A Garden in Paris (Paperback)

by Stephanie Grace Whitson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this enjoyable story, Whitson, the author of a dozen novels, sets out to show that it is never too late for someone to start over. Widow Mary Elisabeth McKibbin Davis is 50 years old, unsure about who she is, and at odds with her adult daughter, Liz. Toying with suicide, Mary instead writes a letter to her first love of 30 years ago, the dashing Frenchman Jean-Marc David, letting him know she'll be in their special garden in Paris on Christmas Eve. Taking as her motto "It is never too late to be what you might have been," Mary leaves Nebraska for France to begin revisiting her past and re-creating her life. Liz rather quickly realizes she needs to reconcile with her mother, and, with her agreeable fiancé, Jeffrey Scott, she chases after Mary. While in Paris, Mary searches for love, faith and her true self, while Liz will have to grapple with a family secret, adeptly concealed until late in the book in a surprising plot twist. Multiple points of view are sometimes a little cumbersome, and there is a bit of theology tossed in about God and accidents that will be problematic for some. However, appealing descriptions, faith renewals and conversions, and travelogueish details about Paris make this a pleasant read for an evangelical Christian audience. (Apr.)
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Review
"A heartwarming story with several unexpected twists... Detailed and realistic... Recommended for women, especially mothers." -- Christian Book Previews

"I genuinely enjoyed A Garden in Paris and will make a point of seeking out books by Stephanie Grace Whitson." -- Amy Padgett, CurledUp.com

"Its depth and meaning are so deep and inspiring that you just have to read this one for yourself..." -- Love Romances

"The manner in which Whitson manages to incorporate faith into the story is ingenuous....My favorite 2005 Christian novel." -- ArmchairInterviews.com

"Whitson has another best-seller on her hands, one which I recommend to lovers of inspirational fiction." -- Romance Junkies

"Whitson’s deft hand with characterization pulls emotions from the reader like a concert violinist draws notes from the strings." -- RT Bookclub

"Whitson’s deft hand with characterization pulls emotions from the reader like a concert violinist draws notes from the strings." -- Romantic Times, April 2005

"[A]ppealing descriptions, faith renewals and conversions, and travelogueish details about Paris make this a pleasant read" -- Publishers Weekly

"vivid novel of one woman's journey to find herself.... a beautiful look into the sights, sounds and smells of Paris." -- Love Romances

Readers will be taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with this story. I highly recommend Ms. Whitson's latest effort." -- Inspirational Romance Writers.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764229354
• ISBN-13: 978-0764229350
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #266,957 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Story About Personal Truths, November 22, 2005

By	FictionAddiction.NET - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Mary Davis, the widow of a wealthy older man who never understood her, stumbles upon a thought-provoking inscription while shopping. It says, "It's never too late to be what you might have been."

Soon after, Mary finds herself writing a letter to Jean-Marc, an old flame to whom an apology is due. She mails the letter to his parents' home in Italy, hoping that he will meet her in Paris on Christmas Eve. She packs and flies off to Paris after writing a quick note to her household staff.

Liz, Mary's difficult adult daughter, reads the note and makes plans to follow her mother to Paris to save her from herself. However, in Paris, Liz's mouse of a mom has turned into a free-spirited woman who is considering buying a motorcycle. Liz is accepting of this until she realizes Mary is planning to rendezvous with her first love.

Mother and daughter dance and wrestle their way through the minefield of secrets Mary can no longer avoid. Mary and Jean-Marc also dance, when still more secrets are revealed, forcing them both to consider how they should proceed.

This is a terrific story about personal truths and how decisions can take people down different roads. The main characters, Mary and Jean-Marc, are so likeable that the reader wants them to end up together.

As with any good story, Mary's daughter Liz assumes the role as the antagonist set on charging ahead before thinking. It is a well-blended story and a nice cast. Be on the lookout for a sequel novel that will be entitled A Hilltop in Tuscany.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A grand piano, a motorcycle, a sailing ship...wait for me!, December 14, 2005

By	Margo Carmichael (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Stephanie Grace Whitson has a wonderful, sometimes witty voice and tells a fascinating, satisfying story. Layer by layer, revelations peel away and we discover surprising facts about the real and likeable characters. And in the process, maybe we discover things about ourselves--who we are, who we would like to be.

Vivid descriptions slip in to make Paris a beautiful main character in this story about Mary Davis, a new widow of a certain age. Finding a motto on a plaque, she is inspired to go back to Paris to pursue old dreams. There she learns that with God's help, indeed, "It is never too late to be what you might have been."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, April 25, 2005

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

A Garden in Paris by Stephanie Grace Whitson is a poignant novel of acceptance and reconciliation.

After a lifetime of living for others, Mary Davis finds a framed motto at an antique market. It says, "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Mary decides that she must at least attempt to be what she might have been and free herself of the past that haunts her.

It is two years after her husband's death and the motto's simple statement offers her hope for the future. It also prompts her to write a letter that sets into motion a collision course with her past and present life.

Mary leaves for Paris following a disagreement with her only daughter, Elizabeth, who had always been "Daddy's girl." Through the family housekeeper, Elizabeth learns part of her mother's history - a history that her father would never allow her mother to live - and demanded that it be kept secret. Elizabeth learned that her beloved father cut her mother off from the very life she was born to live. And out of love and obligation, Mary did so.

It a rare act of spontaneity, Liz follows her mother to Paris where she attempts to reconcile with her mother, and there meets her own history face-to face, one she never imagined.

A Garden in Paris is a well-written novel that will keep you turning the pages and wanting more. It is, so far, my favorite 2005 Christian novel. The manner in which Whitson manages to incorporate faith into the story is ingenuous. I was thrilled to learn that there is a sequel to A Garden in Paris.