When I was offered an early copy of ‘The Paris Chapter’ by Victoria Walters I just couldn’t wait to read it.

Tessa decides to take a trip to Paris, a trip she was supposed to go on with her now ex boyfriend. She needs to be in a space to try and write her romance novel but she doesn’t believe in happy ever afters anymore. However she’s not alone in the Paris apartment when her ex boyfriend’s best friend Ethan is also staying there. What could possibly go wrong?

I think Victoria has written another hit and I adore the cover of this book too. I loved the setting of Paris and could just imagine what it’s like there with Victoria’s vivid descriptions.

I haven’t read much one bed, forced proximity books but I really enjoy them as the tension between Tessa and Ethan shows. I was also rooting for them from the beginning and wanted Tessa to believe in love again.

I also loved the cross over with characters from Victoria’s previous book ‘The Plot Twist’ which is also a fabulous book might I add! 🥰

‘The Paris Chapter’ is a story filled with will they won’t they moments and lovely side characters too. I was hooked from the very first page and can’t wait to read more of Victoria’s books 💖

Thank you to Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. I am so thrilled it is available now everywhere.

I am late in writing this review because it almost became a DNF. I had to put it down and walk away. I wanted to like it more than I did. It was ok. But me, being in my perimenopausal moods, made it difficult to enjoy it. Like I said…it was ok.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwoods Books for this book. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

2.5★

Synopsis:

The book follows Tessa, a romance author who was in a writers block and was unable to write a single word for her book approaching deadline because her belief in love was shattered after going through a impactful break-up with her cheating ex, Joe. In a form of escape and inspiration her friends forced her to go on a solo trip to the city of love, Paris, which she had initially planned with her ex-boyfriend. But when she arrived to her booked place, she found herself face to face with her ex’s best friend, Ethan, who was staying there already. How? Well you have to find out. After some reasoning and stuffs, they came to a beneficial agreement of sharing that one bedroom Airbnb.

Some major highlights i liked in the book:

The premise, the plot was pretty basic but joyous and cute at the same time. I liked all the Paris exploration scenes with Ethan.
Unique mmc, i found it very rare in books where the mmc was not 6+ ft tall and bucket full of confidence in his own body lol so yeah Ethan was a breath of fresh air. I like how he was insecure and was not like typical romance mmc and in the end the way he found his footing? Appreciative. And did i mention he cooks? I found myself craving his dishes.
The concept of loving yourself more before giving your heart to anyone else.
Side characters, each one of them had their own significance and the bond they share with the main characters. i like all of them especially Juliet.

Things which didn’t go well with me:

Well as much as i like how compatible Ethan and Tessa were with each other, i feel the attraction between both of them was quite rushed, it made me hard to connect with their relationship initially.

I had problems with sex scenes too, even tho i like reading smut, they made me cringe idk eh

I am not into miscommunications resulting third act breakups so after 60% the book kinda went downhill for me, all the drama with Joe was a bit extreme and ended up ruining Tessa’s character growth, I hated how she was second guessing her stance and did the exact same thing she was whining about in the first half.

Overall, a cute explosive pallet-cleanser read one can finish in an afternoon in one sitting.

Tropes:
☞ Room-mates
☞ Hallmark Emily in Paris
☞ Romance writer x Chef
☞ Spicy

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Tessa thought she was in a happy relationship until she found out her boyfriend, Joe, had been cheating on her. Heartbroken, she decides to take a trip to Paris to focus on her writing and find inspiration for her next romance novel. However, things take an unexpected turn when she meets Ethan, who is staying in the same Airbnb—thanks to Joe secretly offering it to him. At first, they are both unsure about each other, but as Ethan shows Tessa around Paris, they quickly form a connection. Unlike Joe, Ethan is kind and thoughtful, though he struggles with self-doubt after years of feeling like he’s in Joe’s shadow. Just as Tessa starts to fall for him, Joe returns, trying to ruin what they’ve built.

This book does a great job of mixing romance, self-discovery, and travel. The setting of Paris adds to the magic of the story, making it easy to picture the charming streets, beautiful landmarks, and delicious food. Tessa and Ethan’s relationship feels real and natural, growing slowly as they learn to trust each other. Both characters have their own struggles—Tessa doubts herself because of Joe’s past criticism, while Ethan doesn’t believe he’s good enough—but together, they help each other heal.

The drama with Joe adds excitement and keeps the story interesting, but it doesn’t take away from the romance. The book also has some surprising moments of passion, making it even more engaging.

Overall, this is a sweet and emotional story about finding love in unexpected places. If you enjoy romance, travel, and stories about personal growth, this book is definitely worth reading!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

Rebecca Raisin and Beth O’Leary fans will not want to miss this gorgeous new novel by Victoria Walters: The Paris Chapter.

Tessa Elliott’s entire world has imploded. The romance writer has writers’ block and is unable to write a single world about love as she isn’t sure she believes in it anymore anyway. In desperate need for escape and inspiration, Tessa takes herself off to Paris on the romantic break she had booked before her life had been smashed to smithereens. Only, when she arrives at the Airbnb, she is stunned to discover that the flat is already occupied by a familiar face: her ex’s best friend Ethan who has already made himself at home after he was told that the flat would be empty. What is Tessa going to do now?

Having come to Paris during Fashion Week, everywhere is fully booked and with no options and no other place to go, Tessa and Ethan have no other choice but to share the apartment. With Ethan attending a cookery course and Tessa’s book having to take precedence, they won’t have much opportunity to interact…or so they think! It soon becomes apparent that they’ve got more in common than they initially thought and as they begin to get closer, will they find the courage to admit how they really feel about one another? Or will this Paris Chapter end up finishing with a very unhappy ending?

Witty, emotional and wonderfully romantic, The Paris Chapter is a superb romantic comedy from Victoria Walters that will charm and delight readers. Romantics everywhere will be enthralled by the sizzling repartee and red-hot chemistry between Tessa and Ethan as Victoria Walters sweeps them off to Paris and into a world they will not want to leave.

An absolute must for readers looking for escapism this winter, The Paris Chapter by Victoria Walters hits all the right spots.

First of all i would like to say thank you to Boldwood books for asking me to review this wonderful book


i loved this book very much it was very refreshing to read , it had so many different characters with such great vibrant personalities I loved them for different reasons i do not want to give anything away you need to read for yourself to understand .

the book gave me lots of Emily In Paris vibes which oh my gosh !! I LOVE !!! perfect setting for the book.

I really enjoyed the plot to the story it starts out pretty heartbreaking but you need the bad to get to the good right ,

the main character Tessa she really does go on a big emotional journey breaking up from her boyfriend you starts to find a whole new her i love that in a story even tho yes there a love story she a very strong character very funny witty .
Ethan wont lie it took little while to warm to him i felt he was a bit like Marmite vibe ,but as the story went on i loved him fell head over heels .

i really enjoyed the hate to love it was perfectly written and the tension between them was hot .

if you love an easy romance read this will be great for you .

a wonderful romantic journey 5 stars from me

This is the first time for me to read a book by Victoria Walters. And right away, I can tell you that I loved that book! I read it in no time and I couldn't wait to turn the next page to discover more about the story of Tessa and Ethan in Paris! I loved everthing in this book! The setting (in Paris!!!), the storyline (which was so much fun), the relationship building between the two main characters but also the friendships! The only little thing that I didn't quite enjoy was the way Tessa was dealing with her breakout with her ex boyfriend. I just could't understand how she could give second thoughts about it... but I guess we are all different! I am giving this book a 4 stars out of 5! Next time I see a book by Victoria Walters, I will definitely pick it up without any hesitation!!!

Tessa is trying to get over her break up and write her novel. She goes to Paris to try to find her inspiration to find that her ex let his best friend use the vacation spot he wasn't using with Tessa. Things are uncomfortable, but there's something drawing Tessa and Ethan together. They have a great connection, but the one that got them together, Joe, is the worst. Joe is a manipulative POS. He drives them apart and is just a terrible human. Tessa constantly bringing him up is irritating, but other than that, it's an enjoyable read.

I really wanted to enjoy this book far more than I did. The story itself could have been really great, and the setting alone made me giddy to read it - who doesn't enjoy a romance in Paris?

Tessa felt flat for me; even being just recently broken up with and being cheated on at that... she just seemed so flat and really one-dimensional, oh and the whining? Not a fan of that at all. I didn't feel myself caring for her at all which made it really hard to connect to the story at all. Ethan however was written well, he was nice and I could really feel as though he was a decent person.

The romance itself felt a bit too cliche and rushed, at most I could believe it was a fling but not anything else. The sex scenes were incredibly cringe-worthy and not enjoyable at all - I skimmed the second as the first was so bad!

All together I really wanted to like this one far more than I did.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Paris Chapter is the first book I’ve read by Victoria Walters, and now I’m hooked—I can’t wait to dive into more of her work! This gripping and captivating story had me glued to the pages for hours, even sacrificing sleep because I had to know what happened next. Tessa and Ethan’s story is just that addictive.

I was initially drawn to this book for its setting—Paris, one of my favorite cities—and the promise of a heartfelt romance. It delivered on both fronts and then some. The Parisian adventures Tessa and Ethan shared were magical, and I loved that Tessa was an author. Ethan, on the other hand, stole my heart with his sweetness and charm. Their chemistry was undeniable, and while I wasn’t expecting the spicy moments, they were written in a way that kept me intrigued.

The plot twist wasn’t my favorite part—it felt like the story took three steps back—but even that couldn’t overshadow how much I enjoyed the journey overall. This book blends love, passion, and the magic of Paris so beautifully.

If you’re a fan of romance, unforgettable characters, and dreamy settings, The Paris Chapter is a must-read. Victoria Walters has officially made it onto my favorite authors list!

This book follows Tessa, a romance author, who has lost her belief in love and her writing mojo after a bad breakup. She hopes to get it back in Paris, the city of love.

The bedroom scenes are quite steamy so if that’s not your cup of tea you may wish to pass on this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

WOW WOW WOW. Just finished The Paris Chapter. Such an amazing book. I fell in love with Tessa and Ethan’s journey. Just the right amount of intimate details too. I didn’t think anything could compete with the Glendale series but I think this has just pipped it to the No.1 spot. Thank you for allowing me to visit Paris and fall in love with the city from the comfort of my own home. You are an amazing Author Victoria xxx

A super fun, sexy, romp of a romance. I enjoyed the beautiful Paris setting, and the journey the characters went on together. A great book to enjoy!

Spicy, male female, 1st person single point of view, contemporary romance. This book felt longer than it was because of the writing style and plot. There were some sweet moments and plenty of chemistry but the issues/antagonist felt forced to me.

I loved the first 60% of the book. However I couldn’t get past “sweetheart” being used in steamy scenes. I thought the main character was pretty weak with some decisions. It’s a real shame because the first 60% was very enjoyable.

When Tessa finds out her boyfriend is cheating, it slowly takes away her ability to write because she is so heartbroken, she realises she has to do something to get her life back and so decides to go on a trip to Paris that she had already booked for her and her boyfriend. But when she arrives she finds someone is already there! This is when we meet Ethan, who is her ex's best friend, we soon find that her ex is a bit of a liar and has been lying to everyone so that his secrets aren't discovered.

Ethan and Tessa are so cute together and I loved how they grew as characters and how they bonded throughout the story. Also on a side note, loved the snippets of past characters in the story!

Perfect story highly recommend!

Tessa writes romantic novels, but now heartbroken, she doesn't believe in love and can't create a romantic story despite her impending deadline. Persuaded by friends to take the trip alone to Paris. Reluctantly, she agrees to go, hoping the city of romance will ease her writer's block. I like the blend of travel fiction and romance. I enjoyed how the chemistry between Tessa and Ethan intensifies with forced proximity and the way they connect emotionally. Tessa also experiences an emotional journey, making this a satisfying read. While this is essentially a sweet romance, the author adds spice to the relationship, but honestly, it isn't needed the romance, and Paris is enough.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The story of Tessa and Ethan, sharing a flat in Paris, each thinking it would be just them. He is her ex's best friend so will she give him a chance, and will Paris help kickstart her writing again? A great read

It may seem as though I say yes to every book set in Paris, but it's not the case. And even if it was, there would be zero regrets with this book. Zero!

Tessa is a successful romance writer, and she has a looming deadline. What she doesn't have is any idea of what her next book is going to be about, let alone at the point of being ready to submit it to her publisher. What she does have is a broken heart. She truly believed that she had met "the one". Joe was handsome and successful, and they moved in together very quickly. And were over relatively quickly too.

Before they split, Tessa had paid for an apartment in Paris for a break. After being encouraged by her friends, she decides to still go to Paris in the hope that she might find some inspiration. Unfortunately, Joe had told his best friend Ethan that he could use the apartment which Tessa only finds out when he emerges from the bathroom wearing little more than a towel. Because Ethan is a pretty decent bloke, he offers to find somewhere else to stay, but it is Paris Fashion Week and all the hotels are full, so they are stuck together.

I really liked Ethan. He is a chef who has come to Paris to do some training with a famous French chef. he also has a dream to open his own restaurant with his friend Juliet. However, he knows that he is beholden to Joe and his family, so his dream is very much still unattainable at this time. I did love the sound of the food that Ethan cooked, and found myself craving the French Onion soup that we ate when we visited Paris! So delicious!

Ethan shows Tessa the Paris that he loves and they begin to act on their attraction to each other, but the spectre of Joe is always in the background. Tessa slowly begins to understand that maybe the problems in her relationship was not her, but rather had a lot to do with Joe. Hoorah! I did think that there was a good chemistry between Tessa and Ethan. I did laugh at Tessa being quite worried about the fact that Ethan was the same height as she was. She usually preferred men to be taller than her. I remember worrying about that when I was on the dating scene!

I loved Juliet as a secondary character. She was very accepting of Tessa from the moment they met, and encouraged her to believe in herself, and she bought joy to every scene she was in.

For me, there could have been a little more nuance in some areas, particularly with Joe. He is a man with no redeeming qualities at all. When he turns up, I was disappointed with some of what happened, but I guess it was necessary to move the story forward.

It was only as I read the excerpt at the back of the book that I realised that a previous book told the story of her publisher. They aren't a series as such, but it is something that I like to know.



I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, Foodies Read hosted at Based on a True Story and Bookish Book Reading Challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4/5