I bought 'My Paris Dream' in Australia back in January but I have saved it until now as I wanted to have it fresh in my brain for when I go to Paris in September. I read the entire book on my week-long trip to Paris in June of this year. I whizzed through this read and got through about half of it on the Eurostar over. I did have to pace myself with this book as I had only brought one novel with me on my holiday!

While the pink book cover and the title may make this account seem feminine and bright, in reality the negatives of Betts' life are not sugarcoated at all. The writing is very personal, so much so that it almost makes you feel as if you are intruding into Betts' diary entries. I liked how sincerity was put alongside humour and how the author laughed at her younger self.

Being in a similar position to young Kate Betts, having just left school and on a quest to "find myself", some moments in the novel did frighten me. Betts' comments on how her 'Dream' was not all unicorns and rainbows, documenting her daily struggles and homesickness, worried me a little but I am hugely grateful that she was so honest about her time there.

The fashion side of her story really struck a chord with me. Kate Betts' inside knowledge of the industry fascinated me. I loved how she kept name dropping designers such as Christian Lacroix and Karl Lagerfeld as being some of her closest friends. One scene that I particularly liked (and chuckled to myself about!) was Kate Betts' relationship with Christian Louboutin. You'll have to read it for yourself to find out what I mean...

A particular moment that I would like to mention is Betts' account of one of her meetings with Yves Saint Laurent. This scene is so beautifully written, opening up a side to Saint Laurent that you wouldn't know about unless you spoke to someone who knew him personally. I feel that now I have read this book, I know some of fashion's greatest secrets.

I did really enjoy this book but it does not quite make 5 stars in my ratings. 1. I am pretty fussy, I'm not going to lie, and 2. I was disappointed that Betts made it seem like she'd "made it" in life despite only being 51 years old when the book was first published. I felt that she had learned more in her life in Paris than just how to be successful in terms of her career. As the novel progressed, I just found that something didn't quite fit. There is plenty more in life than fashion and career but I guess that's the difference is between a Memoir and an autobiography.

I normally do not enjoy memoirs but this was the exception. As a fellow francophile and someone who loves fashion I devoured this book. Her anecdotes about some of fashions most famous players were my favorite parts although I did feel some of the stories were watered down (maybe to protect the innocent).

OK look at young woman’s journey to Paris and to adulthood. Kate Betts’ plan of a one-year stay in Paris stretches into several as she works her way up from office jobs into editorial positions at Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

I’m not this into fashion.

Just when I think I have 'foreigner in France' memoir fatigue I stumble across this little gem. A nice balance of the author's life in Paris in the 80s and 90s, fashion history and an insiders look at magazine publishing. I loved the brief mentions of the beginnings of a couple of my favourite Parisian institutions, Jean Luc Poujauran's first boulangerie and Alain Passard in his first years at L'Arpege.

Paris envy yet again.

This is a re-read, and i loved it just as much as the first time. Relating to a lot of the trials of beong young in a country other then your own. Always love the glimpse into the fashion, and around france. Easy reading, nothing too heavy or unexpected from the back of the book.

I'm not that into fashion, but I really enjoyed reading about her ascent into the Parisian fashion industry. It's a coming of age/fashion/Francophile mashup and full of great stories.

I found this book so charming and enjoyable. It was a perfect book for spring/ upcoming summer.

I normally do not enjoy memoirs but this was the exception. As a fellow francophile and someone who loves fashion I devoured this book. Her anecdotes about some of fashions most famous players were my favorite parts although I did feel some of the stories were watered down (maybe to protect the innocent).