Member Reviews
Who doesn't love a story set in Paris, the city of love? Plus there are plenty of nods to classic movies.
Christine suffers from numerous autoimmune disorders, She is ready to return to Paris now that she feels like she has more control of her body. She has a meet-cute with Colin, a British stranger at the airport, who even ends up sitting next to her. They both hold their own secrets, but will they learn to trust each other?
This book excellently represents autoimmune disorders. This is a rare condition to be shared in a story, and Brooke Gilbert did a great job incorporating it within the story. Gilbert also described Paris as if I was there walking the street with the main characters.
The insta-love was a little much for me but overall, it wasn't too bad. Some of the religious/faith-based elements weren't my thing, but I know many others will enjoy them. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it just wasn't quite for me.
I enjoyed This book. It was well written. I was able to engage with characters and plot. I would Read another book by this author and I recommend This book.
I wasn't a fan of the cover but I'm glad that didn't put me off because this was a great book about medical conditions trying to keep you from living the life you want, but being a badass and telling the immune disorder to shove it. A wonderful read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This book mentions faith and God a few times, and I liked the inclusion of underpinning belief but I'm aware some readers don't but I would urge you not to miss this beautiful story. Christine has many health challenges (although as I also have autoimmune disorders, including coeliac disease, I felt that the difficulty finding something safe to eat was sometimes glossed over) which have made her cautious about the way she has to live her life. Her friend, Lola, is supportive but her idea of helping to make this trip to Paris run smoothly is risky. Colin is a genuinely nice guy. And so ... The meeting happens and then there are 7 days to explore the most romantic city in the world and get to know each other. I thought the dialogue was perceptive and beautifully - written, the characters were well-defined and developed self-awareness over the period. Paris is described beautifully, underlining the artistic side with references to the colours and light. This is a beautifully -written book with a good story, I've signed up to follow the author.
If you enjoy Instalove this would be a good story for you. Christine and Colin were perfect for each other. Christine was diagnosed with an immune disorder and goes on a quest if you will to Paris where she meets Colin. There is sweet banter back and worth and overall a wonderful story.
I started reading the first chapter and I just couldn't keep reading. I like that Brooke Gilbert has characters on the spectrum but the way she was building the character wasn't inviting for me. I wish I would had been able to give it a second chance (or a third) but I simply couldn't.
Thank you Netgalley and Babbling Brooke Books for the ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.
I went into this book with nothing for expectations, but loved it. I loved the characters and was hooked on their story.
Christina finds out that she has multiple rare autoimmune disorders. So she is on her way to finally check something off her bucket list–a dream trip to Paris. With thoughts of turning thirty looming, she is determined to make this bucket list trip happen and to try to open up her "out of commission" heart in the process.
I liked the plot. You feel for the main character and what all she goes through. And I just loved Christina's character development. The romance could have been more intense, but overall, this was an exciting read.
I thought this was a really cute read. A romance novel that you can get lost in, smile through and use as a sense of escapism. Christine and Colin were both cute, well rounded characters. Christine’s low self esteem made me sad while reading, but Colin made it all okay!
1,75 ⭐️
I've finished reading it because I don't like to leave a book once I start one, but at certain moments I wanted to drop it because I was getting a little bored. Some things have seemed very repetitive to me, I have not connected with any of the characters and it has seemed to me a story too surreal because of how it begins and how things are resolved.
I loved this book it was so fun, At first I was a little worried but it all came together I can’t tell you how much I loved the main character's and how the author wrote their story. This book was a quick read for me because I couldn’t put it down. I was fully invested.
I can definitely say I would recommend this book to others.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own
3*
I really wanted to enjoy the book, since representation of disabilities is important and Colin was very respectful and normal about Christine’s disabilities and needs. Up until I found out he was a paid actor, the book was great. But then, for a very big chunk of the book, I doubted if I found this toxic behavior disguised as romance or romantic. When Christine finally set her boundaries I was cheering her on, however, spoiler alert: she went back to Colin after all. This gave me the ick and made me a bit uncomfortable to finish reading. Add the very cliché fast forward to a year later happily ever after including someone finding their faith in God and this turned out to be not for me.
A typical Paris love story.
It's a light romance story about a girl finally beating illness traveling to Paris to find her long lost love while she falls in love on the flight there.
I would prefer to have less info about Colin as this way you already know what's gonna happen. You just keep reading to confirm they fall in love, fight and reconcile.
"She was beautifully broken, and he could tell it was her faith that made her whole."
Thank you NetGalley for granting me access to a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a sweet weekend read. Simple, and easy, with a bit of a dip into the serious reality of living when your body seems to be working against you.
Christina takes a very deserved vacation trip after finding out she has multiple rare autoimmune disorders. When so much responsibility for your own life gets put on you so suddenly, I think we all would have reacted the same way. And done all we could to enjoy ourselves while stressing so inwardly about what this means for our future. Christina truly takes on the witty and funny personality of a main character while dealing with so much.
While this isn't the most impactful book I've ever read based on my own experiences, the representation is an eye opener for what happens when life changes so suddenly. And I just adored Christina's character development. The romance was a bit underwhelming, but overall, this was an exciting read I'd love to go back to when I'm in a happier place.
Have you ever wanted to go to somewhere but couldn’t this book gives you a feeling you can do just that!! This book was cute and sweet and charming! Cute beach read or on the plane to Paris? Loved it
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I tried to enjoy this book as I love cutesy romance, and a trip to Paris would be a trip of a lifetime. However, I couldn't get past the first few chapters.
As some people have loved the story, it just wasn't for me.
A solid read. 3.75
One with great disability and mental health representation, the story was beautiful and heartwarming. The descriptions of Paris were lovely to read too.
In this book you’ll find
insta love ❤️
enemies to lovers
fake marriage
one bed
closed door romance (so if you don’t really like spice in your books this one may be for you)
I ATE THIS BOOK UP. A huge thank you to Brooke Gilbert herself for sending me a physical copy of this book after reviewing it. Brooke has become a close friend via social media, and all of her upcoming books are absolutely delightful! If I could rate a book with 7 stars, this would be the book I would give 7 stars too. Brooke highlights and includes disabilities without any stigma, which I have found is very rare and is a beautiful inclusion to helping to raise awareness.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Author/Publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
The Paris Soulmate is a sweet rom-com by Brooke Gilbert, that shows us what it’s like to fall head-over-heels-over-logic in love in Paris (because what better city to fall in love in, than Paris). If you’re looking for a clean, magical rom-com, this one is for you (please read the trigger warnings in the book).
The story follows Christine and Colin (dual POV) as they embark on a trip to Paris. Christine is there to prove something to herself- though slowly but surely, we find that her intentions are not as apparent as we thought. Colin is there on a mysterious work trip. They meet in the airport before boarding their flight (while Christine is having an episode brought on by her auto-immune disorder), and share an instant connection. After some flirtation and a little help from some eager flight passengers and staff, they find themselves ready to explore Paris and their hearts.
I loved the depth of characters in this story, and the fact that we had many side characters who added so much to the storyline, but I was most drawn to Christine and her thoughts and feelings. The way she dealt with having an auto-immune disorder was a real representation of how it filters into various aspects of your life, consciously and subconsciously. The way she approached love and emotions felt like a true representation of a woman who is cautious because of her past. There was a depth to her thinking that drew me in and had me feeling for her and with her. While I found Colin absolutely charming, I found that his secret gave me a bit of an ick, though I would say that this is a case of personal icks, and I doubt it would land the same with anyone else.
The way Gilbert allowed us to visualise Paris, it truly felt like I was there. No need to Google for visual purposes. It felt so incredible and magical, seeing the city through the eyes of starry-eyed lovers. There were moments where I felt that the magic was slightly interrupted by thoughts being extensively rehashed, but in all, I felt that it didn’t take away from the magic of the storyline.
I really enjoyed the plot and the characters, but there was just something that didn't hook me. Maybe the plot was not executed well as the story kept progressing? Or maybe my expectations were too high? Either way for readers that are engrossed in romantic couples regardless of the plot, THIS novel will be THE ONE for you...read on!