It’s been a bit since I read about Annie and her world and it feels like I never left it! Carmen provided a nice recap up front that helped to jolt my memory. I was fortunate to be able to read this pre-release via NetGallery. Loved catching up with everyone and Annie is still as lovable as ever.

I used to be a big fan of this series but I couldn’t get back into it or the characters. I’m sure plenty of people will love this - but I think I’ve outgrown the series. Not for me and I DNFd at 20%.

Many thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review

Carmen Reid’s Annie in Paris is a cute women’s fiction novel. Annie Valentine is a middle-aged mom of 4, with a husband who wants to “find himself” and “focus on his music” in Paris, but he wants to be alone to do these things. Annie, in the meantime, is trying to resuscitate her dying career, her post-fight friendship with a beloved segment contributor on her TV show on fashion, and her passion in her marriage. She’s trying to do this while raising a teenager and toddler twins. Alone.

She then finds a lead on a new fashion series to cover that will take her and her littles to Paris, too, much to the chagrin of her husband.

The sad bit is that the more I read, the more it resonated with me and so many other people that I know (not just women, either). These interpersonal struggles are universal, and the job market is so brutal these days.

Some of her go-to reactions are a bit odd for me, and a bit of a stretch, but they are almost all funny… even if it’s a cringey funny. Like wearing pleather on a hot day when one is planning to walk for 37 minutes one way.

This book not only tickles that funny bone, but it also has very poignant moments that are truly touching, and every emotion in-between.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this lovely ARC!!

A big fan of the Annie Valentine series, of course I needed to get my hands on the latest installment! Annie brings fashion, fun, and chaos wherever she goes. Filled with classic characters like Svetlana, this Parisian adventure is chock full of mishaps and misunderstandings, leading to mayhem in pure Annie style. Definitely don't read this without the rest of the installments in the series, but if you know, you know,

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

I love the Annie series, and thank Carmen Reid for continuing it, as this was the perfect revisit into Annie’s life for me. If you’ve followed the main character and those enriched by her (and I suggest you do, if you haven’t) you know she has the most interesting friends and the sweetest love story. In Annie in Paris we see the fashionista get into her to be expected hijinks (which she always manages to handle with aplomb) but also run into very real marriage troubles. I loved how this book looked at them in an honest way, as it once again delivered some heart to this fun series.

Highly recommended, though I would read at least the first book in the series to fully enjoy this!

Having read other books in this series but not for some time, I wasn’t sure if I would still remember the characters but the author kindly did a recap at the start which was great.

Once I started reading, it was like it was only yesterday that I had followed Annie’s story and I quickly fell in love with her vibrant if slightly messed up character.

There was times in this book where I laughed aloud and others where I was close to tears as I could relate to what was happening.

I devoured this in one night and it was great if you wanted an easy, light hearted read for some enjoyment rather than substance.

I really enjoyed it so thank you!

I can't believe it's been 16 years since the first Annie Valentine book, I feel like shes been in my life forever yet I still get that excitement when a new installment appears.

Since the very first encounter in book #1, I just have this feeling of warmth and love for the characters. I love how Annie's life is completely relatable to the 'normal' reader. She makes mistakes, sometimes catastrophic mistakes but she owns them and finds solutions. She wholeheartedly loves her children and will do anything to keep them safe, even though sometimes her decisions backfire and she has flaws bit she also has the biggest heart.
And we can forget Svetlana, throughout the whole series this crazy as* woman has had me howling with laughter one minute and feeling full on cringe at others.

In this new installment, time has moved on. Annie is struggling with keeping everything together, her TV show is now required to change things up a bit or she might risk losing it, her twins are now four and ruling the roost, Owen is now 17 and about to leave school but is unsure what his next steps will be, Lauren is now in New York trying to find a new job and Ed has been offered the chance to teach in Paris for a term... on his own.

Ed wants a break from life, to pursue his passion for teaching music and whilst Annie had agreed it would be good for him, when the time comes round shes not really sure how she'll cope.

I dont want to give any spoilers so I won't go into any real detail bit if you have read the previous books you'll know that nothing in Annie's life ever goes to plan and nothing changes!

I mist say though that I loved the ending for Svetlana, it was wrapped up in such a soft, vulnerable way that it just made me love her even more.

Carmen has managed to recreate the sights and sounds of Paris beautifully, the setting is written amazingly, the pace is perfectly set and the characterisation as always is immaculate.

Huge thanks to netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

Annie is a woman, like many women, trying to do it all, be a mother, have a husband, a career, but she starts to struggle with the hectic life she has. Her marriage is in a rut, her career is barely hanging on by a thread, and her children need their mother. Her husband has received an offer to teach in Paris, and she thinks it would be a good thing for him to do. As she navigates the life she has now, she is learning and seeing new things. I cheered when she went shopping and decided she was going to do something for herself, that was the beginning of taking control, and seeing what was actually going on, and is determined to make a happier, healthier, life for her and her family. Sometimes when you are struggling, it is a challenge to see things, and force you to change not only the things happening but yourself.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

Although not as laugh out loud as I would like this was a fun romp through the perils of family life and getting the job done!

Annie in Paris is relatable to any woman who is trying to navigate, children, work, marriage, family, and friendship. While most of the time I am reading to escape, this book brought my challenges, and most women's challenges to light. It can be funny, sad, and sweet all at once.

#netgalley #annieparis #carmenreid

Welcome back to the wonderful world of Annie Valentine and her family and friends.
Time has moved on, the twins are four going on forty. Owen is 17 and still musical but what direction does he go after A level? Lauren is in New York but that doesn't mean she doesn't need her mum.
Ed embarks on a teaching exchange just as Annie's TV career is threatened.
The wonderful chaos of life and Annie. I have missed you.

I love shopping, fashion and beauty and I loved The Personal Shopper, the other book in the Annie Valentine series I’ve reviewed. This time, Annie is in Paris, The sights and sounds of the French capital are so wonderfully created. The chapters are brimming with a love of fashion and new opportunities as she searches for ideas. The twins were so cute and she has a difficult family dynamic. Her life is interesting and realistic. And what’s going on with her husband Ed? Can Annie make amends with Svetlana?

Annie in Paris is fast-paced, passionate and fun. Carmen Reid always makes her books quirky and something I loved about Annie in Paris were the references to Chanel, a complete style icon for me, and the chapter titles in English and French with words relating to fashion, beauty or French life, The insights and tips for French life, fashion and beauty were such a great addition to an already wonderful plot.

I finished this in an evening and it was so good I immediately felt sad when it was over and I wanted to start again. A must for fashion and beauty addicts everywhere!

Carmen Reid’s books are all winners for me, but none more than the Annie Valentine series. Annie is a complete heroine.

Thanks to Carmen Reid, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars but it deserves many more.

It’s the Emily in Paris vibes for me!! What a cute and easy read. Highly recommend and looking forward to more from author! Huge thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy. Publication date April 30, 2024.