Ellie Astor is expected to take over her family media conglomerate but her heart isn’t in it. That role is much better suited to her brother but he has been banned from the business after some misadventures.
When she sees a news article about a library near where she went to boarding school that is danger of closing, she decides to take advantage of her degree in librarianship and apply for the job under her real name Elodie Halifax.
Once in Willow Grove, her mission is to increase library memberships so they can secure more funding. But she finds the locals aren’t too welcoming of newcomers or people whose lives have gone off track. But then she has a brilliant idea…
This was a pleasant, uplifting story about a woman who walks away from her wealthy upbringing to put herself on the right path in life. Elodie is a very caring and open character who brings out the best in others and shares the motto about not judging books (or people) by their covers.
Leaving behind her twin sister Jen and her small town in Michigan, Del is in Paris to realise her dream: taking part in an international competition organised by the world-famous Leclere Parfumerie.
This competition will give her the chance to finally open a perfume shop in New York as she has always dreamed. But she will have to go up against competitors from all around the world, some of whom are ready to do anything to win.
Also, Del will have to deal with her feelings for the owner of Leclere Parfumerie, the handsome Sebastien.
What I loved most about this novel is the setting - nothing beats Paris when it comes to romance – and the characters, especially Del who is good, loyal and funny. The ending wasn’t predictable as I thought and I was surprised but happy to read about Del’s choices for her life. The novel is not too long and is captivating and engaging. (NP)
