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One Perfect French Summer

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Summer doesn't last forever, but can a perfect one change your life?

For successful estate agent Freya Henderson, life is all work and no play. But, when she crosses paths with carefree young surfer, Luke Stevenson, there's no denying the attraction between them.

When Luke invites her to join him on a working holiday in France, it's a real dilemma. Is it time to throw caution to the wind? Perhaps an enchanting summer fling with no strings attached would be a great way to de-stress and finally allow herself some fun.

As he takes her on a magical mystery tour of gorgeous locations among stunning châteaux, picturesque villages and sun-kissed vineyards, Freya can't help feeling there's something missing in her life... perhaps even a man like Luke.

But how well does she know him? Is he just looking for a summer adventure, or is he running away from something?

As the summer draws to a close, can Freya and Luke simply slip back into their old lives, or will they be left wondering 'What if?'

Maybe this summer romance never has to end...

Audible Audio

Published May 7, 2024

1818 people are currently reading
147 people want to read

About the author

Lucy Coleman

16 books273 followers
Lucy Coleman always knew that one day she would write, but first life took her on a wonderful journey of self-discovery for which she is very grateful.

Family life and two very diverse careers later she now spends most days glued to a keyboard, which she refers to as her personal quality time.

'It's only when you know who you are that you truly understand what makes you happy - and writing about love, life and relationships makes me leap out of bed every morning!'

If she isn't online she's either playing with the kids, whose imaginations seem to know no bounds, or painting something. As a serial house mover together with her lovely husband, there is always a new challenge to keep her occupied!

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5 stars
1,031 (44%)
4 stars
733 (31%)
3 stars
383 (16%)
2 stars
105 (4%)
1 star
44 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,137 reviews127 followers
May 26, 2024
I received a free copy of, One Perfect French Summer, by Lucy Coleman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Freya Henderson, is a hard worker, she is invited to France, with a man she just met. Change is not always looked upon favorably, people like their routines and ruts. Freya needed a change from her regular life. This was a nice read. Good characters, wonderful setting.
Profile Image for Rachel.
890 reviews77 followers
October 27, 2025
In this contemporary romance by English author Lucy Coleman, a holiday may be a turning point for successful, independent real estate agent Freya Henderson. Freya’s life revolves around her work, and leaves little time for relationships or romance. But, when she meets Luke Stevenson, an unambitious surfer, attraction blooms despite her reservations. When Luke invites her on a working holiday to France, Lucy finds herself agreeing, and then worrying about the wisdom of this idea. A mystery tour of châteaux, vineyards and canals begins to help Lucy to unwind and to wonder whether something is missing in her life. Could Luke be that something?

I enjoyed the idea of an escape from work, and the French setting, but the chemistry and romance did not really work for me. This was a pleasant beach read but the story as a whole was fairly flat and predictable, and felt like it was missing something.
Profile Image for Kate.
439 reviews2 followers
July 9, 2024
This was my first Lucy Coleman book and I thoroughly enjoyed it? It was the ultimate 'escape' book and difficult to put down. Ideal beach reading or even in front of the fire on a winters night. I will be looking out for more by Lucy Coleman. A definite "feel good" read.
Profile Image for Nicola Whelan.
165 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2024
Nicola’s review

It’s quite a good book. It’s easy to read and imagine the characters in one’s head. Maybe a bit boring in the middle. It’s a nice romantic story but sadly not the best book I’ve read recently.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,759 reviews136 followers
May 1, 2024
It has been far too long since I last picked up a book by this author. This one is a wonderful story with fabulous settings and some sumptuous foods.

Freya is in her 30s, but listening to her you would think she was a lot older. She is a partner in estate agents in Kent with her childhood friend. Together they have worked hard to get their business up and running and to make it successful. This means long hours and very little time for relaxation. Trying to relax, Freya starts to go to a gym where she meets Luke. He is a few years younger and seems so carefree, he could be mistaken for someone with no care in the world.

After getting to know each other, he finally asks how she would like to join him for two months on a working holiday in France. Being someone who is ordered, likes to have plans and wants to what she is doing the next moment, day, week or month ahead, Freay is unsure. Deciding that this could be a chance to take a much-needed break, Freya agrees. Things are sorted for her break and she joins Luke.

This was a wonderful story and one that took me around vineyards, farms, manors, markets and a quieter way of life. That doesn't mean to say it was an amble around rural France, because Luke takes her around his friends' properties. This is not the first time he has made this trip and it is a chance to catch up with his friends. They are all so welcoming of Luke and of Freya.

There is an undertone to this story and this is something that is consistent. What does Luke actually do, what is his past and why does he travel as he does? For Freya, it is her experiencing things that she is not in control of.

As they travel and work together they become close, while Freya struggles with the slight age difference and Luke is desperate to prove her wrong. Throughout the story, there is this tentative balance between friendship and something wanting to be more.

The story has a wonderful pace to it, the slower way of life but it still with plenty going on. I adored the different settings and the idyllic feel that the author managed to instil throughout the summer journey. Then the backdrop of the real world and being an adult with responsibilities for Freya. There are some good characters to meet and while they are not many they are wonderful and have a part to play in the story.

I adored this book and the story, it's one of those stories that is heartwarming and was an absolute pleasure to read. If you are a fan of romance and contemporary fiction then this is one you should have a look at. I would definitely recommend it.

231 reviews
June 11, 2024
Good story. Easy to read. Great book to take on holiday. I enjoyed it.
4 reviews
August 13, 2025
The main character is a bit of a wet lettuce leaf, she really got on my nerves.
14 reviews
August 11, 2025
Sadly I couldn’t wait for this book to come to an end. Lovely descriptions of rural France but an implausible plot and weak ending.
Profile Image for Michaela Hopkinson.
67 reviews
May 9, 2024
Usually, safe and sensible Freya, reluctantly agrees to go on a two month working holiday with a carefree and much younger but attractive Luke. We join them as Luke takes Freya on a whirlwind and enticing adventure in idyllic France. He has fallen head over heels in love but can Freya let herself go and does she feel the same? Will Luke open up to her? And is it really just a summer fling?

A lovely story, with dreamy settings. Was I truly convinced by their love story, I’m not 100% sure. I liked their characters and really wanted them to have a happily ever after but I feel there was something missing. Although saying that, I did enjoy this book and gobbled it up so quickly. I loved the way you could really visualise being in the story setting from Lucy’s vivid descriptions. I’m now dreaming of blissful, summer days in rustic, rural France.

Thank you to Embla Books for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in return for an honest review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. OUT NOW!
19 reviews
June 23, 2024
I’ve read and enjoyed most of Lucy Coleman‘s books, but this one left me flat.
Profile Image for Kim Sparks.
71 reviews3 followers
September 7, 2024
As you can see it took awhile for me to get through this book. I liked the story and all the descriptions of places they went in France, but honestly it was a bit boring. Predicable.
Profile Image for Kirsty (BookBlogger).
2,054 reviews63 followers
August 13, 2024
One Perfect French Summer by Lucy Coleman

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

Blurb

Summer doesn't last forever, but can a perfect one change your life?

For successful estate agent Freya Henderson, life is all work and no play. But, when she crosses paths with carefree young surfer, Luke Stevenson, there's no denying the attraction between them.

When Luke invites her to join him on a working holiday in France, it's a real dilemma. Is it time to throw caution to the wind? Perhaps an enchanting summer fling with no strings attached would be a great way to de-stress and finally allow herself some fun.

As he takes her on a magical mystery tour of gorgeous locations among stunning châteaux, picturesque villages and sun-kissed vineyards, Freya can't help feeling there's something missing in her life... perhaps even a man like Luke.

But how well does she know him? Is he just looking for a summer adventure, or is he running away from something?

My Opinion

Freya struggles to take a step back so when she is offered an opportunity to spend her summer travelling around France it isn't an automatic acceptance. One Perfect French Summer is a well-written novel that will whisk you away to France. Lucy Coleman has a lovely writing style and this book really lived up to my expectations. Pack your backs and join Freya and Luke on their travels this summer.

Rating 4/5
1,440 reviews
May 6, 2024
Real estate agent Freya Henderson knows that she is attracted to Luke Stevenson, but she doesn’t have time for a real relationship with her real estate business consuming so much of her time. However, a health scare as well as her business partner, convince her to accept Luke’s offer of a working holiday in France. Freya is conflicted as she is not sure whether to pursue an enchanting summer fling with no strings attached with a man nine years her junior or to keep on with what she knows is safer. As Luke takes her on an amazing adventure through vineyards and châteaux, she begins to see what is missing in her life. Yet, part of her is uncertain whether how Luke feels or whether he is hiding something from her.
Whilst the premise of the book was interesting, I didn’t feel the love between this couple. Freya sounded more like a middle-aged woman but was only in her thirties so I couldn’t seem to connect her issues with Luke, to the reality of her situation. Great descriptions of the countryside and life in France. An interesting read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Tracey Dyson.
223 reviews7 followers
May 1, 2024
Free courtesy of netgalley

The last book I read and reviewed was good but I said something was missing, this book I realised what the missing element is, I want to be there, I want to see the places they do and have the experiences that the characters are having, and every book, like this one, that I don't switch the TV on, instead I read has this element.

Lucy Coleman has written a scorcher of a book, following the travels of Freya, a mid 30's estate agent, who knows where her life is going, perfect business and home and total independent and her friend, with benefits, Luke who is in his 20's, carefree surfer, who she met in the gym. He has convinced her to travel around France with him on a working holiday for the summer.

I absolutely loved this book and I would recommend everyone put it on their "to be read"pile. The characters are well written and the description of the places they travel, makes you feel you're there with them. Lucy if you ever read this..... You cannot end their story there 😭
Profile Image for Allyson.
1,063 reviews
June 19, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.


Freya is an estate agent and is a hard worker, never taking time for herself to enjoy life. Surfer guy, Luke, barrels into her life, adding light and fun, but she keeps him an arms-length away. Luke asks her to go on a summer long adventure with him living mostly out of camper, and working odd jobs across the weeks. She is instantly ready to say a hard no, but her mother tells her to jump at the opportunioty to enjoy life for once and she reminds of her of a planned family trip that turned into an unexpected and muc loved adventure. Freya decides to jump in with both feet, it's only a summer, what harm can it do; but after the weeks of spending so much time with Luke, can she go back to her old self again?


This author always writes touching and enveloping stories that make you connect with her characters right from the start. I look forward to more books by this author, they always leave me smiling.
Profile Image for Mathilde Hours.
181 reviews2 followers
August 29, 2024
Des petites vacances en France ?
Freya, agent immobilier qui se noie dans son travail, finit par dire oui. La voilà donc partie avec Luke, qui est plus qu'un ami, mais pas un petit ami. La raison ? Il est plus jeune qu'elle...
En bref : je n'ai pas tellement aimé.
L'intrigue est tirée par les cheveux : Luke joue sa vie en organisant des "vacances-travail" pour que Freya reste avec lui, et Freya ne sait pas où elle en est de la sienne, à part qu'elle ne veut pas de Luke. Mais elle part quand même en voyage avec lui. Parce qu'elle l'aime bien.
Voilà voilà, ça tourne en rond, chaque fin de chapitre est une remise en question des affirmations écrites deux pages avant, alors que l'épilogue se devine dès le début.
Sans parler de ça, le "couple" ne rencontre que des anglais pendant le voyage. Luke sait tout faire : la cuisine, servir au restaurant, génie de l'informatique, bilingue en français, gérer seul un camping, conduire une péniche.
Heureusement, restent les descriptions des paysages, et surtout de la gastronomie !
Profile Image for WhatFrizRead.
211 reviews2 followers
May 20, 2024
Freya is a very successful estate agent, with her picturesque cottage and gorgeous garden, her life is full. She doesn't have time for love or dating, so when Luke, a younger man from her gym approaches Freya and invites her to travel through France, everyone is surprised when she goes.


This is a nice story; the adventure through France is well written and enjoyable but I just found it was a little lacking... It's predictable, and not in a comforting way...just in a way you kinda can guess it's going to happen but without any moments that make you doubt your ideas - which I often quite like in a predictable romance novel!

That being said, the characters are well developed and the story flows nicely... I just much preferred the last Lucy Coleman book I read.
210 reviews4 followers
April 13, 2024
Lucy Coleman has done it again with a lovely summer story about successful estate agent Freya Henderson who meets Luke Stevenson a carefree young man and the attraction is there so when Luke asks Freya to join him on a trip to France her friend and business partner encourages her to go to de stress.
I loved how they travelled across France in Luke's van the scenery makes me want to visit France and I when they stop at Luke's friends who own a vine yard to help it made me feel it was the ideal way to relax and enjoy the scenery.
I would highly recommend for a enjoyable warm story you cannot put down.
Profile Image for Dawn Probert.
523 reviews4 followers
April 23, 2024
I really really loved this.
Woke up early to carry on reading this.
I love the thought of moving to France and this ticked all the boxes for me.
Freya is an estate agent owner from Kent who is overworked, stressed, tired and pretty jaded from life. She meets Luke a younger guy who is the opposite to her, he’s impulsive , fun, sexy and a bit of a mystery to her. One summer Luke offers her, one perfect French summer, Freya agrees to go travelling with him for fun and frolics.
This was great the scenery and the views I saw in my head weee amazing.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for sn honest review.
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,590 reviews
April 28, 2024
Freya needs a change in her life. She is stressed, works all the time and her life is not what she wants. Not sure of what she really wants to be doing and when she meets Luke there is a click when Luke asks her to take off with him and explore France. Off they go in his van.
I was grabbed by the way the author Lucy Coleman was able to use her words to paint a picture of their travels. I could see, hear, and feel the adventure they were on together.
This is a smooth and easy read that I enjoyed from first word to last.
Thank you NetGalley, Lucy Coleman and Embla Books for the chance to read One Perfect French Summer. This is my personal review.
Profile Image for Alex.
256 reviews15 followers
April 30, 2024
I enjoyed this book, but I found that the parts in France were a little all over the place (maybe to do with the formatting on my phone).

The author's writing makes you feel like a part of the story and that you would like to have wine and have a meal at each of the locations, and with all of the hosts. The descriptions in the books, of the food and the locations, are always tangible and makes me yearn for a trip to the French countryside,

This is a book about expectations and breaking routine, and being ready for the unexpected! It really made me think.

The conclusion of the book was not one I expected, and I hope there will be a book 2.
Profile Image for Princess A.
109 reviews2 followers
September 4, 2024
One Perfect French Summer by Lucy Coleman is a captivating and heartwarming novel set in the picturesque French countryside. The story follows a protagonist seeking solace and renewal during a summer in France, where she discovers love, healing, and self-discovery. Coleman’s vivid descriptions of the French setting and her skillful storytelling create a charming and immersive reading experience. The characters are well-developed, and the romance and personal growth themes are handled with warmth and authenticity. For a delightful escape to the French countryside with a touch of romance and self-discovery, this book is a perfect choice.
27 reviews
January 5, 2025
A Delightful Look into the Joy of New Love

Freya and Luke are in love but still experiencing the growing pains and pangs of discovering each others’ personalities, emotions, and quirks. Their amazing summer in France, working through various jobs and experiences, brings them closer and yet they find themselves at an impasse. How they work through their feelings and emotions brings this “feel good read” to a loving conclusion.
343 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2025
One Perfect French Summer

Freya is co-owner of a very successful realty business. Being in her thirties, she seems settled, and when she meets Luke, her world is turned upside down. As she embarks on a summer adventure with him, encouraged by her mother and best friend, she starts to let go of preconceived ideas. Wonderful characters and very descriptive scenery, which may have the reader planning a trip to the French countryside. Highly recommend! Happy reading!
Profile Image for karla_bookishlife.
1,105 reviews38 followers
July 28, 2025
3.5 stars.
Hardworking Freya finally has her life on track in the work department, but her life follows routine and her spontaneously and love-life are zero. when she receives a proposal for a working holiday in Frnace with handsome Luke, she decides to go for it. Her courage and spirit of adventure are inspiring and admirable. one Perfect French Summer is a feel good read that will leave you smiling. #oneperfectfrenchsummer #lucycoleman #netgalley #embla
340 reviews8 followers
August 27, 2025
I have read a few of this authors books, but for me this is the best one I have read so far, in fact I enjoyed it so much I’ve put it on my list to read again at sometime. What an adventure Luke takes Freya on. It takes her right out of her comfort zone making her realised there is more to Luke than meet the eye. There where times in this book that it felt like you are part of their adventure and what lovely way to spend two months. A great story and a well deserved 5 stars
Profile Image for Susan in Perthshire.
2,212 reviews119 followers
April 26, 2024
An enjoyable read based on a slightly incredible premise. Older woman/younger lover - complete opposites go off on a trip through France. He loves her, she doesn’t love him.

There were times I found it difficult to understand why Luke loved Freya and I felt so sorry for him.

An evocative tale of French culture and food and finally, a happy ending. An enjoyable read.
Profile Image for lisa butler.
45 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2024
An Awesome Adventure

What an adventure in France! I truly enjoyed reading this novel with all of the detailed scenery and locations, you feel like you are accompanying Luke and Freya on their excursion. Such an interesting and easy read, that anyone who likes to travel will certainly want to choose this novel!
12 reviews
July 1, 2024
I loved the description of Freya and Luke’s journey through France (especially the barge) and the people/friends they worked with. But, at first, thought Freya was in her 40’s rather than 30’s as a big-ish deal was made of the age gap.
But aside from that I enjoyed the book and love a happy ending!
Good holiday read.
104 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2024
While I did really enjoy the story, I found it most annoying that there could be a complete change from one action to another without any visible break such as ******* in between paragraphs. Also there were times when things, such as the holiday itself, just ended seemingly without finishing the last “adventure”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews

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