Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

Many thanks to Negalley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This is a great summer poolside read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. When Anna's relationship fails to live up to her expectations, she finds herself in an impossible situation and decides to quit her job and move to France for 6 months to help her parents fledgling gite business and reassess her life choices.

We follow Anna's time in France with wonderful imagery, great characters and an interesting and mysterious side plot that brings together Anna and the somewhat reserved builder Sam. We follow their journey and the story develops a little predictably, but charming none the less. A great read!

This was a really enjoyable read after quitting her job and dumping her ass of a boyfriend Karl she takes off to France to help her parents with there bed and breakfast and help them set up the holiday cottages with Sam he is her complete opposite and keeping a secret that affects his everyday life.This was a good read I liked these two and think they were really good for each other

Being a big fan of Linn B Halton, I was delighted to discover that she was Lucy Coleman too, as I figure it means just more of her books to read! The French Adventure did feel a bit different to her other books, possibly as its quite a bit longer, and there is was nothing in that made me have to ignore my disbelief of strange happenings!

Now The French Adventure was great, from the first few chapters I was interested in Anna and her relationship with Karl, and her feelings towards him, I was also curious about the title and when this adventure would begin.

Well didn't take too long for the openings to sort itself out and wow what a despicable excuse for a human being Karl turns out to be, but I will leave it to you to read to discover why I disliked him so much.

Anna decides the only thing for it is to have a 6 month working holiday in France, helping to renovate the gites at her parents new B&B. I loved seeing the interactions between her and builder Sam, as we learn far more about pointing than I have ever understood before.

There is a bit of an unexpected discovery in the first gite which leads to a rather interesting sub plot which I thoroughly enjoyed, and also lead to us getting to know quite a few of the other villagers in the area, as well as road trips to other near by towns and villages, so getting to see more of France which I enjoyed.

This is a sedate book in terms of the romantic coupling you may be expecting from early on but there is plenty of other storylines and characters to keep you entertained, and i loved learning all about Sam and Anna's pasts as well as their present.

This was an lovely story to read out in my garden on a hot May Bank Holiday weekend, and I think the unusual heat I was experiencing helped add to the atmosphere of what I was reading. I am looking forward to seeing what Lucy Coleman releases next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Aria for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Review: I have always wanted to go on holiday to France and now I have. The description of France by Lucy are lovely I felt myself emerged within the setting. This is a refreshing feel good read one that I could see being read on a beach or by the pool but one which I enjoyed reading with snow on the ground. 

An enjoyable read!

When Anna splits up with her boyfriend Karl and walks out on her job she decides to go and stay with her parents in France for the summer and help renovate the two gites that come with the house. Sam is also working there as an odd job man and between them they get down to work. Sam is the complete opposite of Anna but they work well together and soon Anna is starting to like living in France.... does she really need to go back and what about Sam

A lovely book with great characters and I loved the descriptions of the local area and can quite understand why Anna would want to stay there!

I always enjoy a book with a strong sense of location, and this book ticked all of my boxes with most of the story set around a restored manoir in the Loire valley and an ongoing project to renovate two adjacent gites, all described in beautiful detail. Anna and Sam work side by side to make them habitable, often in companionable silence as they both struggle with their personal sadnesses. The story is narrated by Anna, and I will admit that it did take a little while for her to win me over. Until the pivotal moment that sees her joining her parents in France, I rather wanted to shake her – and later in the story I did wonder a little why she didn’t try some direct communication rather than some of her more symbolic gestures.

But she did improve distinctly in the bosom of her family, and I very much liked her relationship with her parents and enjoyed her developing friendship with the lovely Sam. Goodness, that man has a lot of baggage – but when he smiles or jokes or joins in with the singing I couldn’t help but find myself smiling too. There were a few threads to the story that I really enjoyed – Anna’s start-up of her website design enterprise was fascinating, I loved all the interior design touches that the author always does so well, the central mystery about the items found within a wall was fascinating with some nice twists and turns, and the final resolution of Anna’s personal problems was particularly satisfying. And I must add that I absolutely adored the cat… a lovely little character!

This would be a great choice for anyone’s summer holiday reading list… a good story very well told, with a welcome infusion of French summer sunshine.

Anna has a pretty turbulent time at the start of this book and I could definitely understand her need to escape. Especially to such a wonderful location in France, Anna ends up staying with her parents and helping them with their renovations. This story moves at a lovely pace making sure you get to know the characters and also the lovely friendship she makes with Sam. Can there be anything more though?

There is a little bit of a mystery running through that just adds a little extra something to the storyline as Anna decides to do a little digging after making a discovery during the repair work. I loved that as the story progresses more depth is revealed to Sam's character and I really enjoyed getting to know him better.

The French Adventure was just what I was looking for to brighten up my day the lovely descriptions set the scene and made me wish I could go and visit.

The French Adventure has a gorgeous location along with a lovely simmering romance.

Four stars from me!

With thanks to Brook Cottage Book, Aria & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

This is the first time I have read anything by this author and I will definitely be reading others by her. The story is about a woman who finally figures out she is a worthy, intelligent woman without being part of a couple or needing to have a man in her life. There were some parts I did not care for when she tends to blame all the problems she has on the man or men that did her wrong and to me it got a bit tiresome with the blame game and the fact that she tended to be a snob when she judged others, especially men by her expectations and idea of what "successful" meant. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the fact that it had a happily ever after and absolutely loved the setting in the French countryside.

Overall, I did like this story, but I think it only hit its stride when Anna went to France. The descriptions of the scenery were very well-written. I think the dialogue needs looking at. At times I couldn't tell who was speaking, as they all seemed to have the same tone and so on. And parts of it, especially Anna's, were too long, too formal and towards the end, contradictory.

I loved Sam, but as far as Karl was concerned I think Anna could have saved a lot of trouble by taking the time to talk to him properly. The rest of the characters all blended in nicely.

All in all, a good read.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Blurb :
Suddenly unemployed and single, Anna escapes to her parents' beautiful house in France for a much needed recharge – and to work out what she wants to do next with her life now her carefully mapped out plan has gone out the window.
Anna gives herself 6 months to recuperate, all the while helping renovate her parents' adjoining gites into picturesque B&Bs. But working alongside the ruggedly handsome Sam on the renovation project, she didn't expect for life to take an unexpected, if not unwelcome, twist...

My Thoughts :
Firstly I have to mention the cover on this, its just so pretty and inviting and would make anyone want to pick it up off the nearest bookshelf.
After Anna breaks off her so called relationship with Karl and walks out of her job she decides to seek some me time in France, where her parents live and run a bed and breakfast. We quickly get lost in Anna’s adventure as she sets off on her new life, driving 9 hours to get to her parents home. She has decided that 6 months is enough time to sort herself out and have some quaility time with her parents, Anna doesnt quiet expect to have such a nice time there and fall in love with the French lifestyle she has devoured in recent weeks.
Throw in Sam, who is working on an out building and getting it ready to be a holiday cottage, Anna enjoys helping him and learning new things but Sam is also carrying a secret. Will romance blossom or will they just stay friends?.
Lucy Coleman, makes this an easy flowing story that you get swept up in. With beautiful surrounding countryside, delicious foods and warm weather, we are in for one treat. I really enjoyed this story and loved that I was transported to France from the comfort of my own armchair.

I do love a good book that helps me to get away from the day to day and this one was just the right choice for me, the blurb drew me in and I loved the cover!!

The characters were really personable and the plot line was great. It was a really easy read and an excellent way for me to pass a few hours.

Four stars from me – a refreshing and fully enjoyable read!

Right, I pride myself on being honest, so I need to lay my cards out on the table right here, right now. Personally, the beginning of this book grated on me, coming across as a bit too 'Dear Diary' for my liking. Now I'm not too sure whether that was the storyline, or whether it was the way the main character, Anna, came across, but it did make it a lot harder for me to completely gel with the storyline.

HOWEVER, at around the halfway mark, the authors writing style became more prominent, showcasing her true talent in all its glory. It was from that moment when I started to gel with the storyline and its characters, looking forward to what was coming up next. The 'Dear Diary' feeling had gone, and Anna came across as being more defined as a character. Please don't think I'm being harsh by what I said above, I'm not at all. All of my comments in this review are solely based on my opinion and are in no way personally directed at the author.....and breathe!

When the storyline changed its location to France, I found myself becoming a lot more empathic to Anna and the situation she had found herself in. Of course I had a few choice words to say about the other 'person' in the equation, but I'll let you find that out for yourself when you read it! I was so pleased to see her personality grow as the storyline went on, as it blossomed her confidence with made her seem a lot more likeable and a lot more 'you know what, I see myself in her'.

Even though 'The French Adventure' does contain a romantic element, the story itself is a mixture of thought-provoking situations, dramatic scenes, and a good daffy of mystery. The romance didn't overpower the gritty parts of the storyline, and the gritty parts didn't overpower the romance. All in all, for me, I found the storyline to be rather well-balanced - I mean, it had everything you could want!

Despite not getting off to a good start with 'The French Adventure', I am so, SO glad that I listened to my gut an persevered with the book as I ended up thoroughly enjoying it, with my cheeks hurting due to a big beamer I had on my face. I loved how different the vibe of the story was, especially the uniqueness of the characters themselves and what the author got them doing. It wasn't samey, it was completely refreshing.

Such a delightful, magnetic, enchanting and smile inducing read from the fabulously talented, Lucy Coleman. If you're fed up with seeing snow every time you open the curtains in the morning, what better way to escape all of that than by going on 'The French Adventure' of a lifetime.

The next best thing to a holiday in France, you are sure to enjoy Lucy Coleman’s enchanting, uplifting and romantic tale, The French Adventure, a book that is best savoured in a comfy chair with a glass of Sancerre, the phone switched off and some delicious chocolates!

Finding herself suddenly unemployed and single, Anna was desperate for some time out to rest, recharge, recuperate and figure out what on earth she was going to do next! An escape to her parents’ beautiful house in France is just what the doctor ordered, so she packs her bags and heads off to her Gallic escape where she hopes to lick her wounds now that her perfectly figured out plans have gone pear-shaped. Not one to rest on her laurels, Anna has given herself six months to make a new plan. Rather than twiddle her thumbs, Anna has agreed to help transform her parents’ adjoining gites into picturesque B&Bs. With her life seemingly in tatters, Anna has got neither the time nor the inclination for romance – until she meets ruggedly handsome Sam, who is working on the renovating project…

Having had her fingers well and truly burnt in the past thanks to her ex, Anna’s friendship with Sam is tentative, but thrown together by fate, the two of them quickly begin to bond and to develop feelings for one another…feelings that might lead to something Anna is not sure she is ready for! As romance rears its head in the picturesque surroundings she finds herself in, what is Anna going to do? Will she take a chance on love? Or will she stick to her stubborn resolve of keeping her heart firmly under lock and key?

The French Adventure is a lovely read that put a great big smile on my face during a rather dull, dreary and dismal weekend. Lucy Coleman writes with great heart, warmth and gusto and you are sure to relate to Anna and cheer her on to get the happiness which she so truly deserves! Sparkling with warmth, heart, humour and bucketloads of charm, The French Adventure is a spellbinding read about second chances, new beginnings and healing from the past which I highly recommend!

Wonderfully written, compulsively readable and a joy from start to finish, The French Adventure is a first rate contemporary tale from a writer to watch out for: Lucy Coleman!

Anna, has given up on romance after being let down by her first love at uni. Her current boyfriend, Karl, is happy to say he loves her behind closed doors but it’s another story at work where he is her boss. As everything comes to a head she heads back to her parents hotel set in the idyllic French countryside where she sets about rebuilding her life and tries to help out those around her too. Certainly atmospheric transporting you into the heat and beauty of the French Loire-Atlantique. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Anna has an awful time of late, with the break up of her relationship and loosing her job what is left???? so she goes to her parents guesthouse in France, who can blame her,.... they are remodelling the area so there is building work going on and this keeps Anna from home. Anna and the builder both have some home issues to contend with but help each other along the way. There becomes some romance sparks with Sam by taking her to cannes but is it a relationship to fight for? Theres a mystery when they find something on the plot,
its a perfect read if your on the beach but pleasantly uplifting for the blustery winter days we find ourselves in. i enjoyed the characters.... mostly Anna and Sam and not the mean man Karl. the geographical locations make you want to be sat there seeing what we read in the story, its magical and certainly a great escapist read.

Sometimes, life doesn't work out as planned. Anna realises this when suddenly she finds herself single and unemployed. She's not one to feel bad and sorry for herself for long and soon devises a way to move on in her life. Her parents moved out to France sometime before her problems start, and she decides to join them. She promised herself it'll only be for 6 months and that by the end of that time, she'll be able to return to the UK and pick up where she left off in life.

I loved Anna's character, and her parents seemed caring, welcoming and hospitable as well as understanding and sensitive to her situation. She automatically struck me as brave and adventurous to make the decision to go to France, and I was happy for her that she had the support of family there. Her parents are in France because they are living the dream of many Brits and run a B& B in a small rural village.

From the moment Anna got into her car and started her drive to France, I was rooting for her. Her journey sparked powerful memories in me of my own holidays in France and visits to the home of a family member who had the same enthusiasm to live the French dream as Anna's parents. Reading this was an emotional journey for me. The French landscape, as well as the descriptions of the buildings and food are perfect and very atmospheric.

When she met Sam. I was happy for her and I was really curious to see how the relationship developed between them. He is very hard working and I thought there were times when they had good rapport.

The pace of this book is spot on. I have never read anything by Lucy Coleman, but I adored this book. It's a wonderful escapist read about learning to move on in life no matter how hard it is, appreciating the small things in life and finding new passions. For me, it's a 5 star read!

Thanks to Lucy Coleman and Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus, for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

The setting for this story makes it special from the beginning. Anna is at a crossroads in her life, she has a plan and thought it was working out but soon discovers it isn't. Arriving at her parents' French B&B gives her chance to heal from her toxic relationship and plan her next move. Anna's journey is more than a hop over the channel, it brings her into contact with Sam, her polar opposite, he doesn't plan and doesn't see the need to finish everything he starts, yet they manage to work together renovating two smaller properties on their parent's estate. There are lots of renovating tips as the story progresses, which increase the story's visual impact, very useful also if you want to do any house renovation. :-)
Sam has a tragic secret, which blights his life, his attitude frustrates Anna, but she can't help but like him, maybe because of their differences. There's a mystery to solve and some lovely characters to meet, and there's Karl, Anna's ex-boyfriend who won't leave her alone, but is this more about saving face than a broken heart? Anna's journey of self-discovery is at a realistic, gentle pace but the setting combined with the possibility of romance and the mystery Anna and Sam have to solve makes this an easy to read, page-turner, with a believable outcome.
I received a copy of this book from Aria via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Spending the summer months in France when it's the middle of January in chilly Scotland is a lovely place to be - even if it's only in a book!

This is a terrific read - great characterisation, wonderful setting and a very entertaining story line. In a village setting, we get to know the locals and the way of life whilst all the time dealing with a mystery and the personal lives of the main characters. There isn't a moment to yawn in this one, it's all go from the beginning to the very last page.

A really well written novel, this one will keep your attention whilst lifting your spirits and making you think a bit about life and all in a good way. It's release in February is perfect as, after the recent snow and now the wind and rain, a little sunshine - even if it does come from a book - is just the ticket! I loved this one from beginning to end, well done Lucy Coleman. I suspect more than a few readers will be checking out a summer break in France in the coming months!

My thanks to publishers Aria for approving my NetGalley request for this novel. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.