Paris Was the Place

By Susan Conley
Alfred A. Knopf, $26.95, 354 pages

When I first grabbed, Paris Was the Place, by Susan Conley, I must admit it took me a while to get going with the story, but once it took hold of me, it didn’t let go. I loved all the characters that I met along the way. Also the beautiful Parisian and French scenery was an added bonus, almost another character in itself. As I was reading, it made me want to go visit someday. We meet, Willow Pears, an American poetry professor who is brought in to help young girls who have been placed in an asylum center, awaiting freedom, which come from all over the world. As the story progress, Willow becomes more than a friend to one of the young girls, risking not only her job, but also others whom she loves and loves her. Her consequences are huge, but Willow wants to see this girl have a chance at freedom. We also meet her family; a brother Luke, and a widowed father. Conley also examines Willow’s family, one that was once whole and is now in chaos and gives reason as to why Willow is the way she is. I think it will be hard for one to stop reading this book once you start going. I thoroughly enjoyed it myself. A great first novel for Ms. Conley.

Reviewed by Annie Hicks[amazon text=Buy On Amazon&asin=0307594076][amazon text=Buy On Amazon&template=carousel&asin=0307594076]