Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of Natasha Sizlo’s memoir, All Signs Point to Paris.
Natasha Sizlo wants to find love. The forty-something divorced mother has recently disengaged from a steamy, yet tortured, off-again/on-again romance with a man who was not ready to commit, leaving Sizlo heart-broken. Two events align to send her to Paris. The first is the death of her beloved father, whom on his death bed, told his two daughters that his spirit would meet them in Paris. The second, is a psychic, who tells Sizlo that her soul mate is a man who was born in Paris on November 2, 1968.
Sizlo decides to take a chance both on love and on a psychic’s correct prediction, by not only planning a trip to Paris, but also putting herself on social media and dating sites, seeking men with those specific attributes. In Paris, with the help of her sister and a few friends, she dates several men and makes connections throughout the city. Sizlo discovers that although she may have trouble finding a romantic partner, her life does not lack for love and that it takes a community of people to fulfill ones needs.
I loved All Signs Point to Paris. At first, I was skeptical. I don’t believe in psychics, but the Sizlo does not force that belief on her readers. In fact, I think she is taking it with a grain of salt too. She is serious about the endeavor, but more with a “what do I have to lose, let’s take a chance,” type of attitude. The memoir is about the discoveries she makes regarding her relationship with her sister and friends and learning to love her life that already exists. At the end of the book, she has a lovely and very adult conversation with her former boyfriend, that I think everyone wishes they could have when finding closure with a relationship. A conversation to tie-up loose ends, but also honor that there was once love and something good, even if it is time to more forward.
The book is filled with all things Paris: the foods, the sights, the smells…a sensory delight. I’ve never been to Paris, but I felt like I was on the trip with Sizlo. I loved how so many locals took up her cause and engaged with her, especially an evening when women who were following her on social media met for drinks. Sizlo shares her experience in such a warm and open way, that she connects with strangers at every turn.
The flip side to this is in her efforts to connect with the French, she disengages with her sister and friends. Towards the end of the trip, Sizlo’s sister, who has been supportive, expresses her sadness at missing out on bonding time. As you might expect from a good story arc, even in non-fiction, Sizlo has a wake-up call and turns her attention to her sibling.
Sizlo is fabulous and I loved following her search for love in Paris. She has a fantastic Instagram page with pictures from the trip. I still don’t believe in psychics, but I do believe in following your heart and taking chances for love.
One final note, there is some fun bits for fans of Emily in Paris!
