An entertaining story but the writing, themes, and commentary on society were very basic.

The two main characters were good, and there was some well-written romance between them. I really liked the ending and the “chase” scene. Very cinematic.

My main gripe with this book is that some of the language used was so odd: “you’re kidding”, “ha”, “honest to goodness”, “coveralls”. I don’t think any of them were accurate to the time, and it really takes you out of the story.

"After turning society upside down with her debut story, provincial Charlotte Deveraux arrives in Paris poised for literary stardom. She's not sure where her next rent payment will come from, but she's determined to make a name for herself as a respected writer in the cultural capital of the world.

Antoine de Larminet is the last surviving son of an aristocratic family. In line to inherit a title, he has promised his parents that he'll marry a peer and carry on the centuries-old tradition. He was raised in an antiquated world where love was often found outside of arranged society marriages. Even as the French aristocracy is losing relevance to modernity, Antoine never questioned this commitment to this family legacy - until his chance meeting with clever and beautiful Charlotte.

Their attraction is immediate, and the more they bump into each other at the clubs and salons of Paris, the stronger their attachment grows. But Antoine can't marry Charlotte because she's as proletarian as they come. And Charlotte will lose all credibility as a writer and social critic if she becomes the mistress of an aristocrat.

The world around them is changing, but if love is to win, one of them will have to give up everything they stand for."

I have a feeling that love can find a compromise...

Cute! And the cover? Super cute.
The setting was the real centerpiece here, and it shined. (Daydreaming about sipping coffee and smoking on a balcony in Paris. Wearing a fancy gown while a rich mustached Parisian man flirts with me.)
I don’t think the class difference romance trope is very high on my list, but this was sweet enough to overlook that. 3.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Tiny Piano Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Charlotte deserved better than a man child like Antoine who was a clear red flag. This book in no way highlights the quest of independent women in the modern times, rather it shatters the entire idea and created a gaudy image of love which seems forced and equally terrible to be read.

I think more than the mcs, Louise’s character was the strongest of all who understood the essence of classicism, and was sane enough to not fall for a loveless marriage. Charlotte seemed liked an idiot in front of her. Horrible climax!!!!

Discover a Forbidden Romance in the Heart of Paris’ Gilded Age

If you're a fan of Bridgerton and Pride & Prejudice, you'll adore Melinda Copp's historical romance, Love and the Downfall of Society. Set in the glamorous and tumultuous world of Paris in 1901, this captivating tale follows two star-crossed lovers from different social classes.

Why you'll love it:
* A vibrant Parisian setting: Immerse yourself in the bustling streets, elegant salons, and charming cafés of 20th-century Paris.
* A strong female protagonist: Root for our heroine as she defies societal expectations, pursues her dreams, and finds love on her own terms.
* A passionate romance: Witness the fiery connection between a young working woman and a privileged aristocrat.Their forbidden love will keep you turning the pages.

Perfect for fans of: Bridgerton, Pride & Prejudice, The Gilded Age, and Becoming Jane.

Love and the Downfall of Society releases on October 1st!

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a cute and easy read! The setting of Paris was very atmospheric and I loved it! Our FMC, Charlotte , was headstrong and independent which I loved. However, I didn’t care for our MMC. He was selfish and really didn’t grow much in my opinion. I think it would have been much more romantic if he outright refused his parents. The third act breakup wasn’t necessary, and like I said, could have been way more romantic without it.
I overall really enjoyed the book and will definitely be read in more by this author!

Thank you to Tiny Piano Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

4🌟 | Charlotte is a writer that just arrived in Paris from the countryside. Antoine is the heir of an aristocratic family and wishes to honor his partes traditional plans for him. After a few encounters, they realize their feelings run deep, but with tlheir class differences, how can they be together?

"𝘕𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘴."

Everything about this book is gorgeous: the cover, the setting, the descriptive passages and the lavish parties the characters go to. Even though this is a romance book, the author raises a few subjects that portrait the complexity of the Belle Epoque society.

"𝘏𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯."

The romance is beautiful, though the main conflict kinda annoyed me. If you read An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn you know what I mean. I know class was the main reason why an aristocrat couldn't simply marry a lower class woman, but every time a man ask a woman to be his mistress I feel the ick.
Aside from that, I loved how they seemed to bump into each other everywhere and how their live grew from that.

Although the book is very written, there were a few expressions used in dialogue that felt too modern for a historical fiction, but nothing so severe that would disturb reading.

This book is perfect for those looking for a passionate love story, set in a beautiful city with a lovely cast of characters.

Just a little tip: if you enjoy listening to music while reading, I highly recommend reading this book while listening to Debussy, it made my experience a lot more imersive and atmospheric.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the access to the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book and all the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a fun and easy read set in the turn of the twentieth century Paris.

The FMC has a strong voice, and her thoughts and motivations make for a good pov. The MMC is particularly oblivious but sweet enough to make up for it. Their relationship is fun albeit fast.

The course of the story was predictable, and you'll see the third act break up from a mile away. This was resolved quickly to a happily ever after, so I can mostly forgive it.

The Parisian setting is a major part of the story, and I enjoyed the relaxed pace. I had a good time with the ambiance and will likely read the next in the series.

Thank you, Tiny Piano Press, for the arc!

Antoine is an aristocrat looking for love, not a wife though, because his mother’s looking for that for men. They’re not the same thing. Charlotte is a writer trying to make it big in the city. She likes the anonymity and the glitter of Paris. And, both of them fall in love in the city of love.
It is a historical romance based in 1901 in Paris, it’s full of fluff, and a surprising bit of angst as well (mostly, because Antoine is an idiot who does not deserve Charlotte). If you enjoy your men to be dumb when it comes to love and your heroine’s to be full of grit and strength you’d enjoy this. I sure did.
Thanks to NetGalley, Tiny Piano Press, and the author for the ARC.

DNF

I couldn't get very far into this book because the writing is so very dry, everything is overly described, and the characters have no personality that shows through vs what the author tells us is there. I felt no chemistry between the romantic leads.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tiny Piano Press for the ARC

The clash between Charlotte Deveraux’s rising literary ambitions and Antoine de Larminet’s aristocratic duties creates a tension-filled romance that’s both poignant and refreshing. The novel vividly portrays Charlotte’s struggle to establish herself as a writer amidst Paris's elite circles, while Antoine grapples with his commitment to tradition versus his growing love for Charlotte. The writing style is elegant, immersing readers in the glamorous yet rigid society of 19th-century Paris. The romance unfolds with a blend of passion and realism, capturing the characters' emotional depth and the societal pressures that challenge their love. I so love and adore it.