From England to a French Chateau
This book of women's fiction is very well done and quite moving. While it centers around a middle-aged woman, it also includes 4 generations. The author did a great job painting word pictures of the chateau so that the reader could smell the flowers and be there. The main characters are well developed and the minor characters are very much in the background. That makes for a nice, tight story without the extraneous detail some authors use to pack the word count. Every bit of this story is necessary and there are no boring parts.
I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

There are times when I need a light, breezy book to just escape into. Summer at the Chateau is just such a book.

It’s beautiful setting in northern France, the Chateau with the large land plot, the pond, the cottage in the back, the gardens – oh my, it makes my heart happy to think of such a place. It would be hard to find a more perfect setting for these types of light, fanciful reads.

I also loved the family aspect of the book. While Pixie is still coming to terms with her husband’s death, she has different family members that she can lean on, if needed. Another happy part of the story.

What I wasn’t too fond of is all the secrets that were kept from Pixie. How she literally had a huge problem right in front of her and decided to just sticker her head in the sand. Once she found out the secrets, she just had a good cry, shrugged it off and said let’s move on. I wouldn’t have been nearly as gracious and probably would have had my middle finger up to several of those secret keepers for quite a little while. Especially the ones with the bad secrets.

But apparently that’s not the kind of book this is and I’ll just have to be ok with it. LOL
A cute read in a beautiful setting to help lift your cares away. If this is the type of read you are looking for next, definitely pick up this book and lay back and relax.

Pixie is devastated when her husband Frank is killed in an accident and she is left alone after 35 years. She decides that she has to sell their chateau in France but will spend one last summer there with her mother Gwen. The family secrets then start to unravel... who is Francine and why did Frank let her live in the cottage with her young daughter?

Another lovely book by this author in a stunning setting, who wouldn't want to visit the Chateau! There were some great characters, I loved Pixie and her mum, and there was enough of a family saga and secrets to keep your interest

The beginning of the novel was engaging and in some ways, devastating as Pixie had lost her husband in tragic circumstances after 35 years of marriage. It definitely set an emotional tone to the novel, and set the novel up for an exploration of new beginnings.

I really find it refreshing to have the two main characters as being older ladies as this definitely in some ways made their relationship and emotions more believable.

I really feel like this book has taken me on a trip to France. Jennifer’s experience of living, or having lived, in France, is clear from the vibrant and lively descriptions of the Château and the surrounding areas of Brittany. I really feel I have escaped wet and windy Newport to visit this myself, just by reading this novel.

As the novel progresses and the initial shock and drama wears off, the pace slows slightly then the mystery and secrets of the past come to light and the pace ramps up again, which I loved.

Overall, this has been a gentle and enjoyable reader by an author that I am now keen to visit the back catalogue of.

I discovered Jennifer Bohnet about 18 months ago and always look forward to picking up one of her new books. I loved getting to go back to Brittany with her and how a few characters from previous books also made a cameo in this one.

A story that grabs your attention and doesn't let it go until the last page. Pixie is a wonderful character full of warmth who is still struggling to adjust to life without her husband. Her recent loss has created a writer's block and when she realises that the dream home they bought in Brittany was sitting empty she books the ferry to pay it one last visit.

A story brimming with family love with a touch of romance sprinkled on top. Another story packed with characters that are well described and easy to connect with, set against the stunning backdrop of a part of France I love to read about. I loved this book from the first few pages until the very last one.

Grab yourself a coffee, a croissant and curl up in the sun and join Pixie and her family on an adventure she never saw coming.

The story begins ten years ago, in a Notair’s office in Carhaix, Brittany in France, this is where we first meet Pixie Sampson and her husband Frank. The couple have made the decision to purchase un petit Château in France, ready to embark on a long and happy future together.

In the present day, we come to learn that Pixie is a widow, with her husband passing away three weeks ago after thirty-five years of marriage. Frank lost his life in an accident, in which a joyrider in a stolen car caused a fatal accident, something that is obviously hard to come to terms with.

At the age of 59, Pixie never expected to find herself without Frank, and as she attempts to make small steps forward in her grief she decides to travel to the château she shared with her late husband, taking her mother Gwen with her. Their plan had always been to start a retreat centre there, but now that she has lost Frank, she can’t face that future anymore, and so she decides to get things in order ready to sell.

When Pixie and Gwen arrive in France, she finds that Frank had been keeping several secrets from her, one of which being that he had allowed a young woman Justine, and her four year old son to live in the cottage beside the château. Pixie finds herself questioning why he had kept these things secret from her, and this is when she decides to spend one final summer in France to get the answers she needs before selling the place and leaving this all behind her.

I loved this story and the array of intriguing characters it introduces us to. Pixie is one of those characters you find yourself connecting with instantly. She is certainly a force to be reckoned with, and she has a heart of gold. I really felt for her in her grief, and as she began to unearth the secrets her husband had hidden away from her. Gwen is also a delightful character who really adds to this gorgeous read. She has gone along on this journey solely to support her daughter when she needs her most, and as you progress through the story you certainly begin to pick up on some familial resemblances between them.

The setting was an absolute dream, and as we learn more about the château, you can really understand why they had fallen in love with it in the first place. With a wonderfully structured storyline full of emotion and drama, this is a delightful story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Sometimes you are just looking for a gentle read that doesn’t demand too much from you, but just transports you to a distant place for a relaxed, armchair holiday where you can take in the sights and sounds of a foreign land without any strain, and meander through a quiet family story without too much drama. If this is the case, you could do a lot worse than pick up this delightful book by Jennifer Bohnet, but watch out for the hidden riptides of surprise and emotion seething below the surface!

We start just after the tragic death of Pixie’s husband and the discovery that she is the full owner of a small chateau in France. With her feisty mother in tow, Pixie decides to travel to France and prepare the chateau for sale. Once she gets there, however, she discovers there is a lodger in situ and begins to wonder what secrets her laste husband may have been hiding from her.

The first half of this book is laid-back read, albeit tinged with tragedy as Pixie tries to come to terms with her husband’s death and the discovery of things he hadn’t told her. We travel to France, and the author beautifully brings the countryside of Brittany to life for the reader. One of the reasons I really love Jennifer Bohnet’s writing is that she always manages to perfectly evoke the sense of place of her book’s setting so that you can enjoy it with each of your senses, as if you are really there with the characters.

In the second half of the book, the pace quickens as more family members turn up in France to join Pixie and her mum, and the secrets are gradually revealed. The family relationships are at the heart of this book, and are what really appealed to me about the plot. I loved the relationship between Pixie and her mum, Gwen, and the fact that the story centres around two older protagonists is refreshing and appealing. The dynamics between all of the relatives are honest and realistic and, as someone who comes from a large, rowdy and ever-changing family myself, it felt very familiar. This is a story all about family, love and how we can hurt and heal one another together and I loved that about it.

The book deals with some very painful problems for this family, and I could sympathise with the characters being put through the wringer as facts come to light. Of course, this being the type of book it is, all gets resolved before the end in a very satisfying way, but this does not lessen the anguish of the characters before they get there. Don’t let the cover and the genre fool you, there is some real meat on the bones of this story, and it gives you plenty to chew over amongst the pretty French countryside and within the walls of the charming chateau. This is no bubblegum novel, it is a rewarding read that offers plenty of emotion to anyone who slips between its covers.

Highly recommended to fans of this genre, this is another hit from Jennifer Bohnet that I enjoyed a great deal.

Not a fan couldn't hold my attention after a while it felt as though I could predict the storyline and I'm not a fan of that type of writing. DNF

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood for a copy of "Summer at the Château in exchange for my honest review.

The story begins 10 years ago at a Notaire's office in Carhaix Plouger, Brittany in France. Pixie Sampson and her husband Frank purchase un petit château Français. They buy it on a viager - a real estate transaction, where the buyer makes a down payment and then a series of payments for as long as the seller is alive. After the death of the seller, the buyer owns the property.

In the present we learn that Pixie is a widow. Frank had died 3 weeks prior after 35 years of marriage after a teenager joy rider in a stolen car caused an accident. At 59 Pixie is a widow. She decides to travel to France with her mother Gwen for Easter and make arrangements to sell Château Quiltu. She and Frank had planned to start a retreat centre there but without Frank she doesn't want to keep the château.

Once in France she learns from the Notaire that the viager was actually up 16 months ago when the owner died and they have been the sole owners since. Only Frank never told her. He also never told her that he allowed a young woman (Justine) and her 4 year old son (Ferdie) to live in the cottage next to the château. Who is she? Why didn't he tell her any of this. As with many things in life, Frank thought that he would have time. But time ran out. Pixie decides to spend one last summer in France because selling the château. She will need Justine to move out because no one will want to buy the place with someone living on the property.

The second part of the book brings much joy and many answers. Pixie's nephew Charlie arrives soon followed by Pixie's twin brother Gus and his wife Sarah with their daughter Annabelle and her daughter Mimi. Ferdie and Mimi soon become fast friends. As do Charlie and Justine. There are many surprises in the second half of the book. One of them being a partnership between Charlie and Pixie to start up Château Quiltu retreats.

Ms. Bohnet has written such a wonderful story, it was incredibly sad when the last page of it was turned. I will be looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A lovely book by Jennifer set in a beautiful location, that you feel as though you are there too. Interesting characters in Gwen and Pixie despite their ages.

Summer at the Chateau has everything I love about a book - Brittany, a mystery, family secrets and relationships. I was hooked by the mystery concerning the late Frank and really wanted to know the truth behind the secrets he kept from Pixie, his wife.
I really liked the daughter/mother relationship between Pixie and Gwen, both these women felt real and genuine, with depth to their characters and relationship. It wasn't just Frank who had a secret, Gwen had a past she hadn't shared with her daughter and I really enjoyed how the stories all sat well together leading to a warm and happy ending.
The setting was lovely and it made me long for a holiday in the region.

Thanks NetGalley, author Jennifer Bohnet, and Publisher Boldwood Books for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
This book was a wonderful story full of likeable characters, grief, forgiveness, family, new beginnings, and second chances. The author did an amazing job transporting the to a chateau in Brittany, northern France. There was a great use of descriptive language of the location, food, and culture.
Pixie and her mother Gwen travel to a newly inherited chateau after the sudden death of Pixie. Upon coming across a mysterious tenant, Justine Martin and Ferdie, her four-year-old son, Pixie informs the tenant she has until the end of summer to find a new place. to live. Pixie is not only dealing with the loss of her husband, but also with the identity of Justine Martin. How did she know Pixie's husband? Who's the father of Ferdie?
The story swept me away with a very engaging story. I found myself invested in the characters and the mystery that surrounded Justine Martin and her son. I loved the family relationships between all of the characters Gwen and Pixie had such a close knit mother/daughter relationship. I liked how Gwen was able to talk her daughter in order to come up with the best outcome for the chateau and Justine.
There were a lot of secrets that came to the surface that spanned back to the previous generation into the future. I appreciated how much these secrets led to communication and HEA endings. Overall, I really enjoy my first book by this author and it certainly will not be my last.
I look forward to more books by this author in the future.
I would highly recommend this book to those who are looking to read a book about family, new beginnings, and second chances.

An uplifting and wise tale, There are often surprises in life, both welcome and not. Pixie is about to discover

some life-changing secrets while taking a holiday at her chateau in Brittany. Newly widowed Pixie is supported

by her lovely family and friends but she alone has to make peace with a great mystery from her husbands

past and forge a new, realistic future for everyone.. She does this in a beautiful way making her life richer and

happier in the process.. Emotional and realistic, a wonderful read.

When Pixie's husband died suddenly she indies a chateau in France - along with a mysterious tenant Justine and her son, Ferdie.
If you prefer gritty dramas this may not be for you, however as an unashamedly feel - good book to raise you spirits this is ideal and hence my score of 5*.
The location sounds wonderful, a mixed cast of characters, a mystery to solve and even a touch of the supernatural. As I said a very heart warming book, maybe the decisions are not always totally believable, but this is within the spirit of the story. It certainly raised my spirits and I will certainly be looking for other books by this author.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

A very well written book, set in a beautiful and superbly described location. A feel good read, dealing mainly with themes as forgiveness, family and second chances. Very likeable characters of all ages, and a nice "mistery" plot. It makes you think whether in real life such a heartwarming outcome of a painful situation could be possible, but, luckily, in books it is.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful story of love, family, forgiveness, and second chances.
Pixie is devastated at the sudden death of her husband, Frank. They had a whole future mapped out, moving to France to a chateau they had invested in. When Pixie goes to the bank to look into their finances, she is shocked to learn that Frank had already taken possession of the chateau. Wanting to understand why Frank had kept the ownership of the chateau a secret, she goes to France with her mother to see what they can learn. But when they arrive, they are not prepared for what they learn? Pixie's life is about to change forever, but will she be able to welcome her new future?
Loved the characters, the setting, and the simple twists and turns that kept the book exciting.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a lovely book to read. It drew me in right from the start and was a great relaxing story. I love books like this one which you can just sink into and really enjoy. All the characters were very interesting and I finished this quickly. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I was rather excited to be back in Brittany with another one of Jennifer Bohnet’s novels. It is obvious from her writing that this north-west corner of France holds a special place in Jennifer’s heart and Summer at the Château more than lived up to my expectations.

Pixie was having the worst of times; recently widowed, she then discovers her husband Frank had kept some significant things from her surrounding their plans to retire to France. Without him to answer her many questions, she has to find the strength to discover the truth behind his actions, and deal with the consequences. Her arrival at Château Quiltu in Brittany, with her Mum Gwen, raises more questions and doubts in her mind as another of Frank’s secrets, lodger Justine, is revealed.

I loved the intrigue and mystery around Justine’s presence in the château’s cottage and how her story was slowly drawn out, allowing my mind to keep second guessing what the truth would be. I was heart-broken for Pixie as her world was rocked and her emotions were all over the place, but I felt for Justine too.

Too many people have kept too many secrets for too long, but with the backdrop of a château, good family bonds and a bit of healing French magic, this summer will reveal all.

This book certainly had that something different, from the detail behind purchasing in France with the viager scheme, to the thoughtfully created, older, characters who grow as their stories unfurl, and it was also a great reminder that it is never too late to follow your dreams or open your heart to new adventures. The cameo catch-up with Fern, Scot and Anouk, who we met in A French Affair was a really nice touch too.

I really do think each one of Jennifer’s books I read becomes my new favourite. Summer at the Château left me with a contented feel-good feeling as wrongs were righted, people forgiven, and new plans for the future put into place.

If you are looking for your next read to give you that escape from reality, lockdown and life with Covid, that I think we all need right now, this is one for you.

This book was just okay. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. There's nothing that would set it apart from so many other books in this genre, and it didn't hold my attention.

It's always such a treat to read a Jennifer Bohnet book because they are so full of depth and richness. In Summer at the Chateau the characters are beautifully drawn, the setting is glorious and the whole feel and tone of this story is gentle and poignant.

It's impossible not to get swept up in the mystery Frank's death left behind, nor in the way Pixie is forced to deal with even more pain after losing her husband. And there is such a feelgood emotion in the story that it lingers long after the last page is turned.