Lydie McBride has always embraced life to the fullest. But when an unthinkable tragedy strikes her family, everything she believes in is shattered. Her architect husband, Michael, watches the passion disappear from Lydie’s eyes and from their marriage, and hopes that an assignment to Paris will help them reclaim a love that once seemed unassailable. But the City of Lights holds secrets and seductions for them both. As Michael pursues his design project at the Louvre — and falls into the orbit of a mysterious, alluring Frenchwoman — Lydie finds new inspiration for her work as a photo and art stylist and begins a friendship with two dramatically different women that will enable her to find a new life. Will there be a place for the man with whom she always wanted to share that life . . . if she can find him again?
“A rare treat, an escapist book with a moral center.” —Chicago Tribune
“Exquisitely detailed, delightfully unusual.” —People
“Perceptive and intriguing.” —The New York Times
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"When Michael McBride gets a job at The Louvre in Paris, he expects his wife, Lydie, to be happy. However, she is reluctant to leave her mother, as they have recently had a tragedy in the family with which Lydie hasn't been able to come to terms, and also she thinks that she should be close to her mother, who is hurting. They do go to Paris for a year, however, where Lydie makes friends with an ex-pat American woman, and Michael becomes enamoured with an alluring French woman. Just relax and enjoy your time in Paris with the McBrides through their troubles and joys, and you will enjoy this book."
— Donna (4 out of 5 stars)
" the story started out good but I seemed to lose interest towards the end. I didn't feel it was one of her best works. Of the other three novels that I've read of hers this one is not one of her best work. "
— Vicki, 2/13/2014" Always a great story "
— Isabel, 2/9/2014" Really??? the story that went no where but took so long to get there.....Not a good read - "
— Bridget, 2/6/2014" Entertaining. Good for a beach read. "
— Hollie, 2/5/2014" The storyline was average. A marriage in trouble. But I gave the extra star just because of the Paris setting which was a strong part of the narrative. A side story about an immigrant maid was unnecessary. "
— Chris, 1/23/2014" Pretty good book- I can see the characters in real life. A move to another country does make you rethink your life and could make you see your relationships differently. "
— Barb, 1/19/2014" I have read several of Luanne Rice's books and loved them, but not this one. Maybe it was the subject? I just found the book very boring and disappointing. "
— Christine, 1/8/2014" This is such a disappointment. I have expected much more from the title, the good reviews and the fact that Luanne Rice is one of the new york times bestselling authors but sadly, the story line is uninteresting. It does not engage me. :-( "
— Vera, 1/6/2014" Not my favorite Luanne Rice book. The setting was great, but the book was a bit flat. "
— Pat, 12/18/2013" unfortunately very predictable, although the descriptions of food, 17th century wigs and Madame de Sevigne were intriguing. the good mama v. bad mama subplot thingy was kind of weak. "
— Beverly, 12/10/2013" Couple move to Paris after her father kills his lover and commits suicide. The couple have a tough time in Paris - he has an affair. But they get back together at the end. "
— Jackye, 11/23/2013" having been to Paris last year, I could envision some of the places mentioned in the book. I liked some of her others better than this one. "
— Andra, 9/14/2013" I love Luanne Rice. This is a decent book, not one of her best in my opinion. I did love the setting though. "
— Jen, 8/29/2013" Boring. Kept waiting for more to happen and it didn't. "
— Leanne, 8/11/2013" My lest favourite of her books....the plot was just not interesting enough. "
— Bdot, 7/17/2013" I wanted to like this book, but it was so painfully predictable. Jumped from character to character so frequently that it was just choppy, not artsy or creative. Never got to like any single character because it was all over the place. Even the main character seemed distant, whiny and boorish. "
— Sarah, 6/13/2013" Not my favorite Luanne Rice "
— Joyce, 5/12/2013" I usually like Luanne Rice, but these characters were not interesting and I found the book trite. "
— Anne, 12/29/2012" Looking forward to this as a quick palate cleanser. "
— Anna, 11/22/2012" I want to say great love story but the book has much more going on. Great characters! It is just a great book! "
— Ann, 8/26/2012" WOW, Luanne Rice always comes through with a great story. A romance contemp, love, cheating, Paris, 3 women who become the best of caring friends, a great read!!!!!!!!! "
— Joanne, 8/3/2012" it was only okay. I liked the ending of the book. I have read other books by author that were better.... "
— Amy, 7/21/2012" I was excited to read this book because I love Luanne Rice's writing and I love Paris. However, I found this book very hard to get into. I would put it down and read others, then pick it back up again. "
— Jennifer, 5/28/2012Luanne Rice is the author of more than thirty novels, including the New York Times bestseller Sandcastles. Many of her novels have been made into movies for television. Her short stories, essays, and articles have been widely published in magazines and newspapers. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category.
Justine Eyre is a classically trained actress who has narrated many audiobooks, earning the prestigious Audie Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She is multilingual and known for her great facility with accents. She has appeared on stage, with leading roles in King Lear and The Crucible, and has had starring roles in four films on the indie circuit. Her television credits include Two and a Half Men and Mad Men.