Looking back on her 1982 fling, Charlotte, like readers, gets caught up in the dream of young love, in this case a French romance so intense that it feels eternal, resonating through every fiber of her being decades later. Mercer, though, springs some hard-hitting reality checks upon this relatable protagonist as Charlotte, now in her 50s, uproots her life to chase that feeling. Charlotte’s plans go awry, of course, and she finds herself blindsided as public tantrums, humiliations, and challenges follow, testing her in ways she never imagined. But her resilience is rousing—“I’m fine, but I’m going to have a nice bruise on my keister” Charlotte declares after one comic mishap—and she finds something new, too. Mercer makes Charlotte’s growth and discovery of a new passion, becoming a chef, inspiring and rewarding to read.
The cuisine (“a vanilla-scented foie gras served flan-style with sautéed pears”) is detailed and enticing, and in true French romance fashion, it all comes with a welcome dash of comedy, taking full advantage of the setup of an American living in France, navigating the language, cultural differences, and unique humor that land Charlotte in the most awkward situations. Touchingly, the romantic drama eventually simmers down allowing the journey of self-discovery to take center stage.
Takeaway: Touching story of a woman chasing love to France but discovering a passion.
Comparable Titles: Ruth Reichl’s The Paris Novel, Jo Thomas’s Escape to the French Farmhouse.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
