Cover Image: What Happens in France

What Happens in France

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Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and Carol Wyer for the chance to read and review this book.

Thirty years ago Bryony’s 16-year-old sister, Hannah, ran away from home and has never been heard of since. Bryony has always blamed herself and is sure her parents do too. She has tried everything to find her sister: the police, the press, private investigators, and her blog “Searching For Hannah” that she still updates regularly. When her father suffers a massive stroke and they are told he will not survive another Bryony realises she’s running out of time to put her family back together and knows she must find a way, any way, to find Hannah and bring her home.

When a new show, “What Happens In…” is announced and puts out a call for contestants Bryony sees the opportunity she’s been waiting for. Not only would getting on the show give her a huge audience to make aware of her sister’s disappearance and plead for help in finding her, but Hannah was a massive game show fan so there’s a chance she could tune in herself. With the help of her best friend Melinda she completes the application and waits to see if she’s chosen.

When she’s invited to audition Bryony is surprised to see a familiar face amongst the other hopefuls, Lewis, who she recently met at a get together at her best friend’s house. The two had instantly hit it off so when they find they have both been successful in their auditions and have to partner with someone for the show, they ask to work together. Their wish granted they are soon on a private jet on their way to France for a week of surprise challenges and a battle to stay on the show and raise awareness of Bryony’s quest to find her sister.

I don’t read many romantic comedies but when one is written by one of my must-read authors I can’t say no, especially when the plot sounds so fun and novel. While the book did start slow for me I found once we got to the part where Bryony is heading off to France and taking part in the show I couldn’t stop reading. I wasn’t surprised to find out how much research the author had done before writing this book as the chapters about the show were hilarious and full of great little details that only someone “in the know” would think of. The challenges were fun to read and I learned a lot myself when the characters were being quizzed about their general knowledge. The live broadcasts added a great element of tension as you were on the edge of your seat along with the contestants waiting to find out who was going home each night.

There were an array of colourful characters among the other contestants, particularly Oscar and his instagram famous dog who were probably my favourite duo of all the characters, and Jim, who was what you imagine every Dad/Grandad to be. I liked Bryony and how the letters to her sister she wrote via her blog gave us a gradual insight into what happened when Hannah left and why Bryony is so sure it’s her fault. I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must be to have someone you love missing, with no idea if they’re alive or dead for thirty long years, so I was definitely rooting for the plan to work. The dynamic between Lewis and Bryony was another thing I liked about the story. Their jovial and playful repartee made me think there was a burgeoning romance behind their friendship. Once again I was hoping Bryony would get a happy ending with Lewis, who seemed to be a lovely and decent guy.

Overall What Happens In France is a funny, interesting story about love, family and finding the truth. I learned some new trivia and now want to go on holiday to Brittany as it sounds so beautiful. An entertaining and easy read that is perfect for fans of romantic comedies, and even for those who don’t usually read them like me.

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What Happens in France by Carol Wyer is a beautifully written story about love, loss and family, and the bonds that never break.

Bryony's sister disappeared thirty years ago and Bryony has felt a sense of guilt ever since, believing that she is the reason for her sister's going away. As their father's health quicky deteoriates she decides to enter a contest and use national coverage to ask people to help her find her sister.
When Lewis, her best friend's new neighbor also gets in the show they decide to team up and try to win it.

From there a fabulous adventure starts, all through breathtaking parts of France as these two become part of laugh out loud exciting quizes.
Readers will be kept in suspense to see if Bryony's and Lewis's feelings blossom into something more and will Bryony fulfill her mission and find her sister.

I enjoyed this book so so much. Riveting and intriguing this book tells a very important tale of never giving up and fighting till the end.
I loved the characters, and envied the long lasting friendship between Bryony and her best friend. I also was amazed at Bryony's strenght and will to overcome her disability, her accidents and all other misfortunes that had befallen her.
Mesmerizing story, well paced and well written. Ms Wyer is a superb storyteller.

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I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and poignant. There was a romance, but it wasn't the main plot, and it was nicely done with just the right amount of angst. I liked all the characters (including a wonderful pug). There was a lot going on, the search for Bryony's sister, the trip to France, the TV game show . . . You could add to your general knowledge by reading this book! If I have one small criticism (and I mean it in a constructive way), I felt that sometimes the detail of the game show challenges went on a bit too long. I especially liked the challenges when Bryony and Lewis were on their own. Nice descriptions of France - made me want to visit. All in all, a good read. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This is a heartwarming story set around a quiz show but also includes the search for a missing sister. The characters are believable as is the plot. It is a very easy book to read but thorough enjoyable at the same time. Recommended.

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Bryony knew her sister Hannah only as a child- she was 6 when Hannah left home at 16. She has, however, spent incredible time and energy since trying to find her and now she's particularly motivated because their father is ill. I would have never thought about going on a game show to make a public plea but Bryony did. It's a wonderful set up for this tale of a group of people (and a pug) and most importantly, family reconciliation. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Nicely written and plotted, this was a happy read.

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I have seen quite a few thrillers written by the author being praised in the blogging world and I can see the traces of that genre in this story. 

The plot is very unique as is the camaraderie between the different people in the story. There is a lot about the relationships that is shown to us instead of just telling us the depth. Our leading lady Bryony is an avid quizzer and a teacher in the local school. She is in a bit of a fix. Her father's health is deteriorating and they still have unfinished business with her sister. The sister, Hannah's whereabouts are not known neither is the fact if she is still alive. Bryony has been thinking up unique schemes to get more information about what happened to her and in the best case scenario, find her. 

The focus of the tale is definitely the scheme which involves her taking part in a game show!Much of the book deals with the complexities and interesting possibilities of what might happen on the sets. There is a littering of facts, thrown in for good measure. Bryony makes new friends and gets more help then expected in finding her sister. There were parts I really enjoyed and parts I read through faster just to get to the other end. This latter bit is the only reason for the slightly lower rating. If people are not as restless as me, they will be able to sail through the book at approximately the same speed throughout. This book should be read for the people(something I mentioned before as well) and for the new angle. I do enjoy game shows and this added a distinct flavour to the read.

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I would like to start highlighting the original plot of this story. Since you can be a participant of any kind of a contest to win the prize so as to pay your mortgage once and for all, buy a new car, do the trip of your life, or something like that. However, Bryony, the main character of the story, decides to sign up to the widen-known contestant “What happens in...” to keep on looking for her long-lost sister Hannah. Bryony’s father is seriously ill after suffering two heart-attacks, and the only words who is capable to stutter are: “Is that you, Hannah?” A desolated Bryony encourages herself to roll on in this adventure to appeal her sister Hannah that come back home, in front of the cameras. In the case she is still alive, since it’s thirty years ago she ran away from home, leaving a goodbye-letter and three broken hearts.

Carol Wyer lets us enjoy two main stories that run along together: the insatiable searching of Hannah, and the growing love between Bryony and Lewis ,her team-mate in the contest. Lewis is such an adorable man that you the only thing you can do is to fall in in love with him. For what the interest in this romantic story never decreases, in fact, sometimes you’ll think you are another participant of this amusing show, nervous before the live events and expectanting to know the scores. Besides, you will be a direct witness of the stunning landscape of the belle France.

It is a totally recommendable reads, you’ll be able to cry and laugh at the same time.

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Bryony Master’s sister, Hannah ran away from home years before and Bryony is still desperate to find her. Her dad isn’t in the best of health and she really wants her to come back and see him.
As Hannah loved quiz shows Bryony thinks it will be a good idea to go on one to try and get her story out there and maybe Hannah will see.
This book is lighthearted and fun with the sadness of her and her parents not seeing her sister for years.
The characters all have strong personalities that really come to life. I really felt I was with there with them. The quiz show is genius and should be a real show, I would definitely be hooked.
This book made me laugh and shout and cry.
Loved it.

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This story follows Bryony Masters, whose sister Hannah ran away when she was sixteen. Thirty years later Bryony and her parents had accepted that as much as they all missed her, she would not be returning to them. When Bryony and Hannah's dad has a stroke, Bryony decides that she must find Hannah before their father deteriorates any further. Bryony had previously set up a blog to help find Hannah, but realises that she needs to do more, and when the opportunity arises to take part in a game show set in France, with the potential to have millions of viewers, Bryony throws herself into it, determined to find Hannah.

Bryony's best friend Melinda introduces her to a neighbour Lewis, who by chance is also selected for the game show, and they both set out to get Hannah's story out to the millions of viewers every night, as they travel around Brittany in France, taking part in a number of tricky, and often hilarious, competitions, as they and the other pairs of competitors become friends. whilst also trying to win each section to allow Bryony to make another appeal for people who might know Hannah. Oscar, one of the competitors, brings his Insta-famous pug, Biggie Smalls along for the ride too.

I found this an absolute pleasure to read, particularly enjoying the trip around a part of France I know and love, and giggling at the reference to Erik Monkman too! This book was an endearing story about the loss of a sister, but also developing into a gentle romance too. Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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With thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

I am a big fan of Carol Wyers`s DI Robyn Carter and DI Natalie Ward series. When I saw Carol had written a Romcom I thought I would give it a try.

English teacher Bryony Masters had been searching for her long lost sister Hannah who disappeared thirty years ago. Over the years Bryony and her parents had hired private detectives and set up a website but they could find no trace Hannah was still alive.

After her father had a massive stroke Bryony wanted to find Hannah before it was too late. With time running out she decided to enter a game show called What Happens In. Hannah hoped with access to millions of viewers someone would know what happened to Hannah.

Bryony was shocked when her best friend Miranda`s neighbour Lewis was at the audition. Bryony and Lewis sailed through the audition and were picked to appear together as a team on the show. During the trials Bryony and Lewis got on like a house on fire. However she knew they could only be a friends as Lewis was gay and had recently split up with his partner Maxwell.

Firstly Carol is a talented writer. able to turn her hand to chick lit and crime. I absolutely loved What Happens In France, I enjoyed the descriptions of the attractions in France and would quite like a holiday there myself.

I also liked the characters in the book. I especially liked the rival contestants, Jim a carer and walking enyclopaedia, ballerina Oscar and his pug Biggie Small an Instagram star.

My only small criticism is I thought the long winded medical jargon in the first chapter was a bit forced.

What Happens In France was a fun book with a serious message. I hope Carol does a sequel to this story.

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I’d like to thank Canelo and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘What Happens In France’ by Carol Wyer in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Bryony Masters applies to take part in a new TV quiz ‘What Happens In …’ and is delighted to be chosen, as she intends to tell the audience about her missing sister in the hope she’ll make contact again. Hannah ran away from home thirty years ago aged just sixteen and as their father is seriously ill following a stroke Bryony needs Hannah to be reunited with her parents before it’s too late.

I’m a great fan of Carol Wyer’s police thrillers and this is the first romantic novel I’ve read by her. ‘What Happens In France’ is the story of Bryony joining ‘What Happens In…’, her friendship/romance with neighbour and fellow-panellist Lewis and the search for her sister. The narrative is interspersed with Bryony’s blog ‘Searching For Hannah’ describing her thoughts, hopes and recollections of the past, hoping her sister will read it and make contact. It’s light-hearted, easy to read and amusing, although I had a lump in my throat towards the end. I think I prefer Wyer’s police thrillers but it’s good to read another side to her talents.

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What a fun , lighthearted well written book this was !
It was the first time I have ever read anything by Carol Wyer, but i would look for other books by her.
Bryony was a very likeable character who with the help of her teammate Lewis , takes part in a prime time Tv show “What happens in France”
Bryony has been looking for her sister Hannah for years, and uses the game show to try and find her reality tv obsessed sister , add in a cast of unique characters , a social media star dog, and laugh out loud adventures and you have the spirit of this book
Pure lighthearted fun!
Thank you to netgalley and Camelo for allowing me an advance copy of this book in return for an unbiased review

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Bryony is desperate to find her sister, who ran away over 15 years ago after a terrible accident. Their father is dying and she wants to reconnect them. She gets the idea to enter a reality game show, in order to publicize her search. She talks a new friend, Lewis, into being her partner on the show. The novel documents their experience.

I'm not a fan of reality shows, so didn't think I'd care for this story line but wanted to try something different from the typical romance or mystery novel. I'm glad I read this delightful book. In particular, I enjoyed the emphasis on the comradery that forms among the participants in this reality challenge. The setting in France was described in so much detail that I want to visit the places mentioned! The underlying stories, of Bryony's search for her sister and her relationship with Lewis, add depth to the book, as did the unique characters. Loved this!

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If you are looking for a fun escape, this book has it all. I loved the premise of contestants on a game show, their individual stories and what the win means to them. Bryony is a teacher, applying for the game show to publicize her search for her sister, Hannah, who ran away from home years earlier. Bryony meets Lewis, and as they partner to win, they discover what is most important to them. It doesn’t hurt that all events take part on France, enhancing the appeal of the story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

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A romantic comedy with feel good vibes. It's a warm inviting story that will make you smile. It's a fast easy read.

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Loved, loved, loved every moment of this book!!!

Carol Wyer has really brought the story to life making you feel every moment that the characters are going through. It has its tense moments, the will they won't they and, of course, will the grand plan work....

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If I’m honest this book is weighed down by unnecessary details and weird phrasing. How many times does Bryony need to mention the full name of her illness and the charity associated? Also when a character is in the hospital another character spits out a load of medical jargon as if any relative of a patient would speak that way. It just all comes off as a bit forced and wooden.

Giving 2.5 stars rounded up for an original story though. Overall enjoyed the plot idea and the game show, didn’t much enjoy the blog entries or whining from Bryony.

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I am a big fan Carol Wyers police procedural books but this was the first of her romance books that I have read. I am not a big romance reader but thought I would give it a go. For me it was a good story but it wasn't of the caliber of her other books.

What Happens In France 🇫🇷 is the story of Bryony and her family searching for her sister Hannah who left home without a trace many years ago. Her father has recently had a stroke and desperately wants to see Hannah again. Bryony thinks that going on a game show might help to find heras it was something that they both love.

Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

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Loved it! How can you not like a book featuring a crazy quiz show, a pug named Biggie Smalls and an actual furry car? I’m a huge fan of the author’s Detective Natalie Ward series and couldn’t wait to read this, even though it’s a completely opposite type of story. The book was a fun read with a bit of romance. Loved Bryony, she had a few setbacks as a child and would do anything to find her sister.

Bryony wants to go on a quiz show, hoping it will help her find her sister. Bryony hasn’t seen Hannah in 30 years, not since her sister left home at sixteen. Bryony becomes friends with a few of her fellow contestants, Oscar, Jim and Lewis.

Loved the story, characters and writing. Loved Jim and his flip phone. He loved and adored his wife and just wanted to make her happy. From the start I wanted to know why Hannah left. The quiz show seemed fun, maybe not driving blind folded. I’m not sure how a furry car would hold up in the rain. I wanted Melinda as a friend. Her and Sean were fun and I wanted to be at the murder mystery party and with them when they were wheeling their friends around in a wheelbarrow.

Definitely recommend the book. It was fun, full of humor and a bit of romance. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Canelo and the author, Carol Wyer for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

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What a fun, feel good book this is! Okay I usually don't read much other than thriller/suspense books, hence the name of my blog. I love Carol Wyer's books and I have only read her writing "my type of books." I saw this and couldn't resist it! First of all, it is Carol Wyer and also it just sounded like it would be fun! I mean who doesn't love a stinking cute pug in a berit!!! Love this cover!!!

Bryony Masters is searching for her sister that she has not seen in 30 years. Her sister fled their home at the tender age of 16 and Bryony feels responsible. Bryony's father recently had a stroke and this has prompted her to find her sister before it is too late. Except she has no idea what has happened to Hannah, is she even still alive? She launches a plan to get on a game show that has 4 million viewers, to hopefully reach Hannah or someone that knows what happened to her.

Along the way she befriends a wonderful, witty, fun guy that seems to be her soulmate. They are like two peas in a pod and I wanted them to be together so badly. Sadly we found out quite early on that Bryony was "not his type." As a mutual friend told her that he just broke up with his boyfriend Maxwell. Sigh.....I was so heartbroken as I thought they would be adorable together.......

I highly advise reading Carol's acknowledgments, it is a wealth of information and shows you how much thought was put into the research of this book. Even though this was a fun, feel good read, it has some very personal and serious things behind the inspiration of this book. Thank you Ms. Wyer for another fantastic book!

Thanks so much to Carol Wyer, Canelo publishing and Netgalley for this ARC!

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