Review: The Paris Wedding by Charlotte Nash

Title: The Paris Wedding by Charlotte Nash
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

In Australian bestselling author Charlotte Nash’s U.S. debut, a young woman attends her ex-boyfriend’s Paris wedding and discovers more than she ever dreamed in the ultimate city of love.

Imagine you are invited to Paris, the City of Love, to witness the wedding of your first love to a woman you’ve never met. Would you go?

It’s been ages since Rachael West has seen the man she once believed she couldn’t live without. Receiving his wedding invitation was bittersweet—she was oddly touched he’s asked her, but knows that facing him on this day would be the hardest thing she’s ever done.

But her friends and family convince her to attend. After all, it’s an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris! Surely she can get through that one day, and discover all the delights of that magical city the remainder of the time.

So Rachael leaves her small town, setting off for the City of Lights with her best friend, two feuding neighbors, and a suitcase full of home-sewn couture in tow. She’s determined to let Paris work its magic—and it does by way of a handsome photojournalist. And before her adventure is over, Rachael will be faced with yet another choice. But this time, hers isn’t the only happiness at risk . . . .

Review:

The Paris Wedding by Charlotte Nash is an engrossing novel of healing and moving on.

Ten years earlier, Rachael West selflessly changes her plans to go to college after her mother after a devastating medical diagnosis. Little does she realize that this decision will cost her the future she and her high school sweetheart Matthew Grant planned together. Matthew went on to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor but he broke her heart when he unexpectedly ended their relationship. Despite the passage of time, Rachael is stunned by how hurt she is after receiving an invitation to Matthew’s wedding. It is quite clear to Rachael that while her ex has clearly moved on, she is still in love with him.  Deciding the best way to get over Matthew is to watch him exchange vows with his fiancée Bonnie, Rachael and her best friend Sammy Voss are soon off to Paris for the nuptials. Will Rachael finally break free from the bonds that tie her to the past?

Rachael has absolutely no regrets about staying on the family farm to care for her mother, but an overheard conversation makes her feel very inadequate. Paralyzed with indecision about what she wants for her future, she instead focuses on trying to get over Matthew. The all expense paid trip to Paris is undeniably a distraction, but she is definitely still pining over her lost love despite the new opportunities that come her way. Rachael has many stellar qualities but her constant indecision is extremely frustrating. She also has a HUGE blind spot where  Matthew is concerned and this inability to the man he has become leads Rachael down a destructive (and embarrassing) path.

Also in attendance is charming photographer Antonio Ferranti who is photographing the festivities as a favor for Bonnie.  He and Rachael strike up an enjoyable friendship that has the potential to turn to romance.  However, with Rachael confused about what to do with Matthew, will the opportunity for a new beginning slip through her fingers?

The Paris Wedding is a heartwarming albeit exasperating journey of personal discovery for Rachael and her friends. Rachael is a compassionate and caring young woman who is surprised by the uncertainty that plagues her after losing her mom. The story’s settings are absolutely  exquisite and Charlotte Nash effortlessly brings both Paris and the Australian Outback vibrantly to life. The novel ends on an uplifting note with a lovely epilogue that is quite delightful.