This book started off okay, but quickly started going downhill for me. It wasn't bad per say, it just was not for me. It felt more women's fiction than romance like I thought it was. That and I didn't care for either of the romantic leads. Coco was...annoying at times. Her whole thing with language and being annoyed her teenage daughter used slang teenagers used was annoying. Like I know you are an editor, but spoken and written language is different, or can be. Plus language evolves and why can't kids, or anyone, use the language they want to express things (within reason)? I don't know. It made me not love her and feel for her kid right from the start. And she didn't get much better for me as the story went on.

And Henri? I understand why she didn't like him from the start. So both of them were meh and never really got over that hurdle for me.

There were also "humorous" things that happened in this book that were not for me. Like early on when a guy came into the bookstore looking for puppies. After reading that scene I was like okay, this is supposed to be humorous, but it just makes no sense. Like why would Coco jump to the conclusions she does?? Like if you offered me a million dollars if I could come up with what happened in that scene I would never get the money. But humor in books is often not my humor so this is a me thing for sure.

Overall this was not the read for me. I do think others will enjoy it more, especially if you are into women's fiction. That is not a go-to genre for me so this wasn't the book for me.

Oh my! This was just the book that I needed during a particularly stormy night! With the covers wrapped around me, I was transported to the city of love and followed the delightful Coco as she attempted to rebuild her life after losing her partner, business and status within the publishing community.
I would love to have even an ounce of Coco’s spirit. Despite being bruised professionally, she manages to maintain her spark and apply her transferable skills to her new challenge. Her kindness and empathy shine through despite the challenging situation she finds herself in.
Coco’s young daughter was a study in self-absorbance and needed kid-glove treatment to avoid her prickly responses from mentally wounding. She’s not an unkind child; she’s just reeling from being uprooted and dragged to France, away from her friends.
The initial encounter with the handsome stranger, Noah, happens at the train station and then repeats under the Eiffel Tower. He doesn’t help with his patronising manner and toxic masculinity as he lectures Coco on common sense tips. But please bear with this character as not all is as it seems.
As the synopsis explains, Coco secures a job at a gorgeous-sounding bookshop and delightedly accepts despite the now-familiar misogynist being seated at the bar.
This is an ensemble story with some fabulous characters who bring joy to the story. Valerie, the bookshop owner, has a distinct flair and involves everyone in her schemes to repair all broken hearts. Noah is dark and brooding, but there’s something just below the surface that holds Coco’s attention. The book club members are particularly interesting, but I will avoid spoilers as I would hate to spoil another reader’s fun.
This wonderful book is fun and charming, and there’s plenty of romance to be had in this Parisian bookshop despite the fact that it is not necessarily in the usual forms.

Coco and her daughter are headed to Coco's parents' home in Paris after a bad turn of events where Coco loses not only her boyfriend but her job in London as well. She discovers a wonderful bookshop with some many fun things that she feels it is the perfect fit for her next job. The only issue is the man who assumed she was a tourist under the Eiffel tower who yelled at her.

I have never read Rebecca Raisin before but I really enjoyed this book. Paris as well as the bookshop are great additional characters in this book along with all the human characters.

The chemistry between Coco and Henri was wonderful but I really enjoyed that this was not just a romance. Coco gained her confidence back and was able to find herself.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.

Coco has lost her boyfriend and her business and now finds herself moving in with her parents and daughter, back in Paris. When she discovers an old bookshop with a café, cocktail bar, reading room and secret tunnel of books, she knows that her life might just be turning a corner. Yet, the only problem appears to be that the man who abused her for acting like a tourist turning up at the bookshop. Henri has his own pain of a broken relationship.
A great story that is more than just a simple romance, with Coco growing in confidence while finding her feet again after a tumultuous departure from her previous life as an editor. I loved the atmosphere of the bookstore, which was elevated to another level being set in Paris. The banter between Henri and Coco and their sweet romance made for a good read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After her relationship with her boyfriend and her publishing business collapses Coco and her daughter move back to stay with her parents in Paris. Whilst wandering around Paris she twice bumps into a handsome stranger and then stumbles across a small bookshop / bar where she ends up taking a job.
As with the other books in this series that I've already read and enjoyed this really brings Paris to life for me, I'm not a fan of cities in general being a small town boy, but this certainly makes me want to at least visit. I feel for Coco and especially her daughter ripped from the life she knew, although at least they are both bilingual. I did love the characters that she meets in the bookshop, with a very boisterous book club and the enigmatic Henri, coincidentally the man she had bumped into previously. In summary yet another book in the series that I've enjoyed, 4.5*rounded up to 5 and I hope that we will see more books in this series to come.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

In the latest book in this fantastic romance series set in Paris, readers follow Coco and her daughter after they relocate to Paris (where Coco’s parents still live) following a job scandal and messy breakup. When a stranger yells at her for acting like a tourist under the Eiffel Tower, she swears off men and this one in particular before deciding to take the first job offered to her, which happens to be a little old bookshop with a cafe, cocktail bar, reading room, secret tunnels, and a chaotic but friendly book club. With a job selling books as a perfect fit for Coco, she is excited for her new job until she realizes that the angry stranger is about to become a major fixture in her new life. Set in Paris during the spring, this novel’s atmosphere is absolutely spectacular and a great continuation of Rebecca Raisin’s Parisian Love series, and Coco is a complicated and deeply relatable protagonist whose second chance is not what she thought it would be -- but in some great and relatable ways. With great characters for her to befriend and fight with as well as unique challenges in her path, the novel is immersive, fun, and escapist in ways that readers will love.

“…you know how books find us at the very right time, right when our souls are yearning for a fix that we cannot name?’ …. ‘The same goes for The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted. The lost, the lonely, heartsick, heartsore find their way here. Find sanctuary.’”

Betrayed by her lover and business partner, book editor Coco Chevallier is forced to leave London with her 13 year old daughter and move back home to live with her parents in Paris. Distracted by her worries while wandering around the Eiffel Tower, she’s humiliated when a handsome stranger blasts her for failing to notice a bunch of pickpockets and in storming away Coco stumbles across The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted where she finds a cocktail, comfort, and second chance at the life and love she wants.

Always eager to support Australian authors, I’ve been wanting to read something by Rebecca Raisin for a while so when she posted a call out on BlueSky I jumped at the chance, and was delighted by this sweet contemporary romance novel with a bit of an edge as it touches on several serious themes including grief, bullying, illness, loneliness, and heartbreak.

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted is every booklover’s dream destination. A cosy store on a cobblestone street in Paris that offers comfortable spaces, cocktails, cake, and charcuterie boards, Raisin describes a haven that I’d love to explore. Valerie is the bookshop’s warm and wise owner with a sixth sense for knowing what her patrons need, and she knows Coco needs a job.

Coco has had a difficult time of late and I definitely had sympathy for her. She’s lost everything, including her reputation, and the man who took it seems to have escaped any consequences. Coco’s teenage daughter’s vocal opposition to the loss of her life in London doesn’t make things any easier for her, and I thought Raisin captured their fraught relationship well.

Romance happens when Coco discovers the aforementioned angry handsome stranger is a regular at the bookstore. Journalist Henri is nursing his own hurts after a failed relationship, and though they clearly find each other attractive, both he and Coco are wary of starting anything, despite Valerie’s gentle support. Then just as they decide to take the risk, Raisin reveals a surprising twist that may leave them both broken-hearted again.

The writing is lovely and the author balances the more serious topics with humour and warmth. The colourful members of the bookshop’s bookclub add further interest to the story and perhaps a path for Raisin to revisit the store in a future series.

Charming and heartwarming, I enjoyed The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted’s magical setting, appealing characters, and satisfying happy ever after. I’ll be sure to read more from Rebecca Raisin soon.

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted by Rebecca Raisin is a whimsical and cozy romance perfect for bibliophiles who are looking for a lighthearted read.

Coco is at the end of her rope. In the midst of relocating back to Paris with her angsty 13 year old daughter after a messy scandal that cost Coco her business and her long-term partner, Coco finds herself just trying to keep her and her daughter as together as possible. She stumbles on The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted and is taken aback by the earnest and optimistic owner Valerie. Coming in as a sceptic that this place is a beacon for the broken-hearted, she begins to spend more and more time at the bookstore with its customers and starts to believe there may be something more to this place than she originally thought.

The setting of this story is the star of the story. The bookstore and the city feel real as you read the story. You can visualize lounging at the bookstore and walking the streets of Paris. The magic of the bookstore couldn't come to life if the author didn't spend so much time making the setting feel as immersive as it is.

While I enjoyed the story, I did feel that the climax of the story felt too late so the resolution felt rushed. The romance of the story for the longest time felt like a slowburn , which I was okay with, but the romance felt like a B story compared to another storyline that began to take place. While those two storylines intertwine, it wasn't until the apex of the story that the reader could understand how both were connected. I wanted more-more romance, more bookstore characters, and more insight into the main character's personal healing story.

I still think this is an enjoying read for those looking to escape and enjoy something lighthearted and easy. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. I rated this 3.5/5 stars.

Coco and her daughter Eloise are on their way to Paris leaving London behind them. Coco's life has been turned upside down by the man she was in business and in love with. She has to start again with no saving and living at her parents apartment in Montparnasse.
When they arrive at the Gare de Nord, she bumps into a handsome man and feels a spark. However, when she bumps into the same man near the Eiffel tower, she is more annoyed that anything else.
Shortly afterwards she stumbles across the Bookshop for the Brokenhearted and gets herself a job there, only to find that he is a regular patron.
Over the next few weeks she gets to grips with her new role, but also had to deal with her daughter not settling in at her new school and bullying allegations.
There is a boisterous book club to deal with, the participants all have strong feelings about books and aren't backwards in coming forwards about it.
Valerie, the owner, mixes potions for her patrons, who all have a belief in her powers. Will Coco find love? Will her problems in London get resolved?
A lovely little read.

If you like to swoon in a beautiful setting, “The Paris Bookshop for the Brokenhearted “ by Rebecca Raisin is for you. Coco has to move back to parents home in Paris with her thirteen year old daughter after a scandalous business situation. Coco’s ex-partner in their publishing business, did some unscrupulous actions. This has now made Coco a pariah in the publishing industry. On her arrival in Paris, she stumbled upon this quaint bookshop. The owner, Valerie, has a passion for taking care of others and the endless pursuit of love. There are a variety of fun characters in this book that warm your heart. As well as, a very handsome possible love interest! This is a perfect book to curl up with a warm cup of tea! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this advance read.

Paris is once again our destination city for Rebecca's latest novel, The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted, and it was such a cute story. Coco is our protagonist and we journey with her as she weaves her way through relocation to another country, struggles with a teenage daughter, and coming to terms with the a*s*at her ex-partner was, alongside trying to find a job to help her on her way.

I adored the bookshop and everything about it, from the 'potions and passages' to the quirky members of the book club. The characters are charming, and we even get a fleeting appearance from Anais, who pops in from one of Rebecca's previous books, so we also get to see what she's been up to!

We had a place near where I used to live called Astley Book Farm, in Warwickshire in the UK, and it was an amazing place. Full of second-hand books, shelf upon shelf of every genre you could think of, and something new to discover at every turn, oh and amazing cakes too! The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted reminded me a bit of this book farm - maybe they should start with the 'potions and passages' too, for any lost souls who might wander in!

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted by Rebecca Raisin.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood books for my copy of The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted by Rebecca Raisin in exchange for an honest review. It publishes February 3, 2025.
This has got to be Rebecca Raisin’s best Parisian novel yet. I loved the plot and subplots in this book. There was not a single subplot that I found to be unimportant, boring, or overdone. This book captivated me and had me reading at 4 am and totally not sleeping, because I had to know what would happen!
I highly recommend!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Set in a beautiful city, we meet Coco, after her relationship and business collapses, moves to Paris to live with her parents with her daughter who is not happy leaving behind her friends and the life she loves.

When she arrives, she meets Henri and then is offered a job in a bookshop. This is the beginning of Coco’s new life and slowly she starts to overcome her broken heart and finds a way to make amends with her old clients.

But her daughter Eloise isn’t having the same luck. She’s still not happy living in Paris and is has some issues at the new school.

I loved the how Cocoa made friends with the characters who visit the bookshop and finding out them, helping them when they needed it.

I highly recommend this book.

Coco loses everything she has built, her connections with long time authors to her finances because of her ex boyfriend Alexandre. This forces her to move with her daughter, Eloise, from London back to Paris for a fresh start. Eloise does not agree to this move and Coco does not have the heart to share why they are moving from London to Paris.

When they first arrive in Paris, she runs into a disagreeable man. After failing at finding another job, she wanders the city only to end up near the Eiffel Tower. Standing there an exasperatingly handsome stranger yells at her for acting like a tourist, as she is pick-pocketed. Storming away from him, and swearing off men for life, she decides she’s going to take the first job that comes her way.

As if fate hears her, later that day she stumbles down an alley and discovers a little bookshop. This is not any old bookshop; this one comes complete with a café, cocktail bar, reading room and secret tunnel of books, all with just a little hint of magic in the air. When Coco is offered a job selling books there, it feels like the perfect fit. There is only one problem, sitting at a table in the bookshop is none other than the grumpy, gorgeous stranger she’d met earlier that day, Henri.

I loved all the other characters too not just Coco and Henri; the bookshop owner Valerie, each of the members of the shop’s book club, Henri’s daughter Liz, and even Coco’s parents. Everyone who came into the bookshop had a story to tell; broken hearts don’t only affect those in love. Each character has a backstory and added something to the story.

Ms. Raisin has written an amazing, heartwarming story set in a magical Parisian bookshop that is a wonderful tale of second chances, love, and the transformative power of books. If you enjoy stories about finding yourself, unexpected romance, and the healing power of literature, The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted is a must-read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#Boldwood #NetGalley #TheParisBookshopForTheBrokenHearted

I really enjoyed this cozy & heartfelt romance. The bookshop sounds like such a wonderful place and all the characters we meet there really add to the story.
Like all Rebecca’s books I feel like I’ve travelled to Paris after reading this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

After her world implodes, Coco and her teenage daughter leave London to take refuge with Coco’s parents in Paris. There, she seems to be unable to stop bumping into Henri, a handsome but irritating journalist. When Coco takes a job at The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted, she learns that more hearts need mending than just her own, including Henri’s. The story covers difficult life events for lots of the characters. Whilst there is a love story between Coco and Henri, it’s not front and centre – the narrative meanders through the lives of lots of broken-hearted people.

What I loved:
The book reads like a love letter to literature: there are many literary references, quotes, and Raisin clearly conveys Coco’s passion for reading. The description of the book shop is one of the highlights of the novel; the writer comes into her own here. It’s incredibly evocative and conveys the wonder and magic of the place.

There was a lovely magical realism vibe to it. I kind of wish there’d been more of that, especially nearer the end.

The relationship between mother and teen was very well depicted. As was the description of Paris – it was clear enough for readers unfamiliar with the place, but casual enough to suggest Coco’s familiarity with her home city.

It’s always tricky trying to suggest speech in a language other than the one you’re writing in, but author does a good job, mixing some common French words in with the rest of the English prose, which strikes a decent balance and is a good compromise.

What I was less keen on:
Whilst the story started right in the action, which is always a relief, there was an awful lot of exposition and introspection at the start which is a bit laborious.

It was rather too meta at times - lots of ‘this isn’t a romance novel’ type reflection, especially at the start, that just makes you think, ‘this IS a romance novel’ and makes it hard to suspend disbelief.

The romantic conclusion between Coco and Henri was, to borrow from Eloise, ‘a bit cringe’. There wasn’t much subtlety or romance, especially with the kids and parents looking on. I’m not entirely convinced by their relationship. I don’t know much about them as people. What we do know is mainly told rather than shown, and when it is shown, it’s usually followed up with commentary telling us about what’s been shown just to drive it home.

There were some important plotlines that were not tied up, so the ending was not as satisfying as it could have been.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Delightfully uplifting, charming, and heartfelt! A solid four star read!

Single mom Coco has been betrayed by her life and business partner Alexander who was found stealing royalties from the authors they work with in their independent book publishing company. Finding her life and business in ruins, she leaves London and returns to Paris with her daughter to temporarily move in with her parents while she puts her life back together.

Running into a bookshop called The Paris Bookshop of the Broken-Hearted, Coco meets the owner Valerie who believes in romance and happily ever afters. As Coco and her daughter forge a new life in Paris, they will each face personal challenges that will both strain and strengthen their relationship. And maybe, with the help of Valerie, Coco’s new friends, and the magic of the bookshop, healing will begin and allow love in again.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted was a sweet and warm read. Rebecca Raisin creates characters who manage to find both love for themselves as well as a romantic love with someone else. It was a beautiful story that reminded me of how powerful love can be- as well as how beautiful the city of love is!

So much of this book is a love letter to Paris and to family. In many ways, the romance between Coco and Henri is second to the love we see between Coco and her daughter, Eloise, as well as the familial dynamics of the book club at the bookshop. It’s a story of self love and acceptance well beyond a romantic nature.

I loved the subtle reference to Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel and Anais, the main character of that book! Rebecca’s books make me want to take a trip to Paris ASAP. It’s hard not to fall in love with her stories and the beautiful setting they are in.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

In The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted by Rebecca Raisin, Coco Chevallier returns to Paris after a devastating betrayal and career collapse in London. Struggling to rebuild her life while dealing with her rebellious teenage daughter, she stumbles upon a hidden bookshop run by the enigmatic Valerie. There, she finds unexpected purpose—and crosses paths with Henri, a brooding man still nursing a heartbreak of his own. As their relationship shifts from animosity to something deeper, Coco navigates personal and professional challenges, with a touch of magic and hope guiding her toward a fresh start.

They say that Paris is the city of love, somehow, I love the books that are set in Paris and I am never disappointed!!

This book is set in a bookshop at Paris. It is about 2 single parents falling in love along with being there for their kids. There are so many twists, turns, secrets and even some legal stuff mentioned in the book that kept me hooked.

📚 There are so many plans and events mentioned in the story related to bookshop that were really unknown for me.
📚 There is a huge secret hidden in the story, which is quiet unpredictable and the end reveals it in a beautiful way.
📚 So many concepts are given voice in the story such as parenting, being heart broken, bankrupt, friendships, bullying, accepting mistakes, forgiving, handling tough situations, making new friends and of course, falling in love.
📚 Making mistakes and forgiving is the best that I liked about this book. How to be a bigger person is something that everyone is learning on the go.
📚 The plot covers the present with only some glimpses of past. Major part of the plot is covered in present scenes without weavering from the story line.
📚 Story never felt boring and it evoked a type of interest that made me look for bookclubs in my area.

I really loved this easy going, yet thrilling story along with a spicy love story.