Paris My Sweet
by Amy Thomas
Sourcebooks (e-book)

The praluline brioche from Pralus Chocolatier in the Marais; the petite strawberry Coeur cake from Coquelicot in Montmartre. These and other decadent treats were Amy Thomas' sustenance (and research subjects) in Paris, where in 2008 she was offered a job as a copywriter for Louis Vuitton. 'What Louboutin-loving, Coco-worshipping, macaron addict' wouldn't want to up sticks to live in the city of lights, she writes. Single, 36 years old, a 'sweet freak' who had written a newspaper column and blog under that name, the New Yorker figured why not work in a foreign city, learn a new language and do what generations of Americans in Paris have done: write about their great awakening. In her case the city proved a culinary eye-opener although this is spoiled by the fact that writing a book about her being a 'pastry doyenne' was always at the back of her mind. She made the move hoping to land a book contract and because of visions of meeting a tarte tatin prince, she admits towards the end. Readers will enjoy her enthusiasm for her chocolates, less so her search for love.