This finely wrought debut novel tells a Cinderella story of sorts about an unhappy thirtysomething woman who manages to turn her disastrous life around. Louise Canova hails from Pittsburgh but is currently living in London with her actor husband. Louise has severe self-esteem problems, a budding eating disorder, a complete lack of interest in any activity, and a growing sense that something isn't right with her marriage. One day, while browsing in a used bookstore, she comes across a style manual entitled Elegance, penned by a doyenne of Parisian style and grace. Captivated by the advice in the book, Louise begins to dress better (no more Birkenstocks and shapeless dresses), work out regularly, and sleep less, and she seeks more attention and respect from her husband. Tessaro is a skillful writer, and in her capable hands this subject receives the respect it deserves, with dark undertones from Louise's past rearing up unexpectedly throughout the story. Readers will enjoy following this harrowing journey of self-discovery, renewal, and reinvention to its uplifting conclusion.

One of the better chick lit books. Louise needs help -- in a passionless marriage, with no joy in her life, she turns to a book, then to the counsel of friends to find a way to live a life that is elegant -- elegant in that she feels accepted, desired and certain of her actions.

An enjoyable chick lit read, I finished it in just a couple of hours. More bad language than I prefer, but I was pleased to find that unlike most chick lit, there was no sex in this book at all.

Want to find the answers to life in a second hand bookstore - Elegance did that for Louise Canova. Small servings of angst, laughter, lively mishaps, intimate details, voyeurs in a lingerie store fitting room, English country weekends all come together to take life down a new turn. Classic? Standards that never change - nice to know that some things never do.

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Absolutely loved this book! I read it in a couple of hours. I could not stop the reading. It is a British Chick Lit and very usual. I was ready to find the Elegance.

So cute and I love how Tessaro involved a real etiquette book that I HAD to wishlist once I had finished this one!

Cute story- sort of fizzled at the end-

Bridget Jones gets a makeover.

Unhappy with her life, Louise Canova picks up a used out of print copy of Elegance, an A to Z manual from a French fashion expert, Madame Dariaux. Fabulous read!

Really cute

Nice beach or holiday read.

A Cinderella story of sorts about an unhappy thirtysomething woman who manages to turn her disastrous life around. Louise Canova hails from Pittsburgh but is currently living in London with her actor husband. Louise has severe self-esteem problems, a budding eating disorder, a complete lack of interest in any activity, and a growing sense that something isn't right with her marriage. One day, while browsing in a used bookstore, she comes across a style manual entitled Elegance, penned by a doyenne of Parisian style and grace. Captivated by the advice in the book, Louise begins to dress better (no more Birkenstocks and shapeless dresses), work out regularly, and sleep less, and she seeks more attention and respect from her husband.

You must read the book to learn more.

pleasant/pleasing book about a woman searching for her personal style as she reshapes her life following a divorce, well written, slightly shallow, but fun

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