This book is quite a gem! If you like sweet and soft romance you won’t be disappointed!

We follow Lucy, a hotel manager, who after a huge scandal involving money and her (ex)husband finds herself without any job and bad reputation. After getting back to her parents’ she doesn’t let herself down and finds a job as hotel manager in Rennes.

Rennes as in Brittany. In France.

Yup.

The hotel is clearly not what she expected by flying to France but she absolutely needs a job.

Slowly, Lucy falls in love with the hotel and its huge walls and feels so moved by those residents living here and helping each other.

I looooooved this book! First of all, the story takes place in France, in Brittany which is different from most of the books taking place in Paris and most of all: Lucy is in her late forties!!!!

I enjoyed reading all the descriptions of the hotel, they felt so real I had the feeling of being at the Hotel Paradis for a while. I wanted to go back to Rennes after finishing this book and immediately booked a day in the city during my holidays ❤️

The only deception for me: the love story is really slow paced… So slow I almost fell like there was not going to be any between the two characters. However, in the end the story is so beautiful and mature between them! I definitely cried at some times of the book, it felt so true to not

The real highlight of the books was the twins: Cara and Mimi. They were two sweeties I absolutely need in my life! 🥺

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange of my honest review ✨

I was expecting more of a romance book with this one, but was pleasantly surprised. It was a little slow going for me at first. I loved the setting, the premise of rejuvenating an old hotel in France. I enjoyed most of the characters although I did not warm to Claudine until the very end. My heart broke for Lucy for the majority of the book and I was so glad and satisfied that she had her happy ending.

When I saw the cover and read the synopsis, I was expecting something completely different. I was expecting more romance and less women’s fiction, but there is so little romance I can’t even call it a romance novel in any capacity.

There were certainly parts of the book that I enjoyed immensely…I just had to struggle through the first 3/4 of the book to get there. There was so much description of minute details that it got redundant and boring.

The end seemed to rush so fast and was a completely different pace to the rest of the book. In my opinion, if key events had happened earlier in the story (maybe 45-50% in) and we got more of those details, I would have enjoyed the book more (I think).

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of the book.

Title: Lucy Checks In
Author: Dee Ernst
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5.0 out of 5

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?

I would like to say: I’ve never had a desire to visit France—except when I read books that make it seem so magical I absolutely must go. This was one of those books. Except the setting was really the Hotel Paradis, not France itself, so really, I want to go to this hotel and live.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I love that the main character was not a woman in her 20s or early 30s, but one almost 50. I love Lucia’s journey back to finding herself and confidence in herself just as much as the journey to restore the hotel. I also loved that romance took a backseat, not the driver’s seat in this story. This is just a wonderful book!

Dee Ernst is from New Jersey. Lucy Checks In is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

I love renovation shows and this had all the elements of a good one: hotel run down after years of mismanagement, a quirky staff that just needs direction, the main character that needs to prove herself after a setback. Lucy manages to make the hotel perfect for the tourists who come to town and gets her life in order at the same time. A cute, enjoyable read that seemed a little rushed at the end but worth the read.

Lucy Checks in by Dee Ernst
Women’s fiction/ chick lit. Light romance.
Lucia accepts a general manager job in Rennes, France hoping to get her career back on track. The Hotel Paradis is centuries old as expected of buildings in France, but needs remodeling and renovating before opening to guests. This job is way more manual work than Lucy expected but with all the permanent residents chipping in to help, the work goes fast while she makes friends and learns the lifestyle of this city in France.

Lucy must come to terms with her broken heart and trust issues. While she works through that, she rediscovers the joy of a job she loves. I found this touching and beautiful. I enjoyed the connections she made with the self made family and though she’s cautious, those relationships go we’re rich and fulfilling. There is bit of heartbreak but the aftermath is so sweet and loving.
I loved this story. It’s rich in life, beauty and family.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

This was a very sweet read. I loved being able to read about Lucy’s journey to regaining her confidence and trusting her skills as a hotel manager again. The twist at the end was very surprising but it made for such a beautiful end to the story.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst is a story about Lucia Giannetti's journey to get back all that she lost when the police erroneously targeted her in an embezzlement scandal that changed her life, hopefully not forever.
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
Based on the cover, which is the back of a female looking onto a city street – I'm getting holiday vibes. I do love a good vacation setting. Lucy Checks In will be my second book by Dee Ernst. I enjoyed the first one I read by her, called Maggie Finds Her Muse, so I am hoping for some of the same attributes I enjoyed from that story. I love the last sentence of the blurb, which states, "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." It makes me smile just reading that, so if the book delivers on that, I will be a happy reader.
Actual Reading Experience:
My actual reading experience was a bit of a mixed bag. The story fascinated me at the start and pulled me in almost immediately, but the pace slowed once Lucy got to the hotel and settled in, and I found myself losing interest. Luckily it had a strong conclusion with a fast pace and lots of tugging of my emotional strings. I loved the ending most of all because it allowed me to see everything the last line promised and more. The conclusion is so impactful that it made me want more of the story and learn about what happens next for all the characters.
I love the dysfunctional family dynamic of Lucy's biological family back in New Jersey. Boy, could they make me angry and profoundly sad at times. There is a lot of complexity and layers in the family as a unit and for the reader to unpack and contemplate each member. It shows how sometimes shared DNA does not make for a genuine family unit – that sometimes a shared endeavor and mutual respect brings out tighter bonds and a more enduring and healthy unit.
Lastly, I am in love with the hotel and location. I've been to that area of France, though a bit closer to the coast, and was awed by the beauty of the area – everything about it is just breathtaking and inviting. The book conveys that same feeling about the location, and the hotel felt like the pièce de résistance.
Characters:
Lucia (Lucy) Giannetti is an almost 50-year-old woman who has been black-balled from the hotel industry until she receives an exciting offer from France. An old hotel that has acted as a home for a handful of people who came into the owner's life wants to be a hotel again, and they need Lucy to make that a reality. Lucy is determined, steadfast, loyal, and just what the hotel needs. I loved her roll-your-sleeves-up attitude and her no-nonsense approach to all the challenges she faced. And there are many.
Narration & Pacing:
Lucy tells her own story using first-person narration. Since the story is her journey, this narration style has a very authentic feel. I can't imagine it told any other way and still holding on to that authentic feel. The pacing, however, was a sticking point for me. It starts at a pretty good pace, but by the middle, it slowed to a crawl, and I struggled to keep my interest in the story. But the ending brought it back up again and was simply superb in plot and pace.
Setting:
The setting is a very old hotel in Rennes, France. The hotel is such a strong setting that it is almost a character. I loved witnessing the restoration of this once beautiful boutique hotel into a wonderful place to live, work, and vacation. I want to visit and ride up the little elevator.
To Read or Not to Read:
Lucy Checks In fits the bill if you love a story that warms your heart and a fantastic location.

I enjoyed Lucy Checks In. It was a fun and inspiring story that conveyed the message that it's never too late to follow your dreams. The eccentric characters and charming location added to the likability of the story and I look forward to reading more from Dee Ernst.

Thanks to SMP and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Lucy Checks In, it is a delightful little romance. Lucy accepts a job in France to open a boutique hotel that has been shuttered for a long time. There is much more work than anticipated and a very unique cast of characters comes together.

I'm a bit surprised that the average number of stars is so low; maybe I am to liberal with stars. But my rationale is that if there were a follow up book, I would be inclined to read it. I really liked some of the thought processes about relationships that the author had.

Once again I thank NetGalley for introducing me to an author (who has published several books) that had not been on my radar. Thank you to NetGalley, Dee Ernst the author and St. Martin's Press the publisher for the opportunity to read the advance read copy of Lucy Checks In in exchange for an honest review.

LUCY CHECKS IN is a heartwarming story about a woman starting over. When Lucy is betrayed in her career, and personal life, she takes a chance at a job in France. Here she meets a bunch of charming and colourful characters as she helps the renovate and promote a failing hotel.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, as it was light and easy to read. I loved the found family aspect, and that Lucy was taking a major chance for reinvention.
I wished there was a little more to do with the romance, and less about the literal descriptions of the hotel renovations.
Thank you St Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin for the digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this book!! Its actually quite different from the other books I’ve read and I love that. Lucy is so head strong and her characteristic are amazing. When she gets her mind to something she keeps going until her work is completed. Even though she has bumps in the road she continues to move forward to make sure she is successful. Claudine is definitely one of the funniest characters and very confident. And the part where Bing tells Lucy about him and Karl going out and taking plants from peoples yard, one of my favorite parts.

I loved that the main character was a middle aged woman seeking a fresh start.

I found this second chance story charming, refreshing, and welcome. The characters were all well fleshed and this read smoothly.

One thing I didn’t love, because I feel it’s misleading, is to brand this solely as a romance, it’s more women’s fiction. This wasn’t a detractor for me, but I can see how it would be an issue for someone choosing to read this based on the “romance” aspect.

I did enjoy this one and feel it would pair nicely with summer reading near the beach or a pool. And maybe a nice glass of something chilled too.

Lucy has to start over in her late 40s. This book follows her journey and it’s a lovely trip. A hotel management professional, Lucy finds that her finances and professional reputation are in tatters (even though she was innocent in the financial scandal that ruined her) and so she’s happy to be offered a job managing a historic hotel in Rennes, France. When she arrives there, she realizes that the job is restoring a historic hotel, not just managing it! And that means she’s going to have to do a lot of the work herself, painting, etc.

Dee Ernst seems to have a knack of writing wonderful stories about women in their 40s. I loved the other book of hers that I’ve read (Maggie Finds Her Muse), so I was delighted to see a new book by her.

You will fall in love with the locals who live at the Hotel Paradis and you will root for Lucy to succeed in turning the hotel into a showplace. Along the way, you will also root for her relationship with Bing, an artist who lives in the hotel, but the romance is a bonus and not the main point of the story, in my opinion. (And for those who care about these things, this is definitely a closed-door sort of romance.) So along with the idea of a second chance, we also have the theme of “found family”, one of my favorite themes.

Rennes is absolutely now on my list of places I want to visit!

(One quibble about the cover - it makes Lucy look way too young.)

Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst

This book was just a lovely little holiday. Lucy has had a couple tough years after her boyfriend runs away, ruining not only her relationship but also her career. She jumps at the chance to start over by managing the redesign of an old family run hotel in France.

This one was pretty drama free, which I actually really appreciated. No silly miscommunication storyline, just mature adults dealing with life! How refreshing! I read most of this in one day, it was just so lovely and fun, I hope you all love it as much as I did.

Also, moving to France to redesign a hotel has now become a dream of mine. I’ve been to Paris and I absolutely loved it, would go back in a second.

Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my copy! This book came out yesterday.

What’s the last book you read in 1 or 2 days?

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*2.5 stars*

To start with, I would say this should definitely be categorized as more of "women fiction" than romance. Our FL Lucy, is in her late 40s when life happens and she decides to change it up. The book follows the usual beats and I did enjoy the hotel descriptions and food, but ultimately it landed a bit flat for me. Even the romantic angle didn't truly work as I didn't get that spark from the ML and FL.

A huge thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

Lucia Gianetti was involved in a giant FBI scandal entirely not of her own making, resulting in her losing her fiance and her job as a lucrative hotel manager in one fell swoop. Unable to find work in her industry after her reputation is marred, she accepts a position to help repair and manage a dilapidated French hotel and restore it to its former pre-war glory. Along the way, she finds her confidence and potentially a man who won’t implicate her in an embezzlement scheme . . .

I liked this book. It was fine. There were parts of it I found extremely easy and fun to read, and the backdrop of Rennes, France was a nice touch (expanding beyond Paris was lovely, though I have nothing against Paris). This story didn’t grip me and it didn’t leave me necessarily wanting more. The writing was fine. The characters were fine, though there wasn’t a ton of development and the romance plotline felt a bit lackluster and rushed at the end. For those reasons, it took me about four days to get through this one, which is super long for me considering that it was a decently short book. The length of time made it feel draggy at points, and it was hard for me to care enough to get settled into the story for extended periods of time. My fault, and probably wouldn’t be an issue for most people, but it grated.

Overall, would recommend to a specific type of reader, but not everyone.

Read if you like: French hotels, found family, mid-40s ladies starting over, a dash of grumpy x sunshine, family drama, and short-but-easy reads that don’t require too much effort to follow.

Lucy needs a fresh start. She’s 4, jobless and moneyless, she needs that fresh start to happen now. She was once hotel manager at a highly glamorous NYC hotel, but when that job hits rock bottom with the owner peacing out and taking millions with him, she realizes it’s time to plan her life differently. So what does changing plans entail.. taking a job at a new hotel in a new place, France to be exact. She plans to help turn this hotel into the perfect tourist trap.

This was a fresh relief book. A second chance at making yourself into something else to enjoy. I love that the author made it an older woman rediscovering herself story, because you don’t see many of those, and it’s honestly nice and heartfelt.

The story made me laugh and made me feel like I was really on this journey with Lucy. I loved her character and storyline. It’s the perfect light read with a heartfelt meaning of second chances.

After a nearly career-ending scandal, Lucy finds herself starting her second act at what she believes to be a boutique hotel in the heart of France. Instead, she walks into a space that has sat dormant for decades and is in need of TLC to get to a point where they can welcome guests.

Taken aback by Bing, a permanent resident on the property who seems to have no confidence in her abilities, as well as the expectation that the work will get done despite skilled labor or the proper budget, Lucy gets her hands dirty and leans on the permanent guests for assistance.

This book was such a pleasant surprise for me. Over-40 rep, second act, redemption, found family, and romance swirled together to ensure I never put the book down once I picked it up. I really felt for Lucy who was juggling her past hurt as well as the shock of Hotel Paradis. The supporting characters were a joy, all endearing in their own ways. (Shoutout to Napoleon!)

Lucy Checks In is such a delightful read. I highly recommend it for those looking for a fast-paced read with a driven, over-40 FMC, a fantastic cast of characters, and a touch of romance.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC. All thoughts in this review are honest and my own.

Thanks so much to @netgalley for the digital arc of Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst, published this week!

Forty-nine year old Lucia Giannetti was once the hotel manager of a glamorous NYC hotel and intimately involved with the hotel’s owner. What a glorious future awaits! But then the owner disappears, taking millions of dollars with him, Lucy’s life crumbles.

Tired of living in her parents house, Lucy takes a job in Rennes, France to manage the Hotel Paradis, which hasn’t been updated much since before the war…that is 1938.

This was a great escape. I’m a fan of “do-over” stories both for physical places and people. The details of Rennes and the characters who are permanent residents of the hotel were delightful. Add in a touch of romance and this was a nice break from the day-to-day business of the end of summer/start of school.

If you enjoyed Ernst’s Maggie Finds Her Muse last year (which I did), I think you’ll enjoy this one as well.