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Riviera Romance #1
Selling Dreams
The pristine blue waters and sun drenched shores of the French Riviera provide a stunning backdrop to the story of two women, Chantal and Flora, both struggling with the heartache of a lost love.
Chantal Gardinier runs her real estate agency in Antibes with an iron fist. A tough businesswoman on the surface, Chantal is hiding a tragic home life and a secret love affair. When faced with a moral dilemma, she is unsure which path to choose.
Flora McKenna arrives in town with high hopes of finding happiness. When she immediately lands a great job, she decides that this exotic paradise might be just the place to help her heart heal. Selling houses to expats looking for a dream home in the sun would be the ideal existence if it weren't for her demanding boss, Chantal—a woman with no scruples when it comes to bending the rules.
But Chantal’s personal life catches up with her, and she is forced to ask Flora to run the agency.
While trying to cope with French property laws and red tape, Flora is thrown into a love affair that threatens to break her heart.
Set against the glamorous backdrop of the French Riviera with its stunning scenery, Selling Dreams is the story of two very different women travelling on paths filled with unexpected twists as they search for love and happiness .
Chantal Gardinier runs her real estate agency in Antibes with an iron fist. A tough businesswoman on the surface, Chantal is hiding a tragic home life and a secret love affair. When faced with a moral dilemma, she is unsure which path to choose.
Flora McKenna arrives in town with high hopes of finding happiness. When she immediately lands a great job, she decides that this exotic paradise might be just the place to help her heart heal. Selling houses to expats looking for a dream home in the sun would be the ideal existence if it weren't for her demanding boss, Chantal—a woman with no scruples when it comes to bending the rules.
But Chantal’s personal life catches up with her, and she is forced to ask Flora to run the agency.
While trying to cope with French property laws and red tape, Flora is thrown into a love affair that threatens to break her heart.
Set against the glamorous backdrop of the French Riviera with its stunning scenery, Selling Dreams is the story of two very different women travelling on paths filled with unexpected twists as they search for love and happiness .
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2014
626 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
About the author
Susanne O'Leary
56 books375 followersSusanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She's been inspired to represent people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour.
When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.
When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 3, 2015
Susanne O’Leary knows how to write a romance. I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed a fair few, so I can say that with authority.
This is a story of two women: one, Chantal, the owner of an estate agency in the beautiful and captivating sunny French Riviera, the other, Flora, her new employee, who left Ireland with a broken heart seeking a new job and a new future. While Chantal takes a break to sort out her complicated home and love life, Flora is left in charge of selling properties to sun-seeking expats. Her new life is looking good, especially with the attentions of a rather good-looking photographer she met minutes after landing in France. But misunderstandings and mistrust threaten her happiness. The path is rocky for both Chantal and Flora as they seek the contentment they crave.
What I like about Susanne’s romances is they have a good bit of meat on their bones: there’s no mushiness about them. They’re real and robust with rounded and credible characters and an element of the unexpected. She also has a delightful sense of humour which flavours the dialogue entertainingly. If you’re not a fan of the genre, don’t overlook Susanne’s romances. I guarantee you’ll start this very satisfying book and not be able to put it down.
I’m eagerly looking forward to the next!
This is a story of two women: one, Chantal, the owner of an estate agency in the beautiful and captivating sunny French Riviera, the other, Flora, her new employee, who left Ireland with a broken heart seeking a new job and a new future. While Chantal takes a break to sort out her complicated home and love life, Flora is left in charge of selling properties to sun-seeking expats. Her new life is looking good, especially with the attentions of a rather good-looking photographer she met minutes after landing in France. But misunderstandings and mistrust threaten her happiness. The path is rocky for both Chantal and Flora as they seek the contentment they crave.
What I like about Susanne’s romances is they have a good bit of meat on their bones: there’s no mushiness about them. They’re real and robust with rounded and credible characters and an element of the unexpected. She also has a delightful sense of humour which flavours the dialogue entertainingly. If you’re not a fan of the genre, don’t overlook Susanne’s romances. I guarantee you’ll start this very satisfying book and not be able to put it down.
I’m eagerly looking forward to the next!
February 11, 2015
I really enjoyed reading "Selling Dreams" by Susanne O'Leary. Selling Dreams is about two women, Flora McKenna and Chantal Gardinier, both are struggling with losing someone they love. Floria gets hired at the real estate agency that Chantal owns. Flora doesn't like the way Chantal runs the real estate agency by making the properties they are selling look glamorous when they need a lot of work. When Chantal asks Flora to run the agency while she deals with a personal issue, Flora decides to change things so that more customers will go to them when wanting to buy/sell. Will Flora enjoy selling real estate? Will Chantal's personal life leave her heartbroken? Will Flora find true love? Read to find out. The book was well written, had a lot of unexpected twists, and held my interest to the very end. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2016
Needs editing
This could have been an excellent book. The characters were well developed, but it seemed all they thought about was sex. I don't mind romance, but explicit sex is not for me!
This could have been an excellent book. The characters were well developed, but it seemed all they thought about was sex. I don't mind romance, but explicit sex is not for me!
August 13, 2016
Not very exciting.
April 6, 2020
Selling Dreams is a book full of dreams and a little romance on the side. The take of two women intertwined via a small real estate agency. The owner Chantal and her new employee Flora. We read how two women struggle with love and dealing with other changes in their lives. Both have men problems that come to a head in a very dramatic way. The ending will let you see that selling dreams doesn’t just involve houses but life itself.
September 7, 2024
Just like fine wine... it gets better with age!
I love to read, and if I could tell anyone who is interested in writing, I would give them your name and say, " This is how a true author should write." In this genre, of course!
Every book takes me away to the location, and you can feel the emotions of each character.
I feel as if I truly know them well.
I love to read, and if I could tell anyone who is interested in writing, I would give them your name and say, " This is how a true author should write." In this genre, of course!
Every book takes me away to the location, and you can feel the emotions of each character.
I feel as if I truly know them well.
December 15, 2024
Selling Dreams (The Riviera Romance Series Book 1) Susanne O’Leary
I really enjoyed this book, I loved picturing the French Riviera and all the boats and restaurants along the beach fronts. I enjoyed the romance stories of the girls in the Estate Agents. How one Irish Girl changed everything. I am looking forward to reading book 2. I recommend the escape this book brings.
I really enjoyed this book, I loved picturing the French Riviera and all the boats and restaurants along the beach fronts. I enjoyed the romance stories of the girls in the Estate Agents. How one Irish Girl changed everything. I am looking forward to reading book 2. I recommend the escape this book brings.
January 5, 2020
A fun book
France is a lovely backdrop to an engaging story. There's a little too much histrionics but it keeps the book popping. As a rule a good romance is 3 stars. I will read more by this author.
France is a lovely backdrop to an engaging story. There's a little too much histrionics but it keeps the book popping. As a rule a good romance is 3 stars. I will read more by this author.
August 3, 2024
Fun book to read. Lots of characters to get to know and love. It took me a while as chapter to chapter it jumps from one person to another, but I got used to it and it was fine after that.
On to book 2.
On to book 2.
July 25, 2017
Enjoyed, good summer read
August 4, 2017
Easy holiday read...
May 2, 2019
The book really kept me company, I am looking forward for the part 2 of it in the series
December 5, 2019
Nice story
I liked the characters and their sense of humor. They needed a little more detail for my liking, but still very good.
I liked the characters and their sense of humor. They needed a little more detail for my liking, but still very good.
Read
June 30, 2021DNF
May 19, 2022
Heerlijke feel good roman
Speelt zich af in het zuiden van Frankrijk , rondom en in voor mij allemaal bekende plaatsen
Speelt zich af in het zuiden van Frankrijk , rondom en in voor mij allemaal bekende plaatsen
Read
May 19, 2024see note
February 4, 2017
An enjoyable read, perfect for the holidays.
in-collection-already
March 8, 20173/07/17 currently free in bundle
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
May 30, 2024
Real Estate broker doesn’t tell full truth about properties. New agent changes policies while owner is away on medical leave
April 27, 2016
Selling Dreams is a fabulous story set in Antibes, in the French Riviera. I loved the setting of this story, and really felt as though I was in France. Susanne O'Leary has a lovely welcoming style that draws you into the story, and really transports you into the world she has created.
Selling Dreams features two main quite contrasting stories. There is Chantal who lives a double life, and runs an estate agency, with the philosophy of covering up the truth about the properties she is selling, however when her personal life becomes her highest priority, she leaves the running of the agency to her new hire, Flora.
Flora has come over from Dublin, and has a difference in house selling philosophy, She also meets a Frenchman on the plane who she is rather enamoured with, until she finds out how he makes all his money.
There is a great mix of the rich and famous, as well as those struggling a bit, in this story, so when there are restaurants mentioned, one day it could be one of the top places in the area, and the next they could be eating equally delicious sounding peasant cuisine in a small cafe.
Flora also strikes up a friendship with a young rich man, when she takes him on her first viewing of a large house, with amazing views. However its clear he is hiding something, and I really enjoyed his story.
There is a lovely cast of characters, and I felt as thought I really got to know some of them. I suspect others may pop up again in the rest of the series, which I am really looking forward to reading. It has been years since I last read a Susanne O'Leary book, but I'm going to try to make sure I read a lot more by her, as I really enjoy her writing and how she will take you to lovely locations and make you want to book a plane there.
Selling Dreams features two main quite contrasting stories. There is Chantal who lives a double life, and runs an estate agency, with the philosophy of covering up the truth about the properties she is selling, however when her personal life becomes her highest priority, she leaves the running of the agency to her new hire, Flora.
Flora has come over from Dublin, and has a difference in house selling philosophy, She also meets a Frenchman on the plane who she is rather enamoured with, until she finds out how he makes all his money.
There is a great mix of the rich and famous, as well as those struggling a bit, in this story, so when there are restaurants mentioned, one day it could be one of the top places in the area, and the next they could be eating equally delicious sounding peasant cuisine in a small cafe.
Flora also strikes up a friendship with a young rich man, when she takes him on her first viewing of a large house, with amazing views. However its clear he is hiding something, and I really enjoyed his story.
There is a lovely cast of characters, and I felt as thought I really got to know some of them. I suspect others may pop up again in the rest of the series, which I am really looking forward to reading. It has been years since I last read a Susanne O'Leary book, but I'm going to try to make sure I read a lot more by her, as I really enjoy her writing and how she will take you to lovely locations and make you want to book a plane there.
February 21, 2015
The main character, Flora McKenna, flees her native Ireland after a break up and finds herself unemployed. As a long time Francophile, what better place to start a new life than the French Riviera, right? What Flora experiences is a rollercoaster ride of ups (she aces the final interview of the job she was aiming for) and downs (her new position may require ethical compromises she’s loathe to make). On the romantic front, Flora has multiple potential beaus, but the front runner who at first blush seems ideal, has baggage that may be more than she can handle. An entertaining read set against an exotic backdrop.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
April 12, 2016
If you are looking for a bit of escapism away to warmer climes with a mix of likeable characters, you have found the right book!
During our colder British months, it was a pleasant retreat to be whisked away for a few chapters each night. The ending wasn't quite as I had hoped, but certainly wasn't offensive. I think I would have liked something a bit more thorough.Didn't spoil the book overall though and I would happily buy more from the same author.
If you need to be taken away to a warm shoreline with characters you wish were your friends, this is the book for you!
During our colder British months, it was a pleasant retreat to be whisked away for a few chapters each night. The ending wasn't quite as I had hoped, but certainly wasn't offensive. I think I would have liked something a bit more thorough.Didn't spoil the book overall though and I would happily buy more from the same author.
If you need to be taken away to a warm shoreline with characters you wish were your friends, this is the book for you!
February 12, 2015
Loved this book ... I was gifted this book in promise I would give an honest review ... Was looking forward to reading as I've read some of the authors other books ... I was not disappointed and the book flowed freely , the characters really fitted the parts and I became emerged in the storyline .. Well done another fab book.. Thankyou
July 3, 2016
Enjoyable read
Interesting characters with their own little story to tell... But some you won't hear of until towards the end and A nice little twist thrown in also. I did feel some of the book was rushed especially at the end, if it wasn't for the epilogue I would have been more frustrated. I am however looking at getting the next book to see what happens next.
Interesting characters with their own little story to tell... But some you won't hear of until towards the end and A nice little twist thrown in also. I did feel some of the book was rushed especially at the end, if it wasn't for the epilogue I would have been more frustrated. I am however looking at getting the next book to see what happens next.
July 24, 2016
Trust is hard to give.
A Real Estate agency run by a troubled woman becomes an opening to a new life for Flora. She has lots of trouble trusting her boyfriend. Meanwhile the agency owner is trapped between her declining husband and an exciting lover. Very good read.
A Real Estate agency run by a troubled woman becomes an opening to a new life for Flora. She has lots of trouble trusting her boyfriend. Meanwhile the agency owner is trapped between her declining husband and an exciting lover. Very good read.
July 25, 2016
Good book.
This was a convincing book about the estate agency business in France, it had the stories of the people involved, and the glorious coast of provence it made me long to go there. Romance can sometimes be rather sickly but this isn't its a good piece of writing.
This was a convincing book about the estate agency business in France, it had the stories of the people involved, and the glorious coast of provence it made me long to go there. Romance can sometimes be rather sickly but this isn't its a good piece of writing.
January 25, 2015
Review to follow
February 23, 2016
Enjoyed this book more than I thought it would. In some ways predictable, but in others it surprised me.
March 8, 2016
Good Read
Really enjoyed this story the main characters really came to life for me and I could almost feel what they were going through
Really enjoyed this story the main characters really came to life for me and I could almost feel what they were going through
February 28, 2016
Fast read
Good way to spend a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. I enjoyed the storyline and already downloaded the next two books in the series.
Good way to spend a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. I enjoyed the storyline and already downloaded the next two books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews