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Book Review: Paris, My Sweet by Amy Thomas & Giveaway

February 15, 2012 by Darlene

Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) is a great and might I mention yummy memoir by Amy Thomas chronicling her love affair with Paris and the awesome opportunity she had to live and work there for two years. And let’s face it – who doesn’t want to read a book describing all kinds of decadent and heart stopping desserts!

After spending time in Paris after college Amy was completely and utterly in love, not to mention obsessed with Paris and more to the point the decadent yummy concoctions of chocolate that are all over Paris. As luck would have it, at thirty-six years old, she is offered a transfer from New York to Paris to work on the Louis Vuitton account. Well hello – would you say no to that move? Neither would I and neither did she! For someone with a sweet tooth that could outrun most of ours this was the perfect chance for her to go back to Paris and explore all the yet undiscovered desserts that just had to be waiting there for her.

As she tries to acclimate to life in Paris she finds it’s a lot harder than she had anticipated. She isn’t fitting in the best at work and she hasn’t made friends. Now for Amy this was tough as she was one popular girl in New York. She loved her nights out with the girls having drinks and having fun. As time wore on she found herself torn between the Paris she loves and the New York that she’s really missing. Even though she did eventually make a few really good friends, it still wasn’t home.

What I found most interesting about this memoir aside from the desserts which I’ll get to was her descriptions of life in Paris and the people who live there. Also about how our expectations aren’t always met but that it shouldn’t let it get us down – we just find another way to enjoy what we’ve been given. An example would be that Amy had thought she’d meet the man of her dreams there and yet the few dates she had were definite duds. She thought that she’d be out with friends every weekend like at home and yet that didn’t happen either but the few friends she did make would be friends for life. I really admire her outlook on life where you may not get something you wanted, but just maybe something better is coming your way.

Now the desserts – can I just say oh my God! Now a lot of them I couldn’t eat because they are made with various kinds of nuts and I’m allergic but that didn’t stop me from imagining how good the ones I could eat would taste. The descriptions Amy gives us of all these goodies makes your mouth water and at times I felt sure I could smell the sugary sweetness right through my iPad. All the chocolate – oh my! It sounds like a piece of heaven for sure!

This is a fabulous memoir for anyone planning a trip to Paris especially if you’re interested in knowing where all the good spots are for yummy treats as Amy has put a glossary in the back of all of them. Yet this is also a great memoir for those interested in New York as well because she let’s us know all the hot spots to visit for the best goodies there too throughout the book! As usual, reading a memoir about Paris has made me want to pick up and head out there for myself (if only I weren’t afraid to fly – lol). If you have a sweet tooth like I do, then you’ll love this book! Be sure to check out both of Amy’s blogs: God, I love Paris and Sweet Freak.  Your own copy of Paris, My Sweet can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Paris, My Sweet by Amy Thomas to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass this extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I’ll be drawing for the winner on Saturday, March 10/12.  Good luck!

Source:  Review copy provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are solely my own.

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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, 2012 eBooks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janel says

    February 15, 2012 at 5:15 am

    You know how much I love books that talk about food! Visiting Paris is one thing I would like to do eventually. At least, for now, there are great books like this. I’ll have to visit from the comfort of my chair. 🙂

  2. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    February 15, 2012 at 5:38 am

    This sounds wonderful. When I tell people we lived in France they imagine the world she imagined and the reality is different. It’s been a while since we lived in France, but when we did, the desserts weren’t really sweet and all the Americans who visited us were disappointed in them.

  3. Mary says

    February 15, 2012 at 6:17 am

    Sounds like a yummy memoir 🙂

    I’m a follower

    Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  4. Pat L. says

    February 15, 2012 at 6:20 am

    I loooove food related books. Sounds yummy. LOL.
    patoct@yahoo.com

  5. Pat L. says

    February 15, 2012 at 6:21 am

    I follow via gfc.
    patoct@yahoo.com

  6. debbie says

    February 15, 2012 at 6:30 am

    I would love to read this book. I think I would consider going to Paris just to eat the desserts. Of course, I may not be able to fit on the plane coming back, but it would be worth it.LOL.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  7. debbie says

    February 15, 2012 at 6:31 am

    I am a gfc follower
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  8. Rachel W. says

    February 15, 2012 at 7:09 am

    I’m a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  9. zibilee says

    February 15, 2012 at 8:00 am

    Since I can’t actually eat a lot of yummy treats, the second best thing is reading about them! This sounds like a great book with which to do that! I’d love to be counted in on your giveaway, Dar and thanks for hosting it!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  10. Anne says

    February 15, 2012 at 8:36 am

    What a delectable memoir. many thanks.

  11. Anne says

    February 15, 2012 at 8:36 am

    I am an e-mail subscriber.

  12. Ellie says

    February 15, 2012 at 8:42 am

    This book would be a treasure. Thanks for this giveaway.

  13. Ellie says

    February 15, 2012 at 8:43 am

    I am an e-mail subscriber.

  14. Andi says

    February 15, 2012 at 8:43 am

    I have this waiting on my review pile and I cannot wait to dive in! It sounds delectable.

  15. Carol Wong says

    February 15, 2012 at 9:07 am

    I would love to fall in love with Paris via this book.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  16. Carol Wong says

    February 15, 2012 at 9:08 am

    I am a GFC follower of your blog.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  17. Carol Wong says

    February 15, 2012 at 9:11 am

    I tweeted:
    http://t.co/45Xyq6Aj

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  18. bookworm says

    February 15, 2012 at 9:37 am

    This sounds like a great memoir Dar, and Amy does sound like she has a great outlook on life.
    Sorry I wasn’t around much yesterday for the GWTW discussion, I finally got online around 10pm to see what everyone had to say.

  19. blodeuedd says

    February 15, 2012 at 10:13 am

    I am still sad, there are no macaroon to be had in this city! :/ And this book made me crave them

  20. rhonda says

    February 15, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Love Paris book sounds wonderful. Lomazowr@gmail.com

  21. rhonda says

    February 15, 2012 at 10:18 am

    I am a follower.

  22. rhonda says

    February 15, 2012 at 10:19 am

    I will tweet. At rhondareads

  23. Mary Ward says

    February 15, 2012 at 10:23 am

    This sounds like a wonderful read. Since I can’t eat all the good stuff, at least I can read about it!

  24. Mary Ward says

    February 15, 2012 at 10:23 am

    I follow on GFC (mamie316) and by email.

  25. Serena says

    February 15, 2012 at 10:27 am

    This review reminds me of cookie monster and how he cannot resist even eating a cookbook simply because of the cookie pictures. LOL No need to enter me, but it sounds like a good one.

  26. amandasue says

    February 15, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    I’d love a chance to read this.

  27. amandasue says

    February 15, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    I’m a follower thanks.

  28. Natalie's Mama says

    February 15, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    This book looks yummy.
    lovesthemets@yahoo.com

  29. Janine says

    February 15, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    I’d like to enter, and I follow your blog.

  30. Linda Kish says

    February 15, 2012 at 2:34 pm

    I’m getting hungry looking at all the treats on the Sweet Freak website. I would love to read this book. I just love treats.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  31. Linda Kish says

    February 15, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  32. JP says

    February 15, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    This book sounds so good! I love foodie memoirs AND Paris, so this seems right up my alley! Thanks so much for hosting a giveaway! I entered on Goodreads, but didn’t win 🙁

    Anyway, I’m a GFC Follower: JP

  33. Margaret says

    February 15, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    Totally want this one! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  34. Margaret says

    February 15, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    I’m a follower

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  35. Margaret says

    February 15, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    tweeted on twitter

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  36. Beth says

    February 15, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    This looks great! Please enter me!

    bethsbookreviewblog2 AT gmail DOT com

  37. Beth says

    February 15, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    I’m a Google Friend Connect follower.

    bethsbookreviewblog2 AT gmail DOT com

  38. Shannon says

    February 15, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    I have added this to my list of “to read” so I hope I get it from this giveaway.

    I follow your blog and you on twitter.

    I tweeted about it: https://twitter.com/#!/ggjunk/status/169955495245914112

  39. Janet says

    February 15, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    This sounds like a wonderful book!

    I follow you on Google reader.

    5678dancer(at)gmail(dot)com

  40. Miranda Ward says

    February 15, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    This is great thanks!!

    freebiegoddess03@aol.com

  41. bn100 says

    February 16, 2012 at 12:53 am

    This book sounds very interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.

  42. bn100 says

    February 16, 2012 at 12:54 am

    I follow your blog.

  43. Jessica Flinders says

    February 16, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    This sounds like a perfectly delicious book!

  44. jennygirl says

    February 17, 2012 at 9:36 am

    Great review Darlene! Sound like one I should read with chocolate nearby 🙂

    [not an entry]

  45. marci says

    February 17, 2012 at 10:42 am

    thank you for the chance!

  46. marci says

    February 17, 2012 at 10:42 am

    follow you gfc (Marci)

  47. Emma @ Words And Peace says

    February 17, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    I received this book as an egalley and enjyed it very much. so would love to win it now to offer it to a friend. thanks for this great giveaway.
    I follow you through blogger, and I just tweeted and FBed about your giveaway.
    and here is my review:
    http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/02/01/i-love-france-14-review-6-2012-paris-my-sweet/
    I encourage you also to link your review at the end of my post for my French meme!

  48. Staci says

    February 18, 2012 at 8:35 am

    Paris for some crazy reason just speaks to me on a very personal level!!

  49. karenk says

    February 18, 2012 at 11:36 am

    thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel 🙂

  50. karenk says

    February 18, 2012 at 11:36 am

    i’m a follower & an email subscriber, too 🙂

  51. Patricia says

    February 19, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    Just finished reading Lunch in Paris yesterday — this would be the perfect dessert!

  52. Patricia says

    February 19, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    I follow via Google Reader.

  53. Patricia says

    February 19, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    Tweeted:

    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/171407471951364097

  54. Maureen says

    February 22, 2012 at 10:29 am

    It looks like a great story.

  55. Maureen says

    February 22, 2012 at 10:29 am

    I follow on GFC

  56. carla says

    February 22, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    I think memoirs are one of my favorite types of book. I think it would be fun to follow her around NY and Paris.
    Please enter me Dar!
    and I follow with email too.

  57. LilMissMolly says

    February 27, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    Thanks for the entry. I’m a GFC follower.

  58. elizabeth chenault says

    February 28, 2012 at 11:37 am

    i would love to read the book and follow your blog…sounds great thank you

  59. CassandraG says

    March 1, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    Book sounds like a wonderful terrific read.
    GFC follower.

  60. Vicki says

    March 5, 2012 at 1:28 am

    I’d love a chance to win this book!
    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

  61. Vicki says

    March 5, 2012 at 1:30 am

    I’m a Networked Blogs follower: Vicki Summers Newell
    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

  62. Vicki says

    March 5, 2012 at 1:30 am

    I tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/irbratb/status/176584614582820864
    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

  63. Harvee says

    March 9, 2012 at 4:32 am

    I can’t think of a nicer place to have dessert than Paris!

    I’m a follower.

    harvee44@yahoo.com

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