This is the third book in Lorraine Wilson’s A French Escape series, and the one I have been eagerly awaiting.
When we first met Jojo in the first book in the series, she was shy, withdrawn, and looking for somewhere to lick her wounds after suffering a huge and very public betrayal. With the help of Poppy and her band of mischievous pups Jojo learns that it is possible for life to go on whilst keeping a low profile.
In walked the gorgeous celebrity chef, looking for his own escape and Jojo’s carefully shielded world comes crashing down around her.
I love the change in tempo that Callum brings to Jojo’s world, he reminds her that she is a woman, that she should not be ashamed of that, and through their budding relationship, Jojo grows in confidence and learns to rewrite the rules.
But let’s face it the true jewel in this book is Flump, the mischievous, pilferer with a talent for getting JoJo into sticky situations.
This story has the perfect combination of comedy, guilt, grief, and sexiness that will leave readers, packing their suitcases to escape to France.
My thanks to the folks at #Netgalley #OneMoreChapter and to the author herself, for allowing me to read and review #JojosFrenchEscape

It was great to catch up with Poppy and Leo again and to find out about Jojo's story and what she did next. You can certainly read this as a standalone story. With lots of humour stemming from the motley crew of rescued dogs, this is a lively story which will make you smile. However, I felt that this was a book in two halves and I was surprised when it morphed into a much more hot and steamy tale midway though.

During the course of the story, you get to find out quite a lot about what she is thinking and her insecurities and fears for the future. Social media and the manipulation of image through it is a major theme and you get to understand the destructive side of it. Set against the beautiful Languedoc countryside, you can totally understand what Jojo loves about her new life in France and how she has created a safe haven and support system. This is a light, cheery romcom with a bite.

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

JoJo’s French Escape is a thoughtful, uplifting women’s fiction that made me teleport into the gorgeous villages of France, leaving behind all the responsibilities and worries, and coming up as a strong, new woman – just like JoJo does in the book.

Jojo aka Joana is a reality TV star who is currently hiding with shame with her friend in a tiny French village where no one knows who she is – a disgraced TV star whose boyfriend dumped her live on TV!! How outrageous and humiliating to be that woman. Poor, poor Jojo. I found myself empathising for her from the start. She is a strong woman who has worked hard to make a place for herself in a competitive world of show business. Thinking that she has found a decent boyfriend and getting cheated and betrayed in such a lousy way is just too much to bear.

Jojo is therefore spending her time, hiding from comments and harsh glances from people who identify her – in Poppy’s guest house when Poppy and her fiance decide to bring in the celebrity chef Callum to help Jojo in her business. This is not what she needs now but as Callum and Jojo get to know each other, she begins to ease a little to his warm smile and delicious food.

Surrounded by puppies and cats and good food in a gorgeous landscape this Lorraine Wilson takes us through a journey filled with laughter, friendships and getting over insecurities that every woman needs to read and experience. Although the book belong to a series, I had no problem reading it as a standalone.

Many thanks to One More Chapter and Rachel for having me on the Blog Tour for this one. All opinions are mine.

Favorite Quotes:

The only love Aiden knows involves the use of a mirror or a TV camera.

"You know if anyone ever gives you any grief we'll set the dogs on them, celebrity chef or not." I look down at the two tiny chihuahuas, one miniature Yorkie and the blind ex-hunting dog who happens to be a total softy. My mouth quirks involuntarily into a smile at the idea of them defending me, though I'm sure they'd all give it a good go. The chihuahuas in particular are utterly fearless.

Who was it said that a life without passion is a slow way to freeze to death?

She blinks, her false eyelashes make her look like she’s being attacked by spiders.

I really am trying to wish them well but mostly I’m just wishing them well away from me.


My Review:


Holy smokes, this was not what I was expecting but an engaging and relatable tale nonetheless. The premise had a British reality TV star escaping unwanted notoriety to the south of France after she was “officially disgraced” when her then-boyfriend, a publicity, and fame-obsessed reprobate and scum bucket, leaked a sex tape she was unaware he had created. Oh, and he was also cheating on her with her best friend, ouch. It was no wonder she wanted nothing to do with social media or men in general, much less a well-known TV chef who happened to have escaped to the same French locale. Yet their chemistry overcame their misgivings and – gasp – their connections were so erotic I was gasping like a fish out of water.

The writing was easy to follow and predominately the inner musings and observations of JoJo as she navigated her transition from disgraced to empowered with the support of her new friends and heartthrob. I was quite taken with the cleverly chosen quotes used to start each chapter and also the timely and insightful inclusion of The Power of Now, which I confess requiring Googling to accurately recall.

A lovely feel good story with a great plot and some great characters, definitely an author I will be reading more from in the future.

Highly recommended if you are looking for a lovely bit of escapism lately!

Whilst this is the third book in the “A French Escape” series, I can honestly say it works well as a standalone as I haven’t read the previous two books. This story tells JoJo Grant’s story. She became famous as part of a reality show but infamous, too. I was surprised and disappointed there was no mention of any legal comeback on JoJo’s ex as a result of his antics – he certainly deserved them! Now she’s spent most of a year hiding herself out of the public eye, wearing baggy clothing trying not to draw any attention to herself. She’s also been running the guest house belonging to Poppy and helping plan Poppy’s wedding to the local vet, Leo. There are some absolutely hilarious incidents involving the dogs which share their home, especially after JoJo adopts one that proves to be a mischievous kleptomaniac!

When Leo’s friend Callum comes to help organise their barn restaurant, Poppy and Leo try matchmaking but, even though she admires the handsome celebrity chef, she no longer wishes to be in the limelight and resists their mutual attraction. I absolutely loved this book until 49% through when it changes from a slow burn contemporary romance dealing with some very important issues into something bordering on erotica with graphic descriptions of sizzling hot sex scenes which I really hadn’t anticipated being included in this book and which, for me, detracted from the brilliant plot up to that point but you’ve been warned now and so it may not spoil it for you and I know others enjoy reading them so don’t let it put you off!

There are some brilliant characters in the story. Poppy is such a caring, kind and supportive friend to JoJo, even if somewhat scatterbrained at times. JoJo’s family are always there for her, even if she’s left them behind when she ran. Now she’s developing her self confidence again and it is great to follow this, though there are times when her insecurities return, especially if she overhears or believes others are commenting about her. Callum is superb at helping JoJo look at events from a different point of view and to support her in facing up to her ex boyfriend and ex best friend – and the dogs come to her rescue, too! There is a powerful message at the end about not letting others label you, choose your own label and be prepared to stand up for yourself despite what others may say.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

I expected a fluffy chick lit romance and instead got a very explicit romp! But it did deal with a serious underlying theme . JoJo was a star of reality TV show Sex in Suburbia- she hadn't set out to be but when her English cafe was chosen as a setting for the how, she became involved, and in a relationship with one of the stars, Aiden. We meet JoJo a year after she has fled England as "disgraced reality star Joanna Grant" after her boyfriend leaked an explicit sex tape, made without her knowledge, and dumped her publicly for her best friend. JoJo has been living quietly, running her friend Poppy's guesthouse in the south of France with a menagerie of dogs, hiding from the public. When Poppy's fiance Leo's friend, celebrity chef Callum O'Connor, comes to stay JoJo does not intend to get involved. What follows is a story of her finding her confidence and her way back - and way to go! I so wanted her to trust Cal and really hoped he would be a good guy. Some very explicit scenes as the chemistry sizzles, and a joyous story!

I will be honest. What I expected was a nice breezy summary read, but this book is far from a cute little love story. JoJo Grant is the victim of a sex tape scandal and for one year she has been keeping a low profile in the French countryside. Even after all this time, she is tormented by the memories left by it, constantly reminded by the English tourists who recognise this former reality TV star. The world is really bleak indeed when everyone presupposes things without any knowledge of what really happened.
With the arrival of Callum, some of her previous confidence and passion for life returns, but that journey is hectic indeed. Added to this is the news of her ex-boyfriend and ex-bestie coming to France. With lots of interior monologues, Lorraine Wilson gives us an idea of the trauma she deals with and the inner struggles she faces to return as the familiar happy JoJo. All is not gloomy though. There are a group of canine friends who will amuse you throughout and there is Poppy's wedding to look forward to.
Altogether, this has been a meaningful and enlightening story that will move you to tears in no time. I found myself cheering for JoJo throughout. Way to go, dear girl!

What a wonderful trip to France!

This books has two very different sides to it.  A lovely romantic setting and a blossoming relationship between two characters with sizzling chemistry On the other hand there's a more sinister theme running though it that highlights some major issues faced by people more and more. 

JoJo left England and started a new life in France after being humiliated and betrayed in an incident that ended up on TV with most of the country seeing it.  When Cal, a celebrity chef' arrives in her safe haven her world falls apart and her new found confidence is rocked once more.  There's some serious tension between the two of them but JoJo has been involved with a celebrity before and look where that got her!

For me this was more than a romance.  This was about a broken woman finding herself again and recovering from a traumatic experience.  JoJo was a sweetheart but it was clear from early on how vulnerable she had become and at times it was heartbreaking to see her low self esteem.  I really wanted to splay Aiden and Sally around the head.  Cal is part of that process, helping JoJo to see who she once was and that she can hold her head up with pride.  The chemistry between them was hot from the beginning and I was willing them along the whole time whilst feeling really protective over JoJo.  JoJo is written with sensitivity and thoughts and I think Lorraine really wrote her vulnerable side well whilst giving the reader a glimpse of her former self. 

The setting of this novel is superb and so rustic.  I just completely went there too.  And, since I'm unlikely to be tasting any wonderful cuisine on far away shores this year I read every food description with delight.  Yummy!       

And I cannot go without mentioning the wonderful collection of four legged friends in this novel who are all little stars.

A moving, feel good novel with a wonderful setting.  Thoroughly enjoyable.

4.5/5 stars
The South of France is the setting for Lorraine Wilson’s French Escape series, and what an escape this story provides.

We first meet JoJo in Poppy’s Place in the Sun when she befriends Poppy and moves in to help with the restoration of Les Coquelicots to turn it into a B and B. Her sweetness and extraordinary talent in the kitchen are matched only by the mystery of her past. That past comes to confront her in Jojo’s French Escape and her journey to moving past it, is quite a story of female empowerment.

Cyber-bullying and slut-shaming have become such a part of modern (technology) life and indeed, a daily reality for many. JoJo has the misfortune of being unknowingly filmed while having sex with her boyfriend, by said boyfriend. The tape was then released for public consumption when he needed a boost for his reality star status. The immediate aftermath of that event is told through intermittent flashbacks and email correspondence with her sister. The scars that betrayal and the ensuing bullying left, however, are shown over and over again in the present.

The author manages to paint a vulnerable yet strong character in JoJo. Through her, the issue of social media bullying is brought to the fore and condemned. Yet, there is no pulpit criticism. There is only a compellingly drawn heroine who struggles to reclaim her life, her identity and her self-respect.

Enter Cal, a celebrity chef with the prettiest blue eyes and most soul searching questions. He does not save JoJo, rather he encourages her to save herself. He gives her the tools to reclaim her life. Both he and she recognize that this is a battle she must fight and win for herself. Their dialogue is beautifully written and through it, you can see how they fall in love with each other. The subject of their conversations are funny, sweet and at times heartbreaking. Their chemistry leads to some pretty racy scenes but yet scenes that also show JoJo regaining her pride, courage and self-esteem.

The dogs, oh my goodness the dogs… they almost make me want to go out and get two or three… almost! We met the dynamic trio of Pickwick, Treacle and Peanut in Poppy’s story. They were soon joined by the blind, loveable Barney. In this story, JoJo rescues her own sweetie pie, Flump. Flump, is a little matchmaker at heart and certainly orchestrates some umm… rather interesting situations for his two favourite humans. Then there was the stolen vibrator incident… but that’s a while other story! Needless to say, the dogs once again provide some wonderful comic relief.

Readers of the first story of the series get to enjoy Poppy and Leo’s wedding. There are also some stag and hen event shenanigans to bring out a laugh. The descriptions of the scenery and the food delight all the senses.

These varied elements truly combine for a most fantastic read. This is definitely a series that I intend to keep up with and an author, whose other books I must explore!

Jojo's French Escape is a light-hearted, sexy story that touches on the ways social media affects lives through outright lies, manipulation, and shamming. This could have been a meaningful book instead most of the book was built around a budding romance and sexual interludes...none explicit...but enough to make the book seem frivolous. The Epilogue finally gives the point of the whole book and I quote...

"We all have the choice, to decide who we want to be."
"If you've ever been told you're not enough and believed it, it's not true. You are enough. You matter and you're amazing!"

Perhaps, in the end, this makes the book a good read for all who don't think they are "enough" or know someone who feels that way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a nice romantic easy read with splash of girl power and enough sauciness to make you feel a little bit hot under the collar!
❤️
I like the way the book makes you really think about how you feel about the way you are seen by others and wether it actually matters or not which is a massive subject in society in this day in age!
❤️
I absolutely love the main characters JoJo and Cal and think everyone needs a friend like Poppy and Leo.
❤️
This is the first time reading anything by this author but I will definatley be looking out for more! #blogtour @rachelsrandomresources

Before I delve into my nitty gritty thoughts, I want to briefly touch on the message that this story conveys as it’s something incredibly important. JoJo hasn’t had an easy time of it in regards to her love life, after finding herself splattered all over social media for all and sundry to see. Literally. Thanks to her ex boyfriend, Aiden, JoJo was put into a position that nobody should ever find themselves in. The meanings of consent, trust, misuse of power, and emotional damage, are the building blocks to the message of the storyline, and as I said above, a very important message at that. Nobody has the right to refuse you when it comes to using the word ‘NO’, and nobody should ever use you in a way where the law is being questioned.

I know that what I have written above sounds very deep and serious (that’s because it is), but there is a lot of humour to go alongside that depth. Also, if you’re a fan of the old sex scene then make yourself comfortable as there is quite a few in here! Believable and hot to trot on one hand, yet on the other hand, the use of the word ‘sex’ and ‘folds’ to describe the vaginal region had me cringing big time. For me, those words poured water over the heat and turned a highly charged scene into a ‘noooo’.

That aside, I thought the dogs were absolutely brilliant – I wish I I called my rescue dog ‘Flump’! How brilliant is that name! Barney is such a dote and reminded me of my own little Barney dog. Flumps antics with the stealing were hilarious! He, alongside the other four legged friends mentioned, were the stars of the show in my eyes. 100 percent.

I flew through this novel, and I ended up really enjoying the strong friendships and companionships that were described in such moving detail. I could tell that the author really believed in those relationships and that they were written straight from the heart.

An enjoyable read with a rough around the edges storyline that showed promise.

The perfect start to the weekend a lovely escapist summer read set in France. Romance, friendship and lots of dogs make this an uplifting read with red hot romance and a motivational ethos.

JoJo, an ex-reality star, betrayed by her boyfriend, spent the last year in France, under the radar, recovering. A new celebrity chef is visiting. The disgrace and infamy, of her former life, threaten to engulf her.

Callum and JoJo’s unlikely romance is passionate. Both are wary, but their physical attraction soon deepens into an emotional involvement neither expected. There are many love scenes in this story, all well written and part of JoJo’s acceptance of her true self.

This story explores the power of reality tv and social media and its costs. The ending is powerful and uplifting.

I received a copy of this book from the author and One More Chapter in return for an honest review.

Sexy but important themes

I found the themes of this novel to be very interesting, and, without all the erotic scenes, it would make a great young adult book. The prevalence of online bullying and posting of sexual content without permission is a serious matter, especially for teens and young adults; our heroine JoJo is a victim while thinking it's all her fault and making serious life changes to compensate.

I, too, did find the erotic scenes a bit too frequent and detailed and, frankly, a bit excessive in terms of moving the plot or characters along. I was very happy with the overall plot, characters and fantastic setting, so still recommend this book. Since this is book 3 of a series, I now must find and read the other two books!

Thank you to the publisher who provided me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and reflects my honest opinion.

Not only a great escapist read in these trying times, but just an all around great book. Excellent character growth, and will be recommending to my friends in need of something different.

Lorraine Wilson is back with an irresistible romantic read set in the French countryside full of humour and heart readers will want to read in a single sitting: JoJo’s French Escape.

The weight of her devastating secret has been weighing heavily on Jojo Grant’s shoulders. In the last year, Jojo has been hiding out in her sanctuary in the French countryside hoping that her shocking and shameful secret never sees the light of day and thus far, Jojo has succeeded in keeping everything under wraps. Jojo has enjoyed all the peace and quiet of the serene life she has been leading – even if she is constantly haunted and terrified by what might happen should anyone ever realise just what she has been hiding. Yet, it looks like the time has come for Jojo to stop clinging to the shadows as celebrity chef Callum O’Connor has come to stay and he is about to shake Jojo’s life and turn it upside down…

While Jojo would be happy never to see a camera in her life ever again, Callum is her polar opposite. A man who thrives on attention and publicity, Callum is surprised to see Jojo and the quiet and secluded life she has been leading. Well aware of her past as a reality TV star and the scandal that had dogged her and pursued her, Callum is baffled as to why Jojo is still hiding and why she has let it rule her life and condemn her to a lifetime of loneliness where she keeps most people at bay. Jojo has absolutely got nothing to be ashamed of and Callum is convinced that all she needs to do is to stop hiding and be a little braver and take a few tentative steps back into the real world. But that proves to be easier said than done…

As the two begin to spend more and more time together, romance soon blooms under the French skies, but with Callum thriving on the glare of the paparazzi’s lights and Jojo recoiling from them, will their differences end up driving them further apart? Or will love find a way for the two of them to be together?

Lorraine Wilson writes the most wonderful books that never fail to leave readers with a great big smile on their faces and Jojo’s French Escape is no different. Not only does she make readers feel as if they are in France surrounded by picturesque countryside and delicious food, but in Jojo’s French Escape, Lorraine Wilson has written a stirring, emotional, funny and compulsively readable tale about courage, second chances and healing that kept me entertained and engrossed throughout.

Jojo is a terrific heroine. Not being the biggest of reality TV fans, I wasn’t sure initially whether I could relate and sympathise with her, but I loved Jojo from the moment she appeared on the page. Callum is a sexy, gorgeous, confident and charismatic hero readers are sure to fall for.

An uplifting and warm-hearted summer romance, Lorraine Wilson’s Jojo’s French Escape is feel-good reading at its finest!

Good setting and plot, interminable navel-gazing!😒

I was really looking forward to a feel-good romance with a beautiful backdrop. The plot itself and the key discussion of social media shaming and trolling were good, relevant, rife with possibility. The languid, sunny setting in Languedoc, its gorgeous medieval sites, its markets and delectable dishes: yes, that was all I had expected and hoped for. The 🐕pets were darling, especially the way their individual personalities came forth.

But the story's execution caused me problems. Here are my major bugaboos:

- Once intimacy starts, the steamy sessions are too frequent and way too extended. For me, at least on this subject, less is more and the romance does not have to be saturated with non-stop 💦steam!

- Way too much repetitive introspection on the part of JoJo. My impression: two-thirds of the story (possibly more!) is her waffling and inwardly gazing and worrying. Neither uplifting nor interesting to me after I'd read her same concerns DOZENS of times!

- The big confrontation climax was almost a non-event; I frankly only stuck with the story so long because I was waiting for JoJo's big moment. JoJo came out to the good but, for me, it was barely worth the wait.

And, sorry, but I was not that stuck on JoJo's new romantic interest. At times he comes across as a smug know-it-all.

So, I was looking for a light, romantic escape and this story did not meet those expectations. JoJo's angst and fears, no matter how realistic, were too omnipresent in the book to make it a good fit for me.

Thanks to publisher Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and the opinions expressed are my own.

Likeable characters, adorable pups, and a connection that will warm your heart, JOJO'S FRENCH ESCAPE by Lorraine Wilson is the perfect read to escape into on these beautiful, sunny evenings.

JoJo has left behind her life and is licking her wounds in the French countryside where she hopes to hide from the world indefinitely. But when celebrity chef, Callum O'Connor, shows up, Jojo soon realises that her solitude is about to be shattered and she just isn't ready to deal with the fallout from what has happened to her. But as JoJo and Callum get to know each other, he cannot understand why she is willing to hide from the truth when he knows what a strong and capable woman she is beneath it all. Can JoJo find it in her to let go of the past and grab a hold of a future that could make her the happiest she has ever been?

A stunning setting and a great cast of characters are just some of the wonderful things about this book. JoJo is relatable and as it became clear what happened, I wanted her to find happiness and the strength to be herself. I enjoyed watching JoJo and Callum learn more about each other and there is a delicious tension between them that really made me smile. And we cannot forget about the adorable pups that will make you want to run to your nearest shelter and adopt ( but remember dogs are for life!).

JOJO'S FRENCH ESCAPE by Lorraine Wilson is a thoroughly enjoyable story and I look forward to reading more from this author.

I first got to know JoJo in Christmas at the Château, book 2 in the French Escape series. Now, we find get to find out why she came to France and what happens next! 

Sex in the Suburbs reality T.V. series gave JoJo her fifteen minutes of fame but it came at a huge personal cost. One sex tape later, she's hiding in Southern France trying to rebuild her life, after leaving her bakery business in the UK. When Irish celebrity chef, Callum O'Connor turns up, lustful sparks fly between them. However, T.V. producers in the UK want JoJo to be part of a new reality spin-off show...along with her ex Aiden and his girlfriend. Is the sexy chef the reason her whereabouts have been uncovered, or is his presence at the Château a coincidence? 

Oh my, this novel is sexy and the chemistry between JoJo and Cal is off the scale. As a couple, their physical attraction is instantaneous, their sexy trysts are frequent, however, there's nothing gratuitous in their loved-up scenes as it merely reflects how they are as a couple. 

Cal is the perfect partner for JoJo; he's wise, "deep" with his thoughts and has an ability to make JoJo see her situation from a different perspective. He's also using his time in France to re-evaluate his own past like JoJo, but will they feature in each other's future? 

For those who have read either of the previous books in the series, you'll be happy to catch up with Poppy and Leo, as their wedding gets closer and plans for the château begin to take shape. 

My only "tiny" gripe is about the dogs… there are many, very cute but I felt they stole a bit too much of the limelight away from their humans. Although in kleptomaniac Flump's defence, he plays a useful role at the perfect time! Saying that, if you love adorable dogs, you'll love them all!

Overall, another well thought out and written novel by Ms Wilson set against a beautiful backdrop with relatable and likeable characters and a pleasurable ending.

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***