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The Good Life France #3
Toujours La France!: Living the Dream in Rural France
Following on from her hugely popular books,
My Good Life in France
and
My Good Year in France
, ex-pat Janine Marsh shares more heart-warming and entertaining stories of her new life in rural France.
Since giving up their city jobs in London and moving to rural France over ten years ago, Janine and husband Mark have renovated their dream home and built a new life for themselves, adjusting to the delights and the peculiarities of life in a small French village.
Including much-loved village characters such as Mr. and Mrs. Pepperpot, Jean-Claude, Claudette, and the infamous Bread Man, in Toujours La France Janine also introduces listeners to some new faces and funny stories, as she and Mark continue their lives in this special part of northern France. With birthday parties, rural traditions, christenings, and even a funeral, there is never a quiet moment in the Seven Valleys.
Since giving up their city jobs in London and moving to rural France over ten years ago, Janine and husband Mark have renovated their dream home and built a new life for themselves, adjusting to the delights and the peculiarities of life in a small French village.
Including much-loved village characters such as Mr. and Mrs. Pepperpot, Jean-Claude, Claudette, and the infamous Bread Man, in Toujours La France Janine also introduces listeners to some new faces and funny stories, as she and Mark continue their lives in this special part of northern France. With birthday parties, rural traditions, christenings, and even a funeral, there is never a quiet moment in the Seven Valleys.
Audible Audio
First published April 28, 2022
94 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Janine Marsh
6 books86 followersJanine Marsh is an ex Londoner who gave up life in the city for love and the good life in France. She is known as “flop chef not top chef” to her French friends (Madame Merde behind her back – and that’s a long story that’s in her book My Good Life in France!).
She lives in France with 3 dogs, 6 cats, 4 geese, 28 ducks and 18 chickens who all have names and think she is the maid. She writes in a converted pigsty in her run-down farmhouse in the middle of nowhere rural France when she’s not travelling around France and writing about her discoveries for her blog or newspapers and magazines.
She lives in France with 3 dogs, 6 cats, 4 geese, 28 ducks and 18 chickens who all have names and think she is the maid. She writes in a converted pigsty in her run-down farmhouse in the middle of nowhere rural France when she’s not travelling around France and writing about her discoveries for her blog or newspapers and magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 24, 2022
Toujours La France! Living the Dream in Rural France is the third instalment of Janine's new life in France and the Sixteenth anniversary celebration of the day they bought their old French farmhouse.
It's been full of trials and tribulations, renovations, gardening and delights. Full of wonderful French cuisine, Wine and French traditions.
We meet once again much-loved village characters such as Mr and Mrs Pepperpot, Jean-Claude, Claudette and the infamous Breadman who all make the village what is today by bringing the community together.
I really enjoyed Toujours La France!
It's been full of trials and tribulations, renovations, gardening and delights. Full of wonderful French cuisine, Wine and French traditions.
We meet once again much-loved village characters such as Mr and Mrs Pepperpot, Jean-Claude, Claudette and the infamous Breadman who all make the village what is today by bringing the community together.
I really enjoyed Toujours La France!
May 18, 2022
Marsh has a way of transporting the reader right into the heart and soul of living an authentic French life (even when you're not French!). A truly delightful (and oftentimes humorous) read that will resonate and spark the joie de vivre in all of us– animals, wine, and delicious meals included.
February 5, 2024
Listening to this book was like sitting with a nice neighbor over tea. Sometimes the stories were interesting, and sometimes the conversation turned to cows and chickens and I’d drift off with an “uh huh” until something jarred me back to the present. Solid 3.5 stars
April 24, 2022
Toujours La France was a super fun read. Janine's adventures were a lot of fun to read about, especially as it was while she was learning about all the traditions in the way of life. I loved when it felt like her and Mark were finally a part of the village. That made me smile. I enjoyed the French that was throughout the book. I'm by no means an expert, but it's always fun to learn it as you go. This book is full of funny stories that will make you chuckle. Make sure to check this book out.
August 23, 2022
Excellent - having enjoyed a holiday home I France for some years it was good to read of so many interesting characters.
Janine Marsh captures the essence of rural France - the food - the animals - village life and above all the camaraderie of people enjoying all the. delights of France
Janine Marsh captures the essence of rural France - the food - the animals - village life and above all the camaraderie of people enjoying all the. delights of France
May 1, 2022
This book is such a delightful, lighthearted read. I fell in love with the characters from the first page! I loved learning about the culture of rural Northern France and the cultural differences. I read books for escape and this book transported me to an idyllic French village. I have added Janine Marsh’s other two books to my Amazon Wishlist and cannot wait to read them!! If you want to get lost in the tales of Janine, Mark and their lovely French neighbours I highly recommend.
April 21, 2022
Have you ever dreamed of chucking it all, leaving the big city behind, and moving to a charming little village in France? That’s exactly what Janine Marsh and her husband Mark have done, but the path they took was anything but straightforward.
One day some years ago, while on a booze-buying trip from London, they somehow bought an old wreck of a house in France’s Seven Valleys region. It’s a hilarious story, and Janine tells it brilliantly in her book My Good Life in France. Over the years, she and Mark have fixed up the house, adopted a shocking number of animals (including 72 chickens at last count), and settled into their village in “middle-of-nowhere France.”
Janine continued their story in My Four Seasons in France and now she’s back with more heartwarming tales in her latest terrific book, the soon-to-be-published Toujours la France!
If you’d like to know what life is really like in a rural French village, this is the book for you. There’s not a lot of entertainment, unless you count the snail races, but there is a strong sense of community, with neighbors always willing to lend a hand to one other. And there are, of course, endless cups of coffee to share the latest gossip.
The book is full of funny stories, like the dinner party where a neighbor tries to get Janine and Mark to taste his special holiday rum. Another neighbor warns them off. “For heaven’s sake don’t drink it,” she says. “You will miss Christmas if you do and most likely have to go to the doctor.” Mark foolishly takes the tiniest of sips and is rendered mute, his mouth so numb he can’t taste his food.
Janine and Mark are often a source of amusement for the village, as on the bitterly cold day when their water stopped running. They determined that an uninsulated pipe in the roof had frozen, so Mark got up on a ladder and removed a few tiles, while Janine plugged in a hair dryer so he could heat up the frozen section. One villager after another came by to see what was happening, and soon the whole village was abuzz about les anglais “who are blow drying their house.”
The book is packed with fun facts about France, like the reason why people clink their glasses before drinking (it has to do with fear of poisoning back in medieval times.) And that it is considered unlucky to have a dinner with 13 people—if you do, the waiter might put an egg on the table to represent a 14th. And that France invented the online sex chat!
As the book ends, Janine reflects on how she and Mark have become perhaps not natives, but awfully darned close. And how lucky they are to have settled in the part of France “where people have sunshine in their hearts.”
Highly recommended.
One day some years ago, while on a booze-buying trip from London, they somehow bought an old wreck of a house in France’s Seven Valleys region. It’s a hilarious story, and Janine tells it brilliantly in her book My Good Life in France. Over the years, she and Mark have fixed up the house, adopted a shocking number of animals (including 72 chickens at last count), and settled into their village in “middle-of-nowhere France.”
Janine continued their story in My Four Seasons in France and now she’s back with more heartwarming tales in her latest terrific book, the soon-to-be-published Toujours la France!
If you’d like to know what life is really like in a rural French village, this is the book for you. There’s not a lot of entertainment, unless you count the snail races, but there is a strong sense of community, with neighbors always willing to lend a hand to one other. And there are, of course, endless cups of coffee to share the latest gossip.
The book is full of funny stories, like the dinner party where a neighbor tries to get Janine and Mark to taste his special holiday rum. Another neighbor warns them off. “For heaven’s sake don’t drink it,” she says. “You will miss Christmas if you do and most likely have to go to the doctor.” Mark foolishly takes the tiniest of sips and is rendered mute, his mouth so numb he can’t taste his food.
Janine and Mark are often a source of amusement for the village, as on the bitterly cold day when their water stopped running. They determined that an uninsulated pipe in the roof had frozen, so Mark got up on a ladder and removed a few tiles, while Janine plugged in a hair dryer so he could heat up the frozen section. One villager after another came by to see what was happening, and soon the whole village was abuzz about les anglais “who are blow drying their house.”
The book is packed with fun facts about France, like the reason why people clink their glasses before drinking (it has to do with fear of poisoning back in medieval times.) And that it is considered unlucky to have a dinner with 13 people—if you do, the waiter might put an egg on the table to represent a 14th. And that France invented the online sex chat!
As the book ends, Janine reflects on how she and Mark have become perhaps not natives, but awfully darned close. And how lucky they are to have settled in the part of France “where people have sunshine in their hearts.”
Highly recommended.
May 1, 2022
Welcome to more adventures of Janine’s Good Life in France – yippee! Dipping into the pages of this latest memoir you will get to enjoy village life and experience the strong community she and husband Mark are well and truly a part of. However, hers is not just a rural life with her farmyard family and French neighbours, this book is also full of tales of Janine’s adventures further afield, that come her way working for various tourist offices in France. Cleverly woven into her daily life are lots of delicious snippets of history, culture, traditions and regional gastronomical delights. These not only added interest, but will, I am sure, feed any Francophile addiction and many certainly made me laugh as I was reading. You will probably also pick up enough French trivia to entertain your friends or even win a prize or two at a pub quiz.
It is always nice to read about life in France, knowing that the author gets French life like I do and understands it is the quirky differences between our cultures that makes living here so special. This is a gentle memoir of everyday life and drama, with lots of humour, but nothing too emotionally draining – it was just what I needed to relax with, and distract me from the weird weather we have been experiencing in my part of rural France lately.
This book will open your eyes to a different France from Paris, Provence or the Côte d’Azur. It will make you want to travel more, chose the regions that are often overlooked, and slow down to ensure you spend the time to really get to know the area, the people and in doing so, experience the real France.
I have now enjoyed all three memoirs from Janine, and I’d be happy to read more.
It is always nice to read about life in France, knowing that the author gets French life like I do and understands it is the quirky differences between our cultures that makes living here so special. This is a gentle memoir of everyday life and drama, with lots of humour, but nothing too emotionally draining – it was just what I needed to relax with, and distract me from the weird weather we have been experiencing in my part of rural France lately.
This book will open your eyes to a different France from Paris, Provence or the Côte d’Azur. It will make you want to travel more, chose the regions that are often overlooked, and slow down to ensure you spend the time to really get to know the area, the people and in doing so, experience the real France.
I have now enjoyed all three memoirs from Janine, and I’d be happy to read more.
April 19, 2022
I was drawn to this story because I am currently living as an expat in Belgium. I could relate so much to this story. Moving to another country and trying to learn their language and culture can be intimidating, but the author seems to have taken right to her new surroundings when they moved to France.
I enjoyed reading about a different part of France, a village, and not Paris. The author has come across wonderful friends and quickly became a part of their community.
Ending the story with Neighbor Day, which happened to fall on the anniversary of buying their home, was perfect way for it to come full circle.
I enjoyed reading about a different part of France, a village, and not Paris. The author has come across wonderful friends and quickly became a part of their community.
Ending the story with Neighbor Day, which happened to fall on the anniversary of buying their home, was perfect way for it to come full circle.
April 10, 2022
I really enjoyed reading Toujours La France which brought back many memories of many places we have visited when we’ve been touring France in past years, such as Gerberoy, Amiens, Desvres and the very moving WW1 memorial at Thiepval.
I enjoyed getting to know the villagers in the Seven Valleys. Pas-de-Calais area who seemed a friendly and helpful bunch. Janine Marsh shows through her writing the gentle affection she feels for her neighbours. She shows there is a great sense of community, albeit a slightly eccentric community. I’d love to meet Bread Man as his bread, pastries and cakes sound amazing! In fact, lots of the food sounded so delicious it had my mouth watering: the cheese, the wine, the bread, the charcuterie. Although I’m with Janine, you can keep the andouillette sausages!
The book is a collection of amusing anecdotes about Janine and Mark’s life in northern France including tales about snail racing, the opening of a new sports stadium, a pig squealing contest and finding out how to get rid of beech martins in their roof space. The competitive nature of the French comes across whether in business or boules. I think that my husband would be very happy with French timekeeping (I think he’s already a natural!) although I’m more punctual myself.
I like to think I can get by in French, although I’m by no means fluent. However, as with any language, just when you think you are doing okay, you come across an idiom that makes no sense. I loved learning about unusual French phrases such as “Il fait un froid de canard” to describe freezing weather. Or to make a fuss is “en faire tout un fromage” – literally to make a whole cheese out of it. I particularly like “c’est le petit Jesus en culotte de velours” – which is roughly equivalent to something being the bee’s knees when discussing wine or food.
I enjoyed reading about Janine’s adventures, as she learned about the traditions and ways of life and began to feel that she and Mark were really becoming part of the village. Toujours La France is amusing and entertaining, an easy book to read and a warm look at the realities of living in France.
I enjoyed getting to know the villagers in the Seven Valleys. Pas-de-Calais area who seemed a friendly and helpful bunch. Janine Marsh shows through her writing the gentle affection she feels for her neighbours. She shows there is a great sense of community, albeit a slightly eccentric community. I’d love to meet Bread Man as his bread, pastries and cakes sound amazing! In fact, lots of the food sounded so delicious it had my mouth watering: the cheese, the wine, the bread, the charcuterie. Although I’m with Janine, you can keep the andouillette sausages!
The book is a collection of amusing anecdotes about Janine and Mark’s life in northern France including tales about snail racing, the opening of a new sports stadium, a pig squealing contest and finding out how to get rid of beech martins in their roof space. The competitive nature of the French comes across whether in business or boules. I think that my husband would be very happy with French timekeeping (I think he’s already a natural!) although I’m more punctual myself.
I like to think I can get by in French, although I’m by no means fluent. However, as with any language, just when you think you are doing okay, you come across an idiom that makes no sense. I loved learning about unusual French phrases such as “Il fait un froid de canard” to describe freezing weather. Or to make a fuss is “en faire tout un fromage” – literally to make a whole cheese out of it. I particularly like “c’est le petit Jesus en culotte de velours” – which is roughly equivalent to something being the bee’s knees when discussing wine or food.
I enjoyed reading about Janine’s adventures, as she learned about the traditions and ways of life and began to feel that she and Mark were really becoming part of the village. Toujours La France is amusing and entertaining, an easy book to read and a warm look at the realities of living in France.
April 14, 2022
Thank you to author Janine @thegoodlifefrance & @lovebookstours for my gifted copy.
My thoughts: I loved this book! Janine writes with a fervor and love of France that makes me want to move into that village just to be apart of animal hi-jinxes and colorful characters! I adored Claudette and her true sassiness! I was laughing throughout the whole book! Ive yet to have the pleasure of reading her other books but I am now running to pick those up! Viva la France! 🇫🇷Well done, mon ami! Highly suggest you pick up this book NOW!
Blurb—Following on from her hugely popular books, My Good Life in France and My Four Seasons in France, ex-pat Janine Marsh shares more heart-warming and entertaining stories of her new life in rural France.
Since giving up their city jobs in London and moving to rural France over ten years ago, Janine and her husband Mark have renovated their dream home and built a new life for themselves, adjusting to the delights and the peculiarities of life in a small French village.
Including much-loved village characters such as Mr and Mrs Pepperpot, Jean-Claude, Claudette and the infamous Bread Man, in Toujours la France! Janine also introduces readers to some new faces and funny stories, as she and Mark continue their lives in this special part of northern France. With fantastic food, birthday parties, rural traditions old and new – Jean-Claude introduces snail racing to the village – and trouble with uninvited animals, there is never a quiet moment in the Seven Valleys.
My thoughts: I loved this book! Janine writes with a fervor and love of France that makes me want to move into that village just to be apart of animal hi-jinxes and colorful characters! I adored Claudette and her true sassiness! I was laughing throughout the whole book! Ive yet to have the pleasure of reading her other books but I am now running to pick those up! Viva la France! 🇫🇷Well done, mon ami! Highly suggest you pick up this book NOW!
Blurb—Following on from her hugely popular books, My Good Life in France and My Four Seasons in France, ex-pat Janine Marsh shares more heart-warming and entertaining stories of her new life in rural France.
Since giving up their city jobs in London and moving to rural France over ten years ago, Janine and her husband Mark have renovated their dream home and built a new life for themselves, adjusting to the delights and the peculiarities of life in a small French village.
Including much-loved village characters such as Mr and Mrs Pepperpot, Jean-Claude, Claudette and the infamous Bread Man, in Toujours la France! Janine also introduces readers to some new faces and funny stories, as she and Mark continue their lives in this special part of northern France. With fantastic food, birthday parties, rural traditions old and new – Jean-Claude introduces snail racing to the village – and trouble with uninvited animals, there is never a quiet moment in the Seven Valleys.
April 18, 2022
This is a beautiful book showcasing the author's love of France and its people, that love shines through with tremendous enthusiasm throughout the book, and it wouldn’t surprise me if readers got the urge to take a trip to France after reading this book.
There are a plethora of characters to get to know, who are all unique and funny in their own way! The author writes these anecdotal occurrences in the way of stories and I felt this worked brilliantly.’The Battle Of The Football Couches’ was one of my favourites! After reading this I was determined to find a French person just so I could ask them to say the word ‘ears’ - and no, I didn’t succeed in finding one!
This book has everything you need for a relaxing Sunday afternoon in the sun! Definitely one to pick up!
5 stars.
I’d like to thank Lovebookstours for allowing me to be part of this tour! I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. Views and opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
There are a plethora of characters to get to know, who are all unique and funny in their own way! The author writes these anecdotal occurrences in the way of stories and I felt this worked brilliantly.’The Battle Of The Football Couches’ was one of my favourites! After reading this I was determined to find a French person just so I could ask them to say the word ‘ears’ - and no, I didn’t succeed in finding one!
This book has everything you need for a relaxing Sunday afternoon in the sun! Definitely one to pick up!
5 stars.
I’d like to thank Lovebookstours for allowing me to be part of this tour! I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. Views and opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
April 12, 2022
I was lucky enough to be able to take part in this book tour by @lovebookstours in exchange for a #gifted copy of this book
I really enjoyed this book and I was really attracted to it as I was a forces child and so spent a large portion of my childhood moving to different places including abroad where very quickly we would have to learn a new language, traditions, culture etc so I found it so relatable.
Reading this made me want to visit Rural France - i'll be honest I had only thought about visiting Paris before I read this book.
It is such a readable book and I read this in practically one sitting. I loved reading about the other people in the community as well as them too as it really made me feel like I was there.
If you love reading about communities or non fiction about people's experiences then I strongly recommend reading this book. It was a heartwarming and interesting read
I really enjoyed this book and I was really attracted to it as I was a forces child and so spent a large portion of my childhood moving to different places including abroad where very quickly we would have to learn a new language, traditions, culture etc so I found it so relatable.
Reading this made me want to visit Rural France - i'll be honest I had only thought about visiting Paris before I read this book.
It is such a readable book and I read this in practically one sitting. I loved reading about the other people in the community as well as them too as it really made me feel like I was there.
If you love reading about communities or non fiction about people's experiences then I strongly recommend reading this book. It was a heartwarming and interesting read
April 22, 2022
This book is essentially a love letter to France and it’s delicious food, strong wine, beautiful surroundings and welcoming people. Janine and Mark moved to France 16 years ago after discovering a rundown ‘house’ that was in major need of some TLC.
This quirky memoir details all the reasons Janine fell in love with where she lives and small anecdotes of village life. Having only visited France a handful of times myself or passing through it to reach another destination, I can’t lie that it made me want to race back and discover all these gorgeous places.
This book was kindly gifted to me as part of LoveBookTours and I am really pleased I got to take part. My only wish is that there was more of a story rather than lots of random events and facts/history about France but then again it’s a memoir so what can I expect! As a big travel bug myself, I always enjoy reading about new and beautiful places to add to my never ending bucket list 🇫🇷
This quirky memoir details all the reasons Janine fell in love with where she lives and small anecdotes of village life. Having only visited France a handful of times myself or passing through it to reach another destination, I can’t lie that it made me want to race back and discover all these gorgeous places.
This book was kindly gifted to me as part of LoveBookTours and I am really pleased I got to take part. My only wish is that there was more of a story rather than lots of random events and facts/history about France but then again it’s a memoir so what can I expect! As a big travel bug myself, I always enjoy reading about new and beautiful places to add to my never ending bucket list 🇫🇷
August 12, 2022
Author Janine Marsh continues to entertain us In Toujours La France, with her riveting stories of life in the French countryside with her husband, Mark and their expanding collection of animals. Everyday life has many ooh-la-la moments as you meet her neighbors and friends as they gather for parties and celebrations. They gladly share their opinions and expertise on the matters at hand!
The recipes and libations described are mouthwatering, and the travels around the countryside give you an insider view of the area. This is the third book Author Marsh has written and shared on her personal journey of leaving big city life in London and settling into the charming French countryside. Not everything is smooth sailing, but what an adventure she and her husband have chosen! This is a delightful read for Francophiles, travelers, foodies, and those of us who dream of a life in a foreign land--highly recommended!
The recipes and libations described are mouthwatering, and the travels around the countryside give you an insider view of the area. This is the third book Author Marsh has written and shared on her personal journey of leaving big city life in London and settling into the charming French countryside. Not everything is smooth sailing, but what an adventure she and her husband have chosen! This is a delightful read for Francophiles, travelers, foodies, and those of us who dream of a life in a foreign land--highly recommended!
October 8, 2025
The last of the Janine Marsh series of their life in rural northern France and I have found all of them entertaining and providing an interesting insight into life in France. I had never heard of the Ch’ti dialect of French until it was mentioned in her book and don’t feel so bad that I don’t often understand French speakers even though I’ve studied the language for a couple of years! She really brings the characters alive in her books and by the time I was onto this book, I felt like I knew them. It’s obviously a myth that French people don’t like the English - if you’re sociable and make the effort, you’ll be fine! The series is highly recommended. Read them in the correct order and you’ll be in for a great French experience!
April 18, 2022
I adore this book!
Such a dream to be able to visit France let alone live there! Definitely on my bucket list!
I enjoyed reading about their daily life in this sweet village! Wonderful friends helping each other out! The names they gave their pets gave me a chuckle and the birds names 😆 I am an animal lover so I would probably do the same!
This was a good read for me, because I enjoyed daydreaming about being in Janines shoes. This book brings to light daily culture aspects, common foods, social experiences that were lovely to know about this rural French village.
Also her Instagram is a dream, my new favorite ! Love seeing all the experiences and adventures
Such a dream to be able to visit France let alone live there! Definitely on my bucket list!
I enjoyed reading about their daily life in this sweet village! Wonderful friends helping each other out! The names they gave their pets gave me a chuckle and the birds names 😆 I am an animal lover so I would probably do the same!
This was a good read for me, because I enjoyed daydreaming about being in Janines shoes. This book brings to light daily culture aspects, common foods, social experiences that were lovely to know about this rural French village.
Also her Instagram is a dream, my new favorite ! Love seeing all the experiences and adventures
May 7, 2025
I enjoyed book 1 in the series so much I looked for additional books in the series. Book 2 was expensive and book 3 was included in my membership so I jumped ahead. It's more of the same thread that I enjoyed in book 1 -- life in a quirky little village in the north of France with eccentric neighbors who have accepted these interlopers from London as true friends. The author writes so well with compassion and humor that her stories are a joy to read. I dropped to a 4 star rating because some of this book reiterates topics and/or scenes from the first book -- sometimes with more depth but other times virtually verbatim.
September 8, 2025
Lovely tales of French life
I am currently holidaying in this very region of France, and during my stay have read and thoroughly enjoyed all three of Janine's wonderful books about her years spent living in France. Funny, moving, informative, inspiring and leaving me wanting to know more, I confess to feeling slightly envious of the incredible life she and her husband have created for themselves through hard work, determination and the desire to become a real part of the community. France is a fantastic country, and her love for her new homeland and neighbours shines through every page.
I am currently holidaying in this very region of France, and during my stay have read and thoroughly enjoyed all three of Janine's wonderful books about her years spent living in France. Funny, moving, informative, inspiring and leaving me wanting to know more, I confess to feeling slightly envious of the incredible life she and her husband have created for themselves through hard work, determination and the desire to become a real part of the community. France is a fantastic country, and her love for her new homeland and neighbours shines through every page.
April 14, 2022
📚Book Review📚
Toujours La France!
Janine Marsh
🌟🌟🌟🌟✴️
A lovely standalone book in 'The Good Life France' series.
Really enjoyed reading the anecdotes from this British couple, now moved to Northern France to renovate their dream home and live life out of the 'rat-race' of London.
Each story held something a little different - some amusing moments, some educational/historical information, some describing the nuances of true French life away from the tourists and all written in such a lovely conversational style that it felt as though you were there with friends catching up.
Toujours La France!
Janine Marsh
🌟🌟🌟🌟✴️
A lovely standalone book in 'The Good Life France' series.
Really enjoyed reading the anecdotes from this British couple, now moved to Northern France to renovate their dream home and live life out of the 'rat-race' of London.
Each story held something a little different - some amusing moments, some educational/historical information, some describing the nuances of true French life away from the tourists and all written in such a lovely conversational style that it felt as though you were there with friends catching up.
November 21, 2022
As with the author’s previous two books, this was a charming look at life from her vantage point in a small rural community in far north France.
Anecdotes about trials and tribulations, successes and failures when working out life in a new country.
This was a continuation of their journey to finding acceptance, and the reality that they are pretty French themselves by now and very much a part of their little community.
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated brilliantly and hit just right.
Anecdotes about trials and tribulations, successes and failures when working out life in a new country.
This was a continuation of their journey to finding acceptance, and the reality that they are pretty French themselves by now and very much a part of their little community.
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated brilliantly and hit just right.
June 13, 2022
Once again, Janine Marsh, invites us to meet her many friends from Claudette, Thierry, and Breadman, to her ever increasing furry and feathered menagerie. Toujours La France! Janine’s third collection of stories written with her gentle warmth and insight into her terroir of nowhere rural France in the Seven Valleys, Pas de Calais. In the end it is a story about connection and belonging, a story about the satisfying realization that one has come home.
November 30, 2022
Living the dream
I felt I was living with them all, so superb was the description of the local characters and village life .
The book portrays the life, the land,the homes and the individuals with in such detail, that you could almost paint their faces if asked. A little bit of Paris thrown in but mostly the country life and warmth of the rural French in accepting the English into their world
I felt I was living with them all, so superb was the description of the local characters and village life .
The book portrays the life, the land,the homes and the individuals with in such detail, that you could almost paint their faces if asked. A little bit of Paris thrown in but mostly the country life and warmth of the rural French in accepting the English into their world
June 1, 2022
I love Janine Marsh's books. I feel like I'm sitting down with her over a nice cuppa (or maybe une verre de vin) while she fills me in on what has happened in her life since the last time we got together. Nothing really earth-shattering or wild happens in the books and sometimes that is just what you need!
December 28, 2022
Living the good life
I liked this read just as much as the previous two. I do hope there are more good reads like this in the pipeline or at least in Janine's mind. I love her 'stories' and how one has such great mental images built in to her writings. Bring on the next one!
John O'Reilly
I liked this read just as much as the previous two. I do hope there are more good reads like this in the pipeline or at least in Janine's mind. I love her 'stories' and how one has such great mental images built in to her writings. Bring on the next one!
John O'Reilly
June 7, 2024
Enjoyable visit to rural France. Some rather eccentric characters both human & animal. Janine & her husband, Mark, have made their life in France, restored a crumbling ruin of a property & become part of the community. This is the 3rd book recording their story & progress over nearly 20 years.
I score this 4.5 stars ��
I score this 4.5 stars ��
May 30, 2022
I have read both this and her second book about the four seasons. Her writing definitely puts you in the middle of the scene, I can picture the visits with neighbors, the travel, the celebrations, and especially all the animals.
June 10, 2022
Rating:3.5. The third in the series, Ms. Marsh continues to recount charming stories of life in her
little "pigsty" in the verdant Seven Valleys area of Haut-de-France among "les Ch'tis" in northeastern France. I especially like the research and factual tidbits she weaves into her stories.
little "pigsty" in the verdant Seven Valleys area of Haut-de-France among "les Ch'tis" in northeastern France. I especially like the research and factual tidbits she weaves into her stories.
September 28, 2022
My favourite book...so far
Another wonderful book by Janine, which makes me smile and chuckle about the antics of the characters in her little hamlet in France. Along with her menagerie, there’s a host of locals to entertain you. This book is my favourite ... so far.
Another wonderful book by Janine, which makes me smile and chuckle about the antics of the characters in her little hamlet in France. Along with her menagerie, there’s a host of locals to entertain you. This book is my favourite ... so far.
September 26, 2023
Love the story and this is secretly what we all yearn for. Thank you Janine Marsh for showing us the way. The neighbors are like one big family and everyone helps each other. It is like a step back in time.
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