Amadea: One Spring in France

by Michelle Granas

“Mademoiselle, you are boring,” says Amadea’s employer and fires her from a teaching post in Paris: “No one wants to learn poetry here.” In desperate pursuit of a job, Amadea travels to a small village in the Pyrenees, where she meets an aging aristocrat in need of a companion. It seems that Amadea has finally found someone who appreciates her for her kindness and cultivation. She begins to enjoy her new occupation and the first human warmth she has encountered in years. Unfortunately, the village is not as peaceful as it appears and her path is soon crossed by a number of undesirables, including a charming, married lawyer and a scholarly alcoholic with a problem—and it isn’t his drinking. His son Hugo is trying to force him to sell the family land and has sent round a young thug to keep the pressure on. Hugo never expects, however, that his father will try to reform the fellow. Raymond may be an alcoholic, but like Amadea, he has inner strengths in spite of his failings, and he believes in the power of words. Hugo isn’t happy and when Amadea inadvertently gets involved matters spin out of control. This is a lighthearted story about the value of saying no and also about the sometimes unexpected nature of sustaining relationships.

Genres: Romance

260 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2015

About the author

Michelle Granas lives in Warsaw. In addition to writing novels, she has worked as a translator, including for various international organizations, EU bodies, and high government officials. She is happy to receive correspondence or friend requests.

Reviews

[Robbi Leah Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just an okay book for me. Didn't really keep my attention and characters, story not very thought out or elaborated on.

[Pat Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book. Didn't like it quite as well as her other books, but still excellent. Have all three of the author's books on my Kindle and hope to find time someday to re-read them. Not something I do very often. Wish there were more books available.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed all of this author's books so far. They've always got interesting characters and tidbits of history thrown in. This one was good; there were a few things I felt could have been explained a little more. A light, spring read that leaves you wanting to go to France.

[Sherelyn Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book!

This was an easy flowing read and a quick read..it was almost two stories intertwining and all coming together at the end. I believe you will enjoy the book.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spring Time In France For Romance.

A very different love story. Amadea is a half French, half American young girl who is drifting, not really belonging anywhere. Through a amazing series of events she becomes the companion to a elderly Noblewoman living in a small town in the Pyrenees mountains. There she meets the Marquise grandson, Lucien. But the story doesn't just focus on this potential relationship, but on the ongoing problems of Raymond with his greedy son Hugo and Bruno his criminal associate, along with Thierry the young thug. The interchange between the characters holds elements of danger as the two stories start to intertwine. Tying it together is the travels of the brave and noble dog, Guilhabert, whose thoughts concerning the actions of the humans are fairly profound. How delightful. Also is delightful the verbal interchange between Amadea and Lucien. Altogether a fine contemporary French flavored romance.

[Gina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amadea was a teacher at a private school in Paris when she is fired for being boring. After exhausting her job search she becomes the companion of an elderly lady, Madame d'Almebert. This lady finds her other companions have been unsatisfactory, but she really takes to Amadea and they become friends. A problem occurs when Amadea realizes she has fallen in love with Lucien the grandson of Madame d'Almebert and she decides the thing to do is leave. A very well written book.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Penny Ayotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I held off writing this review for a bit because I just wasn't sure how I felt about it. It was an okay book, but was a little drawn out in spots, and it was terribly predictable. A little more than halfway through I found myself skimming through parts because I felt as though I wasn't going to learn anything that I didn't know already, and I was pretty sure it wasn't going to add anything to the end....it didn't. I read somewhere that if you liked Jane Austen you would "absolutely love this book", well I am a huge Jane Austen fan and this did not really come close.

[Marguerite Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light, lovely read

I read this while recovering from pneumonia, having seen a recommendation (and a very nice price) on a website. The characters are all funny and well developed and the story is sweet. It is also well-edited, something that is not always the case with a novel written for kindle. I will certainly look for the author again!

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like the title or the book cover. The story of a teacher without a job appealed to me. Especially since it was taking place in France. It ended up being a story I enjoyed a lot and think many others would, too.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amadea:One Spring in France

I thought the story was very interesting. I enjoyed reading it. I didn't necessary like the way it ended but I guess the book could have gone on for another few chapters and ended more to my liking.

[P Bright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, light read. It was charmingly innocent and had an almost storybook-like fable feeling.

[Diana Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Read

Not a romance, but very romantic. Yes, a novel, but action, suspense, and adventure. Very entertaining! I do recommend it!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a chick lit book, but I loved it!