Een zomer op het chateau: Een bouwval, een nieuwe kans in de liefde en wegdromen in de zon

Chateau #1

by Annabel French, Selma Soester (translator)

Een heerlijk zomerse roman voor de liefhebbers van Ik vertrek.

Als Lizzie Summers te horen krijgt dat ze een prachtig chateau in de Provence heeft geërfd, ziet ze dit als de perfecte ontsnapping nadat ze voor het altaar werd afgewezen.

Bij aankomst ontdekt ze dat ze nu de trotse eigenaar is van… een vervallen bouwput met enkel een geit als gezelschap. Lizzie wil meteen terug naar het vliegveld, maar raakt verstrikt in een grillige zomerstorm en klopt wanhopig aan bij haar buurman, de betoverende Luc. Zal ze dan toch blijven om het chateau, en haar gebroken hart, te herstellen?
 

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Adult, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Summer, Contemporary

335 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2024

About the author

Also publishes under Katie Ginger

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fixer-upper and two fragile hearts!

Lizzie Summers is stressed! She’s just been jilted at the alter and now when she arrives in Provence to assume ownership of her great-auntie’s chateau, she discovers it’s dilapidated, unlivable, and needs lots of work done to it before she can even put it on the market. The biggest problem? She can’t afford to fix it. What a dilemma!

Enter Luc Allard, the gorgeous, albeit cranky, studmuffin next door. He’s a vintner with no social skills and a cold, closed heart. Can they help each other and get what each needs to move on in life? Will Chateau Lavande ever reach its former glory?

This is a great introduction to the series; I laughed out loud at Gary Baaarlow! I’ll be watching out for book 2. This grumpy sunshine romcom is the perfect beach read to add to your summer reading list.

I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Misty's Book Space · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley.

The book starts 3 months after Lizzie was jilted at the alter. She's been dealing with all the gossip that inevitably happens so when she learns that she has inherited her late great aunts chateau in France she jumps at the chance to get away even if it is just for a little bit. 

The Chateau isn't exactly what she was expecting and because of that she has to stay longer than she intended but she comes up with a story to share with her readers. She works at Lifestyle magazine in the UK. Then enter Luc. Luc is her neighbor. He runs the vineyard and while that's his job it isn't his passion. He loves building and working on things. It's this passion that brings him and Lizzie together and then the story builds from there.

I enjoyed this story. I will say there's a bit of miscommunication/lack of communication that get on my nerves a little bit but the overall story was cute. I loved pretty much all of the characters and Gary the goat brought us the laughs. When I read this I didn't realize it was the first book in a series but now that I know I definitely want to read the next one. The author does a great job with the descriptions and bringing France and the Chateau to life. I definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a cute romcom. 

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three months after Lizzie Summers was jilted three months she learns her Great Aunt Sarah left her her chateau—Chateau Lavande—in France where she lived for the last sixty years.

Though Lizzie has no intentions of quitting her job at Lifestyle! magazine and moving to France. She thinks she could sell the chateau and buy her place in London. She’s currently staying at her friend’s apartment while her friend’s flatmate is in Australia.

Before setting off for France, Lizzie comes up with the idea to write about the chateau and pitches it to her boss Hilary who seems to agree with her.

Days later Lizzie arrives at her great aunt’s chateau to find the place in a serious state of neglect and need of some major repairs.

A beautifully written feel-good romcom set in rural France. Filled with evocative descriptions of the French countryside. Lovely characters and interesting dialogue.

Thank you to Annabel French, NetGalley, and Avon Books UK for the arc of this book.

[Polak22 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️
What hallmark would’ve wanted - romance, wine, southern france, & quirky characters 😌

[Liz Smallwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just been to France the title caught my attention. It was the perfect book for a long flight. I loved the characters and the descriptions of life in a country village.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Summer at the Chateau, by Annabel French, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Lizzie inherited a chateau in France, from a family member. Luc is a handyman who helps her restore the chateau. Can Lizzie stay in France, when her home is in London? A very good read, I liked Lizzie a lot.

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pleasant, escapist read.

City girl Lizzie , jilted on day of her wedding, inherits chateau from great aunt Sarah who she’d abandoned 15 years ago, in the way only a snotty, judgemental, rebellious teenager can do.

She travels to France, discovers the chateau needs a massive amount of work before she can sell it. Makes friends and they help her, believing she is planning to stay. She falls in love with local hot dad and handyman, Luc, makes friends with his ex wife Margot. He discovers she plans to sell. The old boyfriend turns up regretting what he did.
All the friends agree with Luc that she’s deceived them. She disagrees but finally realised she did. She kicks Will into touch. Apologises to Luc. We discover his ex-wife is gay. Everyone is happy.

[Hayley Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book grew on me. At the very start I struggled I’m not going to lie but towards the end I can say I enjoyed this book. If you’re looking for something fresh though and something you haven’t read before unfortunately this isn’t the book for you. This is a cute city girl moves to country book and has been done on Netflix about a 100 times all ready. But if that’s your bread and butter then this book is for you.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kels · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely, charming, feel-good book! I had been looking forward to reading this one and it didn't disappoint at all. It transported me to sunny France and made me look forward to summer very much!

The book follows Lizzie Summers, who was jilted at the alter by her ex, and who had thrown herself into her work as a magazine writer as a way of dealing with it. She then discovers she's been left a chateau in Provence, somewhere she spent many summers at as a child. She plans to sell it, and return to London as fast as possible.

However, she arrives in Provence to discover the chateau where she had pretended to be a princess as a kid was now falling apart, and needed to be put back together again before she could sell. As if her mood wasn't bad enough, Lizzie then gets caught in a huge storm and has to seek refuge from the grumpy vineyard manager Luc next door.

She then realises that if she wants to fix up the chateau, she needs Luc's help again. We follow their story throughout the summer, as Lizzie fights to rebuild the chateau as well as regain her happiness.

This book is a lovely easy read, which just puts you in a good mood. Seeing Lizzie learn about her great aunt and at the same time, make her own friends and put down her own roots was nice! 💕 There was a huge sense of community in the little French village, and I enjoyed seeing Lizzie being made part of it and her finding a place where she belonged.

Luc was also rather lovely!! 💕

I'm so pleased I was able to read this, I loved it and it made me smile - the perfect sort of romcom!

I've enjoyed the author's previous books under her name, Katie Ginger, and I think this is the best one yet. 💕

Thank you so much to Annabel French, Avon Books UK, and Netgalley for the ARC. 💕

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three months since Lizzie has been jilted at the altar. Whispers behind her back still haunted her at work. The people she thought were her friends all turned the other cheek. She wanted to move on with life and was hoping for a promotion but life seemed to have other plans for her.
News of her great-aunt passing was a surprise, however, not as much as the inheritance she was left with. A beautiful (or so she thought), chateau in Provence. Could this be the moment she was waiting for her life to change? Convincing Hilary, her boss, to let her travel to France for two days or so, in order to sell the chateau was not an arduous task, as long as the trip involved articles about the said chateau.
The trip to France was what she needed at the moment. A weekend to sort out the selling of the chateau and return back to England. Or so she thought, before she ended up drenched in a vineyard who’s vintner was breathtakingly handsome, but awfully grumpy.
The author takes us through a journey of love for food and wine, sunshine, moments of hardship and also relaxation. Lying by omission is present throughout the book keeping the reader on tenterhooks wanting to know more and when the secrets are going to be revealed. A page turner for all escapism lovers.
A chateau in ruins which needs a lot of repairs before it could be put on the market, a goat for a pet, eating up what was left of the good part of the place, a grumpy but handsome neighbour, what could possibly go wrong?
I enjoyed reading this beautifully written novel. Looking forward to immersing myself in Christmas at the Chateau by the same author.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer At The Chateau is the first book in the Chateau series by Annabel French.
❤️Blurb-
A newly single girl. A tall, dark and handsome stranger. A chateau that keeps bringing them together. What could go wrong? When  Lizzie Summers  is jilted at the altar, she’s left completely heartbroken. But then she receives news that she has inherited a beautiful chateau in Provence, and it seems like the perfect escape. Upon arrival, she discovers she is now the proud owner of . . . a crumbling ruin. A decrepit chateau – with nothing but dust and a goat for company. Intending to head straight back to the airport, Lizzie instead gets caught in a freakish summer storm and finds herself trudging through a vineyard for help. Bedraggled and furious, she enlists the help of her nearest neighbour, the enchanting  Luc . Perhaps she should stay and mend the chateau – and her broken heart – after all…? The perfect feel-good romantic comedy that will leave you falling head over heels. Fans of Katie Fforde, Debbie Macomber, and Susan Mallery won’t be able to put this down!
💜 Review -
I loved this romance novel. It was cute and easy to follow, had good pacing and a great cast of characters. It's the perfect beach read to curl up with during the summer months but also perfect at any time of year to bring some much needed sunshine.
The author's writing is beautiful and the storytelling was flawless. Overall, a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💖 Thank you to the author for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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

Summer at the Chateau by Annabel French

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

Blurb

A newly single girl. A tall, dark and handsome stranger. A chateau that keeps bringing them together. What could go wrong?

When Lizzie Summers is jilted at the altar, she’s left completely heartbroken. But then she receives news that she has inherited a beautiful chateau in Provence, and it seems like the perfect escape.

Upon arrival, she discovers she is now the proud owner of . . . a crumbling ruin. A decrepit chateau – with nothing but dust and a goat for company.

Intending to head straight back to the airport, Lizzie instead gets caught in a freakish summer storm and finds herself trudging through a vineyard for help. Bedraggled and furious, she enlists the help of her nearest neighbour, the enchanting Luc. Perhaps she should stay and mend the chateau – and her broken heart – after all…?

My Opinion

This book has been one that has been on my TBR pile for a while, I always wanted to start it but I kept putting it off for some reason. Having finished it, I am not sure why I had been avoiding it. It was fun to read about Lizzie as her feelings about the Chateau and Sarah change as you work through the pages. This book was a lovely, feel-good read that will definitely leave you in a good mood.

Rating 4/5

[Colin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie is heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, but is now determined to make her way in her career as a journalist. She finds that her estranged aunt, with whom she has many happy memories of staying with in her Chateau in France, but also of their final argument that resulted in them not talking for years. has left her the Chateau in her will. She decides to travel to France to visit the Chateau to prepare it for sale, however when she arrives she finds it virtually derelict and unsaleable She starts to carry out repairs with the help of a very grumpy, but handsome neighbour, but finds she is starting to fall in love with the location - and the neighbour.
Life in France sounds far more my thing than Lizzie's life in London. The way that the local community takes to her shows the small community spirit that I would love to be part of, although I'm not sure that I could cope with the scale of the restoration required. There are some great supporting characters, especially Gary the goat. This is an ideal summer read, or even in winter where the summer scenes will help warm you up.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book and I have already pre-ordered it as I enjoyed reading it so much.

[Margaret Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book this author has written under the name of Annabel French. It is a brilliant debut.

Lizzie had been left standing at the alter by Will, at the same time she inherits at chateau in France from her aunt. The problem being they had parted on an argument 15 years previous. Lizzie is a journalist for a home life style magazine , she asks for some time off to go to France to sort out the chateau and to get over Will. Her arrival in France did not begin well. Heavy rain, she crashes her car and as she goes in search of help she encounters Luc the grumpy owner of the vineyard next to her chateau.

Over the weeks she meets the locals who all knew her aunt and loved her. Apart from meeting the locals she also meets 'Garry' her name for him. Garry is a goat and certainly gives us a laugh.

The chateau needs a lot of work, Luc and the locals all pull together to help get the roof sorted. But then the estate agent turns up and is on about Lizzie selling it Luc is present during the conversation. It then begins to get complicated, added to this Will arrives on her doorstep.

I can almost smell the French Lavender. I can recommend this 5* read

[Kasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cosy feeling story in a small French town. I really like how the author gave that feeling of a small community and how everyone was welcomed and happy.
Well.. aside one potential French guy who was quite grumpy, especially to Lizzie. Lizzie was a typical city girl who came to the chateau she surprisingly inherited from her aunt who passed away. There was clearly a history which made them lose their contact which eventually had been revealed.
The story was simple but cosy to read. How the ruined chateau was coming back to glory and how Lizzie actually struggled with money to be able to do everything what it needed, especially the roof which happened to be very important to repair.
The story was good but the amount of Lizzie's thinking about Luc was... too much. How she saw him as hot and handsome felt a bit too weird since just three months ago she ended up hurt when her fiancé didn't come to their wedding. Even though there was mention of her wondering if it was right to give her heart to another, it seemed to feel a little bit weird, especially that from the first meeting she felt very smitten towards him despite his overall grumpiness and rudeness.

[Lynn Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie Summer has recently been jilted and left at the altar by her boyfriend Will. When her great Aunt Sarah leaves her a chateau in Provence, France, she unhesitantly leaves her journalism job in London behind in Annabel French’s Summer at the Chateau. Fortunately, her boss told her that she could turn the adventure into a series of articles until she sells the chateau and returns to her desk job.

Once in Provence, she finds the chateau in shambles, nearly uninhabitable and definitely unsellable. What will she do? The handsome Luc Allard who manages the vineyard closeby enters the scene after she has an auto crash. He's the recommended handyman, but where will she get the astronomical costs for repairs? A host of villagers that adored her Aunt Sarah come into play as Lizzie slowly makes sense of things. Will she stay in France? Will fireworks erupt between her and Luc? Or, will her old flame Will show up to try to make amends? Read this fast-paced yarn and see if Lizzie is able to tie up the loose ends!

[Necia Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook format for me.

Lizzie Summers is living in London and is jilted at the altar by Wil, her Aunt Sarah passed away at her Chateau in Provence France, and unexpectey and timely Lizzie becomes the owner of the chateau. Lizzie and Sarah have history, both good memories and sad relating back 15 years when Lizzie was a teenager spending her summer holidays at the chateau.

With trepidation Lizzie heads to France with the intention of contacting a real estate agent for a quick turnaround and sale of the Chateau, her plans change when she sees the condition of the Chateau and finds out it should be demolished, emotions change all of this and Lizzie decides to renovate, then along comes Luke the handsome French town handyman.

A lovely story well written and superbly narrated by Laura Kirman who sounds so much like Renee Zellweger (Bridget Jones Diary), I just loved her voice and all the characters in the book.

I definately recommend this book and I am excited to see there is a series so off to listen to Christmas at the Chateau.

[Monica Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie finds herself the new owner of a crumbling chateau. This was owned by her aunt, someone she had had lost touch with after an argument. So, when Lizzie goes to the chateau, it stirs up a lot of memories, some of them not so good.

Luc is running a nearby vineyard. He doesn't really have time for this English stranger who seems hellbent on making waves in his quiet life.

Naturally enough, Lizzie and Luc meet and sparks fly, however, Lizzie needs help with the chateau and Luc reluctantly provides it. They get to know each other as friends but those sparks still continue..... Will Lizzie's past catch up with her and ruin everything? Will she figure out how the goat is accessing into her home? Will the villagers forgive her?

I really liked this story, it is a sweet romantic story that you can read by the pool in the summer. Does it have hidden depths? No, it doesn't, but that is ok, it isn't always wanted or needed :)

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon.

[Jourdan Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Spoiler ahead*
Lizzy is left at the altar and is going through a lot physically and mentally. She's currently staying with a friend temporarily and is completely emotionally devasted by being left at the altar. She finds out that her late great aunt who she is estranged from left her chateau in France to her when she died. Lizzy goes there and the chateau is in horrible shape. The story follows her as she meets a new man who has also been hurt but starts opening up to her, a new French friendship, and a charming goat who becomes her somewhat pet. I liked how the book explored different dynamics in friendship, what it means to be alone, how grief in various forms shows up, and the power to move on to create a new story. The silly miscommunications in it however were not new and I feel could have been solved faster in the story I did not find the story different from books I have read before.

[Mierfie Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie inheritade Chateau lavande from her great-aunt, she never think will get anything after their last encounter. Lizzie doesnt want the chateau, she decide to sell it, she go to France to see the chateau and it is in bad shape. One incident make Lizzie met Luc the grumpy hot geltic god. I love reding this book, love the scenery in this book, i can smell lavender field! It confuse me how Luc not telling Lizzie about his ex-wife and no one talk about it to her. I roll my eye when Lizzie not give straigh answer to her ex-fiance who clearly only want her because she become rich after sell the chateau.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#SummeratTheChateau #AnnabelFrench #AvonBooksUK #NetGalley #ARC

[Joanne D'Arcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie is heartbroken, as she is jilted at the altar and feels that everyone is laughing at her. To make matters worst, her aunt has died and Lizzie is left her Chateau. Perhaps this escape is what Lizzie needs to heal her broken heart.

With the idea of documenting, her inheriting and then selling a Chateau in France, Lizzie takes a period of extended leave from her magazine job and heads for Provence. However the Chateau is not how Lizzie remembers it as a teenager, and finds that it is a crumbling wreck, much like herself and the idea of going, selling and returning to London quickly is now an impossibility.

All the time the aim is to restore the Chateau and return, but Lizzie finds herself drawn to the local village, the wonderful markets, the sunshine, to the locals who remember her aunt, to the rather grumpy man living next door in the vineyard and even to Gary the goat.

Of course the path to restoring the Chateau and restoring her own equilibrium is not going to be smooth for Lizzie. We get to go on this adventure with Lizzie, that it felt like I was going on holiday.

This is a wonderful summery book, full of warmth from all the different characters and the descriptions of the sun and the heat of the Provence that I could positively smell the lavender around the Chateau, taste the delicious food, savour the wine and feel all my troubles simply ebb away.

A great start to a new series and I cannot wait to escape into another Chateau soon.

[Thebookobsessive · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Many things will catch your eye but few will catch your heart.” This book does both sweeping you away to a sun drenched Provence and a crumbling Chateau with an enchanting and romantic story. I couldn’t put it down and am so glad there is another as I can’t wait to head back! The story unfolds seamlessly with enough drama and plots twists to give you the tummy tumbles and a supporting cast of colourful characters to add depth.
All in all it is a heartwarming and uplifting novel that celebrates the power of love and new beginnings, family and friendships- a perfect summer read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. if you enjoy Katie Fforde, Lucy Coleman, Julie Chaplin you will love this.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lifestyle journalist Lizzie is focusing on her career after being unlucky in love. When she inherits a French Chateau from her great-aunt, it's a surprise as they hadn't seen each other for years, but it may give her life the boost it needs. Rundown and with some unwelcome guests, she wants to list it and run, but it's not to be, and she decides to stay and renovate. A decision that not only helps her career but brings the chance for friendship and even romance into her life. The setting is vividly brought to life and is easy to imagine. There are many comic moments and a community that cares. There are secrets, sadness and second chances in this escapist fiction. I like Lizzie's courage to try something new and her sense of humour.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Sophie C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing original here. It's your typical story of the city girl who's been jilted and needs a new start. Meets boy by doing something dumb. He's a country boy who's been hurt by love. She needs help...he helps....they have a moment but don't act on it ...then they have a moment and act on it ..then they have a big fight....it's all a big misunderstanding...then they kiss and live at the chateau happily ever after.

Now, if you are curious about Provence and want to read a real book that will make you laugh and paint a beautiful picture of the area, I recommend 3 of my all-time favorite books by Peter Mayle. Sooooooo, soooooo good!!!

A Year in Provence
Encore Provence
Toujours Provence

Happy reading!

Audiobook

[Christine Adamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a family owned Chateau in Provence. It’s occupants and their lifestyles are discovered in depth, how family fallouts can be misunderstood and the consequences of the aftermath. Lizzie has suffered great heartache and being left this chateau by her Aunt helps her to rediscover what she wants from life and is a great place to heal. You are introduced to the people in the village and the closeness of community spirit and friendship. I like the way that the renovation of the Chateau is portrayed. It is easy to feel that you are there in the French countryside and local Markets. I would recommend this book

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started out enjoying this book about a young woman who inherits a run down chateau in Provence, France. I enjoyed the description of the scenery, the chateau renovation attempts and the village people. I wasn't all that enthralled with Lizzie, the main character, but the rest made up for it at first. Then, it went downhill. Lizzie turned into a stereotypical silly female who doesn't want to face reality, who is too concerned with physical attractiveness of men and doesn't seem to want to look outside of herself. Then, there is the jumping into bed although, thankfully, the scenes were not described. It all just left a sour taste in my mouth, which was disappointing.

[Valerie Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The author has taken a tried and tested plotline of 'disappointed in love' heroine and mixed it with 'inherit a dilapidated chateau' and 'gorgeous hunk / distant neighbour'. There are sprinkles of French food, aromas of lavender and herbs and glorious scenery to give the story atmosphere.
Whilst the story and outcome are predictable this is a pleasant summer read with romance threaded through. If you like an easy romantic read you'll enjoy it, it just didn't reach a high note for me.

[Lynnie Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's like a Harlequin Romance on steroids. Certainly it has lovely descriptions and likeable characters, but I can't forgive glaring French errors in a novel about France! There is little actual French in the novel, so there's no excuse for mistakes like a Frenchwoman's "Ah, you are too kind, mon ami" when she is speaking to a woman! The feminine of "ami" is "amie". It took me out of the story. There was another error with the word "cherie", along the same lines.

I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I struggled with my rating. I can't give it a 3, but 2 is a bit low. If anything, I'd rate it a 2.5.

[Krysti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer at the Chateau by Annabel French

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

3/5 stars

This book was great, in theory. The storyline was lovely. I loved the characters. The setting was divine.

But.

I feel it could have been 5/5 with more development. I wanted more out of Lizzie and Sarah’s relationship. This could have been accomplished by flashback chapters so the reader could have delved into the nuances of the relationship. Plus, I really wanted to learn more about Sarah!

Very fun book!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie has been jilted at the altar. A few months later, she finds out she has inherited her aunt Sarah's chateau in France.
This is such a lovely, feel-good read.
We meet some great characters, especially Sylvie.
I loved Gary the goat.
Luc is the smouldering, sexy man next door who sets Lizzie's heart aflutter.
The setting sounds absolutely beautiful with the lavender fields. Somewhere, I could see myself living.
Thoroughly enjoyable summer read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.