The Chateau

I was given an ecopy of this book by Karen's publisher Carina UK in exchange for an honest review which I'm more than happy to give.  I had previously read Karen's debut novel The Vineyard and loved everything about it from the cover, to the characters, plot and location - it truly was an indulgent read that merged reality with escapism in equal measures.  I loved it that much I couldn't wait to read Karen's next offering.

The Chateau is Karen's second book, another beautiful cover, so inviting it is impossible to resist.  I was sure that The Chateau would live up to my expectations and I wasn't disappointed - it was even better!

The Chateau is a story that has melded contemporary women's fiction with a mystery.  Gina is in Switzerland for her brothers wedding and finds herself having two unwelcome encounters.  The first from the arrogant, loud mouthed Ollie - cousin to the bride and the second in the form of a ghostly vision seen on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Far from having a relaxing few days in Switzerland, enjoying time with her family and her brother's wedding, Gina finds herself emotionally drained.  She begins to have vivid, dreams, well more like nightmares and is convinced that they are as a result of the vision she saw at the lake. A women who she feels is trying to tell her something and begins to lead her on a mysterious journey.  Then there was Ollie, who is loud, brash and embarrassing - yet Gina can't help but be drawn to him.  She knows she shouldn't get too close and uses her long term relationship with Max as a shield to hide behind whilst observing him from afar.  But, without meaning to, she finds him walking with her, side by side whilst she pursues 'the vision from the lake', just at a time when she needs a reliable, trustworthy friend.

The Vineyard was a fast paced novel that I found difficult to put down.  Each and every character necessary to the plot and wove between several threads with the story based in England, Switzerland and latterly Italy.  Karen's descriptions are so very vivid, I could clearly see and imagine the numerous locations, from the bright, airy, modern villas to the cold,dank chateau on the lake and the hotels in Venice.  Added to this Karen has developed characters that evoked feelings both good and bad, about characters I ended up really caring about. Even Max who is seemingly allergic to commitment and quite quickly things between him and Gina come to a head.  Though, nothing could prepare Gina for the ultimate showdown that sees Max in all his true colours.  He doesn't tell Gina lies as such, he just doesn't tell the truth, burying himself in his charity work to avoid the inevitable confrontation.  

This book demonstrates the power of love, trust, commitment and faith.  It emphasis the necessity for strong relationships in our life both with family and friends and sometimes it's right to go with our gut feelings, casting aside doubt to take a chance, allowing inner courage and faith to guide the way. I truly loved everything about this book and cannot wait for my next 'Karen Aldous' read.

This novel is a great combination of romance, mystery and the paranormal. Gina attends her brother’s wedding at Lake Geneva and encounters two things: and obnoxious but engaging Ollie and a frightening vision of a woman who seems to be asking Gina for help. Gina finds herself drawn to Ollie while trying to figure out what is going on with the vision.  In addition, to the vision, which reappears periodically, Gina begins to have strange but beguiling nightmares of this woman in a dungeon setting trying to hand her something. After much discovery, Gina, aided by Ollie, realizes the woman is part of the nearby chateau’s history of women tortured and burned to death centuries ago as part of a medieval witch hunt.  Can they help this poor woman with her task? Can Gina ever free of this haunting presence.  In this book, we follow Gina and Ollie as they follow and piece together clues to the solution.  The author has given the reader a well-developed story about this ages old mystery/curse, while carefully developing the relationship between Gina and Ollie. However, Gina has lots of other things going on in her life, all of which impact and become an integral part of the story plot. I thoroughly enjoyed the story.  However, there were a few times when I thought it dragged a bit, as I eagerly awaited the next installment in this tale.  Perhaps I was just too anxious to see what was going to happen next. The main and other characters are well-developed as is the unique and fascinating plot, all set in a location that will both enthrall and intrigue the reader. The author easily transports the reader to a foreign country and culture, all the while holding the reader’s complete attention and interest.  The many twists and turns of this plot as Gina and Ollie work to solve this mystery kept me eagerly glued to the book, waiting for the next clue or event. I have not read any other books by this author, but found this book so compelling and interesting that I will seek out her others, for I figure they will be as good if not better. I received this from NetGalley to read and provide and honest review.

I loved how this book began with a supernatural feel to it. I can still vividly recall how Karen Aldous gripped me with the beautiful scene at the lake with the spirit that almost consumed her. It was exciting, thrilling and just beautiful to read. 

When a book grips me like that from the start, I never forget it. The Chateau is utterly unforgettable.

Gina’s biggest wish in life is to start a family. Unfortunately her boyfriend keeps postponing it. He’s telling her he wants the same things, but his actions show her something different. When Gina’s at her brother’s wedding she’s seeing a woman above the lake. At first Gina doesn’t believe her own eyes, as ghosts aren’t real, but since then she’s having more and more strange experiences. Her business is flourishing, but her personal life is a mess. Her parents are having problems and her own relationship isn’t what it used to be. She’s also met another man, Ollie. Gina’s attracted to him from the start, but that doesn’t mean she likes him. She tries to keep her distance, but their paths keep crossing. What does the appearance of the ghost have to do with all of this? Gina has to make some serious decisions to sort out her problems once and for all.  I loved the setting of this story. I could totally picture the beautiful lake and surroundings in Switzerland. That was a big plus for me. I also liked the main characters. Gina and Ollie are both wonderful people and they deserve some happiness. A ghost appearance gives this book a nice paranormal twist. I liked it and also liked the background story and everything that happened because of it. The Chateau is a romantic book and it’s different. I definitely enjoyed those aspects. I think this novel is a perfect holiday read.

My thoughts

I kindly received The Château in exchange of an honest review by the author via NetGalley.

Since starting up her new business about the property market in London Gina Remy hadn’t much of a chance to see her Family lately. Therefor she is more than happy to attend her brother's wedding at Lake Geneva. Ginas's parents came out to Switzerland while she was at Univerity. When the figure of a woman appears hovering above the water, Gina's world turns upside down. From now on Gina is haunted by nightmares every night. She was sure this woman was seeking some kind of help. Was this woman trying to get her understand something? That could be the only explanation otherwise why did she keep coming back? It could only be some kind of spirit trying to tell her something. She needs to help this ghost find peace if she’s to get any of her own but who could she turn to, or trust to? Not only did Ollie Martin appear at the right time when Gina's relationship was, bit by bit, falling apart, but he turned out to be the only person who she felt she could talk to about what she'd seen, without being laughed at. We are following Gina and Ollie as they trying to put the piece together to solve the mystery. Are they on the right path? 

Karen Aldous is a new author to me, but The Château has put her firmly on my list of authors whose books I have to read and keep track of, because it was simply amazing.  It is a perfect mix of everything that I look in a book: love, drama, humour, suspense, it has brilliant characters and very original plot. It keeps you guessing, it makes you fall in love or hate the characters, it makes you root for them. Gina, a very loveable character with bags of confidence and personality, a big heart and successfully independent. For Gina, Ollie was rather presumptuous and arrogant at times he did seem nice and find her quickly  drawn to Ollie while trying to figure out what is going on with the nightmares. Gina could feel a genuine connection to him. A deep feeling that came from the heart rather than from the head. I loved Ollie and how cheeky he was. The chemistry nearly exploded between them. I enjoyed that the plot was not only focused on the ghost of Agnes-Francescia. It's good a change to follow Gina's life in London and how she supported her mother in a difficult time. I loved how the story developed, I loved waiting for the situations to be explained and I couldn’t wait to know if Gina and Ollie resolves the mystery. It was hard for me to put the book down. The ending left me very contend, I couldn’t wish for a better one. As much as the book was about very serious issues and had some very heart wrenching moments, it was written with a lot of humour and easy to follow. This novel is a great combination of romance, mystery and the paranormal.

I would like to say thank you to Carina UK for approving me to read this on NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  Also when asked by Tay would I take part in the blog tour I jumped at the chance to move this book up my TBR pile.

When we first meet Gina she is arguing with her long term partner Max it's the same argument over his commitment issues.  Especially as they are attending Gina's brothers wedding.

Gina bumps into the loud brash Ollie, but Ollie isn't really loud and brash it's the drink that's talking.  Gina and Ollie keep being thrown together due to circumstances.  

Gina starts to have vivid dreams and she is convinced there is more to these dreams/nightmares they seem all too real.

Karen even throws in a mystery that had me guessing and I found I was dying to find out what happened next.

Having read Karens debut novel earlier in the year I was hoping this would live up to the same quality as The Vineyard and not only did it live up to it, The Chateau surpassed it in so many ways.  

If you haven't read either of Karens books I suggest you do. I couldn't help like her characters, some are so easy to like and sometimes they are frustrating but that all adds to a wonderful book.