“Beginning French: Lessons from a Stone Farmhouse” by Les Américains (husband and wife writing team Eileen McKenna and Marty Neumeier) is a memoir that chronicles their adventures and challenges, along with those of their adult chef daughter, Sara, owning and restoring a 400-year-old cottage in rural Dordogne, France.

The book is filled with the couple’s mishaps and triumphs as they try to learn a foreign language, adapt to French culture, and modernize their charming, but problematic centuries old farmhouse.

Although there are several charming aspects to this memoir, including a few tasty-sounding recipes and laugh-out-loud anecdotes, Les Américains seem to be mocking
their new French neighbor’s pronunciations (which are obviously correct—they are native speakers!!!), as well as continually plead poor throughout the book.

Upon further research, Eileen McKenna, Marty Neumeier, and daughter, Sara Neumeier all have interesting backgrounds.
* Eileen McKenna is a professional writer.
* Marty Neumeier is a design consult, as well as the author of six best-selling books on innovation, creativity, and branding.
* Sara Neumeier is a food stylist who began her career with Martha Stewart Living.
* The family divides it's time between their homes in Santa Barbara, California, and Dordoge, France.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Authors Eileen McKenna and Marty Neumeier and Les Américains and for this advanced readers copy for review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this title. Fans of the movie Money Pit or the book Under the Tuscan Sun will enjoy this book.

A romp through a much loved region of France and even among the challenges and tribulations of setting up a second home in a different continent (with a language barrier to boot!), this book was funny and feel good.

From the very beginning, the authors transport you to their picturesque stone farmhouse in the French countryside, setting the perfect backdrop for embarking on a linguistic adventure. What sets this book apart is its unique approach to language learning. Rather than bombarding the reader with dry grammar lessons, 'Beginning French' seamlessly weaves together language instruction with captivating anecdotes of the authors' experiences in France.

The writing style is both engaging and accessible, making it an ideal choice for beginners. The authors have a knack for explaining complex grammar concepts in a simple and relatable manner, ensuring that even the most linguistically challenged reader can grasp the fundamentals of the French language. I found myself effortlessly absorbing new vocabulary and grammatical structures as I delved deeper into each chapter.

What truly sets this book apart, however, is its emphasis on cultural immersion. Les Americains take great care to incorporate elements of French culture and daily life into their language lessons. From descriptions of vibrant farmers' markets to encounters with eccentric locals, the authors transport you into the heart and soul of French living. This not only enhances the learning experience but also sparks a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of French culture, that any reader can appreciate.

Book received for free through NetGalley

Read 41% of the way into this book but couldn’t get into the story. It was written well just not my cup of tea.

Loved this! Peter Mayle meets Frances Mayes. Such an adventure! I enjoyed very much reading about the trials and tribulations of moving to an old stone house in France. A sweet, sometimes unbelievably crazy memoir of making a home in France.

This is the story of Eileen and Marty. They are an American couple who decided they wanted to be French during their downtime. Besides learning the language, it also included buying an old but restored farmhouse in rural France.

The “perfect” house turns out to be a money pit. While they get frustrated they remain optimistic, determined to make a go of this. They take on the language barrier while learning the French lifestyle. They develop a new mantra: Have a setback, have a drink.

It is fun reading about the ups and downs of foreign ownership. I love how they are determined to assimilate into their surroundings.

Their daughter, who happens to be a chef, visits them. I love reading the descriptions of the food she makes. Some meals are simple but elegant. But, I have a feeling that everything tastes better in France. There are recipes included.

Eileen and Marty's trips around the countryside are fun and descriptive.

The writing is very friendly, almost conversational. At times it is witty. This is a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.

Equal parts memoir and escapist fantasy because hasn't anyone ever wanted to leave it all behind and stay in the country of your dreams? Do acknowledge that the authors' reality is one that most likely will not apply to POC like myself - so no, not the book for me, but I do understand and respect why it appears to be so well loved.

This is a delightful read. You will laugh a lot and even cringe a little (Plagues)... The descriptions are wonderful and you feel as if you are there in France with them. Everything about this book is a delight.

Loved the tale of Eileen and Marty who decide to buy a 400 year old French farmhouse. Along with Sara their chef daughter, their story is enjoyable, wry humor on the never ending issues and set-backs and inspirational. It just makes you want to buy a home, but perhaps just experiencing one of their dinners would be enough. I can't wait to try some of Sara's recipes and am ready to start learning French!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

I was delighted to find this book hidden in my NetGalley shelf, perfect for the July in Paris 2023 Reading Challenge I just joined.

Things may have changed since 2016 when this book was published, and I'm glad to see the archive date for this book has not yet been set on NetGalley!

I laughed out loud many times at Marty's wit in telling his story of finding and fixing and living in a stone house in Dordogne, France. The multiple fixes the old house required would have made others sell the house and move home to the U.S, permanently, but Marty and his wife persisted because of the million dollar views the house afforded.

I enjoyed the descriptions of the night markets in neighboring towns, the food, the camaraderie and the stories of the helpfulness of the French people in giving advice and fixing the old house time and again over the years. I also was amazed that there are so many English, Canadian, Australians and American expats who live full time or part time in France.

The book made me want to experience what the authors did, at least on a visit sometime.

Very good. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you Netgalley, and publisher for providing the advanced copy to me.

This is a fun read - it reminds me of other books where Americans buy a home in France and get in over-their-heads due to cultural differences and home ownership of ancient properties from afar. What was unique about this book is the authors' daughter is a chef so there are recipes included. There is also a glossary in the back of common French words. Sometimes the author (the husband of the couple) would annoy me with his old-fashioned views on women but I let that go and just went along for the adventure. This is a quick read and I felt like I was on a mini-vacation in France - -makes me want to go to the Dordogne region again.

Thank you to Netgalley and Les Américains for a copy. I left my honest review voluntarily.

I loved this book! I'm a bit of a Francophile so I was keen to read this.

It's a really enjoyable read, an American couple who buy a second home in France. The trials, tribulations and fun. Their daughter is a chef, so the book is sprinkled with French recipes.

Made me want to move to France myself!

This memoir tells the story of an American family that buys a house in the French countryside. Then lots of things go very wrong! It was a witty read, and I loved the atmosphere of the French countryside and this book about taking leaps and doing new things and also continuing when things get hard.

Thanks to #NetGalley.

I really wanted to like this book since I've always wanted to go to France. This book didn't live up to my expectations and did not finish.

What a delightful read! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The humour and warmth wrapped around the challenges of owning an old home/property thousands of miles away was so well described in the anecdotes of each chapter. This book demonstrates the value and necessity of family and social support necessary to turn challenging experiences around and embrace the beautiful moments presented to us in nature and with other people. I would highly recommend this book!

Ever since high school I have loves learning french. This was an interesting book about little cities. The recipes were really good looking and I added some to my to try list.

What happens when you buy a "charming" but semi-crumbling cottage in France and only know a little French? You get this charming book about Eileen and Marty's experience. Even with all the things that go wrong, and the trials and tribulations, you will still be envious and wish you too were living in rural France.

The lovely recipes also add a charm to this book. Thank you Netgalley and Les Americains for the copy!

This is a charming book about a California couple who buy a house in rural France. Between the home repairs that seem never-ending and trying to navigate French language , food and culture, there is plenty in this little book that will amuse and will have you wanting to run away to France. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Peter Mayle and Frances Mayes or anyone wanting to be whisked away to France, without ever leaving their home.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this delightful book..