A cosy romantic drama set in the French alps. I liked the characters, setting and story. An ideal winters afternoon read.

Looking at the cover of this book makes you think about Christmas and romance, read what’s inside the cover and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
I enjoyed reading this book, delving into real life experiences with a wonderful setting gave me a sense of sharing the journey of the character’s world .
The storyline is deep but thoughtful with a nice amount of respect and romance. A lovely mountainside setting with a warm and welcoming community sounds like the perfect place to visit, even if the family dynamics are strained.
The main characters were relatable, caring and supportive of each other, Orla and Jacque work together in a heartwarming manner, taking on the obstacles they face with good grace. As the story progresses we enjoy the developments, expected and not, this book is a charming reminder of what matters.

Thanks to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Imagine this: you’re sent to a charming French chalet to cover a quirky story about a pregnant reindeer, but instead, you end up tangled in a love triangle, family drama, and an unexpected romance. That's exactly what happens to Orla Bradbee, a travel writer who's anything but thrilled about her assignment in the snow-capped mountains of Saint-Chambéry. Things take a wild turn when Orla's younger sister, Erin, crashes the trip, and they end up meeting Jacques, the brooding, broody local man who pretty much wants to be left alone. But, of course, they won’t be leaving him alone for long...

This book is a wonderful mix of romance, family chaos, and quirky charm. The snowy backdrop is perfect, and I mean, who doesn’t want to spend the holidays in the French Alps? Orla’s journey of finding love and navigating her complicated family dynamics feels so real, and let’s just say Jacques definitely adds some fire to the frosty French air. There’s humor, heart, and a good helping of emotional depth that makes this feel more like a cozy, heartfelt drama than just your average holiday romance.

I’m giving "One Winter at the French Chalet" 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s got all the festive vibes and the romantic tension you could ask for, but it doesn’t quite hit that “wow” factor for me. That said, it’s a sweet, easy read, and if you love wintery settings and slow-burn romance, you’ll be just as enchanted as I was. So grab your hot cocoa, curl up by the fire, and dive into this wintery escape—because who can resist a French chalet?

This book was the perfect cosy Christmas read. I read this in December and I absolutely loved it.
It was well written and it flowed perfectly,

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another great read from Mandy. We follow travel writer Orla to the French alps.

In Mandy Baggot’s novel “One Winter at the French Chalet“ we meet Orla, a travel writer always on the go. When her editor sends her on a last minute assignment, she decides to take her teenaged sister. It is Christmas and something odd is going on at home with her parents.

But upon arrival, even a seasoned traveler like Orla is taken aback. She was sent to interview a man that doesn’t speak and write about a pregnant reindeer. Neither seem to exist.

What does exist is Jaques Barbier, a recluse in the French village of Saint-Chambéry. Pushed together, Orla will need to peel back the many layers of Jaques if she hopes to write a story about him - a man that doesn’t want anything to do with the article.

The longer Orla is in the beautiful village, the initial quirkiness becomes charming as she and her sister participate in the area’s Christmas traditions,

This story made me laugh, but also dealt with more serious issues. I absolutely loved this novel and the way it unfolded. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

One Winter at the French Chalet by Mandy Baggot was a great read. Full of dramas, emotions, twists and turns it captivated me from the first page and I could not put it down. Really enjoyed this book and was sad when I had finished it. Great book to curl up on the sofa with while it’s freezing cold out and you’re all cozy inside.

A fun and engaging read from Mandy Baggott. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a winter love story set abroad

Brilliant winter romance with equal measures of comedy and heartfelt moments.

Orla is sent to middle of the French mountains on an assignment from work but is forced to take her sixteen year old sister with her. She meets the reclusive Jacques and is forced to work with him to complete her article.

Absolutely loved this story enjoyed with wine and snacks.

Orla is in France to write an article but when she gets there all is not what she expected, but then she meets Jacques. Do they have a future together? Some fab side characters!

I had to sadly dnf this book at 38% I just couldn’t read any more. It was lack luster and character depth.

Orla Bradbee is a travel writer who with very little notice is sent to the French Alpine village of Saint - Chambery to try and interview a man who does not speak ! She takes along her teenage sister Erin in an effort to take Erin's mind off of the online 'romance' she is pursuing. This trip sees Orla and her sister growing bond as they work together to try and get beneath the icy exterior of the initially grumpy brooding Jacques Barber.
As is usual with Mandy's stories the settings seem to become additional characters in the tale as her descriptions of the settings are so evocative and include much about the tight knit community of Saint - Chambery and their quirky Christmas customs.
The central love story is a classic 'opposites attract' and (as I have found with many of Mandy's stories) it is not all fluffy and cute and deals with some serious issues along with a heart warming snowy winter tale.
A fabulous festive read.

Orla Bradbee, journalist on a trajectory towards writing for Time Magazine, is given a last-minute assignment to a remote French village to interview a mute man and cover the birth of a reindeer at Christmas time. In an attempt to maintain family harmony, she brings her much younger sister, Erin, for supervision, while their parents sort out their differences.

But when Orla gets to the tiny village of Saint-Chambéry, there is no reindeer, the so-called mute man is reclusive Jacques Barbier who most definitely CAN speak, and her sister phone is blowing up with messages from a guy with whom Erin is in an online situationship.

Things are messy.

But in a delightful holiday-romance way, things really aren't. There are miscommunications, hidden agendas, meddling neighbours, dark secrets, and Christmas miracles.

There were some serious topics addressed (PTSD, mental health challenges, mental health challengs due to menopause, alcoholism, cancer, online relationships, etc) which gave the book depth. Overall, this was a fun, quick, seasonal read, full of heart.

For the romance readers, there is zero spice - this is a 100% closed door book.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of thuis book in exchange for an honest review~

In this funny and charming winter romance novel, readers join travel writer Orla Bradbee on a last-minute assignment to a rural French village just before Christmas because a man who does not talk lives in the village of Saint-Chambery. Upon her arrival, Jacques Barbier clearly tells Orla she -- and her article -- are not welcome in Saint-Chambery, but Orla, never one to back down, tries to discover Jacques’ secrets while protecting her heart this holiday season. With a host of classic tropes embedded in this wintery French romance, readers will get their fill of charming locations, likeable characters, and fun wintery shenanigans in Mandy Baggot’s latest release. Orla is a clever, competent protagonist whose strength of will is inspiring, and the relationships she develops throughout the novel -- particularly with Jacques -- are entertaining and well-written. Perfect for readers who love character-centric novels and fun winter-themed tropes, this new title is a fun escapist winter holiday novel that fans of the genre will love. With its brilliant characters and their realistic relationships with each other, the beautiful wintery rural French village of Saint-Chambery, and the immersive and engaging storyline, romance readers and fans of Mandy Baggot’s other books will love this winter romance this holiday season.

A lovely festive read and the description of the beautiful French village is class. It transports you right there!

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for a fair and full review.

This was such a great read. It had everything to make it a magical scene. Was so romantic

This was such a delightful and wonderful winter read. I adored the setting and really enjoyed getting to know the characters.

This story tells of Orla and jacques who meet in a snowy village in France and they don’t get off to a good start but with the help of the villagers and Erin and Tommy and a reindeer their story and dark secrets unfold to give a happy ending to finish

A cozy festive read. I loved the characters, and the setting. What's more romantic than France? The story itself was a bit slow at times, but overall a cute, holiday book.

There was a lot I liked about this book, but I feel it could have used a bit more editing. It started to drag towards the end. Overall though it was a cute holiday read. The romance was nice, and the siblings were fun secondary characters.

I would give it 3.5 stars

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.