This book became quite addictive and I was sucked in to the story which almost felt like a crime drama whilst still having romance. I really enjoyed the Paris setting and the multiple art references. A really enjoyable read!

I remember Paris

It had been a while since I read a book by Lucy Diamond. An author I had previously really enjoyed, purely because the way I shop for books has changed. But something about this one appealed to me.
We meet Jess, a mum to three teenage girls, recently separated and keen to find herself and her career in journalism. Jess is offered the chance to work with a coveted artist Adelaide Fox, a now retired artist living in Paris, writing her memoirs. Jess jumps at the chance to head to Paris again - a city she spent her Summer in as a young girl. However Adelaide isn’t exactly what Jess was expecting, and Jess isn’t exactly what Adelaide was expecting either.
I really liked Jess and was really rooting for her throughout this book but Adelaide was amazing with her opinions and her sharp tongue & her trip down memory lane. Hearing Adelaide’s amazing, sad, tragic, funny, stories was really moving.
It’s a great and unusual story in a lovely setting, described so beautifully. I really enjoyed this one. History, life, love, mystery - it was just a brilliant story and I highly recommend it.

Wonderfully descriptive book whisking you off to be absorbed in Paris. Lovely characters in a heartwarming story. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

I absolutely loved this book.
A beautifully written, moving and heartfelt read about second chances, unlikely friendships and finding your way back to yourself.
Jess Bright, a single mum and Journalist, accepts a writing job in Paris. Her subject being the iconic artist Adelaide Fox. During their working relationship they both must face up to their pasts, with more surprises in store than either of them could imagine.
I loved all the characters , who we get to know through dual timelines. They are brilliantly written and relatable. I especially liked Frieda and Lucas.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Paris, and the other places visited in the story. You can just imagine yourself there.
Overall, it’s a brilliant, escapist read. I really enjoyed from start to finish, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading.
Definitely recommend this book.
With thanks to #NetGallery @Quercusbooks for an eARC of #IRememberParis in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
Book publishes 1st February 2024.

Another lovely read from Lucy Diamond that makes me want to visit Paris in the springtime. Jess is a journalist and mum of 3 daughters when she is offered the chance of a lifetime to visit Paris and ghostwrite the biography of famous artist Adelaide Fox she couldn’t be more thrilled but not everything is as it seems. Visiting Paris gives Jess a chance to visit places she hasn’t been to since she was a student working in Paris as a chambermaid . With old flame Georges and Adelaide’s nephew Luc in the background she discovers more than just Adelaide’s fascinating life story

I love everything Lucy Diamond writes so was thrilled to have the opportunity to read I Remember Paris.
It is set largely in Paris when Jess Bright, a journalist, recently divorced with three teenage girls, is employed to write the biography of artist Adelaide Fox as she approaches 80.
The novel moves between the points of view of Jess and Adelaide; we hear Adelaide's life story from her childhood in London, to her time at art school and the development of her career. Jess finds her thoughts drawn back to the time she spent in Paris in her 20s; a romance and the disappearance of a close friend.
Like all of the author's novels this is written with real warmth and empathy and I was completely drawn in to both characters and their lives. Adelaide may not be the most likeable character initially but as the reader learns about her life, her family and her friendships we begin to warm to her and have empathy for what she has been through. I found the portrayal of Jess' family life very convincing as she tries to balance building up her career after her divorce.
I loved the author's portrayal of Paris, a city I love but haven't visited for many years, it felt atmospheric without being cliched.
A beautiful written and characterised novel that I adored. Recommended.
4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

So OK. This book. I had a love - hate relationship with it. I adored Lucy Diamond's writing, it's rich, accessible, with lively dialogues and she's a great story - teller. But even this couldn't save this story for me.
I didn't warm to the characters. Jess was absolutely irritating and annoying, always wanting to please everybody, stirring things, "helping" where help was not needed and I totally understand why Adelaide had such a problem with her. She was too soft, too weak. Adelaide, on the other hand, was fierce and was absolutely THE leading character in this book, though I still can't catch what was so special about her that Lucy Diamond wrote a story about her. Really.
And then those two characters and their backgrounds and histories, mixing but not mixing. For me, when the subplots intertwine, they must have something common, there must be this middle where they meet, where I learn why it is those two people whose paths met. But not here and I didn't got into the heart of this story.
It felt as if there was no right idea behind this story. No clear structure. Two random characters, their stories, thrown together, let's glue them together. Somehow. But this "somehow" didn't work for me.

There were some heavier issues in the story, some dark memories and mysteries to be revealed, but the most important things was the characters' growth into leaving the past behind and starting to enjoy themselves and their lives in the present. A bit too heavy for Lucy Diamond, a bit too bity and incoherently for me. Shame, but am looking forward towards next novel from this author.

What a great book - I raced through it really quickly! I have always really enjoyed a Lucy Diamond story and this one was no exception. As always, a great story line, with alternating chapters between Jess, the journalist and Adelaide, the world famous artist looking for someone to ghost write her memoirs. I liked the way the story covered Jess' current life including her three daughters and soon to be ex husband, whereas Adelaide's was far more about looking back over her almost 80 years. On many occasions, it looks like the book would never get finished, due to the words exchanged between the two of them at times, with Jess asking questions that Adelaide just didn't want to answer!
And then of course, there is a mystery from Jess' time in Paris many years earlier that needs to be resolved, together with the possibility of a growing friendship between her and Adelaide's nephew, Luc. All in all, a great book which I would highly recommend.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for a honest review which is what I have given.

Another lovely book by this author but this time set in Paris. Great characters and I loved the way the relationship developed between Jess and Adelaide as their stories unfolded, a good read that draws you in from the first pages

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were good, the storyline kept me interested and obviously the descriptions of Paris were wonderful!

This was a book about memories and retracing steps, it was a good read but I did struggle a few time with the changes, the characters were likable and the setting was always going to be lovely to describe.

Such a good writer and all her books have been well received! Loved the friendship between the characters and how this shapes people lives.

This was such a wholesome read! Once I got to know the characters more I absolutely loved it, especially learning all about Adelaide’s history. She was such a feisty character, and her approach to life is definitely one can all aspire to be more. I liked the elements of mystery in both Adelaide and Jess’s pasts too, and it was lovely to see how Jess comes into her own as the plot develops. You can never go wrong with Lucy Fiamodn - 4.5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book and loved the setting.

Jess, a single mother and a journalist, can’t believe her luck as she’s offered a job, to travel to Paris and ghost write the memoir of Adelaide Fox.

Adelaide is an artist, hiding some secrets from her career during the past 80 years.

But, when they meet, it’s not exactly as Jess was expecting the meeting to go, and the road to writing the memoir isn’t without bumps along the way. They both have to come to terms with what happened in their pasts.

The story kept me engrossed, turning the pages to read what happens next.

I highly recommend this book.

An unusual treble POV timeline story. The pasts of Jess, a ghostwriter and Adelaide, a successful artist who has mistakenly engaged Jess to write her revenge biography are gradually revealed. Set in Paris with a beautiful sense of time and place and with a great cast of supporting characters this is a book I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended.

I initially found it difficult to get into this book, Adelaide comes across as a rather unlikeable person who I would find it really difficult to get along with. My knowledge of art is also very limited, but against this Jess comes across as a really nice person. I did start getting drawn in though, with the mystery of what had happened to Jess' friend from her previous time in Paris and also to Adelaide's stalker plus beginning to see how she had turned into such a grumpy person The description of Paris was very atmospheric and did make me wish to spend some time there, I haven't visited for many years. So overall a book to read slowly and digest and enjoy.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

I only discovered Lucy Diamond quite recently, but have devoured many of her books since then. This one, I feel, is a bit different to her others. A bit more complex, perhaps? More mystery?

I love the alternating point of view, as we learn about each others lives, and indeed how they seem to learn about their own. I even loved all the characters, from the relatable Jess to the bristly Adelaide... right down to Jean-Paul.

It's one of those books that I savoured - reading a chapter or two, then putting down to think about the story as I go throughout my day. I didn't get quite the same emotional high as I have on some of her others, but it was still a gorgeous read.

Firstly thank you to the publishers for allowing me an e-arc copy of this book to read.
This book has held me from the very first page, I’ve always loved Lucy Diamonds books, her writing style just hits the spot for me.
The books is not “over descriptive” as some others can be, but has the right amount of description to make you see in your mind the scene before you on the page.
I loved the fact we had several parts to the story: Jessica and Adelaide - where we learn about Adelaide’s life through the writing of her memoir through ghost writer Jessica, but it’s not all plain sailing. Jessica and Lucas and their friendship, Jessica and Pascale her friend from way back when she worked in France/Paris, what happened all those years ago? Where did Pascale go?
Jessica and her daughters, and their turbulent relationships. Jessica and David…
The story unfolds and a good pace, it’s gripping and dramatic.
I truly look forward to the next Lucy Diamond book to be released :)

Happy reading!!

I always enjoy reading books by Lucy Diamond, there is a depth to her writing that similar authors don’t achieve. This book expertly weaves tales from the past into the present day. The ‘edge of the seat’ single parenting is dealt with well, as is the fall out at the end of a marriage, with a lingering love for your ex. The main theme that I got from this was about female friendships and how life enriching these relationships are. Absolutely gorgeous tale.

Lucy Diamond is just brilliant. There’s not one of her books that I dislike and this one was a great read. A book that I was totally immersed in the storyline with a cast of great characters within a fun uplifting read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was a pleasure.