Once Upon a Villa is my first book from the author and wouldn't become the last. I love his writing style and make his family adventure on the Cote d'Azur become so much fun to follow.
I easily draws into the descriptive from his slice of life story, banter with all other interesting characters and enjoy the atmosphere.

Interesting and entertaining one sitting book to enjoy expecially when you're have dream to create your own fantasy adventure.

Thank you Netgalley and Book Whisperer for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting Publication : 6 March 2024

A really nice, charming conversational memoir about moving to the French Rivera. Made me very jealous.

I just reviewed Once Upon a Villa by Andrew Kaplan. #OnceUponaVilla #NetGalley

A beautiful memoir written by Andrew is dedicated to his wife and 2 year old son. This takes place from when they immigrate to france. It was a heartwarming collection of short stories that talk about friendship.

In this exciting and adventurous memoir, readers follow Andrew Kaplan’s recollections of the time he, his wife, and their son lived in the South of France in the late twentieth century. Spending time along the southern coast of France and frequently traveling into Monaco and Italy, readers explore Kaplan’s life as he worked on another novel and tried to make his big authorial break. Their life is, at times, glamorous as part of that American expatriate community in France, and they meet a lot of mildly dubious and occasionally famous people along the way. Kaplan brings his talents writing thrillers and fiction to his memoir, and it brings out some great details and character creations and descriptions into the memoir. Kaplan paints a detailed and complex picture of late twentieth-century France and the society that he kept while living there. Kaplan’s prose is fun and engaging, with a clever balance of humor and realism that seems to play well with readers. This memoir shows readers how Kaplan became such a successful writer and makes the struggles of being an author realistic, all of which makes this book an enjoyable memoir and relatable read for other writers in search of inspiration.

Delightful memoir of Andrew Kaplan, wife and son who leave he US and move to he French & Italian Riviera. Their trials and tribulations are both heartfelt and amusing. His heartwarming and funny stories about his new friendships are memorable.
Very interesting read.

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

This was a very interesting memoir. I enjoyed reading it a lot!

I enjoyed this story! Would you move to the French Riviera to fulfill a dream? Andrew Kaplan wanted the time and space to write his book, so he and his wife decided to move to France so that he could write his next book. On a whim, they decided to rent a villa in France and spent time there writing his book, meeting new friends, and exploring the region. I really enjoyed reading about their adventures on the French Riviera. They met all sorts of characters, rich and famous people who had yachts, even the royal family of Monaco. He told it in such a manner of someone sitting with him over a delicious dinner telling interesting stories of his travels and the friends they met along the way. He also talked about the story he was writing and how it came together. He writes spy thrillers which I enjoy so I want to read some of his books now, especially the one he wrote while in France. He also wrote about current events that were happening at the time, like the Challenger explosion

Thanks to Book Whisperer, Netgalley, and the author of the ARC

Once Upon a Villa is a memoir that follows Andrew, his wife, and their two year old son as they say au revior to their life in the US and move to the South of France. They have many adventures and go on a rollercoaster of a ride as they try to navigate this new life, culture, and country.

While reading this book, I frequently had to remind myself that this is a memoir and not fiction. Some of the situations they encountered, but more so the people they found themselves surrounded by, often seemed too much to be real. But yet it was all true.

I also found it interesting in that their experiences in France took place 30+ years ago and this book is just coming out now. As a reader, you have such a sense of hindsight on situations that were new at the time (i.e. the Challenger explosion).

I probably would rate this closer to 3.5 stars, but generally an enjoyable even though sometimes hard to relate to book.

Ease into an “accidental” decadent life on the French Riviera with this sweet American family. A writer is searching for some peace and change of scenery to write his novel, but quickly makes friends with French and American locals, who have friends in elite circles. Imagine getting a casual invitation to a yacht party, a daycare recommendation from a princess, and the search for the best bread. Step into this world of flowing wine and evolving adventures…and find out if they can hold onto their morality, family, and American ideals.

Once Upon a Villa wasn't the book for me, for the following reasons. First, not very relatable when someone rents an expensive villa for a year so that they can work on a novel. Hard to feel sympathetic for a family that has that much disposable income to take a year off. The next annoyance was that the book is written now but the year in question was in the 80s. 25 year gap between events and writing makes you wonder how much of the memories are true. Finally, the book is written in a bit of a dated voice, so some commentary is borderline offensive in the current world.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC for an honest review.

No idea if it’s just me or what, but I still crave comfort reads.

The world’s gotten way meaner here lately. It takes more and more effort not to simply check out and leave the awfulness to its own devices, perpetuating itself being its best-ever trick. Thus I approached this read with all the fervor I would’ve lavished on the Best-Costume Oscar had I known about the bit John Cena committed to this ceremony. The man’s fifty-five, y’all, give it up for growing old gracefully...and hotly.

Ahem. Focus, Mudge, focus!

So, back to Author Kaplan, and the idea of relocating to the Riviera. Short of money, the author clearly is not...and there’s my sticking point, the reason for my missing stars. The part of the read that was charming, the French and their cultural schizophrenia of warm, generous, welcoming people and cold, maddening bureaucracy, was outweighed in my pleasure-reading by a very arriviste kind of name-dropping and hobnobbing with the Society Set that has long made the South of France its own. So much of the book is about who the author and his shopaholic wife went around and about with that I lost my warm happy glow.

That was not fatal...the story is a lot of fun to read...it just hits me, the leftist redistributionist, in the wrong way. I do not care about Princess Caroline of Monaco. I do care about the neighbors who were kind.

I am not everyone, and I am quite sure many of y’all will not feel my collywobbles about the snobbery on view. I urge y’all to go to it, go get it, and enjoy its very real writerly pleasures. I felt uneasy about my own trip, but that is no reason you should. This tour of the land of naked privilege should entertain and distract (most) anyone.

Once Upon a Villa is a memoir about Andrew Kaplan, his wife and child’s move to France. Books about people’s experiences living in different countries and their various cultures is interesting, especially when they are this well written.
Thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for my review copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this fun and witty memoir by Andrew Kaplan about the time he and his family lived in the French Riviera.. Sometimes reading about a place you want to visit is almost like taking a vacation, and this memoir definitely made me long for a trip to France!! Highly recommend. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I received the ARC of Once Upon a Villa by Andrew Kaplan courtesy of Netgalley and The Book Whisperer. This well written, warm and witty memoir of residing in France in Monte Carlo and nearby during 1968 brought back so much history! I adored the food and restaurant descriptions, the abundance of wine and interesting people, and the remarkable sites to visit. Having insight into the writing of the novel Dragonfire was like being in the room where it happened! This glimpse of another way to live was like travelling to France! I thoroughly this book!

Andrew Kaplan's "Once Upon a Villa" is a delightful journey into the charm and quirks of life on the French Riviera. With wit, warmth, and a healthy dose of humor, Kaplan recounts his family's decision to embrace the fantasy of living in a villa by the sea, offering readers a glimpse into the glamorous yet idiosyncratic world of the Côte d'Azur.

Kaplan's narrative is infused with insightful observations and laugh-out-loud moments as he navigates the complexities of French bureaucracy, indulges in culinary delights, and encounters a colorful cast of characters, from eccentric ex-pats to Monaco's royal family. His anecdotes, whether partying on Onassis' yacht or engaging in philosophical conversations with a police chief, are engaging and entertaining, capturing the essence of life in this unique corner of the world.

What sets "Once Upon a Villa" apart is Kaplan's ability to blend humor with genuine warmth and affection for the people and places he encounters. His storytelling is both witty and heartfelt, inviting readers to join him on a journey filled with adventure, friendship, and unforgettable experiences.

Overall, "Once Upon a Villa" is a charming and shrewdly-observed memoir that transports readers to the sun-drenched shores of the French Riviera, leaving them craving more of Kaplan's delightful storytelling. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or armchair explorer, this book is sure to delight and entertain.

I came into this not really knowing who Kaplan is and so I had no real expectations beyond wanting to read a few interesting anecdotes about living the life on the French Riviera. It not only delivers on that, but you also get to enjoy side quests to gorgeously described cities in Italy as well as the trials and tribulations of an author trying to birth their masterpiece.
Kaplan is really good at describing people and places so that it feels like you are right there with the people he got to know while living on the Riviera. I left the book wanting to know if things worked out with the people he and his family left behind when they returned to the US, which, to me, is a sign of good writing.
My one gripe is that it sometimes feels disconnected as Andrew and Anne are constantly worrying about money but go to fancy restaurants, stay at high-class hotels, and shop at high-end boutiques. It's obvious being worried about a budget was different for them at the time, but it made it a little difficult to join in worrying about how they're going to make it in the Riviera if they're having nightly cocktails at the hippest Monte Carlo bars of the era. A minor thing that it might not be noticed by other readers, but the only fault I found with this engaging memoir.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the second-hand adventure.

This was a delight. Reading about the scenery, food, scandals, celebrity encounters, and adventures of a family who uprooted to the south of France in the 80s. A dream of mine, lived vicariously through the pages of this charming memoir. One hundred percent recommended!

Once Upon a Villa by Andrew Kaplan is a memoir set in the French Riviera, Monaco, Italy, London, and more.

Several stories are wrapped up within the main narrative, and multiple characters became part of their circle while abroad, so I found it a little challenging to keep track of who was who. I liked Andy’s relationship with his wife and young son and how he gave his best to his writing. I definitely will read one or more of his spy thrillers, as will my husband.

We were taken on a rollercoaster ride throughout Europe, and it was easy to visualize everything—the food, apartments, small businesses, restaurants, parties, roads, and the beach. The story has several parts, and I loved the chapter titles that hinted at what was to come. The inclusion of their son Justin and seeing the world through his eyes was a novelty. I enjoyed the author’s name-dropping of those they met and the inclusion of real-world events in various fields and locales. Their visits to Florence, Venice, and London made me feel like I was reliving my visits.

There is a good flow to the story, but the inclusion of various languages without explanation often made it difficult to follow and interpret it to mean what the author intended. I liked the conclusion but wished it had gone on a little longer with an epilogue explaining where he and his family ended up. We definitely know he was successful in his writing.

Once Upon a Villa is a memoir that drew me in despite my not knowing the author at all. I enjoyed the literary references and seeing how hard the author worked at his craft. It’s definitely an enjoyable read in a genre I’m not usually drawn to.

Book Review: Once Upon a Villa: Adventures on the French Riviera by Andrew Kaplan
Published by Smugglers Lane Press and Book Whisperer, March 6, 2024

★★★★★ (4.5 Stars rounded up!)

Côte d'Azur, Southern France
(Also known as "The French Riviera")
Circa 1985 /1986.

From the get-go, the Kaplans pull out all the stops! They snag the so-called "Polanski" villa at Cap d'Antibes, about 35 miles due southwest of Monaco. (See Footnote 1.)

A stone's throw to the northwest of the villa, you'd find le Baie des Milliardaires d'Antibes, or the Bay of Billionaires, where the yacht of the King of Arabia lays anchored. And a mile northeast, la Plage de la Garoupe beach, nicknamed "Gatsby's" beach by the Kaplans, because, Kaplan writes, that's where F. Scott Fitzgerald had written much of "The Great Gatsby" (1925).

Thus the life of the Kaplan family of three begins, once upon a villa. Bestselling author, Andrew, then twice published, ex-GI, ex-IDF, ex-IHT (International Herald Tribune) journalist based in Paris; his wife, Anne, and their precocious 2 1/2 year-old toddler, Justin.

Before long, the Kaplans learn that life in France is like no other place. That the first floor of a building here is called the "rez-de-chaussée" followed by the first floor, which in American buildings would be the second floor. That the French interpretation of "punctuality" has its own special meaning. That "finger wagging" remonstrates wordless Gallic expressions. And that that the renewal of a French "carte de séjour" or temporary residence permit is not the easiest thing in the world, which is a gross understatement.

No hospital gowns needed here.
Later, when Anne gets diagnosed with tubular pregnancy, she undergoes investigative surgery at a French hospital. As Anne lays patiently in her birthday suit, Andrew asks politely that his naked wife be given a gown. The puzzled nurse looks at him oddly and asks, "Why?"

This close to Monaco, it's almost inevitable that a fairly prominent American author gets to brush elbows with royalty. Turns out Princess Caroline, herself, daughter of Princess Grace of Monaco, ends up benevolently offering to help the Kaplans find a proper "crèche" or nursery for little Justin.

Celebrity galore too, as the couple find themselves at a party on Christina Onassis' yacht. Elsewhere, in a seaside cafe in Monte Carlo, Kaplan incidentally meets an 18-yr-old German boy, whose name so happens to be Boris Becker, just before the teenager wins his first major title and becomes the first unseeded player and the first German to win the Wimbledon gentlemen's singles title in 1985.

Then a swing to Venice, Harry's Bar off Piazza San Marco, and those peachy Bellinis, living the life, and why not?

The highlight of their trip has to be "Le Bal de la Rose" or the Rose Ball, the annual charity gala for the elites at the exclusive Monte-Carlo Sporting Club organized by the Royal family of Monaco since 1954.

Santé! Skoal! L'Chaim!
And soon enough, the Kaplan family bids a fitting farewell to their friends and acquaintances, not with a goodbye, but with the French phrase for "...'til we meet again", as they head back home. Even as teenager Boris Becker sweeps Ivan Lendl in straight sets to win Wimbledon on July 6, 1986. Yellow balls were used in the tournament for the first time...

(Footnote 1. Roman Polanski was the prior occupant of the "Polanski" villa, a week or so before the Kaplans. Polanski is of course the famous director of those blockbuster movies "Rosemary's Baby" (1968) and "Chinatown" (1974); also noted for his "tabloid bacchanal indiscretions".)

// To vicariously follow the Kaplans to places of interest mentioned in the book, I'd suggest readers keep Côte d'Azur on Google Maps, bookmarked on Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (IATA: NCE) for reference. //

-----

I thoroughly enjoyed this book in its authenticity, and couldn't help but recall an all-time favorite about an Englishman who lived with his wife in Provence, about 200 miles west of Cap D'Antibes and Monaco in the Luberon mountains, during just about the same timeline as this novel.

"Once Upon a Villa" (2024) and "A Year in Provence" (1989). How do they compare?

Peter Mayle wrote his masterpiece about his immersion as a British expat into French life n Ménerbes, a village in the southern département Vaucluse, followed by about fourteen sequels on Provence and the French language and culture, for which in 2002 the French conferred on him their highest order of merit, "Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur" (Knight of the Legion of Honor) for "coopération et francophonie".

I doubt if the French would do the same to Andrew Kaplan for his brief detour in Côte d'Azur. But then, his readers would gladly do the honors. We'd close the book, have one last chuckle, raise that glass, and say, "Salut!".

Kudos to you, Mr. Kaplan, for sharing it all in an excellent book. Nice title too.

Review based on an advanced reading copy courtesy of Smugglers Lane Press, Book Whisperer and NetGalley.

If you’ve ever dreamt of packing up your life and moving to the south of France, this is the memoir for you. When author, Andrew Kaplan, decides to try and write a spy novel he persuades his wife that a move to France would greatly enhance the writing process. Before you know it the two of them have packed up their toddler and are on their way!

This tale of their expat life is charmingly descriptive and is easy to get wrapped up in. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The episode of the exploding stove had me laughing out loud. I highly recommend this book! Thanks to Net Galley and Book Whisperer for allowing me to read an advance copy.