OH MY GOODNESS!! This book was absolutely adorable!! Thank you NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful enemies to friends to lovers rom-com with a bit of mystery. The book is so unique and not like your typical rom-com and I loved it so much. I laughed so hard while reading the book that my family asked me if I was okay. Omg! Thinking about her being attacked BY their food still makes me crack up laughing. Hands down one of my favorite reads this year!! Not to mention, that the cover and title are so cute! This is one of those books I could read over and over again!! Definitely, need to purchase the physical copy for my personal library. 💜💜💜💜💜

Merry watches as her sister Angela marries her best friend (Leo) and the only man she has ever loved. She has never told anyone her feelings for Leo due to the fear of being rejected. When Merry receives an invitation to take a three month vacation to stay in a chateau in the French Countryside she realizes that this is the perfect escape from her life. Once she arrives things to start to unravel because Noah, the most annoying man ever, is already living in the chateau. He will not leave and she has no other place to go so they agree to live in the castle together. This is when the journey begins for Noah and Merry.

I enjoyed the descriptions of the French countryside, picnics in the vineyard, French cuisine and the mystery of the famous artist. I was completely captivated from start to finish! Do yourself a favor and read this book!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How do you get over unrequited love? Perhaps hooking up with a groomsman at the wedding from hell between her ex and her own sister might help. Nope. That was a mistake. Waking up with a doozy of a hangover in the best man's bed the next morning, dodging all of the condoms, and sneaking out of the hotel room never to see the loathsome Noah Wright again was a priority. Little did Merry know losing her job, finding out her sister is pregnant, and taking a vacation to France would bring her face to face with her nemesis once again.

Merry is a straight talker, a sleep cuddler, and she needs to stop believing she's an ugly duckling and become a swan. France is her chance "to live, to experience magic, to escape" so finding out Noah is staying at the same dilapidated chateau puts a wrench in her plans until she gets to know the troubled man hiding behind the jet-setting film documentarian persona. Noah has a heartbreaking secret that is revealed slowly and Merry is the driving force who helps him find his closure. Their love story is filled with crazy/hilarious moments teeming with rats, bats, and a lobster named Louis. Jealousy and matchmaking abound with a flirtatious Frenchman named Pierre and a mischievous sprite named Camille. And there is a mystery included regarding the legend behind an elusive painter in search of the woman he loves.

This is a cute and funny romp between enemies who become friends and then lovers. Memorable quotes include: "Loving someone can never be overestimated", and "Everyone is an artist. Every day we all create our life, we create our destinies! What is more artistic than that?" The setting is beautiful and the characters are entertaining.

Thank you to Ms. Ready for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

I've enjoyed Sarah Ready's Josh and Gemma books, so I was looking forward to this one. However, I found it a struggle in comparison. The condition of the chateau made it hard to believe that it was habitable at all. The mystery was convoluted. I'll read her future books, but this one just didn't do it for me.

Thank you Swift & Lewis Publishing for the chance to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

I’ve been anxiously awaiting this book since I first heard about it and it did not let me down at all! Even as long as it was I could barely put it down, I hated every time I had to quit reading because my lunch break was over or I had to go to bed before work the next morning. The whole plot had so many intricate details relating the characters to each other in so many different ways that I loved reading along to see just what was going to happen next and how someone might react. Another part that really grabbed me was the fact that the book touched on unrequited love being more than just a romantic love. The love for a parent someone never got to meet, that was such a deep and emotional aspect of this story.

As I have found with the other books I’ve read by this author, I really love all the characters, even if they come across as a bit unlikable at first. And then there is always a character or two that keeps the humor going, and in this book, there was even an unexpected humorous character that didn’t disappear when I thought it would, a lobster that popped up again in such a hilarious way. The romance was wonderful, the having to realize that love isn’t always going to be about perfect swept away moments of thunder/lightning, at least it may not appear that way right away.

Wonderful new story from Sarah Ready!

Synopsis:
After Merry’s sister marries Leo, Merry’s best friend and the guy she’s been in loved with for years she talks to her Godmother. Her Godmother told her about her flight plan, a chateau in France. Merry goes to France to regroup…only to find that the chateau isn’t empty. Noah Wright, Leo’s friend who Merry despises.

My review:
French Holiday was a cute and fun read. I liked the book from beginning to end. The characters made me laugh a lot. I definitely recommend this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for a copy of French Holiday in exchange of an honest review

I loved this book. Ugh I could just picture being in France- in the garden.. all of it. I was literally screaming hoping that Noah and Merry would end up together or that Merry would open her eyes and see that Noah is in love with her! Ugh, my heart. I loved the banter, the enemies to lovers, I loved the funny moments with the lobster and the little bit of mystery. Angela and Leo absolutely annoyed me because they're not the best sister/bestfriend to Merry. But aside from that- I loved this so much. Sarah Ready can write me a grocery list and I'd be excited to read it.

In many ways, the characters and plot in this book shouldn’t work – too cliché, too ridiculous (there’s A Whole Thing with a runaway lobster), too wishy-washy, just too much going on in general – but I still found myself really charmed by it.

The story follows Merry, who jets off to her freewheeling godmother’s newly purchased French chateau after the man she’s been in love with for years marries her sister, only to find that Noah, her brother-in-law’s best friend whom she believes 1) hates her, and 2) drunkenly slept with her at the wedding anyway, is *also* at the chateau, doing research for his latest documentary.

Though the story is all from Merry’s POV, it becomes clear that while she is living her travel adventure dreams, despite the state of the chateau (it’s filthy! there’s no electricity! it’s infested!) and looking forward to a whirlwind romance (there’s a hot, motorcycle-riding, art dealer next door!) Noah is in the midst of a Gothic romance as he pensively researches and generally broods around, but somehow always saves the day.

The second half of the book does a lot of emotional heavylifting as Noah reveals more about himself and his interest in the chateau and an artist who used to live there. And from there, the frothy romcom plot takes a bit of a left turn into Gothic territory (there’s a triple-mystery and a ghost story and yes, you can probably guess the outcome, but no, that won’t make you feel bored with the story) – but don’t worry, you haven’t been duped and it doesn’t linger there long. Because at its core, French Holiday *is* a romcom.

Though it is outlandish and over-the-top at times, it’s also cute and sweet and easy to binge and set in France. And honestly, sometimes that’s all you need.

3.75🌟
1🌶️

I highly recommend you to read this rom com if you like;
• Enemies to lovers
• Forced proximity
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• One bed

I really like this standalone rom com set in Paris with great writing style that describes the setting, Paris in a country side with beautiful scenery and the delicious food!

I also love the chemistry between the main characters, Merry and Noah. The bantering and how they started to open up to each other are my absolute favorite moments. Their personality is different but that’s what makes them good for each other.

Not just Merry and Noah love story, there’s also a mystery element in figuring out Noah’s parents. My heart is also touched by the love story of the painter with his way of painting as a love letter to his loved one.

Overall, it’s a well written rom com with loveable characters, beautiful setting and fascinating plot. I feel satisfied with how everything got wrapped up at the end!
I’m really looking forward to read more books from this author in the future!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: death of a parent, abandonment, sexual content

<i>I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher! </i>

This book was just everything that I love in a good romance. I really enjoyed the two main characters and their banter. I laughed out loud, got warm fuzzy feelings, and gasped at reveals in the plot. Such a wonderful story for a perfect spring day!

Another fun romance story by Sarah Ready. I loved the descriptions of French cheese, wine, and food but I was terrified of the creepy Chateau where Merry and Noah end up staying in France. I would have been out of there instantly once I knew about the rats and bats! Luckily Merry and Noah stick it out and their love story begins. These were both great characters and I loved their dialogue. This is another engaging book by this author!

French Holiday by Sarah Ready 3.5 stars

This was my first book by Sarah Ready and I enjoyed her writing style. I loved the characters and the scene she set in France. I could feel the warmth of the sun and then damp in the stones. I could imagine the crumbling ruins of the castle. Even though I wouldn’t sleep in a centuries old bed myself. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments, I really enjoyed the dialogue between our two MC’s.

*Spoilers*

There were a few small inconsistencies in the story. For example while Merry and Noah are having breakfast she says; He’s already finished his croissant. He ate it with gusto.

Then on the same page a few paragraphs down she says; He looks down at his breakfast and tears a bit of his croissant off but instead of eating it, he sets it back on his plate.

I didn’t enjoy the scene with the lobster, it felt too unbelievable. I have never known a lobster to jump back out of a pot of boiling water and cause such a ruckus.

I also didn’t love Angela labelling Noah a murderer. It felt unnecessary, that’s a huge accusation. I’m sure Leo wouldn’t let his friend stay in the same place as a suspected murderer. Also he was never really a suspect after the police found out his mother got in a flight to France before she died.

But I’m glad Noah found closure.

And I’m glad Merry found Noah.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for this ARC. Looking forward to reading more in the future.

French Holiday by Sarah Ready 3.5 stars

This was my first book by Sarah Ready and I enjoyed her writing style. I loved the characters and the scene she set in France. I could feel the warmth of the sun and then damp in the stones. I could imagine the crumbling ruins of the castle. Even though I wouldn’t sleep in a centuries old bed myself. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments, I really enjoyed the dialogue between our two MC’s.

*Spoilers*

There were a few small inconsistencies in the story. For example while Merry and Noah are having breakfast she says; He’s already finished his croissant. He ate it with gusto.

Then on the same page a few paragraphs down she says; He looks down at his breakfast and tears a bit of his croissant off but instead of eating it, he sets it back on his plate.

I didn’t enjoy the scene with the lobster, it felt too unbelievable. I have never known a lobster to jump back out of a pot of boiling water and cause such a ruckus.

I also didn’t love Angela labelling Noah a murderer. It felt unnecessary, that’s a huge accusation. I’m sure Leo wouldn’t let his friend stay in the same place as a suspected murderer. Also he was never really a suspect after the police found out his mother got in a flight to France before she died.

But I’m glad Noah found closure.

And I’m glad Merry found Noah.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for this ARC. Looking forward to reading more in the future.

An entertaining, slowburn, enemies to lovers romcom as Merry takes herself off to France to lick her wounds in private after her spoilt sister Angela swoops in and marries the love of her life Leo just as Merry was about to reveal her feelings to him. Instead of the elegant country chateau she was expecting though, she finds a decrepit house that’s literally falling down. To make matters worse there’s already a sitting tenant – Noah, Leo’s best man and someone she’d rather have never set eyes on again….. oh and there’s only one bed!

There was fantastic chemistry between Merry and Noah in French Holiday with some amusing dialogue and I loved the slow build up of their relationship as they gradually got to really know one another, becoming friends before they acted on their attraction and took things further. I liked most of the secondary characters except for Angela and Leo, both of who were spoilt and selfish to the bone but the overall story of this book more than made up for them. I mean a gothic mystery involving an elusive artist, a fire in a tower and the ghost of a mysterious woman all wrapped up in a surprisingly funny romcom! What’s not to love! There were a few instances that actually had me laughing out loud and they usually involved Merry and her battles with Louis, the homicidal Napoleon of lobsters.

As a rule romcoms are a bit of a hit or miss for me but this one is definitely a hit.

I’m really going back and forth since finishing this. Some of the random scenes in this just weren’t for me, and others completely were.

I feel like that emotional journey both these characters goes through us beautifully written. I really enjoyed them as a couple. I did feel though that a portion of the dialogue was not really believable. I think there were some things that didn’t need to be said, I don’t always enjoy being spoon fed character development.

Like I said before, I don’t think I was the audience for the “com” half of this rom com. The humor felt very Disney channel to me.

My favorite part of the book was the use of metaphor! Truly some gorgeous writing in here.

<b>French Holiday by Sarah Ready was incredibly cute, fun and entertaining! It was an epic entertainer set in a haunted French chateau where two enemies are forced to stay by some witty coincidences. I laughed. I swooned. I was completely submerged in the French small town with the beautiful nature and adorable architecture and amazing food. And at the same time, it delivered raw emotions at the most important turns of the story.</b>

Annecy was Merry DeLuca's flight plan. She escaped to the old French chateau owned by her godmother...After her best friend and unrequited love Leo got married to her sister and they got pregnant immediately after their honeymoon. There is just another big issue. Noah Cartwright, celebrity travel documentarian and videographer and Leo's good friend and Merry's not so favorite person..is also staying there for his next project. Will this be their chance to love?

<b>This one had some of my favorite tropes like grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity, enemies to lovers..and it was so well written. The banter and humor was on point. I was transported to picturesque French countryside with these two awesome person. Merry has a big heart. Life has made her believe that she is not worthy of love. She always put others happiness first and that has given her heartache. This holiday was her chance for a new beginning. I have heart eyes for this woman. She is smart and sassy in a cute way and so relatable as a heroine. She is not perfect. Like not a model from magazine. She dresses like normal people, she has insecurities and doubts like normal people..and I love her for it. Noah is exact opposite of her. He is well loved for his work. He is famous and have millions of fans. But in real life, he is closed off. Grumpy. Brooding. And from first meeting, he showed animosity towards Merry. It's actually a cover up for his true feelings. The fact is that he liked her from the first look but he also felt that she was in love with his friend. This time together, where they tackle the monumental job of chateau makeover, opens up an opportunity to get to know each other better. Merry finds out Noah isn’t the hot looking cold hearted guy. Noah finds out her deepest pain. And then there is a component of cozy mystery involving a reclusive missing artist, his lost paintings, the haunted history of the chateau, treasure hunt for Noah's mom and secrets of his past, a French neighbor...doesn’t make sense? Well it will when you read it. All the puzzle pieces fit so beautifully. Noah and Merry made me swoon so hard. There are some powerful moments in this story those I will remember forever. French Holiday by Sarah Deady was a delightful read and I cannot wait to read more from her.</b>

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

A fab read. Merry needs to.escape her life in the US so takes an opportunity to go to France and start in a chateau owner by her godmother. What she doesn't expect to find is Noah, who she has a complicated relationship with. Will being in the chateau bring them together or drive them apart?

This story was an unexpected surprise. At the time I started reading I didn’t realize she has written several other books I’ve also enjoyed.
The story starts at a wedding. Merry’s sister is getting married to merry’s best friend whom merry thinks she also loves. As it goes, there are lots of interesting characters (Jupiter) and interesting places (a falling down castle in france). There were several mysteries to uncover but overall a great read which leaves the reader satisfied with the outcome.

This is the kind of book that makes you feel like you're reading it sitting in a French garden with a nice, cool glass of white wine. It's perfectly romantic and entertaining and full of deep, delicious bites that kept me turning pages and loving it.
Merry DeLuca was a bridesmaid at her sister Angela's wedding to her best friend, Leo, who she also happens to be in love with. But everything's fine because her sister is perfect and deserves everything, or at least that's the bull she's been force-fed all her life and actually believes. So she's trying to pretend that everything's alright when things at work make her question everything about how her life is going. Enter her artsy godmother, a professional muse who just happens to own a chateau in France in need of someone to take care of it for a few months. So Merry leaves everything behind in search of a movie-like romance to get her mind over everything. Only her godmother forgot to mention that also in residence in the not-so-perfect chateau will be Leo's best friend, who Merry is convinced hates her, Noah.
It's a bit of a complex setup, but the story itself is deliciously simple as both Merry and Noah learn to share space, and confidences and revelations lead them to discover things about themselves they wouldn't have realized on their own. It's a bit of a character study wrapped up in rom-com goodness full of all the best tropes-- there's only one bed!

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the perfect read!

Thanks to Netgalley for the E-Arc I was totally here for Noah and Merry and their adventure in the castle. The comedy was off the hook I found myself laughing hysterically till I coughed so much my son had to come check on me. (thank you allergies)
I loved how it was a deep (heavy, tough subjects) book but didnt put me in a dark mood I think the comedy made it all flow effortlessly that at the end of the day the comedy was what shinned thru. I totally read the bonus chapter and let me tell you It DID not Disappoint.

French Holiday was so fun to read. I loved how the story evolves around not just the MCs but also the other characters which I liked so much (great job Sarah Ready!), and the setting was so cool, imagine leaving in a French castle, drinking wine and eating baguette along with your pet lobster? (Never mind the disaster inside the castle 🤭)

I found the characters so funny and adorable. Merry, who's so cute in all ways and such a sunshine, came from an unrequited love to endless, true love. Noah, a grumpy, famous guy who's so inlove with Merry right at the beginning, is so charming and adorable. I almost cry when he finally meets his father. And I loved the other characters too especially Pierrer and Camille.

All in all, the story was great, and I really had a great time reading it. I'll recommend this to readers who love reading romcoms, enemies-to-lovers to one-bed-trope, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine.

Thank you to Sarah Ready, Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.