Review: Oh Giselle!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 5, 2013
Jamie, an IT geek, is definitely out of her league when she first arrives in Paris to pitch a sales plan for the major electronics company she works for.  That extra line "fluent in French" sure did backfire as she struggles to make simple conversation with Parisians with her high-school French.  While struggling to order ice for her Coke Light an elegant, Parisian woman offers assistance and correctly asks the waiter.  The two strike up a conversation and the woman, Giselle, is mortified at Jamie's marketing strategy. Giselle offers some simple tips for success and invites Jamie to return to the café for some additional French lessons.Following a few more French lessons Jamie lands her first deal and offers to take Giselle out to dinner in appreciation.  Prior to dinner Jamie learns Giselle is actually a well-established designer and undergoes a mini-makeover, courtesy of Giselle.  Giselle sees in Jamie what she doesn't see in herself:  inner confidence and sophistication.  During dinner Giselle makes a startling revelation and admits her attraction to women.  The desire between the two blossoms despite their differences yet neither is ready to reveal their true feelings.  At a critical moment, everything is almost lost but with her new-found confidence Jamie has the strength to go after what she wants even if she's in the dark.Even though this was a novella the author characterized both women very well and provided the necessary depth to make the story very believable.  Why would a sexy, sensual Parisian woman desire a plain-Jane American?  Because beneath the exterior both are two women who are extremely motivated and don't believe in "good things happen to those who wait"; Good things happen to those who work for it! Also, this novella was perfectly paced where it didn't drag on or move too fast. This was my first read by the author and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future!