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Romantic Escapes #10
Vinice ve Francii
Vychutnejte si pravé šampaňské a máslové croissanty podávané s proslulým francouzským šarmem.
Hattie má zlomené srdce a cítí se mizerně. Když se jí naskytne příležitost pracovat dva měsíce na krásném sídle v oblasti Champagne, neváhá ani vteřinu a koupí letenky rychleji, než vyletí zátka z lahve šampaňského.
Příprava velkolepého obřadu její sestřenice Gabby pro ni představuje šanci vypracovat se z pouhé asistentky na vyhledávanou organizátorku svateb. Proto se rozhodne zapomenout na trable s láskou a napnout všechny síly k uspořádání pohádkového dne. Nepočítala ovšem s jednou maličkostí… S úžasným Lucem, který neustále rozptyluje její pozornost. Podnikají spolu výlety po okolí, navštěvují místní trhy s delikatesami a užívají si pikniky mezi řádky vinné révy.
Možná za to můžou bublinky, možná Lucovo kouzlo, ale Hattie začne přemýšlet, jestli jde jen o chvilkové poblouznění, nebo snad o něco víc.
Hattie má zlomené srdce a cítí se mizerně. Když se jí naskytne příležitost pracovat dva měsíce na krásném sídle v oblasti Champagne, neváhá ani vteřinu a koupí letenky rychleji, než vyletí zátka z lahve šampaňského.
Příprava velkolepého obřadu její sestřenice Gabby pro ni představuje šanci vypracovat se z pouhé asistentky na vyhledávanou organizátorku svateb. Proto se rozhodne zapomenout na trable s láskou a napnout všechny síly k uspořádání pohádkového dne. Nepočítala ovšem s jednou maličkostí… S úžasným Lucem, který neustále rozptyluje její pozornost. Podnikají spolu výlety po okolí, navštěvují místní trhy s delikatesami a užívají si pikniky mezi řádky vinné révy.
Možná za to můžou bublinky, možná Lucovo kouzlo, ale Hattie začne přemýšlet, jestli jde jen o chvilkové poblouznění, nebo snad o něco víc.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2023
355 people are currently reading
2573 people want to read
About the author
Julie Caplin
28 books1,111 followersJulie Caplin also writes contemporary romance as Jules Wake.
Julie Caplin is addicted to travel and good food. She’s on a constant hunt for the perfect gin and is obsessively picky about glasses, tonic and garnishes. Between regular gin tastings, she’s been writing her debut novel which is set in just one of the many cities she’s explored over the years.
Formerly a PR director, for many years she swanned around Europe taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the trilogy, The Little Cafe in Copenhagen, The Little Brooklyn Bakery and the The Little Paris Patisserie.
Julie Caplin is addicted to travel and good food. She’s on a constant hunt for the perfect gin and is obsessively picky about glasses, tonic and garnishes. Between regular gin tastings, she’s been writing her debut novel which is set in just one of the many cities she’s explored over the years.
Formerly a PR director, for many years she swanned around Europe taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the trilogy, The Little Cafe in Copenhagen, The Little Brooklyn Bakery and the The Little Paris Patisserie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
June 10, 2023
“Sometimes, there is joy in using beautiful things instead of practical things.”
I’d forgotten how wonderful it was to be immersed in the world of Julie Caplin! I’ve just spent a couple of unforgettable hours in France hopping between making wedding plans at a beautiful chateau and shopping delectable markets for meat and cheese. I’ve basked in the warmth of the champagne region, been tantalized with scrumptious food descriptions, gone shopping at the Galleries Lafayette and had a dreamy studmuffin at my fingertips…..
I hated turning over the last page!
Hattie Carter-Jones traded in a deadbeat boyfriend and her job in England for a chance at wedding planning for her French cousin. It was the best decision she ever made! Luc Bremont, the owner of Chateau St Martin, teaches Hattie how to slow down and take time to savour things while Hattie offers Luc a chance at seeing things from a different perspective. An unplanned aerial photo of the estate gives Luc the very thing he needed - an opportunity to fulfill his dreams. The two months in France have also given Hattie perspective and she realizes for herself that she’s in a relationship with the wrong man. Funny how distance and time have that effect!
I enjoyed the chemistry between Hattie and Luc, the friction between the two ‘events,’ and the foodie references throughout. I promise it won’t be so long between my Julie Caplin novels next time.
I was gifted this copy by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I’d forgotten how wonderful it was to be immersed in the world of Julie Caplin! I’ve just spent a couple of unforgettable hours in France hopping between making wedding plans at a beautiful chateau and shopping delectable markets for meat and cheese. I’ve basked in the warmth of the champagne region, been tantalized with scrumptious food descriptions, gone shopping at the Galleries Lafayette and had a dreamy studmuffin at my fingertips…..
I hated turning over the last page!
Hattie Carter-Jones traded in a deadbeat boyfriend and her job in England for a chance at wedding planning for her French cousin. It was the best decision she ever made! Luc Bremont, the owner of Chateau St Martin, teaches Hattie how to slow down and take time to savour things while Hattie offers Luc a chance at seeing things from a different perspective. An unplanned aerial photo of the estate gives Luc the very thing he needed - an opportunity to fulfill his dreams. The two months in France have also given Hattie perspective and she realizes for herself that she’s in a relationship with the wrong man. Funny how distance and time have that effect!
I enjoyed the chemistry between Hattie and Luc, the friction between the two ‘events,’ and the foodie references throughout. I promise it won’t be so long between my Julie Caplin novels next time.
I was gifted this copy by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 29, 2023
Táto séria je moja dovolenková/nemocničná literatúra :) Je to totálne predvídateľné? Je!
Je to ako cez kopirák ako ostatné diely? Je!
Prečítam si to znova? Neprečítam!
Núti ma to rozmýšľať? Nenúti!
Oddýchnem si pri tom? Oddýchnem! :)
A to stačí nie? :)
Je to ako cez kopirák ako ostatné diely? Je!
Prečítam si to znova? Neprečítam!
Núti ma to rozmýšľať? Nenúti!
Oddýchnem si pri tom? Oddýchnem! :)
A to stačí nie? :)
July 11, 2025
Uff, nee. Das war's irgendwie nicht. War für mich eindeutig der schwächste Band der Reihe. Hatte auch diverse Dinge drin, die ich nicht abkann. Girl ond girl hate, zum Beispiel. Miscommunication trope bzw. einfach blankes Verschweigen von Dingen, die a) alles leichter gemacht hätten und b) gab es nicht mal nen (guten) Grund, das überhaupt für sich zu behalten? Unlogisch. Ich hoffe, der Nachfolgeband, der in Italien spielt, wird mir besser gefallen.
May 11, 2025
2,5⭐️ ganz süß, aber halt generisch und wie die anderen Bücher der Reihe und beim 10. wird’s dann langsam ein bisschen langweilig….
Ich mag aber Fliss und fand’s schön, dass sie jetzt schon im 3. Buch im Folge einen Gastauftritt hatte✨
Ich mag aber Fliss und fand’s schön, dass sie jetzt schon im 3. Buch im Folge einen Gastauftritt hatte✨
June 26, 2023
“The French Chateau Dream” is one of those one-standing book reads that you stumble upon one hot summer morning and can’t get enough of! This is the 10th book in Julie Caplin’s stand-alone series “Romantic Escapes” and, I admit, although I haven’t read / listen to the previous books in the series, I’m sure they give off the same good vibes as this one.
The tenth novel has a dual point-of-view storytelling. One side of the story comes from heart-broken Hattie, who is now on a mission to organise her first and best wedding ever in a chateau based in the Champagne region of France! On the other side there’s Luc, whose family owns the chateau and dreams to one day reopen the Champagne distillery at his family’s aged surrounding vine yard. As the two characters’ journeys get more tangled up in one another, so do their feelings.
What makes it even more adorable is the narration provided by Sophie Roberts, whose French accent adaptations are a delight to listen to, as the story comes along.
Special thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK Audio, One More Chapter, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #TheFrenchChateauDream #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning
The tenth novel has a dual point-of-view storytelling. One side of the story comes from heart-broken Hattie, who is now on a mission to organise her first and best wedding ever in a chateau based in the Champagne region of France! On the other side there’s Luc, whose family owns the chateau and dreams to one day reopen the Champagne distillery at his family’s aged surrounding vine yard. As the two characters’ journeys get more tangled up in one another, so do their feelings.
What makes it even more adorable is the narration provided by Sophie Roberts, whose French accent adaptations are a delight to listen to, as the story comes along.
Special thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK Audio, One More Chapter, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #TheFrenchChateauDream #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning
June 30, 2024
3.5
"Das kleine Weingut in Frankreich" gehört zur Romantic Escapes Reihe, die ich mit seinen unterschiedlichen Settings immer sehr gerne lese.
Hattie soll auf einem Weingut in Frankreich eine Hochzeit planen, doch der Besitzer ist von der Idee seines Sohnes das Weingut für Veranstaltungen zu benutzen nicht begeistert, so werden Hattie einige Probleme in den Weg gelegt.
Das Setting kam dieses Mal nicht ganz so gut rüber und ich hatte mir von dem Weingut ein wenig mehr erhofft. Auch das französische Flair fehlte etwas.
Die Geschichte an sich war aber dennoch recht unterhaltsam, insbesondere mit den Planungen rund um die Hochzeit. Zudem waren Hattie und Luc sympathische Charaktere, auch wenn die beiden mich nicht ganz so mitreißen konnte. Auch die Liebesgeschichte ist ein wenig blass geblieben und mir fehlten hier die Funken zwischen den beiden.
Insgesamt konnte mich das Buch ganz gut unterhalten, aber ich hatte mir ein wenig mehr erhofft.
"Das kleine Weingut in Frankreich" gehört zur Romantic Escapes Reihe, die ich mit seinen unterschiedlichen Settings immer sehr gerne lese.
Hattie soll auf einem Weingut in Frankreich eine Hochzeit planen, doch der Besitzer ist von der Idee seines Sohnes das Weingut für Veranstaltungen zu benutzen nicht begeistert, so werden Hattie einige Probleme in den Weg gelegt.
Das Setting kam dieses Mal nicht ganz so gut rüber und ich hatte mir von dem Weingut ein wenig mehr erhofft. Auch das französische Flair fehlte etwas.
Die Geschichte an sich war aber dennoch recht unterhaltsam, insbesondere mit den Planungen rund um die Hochzeit. Zudem waren Hattie und Luc sympathische Charaktere, auch wenn die beiden mich nicht ganz so mitreißen konnte. Auch die Liebesgeschichte ist ein wenig blass geblieben und mir fehlten hier die Funken zwischen den beiden.
Insgesamt konnte mich das Buch ganz gut unterhalten, aber ich hatte mir ein wenig mehr erhofft.
August 6, 2025
Ich mochte das Setting und die Idee, bin aber mit dem Schreibstil überhaupt nicht warm geworden. Das Buch war leider das Gegenteil von „Show, don’t tell“, was mich sehr gestört hat.
Die Figuren waren eigentlich ganz okay (auch wenn hier alle Klischees bedient wurden), nur meiner Meinung nach manchmal in ihren Handlungen und Aussagen widersprüchlich. Pluspunkte gibts dafür, dass es keinen third act breakup gab.
Den „plottwist“ am Ende der Geschichte hätte ich nicht gebraucht - das war mir ein bisschen zu unnötiges Drama.
Die Figuren waren eigentlich ganz okay (auch wenn hier alle Klischees bedient wurden), nur meiner Meinung nach manchmal in ihren Handlungen und Aussagen widersprüchlich. Pluspunkte gibts dafür, dass es keinen third act breakup gab.
Den „plottwist“ am Ende der Geschichte hätte ich nicht gebraucht - das war mir ein bisschen zu unnötiges Drama.
July 8, 2025
Ponosna sam na sebe što sam je pročitala do kraja, ali sam u isto vrijeme i ljuta što sam dozvolila lijepim koricama da me zavedu. Jedva čitljivo, a baš sam se nadala romantičnoj i opuštajućoj priči.
June 3, 2023
This story hits all the cliches and is peak cringe for most of the book. Hattie is pretty unlikable and it's hard to find someone to care about until the very end of the book. The writing style is definitely no "Enchanted April" but it is a fast and light read with a mostly happy ending.
March 15, 2024
das schloss und die persönlichkeit von luc lassen mich über mein französisch-trauma hinwegsehen
May 21, 2024
"Das Glück stand ihr gut."
Hattie flieht mit gebrochenem Herzen Hals über Kopf nach Frankreich, um dort die Hochzeit ihrer Cousine zu organisieren. Doch auf dem Weingut ist sie nicht sehr willkommen. Wird sie den Winzer Luc von ihrer Arbeit und von sich überzeugen können?
Schöne Landschaften , leckeres Essen, Champagner und charmante Charaktere. Die Zutaten für ein sommerliches Wohlfühlbuch. Es hat mir viel Spaß gemacht, mit Hattie Frankreich zu erleben und mich mit ihr in Land und Leute zu verlieben. Erfreut habe ich festgestellt,dass es sich um eine Reihe handelt und ich noch einige romantische Liebesgeschichten an schönen Orten entdecken kann.
Hattie flieht mit gebrochenem Herzen Hals über Kopf nach Frankreich, um dort die Hochzeit ihrer Cousine zu organisieren. Doch auf dem Weingut ist sie nicht sehr willkommen. Wird sie den Winzer Luc von ihrer Arbeit und von sich überzeugen können?
Schöne Landschaften , leckeres Essen, Champagner und charmante Charaktere. Die Zutaten für ein sommerliches Wohlfühlbuch. Es hat mir viel Spaß gemacht, mit Hattie Frankreich zu erleben und mich mit ihr in Land und Leute zu verlieben. Erfreut habe ich festgestellt,dass es sich um eine Reihe handelt und ich noch einige romantische Liebesgeschichten an schönen Orten entdecken kann.
June 10, 2025
Bücher von Julie Caplin sind für mich einfach Balsam für die Seele.
Wenn ich eins ihrer Bücher in die Hand nehme weiß ich, dass ich die Geschichte mögen werde und mir eine Auszeit vom Alltag gönnen kann.
So war es auch wieder bei "Das kleine Weingut in Frankreich".
In der Geschichte geht es um Hattie. Diese hat sich gerade von ihrem Freund getrennt und flüchtet, auf der Suche nach einem Neuanfang, nach Frankreich. Allerdings ist es nicht ohne Grund Frankreich, denn Hatties Cousine soll dort auf einem Weingut heiraten und Hattie selbst übernimmt die Planung.
Allerdings wird ihr ein Bein nach dem anderen gestellt... Da hilft es auch nicht, dass Luc, der Besitzer des Weinguts, verdammt attraktiv ist. Oder vielleicht doch?
Ich mochte Hattie und Luc sehr.
Beide waren sehr authentisch dargestellt und haben im Laufe der Geschichte eine gute Entwicklung durchgemacht.
Richtig schön fand ich es alten Bekannten aus den vorherigen Romanen der "Romantic Escapes" zu begegnen. Ich liebe diese Wiedersehen und finde es immer spannend einen kleinen Einblick in das Leben vergangener Protagonisten zu bekommen.
Nur eine kleine Sache hat mich an dem Buch gestört... und zwar das Drama am Ende. Für alle die das Buch gelesen haben: Die Geschichte die mit einer gewissen alten Dame zusammenhängt.
Das war mir dann doch etwas zu viel.
Ansonsten bin ich wieder rundum zufrieden und freue mich auf die weiteren Bücher der Reihe.
(Zum Glück habe ich gestern erfahren, dass im August ein neuer Band erscheint. )
"Das kleine Weingut in Frankreich" bekommt von mir 4,75 von 5 Sterne.
Wenn ich eins ihrer Bücher in die Hand nehme weiß ich, dass ich die Geschichte mögen werde und mir eine Auszeit vom Alltag gönnen kann.
So war es auch wieder bei "Das kleine Weingut in Frankreich".
In der Geschichte geht es um Hattie. Diese hat sich gerade von ihrem Freund getrennt und flüchtet, auf der Suche nach einem Neuanfang, nach Frankreich. Allerdings ist es nicht ohne Grund Frankreich, denn Hatties Cousine soll dort auf einem Weingut heiraten und Hattie selbst übernimmt die Planung.
Allerdings wird ihr ein Bein nach dem anderen gestellt... Da hilft es auch nicht, dass Luc, der Besitzer des Weinguts, verdammt attraktiv ist. Oder vielleicht doch?
Ich mochte Hattie und Luc sehr.
Beide waren sehr authentisch dargestellt und haben im Laufe der Geschichte eine gute Entwicklung durchgemacht.
Richtig schön fand ich es alten Bekannten aus den vorherigen Romanen der "Romantic Escapes" zu begegnen. Ich liebe diese Wiedersehen und finde es immer spannend einen kleinen Einblick in das Leben vergangener Protagonisten zu bekommen.
Nur eine kleine Sache hat mich an dem Buch gestört... und zwar das Drama am Ende. Für alle die das Buch gelesen haben: Die Geschichte die mit einer gewissen alten Dame zusammenhängt.
Das war mir dann doch etwas zu viel.
Ansonsten bin ich wieder rundum zufrieden und freue mich auf die weiteren Bücher der Reihe.
(Zum Glück habe ich gestern erfahren, dass im August ein neuer Band erscheint. )
"Das kleine Weingut in Frankreich" bekommt von mir 4,75 von 5 Sterne.
July 7, 2023
I adored this wonderful romcom set in a gorgeous chateau in France.
Hattie arrives at Château St Martin, her fairytale home for the next two months, to plan her cousin Gabby’s wedding - and desperate to do a good job.
She is one confident lady who can stand on her own two feet. She is faced with problem after problem, mostly those arranged by Yvette who is trying to scupper Hattie’s plans as she wants to hold her wedding at the chateau on the same date! Not realising this, Hattie efficiently solves everything thrown at her including flying a friend over from England to do the catering! Fliss arrives and the cooking commences. We are introduced to many delicious sounding French dishes which will make your mouth water.
The most concerning thing is the bride to be, Gabby, is being elusive. Will the wedding even go ahead?
Of course you need to read the book to find out! If you want to be whisked away to France, with a few days in Paris, all beautifully described, and meet some interesting characters along the way, then this is the book for you!
Hattie arrives at Château St Martin, her fairytale home for the next two months, to plan her cousin Gabby’s wedding - and desperate to do a good job.
She is one confident lady who can stand on her own two feet. She is faced with problem after problem, mostly those arranged by Yvette who is trying to scupper Hattie’s plans as she wants to hold her wedding at the chateau on the same date! Not realising this, Hattie efficiently solves everything thrown at her including flying a friend over from England to do the catering! Fliss arrives and the cooking commences. We are introduced to many delicious sounding French dishes which will make your mouth water.
The most concerning thing is the bride to be, Gabby, is being elusive. Will the wedding even go ahead?
Of course you need to read the book to find out! If you want to be whisked away to France, with a few days in Paris, all beautifully described, and meet some interesting characters along the way, then this is the book for you!
May 27, 2023
I received a free copy of, The French Chateau Dream, by Julie Caplin, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. When we are not looking for something, or expecting something, thats when it usually finds us. Hattie was not looking for love, but it found her in a chateau in France. Their are so many wonderful characters in this book, Hattie, Fliss, Luc, Marthe, and so many more. A delightful read, I really like how Hattie matured in this book, standing up for herself, and not being an enabler anymore.
July 25, 2023
I have read and enjoyed some of Julie’s previous ‘Romantic Escapes’ (this one is #10) as they offer great escapism to some wonderful world locations. Each of these novels are stand-alones (although there are characters from previous novels that may make fun appearances) and this time around I was fully ready for a stay at a French chateau in the Champagne region.
‘This wasn’t real life, it was an interlude. A long holiday. Hattie had never even thought about the possibility of staying. Living abroad was one of those pipe dreams.’
As I have come to expect from the previous ‘escapes’, Julie offers a story filled to the brim - this is certainly no one dimensional chick lit tale. Yes, there is the requisite romance but Julie always provides a cast of characters and locales that guarantee to add real depth to the story. On this occasion Julie takes us to rural France and the wine making region. With the exception of a few days shopping in Paris (ooh la la!) the bulk of the tale is set in the Champagne region of France and she immerses you in all things French - oui! What’s not to love? If you are a foodie you are sure to lick your lips with all the scrumptious food and baking on offer. I also enjoyed learning about the vineyard and wine making, the upkeep of a chateau and a bit of a history mystery. All up, who would not want to spend some time in a French chateau (vicariously of course!) and have family and friends, love and laughter, French cuisine and champagne?
‘… no one should be dependent on someone else for their happiness. You have to be happy for yourself.’
The French Chateau Dream is the perfect recipe for light escapism. I like how Julie’s heroines tend to be at the crossroads of both career and love life, attempting to be bold enough to take strong steps to live their best. So, wait no more ... grab a glass of bubbles and snuggle up in your favourite reading spot to spend a few hours in France with this comfort read. If you are looking for the ultimate French Chateau Dream experience be sure to grab Julie’s latest romantic escape book.
‘You should slow down, enjoy life, savour things, enjoy lunch … the French way. You take things too seriously.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
‘This wasn’t real life, it was an interlude. A long holiday. Hattie had never even thought about the possibility of staying. Living abroad was one of those pipe dreams.’
As I have come to expect from the previous ‘escapes’, Julie offers a story filled to the brim - this is certainly no one dimensional chick lit tale. Yes, there is the requisite romance but Julie always provides a cast of characters and locales that guarantee to add real depth to the story. On this occasion Julie takes us to rural France and the wine making region. With the exception of a few days shopping in Paris (ooh la la!) the bulk of the tale is set in the Champagne region of France and she immerses you in all things French - oui! What’s not to love? If you are a foodie you are sure to lick your lips with all the scrumptious food and baking on offer. I also enjoyed learning about the vineyard and wine making, the upkeep of a chateau and a bit of a history mystery. All up, who would not want to spend some time in a French chateau (vicariously of course!) and have family and friends, love and laughter, French cuisine and champagne?
‘… no one should be dependent on someone else for their happiness. You have to be happy for yourself.’
The French Chateau Dream is the perfect recipe for light escapism. I like how Julie’s heroines tend to be at the crossroads of both career and love life, attempting to be bold enough to take strong steps to live their best. So, wait no more ... grab a glass of bubbles and snuggle up in your favourite reading spot to spend a few hours in France with this comfort read. If you are looking for the ultimate French Chateau Dream experience be sure to grab Julie’s latest romantic escape book.
‘You should slow down, enjoy life, savour things, enjoy lunch … the French way. You take things too seriously.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
June 30, 2023
Thanks to Chloe at One More Chapter HC on instagram for gifting me an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Julie Caplin’s novel, The French Chateau Dream, is the latest in her Romantic Escapes series. It follows Hattie to the Champagne region of France, and a lovely French chateau, where she works as a wedding planner for her cousin’s wedding. There she meets Luc Bremont, a winemaker intent on using his family chateau to make champagne. Falling in love is the last thing on Hattie’s mind, as she aims to put herself first after a bad relationship, but as she tries to battle against wedding organisation hiccups and spends more time with Luc, anything could happen.
I was drawn in by the beautiful front cover and the opening grabbed my interest straight away with some lovely phrases and imagery. However, after a while the story failed to hold my interest. Perhaps it was the in-depth discussion of wine and food that did it. Maybe if I had been more into wine, and not tee-total, I would have understood everything that was mentioned. I found the main romance lacked drama and it seemed like the insta-love came from nowhere. I really wanted to like this novel more than I did. Even the nod to Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing couldn’t hold my interest either.
Julie Caplin’s novel, The French Chateau Dream, is the latest in her Romantic Escapes series. It follows Hattie to the Champagne region of France, and a lovely French chateau, where she works as a wedding planner for her cousin’s wedding. There she meets Luc Bremont, a winemaker intent on using his family chateau to make champagne. Falling in love is the last thing on Hattie’s mind, as she aims to put herself first after a bad relationship, but as she tries to battle against wedding organisation hiccups and spends more time with Luc, anything could happen.
I was drawn in by the beautiful front cover and the opening grabbed my interest straight away with some lovely phrases and imagery. However, after a while the story failed to hold my interest. Perhaps it was the in-depth discussion of wine and food that did it. Maybe if I had been more into wine, and not tee-total, I would have understood everything that was mentioned. I found the main romance lacked drama and it seemed like the insta-love came from nowhere. I really wanted to like this novel more than I did. Even the nod to Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing couldn’t hold my interest either.
March 30, 2025
Príbeh krásny, mam rada víno a bolo super čítať o rôznych odrodách.
Mínus hviezdička je za vedľajšiu postavu, ktorá potrebovala znepríjemniť situáciu tým, že ZBIERALA KRALIČIE BOBKY. Reálny, ktorý dospelý človek toto robí.
Inak super, že si uvedomila, že nemusí byť tá, ktorá musí všetko zvládnuť sama. Každý by mal mal niekoho, na koho sa môžu spoľahnúť.
Mínus hviezdička je za vedľajšiu postavu, ktorá potrebovala znepríjemniť situáciu tým, že ZBIERALA KRALIČIE BOBKY. Reálny, ktorý dospelý človek toto robí.
Inak super, že si uvedomila, že nemusí byť tá, ktorá musí všetko zvládnuť sama. Každý by mal mal niekoho, na koho sa môžu spoľahnúť.
July 10, 2023
For the most part this was a fun contemporary romance, set in the Champagne region of France at a very dirty, neglected chateau. I had a few problems with how long it took for the heroine to stop being a complete enabler, but in the end it was worth it.
Our heroine Hattie has taken a job as a wedding planner for her wealthy cousins wedding. The wedding is scheduled to be at a French chateau in several months so hattie heads to France with almost no warning, ready to prepare for the wedding. Once there, hattie runs into tons of road blocks, but she also encounters the gorgeous owner of the chateau (well, the son of the owner) who just wants to start of the estate's champagne business again.
The setting was gorgeous. The food and wine made me long to be there to eat the meals. It was also fun seeing some characters from previous entries in this very loosely connected series (and this does completely stand on its own).
I hope there are more entries in this series, but honestly, I would be happy just to see another book set at this location.
Our heroine Hattie has taken a job as a wedding planner for her wealthy cousins wedding. The wedding is scheduled to be at a French chateau in several months so hattie heads to France with almost no warning, ready to prepare for the wedding. Once there, hattie runs into tons of road blocks, but she also encounters the gorgeous owner of the chateau (well, the son of the owner) who just wants to start of the estate's champagne business again.
The setting was gorgeous. The food and wine made me long to be there to eat the meals. It was also fun seeing some characters from previous entries in this very loosely connected series (and this does completely stand on its own).
I hope there are more entries in this series, but honestly, I would be happy just to see another book set at this location.
July 14, 2023
Following a break up with her boyfriend, Hattie Carter-Jones has left Surrey to stay in France for two months, organising her cousin Gabby’s wedding in a French chateau. As she arrives there, she meets Luc Bremont, whose father owns the chateau. He is rather gorgeous and an attraction soon develops between them, but who is the glamorous Marine that keeps turning up?
Examining the chateau in more detail, Hattie realises it is in a state of disrepair and is going to need a lot of work to get it ready to be a wedding venue. She also meets Yvette who seems to be trying to put Hattie off organising the wedding. What is going on?
It was easy to get into the book, I really liked Hattie straight away and wanted her to make a success of her new venture. Out of the more minor characters, my favourites were the widowed housekeeper Solange, capable English woman Fliss and 95-year-old Marthe, who is in the nursing home, but still full of spirit. All the characters are interesting, though of course, some are ones you love to hate! (Hello Yvette!)
The setting of the French chateau and vineyard was interesting and I loved how it wasn’t perfect and glamorous, but was more run-down. I also liked the village and surrounding areas, I’d definitely be at the market and buying cheese from the fromagerie! There is a lot of food, cooking and eating out in the book and I ended up really fancying some decent French bread and cheese!
This was the first of Julie Caplin’s books I have read, but it won’t be the last. I enjoyed every aspect of the book and give it five stars.
Examining the chateau in more detail, Hattie realises it is in a state of disrepair and is going to need a lot of work to get it ready to be a wedding venue. She also meets Yvette who seems to be trying to put Hattie off organising the wedding. What is going on?
It was easy to get into the book, I really liked Hattie straight away and wanted her to make a success of her new venture. Out of the more minor characters, my favourites were the widowed housekeeper Solange, capable English woman Fliss and 95-year-old Marthe, who is in the nursing home, but still full of spirit. All the characters are interesting, though of course, some are ones you love to hate! (Hello Yvette!)
The setting of the French chateau and vineyard was interesting and I loved how it wasn’t perfect and glamorous, but was more run-down. I also liked the village and surrounding areas, I’d definitely be at the market and buying cheese from the fromagerie! There is a lot of food, cooking and eating out in the book and I ended up really fancying some decent French bread and cheese!
This was the first of Julie Caplin’s books I have read, but it won’t be the last. I enjoyed every aspect of the book and give it five stars.
October 18, 2023
Vinice byla moc příjemná, postavy měly i trochu hlubší problémy, ale stále to bylo podané v typickém lehkém tónu Julie Caplin.
Ráda jsem zase viděla i propojení postav z minulých dílů... každý "Romantický útěk" se sice dá číst hala bala, ale když víš, tak prostě víš a máš z toho radost :D Já už Caplinovou jedu jen jako audio, protože mi tak krásně sedla, zatím je jich 7 z 10, tak šup šup... ať mi třeba může docvaknout nějaký chybějící článek. :D
Ráda jsem zase viděla i propojení postav z minulých dílů... každý "Romantický útěk" se sice dá číst hala bala, ale když víš, tak prostě víš a máš z toho radost :D Já už Caplinovou jedu jen jako audio, protože mi tak krásně sedla, zatím je jich 7 z 10, tak šup šup... ať mi třeba může docvaknout nějaký chybějící článek. :D
June 3, 2024
Wenn der Neuanfang so gut schmeckt.
-Rezensionsexemplar-
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Genre: eine süser Sommerroman mit Champagner & soviel leckerem Essen. Landhausstil, Weingut & eine Romanze - so hört sich Sommerlektüre an.
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Setting: Hattie - englische Assistentin bei einer Eventagentur probiert sich bei ihrem Start der Selbstständigkeit in einem französischen Weingut. Das muss aber erstmal aufgemöbelt & die Leute dort für einen gewonnen werden.
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Daher schnapp dir einen Kaffee & genieße die französische Champagner Gegend.
-Rezensionsexemplar-
.
Genre: eine süser Sommerroman mit Champagner & soviel leckerem Essen. Landhausstil, Weingut & eine Romanze - so hört sich Sommerlektüre an.
.
Setting: Hattie - englische Assistentin bei einer Eventagentur probiert sich bei ihrem Start der Selbstständigkeit in einem französischen Weingut. Das muss aber erstmal aufgemöbelt & die Leute dort für einen gewonnen werden.
.
Daher schnapp dir einen Kaffee & genieße die französische Champagner Gegend.
May 14, 2024
Schön zu lesen aber ohne großen Inhalt und eher oberflächliche Charaktere / Entwicklung.
3,5 ⭐️
3,5 ⭐️
July 14, 2024
Perfekt für den Frankreich-Urlaub. Wie immer schön, aber ohne große Überraschungen.
August 3, 2025
so ein süßes Buch ! Perfekt für den Sommer
January 15, 2024
Takže 3/4 knihy nuda v Brně a pak překombinovaná záhada Hercula Poirota, abychom se vlastně nedozvěděli konec. Tohle není můj oblíbený díl.
August 9, 2024
There are times in your life when you just need a heartwarming book <3
February 16, 2024
I’ll keep reading Julie’s books as she keeps writing them…great fun xx
March 27, 2025
Ich lese schon ziemlich lange die Bücher der Romantic-Escapes-Reihe von JC und finde sie jedesmal aufs neue einfach erfrischend. Wie eine kurze Auszeit, erholsam und cozy.
Am Anfang hat mich die Story nicht so überzeugt, weil mir die Dialoge und diese schnelle Annäherung von Hattie und Luc etwas unrealistisch vorkam.
Ab der Hälfte des Buchs war ich aber endlich angekommen und habe die Entwicklung der beiden sehr genossen.
Was mir besonders gut gefallen hat, ist das realistische Ende, was ganz und gar untypisch für klassische Romanzen ist - dass sie sich nicht einfach Hals über Kopf dazu hinreißen lässt alles aufzugeben, sondern rational an ihre Möglichkeiten rangeht.
Und dass sich ihre Probleme (wie z.B. People Pleasing), nicht einfach in Luft auflösen, sondern sie versucht an sich zu arbeiten und bei Konfrontationen trotzdem wieder in alte Muster verfällt und struggled, fand ich auch schön zu lesen, weil es einfach so relatable und echt ist.
Am Anfang hat mich die Story nicht so überzeugt, weil mir die Dialoge und diese schnelle Annäherung von Hattie und Luc etwas unrealistisch vorkam.
Ab der Hälfte des Buchs war ich aber endlich angekommen und habe die Entwicklung der beiden sehr genossen.
Was mir besonders gut gefallen hat, ist das realistische Ende, was ganz und gar untypisch für klassische Romanzen ist - dass sie sich nicht einfach Hals über Kopf dazu hinreißen lässt alles aufzugeben, sondern rational an ihre Möglichkeiten rangeht.
Und dass sich ihre Probleme (wie z.B. People Pleasing), nicht einfach in Luft auflösen, sondern sie versucht an sich zu arbeiten und bei Konfrontationen trotzdem wieder in alte Muster verfällt und struggled, fand ich auch schön zu lesen, weil es einfach so relatable und echt ist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2024
Hattie Carter-Jones needs a new start after her relationship begins to flounder and losing her job. She accepts the offer from her uncle to plan her cousin's wedding in France. They have booked the Chateau St. Martin for the wedding, and he wants Hattie on sight. When Hattie arrives she meets, Luc Bremont, the son of the owner. He was unaware of his father's plans to turn the Chateau into a wedding venue. He wanted to reopen the family's old distillery and begin making the champagne his family had been known for. Luc realized that he has to fulfill the contract his father agreed to and begins to work with Hattie, helping her to source things for the wedding. He also introduces her to what it means to live in a small village and slow down to enjoy life. In reverse, Hattie gives Luc a different perspective and that he can do both. Luc's aunt is very much against Luc getting the champagne business going again, and he doesn't know why. There are secrets to be revealed, lives to enjoy, and love to be shared.
Although this is the 10th book in the Romantic Escapes series, the story is a standalone and I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed meeting both Hattie and Luc and loved their chemistry. The situation they found themselves in could have made a friendship impossible, but they both bent a little and made it work. The story is told from both their points of view. Hattie wants to make a name for herself in the wedding planning business, Luc wants to reopen his family's champagne distillery, rather than see the grapes sold to others, as his father and aunt had been doing. The chateau has a housekeeper/cook/surrogate mother to Luc, and there is a major situation involving her daughter and the use of the chateau and the grounds. It almost derails the wedding, but Hattie doesn't give up. The two months in France give Hattie perspective and she realizes that she’s in a relationship with the wrong man. This was a fun romance, with armchair travel, new beginnings and family secrets. The narration of the audiobook was wonderful. Sophie Roberts does an amazing job with the French accents, making this an enjoyable way to experience this story.
Although this is the 10th book in the Romantic Escapes series, the story is a standalone and I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed meeting both Hattie and Luc and loved their chemistry. The situation they found themselves in could have made a friendship impossible, but they both bent a little and made it work. The story is told from both their points of view. Hattie wants to make a name for herself in the wedding planning business, Luc wants to reopen his family's champagne distillery, rather than see the grapes sold to others, as his father and aunt had been doing. The chateau has a housekeeper/cook/surrogate mother to Luc, and there is a major situation involving her daughter and the use of the chateau and the grounds. It almost derails the wedding, but Hattie doesn't give up. The two months in France give Hattie perspective and she realizes that she’s in a relationship with the wrong man. This was a fun romance, with armchair travel, new beginnings and family secrets. The narration of the audiobook was wonderful. Sophie Roberts does an amazing job with the French accents, making this an enjoyable way to experience this story.
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