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French Holiday
One (crumbling) French castle. Two enemies-at-first-sight. The holiday of a lifetime.
Merry DeLuca has a problem—a big problem. Her sister just married her best friend and the only man she’s ever loved. Her life is rapidly spiraling down the drain and she doesn’t have an escape plan.
So when Merry is offered a three-month holiday living in a romantic castle in the French countryside she leaps at the chance. Merry knows her French holiday will fix everything—there will be mouthwatering pastries, delicious (meaningless) flirtations, and languid strolls through vineyards at sunset. Her holiday will be perfect.
At least, Merry believes that until she arrives and finds Noah Wright—the best man at her sister’s wedding and the worst man she’s ever known—staying in her castle.
Famous travel documentarian by day and arrogant devil by night, Noah refuses to leave the castle. Which means that Merry and Noah are stuck together in France, in a crumbling castle, in a holiday where nothing goes right. Not for Merry and not for Noah.
So they strike a truce—they’ll live as cohabitating friends for three-months, and then they’ll amicably part ways, never to see each other again.
But the thing about friendship? Sometimes secrets are uncovered. Mysteries revealed. Hearts laid bare. And friendship can start to feel a lot like caring. A lot like love. It can even make you wish that the holiday never has to end.
Merry DeLuca has a problem—a big problem. Her sister just married her best friend and the only man she’s ever loved. Her life is rapidly spiraling down the drain and she doesn’t have an escape plan.
So when Merry is offered a three-month holiday living in a romantic castle in the French countryside she leaps at the chance. Merry knows her French holiday will fix everything—there will be mouthwatering pastries, delicious (meaningless) flirtations, and languid strolls through vineyards at sunset. Her holiday will be perfect.
At least, Merry believes that until she arrives and finds Noah Wright—the best man at her sister’s wedding and the worst man she’s ever known—staying in her castle.
Famous travel documentarian by day and arrogant devil by night, Noah refuses to leave the castle. Which means that Merry and Noah are stuck together in France, in a crumbling castle, in a holiday where nothing goes right. Not for Merry and not for Noah.
So they strike a truce—they’ll live as cohabitating friends for three-months, and then they’ll amicably part ways, never to see each other again.
But the thing about friendship? Sometimes secrets are uncovered. Mysteries revealed. Hearts laid bare. And friendship can start to feel a lot like caring. A lot like love. It can even make you wish that the holiday never has to end.
416 pages, ebook
First published April 26, 2023
About the author
Sarah Ready
20 books1,167 followersAuthor Sarah Ready writes contemporary romance and romantic comedy.
Her books have been described as “euphoric”, “heartwarming” and “laugh out loud”. Her debut novel The Fall in Love Checklist was hailed as “the unicorn read of 2020”. She loves to write fast-paced, emotionally compelling romances about quirky, smart women and the men who love them.
Her works include Josh and Gemma Make a Baby, Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around, French Holiday and romcoms in the Soul Mates in Romeo series. Her debut novel The Fall in Love Checklist was hailed as “the unicorn read of 2020”. She lives in the Caribbean with her family and water-loving pup.
Find more books and interesting tidbits at www.sarahready.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,295 reviews
February 20, 2023
Charming and delightful!
Merry’s five-year crush and best friend Leo marries her little sister Angela. Oh No! Poor Merry needs to escape the heartache and reality but doesn't know it yet. Jupiter, Merry's quirky godmother asks that she goes to France instead of her because a "modeling" opportunity came up, and Merry accepts. What's exciting is that Merry will spend three months at an old chateau in the French countryside. What she didn't expect is to see Leo's unamusing travel documentarian best friend there.
French Holiday has such a lovely setup for enemies to lovers with close proximity. Have you heard of a one-bedroom chateau? 😁 Well, now you have. I love the gradual development of the two from enemies to friends to lovers. The chemistry is good and most importantly I think they are so adorable! The food, the scenery, and the art! There's also a hint of mystery that creates an interesting subplot. Jupiter the godmother cracks me up, my favorite character!
This open-door romance was a pleasure to listen to. Kelsey Navarro did a wonderful job with the narration. This is my third novel by Ms. Ready and it's very enjoyable!
Thank you Swift & Lewis Publishing and Netgalley for my ALC.
Expected release date: Apr 26, 2023!
Merry’s five-year crush and best friend Leo marries her little sister Angela. Oh No! Poor Merry needs to escape the heartache and reality but doesn't know it yet. Jupiter, Merry's quirky godmother asks that she goes to France instead of her because a "modeling" opportunity came up, and Merry accepts. What's exciting is that Merry will spend three months at an old chateau in the French countryside. What she didn't expect is to see Leo's unamusing travel documentarian best friend there.
French Holiday has such a lovely setup for enemies to lovers with close proximity. Have you heard of a one-bedroom chateau? 😁 Well, now you have. I love the gradual development of the two from enemies to friends to lovers. The chemistry is good and most importantly I think they are so adorable! The food, the scenery, and the art! There's also a hint of mystery that creates an interesting subplot. Jupiter the godmother cracks me up, my favorite character!
This open-door romance was a pleasure to listen to. Kelsey Navarro did a wonderful job with the narration. This is my third novel by Ms. Ready and it's very enjoyable!
Thank you Swift & Lewis Publishing and Netgalley for my ALC.
Expected release date: Apr 26, 2023!
June 16, 2023
4⭐
Genre ~ romantic comedy
Publication date ~ April 26, 2023
Page Count ~ 416
Audio length ~ 12 hours 2 minutes
Narrator ~ Kelsey Navarro
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ forced proximity, one bed, slow burn, enemies to lovers, slim steamage
Merry & Noah have never gotten along, but find themselves sharing a house and bed in France for 3 months.
I really enjoyed this one. I didn't find it to be over the top on the enemy front as they slowly started to get along and their friendship blossomed into more. Their chemistry and banter were pretty good. I wasn't too impressed with the side characters. I, especially, did not like sister, Angela, or Leo at the end there.
Josh and Gemma Make a Baby is still my favorite of Sarah's work, but I had a fun time with this one.
Narration notes~ a well seasoned narrator, even has fine male voices.
*Thanks to Sarah Ready, Swift & Lewis Publishing and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Genre ~ romantic comedy
Publication date ~ April 26, 2023
Page Count ~ 416
Audio length ~ 12 hours 2 minutes
Narrator ~ Kelsey Navarro
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ forced proximity, one bed, slow burn, enemies to lovers, slim steamage
Merry & Noah have never gotten along, but find themselves sharing a house and bed in France for 3 months.
I really enjoyed this one. I didn't find it to be over the top on the enemy front as they slowly started to get along and their friendship blossomed into more. Their chemistry and banter were pretty good. I wasn't too impressed with the side characters. I, especially, did not like sister, Angela, or Leo at the end there.
Josh and Gemma Make a Baby is still my favorite of Sarah's work, but I had a fun time with this one.
Narration notes~ a well seasoned narrator, even has fine male voices.
*Thanks to Sarah Ready, Swift & Lewis Publishing and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
May 2, 2023
Wine🍷…cheese🧀…lobsters…🦞
(A few very intense scenes with a lobster.)
A cute story that takes you right to the French countryside. I loved the French setting and all of the descriptions of the food and scenery of the castle, although I would have loved more scenery descriptions not at the castle too!
The main couple was adorable and I thought they had good chemistry and played off of each other well.
There were a handful of scenes that had me grinning from ear to ear as they were so funny and cute!
I usually enjoy Ready’s books and I thought this was a great addition to her works. I always look forward to picking up one of her books!
A big thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing for a complimentary advanced copy of this book!
(A few very intense scenes with a lobster.)
A cute story that takes you right to the French countryside. I loved the French setting and all of the descriptions of the food and scenery of the castle, although I would have loved more scenery descriptions not at the castle too!
The main couple was adorable and I thought they had good chemistry and played off of each other well.
There were a handful of scenes that had me grinning from ear to ear as they were so funny and cute!
I usually enjoy Ready’s books and I thought this was a great addition to her works. I always look forward to picking up one of her books!
A big thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing for a complimentary advanced copy of this book!
March 8, 2023
Absolutely adorable!
French Holiday was like a breath of fresh air. It was a charming friends to lovers story which had me smiling while listening to this amazing audiobook. Both main characters are extremely likeable and had backstories which had me feeling for them and rooting for them both individually and together. They have witty and honest dialogue with each other. So good!
Merry DeLuca's sister married Leo, her best friend who Merry happens to be in love with. Merry has kept her feelings for Leo a secret from almost everyone except for Leo's friend, Noah who has noticed how Merry looks at Leo. After being in the wedding party and watching her sister marry the man she loves, Merry jumps on a chance to travel to France to live in a Chateau for three months. What she doesn't count on this that Noah, a travel filmmaker, will be there as well. They both stay in what is the smallest chateau in history (1 bedroom) and slowly go from being testy with each other to being to friends, to....
Romance books are like a journey. We all know how things are going to end, we just don't know the in-between section of how characters get to the end. That is the appeal for me. What a journey! This book was full of heart. It was lovely, charming, and made me happy. Sarah Ready also provided the perfect location and had me yearning to spend time in the French countryside, having picnics and drinking wine.
I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration. The narrator, Kelsey Navarro, did a fabulous job and brought this book to life for me.
Charming, endearing, and sweet.
4.5 stars
#FrenchHoliday #NetGalley #SarahReady
Thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
French Holiday was like a breath of fresh air. It was a charming friends to lovers story which had me smiling while listening to this amazing audiobook. Both main characters are extremely likeable and had backstories which had me feeling for them and rooting for them both individually and together. They have witty and honest dialogue with each other. So good!
Merry DeLuca's sister married Leo, her best friend who Merry happens to be in love with. Merry has kept her feelings for Leo a secret from almost everyone except for Leo's friend, Noah who has noticed how Merry looks at Leo. After being in the wedding party and watching her sister marry the man she loves, Merry jumps on a chance to travel to France to live in a Chateau for three months. What she doesn't count on this that Noah, a travel filmmaker, will be there as well. They both stay in what is the smallest chateau in history (1 bedroom) and slowly go from being testy with each other to being to friends, to....
Romance books are like a journey. We all know how things are going to end, we just don't know the in-between section of how characters get to the end. That is the appeal for me. What a journey! This book was full of heart. It was lovely, charming, and made me happy. Sarah Ready also provided the perfect location and had me yearning to spend time in the French countryside, having picnics and drinking wine.
I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration. The narrator, Kelsey Navarro, did a fabulous job and brought this book to life for me.
Charming, endearing, and sweet.
4.5 stars
#FrenchHoliday #NetGalley #SarahReady
Thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
April 12, 2023
Blog | Instagram
Publication date: April 26, 2023!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 3.5 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This cute design gives off that happy summer vibe with its vibrant colours and pretty illustration. These aspects also provide a great visual representation of the fun, light story.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The story is brought to life through a simple yet rich writing style and setting that is easy to immerse into. I also loved the sassy and melodramatic narrative from Merry's point of view, as it was entertaining and constantly made me laugh.
"the value of loving someone can never be overestimated"
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
Through an intriguing start, we are introduced to Merry's unfortunate situation. As she tries to move on, the romantic comedy that plays out is somewhat predictable but still engaging since it is littered with numerous embarrassing moments and cute scenes. Besides this, several subplots add depth to the storyline, but I was not particularly invested in these.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
It is hard not to like Merry's character given her comical and genuine personality. Even her insecurities and struggles with unrequited love only made her relatable, plus allowed for a delightfully heartwarming character arc.
"At the end of your life it’s not what you did that makes you happy, it’s who you loved and who loved you."
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
While several secondary characters are skillfully used to enhance the storyline, Noah and Merry's sister Angela are the only two who piqued my interest as they end up being more complex than initially presented. Although I never liked Angela, I loved Noah - even with his reserved and tight-lipped personality.
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Despite Merry's determination to resist her attraction to Noah, they gradually build a connection through multiple interactions that are bursting with chemistry. I especially loved that they became friends initially and enjoyed making each other smile.
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The natural, conversational style used by Kelsey Navarro creates a fantastic listening experience that is perfect for the story. With skilful changes in her vocal pace and tone, Kelsey enhances the fun and witty narrative while nicely conveying the emotions within the tale.
All in all, 'French Holiday' is a fun, light, romantic comedy. While the story is relatively predictable, it is strengthened by the humour and lovable protagonist. Another cute romance with witty humour you can check out is Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola.
Publication date: April 26, 2023!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 3.5 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This cute design gives off that happy summer vibe with its vibrant colours and pretty illustration. These aspects also provide a great visual representation of the fun, light story.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The story is brought to life through a simple yet rich writing style and setting that is easy to immerse into. I also loved the sassy and melodramatic narrative from Merry's point of view, as it was entertaining and constantly made me laugh.
"the value of loving someone can never be overestimated"
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
Through an intriguing start, we are introduced to Merry's unfortunate situation. As she tries to move on, the romantic comedy that plays out is somewhat predictable but still engaging since it is littered with numerous embarrassing moments and cute scenes. Besides this, several subplots add depth to the storyline, but I was not particularly invested in these.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
It is hard not to like Merry's character given her comical and genuine personality. Even her insecurities and struggles with unrequited love only made her relatable, plus allowed for a delightfully heartwarming character arc.
"At the end of your life it’s not what you did that makes you happy, it’s who you loved and who loved you."
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
While several secondary characters are skillfully used to enhance the storyline, Noah and Merry's sister Angela are the only two who piqued my interest as they end up being more complex than initially presented. Although I never liked Angela, I loved Noah - even with his reserved and tight-lipped personality.
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Despite Merry's determination to resist her attraction to Noah, they gradually build a connection through multiple interactions that are bursting with chemistry. I especially loved that they became friends initially and enjoyed making each other smile.
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The natural, conversational style used by Kelsey Navarro creates a fantastic listening experience that is perfect for the story. With skilful changes in her vocal pace and tone, Kelsey enhances the fun and witty narrative while nicely conveying the emotions within the tale.
All in all, 'French Holiday' is a fun, light, romantic comedy. While the story is relatively predictable, it is strengthened by the humour and lovable protagonist. Another cute romance with witty humour you can check out is Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola.
September 10, 2024
"I don't want a day to explore you. I want a lifetime." ⭐3.5
I might need to make my way through Sarah's backlist after the hangup Fated gifted me with.
I might need to make my way through Sarah's backlist after the hangup Fated gifted me with.
March 20, 2023
3.5/5
I REALLY liked this, the narrator was amazing, and although in the beginning I wasn’t sure I would, I ended up liking Merry. I also liked Noah.
I loved Camille and Pierre’s story too, I admit when I thought Camille liked Noah I kind of hated her..
But I did really like this, thank you Netgalley for an arc!!
-
rtc and thank you netgalley!!
I got an arc from netgalley!! I’ve read A LOT of sarah ready’s books but I wouldn’t say I’m a fan, let’s see if this one changes my mind bc I actually like this way more alr
I REALLY liked this, the narrator was amazing, and although in the beginning I wasn’t sure I would, I ended up liking Merry. I also liked Noah.
I loved Camille and Pierre’s story too, I admit when I thought Camille liked Noah I kind of hated her..
But I did really like this, thank you Netgalley for an arc!!
-
rtc and thank you netgalley!!
I got an arc from netgalley!! I’ve read A LOT of sarah ready’s books but I wouldn’t say I’m a fan, let’s see if this one changes my mind bc I actually like this way more alr
April 9, 2023
This book was so cute and FUNNY!!! I had such a great time reading this. Unrequited love? Check. Castle in France? Check. One bed? CHECK! Pet lobster? Uhhhh…check? Merry is dreading walking down the aisle. Her sister is marrying her best friend aka the guy she’s loved in secret for years. So when her godmother offers her the use of her very own French castle, Merry jumps at the chance to escape her life for a few months.
Only it’s not empty. It’s already occupied by none other than Noah, Leo’s best friend, her nemesis, and the guy she woke up naked in bed with the night after her sister’s wedding. Determined not to let this derail her plans for a fresh start, Merry agreed that Noah can stay. Especially once she gets a good look at the castle she’s residing in and woof…she is not impressed.
They spend more and more time together, meeting Pierre and Camille, their neighbors, and exploring the city of Annecy, eating cheese and baguettes, drinking wine that tastes like starlight, and generally living their best summer lives while occasionally bickering and maybe/maybe not falling in love while trying to convince themselves that they aren’t.
And listen y’all, this was laugh out loud funny at times. The scene with the lobster had me cry-laughing, it was a real giggle fest! Noah frustrated me for a while with his brooding and bending over BACKWARD to make sure Merry knew that there would never be anything between them, all while he loved her I’m secret. Swoon, seriously, the things he said to her!
“When I first saw you, you were the first bright thing I’d seen in years. You were the beginning of the end for me.” “Were you in unrequited love with me?” He laughs. “No. I was just in love with you. I knew you’d love me back sooner or later.”
So yeah, loved this loved them love love!
Only it’s not empty. It’s already occupied by none other than Noah, Leo’s best friend, her nemesis, and the guy she woke up naked in bed with the night after her sister’s wedding. Determined not to let this derail her plans for a fresh start, Merry agreed that Noah can stay. Especially once she gets a good look at the castle she’s residing in and woof…she is not impressed.
They spend more and more time together, meeting Pierre and Camille, their neighbors, and exploring the city of Annecy, eating cheese and baguettes, drinking wine that tastes like starlight, and generally living their best summer lives while occasionally bickering and maybe/maybe not falling in love while trying to convince themselves that they aren’t.
And listen y’all, this was laugh out loud funny at times. The scene with the lobster had me cry-laughing, it was a real giggle fest! Noah frustrated me for a while with his brooding and bending over BACKWARD to make sure Merry knew that there would never be anything between them, all while he loved her I’m secret. Swoon, seriously, the things he said to her!
“When I first saw you, you were the first bright thing I’d seen in years. You were the beginning of the end for me.” “Were you in unrequited love with me?” He laughs. “No. I was just in love with you. I knew you’d love me back sooner or later.”
So yeah, loved this loved them love love!
June 10, 2023
The scenes at a French Chateau could've been so great! A missed opportunity.
Pros:
1. The Plot: A perfect rom-com setting.
2. I think the couple had the potential to be a great rom-com pairing if only there were some more interesting scenes.
Cons:
1. There were just so too many side plots in the novel. The author should have picked the most important ones and excluded the others.
2. Paris or the French countryside isn't nicely shown as the narrator mostly talks about the chateau and doesn't really explore all the other aspects that there were chances of.
Pros:
1. The Plot: A perfect rom-com setting.
2. I think the couple had the potential to be a great rom-com pairing if only there were some more interesting scenes.
Cons:
1. There were just so too many side plots in the novel. The author should have picked the most important ones and excluded the others.
2. Paris or the French countryside isn't nicely shown as the narrator mostly talks about the chateau and doesn't really explore all the other aspects that there were chances of.
January 6, 2024
Book Rating: 4.5/5
Audiobook Rating: 5/5
I had absolutely NO idea what to expect from French Holiday by Sarah Ready, but I am so happy I read it because it is a winner and so much dang fun. Merry is a great character and I loved being in her head and seeing the spelling of her name like this. My name is Mary, but I had someone spell it Merry once and I guess now I know why? 🤣 Anyway, I loved the chemistry between Merry and Noah, and the hilarity that ensues by having both of them together in a crumbling castle in France. There were tons of laugh-out-loud moments, but it had plenty of heartwarming and insightful moments as well.
Kelsey Navarro narrates the audiobook, and I can't even properly tell you how much I loved her as the voice of Merry. I thought she fit the character perfectly, and her narration was entirely on pace and well suited for the storyline as a whole. I got quite the kick out of listening to the audio and I would recommend it wholeheartedly. I did not realize that Ready has such an extensive backlist, nor did I realize she is also the author of Josh and Gemma Make a Baby which has been on my TBR for quite some time. I am definitely going to dive in soon though since now I know how much I love her writing. There was even a little bit of mystery to French Holiday and it was a deliciously well-rounded romcom. I highly recommend it to all you romcom lovers out there who would like to go on a little French holiday yourselves. 😉
Thank you to the publishers for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Audiobook Rating: 5/5
I had absolutely NO idea what to expect from French Holiday by Sarah Ready, but I am so happy I read it because it is a winner and so much dang fun. Merry is a great character and I loved being in her head and seeing the spelling of her name like this. My name is Mary, but I had someone spell it Merry once and I guess now I know why? 🤣 Anyway, I loved the chemistry between Merry and Noah, and the hilarity that ensues by having both of them together in a crumbling castle in France. There were tons of laugh-out-loud moments, but it had plenty of heartwarming and insightful moments as well.
Kelsey Navarro narrates the audiobook, and I can't even properly tell you how much I loved her as the voice of Merry. I thought she fit the character perfectly, and her narration was entirely on pace and well suited for the storyline as a whole. I got quite the kick out of listening to the audio and I would recommend it wholeheartedly. I did not realize that Ready has such an extensive backlist, nor did I realize she is also the author of Josh and Gemma Make a Baby which has been on my TBR for quite some time. I am definitely going to dive in soon though since now I know how much I love her writing. There was even a little bit of mystery to French Holiday and it was a deliciously well-rounded romcom. I highly recommend it to all you romcom lovers out there who would like to go on a little French holiday yourselves. 😉
Thank you to the publishers for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
March 2, 2023
Cute Netgalley arc. Rtc soon.
May 21, 2023
Very modern contemporary romance.
An engaging story with a bit of mystery and a lot of humor. Everyone ends up with the one they're supposed to, happily at the end.
An engaging story with a bit of mystery and a lot of humor. Everyone ends up with the one they're supposed to, happily at the end.
February 18, 2023
"Because that’s the best kind of love. The kind where you love someone with your whole heart and they love you with their whole heart right back."
This one was just so cute! I really enjoyed the storyline and the mystery that unfolded unexpectedly, added an amount of intrigue to the plot. Noah & Merry made such an adorable couple. I couldn't help but root for them to get together ever since the very start. It was obvious that they had feelings for each other but couldn't understand how deeply those feelings ran. It was a delight to read when they finally crossed the "just friends" mark. Also, I was not expecting to like Pierre & Camille but their character development towards the end, made me enjoy their storyline too! Overall this book was an incredibly sweet, charming and drama free read. Noah & Merry gave me butterflies and the plot was absolutely charismatic!
I was provided with an ARC copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
This one was just so cute! I really enjoyed the storyline and the mystery that unfolded unexpectedly, added an amount of intrigue to the plot. Noah & Merry made such an adorable couple. I couldn't help but root for them to get together ever since the very start. It was obvious that they had feelings for each other but couldn't understand how deeply those feelings ran. It was a delight to read when they finally crossed the "just friends" mark. Also, I was not expecting to like Pierre & Camille but their character development towards the end, made me enjoy their storyline too! Overall this book was an incredibly sweet, charming and drama free read. Noah & Merry gave me butterflies and the plot was absolutely charismatic!
I was provided with an ARC copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
March 12, 2023
French Holiday
by Sarah Ready
Narrated by Kelsey Navarro
Pub Date: 26 Apr 2023
Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks
New Adult | Romance | Women's Fiction
Rating 4.5/5
Listening to French Holiday is such a pleasure. The narrator of this book, Kelsey Navarro, is excellent. It is a delightful listen with plenty of funny moments. For those looking for a cozy rom-com, I highly recommend listening to the eBook or reading the swoon-worthy book.
Synopsis:
Merry DeLuca loved Leo, but he married her sister, Angela. To heal Merry's ailing heart, Jupiter, Merry's godmother, offers her a chance to stay at her French chalet. Merry will have a joyous summer as she spends three months in the beautiful French countryside!
As it turns out, Leo's best man, Noah Wright, is also staying at the chateau and refuses to leave. In addition to being a famous travel documentary filmmaker, he is also one of Merry's most despicable acquaintances. A rotting castle in France could spell disaster for Noah and Merry, stranded together on a holiday that couldn't get worse.
Thank you NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC, for sharing this audiobook with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
by Sarah Ready
Narrated by Kelsey Navarro
Pub Date: 26 Apr 2023
Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks
New Adult | Romance | Women's Fiction
Rating 4.5/5
Listening to French Holiday is such a pleasure. The narrator of this book, Kelsey Navarro, is excellent. It is a delightful listen with plenty of funny moments. For those looking for a cozy rom-com, I highly recommend listening to the eBook or reading the swoon-worthy book.
Synopsis:
Merry DeLuca loved Leo, but he married her sister, Angela. To heal Merry's ailing heart, Jupiter, Merry's godmother, offers her a chance to stay at her French chalet. Merry will have a joyous summer as she spends three months in the beautiful French countryside!
As it turns out, Leo's best man, Noah Wright, is also staying at the chateau and refuses to leave. In addition to being a famous travel documentary filmmaker, he is also one of Merry's most despicable acquaintances. A rotting castle in France could spell disaster for Noah and Merry, stranded together on a holiday that couldn't get worse.
Thank you NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC, for sharing this audiobook with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
April 2, 2023
i liked the french part the chateau and everything but the one bed trope felt too forced like it was just thrown in there for the sake, i didn’t even like the mcs much especially the fmc 😔 some parts felt too dragged
i treated the audiobook like a podcast for part of it otherwise i wouldn’t have been able to get through with it and i’m not looking to fall back in a slump just got out of it a few days ago 🙏🏻
thank you netgalley for the audiobook in exchange of an honest review
August 9, 2023
(Mar 2023) I received an ARC of the audio book and enjoyed the story just as much as second time around. My original review is below.
******
(Feb 2023) Sarah Ready delivers a wonderful book about unrequited love that is beautifully descriptive and a well executed novel. With the cute cover and blurb I was expecting a lighter romance. That doesn’t mean that this is a heavy read, it’s not. This book is women’s fiction and romance as the main characters have more to deal with than a typical romance. The story begins with Merry DeLuca watching as her sister marries her (Merry’s) best friend and the man she has been in love with for five years. Her godmother offers her the chance to go live in France at a castle she owns and Merry accepts.
As Merry arrives for her three month planed holiday she finds the castle is unexpectedly dilapidated. Worse than that, Noah Wright the best man from her sisters wedding, is also at the castle. He is a famous for his travel show and has paid to stay at the castle while doing research. At the wedding he recognized the love that she has for the groom and called her on her feelings. Settling in for a forced proximity romance, with one bedroom I was surprised there is more to the story. Noah has his own background and unrequited love. And together these two are wonderful as they set out to be friends and maybe more.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the village, the food, the neighbors and even the lobster. Of course a mystery about a famous artist is right up my alley as well. One of my fantasies is to live in France for several months so that just added to the appeal of the story. I want to stroll with the characters over the lover’s bridge, eat picnics at the vineyard and live on baguettes. Merry’s past treatment by her mother and sister add to my concern for her and made it more rewarding when she moves forward in her life. I’ve not read the author before but I will absolutely be checking out her catalog of books.
Thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the ARC in exchange for a review. (4.5 Stars)
******
(Feb 2023) Sarah Ready delivers a wonderful book about unrequited love that is beautifully descriptive and a well executed novel. With the cute cover and blurb I was expecting a lighter romance. That doesn’t mean that this is a heavy read, it’s not. This book is women’s fiction and romance as the main characters have more to deal with than a typical romance. The story begins with Merry DeLuca watching as her sister marries her (Merry’s) best friend and the man she has been in love with for five years. Her godmother offers her the chance to go live in France at a castle she owns and Merry accepts.
As Merry arrives for her three month planed holiday she finds the castle is unexpectedly dilapidated. Worse than that, Noah Wright the best man from her sisters wedding, is also at the castle. He is a famous for his travel show and has paid to stay at the castle while doing research. At the wedding he recognized the love that she has for the groom and called her on her feelings. Settling in for a forced proximity romance, with one bedroom I was surprised there is more to the story. Noah has his own background and unrequited love. And together these two are wonderful as they set out to be friends and maybe more.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the village, the food, the neighbors and even the lobster. Of course a mystery about a famous artist is right up my alley as well. One of my fantasies is to live in France for several months so that just added to the appeal of the story. I want to stroll with the characters over the lover’s bridge, eat picnics at the vineyard and live on baguettes. Merry’s past treatment by her mother and sister add to my concern for her and made it more rewarding when she moves forward in her life. I’ve not read the author before but I will absolutely be checking out her catalog of books.
Thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the ARC in exchange for a review. (4.5 Stars)
April 19, 2023
3.75 Stars
A fun rom-com with the enemies-to-lovers and force proximity trope!
This was a fun read about Merry, who's recently trying to get over a heartbreak, and Noah, an arrogant travel documentarian. What was supposed to be Merry's relaxing getaway in France turned into a chaotic mess when she found out she was spending her entire vacation with a man she couldn't stand. Or so she thought she couldn't stand.
I love the interactions between the two protagonists and how they slowly got to know each other. Not only that, but the author managed to weave in the heavier topics of abandonment and self-loathing. The only thing I didn't like was the predictability and how some scenes were too corny/cheesy- e.g. the lobster and the allergic reaction moment. Other than that, it was a great read!
Highly recommend it to those looking for a good rom-com novel!
***Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Ready, and Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC
for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
A fun rom-com with the enemies-to-lovers and force proximity trope!
This was a fun read about Merry, who's recently trying to get over a heartbreak, and Noah, an arrogant travel documentarian. What was supposed to be Merry's relaxing getaway in France turned into a chaotic mess when she found out she was spending her entire vacation with a man she couldn't stand. Or so she thought she couldn't stand.
I love the interactions between the two protagonists and how they slowly got to know each other. Not only that, but the author managed to weave in the heavier topics of abandonment and self-loathing. The only thing I didn't like was the predictability and how some scenes were too corny/cheesy- e.g. the lobster and the allergic reaction moment. Other than that, it was a great read!
Highly recommend it to those looking for a good rom-com novel!
***Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Ready, and Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC
for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
May 1, 2023
What a charming book! I loved the glimpse into the French countryside and the heartfelt little mystery. A quick and fun read.
March 2, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! The characters are lovable, the background story is intriguing, and and the ending was swoon worthy. I loved the whole thing!
The writing was visceral! It felt like I was in the castle, in the garden, on the bridge, and could even taste the cucumber.
I listened to this book as an audiobook. And I have to say, I would recommend it! The narrator did a wonderful job, really bringing the character to life.
Five stars all the way around!!!
Thank you, NetGalley for the audio ARC!!
The writing was visceral! It felt like I was in the castle, in the garden, on the bridge, and could even taste the cucumber.
I listened to this book as an audiobook. And I have to say, I would recommend it! The narrator did a wonderful job, really bringing the character to life.
Five stars all the way around!!!
Thank you, NetGalley for the audio ARC!!
April 28, 2023
French Holiday is the first book I’ve read from Sarah Ready, and I am absolutely DELIGHTED with it! This book had all the markings for a great romcom- a great cast of characters, laugh out loud funny moments, an amazing setting, two enemies, an attacking lobster, and a small mystery. I was feeling a little bit of a slump coming on after binging 3 books in the FBAA series but this one helped me right out of it. I loved it! I definitely want to read the author’s entire backlog after reading this one and have already grabbed 2. I can’t wait to start them. If you’re a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope and books set in France (in a castle no less) then you don’t want to miss this one. Merry and Noah are sure to steal your heart!
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Escapist Romcoms
❥ Enemies-to-lovers
❥Forced Proximity
❥ One Bed
❥ Characters with interesting backstories
❥ A hint of mystery
❥ Clean romances
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Escapist Romcoms
❥ Enemies-to-lovers
❥Forced Proximity
❥ One Bed
❥ Characters with interesting backstories
❥ A hint of mystery
❥ Clean romances
March 15, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! The characters are lovable, the background story is intriguing, and and the ending was swoon worthy. I loved the whole thing!
The writing was visceral! It felt like I was in the castle, in the garden, on the bridge, and could even taste the cucumber.
I listened to this book as an audiobook. And I have to say, I would recommend it! The narrator did a wonderful job, really bringing the character to life.
Five stars all the way around!!!
Thank you, NetGalley for the audio ARC!!
The writing was visceral! It felt like I was in the castle, in the garden, on the bridge, and could even taste the cucumber.
I listened to this book as an audiobook. And I have to say, I would recommend it! The narrator did a wonderful job, really bringing the character to life.
Five stars all the way around!!!
Thank you, NetGalley for the audio ARC!!
February 28, 2023
the way I have hate listened to this book.
I am going to go into heavy detail so SPOILER WARNING.
I need authors to stop doing the "I've been in love with my best friend for 5 years and now he is marrying my sister" trope. I AM SICK OF IT AND IT MAKES ME HATE THE FMC. Because if you've been in love with a guy from years and he decides to marry your sister after a fucking night, I THINK IT'S TIME YOU FORGET ABOUT THE MAN AND TELL YOUR SISTER TO FUCK OFF (if she knew you loved him).
The way I only listened to this book cause I liked Noah, NOAH DESERVED BETTER THAN THIS FUCKING GIRL WHO'S LIFE IS WORSE THAN SHIT. Merry did not deserve him. Like I don't even now.
I guess if this book had been a movie I would've liked it more. I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS AUDIOBOOK!!!!!! They should've cut like half of this book. IDK IT SUCKED I HATED IT AND HATE EVERY SECOND OF MY LIFE I LISTENED TO THIS BULLSHIT.
~*~
Update to this review 24 hours later...
I can say the moment that stayed with me in this book, or at least one of them, is Louis the lobster. WHY THE HELL DID WE NEED ALMOST AN ENTIRE CHAPTER about a lobster that doesn't want to get boiled. Was it funny to me? No. It was annoying and stupid and I WAS SO DONE. I was/am so done with this book.
and still I keep thinking about Merediths sister. Like why did we need to go into details about a woman that "stole" her sister's best friend. They got engaged after meeting for one night, having a honeymoon baby (Math ain't mathing here), oh and her starting to hate her husband cause she's pregnant???? LIKE WHAT THE FUCK. God, I want to stop thinking about this book.
Can I talk about Pierre too? I keep forgetting he's there and how I would've cut that whole storyline out of this book and the whole MyStErY about where is my mummy. Too many things going. on.
I am going to go into heavy detail so SPOILER WARNING.
I need authors to stop doing the "I've been in love with my best friend for 5 years and now he is marrying my sister" trope. I AM SICK OF IT AND IT MAKES ME HATE THE FMC. Because if you've been in love with a guy from years and he decides to marry your sister after a fucking night, I THINK IT'S TIME YOU FORGET ABOUT THE MAN AND TELL YOUR SISTER TO FUCK OFF (if she knew you loved him).
The way I only listened to this book cause I liked Noah, NOAH DESERVED BETTER THAN THIS FUCKING GIRL WHO'S LIFE IS WORSE THAN SHIT. Merry did not deserve him. Like I don't even now.
I guess if this book had been a movie I would've liked it more. I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS AUDIOBOOK!!!!!! They should've cut like half of this book. IDK IT SUCKED I HATED IT AND HATE EVERY SECOND OF MY LIFE I LISTENED TO THIS BULLSHIT.
~*~
Update to this review 24 hours later...
I can say the moment that stayed with me in this book, or at least one of them, is Louis the lobster. WHY THE HELL DID WE NEED ALMOST AN ENTIRE CHAPTER about a lobster that doesn't want to get boiled. Was it funny to me? No. It was annoying and stupid and I WAS SO DONE. I was/am so done with this book.
and still I keep thinking about Merediths sister. Like why did we need to go into details about a woman that "stole" her sister's best friend. They got engaged after meeting for one night, having a honeymoon baby (Math ain't mathing here), oh and her starting to hate her husband cause she's pregnant???? LIKE WHAT THE FUCK. God, I want to stop thinking about this book.
Can I talk about Pierre too? I keep forgetting he's there and how I would've cut that whole storyline out of this book and the whole MyStErY about where is my mummy. Too many things going. on.
December 15, 2023
I'll admit I was slightly sceptical of this book after loving the Josh and Gemma series, but THIS IS NO LESS.
Sarah Ready is a brilliant writer with some great style. She'll make you laugh till you cry and your heart flutters at some of these amazing dialogues.
Merry DeLuca is secretly in love with her best friend. Who just married her sister- To get over life, she flies over to France to live in a château, only to find that she must cohabitate with the dreaded Noah Wright. In the only bedroom on the only bed.
Yup, this is enemies to friends to lover, at the perfect pace with a decent ranking for believability. Ready has another surprising subplot thrown in there which I won't spoil, but it's unexpectedly deep and emotional.
A special shout-out to Louis the Lobster, obviously my favourite character in the book. The twenty sixth and fiftieth chapters are proof that Sarah Ready is one of the best writers. I couldn't stop laughing at Louis, his great personality and his antics. (Is he Louis or did it turn out to be Louise?) But jokes apart, I think this one lobster has more character than MCs from other books
Kelsey Navarro is a supreme narrator with a great interpretation of the story. I sure did enjoy listening to her voice and will be on the look out for her. Trust me, this audiobook really enhances your reading experience.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Sarah Ready for making this ALC available to me in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sarah Ready is a brilliant writer with some great style. She'll make you laugh till you cry and your heart flutters at some of these amazing dialogues.
Merry DeLuca is secretly in love with her best friend. Who just married her sister- To get over life, she flies over to France to live in a château, only to find that she must cohabitate with the dreaded Noah Wright. In the only bedroom on the only bed.
Yup, this is enemies to friends to lover, at the perfect pace with a decent ranking for believability. Ready has another surprising subplot thrown in there which I won't spoil, but it's unexpectedly deep and emotional.
A special shout-out to Louis the Lobster, obviously my favourite character in the book. The twenty sixth and fiftieth chapters are proof that Sarah Ready is one of the best writers. I couldn't stop laughing at Louis, his great personality and his antics. (Is he Louis or did it turn out to be Louise?) But jokes apart, I think this one lobster has more character than MCs from other books
Kelsey Navarro is a supreme narrator with a great interpretation of the story. I sure did enjoy listening to her voice and will be on the look out for her. Trust me, this audiobook really enhances your reading experience.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Sarah Ready for making this ALC available to me in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 28, 2023
Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy
Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro
Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
Merry's younger sister Angela is getting married to Leo, Merry's good friend. This may sound like a romantic wedding, if only Merry weren't in love with Leo herself...
Synopsis sounded intreresting and unrequited love angle can create many heartfelt and relatable moments. But something rubbed me wrong about this story. So many things were told, there was too much inner monologue. I never felt invested in any of the characters, including Merry. One moment author told us that Merry was in love with Leo, then she's waking up in bed with the best man Noah, condoms lying around in the room...
Merry often sounded silly, immature and she didn't read books which showed!
Author’s writing style felt too wordly without not much happening.
Her attemps at humor sounded forced and not funny at all. Why any sane person would hit someone with the cucumber??? Was this scene supposed to be funny and romantic?? There were other scenes that were cringeworthy and embarrasing rather than funny and entertaining!
Eh, I guess this story nor the characters weren't for me!
Ahhh, Susan Elizabeth Phillips has spoiled me for other romance authors!
Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro
Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
Merry's younger sister Angela is getting married to Leo, Merry's good friend. This may sound like a romantic wedding, if only Merry weren't in love with Leo herself...
Synopsis sounded intreresting and unrequited love angle can create many heartfelt and relatable moments. But something rubbed me wrong about this story. So many things were told, there was too much inner monologue. I never felt invested in any of the characters, including Merry. One moment author told us that Merry was in love with Leo, then she's waking up in bed with the best man Noah, condoms lying around in the room...
Merry often sounded silly, immature and she didn't read books which showed!
Author’s writing style felt too wordly without not much happening.
Her attemps at humor sounded forced and not funny at all. Why any sane person would hit someone with the cucumber??? Was this scene supposed to be funny and romantic?? There were other scenes that were cringeworthy and embarrasing rather than funny and entertaining!
Eh, I guess this story nor the characters weren't for me!
Ahhh, Susan Elizabeth Phillips has spoiled me for other romance authors!
March 29, 2023
Uber cheesy, super predictable romance with flat characters and too much going on. When we meet Merry, she is getting ready to be a bridesmaid for her sister! Angela, who is marrying Leo, who is Merry’s best friend. Merry has been in love with him for the past 5 years but hasn’t had the nerve to tell him and now it’s too late-he has spent one night with her sister and they’re getting married. At the wedding Merry spends time with the best man, Noah, a famous travel writer, who she strongly dislikes.
After all the drama of the wedding, she decides to take her godmother’s offer of a three month vacation in a French castle so she can find someone of her own. But when she gets there, the castle isn’t in great shape. And surprisingly, Noah is also at the castle but for completely different reasons-he’s trying to find someone too, but in a completely different manner. .
There were some fun moments (like Louis the lobster) but I think the author tried to throw too many different things into the pot to see what stuck and it kind of got jumbled up for me. Maybe it’s just me and others will enjoy it.
The narrator was kind of annoying as well.
Thanks to Swift & Lewis Publishing and NetGalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.
After all the drama of the wedding, she decides to take her godmother’s offer of a three month vacation in a French castle so she can find someone of her own. But when she gets there, the castle isn’t in great shape. And surprisingly, Noah is also at the castle but for completely different reasons-he’s trying to find someone too, but in a completely different manner. .
There were some fun moments (like Louis the lobster) but I think the author tried to throw too many different things into the pot to see what stuck and it kind of got jumbled up for me. Maybe it’s just me and others will enjoy it.
The narrator was kind of annoying as well.
Thanks to Swift & Lewis Publishing and NetGalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.
May 8, 2023
This book is what a romcom should be like: lighthearted, funny, cute, naughty with a soul!
I loved Noah's backstory and the reason why he ends up in France which added to the emotional element to the story.
There was only one full fledged lovemaking scene but it was *phew* sexy🌶️🔥!
The kitchen scene with the lobster was hilarious!! This particular lobster surely didn't need PETA to fight its battle for survival 😂!
I am glad I listened to the audiobook because the narration by Kelsey Navarro was top notch!!! Listening to her bring this book to life was so much fun and a hoot!
My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC/ IBPA Member's Audiobooks and the author Sarah Ready for the audio Arc of the book.
I loved Noah's backstory and the reason why he ends up in France which added to the emotional element to the story.
There was only one full fledged lovemaking scene but it was *phew* sexy🌶️🔥!
The kitchen scene with the lobster was hilarious!! This particular lobster surely didn't need PETA to fight its battle for survival 😂!
I am glad I listened to the audiobook because the narration by Kelsey Navarro was top notch!!! Listening to her bring this book to life was so much fun and a hoot!
My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC/ IBPA Member's Audiobooks and the author Sarah Ready for the audio Arc of the book.
April 19, 2023
What a great vacation holiday read! Mary DeLuca has a problem. Mary has loved her best friend Leo for years, yet Leo has decided to marry the one other woman that would hurt her the most, her sister. As she watches them exchange vows, finds out they're expecting, and loses her job all within the matter of a few weeks, Mary needs to get away. She needs a new fresh start and a vacation. Her godmother Jupiter (like sexy fairy godmother, but like real) offers Mary the use of castle in the French countryside to get away from it all. I have to say, I don't have a godmother, but if I did, one with a French castle seems like the best option that every girl needs.
As Mary flies to France, she is anticipating a whirlwind romance with a French gentleman who will whisk her away to vineyards and make her forget Leo ever existed. However, when she gets to the castle, there is already a guest staying there, Noah Wright. The two have history, and Mary feels Noah has always been a little rude to her especially after their recent tryst post wedding. Will Mary's French holiday be ruined or can the two stay together without murdering one another?
This was a really cute book with a nice romance. I enjoyed both of the main characters and there were some very comedic moments for me. The characters had a lot of chemistry and you could feel the bond and easy camaraderie between the two. I listened to this as an audiobook and absolutely loved it. The audio narrator's voice was easy to follow and helped me stay really connected to the book and the characters. Cute romance!
Thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for granting me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
As Mary flies to France, she is anticipating a whirlwind romance with a French gentleman who will whisk her away to vineyards and make her forget Leo ever existed. However, when she gets to the castle, there is already a guest staying there, Noah Wright. The two have history, and Mary feels Noah has always been a little rude to her especially after their recent tryst post wedding. Will Mary's French holiday be ruined or can the two stay together without murdering one another?
This was a really cute book with a nice romance. I enjoyed both of the main characters and there were some very comedic moments for me. The characters had a lot of chemistry and you could feel the bond and easy camaraderie between the two. I listened to this as an audiobook and absolutely loved it. The audio narrator's voice was easy to follow and helped me stay really connected to the book and the characters. Cute romance!
Thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for granting me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
February 28, 2023
This book had some cute little twists in it. I thought it was pretty funny that Merry thought much more happened the night of the wedding and then it kept coming up until Noah corrects her. The two found a good friendship that lead them to a cute relationship. I didn’t love the “murderer” piece but I understand that it had to be part of the plot to make the romance come together.
🌀Synopsis
Merry is escaping. She just quit her job and she’s ready to take a new lease on life. When she arrives to her God mother’s French château, she’s ecstatic. She can already imagine the French fling she’s about to have. Until she realizes that her aunt has already rented out the home to someone she knows and doesn’t care for- Noah Wright.
On top of that, she finds out the château is pretty dilapidated and they will need to share the one room that is habitable. It’s awkward and neither of them are excited but neither are willing to leave.
They eventually fall into a decently easy friendship and a mystery pushes them closer together. As details of Noah’s past emerge, Merry finds herself falling for him. His troubled past has people telling her to steer clear of him, but she’s sure they are wrong and decides to take a chance on him. A chance that leads her to the romance she’s always dreamt of.
🌀Synopsis
Merry is escaping. She just quit her job and she’s ready to take a new lease on life. When she arrives to her God mother’s French château, she’s ecstatic. She can already imagine the French fling she’s about to have. Until she realizes that her aunt has already rented out the home to someone she knows and doesn’t care for- Noah Wright.
On top of that, she finds out the château is pretty dilapidated and they will need to share the one room that is habitable. It’s awkward and neither of them are excited but neither are willing to leave.
They eventually fall into a decently easy friendship and a mystery pushes them closer together. As details of Noah’s past emerge, Merry finds herself falling for him. His troubled past has people telling her to steer clear of him, but she’s sure they are wrong and decides to take a chance on him. A chance that leads her to the romance she’s always dreamt of.
December 31, 2023
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (one very descriptive open door scene)
Trigger Warning: parental abandonment, house fire, brief mention of loved one with cancer
Merry DeLuca has always lived in the shadow of her sister Angela. So when Angela marries the man that Merry has secretly loved for four years, Merry knows it's time for things to change. She quits her job and leaves for 3 months in France, thanks to a godmother who owns a vacant chateau. Little does Merry know, the man she hates- Noah Wright- is also staying at the chateau to work on a travel book. As these two figure out how to live together, they slowly begin to discover that maybe they don't really hate each other. And Noah is keeping a secret that will change everything. Can Merry come away from France with a new outlook on life and even a new romance?
This was another delightful read from Sarah Ready! It was part rom-com, part mystery, and had two emotional back stories that brought tears to my eyes. Merry and Noah started off with a fun enemies vibe that slowly turned to friendship and then a fiery romance. I loved Camille and Phillipe- the neighbors who helped Merry and Noah. And Merry's sister was a bit of a villain who learned her lesson in the end. The mystery that came into play in the second half kept the story from dragging, and I loved how it all played out. I was also thankful that there wasn't a third act breakup, although there were definitely several moments that had me worried about whether Noah and Merry would work things out. I'm looking forward to whatever comes next from Sarah Ready!
Thank you Netgalley and Swift and Lewis Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (one very descriptive open door scene)
Trigger Warning: parental abandonment, house fire, brief mention of loved one with cancer
Merry DeLuca has always lived in the shadow of her sister Angela. So when Angela marries the man that Merry has secretly loved for four years, Merry knows it's time for things to change. She quits her job and leaves for 3 months in France, thanks to a godmother who owns a vacant chateau. Little does Merry know, the man she hates- Noah Wright- is also staying at the chateau to work on a travel book. As these two figure out how to live together, they slowly begin to discover that maybe they don't really hate each other. And Noah is keeping a secret that will change everything. Can Merry come away from France with a new outlook on life and even a new romance?
This was another delightful read from Sarah Ready! It was part rom-com, part mystery, and had two emotional back stories that brought tears to my eyes. Merry and Noah started off with a fun enemies vibe that slowly turned to friendship and then a fiery romance. I loved Camille and Phillipe- the neighbors who helped Merry and Noah. And Merry's sister was a bit of a villain who learned her lesson in the end. The mystery that came into play in the second half kept the story from dragging, and I loved how it all played out. I was also thankful that there wasn't a third act breakup, although there were definitely several moments that had me worried about whether Noah and Merry would work things out. I'm looking forward to whatever comes next from Sarah Ready!
Thank you Netgalley and Swift and Lewis Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
March 1, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Meredith (Merry) spends her life giving her sister (Angela) whatever she wants just to watch her discard it when she's bored. When Angela marries the man that Merry thinks is "the one", Merry decides to take a 3 month long vacation to France while staying at her godmother's chateaux. She wants to spend the time there falling in love with France, herself, and hopefully a Frenchman named Pierre. However, when she arrives, Noah has just arrived and he has already paid her aunt to stay while filming his next travel documentary. Since Noah is Merry's least favorite human, they argue about who gets to stay. The begrudgingly decide to share the chateaux and stay out of each other's way.
This was a very cute story with the perfect amount of steam. The only part i didn't really love is the main character's full name because it kept taking me out of the story and making me think of Grey's Anatomy (her name is Meredith DeLuca iykyk). Thankfully her full name didn't come up too often so much brain didn't go wandering. I loved the side love story as well as the bonus mystery that was thrown in. I loved all the descriptions of the French food and countryside. This was a great book.
Meredith (Merry) spends her life giving her sister (Angela) whatever she wants just to watch her discard it when she's bored. When Angela marries the man that Merry thinks is "the one", Merry decides to take a 3 month long vacation to France while staying at her godmother's chateaux. She wants to spend the time there falling in love with France, herself, and hopefully a Frenchman named Pierre. However, when she arrives, Noah has just arrived and he has already paid her aunt to stay while filming his next travel documentary. Since Noah is Merry's least favorite human, they argue about who gets to stay. The begrudgingly decide to share the chateaux and stay out of each other's way.
This was a very cute story with the perfect amount of steam. The only part i didn't really love is the main character's full name because it kept taking me out of the story and making me think of Grey's Anatomy (her name is Meredith DeLuca iykyk). Thankfully her full name didn't come up too often so much brain didn't go wandering. I loved the side love story as well as the bonus mystery that was thrown in. I loved all the descriptions of the French food and countryside. This was a great book.
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