THE PARIS NOVEL

A woman who's led a colorless life suddenly finds herself in Technicolor Paris, and the delectable result is predictable in the best way. Narrator Kiiri Sandy gives dimension to Reichl's charming, if paper-doll-like, characters. Our heroine Stella's luxury-loving self-centered mother dies, leaving Stella a ticket to Paris and enough money for a long stay. Repressed and comfortable in her rut, Stella almost doesn't go, but, of course, she does. Sandy's performance is fun. As Stella experiences questionable coincidences and improbable situations, Sandy allows us to suspend disbelief and just go with the sensuous descriptions of food and wine. The audiobook feels more like an appetizer than a full meal, but thanks to Sandy's full-bodied reading, listening is a tasty treat. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2024]