Title: An Escape to Paris
Author: Lawretta Egba
Year of Publication: 2025
Number of Pages: 130
Category: Memoir
Paris is one of those cities people never stop talking about. You’ve probably heard all the stories, the elegance, the men, the romance, the food, the air that seems to carry magic. For many of us, Paris sits quietly on the wish list, waiting for the right time. But Lawretta Egba takes that dream and makes it real in her book ‘An Escape to Paris’.
The cover itself makes you pause. The girl smiles at you in a way that feels familiar, almost like Tiwa Savage, or maybe even Lawretta herself. Whoever she is, she feels warm, like a friend inviting you on a journey. And that’s exactly what the book becomes: not just a story, but an experience.
What you will love most about Lawretta is her honesty. She doesn’t try to package her life into something flawless. She tells it the way it is, her career choices, her frustrations, her joys, her fears. And she does it in such a relatable way that you feel like you’re sitting across from her with a cup of coffee, just listening to her gist. It’s raw, it’s real, and it makes you want to know her beyond the page.
Some might call her restless, moving from one career decision to another. But some will see something else, clarity, courage, and a refusal to be boxed in. She chooses her own path, even when it’s risky. For anyone who has worked in Lagos, especially on the Island, her frustrations are familiar, the traffic, the pressure. But while most of us complain and adjust, she chooses to walk away. That kind of boldness is not just admirable; it’s inspiring.
The book also shows the quiet strength of her father’s influence. It’s subtle, but you see how his presence shaped her confidence and determination. As you read that, you couldn’t help but think about how fathers sometimes underestimate their role not realising how much a word of encouragement, or simply being there, stays with a child for life.
And then there’s Paris itself. Lawretta doesn’t just describe the city, she brings it alive. You can almost smell the bread, hear the chatter in the cafés, and see the Eiffel Tower through her eyes. What’s striking is her attention to detail, she notices the little things, the moods, the gestures, the rhythms that make Paris feel like more than a city. It becomes a character in the story.
The beauty of this book is how layered it is. It starts like a memoir, personal and reflective then suddenly you’re in the middle of motivational truths, and before you know it, you’re learning art history. That blend keeps you hooked because there’s always something new to discover.
At some points, you almost expect a love story. After all, it’s Paris. She teases you with the possibility but never quite delivers it. And you know what? That’s okay. Because life isn’t always about fairy-tale endings. Sometimes it’s about the lessons we learn along the way.
Also, what makes this book special is how she turns ordinary moments into life lessons. The simplest experiences unfold into something deep and thought-provoking. And through it all, her joy, her fears, her courage, they pull you in so strongly that her journey becomes yours too.
If anything is missing, it’s photos. A few snapshots would have been the perfect companion to her vivid descriptions. But even without them, the words are strong enough to paint the city in your mind.
In the end, An Escape to Paris is more than a travel story. It’s a mirror that makes you reflect on your own choices, it’s a push to live courageously, and it’s a reminder that beauty often lies in the simplest things. Paris may be the backdrop, but what Lawretta really gives us is an invitation to step out and to embrace life fully.
About the reviewer
Titilade Oyemade is a business executive in a leading organisation and holds a degree in Russian Language. She’s the convener of the Hangoutwithtee Ladies Event and the Publisher of Hangoutwithtee magazine. She spends her weekends attending women conferences, events and book readings. She loves to have fun and to help other women have the same in their lives. Email: titi.oyemade@gmail.com Social: @tiipreeofficial
