Drømmen om det franske slot

by Gillian Harvey, Camilla Sofie Petersen (Translator)

Det skulle være drømmen, der gik i opfyldelse ...
Det virkede som en god idé. At sælge alt, hvad vi ejer. Bare Mark og jeg, der bytter vores lillebitte rækkehus i London – og hjertesorgen over ikke at kunne stifte familie – ud med et kæmpestort slot midt i Frankrig. Det har altid været vores drøm. Og nu går den i opfyldelse.

Da jeg drejer den rustne nøgle om og åbner den store, knirkende trædør til det faldefærdige eventyrslot, der officielt er vores nye hjem, tænker jeg: Hvad kan der dog gå galt?

Mit franske er åbenbart ikke særlig godt – og jeg har alt for sent indset, at jeg virkelig burde have lært at tale flydende, før vi flyttede. For svaret på mit spørgsmål viser sig at være: 'le tout'. Med andre ord vil 'alt', der kan gå galt, gå galt.
Vil vores ægteskab overleve dette eventyr? Vil vi med alt det forfaldne murværk?
Mens den franske sol brænder over os, står én ting klart: Det bliver et yderst mindeværdigt år ...

Genres: Fiction, France, Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Womens Fiction

312 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2024

About the author

I'm a British author and freelance writer, currently living in Norfolk, England with my husband and 5 children. I write contemporary, uplifting and emotive fiction, often set in France where I lived for 14 years.

Reviews

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.

An emotional and heartwarming story of love, loss, and taking charge of your life, THE FRENCH CHATEAU ESCAPE by Gillian Harvey is a wonderful story that hooked me from beginning to end with rich characters that found their way into my heart.

Life isn't exactly plain sailing for Emma at the moment. She hates her job and her nightmare boss, she cannot get pregnant, and it's breaking her heart watching her grief-stricken father fade away in front of her eyes. When her older partner, Mark, decides that they should sell their home, quit their jobs, and buy a chateau in France, Emma thinks that he has lost his mind. But maybe a change of pace and a relaxing lifestyle could fix it all, and when they find the perfect place for such a bargain, what could go wrong?
Well, the answer is everything. It soon becomes apparent that Emma's hospitality background is not going to be enough when it comes to a total renovation, and although their age gap never factored into their relationship before, it is factoring into the workload that Mark is now trying to undertake all by himself. With money running out, no ability to speak the language, and still no sign of the baby that they want, Emma is worried that they have made a huge mistake. And when an unexpected accident occurs, who knows what will happen to their French chateau dream life?! And will Emma and Mark's relationship even survive the challenge?

THE FRENCH CHATEAU ESCAPE by Gillian Harvey is a rich and interesting story filled with adventure and beautiful imagery, as well as sensitive topics such as grief and infertility. The characters are fleshed out and engaging, and I teared up a few times while reading it which always shows the author's talent to connect with readers. Emma has gone through a lot of things in her life which left her unsure of herself in the beginning so it was a delight to watch her realise her own strengths and how determined she could actually be all by herself.

THE FRENCH CHATEAU ESCAPE by Gillian Harvey was more than I expected and I look forward to more from this author.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3* Not really what I was expecting, not so much humor, more introspective and focused on anxiety and selfcare.

The careless tone of the blurb made me think this was a funny book even with the promised drama. Instead we get a more insightful story, where Emma struggles with her anxiety and fears about failure, about a pregnancy that doesn't come.
I thought her and Mark difficulties would be compensated with banter, humoristic scenes or other, there was little of that, they are quite the opposite of each other and where one is led by caution and pessimism the other is quite optimistic and careless.
But life doesn't go how you expect her and while Mark is away after and accident Emma finally has to take the future in her hands and find the courage to take control and find solutions.

I liked some of it, the resolution to change your own life, the self discover, but didn't engage with some other things happening. While I get that for Emma to flourish Mark had to be away I was still looking for some romance.
I also felt sometimes the drama could be a trigger for someone, as it really permeates the story.
So I have to say it is a 3 stars for me, nice but nothing more.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this book as an Arc in exchange of an honest review.

[WhatFrizRead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark has had enough of his job and seeing his wife unhappy in hers. They're struggling to conceive and a move to France, with a chateau renovation project seems to be the perfect answer.


The story is ok, it's one of a Brit's french dream - enjoyable and easy to believe but the pace was a little lacking at the beginning for me. The characters are relatable and I do enjoy the way Harvey writes. The story is comfortably predictable, enough that you know where it's heading!

[Ellen Bossink · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to watch tv shows where people are followed who start a new live abroad. This book is like that. Slow paced, just like the shows a lot of problems, new friends and settling in. A nice read, a little dragging forward could have been quicker but a nice ending!

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

The French Chateau Escape by Gillian Harvey

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

Blurb

Click: buy… a French chateau. Condition: ‘may require improvement’…

It seemed like a good idea. Selling everything we own. Just Mark and I, swapping our tiny little terraced London home – and the heartbreak of not being able to start a family – for an entire chateau in the middle of France… This has always been our dream. And now it’s coming true.

As I use the rusty key to open the big, creaking wooden door of the tumbledown fairytale chateau that’s officially our new home, I wonder: what could possibly go wrong?

Turns out my grasp of the language isn’t brilliant – and I’ve realised too late that I should really have got fluent before emigrating. But it turns out that the answer is ‘le tout’. In other words, ‘everything’ than can go wrong, will…

Will our marriage survive this adventure? With all the tumbling masonry, will we?

As the French sun blazes overhead, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a year to remember…

My Opinion

This is the first book I have read by Gillian Harvey, I was drawn in by the cover and hooked from the beginning. This was not the story I was expecting when I started reading but I have to say that the difficulties Emma and Mark were having made for a refreshing change.

Emma discovers herself in this novel and learns just how strong she can be. The reader is taken on an emotional journey of self-discovery. Full of drama this an ideal read for a quick escape.

Rating 4/5

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillian Harvey is fast becoming one of my must-read authors because her protagonists are always so relatable,
This time, we have Emma, a middle-aged woman, married to Mark, a man a little older than her. they take a step to change their lives by buying a chateau in France to 'do up', with the hope of creating business opportunities with a venue for weddings and events and living a more relaxed lifestyle once all the renovations are done.
However, it's unlikely to ever be so easy, especially when there are renovations to do, little spare cash, an overenthusiastic husband with limited capabilities, the language barrier as well and trying to start a family.
An unfortunate accident leaves Mark unable to work on the property and feeling like they should just give up, and Emma goes from feeling despondent to turning around her way of thinking.
I like that this was not a 'fluffy' book. Harvey has dealt with real issues, here, from that feeling of insecurity when you move locations, all the anxieties about being somewhere where you don't really understand anyone, learning to build your independence, the stresses these changes can put upon a marriage, as well as the threat of infertility as age creeps up on you.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and loved the character development of Emma.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

[Marg · Rating 4 out of 5]

e are big fans of the TV show Escape to the Chateau which features a resourceful British couple who pack up their life in Britain, buy a crumbling chateau and then proceed to do it up, whilst establishing a successful business and raising their family. It's easy, right?

Weeellllll. Not always. Emma and Mark bought into the French Chateau dream. After selling their home in Britain, they purchased a chateau that had been empty for 20 years with grand plans of turning it into a wedding location. Emma had experience in big hotels, but neither Emma or Mark had a lot of experience in renovating anything, let alone a chateau which needed work done from bottom to top. Another factor...neither of them spoke any French.

After moving into their new home, Emma and Mark quickly come to realise that this project is going to be far more challenging, and far more expensive than they expected.




To read more head to

http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2023...

[Jayne Greig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, the story snd what it was aiming for. The disappointment, probably me, I didn’t like like the character Emma. She left me a bit sour as she was woo is me. She’d been through a lot in her years, understand how it reflected in her character. She mellowed towards the completion of the book, but the irritation stayed with me. Having said that, obviously a good read to get my emotions raised!!

[Emma Bunting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Gillian Harvey books and feel like each time I read one, I feel like I’m actually visiting France.
I loved how this story flowed and how things turned around for Emma and Mark after such a tricky start.
Lovely book that I thoroughly enjoyed

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable & slow paced but a pleasant enough read.

[Karinaholst9300 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skøn fortælling, om en drøm at eje er Slot i Frankrig.

[Sherry Park · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t read it. Too many typos printing errors just too aggravating to bother with. It sucks and is not worth wasting your time on.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unhappy in her job, anxious about her inability to fall pregnant, and worried about the mental health of her father, thirty-four year old Emma could do with a change... but she is floored when her fifty-year-old husband Mark suggests taking early retirement and swapping their stressful London life for the peace and quiet of a chateau in France. Emma is unsure about the risks, and leaving her sister and grieving father behind, but buoyed by Mark's obvious enthusiasm, she agrees to take a leap into the unknown.

The search for a chateau within their budget is a challenge, but they eventually settle on a dilapidated property in the little town of Labelleville, and optimistically set to work on the renovations, hoping to create a beautiful wedding venue. Despite Emma's knowledge of the hospitality industry, and Mark's eagerness, it soon becomes clear that this is going to be harder than they thought - especially since money is tight and their language skills leave a lot to be desired.

When disaster strikes, and their dream turns into a nightmare, Emma is more stressed than ever. Her relationship with Mark seems to be heading for the rocks, and she struggles to see how she can carry on without the support she has grown to rely on. Will their marriage survive, and will Emma ever have the family she craves?

Gillian Harvey has a lovely knack of writing stories that combine heart and humour in rural France, delving into the tricky challenges, and emotional hurdles, that crop up for ex-pats looking for happiness on the other side of the Channel - and this time, the challenges are bigger than most... as they are chateau sized!

'Chasing the dream' has Emma and Mark taking on a project of huge proportions that they really are not prepared for, and the strain soon begins to tell on their relationship. Throw in the complexities of Emma's family history, her aching desire to be a mother, and her lack of confidence in her abilities, and it is not surprising that things go pear-shaped when she finds she cannot rely on Mark quite as much as she thought. But this is far from a story filled with doom and gloom, although it is a cautionary tale in many ways. Harvey knows how take her characters on a journey where they learn a lot about themselves, and what they are really capable of, and this is just what The French Chateau Escape is all about.

I enjoyed how Harvey explores age differences in relationships through the problems that arise between Emma and Mark, even if I frequently wanted to give them both a shake, and she touches on anxiety, loss, and the yearning to have a child with sensitive insight. The part of the story that struck me the most though is the way she writes about the relationship between Emma, her sister and father - which really made the tears flow when the heartwarming ending rolls around.

Another emotional treat from Gillian Harvey - with the added magic of a lovely sense of community, and some laugh out loud moments from hilarious 'lost in translation' episodes along the way!

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma’s life is about to change.

The French Chateau Escape took me rather by surprise. I had expected a frothy, easy to read, book but I had not reckoned with the mature depth of Gillian Harvey’s writing. The French Chateau Escape is still an effortless read but that is because there is a smooth, sophisticated quality to the writing which makes it a pleasure, rather than it being a book that is merely entertaining. As a result, I enjoyed The French Chateau Escape all the more.

Whilst there’s enough about house renovation, as Emma and Mark struggle to breathe life back into their decrepit chateau, to please any lover of television house programmes like me, the real interest and strength in the novel lies in Gillian Harvey’s exploration of a marriage with a sixteen year age gap and a desperate desire to begin a family. Similarly, she illustrates the dynamics between Emma and her sister Rachael with complete dexterity because she has created warm, flawed and realistic people who feel so much more than words on a page.

I wasn’t always sure I liked Emma very much in the early part of the narrative because at times she seems blinkered, weak and rather self-obsessed, but I definitely cared about her. I wanted her life with Mark to weather the storms and be a success. However, as the story progresses, so does Emma’s understanding not just of others, but, more importantly, of herself. There’s depth and growth here as she realises she doesn’t need to be defined by her past and other people.

The plot is so relatable. We might not all ditch our existing lives to take on a crumbling French chateau, but the events that befall Emma and Mark are ones that might occur in any life so that they feel completely realistic to the reader. Issues of marriage, family and relationships, the need to keep control over spending, insecurity, maintaining a home, starting a business, caring about older family members, accidents and illnesses all combine to make a highly engaging story where the reader is drawn in and hopes for a positive conclusion. The French Chateau Escape feels like a story told by someone who knows what real life can throw at us.

I found The French Chateau Escape a mature, intelligent and absorbing story and one that is skilfully written and surprisingly emotional. I recommend it highly.

[travelsalongmybookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘It’s easy, isn’t it, from the outside to think someone’s got it made. But my life is every bit as difficult as yours.’

Click buy: a French chateau. Condition: ‘may require improvement’…
It seemed like a good idea. Selling everything we owned. Just Mark and me, swapping our tiny, little, terraced London home – and the heartbreak of not being able to start a family – for an entire chateau in the middle of France… It’s everyone’s dream. And now it’s coming true for us.
As I use the rusty key to open the big, creaking wooden door of the tumbledown fairytale chateau that’s officially our new home, I wonder: what could possibly go wrong?
Little do I know that the answer is going to be… ‘everything’. I don’t speak nearly as much French as I should yet, but I feel like there’s no mistaking the villagers’ hostility. Nor the look of shock on the builder’s face when he sees the roof.
Can our marriage survive this adventure? With all the tumbling masonry, will we?
As the French sun blazes overhead, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a year to remember…

Emma was one of those characters that I just couldn’t decide whether to shake or hug first of all! Having had health problems growing up, she has been wrapped in cotton wool by those around her but with the prospect of being alone in a massive chateau to renovate she steps up to the mark and it was great to see her develop and become stronger and more independent.

‘The woman in the mirror looked back at her, and she noticed that the despair was gone from her eyes, replaced with strength.’

Anxiety is broached in a sensitive manner as is trying for a baby. She has very little self belief and leans heavily on those around her but little by little she starts to spread her wings and finds that she can do things herself and begins to spread her wings.

‘And you can’t rescue another person,’ her sister said firmly. ‘Not completely. You can stand by their side. You can help them. But when it comes to it, they have to be ready to do it themselves.’

This was an unexpected story, not what I thought it would be and it became a lovely gem of a book, it engaged me and took me on a journey (awful phrase but true in this case!), I connected with Emma particularly and by the end was whooping with joy!

[Mardi Michels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review e-copy of The French Chateau Escape for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and the author/ publisher have not read my review prior to publication.

"Click buy: a French chateau. Condition: ‘may require improvement’…

It seemed like a good idea. Selling everything we owned. Just Mark and me, swapping our tiny, little, terraced London home – and the heartbreak of not being able to start a family – for an entire chateau in the middle of France… It’s everyone’s dream. And now it’s coming true for us.

As I use the rusty key to open the big, creaking wooden door of the tumbledown fairytale chateau that’s officially our new home, I wonder: what could possibly go wrong?

Little do I know that the answer is going to be… ‘everything’. I don’t speak nearly as much French as I should yet, but I feel like there’s no mistaking the villagers’ hostility. Nor the look of shock on the builder’s face when he sees the roof.

Can our marriage survive this adventure? With all the tumbling masonry, will we?

As the French sun blazes overhead, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a year to remember…"

Though the blurb sounds light-hearted, this is a bit more than a fun "Brits move to France and encounter challenging, sometimes hilarious situations" read. Emma's dad suffers from serious mental health issues and the stress of aging parents (in another country) is a theme that runs throughout the book. Emma and Mark have their own challenges both health-wise and related to starting a family so, as well as all the issues that come with purchasing a rundown chateau in rural France, they are dealing with serious life issues too.

I've read all of Harvey's novels set in France and I think this one might be my favourite because it doesn't just show the "French dream" aspect of the story. Having bought and renovated a house in France, I appreciated so many of the scenarios she describes.

It's definitely a "feel good" read (in the end) with a lot of very realistic scenarios depicted (so. much. paperwork. to deal with when moving to/ renovating in France). You'll finish this in one or two sittings so grab a hot chocolate, tea or a glass of wine and settle in for the ride. A great read for some armchair travel!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how much I love a château in France, well, it’s no surprise that I also have a thing for books set in French châteaux too. Imagine my delight to discover there is château at the heart of latest book from Gillian Harvey, whose romantic novels set in France, I’ve fallen in love with. This one was a much anticipated and very much enjoyed read, that had the added bonus of being set near Angouleme, which is almost on our doorstep. It’s always exciting to read a book set in our lesser known, but equally beautiful area of France.

In this emotional and entertaining read, Emma and Mark, fall under the spell of a château that needs their love, attention, and a lot of their money. I know all too well the leaks, creaks and noises, that come with château life - and I only work in one rather than having the responsibility of maintaining one. It would be fair to say Mark was the captain of their dream, motivated by his need to protect Emma, whose health was suffering with the stresses of her job in the UK. I know he meant well, but really, the endless jobs and French paperwork that come with an old building, what was he thinking.

When reality hits, things get a bit strained, but what I really loved about this book was the emotions it stirred in me when a new Emma began to emerge from the ashes of a bit of a disaster. As she learned to live with what she, and everyone else, had always thought of as her weaknesses, she soon found herself and her strengths, and that put a huge smile on my face. It is wonderful to have a knight in shining armour to protect you, but it’s a powerful feeling to realise you are stronger than you believed.

There are lots of surprises in this book that catch Emma and Mark out, and I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into their life. If you’re a fan of Dick and Angel and their French château adventures on British TV, you will love this book.

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly think that this is the best book yet, from Gillian Harvey. I genuinely laughed at some of the situations that Emma and Mark found themselves in. Well, mainly Emma!
From the decision to make the move from the safety of their London home to the somewhat rundown chateau in France, to the hilarious language fails between Emma and the medical staff, there was a non-stop comedic theme.
I would love to be both brave and comfortable enough to make such a lifechanging move, but I will have to live vicariously through the pages of this book. With a volume of TV shows highlighting the possibilities of making such a move, it’s no wonder that there’s a rich seam of content for books in a similar vein. I would challenge anyone to find a better story than this one, for pure comedy.
Of course, the book isn’t all played for laughs as there are some more serious themes including the need for protecting Emma from the more labour-intensive elements of the work. Having survived a childhood with a major health condition, Mark clearly sees the need to ensure that she is kept safe at all costs.
I absolutely loved how empowered Emma became when she found the responsibility of leading the renovations fall on her shoulders. Despite her initial apprehension, she took to the task with great focus, even though she was clearly out of her comfort zone.
The setting, the villagers, and the small ex-pat community all added to this wonderful story, and I found myself fully invested in the restoration work and hoping that they would be able to host their first wedding.
Add in the themes surrounding Emma’s family and there’s something to pull at your heartstrings too. I cannot recommend this book enough, it’s truly fabulous.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and Mark have decided to leave Britain and purchase a French chateau. It’s a huge move for them but both are ready to take it on. Of course, when they arrive, they realize they have a lot of work ahead of them and they hope to make their money last. Their hope is to turn the chateau into a wedding venue. In addition, they hope to finally start a family.

But things take a bad turn when Mark falls down the stairs and badly breaks his leg requiring surgery and a long hospital stay. While he is hospitalized, Emma is determined to try to make some of the repairs herself even though she is not really talented in that area. She starts to meet people in the area and finds that her lack of skill with the French language, isn’t a real problem because most people speak a bit of English.

As the story moves along, it revolves with learning a new country and its people and also learning to put yourself out there and make new friends. It is a really delightful story full of hope and angst and life. I really enjoyed it. I lived in France for six years so I understand many of the problems this couple faced and also how kind the French can be. I think they are a bit shy with speaking English, however, when they realize your French is worse than their English, they really open up and speak. It was a wonderful experience for me and France will always own a big piece of my heart. Enjoy this lovely book.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

TRIGGER WARNING: fertility worries and depression
Emma and Mark quit their jobs and head to France, buying a chateau to renovate for events. The pair are also desperate for a child and haunted by medical issues from the past. Can they find happiness or is their dream out of reach?
The French Chateau Escape is a warm and emotional book about love and fresh starts.
Emma has survived being born early and childhood cancer. Now she wants to enjoy life to the full but work is making her life a misery. Her older husband takes early retirement and suggests relocating to France to make a new life in a chateau. The chateau needs considerably more work than they first thought but the pair soon have a wedding booked in so a deadline looms!
This book deals with some big issues including fertility concerns. I felt that Emma's perspective on having survived illness in the past was quite unique. Mark and Emma have a big age gap between them and he chooses early retirement which again isn't widely covered in fiction.
There are also touches of humour which lighten the tone of the book and soften the darker emotions. Language confusion leads to some fun moments too. The love between Emma and Mark shines through as they try to fix up the chateau. But their plans are in peril as he is over protective and won't let her help too much and this leads to him getting injured.
The French Chateau Escape is full of life's ups and downs, with a likeable lead pair of characters.

[Chantelle Hazelden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillian really knows her craft and this story really showcases that.

We meet Emma, a middle aged woman who is married to Mark (who happens to be let's say a bit older than her).

They are making the life changing decision to move to France and renovate a chateau with the dream that this will then become a venue for weddings etc.

But dreams don't always come true instantly and when Mark takes a tumble and ends up in hospital, Emma finds out just how strong she can be by herself.

I just wanted to grab Emma and give her a big hug. I won't go into detail but she suffers with a health condition which has somewhat held her back and it was wonderful to see her grow in confidence and truly find herself along the way.

With a few hilarious 'lost in translation moments' and a caring community, there was a great balance of emotions throughout and this became a book that really warmed my heart ❤️

The over all theme of the novel is family, those through blood relations and those that you have the pleasure of choosing as you navigate through life. It all felt very organic.

The French Chateau Escape really is the ideal piece of escapism, a little bit of peace in the day to day chaos.

[Colin Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark and Emma decide to take a chance to buy a dilapidated Chateau in France with the idea of restoring it and opening it as a wedding venue. Naturally things don't go as planned...
This gives a more realistic idea of what is involved in restoring a run down building of that size in France, with lots of hard work, money and the language barriers. Mark is significantly older than Emma, which gives additional issues, especially after Mark has an accident and can't carry out the work that he had been doing. Despite all of this I could see what they were aiming for and felt for them, becoming totally involved in their story. There are some lighter moments to lift the mood, plus some surprises , good and bad. Overall it reminded me of the film The Money Pit, but set in France. A slower paced story, but with characters I could relate to and one that I really enjoyed.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

With her new boss, things aren't going well,
Time for a change, their home to sell!
Time to follow their dreams and buy a French chateau now,
To renovate it and change their lives somehow!

But plans can become nightmares sometimes it seems
As an accident intercedes when they follow their dreams.
New steps are needed, is she brave enough to lead?
Can she help sort out everything they'll need?

What an adventure, a year where everything changes
And their plans and lives it totally rearranges.
A story where adversity helps reveal hidden strengths
And community support seems to go to any lengths.

A heartwarming read showing even when things seem to go wrong
They may actually help you achieve all for which you long.
New home, new friendships, new lifestyle and more
As fresh opportunities this couple explore.

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.

[L A King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillian Harvey has done it yet again. Another book to make you feel good and take you away from everyday life into a world of love and friendship. 

Moving to France to live in a run down chateau Mark and Kate didn’t realise just how much their lives would change. Having sold up in England they had little money to spend on making the Chateau habitable and ready to commence the business they wanted to start.

Like all marriages there are high and lows. This book is full of love and hope. Even though there is a language barrier, Kate finds the real her, hiding under the stress and sadness of the past.

The characterisation was marvellous and I loved them all. The setting of the chateau was wonderfully descriptive and could imagine yourself walking around it. I  laughed and cried. Thoroughly recommend this as a summer read.

Thank you Gillian Harvey for brightening up my week.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An opportunity to escape is too great for Mark to ignore, and he soon persuades his unhappy wife to escape to France and a rundown chateau with him. The adventure that follows is not what either imagined, but whilst it threatens their relationship, Emma discovers the woman she wants to be. Full of drama, humour and poignancy, the storytelling immerses the reader in the Chateau's renovation and Emma's emotional journey of self-discovery. I like the vividly described setting, the believable and sometimes frustrating characters and Emma's life journey that changes her.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The French Chateau Escape by Gillian Harvey was a wonderful warm read. It was a book that just gripped me at the beginning till the end and I just wanted to go on holiday, feel the sun on my face and skin. Sit underneath a tree in the shade and open my kindle to read the latest book by this wonderful author Gillian that always write from her heart.
This book was no different it was brilliant, full of love and laughter.

This has always been our dream. And now it’s coming true.......

I remember saying this many years ago and now I live in France so this book was wonderful.

I highly recommend this book 5 star read

[Lisbeth Zabihi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeg er grebet af "drømmen" i øjeblikket. Drømmen om det skønne franske liv, med baguettes, rødvin og et forsømt hus.

Romanen er hyggelig og let at læse, men mangler den sjæl jeg er på jagt efter. Jeg vil gerne med ind i maskinrummet og læse om renoveringen. Købet af møbler. Turene rundt i de lokale genbrugsbutikker, markeder og andet sjov. I stedet får jeg en lidt ubehjælpsom kvinde, der har brug for hjælp til alt og som åbenbart køber alt på nettet. Og så maler hun alle vægge hvide! Det er da lidt små kedeligt!

Nå, jeg må søge videre efter min drømme roman. Indtil da, stiller jeg mig tilfreds med denne bog, som var lettilgængeligt og ganske hyggelig.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

starts out really slow, i had a hard time connecting with the storyline. less humor in the beginning then the end.

that part where she approach the orderly to ask them to call her when her husband comes back from operation and gotten misunderstood as booty call? why she approach the orderlies I don't know. why not nurse station? Also isn't that procedure to leave number to get called? go figure. Then, why can't she tell the husband this joke to stop the nonsense? guess that wouldn't be funny.

the ending was a bit surprising and overall, it is really good book to read. as long as one can get pass the stressful first part.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always this author transports us into the beautiful setting of France and a French escape. This story was not as light hearted as previous reads by this author but was just as good and covered a lot of issues involving love and loss and fertility in a sensitive way.

The story and characters were engaging and loved how Emma took charge of her life and grew in strength and courage and confidence as the book progressed and how the story gave hope about never giving up your dream no matter what obstacles life throws at you.

I look forward to reading what this author writes next.

[Sarah the reading addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love Gillians books, they are always such a lovely ray of sunshine.

The character descriptions and storylines are always so lovely.

I love France, and have and continue to have many good memories visiting my mum and step dad there.

It's a beautiful country and buying a Chateau is the dream right...well it's someone's dream and it wasn't mine until I started reading this haha. Gillian has a way of sucking you into the story to stand by the characters as if you're part of the story too.