Skip to main content

Celebrations At The Chateau written by Jo Thomas published by Random House Books

 


When their beloved grandfather dies, Fliss and her sisters are astonished to inherit a French chateau! Travelling to Normandy to visit the beautiful if faded house, they soon discover the chateau is a money pit. It requires major work, a huge tax bill is due . . . and there's a sitting tenant to whom they owe a monthly allowance.

Unable to sell but strapped for cash, Fliss decides to spruce up the elegant old rooms and open a B&B. But, why is Jacques, the neighbouring farmer and also local mayor, so hostile, and how did their grandfather come to own the place anyway?

I have had this book on my TBR shelf for a little while, but I was so excited to read it, that I pushed it up my list and I am so glad I did as I devoured it immediately. It was absolutely fantastic and I promise you won’t be disappointed when you read it. It has love, food, jeopardy and characters that you will want to befriend!

I have read most of Jo’s books now and believe me, this is by far the best, they just keep getting better and better. I loved the characters in this one, they grew throughout the book and at the start I was thinking of Fliss in one way, but then by midway through the book my opinion of her completely changed (in a nice way!).

This book actually made me smile with happiness, and I looked forward to snuggling down in  bed delving  back into the lives of Fliss and her sisters.

I would love it if at some point we could revisit the chateau as this wonderful book has left me wanting more!!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

When Life Interrupts Reading (And Why Books Always Wait For Us)

I've been very quiet on here over the last 18 months. Reading, something that usually anchors me, slipped quietly into the background, not because I didn't love it anymore, but because life asked me to put my energy elsewhere. The main reason is my mum. She's 89 and I adore her. Following a dementia diagnosis, she moved into residential care, a road I never imagined navigating, and one that came with a steep learning curve. In the early days there was a small silver lining, her care home was close enough that I could pop and visit her every day during my lunch hour and those visits mattered more than I can put into words. Over the last year though, her dementia has progressed very rapidly. There was pneumonia, and then on Christmas day sepsis. And as if that wasn't enough, a relative made the decision to move Mum to another care home further away from me, but nearer to her, meaning that I can no longer see her every day. Losing that routine felt like another quiet grief...

Diva written by Daisy Goodwin and published by Aria and Aries

  Opera singer Maria Callas known as “ la divina” with her fabulous voice was born with note only a gift of singing, but also the drama and beauty needed to succeed on the worldwide operatic stages. Sadly, liked a bird in a gilded cage, Maria’s life is lonely, and although surrounded by people and her husband she feels isolated. When she meets the fabulously rich shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, her isolation melts away. For the first time in her life, she believes she's found a man who sees the woman rather than the legendary soprano. Desperately in love, Onassis introduces her to a life of unbelievable luxury, mixing with celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. And then, suddenly, it's over. The international press announce that Onassis will marry the most famous woman in the world, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, leaving Maria to pick up the pieces. This is a fictional account based on true events, think of The...

Maybe Next Christmas by Emma Heatherington

  Maybe Next Christmas" by Emma Heatherington was a delightful festive read that truly delivered in the end. While I found the beginning a little slow, once the story picked up, I was completely hooked and couldn’t put it down! Emma's storytelling and knack for building relatable, heartfelt characters shines through, making the journey worth it. The Christmas charm, along with themes of love and second chances, make this one feel as cozy as her other novels. Definitely recommended for fans of Christmas romances or anyone looking for a feel-good, warm festive read!