I loved reading French Holiday. This book had a little bit of everything, mystery, travel, and romance. The imagery of the French countryside made me want to move into my own French castle. The characters had depth and the plot was not predictable. There were several surprises and dramatic turns. Louis the Lobster was of course my favorite character. There was a lot of sexual tension and the only one bed trope.

This was absolutely adorable and the breath of fresh air I needed.

This is a witty story line of frenimies to lovers, forced proximity, one bed, the list is endless, and so lovable.

I gave this 4⭐️ just because I laughed out loud, I related so much at times, and the banter between Noah and Merry was remarkable.

Sarah also threw in a fun mystery to be solved, and it just gave it another dimension.

I recommend this to anyone looking for a light and easy read or listen.

I received an ALC from NetGalley and Swift and Lewis Publishing for an honest review.

The narrator Kelsey Navarro was exceptional, and her female and male voices were amazing.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC! French Holiday by Sarah Ready.

The main charactery Merry takes off for 3 months in France, to somewhat avoid the fact that her sister just married the only person she's ever loved. She finds one of her enemies, Noah, who was the best man at her sister's wedding, and the two somehow happen on this French vacation.

This book was a sweet little novel, however I found that it was hard to follow the plot at the beginning...Somehow the characters fell a little flat in the first half but definitely improved in the latter half of the book. If I were to read again, I would read rather than listen so I could go back and keep everyone all straight in my head and not get so confused!

Ovearll, 4/5.

3.5 stars

This was cute and fun.
I like the audiobook. It really made this book feel even better than if I only read it.
The plot was fun, and I really liked the main characters.
Overall, it was a really fun read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review

I listened to this as an audio book, and I quite liked this one. It's an enemies to lovers arc with quite a few twists as we go. I liked the characters, the setting, the back stories, and how everything blends in nicely. I enjoyed most of the descrtions, but some were a bit too much/superfluous for me-nevertheless this didn't stop me from enjoying this. The narrator was also great at portraying emotions and taking you on this journey to a castle in France.

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.

While I enjoyed the audiobook, I actually felt like it moved a little slower than reading the book itself. As an audiobook lover, I was surprised by this, but it happens.

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, written by Sarah Ready.
Narrated by Kelsey Navarro.
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quote: Requited love - “messy, dirty, magical requited love because that’s the best kind. The kind where you love someone with your whole heart, and they love you with their whole heart.” ♥️♥️
Enemies to lovers set in a crumbling French chateau owned by Mary’s godmother.
Without giving away any spoilers, can I just say Louie is a scoundrel and absolutely hilarious, he is potentially one of my favourite characters in the book. AHAHA!
There is a lot of love in this book and you can feel it, it’s a warm and fuzzy romance that scoops you up and cuddles you while taking you on an adventure ♥️
I love the phone calls between Mary and Angela. Sister bonds are so adorable.
I can honestly didn’t say I didn’t see that bombshell about 60% of the way in.
The stories that are entwined in this novel span generations and end up being quite the beautiful story.
Also… Can Jupiter be my Godmother!
I can honestly say I loved this book, I laughed, and sighed, and said oh hell no out loud while listening to this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to listen to this audio book in exchange for an open and honest review.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced listening copy of French holiday. this was such a cute romance. two unlikely for the match up their little adventures and I love Louie the lobster.

This was adorable. It was fun, light, and had some of the most hilarious moments. The lobster scenes were so great. I enjoyed the audiobook. The setting, romance, and overall feel of this book make for a great summer read. It gave me Something Borrowed and 27 dresses vibes which I enjoyed.

The narration and production were well done. I definitely recommend the audio!

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!

Sarah Ready's "Dream Holiday" is a heartwarming and delightful romantic comedy that takes readers on a whimsical journey of self-discovery and unexpected love. With her witty writing style and endearing characters, Ready creates a charming and feel-good story that is perfect for those in need of a literary escape. The novel centers around the life of our protagonist, Callie, a young woman who finds herself at a crossroads in both her personal and professional life. When a last-minute opportunity arises to take a dream holiday to a picturesque village in Europe, Callie seizes the chance, hoping to find solace and inspiration. Little does she know that this journey will not only lead her to new adventures but also to unexpected love. Ready's strength lies in her ability to create relatable and likable characters. Callie is a refreshing and relatable protagonist, with her quirks, insecurities, and a desire to find her true purpose in life. Alongside Callie, readers are introduced to a colorful cast of supporting characters who add depth and charm to the story. From the eccentric innkeeper to the charismatic love interest, each character brings their own unique flavor to the narrative. The author's witty and engaging writing style adds a delightful touch to the book. Ready's ability to infuse humor into her storytelling makes for an enjoyable reading experience. The dialogue is sharp and snappy, with clever banter that keeps readers entertained and invested in the characters' journeys. "Dream Holiday" is not only a romantic comedy but also a tale of self-discovery. Through Callie's adventures and encounters, Ready explores themes of finding oneself, stepping out of one's comfort zone, and embracing the unexpected. The novel serves as a gentle reminder that life is full of surprises and that sometimes the best experiences come when we let go and take a leap of faith. The picturesque setting of the European village adds an enchanting backdrop to the story. Ready's vivid descriptions bring the charming streets, quaint cafes, and breathtaking landscapes to life, making readers feel as though they are right there, immersed in the holiday atmosphere. While "Dream Holiday" follows a somewhat predictable storyline, the heartwarming and uplifting nature of the novel compensates for any moments of predictability. Ready's ability to create engaging characters and her skillful use of humor make the journey worth taking.

Unrequited love can be both beautiful and sad. Merry is at the sad stage when Logan, her best friend and “love of her life”, falls in love with her sister and they get married. Merry escapes to a chateau in France courtesy of her godmother, Jupiter. Only she isn’t alone and Logan’s other best friend Noah is there. There is no love lost between these two, but can they stand to stay in each orders company?

I listened to this book at the exact right time to get me out of a slump. The romance between Merry and Noah was just not about falling in love, but also about healing. With an interesting set of side characters, this is a most entertaining listen. The narrator, was excellent. She did and amazing job with the different voices and intonations.

I will definitely be reading more from @sarahreadyauthor
This book is definitely worthy of a reread!

This was such a fun audiobook to listen to! I am such a fan of enemies to lovers. Put that in the setting of a crumbling castle in the French countryside and add in a lot of character development that felt very genuine and it's a great read. My favorite thing about this book was the main characters transformation. The insight and faith in herself that she gained was a joy to listen to. I also loved the wit and snark between the two main characters. There a couple of classic miscommunication scenes which I don't love but overall this one was really good. I felt the narrator did a great job embodying the character and bringing her voice into the story. It felt authentic. She also did a great job with the right tone for the sarcastic comments and inflections. Overall this was a great audiobook and I certainly recommend it.

Review 3.5/5 stars. This was a fun, light book! There were some great laugh-out-loud moments, and some sweet ones too. Merry finds herself in a mix of emotions after her sister marries her best friend and the guy she's loved. She gets presented an opportunity to live in a French castle for a few months, and low and behold, Noah is there already. Noah was the best man at her sister's wedding and is a travel documentarian. The story follows the two as they're stuck in the castle together (how rough lol), and there's a fun mystery trope that is sewn in. I mostly enjoyed the romance trope of Merry and Noah. I just wish there was more of it, and less of the mystery storyline (which I liked but felt like too much time was spent on it). Sarah Ready is a new author to me, and I liked her writing style and capability of telling a story. I would totally read other works from her! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic! Overall, this was an enjoyable summer read, and one I would recommend to others.

I received this audio ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance set in the French countryside!

When Merry’s sister, Angela, marries her best friend and the only man she’s ever loved, Leo, Merry’s life is thrown into a swift downward spiral. When her eccentric godmother, Jupiter, offers her the chance to stay in her castle in the French countryside, Merry jumps at the chance to escape her problems. Little does she know, Jupiter also invited Noah to use the castle. Noah is Leo’s best friend, and he and Merry certainly got off on the wrong foot. Merry and Noah are both unwilling to give up the opportunity to stay in the castle so they decide to call a truce. But the more time they spend together, the more Merry realizes she may not dislike Noah after all.

Although I really enjoyed many aspects of this story, the setting was my favorite. The descriptions of the castle, vineyard, and nearby city were so vivid that I felt that I was transported to the French countryside and I loved every second of it!

I really loved both Merry and Noah. Merry has always lived in her sister’s shadow so it was beautiful to see her realize that she’s equally as deserving of excitement and happiness. Noah was so sweet and romantic and helped Merry realize that she’s deserving of love and attention, too.

I’m so glad I read this novel and especially glad that I listened to it on audio! Kelsey Navarro did an excellent job with the narration.

This is a perfect beach or poolside read. If you’re looking for a fun romance with spring/summer vibes, look no further!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this light-hearted enemies to lovers rom-com. This book is great after reading a heavier historical fiction novel. It had its funny, swoon worthy moments. I could picture myself in France, but not sure if I would have stayed in the dilapidated castle, lol. Overall this was a fun light-hearted read. If you like rom-coms and need something lighter give this one a read.

Thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC, and NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review .

First I would like to say that I am not really a fan of sappy romance books and this one really wasn’t my style. A flaky MC who is heartbroken because her sister is marrying the love of her life. So she quits her job and goes to France where she stays in a broken down castle with an old friend / flame.
The MC was a bit too quirky and airheaded to make this “believable”. With all that in mind, I enjoyed the little romance that developed (predictably) in this audiobook. The narrator did a fine job and helped me to get through the sappy story with still a bit of joy.
Not a terrible story, well written with a touch of comedic romance. Average for rating, and a book I’m happy to have read but will not re-visit.
Recommended for fans of Romance, Rom-com and New Adult.

A cutesy light listen that touched upon heavier topics with sensitivity. When I felt it was getting predictable there was an unexpected turn waiting around the corner. I really enjoyed listening to this as I enjoyed the flow and easiness of it. The build-up between Merry and Noah is everything you wanted for Merry, and the spice, well that definitely took me by surprise!

i wanted to love this but i wasnt able to get into it the way i wanted to. charachter development was lacking and there wasnt too much plot