Summer at the Chateau: Fall in love in France with this summer romance for 2024, guaranteed to warm your heart and make you laugh (The Chateau Series, Book 1)

An escape to Provence, with all that sunshine, lavender and romance! Great!

The Kindle version was only 99p so it's churlish to not be delighted with Annabel French's novel. Indeed, I found it to be a real page-turner. I loved the short chapters which made it easy to stop – only the story often made it impossible to put my Kindle down.The main thing that frustrated me was that there was no physical description of Lizzie at all, except that she had blond hair. This book was clearly written by a woman because Annabel described Luc at length. He was obviously strongly attracted to Lizzie, but why? What did she look like?There was the loose end of the hire car. I guess it was returned after the repair. Did she buy a car thereafter? I would have liked more descriptions of the chateau which, after all, was central to the story. However, the descriptions of the local town and market were beautiful. The story is described as being very humorous but if so, I'm afraid that passed me by.I'm going on holiday to the Tarn et Garonne this August (2023), so the story was very pertinent.Thank you Annabel (Katie Ginger) for an alluring description of Provence.

“Many things will catch your eye but few will catch your heart.” This book does both sweeping you away to a sun drenched Provence and a crumbling Chateau with an enchanting and romantic story. I couldn’t put it down and am so glad there is another as I can’t wait to head back! The story unfolds seamlessly with enough drama and plots twists to give you the tummy tumbles and a supporting cast of colourful characters to add depth.All in all it is a heartwarming and uplifting novel that celebrates the power of love and new beginnings, family and friendships- a perfect summer read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. if you enjoy Katie Fforde, Lucy Coleman, Julie Chaplin you will love this.

Lizzie was jilted at the altar and is heartbroken. She discovers she has inherited a chateau in Provence and decides to visit with a view to selling but it’s been neglected and needs lots of TLC and money spent on it. Luc is her hunky but grumpy neighbour. Fabulous characters, beautiful setting and secrets to uncover had me hooked from the first chapter. Excited there’s a sequel.

Lizzie is heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, but is now determined to make her way in her career as a journalist. She finds that her estranged aunt, with whom she has many happy memories of staying with in her Chateau in France, but also of their final argument that resulted in them not talking for years. has left her the Chateau in her will. She decides to travel to France to visit the Chateau to prepare it for sale, however when she arrives she finds it virtually derelict and unsaleable She starts to carry out repairs with the help of a very grumpy, but handsome neighbour, but finds she is starting to fall in love with the location - and the neighbour.Life in France sounds far more my thing than Lizzie's life in London. The way that the local community takes to her shows the small community spirit that I would love to be part of, although I'm not sure that I could cope with the scale of the restoration required. There are some great supporting characters, especially Gary the goat. This is an ideal summer read, or even in winter where the summer scenes will help warm you up.I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book and had pre-ordered it as I enjoyed reading it so much.

Have loved all of Katie Ginger’s books so was excited to read her first as Annabel French.She didn’t disappoint at all. This trip to Provence was wonderful, loved reading about the Chateau and what Lizzie needed to do when she arrived. Have now just started book 2 and today I realised book 3 has just landed on my Kindle today. What a great month so far.

Lovely story

Summer at the Chateau by Annabel FrenchI received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Avon and I am leaving this review voluntarily.BlurbA newly single girl. A tall, dark and handsome stranger. A chateau that keeps bringing them together. What could go wrong?When Lizzie Summers is jilted at the altar, she’s left completely heartbroken. But then she receives news that she has inherited a beautiful chateau in Provence, and it seems like the perfect escape.Upon arrival, she discovers she is now the proud owner of . . . a crumbling ruin. A decrepit chateau – with nothing but dust and a goat for company.Intending to head straight back to the airport, Lizzie instead gets caught in a freakish summer storm and finds herself trudging through a vineyard for help. Bedraggled and furious, she enlists the help of her nearest neighbour, the enchanting Luc. Perhaps she should stay and mend the chateau – and her broken heart – after all…?My OpinionThis book has been one that has been on my TBR pile for a while, I always wanted to start it but I kept putting it off for some reason. Having finished it, I am not sure why I had been avoiding it. It was fun to read about Lizzie as her feelings about the Chateau and Sarah change as you work through the pages. This book was a lovely, feel-good read that will definitely leave you in a good mood.Rating 4/5

I only got this book today but I've started reading it and it's really good so far. Very descriptive and already has some action going on at the chateau. Can't wait to continue reading.

Lizzie Summer has recently been jilted and left at the altar by her boyfriend Will. When her great Aunt Sarah leaves her a chateau in Provence, France, she unhesitantly leaves her journalism job in London behind in Annabel French’s Summer at the Chateau. Fortunately, her boss told her that she could turn the adventure into a series of articles until she sells the chateau and returns to her desk job.Once in Provence, she finds the chateau in shambles, nearly uninhabitable and definitely unsellable. What will she do? The handsome Luc Allard who manages the vineyard closeby enters the scene after she has an auto crash. He's the recommended handyman, but where will she get the astronomical costs for repairs? A host of villagers that adored her Aunt Sarah come into play as Lizzie slowly makes sense of things. Will she stay in France? Will fireworks erupt between her and Luc? Or, will her old flame Will show up to try to make amends? Read this fast-paced yarn and see if Lizzie is able to tie up the loose ends!

A breath of fresh air. I felt like I was on vacation enjoying this part of France. Wonderful love story. No heavy romantic scenes, just the right amount of love felt.

I loved reading about Provence and the lavender fields, it took me back to my travels abroad. Enjoyed it very much. A couple of surprises but a true love story.

A cute story, although a bit cheesy and predictable. And I still want to know how Lizzie charged her phone when the electricity was on the blitz!