Paris is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay Book Review

“‘What happened to you, peanut?’ he asked. ‘You used to be the girl with the big heart who was going to save the world.’

I didn’t say anything. His disappointment and confusion washed over me like a bath of sour milk.

‘I grew up,’ I said. But even to my own ears I sounded defensive.

He shook his head. ‘No, you didn’t. Quite the opposite. You stopped growing at all.'”

(pg. 11)

About

Author: Jenn McKinlay

Genre: New Adult Contemporary

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Synopsis

A thirty-year-old woman retraces her gap year through Ireland, France, and Italy to find love—and herself—in this hilarious and heartfelt novel.

It’s been seven years since Chelsea Martin embarked on her yearlong postcollege European adventure. Since then, she’s lost her mother to cancer and watched her sister marry twice, while Chelsea’s thrown herself into work, becoming one of the most talented fundraisers for the American Cancer Coalition, and with the exception of one annoyingly competent coworker, Jason Knightley, her status as most successful moneymaker is unquestioned.

When her introverted mathematician father announces he’s getting remarried, Chelsea is forced to acknowledge that her life stopped after her mother died and that the last time she can remember being happy, in love, or enjoying her life was on her year abroad. Inspired to retrace her steps—to find Colin in Ireland, Jean Claude in France, and Marcelino in Italy—Chelsea hopes that one of these three men who stole her heart so many years ago can help her find it again. 

From the start of her journey nothing goes as planned, but as Chelsea reconnects with her old self, she also finds love in the very last place she expected.

Review

Spoilers Contained Below

To the wanderlust and lost,

There’s nothing like a love-story and a European travel ✈️💗.

Paris is Always a Good Idea gave me Mama Mia meets Eat, Pray, Love Vibes. I’ve never read or watched Eat, Pray, Love, but I heard it was about a woman finding herself. I have watched Mama Mia (both!) and am infatuated with the movies, so gosh knows I only adored the storyline. I will say Paris is Always a Good Idea kind of had a predictable plot from the beginning, but the journey was slightly different than I thought it would be. I also liked the healing and acceptance behind Chelsea’s story rather than a completely finding yourself storyline. I loved that.

Chelsea Martin sounded a lot like me. I have lost people in my life, maybe not at a very young age, but a young age, so I could understand her grief. I also have been through very challenging times in my life where I have experienced intense sadness that changed me. When I went through my intense sadness I remember I felt angry all the time because it seemed like everyone around me was happy, and I felt that Chelsea was angry, more like cynical, because she was stuck in the past and she was hurt at how easily everyone else seemed to move on when she had this very real grief in her heart. So, in the beginning of the story I could literally feel her anger. I also didn’t really blame Chelsea’s reaction because they sprung the marriage on her without giving her a warning. Second, I would be concerned too if a person I love came to me and said they were marrying someone they met two weeks ago. I’m so sorry, but that’s concerning because you don’t want the person to make an irrational mistake because of a hasty decision, you know. I knew Chelsea was coming from a good place and I wished her dad and sister were kinder to her because they knew she was still grieving. So surprising her with a marriage all of a sudden wasn’t the kindest thing to do. I also didn’t like how quick they were to make her feel small because she changed. Nobody stays the same—-people naturally evolved and it made me sad that made her feel like she had to be who she was before. That’s not a healthy expectation.

I will say there was something to be said about how Chelsea said she “grew up.” When she said this, I felt like she grew up in the terms most grow up figuring out the world is more complicated and difficult than they knew as a kid. Chelsea experienced a great loss, she threw herself at work, and she wasn’t in love. She “grew up.” She became jaded and cynical towards the world, which I understood. It’s okay to be jaded and protect yourself, but she needed to allow herself love and not fear it. I think it was hard for her to accept that her dad moved on or found love because it felt like everything around her was changing when just yesterday it felt like she lost her mom. Change was also scary because it meant something was going to be left behind.

I understood her.

I also felt her emotion on a deeper level when she asked herself when the last time she was truly happy.

That’s a question I realized I asked myself a lot as I got older.

It’s weird how when you’re younger you don’t concern yourself with asking about your happiness, but when you’re older you have to check-in with how happy you have been.

Relating to this, I saw something recently where it said how it’s funny how kids want to do and be everything—doctors, princesses, actors, singers—-that they have so much optimism and light within. But when you get older, most people just want to be happy. It’s just such a sad shift if you think about it. I mean, how do people go from having so much wonder and hope in their heart to just wanting the bare minimum as a human being?

Besides my spiel, I thought Chelsea made the right decision to take a FREAKING break 😆. Gosh, knows she needed time for herself after pouring her life into her work for seven years.

“Not enlightenment as much as a general lightening up. . . I need to remember what being happy feels like. I need to find my laughter again.”

(pg. 30)

Been there, felt that 😅.

Before leaving, we met her favorite co-worker, Jason Knightley. From the minute he waltzed into her office, I was like, “So there’s the love interest” 🤪. This was going to be a haters to lovers story, I see you Jenn McKinlay. I’m not mad at it, I was just interested to see where their story was going. As mentioned above, the story felt predictable and this was what I meant by that. I knew that she would travel the world, reuniting with her three past European romances and she would realize she didn’t love them anymore. She would realize it was her annoying co-worker who she loved all this time and they would get together and find happily ever after—she would realize the love she was looking for was right in front of her/with her the whole time. I mean, the story did follow something like what I thought, but not exactly. So, I appreciated how some aspects of the story surprised me and still had me swelling with love. Honestly, as much as I could predict the plot, it’s all about the journey. And I was here for the journey.

First on the journey was Colin, her Irish lad.

I loved the detail and intricacy that Jenn McKinlay wrote with. I felt like I was transported to Europe in each country. I haven’t been to each county in this book, heck, I haven’t been to Europe 🙈. But I could imagine that I was in Ireland, France, and Italy. So, I’m taking Jenn McKinlay’s words for it 🤪.

The way she met Colin was funny. I thought he wouldn’t recognize her, but you’d be surprised at how sometimes you think no one knows who you are, but they do. I liked how they were going to go out later for drinks. When Chelsea was getting ready, I thought it was sweet how Knightley was on FaceTime with her and he was giving her makeup tips. I also loved how he told her she didn’t need makeup—we love a natural queen! But I thought it was cute how he always complimented her. I think the compliments flew over Chelsea’s head because she either 1) thought he was joking or 2) didn’t take Knightly seriously. But I could tell that Knightley always liked her. A guy doesn’t just go out of his way to call you in Europe, stay with you on the phone, find random reasons to compliment you, and ensure you are okay unless he actually cared. He LOVED her. I also liked how supportive he was about Chelsea going on dates because if he liked her, I would have thought he would be tense or weird about it. However, he never was. He was a good wingman. Maybe Knightley also knew that these men weren’t better than him and he was going to woo her over eventually 😅.

When Chelsea got to the bar and saw Colin, I felt something weird was up. I didn’t like the way Chelsea’s bar owner friend, Michael, Gave Colin this weird look as Colin took Chelsea to find a seat. I also found it off how he sat on the same side of the booth as her and siddled her up so quickly. I have heard that in some cultures they are more friendly, if you know what I mean, so it could have been that Colin was just being friendly with her. But something still felt off. Until the wife came 😆.

I SCREAMED.

I knew this guy was hiding something. I mean, seven years is a long time and this guy could have been married for all she knew. Heck, it was the three kids that did it for me 🤪. Honestly, I felt Colin should have been more upfront with Chelsea, saying that this wasn’t a date and that he was married and had kids. I mean, why hide the fact that he was married and had kids unless he didn’t want her to know? I just didn’t buy his whole I-was-going-to-tell-you-just-then act. Nope. And the wedding ring? Why hide that too? Sketchy man 🙃. But I will say, he did sound like a loyal, smitten husband to Aoefie and father to his children. I just didn’t like how he kept the partial truth from Chelsea.

“‘Is this where you smash a glass and threaten to go for my throat for going after you man?’ I asked.”

(pg. 105)

That’s EXACTLY what I was expecting to happen when Aoefie told Colin to take the kids and go home 🤪. She was going to stake claim to her man! But Aoefie was soooo cool about the situation and I loved how assured she was in Colin’s love for her. Their relationship was solid to me. Also, Aoefie acted like a mature woman with Chelsea and I loved how they both had a wonderful time dancing and letting loose. It was cute. I also thought it was funny, but pretty cool how Chelsea took Darby up on those pole lessons. Gosh, Darby is an inspiration if there ever was one 🤪.

When Chelsea returned from her date, I liked how she had another FaceTime with Knightley about what happened. I liked how he listened and was there for her when she needed it. I also liked when Chelsea said this to him:

“‘It made me feel like I’ve just been treading water. You know what I mean?'”

(pg. 113)

I do know what she meant.

It felt like she had just been surviving and staying in the same place for the last seven years, while Colin had a family and a wife. It felt like she hadn’t done anything. Sometimes—a lot of the times—-I feel like that too. But I loved how Knightley hyped her up and told her she achieved many accomplishments over the years. Chelsea really did need to give herself more credit. Sure, she wasn’t married or did she have kids, but she did other things and it was unfair of her to degrade herself because she didn’t have the ‘typical’ accomplishments women her age have. So, I appreciated how Knightley had become her sense of reason and comfort on her journey. I also appreciated how he tried to understand why she needed to go on this journey. Again, he cared for her and wanted to know why this was important to her.

When Colin was a bust, she went to see her French boo, Jean Claude.

“‘So you do have a date! Is Gatson hot?’

‘That’s not his name, and he’s French—of course, he’s hot. All Frenchmen are hot. It’s in their DNA or something.’

‘So, this date with Louis, how’d it come about?’ he asked.”

(pg. 176)

I loved how Chelsea stalked the heck out of Jean Claude 😆. A woman of my same wavelength. Honestly, who needs the FBI when you have the power of fandoms and women on the hunt 😂. For Chelsea’s sake, I was happy Jean Claude wasn’t married and he remembered her. It felt REALLY sketchy to me how he would say he waited for her to come back and that’s why he wasn’t married. Seriously? He waited seven years for her to come back without knowing she would come back and not even having contact with her? Sure. Sweet talk her, Jean Claude. I also thought it was weird that Chelsea felt the need to change her entire look to fit into Jean Claude’s world. If he really loved the Chelsea he met seven years ago, he wouldn’t have made her feel the need to change. I also didn’t appreciate how touchy-feely he was in the limo. However, I have heard people in France are more touchy-feely than they are in America, so that was understandable—-still felt off for me because of how uncomfortable I felt Chelsea was, but understandable on his part. When Chelsea got to the party, she felt skeeved out by this François person. Women were born with something amazing: gut intuition. If Chelsea had a bad feeling about the party and François, she should trust it. I also didn’t like how Jean Claude was getting her drunk. Excuse me, why did he want her drunk?

I swear if there is one thing men have it’s the audacity (Chelsey Jade Curtis) 😑.

I was like, “WHAT THE FREAK IS HE ASKING HER TO DO?????!!” Jean Claude was a sleazy person who loved his work and who would do anything and use anyone to move himself up in the world. He didn’t care about Chelsea, he saw an opportunity with François and used her! I would have slapped the heebie jeebies right out of his smooth talking lips because who the FREAK did he think he was?! The AUDACITY.

I was mad for her. Gosh, when she dumped the drink on him, I was like, “LEt’S Go!!!” And when she stormed out of that place and no one dared to go near her? Perfect 😘👌🏼. Don’t you dare use women for your business endeavors.

Knightley was in Paris because Chelsea left her phone in her luggage and they lost her luggage. So Chelsea didn’t know that they moved the Severin meeting to Paris, so Knightley was there to meet with Severin who was this millionaire who owned a tech company. The organization that Knightley and Chelsea work at would benefit from such a considerable investor for the cause. I liked how Knightley just randomly showed up and watched her suitcase. That was sweet of him to do. I also liked how he kept getting under her nerves even though he was really nice and was just playing her game. I like how he got the room next to her and how he gave her that little finger wave. I also liked when he literally hopped to her balcony and they had their little business meeting. I mean, he was a great guy.

After the party fiasco with Jean Claude, Chelsea saw Knightley outside a brasserie. I thought it was cute how she sat behind him and ordered him a drink. When he turned around, she gave him the little finger wave like how he did. I liked their conversation about them being friends, considering how much they couldn’t—more so Chelsea couldn’t—stand each other in the beginning.

“‘You’re my friend . . . we’re friends. I don’t generally stand by when my friends get hurt.'”

(pg. 205)

I ABSOLUTELY ADORED their romantic k-night in Paris.

I loved how they rushed to the Eiffel Tower and had this whole moment where they danced to Lie Vie en Rose with air-pods. I loved how they were on top of the tower and how they held each other in the Titanic pose when the lights started sparkling. What an effervescent moment ✨. Also, that kiss? KNEW that was coming!!!! I was here for it! I also adored the sweet moment of finding the perfect hot chocolate. Like the perfect gentleman, Knightley also gave Chelsea his coat in the cold Paris air. They were cute.

But I could feel Chelsea shutting down her feelings because it’s unprofessional to date a co-worker, which I understood, but gosh Chelsea who the FREAK cares if you date a coworker if it’s true love! In her thought spiral, Chelsea mentioned how she thought Knightley and her got caught up in the Paris moment and that’s why they kissed. I mean, she’s not wrong in thinking that their romantic night was in the heat of the moment because it was Paris, and Paris has certain magic to bring two people together. But I felt that there night was more than just Paris.

Jean Claude had to ruin their night after ruining it the first time.

When Chelsea told Knightley what Jean Claude asked of her, I loved how quick Knightley was in wanting to defend her honor by knowing who to beat up 😂. When Knightley saw Jean Claude bumming it outside their building, I was like, “He’s going to get it! A can of whoop butt!”

“Why are men so dumb? Was this supposed to be flattering? It wasn’t. It just made me think my taste in men was severely lacking.”

(pg. 223)

I know what she meant 😆.

I knew it was over when Jean Claude brought up Knightley’s grandma—it was the ‘you mama’ for me. They really needed to get their male testosterone out, and I loved how Zoe didn’t even bat an eye, but she gave Chelsea a water pitcher to pour over them. Jean Claude getting rained on by Chelsea twice in a night. Wonderful. What a great man 🙃.

They were both idiots. First, Jean Claude, we’re going to say a thank you next on. Second, Knightley was dumb for being in a brawl when Chelsea told him not to fight him. They also had the meeting with Severin the next day, and black eye doesn’t say professional. I understood why Chelsea was mad at him, but it was also because she liked Knightley as more than a coworker and she didn’t want to admit that.

I liked their whole conversation on this beautifully tragic night in Paris.

“‘You’re lying to yourself. You’re so busy trying to find a girl who doesn’t exist anymore, you’re missing what’s right in front of you.'”

(pg. 230)

Didn’t I say that everything she needed was right in front of her 🙈—and that’s not just because I already read the book.

“‘You’re not going to find love with one of your exes. You need to find someone suited to who you are today.'”

(pg. 230)

Knightley was the man she loved today. He showed it in everything he did—calling her to make sure she was okay, complimenting her on her natural beauty, being there for her when she needed a friend. And he understood who Chelsea was better than Colin, Jean Claude, or Marcellino would ever know. She wasn’t who she was seven years ago and it wasn’t fair of herself to want to be someone she was—-like her past self was on this pedestal just because she was happy. Pain changed her and that’s natural considering what she experienced; she did not need to be this happy, lucky, joyful person every day of her life or who she was before her grief—that wasn’t her anymore. The present Chelsea had happiness within her, she just didn’t know where.

I really wanted Chelsea to choose him, but it broke my heart when she didn’t. I felt Knightly shut down after that because he loved her but he knew he couldn’t have her see reason.

Their Severin meeting was definitely something 🤪.

What an interesting man. Honestly, what an interesting conversation. I like random topics, but gosh, I wouldn’t have known what to say if I were in Chelsea or Knightley’s shoes. I liked how Severin made the joke of how he wondered if Chelsea gave Knightly the black eye 😂. I also loved the potato-fact-off 😆. Gosh, knows I now have a repertoire of potato knowledge. But I think they made a good team with bouncing ideas off each other and filling in the conversational pieces they weren’t comfortable in. I liked how Knightley mentioned his esteemed Battlebots idea and how Chelsea finally went along with it. The Battlebots idea was a great idea and I think she just didn’t want to admit it. I mean, they were two opposite people in their work ethics, comfort, and specialties, but that’s what made them work well. Opposites do attract.

They made up after their meeting went successfully and they were going to sign off on the Severin deal in Italy. However, they also made this compromise where Knightley would give her five days to be a human being in Italy and to see if her quest would acutely work. But I felt like she was only denying the inevitable. She also missed Knightley. Truth be told, the story didn’t pick up until Knightley came to Paris 🙈.

When in Italy, I liked how Chelsea had a conversation with her sister because we hear from her family, but sparsely. I still think her family should encourage Chelsea to accept and be proud of who she was today rather than looking to be someone they all want her to be. I know when I went through a rough change in my life, it felt like everyone around me wanted the old me back. For so long, I tried to be her and it just didn’t feel right to who I was. Then I realized that I couldn’t be who I used to be no matter how hard I tried because I was simply not that person anymore. But it sucked because, I guess, the people pleaser in me wanted other people to like me and that meant being someone I knew I could not. So, it’s hard when you have people in your life who don’t mean to make you feel bad about being your past self—they think that your past self was happier and they just want you to be happy. But it’s not that easy. I was rooting for the current Chelsea.

Obviously, I knew deep down it wasn’t going to work with Marcellino.

I mean, rich, owned a castle, and good looking. He was nice. He was perfect. But he wasn’t the perfect guy for her. Chelsea was forcing herself to feel something or do something with Marcellino to prove her journey hadn’t been futile and that she could be who she was. She wasn’t that girl, though. And Marcellino wasn’t that man she met seven years ago.

He changed too. She shouldn’t have just expected that seven years later all these men in her life would be the same or would have stayed in the same emotions as well. Not that they couldn’t, but time goes on and people grow in subtle or huge ways. Also, I didn’t feel like Marcellio was into her at all 🤪. If he really liked her, he would have been into the moves she made on him but he seemed to either 1) avoid them or 2) be uncomfortable by them. Also, if he sent her notes here and there, the notes would have been romantic if he still liked her 🙈.

I was glad that they agreed to just be friends after they tried to kiss and it was boring. I cracked up when he said their kiss was boring . . . way to make a woman feel confident 🤪.

Knightley was the guy for her all along. I’m still impressed with how Knightley went back to Boston two days ago and then flew to Italy. That seemed dumb, but maybe I thought of their agreement wrong. I mean, why would he fly to Boston and back to Italy just to give Charlie five days of freedom? Waste of money, if you ask me. But I liked how Knightley rode in style to Italy.

I honestly Loved all the moments between Knightley and Chelsea. My favorite was their intimate scene in the barn. I liked how they had such an honest conversation of their grief and the purpose behind what they did. Chelsea was always so quick to judge Knightley and never gave it a second thought as to why he would join the cancer organization. But . . . Knightley lost his sister at a young age. I literally cried my way through Knightley and Chelsea’s vulnerable conversation. I could feel the heart behind their words and the life they breathed into the people they loved. I loved hearing about Knightley’s sister and how cool, spunky, and bold she was. I was also heart-wrenched by how fast things changed for Knightley and how he had to live and grow with the loss each day. I appreciated that he got therapy when he needed it. Knightley and Jess seemed like they had such a strong and beautiful relationship.

I also liked how Chelsea opened up about her mom, talking about the special and wonderful qualities about her mom. It does help to talk to people about loved ones, especially if they understand because they don’t feel uncomfortable to listen. It broke my heart when Knightley mentioned how the worst part was watching his sister get smaller.

“‘Watching her get smaller and smaller . . . Some days I could convince myself that she hadn’t lost any weight, but other days I couldn’t lie to myself, and I knew she was shrinking, disappearing before my eyes, and there was nothing I could do to stop the cancer from siphoning off the rambunctious, loud, Jess I knew and leaving this fragile little bird in her place.'”

(pg. 296)

I know what it’s like to see loved ones grow smaller. It seemed unnatural and wrong and inhuman to see people not look like who you know them to be. It . . . truly breaks the heart. It hurts.

“‘My memories of Jess are so bittersweet,’ he said. ‘Bitter because there are no more, but sweet because they keep her alive in my heart and mind and I treasure that, even though it hurts.'”

(pg. 297)

I felt that too.

What I loved about this moment was how raw it was for them to open up about their deepest experiences because that meant they trusted each other with their pains and vulnerabilities. It’s not easy to open up to people like they did. It made my heart warm that she’s the first person Knightley told about his sister. That meant a lot.

I lived for the moment when she told Knightley that her and Marcellino would be just friends. I felt the happiness radiate from Knightley. Yes, get your woman! I loved how they kissed on top of the Eiffel Tower and then now they were dancing in a vineyard in Italy to Lie Vie en Rose. They are soooo romantic. Literally setting my expectations real high 🤪. I also loved how Knightley proclaimed his love for her and how he loved her from the moment he saw her. I knew he always liked her! I loved what Chelsea said when they first met: “There aren’t any hot wings here.” I love a power move!

But Knightley always loved her—the her she was during and after her grief. He always saw the real her and appreciated it when no one else did.

“‘Chelsea, you’re trying so hard to be who you were before your mother died,’ He said. ‘But you can’t be her. That woman died with your mom.'”

(pg. 312)

Exactly.

“‘The truth is you’ve been hanging on to your grief as it’s the last part of your mother that you can hold on to, and you can’t move forward, because you’re afraid if you let it go, you’ll lose her forever.'”

(pg. 312)

Spoken like a true person who had been to therapy 🤪.

He was a smart man, a partially irritating man, yes. But a smart, perceptive one.

When I was also immensely sad, I remember holding onto that sadness for so long because I felt like it had become part of me and it would feel wrong if I didn’t feel sad. Chelsea held onto her grief because it was a part of her and it would feel wrong if she didn’t feel sad over her mom. Her grief connected her to her mom. However, Chelsea needed to move on and heal so she could allow happiness and love into her heart. Because she had been holding onto her grief for so long, she had not allowed herself to grow or be happy.

I thought the moment Chelsea let go of her grief was beautifully written. I was crying through it. I loved how symbolic and powerful and wonderful it was . . . how freeing it felt. I felt that for Chelsea. I loved how Knightley was the one to hold her and be with her as she let go. He allowed her to let go and find peace. I think we need to let go sometimes to the pain that connects us to something because it is easier to hold on to the pain and sadness, but sometimes that sorrow consumes us and becomes us so much that we lose ourselves. It’s okay to get lost and be sad and to feel that pain. Feel that pain. But also know when it’s time to let go and move forward because you deserve to be happy. You also deserve to feel like it’s okay to be a changed person after everything, and if the people in your life really love you, they wouldn’t make you feel wrong for changing.

“‘The part of me that had been hollowed out by loss began to fill with lightness and love. I felt healed. And it wasn’t because I found my old self but rather because I’d finally accepted myself for exactly who I was. Jason’s love, his warmth, and his understanding had given me the courage to heal myself.”

(pg. 314)

I freaking loved that for her 💗.

This part of the story pleasantly surprised me about the plot because I thought this would be a finding yourself sort of story. If it was, it would have felt weird because I didn’t feel like Chelsea traveling the world to see all these men, was “finding” herself. It felt like throwing herself into romances rather than realizing it started with her. But the story was about her healing and finding acceptance in herself. That’s even more powerful because sometimes we know who we are, but we lose ourselves in the challenges of life. But it’s nice to have people in our life who show us that we had all this happiness and love within us if we allowed ourselves to feel/believe it. Knightley was a good man/good for her.

Things really escalated after their little talk 🤪.

Gosh, I was so ready to be happy for her, but then Knightley LIED to her! I was ready to whoop some butt for Chelsea because why was he lying to her! Gosh! I honestly don’t blame her for thinking it had to relate to him one upping her in work, but all her excuses kept tying back to him one upping her in work or some sort of deal that he cheated her out of or something. I was over her thinking that everything had to do with work. I’m happy she threw his phone at him though. He deserved that.

I was HERE for the dramatic proclamation move with the towel and her running away braless. We love to see a traditional American couple drama. I was CACKLING because I was literally Marcellino and all these Italian onlookers. Someone give them popcorn because they came for the vineyard and stayed for the show!!! 😂

It felt like Knightley was trying to placate an angry dog the way he talked to Chelsea. I mean that in the best way possible. He knew she would run away or go off he didn’t talk to her rationally. I loved his second spiel of how much he loved her and to not let her grief stop her from choosing love—choosing him.

“‘You said you went on this quest to find yourself, but you didn’t need to go away to find yourself, Chelsea. You needed to go away so that I could find you.'”

(pg. 323)

I also honestly loved how Knightly had no scruples for walking out in a towel or even saying he was going to drop the towel if Chelsea didn’t tell him she loved him. This scene made me think of the Home Alone 2 scene where the movie was playing and the guy on the TV says, “Get down on your knees and tell me you love me.” The way Chelsea told him she loved him was so Chelsea and Knightly-esque, I was here for it. But they did make a wonderful couple. I laughed when he admitted he saw her ‘rack’ when she did a mammogram on wheels campaign. I mean, cool camp gain and wonderful idea, but funny how they avoided that conversation for years. I loved how Jenn McKinaly gave Chelsea a moment of retreating into her grief because grief doesn’t just magically go away into the stars, it stays with you. Sometimes it still challenges you, but there will be people who will tether you. I was happy Chelsea found what she was looking for all along. I was happy she let love in.

The epilogue was sweet.

I liked how Chelsea was at Sherri and the dad’s wedding because she understood that love happens unexpectedly and wholly, and she could not fault her dad for wanting to marry the woman he loved. Did I still think it was kind of quick to get married after two weeks? Yes, but you know for love, that’s okay. I was also happy that Chelsea now accepted herself and could move on and let love in her heart. But what really got my heart was how Sherri talked about Annabelle and Chelsea’s mom and how she did not want to replace her, but carry on that love. That meant the world to Chelsea because she was closer to her mom and didn’t like the idea of Sherri coming into the picture and replacing the mom. Chelsea also was receptive to having Sherri change their whole life, so hearing Sherri say she wasn’t in this marriage to replace anything made her feel open to Sherri.

I had to hand it to Sherri, she was a good woman. Who cared if she wanted older flower girls or this big shebang wedding? She was getting married for the first time, and if she wanted a huge wedding, I say let the girl live it up! 😆 But even before the nice gesture, Sherri was kind to Chelsea because she knew how difficult or weird this was for her. I liked how she never made Chelsea feel pressured to be or do anything. Sherri also tried hard to not be awkward with Chelsea, but they did have awkward moments, everyone does. You have to let the awkward out before getting to the good moments. But I loved how Chelsea went up on the stage with Annabelle and opened her arms up and called Sherri mom. That was a big shift from the Chelsea who didn’t even like Sherri without knowing her. I hope that they form a good relationship.

I also hope Knightley and Chelsea get married and they have their wedding at Marcellion’s vineyard and they invite Colin, Aoefie, and the kids. They should also invite Jean Claude for the heck of it. We can call it book two based on Mama Mia 2 when Sophie got married. That would be fun! 😁 I think Colin would be good friends with Marcellino and Knightley and Aeofi and Annabelle would become good friends. Oh, wouldn’t it be fun if Annabelle had a story and she fell in love with someone from Europe during her sister’s wedding? 🤔 I would read. And we can invite the dad and Sherri to come and it would be a fun vacation moment for them. That would be so fun!!!

Some of the things I wondered after reading the story was how was Aidan doing? He was getting treatment the last time he was mentioned, but gosh, that’s so tough. Both of them had experienced such loss in their life and now they had someone they loved who was going through a lot too. I just . . . gosh. My heart was so sad. I hope Aidan will be okay. I also know that the Severin deal worked out well, but would have liked more closure with that. I also liked the little workplace drama with the quarter thief. It’s not a true workplace without someone hating on someone else 🤪. But seriously, Michelle the HR person sounded like a drag! I wouldn’t like her either. The quarter thief—the security guard—sure knew how to take revenge out on a lady: irk her like crazy and take her food 😆.

I would have also liked more scenic moments in Italy, Paris, or Ireland because that would have added to the cultural richness that Jenn McKinlay had. But overall, such a cute, sweet story that made my wanderlust heart burst.

Anyway, what was your favorite part of the book? Least favorite part? Anything I mentioned that you want to discuss more about?  Where in Europe would you like to travel? Let me know below in the comments as I love hearing from you all 💕

I hope you have a beautiful day whenever and wherever you might be reading this 😊.

And as always, with love,

Review

3.89 Full Bloom Flowers

Characters: I liked Chelsea’s story arc and Knightley’s humor. Both of them together was a recipe for disaster that turned to something sweet and tender.

Writing: I loved the humor, the romantic moments, and scenic routes.

Plot: Somewhat predictable, equal parts surprising, but worth the read!

Romance: Like a macaron—-a hard shell on the outside, but sweet with each bite.