This book was a dazzling escape to the south of France during a glamorous time in its history. I loved the romance of the place, which Gaynor and Webb wrote about so beautifully. I loved the way Grace Kelly's story is really a means to connect James and Sophie, our two main characters whose alternating perspectives propel the book along. James is a photographer charged with documenting Princess Grace's first trip to Monaco and is sent back again when the wedding of the century looms. Sophie is perfumer who hides Grace in her shop from the prying eyes of paparazzi and in turn cultivates a relationship with her that spans the year of her and Rainier's courtship. Through a series of circumstances James and Sophie connect is deep way that is cut short by more than one of life's interruptions. As the royal wedding day approaches, James and Sophie's relationship also reaches a fever pitch.

This is one of the BEST books I've read this year! I read it in two days. If you like reading about starcrossed lovers as I do, then you will love this novel. The writing is beautiful, and I loved being swept away to a summer in France. I loved Sophie and James, but I think Grace Kelly was the star of the show. I so enjoyed the descriptions of her clothes and her obvious affection toward her dog. Grace came across as being so sweet and charming. You just can't help falling in love with her on the page and admiring her weddings and wishing she would have a long and happy life.

Well done, Heather and Hazel - I can't wait to see what you ladies come up with next!

Thank you, Netgalley, for this arc.

The story opens during the 1955 Cannes film festival. The beautiful Grace Kelly runs into a shop in order to escape a photographer and with that both a life-long friendship and a romance have their starts. Sophie Duval is a 33-year old, second-generation, struggling perfumer; while James Henderson, is a 35-year old photographer dealing with a divorce and the guilt of being an absentee father. The two are brought together by their links to Grace Kelly. Sophie is chosen by Grace to produce a signature perfume for Grace’s famous wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco and James is tasked with accompanying Grace or her trip across the Atlantic to Monaco. Triumphs and tragedies unite and separate the two would be lovers, leaving the reader to wonder if theirs will ever be a happy ending.

A bittersweet story set against the backdrop of the glamour of Cannes, lavender-scented fields of Grasse and a castle in Monaco, it is a place made for lover’s to triumph. Gaynor and Webb give us a page-turning novel with strong, likable characters whose passions and problems will keep the reader entranced throughout. It is a mature love story with a woman who wants to be successful on her own without the dictates of a man, and a man whose priority is his daughter over his own career. I recommend this book for fans of historical fiction, romance fans, as well as those that love the stories about Grace Kelly. When you’re done search out those pictures chronicling the romance of Grace and Rainier!

I absolutely adored everything about this novel! From the tag line of it being a novel of A Royal Wedding to the beautiful landscapes I could only imagine escaping to...this novel was everything I wanted in a romantic read and more.

The tag line under the title of this novel states that it is a story of Grace Kelly and yes, it was that but so much more. While the two authors brought Philadelphia native Grace Kelly to life, this novel actually centered around another female who found her life intertwined with the Princess’s.

The character of Sophie Duval is one I immediately fell in love with and who will stay in my heart as one of my favorite characters. Sophie is a young woman who has a dream and even though those closest to her seem to not believe in her she follows her heart which leads to great things.

I also have gained a new book boyfriend from this novel and know that James “Jim to his friends” will remain in my heart

This book taught me a lot about perfume and how the sense of smell can transport you and truly remind you of a time, place or person.

In short, this novel made me happy.

It amazes me that this novel was written by two authors as the voice is so poignant and strong that it is seamless. Hazel And Heather are talented alone and make a great team!

This novel will definitely be one that I will reread and will recommend to anyone that will listen!

Thanks to the authors and the publisher for an early read.

Meet Me in Monaco is a charming and elegant read. Although it tells the story of a French perfume maker and a British photograph, Grace Kelly is the heartbeat of this book, bringing the couple together time and time again. While I was a tad disappointed with the ending, I thought the writing was beautiful and I loved being whisked away to France to dream of princesses and perfume.

I really enjoyed this book. I love that while it focuses on Grace Kelly and her whirlwind wedding, there are also stories of important and interesting characters interwoven with the actress’s story. The stories move together beautifully and seamlessly, with each chapter flowing right into the next. And the reader is kept on their toes. The authors do not write what is predictable, but what feels realistic. There is a princess, but this is not a fairytale, it is about people who are realistically showing themselves, flaws and all.

I absolutely adored this book! It is beautifully written and alternates between James’ perspective (British photographer), Sophie’s perspective (French perfumer), and newspaper headlines of Grace Kelly which makes this an easy and quick read. You won’t have a more gorgeous setting for a book (Cote d’ Azur!). Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco meet and then eventually marry. The book begins when Grace Kelly escapes into Sophie’s perfume shop as she tries to get away from paparazzi. Sophie and Grace end up becoming close and so do Sophie and James (the photographer). The book follows their struggling careers and their romance while weaving in a bit of history about Grace Kelly and her life. I fell in love with the characters which made it hard to put down. The ending was bittersweet!

I remember the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier, so this book was a treat to read. The story of the young French perfumer and the British press photographer was so poignant and a wonderful way to show what a global affair this was. I couldn't put it down. A lovely story.

I love love loved this book! I have always been a fan of Hazel Gaynor, but this is one of her bests. I knew very little about Grace Kelly when I started this book, and enjoyed the historical aspects. I loved knowing more about her, and I must admit that I cried like a baby at the ending (even knowing what was going to happen). A great book!

Such a fun and engaging read! This is smart, romantic, beautifully written and heartbreaking. Loved the backdrop and the real life characters.

I read this in a day and really enjoyed it, especially the slightly unconventional ending. I also love the gorgeous cover.

The backdrop of the story is the whirlwind courtship and marriage of Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco, this was a real life fairy tale with a tragic ending. I have always enjoyed hering about real famous people relationships, and this does not diappoint.

I was able to read the ARC of "Meet Me in Monaco" by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb through NetGalley. As a recent discoverer of Hazel Gaynor, I was again thrilled to read her latest story. This story is based around the 1950's romance between Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco, and two connected characters. I really enjoyed the characters developed and the interesting storyline. I look forward to her next novel!!

Perfume, the paparazzi, and Princess Grace. Historical fiction about Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier of Monaco meeting for the first time, and how Grace's influence saved the careers of a struggling French perfumer as well as an English photojournalist. Interesting details about the Principality of Monaco and about the creation of perfumes.

An unexpected meeting in a perfume store in Cannes between Grace Kelly and perfumer Sophie Duval has a profound impact on the perfumer. Struggling to keep her family business afloat the meeting with Grace Kelly provides an unexpected opportunity, an unexpected romance, and an unexpected friend. A story of a woman trying to follow her heart in a world were women are expected to defer to men.