Thank you to Netgalley, Orsay Press, and Chelsea Fagan for my advanced copy of A Perfect Vintage! I loved this book! Americans in France, old money, sexy characters, what more could you want?! Lea is a strong female character that you don't see very often. She knows what she wants and she goes after it. This is the perfect book for summer.

I really enjoyed reading this (which I'm happy about because I like Chelsea Fagan and I was hoping that I wouldn't dislike her book!). The book is well-written and well-structured. The setting of the novel makes it very fun and magical. A perfect summer read!

Brava, Chelsea! I've been a fan of Chelsea Fagan's work for years, I've been following her first on Twitter and then Instagram and of course her media company, The Financial Diet. When I saw that she wrote a novel I put it on my TBR list immediately, without even being sure what the plot was about. I requested the book as a long shot through Netgalley and I'm so incredibly honored to have gotten my hands on it before publication. Thank you!

A Perfect Vintage is the story of Lea, an incredibly career-driven single woman in her mid-thirties who especializes in renovating old French estates into boutique hotels. On her incoming project, Lea is asked by her best friend Stephanie to tag her and her 20-year-old daughter along to escape from her abusing husband. Lea hesitates at first but ends up agreeing to help them out.

When Lea, Stephanie and Maya arrive to France to the estate Lea is in charge of get ready for its opening, hell lets loose. They meet the French family who owns the estate and get to know the lack of boundaries this culture is know of for mixing business with pleasure. I don't want to give out too much, but there's relationships with significant age gaps that might start long debates. I really liked how the author addressed the different points of view through the different characters. There's for example David, Lea's ex boyfriend whom she broke up with 6 years prior. There's a significant amount of times he is mentioned and it got a little boring for me, to be honest. At the end, David and Lea meet up for coffee and I can see why he was mentioned so much. I loved him! So supportive, just how all past relationships should be.

I won't give away the love interest's name to avoid spoilers but oh, god. He sounds like prince charming, not less.

Can we also talk about the book cover? It's honestly one of the most gorgeous I've seen in a while. I saw the author will be selling prints and I'm definitely planning to get one.

Bottom line: This book is being marketed as a beach read, but I think the drama is a little in the heavier side. Nonetheless, I would let it pass because the vibes are unmatched. Get your hands on it ASAP!

I had a mixed relationship with this story. There were times when I really didn’t like the main character, Lea, and there were times when I could connect with her in small ways. I think that was my biggest issue with this story…I had a hard time connecting to the main character. I didn’t agree with her choices for quite awhile, but I came around by the end. I’d go 2.5 stars instead of just 2.0.

This was a really interesting book in that I was both actively rooting for and against all the characters from one page to the next. Fagan did an amazing job of writing just slightly unlikable characters but yet also humanizing them just enough that you could empathize with them. The background of the French countryside was also very well done and made me want to visit immediately. I don’t think it was the right kind of book for me, but readers who love messy protagonists, family drama, and secret affairs will devour this!

I think this would be an excellent book for a lot of readers. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me.

I did like the ending. And the writing and structure, when telling the story, is good.

But it often felt like a thesaurus was too heavily relied upon. And, for me, it's too descriptive for some details (fabrics and furniture and various renovation items), and vague when I wanted more (characters, emotions, and relationships). Also, it’s set in France, which I was very excited about, but it could have been anywhere because the location didn't shine.

With the exception of Theo, I didn’t care about any of the characters. And I really really disliked the main character. She was pretentious and judgmental and immature (even though she was always stating that she was the mature one).

The relationships were very instalove with no substance. I needed more chemistry and more character growth.

2.5 stars

SUCH an engaging and lovely distraction from real life, an excellent beach or pool read! This is the debut novel by one of my favorite podcasters and content creators, Chelsea Fagan. You may be familiar with her from her work on the Financial Diet. The novel’s plot is about a single woman with a successful business consulting with family estates to convert them to luxury hotel properties - despite her best efforts to keep clear divisions between work, life, love and friends…things get messy one summer while working in a French villa. The prose and description of the gorgeous environs were so soothing to me. My favorite part of the book, was how Chelsea wove economics and Frank discussions of money and class into the plot and character development. It’s not often you see that - wealthy characters are wealthy, with no consideration of the merit or consequences of that wealth. Thank you to NetGalley & Orsay press for the chance to read ahead of its 6/06 publication!

What a fun summer romance!

My favorite part of this book was how immersive the writing felt! I loved the description of the setting, the renovations to the hotel, the delicious food and wine, and even the fashion! I honestly felt like I was spending the summer in the Loire Valley in the fanciest hotel I’ve ever been in! Sign me up!

I did really enjoy the story in this novel, but I thought parts of it were drawn out a bit for my taste. There were a lot of day-to-day details that were a nice touch, but made the book feel a little long. I thought the romances were very sweet, with a perfect little sprinkle of spice. Though I had mixed feelings about our heroine, Lea, I did love her relationships with Stephanie and Maya. I thought they gave a beautiful look into the complexities of family and close female friendships. The whole book looked at family in a unique way, which I really liked!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Give it a read if you like books about travel, food, wine, or age-gap romances!

If you are like me and love some rich family drama, this book is perfect for you. Plus SUMMER in FRANCE? What more could you want? Will definitely be checking the author's book asap.

Just in time for beach season!

Lea Mortimer, a successful consultant best known for turning French country homes into high-end boutique hotels, spends the summer in the Loire Valley making over the Lévesque family's chateau. Lea's best friend and cousin Stephanie, who is in the midst of a nasty divorce, tags along with her daughter Maya. Both Lea and Stephanie fall in love, which leads to some major family drama.

What I loved: Fagan's atmospheric descriptions of the French countryside, which makes you feel like you're sipping champagne poolside with a view of the chateau and the vineyards. The food! Now I just want to go eat in one of the restaurants. :) The interior design! I'm mildly obsessed with all things design, so I loved reading about all of the beautiful materials, shapes, and colors in the guest rooms, restaurants, and spa.

What I didn't love as much: I didn't find our main character Lea to be likeable and I wasn't rooting for her love story and a happily ever after. Also, it's a bit unbelievable to think both Lea and Stephanie would meet the love of their lives at the same chateau in middle-of-nowhere, France.

Overall, this was a light, enjoyable read (with a little spice!) that I'd recommend to anyone with a fondness for the finer things in life.

Thanks to NetGalley & Orsay Press for the advanced copy, in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the fact that the protagonist is a 36-year old woman (not the usually twenty-something) who connects with a younger man. However, I'm not sure what Theo saw in Lea, to be honest. At 36, she was still struggling with the fact that her mother was involved with so many men and that resulted in her stunted emotional maturity. And the constant back & forth, hot & cold with Theo - one minute she's okay with being with him and the next moment she's convincing herself they can never be together. And as someone who is supposed to be the consumate professional, walking off the job before it was finished?! No. Not acceptable.

I also didn't enjoy the insta-love between Lea's friend, Stephanie, and Alain. Again, I have no idea why these 2 were so enamored of each other. And while Lea was unkind to Stephanie about her relationship with Alain, I must say I agreed with her - Stephanie went from a well-off husband to a rich boyfriend, with no emotional development at all. None of the characters were particularly well-fleshed out, in my opinion.

I loved the locale of the book (Loire Valley hotel) however and that pushed my rating up to 3 stars for me.

A Perfect Vintage by Chelsea Fagan is a captivating novel that weaves together the enchantment of the French countryside, the complexities of relationships, and the transformative power of self-discovery. With its compelling storyline and well-drawn characters, this book takes readers on an emotional journey that will leave them yearning for more.

Fagan skillfully delves into the intricacies of Lea's life, exploring the complexities of friendship, family, and the unexpected twists that can test even the most meticulously planned existence. The tensions that arise within the aristocratic French families she works for, the conflicts over inheritance, and the blossoming romantic connection with her boss's son all contribute to an engrossing narrative that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

One of the strengths of A Perfect Vintage lies in Fagan's ability to breathe life into her characters. Lea Mortimer is a compelling protagonist, independent and resilient, yet vulnerable as she grapples with the unexpected emotions that arise during her journey. The supporting characters, including Stephanie and the various French families, are vividly portrayed, each with their own flaws and hidden depths. Fagan skillfully navigates the intricate web of relationships, building suspense and unraveling secrets along the way.

The picturesque French setting serves as an exquisite backdrop to the story, adding an element of enchantment and escapism. Fagan's evocative descriptions transport readers to the idyllic chateau and the breathtaking beauty of the Loire Valley, creating a sense of immersion that heightens the reading experience.

The exploration of love and its complexities is a central theme in A Perfect Vintage. As Lea finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the younger son of her boss, she discovers the allure and risks of losing control. Fagan sensitively delves into the nuances of age differences, societal expectations, and the turmoil that arises when emotions clash with practicality. The portrayal of these relationships is both tender and thought-provoking, eliciting empathy and introspection from readers.

Overall, A Perfect Vintage is a mesmerizing tale of love, friendship, and the unraveling of carefully constructed lives. Chelsea Fagan's exquisite storytelling, rich character development, and evocative descriptions make for a captivating reading experience. Whether you're a fan of romance, family dynamics, or stories set in beautiful locales, this book offers a delightful blend of all three. Prepare to be swept away on an emotional journey that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page.

3.5-4/5
This is the story of an American woman in her thirties, hired to be the architect of a French chateau. During her summer in France she starts a forbidden romance with the owner’s son (mid twenties.) This was marketed as being similar to The Idea of You, which I’m obsessed with. I think comparing the books was my downfall. A Perfect Vintage lacked the spice and sex appeal of TIOU and read much slower at times. However, judging it on its own I did like it and the last 10% was perfection with a great ending.
Check it out when it is released next month!! Thank you to Orsay Press and Netgalley for the early copy.

Entertaining and enjoyable with some gorgeous descriptions of a lovely setting, I really enjoyed A Perfect Vintage. 5 stars from me!

A PERFECT VINTAGE by Chelsea Fagan 🍷

What it’s about 📖
Lea runs a successful business designing boutique hotels in France. On her latest assignment, she agrees to let her cousin and niece come along to stay at her clients family’s chateau, and then unexpectedly falls for her boss’s son.

What I thought 💭
I enjoyed this one more than I expected to! I don’t always get super invested in romance stories, but this one was a luxurious little escape into family drama, fancy food and a lavish setting - it definitely made me daydream of traveling to France! The characters were complex and interesting. A perfect beach read.

The perfect summer read! A fun escape to France where you feel like you are there yourself. Quick and light and just what I was in the mood for.

Okay 4 stars for what it is: a women's fiction book with lots of fun French countryside and home renovation details. Could've done with more editing, too many exclamation marks that were jarring.

Personal taste, I feel like I can't give it a fair rating because it's definitely not for me even though I am the target audience.

For fans of You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty comes a debut literary romance with the backdrop of a French chateau. We follow Lea, a hospitality consultant working in the French countryside, as she navigates a job that aims to launch her career. An uptight workaholic quickly falls for the laissez-faire boss's son and draaaaama ensues. I loved the family drama elements of this story, as well as a new take on the age gap trope. Lea is so in her head at times, but it rings true for someone so used to doubting and criticizing herself. We also touch on difficult topics like emotional abuse and addiction, but stick the landing in the end. I've loved Chelsea Fagan from The Financial Diet, but I think she really makes another name for herself as a writer.

*Thank you to Orsay Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

A Perfect Vintage is a fabulous summer read.
Lea is your typical work-o-holiday trope. She is in her mid thirties and single, without kids or ever having been married. She ends up taking her cousin (who is more like a sister) Stephanie and Stephanie’s daughter Maya to France with her for the summer while working on a project. Stephanie is going through a divorce and could use the space/change of scenery. Once in France, things really heat up. It was easy to picture myself in France at the Chateau with Lea and Stephanie. The imagery is so vivid and loved the attention to detail while still leaving room for the imagination of the reader. There are a few characters I would’ve liked more information on (Marcus- I know how we as readers are supposed to feel about him and things are implied but would’ve liked more explicit examples of his behavior). I also wish the ending could have been a bit longer. I feel like things went from being unresolved to resolved so quickly due to the time jumps and it would have been nice to drag that out a bit more. I could see this book being made into a Netflix limited series. Overall this was a very enjoyable book that belongs in everyone’s beach bag this summer. I wish I could give 4.5 stars!

3.5/5 - Thank you to @netgalley, Orsay Press, and Chelsea Fagan for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Available June 6th!

This is a fabulous escapist read and an epic fiction debut for Fagan. I’m enamored with France so the primary setting really sucked me in - everything about this book felt so chic, sophisticated and elevated, including the main character, Lea. She is an American consultant in her mid-thirties, fluent in French, and her business is primarily transforming ancient French family “homes” into hotels.

Lea is meticulous, calculated, intentional and whip smart. Letting loose is not her strong suit, but this particular project is unlike any other, and involves family drama, emotional upheaval, unexpected attraction and permission to FEEL in ways she’s never let herself feel before. Yes, she can be frustrating and kind of cold, but as a recovering Type-A perfectionist and current 35 year old, I felt I understood her.

I loved the concept, the inside peek into wealthy French culture, the examination of female friendships, the double standards aging men and women face, and the candid focus on therapy. I struggled with the book being in third person. It felt too personal and intimate to be told this way. And while Lea’s job and the transformation of the chateau were fascinating, I wanted more details about the people. Overall I simply wanted more - more intimacy, more heat, more time with her lover, more feeling. I felt like the book really got going around 60% and I wanted it to stay that way.

This was a very enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to more novels by this author!