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Member Reviews

This book was so charming! I loved all the characters with their many quirks, and I found myself laughing out loud at their antics. (Especially Orla's sister Erin and the man she is in a situationship with.) The quaint village of Saint-Chambery was very picturesque, and the author described it so well that I felt like I was there in the French Alps. One of the best parts of the book was the personal growth from both Jacques and Orla. We learn a lot about their history and why they both struggle to get close to anyone. It was heartwarming to see them slowly warm up to each other. If you're looking for a sweet, cozy winter book that has romance, a dash of mystery, and a cast of side characters that will make you smile, definitely pick this one up! It would be perfect to curl up with while drinking a hot beverage next to a roaring fire.

Thank you to #netgalley and Boldwood Books for the chance to read an arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

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One Winter at the French Chalet is set against the beautiful, snow-covered French Alps, creating a cosy winter atmosphere perfect for a festive read. However, I found the storyline somewhat unrealistic and predictable, and the characters difficult to connect with, which made it challenging to fully engage with the book.

That being said, there were enjoyable aspects, like the lighthearted romance and the heartwarming blend of humour and holiday cheer. While it didn’t fully captivate me, it still offers an entertaining winter escape for those seeking a sweet, feel-good story.

As I’ve rated this book three stars, I won’t be sharing this review widely. I tend to focus on promoting four- and five-star reads.

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A delicious escape to a remote French mountain village for travel writer Órla and her feisty young sister Erin..Sent by her editor to write about an unseasonably pregnant reindeer and a mute man called Wolf, Órla leaves behind parents who are telling vastly differing stories as to what is going wrong in their marriage. Throw in an Albanian boyfriend for her little sister, a village matriarch who runs everything with a rod if steel, an impossibly handsome strong -and not mute- recluse and total mayhem ensues. Full of humour , some laugh out loud moments, pathos, romance and charm. This book has everything you need for a winter escape

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Orla gets a last minute assignment to head to the Alps to interview a mute man and capture the birth of a reindeer, with Christmas looming and the expectation from her parents for her o be there, the timing isn’t great.
Once her sister Erin finds out she’s heading to France (albeit she has images of Paris) she invites herself, Orla doesn’t want her to come but her mum encourages it in the hopes she can find out more about who Erin is speaking to online. Then there’s the issues with her parents, is her dad selling their furniture to fund his alcohol intake or is their more to this story!
Honestly it felt all over the place at the start but once Jacques, Tommy and Delphine came into the story in France 🇫🇷 I got more invested. The location seemed so idyllic, especially at Christmas.
Thank you NetGalley, Mandy Baggot and Boldwood for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

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I have read many of Mandy’s book and really enjoyed them some was looking forward to reading her new book but I couldn’t get into One Winter at the French Chalet. The characters were likeable and the setting in the snow and seclusion was favourable. I think it was the storyline that didn’t grab me. A pregnant reindeer and Orla coming to write about it. There were back stories going on which was fine and got my attention. I did persevere with the book and towards the end I enjoyed it more but for me,I am sorry to say,it wasn’t one of Mandy’s best.

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Found this story unrealistic unbelievable and full of predictable storylines and holes in the tale. Tried to carry on but couldn’t. Sped read to the hugely predictable end
Unlikeable characters finished it for me ….. the two sisters are awful, weak and annoying…..have loved many of Mandy Baggots books in the past, but not this one.
Will not be reviewing far and wide as I am not wanting to offend or hurt anyone.

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Thank you to netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion. A thoroughly enjoyable and engaging story,fabulous location, some delightful characters and some cute sounding creatures. Add in a bit of matchmaking, a moody male loner, a career woman and a few sparks and you have a perfect cosy read.

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I've reviewed so many Mandy Baggot books that are based in Greece. They were all great. I was interested in One Winter at the French Chalet not just because it's one of her books, but because I wanted to find out how she'd create a book based in France.

I was impressed. The weather isn't quite cold enough for a winter story, but I was so eager to get into this that I couldn't wait to start it.

Ut's atmospheric, uplifting and feelgood. The perfect Christmas-themed book for any time of year.

Thanks to Mandy Baggot and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

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Free courtesy of Netgalley

I normally really like Mandy Baggot's books but this one just didn't gel with me, even though the book was well written, I just could not connect with any of the characters. The main woman Orla was all over the place trying to do her job, look after her sister and parents, it just didn't feel right. We didn't really find out much about Jacques life and why he was like he was, just loose references to it. The only characters I sort of liked was Orla's 16 year old sister, who spent her time conversing with a man she had never met, but at times she seemed more grown up than Orla.

Did this feel like a Christmas book, no sadly not but it is worth reading, but not as good a book as I'm used to by Mandy

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Amazing. Very festive, heartwarming read. Love every minute of reading this. Loved the drama and the way you could see the romance blooming between Orla and Jacques.

Thank you Mandy Baggot, Boldwoods Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

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This was an enjoyable read that was quick and easy and I finished in a short sitting. I found that I didn't really gel with the main character but aia still really enjoyed the book

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I love a Christmas book, and love France sadly this just didn’t hit the mark. The start of the book is hard to follow and chaotic with far too many similes. The characters weren’t very appealing and the story lines rather silly and far fetched. I have read this authors books before and they seem to swing from enjoyable and entertaining to a dire waste of time, unfortunately this tends towards the latter.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

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ARC Review: *One Winter at the French Chalet* by Mandy Baggot

Mandy Baggot is back with a heartwarming romance that will sweep you off your feet and whisk you away to the snow-capped mountains of the French Alps. *One Winter at the French Chalet* has everything you want in a winter read—charming characters, a magical setting, and just the right amount of festive romance to warm your heart on a cold night.

Orla Bradbee, our heroine, is a travel writer with a ticking clock on a Christmas assignment that’s far from glamorous. Sent to a rural French village to interview a man who refuses to speak, she’s already dealing with enough stress at home—her teenage sister Erin is caught up in a questionable online relationship. The *Overworked Heroine* trope is at play here, with Orla juggling her career and family while navigating a holiday deadline.

The setting of Saint-Chambéry is pure Christmas magic. Nestled in the French Alps, this cozy village comes alive with twinkling lights and snowy vistas. But it’s the enigmatic Jacques Barbier, a brooding, silent figure with a rugged exterior, who truly steals the show. Jacques embodies the *Mysterious Brooding Hero* trope perfectly, and from the moment Orla arrives, sparks fly. Their chemistry is electric, even if Jacques refuses to let her in at first. But of course, Orla’s determination—and perhaps a bit of holiday magic—starts to melt his icy defenses.

The story takes a delightful twist as Orla and Erin work together to unravel both the mystery of Jacques and the online "Romeo" her sister is tangled with. The *Sisterly Bond* trope adds a sweet layer to the story, grounding the romance in a real-world connection. Erin’s situationship gives Orla another reason to dig deeper into the lives around her, making the stakes even more personal as Christmas looms closer.

As Orla gets closer to Jacques, the *Grumpy-Sunshine Dynamic* emerges, with Orla’s persistence and optimism breaking through Jacques’s stoic exterior. Their love story is a slow burn, but the tender moments between them—like shared glances across a snow-covered chalet or a cozy fireside chat—add to the charm of their growing connection.

The French Alps, with their snowy peaks and cozy chalets, create the perfect backdrop for Orla and Jacques’s romance. The vivid descriptions of the scenery and the rustic village life in Saint-Chambéry really bring the story to life, making you feel like you’re right there in the middle of it all.

*One Winter at the French Chalet* is the perfect read for anyone craving a wintry escape filled with charm, mystery, and love. Mandy Baggot has crafted a romance that will make you believe in the magic of the season and the power of love to heal even the most guarded hearts.

*Microtropes*: Overworked Heroine, Mysterious Brooding Hero, Grumpy-Sunshine Dynamic, Sisterly Bond, Small Town Charm, Snowy Getaway, Slow Burn Romance, Holiday Magic, HEA.

-Behindhergreyeyes

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Orla is a travel writer who is sent out to a small village in the French Alps just before Christmas. Due to problems at home, her teenage sister, Erin, goes with her.
On arrival they meet the reclusive and bad-tempered Jacques, also known as Wolf, and Delphine who runs the village shop.
The premise of the trip is for Orla to write about a pregnant reindeer and a mute man. Yes, there's a lot of silliness in this book!
The book has the beautiful snowy setting, heaps of French festive traditions and, as usual, Brits who wear trainers and thin jackets in sub-zero temperatures. It would be good to have a lead character with a little more intelligence, but this is still a good bit of escapism with a lovely festive feel.

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A charming and engaging story. Lots of interesting characters. Small town antics. Family issues. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

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A slightly strange but good story.. Orla is a well known travel writer and you follow her to the wilds of France with her 16 year sister in tow. Lots of funny parts. The menopause bits were sad and funny - been there. The 16 year old sister Erin was a great character . A jolly good winter read

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I enjoyed this book and the tale of the mysterious pregnant reindeer but all in all it wasn’t as strong as the previous books I’ve read from Mandy Baggot. Good evocative setting, but maybe the cold of the French alps is no match for the warmth of a Greek summer.

Relatable characters, once the barriers had been broken down. An easy read, with some amusement but overall a 3.5* rather than the usual 4+ standards of this author

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Orla is a travel journalist sent to a remote village in the French Alps to report on a story of a reindeer about to give birth at Christmas. Due to family circumstances she has to take her teenage sister along too and while there she meets Jacques also known as wolf who is a bit of a recluse and lives on the outskirts of the village.
Orla and Jacques don’t seem to like each other very much and there is a fair bit of snapping at each other at first but then things seem to change and they realise there is chemistry there.
Orla’s sister Erin however is in a ‘situationship’ with a man from Albania and they have been messaging each other for months, something their Mum is concerned about.
As time progresses it becomes apparent that perhaps Delphine, who had orchestrated the visit may have not been as honest about things as she should have been.
Unfortunately I could not warm to Orla at all and some of the things were pretty far fetched (but that’s escapism so I don’t mind that) but the story had good characters and I liked the fact it did also focus on village traditions in a beautiful snowy setting perfect for Christmas.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for an advance copy of this book however all opinions are my own.

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I am enjoyed this book, a village full of characters who are extremely quirky. A journalist who appears to be on a wild goose chase and has been joined by her sixteen year old sister who appears to be a lot of work but quite wise. An enjoyable read.

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This is a lovely and easy to read story just right for curling up in front of a fire at Christmas. Orla is a journalist looking to tell true and relevant stories and hoping for a big break to showcase her talent. Usually she plans for telling gritty and well researched stories when at the last minute she is sent to France to film the birth of a reindeer in time for Christmas. Difficulties at home mean that Orla must bring her 16 year old sister along, who spends most of her time texting her “situationship” boyfriend .

Fast forward and all is not as it seems, despite the picturesque village there appears to be no reindeer and no hotel. There is however a reclusive handsome stranger with whom Orla just cannot seem to get on.

Well told and a good read. I did find the character of Orla difficult to like but very much enjoyed the festive atmosphere.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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