Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau’s debut adult novel, The French Honeymoon, arrives as a deliberately claustrophobic thriller that transforms the romantic ideal of Parisian newlywed bliss into something far more sinister. The novel opens with Taylor Quinn alone in a Parisian hotel suite, clutching stolen cash but missing both her suitcase and her husband – an immediately compelling hook that promises the kind of twisted revelations that make pages turn themselves.
Jouhanneau, a bilingual French author who has previously penned novels and nonfiction for teens, demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of psychological manipulation in her first foray into adult fiction. The story operates as a modern reimagining of Émile Zola’s Thérèse Raquin, complete with character names that echo the classic – Taylor’s real name is revealed to be Thérèse, while her love interest is Olivier Laurent. This literary foundation provides weight to what could have been a simple domestic thriller.
The Architecture of Deception
The novel’s structure follows three primary perspectives across alternating timelines – a technique that initially feels familiar but gains momentum as the connections between Taylor, Cassie, and Olivier become increasingly complex. Taylor’s obsessive tracking of the newlywed couple through social media feels authentically modern, capturing the performative nature of online relationships and the dangerous intimacy of digital stalking.
Cassie emerges as perhaps the most intriguing character – a woman desperate to craft the perfect life narrative while hiding significant emotional damage beneath her Instagram-ready facade. Her whirlwind marriage to Olivier, motivated by immigration necessity rather than love, creates the central tension that drives the plot forward. Jouhanneau excels at revealing the cracks in Cassie’s carefully constructed persona, particularly in scenes where her need for social media validation conflicts with the reality of her deteriorating marriage.
Olivier, caught between his genuine feelings for Taylor (Thérèse) and his practical need to maintain his marriage for visa purposes, represents the kind of morally ambiguous character that elevates genre fiction. His desperation to remain in America creates believable motivation for increasingly questionable decisions, though his character occasionally feels more like a plot device than a fully realized person.
Strengths in Character Development and Atmosphere
Jouhanneau demonstrates remarkable skill in creating atmosphere, particularly in the Parisian sequences. The City of Light becomes almost oppressive under her pen, transforming romantic clichés into sources of mounting dread. The hotel suite, with its luxurious amenities and intimate spaces, serves as both sanctuary and prison for her characters.
The author’s exploration of sisterhood – specifically the toxic dynamic between adopted sisters Taylor and Cassie – provides emotional depth beyond the thriller mechanics. Their relationship, built on years of perceived favoritism and unresolved trauma, feels authentically painful. The way childhood wounds manifest in adult behavior rings particularly true, especially in Taylor’s desperate need for love and Cassie’s compulsive need to appear successful.
The immigration fraud subplot adds contemporary relevance to the story. Jouhanneau’s research into green card marriages feels thorough and authentic, providing believable stakes for Olivier’s actions. The pressure to maintain a fake marriage for legal reasons creates natural tension that extends beyond simple romantic complications.
Where the Foundation Cracks
Despite its atmospheric strengths, The French Honeymoon suffers from pacing issues that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The middle section, where Taylor stalks the couple through Paris, feels unnecessarily extended. While the obsession is psychologically interesting, the repetitive nature of her surveillance becomes tedious rather than building toward meaningful revelation.
The novel’s reliance on coincidence occasionally strains credibility. That Taylor would end up in the same Parisian hotel as the couple she’s obsessing over requires significant suspension of disbelief. Similarly, certain plot revelations feel more driven by necessity than organic character development.
The climactic sequences, while viscerally effective, sometimes prioritize shock value over psychological realism. The bath scene, in particular, relies heavily on physical suspense rather than the psychological tension that characterizes the novel’s stronger moments. The author’s admission that the iron scene “wrote itself” suggests a lack of careful planning that shows in the final execution.
Technical Craftsmanship and Style
Jouhanneau’s prose demonstrates clear competence, though it occasionally lacks the distinctive voice that would elevate it above genre conventions. Her dialogue feels natural, particularly in capturing the casual cruelty of family dynamics and the performative aspects of new relationships. The alternating perspectives are handled with sufficient clarity, though some characters’ voices blur together more than ideal.
The author’s bilingual background serves the material well, particularly in depicting Olivier’s experience as a French expatriate navigating American culture. Small details about language barriers and cultural differences feel authentic and add texture to his character.
The Final Verdict
The French Honeymoon succeeds as an atmospheric psychological thriller that understands the dark undercurrents of modern relationships. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its literary inspiration or completely escape genre conventions, it demonstrates Jouhanneau’s potential as a thriller writer. The novel works best when focusing on the psychological dynamics between its characters rather than relying on plot machinations.
The book’s exploration of themes like social media performance, immigration anxiety, and family trauma feels appropriately contemporary. For readers seeking a quick, engaging thriller with psychological depth, it delivers adequate satisfaction. However, those expecting the literary sophistication suggested by its Zola influences may find themselves wanting more.
Reading Recommendations for Similar Atmospheric Thrillers
Readers who enjoyed The French Honeymoon might consider these titles that share its themes of obsession, identity, and psychological manipulation:
- The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley – Another Parisian thriller with multiple perspectives and dark secrets
- A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell – Explores toxic female friendships and social media deception
- The Fury by Alex Michaelides – Psychological thriller with unreliable narration
- Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty – Domestic thriller examining the facades people maintain
- End Of Story by A.J. Finn – Features obsessive behavior and unreliable perspective
- Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – Master class in toxic marriage dynamics and media manipulation
- The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins – Explores obsession and the danger of assumption
Jouhanneau has crafted a solid debut that, while not groundbreaking, shows promise for future development. Her understanding of human psychology and ability to create atmospheric tension suggest that her next adult novel could represent a significant step forward in both craftsmanship and ambition.