After living in conflict about following her heart versus staying in her comfort zone for three years following her divorce, Isa Muir announces to the shock of family and colleagues she is quitting her job as elementary school librarian and buying a one way ticket to France. She is drawn to a centuries-old inn on the outskirts of Paris. She never expects her stay there will lead to a ghost, reincarnation, and love, not with a Frenchman, but a Scotsman named Daniel. The innkeeper, Claire, calls it destiny.

Review

5 Stars

'A ghost story and a romance all rolled into one! A compelling read.' The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
This story is a bit of a mix of things. It's a ghost story; but not in a frightening way. It's a love story; not in an overly soppy way. And it's a study of Paris; but not in a boring 'travel book' sort of way. As I say, it's a mix of things which the author throws into a pot and 'TA DA!' we have a very enjoyable novel.

So, to the plot. Isa is the wife of Nick. But she's not happy. So she sets off to an old inn in Paris to, well, do lots of things: to think, to find a bit of space, possibly to forget. Lots of things. But, as with life, what she finds there is not what she expected, including a ghost and new love in the form of, no, not a Frenchman, but a Scotsman.

This is a very atmospheric story. The author knows her setting and wants the reader, like the characters, to be immersed in it. It's also very much a character-led story, most of it falling on the downtrodden Isa who must find her wings. It's a little slow paced but that's in keeping with the story. And the little twists in the plot worked well, keeping me turning the page.

The best word to describe this book is 'idiosyncratic'. Or, 'odd'. Possibly 'unique' is a good word for it to. Many of the characters you will meet including, of course, the innkeeper, is a little odd. Also, the inn - yes, the pub is almost a
character in the story - is, well, full of character too. Finally, there's the new love interest. He's very different to the emotionally stunted Nick. He's bold and a bit of an extrovert. I think I sort of fancy him myself.

All in all, this is a well-constructed story full of interesting characters and, also, a mystery (the ghost) for the characters to unravel. I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys romance and the thought of throwing away the apron and rushing off to Paris. To be honest, I wouldn't mind doing that too.