The love story that captured a million hearts - Discover the author of Me Before You

This is a light and funny collection of one novella and several short stories. I prefer the depth of novels, but if you’re looking for quick, short reads, this is fun.

Moyes is able to give intriguing glimpses into her characters’ lives in very brief tales. In a couple of the stories, married life does not seem appealing at all. The short story Holdups is particularly funny, but there are a lot of hilarious lines throughout the book.

There isn’t a ton of depth here, but it was definitely an enjoyable read. This book reminded me of the work of Marian Keyes, an author I adore.

I picked up Paris For One and Other Stories primarily to read the title story, but I also enjoyed the other 11 romantic short stories. They’re centered around women who are looking for love for the first time, in need of a reminder of why they fell in love, or women who just need to be reminded to appreciate themselves and their capabilities.

Paris For One is an adorable and engaging romantic short story. When Nell’s knob-of-a-boyfriend, Pete, stands her up for a long weekend in Paris, the shy, timid young woman goes on the trip anyway. Through sheer coincidence she meets Fabian. Fabian and Nell are both somewhat beaten down by their ex-lovers and life, but they see only positives in one another. I adored Nell’s Paris experience and all the characters she meets. Nell turns into another woman under Fabian’s influence (and a few glasses of wine). Her protective girlfriends back home are equally wonderful.

I truly enjoyed the audio version of this book.

Paris for One is collection of two novellas and 9 short stories.

My favorite story (or I should say novella) was Honeymoon in Paris. It is a standalone novella, but is also connected to Moyes’ full lenght novel The Girl You Left Behind. 80 pages long, the story follows two couples placed in different time, separated by 80 years, who’s stories together make a whole. Even though I really liked it, I think I would appreciate it even more if I have read the novel.

Paris for One is second best in this collection.
It is fun and easy to read, but I think it would be better if the story was set in 90’s, because characters were really bad when it comes to communication. If there were no mobile phones, the story would make more sense.

Other two stories that I really enjoyed were Between the Tweets and Crocodile Shoes.

As for other pieces, I think they were put into this collection just for sake of having enough stories for the whole bind up.
Some were forgetable (Love in the Afternoon), some were there so Jojo Moyes’ fans would have something new to read, and one was so…. silly and ridiculous (I don’t mean it in a good way). The story I’m talking about is Holdups. I really didn’t like that one.

I don’t want to sound rude here, but I’ll say this anyway: some stories sounded like someone’s practice writing, so I couldn’t help but wonder if they were written before Moyes found her voice, before she became a successful writer.

To be fair, when it all comes down together, I think three stars rating is realistic.

I would recommend this collection to fans of Jojo Moyes.
If you haven’t read anything by her before, and you come upon this book, I would still recommend four stories I mentioned as my favorites. It would be a shame not to read them, if you already have a chance to do so.

This was my first encounter with JoJo Moyes writing and I have to confess that I was somewhat reluctant after reading all the angsty and teary-eyed reviews of Me Before You. I'm a chicken about really heartwrenching stories so I held back. But then I spotted this short story collection and thought it might be safe enough.

Well, I made a good call I think, but not because Paris For One was devoid of angst. No, this was a fantastic collection that gave me an idea of the writing gift the author displays, her talent for going deep in an economy of pages, and gave me so many lovely story gems all in one volume. I might just be brave (read greedy for more, there) enough to pick up more of her books.

So... Paris For One and Other Stories.
There were nine stories total including Paris For One which is a novella and the others as short stories. Each showed a different facet of love and life all from each heroine's perspective only: a young woman ditched by her boyfriend to do Paris alone, rekindling the romance for a middle-aged couple, a new chance at the road not taken (aka former lover vs husband), a woman finding her mojo when she finds some killer shoes, shop girl flirts with robber during hold up, finding contentment in a material world, an infidelity accusation backfires, a two-week pretend life for a bored woman, and a woman who sees her life clearly while on a hunt to fulfill her Christmas list.

They were all good in their own ways and I could see the appeal hitting me differently if I read these in different moods because they hit all facets of womens' lives and feelings. I enjoyed the most, Paris For One as a girl who never took a step without making a list learns to take chances now and then and finds her confidence, but also thought Hold Up was a hoot, Crocodile Shoes made me root hard for the heroine and Last Year's Coat resonated with me the most, I think, because this woman struggled hard with every day issues.

And, I think that was the appeal of each story. All these gals were every day women that I recognized in myself or others I know. They were familiar, but yet they had new experiences. This book brought out my emotions, but also left me musing afterward.

All in all, I was well satisfied with this collection of shorts and definitely want to try her novel-length books. These are definitely for those who enjoy women's fiction and chic lit.

Definitely recommend you get this from your local library -- I did receive a free copy from the publisher for review.

It's not that I disliked the book, but more it's such an odd mixture of stories. The main story is romantic in a simplistic way but then other shorter stories have a disdainful (People Magazine stated pithy) viewpoint of marriage and or fidelity. If you're a cynic about love, then you're not going to enjoy the main story, and if you prefer your stories romantic, then you'll be disappointed with some of the other selections.

While the book did hold my interest, but it is not a book I will ever read again or one that I would recommend to my friends.

paperback copy provided by the publisher for an honest and unbiased review

"you see, I don't think you were my mistake. I think you may be my best thing ."
I know I'm a little late with this review. the publisher so kindly offered me a copy of the paper, THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE, for my honest review.

At first, I kind of felt bad for Nell. She doesn't do anything without weighing lists , thinking things through carefully, which of course leads to not doing much.She has her girl friends, her mom, and Pete in her life. But who's helping her live and who's making her life stagnant?

From the very beginning I didn't like Pete. From his text, to being at the bar, to his attitude. JoJo gives us a man who just doesn't have the cojones to speak up about what he does and doesn't want, and of course this impacts Nell. Now she's in a new city, far from home, alone. Nothing can go wrong, right. But what if everything goes right? Because it does, and it shows Nell maybe she isn't who she thought she was. And that, to me, is the best part of the book. watching, or reading rather, while our characters bloom and.blossom is so awesome. Especially when it's written so well as Jojo's writing is, because you feel all these changes just like that character did. You go on the trip with them.

Then we get Fabian. And honestly, I think every woman should have a little dose of Fabian in their life, at least once. And by that, I mean someone who supports you, and helps you feel alive, helps you live, and finds your beauty no matter what you're doing or how you look. these two both in different stages , as Nell calls it, really are so fluid when they're together.
.
This got 4-4.5 stars from me

Nell has been so anxious for her weekend to Paris with her boyfriend Pete. She's never been to Paris before. She even gave up her annual girls weekend for this mini-vacation. When her boyfriend fails to show up she can either cancel her plans or go ahead by herself. Can she handle being alone in the City of Love? Maybe she'll surprise herself with her own tenacity and maybe she'll fall in love.

Paris for One is a new novella from beloved author Jojo Moyes. Included in the edition are a number of short stories focusing on relationships. In Paris for One the reader is introduced to Nell, a cautious yet optimistic character that quickly warms the heart. In typical Moyes fashion, Nell is quirky and lovable. Her story is a bit predictable but like those Hallmark movies we all like to watch at Christmas time, it's also soothing and cozy. Overall, I enjoyed reading of Nell's adventures in the city and being brave on her own.

The collection of stories offer momentary glimpses into relationships after the "happily ever after" when lovers become parents and partners. Bills get in the way. The monotony of life gets in the way. A flirtation. Age. Exhaustion. Is there still hope for the old married couple to rediscover love? Moyes explores this question and others in her collection of short stories. I rarely read short stories since I've been out of school but I appreciated these concise and thoughtful stories where one decision can make a big difference.

Paris for One and Other Stories is a feel good read and sometimes we need that. We crave that. As winter sets in and the dark nights call us to our beds early, Paris for One is perfect. Cuddle under your favorite blanket; grab a warm drink and enjoy this lovely collection.

Paris for One and Other Stories was a charming and touching collection of short stories involving troubled relationships. Each story had such a strong and dynamic voice. I felt like each narrator was so distinct and well developed for having such short stories. I loved the way the author wrote the stories and how each story was unique and memorable. I knew I loved JoJo's writing style, but this book just reminded me of how much I truly loved it! I liked some of the stories more than others, but I really enjoyed this collection overall.

Paris for One

This story was actually my favorite of the collection and it was the longest! I loved the two main characters in this story, especially Nell. I saw so much of myself in Nell and I was rooting for her to have the trip of her life. I was invested in this story from the first page and shipped the two main characters SO HARD. I LOVE THEM TOGETHER. The Paris setting added such an enchanting and wonderful element to the story. I seriously adored this story and the adventure the characters went on. I WISH THIS WAS A FULL-LENGTH NOVEL. NOW NEED TO GO TO PARIS AND DISCOVER MYSELF.

Between the Tweets

This was an extremely short story, but I still found it very interesting and addictive! It proved how lies can really hurt your reputation. This might not have been one of my favorite stories, but I still enjoyed it.

Love in the Afternoon

I found this short story to be a very realistic look into romance in marriages. This story and the characters tugged at my heartstrings and I loved the way it ended.

A Bird in the Hand

This story involved ex-lovers running into each other and discussing some of the regrets they had in regards to their relationship. I found this story to be very well written, but it was not one of my favorite stories in this book.

Crocodile Shoes

This story took the old saying "one pair of shoes can change your life" to heart! When a woman finds a pair of killer heels, it turned her not so fabulous life upside down! I thought this story was hilarious and oh so charming!

Holdups

While working at a jewelry store, a woman had an interesting encounter with a robber. Even if the events seemed a bit ridiculous, the character interactions were well written! The ending put a smile on my face, even if it seemed crazy.

Last Year's Coat

This was such a realistic and emotional story. I felt like the author touched on such a relevant and relatable topic in regards to struggling to make ends meet. The ending made me feel ALL THE FEELS! ADORABLE!

Thirteen Days with John C.

This story was such an emotional roller coaster! Even though I had a feeling things wouldn't end up well, I was invested in the story and the characters.

The Christmas List

AHHH! This story was so heartwarming and precious. The character interactions in this story were precious and made for such a memorable novella.

Overall, Paris for One and Other Stories was a fun, charming, and easy read! I would recommend this book to everyone.

4 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It Book Reviews

In a collection filled with many delightful stories, Paris for One & Other Stories gives readers a wide array of tales from the romantic to plucky and scandalous to the everyday and beyond. There was such a fantastically full breadth of scale between them that there wasn’t a moment of feeling any of them were similar, and even though they were short, each packed a particular punch.

Nell, I think, inhabits the characteristics that a lot of us may have in her strong sense of dependability and need for stability. She’s carefully planned in everything she does, and one such kerfuffle can throw her into an unstoppable tailspin. Reading her story will feel very close to home for some, and I enjoyed the way that Moyes didn’t quickly change her; instead there was a sense of organic growth that developed within her as the story went on, and it wasn’t without her falling back into those safe waters when it became too scary. In a realistic way, she blossomed and expanded into a deeper part of herself, and because it was set in the the most romantic city of the world it felt even bigger than it was. Though it may be a novella, Paris for One felt whole, fleshed out, and with vivid characters, all bringing together a very romantic love story.

As the other stories are best gone into blind, I won’t be detailing those. What I will say, though, is that this was such a fun read all the way through. Moyes really hit on some key points in her stories, starkly touching on issues in marriage and age and sense of self. Paris for One & Other Stories was more than just a book with love stories; it’s empowering and gives light to the sometimes scary inner thoughts woman have as they age by showing that they aren’t alone (and honestly that is pretty darn powerful).

About the Book
Nell is twenty-six and has never been to Paris. She's never even been on a romantic weekend away—to anywhere—before. Traveling abroad isn't really her thing. But when Nell's boyfriend fails to show up for their mini-vacation, she has the opportunity to prove everyone—including herself—wrong. Alone in Paris, Nell finds a version of herself she never knew existed: independent and intrepid. Could this turn out to be the most adventurous weekend of her life? Funny, charming, and irresistible, Paris for One is quintessential Jojo Moyes—as are the other stories that round out the collection.
My Review
This book had me a little – puzzled and feeling conflicted. I went into it thinking we were getting short stories, but the first story took up 50-60% of the book. I remember thinking at one point, oh this is just the full story, I misunderstood, and I wasn’t mad about it. I highly enjoyed Nell’s story, I thought it was sweet and romantic and I was totally invested in it. Yes, a little short when it came to an end, but I thought it made a delightful romantic novella. But then the other stories were most definitely short short stories, and I just didn’t understand the pairing overall. Either two novellas in one or all super short stories would have made more sense for me. I’m giving it four stars because I enjoyed the first story that much, but the others really didn’t need to be there.
4 stars

I received a review copy

'Paris for One and Other Stories,' is a collection of eleven romantic shorts with JoJo Moyes the headline author and writer of the main title. Paris for One offers easy, light romantic reading and is my first outing with this author. I was highly anticipating that I would enjoy the writing style but unfortunately, for my personal taste, it was lacking the power in the prose to engage my attention or convincingly draw me into the story. I found myself disengaged from the characters and felt some elements were a little too convenient, perhaps a touch contrived rather than organically drawn from the narrative and sadly this affected my overall enjoyment of the piece.

'A Bird in the Hand,' is the stand out story for me and engaged my attention more than the others, however even this had a slight abrupt ending. I confess that I stopped reading after the seventh story, I may go back to the remaining romances when I need a romantic short over a lunch hour but at this stage I was finding the shorts to be of a similar ilk and not really working for my reading tastes.

NOTE: My rating is based on reading the first 7 of 11 short stories.

This advanced copy was provided in exchange for an unbiased opinion. No type of compensation was made. There is no relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher.

This is an eclectic collection of short stories that will entertain and enrapture.
I was so pleasantly surprised by this wonderful gem of a book. It's a book of short stories, all from the perspective of women in some type of disturbed relationship.

‘Paris For One & Other Stories’ is another fine example of why we are so in love with everything Jojo Moyes! From Paris or red shoes to tweets... she covers it all.

Each short story in this poignant compilation is overflowing with emotions that will grip your heart and then set it free in a way that only she can fashion.

You will find yourself being moved to tears, laughing out loud and maybe even find love in your Own life…

The perfect read when everything else feels too heavy or draining... Simple, real life stories from Jojo Moyes. Fun, fast. Fabulous.
I am a verified purchaser in AUSTRALIA ??

This is a great compilation of Novellas and short stories. Paris is the theme in most of them. Really entertaining with stories that will make you think and make you giggle!

Paris for one
A lovely romantic novella about Nell and her weekend in Paris. Nell bet does anything spontaneous, she plans Everything an weighs up the pro's and cons of every decision before making them. Her planned out romantic trip to Paris is far from planned out - Everything in her organised schedule goes to pot from the very start. It's the best thing that could ever happen to Nell, as she meets to gorgeous Parisian Fabien! Really enjoyed this one and there were lots of giggles to me had throughout!

Between the tweets
This is a funny short story about a famous man who has someone claiming she had an affair with him on Twitter. Very short and very ironic ending! Made me chuckle and I definitely didn't see the ending coming.

Love in the afternoon
A short story about a married couple who go to a hotel for a romantic night away from the kids. It's hilariously not romantic in the slightest.

A bird in the hand
I wasn't a huge fan of this one. A woman bumps into her ex lover at a party, the ex is now happily married, as is she.

Crocodile shoes
Loved this one. Someone accidentally takes Sams gym bag and she ends up having to wear a pair of Louboutons for the day- it really does go to show the shoes you wear can make all the difference!

Holdups
Alice is working in a jewellers when they are robbed- hilarious twist of events in this one.

Honeymoon in Paris
Love is on her honeymoon in Paris and her new husband has left her all alone so he can work. This is quite a sad story I felt awful for Liv.

Paris
A mix of the couple from honeymoon in Paris with Sophie and Edward the painter where a painting links the two couples and makes them realise what they have. It's a nice story and very clever how it's all linked.

Last years coat
Evie and her family are struggling for money and she needs a new coat, she doesn't want the cheap one her hubby found her she wants an expensive one she fell in love with, one that will last and she will love. Such a sweet story I love her hubby and how he will do anything for his wife.

Thirteen days with John C
Miranda has been married for 21 years and is feeling bored and un-noticed, when she finds a phone. The person texting her really makes her change her outlook and she ends up a lot happier- that is until she goes to meet the man. Quite a funny ending but I did t really enjoy it as much as the rest.

Margot
An english woman who has recently separated from her husband meets a stranger in the airport- Margot the American cheers her up in their short time together - this was a real feel good short story.

The Christmas List
Chrissie is running herself ragged fetching presents and last minute items for her mother in law coming to visit for Christmas. A friendly good willed taxi driver shows her she's worrying about the wrong things and making herself miserable- she finally decides to do something for herself! This was a brilliant short story I wish I could be like Chrissie myself!

'Paris for One and Other Stories,' is a collection of eleven romantic shorts with JoJo Moyes the headline author and writer of the main title. Paris for One offers easy, light romantic reading and is my first outing with this author. I was highly anticipating that I would enjoy the writing style but unfortunately, for my personal taste, it was lacking the power in the prose to engage my attention or convincingly draw me into the story. I found myself disengaged from the characters and felt some elements were a little too convenient, perhaps a touch contrived rather than organically drawn from the narrative and sadly this affected my overall enjoyment of the piece.

'A Bird in the Hand,' is the stand out story for me and engaged my attention more than the others, however even this had a slight abrupt ending. I confess that I stopped reading after the seventh story, I may go back to the remaining romances when I need a romantic short over a lunch hour but at this stage I was finding the shorts to be of a similar ilk and not really working for my reading tastes.

NOTE: My rating is based on reading the first 7 of 11 short stories.

This advanced copy was provided in exchange for an unbiased opinion. No type of compensation was made. There is no relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher.

This is an eclectic collection of short stories that will entertain and enrapture.
I was so pleasantly surprised by this wonderful gem of a book. It's a book of short stories, all from the perspective of women in some type of disturbed relationship.

‘Paris For One & Other Stories’ is another fine example of why we are so in love with everything Jojo Moyes! From Paris or red shoes to tweets... she covers it all.

Each short story in this poignant compilation is overflowing with emotions that will grip your heart and then set it free in a way that only she can fashion.

You will find yourself being moved to tears, laughing out loud and maybe even find love in your Own life…

The perfect read when everything else feels too heavy or draining... Simple, real life stories from Jojo Moyes. Fun, fast. Fabulous.
I am a verified purchaser in AUSTRALIA ??

This is a great compilation of Novellas and short stories. Paris is the theme in most of them. Really entertaining with stories that will make you think and make you giggle!

Paris for one
A lovely romantic novella about Nell and her weekend in Paris. Nell bet does anything spontaneous, she plans Everything an weighs up the pro's and cons of every decision before making them. Her planned out romantic trip to Paris is far from planned out - Everything in her organised schedule goes to pot from the very start. It's the best thing that could ever happen to Nell, as she meets to gorgeous Parisian Fabien! Really enjoyed this one and there were lots of giggles to me had throughout!

Between the tweets
This is a funny short story about a famous man who has someone claiming she had an affair with him on Twitter. Very short and very ironic ending! Made me chuckle and I definitely didn't see the ending coming.

Love in the afternoon
A short story about a married couple who go to a hotel for a romantic night away from the kids. It's hilariously not romantic in the slightest.

A bird in the hand
I wasn't a huge fan of this one. A woman bumps into her ex lover at a party, the ex is now happily married, as is she.

Crocodile shoes
Loved this one. Someone accidentally takes Sams gym bag and she ends up having to wear a pair of Louboutons for the day- it really does go to show the shoes you wear can make all the difference!

Holdups
Alice is working in a jewellers when they are robbed- hilarious twist of events in this one.

Honeymoon in Paris
Love is on her honeymoon in Paris and her new husband has left her all alone so he can work. This is quite a sad story I felt awful for Liv.

Paris
A mix of the couple from honeymoon in Paris with Sophie and Edward the painter where a painting links the two couples and makes them realise what they have. It's a nice story and very clever how it's all linked.

Last years coat
Evie and her family are struggling for money and she needs a new coat, she doesn't want the cheap one her hubby found her she wants an expensive one she fell in love with, one that will last and she will love. Such a sweet story I love her hubby and how he will do anything for his wife.

Thirteen days with John C
Miranda has been married for 21 years and is feeling bored and un-noticed, when she finds a phone. The person texting her really makes her change her outlook and she ends up a lot happier- that is until she goes to meet the man. Quite a funny ending but I did t really enjoy it as much as the rest.

Margot
An english woman who has recently separated from her husband meets a stranger in the airport- Margot the American cheers her up in their short time together - this was a real feel good short story.

The Christmas List
Chrissie is running herself ragged fetching presents and last minute items for her mother in law coming to visit for Christmas. A friendly good willed taxi driver shows her she's worrying about the wrong things and making herself miserable- she finally decides to do something for herself! This was a brilliant short story I wish I could be like Chrissie myself!

I don't always enjoy short stories, but this collection is great. One longish story followed by other shorter ones. As the title suggest, Paris is the theme.

• Paris for One and other Stores:
• Between the Tweets
• Love in the Afternoon
• A Bird in the Hand
• Crocodile Shoes
• Holdups
• Last Year’s Coat
• Thirteen Days with John C
• The Christmas List

The first, a novella, is enchanting and it is easy to become enthralled. Nell, 26 years old, awaits her boyfriend to join her for a trip to Paris. This is a first for her. The first visit to Paris and the first romantic weekend she has had.

Pete is too busy to join her so she faces the daunting prospect of either turning around and going home or filling her weekend with sightseeing on her own. Neither alternatives appeal to her especially as her hotel room is double booked and she has to share with a stroppy American woman. For one night at least.

She decides to stay and her life changes. For far too long she has been cautious about any change always overthinking everything and writing lists to help her decide on every aspect of her life. Now is the time to be brave.

The other 8 short stories, along the Paris theme, are also very engaging.

The characters are all believable, and you cannot but like them (the main ones).

JoJo Moyes does not disappoint.

I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to Netgalley for giving me this opportunity.

This book has nine stories about troubled relationships from the perspectives of the women in each. The first, Paris for One, is the length of a novella while the others are all short stories. I liked some more than others but really enjoyed them collectively. The narration performances were outstanding and contributed greatly to the overall reading experience. Below are short summaries of each with my reactions.

PARIS FOR ONE
Nell and her boyfriend Pete are off for a weekend in Paris, or so she thinks. Pete turns out to be a no-show and Nell decides to stay and experience the city of lights on her own.

I actually loved this meandering and delightful story. Nell is such a straight arrow who steps outside of herself and turns a potentially crummy set of circumstances into a wonderful adventure. I enjoyed this immensely.

BETWEEN THE TWEETS
This story about a PR nightmare has just the right touch of irony. Short but it hit the right notes.

LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON
A woman's husband surprises her with a getaway vacation but it can't conjure up a bygone romance. This was so realistic it almost hurt but I loved the ending.

A BIRD IN THE HAND
A married woman encounters her former secret lover at a party and both have regrets they didn't even know they had. While this was not one of my favorites, it still was pretty interesting.

CROCODILE SHOES
A weary working mother and neglected wife has a pair of fantastic shoes transform her life overnight. This is one of my favorites, full of humor with a perfect ending.

HOLDUPS
A woman working at a jewelry store has an encounter with one of the robbers of the place while it is in progress. This was my least favorite as it was a bit far fetched. Still, it was interesting.

LAST YEAR'S COAT
A married, working mother needs a new coat but the one she really wants is out of reach as they're struggling to make ends meet. It has a lovely and pertinent ending.

THIRTEEN DAYS WITH JOHN C.
A neglected married woman finds a cell phone and gets caught up in a texting relationship with a twist. This was touching and a bit sad though I got hooked through the end.

THE CHRISTMAS LIST
A woman in a cold, dispassionate marriage is struggling to find the items on a Christmas list created by her husband for his mother. A fortunate ride in a taxi made this a really special story. Loved it.

(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)

Paris for One. Jo Jo Moyes

An uplifting and heartwarming collection of short stories perfect for relaxing with.

A short book, it is none-the-less a good read either for dipping in and out of or reading straight through. The stories vary in length and subject but the common thread is that they all have a female character who is or becomes strong during the course of the story. Love and marriage is explored in all its guises and it is refreshing to find stories that are not just about young love and heartbreak but explore as well more mature and longer lasting relationships. Some of the stories made me laugh and some were poignant but all had a neat twist.

Paris for One is the first story and is charming and quirky showing how Nell transforms from a shy, under under confident girl with a disaster of a relationship to a vibrant and adventurous woman with all before her. The dual narrative in this one added depth. I love Paris and this story took me back there to revisit some of my favourite haunts. The other stories in the collection live up to expectation with variety, wit and charm.

Whether you are an avid reader of short stories or only read them occasionally this is a collection that is sure to engage.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars.

Delightful, relatable, and so charming this collection of shorts from #1 New York Times Bestselling author of ME BEFORE YOU and AFTER YOU.

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit this is my first Jojo Moyes. I can't really say why, just that other books ended up on top of the reading list. That won't be happening again. Truly, Moyes is a delightful storyteller, her women are flawed and adorable, a glimmer of frumpiness, and yet they all bring something so real, so authentic, so gratifying to the table. Her writing is light and rich, like a tasty little souffle, and one just cannot get enough.

Not that I am a huge Parisian connoisseur, but PARIS FOR ONE truly brought the city of light a new luster and I completely fell in love not just with the story, but her French writer, Fabien and his relationship with the "English girl," Nell, so much in fact, I had difficulty disentangling the *other* stories that followed, wanting to keep going back to Nell and Fabien, or at least getting slightly confused as to who my new characters were (they were all equally lovely, but well... you get the idea. I wanted more Fabien and Nell).

Moyes has a special knack for tapping into the aging woman, the one who has been in a marriage (or committed relationship) for quite some time, has the battle scars to show, the saddle bags, the kids, and everything else. We get it. And she makes it funny and meaningful and just a joy to read.

There were just a couple of stories that felt a little unfinished to me (could well have just been my read), where I felt she could have done a little more, but then again...they *are* short stories.

Still, I loved PARIS FOR ONE and will definitely recommend.

This was a quick and fun read. Moyes could definitely write mysteries since she almost always includes a twist in her stories. But instead she writes chick lit and offers a unique perspective and often a surprising ending. She creates such great characters, even when writing a brief 10-page story. Each is well-defined, and the reader can really relate to the character right away. You'll have an idea of where you think the story is heading, but suddenly it'll take a surprising turn and will provide a unique outlook and something unexpected. She keeps you guessing, and her endings are not always happy ones. I loved "Paris for One." It was the longest story included, really a short book length. I loved watching Nell grow and change throughout, facing her demons and overcoming them. Other favorites were "Crocodile Shoes" about a mix-up about a gym bag resulting in a whole new outlook...also "Holdups" about a jewelry store clerk who turns the tables on some would-be robbers. The others were enjoyable and pleasant, and I very much enjoyed reading this whole collection.

Charming to rescue them from their lives, or who they rescue through their goodness. The women in Paris for One and Other Stories are so much more appealing. They are more real. And, facing a crossroads in their lives, they choose the route of self determination and empowerment. Almost every female protagonist in this wonderful selection of stories is unhappy in her life or her relationship or her job. As depressing as that may seem to start with, each of these women seizes the opportunity to try on a different version of herself, whether through an unforeseen relationship or something as quirky as a new pair of shoes or catfishing on social media. I found the short stories to be imaginative and intriguing, many with a surprise ending or a twist in the plot. I look forward to more such empowering tales from Jojo Moyes.

Thank you to Viking Books and Jojo Moyes for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley and I'm freely giving my honest review.*

Paris for one was a sweet story about heartbreak and overcoming it. It was sweet and romantic, some lacking in the descriptions of the main male character in my opinion but it was a good story.
I've never been to Paris but always wanted to go, and this book got me even more interested because of the descriptions of the city.
The build up in the story was good and the writing style is easygoing and fun. Even though the author had much descriptions of the surroundings it was very necessary so it just slides right in to the story

I read some of the other stories but not all of them, I think I can go back and read when I just want a short snappy story.

It's a 4 star read for me.

What fun! This book contains a novella and several short stories. Some of these stories contain hints of her novels that I’ve read. I can imagine that several of these ideas were considered for inclusion in her novels and discarded. Of course, the main novella, Paris for One, is my favorite in the book. But, they were all enjoyable. This story collection is about people who have something missing in their lives. All but one of the stories end happily or, at least, hopefully--the main characters having gained beneficial wisdom or perspective. The characters and situations are instantly knowable and realistic despite the short length of the stories. I could have kept reading more of them. It’s a quick read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a little boost of spirit. And, certainly, if you’re a Jojo Moyes fan, don’t miss it.

Paris For One starts with a novella that covers half of the book. The whole "woman finding herself" may be a bit cliche, but the story was fun, amusing, (loved the "lists") and just the right amount of dreamy chick-lit that I, for one, savor, in a too-serious world. Who hasn’t dreamed of finding adventure and romance in Paris?

As for the other stories, while I usually dismiss books that deal in short stories, I am familiar with, and have liked Ms. Moyes writing, so I jumped at the chance to read this. I found each story, while short, captured exactly enough of the character and emotion to make it feel as if I knew all I needed to know in those short paragraphs.

Perfectly flawed women in the act of daily life, scrambling to be heard, validated, and appreciated, and occasionally becoming champions of their own making. I enjoyed each story (and may have learned to not be a short story snob). Any woman can find something of herself in these pages.

Paris for one by Jojo Moyes a surprisingly short four-star read. The main story made me love it, the plot was great, the characters were fab, they made you care and want to follow the story, my only problem is I felt it was way too short. I am a huge JoJo Moyes fan so I think that’s why I was expecting the stories to be longer, just felt I couldn’t sink my teeth fully, but if you are after some short fun stories this is the one for you.

I absolutely LOVED Me Before You and couldn't wait to purchase this book and read on my trip. I felt like it was poorly written and the characters were not very likable. I really struggled to enjoy the first story in the book and am not sure I can even read the second short story. Very disappointed that I paid $13.99 and wasted my time trying to get hooked.

I really enjoyed this book. For starters, I love Paris and have enjoyed several trips there so any book with a Paris background is great. The first and main story in Paris is really a lot of fun and is a true romance. The rest of the book is short stories, some better than others, but all light reads. I'd look for other books by this author.

“Paris for One” by Jojo Moyes is an utterly charming short story, reminiscent of the glory days when romantic comedies ruled the box office. The main character, Nell, was someone I could relate to: “Nell’s mother, Lilian, was fond of telling anyone who would listen that Nell ‘was not the adventurous type.’ She was also ‘not the type to travel,’ ‘not the kind of girl who can rely on her looks,’ and now, occasionally, if her mother thought Nell was out of earshot, ‘no spring chicken.’"

We pick up the book just as Nell is about to board a train for a romantic weekend in Paris. The only problem? Her boyfriend, Pete, is nowhere in sight and is unresponsive to her texts. While dear Nell continues to hold out hope that he’ll join her, the reader already knows by page three that he’s not worth the effort. (Pete, it must be said, reminded me a lot of Jasper from The Holiday.) So, Nell ends up in Paris quite by herself, unsure of what to do with this newfound adventure and no one to hold her hand through it.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book were the secondary characters, who were incredibly well-drawn, despite the short page count of the story. One such character is the Parisian receptionist who continually pushes Nell, in her own polished and polite French way, to do new things and enjoy all that Paris has to offer.

Meanwhile, Fabien (can we all take a minute to appreciate that Fabien is the name of the main love interest here?) is recovering from the wounds of a crushing break-up with a woman with whom he could seemingly do no right. Attempting to win her back when she has no desire to be won, Fabien embarks on a journey to better himself so he’ll be ready when she comes calling.

The fun of this book is that when Nell and Fabien meet, they are both trying to be different versions of themselves. But neither can keep from being better versions of themselves when they are with each other. Moyes does a brilliant job of weaving this story together with the appropriate amount of twists and turns and manages to eke out quite a robust story in only a few pages.

“Paris for One” is a quick but completely satisfying read for fans of Jojo Moyes, or frankly anyone who enjoys romantic comedies like The Holiday or Sleepless in Seattle. I read it in two hours, a smile on my face the entire time, and easily could have given it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

However, then we get to the “other stories.” I didn’t necessarily dislike any of them --- they were much too brief to feel any sort of strong emotion --- but they made the collection feel disjointed. With roughly two thirds of the book being “Paris for One,” that left only about one third to house eight tales: “Between the Tweets,” “Love in the Afternoon,” “A Bird in the Hand,” “Crocodile Shoes,” “Holdups,” “Last Year’s Coat,” “Thirteen Days with John C” and “The Christmas List.” While they are all separate stories, most seemed filled with slightly bitter housewives with not enough romantic attention or income --- not really a headspace I was ready for after the lovely sweetness of “Paris for One.”

Bottom line? If you’re a diehard Jojo Moyes fan and you must have her latest book on your bookshelf posthaste (and who could blame you?), pick up PARIS FOR ONE AND OTHER STORIES. In my opinion, though, it’s not worth buying it in hardcover. To get more bang for your buck, I’d recommend purchasing it in eBook format or waiting for the paperback to release.

Reviewed by Amy Haddock

A wonderful collection of short stories that made me feel good and put a smile on my face. Jojo Moyes really knows how to add the sparkle to real characters in normal situations, without being cringey.This is a collection that I’ll definitely be returning to again and again in the future.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin UK-Michael Joseph for my advanced digital copy.

Thoroughly enjoyable short stories with likeable protagonists who rise above doubts and fears. I liked all nine stories of ordinary women and their everyday lives. I could relate! I hesitate to name a favorite, but “Paris for One,” the longest and most developed story in this collection, most piqued my interest because of the Paris setting and multiple epiphanies.

This is a collection of stories, the first one is longer than the rest and I loved that one. I also enjoyed a good number of the rest but not all of them, some were just ok. This is a great book to pick up for quick reads, without any issues of forgetting what you have read previously.

Overall a very good book and 4 stars from me.

Totally improbable situations. I couldn't suspend my disbelief. I read from beginning to end in a couple of hours while half-watching a basketball game, and not because it was compelling. I just don't really follow basketball. Read One Plus One instead!

This book contains one novella and several short stories. All are about women dealing with complicated, issues in a relationship. Through craftily constructed stories, the author successfully empowers her female characters without diminishing the male characters (i.e., she does not male-bash the men). The stories are delightful, up-lifting and on occasion, laugh-out loud hilarious. A great read and likely a re-read.

Synopsis: Eight great stories in one book -- and the first one is about Nell, who is twenty-six and has never been to Paris. She’s never even been on a weekend away—to anywhere. Everyone knows traveling abroad isn’t really her thing, however, when Nell’s boyfriend fails to show up for their romantic mini-vacation, she has the opportunity to prove everyone—including herself—wrong. Alone and in Paris, Nell uncovers a version of herself she never knew existed: independent, intrepid and fun.

Pros: Always great stories from Jojo Moyes. Am a fan of hers and read all of her books. Knowing that, my expectations were high to "meet" strong, independent women and their obstacles they over came. These are stories of the of life ordinary (real) women told sympathetically. Expectations were met and really enjoyed: Paris for One, Crocodile Shoes and A Christmas List.

Cons: Nothing to comment about.

Cover: 5 out of 5. Great color (colour) combo's and perfect iconic image for the first story.

These stories, all of them, truly show varying views of how love goes...and how it isn't supposed to go. Seems to me the results are just about right! Comedy, tears, laughter, wisdom - there's a bit of everything and it keeps the attention well.

Humorous short stories of different women in their mid-20s to early 40's dealing with their social and family lives. The end of each short story has a satisfying ending. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of them.