Clarke's tale of a Brit living in Paris for a year for work is fantastic, as it puts to rest many French stereotypes that us anglophones may have, though it leaves intact some of the best ones (some of those being stereotypes the French have of anglophones) and brings to light some new ones. Paul West, requisite ladies man, struggles with the beauties of France, but falls for a few, particularly Alexa, an artist. Their relationship is hilarious filled with misunderstandings (both of the Men are from Mars type, and French-English type). While Paul is in Paris he will be setting up a string of English tea rooms, and is saddled with a team of employees who are more interested in taking two hour lunch breaks (as is in the norm in France), having sex with other co workers, and leaving immediatly following lunch on Fridays. Will Paul settle on a name for the tea rooms? Will he get them up and running? Will he and Alexa work things out? And do the dogs really leave "merde" on the streets in France? This is a great book for those who've never been to France, and those who have. Hilarious, heartwarming and never judgemental..a book for francophones and anglophones alike!