Member Reviews
Archived prior to download. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
Sadly this one just wasn`t for me. The characters were alright, but not too interesting that made me like them alot or care for them. I didn`t feel the chemistry either.
This book did nothing wrong, but it wasn't able to hold my attention. The characterization fell flat in several places, and I think that contributed to my general inability to care how this story ended. However, I did thoroughly enjoy how this book took special attention to the setting; it was atmospheric.
Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this early. I have never read anything by this author so i was excited when I was granted access. What a fun, cute read! It's perfect for the current times to escape reality.
Light, fun read with a dramatic twist. Amazing plot, wonderfully realistic characters and real emotion fill the pages of this book!
Adèle is running an events company in her small town when Finn and his family move back and look into opening an events company of their own. From the beginning you will love every character in this book and find yourself waiting impatiently for what happens next.
Thank you NetGalley and Kelly St-Laurent for this edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner
False Start Fairy Tale is a really cute story. I enjoyed it.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
This is definitely a book to treasure. I found myself reading late into the night, wanting to read on but not to finish. I so enjoyed this book and found the romance and all the history of the two families fascinating.
After the first chapter, which will have you hooked, the book alternates between Adele Villeneuve, the owner of an events company in her hometown of Saint-Germain and Finn Renier, the son of her father’s hated enemy. From their very first encounter, Adele and Finn are destined to repeat the events that torn apart any romance between these two families.
I loved the past story, which was slowly revealed, as well as the story behind Finn and his family’s sudden return to their family home. Both characters tell the story and I loved how the relationship developed despite the many setbacks that they faced. Finn, whilst trying to bring Adele out of her shell, is ridden with guilt. I thought that his character was complemented by Adele, who whilst serious, is so caring of everyone that she meets. In many ways, each plays a pivotal role in bringing this story forward and making it the great romance story that it is.
This is the first time that I have read a book by this author, but I will definitely be adding her to my list of authors to follow.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed Adele and Finn’s story. This is my first book from this author and she kept me interested enough that I’ll definitely be reading more from her!
It’s an okay romance!
It’s a pretty quick read with a straight forward tale. There’s a feud going on between two families, but now we have the main character (the daughter on one side) doing a dance around the other family, especially as she tries to keep her business afloat.
It can be a little frustrating to read, though. I was a bit fed up with some of the stubbornness going on and this whole secret thing given how the families are portrayed, but that wouldn’t make for a very long read if they just got it all over with in one or two sittings. If you need a light hearted romance to read this might be down your alley.
I enjoyed this modern take of Romeo and Juliet. Finn and Adele were both likable characters and had good chemistry. The whole reason their families did not like each other felt a little weak and the resolution between the families cane too easily for a hatred that spanned decades. That being said, I enjoyed the story and think the author has a great writing style.
This modern day Romeo and Juliet story was so wonderful. The story alternates between the point of view of Adele and Finn and explores the old secrets that led to their families feuding for generations. I loved Adele and Finn so much, and watching their relationship move from enemies to friends to romantic partners was so enjoyable.
Hands down one of the sweetest, most romantic story I have read this year! My heart is overflowing with love!
Adele and Finn’s story is one full of angst, laughter, family and most importantly forgiveness! The heat between these two was felt from the second they met! Each interaction only heightened the desire and when they finally caved to the heat it was felt through the pages!
I loved more than anything how the author weaved the past into the present! Finn and Adele’s fates weren’t their own but no matter how they felt deep inside the pains of the past could not be forgotten! What seems like an impossible love just might get it’s chance but they will have to face more than their family names to get what they desire most; a future!
I loved how Adele and Finn balanced one another out! She was the light to his darkness! The balm over his pain but he was her strength and his love was everything she’d ever dreamed of! I could gush over and over again about this amazing book but it has to be experienced! You have to feel their love and experience this crazy beautiful tiny town and all the amazing people in it!
I enjoyed this book; it was completely a romance which I guess I didn't realize when I got it; I thought it would be more of a women's fiction novel. It was still nice.
The story was told from Adele and Finn's alternating viewpoints. There was some language and a moderate blush factor as it is a romance. The story overall was nice and the writing was fine.
If you are looking for a nice romance set in the countryside of France, with a few small twists and turns but nothing crazy, you would enjoy this book a lot.
I received an ARC of this book as a reviewer for NetGalley.
I knew from the moment I saw the cover with Chateau de Cheverny that I had to read this book, so I was very excited to receive an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As stated I absolutely love the cover. I went to France in March and was able to visit Cheverney so I love that the image was used for the fictional chateau in the story. I had not read a book by Kelly St-Laurent so I didn't have any expectations good or bad for this book. I devoured this book reading it in essentially one sitting on a Sunday afternoon.
I found the romance between Adele and Finn very sweet, fun, and believable. I loved the seamless transitions between the character's POVs and their banter back and forth especially early on in the book. The book had moments where it reminded me of Laura Florand's La Vie en Rose series. When I read the scene at the B&B I figured they had to be characters from another book and they do appear to be in The Sea of Lost Things which I now want to read.
The only thing I really did not love was Finn's backstory. I like my characters flawed but it seemed more like a major red flag that I don't think most people would so easily forgive. However it was well written and did not seem like an afterthought and clearly I enjoyed the book as a whole.
I hope there will be other books that tie into this one.
False Start Fairy Tale is like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet without all the tragedy and death. When Adele Villeneuve, owner of the only events company in her small French hometown, learns that her family’s arch enemies, the Reniers, are returning to open and events-company, she is determined that they won’t run her out of business. As Adele and Finn work together instead of against each other, there seems like there could be hope for both businesses and families.
However, the more she gets to know Finn, the more she questions the old feud and everything she knows about her family and the Renier’s. Can Adele and Finn heal the wounds of the past and have a future together, or will the rivalry ruin their chances?
Oh my word, the enemies-to-lovers romance! The chemistry between Adele and Finn is fantastic! They know that their love is forbidden, and yet they are drawn together. Finn hesitates, not wanting to put Adele’s life at risk because of his dark past. Adele also tries to fight her feelings because of the family feud. However, their feelings for each other prove stronger than their misgivings.
Though the romance between Adele and Finn is the highlight of the book, the mystery of the Villeneuve-Renier feud is also worth mentioning. Like Romeo and Juliet, no one really remembers how it began, and yet it still continues. It is interesting to see how different sides have different stories of what occurred in the past.
I also appreciated the strong messages presented. Facing one’s past, choosing love, trying to live up to parental expectations, exposing and moving on from the truth of the past, and learning one’s self-worth are all woven into the story in a powerful and meaningful way.
This is a great contemporary romance with a sexy love story, a decades-old feud, a quaint and close French setting, and strong themes of love, family, and community. Though it is my first Kelly St-Laurent books, it sure won’t be my last! Thanks so much to Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was honestly disappointed with this novel. I love an enemies to lovers story and even better when there is a family feud but this novel failed to move me. Both sides were constantly bringing up the feud and although Adele and Finn looked like they might beat the odds the family drama kept getting between them. Just not enough to keep me interested.
I was drawn to this book on NetGalley by the pretty cover and so happy that I requested it. It’s a great book! I’m a sucker for almost anything that takes place in France, but this was a great star crossed lovers romance. Adele & Finn are part of families who have have a family feud for almost 70 years. Of course we know they are going to fall in love, but there is a lot of great mystery and backstory to their family histories. Great modern day romance. I look forward to reading more books from this author!
This is my first book of Kelly's and I DO have The Sea of Lost Things as well so I'm excited to read that one too. That first chapter made me sad but in a good way because Kelly really showed the emotions from Mae and Tom. Finn and Adele, love this couple. What I was not expecting was the past some of these people had, and I'm leaving it at that because I don't want to spoil the story. Lets just say it was unpredictable and the pace was good.
I really love this cover too.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.