Rose is a thirty-two year old who works an unfulfilling job and has a hard time saying 'no' to her overbearing mother, little sisters, boss, and even strange men she meets in the Louvre. Growing up with her late immigrant father's cautionary words engraved on her mind leads her to secure a safe, albeit boring, life. Only when she is forced to take a three-week break from work due to her perfect attendance does she actually make the first daring decision of her life by spontaneously travelling to Paris, thus hoping it'll prove something about herself.

Although Rose's status as a doormat MC who even allowed strangers to make decisions for her frustrated me endlessly, I really enjoyed reading her story. I couldn't help drawing some similarities to Bridget Jones's Diary, mainly the two opposing love interests who've been secret enemies since their youth and the danger of winding up in jail in a foreign country after something illegal was put in her care. Still, it was nice to read about an internal conflict that is very realistic and relatable such as dealing with an immigrant parent's expectations and wanting to make them proud, while also doing something that is seen as selfish in order to be happy. I also loved Rose and Marine's intergenerational friendship and the guidance that it provided her, which is the highlight of the book for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rose has reached a crossroads and when we meet her, she's looking in every which direction. She is immersed in her complicated family dynamics, her work – and she's also grieving the death of her father. Like many people before her, Rose sees escaping on a trip to Paris as the answer. But she discovers that you can run thousands of miles to a beautiful, romantic city, but you still take your personal baggage - and your family dynamics - with you. I found the idea of where you call 'home' and how that feeds into your identity really interesting, especially when Rose's reflects on how her father must have left when he Tehran for the USA, in very different circumstances. She concludes that home is 'a feeling, not a place' and that guides Rose to her destiny - with some exciting twists and turns along the way. A wonderful book to transport you not only to Paris but into a vivid character's world.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! This book is a really heartfelt story. I loved the main character so much and her relationship with her mother and sister was so well written. La Vie, According to Rose for me personally is a really emotional book and it touches topics sometimes really hard to explain, and yet its done with such delicacy and that made me like this novel even more. I loved the side characters, but most importantly I loved how the author wrote about her culture background and the experience with grief. 5/5 for me

This stunning debut grabbed me from the very first chapter and didn't let me go until it took me on a journey from the Bay Area to idyllic Parisian cafes, Provencal gardens and back again! But the most compelling part of this novel was the main character of Rose. I identified with her multicultural background that placed obedience to family as a priority; not to mention shared her annoyance at her well-meaning but intrusive mom and sisters! Even beyond the lovely writing and unexpected plot twists, I love the characters that Lauren Parvizi wrote as complex and real women. I found myself cheering for Rose (and even her somewhat clueless but endearing family) on every page!
If you've ever wanted to leave your life behind and take a chance on yourself in a brand new place, this book is a must-read.

This is such an emotional story! It is very heartfelt and does an excellent job at exploring grief. The cover is stunning and the book would make a great addition to anyone's TBR!

Thank you for the digital ARC. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

This is a sweet romcom about a woman coming into her own voice. It was a little predictable, but honestly in kind of a nice way, like watching a slightly new take on a familiar favorite. I mostly liked the protagonist, although there were definitely several moments when I couldn’t imagine how she could possibly let people walk all over her so much. Luckily, she eventually stops being a doormat and I found the ending really cute and satisfying.

This book captured me from the start. Rose is a likeable and relatable character and I loved that her journey of self-discovery took her to Paris and Provence. The settings are beautifully described and made me feel there with Rose in France. I also enjoyed her relationship with her sisters and Mum - a powerful family dynamic. There's a great cast of characters and some unexpected twists. This is a great debut! I can't wait to read Lauren Parvizi's next book 😁

I found the characterization of the main character, Rose, to be interesting and very rich from the start of the book. I really enjoyed this coming of age story.

Sometimes you need to say eff it and go for a once in a lifetime dream vacation. This is exactly what Rose did and she discovers her true self. I really enjoyed this story. I could relate to Rose and her family drama.

A well written, compelling and heatfelt story that gave me all the feels. I was hooked from start to finish, I couldn't put it down.

A charming and wise novel about what we do because we want to and what we do because we feel like we have to, and how easy it can be to confuse those two things. The book follows Rose, an over-obedient daughter, sister, and employee who, when her acquiescence in all three areas combusts at once, takes an impulsive opportunity to reinvent herself in Paris. What follows is an engaging, relatable, and heartfelt examination of what “reinventing yourself” really looks like: of how much of yourself it’s really possible to change, and what you both lose and gain when you do. A wonderful story about family, love, and losing — and finding — yourself.

This novel is such a treat -settle down for a trip to Paris and the South of France that engages all your senses!

As we follow Rose's emotional journey to find out what it was she really wants and to set herself free from guilt, a sense of obligation and the powerful need to please everyone but herself, we really experience France alongside her. Rose's character and dilemmas are well drawn, and we really root for her as she tries to find the courage to stand up to people and to decipher the truths of her life.

A really entertaining and absorbing read.

This was well written and really tugs at the emotions as Rose heads to France and faces so much from her own inner self. Her choices are now her own and she has many to make. Some she may get right and some she may get completely wrong, but she has not one to blame, or discover, but herself.