Paris is Always a Good Idea

by Jenn McKinlay

One of Popsugar’s Best New Books for Summer 2020

A thirty-year-old woman retraces her gap year through Ireland, France, and Italy to find love—and herself—in this hilarious and heartfelt novel.

It's been seven years since Chelsea Martin embarked on her yearlong postcollege European adventure. Since then, she's lost her mother to cancer and watched her sister marry twice, while Chelsea's thrown herself into work, becoming one of the most talented fundraisers for the American Cancer Coalition, and with the exception of one annoyingly competent coworker, Jason Knightley, her status as most successful moneymaker is unquestioned.

When her introverted mathematician father announces he's getting remarried, Chelsea is forced to acknowledge that her life stopped after her mother died and that the last time she can remember being happy, in love, or enjoying her life was on her year abroad. Inspired to retrace her steps—to find Colin in Ireland, Jean Claude in France, and Marcelino in Italy—Chelsea hopes that one of these three men who stole her heart so many years ago can help her find it again. 

From the start of her journey nothing goes as planned, but as Chelsea reconnects with her old self, she also finds love in the very last place she expected.

• ISBN10: 0593101359
• ISBN13: 9780593101353
• Publish Date: 21 July 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593101353

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

Seven years ago, Chelsea had to abandon her post-college year abroad as her mother's health took a turn for the worse. It was then that she left behind the free-spirit she once was. When her father announced his upcoming nuptials, she began to realize that since her mother's death, her life had been at a standstill. In an effort to find the fun and fancy free woman she once was, she booked a trip to recreate her European adventure. Though things didn't go quite according to plan, Chelsea rediscovered herself and so much more.

This book had me experiencing every imaginable feeling, and I just couldn't get enough of it. It was comical and warm and sweet and swoony. I laughed, I cried, I yelled at the book, but most of all, I smiled.

EUROPEAN TRAVELS

It's always fantastic taking a trip via a book, but this was even more fun for me given the fact that we really haven't been able to go anywhere for so long due to the corona virus. McKinlay did a wonderful job taking me back to Ireland and France, and bringing me to Italy for the first time. She incorporated popular attractions, activities, and food, and I felt like I was there with Chelsea.

THE EXES

Each stop on Chelsea's tour brought with it an ex-boyfriend, aka the one she left behind. I loved meeting these men from her past, well most of them at least. Each reunion was quite humorous and filled with great anticipation for me wondering if he would be the "one". But it was those moments of reflection she experienced which I really appreciated, and it was great to see Chelsea discovering so much about herself as she reconnected with her past.

THE PERSONAL JOURNEY

Chelsea embarked on this trip because she was stuck. After her mother's death, she buried herself in her work. She never really grieved properly, and this trip ended up being an outlet for her. It was in Europe, seven years later, that she finally confronted her pain and let herself come to terms with the profound loss she had suffered. I would say it was equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.

THE CO-WORKER

One source of comfort came from a very unlikely source. While Chelsea was in Europe finding herself, her co-worker and nemesis, Jason, sought her help with their latest donor. Needless to say, she didn't expect him to intrude on her trip, but I was so glad he did. I loved their interactions! All of them were so much fun, involving witty banter and lots of heat. Watching both Chelsea and Jason slowly putting down their weapons and removing their armor was so satisfying for me.

OVERALL

I had an incredible time reading this book. I loved the characters, the settings, the antics, and the romance. McKinlay did an incredible job taking me on this journey and it was wonderful to see Chelsea rediscover herself and reclaim her life.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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