4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I have always been an enemies-to- lovers kind of gal and mix with it being set in the French countryside? Well I’m a goner. I really love Merry and Noah together and their interactions. My only complaint is that it’s too long that it felt a bit lagging near the end.

Loved everything about this book. The characters had great chemistry. The setting made the plot work. Definitely some parts I laughed out loud.

I just couldn't finish this book. I've had it on my to be continued list, but I haven't been motivated to finish it. I'm not sure if it's because it felt like it was moving too slow or I just couldn't feel the spark between the characters. I at least got through more than half of the book, but I just don't think it was for me.

Predictable but a great read for when on vacation. Characters were likeable, Merry and Noah definitely stuck with me and I enjoyed their banter so much. The setting was dreamy and made me want to travel more than I already do. I loved the nuances to French culture. All in all, would recommend to my rom-com loving friends.

I admit to picking this one up because I spent my own lovely season in the French countryside and was looking forward to the descriptions and I wasn't at all disappointed. This was a lovely and complex enemies to lovers that had me looking at plane tickets!

I was fully on board to four star this book until 85-90%. Then it just got a bit ridiculous. I did really enjoy the author's voice, and I loved the French chateau setting.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy.

I rated 'French Holiday' with 2 stars as I found myself unable to connect with either the characters or the plot. Despite the picturesque setting and the potential for a captivating storyline, I felt a distinct lack of depth in the character development and the overall narrative. While the premise had promise, the execution fell short, leaving me disappointed and disconnected throughout the read.
However, I'm sure there are many who would enjoy this summer read.

In Sarah Ready’s French Holiday, this stand-alone romcom would take you on a wild adventure to France and bring on the heat. For Meredith “Merry” DeLuca, it all started when her sister Angela marries her best friend Leo. As the matron of honor, she’s paired up with Noah Wright, a person she couldn’t stand and thought he had hated her. Then things got worse at work, and her sister announced her pregnancy. Then her godmother Jupiter mentioned taking a holiday at a chateau in France for three months. What a perfect getaway. But then she ran into Noah at the same chateau, who she had to live with. She learns Noah’s there doing research for his film and also looking for his long-lost parents there. During her French holiday, Merry and Noah’s feelings begin to grow and deal with mysterious discoveries of France that brought them closer together. In the end, they found each other and true love in the romantic country of the world.

This tender-hearted romcom is so heartfelt and emotional. I cared for Merry, who had panged for her best friend in the worst way. Told from Merry’s POV, this pulls you into her story and how she fell in love with Noah to get her happily ever after fairy tale ending. I loved the idyllic French countryside for the location and its mesmeric scenic settings. The theme of the story is never judge a book by its cover, even if it’s worst rival.

I rated this fantastic romcom, five stars, for no reason. If you love loveswept romcoms with non-stop romantic action, and plenty of sizzling, heart-pounding page-turning dramatic suspense, you’ll love French Holiday This book is recommended for fans of Heidi Stephens, Zara Stoneley, and Hallmark Movies.

I absolutely loved Josh & Gemma make A Baby and I just had to read this one just based on the cover!

I thought it was fun, little lighthearted read! I definitely want to book a trip to France, STAT!

I love romance novels that have depth and heart - and this one passed my test!

This was a definite Bookstagram Made Me Do It. There were so many great reviews and posts about this book. There were a lot of funny moments, but the connection between the characters fell a little flat to me. This is a perfect read if you just want something joyful without a ton of drama.

I enjoyed this book a lot, pure escapist romance. I loved Noah and empathize d with Merry though she could be a bit clueless. the side stories were a bit complicated at the time but the slow- burning romance at the center of it all was lovely.

I love Sarah Readys books- I’m so glad I got one of her books on NetGalley a couple to years ago and now I’m always anticipating the next read!

Cute story, easy to follow, and kept my attention and wanting more!

I couldn’t finish this one. I stopped about 1/2 way and I was unfortunately bored and it was dry for me. I thought I would pick it back up and completely forgot it was in my NetGalley shelf. The story could have way shorter but I had to DNF at half way

Venturing into Sarah Ready's "French Holiday" was a journey riddled with frustration and unmet expectations. As someone dipping their toes into the romance genre, this book left much to be desired, with plot holes and unrealistic scenarios scattered throughout.

The narrative follows Merry, trapped in unrequited love for her best friend Leo, who has hastily fallen for her sister. The whirlwind engagement and subsequent wedding set the stage for Merry's escape to a French chateau, an opportunity that promised more than it delivered. The lack of character development and the suspended reality the story demanded made it hard to immerse myself in the romance.

Merry's encounters with Noah, Leo's other best friend, introduced an expected clash between the two. However, the narrative leaned heavily on stereotypes, and the ensuing twists and turns felt forced. The depth I anticipated in character reactions and emotions was sorely lacking, leaving me frustrated at the missed potential.

While the premise held promise, the execution fell short, making it challenging to connect with Merry's journey. The romantic entanglements felt superficial, and the suspended reality needed for the plot twists left me disengaged rather than captivated.

In the end, "French Holiday" became a test of patience, and the lack of depth in character reactions and storytelling hindered the overall enjoyment of what could have been a delightful escape.

Sometimes I feel like I might be "aging out" of the rom/com genre - but then along comes a book with a premise that's promising enough to pull me back in. This was one of those books. It's an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers read that's mostly set in a crumbling French chateau. Merry's best friend is also her unrequited love - and her sister has just married him. How to mend her broken heart? Her aunt suggests spending a few months at her chateau in France to regroup, and after quitting her job, Merry decides to do just that. She arrives only to find an aging home with no power or running water. Another surprise - the presence of Noah, the best man to her maid of honor, whom she dislikes intensely, a feeling that seems to be mutual. They decide to try to make the best of things, and as they explore the people and countryside around them, and try to improve living conditions in the chateau, a friendship grows. Likeable characters and a bit of a mystery kept me interested; descriptions of food and the countryside made me want to contact a travel agent. A couple of slapstick scenes went on a bit too long for my personal taste, but overall I really enjoyed this charming story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

Very cute and light read. Certainly not the most “enemies” in enemies to lovers but I enjoyed the characters and their story.

"French Holiday" by Sarah Ready is a delightful and heartwarming romantic novel that takes readers on a journey to a crumbling French castle, where two enemies-at-first-sight find themselves entangled in a holiday of unexpected twists and turns.

Merry DeLuca's life is in disarray after her sister marries the man Merry has always loved. In a desperate need for an escape, Merry seizes the opportunity for a three-month holiday in the romantic French countryside, envisioning mouthwatering pastries, flirtations, and idyllic strolls through vineyards. However, her perfect holiday takes an unexpected turn when she discovers Noah Wright—the best man from her sister's wedding and the worst man she's ever known—sharing the castle with her.

Sarah Ready weaves a charming and engaging tale as Merry and Noah navigate their forced cohabitation in the picturesque French setting. The author skillfully balances humor, romance, and a touch of mystery, creating a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. The crumbling castle serves as a fitting backdrop, adding a touch of enchantment to the narrative.

The characters of Merry and Noah are well-developed, each carrying their own baggage and flaws. The journey of their evolving relationship from enemies to friends is portrayed with authenticity and warmth. The truce they strike to live as cohabitating friends for three months sets the stage for unexpected discoveries, revealing secrets and laying bare their hearts.

What sets "French Holiday" apart is its ability to blend friendship, romance, and a hint of love seamlessly. The story explores the nuances of relationships, showing that sometimes friendship can lead to deeper feelings. The novel successfully captures the essence of a holiday romance, making readers wish that the enchanting holiday in the French castle would never end.

In conclusion, "French Holiday" earns four stars for its delightful storytelling, well-crafted characters, and the perfect blend of romance and friendship. Sarah Ready delivers a heartwarming tale that transports readers to the charm of the French countryside and leaves them with a warm and satisfied feeling. "French Holiday" is a recommended read for those who enjoy sweet and engaging romantic novels with a touch of humor and mystery.

This book was something I wanted to badly to like, but unfortunately I could barely get through it. The characters were insufferable and the plot was mediocre, at best.

French Holiday by Sarah Ready

A beautiful chateau in the French Countryside, rolling hills, free-flowing wine, endless plates of pasta, croissants, and desserts. What could be more magical about that?

When Jupiter, Merry's quirky godmother, suggests to Merry that she should go to France for the summer Merry thinks it would be the perfect escape from her current life situation.
Little did she know, that she would have a roommate for the duration of her stay.
Noah, an artist, looking to uncover a mystery about his past and his family is also staying at the chateau. This would have been fine but Noah was Merry's sister's husband's best man and sworn enemy of Merry.

This was a perfect enemies-to-lovers romance. I loved the chemistry between Merry and Noah, from the arguments they had to the connection they shared. All the characters in the book had something to offer and added to the charm of the book. I enjoyed the writing, descriptions, and banter between the characters.
It was a wonderful read if you're also looking for an escape to the French countryside without having to live in a crumbling chateau.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy!

Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollinsaustralia for providing me the opportunity to read and review this book.

French Holiday had a slow start for me. But I think that had more to do with me reading it at the same time as multiple other books which were all high fantasy books and so it therefore took me a few chapters to settle into the rom-com zone. I also think I was a bit intimidated by the number of chapters there were - but that was actually a good thing as it meant that chapters were kept short and sweet, just the way I like it.

To sum up what I felt by the end of this book, it was a funny, cute, fluffy romance story. It had a very predictable plot but that’s okay because it was written well so it didn’t matter that I could already figure out what was going to happen. Honestly sometimes its nice to know how things are going to end - I am not always looking for those shock factor moments that give me heart attacks.

I think what did surprise me about these books were the very interesting sub-plots and the storyline’s of other characters. While I loved the main romance in this story, it was really nice to play out the other stories within theirs as well.

I think if you are looking for an enemies (but kind of not enemies) to lovers story, filled with hilarious accidents and set in Annecy in France that short and sweet, this is the book for you.