"It’s bittersweet when shows like Bridgerton and Emily in Paris finally return, and then tease us with a mid-season break. In some ways I appreciate it, because it means I don’t have to wait until next year for new episodes. In the case of the latest season of Emily in Paris, we’re looking at September 12 for Part 2 to drop. That’s a whole month without Emily, Mindy, Camille, and friends to delight us with the fashion, drama, and social media marketing moments that Emily has become known for.
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Personally, I love Emily in Paris because it’s an easy watch that leaves me feeling lighthearted and inspired. It’s the perfect combination of romantic, funny, and sometimes frustrating, but I also feel invested in the characters, which is why it’s so hard to wait for the second half of the season. While other shows might not ever be quite the same as Emily in Paris, we can turn to books to fill the void until Part 2 graces our Netflix accounts. Read on for some books that will give you the same feelings that Emily in Paris does:
There’s no better way to get more from a series than by reading a book that’s specifically written to go with it. This companion book to Emily in Paris follows the story from the perspective of Emily Cooper’s diary. It’s basically Bridget Jones’ Diary meets Emily in Paris, and adds a new dimension to all the events you’ve already seen on the show, plus some new surprises. In the book, Emily also adds her own fashion, romance, and travel advice for anyone that’s inspired to follow in her footsteps and travel to Paris.
For all the travel lovers, this book delightfully takes place throughout Ireland, Italy, and France. It follows the story of 30-year-old Chelsea Martin, who has recently lost her mother to cancer and now works in fundraising for cancer research. When Chelsea’s father announces he’s getting remarried, she realizes she hasn’t been living her life to the fullest since her mother died. To reignite her sense of self, she decides to take a trip abroad to visit the last places she was truly happy. In each place, Chelsea reunites with three former lovers and explores the cities she once loved. It’s got Eat Pray Love vibes, but with a modern twist.
The author of this book, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, is a French writer based in the United States, so she knows how to tap into both cultures. The book follows professional ballerina Mia, who aims to dance at the Paris Opera just like one of her ancestors did. Mia travels to Paris to study ballet, and encounters a rival and an incredibly demanding dance instructor, both of which give me Center Stage vibes. But of course, since Paris is the City of Love, Mia unexpectedly encounters a love interest during her studies. As they get closer, Mia starts to gain a new perspective on the city and her life.
Even though Emily in Paris is set in the modern day, I had to add an option for the historical fiction lovers out there. I adore stories that take place over several generations. This book takes place during two significant years in Paris history, moving between 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, and 1946, during World War II. The story in 1870 revolves around a wealthy heiress named Lisette who gives up her fortune to join the fight for Paris and opens her own bakery. In 1946, the story follows 19-year-old Micheline, who is raising her two younger siblings and enrolls in a prestigious baking academy. The connection between the two women as they face hardships in different eras is the heart of the story.
This is yet another book set in Paris, because really there can never be too many stories that take place in the City of Love. This story follows Stella, who receives an inheritance and a one-way ticket to Paris after the death of her estranged mother. Due to her childhood experiences, Stella has always been cautious with her choices and frugal with her finances. When she goes to Paris, she by chance finds a Dior dress in a French vintage shop, and buying it sparks a series of events that lead her to take risks and live her best life. For anyone that needs inspiration to change things up in your life, this is the book for you.
This book also takes place in—you guessed it—Paris. It tells the story of Whitney, a playwright and theater nerd who idolizes the iconic dancer, singer, actress, and civil rights activist, Josephine Baker. Whitney sets out on an adventure in Paris to follow in Baker’s footsteps and gain inspiration for her own work as a playwright and director. Like Emily, she initially struggles to fit in in France, but eventually finds her footing as she develops her creative instincts and discovers new and surprising inspiration through love.
Perhaps best known for her Shopaholic series, Sophie Kinsella has a wide-array of books for anyone who loves rom-coms. While this story doesn’t take place in France, it does provide a will-they-won’t-they love triangle that Emily in Paris fans will recognize. In the book, Poppy is just about to get married to the love of her life, but accidentally loses her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill. She doesn’t find the ring, but instead finds an abandoned phone, whose owner does not appreciate that she read his text messages. What follows is a wild caper in which Poppy juggles wedding prep and the stranger who belongs to the phone.
This book by Amy Lea is part one of a three-part Influencer series that taps into the world of careers in social media, like Emily in Paris does. It tells the story of Chrystal Chen, who built her influencer portfolio by focusing on themes of body positivity and shattering gym stereotypes. Her world is upended when a firefighter named Scott Ritchie joins her gym, and the two develop a competitive spirit. When they run into each other at their grandparents’ engagement party of all places, things get complicated. Honestly, this story has everything I look for in a rom-com: frenemies turned lovers, plot twists, and more.
This one is for the readers who love Emily in Paris because of the wanderlust it inspires. Instead of France, this book is set in the dreamy landscape of the Galápagos Islands. It revolves around main character Henley Evans, who works as a marketing manager for a cruise line. A promotion is on the line, and she’s tasked with providing a proposal to help boost sales to the Galápagos. Unfortunately, she’s competing with her ultimate work nemesis. The two are forced to set sail together to compete for the promotion, and sparks fly.
This is another book that’s the first in a three-part series called The Greene Sisters. The main character, Lily Greene, is described as shy, bookish, and admittedly awkward. Much like Emily, Lily is searching for an escape when her life and career are not going as planned. The story gives Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail vibes when Lily starts an ongoing correspondence with her favorite fantasy author, who eventually ghosts her after they’ve become close. She’s also dealing with her attractive neighbor, who she feels drawn to for reasons she can’t explain. In a mysterious and delightful way, this book will keep you guessing until the end.
Much like Emily in Paris is for viewers, Emily Henry books have become known for being excellent reads for vacation and relaxation time. This book is one that will inspire travel dreams and satisfy rom-com lovers at the same time. It tells the story of Poppy and Alex, who were best friends that survived a car crash in college. Poppy lives in NYC and Alex lives in their hometown, but they go on a week-long vacation together every summer, until they have a falling out. Years later, Poppy invites Alex to go on one more vacation together to see if they can reignite their friendship, this time to iconic Palm Springs.
Some of the best moments in Emily in Paris arrive when fate aligns to challenge Emily in her career, her love life, and her friendships at the same time. This book by Kate Spencer highlights all of these challenges, starting with one very bad day. The story follows Franny, who has just been laid off and on her way home has an awkward encounter with an attractive stranger on the NYC subway. The encounter gets recorded and posted online, and suddenly the two are trending as #SubwayQTs. In real life, the two are a disastrous match, but fate will bring them back together and challenge each of them in turn.
Michelle Lema, Contributing Entertainment Writer
Michelle is a Los Angeles-based writer, performer, and on-camera host. She has worked in editorial and on-camera entertainment coverage with brands like Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. She’s been covering Entertainment at The Everygirl, from Bridgerton to zodiac, since 2023.