A) This was a #bookstagrammademedoit moment
B) I am not mad about it.

The chemistry between the main characters is divine, there were twists and turns and connections and manipulations all over the place, there's a strong female friendship (complete with an irrational argument), a socially awkward love interest uncomfortable in his own skin, and *drama*.

At first it was a bit slow to pick up and get into the meat of things, but looking back I *appreciate* the background and the way it was given. I appreciate the detail and the decadence and the indulgence in the story and the set up, and WOW I love Lou. Like a lot. But by Part 2 we were moving and grooving with the story and to say I enjoyed it was a bit of an understatement. And don't get me STARTED on Part 3.

I think part of my initial reservations revolved around the fact that I mostly read this one as an audiobook, and I think I just lost some of the squishy details in the process.

I don't think I've personally every read anything like this, and that was also a major plus for me.

People who will like this one: French expats (and those who wish they were), the morally gray, believers in the power of the matriarchy, anyone attracted to towering redheads, and everyone who just needs a little escape for a while.