Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl

"I read this in a few nights and loved it. I felt like it was a great girly chat with a female friend. A little bit of gossip a chat about fashion and beauty. Wash it all down with a sense of humour. Nothing to fear or get uptight about. "
~ Written on 2008-03-13

"I really enjoyed reading this book, it is really very good, it gives you lots of tips about how to be stylish whilst still being your own person. It advises on etiquiette in most situations that will also lead you seamlessley through life in England.

It advises you about how to keep slim and yet enjoy life. How to be stylish and yet keep things simple. It has one quote that is really therapy for the soul "work is what you do, it does not define you".

I would recommend it to anyone, I read it in 4 days but that is because it is hard to put down! It is excellent value, my Mum and sister have queued up to read it next! "
~ Written on 2007-03-12

"The author of the book is american - and yes it makes a difference.

An awful lot of her "observations" are about europeans: the history, travel etc. Still more of her "thoughts" are very stylised: all french women come from chateux in the country and have tiny but beautiful apartments overlooking the Champs Elyses.

I thought that two lipsticks was a much better read..."
~ Written on 2006-07-26

"My origin is half French, I spend most of my time in France and my best friends are either French or Swiss French. At first I was shocked to discover how very French I actually turn out to be as described in the book, and how the traditions and values that I've been bequeathed are very French too. But then the word "archetypal" is mentioned in the proloque and you'd better bear in mind all throughout your reading that this book is more about the ideal French woman and how to bring out the archetypal French woman in you rather than a description of what French women actually are like. Though many of my friends and acquaintances fit into the French girl description, I know scores of French women who are nosey, frumpy, tacky and gauche as anybody under the sun. Especially if you've never been to France, don't be misled: this book is full of the typical prejudices and stereotypes about the French women as seen through the gawking eyes of the American outsider who thinks the grass is always greener in Gaulle. There are also some mistakes in the book, like ascribing Madame de Pompadour as Louis XIV's lover (she was Louis XV's) and the fact that other women reviewed as favourite French girls (Anaïs Nin, Catherine de Medici, Marie Antoinette or Pauline de Rothschild) are not even French. Anyway, the book makes interesting beach reading. The prose is feisty, fast-paced and you'll find the book hard to put down."
~ Written on 2005-11-16

"A generous and graceful tribute from an American girl to her French friends. Ms Ollivier wants us to celebrate the very best of French style, poise and worldliness and gives us examples of their best exponents. She tactfully minimises the less enchanting aspects of everyday French life, such as flowery wallpaper on every possible surface including doors, truly dreadful plumbing, and habitual irritability. Instead she praises French fashion, both the classic variety and its quirkier offshoots, suggests some very good films to watch, books to read and food to eat (and, of course, cook), and gives us a sensitive insight into national attitudes to life and love. The result is a delight for anyone who enjoys France. But do read Madame Dariaux first - Elegance or Men or both - for the real thing."
~ Written on 2005-07-26