One Summer in Paris

This sweet, tidily built story celebrates the power of second chances and the naturally romantic character of Paris. Small-town American teacher Grace Porter, thrown over by her husband David on their 25th wedding anniversary for a friend of their daughter, lets her grandmother convince her to go solo on the Parisian trip she’d planned for the anniversary celebration. Dyslexic student and hair salon employee Audrey Hackett escapes her alcoholic mother in London by faking her way into a summer job with housing at a Parisian bookstore, despite not actually speaking French. Audrey and Grace discover more in common than they expected, and Grace mentors Audrey in French and in life while Audrey inspires Grace to stretch her boundaries, take some risks, and live in the present. Meanwhile, Audrey acquires a French boyfriend, Grace tries to figure out whether to forgive and get back together with David, and Grace’s grandmother reunites with her first love. Morgan (How to Keep a Secret) gives her characters fairly stereotyped histories and motivations, but they’re still quite lovable, and readers will be comforted by the balance of adventure and safety that Morgan chooses for them. This travel romance is perfect airplane reading. Agent: Susan Ginsburg, Writers House. (Apr.)