Escape to the French Chateau

by Rachel Barnett

Can a summer trip to France turn into a second chance at love?

Between getting over a bad breakup and losing her mum, Fran is ready to put the past year behind her. So when she's offered the chance to tour the world's finest hotels as a secret shopper, she can't pack her bags fast enough.

Arriving at her next destination in the Loire Valley, an unexpected mix-up suddenly sees Fran becoming the newest employee of Chateau les Champs d'Or. Fran isn't afraid to get stuck in, but running into handsome guest, Johnny, was never part of the plan.

There to do a job, she knows she should keep her distance from him - especially when Johnny's nursing his own heartache. But despite her best efforts, he somehow manages to come to her rescue at every turn, making it harder to resist his company.

Under the glistening French sun, Fran starts to discover just who the real Johnny is behind that gruff exterior, a man she's already losing her heart to. The problem is, she's set to leave in a week, and he's been badly burned by love before. Will Fran risk it all for a shot at happily ever after, or will their time together forever remain a holiday romance?

What readers are saying about Rachel

'Highly entertaining summer escapism... a fabulous feel good read!!! Hard to put down and hard to leave the characters once finished. Just brilliant!!' Reader review, 5 stars

'I absolutely adored this book and read it in a day. Once I started I didn't want to put it down' Reader review, 5 stars

'Kept me going back until it was finished... will look out for more of Rachel's stories' Reader review, 5 stars

'Gorgeous comfort reading at its best!! Loved it from the first page to the last!' Reader review, 5 stars

'Heartache, scandal and romance... with plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages!' Lucy Coleman

'I really connected to the characters and the story was brilliant... Huge 5 stars' Reader review, 5 stars

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2024

Reviews

[karla_bookishlife]

A captivating and sweet summer read set in the respendent sunshine of the Loire Valley in France. The scenery and chateau sound exquisite. Fran finds herself arriving under mistaken identity. Having lost her mum and extricated herself from a toxic relationship, she escaped as a secret shopper with Wilding Holdings, enjoying their chain of luxury hotels and reporting back. At Chateau Les Champs d'Or, a staffing error sees her step in as an employee. She hopes it will prove to be a distraction from heartache. She is sworn off relationships, but finds herself taken with a large Ginger cat and then drawn to the withdrawn Johnny, who is nursing his own broken heart and battling to put up with the ebullient nature of his brother and his friends. The pair have a few eventful run-ins, but soon find themselves softening. Can the chateau break down the walls of their hearts? The perfect holiday read. #escapetothefrenchchateau #Rachelbarnett #embla #emblabooks #netgalley

[Kirsty]

Escape to the French Chateau by Rachel Barnett

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Can a summer trip to France turn into a second chance at love?

Between getting over a bad breakup and losing her mum, Fran is ready to put the past year behind her. So when she's offered the chance to tour the world's finest hotels as a secret shopper, she can't pack her bags fast enough.

Arriving at her next destination in the Loire Valley, an unexpected mix-up suddenly sees Fran becoming the newest employee of Chateau les Champs d'Or. Fran isn't afraid to get stuck in, but running into handsome guest, Johnny, was never part of the plan.

There to do a job, she knows she should keep her distance from him - especially when Johnny's nursing his own heartache. But despite her best efforts, he somehow manages to come to her rescue at every turn, making it harder to resist his company.

Under the glistening French sun, Fran starts to discover just who the real Johnny is behind that gruff exterior, a man she's already losing her heart to. The problem is, she's set to leave in a week, and he's been badly burned by love before. Will Fran risk it all for a shot at happily ever after, or will their time together forever remain a holiday romance?

My Opinion

This was such a delightful book. Fran arrives in the Loire Valley and takes advantage of the fact that she has been mistaken for someone else. She is trying to escape from a toxic relationship having just lost her mother – whilst also hiding a secret about her true identity. This was a nice light-hearted read with some great characters.

Rating 4/5

[Paula]

This is a nice lighthearted easy listen, a real summer vibe that has you feeling like you're living alongside Fran in her journey to the Chateu in France. Fran is a secret shopper reviewing hotels and next on the list is the Chateau les Champs d'Or where she sets out to do her job whilst dealing with grief from the loss of her mum and her own personal grief of separation.

When she first arrives at the hotel she is mistaken for a member of staff which she decides to embrace as what better way to see how the hotel is run but from the inside, however this doesnt last long and she then is shown to a beautiful guest room after the owner realises the mistake. The last thing in Frans mind is meeting someone new in her life. Her walls are high, but then comes along Johnny, who also has had his fair share of life's hurdles. He becomes a dear friend to Fran, and she begins to find herself in a position that she never thought possible. She is falling for him, how is this happening, especially at this time!!!

The narration was done well, very pleasant to listen to, to the point of soothing and definitely authentic in areas.

With thanks to Netgalley, Bonnier UK Audio & Embla Books for a copy of this in return for an honest review.

[Carol Standish-Leigh]

A great summer read. Fran is reeling from the loss of her mum and from a relationship breakup. She lands a job as a "mystery guest" for the 5 star hotel chain Wilding Holdings. She gets to visit all the luxury hotels and report back on her findings. When Fran arrives at the Chateau les Champs d'Or she is mistaken for a new staff recruit when she asks to speak to the Manager. As Fran is a little bored with all the luxury, she makes the split second decision that this would be a great way to find out how things really are at the hotel from a staff rather than guest perspective. After all what could possibly go wrong... Johnny arrives at the hotel with his brother and two other friends. He runs a wine business with his brother and is trying to settle in to his role as a single father. Unlike his ebullient brother he is much more reserved. Follow the course of their time at the Chateaux. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Debra Tunnicliffe]

A lovely summer book entertaining and a delightful story about Fran who goers to stay in a chateau Chateau les Champs d'O in the Loire Valley as a under cover agent for the group who own the chateau and want to find out if it is up to their standard and being run properly.
When Fran is mistaken for a chambermaid she jumps at the chance to find out what is really happening behind the scenes and report back.
Things get complicated when she meets a guest called Johnny and what follows is a intriguing story and what will Fran do when she finds herself falling for Johnny, will she keep up the pretence or come clean.
The scenery is lovely and the description of the surrounding area and the chateau make you feel part of the story.
Well done Rachel Barnett for a brilliant summer story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Allyson]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for review based upon my honest opinion.

This was such a fun read, a great summer weekend book and it took me to France. Fran is given the opportunity to be a secret shopper and visit some luxurious hotels in France; it’s a great time in her life to take a chance things have not been going the way she wants. Fran is mistakenly identified as the newest staff member and decides to just go with the flow. The story was really cute and really enjoyable to read. It made me think of the movie The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel, it had that vibe. I definitely recommend this. It was a wonderful read. I like the way this author writes books and transports you to the location of each novel. I look forward to reading many more of this author’s books.

[Michaela Hopkinson]

Fran is the ‘secret shopper’ of hotels. Her next stop is at a beautiful French Chateau in the Loire Valley. But after a mix-up, she somehow ends up as the newest employee at Chateau les Champs d’Or!!

Heartache, romance, family affairs, secrets and new beginnings all set in the most gorgeous setting! What’s not to love?!

I really enjoyed this addictive audiobook and just couldn’t wait to find out what happened! A great holiday read which gets five stars from me!

Thank you to @emblabooks and @bonnierbooks_uk for providing this advanced audiobook in return for an honest review via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

#EscapetotheFrenchChateau #netgalley #bookreview #emblabooks #bonnierukaudio #rachelbarnett #audiobookreview #bookrecommendations

[Megan Jones]

This read was okay, I liked the main characters of Fran and Johnny and the supporting characters were equally as strong. For me, the writing style let this down, I found it quite stunted and it lacked flow. This meant my reading experience felt stunted and reduced my enjoyment. There are also some plot secrets to uncover about the characters and I felt Barnett dragged it out for a bit too long, to the point of frustration and it meant when it was revealed it felt a bit of a let down.
The plot was quite charming and entertaining and I liked the romantic setting. Sadly, I think Barnett tried to fit too much in which again hampered my enjoyment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for an advance copy.

[Bianca Duthie]

This is a lovely story set in the beautiful French countryside, perfect for a holiday read.
I really liked the undercover work angle and thought it was great seeing Fran conduct her relationships with the other staff members.
I absolutely loved Red and his sweet antics - especially at the tree.
The wildfire section was pretty scary to read. Knowing that this really happens and people really face that ordeal is harrowing, so kudos to the author for doing it so well.
I'd have liked to see an epilogue, to see how the renovations go, how relationships repaired - if they did, and to see Estelles reaction to Marie! That would have been the only thing, for me, that I'd have liked different.
This is a lovely read, very easy to get through and I'm sure it will do very well.

[Michelle]

Fran's job is to visit hotels and report back on her findings. Like a mystery shopper. She is heading to a hotel in France but gets mistaken for a new housekeeper, so she decides to take on the task and see things from a different perspective.
Meanwhile, Johnny arrives with his brother Noel and two friends. Things take a turn when Johnny overhears a conversation.
A cute girl meets boy, throw in a little drama, and let's not forget the gorgeous cat, Red.
A light summer read, great for the beach or the pool, which is where I've read this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Embla Books for the invitation to read this in return for an honest review.

[Vanessa]

Escape to the French Chateau by Rachel Barnett and narrated by: Rosie Jones and James Meunier was a beautifully written book that just stole my heart from the beginning till the end. It was a beautiful audiobook, that will sweep from your chair and take you to Loire Valley to the Chateau les Champs d'Or. I loved listening to this - it was a joy to listen to, especially as Rachel Barnett was a new author to me. I will be reading more of her books in the future.

I highly recommend this audiobook......Just beautiful.

The narrators Rosie Jones and James Meunier were excellent.

Big thank you to Netgalley and Embla Books for my Audiobook ARC.

[Shannon Marie]

Overall, I really liked this book.
It started off really slow, and it was a very slow burn.
I liked the story and the characters.
I also really liked the setting. I love it when books take place in other countries, especially in the countryside.
I did feel like the story was a little all over the place. It kept jumping from character to character. I also felt that it left some loose ends.
Fran worked hard on her report, and nothing ever came of it.
It seemed like no one actually cared about the hotel, Its staff, or the locals.
I feel like it also lacked actual romance.
I would recommend it because it was a nice story.

[Dawn Probert]

What a great summer read. Sunny, funny, sweet, charming and unmistakably Gallic. The scenery the food, the wine were all perfect.
I love a French scenery inspired book.
Fran was a great character, the right amount of feisty, kind,funny, jaded character. She has lost her mum and is on a new journey working towards her future.
Johnny is a newly single dad of one, running a winery and looking for his new normal too. They meet, make friends and spend time in the the French countryside.
This is a great read.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa]

I lovely summer read, full of romance, secrets and cats! A really great listen which I got hooked on very quickly. The characters and story are strong, with the perfect mix of humour and emotion. I defy anyone who says they weren't moved by Red the cat at certain points - I won't spoil the story!! A feeling good, summer read.

[Patricia McPherson]

I enjoy reading books from France, Italy, and Greece. They are part of my DNA. This book was exceptionally good. I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed. This is the type of book I enjoy reading but there doesn't seem to be enough books out there like it. I think I've just about read them all.

[Rachel Stansel]

It took awhile for me to get invested. The beginning felt disjointed. But eventually it began to get a rhythm.that felt comfortable and the story took off. Overall a good read.

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Nicole]

This is the perfect Summer book! Travel, French countryside, wine, love, a variety of relationships, and a couple you'll be rooting for!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

[Anitajt]

Excellent read, loved the surprises, the relationships and most of the characters. A great summer read

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[michelle Simons]

I enjoyed this feel good romance set in France. Fran is sent there by her employer to check out one of the hotels in their ownership. I definitely enjoyed this easy to read romance. There was drama and some intrigue and a rather cute cat. I recommend this as a fabulous summer read.

[Christina]

I am reviewing the audio version of this book:

Perfect summer holiday audiobook. Brilliant characters, and a nice, relatively predictable story with some minor surprises, just what you would want from a summer “read”.

[Wren Darling]

The best part involved Les chats. The whole book was really slow, too much inner chatter and not enough action. The writing was rather sluggish in tone and unfortunately I cannot recommend it. However, some reviewers did like it immensely but they received free copies.

[Jen]

This was a great book! The characters and story are wonderful. I liked how the. characters storylines meshed. I recommend you read this fun French adventure.

[Breeana]

I honestly found it to be very boring and the romance lacklustre. Just like it got to the last 99.9% of the book then oh yea they get together, the end.

[K Czirr]

Feel good book about love lost then found, relationships old and new, and creating oneself over again.

[Evelyn]

This was an interesting storyline, but I sometimes struggled to know what character the paragraph was about.

[Anne]

An OK read - but a bit boring and unbelievable - both Jonny and Fran's stories had huge gaps in them and the ending was very predicatable and not all that satisfying.

[Peggy Morley]

easy reading book not to heavy I enjoyed it 😁

[Lily Mulholland]

3.5 rounded up to 4

Lovely and super predictable if you’re looking for a summer read and dreaming of French chateaux.

[Alison Budge]

Very average romance.

[Susan Hutchinson]

Another good story, like this author