Lost in France

by Claire Ross Dunn

The click of a button could change your life.

A fresh start in France is just what this mother-daughter duo needs to transform their lives, perfect for fans of Under the Tuscan Sun.

Dedicated single mom and overworked film festival staffer Marlow buys a house online for one euro—then finds out there are strings attached. To sort out the mess, Marlow decides to take an impromptu holiday in France. But when the impossible local bureaucrat refuses her a refund, she decides to renovate and flip the house. 

Along for the ride is Marlow’s teenage daughter, Sabine. Recently graduated but adrift, Sabine uses the trip as a chance to secretly reconnect with her Parisian father. And when a cute but arrogant boy enters the picture, things get even more complicated.   

Meanwhile, Marlow finds herself caught between two men, the fascinating but irascible village handyman and the wealthy and charming owner of a nearby champagnerie. Torn between a safe but predictable life back in Toronto and a wonderful, if uncertain future abroad, Marlow and Sabine must embrace spontaneity and the transformative power of being a little lost.

Genres: Fiction, Romance

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 23, 2026

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her daughter just graduated feeling adrift now and her own dreams of making films were pushed aside to work the admin side of the film industry and be a single mom, but one drunken click of the mouse has them Lost in France for the summer. Claire Ross Dunn is a new-to-me author, but her sophomore effort of a woman needing a do-over and spontaneously buying a French village unique fixer-upper for a euro is a tried-and-true plot that will always pull me in.

Lost in France is told in dual-narration between single mom, Marlow, and her teenage daughter, Sabine. During a drunken, depressed moment after the stress of bumping into her successful film-making ex, her workaholic project efforts going under-appreciated and credit going to her boss, Marlow one-clicks on the purchase of a French village house. The fine print? She has to occupy it or pay fees and the bureaucrats administrating this fine village project won’t be back to work for several weeks. She has to actually spend the summer in the dilapidated place, fixing it up and hoping she can sell it off.
Meanwhile, Sabine isn’t sure what she wants to do after high school. Sure, she did great academically, but tanked socially. Her one hidden wish is to somehow reconnect with her birth dad and her mom’s flub over the French villa puts her right in France where she can look up her Parisian dad.

The summer opportunity has fun cultural and fix-up contretemps, but there is romance for mother and daughter. In fact, Marlow has two fine French gents to chooses from with one being a down to earth handy-man and the other a wealthy businessman. The two women grow closer over their time together and have the time to figure life out and they might be choosing staying Lost in France over a return to Toronto, after all.

Lost in France was slow to grab me and there was an under-developed feel to the characters, but I gave it a chance to pick up and it did. I was especially taken with the way the gals became part of the village and the mother-daughter relationship blossomed. Those who like a blend of contemporary romance and women’s fic would best appreciate getting Lost in France.

I rec'd an eARC from Crooked Lane Books to read in exchange for an honest review.

My full review will post at The Quill Ink 6.19.26.

[Kristy Chown · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I selected this book, I chose it because I assumed it would make for some escapist adventure. Immediately the title screamed ‘ Under the Tuscan Sun’ to me, harkening the cozy and romantic movie with Diane Lane I watched as a teenager.

I immediately settled into this book and loved the connections I made it to it: the main characters being from Canada (hello Toronto!) as well as the obvious connection to France and French culture (I was a French teacher for many years).

The story revolves around Marlow and Sabine, a mother and daughter duo feeling stagnant in different aspects of their lives. Sabine feels a bit out of touch with the normal high school preoccupations of her fellow students, and feels a lack of direction as she looks toward graduation and the next phase of her life. Marlow works extremely hard and also underappreciated at her role within the film festival industry. She has tight deadlines, unforgiving overtime, uncertain prospects of upward growth and a boss who doesn’t care about any of it.

One wine-induced, slightly spirited evening leads to Marlowe waking up having made a decision she barely remembers... the purchase of a one euro (she learns soon, far from it) house in middle of nowhere land, France.

So begins the real tale - the unlikely arrival of two women in rural France, navigating the unexpected purchase of a home they didn’t want. Marlowe gets to know the extremely unhelpful mayor, two dashing male neighbours, and a house that is falling apart, while Sabine meets a young man named Aubin, who begins to help her understand her dreams better, and reconnects with her estranged father Yves. While Sabine begins contemplating university in France and a career in filmmaking, Marlowe wonders if what calls her back to Toronto is really worth it.

This is a cozy, comfort, sometimes funny, sometimes serious, armchair travel of a novel. I think it would be perfect for spring or summer reading, a palette cleanser after a dark read, or great on a rainy day when you just need to imagine warm croissants and sunny French skies.

[kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s basically the "oops, I accidentally bought a fixer-upper in Europe" dream/nightmare we’ve all had. If you're looking for that Under the Tuscan Sun energy but with more "what was I thinking" vibes, this is it.

So, meet Marlow. She’s a single mom and a total workaholic film festival staffer who hits a button online and suddenly owns a house in France for literally one euro. Sounds like a win, right? Wrong. The house is a disaster and the local French bureaucracy is basically a final boss level of "no". Marlow drags her teenage daughter, Sabine, along for the ride, and that’s where the real tea starts brewing.

Sabine is recently graduated and totally adrift, but she’s got a secret mission: she’s trying to track down her Parisian father while her mom is busy fighting with a bureaucrat who refuses to give her a refund. Marlow, meanwhile, is stuck in a classic romance triangle between a grumpy-but-hot handyman and a smooth-talking champagnerie owner. It’s very "safe Toronto life" vs. "exciting, messy French future," and honestly, the handyman banter is what kept me turning the pages.

The bureaucratic sub-plot can feel a bit repetitive, we get it, the paperwork is hard!, but the mother-daughter growth is actually really solid.

#LostinFrance #NetGalley

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stressed-out single mother and her recent high school graduate daughter must travel from their home in Toronto to a small village in France to undo the mother’s late-night tipsy purchase of a home for €1 (and the fine print that put a hold on her credit card for another €30,000).
What they find, however, is more than either of them could have imagined. Both the mother and daughter cannot help but notice the handsome new men in their lives. But most of all, they learn to trust themselves and each other, and to make decisions based on what they want or need rather than to please others. They truly find themselves in #LostinFrance.
The story is aspirational, somewhat predictable, and enjoyable, especially if you have any interest in rural village life, Paris, visual arts, and agriculture. There are at least two scenes set in the Shakespeare & Co. bookshop in Paris, and one by the boat pond in the Luxembourg Gardens, places I enjoyed on my recent visit to Paris. In all, a fun summer beach read, for nostalgic memories or armchair traveling.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @DreamscapeMedia, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date: 23 June 2026.

[Karissa Dykstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Very atmospheric and makes you want to impulsively move to France!

Lost in France follows Marlow who impulsively buys a house in France for one euro. Later, she learns it comes with specific stipulations and is non refundable. She and her daughter Sabine decide to travel to France and get it reversed. Sabine also has her own worries around what she wants after high school. She has her pick of schools, but is unsure what the best choice is.

What follows is a heartwarming, comedic, and atmospheric story of adventure and love. Both women are finding themselves and enjoying their time in France. It’s cozy, idyllic, and has a splash of romance. Highly recommend for Summer or if you’re just needing a book that feels like an escape!

[Beau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really curious about Lost in Paris: the blurb sounded so promising and I couldn’t wait to start reading. It took me a little while to get into the story and get used to the writing style. The way the French sentences were translated threw me off a bit at first (it kind of felt like I had to learn French too) but after a while I got used to it. The characters slowly grew on me and by around 35% I was totally into it. You can really picture yourself in the charming little French village , it’s gives off a cozy vibe. I also loved seeing how the characters developed throughout the story. Overall, such a heartwarming and feelgood summer read!

[Kimberly Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m the target audience for this type of novel, the story of new beginnings and discovering oneself on a move from North America to France.

Marlow is a Canadian single mother who is struggling. She’s flatlined in her job, she’s ignored her own artistic ambitions to support the film careers of others, and her beloved daughter, Sabine, is ready to fly the nest to begin college and her adult life.

Wallowing in self-pity, Marlow mistakenly (and drunkenly) purchases a one euro home in rural France – cue in chaos. The book felt a tad virtue signally in Canada, but it picked up positively once Marlow and Sabine arrived in France, ready to sell their new purchase and to return, property-free, to Canada post-holiday.

It was nice to see mother and daughter transition from foreign tourists to an integral part of the community, and this was the aspect of the story I most enjoyed. It happened slowly and naturally, as both women began to embrace the culture of French village life.

The aspect that worked less for me was that it read less like a novel and more like a screenplay. Marlow and Sabine were well developed. The other characters felt like movie sidekicks of the main stars. Scenes were often too short, and ended at the point where you know they’d place the commercial break. And the plot sometimes lacked nuance. Marlow can improve village life without being the only savior the village could hope to find. The “raging testosterone” between Marlow’s two male suitors – and the whole set-up - also felt film-like. I was not surprised to see in the acknowledgements that the author is a former screenwriter. I think this story could be much improved by delving more deeply into the characters and situations that allow novels to develop in a much more three-dimensional format than (IMHO) superficial modern film and television.

That said, the writing and plotting were good and the set-up promising. 3.5 stars round up to 4. An enjoyable French escape.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This one caught my eye when I saw it on Netgalley and I am glad I got approved for a copy. After just finishing a book about someone finding her way after inheriting a house I wanted more of the same vibes and picked up Lost in France, which hit the mark for what I was looking for.

Lost in France is told from the points of view of Marlow and her daughter Sabine. After getting drunk one evening Marlow accidentally buys a one euro home in a small town in France, being unable to get a refund they have to go there in person to claim the house and resolve things. There are a lot of plot lines going on from how things are in this small town, to the house as well as Sabine's future and Marlow job and their romances.

I had a great time reading this book. I liked the one-euro home plot line and seeing Marlow and Sabine go to France and figure things out and work on their new home. I liked getting a feel for this small town and seeing them make friends. I also liked their plot lines of figuring things, although I would've liked a bit more progression in that regard as now a lot was left till the reveal at the end. Speaking of the end, I liked seeing how everything got resolved, but I would've loved an epilogue of some sort to get a glimpse of the future.

The setting in France was fun and there was quite a bit of French sprinkled throughout the book and I liked how the author always made sure it was clear what they were talking about. At times I wish there was more emotions and more thoughts of the character so I could better feel what they were going through. There are points were the writing style doesn't quite work for me, but then in other parts I thought it fit the book just right.

I liked having both Marlow and Sabine's point of views as they handled things differently and experience the situation in a different way. Sabine takes this as an opportunity to figure out what she wants to do next now that she finished high school and Marlow tries to find out how they can return to their orderly life, while she slowly falls in love with this small French town. While I liked getting both their point of views, I did think the point of view switches could get quite frequent at times and were a bit jarring in some chapters with the constant switching back and forth. I would've preferred to stay longer in the same point of view as the switching could be a bit much for me. Especially once Marlow and Sabine aren't in the same place the switching point of view took more time and effort for me.

There also are two romantic plot lines. Sabine finds a possible romance with Aubin and I really liked seeing these two spend time together and figure out their futures. I still remember my struggles when deciding what to do after high school and I thought both of their struggles felt realistic and I enjoyed seeing them figure things out and grow closer. They were so sweet together. Marlow on the other hand gets a love triangle and I was not a fan of that. I had a preference for Luc who encourages her art, but wasn't quite sure who she would end up with. And it takes till almost the last page to get the answer to that. I did think the characters handled the whole love triangle pretty maturely and actually talked about things, but I still did not like it and wished she had just one romance or resolved the love triangle earlier.

To summarize: I liked this book and had a great time reading it. The small town setting in France was great and I liked the renovating the one-euro house plot line. I also liked the themes of both Marlow and her daughter Sabine having to figure out what they want out of life and what's next for them. And it all comes to a great conclusion to the end, although I would've loved an epilogue. Having both Marlow and Sabine's point of views worked well and I liked both of their stories and seeing their different perspective on things. I did struggle sometimes with the frequent point of view switches and it could take some time and effort to switch especially when they were in different places, I think staying longer in the same point of view would've worked better for me. I liked how both Sabine and Marlow have a romance in this book. I especially liked Sabine's romance with Aubin and their struggles to figure out what they wanted to do after high school felt relatable. Marlow's romance is a love triangle which I was not a fan of and it drags on for most of the book, I did like how they actually talked about things and handled thing in a mature way, but I would've liked her to just have one love interest or an earlier resolution. All in all I had a great time reading about the summer these characters spend in France and seeing them figure out what they want from their lives.

[Sofia Baraklilis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free advanced copy ebook from NetGalley in exchange for a review. Expected publication (in the US) is June 23, 2026.

Marlow is a late 30s single mom working at a film festival and feeling like her life is going nowhere when, after a drunken night after her daughters graduation, she discovers she bought a 1 euro house in France. In the sobering light of day she finds out that in edition to that 1 euro, she also has a 30 thousand euro hold on her bank account that she really can't afford and the only way to fix this mess is by going to France in person. However once in France Marlow discovers that the officials are on vacation till September and the fine print of her house buying states she cannot spend more than 7 weeks away from her ill gotten house without incurring fees. Thus Marlow and her daughter Sabine find themselves in France for the summer slowly rennovating the house in hopes of an appeal and both Marlow and Sabine discover this break from their life in Toronto the chance to find themselves.

I love the concept of the 1 euro house and fixing it up- it's something I've imagined as well and love the idea of. I like the small town charm and how the villagers come together and the story definitely gives you a bit of a cozy feel.

I could not really get invested in Marlow or Sabine. As characters they were both kind of eh for me. I did not enjoy the love triangle aspect with Marlow and felt there was no build up or anything to entice me into her relationship with either man. Sabine's arc of not knowing what she wants to do with her life and trying to figure it out was also alright. Relatable I'm sure for some people right after high school but she as a character did nothing for me. I honestly think she could have been written out of the story altogether and the story would have been just as interesting.

I will say, however, while I don't love the characters I did feel that by the end of the story I appreciated both Marlow and Sabine and their arc's. While I didn't care for the love triangle aspect for Marlow, as I stated above, I did appreciate how it was presented to us with very little drama and how the characters handled the 'situationship' aspect as adults was appreciated. Sabine, while lackluster in my opinion, can be relateable for other readers in the fact that she's excelled in high school but doesn't know what to do with her life or what the next step is. Being in France, for her, is a chance to figure that out, spend more time with her absentee father and develop a relationship with him and have her first romance. Both their stories came off as very real and believable and while I wasn't hooked on either character I did enjoy their story.

One irritating aspect for me was that the POV shifted between Marlow and Sabine abruptly (as in next paragraph new POV, sometimes multiple times in a chapter) and I kept turning back to make sure I didn't skip a page. I don't mind the dual perspectives but it would have been nice if there was a more clear indicator to readers when the POV would change.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t my typical kind of read, but something about it felt incredibly endearing, and I figured it was the perfect opportunity to switch things up. I’m so glad I did.

Was it unrealistic? Absolutely. Did that stop me from enjoying the story? Not even a little. In fact, it was exactly the kind of escapist read I was looking for.

I was thankful to receive both the physical ARC from Alcove Press and the ALC from RB Media via NetGalley, which allowed me to immersion read it ahead of publication. The best part? I already know several people in my real life that I’ll be recommending this to—particularly mature readers who enjoy women’s fiction with a sprinkle of romantic entanglements.

It’s reminiscent of Under the Tuscan Sun or Eat Pray Love, but with its own unique twist. The premise is delightful, with our FMC purchasing a house in Italy for just one euro. As outlandish as that sounds, it’s actually inspired by a real trend of struggling towns selling homes at incredibly low prices to attract new residents and breathe life back into their communities. They’re often marketed to Americans with the promise of a fresh start, and, just like in this story, there’s always a catch.

What I appreciated most was how many layers this book had. Beyond the romance, it explores mother-daughter relationships, self-discovery, starting over, problem-solving, found family, and the many different forms that love can take.

It’s also a remarkably quick read thanks to its excellent pacing. I found myself flying through the pages and, more than once, reading ahead of the audiobook narration. Kate Udall does a fantastic job bringing the story to life, effortlessly moving between American and French accents with believable ease. While her more mature voice made the teenage character sound a bit older than intended, it was perfectly suited to the FMC and the supporting cast.

Overall, this was a warm, comforting escape that left me smiling. It may not be the most realistic story you’ll ever read, but it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes the right book is the one that transports you somewhere beautiful, reminds you that it’s never too late to start over, and lets you dream about buying a one-euro house in the French countryside.

[My Fairytale Days · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿: readers who enjoy summer escapes, fresh starts, French village settings, family chaos, a little romance, and books that feel like a quick trip somewhere new.

Give me a little village, a fresh start, and the temptation to run away somewhere beautiful for a while, and I am probably already packing my fictional suitcase.

Lost in France gave me exactly that kind of escape. A cosy French village, new possibilities, and the feeling of stepping away from normal life for a little while. Not quite in a “I need to sell everything and move here immediately” way, but more like a lovely little holiday where you enjoy the visit before heading home again.

And honestly? Sometimes that is exactly what you need.

This was a sweet, easy summer listen. A little romance, a little spice, a bit of family chaos, and people trying to figure out what they actually want from life. It did not completely steal my heart, but it kept me entertained and gave me a nice place to disappear into for a few hours.

I did struggle a little more with connecting to some of the characters. Some of the worries and choices were harder for me personally to understand, and the romance stayed more in the dreamy holiday feeling than a connection I was fully invested in. Sweet, just not one that completely swept me away.

The audiobook narrator did a good job bringing personality to the story, though the quick switches between perspectives sometimes made me need a moment to catch up with whose journey I was following.

Overall, a cute summer read. Maybe not one finding a permanent spot on my shelf, but a nice little visit while it lasted.

✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱: • The cosy French village setting and summer escape feeling
• The idea of taking a chance on a different path in life
• A sweet, easy story that was perfect for a relaxed listen

🌧️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱: • The romance felt more like a dreamy possibility than a strong connection for me
• Some character struggles were harder for me personally to connect with
• The audiobook perspective changes could sometimes feel unclear

⭐⭐⭐ / 5

A little thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for opening the door and letting me wander into this story. All thoughts, feelings, and bookish ramblings I brought back are entirely my own. 📖✨

[Ciara Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧 Audio Review: Found the audio very enjoyable, especially since there’s French speech at play, so the audio is easier than me stumbling over wording in the physical copy. 😂

📝 Story Review: This was such an enjoyable read! The found family/small community vibes were perfection!

Unhappy in her work, yet seeking a promotion, the FMC drunkenly purchases a home in France. Her teenage daughter is supposed to be choosing a college, yet seems to be dragging her feet. They find out that in order to back out of the mistaken home purchase, they will need to travel to France. What is supposed to be a week vacation turns into an extended stay as there are many stipulations with this house purchase. - Now they are fixing up a ramshackle home, finding love interests, and slowly figuring out what they each want in life. But it’s never easy to go in a new direction, especially when constantly trying to appease parents with what feels like unattainable standards.

Despite some angsty parts, overall this was such a calming, heartwarming read! Perfect read for summer and vacation vibes!

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ 1.5/5

Vibes: Figuring out what’s most important; learning to stand up for yourself; finding passion.

Tropes 👇

- Single mom/Teen daughter
- Drunken house purchase
- Toronto to France
- Found family
- Sense of community
- Life changes
- Artist vibes
- Reconnecting w absent parent
- Romantic interests
- LGBTQ rep (side character)

CW’s 👇

- Mostly absent father
- Sibling with depression
- Opinionated parents
- Sleeping with two separate men
- Recreational alcohol consumption

Audio Release Date: June 22, 2026
Audio Run Time: 10 hrs, 3 mins
Narrated By: Kate Udall
Genre: Women’s Fiction
POV: Third Person; Dual

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC in return for my honest review!

[Aylin K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

I loved getting the chance to read Lost in France before it hits the shelves in 2026.

I was drawn to this novel immediately by the blurb. the idea of accidentally buying a one-euro house in France is just too irresistible to pass up. Claire Ross Dunn delivers a charming, heartfelt story set between Toronto and a picturesque little French village that truly captures the magic (and chaos) of stepping outside your comfort zone.

The story follows mother and daughter, Marlow and Sabine, both feeling a bit lost in their own ways. Sabine has just graduated high school and has no idea where she wants to go next, while Marlow is navigating her own uncertainties. A drunken haze, a credit card, and a one-euro house later, they find themselves thrown into a French summer filled with unfamiliar language, culture, slower tempos, and a maze of rules and regulations. If Marlow doesn’t claim the house and meet the strict requirements including urgent maintenance, she faces serious penalties.

I really enjoyed how the novel explored being “lost” not just geographically, but emotionally. The adjustment to life in Europe, meeting new people, and learning to embrace uncertainty felt authentic and relatable. The French village setting was especially vivid and cozy, making it easy to picture long summer days, heat-soaked streets, and the charm of small-town life.

While a few moments felt a bit predictable, the overall journey was engaging and heartfelt. This is a lovely story about second chances, growth, and finding direction when life doesn’t go according to plan.

A solid 4-star read, and one I’m glad I discovered early. I think readers who enjoy feel-good contemporary fiction with a European setting will really enjoy Lost in France.

[Billie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Lost in France “ was such a warm, charming, and heartfelt read. What I loved most was the relationship between Marlow and her daughter, Sabine. Watching them navigate this unexpected adventure together while also trying to figure out their own lives is one of the reasons I loved this book.

The story follows Marlow and Sabine after Marlow, during a drunken evening, accidentally purchases a one-euro house in a tiny French village. Unable to reverse the purchase, the two travel to France to claim the property and sort everything out. What follows is a cozy and engaging story filled with village life, renovation chaos, friendships, romance, and personal growth.

One of the highlights for me was the setting itself. The small French village was described so vividly that I could practically feel the warmth of the sun and the charm of the cobbled streets while reading. The author also did a fantastic job incorporating French culture in a way that felt authentic and immersive.

I really enjoyed seeing Marlow and Sabine slowly settle into the town and build connections with the people around them. Both characters are at crossroads in their lives, trying to figure out what they truly want, and I love the themes of reinvention, family, and finding your place. Having both Marlow and Sabine’s perspectives added depth to the story, and I liked seeing how differently they viewed the same situations.

Overall, this was a comforting, feel-good story filled with heart, humor, family chaos, and small-town French charm. If you enjoy cozy stories about starting over, messy but loving family relationships, and finding yourself in unexpected places, this is definitely worth picking up.

[NicoleinFiction · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've ever dreamed of leaving everything behind and starting over in a charming French village, Lost in France is the perfect escape.

When overworked single mother Marlow impulsively buys a house in France online for one euro, she quickly discovers there is much more to the story than a bargain property. Determined to sort out the mess, she and her daughter Sabine head to France, only to find themselves swept into village life, unexpected opportunities, and the possibility of a completely different future.

This is the kind of novel that makes you want to book a flight, wander cobblestone streets, linger in cafés, and imagine what it might be like to start over somewhere new. The French setting was easily my favorite part of the book. From the village atmosphere to visits to Paris, including scenes at Shakespeare & Company and the Luxembourg Gardens, the story is filled with details that make it feel like a wonderful armchair vacation.

I especially enjoyed watching Marlow and Sabine gradually become part of the community. Their mother-daughter relationship is at the heart of the story, and I loved seeing both women discover new possibilities for themselves while navigating the uncertainties of life, love, and family.

This is a light, entertaining read with plenty of charm, a touch of romance, and a healthy dose of wanderlust, making it an ideal book to toss into your beach bag this season.

If you enjoy stories about fresh starts, mother-daughter relationships, small town communities, and picturesque European settings, you'll want to add Lost in France to your summer reading list.

hank you to Alcove Press for the advanced copy.

[Kelly H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been secretly living in the French countryside for the past week, renovating a 1 euro villa, falling in love and discovering the most heartwarming found family ever, all thanks to this gorgeous romance story!

There’s something super special about a romance novel that takes you on a journey to another country and sets up residence in a small town. In this story, the single mum and her daughter, who has just graduated from high school, travel to France to see the house her mum bought on a whim and try to get a refund! What follows is a sometimes chaotic, funny, and beautiful love story for both mother and daughter. They’re both unsure about their next steps in life and decide to spend the Summer in France to work things out.

The story is written in the third person and switches between the mother’s and the daughters’ POVs. Once I became used to the author’s no-nonsense writing style (I believe she’s a screenwriter!), the story itself drew me in and clawed its way into my heart. It’s a beautiful story about finding yourself and making changes in your life that speak to your soul, rather than staying in a dead-end job you hate.

It surprised me how much I enjoyed this one, and, of course, I think it would make an absolutely beautiful movie. It gives Under the Tuscan Sun (movie) vibes, but in France!

Thanks so much to Netgalley, Alcove Press and author Claire Ross Dunn for sending me an advanced copy of this book. I really appreciate it and hope you find more readers to fall in love with this story, just like I have!

[Danielle Pulliam · Rating 4 out of 5]

**𝔄ℜℭ ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** 𝔏𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔦𝔫 𝔉𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔟𝔶 ℭ𝔩𝔞𝔦𝔯𝔢 ℜ𝔬𝔰𝔰 𝔇𝔲𝔫𝔫

Release Day: June 23, 2026

4⭐️3🌶

This was such a fun and sweet summer read that hits all the wander lust buttons. With a young and fun Mother-Daughter duo that find themselves in France for the summer, I was sucked into this little journey through the French wine countryside.

Minor Spoilers Ahead:

A mom and daughter duo are in a transition in their lives. Sabine, the daughter, has just graduated from high school and doesn't know which college to accept an offer from. Marlow, has been working a dead end administration job at a film making company since she had her daughter by herself. She went to film school, but has never pursued making films as a career, while her baby daddy did pursue a film career and did not take any part in his daughter's upbringing.

The night of Sabine's high school graduation party, Marlow gets drunk after fighting with her brother and buys a house in France for 1 euro. The catch is that the purchase came with a 30,000 euro hold on your card until you came to France to complete the purchase of the property.

So, Marlow and Sabine hop on a plane to France to find the house that was purchased in a drunken state, and reverse the transaction that has her financial life in a choke hold.

Apparently there is no reversing the transaction, and Marlow decides to try and fix the house and resell in the fall, but will she fall for the attractive older gentleman, who is also the owner of the local vineyard? Will Sabine have her first love with Aubin, the vineyard owner's nephew?

This book was such a ray of sunshine, and an amazing read for the start of the summer.

Themes/Tropes:
🍁Coming of Age/Midlife Crisis
🍁Changing your life by moving countries
🍁Lovely/sexy European Men
🍁Gorgeous site seeing
🍁Finding yourself
🍁Rom Com

TW:
✨Abandonment by a parent/Rekindle relationship with estranged parent
✨Too much wanderlust
✨Sexual Content

[Mahnoor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! Lost in France was such a light-hearted and charming escape, with a delightful dose of renovation chaos, unexpected family drama, and sweet romance. If you’ve read and enjoyed Under the Tuscan Sun, you’ll love this one too!

I enjoy books with characters like Marlow, a dedicated single mum who’s overworked and desperately needs a life change. She makes the most impulsive decision of her life and ends up buying a house online in France. She has a graduated teenage daughter called Sabine. If you’re like me and love the new life and mother-daughter dynamic tropes, this is a great book to pick up! Another thing I loved was the shift in setting, from Toronto (one of my favourite spots) to rural France (the perfect place for an escape).

I did find it a bit strange that she gets the house for one euro, it made it feel slightly unrealistic, though that might just be my personal opinion. Also, juggling two separate romances, Marlow’s and Sabine’s, means one or both love interests feel a bit less developed than in a typical single-focus novel. The way Marlow and Sabine’s relationship develops is exactly the kind of heartfelt connection I love reading about when I’m away on a summer holiday.

It’s a perfect warm-weather read, full of love, beautiful scenery, and a sense of adventure. If you’re planning a holiday and want a European escape, this is the perfect book to take with you!

[Amaryllis_book_reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love cozy contemporary fiction with beautiful settings, family centered storytelling, and characters searching for a fresh start, this book is definitely worth adding to your reading list. It combines romance, humor, personal growth, and small town charm into a comforting and uplifting story.

The setting was easily one of my favorite aspects of the book. The small French village felt wonderfully vivid and inviting. I could almost picture the sunlit streets, the old stone buildings, and the slow rhythm of a picturesque village's life in the french campagne.

I enjoyed seeing events through both Marlow's and Sabine's eyes, while they explore different stages of life and different kinds of uncertainty and self-discivery. Their experiences often mirrored each other, even when they approached situations completely differently. And I really appreciated how we get to see mother and daughter try to find themselves and figure things out, both with their surroundings and themselves within. It felt very relatable.

At its heart, this story is about giving yourself a second chance, giving permission to change your mind, change direction, and be open to whatever life brings your way, even when that doesn't go according to your initial plan.

Looking for a cozy contemporary novel set in France? Then, this book is for you!

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with and ARC. All opinions expressed are my own!

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A one-euro house in the French countryside sounds like a dream... until Marlow discovers it comes with more problems than she ever imagined. 🇫🇷🏡 While renovating the crumbling property with her teenage daughter, Marlow finds herself caught between two very different men, and Sabine begins uncovering pieces of her own future. Filled with family, romance, and fresh starts, this is a story about taking chances and finding yourself in the most unexpected places. ✨

This was my first ALC, and unfortunately I'm still not sure how I feel about it. The biggest issue for me was the dual POV structure because both Marlow and Sabine's perspectives were written in third person, and I spent a lot of the book feeling confused about whose chapter I was listening to. There were also so many love interests and romantic subplots that it sometimes felt overcrowded. The part I enjoyed most was everything involving the house renovation and the challenge of turning a one-euro property into something special. I also appreciated that Marlow didn't immediately fall in love with the idea of keeping the house. Throughout the entire book she kept weighing her options, trying to sell it, considering staying, and going back and forth about what she really wanted, which made her decisions feel much more realistic. Overall, the setting and premise were charming, but the execution didn't fully come together for me. 🇫🇷🏡✨

[Jacinta Janik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost in France felt like exactly the kind of book I reach for when I want to escape without leaving my couch. It’s warm, a little messy (in the best way), and full of heart. From the very first chapters, I was pulled into Marlow’s impulsive decision to buy a one-euro house in rural France. A choice that feels reckless on the surface, but deeply human underneath.

What I loved most is how the story isn’t just about France or romance, but about that strange in-between stage of life where everything feels uncertain. Marlow is overworked, emotionally stretched, and quietly longing for something more, and that felt incredibly relatable. The mother–daughter dynamic that felt very real.

The French setting is beautifully written without being overdone. You can practically smell the coffee, feel the warmth of the sun on old stone walls, and sense the slow pace of village life pressing against Marlow’s fast, anxious inner world. The bureaucracy, the locals, the unexpected connections. It all adds charm and gentle humour.

It’s about starting over, letting go of control, and learning that sometimes getting lost is exactly how you find yourself again.

If you love stories about fresh starts, complicated family relationships, and a touch of romance wrapped in a dreamy European setting, Lost in France is absolutely one to add to your list ☕📚🇫🇷

RELEASE 23RD JUNE 2026

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Lost in France. It’s one of those stories that draws you in with a slightly improbable premise, but quickly grounds itself in emotion and character.

I don’t always gravitate toward hapless protagonists, and Marlow certainly has her moments. But rather than frustrating, I found her deeply relatable—and ultimately quite endearing. Her impulsive, champagne-fuelled decision to purchase a crumbling house in France for one euro sets the story in motion, and I’ll admit, I’m always drawn to that kind of “what have I done?” premise.

What elevates the novel is the dual perspective. Marlow’s journey is thoughtfully counterbalanced by that of her eighteen-year-old daughter, Sabine. As they travel to France to meet the requirements of the one-euro housing program, both are quietly transformed. Each discovers unexpected resilience and new facets of themselves, and their individual arcs feel authentic and satisfying.

While the book is often described as a romance, it’s much more than that. At its heart, it’s a story about second chances, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to begin again—at any age.

A charming, reflective read that will especially appeal to those who enjoy stories of reinvention, family dynamics, and the possibilities that come with stepping into the unknown.

Thanks to NetGalley for my eARC.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost In France is a perfect book to kick off Summer Beach reads! What an enjoyable book. I found myself hooked right off the bat and not wanting to stop listening (audiobook). All of the characters really brought this story to life. I enjoyed the different perspective the French characters brought to Marlow and Sabine’s lives. I think there are a lot of relatable story lines with Mother-Daughter relationship, young single mother, parental expectations, and finding balance in life, to name a few. I appreciate there was a solid beginning, middle and ending without it being rushed to wrap it up like so many books seem to do.

I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook and think they did a great job distinguishing each character. The only problem with the audio was that they jumped from Sabine to Marlow’s stories without a pause or a break in between so at some points it was confusing to end one sentence with one character and directly go into the next character without any transition. I think if they had even just put a slight few seconds of pause in between those sections it would’ve been less confusing and made for much smoother transitions. I don’t know if it was like that in the book, but it did come across that way in the audio.


Thank you NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of Lost in France.

[Bonnie Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I how loved Lost in France. I tore through this one in a day because c'mon, who among us haven't wondered, "what if I do actually buy a house for 1 euro in France/Italy?" In an uncharacteristic drunken stupor, but a characteristic 'act now, deal with the consequences later' move, Marlow does exactly that putting her finances in jeopardy and startling her always behaving about to be adult daughter Sabine. What follows is a race - a race for Marlow to figure out how to extricate herself from the ill-conceived purchase, a race to figure out how to address entanglements with two (!) hunky village residents, and a race to figure out what to do about her dead-end job back in Toronto. Marlow must also navigate tricky moments with Sabine who is on a journey of her own - to reconnect with her French absentee father and to learn how to handle her own entanglement with a young hunky village resident. Leaving aside the preponderance of so many hunky village residents in an otherwise "dead town" and the many almost too-convenient fixes to really big problems, Claire Ross Dunn's novel is a pure delight. I dare readers to finish it and not immediately google houses for sale, France. Highly recommend. Thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the DRC.

[Charlotte Pratt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Lost in France!

I really wanted to love this book since the concept seemed so clever, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me at all. The characters felt flat and unrealistic, and almost exclusively made poor, unrealistic choices that no person in real life would make. Why would Marlow agree for herself and her TEENAGE DAUGHTER to LIVE with a MALE stranger who offers her help, especially in a foreign country?? Also do we ever find out Guillaume's motivations for inviting Marlow and Sabine to stay at his home for as long as they want?? I know he likes Marlow but sheesh.

Marlow's arc rang pretty hollow for me, and her parenting style was incredibly concerning. The love triangle felt completely forced, and there was absolutely no chemistry between her and either of the two men. I can't figure out for the life of me why they were both instantly falling all over themselves (and fighting each other??) to "win" the opportunity to be in a "situationship" with this trainwreck of a woman.

Sabine's arc made a little more sense, but I do find it hard to believe that a girl who got multiple scholarships to top-level schools suddenly has no idea if she even wants to go to school... I also find it hard to believe that Aubin was just the perfect guy out of the blue after meeting her? Maybe I'm just skeptical but the men in this book drifted a little bit too far past the line between "real person" and "completely unrealistic book boyfriend"

Finally (very small point but it bothered me the entire book) if Marlow made the original purchase on a credit card specifically, all she needed to do was call the credit card company and challenge the 30,000 euro charge and the whole situation could have been avoided in the first place.

[Heather Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

What happens when you buy a house online for 1 Euro? Marlow, who is an overworked but dedicated single mom, hopes for a new start. But there are strings attached. And when she tries to get a refund, her impromptu trip ends up being a renovation project. Her teenage daughter sees this as a chance to reconnect with her estranged French father; however, she gets distracted by a cute local boy. Marlow has her own share of love troubles, suddenly finding herself having to choose between a fascinating handyman and a wealthy owner of a nearby champagne house.

Vibrant and stunning setting that may have had me looking into the 1 Euro program myself. What I loved about this book was that we had a main character in a slight “why choose” situation with two men. While she at times would debate the morality behind it, refreshingly, the people around her encourage her to just have fun with it. I do wish it had been taken a bit further, though, and her guilt wasn’t the center of the romance. The food, the wine, and the countryside all had me longing for a trip abroad and a solid cast of characters in the village, adding just enough lightness. I do hope we get more stories from this village, as I could definitely see potential secondary characters getting to shine.

[Kharisma Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written, light-hearted journey that just ran a bit too long.

Lost in France by Claire Ross Dunn is a delightful read with a truly fun premise. I mean, there is nothing quite like accidentally purchasing a property in another country with absolutely no way out of it!

The story follows Marlow and her daughter on a journey of self-discovery as they evolve and adapt to their new, unexpected reality. It delivers on all things Paris it’s light-hearted, charming, and incredibly fun.

What I loved:
The unique and engaging premise.
The mother-daughter dynamic and their personal growth.
Dunn’s elegant and well-crafted writing style.

Where it missed the mark for me:
While I appreciated the story, I struggled to fully connect with it.

It felt extremely long, which slowed down the momentum for me. However, because it was so well-written, the length wasn't a dealbreaker just a bit of a hurdle.
If you love Parisian backdrops and accidental adventure stories, this is definitely worth picking up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlow purchases a house in France for 1 euro after a stressful day when she’s panic scrolling. She and her daughter travel to France to undo the deed but run into bureaucracy issues. So they stay longer to fix up the place and wait it out. Marlow has two men into her, and her daughter, Sabine, has found a guy friend as well as connecting with her long lost father in Paris.

The book is the dream: Oh darn, I live in this amazing place now! And these hunky men like me! I really liked the character growth of both women and I really enjoyed the story. It was a bit harder to enjoy on audiobook though. While the narrator did fine, there is only one narrator for two different female perspectives (mother and daughter) and nothing to let you know when those perspectives are changing. So, many times I was caught off guard on who was “talking” now.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for ark y access to the audiobook. These opinions are my own.

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited for the Under the Tuscan Sun vibes promised by the premise...a fresh start in France, self-discovery, and romance, but this one fell short for me.
The POV switches between Marlow and Sabine felt busy and were sometimes confusing. I would have preferred the perspective changes to happen at the start of a new chapter.
Based on the title, I was expecting an Under the Tuscan Sun-style story about self-discovery, new beginnings, and finding love in a beautiful foreign setting. I loved the premise, but the main character made so many poor decisions that the story started to feel scattered and repetitive.
While the overall idea was charming, I wanted more character development, a stronger sense of direction, and better descriptive language to bring the setting and story to life.
The audiobook narrator was clear and easy to listen to, doing a nice job changing voices for the different characters.

Thank you Dreamscape and NetGalley for the ARC

[Bookbug_40 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun read with a gorgeous setting in France. Marlow and her daughter Sabine are both relatable characters. Both are feeling undecided about their futures. After a drunken mistake, Marlow bought a house in France for one euro, and it had several issues to resolve. They both traveled to France for a much needed holiday.
Told from both of their perspectives, it's their journey to find happiness and love.
The writing was easy-to-read and entertaining. But, it got confusing for me after Marlow found herself in a love triangle. She couldn't decide between both until the very end, and there were a lot of things going on at the same time, including Sabine's own story. It seems too much sometimes, and I lost the plot.
Otherwise, it was a good read with lively characters and a beautiful setting.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.