In this fast-paced, fun-packed novel, I loved being transported to La Maison du Paradis, where the cast of mature characters came together to create tantalising culinary delights that were as sumptuous as the beautiful French setting.

The new and recurring characters were likeable and created a good mix. I enjoyed watching them develop through the novel as their reasons for attending the cookery school were revealed, and they faced their personal difficulties.

With a perfect blend of humour, heart, and realism, The French Cookery School was my favourite Caroline James novel to date (and I have greatly enjoyed many of her previous novels). Proving that it's never too late to find joy, fulfilment, and a sense of purpose, the story left me with a big smile and a sense of warmth.

The French Cookery School by Caroline James is a positively delightful contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
All the characters were well drawn, realistic and likable. They were an eclectic mix who traveled from England to the French cookery school. There are larger than life characters, salt of the earth characters, a brow beaten woman, a newly widowed woman and more, plus a Michelin starred chef and the owner. Everyone has a back story.
We witness that branching out alone after losing a partner to cancer, takes much bravery, as the late partner’s dream is realised. As he lets a little light in, he finds the strength to live again.
The reader cannot help but like a bubbly northern lass who always has a smile and a kind word. She is hoping for a long-held dream to become a reality.
Our hearts break for a character who has been forever squashed by her husband who is a philanderer and a gambler. She fears the future. She is also caught in the grip of anorexia. A near miss helps her to open her eyes to the possibility that the second half of her life can be better than the first.
Caroline James really treats the reader’s senses. Our taste buds are tantalisingly tempted by the cuisine. Our eyes and ears are awakened to the vibrant French landscape.
The French Cookery School is a really fun, light-hearted read, with characters who are the other side of sixty. There are some serious themes too, which are counter balanced by the carefree nature and camaraderie of the French cookery school. I loved it.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was no required. All opinions are my own.
A note to readers: if you are affected by any of the themes, please talk to someone and get help.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to the cookery school in France that Caroline James sent me on.

I loved the characters, each one different, funny and friendly. It was so nice to be surrounded by them and enjoying the gorgeous dishes they prepared.

The setting was also gorgeous, made you feel as though you was there too.

The perfect book for a holiday read.

I highly recommend this book.

This was a fun, quick read!

Loved the setting, the mansion sounded gorgeous and the idea of a cookery school there sounds like a Hallmark movie! The characters were just that - a bunch of fun, interesting characters. Fran was hilarious, but caring. Sally was fun to get to know. They all blended together at the school perfectly and make a fun story! They all come with their problems and find their solutions, it's a caring group.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

In The French Cookery School, author Caroline James serves up a delectable tale that blends the perfect ingredients for a summer read. Set against the picturesque backdrop of a luxurious cookery school in France, this novel takes readers on a culinary adventure filled with laughter, love, and delicious recipes.

Step by step, James expertly crafts a narrative that begins with the mixing together of a diverse group of characters. From mature students seeking new beginnings to a handsome host and a seasoned celebrity chef, each character adds their own flavor to the story. As the plot simmers, tensions rise, friendships form, and unexpected romances bloom.

At the heart of the story is Waltho Williams, who opens the doors of his beautiful French home, La Maison du Paradis, in a bid to turn his dwindling funds into a successful cookery school. Alongside him are a cast of characters including divorcee caterer Caroline, warm-hearted Fran, and food journalist Sally, each with their own motivations and dreams.

As the group navigates their culinary challenges and personal dramas, readers are treated to a delightful feast of emotions and experiences. From the sizzle of a hot pan to the delicate rise of a soufflé, James' vivid descriptions bring the world of French cuisine to life on the page.

But beyond the delicious dishes and picturesque settings, The French Cookery School also serves up a poignant exploration of friendship, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams. Through laughter and tears, the eclectic group of characters learns valuable lessons about life, love, and the importance of following one's passion.

With its irresistible blend of romance, humor, and mouthwatering recipes, The French Cookery School is sure to leave readers as delighted as I was.

The French Cookery School is a life-affirming story of second chances for our cast of 50+ characters set in the heat of Franch in the mid-summer, as well as the heat of the kitchen. Our main characters, and there are really four of them (Fran, Sally, Caroline and Waltho), all have their own struggles to overcome or ambitions to achieve, which sets the scene for a story of facing grief and loss and moving beyond the comfort of how lives have been led for so many years.

It is an engaging, quick read that is sure to appeal to fans of cookery, France, and second-chance stories who are looking for a more 'serious' take on the genre.

(With all that said, this novel is not a comedy—I am unsure why it's even described as a rom-com because it's not light-hearted or funny. As such, while I can praise the story, I am a bit annoyed that it's not, as they say, 'what it says on the tin.' I was expecting some light-hearted humour mixed in with some cookery lessons - this story is certainly not that, and I wouldn't have chosen to read it if I'd known it wasn't a comedy.)

alright. this book was real good. i super enjoyed it. the characters are chef's kiss. the plot is mr. darcy level fantastic. the writing is tortured poets department wonderful. all the things and more for this book. read it!!!

Caroline James has brought me on the best summer holidays to a little French cookery school with a cast of characters who were funny, warm and well rounded! I could almost see the northern humour and the southern reticence - I really enjoyed spending time with them. The location is vividly drawn, so much so, that this is like a lovely holiday with humour and heart thrown in as part of the package.
Bravo Caroline James - a fantastic summer read - one for the beach bag for sure!

I have previously read another book by this author and I enjoy the fact that she uses 'mature' people to be the characters in her stories. It shows that they can still follow their dreams no matter what age. I loved that an ageing tabby cat is also an important character! What completes the book is having a '12 months later' section which brings the story strands to completion. This is a really great book and I'd highly recommend it.

A fun light read set in a part of France I know well from visiting friends in the region annually. Caroline really captures the essence of the area and I found myself visiting Montmorillon and St Savin with the characters. A diverse set of older characters from extrovert northern Fran to reserved Londoner Caroline, one seems to know them already from general life. They all meet at a cookery school in idyllic surroundings with glorious weather, lavender and, of course, food and wine in abundance. Lots of personal issues amongst the group but they find their way resulting in an utterly joyous heartwarming read. This is the first book I've read by Caroline James but it certainly won't be the last as it was a very relaxing read, ideal for holiday or when one wants a break from more intense books

The French Cookery School, what a fun atmospheric read. I'd love to go a week long vacation to such a cookery school. The location, characters and everything about the story was great and I enjoyed reading about it very much.

Please can I go on a Caroline James holiday every year? Her books are so full of joy, feeling, and wonderful characters I just want to be part of them. Mature folk with stories to tell taking the holiday of a lifetime – I can take as much of that as she can write.

Arriving at La Maison du Paradis, uptight Caroline and gregarious Fran are chalk and cheese. While Caroline’s life is falling apart around her ears and she’s looking for inspiration to save her business, Fran is there to take her dreams to the next level. With trusty husband Stan at home in Blackpool keeping their award-winning fish and chip shop running, they dream of bringing fine dining to their home town. But will Fran prove a good enough cook to do it?

The other guests, the owner of the chateau, his staff and celebrity chef employed for the week, all provide a strong supporting cast, written with a humour and affection that spreads its warmth throughout this wonderful book. Coupled with a setting to die for, gorgeous food, a little bit of drama and a sliver or two of romance, I find it hard to imagine a better holiday read. The talented Caroline James at her very best.

Ah there is something about Caroline and the way she manages to make you laugh, smile and root for the characters in her books. This is my second novel of hers and I absoutely loved it.

Caroline Carrington (love that the author has named her main character with her own name. Her surname is quiet unforgettable) - a girl who has the biggest journey of the book. There will be times you'l be fustrated with her but will she get her happy ever after?

Fran - ah this girl is impossible not to love. The biggest heart who is the life and soul of the book.

Waltho - you just want to hug him and for him to open up and get his happy after ever.

Set in gorgeous France, this book is a delight and a real page turneer that is full of details, tons of research and one that you will want to keep on reading. I did as I hate characters and loved others. It's one of those stories you don't want to end or least get a sequel!

Can't wait for the best book, Caroline!

I enjoyed this book but not as much as the previous two, despite the unexpected appearance of Bridgette! As usual, the author takes a group of older people and we see their problems, irritations and blossoming friendships play out against the backdrop of a new setting. The French cookery school takes place in a lovely house surrounded by fields and flowers, and the daily outings take its guests to some beautiful villages but I felt a bit overwhelmed at times by the descriptions of the places and of the food. I liked it best when we got into the relationships that were being formed
Fran is an over the top brash Northerner. Caroline is cool and poised, detached and rather standoffish, but I loved seeing them finally bond when a life threatening event happens. By the end of the story the characters had become very real to me and I wanted them all to be happy.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀
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"Life is like chocolate, savour it before it melts."⠀
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 is as fluffy as a french meringue. It’s a perfect novel to read by the pool, at the beach, or on a lazy rainy day. You will laugh, you will cry and you will binge this in a sitting like a bag of Jelly Babies (ɪ 💕ᴊᴇʟʟʏ ʙᴀʙɪᴇs). ⠀⠀
Imagine a week vacation in the French countryside at a beautiful remodeled chateau where you learn to cook, eat delicious food prepared by a fancy chef, drink wine by the pool in the afternoons, and stroll the markets in the quaint village. Throw in meeting lifelong friends, falling in love and you have the perfect recipe for a charming novel.
ʙᴇsᴛ ᴘᴀɪʀᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ "ᴄʜᴏᴄᴏʟᴀᴛ" ᴀɴᴅ "ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴀsᴛᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪɴɢs" ғɪʟᴍs. ᴀɴᴅ sɪɴᴄᴇ ᴡᴇ ᴅᴏɴᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ғʀᴇɴᴄʜ ᴄᴏᴏᴋᴇʀʏ sʜᴏᴡ " ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ʙʀɪᴛɪsʜ ʙᴀᴋɪɴɢ sʜᴏᴡ" ᴡɪʟʟ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ. ⠀
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮, 𝙎𝙚𝙩, 𝘽𝙖𝙠𝙚! ⠀
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📚333 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚 ⠀
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ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ @ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ @ᴏɴᴇᴍᴏʀᴇᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ @ᴄᴀʀᴏʟɪɴᴇᴊᴀᴍᴇs ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ɢɪғᴛᴇᴅ ᴀʀᴄ. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝟰/𝟮𝟱/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.

The French Cookery School by Caroline James was such an uplifting story, where strangers from all different backgrounds come together for an adventurous and amusing week of cooking in the French countryside. The writing was very descriptive and really allowed you to envision the characters and locations in the story. The cooking aspect was also enjoyable. This book had a fun cast of characters with a lot of heart, who all supported each other so much. Each person had a satisfying conclusion to their individual story lines. I would love to see a movie adaptation of this book!

I rated The French Cookery School 4/5 stars and recommend it for anyone looking for a feel-good mental vacation/escape.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read and review the ARC version of this book.

A lovely book for a lazy afternoon. I finished it in one sitting. Descriptions of France and the food were wonderful!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley (with thanks to the author, Caroline James and the publisher Harper Collins UK)

This is the first Caroline James book I have ever read (yet I am now aware that she has penned more than just this one book.) I requested this book originally from NetGalley as I was attracted to it by the title. I must admit that I have a certain soft spot for stories focussing on food or cookery.

The characters are all likeable - even the roguish Chef Daniel and the ice queen Caroline (when she finally does melt that is.) There are some tense moments - near the end of the book which involve both Caroline and Fran. (I won't spoilt this because you do need to read this book to find out what that is. Fran is an absolute selfless hero, which is one reason why I like that character so much.)

This is also very warm-hearted and amusing. The descriptions of the French countryside were really beautifully written and really set the scene of the story. The descriptions of the medieval towns were also very lovely and appreciated. (I love medieval things. I am crazy about that era, in fact.) The descriptions of the food were also much appreciated (by this particular foodie at any rate.) I believe that the author actually went on a cookery course in France some years ago which is why she decided to write this book now. It does give a certain strong sense of authenticity to the novel, because you really do get the sense that she knows what she's talking about.)

I did thoroughly enjoy this book and the front cover also is very vibrant and eye-catching. This is definitely well worth a read if you love wholesome feel-good stories, or just love books about food and cooking (or perhaps, if you're like me, enjoy both!)

This is a perfect Saturday afternoon read. Fantastic descriptions of food and France. Amazing characters. I loved all of them but Fran and Caroline stood out. . A perfect neat ending. Just a great read. The tittle said it all.

I haven’t read anything by Caroline James before but I was pleasantly surprised as it was such an enjoyable story.
It’s about a group of characters attending a cookery school in France all for very different reasons. The setting was lovely and I loved reading about all the different dishes they learnt to cook.
Fran was my favourite character by far and the ending was perfect.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK One More Chapter and Caroline James for an advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.