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The Grape Series #6
My Grape Escape
A twenty-six year old newlywed on the path to a prestigious legal career in London buys a decrepit, revolutionary-era ruin in the tiny Burgundian village of Magny-les-Villers. Was that split-second, life-altering decision profoundly wise or utterly insane? Find out in My Grape Escape - a story for anyone who's imagined taking a U-Turn in life to seize their joy. Could an Oxford law student schooled in overachievement trade it all in for the humble work of polishing metal door hinges forged in 1789 at the dawn of the French Revolution? Laura Bradbury found out when, as a twenty-six year old newlywed on the path to a prestigious legal career in London, she leapt off the ladder to success to buy a decrepit ruin in the tiny French village of Magny-les-Villers with her Burgundian husband. Trading in her academic cap and gown for a ruthlessly traditional French winemaking town brought a myriad of unsettling new experiences. Laura's idealistic visions of bicycling through the French vineyards with fresh baguettes under her arm had not included being confronted with a steaming plate of veal brains for breakfast or taming an ogre of an electrician named Tin Tin who hunted wild boars in his spare time. Still, as Laura learned the art of bartering for antique armoires and rekindled romance with her husband she also gained a newfound perspective on herself, including her recurrent panic attacks and her inability to carry on conversations with the Virgin Mary like her Catholic husband and the rest of his family. Laura's tale of her escape to the vineyards of France is told with humour and a large dollop of honesty. It allows readers to travel to France without needing to buy a plane ticket!
236 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2013
866 people are currently reading
1104 people want to read
About the author
Laura Bradbury
22 books343 followersLaura Bradbury is the author of the bestselling Grape Series, an award-winning cookbook Bisous and Brioche, the Winemakers Series, and "huggable" rom coms such as Oxford Wild.
She has a law degree from Keble College, Oxford but Laura’s true love was always storytelling.
She married a Frenchman and ran off to France after graduation so she would have something to write about. Now Laura lives between Burgundy, France and an island off Canada's West Coast with her French husband and their three daughters. She can be found writing, reading, or eating snails with a nice glass of Pinot.
Sign up for her beloved monthly Grapevine at www.bit.ly/LauraBradburyNewsletter or find her on IG at https://www.instagram.com/laurabradbu... or www.laurabradbury.com
She has a law degree from Keble College, Oxford but Laura’s true love was always storytelling.
She married a Frenchman and ran off to France after graduation so she would have something to write about. Now Laura lives between Burgundy, France and an island off Canada's West Coast with her French husband and their three daughters. She can be found writing, reading, or eating snails with a nice glass of Pinot.
Sign up for her beloved monthly Grapevine at www.bit.ly/LauraBradburyNewsletter or find her on IG at https://www.instagram.com/laurabradbu... or www.laurabradbury.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
December 14, 2020
A frolicking fun time
My Grape Escape by Laura Bradbury was a quick and interesting book. I fell right into the book and it kept a great pace throughout.
A couple buys property in the Burgundy area of France and a multitude of misadventures begin. It actually reminded me of the movie “The Money Trap” on how the house kept sucking on their saving account.
The descriptions of France read like a travel guide. Having spent 10 years in Europe, I was touched by the accuracy of descriptions. It made me long to return to France (Covid...go away)
Great characters enhanced the plot and kept me interested until the end.
I recommend this light read.
My Grape Escape by Laura Bradbury was a quick and interesting book. I fell right into the book and it kept a great pace throughout.
A couple buys property in the Burgundy area of France and a multitude of misadventures begin. It actually reminded me of the movie “The Money Trap” on how the house kept sucking on their saving account.
The descriptions of France read like a travel guide. Having spent 10 years in Europe, I was touched by the accuracy of descriptions. It made me long to return to France (Covid...go away)
Great characters enhanced the plot and kept me interested until the end.
I recommend this light read.
Read
September 13, 2019..
This is the 4th book of The Grape Series. It was a clean and wholesome drama. It has been described as a powerful memoir. And I can kind of draw the similarities of them as such. However, it was not upbeat or inspirational, which left me bereaved.
If one enjoys detailed descriptions of the French people, language, and the country of France itself, then this would be a promising read. Laura Bradbury met her French husband, Franck, while studying law at Oxford. Franck and Laura are busily attempting to renovate a small home in a village near where the husband grew up. Her French husband sounded very sane and grounded and learned more about the French culture through him.
With a leap of faith and a generous gift of $40,000 from Laura's Grandfather, they decide to use it as a down payment to purchase an older, stone farmhouse in the area Franck is from in Burgundy, France. It was questionable how they were approved for a loan since neither of them had an income currently or recently. Buying a home on a shoestring in Burgundy wasn't easy back in the '90s. Neither was dealing with the French bureaucracy and other French rascals.
Amazon Review - Samantha Verant: “Bradbury’s Grape Series takes the reader on a romantic adventure into the heart, soul, and people of la belle France. Filled with delicious food, love, and laughter, Bradbury’s writing proves that you have to dare to follow your heart wherever it leads you…and that sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone to truly live.”
I found it difficult to identify with the characters, plotline, place, and language. I do not care much for the extraneously flowery descriptions myself. This was filled with too many conflicts, bouts of monotony, and not enough inspirations.
It was mildly entertaining, but the constant frustrations and complications exhausted me, depressing, too many questions that should have been answered were not.
This is the 4th book of The Grape Series. It was a clean and wholesome drama. It has been described as a powerful memoir. And I can kind of draw the similarities of them as such. However, it was not upbeat or inspirational, which left me bereaved.
If one enjoys detailed descriptions of the French people, language, and the country of France itself, then this would be a promising read. Laura Bradbury met her French husband, Franck, while studying law at Oxford. Franck and Laura are busily attempting to renovate a small home in a village near where the husband grew up. Her French husband sounded very sane and grounded and learned more about the French culture through him.
With a leap of faith and a generous gift of $40,000 from Laura's Grandfather, they decide to use it as a down payment to purchase an older, stone farmhouse in the area Franck is from in Burgundy, France. It was questionable how they were approved for a loan since neither of them had an income currently or recently. Buying a home on a shoestring in Burgundy wasn't easy back in the '90s. Neither was dealing with the French bureaucracy and other French rascals.
Amazon Review - Samantha Verant: “Bradbury’s Grape Series takes the reader on a romantic adventure into the heart, soul, and people of la belle France. Filled with delicious food, love, and laughter, Bradbury’s writing proves that you have to dare to follow your heart wherever it leads you…and that sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone to truly live.”
I found it difficult to identify with the characters, plotline, place, and language. I do not care much for the extraneously flowery descriptions myself. This was filled with too many conflicts, bouts of monotony, and not enough inspirations.
It was mildly entertaining, but the constant frustrations and complications exhausted me, depressing, too many questions that should have been answered were not.
July 21, 2014
An Oxford law student from Vancouver who is married to a Frenchman begins having panic attacks which force her to exam her major decisions about career and work. They decide to buy and renovate a historic house in Burgundy close to his family home. The misadventures are fun, the characters interesting but I found the self-examination to be long winded and a bit too self absorbed for me. At times I was reminded of "Eat, Pray, Love" which I hated.
June 8, 2025
I love this series so much! It is the only series I am reading without text-to-speech or narration. On my old phone, on the Kindle app. Each book is just the right size for me, and by being Kindle, I can adjust the font and background. And when French words appear that I don't know, I can highlight them, and the app will translate them for me.
This book was enjoyable to read as Laura and her husband, Franck, fix up an old home in hopes of making it a profitable vacation getaway. Somehow, my review is falling short. But this book is anything but. I always feel that I am not only traveling to France, but also learning a bit of history and enjoying French vocabulary.
Each of these books is enjoyable and personable. I've already moved on to the next book. I think I'll try to read these again, but I'll also look for the audiobooks. I want the sound of the French to help my education.
This book was enjoyable to read as Laura and her husband, Franck, fix up an old home in hopes of making it a profitable vacation getaway. Somehow, my review is falling short. But this book is anything but. I always feel that I am not only traveling to France, but also learning a bit of history and enjoying French vocabulary.
Each of these books is enjoyable and personable. I've already moved on to the next book. I think I'll try to read these again, but I'll also look for the audiobooks. I want the sound of the French to help my education.
May 8, 2021
Really enjoy Laura Bradbury's books which give a lovely insight into living in the Burgundy region of France
August 6, 2017
I do not know why; since my childhood I have a fascination for France and its language. Three years ago around the same time I visited Paris, and had a quick tour to Burgundy on my host's insistence. It was fantastic. When I bumped into this book, I was only looking at some fiction to read, with good ratings on goodreads, and to my surprise the story is set in Burgundy. In a way, I lived through the book through Laura's hunt for her property, making it over against all odds, and of course a good dose of French words/phrases. Aha, I must not forget two things here. In addition to the language, I have always held admiration for the Polish born and Paris settled composer Chopin, particularly for his piano pieces. The last chapter of the book, to me, is a fine coda. The second thing is a good quote by one of the friends of Franck, Rene - Never confuse what is urgent with what is truly important; of course, in reality this might have been somebody else's, but it doesn't matter. N'est elle pas belle la vie?
March 20, 2017
Loved catching-up with the Author, her husband and their continued life in France. This 'chapter' takes us on the path of them finding 'a home' - despite the panic arising and some unscrupulous duping (not by them I hasten to add) - they do find a property - will they be able to cope with the renovations in time - after all they have paying guests arriving in the not too distant future and a date for the Author's degree ceremony in Oxford…. Loved it as I did the 2 previous books in this series - looking forward to the next instalment.
January 13, 2016
A well-written interesting story of a young couple who take a chance in life and buy a fixer-upper home in Burgandy, France. I really enjoyed Laura's interesting descriptions of this process and her honest, easy-to-read style kept me turning pages, racing to the end of the story. I'm looking forward to her next book in the series.
June 24, 2017
Having just finished her Law Degree in Oxford Laura and her husband Franck are having a short holiday with Franck’s family who live in Burgundy. She had no inkling about the turn her life was about to take. Having worked hard for her degree she was planning to do a Masters and had a clear idea of how her life was going to be. Unfortunately, these plans were causing her to suffer from panic attacks brought on by stress and despite her academic success she was deeply discontented. Her father advised her to go to the doctor and to find a new project to focus on.
Emboldened by a windfall from her grandfather Laura suggests buying a property in Burgundy. When they find a dream house near to Franck’s family they see it as an investment and possible rental business. Anything that could go wrong certainly did! However, Franck had great faith in the Virgin Mary and believed that everything would turn out well. He supported and encouraged Laura to believe in miracles and to remain calm.
Laura writes so descriptively about the area and the Burgundian way of life. I loved all the snippets of French and especially the descriptions of the food. I could almost taste some of them – cherry tarte, for example – mmmm! Eventually after many a setback and with the help of some wonderful friends the dream house La Maison des Deux Clochers is finally complete and ready for the first paying guests. Laura and Franck’s life has taken on a new direction. She is a very courageous lady. As this is the first book I have read in the series I now have to read them in order.
Emboldened by a windfall from her grandfather Laura suggests buying a property in Burgundy. When they find a dream house near to Franck’s family they see it as an investment and possible rental business. Anything that could go wrong certainly did! However, Franck had great faith in the Virgin Mary and believed that everything would turn out well. He supported and encouraged Laura to believe in miracles and to remain calm.
Laura writes so descriptively about the area and the Burgundian way of life. I loved all the snippets of French and especially the descriptions of the food. I could almost taste some of them – cherry tarte, for example – mmmm! Eventually after many a setback and with the help of some wonderful friends the dream house La Maison des Deux Clochers is finally complete and ready for the first paying guests. Laura and Franck’s life has taken on a new direction. She is a very courageous lady. As this is the first book I have read in the series I now have to read them in order.
December 1, 2018
Laura's marvelous stories of French life make me doubly glad that a recent DNA test proved I'm half French. Laura is a wise, brave romantic. Do yourself a favor--devour her books along with some good wine and cheese!
July 8, 2018
I recently read the first three books in this series, and I am now an addict!
Laura and Franck return to Burgundy after completion of her law degree. A surprise inheritance allows them to begin a new chapter in their lives as property developers, and a series of characters aid them in the renovations of "Les Deux Cloches." But will it be ready on time for their first holiday rental?
I was charmed by the authors descriptions of life in rural Burgundy and I am now planning a visit...
Laura and Franck return to Burgundy after completion of her law degree. A surprise inheritance allows them to begin a new chapter in their lives as property developers, and a series of characters aid them in the renovations of "Les Deux Cloches." But will it be ready on time for their first holiday rental?
I was charmed by the authors descriptions of life in rural Burgundy and I am now planning a visit...
March 12, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this dive into Burgundy life where Laura and her French husband Franck take on the perhaps crazed idea of buying a centuries-old house and doing it up in time to rent it out!
This is book#3 in her series but you can read them out-of-order because each book is a real slice of life from a particular phase.
Laura is wonderfully wry and spares herself no mercy sharing her anxiety and fears that they've bitten off more than they can chew.
Charming read!
This is book#3 in her series but you can read them out-of-order because each book is a real slice of life from a particular phase.
Laura is wonderfully wry and spares herself no mercy sharing her anxiety and fears that they've bitten off more than they can chew.
Charming read!
February 17, 2014
What a wonderful surprise to find a real heart warmer of a story inside those covers, one that champions Laura and Franck on and on to win, with their heartbreaking at times restoration of the lovely Magny-les Villers winemakers cottage.
It was such a lovely read, and so inclusive of the reader and honest, including the cultural differences between countries that seem extraordinary but oh so true !! How can things be done this way or that way - its crazy to us, but oh so French !
So much heartache and back breaking work. A complete about turn with Laura's chosen career path, but look at the results.
Well done Laura for putting your heart and soul into this book and making us all want to come back for more !!!
We cannot wait for the next book, just hoping it isn't too long !!!
I love the French and one part near the end that I know to be oh so true made me shout out loud - you just have to love the French this is of course, ALWAYS to do with food !!!
When I first read Le Gloire de Ma Mere followed by A year in Provence I was smitten with these wonderful stories of life in France.
When I first went to Provence, and saw an elderly Frenchman complete with beret, with a small pig on a lead, take it into the bar and stand having a drink, we realised there was definitely not as much exaggeration as we thought there was in these books !!! During that first holiday many similar "unusual" things happened to us and we learnt an awful lot about the different cultures between the French and the Engish. Things you never expect to see will happen ! Just wait !
If you love these books, you will love this, you are totally submerged in "Frenchness" and can even smell, see and hear it all !!!Wonderful to feel as if you have stepped into the book with Laura, you are there with her (Unfortunately without all of that wonderful wine in your hand !)
Congratulations you have achieved what you wanted and you are an example of someone who has really really tried and put their whole being into something you both wanted to achieve and have done so in a spectacular way.
You have done us proud
It was such a lovely read, and so inclusive of the reader and honest, including the cultural differences between countries that seem extraordinary but oh so true !! How can things be done this way or that way - its crazy to us, but oh so French !
So much heartache and back breaking work. A complete about turn with Laura's chosen career path, but look at the results.
Well done Laura for putting your heart and soul into this book and making us all want to come back for more !!!
We cannot wait for the next book, just hoping it isn't too long !!!
I love the French and one part near the end that I know to be oh so true made me shout out loud - you just have to love the French this is of course, ALWAYS to do with food !!!
When I first read Le Gloire de Ma Mere followed by A year in Provence I was smitten with these wonderful stories of life in France.
When I first went to Provence, and saw an elderly Frenchman complete with beret, with a small pig on a lead, take it into the bar and stand having a drink, we realised there was definitely not as much exaggeration as we thought there was in these books !!! During that first holiday many similar "unusual" things happened to us and we learnt an awful lot about the different cultures between the French and the Engish. Things you never expect to see will happen ! Just wait !
If you love these books, you will love this, you are totally submerged in "Frenchness" and can even smell, see and hear it all !!!Wonderful to feel as if you have stepped into the book with Laura, you are there with her (Unfortunately without all of that wonderful wine in your hand !)
Congratulations you have achieved what you wanted and you are an example of someone who has really really tried and put their whole being into something you both wanted to achieve and have done so in a spectacular way.
You have done us proud
April 27, 2016
Fun, light and makes you want to go to France! Laura is an amazing writer who literally keeps you on your toes. All else waits while you are reading this gem! My Grape Escape was all about a house that Franck and Laura had purchased and were renovating. All the challenges and process documented with real emotion. I can't wait to rent one of her properties and see this book brought to life. Mesmerizing and magical this is a book you definitely need to read. You will be transformed!!!
April 9, 2015
Not as great as a Year in Provence, but still very enjoyable. Easy, likeable characters. Could have pulled you in more to imagine you were there in the French countryside, but I liked it enough to download her second book.
December 20, 2015
I devoured this book and am eager to read additional books in the series.
April 11, 2021
Wonderful
Having come through her Oxford Law Degree finals, we find Laura and Franck back in beautiful Burgundy for a short holiday. Already accepted for a place to continue her studies to obtain her Masters, Laura is having second thoughts. Despite her academic success Laura is deeply discontented and is also suffering panic attacks. After finally confiding in her Father he advises she visits the Dr and finds something new to focus on.
Having received a windfall from her grandfather, and, suggesting to Franck that they invest it in property, they start the hunt for their ideal village house in Burgundy. Finding a property in the village of Magny-les-Villers they take the plunge and buy it, as it is opposite the local church they decide to name it, La Maison des Deux Clochers. Returning to Vancouver they appoint Franck's parents with Power of Attorney to finalise the sale as it will be December before they are back in Burgundy.
Renovation time for the charming eighteen-century ruin and they just have five months in which to get it finished, Laura already has guests booked into their holiday rental from 1st of May. During the course of the renovations, we meet all kinds of workmen, some good and some who need some cajoling and prompting to obtain the required results. Salt of the earth, Gege, he cannot do enough to help them wherever he can, Paulo and Momo who each want to be the centre of attention, Tin Tin the Electrician who cannot follow simple orders and dear Antoine. As seems to be the way for Laura and Franck, it was not plain sailing and anything that could go wrong did so. Together and against all odds the renovations are completed and, La Maison des Deux Clochers is all ready for their first rental guests.
Once again I enjoyed my time in Burgundy and Laura's beautiful writings.
Having come through her Oxford Law Degree finals, we find Laura and Franck back in beautiful Burgundy for a short holiday. Already accepted for a place to continue her studies to obtain her Masters, Laura is having second thoughts. Despite her academic success Laura is deeply discontented and is also suffering panic attacks. After finally confiding in her Father he advises she visits the Dr and finds something new to focus on.
Having received a windfall from her grandfather, and, suggesting to Franck that they invest it in property, they start the hunt for their ideal village house in Burgundy. Finding a property in the village of Magny-les-Villers they take the plunge and buy it, as it is opposite the local church they decide to name it, La Maison des Deux Clochers. Returning to Vancouver they appoint Franck's parents with Power of Attorney to finalise the sale as it will be December before they are back in Burgundy.
Renovation time for the charming eighteen-century ruin and they just have five months in which to get it finished, Laura already has guests booked into their holiday rental from 1st of May. During the course of the renovations, we meet all kinds of workmen, some good and some who need some cajoling and prompting to obtain the required results. Salt of the earth, Gege, he cannot do enough to help them wherever he can, Paulo and Momo who each want to be the centre of attention, Tin Tin the Electrician who cannot follow simple orders and dear Antoine. As seems to be the way for Laura and Franck, it was not plain sailing and anything that could go wrong did so. Together and against all odds the renovations are completed and, La Maison des Deux Clochers is all ready for their first rental guests.
Once again I enjoyed my time in Burgundy and Laura's beautiful writings.
September 14, 2021
I would say that Laura Bradbury and I have very little in common. But, I enjoyed her memoir, "My Grape Escape," very much. After finishing her final law exams at Oxford, Laura, and her husband, Franck, went to Burgundy, France, to visit Franck's family. She was all set to move forward in her law career, but instead, she and Franck bought an eighteenth-century ruin so they'll have a place to stay when visiting their family. Then, they realize they can't afford it without some additional income, so they decide to fix it up and rent it to visitors traveling to Burgandy.
One might expect a few issues when fixing up a 200-year-old house, but Laura and Franck were overwhelmed with their project. Along the way, they made new friends who became like family and helped them get their renovations done. There were many times while reading this book that I laughed out loud. And there were times when I cried. I learned more than I'll ever need to know about French wines, French delicacies, and even a few French swear words (which I don't plan to incorporate into my vocabulary).
All in all, it was a well-written, delightful memoir.
One might expect a few issues when fixing up a 200-year-old house, but Laura and Franck were overwhelmed with their project. Along the way, they made new friends who became like family and helped them get their renovations done. There were many times while reading this book that I laughed out loud. And there were times when I cried. I learned more than I'll ever need to know about French wines, French delicacies, and even a few French swear words (which I don't plan to incorporate into my vocabulary).
All in all, it was a well-written, delightful memoir.
December 26, 2019
Book #: 69
Title: My Grape Escape
Author: Laura Bradbury
Goodreads Category: A book by an author from a Mediterranean country
or set in a Mediterranean country (France)
Popsugar Category: Basic: A debut novel
Popsugar Category: Basic: A book about a family
Popsugar Category: Basic: A novel based on a true story
Popsugar Category: Basic: A book with a plant in the title or on the cover
Dagonell Category: An autobiography of a non-celebrity
A-Z Title: M for My
A-Z Author: B for Bradbury
Format: ebook, recent purchase
Rating: ***** five out of five stars
Laura was a grad student in London, working toward her law degree and the fast paced life of a lawyer until she met Franck (not a typo), fell in love, got married, and moved back to his small village in France. They bought a historical ruin, and fixed it up into a lovely chateau. Her life was now a track that she could not have imagined when she first entered law school! I enjoyed the book immensely and highly recommend it.
Title: My Grape Escape
Author: Laura Bradbury
Goodreads Category: A book by an author from a Mediterranean country
or set in a Mediterranean country (France)
Popsugar Category: Basic: A debut novel
Popsugar Category: Basic: A book about a family
Popsugar Category: Basic: A novel based on a true story
Popsugar Category: Basic: A book with a plant in the title or on the cover
Dagonell Category: An autobiography of a non-celebrity
A-Z Title: M for My
A-Z Author: B for Bradbury
Format: ebook, recent purchase
Rating: ***** five out of five stars
Laura was a grad student in London, working toward her law degree and the fast paced life of a lawyer until she met Franck (not a typo), fell in love, got married, and moved back to his small village in France. They bought a historical ruin, and fixed it up into a lovely chateau. Her life was now a track that she could not have imagined when she first entered law school! I enjoyed the book immensely and highly recommend it.
May 8, 2017
Laura Bradbury is a fiesty woman who knows what she wants and despite trials and tribulations, ends up getting what she wants. I used to be a squatter and I know what it's like to live in a work site. Bradbury's book refreshed my memories of no heat, dusty places, hard work, joint compound, paint and all kinds of crap. Still, the feeling of accomplishment is amazing when the work is all done. I love Bradbury's brutal honesty. It really made the book for me. I read so many memoirs where everything is whitewashed. Laura Bradbury is honest about feelings and the problems of working with other people especially the ones you love. I really like reading about all the food and wine. I can't eat nor drink like that so it's nice to live vicariously through her experiences. I'm going to finish up this series. It's so worth it.
June 28, 2019
A fun trip to Burgundy!
Although the two are not at all alike, this book made me think of Under the Tuscan Sun. To experience a new p l ace through the eyes of someone in love with the country is a great experience. But there is more to this book. Laura's own self discovery is fascinating, as the reader watches her find fulfillment in a new way of life...one she didn't even realize she had been longing for. It slowly dawns on her that a person is so much more than what he DOES, and that one can be happy when idle and relaxing. The contrasts of the English-Canadian world view and values with those of the French seep into the reader's awareness, until she is ready to move to Burgundy!
Although the two are not at all alike, this book made me think of Under the Tuscan Sun. To experience a new p l ace through the eyes of someone in love with the country is a great experience. But there is more to this book. Laura's own self discovery is fascinating, as the reader watches her find fulfillment in a new way of life...one she didn't even realize she had been longing for. It slowly dawns on her that a person is so much more than what he DOES, and that one can be happy when idle and relaxing. The contrasts of the English-Canadian world view and values with those of the French seep into the reader's awareness, until she is ready to move to Burgundy!
July 29, 2017
Okay as a story, interesting and with a few unexpected plot developments. Indeed, I was considering giving it 3 stars but let down by an anticlimatic ending. Possibly part of the trend of splitting a story into several individual books, when they would make a more complete hole. With the low prices for e-books and the market flooded due to self-publishing, this may be a way to increase revenue but it comes at the cost of diluting the worth of individual volumes. Of course this part publishing is nothing new, Proust and Conan Doyle did much the same but their material was better to begin with.
July 29, 2019
Funny, heartfelt and ultimately uplifting
I stayed up last night to finish this book. I haven't chuckled to myself from a read in a very long time. Having lived in France, I recognized many of the hilarious caricatures and having done some home improvement, although not to this extent, I both laughed with and admired Laura and her husband. The addition of debilitating anxiety attack so gave this book a serious purpose and a sense of strength in overcoming a serious emotional problem. C'est formidable!
I stayed up last night to finish this book. I haven't chuckled to myself from a read in a very long time. Having lived in France, I recognized many of the hilarious caricatures and having done some home improvement, although not to this extent, I both laughed with and admired Laura and her husband. The addition of debilitating anxiety attack so gave this book a serious purpose and a sense of strength in overcoming a serious emotional problem. C'est formidable!
August 5, 2020
A well-written wonderful escape
A windfall leads Laura to make major changes to her planned career, and instead of beginning her Masters at Oxford, she decides to buy and renovate a property in Burgundy. Under a ridiculously short deadline, and battling snakes, mad builders and a limited budget, they battle to get everything ready before the first paying guests arrive. Filled with French food, rustic villages and the charming way that Laura describes everything, this is another great book in an excellent series.
A windfall leads Laura to make major changes to her planned career, and instead of beginning her Masters at Oxford, she decides to buy and renovate a property in Burgundy. Under a ridiculously short deadline, and battling snakes, mad builders and a limited budget, they battle to get everything ready before the first paying guests arrive. Filled with French food, rustic villages and the charming way that Laura describes everything, this is another great book in an excellent series.
March 10, 2021
Franck and Laura return to France and when an unexpected monetary gift from an uncle lands in their pockets, they decide to buy a home. The first property they decide to pursue wasn't mean to be as crooked notaries basically steal it out from under them. However, they do find another home that was built during the French Revolution. Obviously, something this old needed a lot of repairs. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the ups and downs of refurbishing this property. There are some funny moments to be sure.
March 27, 2018
An enjoyable true story about a woman who moves to France with her French husband to renovate an old cottage. They have absolutely nothing and everything possible goes wrong. Somehow they make it through. It is also a story about faith and about believing, not just in yourself, but in your dreams too.
I really like to read the stories of people who have been brave enough to follow their dreams. They are doing what I would love to do but have never had the courage.
I really like to read the stories of people who have been brave enough to follow their dreams. They are doing what I would love to do but have never had the courage.
January 20, 2019
I wanted more
It has merit, and I liked it a lot more as it went along... about half way through I began to 'get' the characters. As I ploughed through I tried to work out why the magic wasn't happening for me. It was't how the author narrated what was in the story, it was the gaps. The first half came across, to me, like reading an account. I wanted more... details, to be immersed, able to relate, feel vicariously. The second half delivered enough to enable me to finish it.
It has merit, and I liked it a lot more as it went along... about half way through I began to 'get' the characters. As I ploughed through I tried to work out why the magic wasn't happening for me. It was't how the author narrated what was in the story, it was the gaps. The first half came across, to me, like reading an account. I wanted more... details, to be immersed, able to relate, feel vicariously. The second half delivered enough to enable me to finish it.
May 1, 2019
Laura's struggles with her family's expectations and her own desires in this novel. She realizes that life's complications, timetables, and finances, are a given. Can she handle them better if she enjoys the hard work and company along the way? This is a story about choosing to live your own life and not the one expected of you; something everyone, especially those of us with anxieties, has had to deal with. It speaks to us all.
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June 7, 2019Again, a great read. I am not a fan of memoirs, but Ms. Bradbury’s grape series has been a pleasure to read. Major changes in life often come from unexpected directions. Her grape series and in particular this book show that fact of life. I suppose this book can be read stand alone; however, to get a full picture of what is happening read the whole series in sequence of events beginning with my grape year. I heartily recommend this book and series.
July 19, 2020
Life in France and the joy of bureaucracy
A thoroughly enjoyable tale of newlyweds -one Canadian, one French- who on a whim chose to buy a home, renovate it and become Bed and Breakfast owners, even though they have absolutely no skills in renovations. There tale weaves their trials and tribulations with bureaucracy, contractors and general issues of life while developing long lasting friendships and roots with their French voisin.
A thoroughly enjoyable tale of newlyweds -one Canadian, one French- who on a whim chose to buy a home, renovate it and become Bed and Breakfast owners, even though they have absolutely no skills in renovations. There tale weaves their trials and tribulations with bureaucracy, contractors and general issues of life while developing long lasting friendships and roots with their French voisin.
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