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Lost in France
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Expected 23 Jun 26The 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.
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.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 23, 2026
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March 24, 2026Her 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.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink TBA.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink TBA.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
November 12, 2025
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!
December 10, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
December 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (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.
March 22, 2026
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!
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!
November 4, 2025
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
November 6, 2025
I really liked this book a lot. It is literally my fantasy to buy a house in France for one Euro and have my life be transformed. This was well written and the description truly reminded me of the small towns in France I've had the honor to visit. I think escapism is what many of us are looking for in books today, and you'll find it here.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks to netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley & the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 rounded up.
I definitely got lost in this cozy book about accidentally drunk-buying a 1 euro house in France. There is a love triangle, so heads up if that's not your thing. I did find it odd that there are only 2 hot guys in this tiny town and they both fall for the newcomer....and then there's another guy who is into her, but I was able to roll with it. It was a enjoyable "what if" story that will certainly keep you entertained.
3.5 rounded up.
I definitely got lost in this cozy book about accidentally drunk-buying a 1 euro house in France. There is a love triangle, so heads up if that's not your thing. I did find it odd that there are only 2 hot guys in this tiny town and they both fall for the newcomer....and then there's another guy who is into her, but I was able to roll with it. It was a enjoyable "what if" story that will certainly keep you entertained.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A truly lighthearted journey of self-discovery, the importance of selfworth, and what it's like to follow your dreams. Claire Ross Dunn explores these themes through a mother-daughter pair dealing with the uncertainties of the future. Perfect for those looking for a story set in the French countryside with a dash of romance and self love.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i’ve never read anything by this author before but i’m so glad i did! it is such a perfect, cozy read.
I loved Marlow and Sabine, i would definitely recommend for others to read it as well!
(thank you to the publisher and netgalley for sending me an early copy!)
I loved Marlow and Sabine, i would definitely recommend for others to read it as well!
(thank you to the publisher and netgalley for sending me an early copy!)
Want to read
January 6, 2026I’m really hoping I get the ARC for this! It sounds really good!! It’s kinda giving Gilmore Girls
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