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The Chateau #1
The Letter
'Escape to the chateau and experience a wonderful fantasy that makes you feel alive. I think this is one of best series of books that I have read in a long time. I like the way the author writes, it has a nice feel to it, you can see it in your mind where it feels like you are on the journey with the author.....' - Amazon Customer review -On yet another wet morning in Yorkshire, Laura, a newly qualified nurse, orphaned at a young age and brought up by her late grandma, is struggling financially and emotionally since the death of her beloved gran. That is, until one morning, when, out of the blue she receives a mysterious letter. With life changing decisions to be made, will Laura take up the challenge of starting a new life in the French sunshine? Join her on the roller-coaster adventure, as she experiences highs and lows, opens new doors, makes new friends; and enemies along the way. Who can she trust in this unfamiliar country with the long buried secrets that she uncovers? And, how is she going to deal with her belligerent new neighbour? So much more than a modern day rags to riches story. 'Escape to the Chateau watchers will love this.... ''Just finished the last book in this series of three books. I found them to be so enjoyable to read l could not put them down. If you want to loose yourself in a totally enjoyable tale of a young women inheriting a chateaux in France with all the suspense and drama of making a life for herself there go for it. You won't be disappointed.' - - Amazon customer review
- GenresRomance
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2020
86 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 22, 2019
The Letter is the first in The Chateau series written by a debut author. I really enjoyed it!
Laura Mackley is a character I struggled to connect with at first, but as I read further into the story, she grew on me. By the end of the book, I liked her, even though some of her internal monologues made me want to roll my eyes or slap her silly. She is a nurse in England, who receives a letter that changes her life. Inheriting a chateau in France, she finds herself facing many challenges and decisions. As she delves deeper into the history surrounding her inheritance, Laura uncovers a family history previously unknown to her. Will she find her answers?
I don't usually read a lot of women's fiction. However, as I am trying to broaden my reading horizons, after reading the synopsis, I decided to give this book a try.
This story is told through the eyes of Laura. There are a few interesting characters in this book. Xavier is a French farmer, and neighbour to Laura. He comes across as intense and broody. Alice is his elderly mother, who has had a recent hospital stay and required care. Then there is Gus, Xavier's young son. There are a few more characters that make an appearance, which gives the story a nice realistic feel. There's even a piano playing ghost!
I started reading this story but wasn't instantly sucked in. I found it easy to put this book down, do something else, then pick it back up. This doesn't mean that I wasn't enjoying the story. As I said above, my problem lay in liking (or in this case, disliking) the main character. As I read more of the story, I became intrigued with the history of the chateau and Laura's family connection to it. There is a mystery hidden within the pages of this book, but as this is the first book in a series, some mystery remains towards the end. Xavier and Laura seem to have some chemistry, but I'm unsure if it's love or hate. Laura certainly emotes hate, but Xavier is an unknown quantity. It will be interesting to see how their relationship develops.
The author describes the scenes quite well, and this made it easy for me to picture in my mind's eye. Some dialogue feels a little forced, but for the most part, makes the characters come alive. There are a few twists thrown in, and the one near the end completely surprised me. I definitely didn't see that scene coming! Although the story doesn't end in a climatic cliffhanger, it does end on a small one. The author has added a teaser for the second book to tempt the reader into continuing with the series. I will be doing so in the future.
Emma Sharp is a debut author who has written an intriguing story. Her writing is not particularly fast-paced, but it is enough for me to keep turning pages. The story flows well, which makes it more enjoyable too.
Although there are no scenes of violence or any of a sexual nature, I do not recommend this book to younger readers, as I feel they may struggle with it. I do, however, recommend this book to readers of women's fiction, literary humour and romance. - Lynn Worton
Laura Mackley is a character I struggled to connect with at first, but as I read further into the story, she grew on me. By the end of the book, I liked her, even though some of her internal monologues made me want to roll my eyes or slap her silly. She is a nurse in England, who receives a letter that changes her life. Inheriting a chateau in France, she finds herself facing many challenges and decisions. As she delves deeper into the history surrounding her inheritance, Laura uncovers a family history previously unknown to her. Will she find her answers?
I don't usually read a lot of women's fiction. However, as I am trying to broaden my reading horizons, after reading the synopsis, I decided to give this book a try.
This story is told through the eyes of Laura. There are a few interesting characters in this book. Xavier is a French farmer, and neighbour to Laura. He comes across as intense and broody. Alice is his elderly mother, who has had a recent hospital stay and required care. Then there is Gus, Xavier's young son. There are a few more characters that make an appearance, which gives the story a nice realistic feel. There's even a piano playing ghost!
I started reading this story but wasn't instantly sucked in. I found it easy to put this book down, do something else, then pick it back up. This doesn't mean that I wasn't enjoying the story. As I said above, my problem lay in liking (or in this case, disliking) the main character. As I read more of the story, I became intrigued with the history of the chateau and Laura's family connection to it. There is a mystery hidden within the pages of this book, but as this is the first book in a series, some mystery remains towards the end. Xavier and Laura seem to have some chemistry, but I'm unsure if it's love or hate. Laura certainly emotes hate, but Xavier is an unknown quantity. It will be interesting to see how their relationship develops.
The author describes the scenes quite well, and this made it easy for me to picture in my mind's eye. Some dialogue feels a little forced, but for the most part, makes the characters come alive. There are a few twists thrown in, and the one near the end completely surprised me. I definitely didn't see that scene coming! Although the story doesn't end in a climatic cliffhanger, it does end on a small one. The author has added a teaser for the second book to tempt the reader into continuing with the series. I will be doing so in the future.
Emma Sharp is a debut author who has written an intriguing story. Her writing is not particularly fast-paced, but it is enough for me to keep turning pages. The story flows well, which makes it more enjoyable too.
Although there are no scenes of violence or any of a sexual nature, I do not recommend this book to younger readers, as I feel they may struggle with it. I do, however, recommend this book to readers of women's fiction, literary humour and romance. - Lynn Worton
May 26, 2020
Who doesn't dream of inheriting a chateau and moving to France?
I found it slow to get going and warm to the character but persevered because I liked the concept and love France.
The only thing I found off-putting were regular typing errors. Eg the plural of euro is euros. It is not euro's which appeared a number of times. There were various errors like this due to poor copy editing. The dog Beau also started off as a she and then became a he yet no mention of the sex change? :-) These are easily fixed in the ebook version.
Despite this I enjoyed the story and felt it blossomed and strengthened as it progressed. I will be interested to read the second in the series.
I found it slow to get going and warm to the character but persevered because I liked the concept and love France.
The only thing I found off-putting were regular typing errors. Eg the plural of euro is euros. It is not euro's which appeared a number of times. There were various errors like this due to poor copy editing. The dog Beau also started off as a she and then became a he yet no mention of the sex change? :-) These are easily fixed in the ebook version.
Despite this I enjoyed the story and felt it blossomed and strengthened as it progressed. I will be interested to read the second in the series.
April 21, 2020
What a brilliant book, I couldn’t put it down! I just wanted it to go on and on. I hope she writes a sequel or two, because I want to know what happens next! Right from the beginning I was in there with her, and trying to tell her what to do next. I love stories like this , as I myself have migrated from England, but to Spain. So it makes perfect sense to me.
October 14, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this
Loved the setting and expanding of the story
Great characters - not corny - real characters
Gorgeous chateaux helped back to life but with twists and turns
Loved the setting and expanding of the story
Great characters - not corny - real characters
Gorgeous chateaux helped back to life but with twists and turns
July 30, 2021
Chateau with historical interest.
Enjoyable book with some historical finds in the chateau loved the characters and the dogs. Cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Enjoyable book with some historical finds in the chateau loved the characters and the dogs. Cannot wait for the next book in the series.
May 4, 2022
Such a lovely read, with some laugh out loud moments
October 13, 2022
Delightful read
This book does ramble on beauifully. Lovely portrayal of characters including the animals. I am so jealous of Laura and excited to find out more.
This book does ramble on beauifully. Lovely portrayal of characters including the animals. I am so jealous of Laura and excited to find out more.
October 6, 2024
Great story, & characters, need to read the next two books in the series.
March 1, 2025
Very good story
This was so fun, I definitely need a chateaux in France. I kept worrying she wouldn't stay, and that someone would take advantage of her. This book is a joy.
This was so fun, I definitely need a chateaux in France. I kept worrying she wouldn't stay, and that someone would take advantage of her. This book is a joy.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews