Zeeta and her free-spirited mom, Layla, are travelers – each year in a different country. Last year, Zeeta was in Ecuador, where she met Wendell, helped him find his birth parents, and discovered that he is the l’homme de ta vie (the love of her life). This year, Zeeta and Layla are in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, where the light turns everything the color of honey and lemon sorbet. Full of gorgeous fountains that bubble with ancient springwater, Zeeta loves to sit at the cafe in the sun-soaked square, writing in her notebook and sipping tiny espressos. Aix is also where Wendell will be spending the summer as a student in a study abroad art program. It’s been nine months since Zeeta and Wendell were together in Ecuador, and she can’t wait to be with him again.A few days before Wendell is scheduled to arrive, Zeeta meets the members of Illusion, a group of street musicians whose dynamic music and swirling scarlet costumes are like an explosion of energy in Zeeta’s life. She also begins receiving mysterious gifts and notes in her bag from a fantome – a phantom. Zeeta is sure that whoever it is knows her – but who could it be? And how and when are they leaving the gifts without her noticing?
Zeeta also befriends Vincent, an elderly antique shop owner who adores pigeons, and Madame Chevelier, a famous artist who mysteriously no longer leaves her apartment. Lifelong friends, Vincent and Madame Chevelier are obsessed with the idea of an ancient, hidden spring that lies beneath Aix-en-Provence – one that holds the gift of immortality. When they discover that Wendell had a vision of himself and Zeeta soaking wet, they are sure that the pair are destined to discover the source of the spring.
But Zeeta isn’t sure if she and Wendell can help Vincent and Madame Chevelier – with the mystery of the fantome’s gifts and Wendell’s news that he’ll be staying with a host family instead of with Zeeta and Layla, Zeeta suddenly isn’t too sure of who she is – is she the same Zeeta she was in Ecuador? And if she’s not, how can Wendell be l’homme de ta vie? Spending more time with the handsome Jean-Claude of Illusion, while Wendell gets closer to the lively dancer Amandine, only confuses things more. How can she and Wendell appear together in a vision if she’s not even sure they’re together anymore?
The companion novel to The Indigo Notebook, this sun-soaked novel is one you’ll sink into, linger over, and savor long after you turn the last page. The city of Aix is almost another character, with its fountains, cafes, funny faces over doors, red geraniums, and rich Celtic history. Beautifully written, I cannot express how much I loved this book - let's just say it was as delicious as a spoonful of lavendar honey in lemon balm tea. Author Laura Resau spent time in Aix-en-Provence doing research for The Ruby Notebook- check out the trip photos on her blog, here and here, to really feel what it's like to sit in a cafe sipping espresso watching street musicians perform!
Megan (who is love love loving City of Fallen Angels!)