I love a twist on an enemies to lovers story and while this threatened to get messy with the main character's sister, it was the quick easy romance I expected

“If he couldn’t see how incredible you are, then he didn’t deserve you.”

French Holiday will take you on a dream escape to France to find inspiration and happiness, and quite possibly the love of a lifetime.

Merry DeLuca is in love with her best friend, Leo, but he married her sister so Merry needs an escape plan. Offered the opportunity to stay at a French castle for three months, Merry travels to France to get over her unrequited love. But when she gets to the chateau, she finds Noah Wright, the best man at Leo's wedding and the last person she wants to see.

Sarah Ready writes the kind of romantic comedies I love to read, full of love and romance but also lots of laughter. I loved the banter between Merry and Noah as they start as enemies, then become friends, then lovers. With close proximity and a single bed, heat and tension shines through the heartfelt moments. And, of course, things don't go exactly as planned and laugh out loud crazy antics ensue. The descriptive writing perfectly set the scene and took me right to the heart of France....the chateau, the bridges, Lac d'Annecy and a culinary delight of cheese, wine and croissants with orange marmalade. I loved the way art was an integral part of the story and I felt as if I could actually see the paintings.

“Lying next to him feels like lying next to a rushing river, and if I dip my hand in, I’ll get swept away too.”

Did I mention that Noah Wright is my newest book boyfriend? Sexy and sweet, he was so caring in his love for Merry. But this wasn't just a slow motion dream; Noah's passion was also fast and devouring. Broken by his past, his secrets hid an underlying vulnerability filled with pain and longing. Different from Sarah's previous books, this one also included a gothic mystery related to Noah's past to solve. While an intriguing and captivating twist, I thought this part could have been trimmed down to make more room for the romance.

“A rose is not as beautiful if there isn’t the threat of thorns.”

Merry brought out the best in Noah and their love grew through all the obstacles they encountered along the way. They both learned to let go of the past and to listen to their hearts. The third act break and the way loose ends were tied together progressed a little too quickly and I would have liked to see that further developed. But, even so, the ending was simply beautiful and I finished the book with a smile on my face.

“I’m yours,” he says. “I’ve been yours from the start.”

Ultimately, this was a story about the lightning strike of love at first sight and finding someone you love who sees you and who fully loves you in return. And finding your one true love in France is infinitely more magical.

** Special thanks to author Sarah Ready, Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available April 26, 2023. **

3.5 rounded down simply because it was too long. Edit please! The audiobook was adorable but even that couldn’t save it. Just too much for a rom com. Maybe the mystery element could’ve been left out? Also, I love a grumpy/sunshine moment but Noah wasn’t a grump he was plain ol’ mean and that just doesn’t work for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, Swift & Lewis Publishing, IBPA, and Members’ Titles and Audiobooks for the early review copies.

Cute romcom even if it was a bit unrealistic. I didn’t love it, but I enjoyed it. It kept me entertained.

3.5

3.5 stars

Last year, I read Gemma and Josh's story and adored it. It was fun and I was pregnant so I was thrilled to read about getting pregnant. I read the sequel this year and was so disappointed with it. I don't think that the book needed a continuation. So when I saw this book on NetGalley, I didn't want to request it because of my disappointment. But after a time, I saw it so my that I convinced myself that I should give it a try at least.
I listened to the audiobook and read the ebook same time.

Plot
I liked the beginning of this book. The rom-com setting was entertaining, it reminded me of a few cute Netflix movies (Falling Inn Love, Love in the Villa). I enjoyed this book until 40%. After that, I just started to be bored. The story became very predictable with the French side characters, I wouldn't say I liked the mystery thread and there was too much coincidence. The romance was not engaging anymore. I felt the humour was constrained.

Characters
I liked Merry. She was relatable, also she had a sad backstory. Noah was ok for me. I don't have any feelings towards him. I don't hate him, nor love him. He was just ok. I initially felt the chemistry between them, but I lost interest in the middle. I felt that Merry fell in love too quickly. Also, she forgot Leo in a sec. I'm not convinced she loved him at all.
I hate her sister and Leo. She was so annoying. Her thread with Leo was confusing, annoying and sad. The ending with Leo was annoying. Also, Leo was her best friend, but they didn't talk after the wedding. Then how are they best friends? I don't say think that not speaking for months is normal for friends.
The two French characters (Pierre and Camille) were just a big cliché.

Overall, this was an ok book. I think I finished my relationship with Sarah Ready. Her writing style and books are not for me (the first Josh and Gemma was a win just because of its theme, but I had a few issues there, too).

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of French Holiday in exchange for my honest review!

Meredith "Merry" DeLuca is in love with her best friend of 5 years, Leo,, but hasn't had the nerve to tell him. So when he meets her sister and the two of them begin a whirlwind romance (they get engaged after ONE DAY of knowing each other), Merry is left heartbroken. But as any good sister would, she attends the wedding, walks down the aisle with the broody and insufferable best man, Noah, and agrees to be the god mother to their baby. Merry needs to get away from her sister and new brother-in-law so she runs to France in hopes she will forget the mess that is her life back home. What she doesn't expect is to be sharing her French castle with none other than Noah.

What I liked:
- I liked the "mystery" aspect of it. It was very unexpected but it was entertaining to try to solve.
- I love the trope of maid of honor and best man getting together
- It took Noah a minute, but he did end up being a sweet, but complex character

What I didn't like: (SLIGHT SPOILERS)
- I enjoy reading about enemies to lovers, and while I liked Noah, I'm not the biggest fan of the MMC being a total jerk for no reason than to just be a jerk.
- The lobster incident was odd.. I don't think having an entire chapter of Merry wrestling a lobster into a pot was necessary. I pictured the scene from The Little Mermaid the entire time I was reading it. And then they keep the lobster as a pet? Why??
- Leo. Not a fan at all. He not only tossed his 5 year friendship with Merry aside for her sister who he knew for HOURS, but then when his 2-month long marriage was getting hard, he follows Merry to France, asks her why they never got together, and then was hoping she's "fix" his relationship with her sister. Ew.

Overall, I thought the story was cute. But in my opinion, the things that annoyed me about the story, outweighed the things that I liked about it.

This book is for all the romance-loving readers that don't love reading the nitty gritty sex dets but love....well, LOVE. Sarah Ready's "French Holiday" is a well-thought out book with a great plot, likeable main characters, and a closed door love life.

Which, as you all know, is not usually my idea of a good time so I'm so surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. But I was so invested in Merry and her love life!

Give this a read! It comes out April 26!

Thank you to Swift and Lewis Publishing for the ARC!

This is the definition of a romcom. I couldn’t vision this as a movie on Netflix with the funny situations, a beautiful French, setting, and a swoony enemies to lovers situation. Very cute and a great palate cleanser after a heavy read.

Sarah Ready books always bring a smile to my face and Merry DeLuca and Noah Wright’s story in French Holiday was no different, it’s an entertaining read with wonderful characters and it’s a book that will appeal to a wide range of audiences.
Merry needs to escape after her sister marries the only man she has ever loved. It seems fate is giving her a chance when she is offered a three month holiday in a French Castle and it gives her the perfect getaway. What she didn’t expect was to find she is sharing the Castle with Noah the best man from her sisters wedding.
From the moment she arrives this couple butt heads, sparks fly and not in a good way but they need to work something out if they are going to survive living under the same roof……..
Noah and Merry may start off as enemies but they soon become friends and it’s not long before they cross the line to lovers. So what does the future hold for this couple well you will need to one click to find that out.
An entertaining read with all the feels.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley

I am very sorry but I absolutely could not continue when it was revealed that the five-turret, better-than-the-Disney-castle French chateau had Only One Bed. I skipped around a bit just to get an idea of what I was missing out on, and every single scene I flipped to was the same level of over-the-top, barely-believable romance hijinkery. I am sure many people will adore this but hoo boy it is too much for me.
I recommend if you really liked A Castle For Christmas starring Cary Elwes and Brooke Shields, if you believe there’s no such thing as too cheesy, or if the words “only one bed” make your heart beat faster with excitement.

This is the second novel I’ve listened to from Sarah Ready after accidentally reading the second story from her Josh and Gemma duet earlier this year.

The story follows Merry Deluca as she goes off on a three month holiday to a French castle following the wedding of her sister to her best friend, and unrequited love, Leo. Discovering she’s not alone she’s forced to endure the company of her enemy Noah - Leo’s other best friend.

With forced proximity, enemies to lovers and some dodgy seafood this gives major Unhoneymooners vibes so if you enjoyed that book give this one a go. I enjoyed Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around but I really enjoyed the story and characters in this one. That might be because I haven’t skipped the start of a series but I think it’s because of Noah’s sub plot.

I would have loved a dual POV with this one as I would like to experience first hand how Noah viewed Merry and he definitely comes across as the grumpy to her sunshine but deep down he’s a big softie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh boy. I hate giving bad reviews to books but sometimes it's needed.

I DNF this book at chapter 25 (it has 60!!!!). I actually couldn't read anymore.
So, what happens in the story? (Is was actually good the first 20% ish and I had high hopes)
Merry loves her best friend Leo but doesn't have the courage to admit that, and Leo falls maddly in love with Angela, Merry's sister, after one night of meeting her. And they are getting married within the month. Poor Merry.
The thing about Merry is that she is a 30 year old woman behaving like a teenager. Her life sucks. She is too passive with her little sister because she loves her and deserves the world and Merry is happy to live in her shadow and lets Angela take basically everything she has (ahem, the red bike).

Jupiter (Merry's godmother) bought a chateau in the french countryside and thinks it's a good idea for Merry to spend 3 months there to "look after it" and to find the magic missing in Merry's life. Guess what, at that same chateau we find Noah (Merry's ENEMY) who is there to work (he's a writer/traveller/documentarist). They agree to stay out of each other's hair but THERE IS ONLY ONE BED. Oh and Jupiter never went to the CASTLE SHE BOUGHT. She just bought it because she is so eCcEnTrIc and in case she needs a "flight plan".

My flight plan is not reading any more of this book.

I don't want to get into the plot anymore but I do have one comment to make. Did they really only eat baguettes, cheese and pears? And only drank wine?
If I read the words "french/local wine" and "french/local cheese" my eyes will roll out of my eyes.

Anyway, the story felt dragged out. I really wanted to finish this and give it a chance but the writing was so bad. It's the first title I read from Miss Ready but it really let me down. The plot had so much to give.
It felt really unrealistic and the characters were 1) annoying; 2) unrelatable; 3) i-am-not-like-other-girls vibe.
If this were on wattpad in 2014, I would have ADORED it. I think this says enough.

Thank you again for the opportunity

4 Star Review French Holiday by Sarah Ready

Having read a few books by Sarah Ready I was excited to read French Holiday. It was an entertaining read that ticked quite a few boxes for me.

I really felt for our heroine Merry DeLuca when her sister marries the only man Merry has ever loved and she needs to get away. When Merry is offered a three month holiday, staying in a French Castle, she decides it is fate helping her out.

However, imagine her shock when she arrives and finds Noah Wright, the best man at her sister’s wedding there. The sparks fly between these two and not in a good way but as they come to a truce, fate seems to be up to its tricks again.

There is a fine line between love and hate and as a friendship develops, lines will be crossed and that made for an entertaining story.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

I can see this book will have fans. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. There were parts I liked, mostly the setting and the godmother. Noah would have been a better main character than Merry, especially if Merry was not his love interest. I just wasn't buying it. She's a twit. There were too many side stories that wouldn't have been missed.

4.5 Stars. Merry has been in love with her best friend but he falls instantly in love with her sister. At their wedding Merry and the best man, Noah, who have always hated each other continue to clash but do share a kiss. Merry’s aunt offers her the chance to escape to chateau in France and Merry accepts only to find when she arrives that her aunt has also offered it to Noah. The chateau is in disrepair and the pair must share a bed and they become friends then fall in love while trying to uncover the mystery behind a painter in the region who disappeared.

It’s a romance set in a French chateau, I was always going to like it. I really liked both Merry and Noah and found both their journey’s to be interesting and full stories. While this book is all in Merry’s POV, it is very much Noah’s story as well. I found the A and various B plots to be compelling in a way that many books I’ve read recently have not been, making this book feel like a much fuller story. The only negative for me was that much of the drama felt over the top to the point of bing melodramatic, but it didn’t ruin the book for me. Overall I was very entertained and will have to keep an eye out for Sarah’s next book.

I listened to the audiobook more than I actually read it and really enjoyed myself. Kelsey Navarro was a wonderful reader. She did the voices well enough that I could always tell who was speaking and also managed to do very well with the French which is a skill a lot of narrators do not have.

Thank you to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Ready’s French Holiday was such a sweet, funny romance. Thank you NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Trigger warning: death of a parent.
I absolutely loved the setting of this book. The prose was so vivid I felt completely transported to a crumbling chateau in the French countryside. It truly felt like an escape from reality.
Merry and Noah are just wonderful together. I could identify with a lot of Merry’s struggles in love and in life, especially as a young woman. I love how her relationship with Noah blossomed so naturally. And Noah, well, he’s just an amazing book boyfriend. Grumpy yet sweet and sensitive is my favorite combination. I really hope we haven’t seen the last of Merry and Noah because I love them so much.
I highly recommend this book and it is available on April 26.

When she runs away to a french castle to recover after her sister married a guy she loves, but someone is already there 🤫 I had zero expectations, but this book sucked me in! It’s not only about romance, but there is also a bit of a mystery and local legend, and what convinced me the most is that you can absolutely feel the french cottage core and almost smell and taste the food: fresh bread, cheese, wine… Don’t read it on an empty stomach! As a lover of french countryside - I recommend it as a perfect read for holidays in France.
I took away half a star for the ending - it felt a bit extreme to my taste, but overall I enjoyed it a lot and read in one go.

I loved reading this book! It had the perfect balance of romance, with a bit of mystery too.

When Angela, Merry's sister, marries Leo (who Merry is in love with), she decides to go to France and stay in her godmother's chateau for 3 months. Only, it isn't just her staying there, there's also Noah who is Leo's best friend and he is working on his travel documentaries there. Merry and Noah are forced into close proximity when there turns out to be only one bed!

This is a great enemies-to-lovers romance book, which I adored reading. The character development of Merry was really nice to read, watching her become more confident in herself. I loved Merry and Noah's relationship, and was rooting for them throughout. The book was really well written, and had good length chapters which always helps! Would definitely recommend reading.

French Holiday is a great beach read. Haters to lovers, crumbing French chateau, plus a bit of mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

Okay, so this is official the most wholesome, softest, emotional, romantic, understanding, comforting, & humorous romance I've read so far this year.

Merry & Noah's relationship was serene, perfect, and full of cute animosities. I loved how they started off as enemies but slowly became so much more, especially how cooperative & understanding both were. The maturity of these was commendable. Every scene of theirs was so so soooooo romantic & I had goofy smile throughout.

I can't begin to describe how FULL & beautiful the romance was. Both Merry & Noah dealt with so much unrequited love that made the love they had for each other multiply.

Not only the romance but the sub-plot was one heck of a kind. I mean, it's been ages, I feel when sub-plots like this kept me going except for the romance. Honestly, this book was so poetic & the backdrop of the French countryside was an added bonus.

If you love 27 Dresses+Bridget Jones' Diary+The Italian Job (by Kathryn Freeman), then this is exactly your book. Even if you don't like either of these, STILL READ THIS BOOK.

<i>Thank you NetGalley & Publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.<i>