Member Reviews
This was a really sweet and cosy festive read. I always love a trip to France, especially in the winter time so it was nice to come back and meet so many wonderful characters.
a cosy festive read, i love this author and she is my go to holiday read so it felt strange at first to be reading a festive book but it was easy to get lost her in her easy style of writing with a fun plot
I love books based on France, I spent many holidays at my mum and step dads house in my early to mid 20s and a book based in France that is written well, takes me back there every time.
I love a festive read any time of the year really but especially this time of year. I loved the characters in this book, sibling love, family love, love love, it's all in here and I am here for it.
I love romance but I love books that have a sense of reality in them too, like with Orla and Erin's parents going through a tricky spot in their life and Delphine not being 100%. It gives the story a more realistic feel which I love.
I love a good heartthrob and this book doesn't disappoint, I mean who doesn't love a French accent and a handsome man to go with it.
I really enjoy this authors books and this one was no exception.
Dnf after 35%.
I just couldn't get through this book... Very boring and slow. No unfortunately not for me.
This book is perfect for those who want to read something wintery without being bombarded with Christmas shenanigans. I really enjoyed this book, and I think it's because it took me on a journey I wasn't expecting. I was thinking this would be a light and fluffy small-town romance with a lot of Christmas magic sprinkled throughout it. While it is this to a certain extent, it also is a story that possesses a lot of depth and mystery and tackles some tougher issues. This story is about these relatable characters who are juggling a lot of real-life problems. Mandy was thoughtful in how she included topics such as mental health, dealing with a serious illness, strained family relationships, and living and healing from past traumas. Everything in this book really worked beautifully together.
I adored the setting. I am a sucker for a small-town romance, and one that is located in the rural mountainside of France really scratched an itch I didn't know I had. The little town of Saint-Chambéry was quirky, fun, and possessed so much charm. I loved all the townspeople, and Mandy did a great job at creating a community that felt like a cozy blanket was hugging you.
One of the things that made this book feel so real was the complicated family dynamics that existed in it. Both Orla and Jacque's family relationships aren't the greatest. Orla's parents are struggling with health problems and marriage problems. Orla's younger sister is talking to this mysterious stranger online, and Orla is afraid her sister will either be hurt or scammed by this mysterious person. Jacque has a strained relationship with both of his parents and has chosen to distance himself from his family, except his younger brother. Watching Orla and Jacque navigate these different solutions was heartbreaking and heartwarming. There aren't any clear answers or solutions to their problems; they are just trying to do their best.
I liked Orla and Jacque. They have this interesting chemistry going on between them. There is a lot of friction between these two, and they often go from hot to cold in the blink of an eye. Both of these characters deal with a lot of issues, both family and personal. Their emotional baggage often leads to misunderstandings, leading to fights. I enjoyed Orla and Jacque's story. They are both extremely likable characters, and it was utterly adorable to see how nervous they were about going on a date with one another. You will like this book if you like forced proximity, dislike lovers, small-town meddling, misunderstandings, and closed-door spice. Overall, the romance in this book was this fabulous mixture of charm, warmth, and a dash of lusty attraction.
One Winter at the French Chalet is a real and heartwarming romance.
Orla is sent to a tiny village in the French Alps at Christmas time to write an article about a mute man taking care of a pregnant reindeer - with only 24hrs notice. Before she leaves she sees her sister and her mum and as a result of what is going on in her family life at the moment, she ends up taking her sister, Erin, to France with her.
The description of the village sounds amazing and I would love to visit somewhere like that at Christmas time. The villagers are eccentric, particularly Delphine, who seems to run everything and everyone in the village.
The story is chaotic and it took a little while for some of the background stories and characters to tie into the main story line. For a long time it seemed unnecessary but eventually it was all explained when Orla starts to self-reflect on her life and what she wants out of it. She was also able to get Jacques to finally start opening up to someone about his previous life (or lives) which helped him realise that he also wanted something more in life and someone to spend it with.
Some of the story seems very far-fetched - particularly the bit where they actually found a pregnant reindeer randomly in the forest when reindeer typically give birth in late spring. It is mentioned continuously through the story and then when it actually happens, it's quickly forgotten about. I think it would have been better if it had just remained the ruse it initially was.
At the heart of it though, it is a sweet story about people finding themselves and opening yourself up to what could be, whether that is letting people who care about you help, falling in love or finding your purpose in life.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
A thoroughly enjoyable read filled with delightful characters who are humorous, eccentric and memorable . A great plot with a little bit of mystery thrown in. A great read good setting with romance and very festive just curl up in front of a fire on a winter weekend and enjoyable!
As Christmas quickly approaches, Orla's boss insists she travel to a remote French village to interview a man who is silent and to witness the pregnant reindeer. However, Orla isn't keen as she was looking forward to spending time with her younger sister and family. However. Orla discovers that all is not well at home and her mother begs her to take her sister Erin with her to France so that she can find out who she is constantly texting. The two sisters travel to the remote village of Saint-Chambéry which is set in the snow covered mountains. Their arrival involves a dangerous encounter with a mysterious figure Jacques. Despite being both intrigued and frustrated by Jacques, Orla cannot help but wonder: what secrets is this enigmatic Frenchman concealing? Moreover, can she discover the truth without compromising her own heart and discover who the secret man is who has captured her sister's heart.
This cozy Christmas romance is the perfect read, complete with a generous dusting of snow and a cast of eccentric characters. Each character is captivating, and their adventures drive the story forward swiftly. Although the initial scene setting may be somewhat challenging to grasp, the narrative becomes clear once it shifts to France. The book is filled with humor as well as touching moments. It's best savored with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. With thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a copy of the arc.
The title alone is pure happiness, and Mary meant. I knew I had to read it! And I’m so glad I did. It was happy, it was romantic, it was sweet, it was sappy, it was over the top, and it was perfect!
I was captivated by this book from the moment I started it.
The characters are so delightful, and getting to know them more throughout was lovely. I often found myself smiling whilst reading this book
A beautiful setting, romantic and festive... what a wonderful read this is!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. It held my attention & captivated my imagination throughout. Filled with believable, fully-formed characters & a storyline that unravelled in a glorious sounding snowy setting made this a wonderful winter-time and Christmas read.
Snuggle up in the warmth and enjoy a winter in France.
Prepare to be whisked away to a snowy wonderland with Mandy Baggot’s One Winter at the French Chalet. This heartwarming story is the perfect cozy read for cold winter nights, filled with romance, laughter, and a touch of festive magic.
Follow the journey of Orla, a journalist, who is asked to go to a charming chalet in the French Alps to cover a story of a reindeer about to give birth and a mute man. There, she meets Jacques, the dashing, reserved man with a few secrets of his own. As sparks fly and the snow falls, Orla and Jacques discover that sometimes the best adventures are the ones that take you by surprise.
Baggot’s delightful storytelling and vivid descriptions make this novel a joy to read, transporting you straight to the picturesque scenery. The characters are charming, relatable and real. Their reflective journey was amazing and beautiful. This is a heartwarming escape that will leave you smiling long after the last page.
A funny story but. also has romance thrown in as well as the Christmas theme and snow. This was set in a lovely setting and that added to its charm. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cozy, heartwarming, delightful book!
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook! I was able to find the audio version through my local library. Oh my, I loved this book so much! From cover to cover, I could not put it down! The characters are all great, and I love the main female sisters in this story. I loved their banter, and I, the younger sister, was so funny I was constantly laughing out loud! It gives you a Gilmore girls feel but set in a little French village.
Perfect read for Christmas time! Highly recommend!
Another fabulous book by Mandy Baggot.
Set in a remote French village, with a winter wonderland feel of snow, hot drink concoctions and homemade cookies. The story of Orla and Jacque's slow burning romance combined with unique winter experiences like hand feeding foxes and village festivities, this book will definitely get you in the mood for Christmas.
One for a wintry day on the sofa with a cosy throw and a mug of hot chocolate.
A cute, heartfelt wintery story complete with a mysterious man too! When asked to go on an already planned trip to the snowy mountains of France to write a story, who would say no? Then suddenly, imagine having to drag your sister along too to this strange and quirky little (emphasis on the little) village. Also featuring a matchmaking older lady, plenty of animals, snowy scenery and wintery vibes - what more could you want?
I first want to take this opportunity to thank the author Mandy Baggot, @theboldbookclub and @netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an arc of this wonderful novel.
This is my first book by Mandy but it certainly will not be my last. To start with, I really didn't think I was going to like it. One of the characters is only 16 and her slang terms made me feel out of touch. It took me a while to get used to words like situationship, but I did and it made the character all the more plausible.
It's very well written and a totally wonderful story. Mainly set in a beautiful remote village in the French mountains it's more than just another love story. Yes, there is a love story at the forefront but it's so much more. You get whisked away by the descriptions of the incredible landscape of where they are, it really is a natural winter wonderland. On top of that there are the local traditions still upheld by the townsfolk and the comradery that comes with small isolated villages. The story also addresses many emotional and cultural topics but I'm not saying any more than that. You can find out for yourself what I mean when you read it.
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It's getting late now but my review will be found on the other sites listed on my linktr.ee profile below in the next few days.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'One Winter At The French Chalet' by Mandy Baggot.
This book is beautifully written and completely absorbs you in the stunning atmosphere of Saint-Chambéry and really sucks you in with the vivid descriptions leaving you feel and see all the emotions, characters and scenes. The synopsis and stunning cover suits the storyline perfectly.
Love, love, LOVED this absolutely gorgeous, emotive page turner that I devoured in one sitting!!!
I have absolutely loved this stunning book by the amazing Mandy!! Honestly if you are ever in need of a break and fancy the gorgeous scenery of France then grab this stunner and prepare to be whisked away on a beautiful holiday!!! The storyline is authentic and realistic as well as easy to read and heart-warming. There was plenty of events going on throughout and it kept me hooked from start to end, I read it in one sitting and was completely absorbed throughout. This is the first book I have read that is set in France over Christmas time as they are usually based over Summer and I absolutely LOVED the uniqueness of "seeing" France in Winter time. In this stunning storyline we meet Orla Bradbee who has been set a last minute assignment by her boss where she has to head to the French Alps. The assignment is to then interview a man who does not speak!! If it isn't going to be hard enough as it is when her sister Erin finds out Orla is heading to France Erin decides to invite herself along too! We also meet Jacques Barbier who is utterly gorgeous, a man of few words (so far so good right ladies?) but is also adamant that Orla is wasting her time and is also icy. Will Orla be able to defrost Jacques or is there no hope? Why is Orla's father really selling all their furniture? Who is Erin messaging? To discover the answers to these questions and get swept away to France grab your copy today. I can promise that you will not regret it! This book is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and was heart-warming and had love, romance, humour, relationships, family, friendship and much more all going on in this beautiful atmosphere. There was also heartbreak, tragedy and tears. Amongst all these emotions there are also stunning settings, an abundance of amazing and memorable characters, beautiful reindeer and so, so much more!!! I could literally go on and on about how beautiful this book is but I am trying to shorten my reviews not turn them into even longer essays but I highly recommend you grab this stunning book today!!! Thanks to Mandy's stunning evocative descriptions it felt like I was on a gorgeous festive break away from Wales!! I loved how the story ended and I would love to read more about the life in the gorgeous Saint-Chambéry. I was absolutely devastated when I came to the end of this book as I was truly whisked away to Saint-Chambéry feeling the emotions, seeing the sites and looking at the stunning views. I absolutely loved the gorgeous atmosphere and am hoping to return in another of Mandy's books. This storyline was so heart-warming and emotional and it was such an easy and relaxing read that I just could not put it down and know you won't be able to either!! It ended absolutely perfectly and I would love to see more of the amazing characters soon!! Hint, hint Mandy 😉!!! The characters were all unique with their own realistic traits, strengths and weaknesses. It was intriguing to watch their friendships and relationships grow, develop and change throughout the the storyline. Every one of the characters had a part to play and they each played it perfectly and beautifully!!! Mandy's amazing evocative writing skills brought them to life as much as possible and they all leapt out of the pages as well as the stunning atmosphere and the rest of the characters!!! Anyway, I best not say anymore as don't want to give anything else away for future readers!! It's just so easy talking about this fantastic book and so much I want to tell you all about but i really need to control myself!!! Needless to say I absolutely adored the majority of characters each for a different reason. All characters worked perfectly with the storyline and I would love to meet them again!!! This book would make a stunning movie and I would definitely be first in line to see it!!!
Well done Mandy on yet another absolutely gorgeous book!!! I will definitely be looking for your books any time I need to be swept off to another country!!! This is the exact reason you are in my favourite author club and here's to your next success 🥂!!!
Overall an absolutely perfect light hearted, stunning unputdownable romance that will sweep you off your feet and land you in France.
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Thank you for letting me read this book in advance of publishing. However, it wasn’t for me. I usually like an easy read romantic novel but this one had a rather far fetched plot and it didn’t hold my interest at all.