My Stylish French Girlfriends

Not only is this book beautiful on your cocktail table, each woman's story is inspirational and the photos are magnificent!

It is a pretty book to give girlfriends interested in decorating. I purchased one for myself and two for friends as gifts. I have yet to give them as they are Christmas gifts, so I sat to read what messages it sends before I give them. In each scenario of each of her friends, appreciation of her talent is the key and authenticity is the foundation. I believe her message is to be the best at who you are. And that's a good message to send in a pretty book filled with nifty rooms and gardens and work places of ladies who are all shapes and sizes and have different interests. Yes, they all seem privileged, but who is to fault beauty when many of them make their own living? Also, I gleaned some ideas of stylish, but simple, ways to dress for different occasions. I wish I had all these nifty friends and lived there, but I am happy for them and we do find models in all walks of life. It is on my coffeetable now and the others are Christmas gifts. Recommended for pleasure.

The author, Sharon Santoni, has a blog that I read periodically. She lives in the French countryside and this book offers a glimpse into the lives of her French girlfriends. The book is big; printed on really quality paper; photos are clear and crisp and obviously done by a professional. Each girlfriend is given anywhere from 4-8 pages and a brief history about how Sharon met them, what they do (e.g., artist, wedding dress designer, antiquarian, etc.), how they came about doing what they do, where they live, some family information, how they live their lives, and so on.It's a fun look at how other women live especially those who have money at their disposal. Although the book is filled with photographs, most of them seem to be page fillers -- vase of flowers on a table, landscape, tablesetting, books on a table....I guess I was expecting to see more "full" photos.Even if you do not read the author's blog, this book is a fun look at how we - women - are all the same no matter where we live.

I pre-ordered this book.I have followed Sharon's blog for several years. I love her posts about her French girlfriends. ( I have been twice to France in my lifetime. Not once did I have the opportunity to visit a French home.) I found contentment through the less staged images and lifestyles within the pages. Stylish kitchens need not have granite counter tops and grand cabinetry . . . a collage of paper lanterns can illuminate instead of a Stiffle . . . vintage keepsakes and new finds are artfully arranged to please the eye. The book is filled with style and inspiration. It is also a delightful read, just like Sharon's blog . . . a lovely place to connect with women all over the world.~Lynnew/L

The perfect gift for your girlfriends, stylish or not!I love this book.It's a gorgeous peek into the lives of successful French women with luscious photos of the French Countryside to boot.I have met Sharon Santoni in person, and she walks the walk.She really lives the French Country life.Her blog "My French Country Home" is a wonderful blog that takes you away from the daily grind of city life and lets you dream about what life in the country is like.I am giving this book to my NYC girlfriends for Christmas. It makes you want to hop on a plane and get out to Normandie. :)

The girlfriends all seem like fabulous people. The smiles were all of ladies comfortable in their own skins. The book did not really go into much depth. I can understand the comments about French women and their hair. They seem to go to so much trouble with everything else - homes, pedi, mani, fabulous shoes but in the land of L'Oreal hair products great cuts for even long hair seems to be missing for most. Don't mean they should have "helmet" hair.

I am usually a customer that waits for a book to get a few years old and then buy it second-hand but I took a chance on this one since I follow Sharon Santoni's blog "My French Country Home". I have enjoyed this book so much and I read a section each night just after climbing into bed. I am trying to make the enjoyment stretch as long as possible. It made me wonder what I would write about my sphere of friends. I never write reviews for books I purchase but I really like this one. Definitely a keeper for me.

I'm a huge fan of books related to French style and culture, fashion, curating a life well lived, etc. I love books like "Forever Chic" by Tish Jett, Jennifer L. Scott's "At Home with Madame Chic," and Jamie Cat Callen's lovely series like "Bonjour, Happiness." I devour the genre. Save your money on this one.I'm so disappointed in this book. Other reviewers have called it a series of "vignettes," but that is really too kind. This is a collection of tiny biographies and photographs which give little to no insight into the "Frenchness" -- or the style -- of her girlfriends. The biographies basically explain how the woman came to own whatever home she lives in and briefly explains what she does. There is nothing particularly French about it and certainly nothing stylish (which is the author's responsibility to point out, not the reader's responsibility to dig for in the photographs). Most annoying at the end were the "recommends" from each of the friends. No context for the most part, no idea why they recommended them, etc.I've never wanted to return a purchase before, but this one is a first. Save your money and get something with even a smidge more substance. I am left feeling as though she just wanted another way to monetize her blogging, and I certainly fell for it. :(