Lessons from Madame Chic

20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris

By: Jennifer L. Scott

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

When Jennifer Scott arrived at the doorstep of a grand 16th Arrondissement apartment as a foreign exchange student, she was greeted by the woman who would become her mentor and the inspiration for the way she lived long after her time abroad was over. Madame Chic took the casual California teenager under her wing, revealing the secrets of how the French elevate the little things in life to the art of living.

Each chapter of Lessons from Madame Chic reveals a valuable secret Jennifer learned while under Madame Chic's tutelage in Paris - tips you can incorporate into your own life, no matter where you live or the size of your budget. Embracing the classically French aesthetic of quality over quantity, aspiring Parisiennes will learn to master the art of eating (deprive yourself not), dressing (the 10-item wardrobe), grooming (le no-makeup look), and living à la française. From entertaining with easy flair and formality to cultivating allure while living an active, modern life, Lessons from Madame Chic is the essential handbook for anyone wanting to incorporate that Parisian je ne sais quoi into her daily life.

©2011 Jennifer L. Scott (P)2013 Tantor

I WILL BE READING (NOT LISTENING) TO THE SERIES

Would you consider the audio edition of Lessons from Madame Chic to be better than the print version?

No, the narrator sounds like a robot. Jennifer should have read her own book. Jennifer has a very pleasing voice and would have done an excellent job.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Amy Rubinate?

Jennifer L. Scott, the author

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Lessons from Madame Chic?

Nearing my 60's and finding I can still learn a thing or two.

Any additional comments?

Her blog and her YouTube channel are also excellent.

Almost fell asleep

For a book about living life with passion, I don't think the producers could've picked a more monotonous narrator.

Loved the content.

Pretentious Beyond Belief

Any additional comments?

I honestly don't get this book. The IDEA of it is one thing, but what we have here is nothing more than an outsider looking in and saying I want to emulate those people so I'll copy what they do -- never realizing that they themselves aren't copying anyone, they're feeding their souls and their own inner natures and priorities.

Page after page we're told to emulate them, not be true to ourselves.

Turns out, I didn't need a book to be like them. I have always sought out new experiences, new foods, used the good china and silver (several sets by now), made cafe au laits in bowls, enjoyed the clink of a tea cup when it meets its saucer, enjoyed exploring the worlds of tea and coffee thoroughly starting in 1986, driven a convertible because it makes me happy (the experience, not what others think of my experience, of which I could absolutely care less).

Who cares about a book telling you the advantages of being like someone you're not. Find what please YOU and be THAT.

Terrible. This is the most pretentious and soulless work I've come across in years -- perhaps ever.

Do people really not know most of this stuff?

Would you try another book from Jennifer L. Scott and/or Amy Rubinate?

If you have a mom, she probably already gave you nearly all the advice in this book, and probably with a better sense of humor. Here's a brief summary -- and if considering buying it, the only one you need: Dress as well as you can, be presentable, spend a little time on your appearance, don't wear way too much makeup, use good manners, limit the junk food, don't spend foolishly on things you don't need (like this book), keep the house tidy, and don't lie around like a lazy bum.

The reader sounds as about as tired and bored with the material as I am halfway into this useless book.

What was most disappointing about Jennifer L. Scott’s story?

I didn't learn anything new.

Would you be willing to try another one of Amy Rubinate’s performances?

Good grief no! I listen at work and found myself nodding off frequently!

Was Lessons from Madame Chic worth the listening time?

If you've been living under a rock, perhaps the book would help.

Any additional comments?

Don't waste a credit

Dear Author, please fire your narrator...

I've purchased this book of Jennifer L. Scott's as well as an online class she offers. The narrator however was very uncomfortable to listen to and no, I didn't get used to her voice over time- it just became distracting from the content of the book honestly. Still, I planned on giving grace and a 4 star to the author for her storyline and helpful tips UNTIL she recommended flirting with strangers and other poor advice on living in the moment that in my opinion would hurt a marriage- not help it.

Great advice for a lovely way of life

The narrator read the book in a breathless, yet monotonous manner. Worth it, but still.

Nauseous Narrator

Even though the content was good I had a difficult time following the story because of the nauseous narrator.

"It is not what you do but how you do it"

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. I think the narrator captured the feel of this book perfectly. I never really thought about how to live well before this book and the art of refined living at most practical level rang out. I actually walked a little taller and tried to enjoy the most mundane chores while listening.

Ridiculously shallow & pretentious

I had zero clue what I was getting when I bought this. I used to live in France so French stories always appeal to me. However this was the most shallow and pretentious book I have ever in my life listened to. Although somewhat true, the manner of the delivery came across as the author putting herself on a pedestal and everyone else beneath her. It's nice to convey 'this is what happens in France' but to constantly put down other ways of doing things is classless.
I also felt the narrator added to the already pretentious feel and made it worse.
I am definitely a lady who believes in style and prefers the French way of doing things- but the way this was written and read actually made me sick to my stomach at times. Is the author a real live princess or French royalty? No. And furthermore this book makes her appear to be a shallow soul.
This book is an embarrassment to the US citizens who do love France. Horrible

Brilliant lessons!

Scott is a bit snobby but means well. The narrator was so dull but the story is captivating, highly recommend!