One word: swoon. I absolutely love Sarah Ready’s books and this book was no different. She is a reliable romance writer that will make you smile every time. This is a story of love lost and with an enemies to lovers trope. This book had beautiful descriptions of the French countryside, allowing the reader to almost transport there. FRENCH HOLIDAY was cozy, and absolutely hilarious.

After Merry’s sister married her best friend and the man she’s loved as long as she can remember, she jumps at the opportunity to escape on a 3 month vacation living in a castle in the French countryside. When she arrives she finds the best man at the wedding, Noah, is also staying at the castle. They agree to a truce despite not getting along, and decide they will both continue to live in the castle for the next 3 months and act as friends for that time. But as they spend more time together they start to genuinely care for each other.

Sarah Ready’s humor always has me laughing out loud while I read. Some parts of the story were completely chaotic and ridiculous (hello lobster, I’m looking at you) but I was also here for it. This book was a lot of fun and the mix of mystery, self-growth, and romance was done so well. I was engaged in this story all the way from the

Thanks to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for the advance copy.

*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

This book was reminded me of the movie 27 Dresses, and I really enjoyed it. Merry (28) and Noah (28) were each exactly what the other needed. And they were both good, kind, smart people. I loved seeing them butt heads and then become friends and help each other. Their banter and interactions felt completely believable, both when they got along and when they didn't. I loved Merry's determination to be more direct in her communications with people. You know how sometimes you read a book and think, "If only you'd just talk to each other, this wouldn't have happened"? Merry is exactly the character you're looking for. And I loved Noah's care and kindness, even when he was helping Merry with something that messed up his own plans. Although I had unfriendly feelings towards some characters at times in the book (looking at you Angela, Camille, and Pierre), it felt like the annoyance I'd have towards a real person who acted as they did. It was all very natural, and everything made sense.

And Louis the lobster made me laugh.

This book isn't just about Merry and Noah's relationship, however. Each of them has something else to work out. The whole reason Merry goes to France is to try to get over Leo, the best friend who's marrying her sister. I won't say what Noah is doing there. As with the characters themselves, all of the conflict is very realistic and feels natural rather than forced just for the sake of more pages.

I always approach books like this with some hesitancy because so many of what's considered "chick lit" is full of swearing and sex. But this book really surprised me. It had very minimal swearing (easily PG level). Unfortunately, it did have some sex, but it was contained to one brief chapter (ch. 48) which can easily be skipped.

Sarah Ready will definitely be on my list when I'm looking for a new book to read. I think this would make a really great movie, too, but only if chapter 48 is glossed over; otherwise, I'll sadly have to miss it.

Note: A little language. Some references to sex. One brief chapter of moderate sex to skip (chapter 48).

I enjoyed reading French Holiday by Sarah Ready. The story and characters are wonderful. Happy reading!
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

This was a cute summer read, taking place in the French countryside. The author did a great job showcasing a holiday in a one bedroom chateau and playing with that trope. There was great chemistry and there's also a funny side character in the godmother. I thought it was a good take on enemies to friends to lovers. I think it stuck out more than some other rom-coms that have taken abroad lately, so big kudos to the author.

📖My Thoughts📖

Romance books are always a good way to put a smile on your face and get lost in when you need it. This one did just that. I completely got lost in this one. I’ll be honest, the two things that drew me to this book were the fact that it was a romance novel (one of my favorite genres) but even more importantly, a huge part of it took place in France. How could you not love that? It’s perfect! It had the “enemies to lovers” trope, which is also one of my favorites. I loved the characters and the storyline was so entertaining and fun. What’s not to love? It’s like THE perfect formula for a book! With summer creeping up on us, I would strongly recommend you pick this one up for a beach or vacation read! It won’t disappoint! This was my first book by this author, but it most certainly won’t be the last!
Thank you Netgalley, Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC and Sarah Ready for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was our first read by Sarah Ready and we’ll be exploring more of her stories after falling in love with French Holiday. Merry and Noah (talk about swoon!) stole our hearts. We loved their complicated slow burn enemies to lover’s romance. In fact, we loved the mystery, the unrequited love and all the other themes Sarah Ready so beautifully wove into French Holiday.


Meredith ‘Merry’ De Luca has been in love with her best friend Leo for years – on the verge of revealing her feelings, Leo meets Merry’s sister Angela, and it’s love at first sight. He’s completely besotted by her and instead of fulfilling her love story with Leo, Merry is forced to watch her sister walk down the aisle with Leo, and she’s crushed.

Merry is offered the opportunity to head to France and spend some time in her godmother Jupiter’s Chateau. To regroup and find herself. However, she didn’t count on Leo’s best friend Noah Wright being her housemate. Merry had a run in with Noah at her sister’s wedding and he grates on her every nerve. He’s a grumpy closed book, and Merry’s none to pleased at the living arrangements.

However, there’s so much to the gorgeous Noah Wright, and Merry slowly gets him to open up and show her the ‘real’ Noah, not just the charismatic travel presenter he reveals to world. Plus, Noah is on a journey of his own, one that leads him to discover parts of himself that’s been a mystery.

Told in single person POV from Merry’s perspective, French Holiday was a fun, romantic escape. We felt as though we were there in the crumbling Chateau, baguette in hand with Merry, Noah and the people from the village. The mystery element was a beautiful addition to the fun, emotion and romance this author created. What a great introduction to a new to us author!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
SPICE: 🔥🔥.5

Merry DeLuca's life is currently a hot dumpster fire. The cherry on top of said fire is that her sister Angela is getting married to Merry's best friend Leo. The same Leo that Merry has been crushing on for years.

When her grandmother offers her an escape plan, she immediately jumps at the opportunity to spend three months at a French castle and away from the newlyweds and her problems. Unfortunately for Merry, the castle turns out to be a one-bedroom chateau and she is sharing it with Leo's unbearable best man Noah Wright.

Noah refuses to leave so they eventually come to a truce. A truce that eventually leads to friendship and something more.

This read was like taking a trip to the French countryside and witnessing two people navigate around the tension between them. I love taking the journey from enemies to friends to lovers, and with Sarah Ready integrating wonderful details about the backdrop in a well-paced story, this read went by so quickly for me.

As someone who has pined for someone for a long time, I can totally relate to Merry's situation with Leo, but I was completely thrilled for her to find love with someone who loved her as fiercely. Sarah Ready did a great job of establishing the contrast between Merry's dry relationship with Leo vs. her sizzling chemistry with Noah even when they're at each other's throats.

I love the well-balanced mix of romance, comedy, and even a small side of mystery. This standalone read was such a fun, quick read. If you love enemies-to-lovers romcom with a wonderful backdrop of France, this is a great summer read for you.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Sarah Ready, Swift and Lewis Publishing, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

Enemies, a rundown French countryside chateau and only one bed? Sign me up. The scheming godmother (boy was she right!) placing Merry and Noah in the same spot, the friendship they build, complete with some will they won't they tension (did i mention the one bed?) and a kiss on a bridge that legend says they're meant to be together forever 🥰🫠🥰.

I've had some of Sarah Ready's books on my tbr for a while but this is the first of hers I've read and it did not disappoint! A perfect summer vacation read!

Thank you Netgalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Merry’s life is in a fast free fall: her sister just married the only man Merry has ever loved and she doesn’t know what to do with herself now. So when Merry is offered the opportunity to stay at a French Chateau, she immediately jumps at the chance. The only problem is that once she arrives, there’s another guest: the best man at the wedding and Merry’s new enemy.

What I liked the most about this book was how vividly it described the chateau and it’s surrounding. You really felt like you were exploring the French countryside, but that didn’t stop the book from embracing it’s comedic side. It’s a delicate balance that I really feel like Sarah Ready pulled off.

What frustrated me about the book was how quickly it seemed to wrap up. I can’t really explain what parts I wanted more time with, without spoilers, but I would have loved a little bit more at the end.

I received this as an ARC form NetGalley! This book was super cute especially if your into simple romance with a happy ending. Spice level is a 1 and I definitely think some of the book could have been removed. Overall a cute slow burn but it was enjoyable! This book is something i would recomend to YA audances who are looking for a cute summer read thats simple to follow along to.

Enemies-to-lovers, best friend's friend, forced proximity, a crumbling chateau/castle, and France all come together for this new, delightful book from Sarah Ready.

I love when romance books have a bit of a mystery plotline, which this one does, in addition to the HEA and the character growth that we see from both Merry and Noah.

At the beginning of the book, Merry definitely read as a pushover and a people pleaser (which is definitely what the author was going for!) and I really wasn't sure what would happen to get Merry to show some conviction, stand up for herself, and move on from the unrequited love she felt for her best friend, Leo, who married her sister (after meeting her one day and announcing their engagement the next....I'm throwing some side eye there).

With the influence/encouragement from her godmother, Jupiter (umm... can we have her life story in a book, please?), Merry jumps on a plane to France to stay at Jupiter's chateau for a few months to get her life back on track. And maybe fall in love with a Frenchman. What she doesn't expect is that Noah, Leo's friend who's actions have indicated an intense dislike for Merry, is already there, having rented the place for a few months. From Jupiter. Whoops.

Noah has his own reasons for being there, and the two decide to co-habit the place, including sharing the one bed.

The book, told through Merry's POV, is a fun romp, with humour mixed amongst the more serious reflections and conversations as we learn why Merry is a pushover and what Noah is really doing in France. There's flirtations with locals; baguettes, cheese and wine consumed; adventuring to find clues to solve Noah's mystery; forced proximity; a cat (!); a rogue lobster, and more.

I really enjoyed how the third-act conflict was done, with a bit of a red herring and then some subtle callbacks to earlier conversations between Noah and Merry. It was definitely not the conflict I expected, but it really worked out well.

All in all, a fun book and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it!

thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the eARC and ALC.

French Holiday by Sarah Ready

I read this book whilst away on holiday, and it was the perfect vacation read.

This is your typical, light-hearted romance book with lovable characters and a surprisingly good mysterious storyline hidden beneath the surface.

Merry and Noah were great characters both separately and as a couple. I absolutely loved their flirty banter and it was nice to see a hater-to-love storyline that didn't involve horrible insults being hurled about. I started off the book disliking Camille as a character but grew to love her by the end. Pierre was a nice addition, with the storyline that unfolded between him and Camille being a lovely and heart-warming inclusion to this book.

The setting of the French castle was also a nice touch, as was the use of the lobster, which made me proper laugh out loud.

I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars because I just thoroughly enjoyed it and could not put it down. Would highly recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in return for an honest review.

This book was a joy! I LOVE forced proximity and I really enjoyed Sarah's writing style. Noah and Merry were so charming, and I loved reading about their truce, to friendship, to love. It was such a fun and FUNNY book, I laughed out loud multiple times. I definitely think this is a reread for me, probably at the pool, dreaming of finding my Noah in a French Castle <3

I really enjoyed this book. It's full of tropes including enemies to lovers, forced proximity, one bed and grumpy/sunshine. It's such a fun read. It made me laugh, the romance side is so sweet and it had a mystery twist element. I wish it had been dual POV though so we could have seen Noah fall. I still loved both of them though and they showed so much growth. The crumbling castle was the perfect setting and there are some great side characters. Some of the events were a bit odd, especially the lobster scene but it all worked well together. The mystery sublot added a little something extra to the story. Also major points for a certain event not ending with my least favourite trope.

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

French Holiday had a very strong start. I was enjoying the summer vacation set in France. Then suddenly, my interest in the book began to wane. I dredged along because I did not want to DNF it, but alas, I was bored and have too many other books I need to get to. Then just as I was going to close the curtains on French Holiday, a mystery subplot which I was not expecting popped up. Well, I had to continue to see where this story was going. However, the mystery plot seemed to be a bit of a distraction from the main story. It made the book a bit more exciting, but it didn't quite fit in with the overall theme. In the end, I finished the book, but it wasn't as enjoyable as I had hoped.

I would still recommend this book to those who are looking for an easy-going enemies to lovers, one bed trope, beach read with a strong setting.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

This book was absolutely adorable! It felt very similiar to the story Something Borrowed and 27 Dresses, regardless, it was still very enjoyable.

Our novel starts with sweet Merry being a bridesmaid in a horrendous dress for her sister who is about to marry the man that is Merry's best friend.....oh yes, she's been secretly in love with him for years too! Then Merry's younger sister shows up and it is instalove for the two of them....great. Plus, Merry has to deal with Leo's best friend/her nemisis who has been awful to her for years! (Spoiler clue....Love Actually a bit...<3) Merry decides her godmother Jupiter is right, she needs to get away and find herself again, why not take a trip to France to stay in Jupiter's chateau?! Hello, everyone's dream! Oh but what happened next she was not expecting...

A fun and hysterical rom com that was so sweet with a little mystery story inside with the overall love story. A fun read that I just greatly enjoyd and appreciate Netgalley and the publisher for a copy!

This was the perfect palate cleanser!

The story was the perfect balance between love, lust and a little mystery. It was serious at times and utterly hilarious at others.

The story took place in an abandoned castle in France and honestly, I loved the simplicity of it all.

Merry grows and learns to let go and in the process ends up falling in the love. The connection between Merry and Noah was so beautifully written. The forced proximity and the “there’s only one bed” trope was exactly what this story needed. And the added found-family proponent was my absolute favourite!

The only factor that made this a 4⭐️ read was how fast everyone got engaged 😂

This book is a perfect beach/summer read and will have you searching for flights to France!

Recommend if you like:
💕Enemies to lovers
💕Forced proximity
💕Single POV
💕Holidays abroad
💕Slow burn
💕New-found family
💕He falls first
💕Only one bed

This book was super cute and a fun read! The chemistry between the two main characters was incredible and made me really get into their story.

I do wish it was a dual POV and we got to see Noah falling for Merry.

Tropes;
- enemies to lovers
- forced proximity
- destination

Thank you Author Sarah Ready,Swift & Lewis Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC! I am voluntarily leaving a review. I do not know if I can express just how much I loved this book! I want to get up and applaud. The way Sarah describes things is just chef's kiss. This story was funny and romantic with a mystery mixed in as well. The book starts with a sad beginning due to Merry's sister marrying the man that she believes to be in love with. But oh my,does it take off from there! Noah and Merry I mean I can't even handle it! Run and get this book for real!