After losing nearly everything except a run-down hotel in the divorce from her cheating husband, romance author Anais is working to clean the hotel up and sell it as quickly as possible. Next door to the hotel is a bar run by Noah, who makes the job difficult with his demands. Working with her cousin Manon, Anais’ vision of turning the hotel into a book-lover’s retreat is peppered with issue after issue, including the discovery of a mysterious, sealed-off set of rooms. As she peels back the layers of the hotel, literally and figuratively, what she finds may change her life forever.

This official description does not do this book justice. While the book takes place around Christmas time, I wouldn’t say it’s really a Christmas book. Instead, it’s an ode to the great Parisian literary history, and a testament to the strength and fortitude of women everywhere. 

In another book, the setbacks Anais had to face before we even met her could have led to a weaker character. Instead, she was strong and determined and I felt proud of her from the start. No disrespect to Anais but Manon was the best character in the book, far exceeding her sidekick status. She was lovable, funny and tough, not letting anyone—any men—get away with nonsense. Even Anais’ agent Margaret came to be a powerful female character, exhibiting qualities many of us would find admirable. And of course, the  there were the women in the lost history of the hotel—the strongest and most amazing of all. 

I found the writing smooth and lovely. I was engaged right away and never lost attention. I even found myself getting excited as hotel renovations came to fruition, as if I was there myself.

Admittedly, I know little about the literary history of Paris, and reading this book made me want to learn more. Anais and other characters travel through Paris visiting places of significance, which I’m not sure are fiction or not.  I was hoping there would be an author’s note about that piece (there wasn’t) but I’m sure it’s easy enough to find out. It’s been years since I was in Paris and this book absolutely made me want to book a flight right away. 

I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated, and look forward to reading more by the author.