I rarely come across middle-aged main characters in romance books so I was excited to read this one (despite the cover seeming to look a lot younger). However, this was such a letdown.

I honestly didn't know what I'd do if I’d to read about painting walls one more time. I’d to DNF at 33% as I'm just not connecting with any of the characters. I feel like I'm consistently being pulled from the story since none of them is acting like their age.

Still, my thanks to St. Martin's Griffin, NetGalley and the author for my copy. All opinions are honest and my own.

Found this to be way to slow, meandering, and boring for my taste. Was rooting for it to be over! I was living through a home renovation while I read this book about a hotel renovation, so maybe the timing was off for me. I didn't feel very realistic and I did not totally buy into the romance. The cover, however, is a 10/10.

I tried reading this book a few times but I couldn’t get into it. I think it was more not fitting my style of reading.

I did not finish.

"Lucy Checks In" by Dee Ernst is a delightful and heartwarming book that takes readers on a journey of rediscovery, growth, and unexpected love. With its engaging storyline and relatable characters, this novel is a perfect escape into the world of second chances and new beginnings.

Lucia Giannetti's life takes an unexpected turn when the glamorous hotel she managed falls apart due to the disappearance of its owner and her romantic partner. Two years later, finding herself at a crossroads, Lucy seizes an opportunity in Rennes, France, managing the Hotel Paradis. But what awaits her is a far cry from her initial expectations. As Lucy navigates the challenges of revitalizing the rundown hotel and adjusting to a new culture, she discovers the strength within herself to rebuild not only the hotel but also her own life.

Ernst's writing skillfully captures the essence of Lucy's journey, blending witty humor with moments of introspection. Lucy's character is relatable and endearing, and her evolution from a woman whose plans were shattered to one who embraces the unexpected is heartening to witness. The charming setting of Rennes comes alive through the author's descriptions, inviting readers to savor the ambiance of the French town.

The supporting characters, especially Bing, the artist, add depth and warmth to the story. The developing relationship between Lucy and Bing is portrayed with authenticity, allowing their connection to grow naturally amidst the challenges they face.

While the novel excels in creating a lighthearted and optimistic atmosphere, there are instances where the pacing could be more balanced, particularly in the middle parts of the narrative. Nonetheless, the overall progression of Lucy's journey and her interactions with the people she meets keep the reader engaged.

In conclusion, "Lucy Checks In" is a charming tale of reinvention, resilience, and unexpected love. Ernst skillfully captures the essence of finding solace and creating a new life in unforeseen places.

This was such an incredible book! I was hooked from the start—really enjoyed the storytelling, I couldn’t put it down and can’t recommend it enough!

Whether you're a fan of romance novels or just seeking a poignant and beautifully crafted story, this is a must-read that will leave you with a warm and hopeful feeling, even after the final page has been turned.

This was cute, if predictable. I loved the idea of the hotel and its lively band of characters; as well as the renovations and redemption. In the end, I just didn’t love this book like I expected to.

Lucy Checks In is a cute, enjoyable beach read. It's fun and relaxing without a lot of depth of plot. Lucia "Lucy" Giannetti takes a job as a hotel manager at a historic hotel in the small town of Rennes, France. It's just the break she needs. She's been unemployed and unemployable since her former boss/lover embezzled millions from the last hotel she worked at and disappeared. Few believed in her innocence in the scam. However, Lucy has no idea what she is in for in Rennes. Instead of planning and supervising renovations, like she assumed, she will be actually wielding a paintbrush and hammer and trying not to step on the toes of the quirky hangers-on who call the hotel their home.

I did love the story, but I felt it needed more fleshed-out subplots. It seemed like a very surface-level examination of three or so story lines. I loved the quirky characters, but felt they could have been explored a little deeper as well.

All in all, this was a sweet story and I do recommend it for a light, summer read.

Dee Ernst writes such refreshingly unique romantic comedies. I feel like, as a woman in my 30s, most of the contemporary romance novels I read are about people in their 20s, or maybe they're 30s if I'm that lucky. It's rare that I pick up a book about a "woman of a certain age" like Ernst's books, which is why I enjoy them. This was a sweet summer read unlike what you'll see on most contemporary romance shelves.

I really wanted to like this as I enjoyed the premise but unfortunately it was a miss. There seemed to be something missing in the story. I feel like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop or waiting for something exciting to happen. It’s overall a cute story just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC!

Lucy Checks In is the classic tale of a woman who put far too much faith in a man - and now has to rebuild her professional life once it's fallen apart because of him.

I am not entirely sure what I was expecting going into this novel - but it felt like it was missing something that I can't quite put my finger on. I wanted more - more romance, more self love, more growth. There are an abundance of side characters who are difficult to keep straight and I felt their irrelevant stories took away from the main plot.

Overall kind of cute but nothing spectacular.

I wanted to love it. It sounded so so cute but I couldn't do it. I found myself really bored and not able to root for any of the characters. A real miss. DNF at 40%

This was about a woman trying to crawl out from under being wrongfully accused of embezzlement. She accepts a job offer from the only people that will take a chance on her, in France. She arrives to find a very old hotel in need of many repairs, and a very eclectic group of “permanent” hotel residents. It’s a very cute story about rebuilding one’s life, and found family. It makes you want to go and visit, and maybe stay for the $30 phone plan? It’s a sweet story, and a quick read.

I love the pun in the title, intentional or not. She's checking hotel guests in, rather than checking in from France!

I was introduced to Dee Ernst a couple of years ago with Maggie Finds Her Muse. Lucy Checks In had the same incredible French setting, but was an altogether different book. I love the atmosphere of this old hotel in this little French town. Ernst does a great job of painting a picture, and I can picture myself in this country town I've never been to. I'm a big fan of the save-the-small-business plot, and this book pulls it off effortlessly.

The other hallmark of Ernst's books is that the MC's aren't young and dumb. Lucy is 49 and therefore has a handful of worldly experience under her belt. So many books are about heroines in their 20s, and I often find myself frustrated with childish antics. It's refreshing to read from the POV of someone whose relationship mistakes are in the past!

I did expect a bit more romance from this book, but it was carried on its own without it. There's a hint of a flirtation between Lucy and another resident of the hotel, but it takes a backseat to Lucy's story.

I loved the ending!

Had so much potential and a great setting but ultimately fell flat for me. I think older audiences will enjoy this story though it just didn’t work in my opinion

In this novel, I found it challenging to connect with the story and its protagonist, Lucy. Her circumstances as a 49-year-old unemployed woman living with her parents set the stage for a good narrative. However, my overall impression was a disappointment, mainly due to the execution of the plot.

Lucy's downfall, resulting from her former boss and lover's embezzlement of the company's funds, created an intriguing starting point. In escaping prison but losing her savings, Lucy faced a significant blow to her self-assurance. The idea of her venturing into renovating an old hotel in France held promise for redemption and new beginnings.

Regrettably, most of the book focused on the monotonous details of the hotel renovations. Endless descriptions of floor scrubbing, wall painting, and mattress selection dragged on, leaving me yearning for more engaging content. While occasional emotional moments were scattered throughout the text, they weren't enough to salvage the tediousness.

Only in the last 25% of the book did the story pick up pace, finally presenting some meaningful action. The ending itself proved satisfying, providing a much-needed payoff. However, reaching that point felt like a long and dreary slog for Lucy and the readers.

In conclusion, I struggled to find enjoyment in this novel. Despite the potential for an intriguing premise and a satisfying conclusion, the extensive focus on mundane renovations overshadowed the story's potential. While the ending held merit, it came at the cost of enduring a slow and lackluster journey for Lucy and the readers.

I was pleasantly surprised at this and am bummed I didn’t read it sooner. However, it was the perfect book to kick off summer. This story was One Italian Summer, Under the Tuscan Sun , and You Me Everything combined into one. Not much happens in the story, it’s more following along with this old hotel renovation in France and the cast of characters Lucy meets along the way. You feel like you’re on the journey with Lucy throughout. Most of the “action” took place in the last 1/4 of the book which I didn’t love. It felt rushed, and I actually think if it had happened earlier it could have added more depth to the plot. All that aside, this is a great summer/vacation read!

I thought this was cute! Nothing groundbreaking in this genre, but I did really appreciate how the story dove into the importance of friendship (even though the friendship was slightly strange in my opinion?). Lucy was sweet and it was a fun premise.

A great read with some romance! I really enjoyed reading this middle-aged character romance. I felt like it was more of a women's fiction than rom-com, but it was still very enjoyable.

*Thank you @stmartinspress for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Review not posted to Amazon/Goodreads because less than 4 stars or DNF.*

I wanted to like this one (I loved the synopsis), but I just couldn’t finish it. I was unfortunately… bored. I really didn’t care what happened to the characters or of the plot. It just didn’t grab me and pull me in, and I have too many books I want to read to keep reading one that doesn’t peak my interest.