Review: What A Sweet Story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 1, 2014
*What Mary Knobbe Thought**Copy received by Netgalley*Emma moved to Paris for love but stayed for the city.  Five years after her divorce, Emma is a successful business woman about to take the next step in her career.  That is until a new American boss takes over the office.  Cole is not impressed with Emma or the City of Light.  To make matters worse, corporate espionage is afoot and may ruin both Emma and Cole's careers for good.  Now they must work together to clear Emma's name and prove Cole's leadership.This is a super sweet story, not a super steamy story. Secretly, though, I'm a sucker for romance rather than sex scenes.  Don't get me wrong; I like racy stories too.  This book just brought out the romantic in me.  Emma and Cole are trying so hard to find their way through their feelings.  She's so careful, and he's so smitten.  I love that Emma is a strong woman who is loyal to a fault.  Some of her choices in the office are questionable, but she sticks to her guns.  Cole quickly sees the way to Emma's heart is through her darling daughter.  And let me tell you, the scenes with Cole and a precocious five year old will have you falling in love with him instantly.  On a side note, the setting is beautiful.  The descriptions of Paris and its sights made me want to move there today.  This is definitely one of the most romantic books I've read in a while.PLOT: 3 starsIt takes a few chapters to get started, but once the corporate espionage begins the plot flies and so does the romance.WRITING: 4 starsThe author writes beautifully. The descriptions of the Paris and more rural parts of France are vivid.  The dialogue is very believable.COVER: 2 starsThe real deal is that I like to look at hot men.  The Paris Connection has a very sweet cover, but I definitely would not pick it up based on that.  It's a pretty cover, don't get me wrong.  Still, I'd like a face for the main characters, or at least a super hot guy on the front.CHARACTERS: 4 starsThe thing about these characters is they aren't idiots.  Lots of times I read romance novels and think, "Jeez these people are stupid."  They make senseless decisions and seem not to worry about the very clear consequences of their actions.  Emma and Cole are intelligent and experienced business people.  They are falling in love, but they have lives to lead.  The romance is sweeter for Emma and Cole trying to feel their way around the everyday complexities of life.