JO THOMAS – CELEBRATIONS AT THE CHATEAU ****

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Following on from Chasing the Italian Dream, Celebrations at the Chateau is the second romance written by Jo Thomas I’ve read. She’s skilled in what she doe, right from the title, which tells you everything you need to know about the romantic setting and mood and hooks you even before you read the first line.

The first book I read because I love Italy; this one because for thirty years I owned a house in Normandy, not a chateau but a maison de maitre.

Firstly, to be positive, there’s nothing wrong with the story. Indeed, it bustles along with boo-hiss villains, a romantic interest who inevitably starts out in conflict with the narrator, and, poor woman, everything going wrong at the chateau that possibly can. No wonder she’s always ‘throwing up her arms’, or, in one case ‘throwing up their spare arms and beaming.’

Despite the warm and entertaining story, this manuscript reads like a first draft. It’s awash with adverbs and long convoluted sentences containing totally diverse subjects that need untangling. I didn’t count how many objects were big or large or small, and how often characters beamed or twinkled or said sadly or tilted their heads. The heroine is also particularly unfortunate with the villagers, all of whom are against her from the start. Apart from a roofer who never turned up, everyone we encountered was patient with our lack of French and courteous; our first visit to our elderly neighbours the wife curtsying to us, they were so charming. Even some characters jar: ‘Is there a vegan option on the menu. I do occasionally eat chicken’. What? A vegan who eats chicken? There is much like this example that strikes as unbelievable or naïve and which takes me out of the story..

Having made those comments, the story’s heart is in the right place, and it will appeal to its target audience. It’s frustrating that the writing isn’t better, It could have been great.

I really loved this book, it was sweet, beautiful but full of grit and determination the perfect antidote to our current times.

When Fliss and her sisters inherit a chateau they think all their problems will be solved, but upon arriving they find a run down mess and Fliss becomes determined to put it right but to also find out what possessed her grandfather to buy it in the first place, along the way she not only discovers her true self but she discovers so much more, like that fact that she can do it on her own and do it well. I loved the added dimension that Charlotte - The Chatelaine added to the story and really enjoyed how they both came into their own.

I cannot recommend this book enough, it truly was a great way to spend a day losing myself in the French countryside and in the story!

Another fantastic book from Jo Thomas, I absolutely loved it. I just couldn’t put it down, the flow of the book is great. It fills you with warmth as the characters are so likeable, well apart from Rachelle and a couple of others who would willingly put a spanner in the works of the Chateau becoming a success! This is a must read, Jo Thomas books just get better and better, beautiful piece of escapism, feeling that you are part of the story at a beautiful chateau in France, you are completely transported there and at the end you don’t want to leave. Romantic fiction at its best.

Yet another easy read from Jo Thomas, this time spent in a chateau in Normandy

Fliss, Nellie and Lizzie inherit a chateau from their late grandfather ...quite a shock as they didn't even know he owned it ....The chateau has a live-in tenant - the chataleine Charlotte. Mystery and intrigue while Fliss tries to set it up as a B&B to ensure the Chataleine gets her weekly allowance and the tax bill is paid. Laughter, love, tears ... what more to ask for from a winter's read.

Very strange reading a Christmas love story in what is supposed to be our summer. But I could just imagine the Chateau. Maybe because of the tv programme but it seemed to come alive. Fliss and her sisters find out they’ve inherited a chateau in France and venture out there to see why they’ve been left it in their grandfather’s will. There’s an old love story there. And the a new one starts up when Fliss and Jacques start working together to restore the chateau and it’s lands back to how it was including the cider festival. Unexpectedly Fliss’s old boyfriend turns up but she realises their ‘love’ was never going to amount to anything. Thank goodness Jacques has his own problems with his ex wife who wants the chateau back. But who ever said true love runs smooth. I loved this book. It made me feel Christmasy.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. A real feel good read, great storyline and great characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wow! What can I say! Jo Thomas has done it again! Celebrations at the chateau is a wonderfully evocative, romantic dream of a read that will draw you in from the very first page until the end!
Jo has that unique ability to instantly transport you to the setting of each of her books,, this one is no exemption based in the Normandy region of France in a wonderfully described chateau with its very own chatelaine/ sitting tenant, an orchard, peacocks, and a gorgeous neighbour/ mayor next door!
Fliss and her sisters unexpectedly inherit a chateau after their grandfathers death, but all is not as it seems, Fliss at a crossroads in her life is the one to stay and try and save the chateau, ably assisted by her troubled nephew! French rules, local hostility and a sitting tenant don’t make for an easy ride, but with determination, hard work and time things change and we the reader are led on the most delightful, heartwarming, gastronomic journey as Fliss works her magic on the chateau, the locals and most importantly the mayor!
A perfect read for the festive season, would highly recommend.
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

Any book by Jo Thomas draws me in immediately. Having lived in rural France for many years I loved the descriptions of people and places. The French can see a bit unwelcoming to newcomers but once they take you in you are theirs forever.
The Chateau was so very typical of mouldering properties that we have known and beautifully described. Fliss took a lot on but her spirit got her through confrontations with villager, the Mayor and others.
Such a warm book.
But there are two little things I would say. One is that surely the Grandfather would have given some indication to the girls of the property to be theirs?
The other....the ending came too quickly.
Thank you for a reiview copy of this delightful book.

I received an advance copy of, Celebrations at the Chateau, by Jo Thomas. I have read other books by Jo Thomas, and this is one of her best. I loved the characters especially Fliss. The setting, a French Chateau, what could be better.

It was one of those just vibes, no plots kind of book. Unfortunately, I couldn't make myself invested in the story.

Yet another fantastic read by Jo Thomas. I couldn’t put it down.

I love how The story flows, I was transported to the Chateau.

Five stars from me

Jo Thomas is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. All of her books are set in the most beautiful locations and her story telling is just exquisite!!! I loved everything about this book and I want everyone to read it

With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Having read many of this authors books I always look forward to her Christmas book and it never disappoints, this book has a bit of everything we all assosiate with the festivities, it's a warm cosy read, that captures your heart and gives you tingles where you you never knew could tingle❤

Jo Thomas always takes us to a different location for each book, always well researched and attached to an absorbing story. This time it is France and the setting a chateau that has seen better days. It is a lovely warm book for cooler days; the characters are so well drawn, down to Pegasus the horse and Cedric the peacock with his harem of peahens! Fliss has the job of trying to make the chateau earn its keep, despite the farmer next door and the local villagers. There is an eventual romance and all the ingredients for a book that is hard to put down. The descriptions of French food and wonderful cheeses are a bonus too. A great read!
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I loved this book! Jo Thomas has done it again - this story is filled with love, hope, friendship and determination to succeed in the face of adversity. Fliss is a strong and determined woman (although doesn’t recognise that in herself) and sets about making the best of a bad job when she, along with her sisters, inherit a chateau in France from their grandfather. All is not straight forward though as the chateau comes with a sitting tenant, the wonderful Charlotte, and her neighbours are a rather cross Frenchman, Jacques, and his step daughter.
A wonderful hug of a book….. feel good fiction at its very best! Highly recommended.

Another brilliant story from Jo Thomas, once you start reading you will find it hard to put down until you get to the last page and then you want more.
If she ever gets tired of writing then she would be a great travel ambassador, I can't wait to see where we are going next.
As usual terrific research and an understanding of the French way of life, Jo leaves you frustrated and laughing at the same time.

If you have have never read a Jo Thomas book you really don't know what you are missing. Each book sweeps you away to a different country absorbing you in the culture and customs. This book is another triumph, beautifully written totally mesmerising I couldn't put it down. 3 sisters find out they have inherited a house in France from their Grandad, with totally no idea how he came to have a property in France they drive over with a view to selling as soon as possible. But an arrival they find it's not that simple. With a Chatelaine In situe and a local town not willing to help Fliss is left to sort it out. Brilliant totally recommend

A lovely tale which starts almost with an element of the gothic. Abandoned chateau, not anyone around, ignore butler/caretaker role and then it blossoms into a sense of belonging, community, packed in history. As Fliss tries to recover her own life, she puts her energy into the building. Some really great strong characters, cheeky, fun. as I am sure I say with every one of Jo's reads, the way she describes food makes my tummy rumble every time.

A lovely story that is easy to read and brings some tension alongside the will they, won't they romance question

I just adore Jo Thomas’s books. They always make me want to run off to a new place and make a new life ! Love the storyline and chuckled at the mention of Dick and Angel 🙂 Poor Fliss, with the selfish Ty who she is well rid of ! With lots of hard work and self doubt all comes good for her and her sisters.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK & Transworld publishers for the early read 💙