Alignment

by Tracy Chollet

France, 1986. When Isabeau Martin inherits her childhood home, she's anxious about returning to the place of her life’s greatest disappointment. Hoping to track down the father who abandoned her at age nine, she takes up the position of deputy postmaster of the seaside town of Carnac. As she builds a new life for herself, Isabeau wonders if discovering her father will take more courage than she can bear. Joseph Turner swore an oath to his scatter his ashes at the standing stones of Carnac. Just before he plans to leave New Zealand for France, a devastating tragedy leaves him a broken man who's unable to perform the sacred duty. Determined to lay his father to rest, Joseph reaches out to the Carnac postmaster in the hopes of finding some way to fulfill his father’s final wish. Through a series of letters, Isabeau and Joseph develop an unlikely friendship, opening their hearts to each other even as secrets burden them both. When they finally meet in Carnac, each day together strengthens their bond. But when Joseph discovers Isabeau's dark secret, he's not sure he can ever forgive her. Can they forget the scars of the past to create a beautiful new future? Alignment is a heartwarming standalone women’s contemporary fiction novel. If you like insight into the human heart, characters with real depth, and stories that stay with you long after the end, then you’ll love Tracy Chollet’s award-winning novel.

Genres: Fiction

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2017

About the author

I grew up in the South Island of New Zealand, accustomed to the Southern Alps, the Pacific Ocean and a windy climate. From a young age I wanted to go to France, and I lived there for eleven years, studying French at university and teaching English. I also fell in love and married a Frenchman! I have always loved to write, but it wasn’t until I came back to New Zealand and was feeling homesick for France that I really got into my writing. This eventually led to being a freelance journalist for a few years and then starting my first novel, Alignment.

I’m a romantic and love love stories. Some favourites are Kate Grenville's The Idea of Perfection, How to Fall in Love by Cecilia Ahern and Me Before You, Jojo Moyes. Recently, I’ve developed a taste for thrillers, and I’m a big fan of Gregg Hurwitz’s hero Evan Smoak in Orphan X and The Nowhere Man. I also read a lot of YA books.

Reviews

[Stina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabeau Martin has just moved back to the town where she grew up with her mother and is now looking for the father who left them so many years ago. After her mother's death Isabeau inherited her childhood house that she had no idea they still owned, so she is back in Carnac but what now? One day in the post office where she works there is a package with a letter to the postmaster and a box containing the ashes of a man from New Zealand.

I must say this is an absolutely lovely book and I can easily say it's in my top three books I read this year. Isabeau is so well written and so are the other characters I really feel with her and the things she is going through and she has so many layers to her which is hard to come by. the writing isn't the fast past kind but It didn't matter I just wanted as much of the story as possible, I don't think I ever felt so much for a book so this one is really special.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but my review has not in any way been impacted by that and this is my honest opinion of this book.

[Josefine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and it arrived wrapped like a gift in my postbox. It was acompanied by two nice postcards with views from places mentioned in the book. With the nice words from the author in my head i started reading. What i got was an interesting and emotional story about two people who are deeply wounded but try to get better. The lonelyness of those main characters shines through the pages and grapes your heart. The Alignments play a supporting role in this story. I loved reading this book and got a little lost in it. It will get a special place on my book shelf.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

💕Moving story of a blooming long distance relationship built on George's ashes!💕
March 28, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
👍👍A very moving and sweet story of romance that grows out of a surprise package received by a young French deputy postmistress and the subsequent correspondence with its sender. Isabeau, the French heroine, was a really wounded and complex character with a very troubled family life and I found her the more appealing of the MCs, but that might also owe to the fact that the narrator is telling the whole story from Isabeau's perspective. Joseph, the young New Zealand singer-songwriter hero, is coming from a place of loss and pain, but he has a family at his back to support him. Isabeau's frail loneliness is touching and her gradual transformation is the heart of the story.

This book is well-written and unfolds over the two year span 1986-1988. I thought the pace was good and the author did a great job of keeping the story flowing, though, IMO, the detailed descriptions of routes and street directions were not needed. I appreciated the glimpse the author provided into holiday celebrations as practiced in France. And who could forget all of those trips to the local bakery! I really felt the descriptions of daily life for Isabeau and her friends drew me right into their story! :-)

I read a complimentary copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabeau Martin returns to her home town after the death of her mother to confront the demons of the past and track down her father who left her and her mother to fend for themselves. Carnac is the kind of small town you always wanted to escape but for some reason it always sucks you back into the past. She is in the postoffice where she works when a box arrives. She discovers that the box has ashes from a Kiwi man in it. 

I must say I really am obsessed with both Ireland and New Zealand and this was such an interesting plot point. I couldn't believe this was a debut author as the premise and setting are so strong the permeate the page. Isabeau is charged with the task of spreading the ashes but before she can do that she must come to terms with her cruel and heart wrenching past. In Carnac Isabeau is challenged to closely consider who she is and who she was when she left as well as where she came from.

Carrying around a dead man's ashes and learning his history charges the story with this extra sentimental aspect....

(Full review at flintowords.wordpress.com)

[Chelsey]

I'm extremely excited to read this. I'll update my review when read

[Doreen Ashbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nicely written book with an interesting story line. I enjoyed reading it - my one complaint, though, was that the main character, Isabeau, was just a little too needy. This supported the story, but for me she was a bit weak. I liked the happy ending.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book set in a fascinating area of Northern France. It started out a little slow but the theme was very interesting and I totally enjoyed it. Can highly recommend it.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Turner (father/husband) had passed away from cancer.
Joseph Turner (son) drove & Drew (cousin) was in the car also.
Auckland, New Zealand. They were headed for the Christchurch.
Aunt Jenny & Uncle Ian, in 1 car, & Drew’s sisters Linda, Susan & Joanne followed behind.
Deputy Postmaster Isabeau Martin (f) went to get some sweets from Marianne Fournier (baker).
Both of them discussed their embroidery they loved to do & were working on.
Gladstone bar. Joseph (guitar) was picking out songs, Mike is on the drums, Stevie on bass & Brendan on keyboards.

Drew was watching from the audience.
On the way home someone plowed into Drew’s car.
Isabeau went over to visit her neighbors: Madame Morel (wife/mother/grand), & Dr. René Morel (husband/father/grand) to catch up on all their family gossip.
Joseph Turner (son, singer/songwriter) was requesting Isabeau’s (asthma) help with the scattering of George Turner (father/husband) ashes at Arthur’s Pass (Kermario Alignments; Standing Stones, Southern Alps).
Joseph had already spread part of them in Carnac, France.
This W/E is All Saints Day (Catholic, Halloween).
François & Marianne are planning on getting married next yr.
His parents will retire & they will take over the bakery.
François is cooking a lamb for the holiday.

Pierrot offered to do any carpentry work Isabeau (29) needed on her Alouettes House.
Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine (industrial city). It was Christmas & Isabeau was invited to François & Marianne’s engagement party.
Joseph & Isabeau are exchanging letters quite regularly.
Christian (Marianne’s eldest brother, engineer, Angers, France), Thierry (Marianne’s brother), & Tonton Aimé were introduced.
Isabelle (wife/mother), Jean-Paul (husband/father) & Cédric (boy) are coming from Brest. Charlotte (wife/mother), Sébastien (husband/father, teacher) Elodie, Nicolas (son/brother), are coming from Normandy.
Marianne’s BFF’s Marie-Claire & Véronique are on their way also.
Marianne’s parents: Madame Fournier wife/mother) & Eugène (husband/father) were introduced.
Carnac, France. Pierrot (building contractor) had begun working on Isabeau’s house.

He also was taking quite an interest in her.
The stonemason & roofer had shown up also.
A huge surprise Joseph & Drew plan on coming to visit Isabeau in July.
Did Thierry (Marianne’s brother) get killed in car accident?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written French romantic book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great French romance movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Susan Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy Chollet, the author of this award-winning beautiful work of contemporary fiction brings to life the true beauty of its setting, Carnac in Brittany, and its legendary standing stones which give it the title of the biggest megalithic site in Europe. This lovely seaside town and other picturesque coastal villages are vividly described. So much so that the reader almost feels they are there. You imagine yourself smelling the sea breeze and fresh baked bread, hearing the music and tasting the salt on your lips.

It’s 1986 and the protagonist, Isabeau returns to Carnac to inherit her childhood home. The neglected house brings forth vivid memories. Being abandoned aged nine by her beloved father, and her traumatic upbringing by her disturbed mother. The house is rather derelict. However, with fortitude she begins building her new life, and promises herself that she will try and discover where her father is now. The trail had gone cold years before when he left the village. Yet with persistence, she begins to pick up piece by piece the threads of his life during those missing years.

It is her new job as the deputy postmaster in this lovely seaside town, which is the catalyst which leads to her taking charge of a parcel from New Zealand. An accompanying letter, written to the postmaster contains an unusual request. That the ashes in the parcel, those of the father of the letter writer, Joseph Turner, be scattered at the standing stones of Carnac. The sender promised to do this but due to circumstances is unable to fulfil.

Standing in for the postmaster that day, the eve of La Toussaint (All Saints Day) Isabeau takes the parcel home for the holiday. Then later, reassuring Joseph that his wish has been granted they begin to correspond. They finally meet when he visits Carnac. She enjoys opening his eyes to not only the history of Carnac, its standing stones, but also other villages, and further east, the magnificent city of Nantes. However as their friendship deepens, Isabeau is more and more concerned that should he discover the dark secret she harbours, it could change everything.

This amazing story encapsulates all that is wonderful about the French as a nation. The incredible Joie de vivre which is experienced whenever possible when people meet in this fantastic country. It’s a tale of finding the courage to deal with the challenges of life. Of coming to terms with loss and finding friendship and love. A beautiful story with good pace, believable characters and a good deal of charm.

Whether you love France and enjoy reading about the country and its customs, or fancy reading excellent contemporary romances with a great storyline, surprises, and clever twists, this award-winning novel is the book for you. 5 Stars. Highly recommended!

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Alignment
Author: Tracy Chollet

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 24
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 24 readers:
24 would read another book by this author.
24 thought the cover was good or excellent.
24 felt it was easy to follow.
24 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
14 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
19 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
24 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
‘Such a clever premise. The writing is also good albeit a little slow to get going. Wrapped in a wonderful cover, this is a sweet, often moving, romantic tale.’ Female reader, aged 28
‘The author shows us France in a wonderfully descriptive cosy romance. Free of errors and with plenty happening to keep any romance reader enthralled, this is a gem of a book.’ Female reader, aged 54
‘A book of loss and finding love. Wonderfully written.’ Female reader, aged 53
‘I was honestly moved by this story. I loved the box and how it ended up changing her life so much for the better. The writing style is descriptive; the pace suffers here and there but, all in all, this is a sweet read that might even bring on the odd tear.’ Female reader, aged 63

To Sum It Up:
‘A thoroughly engaging story written with a golden pen. A Bronze Medal Winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Shir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is unusual and interesting: Isabeau Martin, who has just returned home following the death of her mother and works in the town's post office, receives the ashes of a man from New Zealand from the dead man's son (Joseph Turner), who wishes for his father's ashes to be spread around the Alignments. The story follows Isabeau and Joseph's developing friendship, first through letters and then as they meet in person when Joseph comes to France to develop his music career. Both Isabeau and Joseph have demons they're trying to overcome, but it seems like Joseph does a better job of it at first. Isabeau came across as weepy and fragile at first, unable to do things without people pushing her along. She talks to the ashes of the dead man (George) all the time, which I initially found very creepy, especially as she didn't know him when he was alive. Joseph wasn't exactly a saint, either, but I found his character development more believable.

[Crystal Zavala · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure how to write this review. Let me start by saying that I did not finish it. It took me a long time to follow story and understand where it was taking place. The premise of the book, once I figured it out, was interesting. But I felt like it didn't flow and it seemed to skip around. Most of the story line was thought by Isabeau, but her thoughts seemed to be missing important steps.

Anyhow, this book just wasn't for me.

Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for providing me this copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sally Knotwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book on my Kindle and started to read it without really knowing what it was about. The more I got into it, the more I enjoyed it. I honestly didn't know what it was about, really, but it spoke to my heart. I didn't even know about the standing stones in France but had read about them in Outlander. That made the stones in France even more attractive to me. This story has it all; love, loss. loneliness, adventure, music, coming into oneself, friendship, honoring parents.

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read with a great storyline that intersects perfectly with the time and doesn't feel too forced. Reading the descriptions creates a perfect visual picture of the setting. I think my only issue (and it was on another review) is that Isabeau falls for the love interest almost immediately via letters, and leaves the Pierrot storyline just kinda ending without any real debate in Isabeau's mind over who she should choose or why.

[Janelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was interesting, but the writing was very slow, so I couldn't get into it enough to finish.

***I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.***

[Elan Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so charming and unique. I loved the accidental connection Isabeau and Joseph developed over the years. Chollet didn't just start with their relationship because their own backgrounds were already so intense before their "meet-cute," let's say. I was delighted to experience their complicated love story.
The French atmosphere she created really brought me into their world with descriptions of beautiful bakeries, neighborhoods, and weddings. When I finished reading, I was craving pastries and ran down to the bakery for an eclair.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always: I won an copy of this book from Goodreads and the publisher. While I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to read this book, I will try my best for this not to impact my review.

Overall this was a really sweet book about two people, brought together by tragedy, who help each other heal and find themselves and lasting love. I found our heroine to be so well-written and her anxiety from such a devastating childhood extremely relatable. I did find the end to be a bit abrupt and bits in the middle to drag for a while, but the intimacy that built between our two long-distance lovebirds was quite sweet.