Review: Brilliantly written
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 9, 2013
I initially picked up A French Girl in New York while searching for books for my daughter. This book was free (our book budget had already been spent that week) and it sounded interesting. Even though I had several other books to read (plus working on my second book) I decided to start reading this one. Anna Adams created characters with great detail and care. Each character had depth to them; this book although modern reminded me of the classics that I so adore! The detail and description found in these pages carried me away to New York and France. I had to push past the first chapter and a half but once I did I was whisked away into Maude's world.Maude Laurent has never known her parents. She was raised (if you can call it that) by the Ruchets. She was treated worse than a servant. She was treated as a slave. She was forced to sleep on a thin mattress in a basement with no light and rats. She found her escape in music at the local library, where she taught herself how to play the piano. During a class trip to Paris she is discovered by James Baldwin who was there on business. Maude goes to New York to live with the Baldwin family for 6 months while she records her album. She knows that she will have to return to France but she wants to make the most of her time in New York, a time where she feels free. She quickly befriends the Baldwin sisters Jazmine and Cynthia along with their younger brother Ben. Victoria Baldwin is a mother like none that Maude has ever seen. they show her what a family is.Matt is a famous pop singer. He is asked to work with Maude on her album, to help her to create her music. Matt is also from France but has lived in New York for 6 years.  The two of them do not hit it off right away; their first meeting is certainly one to remember. Matt enjoys pushing Maude's buttons. The day that he shows her around New York City is the day that he starts to lose himself to her. Will he ever be able to tell her how he feels?Will Maude get to keep singing? Will she be a success or will she return to Carvin France and the Ruchets?This book is brilliantly written! I look forward to reading the rest of Maude's story.