Meet Me in Monaco

A Novel of Grace Kelly's Royal Wedding

By: Hazel Gaynor, Heather Webb

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson, Jeremy Arthur

Set in the 1950s against the backdrop of Grace Kelly’s whirlwind romance and glamourous wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco, New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb take the reader on an evocative sun-drenched journey along the Côte d’Azur in this page-turning novel of passion, fate, and second-chances.

Movie stars and paparazzi flock to Cannes for the glamorous film festival, but Grace Kelly, the biggest star of all, wants only to escape from the flash-bulbs. When struggling perfumer Sophie Duval shelters Miss Kelly in her boutique, fending off a persistent British press photographer, James Henderson, a bond is forged between the two women and sets in motion a chain of events that stretches across thirty years of friendship, love, and tragedy.

James Henderson cannot forget his brief encounter with Sophie Duval. Despite his guilt at being away from his daughter, he takes an assignment to cover the wedding of the century, sailing with Grace Kelly’s wedding party on the SS Constitution from New York. In Monaco, as wedding fever soars and passions and tempers escalate, James and Sophie—like Princess Grace—must ultimately decide what they are prepared to give up for love.

Pleasant but predictable

I liked the historical backdrop and the lovely setting of Monoco, but the story was oh-so predictable.

Engaging and Bittersweet

This is an evocative escape to another time and beautiful place. It’s the perfect distraction for a dark winter week. Credit worthy!

Good story, uneventful. Easy listen.

Story development was slow, characters were developed and emotional conflicts made but not resolved. Sophie longed for her mother’s approval, or recognition but……… the story trails off. Other details also could have been further developed.

Enchante

one of the most delightful books I have ever read. I wish I could smell the perfume.

Great story, but disappointing ending.

I loved the story up until the ending. I so imagined them reconnecting once his daughter recovered, he & his daughter moving to France near Sophie, James pursuing his love of photography landscapes and Sophie slowing teaching James’ daughter the business since she already had a love of science. I also would have liked more details of her business’ success. Great story, but ending came up short and flat.