BLAME IT ON PARIS

The course of true love runs snoozily smoothly between an American woman and a Frenchman.

Cité Universitaire grad student Laura claims to hate her new hometown—which is weird, since she also says that life in Paris is wonderful. She loves the classes she takes and the grassy campus they’re held on; she’s amassed a supportive group of international friends; and she is quickly becoming a bona-fide gastronome, sampling divine French chocolates at every opportunity. While dining one night at her favorite bistro, Laura takes note of an attractive French waiter. Though she assumes he’s unattainable, she leaves him her number and an invitation to a party. Much to her surprise, he calls, and the two begin a whirlwind romance. The early bumps in Laura and Sébastien’s relationship are relatively insignificant: He quickly wants to call her his girlfriend while she still isn’t sure, his friends talk about his ex-girlfriends, etc. The more time they spend together, the more Laura realizes that her waiter crush could turn serious. She delays her departure from Paris for several months, but eventually must return to Georgia. Despite the distance, their love flourishes. After several months, Sébastien comes to visit and meet her family; while there, he proposes. Laura loves him, but she’s hesitant, worrying that they haven’t known each other long enough. More importantly, Sébastien’s career options in the States are limited, and she’s not sure she wants to move back to France. The couple engage in countless conversations on the subject, make the inevitable compromises and live happily ever after. Epigraphs suggest that this is based on Florand’s own life, but real romances this happy-go-lucky tend to bore everyone but the two in question—and this one is no exception.

Tensionless, witless and ultimately pointless.