A relaxing and heartwarming read. Seemed to move a little too fast for me since the author chose to include so many points of view and stories, but it worked out ok. Nice to read about everyone being nice to each other for a change. Only a smidgen of nastiness from an ex partner is included. Doesn’t really taint the story too much. Looking forward to reading more about these characters.

Jennifer Bohnet is the queen of gentle second chance romance novels set in France. I have read many of her novels, and just like those, A French Country Escape is a gentle story set in an idyllic location if you are a Francophile. I loved the comforting nature of the story, with many different branches and multiple romances.

The story centres on the Château du Cheval, owned by Brits Peter and Ingrid. In order to continue renovating the château, they sell two adjoining properties on their land to siblings Freddie and divorcée Sasha who decide to have a new start in Brittany following the death of their mother. Their inheritance allows them to buy the cottages and allows them the chance to do something different with their lives.

Gradually a number of characters are added to the story, providing love interests and friendship groups that are completely heart-warming. I have to say I adored the book club that was hosted at the château, taking place in both English and French, with books that have translations so everyone could be included in the local area. I desperately wanted to join the book club, it sounded wonderful.

This was a story of second chances, and not just with romance, but with families and careers too. This gentle story was an absolute joy that was the perfect escapist read.

A French Country Escape was everything I hoped for! One of the standout features of this book is the strong family bonds between the characters. Siblings Freddie and Sasha embark on a move to France together during a tough time in their lives, while Ingrid and Peter do everything they can to support their daughter, Penny, all while trying to solve a long-held family mystery.

As the story unfolds, we see both Sasha and Penny take brave steps to free themselves from their troubled pasts. Watching them write the next chapters of their lives was truly rewarding—Sasha through her blossoming art, and Penny through her passion for food. The tight-knit Breton village and its charming château provide a warm and healing backdrop for their journey. There are a few surprising twists along the way, and I loved the romantic touch of restoring old buildings, which opened new possibilities for everyone involved. Plus, the antics of the animals brought plenty of smiles—they’re as much a part of the story as the human characters!

If you’re looking for a heartwarming escape to France filled with humor and emotional depth, this is sure to delight!

You know I am a sucker for a new start in France story, and Jennifer Bohnet delivers a good one with her latest book A French Country Escape.

Sasha and her brother Freddie inherited a modest amount of money following their mother's passing. While it wouldn't be enough to start a new life in England, it is enough to buy two cottages on the estate of a French chateau. Moving to France works pretty well for Freddie. He is a gardener and it isn't long before he is very busy working. For Sasha though, she needs to reestablish herself following her divorce, and throwing herself into renovating the cottages keeps her busy, as does the arrival of two dogs!

The chateau itself belongs to Peter and Ingrid Chevalier. They know that Peter has some French heritage but it's all a bit vague. Peter and Ingrid have spent a lot of time getting the Chateau du Cheval ready but now it is time for it to start producing an income. In addition, they are very worried about their daughter back home in the UK. It appears that her relationship has taken a turn for the worst and they are worried about her safety.

I really liked that we got to see people who are at different stages of their story. The French life is all new for Sasha and Freddie, but Peter and Ingrid are more established. I also really enjoyed watching this group of strangers gradually build relationships and start to work together, to all of their benefits.

If I had to use just one word to describe this book it would be easy. It was a very easy, comfortable read, and sometimes that is exactly what you need!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4/5

Sasha and Freddie are siblings who together have made the decision to move to France and they then bought to cottages in Brittany. They began to build a new life, and they discovered they made friends quickly.
The characters all fit together so well, and this made it so easy for me to fall into the story and become a part of the happenings. The words just flowed off the pages as I was reading. I know that this is one book that will stay with me for a long time. I wonder what each of them are doing long after finishing this book.
This was a heartwarming feel good book that I highly recommend others to read.
Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer Bohnet and Boldwood Books for the copy of A French Country Escape. This is my personal review.

A French Country Escape by Jennifer Bohnet

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A fresh start in the beautiful Brittany countryside is what dreams are made of... Buying and relocating to Château du Cheval in rural France, has fulfilled one of Peter and Ingrid Chevalier’s lifelong ambitions. Despite never being able to trace a missing link in Peter’s French ancestry he feels he has finally come home. Now they must renovate the Chateau to its former glory and make it pay for itself…
With money getting tight, they take the decision to sell a couple of cottages on the estate. Can the Chateau begin to pay for itself and be sustainable for the future?

Divorced Sasha Heath and her brother Freddie decide to sensibly invest their mother’s inheritance into property and buy the two rundown cottages on the Château’s estate. Putting the past behind them, a new life in France beckons, but will it live up to their dreams?

As they relax and settle into their new idyllic lifestyle, their new lives throw up several surprises, all they can do is cross their fingers and hope everything will turn out well in the end.

My Opinion

A French Country Escape was an easy read and a way to escape as the weather has begun to change. I have read a few books by Jennifer Bohnet and they have all been simply delightful. A beautiful, uplifting read.

Sasha and Freddie have decided that they would like to relocate to France following the death of their mother. On their adventure they both learn so much and it was great to follow them on their journey.

Rating 4/5

A French Country Escape by Jennifer Bohnet was a captivating escape that takes readers on an emotional ride.
A lovely story with great characters.

I enjoyed reading A French Country Escape by Jennifer Bohnet. You will fall in love with all the characters. 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. Happy Reading!

As the title suggests, this story explores Sasha and Freddie's escape to rural France. It is an emotional and heartwarming tale with some lovely multi-generational characters. Whilst immersing you in the culture, food, language and location through its lyrical descriptions, it explores ancestry and loving and toxic relationships. I love the characterisation, the gentle romance and the escapist setting.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This was just an okay book to me. Many characters that cause me to not be connected or care about any of them much, except the older character (who is a minor character), because that is where my heart lies.

The plot was a good idea, just seemed to be told as a narrative, and again, had me disconnected to feel emotions.

I want to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read the advance reader copy with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

I escaped to Brittany with this delightful read. I pictured the chateau as somewhere elegant and beautiful, and I enjoyed the atmosphere, as the setting came to life.

This book had feel-good vibes, the characters were likeable, and the story itself was fun to read. I felt it also had some deeper messages, as it seemed that some of the characters were looking to find themselves in some way, and make a fresh start.

If you read to escape, as I do, sometimes you might look for a book that will take you somewhere else for a while, and this would be a great book to choose for that kind of reading mood.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

I love me some Jennifer Bohnet, sadly I dont always get time to read her books, but I am glad I made time to jump in and enjoy. The characters are relatable and the scenery just lovely. Recommended !!

Jennifer Bohnet’s A French Country Escape aims to whisk readers away to the picturesque beauty of rural Brittany, but while the setting is undeniably charming, the novel doesn’t quite deliver the escapist, emotional depth one might hope for in a contemporary romance. With its dual storylines revolving around a couple's renovation of a château and two siblings’ attempt at a fresh start, the book has all the ingredients for an engaging tale of reinvention and second chances. Unfortunately, much like the run-down cottages on the estate, it feels in need of a bit more polish and emotional investment.

The novel introduces Peter and Ingrid Chevalier, who are living out their dream of owning and restoring the Château du Cheval in France. Peter's deep-rooted connection to his French ancestry, despite never having fully traced it, adds a layer of personal significance to the property. This storyline had the potential to delve into rich themes of heritage, belonging, and personal identity, but these themes are only lightly touched upon. The financial struggles they face in trying to restore the château should offer stakes and tension, but the narrative remains somewhat flat, failing to convey a true sense of urgency or depth to their emotional journey.

In parallel, the secondary storyline follows Sasha Heath and her brother Freddie, who purchase two cottages on the estate as a sensible investment using their mother’s inheritance. Sasha’s fresh start after her divorce, and Freddie’s decision to join her, had the potential to introduce compelling sibling dynamics, personal growth, and reflections on past relationships. However, much like Peter and Ingrid’s story, this thread feels underdeveloped, with little in the way of genuine conflict or character evolution. The surprises that arise in their new lives in France are handled too neatly, without the emotional complexity or realism that could have made their journey more engaging.

One of the key strengths of the novel is Bohnet’s ability to evoke the beauty and charm of the Brittany countryside. Her descriptions of the château, the cottages, and the surrounding landscape provide a vivid sense of place, creating the kind of escapist atmosphere that fans of travel-inspired romances will appreciate. However, the setting alone can’t carry the novel, and readers looking for a deeper connection with the characters may find themselves disappointed by the somewhat superficial treatment of their emotional arcs.

The plot lacks tension, and the conflicts are resolved a little too easily, leaving little room for the characters to grow or for the reader to become truly invested in their struggles. The financial difficulties faced by Peter and Ingrid don’t lead to any real breakthroughs or significant shifts in their relationship, while Sasha and Freddie’s new life in France is similarly devoid of meaningful challenges. As a result, the story feels predictable, and while it’s pleasant enough, it fails to provide the emotional depth or complexity needed to make it truly memorable.

Final Thoughts:
A French Country Escape offers a light, easy read for those seeking a novel set in the idyllic French countryside, but it falls short of delivering a compelling, emotionally engaging story. The dual narratives lack the depth and development that would make the characters’ journeys truly resonate, and the plot unfolds with little tension or conflict. While Jennifer Bohnet’s evocative descriptions of Brittany provide a beautiful backdrop, the novel’s overall lack of substance may leave some readers wanting more. It’s a pleasant enough escape, but for those hoping for a more gripping or heartfelt read, it may feel just a bit too safe and predictable.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I really enjoyed this book.

The story of Sasha and Freddie, brother and sister, both wanting a fresh start.

The view two cottages in the same place as Chateau du Cheval in France and decide to put the money they have towards buying them.

The descriptions of the chateau as well as the cottages made you wish you was there and seeing what they will be like when everything is renovated.

They both begin to enjoy their new life with the Chateau owners Peter and Ingrid as well the other characters in the story.

The story was well written and the characters were lovely.

I recommend this book.

Every so often, I read a book that I just sink into, and I inhaled this one in a single sitting. Having spent my fifth birthday in the south of France, I have warm memories of that trip. The lovely descriptions of the surrounding area never fail to capture my imagination, and I can instantly imagine the setting.
There is an ensemble cast in this book, but I will follow the synopsis to avoid accidentally including any spoilers. The main characters are the Chateau owners, Peter and Ingrid Chevalier and then brother and sister Sasha and Freddie. As we begin the story, Sasha and Freddie are about to embark on an exciting adventure and move their lives to live within the estate of Chateau de Cheval.
Sasha and Freddie have an enviable, gorgeous relationship that sees them supporting each other on a daily basis. They each throw themselves headlong into restoring the rundown cottages that they have bought using the money bequeathed to them in their mother’s will. The descriptions of the cottages had me imagining what I would do with them, and I loved the process of sourcing furniture from a variety of local sources. The warm relationship that formed between the siblings and their new neighbours really was a lovely touch.
Peter and Ingrid want nothing more than to share the Chateau with the local community, but it’s almost impossible to imagine where they can start with that. The immediate priority is to start earning money. Once they discuss their hopes and dreams with the siblings, the solutions snowball and lead to opportunities and new characters.
This genuinely lovely book left me feeling uplifted and ready for another escape to France. The beautiful connections that form among the characters are like a breath of fresh air. Jennifer Bohnet weaves her magical storytelling intricately, and the result is truly gorgeous.

A French Country Escape by Jennifer Bohnet is the story of a fresh start for siblings, Sasha and Freddie, whose mother has died and left them enough to make this dream come true. Sasha is still reeling from a breakup and Freddie is without a job. They have both dreamed of France but at first, house hunting was going slowly, until they found a cottage/duplex on the edge of an estate in Brittany. They were worried about the owners of the chateau who were trying to make it into a commercial enterprise: hotel/event venue. They made an offer and it was accepted and the moment they met Ingrid and Peter, the owners of Chateau de Chevalier, their fears fled. Freddie was able to get a job three days a week helping to clear the overgrown grounds, and quickly picked up piece work in the nearby village. They had work to do with their own cottages but much of the was cosmetic and Sasha could handle that until she got her Etsy store up and running again. This was a charming slice-of-life novel with a little romance thrown in.

As they days went on, Sasha and Freddie met people and made friends. Ingrid and Peter’s daughter came, as did Alice, the granddaughter of a villager. Her brother, Lucas, was already there taking some time to decide his next direction. They became great friends as they worked together on events at the chateau and just living life. It was fun and gentle. There were moments of unpleasantness, but they passed quickly. Mostly, it was about young people forging new lives for themselves. I enjoyed it. The setting was beautiful, the characters were well-written and interesting. The story moved along apace. Thanks Jennifer Bohnet for a nice novel.

I was invited to read A French Country Escape by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #JenniferBohnet #AFrenchCountryEscape

Plenty of romance in this book. Set in France it conjures up vivid pictures of the countryside. Warm sunshine and friendly people. An enjoyable read which was lovely to curl up on the sofa for a day and delve into this book. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A wonderfully uplifting story of a brother and sister building a new life for themselves in France. They buy two cottages in the grounds of a Château owned by an English couple who need the money so they can carry on refurbishing their Château. We follow each of them and other characters we meet along the way and read how their lives intertwine. Thanks netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion.

Very sweet story. When Sasha and Freddie’s mother passed away they decide the need to start a new life. Taking their inheritance they make the move from England to France. Their new cabins they have bought on the same property as a chateau that is being renovated as an event space. This Chateau proves to be life changing to all of those that are involved with it. This brings new lives, careers and new found family to these characters. A very charming story, a little slow at times but I enjoyed it. Received a mini French lesson as well! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a heartwarming, light read! I loved the location and liked the characters. It was a quick read but slow at some time and I felt a bit bored. I had a great time read it.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this arc.