It’s such a pleasure today to be helping launch the blog tour for the latest book from Julie Caplin, The French Chateau Dream, and sharing my publication day review. Published by One More Chapter today (30th June) as an ebook and as an audiobook (available via Amazon in the UK and US), the paperback will follow on 6th July (available for preorder in all the usual places). My thanks, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
This is the amazing tenth book in Julie’s Romantic Escapes series, and I’m always a little ashamed to admit how few of them I’ve read. The first one I tried was The Little Teashop in Tokyo, the sixth in the series, and although I enjoyed it (you can read my review again here), and always so love the books written by her alter ego Jules Wake, I’ll be honest and admit that I wasn’t entirely convinced that this series was one for me. But I tried again with the eighth in the series, The Cosy Cottage in Ireland, and entirely loved it (you’ll find my review here) – and then came The Christmas Castle in Scotland, sheer enjoyment from beginning to end, a 10/10 for me and the most perfect Christmas escape (you’ll find that review here). So I can tell you with absolute confidence that you don’t need to worry about these books being “part of a series” – character do reappear, and it’s lovely to catch up with them when they do, but every book is very happily readable as a standalone.
So how about the latest – another one I enjoyed, do you think?
You are invited to a summer of sparkling champagne, warm buttery croissants and a little bit of je ne sais quoi…
With a broken heart and a broken spirit, Hattie is in need of a summer escape. So when an opportunity comes up to work at a beautiful, stately chateau in the Champagne region of France she books her flights quicker than the pop of a cork.
Romance is the last thing Hattie is looking for but then she wasn’t expecting gorgeous Luc to stroll into her life. With picnics in the warm French sun and delicious foodie trips to the local market, Hattie starts to wonder if a holiday fling – or maybe even something more – might be just what she needs.
Faced with an ultimatum from her boyfriend, Hattie decides to follow her dreams – she might not have that much experience as a wedding planner, but there’s plenty of time to sort out her cousin Gabby’s wedding at the French chateau in champagne country. Meeting the rather gorgeous Luc on arrival rather lifts her spirits, only to despair a little when she finds the chateau needing a lot of work to make it wedding-ready. It seems that housekeeper Solange has let things slip a little – for the best of reasons, that soon become clear – and things only go from bad to worse when it becomes clear there’s someone out to sabotage her plans, leaving her with no caterers for the big day. Unlike Hattie, the reader knows exactly who’s behind it – but it means she has to call on a friend (one we’ve met before in this series – and so lovely to see her again!) to try to save the day.
Meanwhile Luc – however intriguing he might find Hattie – is none too pleased at his father opening up the chateau to weddings. He’s pursuing his dream of re-establishing a business there producing the finest champagne, working with friends from his youth – and worries that his plans might be derailed. Until viewing the estate from the air opens up some unexpected new possibilities – although he still needs to get his grandmother (particularly haunted by spectres from the past) and his difficult father on-side with his plans for the future.
With a well drawn cast, a vividly drawn setting, and a captivating story, this book is a delight. If you’re a foodie, you’ll find so much to enjoy between its pages – the trips to market are quite wonderful, the adventures in the chateau’s kitchen equally so. The cast of supporting characters is excellent, and the story takes a number of unexpected twists and turns before its wholly satisfying conclusion. Both Hattie and Luc were really sympathetic characters who won my heart – and I was entirely invested in the success of their individual ventures, and in their developing relationship.
As a summer read, this book was pretty near perfect – transporting you to its beautifully drawn location, with a story that never failed to engage me from its beginning to the very end. As befits a story set in champagne country, there’s plenty of fizz and sparkle – but more than enough substance to satisfy the most discerning palate. Beautifully done – and a strong recommendation from me!
About the author
Julie Caplin, formerly a PR director, swanned around Europe for many years taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the highly successful Romantic Escapes series which have hit the best seller charts in Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic and have sold a million copies worldwide. The first book in the series,The Little Café in Copenhagen, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
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