Make That Deux

by Julia McDermott

Three American college girls living in an apartment on the Mediterranean. Two boyfriends back home. "The One" (and only), if it's "meant to be" -- whatever that means!

Jenny Miles has three goals: to speak French like a native, to travel all over Europe, and to have a blast. Meanwhile, two men compete for her attention and amour, ici et là. C'est compliqué!

Take 10 months. Add 2 (surprise) transatlantic flights, 2 Greek isles, 1 moped (une mobylette) and beaucoup de lettres! Subtract 1 phone, 1 promise to be faithful, and 1 bikini top. La solution?

Make that...a year that Jenny will never forget.

300 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2012

About the author

Julia McDermott's short story "The Riverfest" is included in crime stories anthology DOWN TO THE RIVER, published by Down & Out Books. Her upcoming novel, a mystery/thriller to be published by Red Adept Publishing, is drawn from her story. She is also the author of two suspense novels, a romance, and a work of creative nonfiction, awarded Finalist, 2016 Georgia Author of the Year.
Julia graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and spent her junior year in the south of France. When not writing or reading, she enjoys ballroom dancing, walking on the beach, traveling in France with her husband, and binge watching French and British murder mystery series. She lives in Florida and loves football, the UNC Tar Heels, most kinds of art, and all things French.

Reviews

[Sue Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked all of the different characters and reading about their adventures. It never got boring. It kept me wanting to keep reading and reading. Great story!!!

[Rona Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written tale of a young woman's year abroad ... it brought back many memories of my college days even though I did not study abroad. I know I met some of the same people Jenny did and suffered some of the same awkward experiences as I navigated through those first years on my own.
The author is particularly adept at dialogue especially when she portrays french-accented English. The words resounded from the page! I might have been at a cafe eavesdropping on Jenny and her friends.
I'm hoping Jenny has a similarly convoluted and dilemma-ridden adulthood in the sequel!

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I love books set in France and Italy, and I live in North Carolina, just a few hours from Chapel Hill, so a group of mostly UNC students spending a year of their college time in France was a good fit for me. The characters were likeable, the situations they found themselves in were believable and I liked the fact that they traveled around the continent. This was my first time reading this author and I enjoyed her writing style.

[Betsy Hover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to receive this book as Goodreads giveaway! The author, Julie McDermott, takes the reader on a journey with the main character Jenny Miles, which is very relatable. Her simplest priorities are to become fluent in French, have fun and travel. This should be every college junior’s goal, before an adult life of responsibilities. I loved reading this book!!

[Linda Kovic-Skow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was an au pair in France at the same time the author was an exchange student, so her book brought back many fond memories for me. Make That Deux was an enjoyable, easy-to-read story that includes all the right ingredients. Who doesn't love a book filled with adventure, romance and surprises? Bien fait Julia McDermott!

[Kat Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me feel like I'd been transported to France. A very realistic novel about what it's like to be a student abroad - making the most of the experience on a shoestring budget. I've spent time abroad and could very much relate to the main character and her experiences. If you're thinking of voyaging abroad, to France or anywhere in Europe, I highly recommend this book!

[Gala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book because it reminded me when I studyied abroad. I was older than the characters in this story but just the same it brought back fond memories of learning a new language, riding my bike and feeling the dangers of cars not stoping at the red light. My husband and daughter had to survive without wife and mother for three months. My husband made the trip to meet me in Paris so romantic. I met Julia McDermott at Perimeter College in the writing workshop when I bought this book. I have so many books to read, now that we are going through a pandemic I have the time to sit and enjoy some reading.

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the book difficult to finish, (although I did persevere and finish it). I felt it was more of a memoir that could have been titled "My Year in France". Jenny (the main character) was quite one dimensional and I found her narrative not able to live up to my suspension of disbelief. The French anecdotes as well as the other European episodes are inviting but individually over before they begin. It was successful in making me wish I had studied abroad when I was in school. In short, it is the story of Jenny, an American, who spends a year studying in Montpellier, France. There is not much about her classes, it is mostly the "adventures" she has with her fellow students while traveling during breaks in class. Enjoy.

[Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jenny, a 20 year old UNC student travels to France in 1979 for her Junior year abroad. Involved with Phil, a UNC senior she leaves with some trepidation. When she arrives in France with a goal to become fluent in French and see as much as she can on a limited budget she embarks on a year of change... Having grown up during this time period I can appreciate the referances to the time period. However, I did not care for the writing style & the story could have been told in a more fluid and interesting style.