Good second chance story. James and Chloe were boarding school/high school sweethearts who were separated thanks to parental interference. Chloe's wealthy parents didn't think James met their standards and, combined with other reasons, pulled her from school without allowing her to see him again.

Ten years later, Chloe has broken with her parents and is living life on her terms. While saving every penny to finance her dream, Chloe works multiple jobs, including as a chambermaid at a luxury Paris hotel. She's shocked when the room's inhabitant shows up, and it's her old boyfriend, James! Panicking, she ran from the hotel, devastated that he saw how low she'd fallen. Meanwhile, James was motionless with shock, and by the time he recovered, she was gone. Not to be deterred, the next morning, he discovered where she lived and went to see her. Their reunion was even more passionate than their teenage relationship had been. The chemistry between them was explosive and undeniable.

I enjoyed watching the rekindling of Chloe and James's relationship. It was sweet, emotional, frustrating, and heartbreaking. In the years since they last saw each other, Chloe took control of her life, determined that no one would ever have the power to tell her what to do or control what she did. James walked away from school and pursued his dream of becoming a chef after a fruitless search for Chloe. He now has a Michelin-starred restaurant, an upcoming book, and a possible television show. James is determined that Chloe will return to London with him and pulls out all the stops to convince her.

Seeing him romance her with sightseeing in Paris, romantic dinners, and fun activities was sweet. Chloe soaks up the time with him, determined to enjoy every minute. But both have issues that create obstacles to their happy ever after. I very quickly wanted to grab James and shake him. He has so many grand plans for them, but he never once stops to discuss them with Chloe. When she tries to protest, he steamrolls past her objections. Chloe has spent years shoring up her confidence and ability to stand on her own two feet, and she isn't about to give up that independence, even for James.

The moment of truth came when Chloe put her foot down and refused to go along with his plans. Harsh words are exchanged when Chloe calls James on his controlling attitude and actions. I felt his shock and anger when she compared him to her father and his hurt that she felt that way. He lashed out with his own accusations, such as telling her she's still letting her father affect her life. I ached for them both as they parted in anger, without knowing if a future together was possible. Each had some self-reflection to do and truths to realize. I loved that James had some help from his sister, Sally, who had no trouble pointing out the error of his ways. I loved Chloe's epiphany and how she handled it. The scene in the lawyer's office was terrific, and I loved seeing her shake loose the final chains of her past.

I loved the ending. I especially enjoyed the changes in James. His arrival in Paris and his reunion with Chloe were emotional and eye-opening for Chloe. Rather than the usual reunion, confession of love, and proposal, James realizes he has some work to do to convince Chloe that he's changed. I loved his plans to do things the right way, and it was sweet to see him stick to them. I loved watching the blossoming of their new relationship. We also see that James and Chloe are at crossroads in their professional and personal lives, and I loved seeing their paths come together. The epilogue was fantastic, and I loved seeing what they did with that new life.

My favorite part of the book was the segment covering their weekend trip to the chateau. It was the one time that James and Chloe were on the same page, and their cooperation and teamwork were fantastic.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. ( )

3.5* ( )

A heartwarming, relatively short holiday timed story that brings all the best of the season to potentially recapture what once seemed forever lost...

Chloe and James were meant to be, but life (and parents!) got in the way. That was ONCE UPON A TIME though, and an unexpected run in so many years later, is not what either one could have anticipated. Fate, however, is her own mistress, and sometimes what we don't believe we want to happen, DOES...and even some of those rare times, they turn out the BEST way possible.

Quite honestly, I fell in love with these two! So much history shared, such a tragic separation, and so many unknowns to overcome, but through it all, you JUST KNEW that somehow, they'd make it through...okay, or not because I'm TOTALLY not trying to ruin the story for you, but I really need some good news and this story definitely delivered something I could smile about. So, if you're like me and love a good story with great characters, and need just the right escape for those stolen moments when you get to just be you, try this one on for size. It may not be the right reading season per se, but I don't know a time of year that goodwill to others and second chances to get first love right would not be welcomed with open arms.


**copy received for review; opinions are my own ( )

Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

I started reading Harlequin category romances in my early teens. They’re not as long as many other books, so there isn’t as much time to get into a lot of complexity, but they’re still a comfort read for me. I like seeing what tropes they use and exploring how the author makes that trope shine.

Christmas Reunion in Paris hits on several I enjoy, especially second chances, one of my favorites. Chloe and James were boarding school sweethearts ten years earlier. We learn this much in the beginning with a blend of the past and present to bring us up to date. The early chapters even begin with news clippings and text conversations, a neat way to bring up what isn’t covered in the scene.

If this were the total of their past’s influence, my initial impression of being rushed would have held. I didn’t know how many critical details both Chloe and James had suppressed as they dealt with the shock of a chance meeting, each in their own way. Instead, we get a sense of who they were and who they are now, both because of their past and despite it. This forms the story’s grounding, while the rest is trickled in when appropriate.

Each time I thought I’d figured out the major obstacle they’d face in getting back together, another fragment, consequence, or influence of the past would add a new twist. At the final confrontation, though, everything came together and made sense. The block wasn’t easy to solve. If anything, it was harder to overcome because of all the pieces building the wall. Nothing felt pointless or drawn out. Each bit we learned either consciously or sub-consciously forms an almost impassable barrier.

I’m writing more about the plot than the characters because they are so tightly integrated that specific character notes would add up to spoilers. I enjoyed when Chloe and James relaxed and explored together, along with how the two of them sparked off each other’s creativity. As people, they had their rough spots, weaknesses they sometimes considered strengths, and so came to life on the page.

The novel develops along with the characters, offered a depth I wasn’t expecting in a quick comfort read, and addressing some weighty topics. Chloe and James are pushed to look within as well as for external sources of their problems. This creates moments of personal growth necessary for them to be ready to brace the future.

There were several open-door intimate scenes, with some level of detail, but nothing particularly graphic. The punctuation, and likely more, follows British English stands for those who care.

As a quick read, this story hit the spot, but there was more to it than a speedy love story. The theme beyond recovering lost love of loving what you do resonates, as does taking ownership of your life. I could list off the tropes used, but it’s what the author does with those that’s important, and I think Liz Fielding did quite well. It makes me curious about the rest of the series. I think I want to see more of James’ twin and their big brother, too.

P.S. I received this Advanced Readers’ Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review. ( )

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

This was a short and sweet romance set in France!

First off, for such a short book, there was a lot of chemistry between the two main characters. Since this was a second chance romance, the characters already knew each other and had history. I enjoyed learning their backstory and seeing them get back together.

Also, there was quite a bit of plot which I was happy about. Given the length, I wasn’t expecting too much to happen but I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline.

The Christmas aspect was pretty minimal. The book takes place during winter/Christmastime but doesn’t have any super Christmasy scenes. So if you’re looking for a Christmas romance, this doesn’t quite hit that mark.

Overall, I really enjoyed this second chance romance! If you’re looking for something quick to read this winter, then give this book a go! ( )