Set in the 1950s, Meet Me in Monaco was a great read. I loved the setting, the characters, and the overall storyline. Can't wait to read more by these two authors.

Having recently finished the previously published “Meet Me in Monaco” by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, I am happy to have had the chance for the e-copy; thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers!

This is a story that heightened my senses! I enjoyed learning bits and pieces of what life as a parfumeur, creating luxury fragrances entailed. It was interesting and new. Although the story was scattered at times with vague backstory characters, had gaps in time, and was predictable with foreshadowing hints I picked up on throughout, I enjoyed it, and the many curves and twists it took me along the fragrant journey.

"Fragrances and their individual scent are like words, a way to express myself."

I picked this book up on a whim because the cover reminded me of one of my recent favorites in the historical fiction genre. Plus, when looking for summer reads I tend to gravitate to anything that will tear at the strings of my heart but also exploring beautiful locales. This had the potential for both and it certainly delivered in the end. It was also my first time reading both of these authors and it certainly won’t be the last.

As soon as I picked up MEET ME IN MONACO I was swept up into another world and I didn’t want to let go. I read this in almost one sitting. It was addictive from beginning to end.

This is the story of Sophie, a struggling French perfumer who only ever wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and create beautiful scents. She owns a small shop in Cannes and this starts during the film festival there. Cannes is full of stars and celebrities and among them in Grace Kelly. Sophie and Grace meet by chance when Ms. Kelly was hiding from the paparazzi and stumbled into her store. And that one chance encounter also brought to Sophie’s doorstep one British photographer who really needed to capture the perfect image of Ms. Kelly if he was to keep his job back home. What follows is a story of fate, love and second chances. It read like a beautiful romance with our starcrossed lovers in the most romantic of places. It was also a little heartbreaking, but remember what I said at the beginning of this review. That’s exactly what I wanted.

If you enjoy reading about different types of professions I think you’ll also be as fascinated as me with Sophie’s job. I loved seeing the process of creating a perfume. The different notes and steps that go into finding the perfect balance. It was really fascinating!

This is a perfect poolside read. Intrigue, royalty, celebrities and romance. The writing was smooth and flawless and it’s left me wanting to read more from this duo for sure.

This book was a wonderful escape to the French Riviera full of romance and glamour. I enjoyed every minute of Meet Me in Monaco and I am sad now that my time with it is over. I loved the characters and the backdrop of Grace Kelly's marriage made the setting fun, though the French Riviera is a perfectly good setting as it is! My only problems with the book were that I felt there was not enough background given to the characters and that the writing was not descriptive enough.
The story starts the day Grace runs into Sophie's shop and goes from there. I spent the first few chapters feeling like I'd been dropped into a story already in progress. I guess I would have liked to get to know Sophie a bit before she met Grace. Sophie seemed to have a lot going on and I feel like there was more to her that should have been told. I am still left wondering how she ended up with that Lucien character in the first place. I can't see her ever being attracted to someone like him. There was also more to her relationship with her father and mother that I would have been interested to read about.
However, apart from that, it was a lovely book and I will have a hard time moving on to my next read as I find thoughts of it lingering with me. I miss the characters and I just might have to have a Grace Kelly movie binge before I can get over this whole thing.
Fans of historical fiction, Hollywood, whirlwind romances, and Grace Kelly will all find something to love here.

Meet Me in Monaco feels like the perfect title for right now.  It is a gentle, romantic story that will allow its readers to escape daily life.  Much of the book is set in France with its beautiful towns and countryside.  And then, of course, readers also spend time in Monaco itself.


The background for the story is Grace Kelly's wedding to Prince Rainier but Sophie and Jim are also prominent characters for whom readers want the best.  Sophie is a parfumier with a beloved family business that is facing financial ruin.  The man she is to marry does not always seem right for her.  Jim is a photographer assigned at times to follow Ms. Kelly.  Jim is divorced and the woman in his life is daughter, Emily.

Sophie meets Jim when he chases Grace into Sophie's store.  From this beginning, readers will spend time with the three and with the others who surround them, all the while hoping for fairy tale endings.


The book follows a typical narrative structure with the addition of nterspersed news articles.  These are fun to read and help readers to feel that they are witnesses to the action.


This novel was written by two authors who worked very well together.  It was impossible for me to detect who was writing when. 


I highly recommend this novel for those who need a bit of feel good time.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Romantic, lush, glamorous — this is a great summer read, and a solid choice for Strong Sense of Place.

I loved this book! I loved the characters Sofie and Jimmy! My favorite part of book was how they made you feel a part of Grace Kelley's love story as well! This is a must read!!

Sophie is startled when movie star Grace Kelly runs into her perfume shop in an attempt to escape a photographer. Sophie takes charge, hides her, and sends James, the photographer on his way. Later, when James is one of the handful of photographers present at the first meeting between Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco, he gives her Sophie's business card. Grace orders perfume from Sophie, and a friendship is born. James, unable to forget the beautiful and alluring Sophie, writes to her, and the two begin a flirtation and relationship.

This was a well written and engaging story. It was well paced and presented. Sophie and James were dynamic and realistic characters. The settings of Cannes and Grasse was interesting and well done. Overall, well worth picking up.

It's 1955 and Sophie is a perfume maker in Cannes, France. One day a mysterious woman comes into Sophie's shop looking to hide from someone who is following her. The mysterious woman is Grace Kelly, the biggest starlet of the time. She is in town for the Cannes Film Festival and the press is hounding her. Sophie hides Ms. Kelly in her office just as a photographer comes in looking for her. The photographer who introduces himself as James is a charming British man who tries to flirt Sophie into revealing Ms. Kelly's hiding place but she won't. James consoles himself by taking a picture of the beautiful Sophie since he can not locate Ms. Kelly. From this day forward, Sophie, James and Grace Kelly are in and out of each other's orbits. As Sophie and James form a relationship, at the same time Grace Kelly is meeting and falling in love with the Prince of Monaco.

Most of the story is spent on the imaginary stories of Sophie and James, not only their fledgling love story but also their family dramas. All the while, the glamorous setting of Monaco and the romance between Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier are weaving in and out as plot elements. It's implied that Grace Kelly affected Sophie, James and perhaps all the world in some way and it's clearly written as an homage to a much beloved star. It's an interesting, roundabout way to "tell" the story of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier's romance. I feel like the story sagged in the middle and I was wishing for a happier ending. The one that was provided was bittersweet. Perhaps the bittersweetness was intentional given that Grace Kelly's untimely death is a tragic story. Overall, this was an enjoyable piece of historical fiction in a unique setting and would appeal to anyone who was enthralled with the recent royal weddings. Meghan Markle may be the most recent American Princess, but Grace Kelly was the first.

Thanks to Harper Collins for sending me the ARC of this fantastic historical fiction novel. I was so excited to get a copy of this story which is set against the backdrop of Grace Kelly’s wedding to the Prince of Monaco. It was a second chance romance, a story of female friendship, and it was fantastic. It’s hard for me to figure out which character I loved the most – possibly Grace herself. Just know that Grace is more of a minor character in the story. I listened to parts of it on audiobook as well, and I can recommend that one too!

I received an advanced copy of this title via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is mesmerizing. Webb and Gaynor compliment each other magnificently in this work. The book flows seamlessly from one author to another and it is difficult to decipher who wrote what. The reader does not need to know, or care, about Grace Kelly in order to appreciate this story. While it certainly centers on the events of Grace Kelly becoming the Princess of Monaco, it is so much more than a retelling it. The book celebrates the love and passion one can have for their work and for another person. It also embraces the sacrifices that one must make and how circumstances can impact life decisions. A charming and delightful novel that will make anyone who reads it appreciate the happiness that they have been able to enjoy in their own lives

Highly enjoyable beach read, the dual authors have a seamless voice, Grace Kelly, the flowers of Grasse, and the permutations of life
weave together in a captivating way. My favorite part of the book was the use of the “journalism” of reporter, Ms West. fun but not especially literary read for royals fans.

A beautifully written book that will transport you to another time, all senses ablaze, where you will fall in love with every detail. I highly recommend this book, particularly if you're near a cozy chair and a cup of tea. There's nothing better than love.

Grace Kelly being in Cannes for the film fest and her subsequent romance with the Prince is the catalyst for Sophie and James meeting but she can’t take credit for their sparks.

Sophie has never been a risk taker and James is someone who always pushes the line, so Sophie isn’t sure how to handle her attraction to him. James is pretty much ready to dive in with Sophie.

There are always complications in love stories and this one has its share.

Movie star Grace Kelly takes Cannes by storm when she arrives at the film festival, followed by the paparazzi hungry for photos. But as the film star is trying to avoid the press, perfumer Sophie Duval has more serious problems on her mind—saving her family business. By luck, Grace Kelly ducks into Sophie’s tiny shop to escape one determined photographer and Sophie hides the actress and confronts the pushy man herself, sending him away. What Sophie doesn’t realize yet is that photographer, James, and Miss Grace Kelly herself, will shape her future in more ways than one.

MEET ME IN MONACO is a delightful novel full of interesting characters and plots that keep the reader turning pages. The glitter of a Hollywood star, the romance of a starlet and prince, and the love story of two people who meet at an inopportune time but so desperately wish to be together. What more could a reader want? A lovely, enjoyable novel.

Great historical romance and 2 stories in 1, that of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco, and that of Sophie and James, a perfume maker and a photographer who meet at almost the same time. Circumstances are challenging, making the story more complicated, but the descriptions of the scenery, flowers, and fragrances are beautiful.

Meet Me in Monaco is lovingly written by the team of bestselling author, Hazel Gaynor and historical novelist, Heather Webb. Meet Me in Monaco begins in May 1955. The London Herald has just printed a news article written by senior fashion editor, Angeline West. All the stars are out in Cannes for the eight annual Film Festival. Hollywood’s darling, Grace Kelly, is one of the loveliest stars in Cannes this year. Each chapter of Meet Me in Monaco tells the story via the alternating points of view of Sophie Duval, James Henderson and Angeline West (via her news articles).

Financially-strapped perfumer, Sophie Duval, is also in Cannes running the Duval perfume boutique. Following the death of her father, Sophie has worked long and hard to carry on the family perfume business. Modern perfumes are now being produced faster and cheaper with chemical ingredients. The fragrant ingredients used to make Duval’s unique perfumes are derived from flowers cultivated on the family-owned land.

As a talented perfumer, Sophie insists on the continued quality of Duval perfumes. She has learned everything she knows about making perfume from her father. However, Sophie has developed her own expertise at creating just the right scents for customers based on their personalities and interests. Sophie is a master perfumer in her own right. Unfortunately, with her being father gone for a number of years, times are tough for Sophie. Duval’s company finances are a mess. Sophie is beleaguered by the probability of losing both the land and the business.

James Henderson, is a Herald news photographer. His daughter Emily lives with her mother and step-father. In spite of the divorce, James tries to see Emily whenever time and circumstances permit. On assignment, James is the Herald’s photographer covering the Cannes Film Festival. During the festival, Sophie has chase meeting with both Grace Kelly and James Henderson. Sophie shelters Grace Kelly from James’s annoying paparazzi-like behavior.

While working during the Cannes Film Festival, we find James chasing Grace Kelly into Sophie Duval’s boutique. However, Sophie effectively thwarts James’ attempt, by hiding Grace Kelly in the boutique office. This failed attempt is bad news for James as his job at the Herald is on the line. He desperately needs some good shots of Grace Kelly to satisfy his boss. Although James leaves the boutique with Sophie’s sweet-smelling business card, he was not able to get a photo of Grace. Miss Kelly left the boutique quite grateful to have been rescued by Sophie.

Later James attends press photoshoot for news photographers to take pictures during Miss Kelly’s “first meeting” with Prince Rainier. The photoshoot didn’t go as well as James had hoped. However, the day did result in a chance meeting between Grace Kelly and James Henderson. As James and the other reporters are close by Miss Kelly, she catches a whiff of a lovely scent. When Grace asks James about the beautifully unique scent. James hands her Sophie Duval’s perfume-scented business card. This chance happening sets the tone for the rest of Meet Me in Monaco.

During the following months, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco fall in love. They become engaged and the royal wedding is set to take place in Monaco in April 1956. James and Sophie were able to spend only a little time to get to know each other before James returned to his job in London.

April 1956 arrives quickly. The royal wedding is happening. Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco are getting married! Grace would soon be known as Princess Grace of Monaco. Will Sophie be invited to the wedding? Will James Henderson be covering the wedding for the Herald? Will Grace Kelly wear a Sophie Duval fragrance at her wedding? Will James and Sophie find each other again?

I enjoyed reading Meet Me in Monaco. I was completely caught up in the story of Sophie, James and Grace Kelly. Meet Me in Monaco was a “I can’t turn the pages fast enough” book for me! I was thoroughly enthralled with Grace Kelly and amazed at how seamlessly her persona was blended her into the storyline. With only words on paper, the authors painted an amazing portrait of a lovely woman with a beautiful soul, Grace Kelly.

A chance encounter with actress Grace Kelly at Cannes during the international film festival in 1955 changes two lives forever. She dashes into the boutique parfumerie owned by Sophie Duval to avoid pursuit by an avid member of the paparazzi. Sophie directs her to her office where the actress can sneak out the back door. Meanwhile English photographer James Henderson rushes in looking for Grace and confronts Sophie. All he needs is a photograph of Grace to keep his boss happy but settles for a snap of Sophie instead.

When Grace contacts Sophie to thank her and ask for a gift for her sister, the two begin a lasting friendship which may just save Sophie's struggling business. When James develops the photo he took of Sophie, he realizes he'd like to see that attractive woman again. He is fortunate enough to be among the newspeople included when the actress meets Prince Rainier of Monaco for the first time and as the famous couple's relationship develops, he has a front row seat for much of it.

The love story of Grace and her prince always seemed like a fairy tale when I was a child. What fun to read how it all unfolded through the eyes of Sophie and James told in alternating chapters. There are also news articles sprinkled here and there, written by reporter Angeline West, to fill in some of the details. Very nicely-written piece of historical fiction.

I received an arc of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity to spend time in Provence and learn more about a fascinating woman.

Oh, to be transported to Monaco during the days of Grace Kelly's courtship with Prince Ranier. Well, reading Meet Me in Monaco is the second best option!

in May of 1955, we meet Sophie, a young parfumeur with a distinctive talent for creating beautiful, unique scents. On the run from the paparazzi, Grace Kelly seeks refuge in Sophie's shop and a friendship is born. Coincidentally, the very paparazzo that Grace is hiding from becomes a man of great significance to young Sophie and we receive alternating chapters in his perspective as well. Interspersed with news articles from the courtship of Grace and the Prince of Monaco, we watch Sophie's friendship with Grace Kelly bloom (and get cameos from other cool Hollywood figures, such as Alfred Hitchcock) and how this friendship shapes her life.

Gaynor and Webb write so fluidly as a duo that there is never any feeling that this novel was written by two authors, but rather seamless as one voice. There was a great deal I did not know about Kelly and the royal wedding that I learned and enjoyed - it's almost as if the world was watching then as I watched William and Kate just a few years ago, but of course, in a very different medium. Pick up this one and transport yourself back to Monaco along with Sophie, James and of course, Grace Kelly.

The love story of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier is the backdrop to Meet Me In Monaco. The main story is about Sophie and Jim who meet due to Grace Kelly. The history of Grace and the Prince is accurately portrayed and the book is well written. Ms Gaynor and Ms. Webb don't disappoint on this collaboration. I didn't particularly care for Sophie, I just didn't like her character traits, yet I still enjoyed her story. This is the mark of a good author and a good book.