I unfortunately did not connect with this story so after about 25% i decided to put it down. There was a slight disconnect between the writing, the characters and the plot and for that it just did not work for me.

Lucy Checks In is a sweet and fun read! I look forward to reading more from Dee Ernst. Thank you for an early copy of this book.

I want to start by saying that I absolutely love books featuring mature women embarking on transformative journeys. They never fail to inspire and encourage me.

In this story, we follow Lucy, the 49-year-old protagonist who relocates to France in an attempt to leave behind some messy situations in the States and start over. The premise immediately reminded me of the author’s previous novel, Maggie Finds Her Muse, which I enjoyed overall. Naturally, I was hoping for a similar experience with this book.

Now, don’t get me wrong… this book has all the elements I appreciate in stories about older women starting over, and the supporting cast of characters is excellent. However, I wouldn’t say romance is a significant focus here. In my opinion, the love story was overwhelmed by the extensive hotel renovation details. While the renovation work was engaging at first, it eventually became monotonous. It was like reading an episode of Christina Haack’s home makeover show. Honestly, that’s not something I’m eager to read about.

I wish there had been more focus on relationship-building and less emphasis on the renovation details. Of course, that’s just my personal perspective. If you’re a fan of stories centered around found families and determined women, and you don’t mind plenty of renovation activities, this book might be a great fit for you!

Thank you @netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC, which I’ve read and reviewed voluntarily.

This was my first book by this author and overall it didn’t disappoint. It was entertaining from start to finish. After losing her job and fighting in court because of her ex boyfriend who stole from her job, she has to start over. She gets a job offer in France. She’s so excited until she gets there and sees what is in store for her. Add in an artist who lives in the hotel and it makes for an intriguing read. I would classify this as a second chance love story as Lucy begins her life again. I loved the characters around her. They really added to the story.

While I thought the initial premise was intriguing - a 50 year old embarking on a fresh start and renovating a hotel in France - I really had a hard time getting emotionally invested in the story. It was categorized as a romance but the interactions with a love interest were minimal and the main focus seemed to be on the multitudes of side characters that were so difficult to keep track of. I unfortunately had to DNF at about 80% when I found I really didn't have the interest to continue.

Lucy discovers that her romantic partner is a fraudster, and the scandal is making her persona non grata as well. To restart her career in hospitality, she moves to a small town in France to renovate an old hotel into a place that travelers would once again want to patronize. The hotel is already home to a few rather eclectic full-time residents, whom Lucy comes to cherish as they spend time together reimagining and remaking the hotel into an updated classic. This book is charming and relatively low-stakes, so it's a perfect book to read as a feel-good reset. It definitely made me want to do some traveling of my own someday to a quaint French town. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for an electronic arc of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

2 STARS

Lucy Checks In....and I checked out! I had high hopes for this quick read and it just fell flat for me. I couldn't relate to any characters, the storyline just didn't work for me and I struggled to finish this one.

Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst
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After facing a fraud investigation at her last job (that she was innocent in and clueless was happening), Lucy needs a fresh start. She is a bit desperate when she takes the job of managing a hotel in France. And when she shows up she realizes that she signed up for more work than she thought it would be.
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What I liked:
-I love a good redemption storyline! Lucy is trying to redeem her professional reputation, she’s floundering and out of her depth. I was ready from the get go to root for her!
-I adored the Hotel Paradis and all of it’s residents. Found family trope for the win!
-This story made me want to move to France, and I have never in my life thought I would ever want to live in France. I am packing my bags now. Please take me in.
-Lucy’s nieces stole my heart. I could have read many more chapters with them in the story.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Such a sweet and heart-happy book! Definitely recommend and the audio was fantastic.

A fun story filled with great characters. Lucia is renovating a new hotel and I loved this aspect. It was just a fun read and showed that women can find success and love later in life.

I really loved this book. thought it was well written and the plot progression was captivating. I loved the female driven plot and especially all the hardships she went thru. France was an amazing setting for this!!

This book felt more Y/A and not very romance forward. I felt like I was waiting and waiting for the romance to come and when it did… it just didn’t deliver very much. I think it’s a wonderful story about coming of age but just not my favorite.

LUCY CHECKS IN was not only a great romance, but an overall great work of contemporary fiction! The romance was delightful and swoon-worthy, but I particularly enjoyed learning about Lucy's job in the hotel management business -- so fun!

What a lovely story. I loved the European setting and the fact that they're restoring a hotel. I also loved the found family element and all of the great side characters. I wasn't expecting some of the heaviness in the novel, but it was all done very well. Overall a great read!

Lucia Giannetti needs a fresh start. Once the hotel manager of a glamorous NYC hotel and intimately involved with the hotel’s owner, Lucy had her entire future planned out. But when the owner disappears, taking millions of dollars with him, Lucy's life as she knows it falls apart.

Two years later, forty-nine years old and unemployed, Lucy takes a job in Rennes, France to manage the Hotel Paradis. She pictures fur quilts and extravagant chandeliers, but what she finds is wildly different. Lucy is now in charge of turning the run-down, but charming hotel into a bustling tourist attraction. Between painting rooms, building a website, and getting to know Bing, the irritatingly attractive artist, Lucy finds an unexpected home. But can she succeed in bringing the Hotel Paradis to its former glory?

Witty and heartfelt, Lucy Checks In is an inspiring and feel-good novel about reclaiming your life, finding love, and creating a home in places you never thought possible.

I was pleasantly surprised with this book!

I really enjoyed this feelgood story about Lucy, who's almost fifty and that needs to do a restart of her life. I loved the setting which is in a town in France and started thinking about moving there 😂

This novel was a little formulaic and a little too quick to try and tick all the boxes. The addition of a ghost element was just wonky and fell kind of flat. On the whole, it was an enjoyable read.

Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst is a delightful and uplifting read that is perfect for anyone seeking a lighthearted and humorous romance that explores themes of self-discovery, middle-aged love, and the joy of finding a new sense of purpose and belonging, making it a great fit for fans of feel-good fiction and romantic comedies.

This was a cute romcom with all the city vibes. I highly recommend this author to others five out of five recommend.

"Lucy Checks In" by Dee Ernst is a heartwarming novel about second chances. Lucy, a former high-flying hotel manager, finds herself in Rennes, France managing a charming but decidedly down-at-the-heels hotel. The story follows Lucy's efforts to revitalize the hotel while navigating her own personal journey of self-discovery. The setting of Rennes adds a touch of European flair, while the characters, including the "irritatingly attractive artist" Bing, are all likeable and well-drawn. The plot offers a feel-good blend of renovation challenges, personal growth, and a touch of romance. Overall, "Lucy Checks In" is a light and enjoyable read - a perfect addition to your beach bag this summer!

Cute cover. A horrific scandal and heartbreak. A second chance and a nice, sweet story. Sometimes we need the light ones to enjoy when life gets hectic. I really liked Lucy and her redemptive storyline. I can't imagine starting over at 50 and I found myself rooting for Lucy at every turn. This one was cute and just what I needed!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book