After ''Ingredients of love'', I thought there couldn't be a better love book in Paris. I was so much wrong. This book... This book.. is the most amazing thing I've read in maybe years. Melanie reminds me of myself. Every single part of her. Her character has made me want to read the book one more time and another and another. And Alain,oh my God.. His will to find her left me breathless. His resistance to Solene, his love for Melanie and his strong faith, even when sometimes even he lost faith.. At the end, I realized that everything remains in the hands of Destiny. That little chance we all get in life, and our choice whether we'll make it right or wrong. Amazing.. <3

Original LLL Quickie Review @ www.LitLoversLane.com

How I got between its sheets: a Christmas present.

What stimulated me:

-- Setting: Paris – the City of Lights seems magical and irresistible in the author’s hands, and even though I have been there and was underwhelmed, this story had me wanting to go back and give it another go.
-- Setting: Cinema Paradis – a vintage movie theater of a bygone era showing love films and bring together a motley, but lovable group of people from the employees to the patrons. Great idea.
-- The integration of films and their stories into the narrative and a nice list of to-see movies.
-- Supporting characters – from Robert, Alain’s philandering professor friend to Allan Wood, the movie director with his own story, the supporting characters gave the story more punch.

What didn’t exactly thrill me:

-- The story was a sweet one, and while its resolution is not necessarily predictable, it is just a tad too pat.

What turned me off:

-- Alain’s character – while I welcomed the idea of a romance from the male point of view, I kept feeling Alain was merely dubbed a man, but read like a female character.

I read this book under the new title of The Secret Paris Cinema Club which for some reason I can't find on Booklikes!

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

 

Alain Bonnard owns a small independent cinema in the magical city of Paris. He grew up there, inspired by his Uncle who owned the cinema, his love of film grew. When his Uncle died he was left the cinema. Quitting his job he has poured his heart and soul into refurbishing the place, keeping it as traditional as possible. Amongst all the changes introduced is the late Wednesday showing of old films. Alain soon comes to recognise his regulars, including the woman in the red coat. After seeing her week after week Alain finally asks the woman in the red coat out for a drink. But soon after their first date she vanishes. Alain sets off on a quest to find his true love, taking a remarkable trip along the way.

 

From the beginning this book gives you a warm glow. The back of the book says 'Curl up and enter the nostalgic world of cinema: a Parisian Notting Hill with all the charm of Chocolat'. And it's true. This is just the type of book you can curl up with. The story line, with it's meandering Paris scenes, quirky characters and tales involving Hollywood stars and acerbic astrophysicists is has a cinematic quality. I would liken it to the written version of Amelie, quirky, slightly avant garde and charming.

 

I loved the setting of the novel. I could almost see myself meandering along the streets of Paris or down by the Seine or sitting in one of the street cafes as Alain walked by. It added to the charm of the story and indeed I don't think the story would have been the same had it been set anywhere else.

 

The characters were all well round. I particularly liked Robert, Alain's plain talking,  lady killing friend, who told things as he saw them. Alain at times sometimes seemed a little manic bordering on the obsessive. Luckily Nicolas Barreau, a pseudonym by the way, manages to reign him him and retains enough charm and sense to stop him becoming scarily obsessed.

 

Yes, some bits are a little far-fetched, but ultimately this is a gentle paced, charming, enjoyable read. I'll be looking out for more work by Nicolas Barreau, and his alter-ego if I ever find out who they are!

 

This book was previously published under the title One Night in Paris.

 

I'll be the first to admit that I am not a fan of romantic comedies, despite my love of romance novels. This book seems tailor made for lovers of the fare, but despite that, it was a pleasant read for me. I think I liked the French perspective through the eyes of a surprisingly romantic man who shares a love of movies with me.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine in the July 2014 issue. http://affairedecoeur.com.