<b>Aix Marks the Spot by S.E. Anderson 5 Stars</b>

I thought I knew exactly what to expect from this story. I was very wrong about that. This book was great but it handles some deeper subject matter. There is some romance, which I'll talk about later, but it takes the backseat to a few other things in this.

Jamie always thought going to France would be for the best vacation. Then after a terrible accident she's sent away from her parents to the grandmother shes never met. She doesn't have a solid grasp on the French language either. Completely by accident she finds a letter that starts her on an amazing search across the french countryside. Luckily she meets a boy in the town where her grandmother lives, Valentin, whose willing to help her with her treasure hunt.

First I want to talk about Jamie. At the start of this book she is in a bad place. Actually I think bad place might be an understatement. Misery might be a better word actually. Jamie is basically feeling completely hopeless with he life now. Luckily she doesn't stay in that state. I think she grows to understand so much about herself in this book. Even though a romance develops she doesn't let it overtake her mission. Her determination is amazing, but sometimes it doesn't lead to the best decisions on her part. She was a flawed protagonist, but I think that kept her relateable.

Then there's the love interest Valentin. I really liked his character for pretty much the whole book. There were moments here and there where he was frustrating, but like with Jamie I think that kept his character grounded. He wasn't this perfect boy Jamie instantly fell in love with where nothing bad every happens. He had some moments where he got seriously angry with Jamie and just in general. Still, he traveled with Jamie day after day to left her with this treasure hunt mission she gave herself. He's obviously a loyal friend even when they're new ones.

A major part of the plot of this story has to do with Jamie's family. Her father hasn't spoken to his mother, the grandmother Jamie staying in France, for years. Jamie's parents fled France when she was a baby and didn't love book in all that time. Throughout the story more and more about what happened back then is slowly revealed. There were some truly heartbreaking and like angering scenes with the grandmother. She was definitely not a simple character.

There's also Jamie's relationship with both her parents. At the start of the book Jamie sees herself as exiled after what happened to her mother. She is so completely overcome by guilt that she doesn't question it at all. She basically cuts herself off from her parents once she gets to France. It's all a lot more complicated than that, though. I can't really explain but overall I really enjoyed the way family was handled in this story.

This book also takes a hard look at tourism and what it does to the countries and cultures people visit. The grandmother in this book is very much against foreigners. Throughout the book there are these moments were tourists are absolutely awful. I was cringed at these awful people even though I know they're fictional. I don't have any trouble believing that these things have happened and will probably happen agian.

Overall I abolutely loved this story. It was really easy to read. It was so great to see the emotional journey that Jamie went on through this book.

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I've always wanted to visit France, and am even learning French in my spare time- So when I saw this book I was intrigued. Sarah Anderson describes the countryside beautifully and the French language is featured heavily in this book. At times I had to pull out my Google translate app in order to fully understand the semantics of a conversation. I felt totally immersed at times like these, and could really understand what the main character, Jamie, was going through. Unfortunately, the rest of the book fell kind of flat for me. The imagery was what kept me turning the pages, not the plot. I didn't really find myself caring too much about the treasure hunt, nor about the romance between Jamie and Valentin. Overall this is a great book, especially for my fellow lovers of French culture.

As an American author living in France, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Anderson also lives in this beautiful country– she knows what she's writing about and the locations in Provence come alive! Tu vois? There is more to France than just Paris! The story is wonderful. Jamie is a lovable character, complete with teen angst and emotional reactions that (for reasons) go all over the place. Valentin is the sweet, kind...and super cute love interest. It was fun seeing how their relationship developed. The "treasure hunt" was an amazing way to not only highlight different areas in Provence but also played an important role in Jamie's growth. This, of course, is in addition to Jamie navigating a new culture, a language she doesn't quite grasp, and "fitting in." A sweet read, I loved this book and it hit the spot.

If anyone thinks the description is captivating enough to read this book, once you dive into the pages, you soon realize it did not do it justice. I'll explain why I think this book should be read by anyone who has felt not wanted, insecure of the one place you think should be safe: "home".

I expected a light read, a book about a cool European scavenger hunt, and I was ready to learn about the culture through the words. Although, I did enjoy the many places, beautifully described in this book, at the same time, I became captivated by how complex each character was. For one, Jamie (Jammy), the main character, is by far the most authentic teenager I have read in a while, as she actually sounded her age, when talking to others or in he inner thoughts. Even though, I found some of her thoughts a bit repetitive, specially at the start, I would also have them myself if I were in her place.

I could classify this book as a love story, but more than anything, it's about learning to understand your roots, and your family. How communication between loved ones should be one of the main factors in the relationship, or a lot of heartache could ultimately destroy the bond.

Centered in an underrated French town, as a reader, you get to learn a lot of the culture, many French words (sentences), and a lot about how to not be culturally inappropriate when visiting somewhere far away from home.

Be ready to go "sightseeing" in this beautiful book about authentic and real people!

I received an ARC of this book via NetGally. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own. 4 stars for this entertaining adventure released just in time for a great summer read!

Aix Marks the Spot was a delightful read following Jamie as she discovers family secrets, love, and herself while being exiled in Provence, France with her grandmother she’s never known. In the “Acknowledgments”, Sarah Anderson shares she grew up in Provence. This book transported me to France with all the wonderful descriptions. I’ve never been to France but now I feel like I have instead of being guaranteed at home during the stay home order. There was a great mix of English and French communication which gave more authenticity to this book. I’ve never spoken French but after finishing this book I want to learn more phrases! I gained a deeper appreciation for France and it’s culture. It fulfilled my “travel bug” needs just when I needed it. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a fun adventure full of travel, family drama, and finding love. #AixMarkstheSpot #NetGalley

I saw this book on bookstagram and knew I wanted to read it. I absolutely loved it. It drew me in and I didn't want to take a break. Definitely did not disappoint!

I wasn’t completely sure what to expect going into this book, but I love travel novels, so I thought I’d give this a try. What I didn’t expect was how comforting this book would be at a time when I really needed that.

This isn’t always a happy book: Jamie struggles constantly with cultural identity, self-blame, and isolation. As someone who has grappled a lot with isolation and the need to find my place in the world, a lot of Jamie’s struggles really hit home for me. But reading about the people, places, and experiences that help her to slowly step out of her hopelessness and find her joy again is like a bowl of hot soup on a cold day. I was amazed how…warm I felt after I finished this book.

And aside from the personal/emotional side of the story, it was actually a lot of fun, too – I loved getting to explore Provence with Jamie! The scenery, the culture, the food (ugh, this book made me hungry…) – all of it was so evocative. A good travel-themed novel should be transportive; that’s exactly what this was for me. And the supporting characters! I loved them 🙂 Valentin was ADORABLE, and even though his friends were only in one scene, I loved them, too. Jamie and Valentin had that friends-first kind of chemistry that made for a really sweet romance – because they connected as friends before they fell for each other, their connection felt real and earned. While there was definitely an attraction from the start, it doesn’t feel like instalove. And the family connection…ugh. I have a *thing* for mother-daughter books right now, for whatever reason, so that part of the story hit home, too.

None of us can exactly go out for a warm croissant right now, but this book is the next-best thing.

ENDNOTES

One-Sentence Summary: apparently, Provence is a pretty good therapist.

Favorite Scene: the barbecue scene :’)

Something that Stood Out: nothing about the actual book, just…the way I felt after I finished. The story was like a blanket.

Something that Bugged Me: I feel like the author wanted to create multiple kinds of conflict to the point where there was just too much going on. There’s literally nothing in this story that isn’t a source of conflict, which makes sense, but still. Bit much.

Adult Content: a tiny bit of cursing, a little underage drinking, and, like, two references to sex? Mostly clean.

Rating: 4.5/5 Befuddled Emu (round up to 5 for NetGalley)

3.5/5 stars (rounded up to 4)
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! When an accident happens that leaves her mother horribly injured, Jaime finds herself sent to France to live with a grandmother she has never met. Unfortunately, Jaime does not speak French which makes her life very difficult. Plus, her grandmother seems to want nothing to do with her. She stumbles across a letter which sends her off on a treasure hunt through France. Her friend/translator/guide, Valentin, accompanies her. A journey of discovery, love, heartbreak, and finding one's self begins.

If you're looking for a sweet, adorable, or cute book, this one's for you. I loved the fact this book took place in France! I find other cultures fascinating and I loved the author's descriptions of the towns and the food and the language! Valentin was definitely my favorite character, but I honestly loved all the side characters. I literally had Google Translate up to translate some of the French as I read along; this might bother other readers, but there was usually enough context to figure it out. And if there wasn't enough context, then not figuring it out was kind of the point. I'm just overly curious and I love languages, so I enjoyed translating the lines! The dialogue in this book is very authentic. Some authors butcher dialogue that takes place between people speaking languages other than their first one. This author nailed it! The broken French and English at the same time, the stopping to figure out one particular word, getting confused from rapidly switching back and forth for so long--it felt very realistic and I loved it!

I gave this book 3.5 stars for a couple reasons. Towards the end, the book started to feel rushed. I didn't have time to properly appreciate or process certain things. Without spoiling anything, there is one topic that is only vaguely mentioned towards the end of the book and I felt as if it was skipped over a lot. I also wasn't the hugest fan of Jaime and the way she treated Valentin sometimes. I understand that she was going through a lot, but he didn't deserve all of the backlash he got. I also wish the ending wasn't so short and abrupt; there was more I would've liked to see happen there, but it was satisfying enough to please me.

All in all, this book was sweet and enjoyable! Any one who loves France or a cute rom-com adventure should consider reading this!

Have you ever read “Anna and the French Kiss?” Think of how adorable that book was, multiply the swoon factor by 1000% for Valentin, throw in family drama and a treasure hunt, and you’ve found yourself in Provence with Jamie. As a French teacher, I love the detailed description of French villages, commentary on tourist etiquette, and the language used throughout. Even teaching into verlan melted my heart. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great YA read.

This is such a cute teenage romance. Jaime (Jammy) is sent to spend some time with her grandma in the French countryside after her mom has an accident. Upon exploring she discovers a note her father left for her mother years before and it opens the doorway for her to explore the environment around her and to solve the decade-old puzzle. Early on she finds a friend in a handsome young Frenchman, Valentin who helps her solve the puzzle and introduces her to the world around them.

I loved the author's descriptions of the environment. I wish I was more familiar with the places and things that were referenced. It was written in a way that was so intriguing I wanted to be there. Part of the story is the language barrier. I felt like I was living this myself as very little of what was said was translated and so I was just guessing based on context what it meant. Had I any understanding of the French language I might have enjoyed it more.

Overall a very very cute young adult love story for anyone interested in French culture.

Oh, this book. I feel so much but at the same time I don’t know how to feel. My emotions are a mess right now. I’m just so torn because I loved some parts of this story and didn’t like others. It’s like there is no middle path here. But let’s start with what I loved, shall we?

Well, Aix marks the Spot is an ode to Provence. It somehow manages to capture the essence of the region in a book and transport you there. I could hear the cicadas, could see the dry and hot but beautiful landscape, smell the lavender. Provence is one of my favourite regions on this planet and right now I want nothing more than to pack my stuff and go there. This book made me miss it so incredibly much my heart was ready to combust with longing. The descriptions of the villages and cities and nature were what I loved most in Aix marks the Spot. They were spot on (ha!). You could close your eyes and see it all before you. Taste the croissant on your tongue, smell the rain on the hot asphalt of a parking lot. I don’t know what to say. I just love Provence so much and this story made all the memories and feelings bubbling up. The magic of this region is on every single page.

Besides the setting I thought the plot was quite cute. Jamie and Valentin going on this treasure hunt and rediscovering Jamie’s parents‘ past letter by letter while Jamie and Valentin grow closer. I’d definitely read an entire novel about how the parents got to know each other and fell in love. From what I could gather in those letters, it must have been the most beautiful romance.

I also really liked Valentin. He’s warm and sweet and helpful, always nice and basically the equivalent of a cinnamon roll. To be honest, no matter what argument they had in the book, I somehow always took Valentin’s side.

Now, Jamie on the other hand? I did not like her much. And here lie all the problems I had with this book. I’m a very character focused reader and when I don’t like the protagonist it might drag down the whole reading experience for me. Unfortunately, this was the case here. Jamie is just so infuriating. She doesn’t really think about her actions and how they affect others. She needs to do things and she needs to do them now and needs to do them her way. Jamie doesn’t really listen to subtle (or not so subtle) hints and accuses people of acting a certain way but she herself is acting the exact same way and while I could understand some of those things, I was mostly just annoyed. This got better towards the end when she finally starts to reflect her actions. But it was such a short part of the book where I finally found her to be okay.

Generally, the ending was just so short and fast? I felt like I was still in the middle of the story and then it suddenly ended and left me wanting more. Especially when it comes to Valentin’s character. There was some stuff with his dad that never got explained and I wished there would have been more of that. I just wish the ending would have been longer and more detailed. While I’m at it: I would have loved this book so much more if the characters were described like the country was. My love for Provence was unburied and rekindled but the characters fell flat at some parts and I’d like to have as much detail and emotions in the characters as there were in Provence.

That said, this book is perfect for you if you love Provence or would like to go there. It will get you there instantly, even if it’s only in your mind.

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is not my usual genre, I’m more into crime/thriller books and even psychological thrillers too so I am extremely pleased and grateful to them for opening up my mind to something totally different.

I enjoyed this very much. 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I think the setting of Provence is described in unbelievably beautiful writing. It made me feel like I was there, in France, and it also made me want to desperately visit France. All the interactions between characters and the journey that Jamie took to explore all the different places in Provence was amazing and I loved it. From reading the author's note, it seems that almost all of the interactions she included in the book were based off of real things she experienced growing up in Provence, and I can see how her real-lived experiences translated into beautiful writing.

However, Anderson's attempt to create a cohesive story that included all these places and plots fell short for me. Jamie was supposed to be a late-high school-aged teenager, and yet she felt both incredibly young and naive in parts, and then incredibly old in other parts. She did not feel like a real character, and I consistently found myself going "there's no way an actual teenager would think like this, or say this, or be this narcissistic/naive/etc.". I just could not bring myself to connect with Jamie in a meaningful manner. I also found that the treasure hunt idea was great, but the hunt itself was poorly executed. Clearly the treasure hunt was included in the plot simply to give the characters a reason to go to all the different locations described, but it never felt like a real story. The reason behind the treasure hunt, that somehow it would save her mother, felt like such a delusional thought from Jamie that every time she mentioned it, it took me out of the story. I also wanted the love story between Jamie and Valentin to be drawn out a bit more, I never felt the chemistry between them (except for in random spots where it felt like the author suddenly remembered she needed to add chemistry) and it felt too forced.

Overall, I think Anderson is very talented at descriptive writing, and it is clear that her childhood in Provence was magical and her setting in this novel is magnificent. However, I think the actual story was disappointing because of plot inconsistencies and an overall sense of "this isn't what a teenager things or does". I would love to read perhaps a memoir from this author, or even if she wrote a nonfiction travel piece about Provence.

(I LOVE a good play on words) this story follows Jamie, a teenager sent to live with her estranged grandmother for a summer in the french countryside after a car accident with her family that left her mother re-learning to walk. seeing this trip as a punishment and determined to make things right, she sets off on a 17 year old treasure hunt her dad had set up for her mom before she was born. She enlists the help of a local boy named Valentin and together they roam southern France, following in the footsteps of her parents relationship. on the journey Jamie begins to form an important relationship for herself and also learns a lot about family and forgiveness along the way.
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This book gave me all the wanderlust (take me to France asap please) and did such an incredible job at making you feel like you were truly right there. this was a cute coming -of-age, summer romance story and reminded me a lot of #LoveandGelato & #LoveandLuck, however #AixMarksTheSpot was a little heavier. there is a lot of family strife in this book and a huge aspect of feeling like you don't belong anywhere. I found Jamie to be a little dramatic, then again what teenage girl who feels like the whole worlds against her isn't? Overall I really did enjoy this book and now I feel like I need to plan a trip to southern France immediately after this pandemic ends. 3.5⭐️

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for this honest review.

This is a book about Jamie who travels to her Mamie's in France for the summer. Originally she was supposed to go with her parents, but due to an accident her parents are unable to join her. She proceeds on a treasure hunt after she finds a love letter between her parents telling about a special surprise at the end of the clues scattered throughout different cities.

This book was ok. The premise of the book was very cute and mushy and made for an easy ride through the book, but there just wasn't much depth to really make it anything more. There was some mystery around the Jamie blaming herself for the accident that had severely injured her mom which was hinted at over and over throughout the book. It wasn't in a way in which it built on the book though, it was just laid out there over and over. Jamie constantly stating I can't have fun, because I did this to my mom. There's also a lack of character building and I didn't feel invested in them or the story until maybe the last quarter of the book. The wrap up at the end was so fast for all the 17 years of communication issues that had been talked about between Mamie and the parents and between Jamie and her parents. It just was too easy and not flushed out enough. Overall, the idea behind the story was fun, but I wish there had been a little more depth built in.

This is a pretty wholesome book, with themes I’m sure a lot of young people can relate to - a feeling of having no say or choice, and feeling lost or alone. Miscommunication is a classic trope in these sorts of novels, but it’s also pretty close to real life depending on the situation and family dynamic, so it was well done. I loved the world building; the descriptions of the landscapes, buildings, art, food etc were beautiful and so vivid that even I, who have never been to France, could visualise it all quite easily. I feel as if everything in the treasure hunt still being where it was is a bit convenient, and things were wrapped up a bit too fast and too well, but that adds to the wholesome ending.

The romance was a bit forced, I feel a friendship would have been better, or perhaps a slow burn that is hinted at towards the end would have been better. The narrative is also a little confusing, jumping between talking to the mother (You), and the reader.

All in all, a lovely read that I enjoyed reading.

This is honestly a really tough book to review because lots of this hits really close to home and I don't really know how to feel about it sometimes. My situation is a lot farther from Jamie's, as I grew up knowing my parent's home country and their families, but yet sometimes I feel as isolated and pushed out by it, even sometimes my own home country too (like Jamie struggles with but through different motivations). So a lot of the questioning where one belongs/what culture one belongs to hit hard. The letters in the novel themselves also clicked with a lot of my own experiences as I'm also someone who came to a different country to study, and I felt a lot of the same things that Jamie's mother did (like being seen as an American, or even a tourist, is something that makes me cringe a lot sometimes. And it's hard to explain how that impacted my reading experience, or my enjoyment of the book. It just made me feel raw or vulnerable at times, which honestly isn't a bad thing.

Honestly though, Anderson's representation of feeling between cultures, between families, between homes resonated deeply, which must mean that it was well done to a large extent. She captured a lot of what I've felt at times, being 'between' a lot of things myself. The way she portrayed European culture through American eyes was extremely well done as well, even done to the sometimes insanely small showers. Jamie had so many thoughts that I've had myself before, when comparing the two, or what I've heard Europeans say to me about America/ns. It just felt really authentic to reality, and I loved that.

Anderson also did a really great job of building up Provence, of bringing you along on Jamie's journey on her scavenger hunt. You feel her struggles when ordering, with tourists, and her enjoyment in all the new foods. You feel her awe when she comes across castles and beautiful, ancient cities, and I loved that so much. If this doesn't make people want to visit, I don't know what will.

The only reason this is 4 stars is because I found Jamie a little too frustrating at times, especially during her fights with Valentin. People lash out in anger but sometimes those fights, and the current conflict, felt a little forced, or worse, exaggerated. But honestly, this only detracted my enjoyment from very few scenes, as it honestly didn't happen that often.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and honestly didn't expect how real it would feel. I've always kind of avoided the books about Americans traveling to Europe (subconsciously, but still), but this might have convinced me to try and look for more.

Who doesn't love a good treasure hunt through Europe? Our story begins with our American girl Jamie being sent to her estranged grandmother in Provence. It really is quite mysterious as there are hints of a tragic mistake back home but nothing more. Jaime our as her counterparts says "Jaymee" feels a sense of loss as she cannot connect with her gran, the land or the people. Just when we think all hope is lost she finds a letter in her father's old room that will change her life forever. As she rushes to connect the missing pieces of the treasure hunt with her newfound friend Valentin, I must admit that I mourn her treatment of the places she has visited. As a young girl still trying to find herself, I wanted more- more connection with people, more connection with the places and ultimately more connection with herself as a person. While I was semi-happy at the end it made me question, "did she really grow up at all? did she really mature as an individual?"

Okay, so quite simply I couldn’t read this book fast enough! It was just so good. You know those books that keep you up until the early hours because you just have to know what happens? Well, AIX MARKS THE SPOT is definitely one of them.

It is a YA contemporary that tells the story of Jamie as she’s exiled away to France to live with the grandmother she’s never met. Oh and she doesn’t speak French, and the grandmother doesn’t speak English. Immediate conflict—plus the lingering question over why Jamie’s parents are estranged from the grandmother to start with.

And the backstory of Jamie’s mother’s injury is so well developed and incorporated smoothly into the narrative. Plus, how Jamie thinks she can heal her mother by her own actions in France bring in an element of magical thinking and false belief that isn’t often explored in YA fiction—or at least I’ve not come across it before.

Anderson is a master at characterisation. I immediately loved Jamie and Valentin, and loved the grandmother (in the kind of way you love complex characters who seem dark).

And the love story! Or should I say stories. This book has one love story wrapped up in another—it’s so good!

But there’s some really powerful and poignant stuff in here too. Many sentences made me pause and think deeply—you know the kind of writing I mean? The ones that just make you think how delicious this book is?

Oh and there’s humour too! A certain video scene had me laughing out loud.

This book has got everything you could possibly want in a YA contemporary: a complex exploration of family and redemption, powerful characters, and a look at how tragedy can lead to love, all wrapped up in a fun, treasure-hunt-style game.

I couldn't finish this book. Jamie was annoying. The French dialogue here and there also made it super hard for me to understand what was going on. I know sometimes they translated, but still sometimes they didn't translate what was said, and so I was even more confused. If you know French, then you'll probably like this book. I couldn't continue and stopped reading by chapter 15.