A beautiful story which I devoured quickly. A great escapism read set in Paris with lots of romance. Just perfect to curl up on the sofa. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

In this unique nonlinear romance novel, readers follow Tom and Sophie from their first meeting onward through a series of summer trips to Paris as students and as a couple. As they explore the city and fall in love with it (and each other), readers discover the life and adventures waiting for them in the city and back home in England until something keeps them from returning to Paris one summer. Readers will meet Sophie on a solo trip to Paris to meet Tom on the Pont du Carrousel at midnight, their special location from that first trip as students just getting to know each other, and follow her on this poignant and emotional journey over a decade of her life and relationship with Tom. Readers will love the emotional core of this novel, as Gillian Harvey really brings the emotion to this character-centric novel. Simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming, this novel really pulls readers on an emotional rollercoaster as the non-chronological narrative unfolds. The characters, particularly Sophie, are the unsurprising stars of this novel, and the characters’ relationships and their individual growth is incredibly well-written throughout this moving story. Brilliantly written with two incredible characters, readers will love Gillian Harvey’s powerful, charming, and emotional new romance novel.

Having never read anything by Gillian Harvey before, I expected a fun romcom, but "Midnight in Paris" is so much more than this. It's a rollercoaster of emotions; sometimes funny, sometimes heart-wrenching.
This is one of those books that will stay with me for a while.

Tom and Sophie first travelled to Paris when they were students. Despite being very different people, they fell in love while visiting the sites and ambling along the banks of the Seine. They vowed to return each year to experience its magic together, but a twist of fate eventually tore them apart.

Five years later, Sophie is returning to Paris for one more time, hoping Tom will be there so they can say goodbye in the place that became their own - on the Pont du Carrousel, at midnight. She is marrying Tom's best friend Will, and knows in her heart that she will never be able to move on until she draws a line under the past, no matter how hard it will be...

The story unravels through the perspective of Sophie, moving between the present and the past to follow the history of her relationship with Tom, from their meeting as students to the time when she must decide the best way to face the future. Their annual trips to Paris are central to the novel, especially the changing nature of their visits over the years. Harvey does an incredible job of connecting significant places in the city to the slow-burn development in their love story - most importantly when it comes to what the Pont du Carrousel means to them both (with a lovely little aside to the Mona Lisa).

I found myself gradually being drawn into Sophie and Tom's tale, weaving through the ups and downs of an unlikely couple who somehow work, as they negotiate love, marriage, family ties, close friendships, and the expectations that weigh heavily on their relationship. It is clear that they are destined to part from the way Harvey cleverly wields the timelines, but I was left reeling when she eventually showed her hand... from this point on I was unable to look away.

This is not like anything I have read from Harvey before. She has a talent for gently incorporating deeper themes into relatable tales about life, but this is something new, showing an impressive maturity in the writing, and the way the storylines come together. This is so much more than a light-hearted story, and although there are touches of humour, the emotional fall-out from Sophie and Tom's story gives your heart a proper pounding. There is a fabulous supporting cast, and Will's part in the over-all picture is pretty special too. I sobbed almost continuously through the entire second half of this book, culminating in a full-on blubber-fest at the uplifting ending. Make sure you have the tissues handy, because you are going to need them!

This is a more serious and heavy-hitting book than this author usually writes. This author does an excellent job of taking heavy-hitting topics and weaving them into an engaging story! Be sure to have your Kleenex ready with your cup of tea!

From the writing to the story, this book will draw you in from the start. Definitely a page turner as you want to find out their fate. A great book for book clubs as it will lead to great discussions!

Gillian Harvey will pluck at every reader’s heartstrings with her latest novel, Midnight in Paris.

When Sophie and Tom had been students, they had visited Paris and spent a glorious weekend in the world’s most romantic city falling in love with the food, the architecture – and each other. Having vowed to return every summer, Sophie and Tom have made their Parisian weekend visit a tradition and one which they’ve kept – until a cruel twist of fate turns their entire world upside down and changes them forever.

Five years later and Sophie is making the trip to Paris alone. She has promised to meet Tom at their special place at the Pont du Carousel at midnight and she cannot help but feel apprehensive about this meeting. Life had torn the two of them apart and the time has now come for them to face their demons head-on and try to vanquish ghosts from the past. But Sophie has something she must tell Tom. Something that could very well end up destroying everything all over again…

Gillian Harvey’s emotional, affecting and poignant tale of love lost and found, healing, forgiveness and second chances is one that will make the reader feel every single emotion her characters go through. Midnight in Paris is a moving tale that drew me in from the first page and kept me on the edge of my seat rooting for Sophie and Tom.

A brilliantly-written exploration of the complexities of relationships that is a struggle to put down, Midnight in Paris by Gillian Harvey is a book readers will never forget.

Midnight in Paris by Gillian Harvey was a lovely written book and a joy to read. I just love the way Gillian writes, and she writes from her heart, and she has a way of pulling you into every book I have read by her, and this one was no different.

Sophie and Tom first visited Paris the world’s most romantic city, just for a weekend But they they fell in love with Paris and each other. That was ten years ago and they were students. Everything was so easy and less complicated back then,

They promised that would return every summer and they kept their word, But, something happened that changed their world forever.

Five years went by and Sophie’s is travelling to Paris alone to meet Tom again in their special place, on the Pont du Carrousel at midnight. Sophie has something important to tell Tom and this will change everything between them.

This book was so good I ended up reading it until I had finished - it was so addictive.

It was a beautiful, heartbreaking, uplifting and a powerful novel

I highly recommend this book.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

GAWD WHERE DO I START I BAWLED MY EYES OUT IN THE BEST WAY. I thought it would be a cute rom-com, NO IT WAS HEARTBREAKINGLY WRENCHING AND AMAZING!!! go in BLIND that’s my advice to make this so much better. omg when it gets to THAT part? I GASPED. i love tom, he has an air about him that sometimes i wish im like him. i love sophie, she’s so unapologetically her and thats why shes so amazing. i love will, hes the epitome of a beautiful human being. i love libby, everyone deserves a best friend like her.

all opinions and reviews are my own - arc provided by netgalley and publisher for my honest opinion.

Beautiful cover, beautiful story. This follows Sophie and Tom and their relationship over a number of timelines as they return to Paris year after year. There are twists and turns , heartbreak and joy . This is definitely one to remain with you long after you’ve finished it.

Gillian Harvey! You made me cry, smile, wish I could visit Paris, and given me a book hangover! This was 5/5 read because ...... All the Feels!

I am not sure how to review this book, because there are a couple of twists in it that it is best to not know about before you read it. I'll give it a go though!

Shortly after Sophie and Tom got together, he surprised her with a weekend trip to Paris. For Tom, it's no big deal. He's had quite a privileged upbringing where money is no object. Sophie comes from more humble beginnings and so it feels extravagant, especially given that she is struggling to get by with a part time job while they are students. However, she has always dreamed of Paris, and so off they go. Tom has no interest in visiting the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, Sophie must! He doesn't like standing in the queues with other tourists, but Sophie wants to visit all the places.

This is just the beginning of what becomes their thing - an annual trip to Paris, visiting all of the places that become theirs, but most especially the Pont de Carrousel at midnight.




There are multiple timelines in the book. We see Sophie and Tom as they visit Paris each year, but then we have a two weeks ago timeline as well, where Sophie is visiting Paris alone, hoping that Tom will show up.
It is only as the two timelines converge that we get more of an idea of what is going on. Life and it's struggles have worn away some (but not all) the uninhibited joy that they feel with each other, and sometimes the trips to Paris aren't as exciting as others. As you are reading the book, there's a word or phrase here or there that makes you go....hold on. And then, well then you realise that this book is something other than the book you thought you were reading!

I first read Gillian Harvey back in 2022, and I have read everything that she has had published since then. I really enjoy the way that she writes about the expat lifestyle, people moving to France and following their dreams, something that she has done herself. And to be honest, I was expecting the same from this book. Instead, we got something completely different and at a whole other level!

By turns beautiful and heartbreaking and hopeful, this is a book that I will cherish, and it is my first 5/5 read for the year.

If I lived in Europe, I can guarantee you I would be visiting Paris on a regular basis! As it is, I can't quite convince my husband that it is worth 24 hours on a plane (plus the cost) to visit every year! It's probably going to be another couple of years before I get to visit again. In the meantime, I will continue to read Gillian Harvey's books to give me that taste of France that I crave! And look at my photos from when we last visited just to torture myself that little bit more.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was engrossed in this story and I didn’t put me kindle down until I’d finished it all.

I adored how the story span from Sophie and Tom’s university days until the present day ( around 15 years) and all the highs and lows in between.

The friendship Sophie has with her best friend is what every woman wants and needs when you need a helping hand to get back on your feet, I just loved it

The story really pulls at your heartstrings, I’m a sucker for an epic romance and this is one of the best.

The story reminded me so much of One Day, it was alot different but it had that underlying vibe that I love so much.

( The story has a few chapters that heavily focus on infertility that some readers may find distressing)

heartwarming and heartbreaking

This is a very well written book about relationships and a yearly trip to Paris. The plot and its twists are revealed in onion-like layers, perhaps confusing at first but feeling like you are moving faster and faster as you read more. I am wary to say much more without spoiling it all for you, but I need to say that this is a book that will stay with you for a while and, in my opinion, a must-read.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-limited e-arc via netgalley, with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion. I also want to suggest that you check out all the books published by Boldwood Books, a wonderful collection.

Since they visited as students, Paris has a special significance to Sophie and Tom. We first meet Sophie on her last visit, and the reader is intrigued to know why. It's an engaging, poignant love story with an otherworldly touch. The story spans various signposted timelines, but I occasionally got lost. Sophie and Tom's relationship is believable and complex; they are from different backgrounds and meet by chance, but the connection endures even when Sophie believes they are not meant to be. Lyrically described, Paris becomes a character in the drama. I like the raw spectrum of emotion the story conveys. It emphasises the protagonists' humanity and invests the reader in them and their lives.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Not the best way to start a review, but I perhaps should have taken more notice of “perfect for fans of David Nicholls” – that always means One Day, and it’s a narrative structure I rarely enjoy. But – and it’s a massive but – this book was the one to make me change my mind. It’s emotional impact is enormous, needing more than one box of tissues as you read – but as it draws to an end, it’s so very uplifting, with the promise of a far happier future.

The relationship between Sophie and Tom was something so special – his reputation at first made it look as if it was going to fail before they got off the starting blocks, but it soon becomes evident that they’re meant to be together. Their path through life is marked by those visits to Paris – the experience always a little different, although they often visit their favourite places (including Tom enduring yet another viewing of the Mona Lisa – and he’s right, she does look a bit like George Harrison…), culminating in a “moment” on the Post du Carrousel at midnight. But the story is told from a present day perspective, looking at their visits in the past tense – and the hand that fate has dealt them slowly becomes clear. It’s a well paced and perfectly told story – but one of those all-consuming ones where you’re almost dreading reading on, because no-one’s lives can really be that romance-filled and gorgeous, can they?

There’s a particularly strong supporting cast – the friends and more that we all need when we’re up against it, but there are also some who aren’t always quite on the same page at the same time. And there’s a real unpredictability about the story – key characters whose part in the story isn’t initially clear, some smoke and mirrors – along with a few surprises, and it’s all so beautifully handled. And despite all those much-needed tissues, there’s plenty of joy along the way – and the loveliest touches of humour too. And it really does end on the perfect note – the trials and tribulations over as we learn that life goes on, tears wiped and nose blown, and the warmest feeling around the heart. Highly recommended by me – but do remember those tissues…

The premise of this book sounded a whole lot better than what it actually turned out to be. There are three timelines going on between each chapter and even in the "now" chapters, there are segments that go back in time. I think the author did this to catch the reader off guard with a sort of twist to the story, but with a plot like this book has, a twist is completely unnecessary. The emotional impact would have affected me more if it was told through one seamless timeline. Also, the relationship between the two main characters seemed off to me. They acted like two people that should not have been together.

Thanks to NetGalley, Gillian Harvey, and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of Midnight in Paris in the return of an honest review.

This is a beautiful but heartbreaking story that I’m going to try to review without spoilers. Paris is at the centre of the story – where Sophie and Tom have created memories. They have very different backgrounds and life experiences, would a romantic break in Paris bring them closer together?

Although I realised early on about the story within the story, I still found myself with wet eyes reading this book. Gillian’s writing is so emotional and this is a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Happy to recommend this emotional book and I look forward to reading more from Gillian in the future.

On the blog tour

This was a breathtaking novel. The excellent writing allowed me to connect with the characters and feel their emotions.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A really good read with fab characters that I will recommend to others.
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.

I shed a few tears over this one.
It wasn’t until 1/4 of the way into the book that I got the gist of what was going on. As I read until then I knew I was missing an important element because things weren’t fitting together.
And when they did it was a gut punch.
It’s a poignant story and I felt for Tom. He doggedly pursued Sophie even when she was trying to be boringly sensible.
How she always apologized got tiresome. Will was a gem but I think the shadow of Tom would always prevail.
It’s a poignant book.

Sophie and Tom first visited Paris together as students. During their weekend away in the world’s most romantic city, falling in love – with the place, and each other – was simply inevitable. They resolved to return every summer and kept their word, until something happened that changed their world forever.

Five years on, Sophie’s travelling to Paris alone to meet Tom again in their special place, on the Pont du Carrousel at midnight. Because life has torn them apart. And now Sophie has something to tell Tom. Something that will change everything.

I love this dual-timeline Paris-inspired love story. The mystery of why they're apart and conversely whether they will work it out kept me turning pages! This was a lot more emotional than I expected, but I definitely enjoyed it. 4.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.