A French Country Escape

by Jennifer Bohnet

A gorgeous, escapist romantic read from Jennifer Bohnet

A fresh start in the beautiful Brittany countryside is what dreams are made of...

Buying and relocating to the Château du Cheval in rural France has fulfilled one of Peter and Ingrid Chevalier’s lifelong ambitions. Despite never being able to trace a missing link in Peter’s French ancestry he feels he has finally come home. Now they must renovate the Château to its former glory and make it pay for itself…
With money getting tight, they take the decision to sell a couple of cottages on the estate. Can the Château begin to pay for itself and be sustainable for the future?

Divorced Sasha Heath and her brother Freddie decide to sensibly invest their mother’s inheritance into property and buy the two rundown cottages on the Château’s estate. Putting the past behind them, a new life in France beckons, but will it live up to their dreams?

As they relax and settle into their new idyllic lifestyle, their new lives throw up several surprises, and all they can do is cross their fingers and hope everything will turn out well in the end.

An uplifting tale of new adventures and second chances. Perfect for the fans of Jill Mansell and Fern Britton.

Genres: Adult, Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary, Family

Audible Audio

Published September 16, 2024

About the author

Sixteen years ago Richard and I, with our then dog, 14 year old Holly in a trailer attached to Richard's bike, cycled down through western France via the canal paths, arriving in Antibes in July. With the exception of two fleeting visits back to the UK we have lived in France ever since.

For the past five years we have lived in a small cottage in central Brittany with one large collie dog called Viking, one fat cat known as Little’un and a young tortoiseshell cat called Missy. Oh, and there are various ducks and chickens in the garden, and a large pond with about a hundred fish in!

I have contributed short stories and serials to many of the UK women's magazines including, The People's Friend, Candis, My Weekly, Best, Yours and my stories have been published in Australia, Sweden, South Africa and Ireland.

I also write magazine features and my work has been published in national magazines and newspapers like, The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Home and Country, Devon Life. For over three years I had my own newspaper column in the South Hams Group of Newspapers, that took a wry look at family life.

I am a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, A French Country Escape, by Jennifer, Bohnet, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ingrid and Peter Chevalier have bought a chateau in France, and wants to look into his french ancestry. Freddie and his sister Sasha, decide to but to not so great condition cottage on the chateaus estate. This was a nice read, I enjoyed the characters, and loved the setting.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relaxing and heartwarming read. Seemed to move a little too fast for me since the author chose to include so many points of view and stories, but it worked out ok. Nice to read about everyone being nice to each other for a change. Only a smidgen of nastiness from an ex partner is included. Doesn’t really taint the story too much. Looking forward to reading more about these characters.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! The setting of the story in France was just enchanting.
This was a nice story to relax with after reading several thriller suspense novals.
Lighthearted and enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Marjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feestje om te lezen en helemaal nu wij op vakantie zijn in de regio waar het speelt 😍

[Marg · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know I am a sucker for a new start in France story, and Jennifer Bohnet delivers a good one with her latest book A French Country Escape.

Sasha and her brother Freddie inherited a modest amount of money following their mother's passing. While it wouldn't be enough to start a new life in England, it is enough to buy two cottages on the estate of a French chateau. Moving to France works pretty well for Freddie. He is a gardener and it isn't long before he is very busy working. For Sasha though, she needs to reestablish herself following her divorce, and throwing herself into renovating the cottages keeps her busy, as does the arrival of two dogs!

Read more at

http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2024...

[julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very bland book. Very predictable. I have read a few by this author. I feel this is just another ‘churned out’ book.
No mention of how Sasha and Freddie managed to just move to France after Brexit without a residents visa!
Just a sickly sweet story. Nothing exciting happened. Far too many croissants and cakes consumed too!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Jennyfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of their mother and the sale of their family home, brother and sister Freddie and Sasha are determined to make a fresh start in France, buying a pair of cottages on the grounds of a sprawling chateau estate run by English ex-pats Peter and Ingrid.
Peter and Ingrid, meanwhile, are trying to get their b&b/wedding venue business off the ground, and are full of concern for their daughter, Penny, stuck in an abusive relationship in Bristol.
As Sasha and Freddie adjust to rural French life and make new friends, Sasha's confidence - shattered from a past abusive marriage - slowly begins to recover.

This was a very slow-paced slice of life book, taking the time to meander down country lanes and stop at windows to admire the view. And while the view is lovely, it's all about character development, as Sasha and Penny and some of the side characters come into their own. In the idyllic setting, there is little drama, and the book is made up of small moments of joy that together form a peaceful, content scene.

The romance is slow, s-l-o-w burning, with the characters getting to actually know one another as friends first.

While the Chateau appears to be fictional, the places mentioned are very real, and I did go off on a few side quests in Google maps to see the places in more detail.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A French Country Escape by Jennifer Bohnet was another beautifully written book but this one is set in beautiful Brittany countryside in France and this is what dreams are made of. Peter and Ingrid Chevalier’s are the main characters within this book and are finally their life long ambitions to buying and relocating to Château du Cheval in rural France. (WoW This is what I did so this book was a real treat to read)

Despite never being able to trace a missing link in Peter’s French ancestry he feels he has finally come home. Now they must renovate the Chateau to its former glory and make it pay for itself…
Now, with their money getting tight, they take the decision to sell a couple of cottages on the estate.

Can the Chateau begin to pay for itself and be sustainable for the future?

Divorced Sasha Heath and her brother Freddie decide to sensibly invest their mother’s inheritance into property and buy the two rundown cottages on the Château’s estate.

Putting the past behind them, a new life in France beckons, but will it live up to their dreams?

WoW this book is so good........and if you have a dream to move to France Go for it....I did and love it here.

I highly recommend this book....Just beautiful.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for my ARC.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this charming modern romance novel, readers join Sasha Heath, her brother Freddie, Peter and Ingrid Chevalier, and their daughter Penny on a beautiful estate in rural Brittany, the Chateau du Cheval. Alternating between Sasha, Ingrid, and Penny’s perspectives, these three women tell the stories of how they built their new lives on the chateau’s property and choose new futures with their families. Bringing the romantic elements and the challenges of rural life to the forefront of the novel, Bohnet’s newest novel is charming, romantic, and absolutely stunning. As Sasha, Ingrid, and Penny join forces, absolutely nothing can stop them from turning the Chateau du Cheval into a beautiful, escapist location in rural Brittany. The characters in this novel are charming, sympathetic, and realistic, and they are all different so the multiple perspectives do not blend into each other over the course of the book. As surprises abound and affect their lives at the chateau, readers also experience these changes through Bohnet’s charming and detailed prose. With fantastic characters and a beautiful location as the backdrop for the entire novel, readers will love the Chateau du Cheval, its inhabitants both new and old, and the events that take place there in this fantastic modern romance novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Deborah B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:

Sasha and her brother, Freddie have recently lost their mother. With the legacy she left them, they decide to buy two old cottages on the estate of a chateau in Brittany, and start a new life in France. The chateau owners, Ingrid and Peter, also British expats, are hoping to build a successful wedding business at the chateau. They welcome Sasha and Freddie to their small French community.

I love France and Brittany so the premise for this book was right up my alley. The author clearly knows the area well and that shines through the pages. There is a mix of British expat and local characters and I liked how the author showed how they navigated language barriers without resorting to everyone automatically speaking English. That gave the book some authenticity.

I do however feel the pages of this book were often filled with unimportant details that slowed the narrative down then skimmed over other details that could have had given the story more depth such as both Sasha and Penny's respective developing romances and the mystery behind Peter's ancestors, which was briefly mentioned at the beginning then forgotten about until towards the end (which made the final revelation a bit confusing... to me anyway!) I would have liked that to have been more of an ongoing thread. I also thought the characters, particularly the younger female characters, Sasha, Penny & Alice, could have had more depth. They seemed a bit "samesy".

But overall though, this was a pleasant, light read.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a rather lovely and gently told story of fresh starts and second chances, fresh opportunities and new relationships, centred on the estate of a château in beautiful and vividly drawn rural Brittany.

When bought by Peter and Ingrid, the Château du Cheval itself was in need of fairly extensive renovation – a work still in progress, as they hope to make it available to the community for events, as well as hosting guests and events of their own so that it begins to generate much needed income. Shortage of money drives their decision to sell two cottages on the estate – the perfect choice for brother and sister Freddie and Sasha, wanting fresh starts of their own, using the funds available from a recent inheritance from their mother. The cottages need some work too – but Freddie has the skills, which also come in useful in doing work for Peter and within the neighbouring community. Sasha has recently been neglecting her art, but she hopes to start selling it online again as her own main source of income – but with a wedding reception planned in the château’s unfinished orangery she acquires a major project too, an tromp l’oeil art work on one of its walls.

While the relationship between them all is steadily and beautifully developed, there’s a wider focus too on the relationships with their Breton neighbours. There are friendships – there are ways of getting past the language barrier, and Sasha’s certainly glad of some help with training the two puppies she can’t resist bringing home, and in finding bargains in the local sales of bric-a-brac and furniture. There are the beginnings of some romance too – although Freddie’s perhaps gets off to a slightly shaky start. And a few family complications for Peter and Ingrid – some welcome and opening up new opportunities, some distinctly unexpected and with a touch of mystery attached. And through it all, there’s a lot depending on the success of that first wedding reception.

If you’re looking for a fast paced story, this just might not be the book for you – but I really liked its tangled threads and cast of engaging and likeable characters. And there’s a real depth of detail in the ongoing work to update the chateau – including the links to its equestrian past – and following the siblings’ steps both with their own renovation work and becoming comfortably part of their new community, which I very much enjoyed.

This really is escapist reading at its best, nicely uplifting, and with some lovely storytelling – I have no idea whether the author plans to return to the château in a further book, but, if she does, I’d be more than happy to visit again and find out how everyone is getting on in their new lives in this gorgeous location.

[Jo Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Bohnet is the queen of gentle second chance romance novels set in France. I have read many of her novels, and just like those, A French Country Escape is a gentle story set in an idyllic location if you are a Francophile. I loved the comforting nature of the story, with many different branches and multiple romances.

The story centres on the Château du Cheval, owned by Brits Peter and Ingrid. In order to continue renovating the château, they sell two adjoining properties on their land to siblings Freddie and divorcée Sasha who decide to have a new start in Brittany following the death of their mother. Their inheritance allows them to buy the cottages and allows them the chance to do something different with their lives.

Gradually a number of characters are added to the story, providing love interests and friendship groups that are completely heart-warming. I have to say I adored the book club that was hosted at the château, taking place in both English and French, with books that have translations so everyone could be included in the local area. I desperately wanted to join the book club, it sounded wonderful.

This was a story of second chances, and not just with romance, but with families and careers too. This gentle story was an absolute joy that was the perfect escapist read.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley for this arc. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.

In this book we are following a brother and sister who move to France and end up with a family of their own making. Sasha and her brother decide to move to France after their mother’s death since it’s cheaper to buy a home in France. They purchase two cottages at a cheateu in France and when they meet the older couple who are turning the rest of the estate into a hotel they become friends. Sasha and her brother help Ingrid and Peter with gardening and fixing the place up for a wedding and a fete they are hosting in a manner of weeks. Sasha restarts her Etsy painting business and adopts two dogs and helps Ingrid when she falls out of the Range Rover. Sasha also befriends Ingrid and Peters daughter Penny who escaped an abusive relationship and moved to France to be with her family. Sasha also meets Jean Paul who speaks both French and English and he and Sasha start a relationship after he helps her train her dogs. This book is so sweet and enjoyable and a pleasant book to read. This is a book sure to warm anyone’s heart and is great for anyone who wants to read a sweet and simple book with not to much drama. A very hallmark esk book.

[Charlie Sandino · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a remarkable sweet story, taking place at the Château du Cheval, in the Brittany countryside. This story is set in a beautiful environment, the Château from past centuries, has it's history and has stood through two wars. It's the modern generations that are trying to preserve what the ancestors had fought hard to care for. This is the story of a brother and sister, Bradley and Sasha. They need a new start and decide on a new start in France after the passing of a loved one. In France at the Château du Cheval the owners Peter and Ingrid are doing a lot to renovate the place. To get the Château back to what it should be. This story unravels nicely, the author takes us for walks in a beautiful countryside, old villages and farming landscapes. It is the perfect read and has a bit of everything for the reader including a community of readers, a bookclub at the Château. There are happenings weaved in nicely, giving us a more complete picture to help us understand the story. It is so nice to follow the characters that are so nice. With new beginnings and family reunions not expected. This read definitely corresponds with the title "A French Country Escape".
I can truly recommend this lovely read. I'm grateful to have read this book!
Thanks
Charlotte N

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter and Ingrid Chevalier bought Château du Cheval, which has been a lifetime dream for them. It is located in a rural area in France. It needs a lot of work, and they decide because they need money they would sell two of the cottages that are also there.
Sasha Heath has gotten a divorce and her brother Freddie decide to move to France where property is cheaper, and the real estate agent take them to see the cottages. They thought they would have to choose which one they wanted, but the real estate agent said the price was for both. That made it better because they both would have their own place.
When the four of them meet, they became friends, and Sasha and Freddie helped them get the Château du Cheval ready for their first guests, and a French country escape was just what they needed. Everyone seemed to learn so much about themselves, what they were capable of, and find the courage to just go for it, and see what happens. It was fun reading the story to see what they did, how they did it, and how they came out after doing it.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Claire Mc Partlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are plenty of characters in this story all with their own lives to follow. At the centre are Peter and Ingrid who are renovating the beautiful french Chateau du Cheval and its estate. Forced to sell two of the cottages to release funds, they find Sasha and Freddie, brother and sister, who are keen to settle in France in neighbouring houses. They all find they have a lot in common and firm friendships are forged.

As Sasha and Freddie settle into life in the french countryside, they find new interests and new friend. Plans for the futire are forged. Sasha decides to branch out into a new occupation. Freddie's work as a gardener goes from strength to strength but his personal life is not so lucky. Peter and Ingrid are also treated to some surprises which are family related. As ever, this feels like a gorgeous visit to France with likable characters, a family mystery to uncover and some slow burn romance.

In short: new beginnings, new friends
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A French Country Escape by Jennifer Bohnet

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Divorced Sasha Heath and her brother Freddie decide to sensibly invest their mother’s inheritance into property and buy the two rundown cottages on the Château’s estate. Putting the past behind them, a new life in France beckons, but will it live up to their dreams?

As they relax and settle into their new idyllic lifestyle, their new lives throw up several surprises, all they can do is cross their fingers and hope everything will turn out well in the end.

My Opinion

A French Country Escape was an easy read and a way to escape as the weather has begun to change. I have read a few books by Jennifer Bohnet and they have all been simply delightful. A beautiful, uplifting read.

Sasha and Freddie have decided that they would like to relocate to France following the death of their mother. On their adventure they both learn so much and it was great to follow them on their journey.

Rating 4/5

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review baesd upon my honest opinion.

Ingrid and Peter have bought a Chateau in France and while trying to restore it realize the cost is more than they thought. They decide to sell some of the cottages on the property to help pay for the restoration. Brother and Sister Sasha and Freddie decide to but two of the cottages, as they try to put their lives back together. From there we learn about the Chateau and its inhabitants, the story is centred more around the Chateau than the people and at times it felt like the story was moving too quickly, but overall irt was very enjoyable.


This author has a lovely way of writing that takes you to the beautiful locations in her book with great characters. I did find this book was not as good as her previous books, but I did really enjoy it. This book was a great light read that made me smile as I read about the Chateau and its inhabitants. I look forward to more books by this author.

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every so often, I read a book that I just sink into, and I inhaled this one in a single sitting. Having spent my fifth birthday in the south of France, I have warm memories of that trip. The lovely descriptions of the surrounding area never fail to capture my imagination, and I can instantly imagine the setting.
There is an ensemble cast in this book, but I will follow the synopsis to avoid accidentally including any spoilers. The main characters are the Chateau owners, Peter and Ingrid Chevalier and then brother and sister Sasha and Freddie. As we begin the story, Sasha and Freddie are about to embark on an exciting adventure and move their lives to live within the estate of Chateau de Cheval.
Sasha and Freddie have an enviable, gorgeous relationship that sees them supporting each other on a daily basis. They each throw themselves headlong into restoring the rundown cottages that they have bought using the money bequeathed to them in their mother’s will. The descriptions of the cottages had me imagining what I would do with them, and I loved the process of sourcing furniture from a variety of local sources. The warm relationship that formed between the siblings and their new neighbours really was a lovely touch.
Peter and Ingrid want nothing more than to share the Chateau with the local community, but it’s almost impossible to imagine where they can start with that. The immediate priority is to start earning money. Once they discuss their hopes and dreams with the siblings, the solutions snowball and lead to opportunities and new characters.
This genuinely lovely book left me feeling uplifted and ready for another escape to France. The beautiful connections that form among the characters are like a breath of fresh air. Jennifer Bohnet weaves her magical storytelling intricately, and the result is truly gorgeous.

[Colin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

I escaped to Brittany with this delightful read. I pictured the chateau as somewhere elegant and beautiful, and I enjoyed the atmosphere, as the setting came to life.

This book had feel-good vibes, the characters were likeable, and the story itself was fun to read. I felt it also had some deeper messages, as it seemed that some of the characters were looking to find themselves in some way, and make a fresh start.

If you read to escape, as I do, sometimes you might look for a book that will take you somewhere else for a while, and this would be a great book to choose for that kind of reading mood.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Storied Conversation · Rating 5 out of 5]

In *A French Country Escape*, strong family bonds take center stage as siblings Freddie and Sasha move to France during a difficult period in their lives, while Ingrid and Peter support their daughter Penny and seek to solve a family mystery. Both Sasha and Penny embark on personal journeys of healing—Sasha through art and Penny through food—with the picturesque Breton village and its château providing a welcoming backdrop. The story is filled with heartwarming moments, unexpected twists, and the charming touch of restoring old buildings, with even the animals adding humor and joy. A delightful read for anyone craving a heartfelt escape to France.

Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, Rachel's Random Resources, and the author for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Elodie Rondot-Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet and charming story. We begin by following siblings Sasha and Freddie on their move from England to Château du Cheval in Brittany, France. Slowly, a vast array of characters are introduced, all connected through the Château.
I enjoyed this story, and particularly loved how all the characters' lives ended up intertwining as the story progressed. The vivid imagery and warmth of the story made me feel I was in the French countryside along with the characters. I found it a great palate cleanser after some intense and action packed reads.
It is a story about second chances, taking risks, and learning to do what makes you happy. I cannot describe this book in any way except cosy and comforting. It was simply a wholesome and delightful read.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sasha and Freddie are siblings who together have made the decision to move to France and they then bought to cottages in Brittany. They began to build a new life, and they discovered they made friends quickly.
The characters all fit together so well, and this made it so easy for me to fall into the story and become a part of the happenings. The words just flowed off the pages as I was reading. I know that this is one book that will stay with me for a long time. I wonder what each of them are doing long after finishing this book.
This was a heartwarming feel good book that I highly recommend others to read.
Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer Bohnet and Boldwood Books for the copy of A French Country Escape. This is my personal review.

[Christine Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fast easy quick read. Just kept turning the pages reading this one. A little predictable I’d say, but a nice feel good story. Having actually made a move to France years ago, I could relate very much to the goings on there, although we lived in the Vendee. Think only the 2nd book I’ve read by this well known author and yet to learn more of her and her other novels. This book is a good one to take on if you want a quick easy light read. I shall look out for more of this authors novels in between reading some of my favourites which are historical dual timed romances that take more concentration to follow but I love how reading two stories at the same time entwine, and of course the educational learnings that you find out about in the novels.

[Ulli Zaiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect summer read!
After inheriting some money Sasha and her brother Freddie decide to move to France and buy two cottages in Brittany. They quickly make friends in the village and build a new life there.
I liked reading this book it was a very entertaining story. I liked all the different characters and enjoyed the setting in beautiful France. I found it a bit unbelievable how the thing with the lost great-aunt turned out but I didn't mind too much. As expected in a romance all the protagonists find a better life and love in Brittany.
A very entertaining summer read.
I received an ARC via Netgalley.com and am voluntarily leaving a review.