Celebrity chef James Harrington never expected to find himself face-to-face with Chloe, his first love, again… Especially with her working as a chambermaid at his luxury hotel! Their chemistry’s as strong as ever, but it’s clear she’s hiding a secret. This Christmas, can James convince Chloe that their love is worth taking a chance on—again?
Hi, I'm Liz Fielding, and I'm a best selling contemporary romance author with more than 15 million books in print and Katie Fforde wrote, when honouring me with the Romantic Novelists' Association's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019 said - "Liz Fielding's books, with their warmth, humour and emotion, have charmed millions of readers. She is a true star of the romantic fiction genre..."
And now I've turned to a life of crime with my first cozy mystery. Murder Among the Roses, published on 18 April 2023 - of which Katie Fforde also said, "I was gripped from beginning to end..."
Reading is a big part of my life. I love witty, contemporary romances, not too much sex,, Women's fiction by the likes of Fiona Harper, Julie Cohen, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie and Barbara O'Neal. And I love crime fiction that isn't too gory, or focussed on clue hunting, but is big on character.
My best loved series at the moment are the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch and the Libby Sarjeant Mysteries by Lesley Cookman. I've just read the first in the Georgina Drake crime series from Kate Hardy and looking forward to the next.
For news and excerpts of my new releases, visit me at http://www.lizfielding.com and sign up for my newsletter
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
This was a short and sweet romance set in France!
First off, for such a short book, there was a lot of chemistry between the two main characters. Since this was a second chance romance, the characters already knew each other and had history. I enjoyed learning their backstory and seeing them get back together.
Also, there was quite a bit of plot which I was happy about. Given the length, I wasn’t expecting too much to happen but I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline.
The Christmas aspect was pretty minimal. The book takes place during winter/Christmastime but doesn’t have any super Christmasy scenes. So if you’re looking for a Christmas romance, this doesn’t quite hit that mark.
Overall, I really enjoyed this second chance romance! If you’re looking for something quick to read this winter, then give this book a go!
I can't remember the last time I sat and read a pure Mills & Boon book, but this one caught my eye and for good reason.
It was superb, there is chemistry, but also a really engaging storyline that had me not being completely sure if Chloe and James would ever sort things out.
I loved the various touristy things they do around Paris, but at the same time wouldn't particularly class this as a Christmas book, more a story that happens to be set in the run up to Christmas, so it is reasonably safe to read all year around!
This is the first book I've read by Liz Fielding, and I have a funny feeling it won't be my last. I really did enjoy every moment of this easy to read, and really entertaining story.
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
A Christmas Reunion in Paris is book #1 in the Christmas at the Harrington Park Hotel series.
Chloe was finishing cleaning up one of the hotel rooms she worked at when a guest came in, and she recognized James on the window reflection. Her first instinct was to flee the scene. Ten years had passed, and there was nothing left to say.
The story is intricated. James and Chloe went to an expensive boarding school together, fell in love at sixteen, and were separated by her parents because he was not titled nor wealthy enough for her.
He tried to look for her but failed.
Ten years later, she was in his hotel room, a rich heiress working as a cleaning lady.
I don’t want to give spoilers, so I’m not going to enter the details, but these two had many unsolved issues to settle, so they took a Paris holiday.
The story was very passionate and romantic. Chloe was trying to find her way in the world, and she needed to do that on her terms. James was lovely and maybe a tad overbearing, but it was clearly due to his desire to protect Chloe after all that had happened to her.
The setting was charming with a cruise on a Bateaux Mouches’ boat, meals in little cafes, and even a stay in a French castle.
A Christmas Reunion in Paris is a short second-chance romance filled with passion and Parisian charm.
Trigger Warning: Parental separation.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
The author wrote the story in such a deliciously charming manner that you cannot help but fall in love with the story and the characters.
James and Chloe both stand out in their own manner. I liked how the author focused on communication to be the key in their relationship. James tends to make all the plans (with good intentions) and expects Chloe to just come on board instead of asking her. Chloe is also stubborn where she doesn’t want James to control her the way her father did. Both of them play off each other so well. Hugo and Sally are also wonderful in the leads, and it was so nice to see them supporting James and Chloe.
Moreover, I loved that most of the story takes place in Paris. We get a tour of the city along with James and Chloe as they reconnect. I also liked the storyline where they meet Marie and fall in love with the Chateau.
Another part that fascinated me was the backstory about the family history during the Civil War, and how it was the catalyst for Chloe not ending up with James. As James mentions, it felt like an episode of Downton Abbey and I just loved it. In fact, the entire storyline about Chloe and Eloise was gripping and I wanted to know more. However, my only disappointment was connecting with the same plot revolving Eloise. I wish there was some direction on that plot to kindle my interest as to what happened to her. Also, while the story was wonderful, at times it felt too sweet. There is no negative character to spice the story.
Overall, I loved this story and cannot wait to see how it continues.
A heartwarming, relatively short holiday timed story that brings all the best of the season to potentially recapture what once seemed forever lost...
Chloe and James were meant to be, but life (and parents!) got in the way. That was ONCE UPON A TIME though, and an unexpected run in so many years later, is not what either one could have anticipated. Fate, however, is her own mistress, and sometimes what we don't believe we want to happen, DOES...and even some of those rare times, they turn out the BEST way possible.
Quite honestly, I fell in love with these two! So much history shared, such a tragic separation, and so many unknowns to overcome, but through it all, you JUST KNEW that somehow, they'd make it through...okay, or not because I'm TOTALLY not trying to ruin the story for you, but I really need some good news and this story definitely delivered something I could smile about. So, if you're like me and love a good story with great characters, and need just the right escape for those stolen moments when you get to just be you, try this one on for size. It may not be the right reading season per se, but I don't know a time of year that goodwill to others and second chances to get first love right would not be welcomed with open arms.
This was very sweet, with a classic "Christmas fairytale" vibe. Two star-crossed teens are separated by their cruel families, but bump into each other ten years later and try to make the most of their second chance. Fieldings' writing is not the greatest, and I have some concerns about the consistency of the copyediting, but...eh, it was cute.
Fate has a funny way of playing tricks and for Chloe and James fate decided to step in when needed most!
After being torn apart when they were younger chloe and James come face to face for the first time in nearly a decade! Both have changed and both are at a crossroads! As they heal from old wounds they have to decide if fate brought them together for their forever or to just play a cruel joke!
A sweet and sexy tale with all the romance of its French setting. Even in a dilapidated flat, Liz Fielding manages to make the emotion and the passion burn bright. It's a beautiful story and dare I say it, rather naughty too 😉
The chemistry between James and Chloe is delightful, the sex is passionate and the tale gripping and emotional. They have much to overcome together, their backstories are believable and make for a conflict that has you rooting for them to get together, but at the same time, you're not sure they ever will. You know they love each other, but the will they/won't they keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I loved the sites they visited, I loved the chateau and the way their careers were woven into their conflicts leading up to an ending that isn't just satisfyingly perfect, but also had me desperate for a sequel.
Please, please, please can we have Eloise's story!!! 🙏🏻
I started reading Harlequin category romances in my early teens. They’re not as long as many other books, so there isn’t as much time to get into a lot of complexity, but they’re still a comfort read for me. I like seeing what tropes they use and exploring how the author makes that trope shine.
Christmas Reunion in Paris hits on several I enjoy, especially second chances, one of my favorites. Chloe and James were boarding school sweethearts ten years earlier. We learn this much in the beginning with a blend of the past and present to bring us up to date. The early chapters even begin with news clippings and text conversations, a neat way to bring up what isn’t covered in the scene.
If this were the total of their past’s influence, my initial impression of being rushed would have held. I didn’t know how many critical details both Chloe and James had suppressed as they dealt with the shock of a chance meeting, each in their own way. Instead, we get a sense of who they were and who they are now, both because of their past and despite it. This forms the story’s grounding, while the rest is trickled in when appropriate.
Each time I thought I’d figured out the major obstacle they’d face in getting back together, another fragment, consequence, or influence of the past would add a new twist. At the final confrontation, though, everything came together and made sense. The block wasn’t easy to solve. If anything, it was harder to overcome because of all the pieces building the wall. Nothing felt pointless or drawn out. Each bit we learned either consciously or sub-consciously forms an almost impassable barrier.
I’m writing more about the plot than the characters because they are so tightly integrated that specific character notes would add up to spoilers. I enjoyed when Chloe and James relaxed and explored together, along with how the two of them sparked off each other’s creativity. As people, they had their rough spots, weaknesses they sometimes considered strengths, and so came to life on the page.
The novel develops along with the characters, offered a depth I wasn’t expecting in a quick comfort read, and addressing some weighty topics. Chloe and James are pushed to look within as well as for external sources of their problems. This creates moments of personal growth necessary for them to be ready to brace the future.
There were several open-door intimate scenes, with some level of detail, but nothing particularly graphic. The punctuation, and likely more, follows British English stands for those who care.
As a quick read, this story hit the spot, but there was more to it than a speedy love story. The theme beyond recovering lost love of loving what you do resonates, as does taking ownership of your life. I could list off the tropes used, but it’s what the author does with those that’s important, and I think Liz Fielding did quite well. It makes me curious about the rest of the series. I think I want to see more of James’ twin and their big brother, too.
P.S. I received this Advanced Readers’ Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
A meeting in a Paris hotel room is a new beginning, but also a significant reminder of the past. James Harrington is a celebrity chef with a Michelin starred restaurant and a family heritage of one of the best hotels in London. Chloe is working as a housekeeper in the hotel. From the moment that their eyes meet in the reflection in a huge window, they both instantly realise that fate has brought them together once more. The question of what they will do in the future is wrapped up in what has happened in the past. This is a romance which is more than simply two people meeting in different circumstances, more a case of an ongoing story of love in trying family circumstances. Set against the background of Paris in the tourist sites, but also the less well known parts of the city, this is a book which fits in a good sense of place amidst the narrative. Chloe and James are very effective and well drawn characters who have to fight against strong opposition as well as their own emotions to reach a conclusion. This is a romance with some strong themes of family pressure and circumstance which made this a good read. I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book.
The book opens with the fateful meeting in the hotel room, from which Chloe flees. James spares no effort in tracking her down, only to discover her in a terrible apartment. Their reunion is torrid, and leaves James assuming that he can take care of Chloe who has obviously turned her back on everyone she once knew. Chloe however is reluctant to become involved with a man who she once knew, but has moved on from in every way. As secrets are revealed and memories are revived, James becomes determined to sweep Chloe back to London and make her part of his life once more. She has been deeply traumatised by events which occurred when she was a teenager which were out of the control of either one of the couple, and cannot allow herself to be swept up into easy solutions. James knows about many of these traumatic events, but struggles to understand their effects on a woman he has not seen for several years.
This book on the surface is a contemporary romance set in Paris and the environs in which expensive meals and cookery are discussed. It has its moments of passion, and two main characters who are interesting and well drawn. It also makes some interesting points about the vulnerability of young women to family pressure, and the after effects of the trauma parents can inflict. Chloe emerges as a strong minded and independent young woman who is reluctant to be swept away by emotion and the offer of an easy life. James is slower on the uptake when assessing what she truly wants, partly because he too has memories of difficult times in his life. This is a well written romance with some nice touches and a good backstory, though handled with a light touch. I enjoyed the French setting and the observations on good food. I recommend it to fans of contemporary romance with different themes.
What more could you want in a story it is set in Paris, it is Christmas Time and written by the wonderful Liz Fielding who never disappoints me with one of her stories, this one is a second chance story that had me cheering Chloe and James on and getting a little cross with them as well, filled with emotion, this is a beautiful story I do hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did.
James Harrington is a celebrity chef and doing very well for himself, when he was younger him and the love of his life Chloe made plans for the future they were always going to be together and work hard at what they wanted to do, sadly life doesn’t always work out the way you want and circumstances change when Chloe is taken away from school and no matter how hard James tried there was nothing he could do to find Chloe, until eleven years later when he discovers Chloe making beds in his hotel, and that love was still there.
Chloe comes from a very wealthy family and at boarding school she meets the love of her life James, they had so many plans for their future, but her father changed all of that, she eventually got away from her dominating father and moved to Paris found work as a chambermaid and working in a bistro. But when she runs into James in an awkward position she is whisked away by James and ends up in a fabulous apartment and spending a lot of times with James and yes she loves him but she is not convinced they should be together.
There are a lot of ups and downs in this story a lot to talk about and come to terms with as Chloe makes a few decisions to finally be who she wants to be and James is determined to convince Chloe that they should be together for always. Will there be a second chance for them both?
Liz Fielding’s stories will pull you in her characters are fabulous her stories have emotion and lots of love and this one is one that I highly recommend. Thank You MS Fielding for another keeper.
If you are looking for a quick holiday romance with a happily ever after, then this is the perfect book for you. And to make it even better, it takes place in Paris - the city of love. James (Jay) Harrington is a celebrity chef from London who is spending some time in Paris on business. He never dreamed that he would run into Chloe at his luxury hotel. Before he can figure out what she is doing there or get a chance to talk to her, she is on the run from him. He doesn't want to risk losing her again. The girl he was madly in love with who disappeared from his life 10 years ago. Now Chloe is hiding out in Paris, working three jobs in order to support herself. Since her tyrant of a father sent her away and forbid her from seeing James again 10 years ago, she has distanced herself from her rich family and the spotlight that follows them around. What are the odds that while Chloe is cleaning one of the hotel rooms, James appears before her eyes, looking as handsome as he always did. Is she dreaming? Chloe has thought about James every day since she was forced to leave him, and now she's scared to tell him the truth about why she was made to leave. Thinking she is doing them both a favor, Chloe dashes away before James has a chance to speak with her. There is no denying that the chemistry between them is still burning hot, even after 10 years of being apart. But Chloe is hiding a secret from James. In his arms, she finally feels loved and safe. But she doesn't want to ruin his reputation and bright future with her tarnished past. Will James be able to convince her that love is worth the risk? You'll have to read it and find out for yourselves. I promise you'll love it!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a complimentary review copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I can’t quite believe this is the first book by Liz Fielding that I’ve read, looking at her back catalogue she has been bringing romance to her avid readers for years. I fell in love with this book; it’s a modern day romance within the ranks of high society that oozes with sexual tension.
Chloe and James were besotted with each other as teenagers but sadly life was to give them a cruel twist in their blossoming courtship and they were pulled apart. Ten years on and a chance encounter brings the pair back together again however, they are no longer young, crazy in love teenagers they are adults that have lived through many emotional hardships.
Chloe and James are both from privileged families but Chloe escaped this lifestyle to try and gain ownership of her life, a life that she has never had control over. Chloe lives in a small flat in Paris with few luxuries and is working 3 jobs to keep afloat. Since Chloe and James parted James has managed to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional chef however, he’s felt something was missing from his life and when he meets Chloe again he realises that she is the key to his happiness.
This first encounter again after ten years is fuelled by pent up emotions and desires run away with them. James believes he has found his happy ever after and starts rushing ahead planning for the future. Sadly, Chloe suffered greatly from the hands of her controlling father and she needs to learn to rise above this confinement her father has held on her. For Chloe to move forward she has to look back and face her fears.
A story of lost loves rediscovering each other filled with culinary delights, culture and festive fun. Christmas Reunion in Paris is romantic, sexy and is a glorious escapism read. I can’t wait to read more stories set in the exclusive Harrington Park Hotel.
Who can resist Christmas in Paris? I’m always a sucker for a second chance romance and Chloe and James’ story is sweet and charming with a tragic past.
Chloe is an heiress who has been controlled all of her life, but she left her asinine father and weak mother years ago to live in Paris. In her own apartment. Making her own money working three jobs. Her decision was brave and necessary to become her own woman and move on from a distressing past. Now the man she loved passionately as a teenager has found her and wants her in his life again but at what price? James has his own successful life as an executive chef in London and she has her life in Paris. She will not compromise her happiness and be told what to do or told where to go again. There is no future for them when their dreams are in two different countries.
There is no doubt Chloe and James love each other. It’s in the way they touch. It’s in the way they finish each other’s sentences. It’s in the way they had no one else in their lives for the 10 years they were apart. I was thrilled when Chloe finally confronted her past and I was impressed with James’ reflection on mending fences in his family as well as reflecting on what he really wanted for his own future. They are very accepting and loving characters and one cannot help but fall in love with them. Kudos to James’ twin sister, Sally, for her unwavering support and giving her brother another woman’s perspective on his situation.
Overall, this is a beautiful romance that is meant to be with lovely characters and enchanting settings. I just had one issue with a disturbing event (don’t want to give it away) that happened when Chloe was young. I felt that something could have been done to rectify it.
Thank you to Ms. Fielding for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
And now I know why Liz Fielding’s writing is loved by so many. Just 166 Kindle pages, but this was a story packed with emotion, with wonderfully developed characters, a stunning and well drawn background, and the very finest of storytelling.
James has achieved the pinnacle of success as a chef with the family-owned Harrington Hotel, but his life has always been tinged with sadness since the loss of his first love Chloe. Forced apart by her family, he believed her to be lost to him forever – until a chance meeting at a Paris boutique hotel where she’s working as a chambermaid. She flees, but he tracks her down – and finds that her life has followed a very different trajectory from his own, with real sadness in the intervening years. They catch up on their past in a Paris setting they enjoy rediscovering together – who could fail to be enchanted by that at Christmas? – but their new relationship falters when he fails to realise that he is beginning to organise her life in the same way her father did, and that a different approach is needed.
There’s a considerable heat to the relationship immediately after their meeting – I hadn’t expected that, but I liked it very much. But I also very much enjoyed their more tentative approach to each other that followed – the more gentle courting, rediscovering each other and their former relationship, the tenderness and slow build as they come to terms with being very different people from their former selves. The background to their stories is superbly done too – their shared and separate histories, the issues that forced them apart, the family relationships that have shaped both their lives.
The story’s setting was everything I could possibly wish for, first Paris itself with its particular romantic magic (and all that wonderful food!), then a stay at the Chateau Bernier St-Fleury in the snow with their shared story taking a few more twists and turns and the addition of a few really well drawn supporting characters with their own stories.
I loved every moment of this book – the romance (oh, the romance!), the moments of sadness and conflict, the part played by family, the complex history, the glorious settings – and its ending was simply perfect. I’m so delighted I chose to read this book, discovered the author’s quite wonderful writing, and I’d unreservedly recommend the experience to others.
Michelin starred celebrity chef Jay, is trying to revive his family’s business at the Harrington Park Hotel with the help of his brother and sister. While he is in Paris looking for a new head chef, he is astonished to run into his first love Chloe working as a maid at the hotel where is he staying. The pair fell in love ten years ago while they were still at school, but were forced apart by Chloe’s controlling father, who had made arrangements for Chloe to marry into a wealthy and powerful family. Jay can’t understand why Chloe would be working as a maid when surely she must be very wealthy?
As he learns the truth of what has happened to Chloe since they parted he is devastated and vows to look after her from now on. But even though they still love each other and the chemistry is definitely still there, do they want the same things in life and will it work out second time around?
I really enjoyed this festive romance and I especially loved the Parisian setting as it’s somewhere I have always wanted to visit. It was wonderful following the couple sightseeing and dining through Paris at Christmas time as the characters take us on an emotional journey. Jay’s character was kind and caring and it was heartwarming to see how he wanted to take care of Chloe but his tendency to take control was his downfall, as he underestimates her strength of character and determination. One of the best things about this book is seeing Chloe stand up for herself and follow her own dreams after all the heartbreak that she has suffered.
I was left feeling very warm and fuzzy, yet slightly envious at the ending, so if anyone needs me, you’ll find me on Rightmove searching for a reasonably priced Chateaux.
Liz Fielding’s Christmas Reunion in Paris, published in 2020, is a Harlequin category romance. It’s about 252 pages in length, in large print.
This story is about a young English couple, James and Chloe, who attended a public school together - the British version of private - and fell in love. The young girl’s family was from the upper class and wasn’t pleased with the relationship. However, she ends up pregnant. The young man wants to marry her, but her parents whisk her away and she’s unable to leave word with the young man. Ten years later, the young man is now a well-known chef. He and his two siblings are trying to reopen a notable London hotel that had been in their family for years. As he’s scouting in Paris for a chef to run the hotel’s kitchen, he finds himself confronted with his old love, who’s inexplicably working as a maid in the Paris hotel he’s staying at. She runs off before he can talk with her, but he’s determined to track her down and find out what happened to her and their child.
If you’re looking for a short, cute, and emotional love story, Christmas Reunion in Paris is for you! The book itself is about 190 pages but features a surprising amount of twists and turns that are sure to pull on your heart strings.
This being my first experience with a short romance novel, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What I imagined was a story about a romantic reunion over a short weekend and what I got was so much more. Christmas Reunion in Paris managed to cover years worth of trauma, drama, and emotion in such a short amount of pages, something I didn’t even know was possible.
That being said, there were a few times where I felt like new information was being consistently thrown at us in a way that often got me mixed up between what was currently happening and what was a recollection of previous events. Throughout the book I was often getting sneak peeks into past events that I wanted to know so much more about. I would love to see this book evolve into either a 300-400 page novel or a 2-hour movie that I would definitely binge watch every Christmas.
Thank you to Liz Fielding and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
After bumping into each other, quite literally, in a luxury hotel both Chloe and James were shocked to see each other. I'm not quite sure who more so! But Chloe's embarrassment of being spotted as a chambermaid lead to her legging it out of the room and hotel before James could barely say a word. Of course he set about trying to find her pretty soon though as in all good romance stories. But this isn't your typical romance and life doesn't go that way... or does it?
When I read the synopsis and saw the cover I felt that this book would have really strong Christmas vibes and would feel a bit like a hallmark movie. Unfortunately it didn't and it kind of lacked that sense of Christmas for me. It was much more focused on Chloe and James, which I know most readers will really like. There isn't a distraction from the main story and you are involved in their lives from the get go.
There was just something about James that I didn't like after a few chapters in and I felt myself worrying for Chloe and that something bad was going to happen. Even in the end I still wasn't completely settled and felt that a bit more 'boom' could have happened.
Don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy this book, and I loved the short chapters, the character descriptions and how focused the story was but it just wasn't what I was expecting.
Chloe has been running away from her past for a long time but a chance meeting with James, her first love, makes her realise she’s become stuck in a rut. James is the last person she expects to see at the hotel where she works in Paris and her first instinct is to run, again, but James is determined she won’t get away from him this time. It is obvious they both still have feelings for each other, and I was worried it might turn out to be nothing much more than a heat-of-the-moment, passionate reunion, I was very wrong.
In this heart-breaking story, Liz Fielding made me feel the pain, hurt and anger that Chloe has bottled up from the trauma in her past. She also conveys the fiery passion that sparks between James and Chloe on their reunion. It may not be an easy road ahead for them, but the time they have together in Paris and in the Loire, in the run up to Christmas, is just the catalyst needed to make changes for their futures.
This book has lot to offer for a quick getaway to Paris and now the nights are drawing in, it’s the perfect time to dive right in and enjoy a bit of festive magic and passion.
Loved this story and the characters - James Harrington and Chloe Forbes Scott - had a story that had a real life struggle, something that "real people" may need to deal with in their lifetimes. Well, minus the wealth part, at least for me. Seriously, though, I loved James. He was such a caring, loving man and he was head over heels in love with Chloe. He had family struggles to overcome, in his background, so the road to an HEA had both he and Chloe trying to come to terms with their lives.
Chloe has a whopper of a father. Let's just say Ms. Fielding wrote this character perfectly - yes, I loathed him. And yes, he deserved it, imho. Chloe has her own troubled background, especially dealing with her family, and she needed to work thru much before she could begin to think in terms of an HEA.
But an HEA does happen, I don't think that's much of a spoiler. These two had a touching, loving, sometimes very sad story but apart from the wealth part - it could happen to anyone. Loved it and looking forward to the next books in this trilogy.
A breathtaking reunion! With the first book in the exciting new Christmas at the Harrington Park Hotel trilogy, Liz Fielding spins a magical tale of reconnection and healing when celebrity chef James Harrington stumbles across his first love working as a chambermaid at his family's luxury hotel. The characters are divine and their story is swoon worthy. I'm looking forward to book two by Kandy Shepherd, coming soon!
James has his mind on business and family when he stumbles across the one that got away and instant spark reignites them instantly. He's a good hearted character and easy to sympathize with.
Chloe has learned that struggling to survive is a way of life when you're out on your own, and seeing James again just reminds her of why she's doing it. An over-controlling family got in the way of her happiness once and she won't allow it to happen again.
I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a reunion with secrets to uncover and love to relearn. I'm looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.
True love is never easy, and Chloe and James' path to happy-ever-after is full of angst and conflict. Teenage lovers, they were torn apart by Chloe's father who only thought of himself, and his reputation.
The reunion for this ill-fated couple is unexpected and paves the way for a second chance romance but do they still want the same things? James has a lesson to learn, Chloe needs to face her past, and both need luck and support.
There are festive trips in Paris which are romantic and lull the reader into thinking they will fall into each other arms forever, but this is more realistic, and both have to work hard for what they want. The characters are flawed, relatable and easy to empathise. The Parisian setting is romantic and vibrant, and the ending is worthy of their emotional journey.
This is a lovely romantic story with a festive twist.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This romance is the first in a trilogy of books which are in the Harrington Park Hotel series. Centred around James and Chloe, the story starts with their chance meeting in Paris. As you discover, they share a history and this becomes a 'will they, won't they? second chance story. It features some beautiful parts of Paris and further afield. You get a sense of the Paris the tourists see. Although James and Chloe have a glamorous background, they seem down to earth and hard working.
Despite its title, this is one of those books which is set near Christmas but is not overly festive. It is very much concentrated on James and Chloe's family background. Chloe, in particular, develops as a character and has to face some demons from her past. It is an enjoyable, light romance which is great to while away a wintry weekend.
Young love is torn apart by her controlling parents. Chloe met James (Jay) when she was at boarding school. When her parents found out she was pregnant they took her out of school, away from Jay, and the only way they would allow her to not terminate the pregnancy was if she would agree to put the baby up for adoption. One day she was holding her baby and the next it was snatched away from her arms.
Fast forward a few years and Chloe meets Jay again when she is cleaning up his hotel room. The shock that his princess was working as a maid makes him bribe a fellow employee to find her. She left her controlling family behind and was working 2-3 jobs in order to live in Paris. Even though they find their way back to each other they find that they need to work through many obstacles in their past and their current path in order to move forward.
Chloe is working three jobs since she has totally distanced herself from her wealthy parents. Living with them is impossible and what they forced her to do year before is unforgivable. How the past cannot be forgotten is something she lives with every day. Her love for James and her hurt are constant. Never expecting that she would be cleaning a room in a hotel and find James there. He has achieved all he wanted as a michelin Chef but he too always loved Chloe and tried to find her over the years. Ms. Fielding writes a very sad story but a lovely one also. Finding your love after so many years and across London and Paris won't give away any more as it is truly worth reading and all I say is yes it has a great HEA. don't miss this one.
CHRISTMAS REUNION IN PARIS (Christmas at the Harrington Park Hotel Book 1) by author Liz Fielding is a September 2020 release by Harlequin Romance series. Chloe was speechless when she came face to face with James Harrington after so many years. She had lost everything she held dear when she lost him. Her life was never the same. But now, face to face with him, she doesn’t have the words. James goes to her flat to confront her. What would he do when he hears her secrets now? CHRISTMAS REUNION IN PARIS is an engrossing story. Author Liz Fielding wove this heart-warming tale and brought to it the pages. This story took me back to Paris and the romance of it. Readers would stay hooked to the story till the end. Highly recommended for all readers.
This is a story of two young lovers parted by a manipulative parent whose ambition for his daughter did not include her falling in love, or falling pregnant whilst still a teenager. Our couple meet by accident a decade later, neither having ever really moved on from the calamitous events that parted them. But when they cross paths in Paris, it opens a door to the past that shines a light on more than just the possibility of a future together. Liz Fielding is a master story teller - you end up rooting for her characters even when you think they will never be able to resolve their differences. Five stars!
James Harrington, a professional chef, was shocked to see Chloe, again. His first love. He couldn’t believe she was a chambermaid working in his luxury hotel. Instant attraction. She was the one who got away. She had lost everything. Her life wasn’t the same, anymore.Chloe has a secret. How will he feel when he learns it? Can they have a second chance? She hides from her father. She’s afraid he will do something to James, like ruin him. Will she stand up to her father? No more running away? Loved it. Awesome read