Member Reviews
A French Country Escape by Jennifer Bohnet is the story of a fresh start for siblings, Sasha and Freddie, whose mother has died and left them enough to make this dream come true. Sasha is still reeling from a breakup and Freddie is without a job. They have both dreamed of France but at first, house hunting was going slowly, until they found a cottage/duplex on the edge of an estate in Brittany. They were worried about the owners of the chateau who were trying to make it into a commercial enterprise: hotel/event venue. They made an offer and it was accepted and the moment they met Ingrid and Peter, the owners of Chateau de Chevalier, their fears fled. Freddie was able to get a job three days a week helping to clear the overgrown grounds, and quickly picked up piece work in the nearby village. They had work to do with their own cottages but much of the was cosmetic and Sasha could handle that until she got her Etsy store up and running again. This was a charming slice-of-life novel with a little romance thrown in.
As they days went on, Sasha and Freddie met people and made friends. Ingrid and Peter’s daughter came, as did Alice, the granddaughter of a villager. Her brother, Lucas, was already there taking some time to decide his next direction. They became great friends as they worked together on events at the chateau and just living life. It was fun and gentle. There were moments of unpleasantness, but they passed quickly. Mostly, it was about young people forging new lives for themselves. I enjoyed it. The setting was beautiful, the characters were well-written and interesting. The story moved along apace. Thanks Jennifer Bohnet for a nice novel.
I was invited to read A French Country Escape by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #JenniferBohnet #AFrenchCountryEscape
Plenty of romance in this book. Set in France it conjures up vivid pictures of the countryside. Warm sunshine and friendly people. An enjoyable read which was lovely to curl up on the sofa for a day and delve into this book. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
A wonderfully uplifting story of a brother and sister building a new life for themselves in France. They buy two cottages in the grounds of a Château owned by an English couple who need the money so they can carry on refurbishing their Château. We follow each of them and other characters we meet along the way and read how their lives intertwine. Thanks netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion.
Very sweet story. When Sasha and Freddie’s mother passed away they decide the need to start a new life. Taking their inheritance they make the move from England to France. Their new cabins they have bought on the same property as a chateau that is being renovated as an event space. This Chateau proves to be life changing to all of those that are involved with it. This brings new lives, careers and new found family to these characters. A very charming story, a little slow at times but I enjoyed it. Received a mini French lesson as well! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was such a heartwarming, light read! I loved the location and liked the characters. It was a quick read but slow at some time and I felt a bit bored. I had a great time read it.
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this arc.
A book I never wanted to end. From the moment I started to read the first page to the last I loved the stories of Sasha, Freddie, Ingrid, Peter and Penny.
Set in the gorgeous French countryside Jennifer waves a story of moving on, new beginnings and challenges in the most specular setting of a chateau. There were at times I wished I was there beside the characters and rooting them on. For once I didn't guess what was coming next but I'm all for happy after ever and this story of full of love and romance.
I challenge you not to enjoy this book as much as I did because I now want a sequel.
Bring on your next book Jennifer.
Another great book from this author.
Everybody loves a chateau story these days and this one doesn't disappoint. A lovely,heartwarming tale of a sister and brother relocating to France and the people they meet along the way.
Cheerful, romantic and a feel-good read,
A French Country Escape is a gorgeous novel set in a small village in Brittany. There are numerous tales all intertwined and some lovely characters. The plot moves at a steady pace and you can almost feel the warmth of the French sun. I would rate this 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.
Set in a beautiful part of France the story centres around the Château du Cheval where the new owners Peter and Ingrid have to sell off two of the cottages so that they can continue its refurbishment. These are brought by brother and sister Freddie and Sasha hoping to have a fresh start.
There are many people who enjoy the thought of moving to Brittany to enjoy the slower pace of life there, it certainly has its attractions. Of course there are downsides, having to make new friends, making a living etc. This story concentrates more on the personal relationships, with potential romance and bitter exes. A nice, gentle read so not one for those who prefer something faster paced, but certainly one that I certainly did enjoy reading.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
A simple read with minimal drama, A French Country Escape by Jennifer Bohnet is about a group of people who live on the grounds of Château du Cheval and have some personal issues to deal with.
Summary: Sasha and her brother Freddie buy two cottages in Château du Cheval, France, and move there from England. They meet the owners Ingrid and Peter Chevalier, whose daughter Penny has recently left her abusive ex-boyfriend. There are also many people within the community with varying issues.
Tropes/Genres:
• contemporary fiction
• family
• minimal drama
• set in France
Review: I was utterly confused throughout this book. It felt like the book lacked a direction. I get that it's meant to be about the Chateau and the people living in it, but I got lost in the plot with so many things going on that didn't fit together seamlessly. I knew what was going on, but it felt a bit messy. It was difficult to follow the story when there wasn't a clear direction.
Despite all its flaws, there were still some merits. I thought the book had somewhat cute love stories. The relationship between Sasha and Jean-Paul and that between Penny and Lucas were moderately cute. It's nothing special, but at least there's something. I suppose these relationships intertwine with the whole concept of focusing on life in the Chateau quite well.
I was kind of bored and confused throughout most of the story until the last 25% or so when there was this random thing about the attic. That part was quite interesting, though it felt random to me because I spent the first 75% of the book being confused as to what this story is actually about. I liked the part about Penny and her crazy ex as well. She's really such a strong person! I feel like the whole messy direction thing could've been easily fixed. That's an area for improvement.
There is a lot of French in this book, and I like how the author gives contextual clues to hint to readers about what the phrases may mean without being too obvious about it. That's cool!
Overall, there were too many characters and too much going on. The story seemed all over the place. However, I think readers who like contemporary fiction and a French setting may enjoy this book. I would say this book is simply okay. Nothing special. If you want a relaxing read with minimal drama, here's one for you.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the book.
A quick read about a few women who are looking for new beginnings at a Chateau in France (as one does!). Meeting the locals, settling in, finding new jobs, all in a beautiful local. I enjoyed the story and interwoven characters.
A very easy reading book set in a beautiful setting in France.
Peter and Ingrid Chevalier own a lovely chateau in France, a lifelong dream of theirs, after moving over from England, with land and a few houses on the estate. But the running costs are high and so they decide to sell two cottages on the estate. Sasha and her brother Freddie are looking for a new start, and have some money left to them from their mother, so buy the two cottages next door to one another on the estate and slowly renovate them.
They all slowly become friends, with Freddie helping out on the estate, and Sasha helping out Ingrid with the B&B rooms in the main chateau when she has a fall. There are also plenty of other side characters, Peter & Ingrid's daughter comes to visit to escape a controlling relationship and ends up staying, and there are various love interests for everyone, along with a mystery about Peter's old French family, which he has been researching, but not getting anywhere fast, until a mystery parcel is uncovered and secrets revealed.
Very enjoyable, light-hearted read set in a beautiful sounding setting.
A very shallow story of a British brother and sister who are lucky enough to move to France with seemingly no jobs but apparently no problems with visas which is most unlikely.
There were lots of characters with lots being talked about but very little action. Pages of descriptions of people pouring drinks and opening doors really didn’t hold my attention at all and I’m afraid it was rather boring, the wedding preparations just seemed to go on and on.
An easy read for anyone with nothing better to do. Really not for me.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley
Freddie and Sasha, a brother and sister, buy two cottages to renovate in France. I loved this story. quick, easy read.
Really enjoyed this book which is the story of Sasha and Freddie who are brother and sister, when they invest their money and buy two cottages on the land of Château du Cheval in France. I have to say reading this book your mind starts to imagine what the chateau and cottages are like when they both start renovations.
Freddie and Sasha soon settle in and quickly find friends in the chateau owners Peter and Ingrid and many others who make up this lovely story. This book was well written and has really lovely characters and was a joy to read.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and publisher Boldwood Books and of course author Jennifer Bohnet for the early read.
If there is a sweet, heartwarming story set in France, I'm there. This story filled in all those adjectives ands more. The lovely scenery, great food and friendships and romance. It was a comforting story told with multi-generations, each one and each generation interesting woven together with love. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!
What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This is a first by this author but will not be my last! I read this in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down.
Cozy, sweet visit to Breton country life🌄
3.5🌟 stars
This was definitely an easy, almost angst-free, story extolling the virtues of country life in Brittany. The almost evenly divided British and French characters are just about all at a crossroads in their lives, emotionally and professionally, and there are four or more subplots of individuals or couples to follow. Siblings Sasha and Freddie, new transplants from England, start the ball rolling by purchasing matching cottages on a French country estate and quickly getting acquainted with other expats and locals while they get their accommodations and work prospects in order. And, of course, romance is involved as well. The romance is subtle, slow-build and sweet.
It's positive and easy to read. There's little drama, Not my favorite Jennifer Bohnet novel, but she really provides lovely descriptions of a way of life and small, supportive community of friends. And she makes it easy for a reader with no knowledge of French to understand all that's discussed.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Sometimes you just need a feel good Hallmarky vibe book. A book you know will have a happy ending, and A French Country Escape did not disappoint.
The characters were lovely, the location, incredible, and I now have a sudden desire to retire in the South of France. And that’s saying a lot for an Italian.
Thanks NetGalley for the e- ARC.
Sasha and her brother Freddie decide to buy two cottages in need of renovation on the grounds of a chateau in France.
After Sasha's divorce and their mother passing away they have been left with money to invest and decide to leave England for a new life in France.
Their only worry is what it will be like to live on the Chateau's estate and will the owners be pleased to have them there or be annoyed at having to sell the cottages in the first place.
Peter and Ingrid who have been renovating the Chateau for a few years had to sell the cottages for money to keep the renovation going. There are looking for more ways to have a steady income from it.
There are also other people who Freddie and Sasha meet who add extra interest to the story and a few four legged friends too.
I love the books that Jennifer Bohnet writes. Sometimes they are set in the French countryside or villages and sometimes in the south of France where the affluent people holiday or have homes. Wherever they are set in France they promise to take you away from all the everyday stuff going on and leave you in beautiful surroundings with lovely people. They are just a joy to read and I wait eagerly for her next one.