Who wouldn't love Noah in this story...he sounds like the perfect guy with just enough mystery about him.
However, Merry isn't interested she has been hopelessly in love with Noah's friend..her best friend Leo.
We hardly hear about Leo though because he is almost instantly forgotten, which makes it a little heard to believe Merry was so in love with him for so long. I do though hate her sister, she is written as a petulant child who is wholly self involved and only thinks about what she wants, so how she gets Leo is astounding.
I enjoyed the story, there are some very humourous scenarios and a beautiful setting for the Noah and Merry story. I also liked that there was more to Noah's story than just being 'The One'
There are some gaps in the storyline that would bother me - I want to know how Merry went from stressing about the future to just staying in France in a Chateau and travelling with Noah..what about family or work etc?!

Merry’s best friend (and crush of 5 years) marries her sister. In an attempt to get away, Merry flies to France to spend 3 months in an old chateau belonging to a close friend.
Much to her surprise, Noah is there too, where they go from enemies to lovers in a forced proximity, one bed story.

This was an incredibly charming story that was hard to put down once you start reading. The burn is slow but the book itself is not. Easy 4 star read that had me swooning 🥰🥰

Single narrator but she narrated with so much energy that it drew you into the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis publishing for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This was the perfect escapism romance.

Adorable FMC? Check.
Gorgeous French backdrop? Check.
Two ‘enemies’ forced to live together? Check.
One fricken bed? Check.

I listened to this audiobook, and Kelsey Navarro is so great at narration. Plus, the French parts were *chefs kiss*. Ugh, now all I want to do is quit my job and buy a French chateau.

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)

What to do when the best friend that you have been crushing on marries your sister? Run away to France! Mary was a wonderful main character, and we get to see her relationship with curmudgeon Noah evolve from one drunken best man-maid of honor one night stand to…. Friendship? Intrigue, good food, and a “gothic mystery” all mixed into one! Super cute, and quite sexy!

I give 4.5 (rounded up to 5) stars to this well-written, enjoyable romance.

Merry has always felt “less than” in comparison to her beautiful, selfish younger sister. After her sister meets and marries the man Merry’s loved for years, Merry quits her job and heads off for an extended stay at her Godmother’s French castle with fantasies of what her life will be like. However, when she arrives at the castle—with its gorgeous exterior and decaying interior—she’s met by her nemesis Noah, a famous travel writer who was also the Best Man at her sister’s wedding. Since neither one of them is willing to leave, the pair, they attempt to work together to make the castle habitable, making their way through various comic interludes—the “cat”, the bug, the lobster. As Merry and Noah go from being enemies to friends to lovers, they confront and grow beyond their own limiting beliefs, I listened to the audible book and thought the narrator was excellent.

This book was ultra cute! I love the main character. This book gave me the urge to watch to travel ASAP.

This book was so cute, I enjoyed the audio recording very much, the voice actor was very engaging. And I was captivated by the plot. This was an enemy’s to lovers vibe with one bed, close proximity on vacation with a Sprinkle of unrequited love/best friend trope.

Thank you NETGALLEY and Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC for an advance copy for review. This will be available April 26, 2023

This was such a fun romcom. It reminded me of a mix between the movies 27 Dresses and Love in the Villa.

Merry has been pining over her best friend for years. Just when she's about to tell him how she feels, her sister shows up and gets with her best friend. They fall hard and fast and get married pretty quickly. The story opens at the wedding with Merry as a bridesmaid. She and the best man, Noah, get off very much on the wrong foot. When an opportunity arises after the wedding for Merry to spend three months in a chateau in France, she jumps on the opportunity. The only problem? The owner also rented the chateau out to Noah and there's only one bed.

This was a quick, light-hearted read with a lot of funny moments and a few gasps. I enjoyed the voice and the added mystery of Noah's parents.

My biggest problem with this book is a line that was in the first chapter where Merry compares an overwhelming mix of cologne and perfume to schizophrenia. This was ablest, wholly unnecessary, and it makes the author seem ignorant about what schizophrenia actually is like. I think it was meant to be voice-y and fun but it put a bad taste in my mouth. <spoiler>I also didn't like the minor cheating.</spoiler>

Overall, I recommend this book if you enjoy enemies-to-lovers, only one bed, slow burn, and stories set in France.

Thank you to NetGalley and Swift and Lewis Publishing for an early copy! This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own thoughts.

This was delicious in just the escapist way I was looking for. There was so much delay for the romantic/ spicy scenes but not so much that I was overly annoyed. I’m glad it didn’t dwell on a “do I suddenly think this person is a murderer” line. I thought the mystery/ art story line was really interesting. The relationships seemed earned and good. It certainly had me wanting to go to France.

This is a sweet, fun slow burn romance. I loved the characters and seeing their emotional journey going through unrequited love and finding their true love/soulmate instead. I also loved how this wasn't your typical romance instead it had mystery, drama, history and a bit of spice - it was the perfect combination of elements and kept things light and heart warming whilst also allowing the characters to go deep with their emotional and personal developments. It did take some time to get going and I think the book could have been slightly shorter, however when the story got going it moved fast. The only thing I didn't really like was Leo and Merry's sister (although I think this was slightly intended) I just found them very annoying. Overall I do recommend and it is a generally sweet and cute romance.

I loved this romance! It's a long but really good read. It has some mystery, some drama, some philosophy, and a slow burn romance. Believe it or not, my favorite character is a side character, Louie, and despite my love for the book, I would have loved an additional chapter with him playing a prominent role in the story.

I listened to the audio ARC of this book and is my
first experience with this author. I laughed and
rooted for the truth of secrets, hoping for two
people to get together and another two to
split apart. The need for the beautiful swan to
emerge from the ugly duckling! And when Noah is accused of murder,
Mary is determined to prove his innocence. I loved this read!
A clean contemporary romcom I know you'll love! Spice rating is 2/5.

Highly Recommended!

I enjoyed this book!

It’s not a very heavy read, it is a slow burning romance. The side characters were fantastic and I enjoyed each and every one of them.

My favourite part was the pet lobster. You’ll understand why when you read the book. The conversations flowed, there was never a dull moment and Noah and Meredith captured my heart.

It was the perfect light read I needed after a DNF slump.

I loved this little romantic feel good novel!
Merry De luca was hopelessly in love with her friend Leo. But she is unable to tell him if her feelings when the unthinkable happens. He falls for her effervescent, perfect and beautiful sister Angela and they get married!
When circumstances at her workplace also becomes troubled, Merry jumps at the escape plan her God Mother offers her- a trip to a fabulous Chateau in France.
So will Merry meet her dream French man there? Or will she have to come to terms with Leo’s grumpy friend named Noah Right. Do give the story a read to find out more.
I loved the characters- they were all well developed, realistic, partially flawed and cute characters. The romance was slow burn and beautiful. There is a chapter devoted to spice- but u can skip that chapter easily if you are not into it. The rest is actually a clean romance.
Loved the underlying mystery/ background story which was woven into it. It gave the story more rich undertones and made it different from other books of the same genre.
The only negative was that it was a tiny bit too long for an easy read romance. Else definitely go for it!
Also the narrator was just wonderful. I loved her!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook!

French Holiday was a cute and easy listen, and was quite entertaining in parts. While I enjoyed it, there were a few things about it I didn’t like. The relationships in the book all progressed way too quickly in my opinion, making it difficult to feel as though the characters truly loved each other. The scenes with the lobster were just odd to me, and the story felt rushed in some parts but slow in others. I loved the French castle setting & the characters were very likeable, but overall it was a fairly forgettable story.

Tropes: grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers, unrequited love, vacation romance

French Holiday had an interesting premise since the heroine was in love with her sister's groom. It's a good thing the sisters love each other so much. Merry was able to keep her feelings to herself so most people didn't know, other than the groom's best friend.
Things go from bad to worse for Merry, so she decides to do a complete reset of her life and heads off to France to stay in her godmother's villa. I loved learning about the French countryside alongside Merry.
This was a light, fun read. Exactly what I needed. I definitely recommend it!

Unrequited love might be my new favorite romance trope! Or maybe it’s requited love - complete with a French castle and love bridge?

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not sure exactly what kind of book this is: mystery, rom com, family, drama. I guess because of its scatter shot genres, it will appeal to many different audiences. Although I did enjoy the plot, sometimes the story got long winded--like when Merri was fixing dinner and had an encounter with a lobster (yes, like in Annie Hall). The best parts of the book is the relationship and repartee of Merri and Noah, even though the reader kind of know (spoiler alert) that in the end they will be together it is still fun to see how it occurs. I wish there had been more emphasis on the mystery of the painter and his paintings--it felt kind of hit or miss. But most of the loose ends of the book are tied up at the end.

French Holiday by Sarah Ready
Narrated by Kelsey Navarro
Format: audiobook arc 🎧
Pub. date: April 23/23
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

First of all I loved this book! The story, the characters, and their adventures. A lot of times romcoms tend to follow a predictable plot, but not this one.

Merry is at a crossroads in her life. She has always done what is best for others when her Godmother Jupiter (yes Jupiter lol) suggests she go off to stay at her castle in France. Unfortunately the castle has seen better days but it comes with a handsome, brooding, man named Noah. Noah, a travel documentarian, challenges Merry in many ways helping her to see her value while offering her the chance to help him solve a personal mystery.

The ups and downs and twists and turns in the story keep the reader engaged throughout. Also, hilarious encounters with a rodent, crustacean and cockroach, leave the reader laughing out loud. Add a touching love story and what you have is a well rounded book. This is the second Sarah Ready book I have read and I can’t wait to read more!

The narration by Kelsey Navarro is fabulous. She brings the words to life helping the reader to visualize everyone and everything that happens. Her voice is both soothing and able to bring out the humour in the story. I absolutely recommend this audiobook/book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook arc.

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲

✰✰✰✰✰/5

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
i have never listened to an audiobook before. i don’t know if it was just my newfound love of audiobooks, or if French Holiday was just. that. good.

sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs:
mary escapes to her godmothers french chateau in order to recover from her unrequited love. mary’s godmother has also rented the chateau to mary’s least favorite human, noah. noah is a travel documentarian who is studying a long-lost french artist. together, mary and noah set out to find the lost artist.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜɪs ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ:
❀ love a one bed trope
❀ are trying to get into romances, but need a little mystery
❀ have a crazy godmother and fantasize about a french man named Pierre