The Paris Soulmate
Book Trailer
“No, no, no, no,” I said, a little too emphatically.
“No, this isn’t 12B or no, this isn't going to be fun?”
“I’m not going anywhere with you and your Mr. Darcy accent" . . .
“Wow, I’ve hit a nerve. Mr. Darcy, huh?” he chimed. “So the hopeless romantic bit is accurate.
Great. Just flipping fantastic. He’s like a warm English fire after being caught in the rain, and I’m like a hillbilly tractor stuck in the mud.
“I was doing perfectly fine. I’m perfectly fine. I will make it to Paris on my own, unchaperoned and without assistance.”
“Well, you will need the pilot and the plane. Probably the crew as well,” he said nonchalantly.
He had to know, on some level, that this trip was either a celebration of improvement in health, or a last hurrah. And he still had yet to find out which one it was.
He was an authentic man in a sea of shallow boys
Are you seriously going to kiss her for the first time on an airplane? That has to be the most unromantic thing I’ve ever heard. Even Humphrey knew to kiss Bergman outside the plane. You need to follow the classics like Casablanca.
I was at a crossroads: Did I believe him? Or was I just ignoring another red flag, burying myself alive in a graveyard of them?
I stood in front of the black dress, staring it down. I felt like it had taken an aggressive stance against me instead of merely hanging limply from the hanger. It was like a scene from a film noir. One of us wasn’t going to make it out alive.
“Well, I know that’s not part of your conditions so you can’t use that excuse,”
Suddenly, all of his charisma crashed into all of my fears.
He was the real deal, like my very own Clark Gable character from a classic film. But, unlike Mr. Gable, Colin really did “give a–”
I knew he was too in tune with the rhythm of my heart to be fooled.
You’re the complete package. Like something out of a black and white film. Something rare and special that shouldn’t exist outside the silver screen. Yet somehow, here you are.”
“Moon River” started to flow gracefully out of the violin. The notes crept over to me and danced along the goosebumps on my skin.
Colin had just accomplished the impossible. He had broken down the walls around my heart. The walls I had been building far before my illnesses but had grown even sturdier since my diagnosis. And for the first time, it felt like I'd been set free.
I was even more appreciative of the man beside me. All of my previous terrible relationships gave me the ability to genuinely appreciate how Colin treated me and allowed me to truly understand the gravity and rareness of his actions.
That’s not baggage. It’s not acceptable to call your illnesses baggage. I would have been really upset five years ago if we had met and you wouldn’t have given me a chance to get to know you and decide for myself.”
There was a stare down between us that seemed to last for a small infinity. Like a lifetime of understanding was being lived in it.
I blamed his gorgeous smile, his intoxicating smell, those mesmerizing blues, and mostly, I blamed how safe I felt with him; not just physically safe, but safe with all of my flaws and fears
Apparently, it wasn't every day there was such a spectacle in the Louvre. Funny, I thought the Mona Lisa would have brought it out in them. It sure did in me.
Usually there was a sense of warning like I needed to flee, a primal part of me always subconsciously knowing I wasn’t safe, that I did indeed need to guard myself and my emotions. But here in his arms I felt like none of those demons could reach me, like I was finally able to indulge in the warm sun after an extensive stay in the dark, cold underground.
He would have gladly given her anything she named, but he was completely certain all she wanted was him.
She looked up at him with a look that confirmed she would never forget this instant in time. He felt lost in her eyes and the petrichor of the earth from the rain.
She was beautifully broken, and he could tell it was her faith that made her whole. It was her faith that made the brokenness beautiful.
He looked at her, witnessing all the disbelief written across her face. He loathed what was written there. Every unspoken word struck him with an ache.
"Soulmates don’t come to us as we expect them to. They don’t come in the package we expect, they don’t come the way we expect, and they certainly don’t come when we expect.”
It was like I was sick with a new disorder and the diagnosis was Colin.
“Absolutely perfect, Mona Lisa,” he said and pulled me by my waist back inside.
But the morning was like a cold ice bath for the dreamer. And it was certainly waking me from my dreamy, kaleidoscope-colored glasses.
That was my favorite thing about Paris: it was well lived. The architecture spoke of the life it had seen through its curves and textures.
He not only completed me, but he showed me how to complete myself.
I had fought for this moment. I had fought for my life, what health I had, the ability to live my life, and the ability to love. And he was worth every moment I had fought so hard for. I never could have imagined what I was truly fighting so desperately for. But there he sat.
He was perfect in my eyes. Not a fairy tale kind of perfection that could never be measured up to, but a perfection that was created by him being himself. Even his flaws seemed to fill out my being.
To know unconditional love in so many forms was to truly live.
Extras
Enjoy the movie list, yin yoga routine, playlist, art guide, & travel itinerary from the book!
Playlist
Check out the Spotify playlist and enjoy while you listen. Click here.
Song | Artist |
|---|---|
Baby I'm a Fool | Melody Gardot |
My One and Only | John Coltrane |
April in Paris | Billie Holiday |
I've Got to See You Again | Norah Jones |
La Vie En Rose | Daniela Andrade |
If the Stars Were Mine | Melody Gardot |
It Was You | Norah Jones |
Love is Here to Stay | Billie Holiday |
Moon River | Lang Lang, Madeleine Peyroux |
Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars | Sarah Vaughan |
The Nearness of You | Norah Jones |
Sympathique | Pink Martini |
Formidable | Twenty One Pilots |
God Only Knows | Elisa Rodrigues |
Ain't No Sunshine | Eva Cassidy |
Ocean Eyes | Billie Eilish |
Baby, Now That I've Found Love | Alison Krauss |
Let's Fall in Love | Diana Krall |
Bewitched | Ella Fitzgerald |
Les Yeux Ouverts (Dream a Little Dream of Me) | Emilie-Claire Barlow |
Easy | Camilia Cabello |
Sunrise | Norah Jones |
Isn't It Romantic | Diana Krall |
Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love) | Ella Fitzgerald |
They Can't Take That Away From Me | Fred Astaire |
Oh, Pretty Woman | Pomplamoose |
Make You Feel My Love | JJ Heller |
All of Me | Billie Holiday |
At Last | Eva Cassidy |
How Do Read?
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The Paris Soulmate
A woman with autoimmune disorders and a "no dating policy." A mysterious, cocky British stranger. A dream trip to Paris. What could go wrong?
Reeling from the reality of turning 30 soon, Christine decides to take her bucket list trip. She has always dreamed of going back to Paris, but since being diagnosed with several rare autoimmune disorders, she never imagined she would get the chance to return.
Now she finds herself on her way to the city of love with an unexpected surprise. An extremely handsome British stranger seems to have mysteriously fallen onto her path.
Is it just a coincidence they are both traveling to the city of love at the same time? It all seems too good to be true.
If you like clean romance novels, feel-good novels, and romantic comedy books for women, then you'll love The Paris Soulmate.
Will Christine find what she's looking for in Paris? Click the BUY NOW button on Amazon or where books are sold to start traveling with Christine and Colin today.
The Paris Soulmate is a sweet romance for clean and wholesome romance readers in a charming debut from author Brooke Gilbert. This romantic comedy is the perfect way to travel to Paris while staying in your pjs. You will laugh, cry, and fall in love with the characters. It's a beautiful literary ride.
Available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio (coming). Retailers options available in several different countries!
See everywhere The Paris Soulmate is available here.
Click here to buy the ebook from Amazon (part of Kindle Unlimited).
Books available on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Walmart, Booktopia (UK), Blackwell's (UK), The Wordery (UK), The Waterstones (UK), Book Depository (AU), Mighty Ape (AU & NZ), Dymocks (AU), Powell's (USA), Bookshop (USA), Half Priced Books (USA), IndieBound (local), Thalia.de (Germany), Hugendubel.de (Germany), Kinokuniya (China), Audible (coming soon), iTunes (coming soon), & other retailers. The Paris Soulmate is now available in store at Cork & Cover (Clinton, TN), Union Ave Book Store (Knoxville, TN), and the Whistlestop Bookstore (Carlisle, PA). Sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of the page to receive alerts of upcoming releases and sales.
Audiobook coming soon: Audible, iTunes, & Amazon.
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Audiobook Sample
Coming Soon
Reviews
The twists and turns, the laugh out loud moments, the heart warming story, I could not put this down once I started reading it! This was the perfect book to slowly get me back into reading romance books. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a romance, loves character development and most of all, people who like me, is head of heels in love with France as a country. The main character is on a trip of a lifetime after receiving diagnoses of multiple rare autoimmune disorders - it was a breath of fresh air to read a story where there is a wonderful representation and no labels on disabilities - something that I find you don’t get anywhere near as often enough in books! -Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A romantic novel that gave a voice to those that struggle with illness and insecurity, while truly fulfilling the “when you know, you know” aspect of a romance. What I liked the most: The author's overall writing, heartfelt message, disability representation, and Collin, always Collin…This is new to me author, but I loved her unique writing style. I appreciated that this book was written from multiple POVs allowing you to catch a glimpse inside the character's mind. And the PLOT TWIST? I gasped.….(going to read more by her for sure!). I would recommend this read to those who enjoy a romance with an accurate representation of disabilities, all set in a city famous for love." -Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I absolutely loved reading The Paris Soulmate!! From start to finish, this novel kept me on my toes with its twists and stunning character development. The author’s storytelling is superb; I found myself laughing out loud at the characters’ witty responses to new challenges and surprises. Mostly, I found myself never wanting to put the novel down, as I became deeply invested in the growth of both the story and characters. I cannot recommend enough this beautiful page-turner!" Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I adored this romance novel! It was sweet yet captivating. And I found myself falling in love with the characters and aesthetic of the story. I was also laughing out loud at their banter and completely invested in their growth. I can't wait to read and see what else this author produces because it is now a must buy!" -Netgalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I loved this book. I am a sucker for a good romance story, but The Paris Soulmate went to far beyond a story based on a trope. Watching this story unfold is truly a joy - with some surprises thrown in." Booksprout reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Loved this read! It was fast paced but very enjoyable! I loved the characters Chemistry! It was written very well!." -NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I quite enjoyed reading The Paris Soulmate. This debut author did a great job of keeping it entertaining. The characters were well-developed and the story flowed in a way that it kept me interested until the very end. Looking forward to reading more by this author in the future." -Netgalley Reviewer, Media/Journalist, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Paris Soulmate is a wonderful romance novel - sweet and lighthearted and I loved the feature of a main character with an autoimmune disorder. I highly recommend. -NetGalley Reviewer, Librarian, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I found this to be a good read. I enjoyed the storyline as it was different than the usual ones. Enjoyed and recommend." Booksprout reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The chemistry between the 2 who head to Paris, whose story of 7 days we basically follow in this novel, is pretty hot and dreamy at times." -Netgalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved how the problem wasn’t just ‘fixed' and the the story ended like what happens in lots of other books, this story continued for long enough for me to feel happy and satisfied by the end. I loved the Parisian setting and you will thoroughly enjoy the descriptions of all things French if you love France like me. -Book Siren reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is the picture of two souls simply meant for each other and navigating their new found love under the Eiffel Tower. If you’ve ever wanted to believe that soulmates exist then this book is for you. -BookSirens Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A quick, easy and fast paced read that I couldn't put down. Well written with well
developed characters, I really enjoyed it.- NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The Paris Soulmate is a sweet clean read featuring characters you find yourself genuinely caring about. The author writes sensitively about the realities of living with chronic illness and its great to see spoon theory being discussed. The Paris setting is visualised really well and adds to the romance of the story, although a perfectly positioned plot twist had me fearing for Christine and Colin's HEA! A lovely gem of a book." -NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Absolutely cute read. Love how before the guy even meets her, just the one glance and he knew the connection would strong. Love out weights everything! -NetGalley Reviewer, Librarian ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this book!! I’m obsessed !! This probably just became my favourite, sweet as cake, romantic, gentle love story I’ve ever read !!! Christine and Colin are just the perfect pair and that’s not an understatement!’n
Believe me when I say I am not a fan of insta-love … I’d rather read a slow burn romance with a lot of time to think about the tension in between the characters. But this book made me almost change my mind !!! I believe that this love at first sight was the sweetest and considering the circumstances under which they met … they were truly blessed !!! ... I’m so glad I had the chance to read this book and I truly hope the author has something more in store for us !!! -NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this romance novel. Christine was so low on her self esteem and confidence that I could relate to her, also with her immune disorders and feeling like it would be selfish to be in relationship with anyone. I totally understood her reasoning but felt she deserved so much more. Then Colin comes in as a 'fake' friend turned lover, he was jus such an amazing character, the way he truly felt about Christine was undeniable. They both deserved everything, so glad it ended the way it did. Will look out more from this author. -NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This was so fun. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were charming and witty. I highly recommend this quick read!" - NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
