ISBN10: 0007875509
On Sale: 28/09/2010
Format: Trade paperback
Pages: 336
Angela is in the city of love -- but romance is taking a nose-dive! When Angela Clark's boyfriend Alex suggests a trip to Paris at the same time as hip fashion mag Belle asks her to write a piece, she jumps at the chance. But even as she's falling for the joie de vivre of Paris, someone's conspiring to sabotage her big break. And when she spots Alex having a tete-a-tete with his ex in a local bar, Angela's dreams of Parisian passion all start crashing down around her. With London and her old life only a train journey away, Angela can't decide if should stay and face the music or run away home!
Thanks to Shannon at Harper Collins Canada, I had the pleasure of reviewing I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk.
Let me start off by admitting, it took me a little while to warm up to the main character, Angela. I thought she was just going to be a name dropping fashionista but as more of her personality was revealed she became this cute, clumsy, real woman. Angela seems to have it all: the rockstar boyfriend who wants to take her to Paris, a successful blog which leads to an opportunity with a famous fashion magazine, and a best friend with connections in the fashion world. Who wouldn't want her life? But from her arrival in Paris, things go amuck.
Using miscommunications and an evil assistant thousands of miles away, Kelk sets the stage for mayhem for poor Angela. While it seemed that some of the scenarios were only randomly placed in the book book for their comedic effect (I did wonder a few times why things had happened) everything wrapped up nicely in the end. The book was full of self-deprecating humor with a particularly British twist (Angela originally hails from London). The use of English vernacular was fun to read...using a British accent in my head while reading, of course.
If you are a fan of chick lit, this makes for an excellent addition to your reading list. Kelk also includes "Angela's Guide to Paris" at the back, if you're fortunate enough to be able to go. Along this vain, I have a virtual tour of Paris posted on The Book Lover's Inc. website here.
Annnndd, as an extra special treat, Lindsey Kelk has provided us with a top ten list! So, direct from the author, here is her list of must haves:
Top 10 items to pack when going on a romantic adventure
Surprise! Your boyfriend is taking you away on a romantic weekend away! What could possibly go wrong? Well, you’d be surprised. I once had a nightmare that Robert Pattinson whisked me away to a cabin in the woods that had no TV, no internet and I hadn’t even packed a book. He had packed a book and proceeded to read it alllllll day. We had quite the row. Haven’t been able to watch Twilight since. I’d say Remember Me but no one saw that anyway, did they?
There is a ridiculous amount of stress involved in a mini-break. If you’re a new couple (or as the world now measures time, post-Bieber), it could be the longest amount of time you’ve spent in each other’s company and therefore a real test. If you’ve been together pre-Beiber, then there’s a lot of pressure on you to Have A Good Time and Reignite The Spark. What follows is a list of things that might not occur to you right away – I’m sort of assuming you’ve got the more obvious basics covered – but should you find yourself in an awkward spot this list should sort you right out.
1. Sexy lingerie, comfy PJs, cashmere wrap
Now, this is a romantic adventure so really, if stockings and suspenders aren’t in your bag, you’re not doing your bit. I’m not saying you have to be trussed up like a turkey all weekend long though, equally important are slouchy PJs for lounging around and super soft wraps, preferably cashmere for snuggling purposes. The key here is to think sensory overload: nothing goes in your suitcase unless it makes you happy – one way or another. Please just note that holey old trackpants are not welcome.
2. Pencil and paper
This kind of trip begs for little love notes, penned to your beloved and left on their pillow just because you missed them while they were in the shower. Or you know, maybe there’s something you’ve been wanting to say or suggest, that you can’t quite say out loud… Nothing gets the pulse racing faster than a handwritten fantasy. And boys, nothing melts the ladies more easily than a little ‘I love you’ that she can keep forever. Fact.
3. Camera
Get your mind out of the gutter, surely you want to take as many arm-outstretched self-portraits as possible on your weekend away? Hopefully you’ll have lots of happy memories and a flick through the photo album on your return home should be all it takes to rekindle the romantic flame. And if it takes a little more than that, well, you’ve got the camera.
4. Walking shoes
Unless it’s a very short trip, there’s a good chance you’re going to want to leave the hotel/cabin/narrow boat (wouldn’t do it for me but you know, different strokes and all that) and there’s nothing sexy about blisters. Fluffy mules aren’t going to help you out when your new man suggests a hike through the woods to a cute country pub, now are they? Actually, I’ve yet to find a way they do help but still. You get points for trying.
5. Books & board games
I’m sure some of you will think this is ridiculous, I mean, it’s a romantic weekend away, who wants to read? But there has to be a bit of respite and personally, I think being comfortable enough to sit quietly with your lover and read a book is very sexy. Alternatively, you could indulge in a hot game of Scrabble – remember, a smart girl is a sexy girl. Unfortunately, a violently aggressive bad loser is not so I’ll pass on this one and just take a book. No Kindles or iPads allowed though, sorry. Ebooks just aren’t as seductive as printed paper.
6. iPod
Firstly, anyone who can go a whole weekend without music is inhuman and secondly, you’ve got to give your man a chance to bust out his sexytimes playlist. If it includes Do Ya Think I’m Sexy or Let’s Get It On, you might want to reconsider your life choices.
7. Chocolate & champagne
If the BF has planned this, there’s every chance he hasn’t paid attention to little things like, the need to eat. So just in case you turn up to an empty cottage kitchen and no shops for miles around, it might be a good idea to pack a couple of snacks. And if he has actually sorted these things out, no one is going to be upset that you’ve brought a box of chocolates, are they?
8. Candles
This is classic ‘mood setting’ ammunition.
Do not, I repeat, do not leave for a romantic getaway without them.
And really, can’t emphasis many times you should check that you have matches. There is nothing more annoying on earth than remembering candles and forgetting matches. Except maybe Justin Bieber.
9. Bubble bath
As far as I’m concerned, the words ‘romantic getaway’ are synonymous with the words ‘soaking tub’. There may or may not have been an incident at a hotel recently with half a bottle of Molton Brown bath soak and a bubble monster that attempted to take over all of Manhattan. This pleased me.
10.Teabags
OK, I’ll be the first to admit that there’s nothing necessarily sexy about teabags but bear with me. One of the nicest things a boy ever did for me was sneak out in the morning to buy teabags for when I woke up. So the point isn’t really ‘pack teabags’ but remember to take the little things that make you comfortable. For me, it would be teabags, eye make-up remover and my favourite sweater. These aren’t sexy items but knowing you have them will put you at ease. Of course, if his are porn, poppers and a pet tarantula, you should probably call it quits now.
The only thing missing from the list are the other two books in the series, I Heart New York and I Heart Hollywood. But I totally agree with Lindsey....chocolates and champagne? bubbles? *sigh* I very much need a mini break myself now, I think....
And, yes, I have seen Remember Me.....though it appears I may be the only other person in the world to admit to it, lol. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the post!
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