In this evocative and emotional novel, a young woman bravely crosses continents on a journey of discovery to the vibrant bohemian scene in Paris, determined to make a life for herself as an artist.
Paris, 1949: As the train pulls into the Gare de Lyon in a cloud of steam, young art student Jasmine Barrington alights and the rush of nerves takes her by surprise: a surge of excitement mixed with fear.
Revelling in her freedom, Jasmine throws herself into her studies at the prestigious Beaux Arts school by day, inspired by her handsome and charismatic teacher, Lachlan, and discovers the smoky cafés and bars of the left bank by night.
But even as she falls in love with the city of light, following in the footsteps of former students she reveres, like Renoir and Degas, is far from easy. Under the discipline of the classical training she finds her creative spirit crushed and seeks comfort in the letters she receives from her home island of Penang.
Howard, the man to whom she owes her life, writes of the daily dangers of the Malayan Emergency back home and longs to hear her news, hoping that she might one day return to Penang, and to him.
Torn between the world she's always known, and her chance to discover who she is as an artist, can Jasmine find the courage to follow her heart?
From the starry nights of post-war Paris to the war-torn jungle of the Malayan peninsula, this heartrending story of love and loss is a must-read for fans of Fiona Valpy, Rhys Bowen and Kristin Hannah.
Readers are utterly captivated by Jasmine in Paris:
"Oh my goodness! Historical fiction with lots of grit! Suspense! Romance! Heart-breaking and heart-soaring!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Adored the entire Penang series... beautifully written." Liza Perrat, author of Lake of Echoes, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Compelling and moving... Enchanting. I couldn't put it down." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"SO GLAD I READ THIS. The storyline is page-turning, while vivid and atmospheric descriptions of Paris made one feel actually there." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Had me gripped from start to finish. I found myself immersed in the story and couldn't put the book down... hooked from page one. A real page-turner." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Beautifully written. I laughed and cried and wanted it to go on and on." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"An exceptional read... Amazing." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Mesmerizing... Best book so far in this series." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A vivid evocation of post-war Paris seen through the eyes of a vulnerable young art student, hungry for love and experience. An emotional coming-of-age story." Linda Gillard, author of The Memory Tree andHouse of Silence, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Brilliant... I loved this." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Fabulous." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
