This book is what everyone needs to read right now. An enticing mix of friendship, humour, romance and sightseeing is the perfect escape when you can't go anywhere. The second in the holiday romance series, this follows Cat's travelling adventures around France, Italy and many other European countries in a few weeks. She books the trip on a whim, running from an awkward situation with her London flatmate. A perfect complete story, but the previous book in the series, One Summer in Santorini, is worth reading too, to find out what happens to Cat's sister Sarah.

Cat's impromptu travelling buddies are great characters they add authenticity, humour and poignancy to the story. The sightseeing is fabulous and gives the book depth, vivid imagery and provides atmospheric settings for this story of love and life. The romance is conflicted, gentle and engaging.

I received a copy of this book from the author and One More Chapter in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed this; it was a fun light hearted read. I liked how the characters met and developed friendships.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

A heartwarming romantic read, just exactly what I needed. This book made me smile from ear to ear and we all need that at this time. The author paints wonderful imagery of Europe and you could almost be there, the characters are lovely and you root for them as you read, such wonderful relationships. This is just full of fun and humour. A wonderful pick you up read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This is my first introduction to the work of Sandy Barker and it won't be my last, I loved this fun-filled sexy romcom. That Night in Paris is book two in The Holiday Romance series, with each story easily read as a standalone but if you wish, like me, to catch up with the whole series please do check out One Summer in Santorini.
I'm drawn to stories set in Paris and That Night in Paris is more than just a gorgeous romcom, it's also your free ticket to travel around Europe courtesy of the characters in this novel. The quote "Reading gives you some place to go when we have to stay where we are" is perfect for this novel and for the uncertain times we are facing now. Author, Sandy Barker, has give us the perfect opportunity to tag along with the characters on a whirlwind trip around Europe with the added bonus, for some, of a holiday romance and journeys of self-discovery for many.
Cat Parsons has woken up feeling she's made an error of judgement, so in order to rectify the situation, albeit temporarily, she books herself on a two week bus tour of Europe visiting many cities and towns across France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Cat soon makes friends with 3 other solo female travellers and a bond is formed. However, it's not all glamorous and some of the accommodation stopovers are a little basic but the girls make do. There's an unexpected benefit to the trip when the girls bump into someone from Cat's past, totally taking her by surprise and bringing up all sorts of confusing emotions.
Since the break-up of her last serious relationship Cat has vowed never to let love in again to avoid having her heart broken. She is so adamant not to go down the love route but when she struggles to understand her feelings in the past and the present she has to accept that love isn't something to be afraid of.
A girls-on-tour romcom full of fun, laughter, love and plenty of wonderful sights, sounds and cultural delights that will have you drooling for more than the food!

Do you ever finish a story and think, “I needed that?”

Yay! *mini fist pump* I’m so glad you agree.

*coughs* (into my elbow – times as they are!)

Sorry, got a bit carried away there...

TNIP had me giggling from the first page and Cat’s story really lifted my spirits. Plus, add in one (helluva) sexy French man and what’s not to love? *shrug/snorts* <- that’s multi-tasking right there, peeps.

I’m a Sandy Barker newbie, but let me tell you, I was instantly drawn in by her writing style and the eclectic cast of characters that she has created. TNIP is an effortless read which I was happy to get lost in.

I felt an immediate kinship with the MC, Cat. She is definitely a sister-from-another-mister thanks to her inner monologue and ‘talking’ lady parts *snorts*. Add in her general aversion to people and I had a bestie for life – whaaa??!

Unlike our Cat, the worst that has ever befallen me after a curry and copious quantities of wine is a bad case of the trotskies (TMI?!). I’ve never felt the need to flee from an over amorous flatmate following a night of questionable decisions (read: activities) *winks*. Especially not on a European bus tour *shudders*.

As my friends will testify, I am a terrible traveller. And the idea of being stuck on a coach for hours on end is my idea of h-e-l-l, no matter the number of awesome destinations. Ugh, I feel bilious (word of the day, anyone!) just thinking about it, lol.

What is it they say? Ah yes, *taps chin* reading gives us a place to go when we have to stay where we are. Never a truer word has been spoken (or written for that matter – especially now). Through the author’s writing I was magically transported to every city Cat and her crew visited. I truly felt I was there with them and was able to share in all their delights as they explored. Repeat after me, Laura; one day, one day!

Along with the laughs, I was surprised (others probably not so much) at how emotive I found Cat’s story. There were a few scenes that really ‘got’ to me. This non-romantic romantic was swooning and sighing with the best of them.

*whispers* This is our secret, right? But I had to share my favourite quote with you all:

“It was as though we’d both been holding our breath and the kiss was letting it go.”

Help! I’m gushing...

*slaps cheek*

Normal service has resumed.

Now to catch up with Sarah’s story. Two words: silver fox. Hehe!

Such a lovely, romantic read .. with plenty of laughs thrown in!

Cat is single - by choice. She doesn't 'do' relationships. So sleeping with her flatmate one drunken evening was a big mistake; more so as he seems to think it makes them a couple. Running away is the quickest solution she can come up with, so Cat finds herself on a European coach tour and begins to make friends amongst her fellow travellers. What she didn't bargain for was the first stop to be in Paris, romantic capital of the world!

I have so enjoyed this one - on several counts. The group on the coach are a mixed bunch, creating lots of scope for entertainment. The descriptions of the stops along the way are quite mesmerising and the author paints a wonderful picture of the sights (and the food!). It's easy to understand Cat's motives - haven't we all said, after a bad breakup - 'never again'? A fine, happy read which reduced me to giggles many a time, and left me with a smile on my face. Sandy Barker is added to my list of must watch authors, and I can recommend this highly to every who enjoys romance with a bit of angst and plenty of smiles thrown in. Well worth four shining stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley, and to Rachel's Random Resources for my spot on this tour. This is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

That Night In Paris... I fell in love with this 5 star read.

This book is as much about friendships as it is about love. When one woman takes a journey to lose herself, she finds her heart along the way.

I loved the cast of characters we meet on our whistle-stop tour of Europe, from London to Rome and back to Paris, we are introduced to the bus besties and various males, but it's the random stranger in the street who captures the heart of Cat out intrepid explorer. By the time I finished reading #ThatNightInParis there was a little place in my heart for Lou as well as Jean-Luc, I hope that we may learn how happens in her story.

What surprised me was the detail that the author took in describing all the cities on the tour, I could imagine being in each one along with Cat, Lou and the rest of the gang.

My thanks, as always, to #Netgalley, #OneMoreChapter and to Sandy Barker for allowing me to read and review a copy of #ThatNightInParis.

I've been looking forward to reading this book since I absolutely adored the first one in the series, One Summer in Santorini. This story centers around Sarah's sister Cat, who is desperate to avoid her roommate after spontaneously sleeping with him one night. Problem is, he confesses his secret love for her and Cat - she just doesn't do relationships. Trust me, she had one heck of a bad experience with a long term boyfriend a decade ago that has kept her from falling in love every since! So the most logical thing to do is book yourself on a bus tour across Europe. Little does she know it will be the trip that changes everything. She will meet the most amazing friends, do quite a bit of soul searching and as fates would have it, she runs into her lost love ... in Paris .... who then meets up with her in Rome and Switzerland. There chemistry is so incredibly sweet and sizzling.

First up, I must talk about the tour. Being quarantined at home for the past month, it was so wonderful to be transported to so many wonderful regions and clearly picture the scenery, food and customs! Don't let the title fool you. Yes, it starts in Paris, but you also spend many scenes in France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Amsterdam. Our characters visit so many touristy attractions such as: The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, French Riviera, Colosseum, Pantheon, Duomo, Trevie Fountain, the Vatican, Venice, some magical nights in the Swiss Alps and so many more. It was perfection. The author captured the excitement, awe and even the annoyance of crowds of onlookers at each. I like that she also took us off the beaten path to and introduced some local favorites hangouts as well.

I've been on several bus tours and many of those happened to be from Germany to Switzerland. It's true that after spending so many days in close quarters with these people, you do develop quite the bond. We still keep in touch with a family we met 20 years ago on one of our adventures. Lets just say you have a lot of time to talk and really get to know one another. I easily related to that part of the story. I loved Cat's bus besties. They come from all walks on life, age groups and personalities, but I truly believed their fast bonds and sympathy to help one another through their various trials and reasons for being on this trip alone. I really loved Lou and would love to see her in appear in future stories. I need to know what happens between her and Jackson!

Onto the romance. I was such a slow burning sizzle that just left you waiting for the two characters to finally give in and profess their attractions. They had the added challenge of knowing one another as teenagers and it was fun to watch that friendship develop as they got to know one another as adults. I won't say too much, but it's a story about lost love and getting that second chance. Trust me, you will have no problem falling for Jean-Luc yourself. His accent, wavy hair, smarts and sweetness will win you over instantly. I shall forever pronounce Catherine the way he does.

It was great seeing glimpses of Sarah throughout this story as well. She is getting ready to see both of her beaus that she met in Greece and I can't wait to watch as she has the tough decision of choosing who to let go. I know who I'd pick! Book 3 of the Holiday Romance series, A Sunset in Sydney, is coming our in July!!

Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed That Night in Paris, and had such fun travelling across Europe with main character Cat and her new ‘bus besties,’ Lou, Jaelee and Dani. While Cat’s love interest Jean-Luc was super hot and I really enjoyed the ‘will they/won’t they’ element of the budding romance between them, the sights the bus besties saw, the experiences they had and the friendships which grew between them made this so much more than a holiday romance. I truly felt like I was on this epic trip myself and this offered a wonderful escapism that I sorely need at the moment.

Having read Sandy’s first book in this series - One Summer in Santorini - (though they can be read as stand alone books) and really liked it, I moved straight onto That Night in Paris, and to be honest, this second story was even better than the first. I didn’t want it to end, and would have happily read it if it was five hundred pages long and covered four weeks instead of two!

I can’t wait to read the next book, ‘A Sunset in Sydney’ and see how Cat and Sarah’s journeys end.

Our lead protagonist, Catherine, decides to escape on a bus tour through France, Italy, and Germany after mistakenly sleeping with her male flat mate in London following a drunken Indian food feast. Nothing says kiss me like curry and boozy breath. She is on the lam from love in a 2-week coach tour. Who does that? This girl is in her early 30’s? However, hijinks ensue with her new besties (3 other gals with “love” issues) whom she bonds with the 1st day of the bus tour. Romance arrives when Catherine bumps into her high school (foreign exchange student) flame in Paris. Merde! What are the odds? I could write a doctoral dissertation on how this “book” is a literary travesty. This is a poorly written romance novel unless you are a giggly pre-teen and think Rick Steves’ falling for E.L. James in a Turkish bath could be lustful. In short, the most romantic moments involve buckets of wine and tingly bits. Thanks to @netgalley for the free read but this one needs serious editing. My views are my own and without bias. Ce livre n'est pas très bon

Even though it’s not the first book in the series, this is my first book by Sandy Barker and what a fun trip it was!

After a night of bad decisions, Cat Parsons books a fortnight trip through Europe to get away from real life. On the trip she quickly bonds with three other women running away from problems of their own. And then a chance encounter makes Cat question if she can always run from love.

The descriptions of the various locations were done really well. I went on a similar bus tour of Europe myself when I was in my early 20s, and it was fun to relive some of the locations. Tour group hook-ups and other shenanigans were rife on that trip and the one in this book, too. I don’t know if some might find it unrealistic, but my reaction was “Yep, sounds about right.”

I have to admit I was much more intersted in the relationships that developed between the four women than the romance, really! Particularly between Cat and “bus bestie” Lou. It was sweet and realistic and I really enjoyed the way it developed. The other two, Jaylee and Dani, were fun though I sometimes couldn’t remember which one of them was which.

Cat is an intersting protagonist. It did take me a while to warm to her, I guess just because we are So. Different. so at first I found it hard to relate. And perhaps I was bothered by the fact that she was a bit self-involved, but as she started to recognise that about herself and change her behaviour, it became easier to get behind her… though I don’t think I ever want to hear the phrase “lady parts” again.

As to the romance, I have to say, I did love Jean-Luc. But I think just a bunch of personal preferences meant I didn’t get wholly into it. The nature of the story meant that the romance played out in a few short encounters over a two week period, where I tend to prefer a slowburn. It’s also a second-chance-at-love romance, which again, is not really my thing.

There’s nothing wrong with either of these tropes! Don’t get me wrong! They’re just not what I generally would seek out. Someone who is really into those will definitely love this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for supplying me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am sorry but this book was not for me. I liked the title of the book and the thought of the characters going round Europe. I really struggled to keep reading this book. The writing style is not what I am used to and I did not like the characters enough to stay interested? Sorry.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Something for almost every interest! Serendipitous jaunt thru Europe😎

🚌🗼⛪🍷🍽🏖🏛🏔🐮🌄🌌💏💌
This book has a host of elements (emojis above only skim the edges of the experience!) and you can enjoy them all or focus on your favorites. There are quick but deep friendship bondings built with fellow bus tour travelers, lots of great food experiences, extolling of Europe's great sites and landscapes, and a serendipitous second chance romance, all built around an Aussie teacher transplant to London named Cat.

While Cat was not an easy character for me to love, the people around her are great, especially Canadian bus seatmate Lou and Jean Luc, the French exchange student bestie of her teens who fate throws back into her life after decades apart. Cat is one messed up woman, romantically speaking, and I found her constant refusal to get over a long past bad break-up annoying. She's stubborn, over imbibes at almost every opportunity and can be self-centered and callous when it suits her, like in her dealings with Alex, her London flatmate. But she's usually fun to be around, enthusiastic about life and attracts people to her like bees🐝 to 🍯honey!

The writing is easy to read and not overly introspective or crammed with cutesy dialogue. Like for Cat and her fellow travelers, the quick tour of Europe left me wanting more time in these gorgeous locations and to deepen the friendships cemented as they suffer so-so accommodations and savor unique experiences together. As to the romance, it's got mild heat but the backstory, emotions and connection are lovely. Jean Luc is the constant knight you want to win his lady fair and his every move shows his devotion. 😌

Thanks to publisher Harper Collins UK One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and the opinions expressed are my own.

I really should have read that blurb more carefully – I was expecting Paris (of course!), and always rather look forward to a visit to the city of love. But this wonderful book took me on a whistle stop tour of Europe, on a coach, with Cat and her new friends – and what tremendous fun it was. The descriptions of every location are so well done that you feel you’ve been there – and in many cases I have, sometimes on a coach tour myself (but with nicer hotels!), and I really did feel I’d been given the opportunity to return albeit from the comfort of my armchair. Or actually, when I say “armchair”, I read this book on one of those hot April days in the garden – I’d recommend that you do that too, because I can’t think of a better book to have with you when you’re reclining in the sunshine.

It’s much, much more than just a travelogue though – and believe me, some of the places where they found themselves staying have the potential to put you off travelling for life. I really took Cat to my heart – badly hurt in love, making mistake after mistake while trying to make sure she’s never hurt like that again – and her voice, perfectly sustained throughout the book, is just wonderful.

And I loved the portrayal of her new friends too – and I think it’s those friendships and their ups and downs that I’ll remember most about this book. Each of the women is entirely three-dimensional, with their own reasons for being on the trip and really well-drawn backstories – and they all shift at times from being funny and likeable to something entirely other (well, except for her bus bestie Lou maybe – she’s a friend I’d rather like to have too).

Cat also has a great relationship with her sister, with their FaceTime exchanges punctuating the story – and it’s particularly useful that she was once a tour manager for the holiday company, and could manage Cat’s expectations about their destinations and the inadequacies of their accommodation.

The romance at the book’s centre is just one of the most perfect ever – it hinges on one of those chance happenstances in a Paris backstreet, and develops so wonderfully that it made me feel really warm and fuzzy inside. In fact, there’s tremendous warmth in the whole story’s telling – and I thought the many moments of humour were really perfectly judged. It’s nicely balanced too – there are moments of real poignancy, echoes of the past, times when real life raises its head and glowers a little.

Did I mention that Cat is an Aussie living in London? I loved the way that was handled, and the jokes around it – and the fact that the friends are from different places and backgrounds too added some extra texture to the story and its friendships.

This was just such a lovely read – the best of armchair travelling, plenty to entertain, a wonderful romance and a journey back to happiness. Do give it a try – one very happy reader here, and I’m already looking forward to A Sunset in Sydney!

(Review to be copied to Amazon UK on publication day)

Was so fun taking a whistle stop tour of Europe right from the comfort of my own living room while social distancing. Sandy Barker’s descriptive writing made me feel as though I was right there with Cat and crew on this adventure. Cat makes a huge mistake and sleeps with her roommate, who consequently is in love with her. Rather than facing the situation she decides to book herself a two week trip on a bus/coach trip around Europe. While on the trip she makes lots of new friends including her bus Bestie Louise. The first stop on the trip is Paris where Cat runs into her long lost friend John Luc. And of course he is absolutely gorgeous and nice and smart and oh yeah gorgeous. What follows is an engaging story of fun, friendship, food, and amour.

Parts of this book were a little surreal given current circumstances. I could not help but think when they were visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris or riding in gondolas in Venice what these places look like right now? I think that is something I really appreciated about this book is that it reminded me of how things once were and how they will once again be. It really was like traveling right along with these characters, all the attractions were so well described. So was the food, I was seriously hungry throughout most of this book. However I must say I would not want to go on this particular bus trip, the sleeping accommodations were less than desirable. The friendships formed however were so fun to read about, and each character brought their own special personality to the story. The romance was sweet and frustrating. Cat had some major commitment issues and there were quite a few times I wasn’t certain that she deserved John Luke. This is a good book to get lost in: travel, romance, friendship, food, fashion, fun.

This book in emojis 🚌 🍷 🏖 ⛲️ ✉️

*** Big thank you to Harper Collins UK for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

Sandy Barker writes a cracking holiday romance that's for sure.

Her last novel was set on a Greek Island boat tour and this one is a coach trip around parts of Europe including: Paris, Florence, Venice and Switzerland.

Our main character is Cat and I have to say early on I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to gel with her or not. Her treatment of her flatmate was pretty brutal and her actions were extreme. However, once I got to know her more, understand how her relationship with her ex had been very controlling and she understandably is so avoidant of anything serious again, I could see how her knee-jerk reaction was symptomatic of some deep trauma and that there was a lot of healing needed.

There's a big plot twist as part of her past catches up with her in Paris and from thereon in Cat has to balance her new freedom, friendships and traveller lifestyle with the realisation that her past may have actually held the key to her heart. 

Each destination is a tourist dream with the sights, sounds, scents and foods of each stop such a delight. There was a bit of a pace issue in the middle where I felt it became a bit of a travel blog style detail of what the friends experienced that just felt a little slow to me, but after that things picked up. I adored Jean Luc and I was hoping for them both to have a second chance at happiness and the ending was perfect. 

That Night In Paris is romantic, fun and perfect escapism if you're pining getting back out to roam in the world.

I thought this book was fantastic and finished it in a couple of days as I just wanted to keep reading it. All the characters were interesting and due to the wonderful writing I felt I really knew them.

The thing I really loved about this book, as well as the great storyline regarding Jean-Luc and Cat, was the fact that I felt like I was travelling and visiting the places that Cat was visiting on her coach tour.

I found myself noting the countries I would like to visit and the places to see in those countries based on the wonderful description of all the places. This was pure escapism, especially in the current lockdown situation. I was on that gondola in Venice and wine tasting in St Goar.

The story flowed excellently and I really look forward to reading more of Sandy's work so if you want a book that combines romance, friendships, travel and food and drink this book is for you.

Thank you to One More Chapter.and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review, which is completely my own.

An enjoyable light read when things are sad. A great way to scratch that travel itch when one cannot travel.

Travel and romance are a perfect combination for me as I settled into this coach tour themed novel visiting popular tourist spots.

Catherine "Cat" Parsons had a drunken one night stand with her flatmate, Alex and now wants to escape. So, Cat books a last-minute tour with Ventureseek to put some space between them. It's two weeks away and she hopes by the time she gets back, there's no awkwardness. Little does she know, this adventure will make her see life and love from a whole new perspective.

The author has written a fun novel highlighting the pros and cons of embarking on a coach tour with strangers. Cat's fellow travellers are an eclectic bunch and like her have a reason to be on such a trip. Their antics on the whistle-stop tour of Europe make than her "bus besties" and while I can relate to some of their mishaps, it becomes tiresome after a while. So, for me, the saving grace is Jean-Luc Caron!

The chance meeting with Frenchman, Jean-Luc is kismet, he's Cat's pen-pal from when they were teenagers after meeting in Australia when he was an exchange student. They've had no contact since they were nineteen years old, but it's clear both still have an affection for one another. He's the knight in shining armour, but I don't believe Cat is the right woman for him.

It's not often I don't "take" to a leading character, but Cat is one I struggled with. As a thirty-five-year-old woman, I found her behaviour and language to be very immature. She's certainly not someone I'd expect to teach high school students. Her reasons for trying to keep a relationship with Jean-Luc casual after taking their tentative relationship to a new level are selfish especially when she realises his feelings still run deep. Thankfully, she sees sense in the end. I also remember such women like Cat do exist in the real world because I do know someone like her.

Some of the tour-stops triggered memories from the times I've visited them; Paris, Antibes, Florence and Rome. I laughed when the group each bought a gelato when looking at the Leaning Tower of Pisa because that's what I did at my then three-year-old's insistence. For those who haven't travelled to any of the places mentioned, the author paints inviting welcomes for your bucket list.

For me, That Night In Paris is a roller-coaster of a novel with highs and lows but overall, it's a fun and flirty read with some hilarity along the way. It's a wonderful distraction and a chance to escape from the real world in these troubled times.

3.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***

This had such a cool premise and the fact that it is set in Paris made me so excited, however, I didn't end up loving this book as much as I had hoped. The characters and the plot both fell flat for me.