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It Started With Paris
SUNDAY TIMES bestseller Cathy Kelly returns with a funny, emotional, heart-warming new novel.
It all started with Paris. At the top of the Eiffel Tower, a young man proposes to his girlfriend, cheered on by delighted tourists. In that second, everything changes, not just for the happy couple, but for the family and friends awaiting their return in Bridgeport, Ireland...
Leila's been nursing a badly broken heart since her love-rat husband just upped and left her one morning, but she's determined to put on a brave face for the bride.
Vonnie, a widow and exceptional cake-maker, is just daring to let love back into her life, although someone seems determined to stop it.
And Grace, a divorced head teacher, finds the impending wedding of her son means that she's spending more time with her ex-husband. After all those years apart, is it possible she's made a mistake?
With her warmth and insight, Cathy Kelly weaves a delightful tale spinning out from a once-in-a-lifetime moment, drawing together a terrific cast of characters who feel like old friends. IT STARTED WITH PARIS is the sparkling new novel from No.1 bestseller Cathy Kelly.
It all started with Paris. At the top of the Eiffel Tower, a young man proposes to his girlfriend, cheered on by delighted tourists. In that second, everything changes, not just for the happy couple, but for the family and friends awaiting their return in Bridgeport, Ireland...
Leila's been nursing a badly broken heart since her love-rat husband just upped and left her one morning, but she's determined to put on a brave face for the bride.
Vonnie, a widow and exceptional cake-maker, is just daring to let love back into her life, although someone seems determined to stop it.
And Grace, a divorced head teacher, finds the impending wedding of her son means that she's spending more time with her ex-husband. After all those years apart, is it possible she's made a mistake?
With her warmth and insight, Cathy Kelly weaves a delightful tale spinning out from a once-in-a-lifetime moment, drawing together a terrific cast of characters who feel like old friends. IT STARTED WITH PARIS is the sparkling new novel from No.1 bestseller Cathy Kelly.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2014
310 people are currently reading
3,649 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Kelly
94books1,060followersBorn in Belfast but raised in Dublin, Cathy initially worked for thirteen years as a newspaper journalist with a national Irish Sunday newspaper, where she worked in news, features, along with spending time as an agony aunt and the paper’s film critic. However, her overwhelming love was always fiction and she published her first international bestseller, Woman To Woman, in 1997. She did not become a full-time writer until she had written another two books (She’s The One and Never Too Late) and finally decided to leave the world of journalism in 2001, moving to HarperCollins Publishers at the same time.
Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.
Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.
In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.
Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.
She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
To contact Cathy email [email protected]
Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.
Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.
In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.
Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.
She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
To contact Cathy email [email protected]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 388 reviews
October 5, 2017
Honestly, I am going to say that if Kelly could dial back the number of side characters she introduces in her books, these would be five star reads to me every single time.
I loved the idea of the people closet to a newly engaged couple starting to think about their own lives, marriages, divorces, or in one person's case, singledom. But once again Kelly throws in a baker with a tragic story, her new romance and his ex wife. It didn't fit this book at all and it kept dragging me out of the reading to go back to that character and the other characters in her story. In the end they (baker, boyfriend, ex-wife, and stepkids) all fell out of the story with an almost audible thump.
The book shifts leads throughout, but I would say the main characters are Leila (Katy's best friend), Vonnie (a baker from America that has moved to Ireland) and Grace (Michael's mother). One of these characters is not like the others. As I said above, Vonnie the baker and her entire story-line could have been cut. I don't know why we didn't just include more about Leila's sister actually.
"It Started With Paris" begins with Michael proposing to his long time girlfriend Katy at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Weirdly though the book decides to start focusing on Katy's best friend Leila and her subsequent heartbreak from her husband leaving her for another woman. I have to say that it took me a while to even realize the connection between Katy and Leila since Kelly doesn't come right out and say it. I was baffled.
Leila besides still reeling from her husband's betrayal is realizing that she has not been present for her sister or her mother for a very long time. Her older sister is a single mom and is struggling with trying to handle everything. When Leila's mom is in a bad car accident, her sister just throws up her hands and tells her she needs to deal with things, she's over it.
Grace is a school principal who is now starting to regret choosing her work over her husband 15 years ago.
Vonnie who fell in love with the perfect man and lost him, is struggling to deal with a new romance that is causing her all kinds of angst.
The book jumps around to so many other characters that I don't think I can list them all. We get Leila's boss's POV, Leila's husband, Grace's ex-husband's POV, Grace's ex's current long time partner's POV, etc. It just got to be too much.
The writing I thought was really good and I did enjoy the book enough to finish it. But I can see why so many people DNFed it. You can't really follow a character straight through since you are jumping back and forth so much.
The ending was a bit of a letdown. As I said, Vonnie's story ends abruptly, we never get a feeling for Leila's sister at all and the way she is portrayed makes her into some kind of harpy. We don't get to see the repercussions to Katy's parent's marriage, I still don't get what Michael's sister Fiona's deal was. I could go on.
I think if Kelly is going to write books like this, it may make sense to have characters make appearances in her future books like Maeve Binchy started to do. It just feels like you are checking in with the people so you can feel like you get to keep reading their story.
I loved the idea of the people closet to a newly engaged couple starting to think about their own lives, marriages, divorces, or in one person's case, singledom. But once again Kelly throws in a baker with a tragic story, her new romance and his ex wife. It didn't fit this book at all and it kept dragging me out of the reading to go back to that character and the other characters in her story. In the end they (baker, boyfriend, ex-wife, and stepkids) all fell out of the story with an almost audible thump.
The book shifts leads throughout, but I would say the main characters are Leila (Katy's best friend), Vonnie (a baker from America that has moved to Ireland) and Grace (Michael's mother). One of these characters is not like the others. As I said above, Vonnie the baker and her entire story-line could have been cut. I don't know why we didn't just include more about Leila's sister actually.
"It Started With Paris" begins with Michael proposing to his long time girlfriend Katy at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Weirdly though the book decides to start focusing on Katy's best friend Leila and her subsequent heartbreak from her husband leaving her for another woman. I have to say that it took me a while to even realize the connection between Katy and Leila since Kelly doesn't come right out and say it. I was baffled.
Leila besides still reeling from her husband's betrayal is realizing that she has not been present for her sister or her mother for a very long time. Her older sister is a single mom and is struggling with trying to handle everything. When Leila's mom is in a bad car accident, her sister just throws up her hands and tells her she needs to deal with things, she's over it.
Grace is a school principal who is now starting to regret choosing her work over her husband 15 years ago.
Vonnie who fell in love with the perfect man and lost him, is struggling to deal with a new romance that is causing her all kinds of angst.
The book jumps around to so many other characters that I don't think I can list them all. We get Leila's boss's POV, Leila's husband, Grace's ex-husband's POV, Grace's ex's current long time partner's POV, etc. It just got to be too much.
The writing I thought was really good and I did enjoy the book enough to finish it. But I can see why so many people DNFed it. You can't really follow a character straight through since you are jumping back and forth so much.
The ending was a bit of a letdown. As I said, Vonnie's story ends abruptly, we never get a feeling for Leila's sister at all and the way she is portrayed makes her into some kind of harpy. We don't get to see the repercussions to Katy's parent's marriage, I still don't get what Michael's sister Fiona's deal was. I could go on.
I think if Kelly is going to write books like this, it may make sense to have characters make appearances in her future books like Maeve Binchy started to do. It just feels like you are checking in with the people so you can feel like you get to keep reading their story.
November 15, 2015
I won a copy of “It Started With Paris� by Cathy Kelly through the ŷ Giveaway Contest.
It Started With Paris starts with a young couple, Katy and Michael, who get engaged at the top of the Eiffel Tower in front of many tourists. Then they call home with the exciting news. I then felt I was settling in on a cozy light romantic read, but I was wrong. I felt that there were way too many characters in this book, and found it confusing to follow. I found myself taking constant notes, to keep track of everyone, which deterred from the story. I did not feel any connection to any of the characters. I have to admit not finishing this novel.
I can see that the author has a strong following, but I have to say that this novel was not for me. I am sure this book will appeal to many chick lit fans. I love the cover.
It Started With Paris starts with a young couple, Katy and Michael, who get engaged at the top of the Eiffel Tower in front of many tourists. Then they call home with the exciting news. I then felt I was settling in on a cozy light romantic read, but I was wrong. I felt that there were way too many characters in this book, and found it confusing to follow. I found myself taking constant notes, to keep track of everyone, which deterred from the story. I did not feel any connection to any of the characters. I have to admit not finishing this novel.
I can see that the author has a strong following, but I have to say that this novel was not for me. I am sure this book will appeal to many chick lit fans. I love the cover.
June 30, 2021
A young man proposes to his girl at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Family and friends are happy for the young engaged couple, Katy and Michael. That one event affects the lives of others. Leila is nursing a broken heart after her husband Tynan left her. That has affected her relationship with her sister Susie and means she has not been as supportive for her as a single parent of Jack or in helping with their mother Dolores. But life has a way of changing plans. Grace finds the impending wedding of their son means she and Stephen, her ex husband are often brought into close proximity. Connie, a widow, is a cake maker extraordinaire. Dare she take the risk of letting love back into her life?
These are some of the main characters in this story. I really liked them. Unfortunately it tends to get a bit clogged up with too many other characters and too many side issues that don’t add anything to the story which ends up leaving the reader confused. As a result, the book ends up too long, dragging in places. At times I felt like I was reading and reading and not getting anywhere. A serious edit, concentrating on the characters and issues most important and omitting others, would have made this a stronger more enjoyable read. So, although I liked it I did find it a struggle to keep going at times. A case where less is more would have worked better.
These are some of the main characters in this story. I really liked them. Unfortunately it tends to get a bit clogged up with too many other characters and too many side issues that don’t add anything to the story which ends up leaving the reader confused. As a result, the book ends up too long, dragging in places. At times I felt like I was reading and reading and not getting anywhere. A serious edit, concentrating on the characters and issues most important and omitting others, would have made this a stronger more enjoyable read. So, although I liked it I did find it a struggle to keep going at times. A case where less is more would have worked better.
January 22, 2023
Book 5/10 for the 2023 ŷ Challenge.
My choice for the prompt "A book about divorce" for the 2023 Popsugar Reading Challenge.
TW: ED
Okay y'all, this was such a good book! It had me HOOKED with all of the varying storylines (there were at least 10 lol.. which did get a bit confusing at times but you learn who everyone is eventually).
The book begins with a couple getting engaged in Paris over the holidays.. and then everything that happen between then and the wedding. It involves the main characters who get engaged; their respective parents (and step-parent); the engaged female's best female friend and her respective mom, sister, and male partner(s); and the maker of the wedding cake and her family and new partner's family. However, all of the POVs compliment each other and it flows beautifully together.
The author including a young girl's desperate bid for attention by starving herself was not of bad-taste, which I appreciated. Anorexia is such a delicate topic and Kelly made really empathize with the young teenager and how that was the only way she felt to have control over her life. I appreciate that it was the best friend that noticed and initiated the intervention that both mother and daughter needed to have. She had such dedication and bravery to do that for her friend - mad respect.
Divorce played a big part in the novel via the relationship between the engaged male's parents - they had been divorced for over a decade and the dad had a new wife. The grace and respect the two divorced parties held for each other was admirable and it was lovely seeing their relationship re-grow throughout their son's short engagement period.
Loved Leila's (engaged female's bestie) storyline - helping her ailing mother, reconnecting with her estranged sister and nephew, leaving her toxic husband, and falling in love with someone unexpectedly close to her ;) Also about how poor Vonnie gets shit on by her beau's ex-wife. What a witch Jennifer was !!!!!
This was a 4.5 star book for me, rounded down. Total 5 star if not for SO MANY CHARACTERS. I definitely had to keep looking back to figure out who was who until maybe the last 2/3s of the book haha. Would recommend to all my romance lovers out there!
My choice for the prompt "A book about divorce" for the 2023 Popsugar Reading Challenge.
TW: ED
Okay y'all, this was such a good book! It had me HOOKED with all of the varying storylines (there were at least 10 lol.. which did get a bit confusing at times but you learn who everyone is eventually).
The book begins with a couple getting engaged in Paris over the holidays.. and then everything that happen between then and the wedding. It involves the main characters who get engaged; their respective parents (and step-parent); the engaged female's best female friend and her respective mom, sister, and male partner(s); and the maker of the wedding cake and her family and new partner's family. However, all of the POVs compliment each other and it flows beautifully together.
The author including a young girl's desperate bid for attention by starving herself was not of bad-taste, which I appreciated. Anorexia is such a delicate topic and Kelly made really empathize with the young teenager and how that was the only way she felt to have control over her life. I appreciate that it was the best friend that noticed and initiated the intervention that both mother and daughter needed to have. She had such dedication and bravery to do that for her friend - mad respect.
Divorce played a big part in the novel via the relationship between the engaged male's parents - they had been divorced for over a decade and the dad had a new wife. The grace and respect the two divorced parties held for each other was admirable and it was lovely seeing their relationship re-grow throughout their son's short engagement period.
Loved Leila's (engaged female's bestie) storyline - helping her ailing mother, reconnecting with her estranged sister and nephew, leaving her toxic husband, and falling in love with someone unexpectedly close to her ;) Also about how poor Vonnie gets shit on by her beau's ex-wife. What a witch Jennifer was !!!!!
This was a 4.5 star book for me, rounded down. Total 5 star if not for SO MANY CHARACTERS. I definitely had to keep looking back to figure out who was who until maybe the last 2/3s of the book haha. Would recommend to all my romance lovers out there!
October 8, 2014
This book started out great with a proposal at the top of the Eiffel tower, however after the prologue it really started to go down hill.
It took me ages to read this book, and several times I though about giving up on it, however I finish ploughed through it and got to the end.
I found the Katy and Michael story to be lovely, and they were very lovable characters, however, I felt that there were way to may characters in this book.
Along with the may characters, there were many subplots, done if which came to a very abrupt stop at the end of the book. I nearly had a headache trying to figure out how all the characters were related and which story was which.
I was really looking forward to reading this book, and it was a huge disappointment because it rally could have been so much better. Saying that, I have read worse book, but this of not a story that I'll remember in a few months time, which is a pity because it has the makings of a great story, but it just had too many stories in it, which made it hard to follow.
It took me ages to read this book, and several times I though about giving up on it, however I finish ploughed through it and got to the end.
I found the Katy and Michael story to be lovely, and they were very lovable characters, however, I felt that there were way to may characters in this book.
Along with the may characters, there were many subplots, done if which came to a very abrupt stop at the end of the book. I nearly had a headache trying to figure out how all the characters were related and which story was which.
I was really looking forward to reading this book, and it was a huge disappointment because it rally could have been so much better. Saying that, I have read worse book, but this of not a story that I'll remember in a few months time, which is a pity because it has the makings of a great story, but it just had too many stories in it, which made it hard to follow.
April 3, 2021
I struggled a little with this one. First it had way too many characters so I could not connect strongly with anyone. I would have picked one or two to follow closely, some of the others as side characters. Secondly I know it is chic lit and I usually love the genre but it was too much woman needs man to be happy for me without a solid, drags you in storyline and romance. It just fell a little flat for me. I would read the author again though because maybe it was just this book with me.
March 28, 2016
I first chose this book because of the author and the Eiffel Tower, believing it was a Paris novel. I am so excited to say how extremely happy I feel about my being wrong! It was a book about numerous families: divorced parents of two newly engaged kids (Hmmmmm.....wonder WHERE they got engaged!), and a family of the mom of the bridesmaids and their family statuses. I could identify with parts of each and every woman. That is what I liked most about the book.
The book takes you along with the day to day struggles that most families face. I believe every woman can identify with at least one person in the book. All the characters are great ones! Ms. Cathy Kelly is not an international bestseller for nothing!!! She is an outstandingly great author who really understands women! I loved this book.
Thank you Ms. Kelly and Library Thing for giving me a free copy of this book to read and give my honest review.
The book takes you along with the day to day struggles that most families face. I believe every woman can identify with at least one person in the book. All the characters are great ones! Ms. Cathy Kelly is not an international bestseller for nothing!!! She is an outstandingly great author who really understands women! I loved this book.
Thank you Ms. Kelly and Library Thing for giving me a free copy of this book to read and give my honest review.
August 28, 2015
I have to say I loved this book, it was an audio book and the narrator done a fantastic job of keeping you interested in all the different characters, there were a lot but her different voices were so good u were able to switch from character to character without any problem. I would recommend this book !!!!
May 10, 2024
Hardback.
This didn’t half ramble on. For me, there was too much dialogue and not enough scene setting. Not for me, I’m afraid.
This didn’t half ramble on. For me, there was too much dialogue and not enough scene setting. Not for me, I’m afraid.
September 16, 2019
Loved this heartwarming and beautifully written story, that made me smile right from the very start! Particular shout-out to Devlin, who had a very Rochester-esque vibe...but honestly, I adored all of the characters! A lovely read!
October 9, 2014
An engagement changes everything for the happy couple, and for their family and friends. Katy and Michael are getting married - lots of plans to be made, and a time when family and friends all come together for a celebration. Weddings bring out memories of the past and wishes for the future. It is a time for new beginnings, where anything seems possible. The characters have decisions and compromises to make, and fears to face; while doing this there are plenty of laughs and tears. I loved this book, I felt I knew everyone and was interested in their lives. So much so that when I wasn't reading I would think how it would all end. I didn't tell you much more about the plot, as I want you to enjoy the book as much as I did. Read this and you will not be disappointed. Curl up with a cuppa and some chocolate and let the story unfold. One of my favourite books I have read this year. Looking forward to purchasing more from Cathy Kelly.
I received an advance review copy from Lovereading.co.uk.
I received an advance review copy from Lovereading.co.uk.
February 21, 2015
Completely okay, but sometimes too many characters with stories that you don`t quite live in. I loved the part about Ruby and her family, though. Also Lila and her life!
March 11, 2019
Easy reading nothing very exciting. No idea why I had left a note to myself to look out for it - possibly sounded more to it that there was.
January 12, 2025
I'm sure there's a wide audience for this kind of book, but I'm not it and I'm side-eyeing 2016 Cathy for thinking this would be something I'd enjoy.
There aren't any actual characters present in this book, just caricatures that skip merrily from one cliché to the next.
At least I managed to get another physical book off my shelves, and this one has already been dropped in my community's book exchange locker.
There aren't any actual characters present in this book, just caricatures that skip merrily from one cliché to the next.
At least I managed to get another physical book off my shelves, and this one has already been dropped in my community's book exchange locker.
July 16, 2019
I would have bumped it up a bit more if there were less secondary characters; it got a little confusing trying to remember everyone. It was a easy read, and kept my attention, it started off so strong so it grabbed me right away. I enjoyed the connections between all the characters.
November 22, 2014
Very good book very clever with having different characters and how they are all have completely different lives but all seemed to get happiness at the end. Well worth reading
July 2, 2019
Kraj ove knjige je i vise nego ocajan.
February 10, 2017
(actual rating 3.5)
Posted originally
Cathy Kelly is one of my all-time favourite authors and so I was really excited to be invited to take part in the blog tour for her latest novel It Started With Paris � and just look at that cover � this book was impossible to resist. The book begins with a romantic prologue in which Michael proposes to Katy at the top of the Eiffel Tower, no less. I adored the prologue but I also liked the concept of this book and how what was about to follow wasn’t going to focus on the perfect love story but how their engagement impacted on the lives of their family and friends. It Started With Paris had a warm, charming feel to it which Cathy is so good at portraying.
Though the prologue struck me right away, this was a slow-burner of a novel. It was set at quite a slow pace which didn’t really pick up at any stage during the book. The only fast-moving thing about the first couple of hundred pages was the introduction of character after character. At the beginning, I really couldn’t keep up and form any opinions or feelings towards most of the characters. There were so many new names and I was trying to remember what linked them all together but I did struggle for a while. Despite that, the characters right from the start were developed brilliantly. We learn a lot about them, and the pace helped with that, and It Started With Paris was a really character-driven novel with believable personalities and paths taken. I could picture my extended family and see similarities with the little feuds and issues but yet still pick up on the love and warmth that was there under the surface. It always felt like an uplifting, heart-warming story was going to break out and I was hoping that was going to be the case.
Although this book broke off to focus on the lives of three women, Leila, Vonnie and Grace, Leila’s story felt much more interesting to me and hers was the only journey I was invested in right from the start. As soon as we meet her, we see that she has been beaten down having been left by her husband � the husband she was so desperate to hold onto, despite her loved ones� belief that he was no good for her. On top of that, an accident sees her mum Dolores in need of her help, but Leila is battling the guilt at not being there for her enough throughout her life. I just felt for Leila straight away and wanted her to get a break and see that things would pick up and she wouldn’t always feel like a let-down and that there was somebody else who was much better suited to her than Tynan. I did connect with Leila a lot and would consider her my favourite character, although I absolutely loved Dolores. Her optimism, despite circumstance, was inspiring and her use of the phrase You have to have rain to get the rainbow really set the tone for the book.
It Started With Paris is a generally moving novel and there are a lot of themes that Cathy explores � from heartbreak and illness to hope, strength and renewed optimism. I felt like the flow of the story was near-perfect, with the seamless switches in character. The book is written in the typical Cathy Kelly style which I loved but the difference between my feelings on this novel compared to her others is that I couldn’t connect with most of the characters as much as I had hoped for. I did however love the focus on friendship and family, combined with the romance which is much more understated than the cover might suggest. The simple touches of humour injected into the plot were great to pick the mood up and It Started With Paris felt like the kind of book ideal for a cold winter’s day where you can settle in and escape the real world, with plenty to discuss once it’s over.
*Book gifted for honest review.
July 25, 2015
I received a copy of this title, from LoveReading.co.uk, in return for an honest review.
I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of this book, as I have fond memories of reading Cathy Kelly books and can remember feeling as if I was wrapped up in cosy blanket. It is a while since I have picked up one of her books and this was the perfect opportunity to re-acquaint myself with her work.
A young couple get engaged at the top of the Eiffel Tower after a romantic proposal in front of delighted tourists. Their phone calls home, to tell of the big news, are met with no great surprise, as they have been together for years. But how will the wedding effect their family and friends?
It Started With Paris starts with the cute proposal and you can almost feel the Paris air at the top of the famous landmark. A wonderful place to ask your childhood sweetheart for their hand in marriage. I was settling in for a few comfortable reading sessions and was a little disappointed when I realised this was not going to be the case. The first chapter set the scene but then the narrative shifts to the mother of the groom, a headmistress, an ex-pupil’s mother (as far as I could make out) who is connected to the woman who is baking the cake for the wedding. Then there is the bride’s best friend, her sister and her mother. There were more characters, but at this stage I had started using a notepad to draw up a spider diagram to see how these people were connected. I felt no connection to any of them, except the children of the cake-maker’s boyfriend.
I persisted much longer than I would normally, as I like Cathy Kelly. A talented Irish writer, with millions of books sold, I kept hoping that the novel would find its stride. I’m afraid I had to abandon it at page 238. I really did try. There is no problem with the writing. It is nice and gentle and maybe had there been less characters to get my head around, perhaps with less pages too, it may have worked better. It may even have picked up pace by page 300. I’m afraid I couldn’t persist long enough to find out.
Maybe the fault lays with me. I have read some amazing new fiction recently and my expectations have been raised. I am sure that for Cathy Kelly this will still be a top ten best seller for months to come, but it just was not for me. Also, thumbs up for the beautiful cover artwork. It is fantastic!
I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of this book, as I have fond memories of reading Cathy Kelly books and can remember feeling as if I was wrapped up in cosy blanket. It is a while since I have picked up one of her books and this was the perfect opportunity to re-acquaint myself with her work.
A young couple get engaged at the top of the Eiffel Tower after a romantic proposal in front of delighted tourists. Their phone calls home, to tell of the big news, are met with no great surprise, as they have been together for years. But how will the wedding effect their family and friends?
It Started With Paris starts with the cute proposal and you can almost feel the Paris air at the top of the famous landmark. A wonderful place to ask your childhood sweetheart for their hand in marriage. I was settling in for a few comfortable reading sessions and was a little disappointed when I realised this was not going to be the case. The first chapter set the scene but then the narrative shifts to the mother of the groom, a headmistress, an ex-pupil’s mother (as far as I could make out) who is connected to the woman who is baking the cake for the wedding. Then there is the bride’s best friend, her sister and her mother. There were more characters, but at this stage I had started using a notepad to draw up a spider diagram to see how these people were connected. I felt no connection to any of them, except the children of the cake-maker’s boyfriend.
I persisted much longer than I would normally, as I like Cathy Kelly. A talented Irish writer, with millions of books sold, I kept hoping that the novel would find its stride. I’m afraid I had to abandon it at page 238. I really did try. There is no problem with the writing. It is nice and gentle and maybe had there been less characters to get my head around, perhaps with less pages too, it may have worked better. It may even have picked up pace by page 300. I’m afraid I couldn’t persist long enough to find out.
Maybe the fault lays with me. I have read some amazing new fiction recently and my expectations have been raised. I am sure that for Cathy Kelly this will still be a top ten best seller for months to come, but it just was not for me. Also, thumbs up for the beautiful cover artwork. It is fantastic!
May 5, 2018
I wanted to read the number one best seller It Started With Paris by Cathy Kelly as I have read some of Cathy Kelly's novels before. I always seem to engage with the strong wonderful characters that Cathy blends throughout all of her novels.
About It Started With Paris
On top of the Eiffel Tower in the beautiful romantic Paris Michael surprises his girlfriend by kneeling down on one knee takes a ring from his pocket and asks Kathy to be his wife. As Michael and Kathy are made for each other family and friends are delighted with the news that are set to finally get married.
Leila's husband, leaves Leila for some young hipster girl. There is more heartbreak for Leila as her mother has been in a car crash.
What readers can expect from Cathy Kelly's new novel It Started With Paris is a busy jam packed storytelling about modern life with romance and heartbreak.
October 27, 2014
I received this as part of the ŷ First Reads programme.
I liked the storyline - three stories intertwined - so thought I'd see if I could win a copy and was pleased I did. The book also looked attractive from the cover. I started to read this but have to admit to not finishing it. The premise of story was OK, and read well, but I wasn't expecting the line-up of characters so large that I struggled to keep up with who was who so quickly began to lose interest.
I realize the author has a strong following and I am sure this book will appeal to many chick lit fans. I'm glad I tried it but it wasn't for me.
I liked the storyline - three stories intertwined - so thought I'd see if I could win a copy and was pleased I did. The book also looked attractive from the cover. I started to read this but have to admit to not finishing it. The premise of story was OK, and read well, but I wasn't expecting the line-up of characters so large that I struggled to keep up with who was who so quickly began to lose interest.
I realize the author has a strong following and I am sure this book will appeal to many chick lit fans. I'm glad I tried it but it wasn't for me.
November 13, 2014
I hated the first two-thirds of this book due to the number of characters introduced! Drove me demented! But once that got wrapped up in started to enjoy it but I do think some of the storylines like with Leila and Devlin got wrapped up a bit too quickly. Overall was okay but not her best book I don't think, shame as she used to be a favourite and I would look forward to her new books coming out.
April 26, 2016
15/20 - En bref, j'ai passé un bon moment avec les nombreux personnages que l'auteur nous présente et dont les vies vont finir par se rejoindre d'une manière ou d'une autre. Ils sont tous diablement humains avec leurs hauts et leurs bas que l'on ressent au travers des mots de l'auteur. Un très beau moment passé en leur compagnie avec en point d'orgue un final qui met du baume au cœur !
August 1, 2014
Unusually, this book starts with a proposal. In Paris of course. The ensuing wedding preparations are used to bring together the cast of characters and their various love life dramas- but it doesn't quite work. I think there were too many characters to really connect with any of them. Still, a nice warm fluffy read perfect for the breastfeeding mum.
November 13, 2014
An easy Sunday afternoon read, nothing too taxing or page-turning about it, just a nice easy � lose yourself for a while book. I enjoyed the characters and seeing how they evolved and the drama’s surrounding the upcoming wedding. But if you like chic litty type reads, you will enjoy It Started with Paris�.
December 16, 2014
Absolutely loved this book. It has a slow burn warmth to it. I felt interested in each and every person within its pages.
I'm a great fan of these Irish family and friends type of book - they remind me so much of the way my own Irish family go on.
It's not a book to be rushed, but one to get comfortable with, and savour.
I'm a great fan of these Irish family and friends type of book - they remind me so much of the way my own Irish family go on.
It's not a book to be rushed, but one to get comfortable with, and savour.
Read
August 24, 2015DNF- Not sure if is just me, since I know this author is well loved. I liked the beginning and then struggled. I surrendered at page 125. I didn't like the characters, maybe it was the divorce, cheating spouses and woes but I couldn't slip in to the story.
November 26, 2017
Loved this book; if you are a fan of Maeve Binchy you'll love this book. A lot of characters whose lives intertwine in various ways. People that seem real with lives and problems that seem real. Just my kind of story :)
May 29, 2016
possibly Cathy Kelly's best book. I have always been a fan, but this one was definitely one of my favourites.
March 2, 2020
It's been too long since I've read a Cathy Kelly book, or, for that matter, any other book by a much liked Irish romance writer (like Marian Keyes, another one I like very much). Indeed, I've read a few of those decades ago, and loved them.
It Started With Paris features rather many different characters, from varying generations, so there's bound to be some I liked better than others. This was an uplifting book, on the whole, that speaks for women's independence and quality of life. Sure, there was Leila, one the young women featured, who was a bit slow to come to grips, and naive, which, in general, annoys me to tears - especially her wallowing in her own misery at the beginning of the book. And then, there's that Jennifer with all her anger and meanness. The 180° turn-around Jennifer made, after finally realizing what it did to her daughter, was a bit hard to believe - Mean-spirited people don't change overnight - but this is fiction and anything is possible.
My favorite characters were Vonnie, Grace and Birdie, probably because they were the more mature women, in their forties and fifties, to whom I could better relate. Truly, I loved Birdie, what a class-act, how she handled Howard in the end, with such poise and grace. Priceless.
It Started With Paris features rather many different characters, from varying generations, so there's bound to be some I liked better than others. This was an uplifting book, on the whole, that speaks for women's independence and quality of life. Sure, there was Leila, one the young women featured, who was a bit slow to come to grips, and naive, which, in general, annoys me to tears - especially her wallowing in her own misery at the beginning of the book. And then, there's that Jennifer with all her anger and meanness. The 180° turn-around Jennifer made, after finally realizing what it did to her daughter, was a bit hard to believe - Mean-spirited people don't change overnight - but this is fiction and anything is possible.
My favorite characters were Vonnie, Grace and Birdie, probably because they were the more mature women, in their forties and fifties, to whom I could better relate. Truly, I loved Birdie, what a class-act, how she handled Howard in the end, with such poise and grace. Priceless.
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