Paris, He Said

Talented Jayne, a struggling artist, works in an office

and a shop to pay the (ridiculous!) bills of a NYC life. All the while she is painting less and less as she becomes tired, distracted and uninspired. Of course she still admires and feeds off of beautiful works and one evening when her best friend drags her to an opening of a guy she has a crush on, Jayne meets Laurent and there is no doubt that her life is about to change. Laurent, more than 20 years her senior, is a very handsome, sexy, intelligent gallery owner whose accent and charisma immediately sweep her off her feet. Never believing this relationship is going anywhere seriously, Jayne is deeply enjoying the company of this man who truly appreciates her beauty and aspirations. It is the first person in a long while to inspire Jayne to become the artist she always believed was meant to be. Months into the romance Jayne is invited by Laurent to move with him back to Paris. The invitation includes all expenses paid so Jayne can immerse in her painting and they could continue their relationship in the most romantic city in the world. Told through both the eyes of Jayne and her lover this novel had me on a journey quicker than you can say bon jour. The intriguing relationships between Jayne and her art, the unexpected friendship with his daughter, the partner at the gallery who is both alluring and deceitful and of course, Jayne and Laurent. Their age difference, their cultural upbringings, the idea that someone can get pleasure from giving and truly want nothing in return. Whether you are an art lover, a francophile or a romantic at heart, I highly recommend this novel and look forward to reading more from this excellent new writer I have discovered. #summerreading