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Love & Other Lessons
A young American woman arrives in Paris to change her life.
A young Englishman living in Paris needs to change his.
A chance encounter will change them both forever.
After Cora Harlowe arrives home early one day and learns the life she’d been living was not as she’d believed, she escapes to Paris to regroup. She’s always wanted to visit the city and had hoped to honeymoon there. But things didn’t work out that way.
Now she’s alone in the City of Light, the City of Love, trying to decide if she can make an expatriate life work, or if she’s merely on a honeymoon alone.
Oliver Ward, a dual citizen of France and England, has been living in Paris for years, regularly entertaining his assorted American friends from his days at university in the States. The youngest son of an English marquess, he’s been living the self-indulgent life of the idly rich, but lately that life has lost much of its luster, and he knows he needs to do, and be, more. To be better. Trouble is, he doesn’t know how.
Cora and Oliver meet on a tour of the Eiffel Tower. The attraction is instantaneous, and they spend an evening together made for fairy tales. But they will both have to learn who they are for themselves, and for each other, before their tale can find its happy ending.
A young Englishman living in Paris needs to change his.
A chance encounter will change them both forever.
After Cora Harlowe arrives home early one day and learns the life she’d been living was not as she’d believed, she escapes to Paris to regroup. She’s always wanted to visit the city and had hoped to honeymoon there. But things didn’t work out that way.
Now she’s alone in the City of Light, the City of Love, trying to decide if she can make an expatriate life work, or if she’s merely on a honeymoon alone.
Oliver Ward, a dual citizen of France and England, has been living in Paris for years, regularly entertaining his assorted American friends from his days at university in the States. The youngest son of an English marquess, he’s been living the self-indulgent life of the idly rich, but lately that life has lost much of its luster, and he knows he needs to do, and be, more. To be better. Trouble is, he doesn’t know how.
Cora and Oliver meet on a tour of the Eiffel Tower. The attraction is instantaneous, and they spend an evening together made for fairy tales. But they will both have to learn who they are for themselves, and for each other, before their tale can find its happy ending.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2021
22 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Susan Fanetti
84 books1,419 followersI was born and raised in the Midwest, but I was transplanted into the dusty soil of Northern California and have apparently taken root there. An inveterate geek and gamer, I am a fan of many things considered pop culture and maybe even lowbrow.
As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I've found my home in romance--or perhaps it's better to say simply "love stories." I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.
I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that's just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.
I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.
Likewise, I want my stories each to be distinct from the others. Once I’ve told a story, I don’t want to tell it again. So even within a series, one of my books might be very different from the next. Some might be very dark, others equally mild.
That isn’t to say there aren’t trends and recurrences in my work. I’m drawn to certain themes and settings, and my muse has her favorite toys and tools. But I guard against those tendencies becoming a formula.
Find my blog at www.susanfanetti.com
Find my FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanf...
A note: I don't spend much time here on Goodreads. I try not to read any reviews of my own work. Besides, this is a site for readers, but since I write at a fairly manic pace, and read and edit for other writers, I don't have much time to read recreationally. Mainly, I log on to update my info. So if you message me here, it might be a while before I see it.
As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I've found my home in romance--or perhaps it's better to say simply "love stories." I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.
I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that's just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.
I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.
Likewise, I want my stories each to be distinct from the others. Once I’ve told a story, I don’t want to tell it again. So even within a series, one of my books might be very different from the next. Some might be very dark, others equally mild.
That isn’t to say there aren’t trends and recurrences in my work. I’m drawn to certain themes and settings, and my muse has her favorite toys and tools. But I guard against those tendencies becoming a formula.
Find my blog at www.susanfanetti.com
Find my FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanf...
A note: I don't spend much time here on Goodreads. I try not to read any reviews of my own work. Besides, this is a site for readers, but since I write at a fairly manic pace, and read and edit for other writers, I don't have much time to read recreationally. Mainly, I log on to update my info. So if you message me here, it might be a while before I see it.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 2, 2021
I loved starting off the New Year in Paris. I felt like I was there with the character watching the lights on the Eiffel Tower at night. It felt very magical. The descriptions in Love & Other Lessons were the best for transporting you to Paris.
______
After multiple life-crushing circumstances Cora, an American, hops a plane with a one-way ticket to Paris. "I haven't decided yet whether I'm taking a break from my life or starting a new one." ~Cora
Oliver is a dual citizen of France and England and is currently living in France. "My mother is French. She married an Englishman. Their children, four sons, of whom I am the youngest, all hold dual citizenship." ~Oliver
Cora & Oliver's meet cute isn't one that made Cora's heart swoon but instead the opposite. Oliver's former college mates come to Paris for a wild week. The guys sign up for a tour of the Effiel Tower and so does the new-to-town Cora. The guys were obnoxious and annoyed everyone on the tour. At that point, it became a time of reflection for Oliver to see how the others on tour with them reacted to their shenanigans.
Cora & Oliver, sort of, start out as enemies. Maybe not enemies but Cora really doesn't want anything to do with any of these unpleasant guys.
I liked watching Oliver change her mind. Their road to romance is like a modern-day fairy tale. Like all fairy tales, there are ups and downs that make the story intriguing.
Read this STANDALONE! If you love contemporary romance and traveling to another country you're in for a treat with this book.
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
Pre-order (releases on January 2, 2021): https://amzn.to/2KmcGlu
January 1, 2021
5+ "A heretofore comatose knight in shining armor..." Stars
A contemporary, stand alone, love story from my favorite author? Set in Paris? Yes, Please! Susan Fanetti kicks the New Year off right with the aptly titled Love & Other Lessons. It's a soothing sort of "insta-connection" yet slow burn romance featuring two people out of their element in their own ways learning from each other and understanding the important life lessons that lead to ever lasting love.
It's a journey of self-discovery for our heroine, Cora. This woman finds herself at a crossroads in life and rather than choosing a path of least resistance she embarks on a soul searching journey to find out of what she's made. I loved this leading lady. So much of her plight resonated with me deeply. Her sassy yet shy personality showcases unique vulnerabilities but also allows her courage and conviction to shine.
Oliver, our hero, finds himself stymied on a trajectory he didn't know wasn't fulfilling him. The lengths this characters goes towards a deeper life is a great journey for readers. We see a full spectrum of personality and growth from this one. His avoidance of vulnerabilities and ultimate acceptance of them made me just love him.
"Sometimes you have to do what's right for you first, and worry about other people later."
This quote, to me, represents this beautiful story so acutely. This book is about two adults growing up and realizing how to best feed their own souls while leaning on each other. As with all Susan Fanetti stories, it's told with an honest, thoughtful, and introspective voice that affords readers the amazing gift of being so attuned to the characters and their journeys. At the same time, the Parisian setting is a living, breathing character in the story. The way Paris shapes both of these characters is truly important not only to the context and development of the story but to the growth of them both. Love & Other Lessons helped reinforce some hope in me at the start of this New Year. It made me feel from beginning to end.
**Love & Other Lessons generously provided.**
January 15, 2021
4.5 stars
This was my first new read of 2021, and a fantastic start to the year. I loved watching the journey of both Cora and Oliver, together and apart. Of course, the setting in Paris was delightful, and a nice extra escape especially in the current times. Oliver's family was terrible, but what I liked about this book was that the focus was much more on the effects of the family on who Oliver is and how he reacts to things in his life, and not much actual moments of his family on the page with their horrible actions. That made it much more enjoyable for me.
Both of these main characters are finding their selves in some way and figuring out their lives, but they had a wonderful love story as well. This a true contemporary romance, and if you've read other Susan Fanetti books, this is very much different in tone than her other writing, with no real harsh scenes, violence or triggers or anything like that. I highly recommend this lovely escape to Paris.
This was my first new read of 2021, and a fantastic start to the year. I loved watching the journey of both Cora and Oliver, together and apart. Of course, the setting in Paris was delightful, and a nice extra escape especially in the current times. Oliver's family was terrible, but what I liked about this book was that the focus was much more on the effects of the family on who Oliver is and how he reacts to things in his life, and not much actual moments of his family on the page with their horrible actions. That made it much more enjoyable for me.
Both of these main characters are finding their selves in some way and figuring out their lives, but they had a wonderful love story as well. This a true contemporary romance, and if you've read other Susan Fanetti books, this is very much different in tone than her other writing, with no real harsh scenes, violence or triggers or anything like that. I highly recommend this lovely escape to Paris.
January 11, 2021
I had never read anything by Susan Fanetti until this one caught my eye. It certainly convinced me to give others on her backlist a look-see.
Paris welcomes readers to the City of Love in this contemporary standalone. The author provides a grand tour while guiding us through the sights, smells and sounds of Paris bringing it to life in its own characterization.
As the title suggests, this book offers a love story, along with lessons of self-discovery for both main characters. Both Cora and Oliver are easy-to-love characters. A little quirky and not your run-of-the-mill hook-ups. They're close to being opposites who attract. Both surprised, delighted and captivated me in their individual ways and as a couple.
Beautifully written and brimming with raw honesty and emotion, this book captured my heart. This is the type of book where you live within the pages and share the full experience. The characters are realistically portrayed – ones who aren’t warm and fuzzy all the time, but who doubt themselves and question the decisions they have made and those they’ll make down the road. Make no mistake -- the author captured the details with true spirit and vision.
The right book at just the right time. This book went beyond my expectations.
February 14, 2021
Talk about a romantic story set in the city of romance
Sweet and adorable h arrives in Paris without informing her family, looking to make a different life
Meets otherwise wonderful H who is rather immature and aimless in his life
We see the duality of H's character, an otherwise wonderful guy who had an explosive temper and a habit of drinking too much and had quite a few weaknesses ...
Not SF's usual H; she is known for her alpha H's ... this one was more beta ...
A large part of the story is devoted to their love, conflicts make up a small part but these are explosive parts ...
The resolution happens off page; we are told that he will work to change and we see the changed version in the epilogue; maybe a little less of their romance and more of seeing H grow up ...
nevertheless, SF brings Paris alive on the pages of this book ... and that I enjoyed so much ..
Sweet and adorable h arrives in Paris without informing her family, looking to make a different life
Meets otherwise wonderful H who is rather immature and aimless in his life
We see the duality of H's character, an otherwise wonderful guy who had an explosive temper and a habit of drinking too much and had quite a few weaknesses ...
Not SF's usual H; she is known for her alpha H's ... this one was more beta ...
A large part of the story is devoted to their love, conflicts make up a small part but these are explosive parts ...
The resolution happens off page; we are told that he will work to change and we see the changed version in the epilogue; maybe a little less of their romance and more of seeing H grow up ...
nevertheless, SF brings Paris alive on the pages of this book ... and that I enjoyed so much ..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2021
Profoundly thoughtful and heartwrenchingly romantic
So, this was the first book I read in 2021 and what a balm it was for my weary soul. Susan Fanetti is one of my favorite indie authors, and I guess it has its perks when you are not bound by the publishing schedule of a traditional house that decrees that Tuesdays are the best/most conventional day for a new release.
If you are new to Susan Fanetti, this would actually be a great book to start as it is a contemporary romance and a standalone, and despite being emotional, a bit angsty (but not to the degree that you are tempted to smack some sense into the heroine – or in this case – the hero) and containing its share of heartbreak, it’s actually much less dark than most of her other books. Still, I could not put it down and read it in one sitting.
After losing her job as a college admin and a bad break up with her boyfriend who she thought would become her fiancé, Cora liquidates her wedding fund (and basically her life in St. Louis) and flies to Paris, a city she has longed to see ever since she fell in love with it through her favorite childhood stories. When she finally gets to go on a tour of the Eiffel Tower, she meets Oliver, an English bloke who is there with some friends from his college days in the US, but they are well on the way to being three sheets to the wind and are acting rather obnoxiously, like typical American frat boys instead of grown men. But seeing himself and his friends through the eyes of Cora and the rest of the tour participants gives Oliver quite a jolt. When Cora almost has a breakdown being squeezed into an elevator (she is a bit claustrophobic), Oliver helps her out and afterward apologizes profusely for his own behavior and that of his mates. They end up having dinner together and spending an magical evening, and afterwards part without getting each others number, both of them somehow afraid to spoil this one magical encounter, though they both come to regret it as they each feel that there was this spark between them that could have developed into something more.
Weeks later after Cora has managed to sort out her work situation, found a tiny apartment and Oliver has looked in vain for Cora in all the places she told him she wanted to explore, their paths unexpectectly cross again. What in the beginning seems more like a holiday romance soon becomes more serious, although Cora and Oliver don’t seem to move out the same speed. And despite the fact of how absolutely gorgeous Oliver is and how easy he seems to be on the surface, Cora soon discovers that Oliver harbors some serious childhood traumata and as a result has distanced himself from his own feelings. And despite making progress in their relationship, things come to a head, when Oliver invites Cora to visit his ancestral home (which is no less than a castle) for his parents’ annual Christmas ball…. but never fear, there is a happy ending, but not before the two main protagonists (mainly the hero in this case) have to overcome quite a bit of obstacles, not the least of it being his feelings which he has suppressed for so long, because being emotionally involved was just too painful.
I loved everything about this book: aside from it being a sweetly romantic love story, it is also an ode to Paris: you get the sights and the smells, the history and culture, and moreover, the spirit of this remarkable city. The crumbling grandeur of Oliver’s apartment that he inherited from his grandmother stands as a metaphor that invokes the heyday of this great metropole when it was the intellectual and artistic center of the world where all the modernists flocked in the 20s and 30s. Like Belle in the fairy tale, Cora (an English major) is seduced by Oliver’s library, and their evening stroll along the Seine the well-versed cineaste recognizes as a hommage to «Before Sunrise» (I seem to remember Susan Fanetti saying that was one of her inspirations for this story). And last but not least I also like how the book once again probes philosophical issues like the contemporary strain of anti-feminism (or rather anti-genderism) as exemplified by the life choices Oliver’s mother has made.
An outstanding romance, that manages to be profoundly thoughtful and heart-wrenchingly romantic at the same time.
So, this was the first book I read in 2021 and what a balm it was for my weary soul. Susan Fanetti is one of my favorite indie authors, and I guess it has its perks when you are not bound by the publishing schedule of a traditional house that decrees that Tuesdays are the best/most conventional day for a new release.
If you are new to Susan Fanetti, this would actually be a great book to start as it is a contemporary romance and a standalone, and despite being emotional, a bit angsty (but not to the degree that you are tempted to smack some sense into the heroine – or in this case – the hero) and containing its share of heartbreak, it’s actually much less dark than most of her other books. Still, I could not put it down and read it in one sitting.
After losing her job as a college admin and a bad break up with her boyfriend who she thought would become her fiancé, Cora liquidates her wedding fund (and basically her life in St. Louis) and flies to Paris, a city she has longed to see ever since she fell in love with it through her favorite childhood stories. When she finally gets to go on a tour of the Eiffel Tower, she meets Oliver, an English bloke who is there with some friends from his college days in the US, but they are well on the way to being three sheets to the wind and are acting rather obnoxiously, like typical American frat boys instead of grown men. But seeing himself and his friends through the eyes of Cora and the rest of the tour participants gives Oliver quite a jolt. When Cora almost has a breakdown being squeezed into an elevator (she is a bit claustrophobic), Oliver helps her out and afterward apologizes profusely for his own behavior and that of his mates. They end up having dinner together and spending an magical evening, and afterwards part without getting each others number, both of them somehow afraid to spoil this one magical encounter, though they both come to regret it as they each feel that there was this spark between them that could have developed into something more.
Weeks later after Cora has managed to sort out her work situation, found a tiny apartment and Oliver has looked in vain for Cora in all the places she told him she wanted to explore, their paths unexpectectly cross again. What in the beginning seems more like a holiday romance soon becomes more serious, although Cora and Oliver don’t seem to move out the same speed. And despite the fact of how absolutely gorgeous Oliver is and how easy he seems to be on the surface, Cora soon discovers that Oliver harbors some serious childhood traumata and as a result has distanced himself from his own feelings. And despite making progress in their relationship, things come to a head, when Oliver invites Cora to visit his ancestral home (which is no less than a castle) for his parents’ annual Christmas ball…. but never fear, there is a happy ending, but not before the two main protagonists (mainly the hero in this case) have to overcome quite a bit of obstacles, not the least of it being his feelings which he has suppressed for so long, because being emotionally involved was just too painful.
I loved everything about this book: aside from it being a sweetly romantic love story, it is also an ode to Paris: you get the sights and the smells, the history and culture, and moreover, the spirit of this remarkable city. The crumbling grandeur of Oliver’s apartment that he inherited from his grandmother stands as a metaphor that invokes the heyday of this great metropole when it was the intellectual and artistic center of the world where all the modernists flocked in the 20s and 30s. Like Belle in the fairy tale, Cora (an English major) is seduced by Oliver’s library, and their evening stroll along the Seine the well-versed cineaste recognizes as a hommage to «Before Sunrise» (I seem to remember Susan Fanetti saying that was one of her inspirations for this story). And last but not least I also like how the book once again probes philosophical issues like the contemporary strain of anti-feminism (or rather anti-genderism) as exemplified by the life choices Oliver’s mother has made.
An outstanding romance, that manages to be profoundly thoughtful and heart-wrenchingly romantic at the same time.
May 25, 2021
Oliver’s a very intense hero. He has real issues, but at heart he’s the good man Cora sees and falls in love with. It’s lovely to see these two get together, to watch as Oliver struggles to change and grow, as he genuinely wishes to do. And whilst on the surface things seems perfect for a time, Oliver’s expectation he’s bound to ruin things eventually becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I like this author’s writing style, she builds in so much emotion. She writes a lovely reunion between Oliver and Cora, when they part company after one night and then spend weeks trying to find each other. And there’s this passage, for example:
He was talking too much, saying too much. All of his synapses fired wildly. Half of them were trying to get him to abort, to flee, this was madness, he hardly knew her, why was he unzipping his chest and shoving his bloody heart at her? The other half were lost in the sight of her gazing up at him as if he emitted holy light. Ah, this girl, this girl. Why would he run when she might be everything he’d ever wanted - when she was defining what he wanted while they stood in this shadowy, chilly breezeway?
At times Oliver could behave very badly. But like Cora the reader always understands why and I, for one, never stopped rooting for him, or wanting things to work out for them.
In fact, their story drew me right in, and the Paris setting was fabulous. I would read this one again sometime.
I like this author’s writing style, she builds in so much emotion. She writes a lovely reunion between Oliver and Cora, when they part company after one night and then spend weeks trying to find each other. And there’s this passage, for example:
He was talking too much, saying too much. All of his synapses fired wildly. Half of them were trying to get him to abort, to flee, this was madness, he hardly knew her, why was he unzipping his chest and shoving his bloody heart at her? The other half were lost in the sight of her gazing up at him as if he emitted holy light. Ah, this girl, this girl. Why would he run when she might be everything he’d ever wanted - when she was defining what he wanted while they stood in this shadowy, chilly breezeway?
At times Oliver could behave very badly. But like Cora the reader always understands why and I, for one, never stopped rooting for him, or wanting things to work out for them.
In fact, their story drew me right in, and the Paris setting was fabulous. I would read this one again sometime.
January 26, 2021
One of my favorite things about a Susan Fanetti book, regardless of the genre, is you get two main characters who are completely devoted to one another. They go through their shit, but they go through it together. This book is not different. A lot lighter than some of Fanetti's other books, but every bit as good.
July 7, 2021
I loved this book. I loved Paris and Oliver. I thought Cora was delightful. She deserved a HEA with a better man, Oliver.
I've read over 200 books this year and this book stands out as the writing I enjoy reading. I'm sure I'll reread in the future.
I've read over 200 books this year and this book stands out as the writing I enjoy reading. I'm sure I'll reread in the future.
Want to read
December 15, 2020Check out the preview on the author's website: https://susanfanetti.com/.../21/reveal-love-other-lessons/
February 6, 2021
[2.5 stars] it was a pretty good read actually, the plot and the flow wasn't too bad.
however, i think if the heroine showed a much stronger character i would have like it more. she is not weak technically since she simply just bought a ticket and flew to paris to try and see if she can start a new life.
for example, the hero had hurt her really badly when she accompany him back to england for christmas event. so the heroine was soooo hurt that she flew back to america. the author wrote from heroine's pov that "there was a line between being patient and being a doormat, and if she forgive him for christmas, she'd cross that line".
but when the hero flew to america to look for her, and appear at the door of her parents house, she just broke down and cry. i mean she didn't lose her temper, didn't yell at him, didn't do anything exceptional to make me feel like she is really pissed at him, she's way too calm to be honest. and after some explanations from the hero, she just forgive him.
i wish the above part had been written differently which i feel would have make a vast difference as the "doormat" comment and her actions kind of contradicts a little bit.
however, i think if the heroine showed a much stronger character i would have like it more. she is not weak technically since she simply just bought a ticket and flew to paris to try and see if she can start a new life.
for example, the hero had hurt her really badly when she accompany him back to england for christmas event. so the heroine was soooo hurt that she flew back to america. the author wrote from heroine's pov that "there was a line between being patient and being a doormat, and if she forgive him for christmas, she'd cross that line".
but when the hero flew to america to look for her, and appear at the door of her parents house, she just broke down and cry. i mean she didn't lose her temper, didn't yell at him, didn't do anything exceptional to make me feel like she is really pissed at him, she's way too calm to be honest. and after some explanations from the hero, she just forgive him.
i wish the above part had been written differently which i feel would have make a vast difference as the "doormat" comment and her actions kind of contradicts a little bit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2024
4.25 STARS
I LOVE these very well researched international books🗺️🌍. This one is about France🗼(my favorite of the series). Apparently Susan Fanetti is VERY well traveled💺✈️!
I LOVE these very well researched international books🗺️🌍. This one is about France🗼(my favorite of the series). Apparently Susan Fanetti is VERY well traveled💺✈️!
January 6, 2021
Incredibly delightful!
Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! The perfect grown up pretty woman fairy tale with real life angst.
Heartbreakingly beautiful. This from a woman who has always believed in fairy tales and Santa Claus so beware lol.
Cora and Oliver’s love was tangible. I loved it because it was a fairy tale at times the angst was also tangible. I felt for Oliver. At the same time it brought to life the real damage a parent/family can do when emotionally abusing them. Cora was Oliver’s lodestar. She brought him back to life in so many ways until he came to truly know and understand himself.
The banter between Cora and Oliver was humorous and refreshingly honest. Cora did not hold back in calling Oliver out when necessary. Oliver’s reaction was at times defensive but eventually healing.
The side characters were amazing and enjoyable. Especially Oliver’s grand-mere. I feel like she was someone I know and miss. A great talent Susan has with all her characters.
Susan’s books are an automatic ‘buy’ for me. And you did not disappoint on this beautiful novella. The only regret was that it ended too soon...
Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! The perfect grown up pretty woman fairy tale with real life angst.
Heartbreakingly beautiful. This from a woman who has always believed in fairy tales and Santa Claus so beware lol.
Cora and Oliver’s love was tangible. I loved it because it was a fairy tale at times the angst was also tangible. I felt for Oliver. At the same time it brought to life the real damage a parent/family can do when emotionally abusing them. Cora was Oliver’s lodestar. She brought him back to life in so many ways until he came to truly know and understand himself.
The banter between Cora and Oliver was humorous and refreshingly honest. Cora did not hold back in calling Oliver out when necessary. Oliver’s reaction was at times defensive but eventually healing.
The side characters were amazing and enjoyable. Especially Oliver’s grand-mere. I feel like she was someone I know and miss. A great talent Susan has with all her characters.
Susan’s books are an automatic ‘buy’ for me. And you did not disappoint on this beautiful novella. The only regret was that it ended too soon...
February 15, 2021
Lovely
This book is different from many of the author’s other books, in that it’s less violent and the villains are a bad family, not mobsters or MC members. This is the love story of Oliver, a French/Englishman who meets Cora, an American who flees to Paris, her dream city, after being laid off from her job and catching her boyfriend sleeping with another woman. Initially Cora thinks Oliver is an A-hole, but he redeems himself and they quickly fall in love. Unfortunately, Cora quickly discovers that Oliver has some hidden demons that are triggered by his dysfunctionally toxic family. I loved the relationship between Cora and Oliver, watching them fall in love was precious. Cora was a better person then I would have been, after his last mess up I don’t think I would have taken him back. It goes to show you that it’s good to forgive and give people another chance, people can change for the better!
This book is different from many of the author’s other books, in that it’s less violent and the villains are a bad family, not mobsters or MC members. This is the love story of Oliver, a French/Englishman who meets Cora, an American who flees to Paris, her dream city, after being laid off from her job and catching her boyfriend sleeping with another woman. Initially Cora thinks Oliver is an A-hole, but he redeems himself and they quickly fall in love. Unfortunately, Cora quickly discovers that Oliver has some hidden demons that are triggered by his dysfunctionally toxic family. I loved the relationship between Cora and Oliver, watching them fall in love was precious. Cora was a better person then I would have been, after his last mess up I don’t think I would have taken him back. It goes to show you that it’s good to forgive and give people another chance, people can change for the better!
January 7, 2021
There's some angst. I was bracing for it as the story progressed, so I will enjoy a re-read that much more. Fanetti can deal out some serious grit and the fact that she wasn't for the longest time worried me. This story had a fairytale quality about it and I loved that about it. Great start of a new year! Beautiful story like its cover!!
Synopsis from cover
A young American woman arrives in Paris to change her life.
A young Englishman living in Paris needs to change his.
A chance encounter will change them both forever.
Synopsis from cover
A young American woman arrives in Paris to change her life.
A young Englishman living in Paris needs to change his.
A chance encounter will change them both forever.
January 20, 2021
Another great book by this author. Cora finds her boyfriend in bed with someone else and runs off to Paris where she meets Oliver at the Eiffel Tower. Ms. Fanetti gives us so much info that I felt as if I was in Paris with them. This couple has their ups and downs but of course, eventually get their HEA. I loved this book.
December 28, 2022
Loved the Paris setting; the author clearly knows Paris well. I wasn't too keen on the characters. Cora was a little bland and too good to be true. I never really warmed to Oliver because I find it hard to feel sympathy for a sad little rich boy. And he was so mean to Cora when he was drunk. I don't think his grand gesture could make up for it. Actually, there's no gesture grand been enough imo.
January 19, 2021
Love the Author
I'm a huge fan of the author but this book felt very preachy to me. Her thoughts about priviledge and race felt very pushed upon the reader and forced. It was very preachy about alcohol use. Sadly not a fan😪
I'm a huge fan of the author but this book felt very preachy to me. Her thoughts about priviledge and race felt very pushed upon the reader and forced. It was very preachy about alcohol use. Sadly not a fan😪
January 24, 2021
3 and a half stars
March 10, 2021
I love it.
May 10, 2021
Loved it!
June 9, 2021
I'm calling it now...this is officially my "feel good" book of summer 2021! A little different for Fanetti, but so well done. Only problem is now I'm desperate to visit Paris...
5 ★
5 ★
December 21, 2021
3.5 estrellas.
No me encantó el nivel de codependencia emocional de Oliver.
No me encantó el nivel de codependencia emocional de Oliver.
August 13, 2022
I really wanted to like it more. Very cliched rich guy treats her like a princess ! Blah blah blah !
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