Grace was an aspiring cellist and it was her whole life. She decided to leave school due to the pressure she was under. She refused to play again. She did so believe me.

In her later years, she opened her own shop where she created violins, violas, and especially cellos. she met David, who was married, and they always met in Paris. David was a big part of her life until she finds out things and things are over. She almost destroys her shop and the cello she was creating for the Cremona (Iraly) competition of violin, viola, cello makers. She makes it and wins the ultimate prize despite the one flaw in the wood. She takes along her associate Nadia who is only 17 and a violin prodigy and Mr. Williams, a customer. They became great friends too.

I've never read a book where music and creating instruments were made, especially by a woman, and I really learned a lot and enjoyed it.

Let me just end this here, David wants her back and I'll let you make the assumption. I was correct and I'm glad she made the right decision. ( )

Thank you to Touchstone Books for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

I finished Goodbye, Paris and LOVED IT! It was one of the better romance fiction I've read with layers of love, deceit, personal triumphs and bravery. At the heart of this story is Grace who is an extraordinary musician but instead of pursuing a career playing the cello, she builds beautiful cellos by hand. She learns to be content with her life and her boyfriend who is married with children.

Whenever I love a book this much I hate to give away any other details because this is one you need to experience for yourself. This book made me laugh and even made me choke up at the end, which is no easy feat! Another huge perk was learning about instrument making.

I'm so happy I read this uplifting story! This book is perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes. The publisher says it's like Eleanor Oliphant but I think Goodbye, Paris is better :) ( )

Paris and music. How much better can it get?

Call me a romantic! I loved this. I loved the struggle that Grace Atherton has to play, to live!
I loved the atmosphe of instruments being shaped, the smell of glues, the aliveness of the instruments, and the music swelling throughout.
I love Nadia and Mr. Williams. They shine!
I walked the streets of Paris and Cremora with Grace and was pulled into the sights, the sounds, the smells.
Troubled love leads to troubled times and beyond, and I was glued to every word.
Fabulous!

A Touchstone ARC via NetGalley ( )

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher.*

This book is perfect, but it was the right thing for me to read at the right time. Grace is violin maker, she also used to be an emerging cellist with the potential to play in world-class orchestras. She's also having an affair with a married man and heartbroken by her inability to get pregnant. The novel unfolds as one might expect, with Grace's love and professional lives being thrown into disarray. As Grace struggles to pick up the pieces of her life, she discovers the amazing friendships that surround her. This is a light read, but it's also a fulfilling and cheerful novel about rebuilding a life. ( )

Grace Atherton’s life is in full tune: in London, she is running a violin shop and in Paris she meets her partner David. She had wanted to become a professional musician but due to lack of talent, she had to leave college and has to be content now with making the string instruments and playing them without any audience. When David rescues a young woman in the Paris metro, their whole life is turned upside down. Even though David’s wife knows about their affair, it has always been a delicate topic with their kids and David’s profession also requires discretion, but now the whole of France is searching for the hero of the underground and his obvious company. Yet, this is only the start of a series of events that will shake Grace’s life deeply.

“The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton” is a novel hard to describe in only a couple of words. It’s a love story, a story of a break-up, about the love of music and about family and especially parents’ role in the life of their children, it’s about friendship and quarrels and first and foremost about forgiving and going on in life. What I really adored is how the author manages to convey the love of music into words, the compassion for the elegant and fragile instruments can be felt throughout the novel.

All characters in the book are very well thought out, they have strengths and weaknesses which make them authentic and lovable, but most of all they are compassionate and kind-hearted and have their hearts in the right place. Even though not all that happens gives them (or you as a reader) pleasure, I’d call it a feel-good novel nevertheless and perfect for those autumns days where you long for something cosy and comfy. ( )