Zara and Leon met, two years ago. I wish I had read the story back then. I would have seen the museum with completely different eyes. Probably I would have just sat in one of the rooms and cried. Overwhelmed by the feelings to be in Zara and Leons special place.
I would like to thank Aria Fiction from the bottom of my heart for letting me read this book before publication. Should this book ever be available in paperback, I would buy it without hesitation. I would like to have this beautiful book on my bookshelf. A little note to Aria Fiction: Olivia Lara is a gem. Never let her go and publish whatever she writes. It will always be a winner. I am sure of that.
June 30, 2020
This is one of those books that makes me think about potential and what that means about perception and the confusion that ensues when reality hits.
Someday in Paris is a story of soulmates and the blips in their lives that bring them apart and together. There's a hint of magical realism because of how the characters recognize their soulmate status, but other than that it doesn't make the hugest impact on the setting.
I love the idea of people meeting throughout the courses of their lives, but I feel like the execution of the "lost lovers" trope was really not conducive to the best reading process. The time skips didn't really bring much to the story, other than the random catch-ups about the main characters and their lives that were almost always filler-esque.
I understand that the whole point is that the main pairing has a ton of near-misses and ruined opportunities because of doubt over many, many years, but it didn't feel like something as profound as the author may have wanted it to be.
It seems like so much happened because the book felt very long and dragged out, and the satisfaction of the struggles of the main relationship being resolved was minimal because I just wanted it to be over already, I guess.
The structure of Someday in Paris is similar to The Princess Bride in the whole storytelling aspect, with a bit of a "twist," but the breaks from the story didn't add anything to the overall narrative and it only really served as extra pages of awkward fluff.
I don't know a lot about art and artists and impressionism and the like, but I did enjoy how the lives of the characters revolved around their love of artwork and Monet, and how they were drawn together because of it. It didn't make much sense to me at all, but it was really interesting to read nonetheless.
Thank you to Netgalley and Aria for this ARC!
Someday in Paris is a story of soulmates and the blips in their lives that bring them apart and together. There's a hint of magical realism because of how the characters recognize their soulmate status, but other than that it doesn't make the hugest impact on the setting.
I love the idea of people meeting throughout the courses of their lives, but I feel like the execution of the "lost lovers" trope was really not conducive to the best reading process. The time skips didn't really bring much to the story, other than the random catch-ups about the main characters and their lives that were almost always filler-esque.
I understand that the whole point is that the main pairing has a ton of near-misses and ruined opportunities because of doubt over many, many years, but it didn't feel like something as profound as the author may have wanted it to be.
It seems like so much happened because the book felt very long and dragged out, and the satisfaction of the struggles of the main relationship being resolved was minimal because I just wanted it to be over already, I guess.
The structure of Someday in Paris is similar to The Princess Bride in the whole storytelling aspect, with a bit of a "twist," but the breaks from the story didn't add anything to the overall narrative and it only really served as extra pages of awkward fluff.
I don't know a lot about art and artists and impressionism and the like, but I did enjoy how the lives of the characters revolved around their love of artwork and Monet, and how they were drawn together because of it. It didn't make much sense to me at all, but it was really interesting to read nonetheless.
Thank you to Netgalley and Aria for this ARC!
May 17, 2020
With a synopsis like that I had no choice but to read Someday in Paris. What I got was an epic love story that hit me right in the feels!
Full of near misses and almost moments, this story made me happy, sad, frustrated and hopeful all at the same time.
I can’t say much without spoiling the book but there were times where I knew exactly what was coming, and times where I had to accept that I might get an ending appropriate for the characters but not one I would have chosen or wanted.
If you’re an incurable romantic (like me), a fan of soul mate stories or believe in destiny, then Someday in Paris is definitely for you.
Evocative, emotive and hopeful, this is a story about love in all forms.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (Aria Fiction) for providing a copy of the book for review. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.
Full of near misses and almost moments, this story made me happy, sad, frustrated and hopeful all at the same time.
I can’t say much without spoiling the book but there were times where I knew exactly what was coming, and times where I had to accept that I might get an ending appropriate for the characters but not one I would have chosen or wanted.
If you’re an incurable romantic (like me), a fan of soul mate stories or believe in destiny, then Someday in Paris is definitely for you.
Evocative, emotive and hopeful, this is a story about love in all forms.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (Aria Fiction) for providing a copy of the book for review. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.
May 18, 2020
I have to be honest and say that I don't usually read romance novels on a regular basis. They do say that a change is as good as a rest though and so I started to read 'Someday In Paris'. I can honestly say that this is the sort of book, which is guaranteed to tug on even the hardest of heartstrings (ie: mine). I really enjoyed reading 'Someday In Paris' but more about that in a bit.
I must admit that it took me a little while to get into this story. I didn't exactly have my focused head on and so my concentration wasn't what it should be. Once I got into the story though that was it. I immersed myself so deeply in the story that I managed to shut out all other distractions and focus solely on the story. 'Someday In Paris' really did become addictive reading. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would be so engrossed in the story that I ended up reading a lot more than any couple of chapters and I ended up reading for a lot longer than half an hour. Despite my efforts to prolong my enjoyment of the book by rationing how much I read at once, I soon got to the end of the story, which I was disappointed about. I don't mean that in a negative sense. I had been enjoying the author's writing style, the characters, the storylines and the setting of the story so much that I just wish that the book could have been longer.
Olivia has one of those easy going writing styles that reads more like a chat between friends than an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Olivia describes her characters so well that they seemed to spring off the page and seemed just as real as you and I. Olivia drew me into the story from pretty early on and I had to keep reading to see how the story would pan out and the implications that this would potentially have on the lead characters. I felt as though I was part of the story and that's all down to Olivia's very vivid and very realistic storytelling.
In short, I really did enjoy reading 'Someday In Paris' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will be reading more of Olivia's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board just has to be 5* out of 5*.
I must admit that it took me a little while to get into this story. I didn't exactly have my focused head on and so my concentration wasn't what it should be. Once I got into the story though that was it. I immersed myself so deeply in the story that I managed to shut out all other distractions and focus solely on the story. 'Someday In Paris' really did become addictive reading. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would be so engrossed in the story that I ended up reading a lot more than any couple of chapters and I ended up reading for a lot longer than half an hour. Despite my efforts to prolong my enjoyment of the book by rationing how much I read at once, I soon got to the end of the story, which I was disappointed about. I don't mean that in a negative sense. I had been enjoying the author's writing style, the characters, the storylines and the setting of the story so much that I just wish that the book could have been longer.
Olivia has one of those easy going writing styles that reads more like a chat between friends than an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Olivia describes her characters so well that they seemed to spring off the page and seemed just as real as you and I. Olivia drew me into the story from pretty early on and I had to keep reading to see how the story would pan out and the implications that this would potentially have on the lead characters. I felt as though I was part of the story and that's all down to Olivia's very vivid and very realistic storytelling.
In short, I really did enjoy reading 'Someday In Paris' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will be reading more of Olivia's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board just has to be 5* out of 5*.
May 30, 2020
Someday in Paris is an unforgettable love story that transcends time. I read somewhere that this book is perfect for fans of The Notebook, and I couldn’t agree more. Leon and Zara meet during a black-out at an art museum in the 50’s. Although they never see each other’s faces they have an immediate connection and spend the next 20 years trying to meet again, against all odds, and weathering all the forces of nature that pull and push them together. Their near misses will have you on your tiptoes. Their commitment will have your heart. This is a story about fate, chance, and dreams. Highly recommend!
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