06/21/2019
France's Côte d'Azur and the original "wedding of the century"—the 1956 nuptials of American actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco—are the setting for this jewel of a novel by the authors of Last Christmas in Paris. The intermingled narratives of Sophie Duval, a struggling French perfumer; James Henderson, a British press photographer; and the future Princess Grace of Monaco conjure a heady blend of romance, tragedy, and period detail. When Grace Kelly pops into Sophie's shop in order to escape the pursuing paparazzi at the Cannes Film Festival, they start a friendship that will last a lifetime. James Henderson, one of the pursuers, follows Grace into the shop and is smitten with the charming and clever Sophie, who has hidden the actress in her office. Their friendship and eventual romance, too, will endure a long time. VERDICT A sparkling tale that will delight Francophiles and fans of historical fiction alike. These characters are engaging and expertly drawn, and their story is as evocative as the lingering traces of a fine eau de parfum. [See Prepub Alert, 1/7/19.]—Carolyn M. Mulac, Chicago
05/06/2019
With glamour, perfume, and romance, Gaynor and Webb’s second collaborative novel (after Last Christmas in Paris) is a scrumptious concoction served up with delectable descriptions and heaps of emotion. James Henderson, scrabbling by as a tabloid photographer in 1955 London, is 35, divorced, and uncertain in his parenting skills. Visiting Cannes, he ignominiously fails to snap a red carpet photo of Grace Kelly; while chasing down the elusive star, he follows her into the shop of 33-year-old Sophie Duval, a second-generation parfumeur, whose livelihood is on the brink. Grace gains sanctuary, Sophie gains an influential client, and Jim negotiates access to a photo op between Grace and Prince Rainier. His irate editor fires him anyway, freeing Jim to pursue the photos that interest him—and reconnect with the “intriguing” Frenchwoman who thwarted him. Sophie, meanwhile, must navigate the demands of her widowed, alcoholic mother and businessman boyfriend as she tries to parlay Grace’s patronage into new life for her business. Jim’s occasional reappearances warm Sophie’s heart but distract her from her goals. He is in love, yet constantly tugged homeward by ties to family and friends. Sweet, then bitter, then sweet again, the love story is woven through with Grace’s fairy-tale romance with Rainier and its devastating ending , snatching redemption from tragedy in the best Hollywood style. Agent: Michelle Brower, Aevitas Creative Management. (July)
...a fragrant French bonbon of a book: love, glamour, perfume, and paparazzi all circling around the wedding of the century....” — Kate Quinn, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Alice Network
“An enchanting novel...Gaynor & Webb weave a wonderful tale of love and loss, graced with the scents of perfumes, magnificent vistas and characters you will not soon forget. A delight for Francophiles, perfumistas, filmbuffs, and everyone who loves a good cry and happy ending.” — MJ Rose, New York Times bestselling author
“Webb and Gaynor’s latest collaboration is a historical fiction home run. The duo brings to life a vivid, engaging heroine, a glorious Côte d’Azur setting, and the ultimate princess, Grace Kelly. MEET ME IN MONACO is smart, romantic, and heartbreaking, and the tale captivates from the start.” — Michelle Gable, New York Times bestselling author of A Paris Apartment
“...Meet Me in Monaco is a sweeping novel that will carry you away on a grand adventure. Gaynor and Webb bring the senses alive as the reader is transported back in time and becomes a guest at the...wedding... An enchanting read.” — Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author
“Meet Me in Monaco offers a fabulous you-are-there glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous—and real. From Grace Kelly’s royal ‘wedding of the century’ to the luxe lifestyles on the Riviera and in Paris and New York, this novel swept me away.” — Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of American Duchess and It Girls
“A glorious, glamorous summer read! ...The evocation of the 1956 wedding of the year is so sumptuous you feel you are there amongst the glitterati, sipping fine champagne and inhaling the scent of Coeur de Princesse.” — Gill Paul, bestselling author of The Secret Wife
“... a spellbinding historical romance...MEET ME IN MONACO is a tale of first, missed, and second chances–of relatable women and men trying to make good lives for themselves in spite of difficult circumstances. It is a fairy tale...with an enchanting, fascinating fairy godmother: Grace Kelly.” — Erika Robuck, national bestselling author of Hemingway’s Girl
“Everyone from shop owners to paparazzi and movie stars arrive in glamorous Monaco against the backdrop of Grace Kelly’s ‘Wedding of the Century’ to Prince Rainier. A delightful beach read.” — New York Post
“…A scrumptious concoction served up with delectable descriptions and heaps of emotion. Sweet, then bitter, then sweet again, the love story is woven through with Grace’s fairy-tale romance with Rainier and its devastating ending , snatching redemption from tragedy in the best Hollywood style.” — Publishers Weekly
“What would it be like to be friends with Grace Kelly? Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb imagine it in Meet Me in Monaco, which is an utter delight...From Grace’s lavish wedding to Sophie’s own blossoming romance, this book is a total treat.” — Popsugar
“...it’d be no surprise to see Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb delivering another bestseller...The true treasure in this novel is the masterful craftmanship of this powerful duo of female authors who weave together a page-turning narrative through the sensory-rich creations of a parfumeur.” — BookTrib
“Meet Me in Monaco is a riveting, enchanting novel...A great love story full of suspense and more twists and turns than a hilly road in Monaco.” — Jeanne Mackin, author of The Last Collection
...Meet Me in Monaco is a sweeping novel that will carry you away on a grand adventure. Gaynor and Webb bring the senses alive as the reader is transported back in time and becomes a guest at the...wedding... An enchanting read.
Everyone from shop owners to paparazzi and movie stars arrive in glamorous Monaco against the backdrop of Grace Kelly’s ‘Wedding of the Century’ to Prince Rainier. A delightful beach read.
... a spellbinding historical romance...MEET ME IN MONACO is a tale of first, missed, and second chances–of relatable women and men trying to make good lives for themselves in spite of difficult circumstances. It is a fairy tale...with an enchanting, fascinating fairy godmother: Grace Kelly.
Meet Me in Monaco offers a fabulous you-are-there glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous—and real. From Grace Kelly’s royal ‘wedding of the century’ to the luxe lifestyles on the Riviera and in Paris and New York, this novel swept me away.
A glorious, glamorous summer read! ...The evocation of the 1956 wedding of the year is so sumptuous you feel you are there amongst the glitterati, sipping fine champagne and inhaling the scent of Coeur de Princesse.
...a fragrant French bonbon of a book: love, glamour, perfume, and paparazzi all circling around the wedding of the century....
An enchanting novel...Gaynor & Webb weave a wonderful tale of love and loss, graced with the scents of perfumes, magnificent vistas and characters you will not soon forget. A delight for Francophiles, perfumistas, filmbuffs, and everyone who loves a good cry and happy ending.
Webb and Gaynor’s latest collaboration is a historical fiction home run. The duo brings to life a vivid, engaging heroine, a glorious Côte d’Azur setting, and the ultimate princess, Grace Kelly. MEET ME IN MONACO is smart, romantic, and heartbreaking, and the tale captivates from the start.
What would it be like to be friends with Grace Kelly? Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb imagine it in Meet Me in Monaco, which is an utter delight...From Grace’s lavish wedding to Sophie’s own blossoming romance, this book is a total treat.
Meet Me in Monaco is a riveting, enchanting novel...A great love story full of suspense and more twists and turns than a hilly road in Monaco.
...it’d be no surprise to see Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb delivering another bestseller...The true treasure in this novel is the masterful craftmanship of this powerful duo of female authors who weave together a page-turning narrative through the sensory-rich creations of a parfumeur.
Everyone from shop owners to paparazzi and movie stars arrive in glamorous Monaco against the backdrop of Grace Kelly’s ‘Wedding of the Century’ to Prince Rainier. A delightful beach read.
