This one ticks a lot of boxes for me: a vicarious excursion to France, a middle-aged woman starting over after a gut-wrenching professional failure, and a delightful cast of secondary characters who rally to accomplish a substantial goal. The pacing slowed a smidge in the middle, and I didn't love Bing as a character (excessive laughter distracted me) but I'm glad I finished reading the novel because overall it's quite enjoyable.
Other reviewers have stated that this isn't really a rom-com and I agree. This is women's fiction, featuring the protagonist's journey as she figures out who she is and what she wants, and navigates obstacles along the way. There are challenging dynamics, both personally and professionally, and yes there is a romantic subplot but this is not at all a rom-com.
Finally, some readers have expressed frustration regarding the cover art. The illustration on the cover does not accurately represent the heroine in the story. Based on description, the heroine is clearly middle-aged and I am all for it. So refreshing to see characters who aren't in their 20's and 30's.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

This was such a great story. I loved reading about a.n older women still finding her place in the world, finding friendship, love, family, and a place to belong. Such a fun read that I throughly enjoyed.

Readers Note: This book will make you want to book a trip to France tomorrow. Proceed knowing your bank account may feel it.

Lucia Gianetti (Lucy) is at her lowest. After a scandal has left her as persona non grata in the hotel industry, Lucy finds herself back at home in her childhood bedroom isolated from her high-roller NYC lifestyle. From head over heels in love with Tony Fielding, to heartbroken and generally ditched by everyone,, her three favorite humans are her nieces and her lifelong friend from college. When an unexpected offer, to work on Hotel Paradis in Rennes, France, Lucy packs her bags and heads to what she thinks is going to be her next dream job.

What she didn't expect was a crumbling hotel with a host of odd duckling tenants who live there full time. I really like this array of characters. Each brings their own flair to the story from Claudine the owner, to Bing the mysterious artists, to Colin the meticulous oddball, and so many others.

I read this book while at the lake and I found it the perfect complement to my escape vacation. It's the right mixture of light-hearted threaded with challenges. France is described in its full beauty from the city of Rennes, the people, the food, and the traditions such as the weekend markets. It also highlights some of the more rigid aspects of European living that remind me of my time living in Switzerland and Italy. Go ahead, ask me to cross against the light... it won't happen. Just nope.

If you're looking for an end of summer read, this could be it. I haven't seen it advertised a lot, which allowed me to go in and just fall into the plot line without any preconceived notions. Hope you enjoy it!

Lucy Checks In is my second novel by Dee Ernst. The cover does not quite capture the story as the cover seems to portray a younger woman with darker hair, yet the main character is older with graying hair in the actual story. It follows 49-years-old Lucia Giannetti who takes a job as a manager at the Hotel Paradis in Rennes, France after her life fell apart in NYC. The hotel is nothing she expected as it needs a lot more work to make it amazing. During her time at the hotel, she meets Bing, a children’s book illustrator and artist, who steps up to assist her.

The reader follows along Lucy’s journey trying to fix up the hotel, which comes with multiple challenges. She is also healing after her former boss and boyfriend, Tony Fielding, stole millions and disappeared. Through her healing time at the hotel, she meets Claudine, the owner of the hotel and also Bing’s ex. Together the two of them share a son, Phillipe. As the story progresses, Lucy heals emotionally, the hotel gets some work, and there is a romance that slowly develops.

Overall, Lucy begins a little bit unlikable due to her attitude, but it was easy to sympathize with her and her situation. She did grow on me a lot by the end of the story and throughout it was easy to root for her to succeed. I loved Lucy bonding with the people around her. While there is a little relationship forming with Bing, I needed a little more to understand why they would work as a couple. I felt the physical chemistry throughout the story, but I needed a little bit more exploration into their deeper connection. This story was a great read and was very enjoyable. I looked forward to reading more from Ernst in the future!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

I ended up not finishing this book at about forty percent. I tried to get into it but it became a chore to read and I try not to let reading feel like that.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing the chance to read and review.

Such a great second chance story. Growing older can cause people to have a multitude of feelings, and this was such a relaxing read to make getting older not as scary. I especially enjoyed the romance scenes and the picturesque setting, I will definitely read another of her books.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. The opinions are my own.

With a new novel on found family and the rewards of hard work, Dee Ernst pleasantly surprised me with Lucy Checks In. I am sucker for any story where France finds a new traveller or citizen. This Lucy searches for a new world to immerse herself after a devastating break up and employment snafu. What better environment than a special French town and a unique new job? This move proves a challenge, but as readers we ride with her by learning her expertise is just what this job and fellow lonely hearts needed. I enjoyed learning with her how her life had to change as she becomes more giving, adapts to living frugally and the french culture. The novel is not a thriller or a mystery but an urban adventure/romance which is light in nature and great comfort read. Ernst does a great job with detailing the characters that live in the old hotel that is Lucy’s new project. They are each quite real and sweet, one by one filling a role that heals our heroine and makes her stronger. This book would be a great beach or vacation read, for those who like Peter Mayle or Samantha Verant. I enjoyed the pacing and will look for future works from this author.

Lucy Checks In is a delightful book, filled with charming characters. Lucy’s life has been turned upside down—professionally, romantically and financially—when she accepts a job running a hotel in a quaint French town. The work is a bit different than what she thought she’d signed up for, but with the help of the other residents and employees, she begins to embrace her new life in France. This book contains romance, family drama, but all in all it was a lovely book to spend time with.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Lucy had a really bad few years after the owner of the hotel she managed embezzled millions. Now her only chance at a new job is in Rennes, France. But her expectations for bringing the hotel up to the standards of American tourists vastly differs from the reality she finds.

I really appreciated when the book started. That might seem odd to include in a review, but I was glad that we didn't have to go through the problems of the old hotel with Lucy. Instead, we join her on the train to her new adventure and experience all her emotions from there. It allowed me to deeply empathize but also feel optimistic.

All of the characters were fabulous. The hotel had seven people living there when she arrived. I found them easy to tell apart, and all were unique. And the setting was equally amazing and made me yearn to visit.

And most of all, I loved Lucy. It's so refreshing to read about a 49-year-old protagonist with life both behind and before her.

4.5 stars rounded up

TW: alcoholism

Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst is a contemporary women's fiction about starting over.

I loved this novel! While it started out a little slow for my liking, I quickly fell in love with the eclectic cast of characters living and working in this hotel.

A must read ❤️❤️❤️❤️

While I thought this book was an OK read, I was anticipating a romance book. I was a bit confused as to why it is listed in that category as I didn’t find it to have much romance.

This is also a good example to not judge a book by its cover. I was expecting the story of a younger woman, rather than one in her 50’s based on the illustration.

Lucy Checks In is about a ancient hotel needing to be renovated and brought back to life.
Main character, Lucia Giannetti works in the hotel field until a scandal occurs and she finds herself black listed.
She has no clue what she is going to do. Then a unexpected opportunity is presented to her. What she finds is a family.
Quirky characters, humorous moments and romance are what you will find with reading this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved all of the hotel vibes that we get in this read! It was too cute. We are following Lucia, she is a hotel manager and needs a change, so she goes to France. This was such a cute summer read. Highly recommend as a beach / poolside read.

I really enjoyed this book. The descriptions of the hotel, Rennes and Paris all provided me with an escape to France. The fact that Lucy is a middle-aged woman trying to renovate a hotel and rebuild her life in a country other than her own is admirable.

I can’t help but cheer Lucy on right from the beginning. After her boyfriend/owner of the prestigious New York hotel that Lucy has managed leaves the country with millions of dollars, her business reputation and love life disappear with it. No hotel is willing to hire her. That is until she is hired to rebuild a heritage hotel in Rennes, France.

The hotel hasn’t been used as such since the war. Although Lucy can see the beauty of the hotel the way it once was, she knows she’s in way over her head. While she thought that the six-month contract she’d signed meant she was supervising the rebuild, she soon learns that the task of recreating the hotel is up to her and a few others who are tenants of the hotel.

As the work on the hotel progresses, Lucy begins to experience and feel the charm of living in a small French village. There are interesting and diverse characters which added to the pleasure of reading this book including Bing the resident artist she’s attracted to. By the time the hotel’s work is complete and she’s managing a small staff she can see herself staying here. That is, until tragedy strikes and her life changes overnight.

I recommend Lucy Checks In to those readers that enjoy Women’s Fiction or Romance books with strong female characters.

This book was quite an interesting read. I honestly thought it was going to be a light/fun read, and it was, but it was also so much more than that. I truly felt for Lucy and the situation she was dealt, connecting to her as a character was easy. I wanted her to succeed so badly and felt myself cheering her on. I loved the relationship she had with Bing and how it was a slow burn. The only thing I disliked about this book was that I felt like it ended a little abruptly. I could have gotten more from the book toward the end as well but all in all it was a beautiful quick read.

Lucy Checks In is a low angst woman’s fiction with a smidge of romance. Lucy Giannetti is 49 and starting over. She managed a very high end NYC hotel for many years before the owner absconded with everyones money. After two years of spending her last dime clearing her name she accepts a job to run a boutique hotel in Rennes, France. She is shocked to learn that it hasn’t operated as a hotel since before the war and the owner expects her to transition the run down building into a tourist hotel. Where she thought she’d be supervising much of the work falls to her and the current residents/investors in the project.

This could have been a fish out of water story but it isn’t because Lucy is very competent and willing to learn and try new things. Instead it is making friends with the characters who live in the hotel. I love when Lucy would get overwhelmed that she’d sit and eat simple french food and be comforted and know this is where she belonged. I love France and have had those travel moments where I wonder if it was worth the cost and effort to but would that same comfort from ham and butter on a baguette or eating gelato by the Seine.

I think the blurb is very good but the cover is a little deceptive as I thought the story was about a younger person. I enjoyed the characters and the friendships. The romance to me was minor and I was fine with them being either friends or more. And their one interlude together is off non descriptive. I did really like the ending and thought it fit the story well.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars)

This was an eh read I kept putting it down out of lack of interest. DNF at 83%. She was scammed by her partner and many people have difficulty believing she wasn't aware. She goes to Europe with expectations only to be disappointed. She works through her emotions ... This read like a formula romance. 2.75 stars.


*************************I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion. ********************************************

I wanted to LOVE this one, but it was only okay for me. This trend of coming-of-middle-age books is really fun and this one certainly fit the vibes - but I just never found myself all that connected to the characters. A great European escape and weekend read, but nothing that’s going to stick with me for very long.

3.5 stars
This was an enjoyable book about an almost 60 year old woman who moves to France to get an old hotel updated after her last job ended in disaster. I was expecting more romance than the book provided and I really didn’t feel the chemistry between Lucy and Bing. It was also kind of hard to tell that time was passing unless it explicitly said so but it wasn’t a bad book by any means, just not super exciting to read. Would recommend for a slower fiction book.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc of LUCY CHECKS IN in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of LUCY CHECKS IN seemed absolutely adorable. I’m a sucker for a quaint, European setting and that is what I loved most about this book. I wanted to love the eclectic group of characters, but sadly I didn’t feel connected or invested to any of them and found several to be quite annoying.

A few other things that bothered me were some extremely awkward encounters/conversations and the drastic plot twist at 88% that I felt came out of absolutely nowhere.

While LUCY CHECKS IN was not for me, you may like it if you enjoy women’s fiction that is light on romance, heavy on characters, and felt like being a part of an HGTV renovation show.