French Lessons

May 30, 2011
Three Americans explore Paris alongside their attractive French tutors and find themselves caught up in a delightful day of desire in Sussman's second novel (after On a Night Like This), beginning with an emotionally fraught coffee date shared by the tutors that reveals a love-triangle that must be set aside for the workday. Nico, who has just slept with his fellow tutor, Chantal, is assigned to a pregnant, grieving San Franciscan woman; Philippe continues his lessons with a lonely ex-pat with no French skills, two children, and a workaholic husband; and Chantal, in love with Philippe, has her last session with the insecure husband of an actress in town for a shoot. They visit gardens, the Louvre, and several beds. Granted, it's not exactly trailblazing material, but Sussman keeps things fresh with a strong supporting cast and some unexpected insights into the characters' pasts, embracing a soupçon of mystery to go with the scenic strolls and flights of passion.

June 1, 2011

Three attractive French tutors guide each of their American charges through an unforgettable day in Paris.

Meeting regularly at a café before work, colleagues Chantal, Philippe and Nico teach private language sessions and have what might be described as a complex (or just French) relationship. Chantal has slept with both men, although she considers Philippe—in spite of all evidence to the contrary—to be her boyfriend. She also finds herself drawn to her client Jeremy, the carpenter husband of famous movie star Dana Hurley, who is shooting a film in town. On their last day together, the two of them wander the streets, get stuck in a rainstorm and share an easy camaraderie that gives them both pause. Jeremy is happily married, but Chantal's low-key allure offers him a seductive glimpse of a life away from Dana's fame. Pining for Chantal, Nico is assigned Josie Felton, a pretty young teacher from San Francisco. Still reeling from the sudden death of her much older (and married) lover, Josie cannot help but be delighted with the puppy-like Nico, who takes her shopping, flirts up a storm and tries to convince her to run away with him to Provence. But is it too soon? Sexy wannabe musician Philippe, meanwhile, meets up with the voluptuous Riley, a lonely expatriate mom whose animosity toward Paris is rivaled only by her disdain for her husband Vic. Lacking the confidence or ability to actually learn the language, Riley nonetheless makes a bold overture to Philippe, who responds with an enthusiasm that makes her rethink that whole hating-Paris thing. In spite of some overly familiar scenarios (Chantal's flower-festooned houseboat picnic, Philippe's hot bedroom antics), Sussman's (On a Night Like This, 2004, etc.) breezy entry into the holiday-romance genre has a lot going for it and benefits greatly by giving the locals their point-of-view, too. 

Pleasantly evocative escape to the City of Love.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

June 1, 2011
A trip to Paris suddenly changes the lives of three people. Young, pregnant schoolteacher Josie has come to the city to recover from the death of Simon, her lover. Riley, a new expatriate and mother of two young children, is struggling to connect with her busy husband and acclimate to her newly adopted home. Jeremy, the quiet husband of a famous actress, is accompanying his wife on a film shoot. Josie, Riley, and Jeremy each spends the days exploring the city, hired French tutors in tow. Josie works with Nico, a sensitive poet looking for love, Riley with Phillippe, a philanderer looking for his next conquest. Jeremy spends his days with beautiful Chantal, a lonely woman looking for romance. As students and teachers wander the boulevards and neighborhoods, they become immersed in the city's magic, ultimately discovering things about themselves they don't expect but do share. French Lessons quietly takes readers into the hearts of the city and its people and gently reminds them of the transformative power of travel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)