Petite Anglaise: A True Story

Review by Lizzie

In a Nutshell: Blogger Catherine Sanderson reflects on the upheaval sparked by her blog, Petite Anglaise, a British ex-pat’s arch observations of life as a MILF in Paris. Using her blog to vent about her moody French partner, Mr Frog, Catherine attracts the doting online attention of James. But is this new flame worth tearing apart her family, or her carefully crafted Parisian existence?

Reason I Liked It: Vicariously living through Catherine’s wanders in belle Paris was tres jolie. Yes, I might not jump at the chance to trade places with her as working mom in a dead end relationship, but ah, to be strolling along the Canal St. Martin, or cruising the used bookstores of St. Germain.

Three Words to Describe it: Cyber Age Romance

Indicative Quote: The lift doors folded back, concertina-like, and Mr. Frog held Tadpole while I retrieved her stroller from the storeroom with its floral wallpaper and lingerling smell of mildew, the gardienne’s quarters in days gone by. Planting a perfunctory kiss on his smooth-shaven cheek, I mumbled, ‘Bon courage,’ and watched as he hurried off in the direction of his Vespa.

You’ll Like This If You Like: Paris, Je T’aime

Book Club Ideas: Why go to Paris of course! Or, be nearly as decadent by dining on steak frites and vin rouge at Le Paradis (at Bedford and Davenport), followed by a couple of hours cruising the archives of Petite Anglaise. Spoiler alert: don’t go to the blog before you finish the book, some tantalizing recent developments in Catherine’s life will give too much away.

Verdict: There’s a reason Petite Anglaise has charmed the blogger universe. Catherine’s observations are utterly human, ranging from the cleverly sardonic to the hopelessly romantic. She’s honest and self-scrutinizing so, even when you get a bit peeved at her life choices, you appreciate that at least she’s aware of her own flaws.It’s undeniably chick lit, but chick lit with brains and thick rimmed glasses. The sort of woman who might just be your best friend

Good Present For: Denise Dias, writer of SheDoesTheCity’s Francophile column French Kiss. I'll definitely have to pass this one on to her. Any friend embarking on a European vacation will get a kick out of it.

Petite Anglaise will be released on June 17th.