Surviving Paris:

A deeply personal account of a young Black woman who set out to shake up her life by moving abroad but got a lot more than she bargained for.

Click here to find all the ways to purchase “Surviving Paris: A Memoir of Healing in the City of Light” by Robin Allison Davis.

Early Praise for “Surviving Paris”

“Davis's detailed account of her challenges upon settling in Paris demonstrates how even the world's most romanticized and beloved cities can lay the backdrop to hardship. With refreshing honesty and grace, she weaves a moving story of perseverance, faith, and the power of community. All of it allowed her to reclaim the French capital as her own with great triumph.” -- Lindsey Tramuta, journalist and author of The New Parisienne: the Women & Ideas Shaping Paris 

“Surviving Paris chronicles how truly unfair life can be as Robin Allison Davis shares her story of reimagining her life with a move to a new country, only to be met with a cancer diagnosis at the age of 34. It is not light subject matter, but Robin’s ability to write about such challenges with heart, humor, and a refreshing honesty is a testament to her talents and strengths as both a writer and a person. I devoured this book and hope others, like me, will be inspired by Robin choosing hope every day, no matter what is thrown at her.” — Michael Arceneaux, New York Times bestselling author of I Can’t Date Jesus and I Finally Bought Some Jordans

 “Robin is a one-of-a-kind storyteller — vividly capturing every emotion and sentiment in this loving memoir. Her imagery is brilliant. I could see, smell, and most importantly feel every experience through her eyes. Prepare yourself for laughter, tears, and a whole lot of inspiration from this courageous story of triumph. It’s honest. It’s bold. It’s intimate. It’s real. It’s survival. This is a must-read for anyone with a wanderlust spirit, anyone seeking a deeper relationship with themselves — and especially for those wondering how to survive some of life’s greatest challenges. Get ready for your heart to be cracked open — in the most courageous, beautifully human way possible.” -- Alencia Johnson, social impact leader and national bestselling author of Flip the Tables: The Everyday Disruptors Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change

 “Surprisingly funny, expectantly heartwarming, and refreshingly honest, Surviving Paris is the perfect dose of love we all need right now. Davis gives us a glimpse into her world of both dreams and nightmares, while weaving in an underlying theme of hope, resilience, pastries and wine. Can't forget the wine!” -- Deesha Dyer, Former Obama White House Social Secretary and Award-Winning Author of Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created the Best Kind of

“Surviving Paris is a poignant, unflinchingly honest memoir of resilience, identity, and finding peace in the heartbreak of saying goodbye to the life Robin had planned for herself. In a city known for its romance and beauty, Robin discovers strength, vulnerability, and what it truly means to find home.” — Crissle West, media personality and co-host of 'The Read'

Upcoming Events

• September 16, 2025: NYC

• September 20, 2025:

  Politics and Prose, 6:00 PM
  1324 4th Street NE
  Washington, DC 20002

• November 18, 2025:
  American University of Paris
  Private Event

• More to come!