I received an advanced copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

This book was absolutely adorable! It felt very similiar to the story Something Borrowed and 27 Dresses, regardless, it was still very enjoyable.

Our novel starts with sweet Merry being a bridesmaid in a horrendous dress for her sister who is about to marry the man that is Merry's best friend.....oh yes, she's been secretly in love with him for years too! Then Merry's younger sister shows up and it is instalove for the two of them....great. Plus, Merry has to deal with Leo's best friend/her nemisis who has been awful to her for years! (Spoiler clue....Love Actually a bit...<3) Merry decides her godmother Jupiter is right, she needs to get away and find herself again, why not take a trip to France to stay in Jupiter's chateau?! Hello, everyone's dream! Oh but what happened next she was not expecting...

A fun and hysterical rom com that was so sweet with a little mystery story inside with the overall love story. A fun read that I just greatly enjoyd and appreciate Netgalley and the publisher for a copy!

Sarah Ready's "Dream Holiday" is a heartwarming and delightful romantic comedy that takes readers on a whimsical journey of self-discovery and unexpected love. With her witty writing style and endearing characters, Ready creates a charming and feel-good story that is perfect for those in need of a literary escape. The novel centers around the life of our protagonist, Callie, a young woman who finds herself at a crossroads in both her personal and professional life. When a last-minute opportunity arises to take a dream holiday to a picturesque village in Europe, Callie seizes the chance, hoping to find solace and inspiration. Little does she know that this journey will not only lead her to new adventures but also to unexpected love. Ready's strength lies in her ability to create relatable and likable characters. Callie is a refreshing and relatable protagonist, with her quirks, insecurities, and a desire to find her true purpose in life. Alongside Callie, readers are introduced to a colorful cast of supporting characters who add depth and charm to the story. From the eccentric innkeeper to the charismatic love interest, each character brings their own unique flavor to the narrative. The author's witty and engaging writing style adds a delightful touch to the book. Ready's ability to infuse humor into her storytelling makes for an enjoyable reading experience. The dialogue is sharp and snappy, with clever banter that keeps readers entertained and invested in the characters' journeys. "Dream Holiday" is not only a romantic comedy but also a tale of self-discovery. Through Callie's adventures and encounters, Ready explores themes of finding oneself, stepping out of one's comfort zone, and embracing the unexpected. The novel serves as a gentle reminder that life is full of surprises and that sometimes the best experiences come when we let go and take a leap of faith. The picturesque setting of the European village adds an enchanting backdrop to the story. Ready's vivid descriptions bring the charming streets, quaint cafes, and breathtaking landscapes to life, making readers feel as though they are right there, immersed in the holiday atmosphere. While "Dream Holiday" follows a somewhat predictable storyline, the heartwarming and uplifting nature of the novel compensates for any moments of predictability. Ready's ability to create engaging characters and her skillful use of humor make the journey worth taking.

Unrequited love can be both beautiful and sad. Merry is at the sad stage when Logan, her best friend and “love of her life”, falls in love with her sister and they get married. Merry escapes to a chateau in France courtesy of her godmother, Jupiter. Only she isn’t alone and Logan’s other best friend Noah is there. There is no love lost between these two, but can they stand to stay in each orders company?

I listened to this book at the exact right time to get me out of a slump. The romance between Merry and Noah was just not about falling in love, but also about healing. With an interesting set of side characters, this is a most entertaining listen. The narrator, was excellent. She did and amazing job with the different voices and intonations.

I will definitely be reading more from @sarahreadyauthor
This book is definitely worthy of a reread!

This was such a fun audiobook to listen to! I am such a fan of enemies to lovers. Put that in the setting of a crumbling castle in the French countryside and add in a lot of character development that felt very genuine and it's a great read. My favorite thing about this book was the main characters transformation. The insight and faith in herself that she gained was a joy to listen to. I also loved the wit and snark between the two main characters. There a couple of classic miscommunication scenes which I don't love but overall this one was really good. I felt the narrator did a great job embodying the character and bringing her voice into the story. It felt authentic. She also did a great job with the right tone for the sarcastic comments and inflections. Overall this was a great audiobook and I certainly recommend it.

Review 3.5/5 stars. This was a fun, light book! There were some great laugh-out-loud moments, and some sweet ones too. Merry finds herself in a mix of emotions after her sister marries her best friend and the guy she's loved. She gets presented an opportunity to live in a French castle for a few months, and low and behold, Noah is there already. Noah was the best man at her sister's wedding and is a travel documentarian. The story follows the two as they're stuck in the castle together (how rough lol), and there's a fun mystery trope that is sewn in. I mostly enjoyed the romance trope of Merry and Noah. I just wish there was more of it, and less of the mystery storyline (which I liked but felt like too much time was spent on it). Sarah Ready is a new author to me, and I liked her writing style and capability of telling a story. I would totally read other works from her! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic! Overall, this was an enjoyable summer read, and one I would recommend to others.

I received this audio ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance set in the French countryside!

When Merry’s sister, Angela, marries her best friend and the only man she’s ever loved, Leo, Merry’s life is thrown into a swift downward spiral. When her eccentric godmother, Jupiter, offers her the chance to stay in her castle in the French countryside, Merry jumps at the chance to escape her problems. Little does she know, Jupiter also invited Noah to use the castle. Noah is Leo’s best friend, and he and Merry certainly got off on the wrong foot. Merry and Noah are both unwilling to give up the opportunity to stay in the castle so they decide to call a truce. But the more time they spend together, the more Merry realizes she may not dislike Noah after all.

Although I really enjoyed many aspects of this story, the setting was my favorite. The descriptions of the castle, vineyard, and nearby city were so vivid that I felt that I was transported to the French countryside and I loved every second of it!

I really loved both Merry and Noah. Merry has always lived in her sister’s shadow so it was beautiful to see her realize that she’s equally as deserving of excitement and happiness. Noah was so sweet and romantic and helped Merry realize that she’s deserving of love and attention, too.

I’m so glad I read this novel and especially glad that I listened to it on audio! Kelsey Navarro did an excellent job with the narration.

This is a perfect beach or poolside read. If you’re looking for a fun romance with spring/summer vibes, look no further!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this light-hearted enemies to lovers rom-com. This book is great after reading a heavier historical fiction novel. It had its funny, swoon worthy moments. I could picture myself in France, but not sure if I would have stayed in the dilapidated castle, lol. Overall this was a fun light-hearted read. If you like rom-coms and need something lighter give this one a read.

Thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC, and NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review .

First I would like to say that I am not really a fan of sappy romance books and this one really wasn’t my style. A flaky MC who is heartbroken because her sister is marrying the love of her life. So she quits her job and goes to France where she stays in a broken down castle with an old friend / flame.
The MC was a bit too quirky and airheaded to make this “believable”. With all that in mind, I enjoyed the little romance that developed (predictably) in this audiobook. The narrator did a fine job and helped me to get through the sappy story with still a bit of joy.
Not a terrible story, well written with a touch of comedic romance. Average for rating, and a book I’m happy to have read but will not re-visit.
Recommended for fans of Romance, Rom-com and New Adult.

A cutesy light listen that touched upon heavier topics with sensitivity. When I felt it was getting predictable there was an unexpected turn waiting around the corner. I really enjoyed listening to this as I enjoyed the flow and easiness of it. The build-up between Merry and Noah is everything you wanted for Merry, and the spice, well that definitely took me by surprise!

i wanted to love this but i wasnt able to get into it the way i wanted to. charachter development was lacking and there wasnt too much plot

I was so hopeful about this audio book because it has gotten so many great reviews and people were raving about the narration. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. I’m not sure I was the correct audience for this type of romance.

There were several very cheesy parts of this book that made me feel squirmy.. I was also put off by how so many creatures like a roach and a lobster got names and so much play time. There’s a super long scene about a lobster that I had to stop myself from fast forwarding. And hearing “unrequited love” about a thousand times had me rolling my eyes.

This narrator really bugged me and I wish I had a word to explain what she does with her voice that became so off putting. It’s like she went down at the end of every other sentence and made it dry and monotone sounding- but so many people loved the audio so it must just be my preference.

So thankful for the free opportunity to listen @NetGalley! Glad so many have loved it!

I admit the enemies-to-lovers trope is in a dead heat with the romance-in-a-foreign-country trope when it comes to my favorite conceits in romance books, so French Holiday was already starting out with several advantages in its corner. Some of the humor was a bit off-putting at the beginning because it wasn’t my style, but I eventually settled into enjoying Merry’s narration, and I did laugh out loud at several points. A few times I was outright in stitches cracking up, such as the fantastic—and utterly hilarious—cooking scene with the lobster. The book is worth reading for the lobster all itself.
I’m not a huge fan of speaking to the reader or the kinds of asides where a narrator is chiding themselves, and this book does make use of those, but the overall story was charming enough and many parts were so funny that I could overlook that device and still enjoy the narrative. The house was a character all itself, which I appreciated, and Merry’s aunt was a delightful character who was richly drawn despite having few appearances. The self journey of Merry as she attempts to come to terms with her unrequited love for her best friend was believable and relatable—particularly how she comes to recognize that she was more in love with an idea than a person. I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys the travel-romance, finding-yourself-far-away, or enemies-to-lovers tropes, and it’s a fast, very fun read.

4.5 - We have meri who has always put her sister before her self sense she was a kid, when she wanted something she gave it to her even if she didn’t want to. And even when it comes to the man she loves. Her sister met the man she has loved for years that she wasn’t able to tell him how he feels but after one night with her sister they are walking down the isle and she’s lost him forever. That’s when our MMC noah comes into the picture he is the best man and he knows that meri is in love with his best friend and why they don’t get along he knows what it’s like to have un reciprocated love.after the wedding meri leaves her job and is looking for an escape and that’s she calls her aunt juniper up and she sends her to her place in France and meri is so excited for her perfect French holiday! But when she gets there she finds a surprise Noah is there also! Working on his next project, and why at first they fight but they decide to make it work why they are there. And I loved their journey they had a one bed trope which was perfect, and all the mishaps made for a perfect romcom! We also have a bit of a second love story with the neighbours and there’s was a cute add on! But the real star of this book was Noah’s story and why he was in France and I would of gave this 5 stars if I could of gotten in Noah’s POV in his head!

This was such a cute story, was a lot of fun, and has great characters.

The lobster scene reminded me of the little mermaid Sebastian and chef kitchen scene. I loved this book so much. It was more then just a basic romantic book. It had some family mystery’s, gothic romance, and lots of wine and cheese.

This makes me want to read more from the author. I was so happy with this story

Five Star Review Alert!

I just finished French Holiday by Sarah Ready and LOVED it!

Merry has been in unrequited love with her best friend for years… she is just getting ready to make her true feelings known when he meets her sister and gets engaged to her that same night! On the advice of her delightfully eccentric godmother, Merry runs away to France! When she arrives at the chateau she finds it falling apart and already occupied by her least favorite person in the world, Noah!

This book has it all!
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Mystery
Beautiful French people
A lobster!

Definitely add this to you TBR!

Thank you NetGalley and Swift & Lewis for access to this audiobook! It was a delight!

This was my first Sarah Ready novel and I have to say that I will now read ANYTHING this woman writes. Seriously. French Holiday was an absolute delight from start to finish. I was engaged from page one and could not get enough. This book literally made me laugh out loud, get a little hot, feel the love feels, and made me cry. I went through every emotion in this book – in the best way possible!

Merry is desperate to escape heartbreak caused by her best friend (and unrequited love) marrying her sister. A sister who has a knack for getting any man she wants. When Merry’s artsy Godmother offers her a 3-month stay at her beautiful French chateau, Merry jumps at the chance. Little does she know that this perfect holiday may not be as perfect as she imagined. When the taxi driver reluctantly drops her off, Merry is in awe of the stunning castle – until she walks in the door. The castle is in absolute disrepair and barely functional… AND the best man from her sister’s wedding is also there (thanks to her godmother, Jupiter’s, meddling). The man that Merry absolutely hates.

Noah, the best man at Merry’s sister’s wedding, has his own reasons for staying in the crumbling castle. He’s working on a documentary about an artist who disappeared years ago that lived at Jupiter’s French chateau before she owned it. Noah has set out to solve the mystery of a fire that broke out in the castle and the painting of a beautiful woman jumping from the fiery tower that the missing artist created before he was never seen again. But it appears there might be more to story than Merry realizes.

Between attractive French neighbors, aggressive lobsters, and a ton of French wine, Noah and Merry begin to develop a friendship that could be leading to something else.

The character development in this book was great! Merry and Noah were both relatable and their storylines were equally interesting. It truly felt like the characters were growing throughout the novel and it was easy to root for them. The setting was absolutely perfect. Although it’s set in the beautiful French countryside, the crumbling chateau made for an even more adventurous setting.

I really cannot say enough good things about this book and about Sarah Ready’s writing. The lobster scenes had me peeing my pants laughing so hard. Also, it was super fun to have a character who works in Human Resources since I do as well. I listened to the audiobook and I also cannot say enough great things about the narrator, Kelsey Navarro. Her voice was the perfect fit for the book.

Very. Cute. In France. *swoon* Great for a rom com movie. Love the cover, it's so adorable!! Not quite enemies-to-lovers trope but definitely one-bed trope! I loved the backdrop of a French chateau, even if it is falling apart and dingy. lol. And I really liked the narrator!

Need to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for exchange of a honest review.
Sarah Ready did a fantastic job of bringing two people together from being first enemies then as friends, and lastly to lovers. The chemistry between Merry and Noah is so obvious but they don’t notice it until they are stuck together in the French country side in a run down castle. I throughly enjoyed listening to this audio version of the book. Kelsey Navarro was the narrator. For the most part I enjoyed her but there were times her voice would get on my nerves. I will try another audiobook with her just to give her another try.

I really wanted to like this story but I found a hard time connecting to it.
I LOVED the narrator.
The shining light was that the plot keeping moving forward. I think the idea of the interweaving relationships and finding the right person for you was a strong synopsis I just struggled with the execution. The "only one bed" trope is highlighted and I do like the growing fondness that brings.
Overall, this book was not for me, but I think it may find a place for others.

Audio note: The audio was fantastic! Kelsey Navarro does a great job, infusing a lot of humor and quirkiness into her performance. It was perfect for the low angst, rom com vibes of the book, and made the listening experience even better. The story itself was also ideal as a workday listen, with little to no spice and an upbeat tone that was relaxing. A little on the long side, but a solid listen for sure,

Ready is definitely a hit or miss author for me, and I found this one to be somewhere in the middle. It has tons of personality and a fun, rom com feel. I loved the vacation vibes and the playful tension between this couple, and the setting was interesting. Forced proximity is a win, and peeling back the layers of the hero was great. I did think some of the humor was over the top and distracted from the actual relationship development, and parts of the story were wildly implausible. I enjoyed the romance the most, and think the story could've been tightened up a bit, I typically think Ready's rom coms are too short, but this one was significantly longer than usual, and that wasn't needed here. It dragged a bit, and I ended up losing interest somewhere along the way - switching to skimming by the end.