Fliss and her two older sisters travel to France to see the property their grandfather left in his will. Never having even heard about the property they are expecting a holiday cottage of some description, not a full-blown chateau. Unfortunately, the sisters' plans to sell the chateau are thwarted when they discover they have a sitting tenant, not only that, but they have to pay this tenant a monthly stipend otherwise the chateau reverts to the previous owners!

When her sisters return to England to their jobs and families Fliss is left in France to try to resolve the situation, not helped by the moody guy next door or the hostile townspeople. A chance broken-down car outside the chateau offers Fliss the opportunity to let a family spend the night and that gives her the idea of starting a bed and breakfast operation, assisted by her teenage nephew who has been excluded from his school in England for selling drugs.

Fliss has always felt herself to be an underachiever, hampered by dyslexia at school, she has held a series of fairly menial jobs, when she got the opportunity to buy the café she worked in, she was too timid and ended up working for the new owners instead, and her long-term relationship appears to have hit the rocks as soon as she mentioned the future possibility of children. But what seemed to Fliss and her sisters as lack of direction is perfect training for running a chateau. She can direct cars into parking correctly, she can cook breakfasts for lots of people, she knows how to clean, and she knows how to grow vegetables.

Jo Thomas has freely admitted that this book is inspired by the delightful TV series Escape to the Chateau and this is a charming story wound around that delightful premise. I will warn you that the frequent descriptions of amazing food will have you salivating all over your Kindle though!

This might be (100% definitely is) somewhat idyllic, the hard graft of cleaning an old, neglected chateau is brushed aside in a few words, there's no mention of the back-breaking amount of laundry required to strip and wash several sets of bedding and towels after each change of guests, interspersed with cleaning and washing up and repairing the house. Fliss manages to do all these things effortlessly. But that is all part of the charm of this feel-good romance.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Another great book from Jo. Full of fun and laughter and festivities. Great book to curl up with this winter season

Another great Jo Thomas story. Romance, determination, Christmas, humour - this book has it all. A great read.

You know when you're reading a book and want to continue reading it but don't want it to end? That's exactly how I felt with this book, I was completely entranced by the Chateau and the village, I could see myself being there!

Another fantastic read by Jo Thomas, a perfect winter afternoon read to loose yourself in.

This was a really warm read about Fliss (Felicity) and her two sisters who unexpectedly inherit a French chateau from their grandfather which isn’t quite the windfall they hoped it would be. Fliss has few ties so finds herself left to sort everything and as past family history has caused her family to be resented in the local village she has a lot to achieve.

Fliss was a far more able character than she gave herself credit for and grew well throughout this, the chatelaine was a wonderful complication but also a great character and it was good to see how two teenagers added well to the story. This was a lovely read and developed really well, there were no quick fixes just a good story with some interesting characters and a hint of seasonal warmth, 9/10

This is an engaging and heartwarming read. It has a budding romance, a race against time, some secrets to unfold, family intrigue, jealousy, a minor villain or two for us all to boo and hiss at and humour - what's not to like!?
There were some great characters, including the resident chatelaine (and Pegasus the horse who is definitely a character in his own right) and you couldn't help but take Fliss, the main protagonist, into your heart. You really root for her as she faces the seemingly impossible challenge of making her unexpected inheritance pay for itself. It is also nice to see a book portraying teenagers so positively as well as they are so often painted so negatively in the media that we see in our daily lives.
Reading this book is just a lovely way to while away a few hours. Enjoy!

This is such a sweet romance, full of romance and charm, I loved reading it and became quite involved with the characters and their lives. It did start a little slowly but once the storyline moved to France and the Chateau it really got going and I was hooked.

Flis is the sister who stays to deal with their new inheritance and the resistance from the locals and the town's mayor, Jacques. Believe me, it is not made easy for her, but she is a determined character. I really liked Fliss, the way she took on a challenge despite a multitude of setbacks. She made me smile a lot and cheer for her too. There are some great, well-written characters in the story, some real personalities and I enjoyed the push and pull between them all.

This is one of those stories which will pull you in and you won't want to put it down. a truly lovely Christmas read.

A must read, feel good book that I highly recommend. I loved being transported to the chateau. When the sisters inherit the place their first thought is to sell it but difficulties prevent this and they have to make it pay it’s way or lose it.

There are laughs, I loved the drunken cow, tears when the locals turn their backs and celebrations such as the apple orchard cider making. If you only read one Christmas book this year, this is the one to make you smile

Who doesn't want to be left a chateau in a will? Sisters Lissie, Nellie & Fliss are left a chateau by there grandfather that they never new existed. They travel to France to see their inheritance & there lives change for ever. Nothing is easy or straight forward & they find out about a clause in the ownership of the chateau. lovely story that i enjoyed so much. I do love Jo Thomas books. You will not be disappointed!

Jo Thomas's books are always feel-good and romantic. "Celebrations at the Chateau" is no exception. The reader needs to be aware that it would not be anywhere as easy as is portrayed to set up a new business in France - after all, it is the land of red-tape. If you can overlook this, for the sake of readability, this is the story of a woman being dropped in at the deep-end and discovering her strengths. Felicity thought that, as she had no "career", she had no skills, but this proves to be far from the truth. She also had a blinkered vision of her love-life, but that improves during her enforced stay in Normandy.

Easy to read, with lovable characters and a happy ending. Curl up in front of a fire on a cold winter's day with this book!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Fliss and her sisters inherit a Chateau in France, something they knew nothing about, and set off with the intention of selling it. A few surprises await them when they turn up in France, including the resident of the chateau and the local mayor.
As Fliss stays behind in France to sort out the mess, she settles in but there are lots more problems to solve.

A great read, and a great setting.

An Astonishing Inheritance…
The astonishing inheritance of a glorious Chateau in France brings issues for Fliss and sisters in this entertaining, feel good read. With major renovations needed, hostile locals and a sitting tenant they have their work cut out. One thing is clear, they are determined to save the Chateau and hopefully make it a new beginning. A wholly relaxing, escapist read.

An easy to read, feel good novel, with a satisfying ending. Nothing too profound, but good for a little bit of holiday time escapism.

Thank you for my copy of this book to review.

As someone who constantly reads crime and psychological thrillers, Jo Thomas is my guilty pleasure, I love her stories for their cheeriness and escapism.

I have read most of her books and I think this is probably one of the best. The descriptions of the autumnal weather (my favourite time of year) and the food made me want to be there in a run-down French chateaux too.

Although these books are always predictable, what starts out as a conflict with a small knit community and a hostile man, ends up in acceptance, friendships and romance, that’s what I love about them. You know what you’re getting and you know you’re going to enjoy it.

A 5* feel-good, easy read. Can’t wait for the next one!

This is the second book that I have read by Jo Thomas and I loved it as much as the first . Fliss and her two sisters inherit a chateau in France from their grandad and they are confused a s to why. The chateau needs some major work doing and there is a huge tax bill due. Fliss comes of age as she negotiates opening up the chateau to guests and becomes the competent sister.

Great escapist read and I couldn't put it down.

Brilliant read, well written and good storyline, we follow three sisters who inherit a French chateau and never knew a thing about it, how can they run a place like this? They all agree the best thing to do is sell but find out they can't do that as the chateau comes with a sitting tennent, love how Fliss stays behind to try and figure out what to do and slowly falls in love with the chateau and the tennent Charlotte and her handsome grandson Jacques, she has a lot of work to do and she finds the villagers aren't exactly helpful at present, loved Cedric the peacock and of course the nosey horse and how the three girls decide to try make a business out of the chateau so they can keep the place running and pay Charlotte her monthly allowance, they also discover the secret to how they end up owning such a beautiful place
Loved the characters and loved the book in general, would love there to be a follow on from this and find out how the chateau goes from strength to strength

A wonderfully romantic, feel-good new novel set in a French château over the most magical time of the year! From the best-selling author of Escape to the French Farmhouse.
When their grandfather dies, Fliss and her sisters are astonished to inherit a French château! Travelling to Normandy to visit the beautiful if faded house, they excitedly make plans over delicious crêpes and local cider in the town nearby.
But they soon discover the château needs major work, a huge tax bill is due...and there's a sitting tenant, Madame Charlotte Cadieux, to whom they owe a monthly allowance!
Unable to sell but strapped for cash, Fliss determines to spruce up the elegant old rooms and open a B&B. But why are Jacques - Madame's grandson and the mayor - and the other townsfolk so hostile? How did Fliss' grandfather come to own the place anyway? And will Jacques and Fliss be able to put their differences aside to save the château?
It seems like nothing but trouble. But as the old year gives way to the new, it could be a new beginning for them all....
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this wonderful book!. After having to give up on a book (Not one by Jo Thomas i might add) , what better way to get over it than to grab another and like the security blanket that is Jo Thomas what better choice could i make? Set in France 3 sisters inherit a Chateau from their Grandfather and set about making it work as they cant sell it. (I'll let you find out why!) Read in a day (Always a good sign when you skip a meal in favour of a book) i curled up in the corner of the sofa and blissfully laughed, cried and got angry. Jo as always writes with warmth , enthusiasm and comedy timing. I absolutely loved it and wouldnt hesitate to recommend

I love Jo Thomas books, those books you can't put down and are perfect for a Sunday afternoon.  Celebrations at the Chateau is good, not her best book. But a lovely story in a Jo Thomas way. Little bits of the writing are repeatedly annoying rehashing old relationship which in the end was not needed in that much detail so did not provide anything to the current living circumstances. Other than that a cozy read that just oozes excitement and a wee slither of Christmas which I absolutely loved.
A must for all Jo Thomas fans
#Netgalley #jothomas #celebrationsatthechateau

I loved this book, so well written and full of fabulous characters! So well written that I was there in that kitchen with the wood burner enjoying a glass of apple brandy and shooing Cedric back outside!’Absolutely loved it and would highly recommend!

This was a nice Summer read. I really enjoyed the way Fliss encouraged her nephew and he came out of his shell. I also enjoyed the drop in characters such as the YouTuber and Ty. Charlotte and the villagers added another dimension and, having been the outsider in a foreign village, I could empathize with Fliss.