Book Review: What Happens In Paris (Stays In Paris?)

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

What Happens In Paris (Stays In Paris?)     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Nancy Robards Thompson
Class/Genre:   Romance
Series: Harlequin Next
Harlequin Next, Jan 2006, $5.50

For almost two decades Annabelle Essex thought her marriage was pretty solid. Their son was in college. That all changes when her spouse is arrested in an incident that makes it into the newspaper with a picture worth a thousand words informing her that her spouse is gay.

Since she hates her job and her husband has been outed and wants out of their marriage, Annabelle wonders if this might be a good time to fulfill the dream of three months in the Left Banke in Paris. She begins to paint and encouraged by her sister travels to Paris where she meets a younger sculptor Jean Luc Le Garric who stirs her hormones, but she remains raw from her spousal debacle.

Annabelle is an intriguing protagonist struggling with what she perceives is a betrayal that makes her reassess her values starting with men, employment, and what she really wants out of life. The romance in Paris is fun to follow though some of the fortyish Annabelle’s reactions to other women in Jean Luc’s life seem to fast for someone whom was happily married for eighteen years just a few weeks ago. Fans will enjoy this tale of a woman trying to rediscover herself following a shocking revelation that turns her belief system upside down.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner