One Winter at the French Chalet

by Mandy Baggot

Things aren’t going well for travel writer Orla Bradbee.

With Christmas fast approaching, her boss is insisting Orla must travel to a rural village in France to interview a man who doesn’t speak.

Saint-Chambéry is a picturesque French village nestled in the snow-capped mountains, but Jacques Barbier – gorgeous and brooding, yet a man of few words – makes it clear that Orla is wasting her time here.

Orla can’t deny that Jacques intrigues and infuriates her, but what is the mysterious Frenchman hiding exactly? And can she get close enough to uncover his secrets without risking her own heart?

Escape to the beautiful French Alps with Mandy Baggot for a romantic, heartwarming story to get you through the cold winter months!

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Womens Fiction, France, Holiday, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2024

About the author

Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer represented by Tanera Simons of Greenstone Literary.

Mandy is best-known for her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies featuring strong heroines, gorgeous heroes and always that happy-ever-after!

The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK's Festival of Romance, her novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy's books have so far been translated into Bulgarian, Czech, German, Hungarian and Italian.

Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, wine, cheese, Netflix, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1's Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Most recently, Mandy took part in BBC1's Ready Steady Cook with Greek celebrity chef, Akis Petretzikis.

Mandy is a member of the Society of Authors and splits her time between Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK and Corfu, Greece.

Visit Mandy's website at www.mandybaggot.com

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Winter in the French Chalet>
3.5✨

loved the story. could not get used to the narrators voice.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy Baggot has gifted her readers another sparkling holiday novel. I always know to expect the unexpected—her novels are not the usual fare by any means! This book is filled with quirky characters, and a combination of hilarious and tender moments, adding up to a very entertaining and heartwarming read.

[Claire Coan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orla gets a last minute assignment to head to the Alps to interview a mute man and capture the birth of a reindeer, with Christmas looming and the expectation from her parents for her o be there, the timing isn’t great.
Once her sister Erin finds out she’s heading to France (albeit she has images of Paris) she invites herself, Orla doesn’t want her to come but her mum encourages it in the hopes she can find out more about who Erin is speaking to online. Then there’s the issues with her parents, is her dad selling their furniture to fund his alcohol intake or is their more to this story!
Honestly it felt all over the place at the start but once Jacques, Tommy and Delphine came into the story in France 🇫🇷 I got more invested. The location seemed so idyllic, especially at Christmas.
Thank you NetGalley, Mandy Baggot and Boldwood for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review…

Anyone who knows me will also know that i absolutely love christmas books and this one definitely ticked all the boxes perfectly!

One Winter At The French Chalet had the wonderful small town romance trope - that I absolutely love and I instantly fell in love with the cosy, little village.

The characters were all ‘real’ and down-to-earth and i really enjoyed becoming involved in their lives and getting to know them all.

This was a quick and easy book to read and each chapter pushed me along to the next one until i had very quickly read it all!

I really enjoyed this book, it was cosy, heartwarming, funny and festive - a perfect combination for a wonderful book…..

[Jennyfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orla Bradbee, journalist on a trajectory towards writing for Time Magazine, is given a last-minute assignment to a remote French village to interview a mute man and cover the birth of a reindeer at Christmas time. In an attempt to maintain family harmony, she brings her much younger sister, Erin, for supervision, while their parents sort out their differences.

But when Orla gets to the tiny village of Saint-Chambéry, there is no reindeer, the so-called mute man is reclusive Jacques Barbier who most definitely CAN speak, and her sister phone is blowing up with messages from a guy with whom Erin is in an online situationship.

Things are messy.

But in a delightful holiday-romance way, things really aren't. There are miscommunications, hidden agendas, meddling neighbours, dark secrets, and Christmas miracles.

There were some serious topics addressed (PTSD, mental health challenges, mental health challengs due to menopause, alcoholism, cancer, online relationships, etc) which gave the book depth. Overall, this was a fun, quick, seasonal read, full of heart.

For the romance readers, there is zero spice - this is a 100% closed door book.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of thuis book in exchange for an honest review~

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery at the heart of the story centres around the mysterious Jacques. Orla feels torn between her ambitions in writing and in trying to sort out her family, especially her wayward sister. There is a certain pull in the remote, snowy village in the French Alps which makes it feel like an interlude in ‘real life’ and as though anything could happen, even a reindeer giving birth at Christmas.

There is plenty of humour in the characters and situations and a real feeling of joy in the festive season. There are several surprises, especially Erin’s worrying relationship, or situationship as she terms it. As her doubts about the reasons for her mission to the Alps grow, she begins to question quite a lot about her life and wishes for the future. This is a great seasonal read, full of the festive images you look for in a wintry story.

In short: snow, romance, humour and heartwarming friendship

[Ashley Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had lots of parts and I can appreciate all of them. There was some depth and not just all romance. I had a hard time connecting with the MFC and to be honest at first did not like the MMC at all. 😂 Erin was my favorite! I love the festive atmosphere, people, and little cozy town it was set in! I would recommend adding to a Christmas TBR list! :)

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t have much to say on this one, I never really got invested I sorta just made myself finish it. Not my favourite.

[Donna Cope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t hate it but didn’t love it either.

[Julie Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a bit of a tough week for me this week so I was really looking forward to diving in to some lighter, more fun books in my reading as a bit of escapism from the stresses of real life. Mandy Baggot is always a reliable go-to in this regard, and One Winter at the French Chalet did not disappoint.

Poor Orla, she just finds out her parents are having problems when she is shipped off to France on what looks a bit like a wild goose chase by her boss at the magazine she works for, just before Christmas. To make matters worse, she has her headstrong, unpredictable younger sister tagging along. Throw in a remote location, a taciturn Frenchman and a cast of eccentrics and you have all the ingredients for an entertaining story.

Everything about this book was fun. Orla finds herself in a remote French village which is peopled with characters that certainly go their own way and has a host of peculiar Christmas customs that were hilarious to read about. The disconnect between Orla and Jacques at the beginning sets the story up for the perfect opposites attract love story and the machinations of the devious Delphine set the story alight. My favourite part of the story, though, was the dynamic between the sisters. Being an eldest myself with a much younger sibling, I could totally relate (although I have to say my baby sister is nothing like Erin!)

Christmas books set in remote foreign locations is a particular favourite genre of mine, I always try and fit a few in each year, because they really lift my soul and whisk me away from whatever stresses are plaguing me in the every day. This one was no different, and I really fell in love with Saint-Chambery and its populace. Any book that has made me lighter of heart by the end is a winner as far as I am concerned and Mandy has achieved that with her latest Christmas novel.

Highly recommended for lovers of the genre, or anyone just a bit down in the dumps.

[Carys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really liked the exploration of the siblings and their dynamics in the book. Quite funny at times too, not the most interesting love story but it was nice.

[Clare Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another great read from Mandy. We follow travel writer Orla to the French alps.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a nice and entertaining plot, One Winter at the French Chalet by Mandy Baggot tells a story about a woman who is forced to travel for work during the Christmas season and a man who is reclusive and full of mystery.

Summary: Orla Bradbee is assigned to travel to France to write an article about a reindeer giving birth for work while Christmas is around the corner, and she has to take her sister Erin along. There, she meets Jacques Barbier, a mysterious guy who intrigues and infuriates her at the same time.

Tropes/Genres:
• small town
• christmas season
• forced proximity
• contemporary romance
• set in Saint-Chambéry, France

Review: This book was okay. It doesn’t stand out, but it’s not bad either. The characters are likeable, and the story is entertaining. It’s just that some parts of the story don’t flow well, especially in relation to the subplots.

Orla is a relatable character. She doesn't think that she's special. She feels like a side character in other people's stories. I think that's something that many people may be able to relate to. However, while Orla is likeable, I never really warmed up to her. In fact, I don't think I warmed up to any of the characters, including Jacques, the male main character. I simply couldn't connect with the characters. I think it has something to do with the way they are expressed in the story.

I didn’t think that Orla and Jacques had much chemistry, but I can appreciate their romance. I think it’s sweet that Orla is the only person he truly feels comfortable opening himself up to. They’re also quite nice together. I just don’t feel that invested in their relationship. It's likely a writing issue, so I think the romance could've been written and paced better. I'm not even entirely sure if they actually love each other. Their relationship had good traits, but they weren't expressed very well.

The story had great potential, but there was a lot going on, and these concepts weren’t tied together seamlessly. There were major revelations in this book that didn’t have the intended impact given. I think it’s mainly a writing issue. If the different subplots had been tied together better, then the story would've felt less disjointed, improving the overall quality of the book.

I enjoyed Under a Greek Sun by this author, so it was kind of disappointing that this book didn’t match its standard. However, I still think that this book has its merits and is still worth a read. I enjoyed the part about the pregnant reindeer, for example. I also liked the whole thing about Erin's situationship with Burim, a guy she's been chatting with online. I find it interesting!

In conclusion, I recommend this book to readers who want to read a winter romance with a French small-town setting! It's a nice story; it just needs to be refined so that it can flow better.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the read.

[RomanceByTheBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Winter at the French Chalet will warm your heart this winter.

This book is perfect for those who want to read something wintery without being bombarded with Christmas shenanigans. I really enjoyed this book, and I think it’s because it took me on a journey I wasn’t expecting. I was thinking this would be a light and fluffy small-town romance with a lot of Christmas magic sprinkled throughout it. While it is this to a certain extent, it also is a story that possesses a lot of depth and mystery and tackles some tougher issues. This story is about these relatable characters who are juggling a lot of real-life problems. Mandy was thoughtful in how she included topics such as mental health, dealing with a serious illness, strained family relationships, and living and healing from past traumas. Everything in this book really worked beautifully together.

I adored the setting. I am a sucker for a small-town romance, and one that is located in the rural mountainside of France really scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. The little town of Saint-Chambéry was quirky, fun, and possessed so much charm. I loved all the townspeople, and Mandy did a great job at creating a community that felt like a cozy blanket was hugging you.

One of the things that made this book feel so real was the complicated family dynamics that existed in it. Both Orla and Jacque’s family relationships aren’t the greatest. Orla’s parents are struggling with health problems and marriage problems. Orla’s younger sister is talking to this mysterious stranger online, and Orla is afraid her sister will either be hurt or scammed by this mysterious person. Jacque has a strained relationship with both of his parents and has chosen to distance himself from his family, except his younger brother. Watching Orla and Jacque navigate these different solutions was heartbreaking and heartwarming. There aren’t any clear answers or solutions to their problems; they are just trying to do their best.

I liked Orla and Jacque. They have this interesting chemistry going on between them. There is a lot of friction between these two, and they often go from hot to cold in the blink of an eye. Both of these characters deal with a lot of issues, both family and personal. Their emotional baggage often leads to misunderstandings, leading to fights. I enjoyed Orla and Jacque’s story. They are both extremely likable characters, and it was utterly adorable to see how nervous they were about going on a date with one another. Jacque is absolutely smitten with Orla, and there are moments when his feelings cause him to say the sweetest and swoonest things. You will like this book if you like forced proximity, dislike to lovers, small-town meddling, misunderstandings, and closed-door spice. Overall, the romance in this book was this fabulous mixture of charm, warmth, and a dash of lusty attraction.

One Winter at the French Chalet is a real and heartwarming romance.

Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Winter At The French Chalet by Mandy Baggot, Arla Bradbee is an up and coming journalist who writes an animals in anatomy blog and flies all over the world to get her stories. It’s almost Christmas break when her boss tells her there is a pregnant reindeer and because reindeer‘s only give birth in the spring this is an anomaly and she wants Orla to go see it and write a story about it. When her 16-year-old sister Aaron finds out she has been sent to France she has the glossy photo she sees in magazines to feed her imagination for what kind of trip it will be in bags older sister Orla to let her go. After all things at home with their parents isn’t so great their dad has been drinking and her mom seems to be clueless as what to do about it. So despite Orla’s initial reservations she finds herself in France with 16-year-old Aaron, Who cannot stay off the phone with her older Moroccan “boyfriend. “ is it she doesn’t have enough problems the man who she hast to interview about the reindeer is the same man she argued with the whole way walking in the snow from the car that brought them to the house where they are supposed to stay. It doesn’t help Orla’s cause when she starts feeling attracted to the grumpy hermit. There’s way more to this book than just Orla in jocks romance and I just want to state in this review that the only reason I even read this book is because I thought Jock didn’t speak and I was so interested to see how this modern woman was going to get to know this hermit who lives outside of town stays to himself and lives a quiet life was going to get close to him. I am so tired of book summaries saying the book is about one thing and it turns out to be about something totally different I didn’t like Orla nor her sister and they did something in this book that I can’t stand when authors do it and that is have the 20 something MC have to take care of their decrepit parents because in the book Orla kept telling Erin now that she knew about their parents problem she was going to take care of it. She also seems so wishy-washy when it came to her sister like how she kept blowing off the college conversation and acting as if 25 year old Orla was ancient but I digress I could spin another 10 pages talking about the things I disliked I guess I just didn’t like the book not to mention I found it hard to continue reading because I can’t have in my thoughts and dropped off into other realms and not even paying attention to the book. I have read a few books by this author and really love them so I guess once again you can’t win them all. #NetGalley, #BoldwoodBooks, #MandyBagget, #OneWinterAtTheFrenchChalet,

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orla works for a magazine, and it's approaching Christmas. Her manager announces suddenly that she has got to go to France, in the morning, to be the first to get a story of a pregnant reindeer and interview a mute man. As the story comes out, Orla realises that there's every chance she might not be at home for Christmas, which is a big deal in their family, as her, her sister and parent's always have Christmas together. The job for Orla means she will have to stay in France until the Reindeer gives birth, as the magazine want it documenting so they can be in with the first story.

On breaking the news to her family, Orla's sister Erin demands to go to France with her, believing they will go to Paris, only Orla doesn't tell her they are really going to the middle of nowhere and it will be freezing and full of snow. However, they go on the trip and are greeted by the locals.

The journey to their accomodation starts off badly when the lift they get almost runs someone over, that person becomes prominent in the story because this is the first time they meet Jacques. This is the supposedly mute man who forms part of the story with the pregnant reindeer Orla is supposed to be interviewing, only he's not mute. They soon find out this whole trip has been arranged by local shop owner Delphine, and she has reasons for this which get revealed later in the story. The girls are supposed to be staying with Delphine, but after only one night, she tells the girls she is having her windows replaced and this must mean they have to stay with Jacques.

Jacques doesn't allow anybody in his house who he doesn't know. He's a very private person and his house has some real secure locks on. He isn't happy about the pair staying with him but Delphine can be a very persuasive person so they do end up staying with him. There's no sign of this reindeer though so Orla soon begins to wonder if this story will ever take place.

I won't add any spoilers but I did enjoy this story, it was easy to read and I enjoyed the development of the relationship with the characters. Erin who can't get off her phone because she's busy texting her boyfriend Burim, who nobody has met, don't know where he comes from or anything about him. Jacques who has some very particular rules and a backstory as to why he ended up in this small village in France. Tommy his brother who has come to visit, Delphine with a strong connection to Jacques, she saved him when he arrived with nothing. Then there's Orla and her constant pull to get home to spend Christmas with her family.

An enjoyable festive read, even if it's not Christmas yet.

[Richard Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orla is a writer for a magazine and her boss sends her to France to interview a mute man and wait for a Reindeer that is pregnant. And since her parents are having issues at home she takes her sixteen old sister Erin to france with her.

They arrive at Saint-Chambery and they find the mute person Jacques who isn't mute and can speak and there is no Reindeer pregnant or not. And Jacques is forced to house Orla & Erin and Orla finds Jacques annoying and intriging can she find out his secrets without breaking her heart.

Most of the book was Orla trying to get Jacques to open up. As he appears to be someone of little dialogue and only spoke when he wanted to. But as she was talking to Jacques about himself it started reflecting on to herself and make her realise that she and Jacques may have more in common than she realised.

And the scenes of the village getting together and some of their festivals were interesting and you could believe that a rural village would want to honour a brouette aka a wheelbarrow and how a country who has Boules could also have a riskier version for winter.

Initially the first parts of the book doesn't have much direction but it does get better later on. I found the Erin long distance relationship a bit toxic and at some points a little bit unbelievable. But looking at the way Orla's parents were acting at the time then we could assume that Erin wouldn't be upto talking to them about Burim. But if she was speaking to him for a while then why did Orla learn about it in the Book.

And why didn't Orla do some basic research about the things she was going to report on she just trusted what her boss gave her. I would of thought most writers would at least make sure the basic facts were true or at least where they said they were.

Although characters in the book could of done some communicating to each other I still found it enjoyable and rated it a four star. It's not a standout book but it seems easy to re-read at another time or another year.

[Deanna Loves to Read!!:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!!!
This was an unexpected pleasure! I thought it would be a light, Hallmark type romance- but it was so much more! Orla Bradbee is a travel writer. It is almost Christmas and she is assigned to go to Saint-Chambery, France, a remote village, to write a story about a pregnant reindeer and a mute man. This comes at a bad time because her parents are having problems, and her younger sister is in a "situationship" with a foreigner that they know nothing about. On the eve of her leaving, she decides to bring Erin (her sister) with her. Their arrival to the village is a comedy of mishaps, and they end up running their car into Jacques. He lives away from the village and keeps to himself, except when he is helping Delphine- the force of nature that keeps the village connected.

I really liked that the focus was not only on the budding romance between Orla and Jacques, but also on the relationships of the villagers. The close knit sense of community and dedication to each other was such a treasure.

The author also writes a lovely romance budding between two characters who have carried/carry a lot on their shoulders, and are more mature. Through their interactions they learn more about themselves, causing them to reflect and grow towards trust and dreams. This theme is carried over into the other relationships in the story: Jacques and his younger brother Tommy, Orla and Erin, Jacques and Delphine (who is like a mother to him). The characters have a depth to them, and what many are facing/dealing with are not easy- or easily fixed issues.

The author deftly weaves humor and heartbreak, triumphantly, and the ending!! It is honest, heartfelt and perfect in relationship to the growth journey that the characters have been on!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an honest, deep, hopeful read!
Thank you to NetGalley and BoldWood Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Marian. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leer esta historia fue como armar un rompecabezas porque andaba perdida en mas de la mitad del libro, no les voy a mentir la Orla que es nuestra protagonista me gusto, ella es periodista en una revista que la envían a un pequeño pueblo en Francia para una “gran noticia” y por cosas de la vida se lleva a su hermana con ella, en el pueblo conoce a Jacques un hombre solitario que vive allí y parte de la investigación y hasta allí todo bien pero sentí que prácticamente todos daban poco crédito al trabajo de Orla, Jacques mas que todo (y eso que decía que le gustaban sus reportajes, idk), el tema con la hermana y los padres me sacó de onda mucho, la primera mitad del libro como dije trataba de armar todo y ya casi al terminar es que vine a disfrutarlo ¿fue bueno? diremos que me gusto la historia para la época navideña y el milagro de navidad pero Jacques como protagonista no me agrado.

📌I received an e-copy through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

---

Reading this story was like putting together a puzzle because I missed half of the book, I won't lie to you, I liked Orla who is our protagonist, she is a journalist for a magazine who is sent to a small town in France for a "big news story" and due to life circumstances she takes her sister with her, in the town she meets Jacques, A lonely man who lives there and is part of the investigation and so far so good but I felt that practically everyone gave little credit to Orla's work, Jacques more than anything (besides he says that he loves her reports so idk), the issue with the sister and the parents threw me off a lot, the first half of the book as I said was about putting everything together and almost when it was over I came to enjoy it, was it good? Let's say I liked the story about the Christmas season and the Christmas miracle, but I didn't like Jacques as the protagonist.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orla is sent to a tiny village in the French Alps at Christmas time to write an article about a mute man taking care of a pregnant reindeer - with only 24hrs notice. Before she leaves she sees her sister and her mum and as a result of what is going on in her family life at the moment, she ends up taking her sister, Erin, to France with her.

The description of the village sounds amazing and I would love to visit somewhere like that at Christmas time. The villagers are eccentric, particularly Delphine, who seems to run everything and everyone in the village.

The story is chaotic and it took a little while for some of the background stories and characters to tie into the main story line. For a long time it seemed unnecessary but eventually it was all explained when Orla starts to self-reflect on her life and what she wants out of it. She was also able to get Jacques to finally start opening up to someone about his previous life (or lives) which helped him realise that he also wanted something more in life and someone to spend it with.

Some of the story seems very far-fetched - particularly the bit where they actually found a pregnant reindeer randomly in the forest when reindeer typically give birth in late spring. It is mentioned continuously through the story and then when it actually happens, it's quickly forgotten about. I think it would have been better if it had just remained the ruse it initially was.

At the heart of it though, it is a sweet story about people finding themselves and opening yourself up to what could be, whether that is letting people who care about you help, falling in love or finding your purpose in life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally transported to Saint-Chambery and the remote location that is Jacques' chalet, the two main locations for this fabulous story, showing once again that Mandy Baggot's ability to make you travel by armchair and really feel for a location is utterly fabulous.

It's a quirky little French Village, with some great Christmas traditions and travel writer Orla is sent to write an article about a pregnant reindeer and its' mute handler, literally at the last possible minute. And she ends up taking her 16 year old sister Erin with her.

Only thing is well she has been misled by Delphine who had been trying to get Orla to visit, but not necessarily for the reasons she thought, and well I'd say a far more interesting story develops.

I read this over a couple of days, and found myself dreaming of the remote location overnight, which was rather weird, but on the other hand shows how much this story had clearly got under my skin.

Orla has assorted family issues to juggle and the she meets Jacques and he doesn't initially want to have anything to do with her. But once you discover why he is rather reclusive, it does make sense, and I found he really did have a heart of gold under his gruff exterior.

I totally fell for Jacques myself, and I really enjoyed all the various sub plots of this story. It's Mandy Baggot at her finest, and this was a very entertaining and enjoyable book that I couldn't get enough of.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine this: you’re sent to a charming French chalet to cover a quirky story about a pregnant reindeer, but instead, you end up tangled in a love triangle, family drama, and an unexpected romance. That's exactly what happens to Orla Bradbee, a travel writer who's anything but thrilled about her assignment in the snow-capped mountains of Saint-Chambéry. Things take a wild turn when Orla's younger sister, Erin, crashes the trip, and they end up meeting Jacques, the brooding, broody local man who pretty much wants to be left alone. But, of course, they won’t be leaving him alone for long...

This book is a wonderful mix of romance, family chaos, and quirky charm. The snowy backdrop is perfect, and I mean, who doesn’t want to spend the holidays in the French Alps? Orla’s journey of finding love and navigating her complicated family dynamics feels so real, and let’s just say Jacques definitely adds some fire to the frosty French air. There’s humor, heart, and a good helping of emotional depth that makes this feel more like a cozy, heartfelt drama than just your average holiday romance.

I’m giving One Winter at the French Chalet 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s got all the festive vibes and the romantic tension you could ask for, but it doesn’t quite hit that “wow” factor for me. That said, it’s a sweet, easy read, and if you love wintery settings and slow-burn romance, you’ll be just as enchanted as I was. So grab your hot cocoa, curl up by the fire, and dive into this wintery escape—because who can resist a French chalet?

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Winter at the French Chalet, by Mandy Baggot, is the story of world weary travel writer Orla Bradbee and how she finds the story of her lifetime. Six days before the Christmas holidays, Orla’s boss Frances sends her on assignment to a very small town, Saint-Chambery, in the French alps. Frances has heard from a resident of the small village about a mute man called Wolf and a pregnant reindeer ready to give birth at Christmas and wants the scoop for their Christmas publication.

As Orla prepares to go she encounters family issues, her parents going through something she doesn’t know about, and her younger sister Erin embroiled in an online situationship. To help in the family circumstances, Orla brings 16 year old Erin along on the trip to France although this small village is far from Erin’s idea of Paris. However, the quirky town with matriarch Delphine, bar owner Gerard, and the big, quiet man named Jacques bring their own special sorts of holiday delights.
This lovely story is told with so much heart and brings together an unlikely cast of characters that the reader will find endearing. But as sweet of a holiday story as it is, the novel also addresses family drama, found family, dealing with the aftermath of a difficult career, and finding a path forward. This book combines a lovely story, setting, and characters to share such a wonderful tale! I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Winter at the French Chalet by Mandy Baggot

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Things aren’t going well for travel writer Orla Bradbee.

With Christmas fast approaching, her boss is insisting Orla must travel to a rural village in France to interview a man who doesn’t speak.

Saint-Chambéry is a picturesque French village nestled in the snow-capped mountains, but Jacques Barbier – gorgeous and brooding, yet a man of few words – makes it clear that Orla is wasting her time here.

Orla can’t deny that Jacques intrigues and infuriates her, but what is the mysterious Frenchman hiding exactly? And can she get close enough to uncover his secrets without risking her own heart?

My Opinion

This was a delightful, festive book and I read the majority of it in just one sitting as I found myself needing to know what would happen with Orla and Jacques. Mandy Baggot has created some great characters, and I especially enjoyed reading about Delphine and her antics. Whilst Orla is supposed to be writing an article about a reindeer due to give birth in the run up to Christmas, she is also juggling some family issues back home.

There is so much going on in this book that there is plenty to keep the reader engaged. This book was so much more than the usual festive read, so make sure it is on your list for the upcoming holiday season.

Rating 4/5

[Nicola Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Christmas quickly approaches, Orla's boss insists she travel to a remote French village to interview a man who is silent and to witness the pregnant reindeer. However, Orla isn't keen as she was looking forward to spending time with her younger sister and family. However. Orla discovers that all is not well at home and her mother begs her to take her sister Erin with her to France so that she can find out who she is constantly texting. The two sisters travel to the remote village of Saint-Chambéry which is set in the snow covered mountains. Their arrival involves a dangerous encounter with a mysterious figure Jacques. Despite being both intrigued and frustrated by Jacques, Orla cannot help but wonder: what secrets is this enigmatic Frenchman concealing? Moreover, can she discover the truth without compromising her own heart and discover who the secret man is who has captured her sister's heart.

This cozy Christmas romance is the perfect read, complete with a generous dusting of snow and a cast of eccentric characters. Each character is captivating, and their adventures drive the story forward swiftly. Although the initial scene setting may be somewhat challenging to grasp, the narrative becomes clear once it shifts to France. The book is filled with humor as well as touching moments. It's best savored with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. With thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a copy of the arc.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this funny and charming winter romance novel, readers join travel writer Orla Bradbee on a last-minute assignment to a rural French village just before Christmas because a man who does not talk lives in the village of Saint-Chambery. Upon her arrival, Jacques Barbier clearly tells Orla she -- and her article -- are not welcome in Saint-Chambery, but Orla, never one to back down, tries to discover Jacques’ secrets while protecting her heart this holiday season. With a host of classic tropes embedded in this wintery French romance, readers will get their fill of charming locations, likeable characters, and fun wintery shenanigans in Mandy Baggot’s latest release. Orla is a clever, competent protagonist whose strength of will is inspiring, and the relationships she develops throughout the novel -- particularly with Jacques -- are entertaining and well-written. Perfect for readers who love character-centric novels and fun winter-themed tropes, this new title is a fun escapist winter holiday novel that fans of the genre will love. With its brilliant characters and their realistic relationships with each other, the beautiful wintery rural French village of Saint-Chambery, and the immersive and engaging storyline, romance readers and fans of Mandy Baggot’s other books will love this winter romance this holiday season.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mandy Baggot's One Winter at the French Chalet is a heartwarming romance set in the picturesque French Alps, offering readers a cosy escape into a snow-covered village during the festive season.

The story follows Orla Bradbee, a travel writer dispatched to the quaint village of Saint-Chambéry to interview the enigmatic Jacques Barbier. Accompanied by her teenage sister, Erin, Orla navigates the challenges of her assignment while uncovering secrets about Jacques and addressing her own family dynamics.

Baggot's vivid descriptions bring the setting to life, immersing readers in the charm of the village and its quirky inhabitants. The community's warmth and traditions add depth to the narrative, creating a cosy atmosphere that complements the romantic elements. 

The character development is engaging, particularly the interactions between Orla and Jacques, whose evolving relationship drives the story forward. The inclusion of family issues, such as Erin's online relationship and Orla's concerns about her parents, adds layers to the plot, making the characters' experiences relatable. 

The romance follows familiar tropes, which, while comforting, may lack the element of surprise for seasoned readers of the genre.

Overall, One Winter at the French Chalet is a delightful seasonal read, perfect for those seeking a feel-good romance amidst a charming winter setting.

[Debbie Southwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orla is a travel journalist sent to a remote village in the French Alps to report on a story of a reindeer about to give birth at Christmas. Due to family circumstances she has to take her teenage sister along too and while there she meets Jacques also known as wolf who is a bit of a recluse and lives on the outskirts of the village.
Orla and Jacques don’t seem to like each other very much and there is a fair bit of snapping at each other at first but then things seem to change and they realise there is chemistry there.
Orla’s sister Erin however is in a ‘situationship’ with a man from Albania and they have been messaging each other for months, something their Mum is concerned about.
As time progresses it becomes apparent that perhaps Delphine, who had orchestrated the visit may have not been as honest about things as she should have been.
Unfortunately I could not warm to Orla at all and some of the things were pretty far fetched (but that’s escapism so I don’t mind that) but the story had good characters and I liked the fact it did also focus on village traditions in a beautiful snowy setting perfect for Christmas.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for an advance copy of this book however all opinions are my own.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Winter at the French Chalet by Mandy Baggot is a heartwarming, festive romance set against the picturesque backdrop of a snow-covered French Alps chalet. The story follows the protagonist, Halley, who finds herself taking a seasonal job at the luxurious Chalet Repos, far from her usual life in the UK.

What makes this book enjoyable is the charming blend of humor, romance, and personal growth. Halley is a relatable character with a complex past, and her journey of healing and rediscovery in the beautiful French setting is engaging. Baggot brings the winter wonderland to life with vivid descriptions of the snow, the cozy chalet, and delicious food, creating a perfect escape for the reader.

The book also introduces a diverse and lovable cast of characters, from quirky coworkers to endearing locals. The romantic element is a slow burn, with genuine emotional depth and chemistry between the leads, but it doesn’t overpower the book's other themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of new beginnings.

In short, One Winter at the French Chalet is a feel-good, wintery read that offers the right mix of escapism and warmth, making it perfect for the holiday season or anytime you want a cozy, uplifting story.

[Darcy DecantingBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twentysomething British journalist Orla is sent to France to cover the story of a pregnant reindeer and mute owner at Christmastime. She takes her spoiled, high-maintenance teenage sister along, and off they go to the mountain village. There they meet Jacques, a reclusive and super sexy man who lives outside the village.

From the start, Orla and Jacques bicker and have tremendous difficulty getting along, acting like young children rather than adults. I generally enjoy enemies to lovers and some verbal sparring, but Orla in particular was remarkably immature about everything and I had a hard time liking her. Overall, the story was cute and the setting was described beautifully. I could feel how cold it was and sense the beauty of the village at Christmas with all the snow. However, I didn’t feel a connection to the characters, and the plot was a bit odd and disjointed.

I loved Under a Greek Sun and Truly Madly Greekly by this author, so I was a bit disappointed in One Winter at the French Chalet.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.