Paris Is Always a Good Idea
Since losing her mother seven years ago, Chelsea Martin has traded her free spirit for structure and a demanding job as a top fundraiser. When her father suddenly announces his engagement to a woman he has known for two weeks, Chelsea decides to recapture the reckless romance of her youth by retracing her post-college trip and revisiting the men she met in Ireland, France, and Italy. While she is abroad, her annoyingly capable coworker and rival, Jason Knightley, needs her help on a huge project, and their calls become the part of the day she looks forward to most. A breezy, travel-filled romance about grief, second looks, and finding love where you least expect it.
About This Book
Paris Is Always a Good Idea is a contemporary romance novel by Jenn McKinlay, first published in 2020 by Berkley. It runs 352 pages. Readers can expect rivals to lovers.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Rivals to Lovers
- Length
- 352 pages
- Format
- Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get Paris Is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- To escape a looming family change, a grieving woman retraces a past European trip only to find herself falling for the rival coworker she left behind.
- Fans of travel-based romances
- Readers who enjoy workplace banter
- Wanderlust
- Features Rivals to Lovers
This may not be ideal if…
- Potential for the long-distance aspect to dilute the romantic tension if not handled with high chemistry
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Equal standing as coworkers.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult contemporary romance readers.
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Seven years after the loss of her mother, Chelsea Martin has abandoned her spontaneous nature for a structured life as a fundraiser. When her father blindsides her with news of his engagement to a woman he barely knows, Chelsea impulsively decides to recreate her post-college trek through Ireland, France, and Italy. As she navigates her personal journey, she finds herself collaborating remotely on a major project with Jason Knightley, a coworker she has always considered an annoying rival. However, as their distance grows, their daily calls become a source of comfort and growing attraction.
Central Conflict
Chelsea struggles with unresolved grief and the desire to escape her current life, while balancing her burgeoning long-distance connection with a professional rival.
Setting
Ireland, France, Italy, and a corporate office environment.
Strengths
- Strong premise combining travel with professional rivalry
- Emotional grounding in the protagonist's grief
Consider before reading
- Potential for the long-distance aspect to dilute the romantic tension if not handled with high chemistry
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Jenn McKinlay
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Berkley
- Format
- Paperback
- Length
- 352 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780593101353
Paris Is Always a Good Idea: quick answers
- Who wrote Paris Is Always a Good Idea?
- Paris Is Always a Good Idea was written by Jenn McKinlay.
- When was Paris Is Always a Good Idea published?
- Paris Is Always a Good Idea was first published in 2020 by Berkley.
- What genre is Paris Is Always a Good Idea?
- Paris Is Always a Good Idea is a contemporary romance novel, with rivals to lovers.
- How many pages is Paris Is Always a Good Idea?
- Paris Is Always a Good Idea is 352 pages long (Paperback).
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Paris Is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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