Review: P.S. from Paris

P.S. from Paris by Marc Levy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wanted something light and airy to start the year off and to settle down from the holiday excitement. This book filled the bill. Two ex-pats living in Paris, one and American writer who has lived there for 6 years or so, the other a British film star who has just run away to reevaluate her marriage to her co-star husband who has cheated on her.

Paul's friends are visiting from San Francisco--Lauren and her husband, Arthur who is Paul's childhood pal. Both desperately wish Paul would move back to the States--he has become reclusive and spends his time writing into the late hours of the night with no social life of which to speak. They worry about his mental health and isolation. On a lark, they establish a profile for him using an on-line dating service.Arthur later writes "Paul's" introduction to a woman on the site--giving his architectural background, his current profession and his wish that he were as brave as some of his fictional characters. He then invites her to a meal at a nice restaurant. He is clear that there are no strings attached.

Mia, in the meantime, has run to the apartment of HER childhood friend, who is the owner-chef of a small restaurant in Montmartre. Daisy, her friend, is French from Provence, where Mia spent many of her childhood summers. Daisy even came to Britain in her early years to stay with Mia to improve her English. She is used to Mia's tendency to live in a sort of fantasy world, a result no doubt of her stardom status. This time, however, Mia is truly broken-hearted and at a loss over what to do about her husband, David's infidelity. She loves him but fears he no longer loves her. Out of boredom one morning after Daisy has gone to work and Mia has checked her email, she discovers a dating site on Daisy's computer. Later, after teasing Daisy about her use of such a tool and discussing its pros and cons, she finds herself setting up a profile of her own. She describes herself as a chef in a small restaurant. Upon checking her profile the next day, she finds "Paul's" message, is intrigued and attracted and accepts the invitation, also with the no strings attached declaration.


Arthur discovers the two messages and he and Lauren decide to make sure the assignation occurs. They tell Paul that they have a client who wants to establish a branch of a popular American restaurant in Paris and since they will be leaving to the States in several days want Paul to be the liason on the project. Since they are " meeting" the client for dinner they insist he come along for the discussion. Needless to say it is taking place at the place chosen by Paul with Mia,as the client. These two then pack their bags and take off for Honfleur leaving the two ignorant loners to meet and hopefully click.

From this first hilarious meeting between two strangers to their explorations of Paris, a jaunt to Seoul and the inevitable discovery of and loss of their emotional involvement and final reunion, this light-hearted tale with some interesting insights does not disappoint!



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