Paris for One and Other Stories

September 12, 2016
In this vibrant collection containing one novella and eight short stories, Moyes (Me Before You) once again focuses primarily on heroines who discover their deeper strength and learn about themselves during periods of emotional strife. The stories all deal in some way with romantic entanglements. New passions, old trysts, a Twitter scandal, a heist, and even Louboutin shoes fill up these short but sweet tales. The jewel of the collection is the title novella, “Paris for One,” in which Nell has uncharacteristically splurged on a romantic weekend getaway to Paris for herself and her boyfriend. He fails to arrive, and Nell—a micro-manager who is known to make pro-and-con lists before deciding what sandwich to eat—finds herself suddenly alone in a foreign country. In fewer than 150 pages Moyes creates a fully dynamic and compelling leading woman. In the face of rejection and adversity, Nell begins to learn exactly who she is and what she is capable of. Other stories include a jewelry-store robbery with an amorous twist, the tale of a middle-aged woman who spends a day literally in someone else’s shoes, and a Christmas shopping frenzy that reveals to a harried wife what is really important in life. Bold, humorous, and genuine, the stories in this collection are classic Moyes and will appeal to fans of her novels and newcomers alike. Agent: Sheila Crowley, Curtis Brown Creative.

Moyes (After You, 2015, etc.) explores the lives of unsatisfied women in this collection of short stories and a novella.In the title novella, a young woman named Nell plans a romantic weekend trip to Paris only to find out that her jerk of a boyfriend made a last-minute decision not to accompany her. Although Nell typically plays it safe, she eventually decides to enjoy her time in Paris alone. Her newfound sense of adventure allows her to enjoy the romance and excitement of the city (and a new man). Most of the short stories here follow a similar format: a woman who is unsatisfied with her relationship stumbles into a new situation or makes an out-of-character decision. One woman runs into an old lover at a party, one wears another woman's shoes and experiences surprising results, and another ends up involved in a bank robbery. Women try out new identities, styles, and relationships and then either make triumphant changes or realize how wonderful their lives really were in the first place. This leads to a series of stories that can feel a bit homogenous, but Moyes' engaging writing keeps things enjoyable. While there's nothing earth-shattering in this collection, it's a pleasant and charming read. Me Before You fans searching for the same emotional intensity should probably look elsewhere, but these stories make for a diverting treat while waiting for Moyes to write her next tear-jerker. COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 15, 2016

With After You having debuted at No. 3 on the New York Times best sellers list, her best out-of-the-gate showing yet, Moyes takes a break with a collection of pieces new to America. The title novella features Nell, a timid 26-year-old who's never been on a romantic weekend, much less to Paris. When she is stood up, she goes to Paris anyway, proving something important to herself and others. Eight stories juice up the volume.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2016

The latest from Moyes (Me Before You) is a collection made up of the title novella plus an additional eight stories. Even those who think they don't like short stories will be charmed by this volume. The tone is light throughout, held together by a general theme of women finding themselves, either through leaving relationships, discovering new ones, or appreciating the ones they have. The title story provides the perfect visit to the world of every romantic movie you've ever watched. As this collection is releasing for the holiday book season, the final story takes place at Christmastime, with a busy woman trying to finish her shopping with the help of a London cabbie. The conclusion is unexpected and witty, with a touch of melancholy, which may just describe the feel of the whole book. VERDICT This brief but entertaining anthology, told with Moyes's patented mix of romance and gentle social commentary, sticks closely to the feel of her previous works, so current fans will be greatly satisfied. Also recommended for genre readers who are looking for something short and sweet. [See Prepub Alert, 5/23/16.]--Melanie Kindrachuk, Stratford P.L., Ont.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.