"You are invited to a summer of sparkling champagne, warm buttery croissants and a little bit of je ne sais quoi…"
Now who wouldn't be drawn to a book with a blurb like this. I already felt like I was on an exotice holiday before I even started reading.

And what a delicious read this was. I loved the characters and the way the story flowed so well and was so easy to read. Hattie is my kind of friend and I loved that she just up and got on with things in and adventurous and exciting way.

This was just such an enjoyable and entertaining book and one I really enjoyed. It was a pleasure to read it.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

I sat in my garden in the beautiful sunshine and thought I will read for half an hour and then start cooking our lunch - two hours later slightly pink ,a hungry family and totally hooked. The story is set in France in the Champagne region in a vineyard. Hattie has left her job and long term partner to undertake her dream job as a wedding planner for her cousin. The wedding will take place in a couple of months and she has been given an unlimited budget to create the perfect day when the original wedding planner has resigned.
Excited to be on a great adventure after a difficult couple of years her joy only increases when an absolute hunk opens the door to the chateau.
However, her ex is not ready to let go, the house keeper has not been doing her job, it appears that the whole village is trying to sabotage her event and the hunk is busy in the vineyard. Throw in lots of complicated relationships, a love for food and a few twists and turns and Julie Caplin has written a perfect summer read.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved this beautiful book.

The characters were relatable and Julie described the champagne region of France so beautifully, it felt like you was there in between the characters.

The food described made your mouth water.

It had a lovely sense of community and I
couldn't put it down.

I recommend this book.

The French Chateau Dream by Julie Caplin

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

You are invited to a summer of sparkling champagne, warm buttery croissants and a little bit of je ne sais quoi… With a broken heart and a broken spirit, Hattie is in need of a summer escape. So when an opportunity comes up to work at a beautiful, stately chateau in the Champagne region of France she books her flights quicker than the pop of a cork. Romance is the last thing Hattie is looking for but then she wasn’t expecting gorgeous Luc to stroll into her life. With picnics in the warm French sun and delicious foodie trips to the local market, Hattie starts to wonder if a holiday fling – or maybe even something more – might be just what she needs.

My Opinion

I have read a few books in this series and so far I have enjoyed them all. Each can be read as a standalone. Hattie has recently broken up with her boyfriend and finds herself accepting the opportunity to plan her cousin's wedding. As with other Julie Caplin books nothing goes to quite to plan which makes for a highly entertaining read.

I read this book in a few short sittings and I wasn't ready for it to end as it was such a joy to read. This is easily one of those books where you can read 'just one more chapter'. If you have not read any of this series, then you don't know what you are missing.

Rating: 4/5

This story simply sparkles. It has everything for you to enjoy in a lovely summer read. There are culinary delights, a beautiful French chateau, new friends and , weddings to plan.
I enjoyed reading this book so much. It is a gem.

Thank you to #HarperCollinsUk and # OneMoreChapter and #NetGalley for sending me to widget to read this book in exchange for my honest review.The French Chateau Dream is #10 in the Romantic Escapes series.This was my first book by this author and I quite enjoyed it.

Lovely descriptions of France not overly keen on the anti British remarks. We have lots of lovely place's too. Summer romance for a sunny day. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy

Pastries anyone? Well while reading this book I suggest you have some on hand, otherwise you will be running out to the shops.
A light fluffy romance that will help you escape reality and journey to France.

Hattie has a wedding to plan in France. She meets Luc. This is a sweet romance but there were too many scenes about food which were way too much for my taste and slowed the plot down. I normally enjoy Julie Caplin but this wasn't one of my favourites. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Overall I enjoyed this book. I did feel both romances in the story were rushed. Luc was lovely, but I didn't understand Hattie at times. What was the problem? I'm not sure I followed her reasoning towards the end of the book. That aside, I loved the Chateau backdrop, the food and wedding elements. it was great when everyone started working together, though Yvette was a spoilt brat. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Sometimes, there is joy in using beautiful things instead of practical things.”

I’d forgotten how wonderful it was to be immersed in the world of Julie Caplin! I’ve just spent a couple of unforgettable hours in France hopping between making wedding plans at a beautiful chateau and shopping delectable markets for meat and cheese. I’ve basked in the warmth of the champagne region, been tantalized with scrumptious food descriptions, gone shopping at the Galleries Lafayette and had a dreamy studmuffin at my fingertips…..

I hated turning over the last page!

Hattie Carter-Jones traded in a deadbeat boyfriend and her job in England for a chance at wedding planning for her French cousin. It was the best decision she ever made! Luc Bremont, the owner of Chateau St Martin, teaches Hattie how to slow down and take time to savour things while Hattie offers Luc a chance at seeing things from a different perspective. An unplanned aerial photo of the estate gives Luc the very thing he needed - an opportunity to fulfill his dreams. The two months in France have also given Hattie perspective and she realizes for herself that she’s in a relationship with the wrong man. Funny how distance and time have that effect!

I enjoyed the chemistry between Hattie and Luc, the friction between the two ‘events,’ and the foodie references throughout. I promise it won’t be so long between my Julie Caplin novels next time.

I was gifted this copy by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The French Chateau Dream - Julie Caplin

This book is the next installment to Julie Caplins Romantic Escapes series, which I am very much enjoying reading in order, there are a few cross overs but you really do not need to read any of the others in order to enjoy any of the books, as they are very much stand alone romantic encounters.

I adore how this author has the ability to just take the reader on a whirlwind of escapism, she throws you headfirst into a beautiful setting, wonderful food and drinks and the best new characters, Hattie and Luc had great chemistry from the start, and other colorful characters added extra fun along the way. Such an uplifting read.

Thank you Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Julie Caplin for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.

The French Chateau Dream is the 10 book of the Romantic Escapes Series.

Hattie had travelled to France to help arrange her cousins wedding, and is not looking for romance/love interest however she meet Luc on arrival.

For me this took a couple attempts to start, but once I was invested it was an enjoyable read. The setting of the French Chateau sounded delightful, the food they prepared and ate sounded delicious! The connecyt between Luc and Hattie was lovely and an extra little romance between Fliss and Alphonse was perfect!

Overall a lovely read, yes predictable but alongside the romance was a little drama and some fun.

Thanks NetGalley for the download.

Absolutely wonderful! Pure summer escapsism.
I found Hattie super relateable and enjoyed going along on the adventure with her. Although I haven't been able to spend a Summer in a Vineyard Chateau yet. Maybe next year?
I enjoyed the little subplots to the book too, Solange and her family, with all it's little dramas and different character personalities were very normal against the backdrop of the main story.

Really recommend this, and other books by Julie Caplin! :)

I have been reading Julie Caplins Romantic Escape series for quite some time and I am always excited for a new installment.
In this installment we travel to the Champagne region in France. Hattie, our main character has left her old life in the UK behind. She quite her job as an assistant wedding planner and left her long term boyfriend to seek adventure and a new carrier. She no longer wants to be an assistant, it is time to organize a wedding on her own and what better way then to organize her nieces wedding in a beautiful Champagne chateau in France? Unfortunately nothing goes as smooth as Hattie has hoped. The castle is in a neglected state, the towns people don’t seem to welcome her and the handsome owner Luc could be a distraction from her work.

If you have a read a couple of Romantic Escape books, then you know the key ingredients for this series. Wonderful descriptions of the scenery and the food, instalove for the main character and some huge problem. It works, so why change a winning combination.
I really liked this book, however it is one of my least favorite in the series. The first part of the book really dragged along and it wasn’t until halfway through that I really felt connected to the story.

The French Chateau Dream is actually book number ten from the ‘Romantic Escapes’ series but can very easily be read as a stand alone with absolutely no problems at all.

Nursing a broken heart, Hattie is in desperate need of a Summer escape, so she takes up work in a French chateau and then her Summer story begins.

I loved the authors wonderful descriptions and they really made me feel as though i was there, soaking up all the French goodness.

From beginning to end this book was a wonderful read, full of feelings and lovely and heartwarming too. I would highly recommend it…….

Thanks Netgalley and the Publishers. I have enjoyed all this authors books and this was no exception. Great characters, great location and a good storyline.

Another lovely book in one of my favourite series of books. Great characters, location, romance and food. Happy to recommend

3.5 stars.

Short-n-sweet review:
Read this if you need a romance that is like a glass of champagne - bubbly, light and predictable.

Need more?
I LOVE Julie Caplin’s Romantic Escapes series, while not every one was a hit for me the series as a whole has been an enjoyable journey for me. This isn’t one of my favorites but was still a nice interlude with this series. It was nice getting to ‘know’ this group of people and Solonge and Flies were my favorite duo of this book (despite it not being a romantic relationship). I now need to have some cheese and wine!

While this novel is part of a series reading the entire series isn't required to enjoy this book. Nothing really is spoiled too much by reading this book before others (just one couple being married but honestly if you are reading this series I think you're aware they end up together).

Thank you to @netgalley and One More Chapter for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This installment in the Romantic Escapes was OK but unfortunately was quite repetitive. The romantic interest was constantly giving knowing looks and smiles. I think I prefer the storyline that move around a bit more like the ones set in Coatia and Japan.