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terryliz's review against another edition
4.0
Paris does not figure much into this novel other than at the beginning of the book a young couple, Michael & Katy, becomes engaged there at the Eiffel Tower. We subsequently find out that Michael's parents, who are divorced, became engaged there also years ago.
The story involves the family members and all their little side stories in the lead-up to the wedding. If it's a little predictable chick-lit, it was still a comfortable, cozy read.
The story involves the family members and all their little side stories in the lead-up to the wedding. If it's a little predictable chick-lit, it was still a comfortable, cozy read.
angeliqueconnell's review against another edition
1.0
So many characters that it became super hard to follow along.
everydayreading's review against another edition
3.0
This took me for freaking ever to get into (I renewed it five times without getting past the first ten pages), but I finally finished it and quite enjoyed it.
incessantbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Wanting a break from intense reads with comprehensive themes and dense thinking, I chose a lighthearted chicklit novel by Cathy Kelly. Reading the synopsis, I was ready to get swept off my feet and feel the love among the characters. Although, yes there were moments that soared my spirits high, I spent the first third of the novel figuring out all the characters and how they intertwine. We follow the stories of 3 women but also the lives of those they interact with, more so secondary characters. Don't get me wrong, I believe changing perspectives adds that desire to figure out what comes next in that character's lives and then you get swept into the other characters and I feel excited and encouraged to keep reading! However, I felt there were many breaks in stories that I was confusing the stories - even though they all come together in the end.
Thinking about each of the 3 women that the story focuses on, I could picture women I know that reminded me of Cathy Kelly's characters. It allowed me to put a real face to each of the women, adding that element of connection and making it that much stronger. One of the stories I attached my own life to was that of Leila. I had a moment this weekend (and in the midst of the quarter life crisis) where I was wondering, what am I doing with my life? Leila was allowing a man who broker her heart and left her to control how she felt. Fortunately, she was able to confide in her family and best friend to see that she is enough and that there are other pieces that maker her whole. She is choosing to live her life the way she wants to and taking ownership of it. That reminds me of the tattoo I got over my shoulder blade of the British crown - symbolizing the ever popular "Keep Calm And...". To me it means that I am in control of how I feel about something and shouldn't rely on others to make me happy - it has to come from within. Not only does Leila's story epitomize that, I believe the other main women have that same revelation in their own ways.
Even with the makings of a potential Hallmark/Lifetime film, there are moments of surprise in addition to feel good and hope. Sitting here now writing this blog post after reading it a couple weeks ago, I am reminded of how good I felt after I turned the last page. Maybe it has taken me this long to see that I am also enough and can get through tough obstacles - thanks, Rising Strong for making this connection for me haha.
Read It Started with Paris if you like the themes of:
Interconnected stories
Family
Love
Thinking about each of the 3 women that the story focuses on, I could picture women I know that reminded me of Cathy Kelly's characters. It allowed me to put a real face to each of the women, adding that element of connection and making it that much stronger. One of the stories I attached my own life to was that of Leila. I had a moment this weekend (and in the midst of the quarter life crisis) where I was wondering, what am I doing with my life? Leila was allowing a man who broker her heart and left her to control how she felt. Fortunately, she was able to confide in her family and best friend to see that she is enough and that there are other pieces that maker her whole. She is choosing to live her life the way she wants to and taking ownership of it. That reminds me of the tattoo I got over my shoulder blade of the British crown - symbolizing the ever popular "Keep Calm And...". To me it means that I am in control of how I feel about something and shouldn't rely on others to make me happy - it has to come from within. Not only does Leila's story epitomize that, I believe the other main women have that same revelation in their own ways.
Even with the makings of a potential Hallmark/Lifetime film, there are moments of surprise in addition to feel good and hope. Sitting here now writing this blog post after reading it a couple weeks ago, I am reminded of how good I felt after I turned the last page. Maybe it has taken me this long to see that I am also enough and can get through tough obstacles - thanks, Rising Strong for making this connection for me haha.
Read It Started with Paris if you like the themes of:
Interconnected stories
Family
Love
fauvely's review against another edition
I’ve realised I don’t enjoy books with too many characters.
aoifeprettypurplepolkadots's review against another edition
3.0
Far too many characters to keep up with the book. But other than that, it was a pretty pleasant read.
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