Member Reviews
Now I’ve enjoyed escaping into Lucy Coleman’s books in the past so I really looked forward to reading this one – and I wasn’t disappointed! This is a heart-warming story about family misunderstandings, investigating family history, daring to dream and the Palace of Versailles as well as romance.
Lexie has dreamt of becoming a TV producer and is determined to make that dream come true. Her first venture is a documentary about the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, a place that her grandma spent a year working before marrying her grandfather. That time of her life has always been an intriguing mystery for Lexie and she hopes to discover more about her grandma’s time there. She certainly never anticipated finding herself embroiled in a much bigger mystery involving someone who may have been a compatriot of her grandmother and someone who has written books about the gardens. Just what happened in her grandma’s time? Why is there so much secrecy about that era? Is everyone being honest with her? Will her own time there prove to be another Springtime to Remember or something she’d rather forget?
I really want to visit the Palace of Versailles after reading this book, the whole place is brought vividly to life in the story, especially the gardens. The story is a mix of detective work, historical research, family dramas and romance, skilfully blended into an intriguing page turner that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Whatever the season, whatever the weather, this is an enthralling read that I have no hesitation in highly recommending.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and absolutely loving doing so.
Beautifully descriptive this story portrays the ambience of France so well, the author's love of the Palace of Versailles, is apparent, and this translates easily into Lexie's first impressions and total enchantment with this iconic French location.
This story has a slow-burning romance with oodles of simmering passion, a family drama and mystery, which intertwines serendipitously with Lexie and Ronan's budding romance. The characters are believable and easy to root for, and the historical input gives the story realistic depth and added interest.
This story is full of charm and emotion and allows the reader the chance to explore the mysteries of France and Lexie's family. A lovely way to escape the depths of an English winter, to the romance and warmth of France. from the comfort of your armchair.
I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Springtime in Paris (suburbs): savor 💛 love and 🍷🧀🍞 life en rose!🌹
😌This story had all the feel of French living from the moment heroine Lexie steps foot in her little residential enclave in the town of Versailles. Her first introduction to the palace of Versailles reminded me of my wonder at setting eyes on its front courtyard entrance, something that photos did not prepare me to grasp in its immensity and grandeur. Her descriptions of the palace took me back and made me realize that there was so much I missed! I really enjoyed learning more about the history of the palace gardens.
While the author's descriptions at times get a bit down in the weeds, the story of Lexie's romance with the gardens of Versailles, her little neighborhood, French culinary delights, the local people who touched her life and, yes, her love interest, was a good one. And the mystery of her grandmother's year at Versailles in 1961 added some suspense and, eventually, a good deal of pathos to the story. Lexie's chancy career move turns out to be a real life-changing adventure.
This was a solid, clean read, well-written and with a good ensemble of well-drawn characters.
Thanks to publisher Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I like this author and everything she has written and this did not disappoint. Great storyline, great characters and a real feel good read.
A lovely and sweet romance that makes you wish it was spring.
I love the lovely setting, rooted for the well thought characters and found it entertaining.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
A Springtime To Remember is a lovely spring romance that is sure to pull you in and have you wishing for warm weather. An intriguing romance that sweeps you off your feet and leaves you wanting more.
A sweet, fun spring romance!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
I wasn't sure about this book when I first started reading but I was curious about what was happening so I read on, I then found I wanted to know what happened and how it was going to end. I am glad that I kept on with this as it turned out to be an interesting novel. I suggest you give try it and see the interesting story that unfolds. I recommend you read this for yourself.
An enjoyable read. I did feel that there was a bit too much descripion about Versaille in some sections of the book, and this detracted from the story line.
I have mixed feelings about this book. So much time was spent on the filming at Versailles at the beginning, and it lost focus as time went on. I sometimes think that Lexie made a drama where there wasn't one. She was extremely childish stopping all contact with Ronan. The romantic ending was a bit cheesy to be honest (and a bit too quick?). Also, the storyline surrounding the brother was weird. He didn't let even his mother know he was married and had had twins? That said, I loved the descriptions of Versailles - makes me want to visit. Lovely reading a spring/summer story when it's dreary outside. I liked Lexie, despite what I said earlier. The story surrounding her grandmother was good, and I think could have been developed even further. A good read all in all.
Lexie has always wanted to go to Paris and see Versailles and its magnificent gardens, her grandmother worked there years ago, but doesn’t like to talk about it. When Lexie’s job as a TV producer gives her an excuse to travel to Versailles, she jumps on the opportunity. There, using her grandmother’s old diaries and with the help of handsome interpreter, Ronan, Lexie sets out to find out what happened to her grandmother all those years ago. This is a lovely story that made me feel like I was spending springtime in Paris, pulling me right out of the beginning of another very long Maine winter
Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect escapist read.
Nice feel good book. It flowed very well. was easy to read. Nice characters. Good storyline. What’s not to love.
This book feels like you're getting two or even three books for the price of one! The first is an intriguing family story of a much loved grandmother's early life and the second is a history of the Palace of Versailles and more particularly of it's gardens and the third is a detailed understanding of the components of creating a documentary for tv. The three are blended together to create an interesting and informative novel that has a definite feelgood factor.
This was a beautiful novel with a bewitching group of characters. The storyline flow was seamless. Highly recommended.
A Springtime to Remember is a family drama, a mystery, and a budding romance all wrapped up in a descriptive trip to Versailles. TV personality Lexie is trying to become a producer through a proposed series showcasing the gardens at Versailles. Her grandmother had worked in the gardens before returning to England and getting married, however she never spoke of her time there. Assisting as her interpreter, Ronan has a search of his own going on concerning his grandfather, who also had worked in the gardens. The only person who might know about their relatives refuses to talk. Lexie’s search ramps up once her mother sends her grandmother’s Paris notebooks. What if anything will be revealed? This is a wonderful story written in such a way that readers stay engaged anxiously awaiting the next clue. The descriptions of Versailles and its gardens will make readers long to visit. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book. Most highly recommend.