Petite Anglaise - Catherine Sanderson

Living in Paris with her partner, the workaholic Mr Frog, and their adorable toddler, Tadpole, Catherine decides to alleviate the boredom of her routine by starting a blog under the name of Petite Anglaise. As she lays herself bare about the confines of her stagnant relationship with Mr Frog, about Paris life and about the wonder and pain that comes with being a mother, she finds a new purpose to her day. As Petite Anglaise, Catherine regains her confidence and makes internet friends, including one charismatic and single Englishman who lives in Brittany, James. And after meeting James one evening in a bar, Catherine feels she has regained her ability to fall in love, too.


This novel was not as bad as i first expected, but was not great either. I picked it up as an easy chick lit to read, and that is what it was - you could easily read this book at the beach or in a cafe then throw it once you were done with it. The novel followed the normal conventions of a chick lit and was written the same as every other book of its genre.  Their was nothing that stood out in this book or was unique or different.  The plot carried the course i expected and was predictable.

This book, being set in france, felt very english, you got none of the french culture seeping through despite her trying to live and work in Paris.  Sanderson also would throw in random french sayings which were odd, out of context and somewhat annoying as unless you know french (my knowledge is school french) it put you off reading.  They didn't seem to be related to anything or add anything to the story, and it felt as if Sanderson knew a few french phrases and threw them into the novel where she could.

The main character was boring, whiny and you could not really warm to her.  The situation seemed false and the emotions felt forced.  She got what she deserved and it should have ended their but Sanderson felt the need to tack on a happy ending regardless to round this novel off.  I wouldn't recommend this book unless you find it for free and are very very bored. Their are much more worthy chick lits.