So many things can get in the way of a new bride's happiness on her honeymoon: jealousy, expectations, her new husband. I know, because on my very own honeymoon in Paris, in 1984, I suffered under similar illusions as JoJo Moyes' characters. I foolishly expected my husband to be devoted to me above all else. I foolishly became jealous of his past loves. I was young and foolish, period. So it was quite reassuring to read of similar brides in this novella, although one was from the 21st century and the other from the 20th.
Edouard and Sophie are a couple from 1912. He is a painter who has had amorous relationships with his models and other attractive women before his marriage to Sophie. This instills an intense jealousy in his new bride who wonders what he sees in her. David and Olivia are a couple from 2012. He is an excellent businessman who has made several meetings over his honeymoon in Paris. With each new appointment, Sophie feels less significant to him in comparison to the potential clients.
Perhaps many honeymoons suffer under a certain condition of not being able to live up to what is expected of them. For by my second honeymoon in 2001 I was a much more realistic bride. As for Moyes' characters, one wonders if these new brides will abandon their new husbands before the marriage ever has a chance to move beyond the honeymoon. In Paris.
I read Honeymoon in Paris for Paris in July. It is an utterly charming read which precedes JoJo Moyes' latest book, The Girl You Left Behind, to be published August 20, 2013.
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