French Landing: A French Woman's Journey to Her American Dream

by Elisabeth Bykoff

When you speak English with barely an accent, it’s hard for most people to believe that you were born in France. But Elisabeth Bykoff spent the first twenty-two years of her life there, raised in the French culture on a diet of American pop movies, TV, and music.

Elisabeth’s love for American movies led her to dream of making them herself in Hollywood, building her American dream full of romance, prosperity, and a fulfilling career. But sitting on the carpeted floor in the Minneapolis airport—or maybe Detroit—on her way to Seattle to finish her Aerospace Engineering degree, Elisabeth realized the American dream might look a little different than she’d anticipated. But is that necessarily a bad thing?

From Washington to California to New York and now, Texas, Elisabeth shares stories and thoughts from her twenty years navigating the United States, revealing the contradictions, the moments of awe, and the complexities that make America what it is. In French Landing, Elisabeth lends a fresh, French perspective on the American way of life.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2025

Reviews

[Abhay Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚫️French Landing is a heartfelt and deeply personal memoir that beautifully encapsulates the spirit of the American adventure narrated by someone who dreamed of it from afar and then bravely stepped into it. Elisabeth Bykoff takes us on her journey from the picture-perfect fantasies of her French childhood to the often gritty and challenging reality of life in America, creating a story that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique.

⚫️What sets Bykoff's book apart is its blend of realism and hope. She doesn’t shy away from the disillusionments and cultural clashes that come with being an immigrant; instead, she approaches each experience whether it’s humorous, tough, or overwhelming with a sense of curiosity and grace. Her writing is warm, insightful, and attentive, offering a fresh lens on American life that feels both immediate and universal.

⚫️From earning her Aerospace Engineering degree in Seattle to diving into the vibrant life of New York and finding solace in Texas, Bykoff paints a vivid picture of every city she’s called home. She not only shares her adventures with us but also reflects on them with emotional depth and cultural insight, allowing readers to join her on this cross-country journey as if we were traveling alongside her.

⚫️Bykoff's voice is confident yet humble, sprinkled with a touch of wit and wonder. Her love for storytelling, deeply rooted in her fascination with American pop culture, shines through on every page. While the American dream she envisioned as a child watching films in France may have transformed, the dream she lives now one of exploration, growth, and connection is just as captivating.

⚫️French Landing is more than just a memoir; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the beauty and intricacies of cross-cultural identity, reminding us that the pursuit of a dream is often less about reaching a destination and more about the journey of transformation along the way. Whether you’re an immigrant, a traveler, or simply someone curious about the world, this book resonates with anyone who has ever chased a dream.

Happy reading ❤️✨

[Jithendra Jithu · Rating 5 out of 5]

French Landing by Elisabeth Bykoff

Rating:5/5

Review:

👉French Landing by Elisabeth Bykoff is a sparkling, heartfelt memoir that takes readers on a beautifully honest journey across cultures, countries, and identities. 📚🥰🤩 From the romantic streets of France to the vast, unpredictable landscape of America, Bykoff captures the true essence of what it means to chase a dream—and then learn to reshape it along the way.

👉Raised in France but obsessed with American pop culture, Elisabeth always believed the United States was her ultimate destination—a place filled with opportunity, glamour, and freedom. But what she found instead was something much more real, raw, and unexpectedly rewarding. Whether she’s sitting in a carpeted airport wondering what she’s doing, or figuring out how to navigate dating, credit scores, and job interviews, her experiences are both hilarious and deeply relatable.

👉What makes this memoir shine is Elisabeth’s voice: bold, funny, and wonderfully self-aware. She paints each chapter with a perfect blend of humor, honesty, and vulnerability. Her observations about the quirks of American life—from doggy bags to overly friendly strangers—are sharp but never mean-spirited. And through it all, she reminds us how complex, confusing, and beautiful the immigrant experience can be.

👉French Landing is more than just a memoir—it’s a love letter to the messy, magical process of discovering who you are in a place that doesn’t always feel like home. It’s about growth, reinvention, and learning to belong without losing yourself. It’s a must-read for anyone who’s ever moved abroad, started over, or questioned where they truly fit in.

👉Elisabeth Bykoff has created something special: a memoir that makes you laugh, reflect, and appreciate the journey—wherever it takes you.
Uplifting, insightful, and filled with charm—this is story that stays with you.

Happy reading 😁😁

#bookreview

[J Zeug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this - often funny - book on the adventures of a French woman's journey in America. For someone who has traveled to France numerous times and worked with many French business professionals, it was interesting having thoughts and experiences affirmed in how different as well as how alike we are. Elisabeth speaks her mind and is masterful at telling her story.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

French Landing is part memoir, part cultural deep-dive, and all heart. Elisabeth Bykoff takes readers on a personal journey from her French upbringing to her American reality, and she does it with humor, honesty, and a sharp eye for contradiction.

[Pratik Paudel · Rating 5 out of 5]

French Landing is both entertaining and deeply relatable. Whether you’re an immigrant, a traveler, or just curious about cross-cultural life, Elisabeth’s perspective shines through. With humor and honesty, she writes in a way that feels as personal as a coffee chat with a close friend.

[Yuliia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light, funny and entertaining

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it to be an interesting telling of a personal journey to American citizenship and the many differences to be found between French and American cultures.