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

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

Great book. I enjoyed Reading it. The characters and plot were interesting life like and easy to connect with.

I found myself charmed by the location of Lucy Checks In, a little town in France. Ernst’s descriptive writing had me transported, and I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the food and the places she visited. There was a nice little cast of characters in the book who become a sort of surrogate family for Lucy, as she tries to start over after some drama in her life.
The romance in the book was unfortunately a little cringey for me, but thankfully it was only a small part of the story.
This book is an easy read, and while it deals with some heavy themes, I think they’re handled in a light-hearted way. If you’re looking for a book to take on vacation or to the beach, this is a good choice.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an egalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So bummed this book fell flat for me! I loved the hotel concept and enjoyed those descriptions (there were many!), but generally the story felt stayed surface-level with no hint of surprise. The author could have played on the main character's past more as a point of mystery, or perhaps gave us more to feel interested in regarding her family, but both plot points were lacking in ways that kept the story from being exciting. Not a rom-com, Lucy Checks In didn't emphasize any comedy but instead held onto romantic tropes that stayed lackluster. Again, loved the concept but feel the author could have done more to execute!

such a fun premise and read! the romance was cute and it was a super relaxing read! the setting was so unique to read about and added extra appeal to the story!

Lucy Checks In is about romantic comedy about rebuilding a hotel, but also rebuilding ones self. This is a perfect light read, and a great story to get lost in. I felt after reading the synopsis this might be a sad, heart-aching book, but I think Dee Ernst takes the story of self discovery and makes it her own. I've always loved a book set in Europe/France, and I think Dee paints a perfect picture to get a reader, even from the Midwest, lost in the love of the French rich buildings and style. This is a witty, feel-good read with a believable main character and relatable situations of finding ones self through life's unexpected bumps.

A Witty and heart inspiring and feel-good novel about reclaiming your life, finding love, and creating a home in places you never thought possible.

August 16, 2022
NetGalley
St Martin’s Griffin
Romance, fiction, digital
277 pages 4/5
Dates read: 10/17/22-10/23/22


Lucia "Lucy" Giannetti is enjoying her career as a hotel manager in NYC which also provides her living accommodations. When Lucy makes the mistake of becoming romantically involved with the hotel owner, her life takes a dramatic free fall. Apparently, the owner skipped town taking millions of dollars with him and consequently leaving Lucy unemployed. The Fielding Hotel scandal forced Lucy to move back home to reevaluate her life.

Two years later, she is 49 years-old and starting over in Renne, France where she is hired to manage Hotel Paradis. She is less than excited when she arrives and find the hotel is not what she expected. She finds she is now a manger of a charming but extremely run-down hotel in need of a make over to draw tourists. Fortunately, there are still some employees willing to help renovate the old building, including attractive, annoying artist, Bing. Of course, just as life starts to make sense again, Lucy receives some news from home which alters her life plans once again.

This is a lovely romance novel with the main character an older woman who seeks a new beginning in a different country with different cultures. It demonstrates how resilience and romance is possible at any age.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for sending this book for review
consideration. All opinions are my own.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Move over Eat, Pray, Love- Lucy is checking in.

Lucy was a whirlwind of emotions in this book. Her journey of rebuilding the hotel and well, her life was like a slow car wreck that I couldn't look away from. It gets raw, dirty, emotional, and at times makes you introspective. Lucy struggles with herself, I mean who hasn't?? People of a certain age will immediately relate to her life struggles, anxiety, and general desperation to find their "thing" in life.

Lucy is the epitome of perseverance and determination and I was not so silently rooting for her along the way.

The Paris background I think was the icing on top of a very messy, emotional cake.

This is a fantastic feel-good story about finding yourself, building the home you want, and learning to love yourself to love others.

My only qualm is that its a bit slow but honestly- pour the wine and take it in.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review. You can follow me on IG @JessicaReadsIt.