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Dreaming In French
A remote French island. A crumbling villa. A reclusive film star. And an inheritance Saskia never expected. The stunning new novel from the critically acclaimed author of The Beautiful Words.
Saskia Wyle spent one sultry European summer on Île de Re when she was nineteen. The bright salt flats and sun-soaked beaches are now a distant memory, and one she made herself forget after an unspeakable tragedy.
But the French heiress she befriended over twenty years ago has left half of her magnificent home to Saskia and the other half to Felix Allard, the now-reclusive film star living on the island. How did Simone Durant die? Was it the family curse that haunted her? And why has she included Saskia in her will after all this time?
Saskia returns to the place of dry-stone walls and ancient olive trees to find that Simone has left her another unexpected gift - a manuscript written in French. Like the lyrical language embedded somewhere in Saskia's subconscious, she must find a way to understand what Simone is telling her. As Saskia once again falls under the island's spell, she must reckon with her past to save what is most precious to her.
Saskia Wyle spent one sultry European summer on Île de Re when she was nineteen. The bright salt flats and sun-soaked beaches are now a distant memory, and one she made herself forget after an unspeakable tragedy.
But the French heiress she befriended over twenty years ago has left half of her magnificent home to Saskia and the other half to Felix Allard, the now-reclusive film star living on the island. How did Simone Durant die? Was it the family curse that haunted her? And why has she included Saskia in her will after all this time?
Saskia returns to the place of dry-stone walls and ancient olive trees to find that Simone has left her another unexpected gift - a manuscript written in French. Like the lyrical language embedded somewhere in Saskia's subconscious, she must find a way to understand what Simone is telling her. As Saskia once again falls under the island's spell, she must reckon with her past to save what is most precious to her.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2023
39 people are currently reading
998 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
September 16, 2025
This story offers a fascinating storyline and incredible prose, told within an enchanting setting.
Saskia spent a sultry European summer on a remote French island at the age of nineteen, although following an unspeakable tragedy, she vows to never return.
Over twenty years later, Saskia is informed she has inherited half the villa belonging to Simone Durant, her friend from long-ago. The other half of the villa is left to a now-reclusive film star. When Saskia returns to the villa, she uncovers a manuscript written in French. What message is Simone trying to share with Saskia?
This story is a slow-burn mystery, told from multiple perspectives, alternating between the past and the present.
Tackling complex family dynamics, grief and loss, mood disorders, coercive control and a slow unravelling of long-held secrets.
This is another incredible book by Australian author Vanessa McCausland!
4.5 stars (rounded up)
Saskia spent a sultry European summer on a remote French island at the age of nineteen, although following an unspeakable tragedy, she vows to never return.
Over twenty years later, Saskia is informed she has inherited half the villa belonging to Simone Durant, her friend from long-ago. The other half of the villa is left to a now-reclusive film star. When Saskia returns to the villa, she uncovers a manuscript written in French. What message is Simone trying to share with Saskia?
This story is a slow-burn mystery, told from multiple perspectives, alternating between the past and the present.
Tackling complex family dynamics, grief and loss, mood disorders, coercive control and a slow unravelling of long-held secrets.
This is another incredible book by Australian author Vanessa McCausland!
4.5 stars (rounded up)
July 17, 2023
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**4.5 stars**
Dreaming in French by Vanessa McCausland. (2023).
**Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 5 July 2023**
Saskia spent one summer on an island in France when she was 19. It's a distant memory that she made herself forget after an unspeakable tragedy. But the French heiress who was her friend has now died and left half a villa to Saskia, the other half to Félix, a now-reclusive film star. How did Simone die? Why has she left this to Saskia? When Saskia visits, she finds a manuscript written in French and needs to try and understand what Simone is telling her. She must reckon with her past to save what is most precious to her.
I knew I would enjoy this one as I have really enjoyed all of the author's previous novels. As expected, it was a fantastic read. Alternating between two timelines, at its core the storyline is a mystery as to why Simone has left half an expensive French villa to Saskia, when they only spent a summer together many years ago with no contact since. There are some big issues explored including anxiety and its medication, emotional abuse and coercive control, and eating disorders. The trip to France proves to be a powerful journey for Saskia in finding her inner strength to battle some long-term personal demons. This is an extremely well-written and enjoyable novel.
Overall: happily and highly recommend this novel, definitely one of my favourites for 2023 so far.
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**4.5 stars**
Dreaming in French by Vanessa McCausland. (2023).
**Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 5 July 2023**
Saskia spent one summer on an island in France when she was 19. It's a distant memory that she made herself forget after an unspeakable tragedy. But the French heiress who was her friend has now died and left half a villa to Saskia, the other half to Félix, a now-reclusive film star. How did Simone die? Why has she left this to Saskia? When Saskia visits, she finds a manuscript written in French and needs to try and understand what Simone is telling her. She must reckon with her past to save what is most precious to her.
I knew I would enjoy this one as I have really enjoyed all of the author's previous novels. As expected, it was a fantastic read. Alternating between two timelines, at its core the storyline is a mystery as to why Simone has left half an expensive French villa to Saskia, when they only spent a summer together many years ago with no contact since. There are some big issues explored including anxiety and its medication, emotional abuse and coercive control, and eating disorders. The trip to France proves to be a powerful journey for Saskia in finding her inner strength to battle some long-term personal demons. This is an extremely well-written and enjoyable novel.
Overall: happily and highly recommend this novel, definitely one of my favourites for 2023 so far.
July 13, 2023
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4.5 stars
Now onto her fourth successful novel, Sydney based author Vanessa McCausland brings readers her latest literary knockout. A lyrical and dreamy story of travel, love, friendship, relationships, wealth, loneliness, blame, guilt, old secrets and tragedy, Dreaming in French is a book I devoured in just one evening sitting.
Vanessa McCausland whisks her audience away to a stunning French location in her latest offering, Dreaming in French. McCausland introduces us to Saskia Wyle, a young woman who spends one unforgettable summer season on the picturesque French locale of Île de Re. On the cusp of adulthood, Saskia soaks in the beautiful waters, sea air and the company. But this summer at Île de Re will continue to haunt Saskia for years to come after she is directly involved in a tragic situation. Moving forward in time to two decades later, Saskia is surprised to learn that she is the recipient of an inheritance claim from a wealthy French woman whom Saskia was acquainted with on Île de Re. But Saskia must split this inheritance gift with a man she once held very dear. Felix used to be the toast of the town, but this actor now prefers to keep his life under wraps. Saskia has many questions about the woman who was once her close friend and has now left her this fortune. Saskia’s questions are met by further lines of inquiry when she stumbles across a French manuscript from Simone, her old friend. This might hold the key to unlocking the mystery of the tragedy that occurred twenty years ago. Will Saskia be able to decide what is most important to her?
Australian author Vanessa McCausland’s latest novel caught my eye immediately, just based on the title alone. I have an addiction to books set in France and especially those that contain historical or mystery elements. Dreaming in French seemed to incorporate all the elements I love in a good novel. I was quite impatient to begin my journey with this one, moving it above some other more pressing review books. My excitement was definitely warranted, I loved Dreaming in French very much and would rate it as my favourite Vanessa McCausland release to date.
I almost forgot how beautiful, poised, descriptive, soulful, operatic and surreal Vanessa McCausland’s writing is, which she seems to take to another level in this present release. The prose is flawless and consuming at all points. I definitely felt my spirits lift as I read each page of Dreaming in French. In this highly distracting world, it is hard to completely transport a reader away from their busy lives, but Dreaming in French successfully managed to take me away from my troubles. It is very easy to get lost in the pages of Vanessa McCausland’s latest. With such alluring prose, a seductive setting, tempestuous characters and a beguiling mystery, there is so much to adore in this new McCausland treat.
The star feature of Dreaming in French for me was the setting. The stunning and vivid backdrop of a French island named Île de Re, acts as the perfect stage for a dramatic performance to play out involving a terrible tragedy, a friendship to form and a love like no other to hatch. We also witness the main character Saskia’s coming of age passage, as she grows in many ways thanks to her time on this magnetic locale. I really loved Saskia’s character and her resulting experiences over time. I did feel sorry for Saskia in the present-day sequences, as she battled a number of issues. McCausland throws in some dark themes here, revolving around medication, anxiety, trauma, guilt, emotional abuse, power and spousal control, along with eating disorders. Each separate conflict is met by sensitivity, insight and appreciation. I also developed quite a bond and sense of protection for Saskia. The other main players in Dreaming in French are just as compelling. I was drawn to Simone and her loneliness, while Felix was quite a dish! The cast members in the present day timeline are a quite complicated bunch and I liked sinking my teeth into their various woes. Overall, McCausland has engineered a brilliant character ensemble in this latest release.
With an enthralling mystery and a monopolising past to present day narrative, I fluttered through this one with such ease that when the final blow was delivered, I can’t say I was ready for it all to end. So, I am left with the task of urging all readers to consider picking up Dreaming in French, it is a stunning read that I rate very highly.
*I wish to thank Harper Collins Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
4.5 stars
Now onto her fourth successful novel, Sydney based author Vanessa McCausland brings readers her latest literary knockout. A lyrical and dreamy story of travel, love, friendship, relationships, wealth, loneliness, blame, guilt, old secrets and tragedy, Dreaming in French is a book I devoured in just one evening sitting.
Vanessa McCausland whisks her audience away to a stunning French location in her latest offering, Dreaming in French. McCausland introduces us to Saskia Wyle, a young woman who spends one unforgettable summer season on the picturesque French locale of Île de Re. On the cusp of adulthood, Saskia soaks in the beautiful waters, sea air and the company. But this summer at Île de Re will continue to haunt Saskia for years to come after she is directly involved in a tragic situation. Moving forward in time to two decades later, Saskia is surprised to learn that she is the recipient of an inheritance claim from a wealthy French woman whom Saskia was acquainted with on Île de Re. But Saskia must split this inheritance gift with a man she once held very dear. Felix used to be the toast of the town, but this actor now prefers to keep his life under wraps. Saskia has many questions about the woman who was once her close friend and has now left her this fortune. Saskia’s questions are met by further lines of inquiry when she stumbles across a French manuscript from Simone, her old friend. This might hold the key to unlocking the mystery of the tragedy that occurred twenty years ago. Will Saskia be able to decide what is most important to her?
Australian author Vanessa McCausland’s latest novel caught my eye immediately, just based on the title alone. I have an addiction to books set in France and especially those that contain historical or mystery elements. Dreaming in French seemed to incorporate all the elements I love in a good novel. I was quite impatient to begin my journey with this one, moving it above some other more pressing review books. My excitement was definitely warranted, I loved Dreaming in French very much and would rate it as my favourite Vanessa McCausland release to date.
I almost forgot how beautiful, poised, descriptive, soulful, operatic and surreal Vanessa McCausland’s writing is, which she seems to take to another level in this present release. The prose is flawless and consuming at all points. I definitely felt my spirits lift as I read each page of Dreaming in French. In this highly distracting world, it is hard to completely transport a reader away from their busy lives, but Dreaming in French successfully managed to take me away from my troubles. It is very easy to get lost in the pages of Vanessa McCausland’s latest. With such alluring prose, a seductive setting, tempestuous characters and a beguiling mystery, there is so much to adore in this new McCausland treat.
The star feature of Dreaming in French for me was the setting. The stunning and vivid backdrop of a French island named Île de Re, acts as the perfect stage for a dramatic performance to play out involving a terrible tragedy, a friendship to form and a love like no other to hatch. We also witness the main character Saskia’s coming of age passage, as she grows in many ways thanks to her time on this magnetic locale. I really loved Saskia’s character and her resulting experiences over time. I did feel sorry for Saskia in the present-day sequences, as she battled a number of issues. McCausland throws in some dark themes here, revolving around medication, anxiety, trauma, guilt, emotional abuse, power and spousal control, along with eating disorders. Each separate conflict is met by sensitivity, insight and appreciation. I also developed quite a bond and sense of protection for Saskia. The other main players in Dreaming in French are just as compelling. I was drawn to Simone and her loneliness, while Felix was quite a dish! The cast members in the present day timeline are a quite complicated bunch and I liked sinking my teeth into their various woes. Overall, McCausland has engineered a brilliant character ensemble in this latest release.
With an enthralling mystery and a monopolising past to present day narrative, I fluttered through this one with such ease that when the final blow was delivered, I can’t say I was ready for it all to end. So, I am left with the task of urging all readers to consider picking up Dreaming in French, it is a stunning read that I rate very highly.
*I wish to thank Harper Collins Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
July 5, 2023
Utterly intoxicating.
DREAMING IN FRENCH feels like something very special. This is a book that will have readers bewitched with the beauty of France in summer, discovered through dazzling prose.
Vanessa McCausland’s writing is simply phenomenal. While the story, characters and setting are incredibly strong and appealing, for me, it’s the writing that elevates this book from great to magnificent.
The prose immerses the reader into a dreamlike state for much of the book - successfully evoking the cloud of sedatives and other medications DREAMING IN FRENCH’s protagonist, Saskia Wyle, lives within. As the story unfolds and the truth of the past and present become clearer, the writing pushes readers to emerge from the haze of citrus by the pool and wine-filled meals on balmy evenings, to focus on the details and question the dreamscape of Saskia’s reality.
Just delicious.
Completely captivating.
Consider me enchanted.
Don’t miss this book.
I received a gifted copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
DREAMING IN FRENCH feels like something very special. This is a book that will have readers bewitched with the beauty of France in summer, discovered through dazzling prose.
Vanessa McCausland’s writing is simply phenomenal. While the story, characters and setting are incredibly strong and appealing, for me, it’s the writing that elevates this book from great to magnificent.
The prose immerses the reader into a dreamlike state for much of the book - successfully evoking the cloud of sedatives and other medications DREAMING IN FRENCH’s protagonist, Saskia Wyle, lives within. As the story unfolds and the truth of the past and present become clearer, the writing pushes readers to emerge from the haze of citrus by the pool and wine-filled meals on balmy evenings, to focus on the details and question the dreamscape of Saskia’s reality.
Just delicious.
Completely captivating.
Consider me enchanted.
Don’t miss this book.
I received a gifted copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2023
I was privileged enough to read an early draft of Dreaming In French and it was everything I’d hoped for. Set on the small island of Il de Re, Vanessa combines the romantic ambiance of coastal France with hard-hitting themes of emotional abuse and loss, all set against a heartbreaking historical mystery. I have loved all of Vanessa’s books, but this is the best one yet.
Read
September 4, 2023Lyrical writing ; you can taste the salt and feel the sun burning your skin
July 5, 2023
Thank you Harper Collins for sending us a copy to read and review.
A story that’s soaked in beauty, appeal, charm and elegance.
Shocking truths, complicated secrets, enigmatic mystery, chasing the past and affairs of the heart, Dreaming In French hits all the right buttons.
Saskia Wyle inherits half a dazzling mansion on a remote French island.
The other half goes to reclusive film actor, Felix Allard.
An heiress, Simone Durant, she befriended when she was nineteen one summer has bequeathed her this wealthy gesture, but why?
Saskia returns to the place of her teens and whilst staying there and deciding what to do she finds a manuscript.
What is Simone telling her?
Why is the past calling?
And why did Saskia receive an inheritance?
Vanessa is a magical storyteller and with her vivid descriptions, alluring plot and emotional characters it makes for an obsessive read.
Having loved her three previous bestsellers, I was very eager to read and be whisked away.
A tale that will tickle the spot and give the reader the heart flutters.
The writing is lyrical, the setting is enchanting and the storyline is fabulous.
Vanessa knows how to treat the audience with a creative book that will abduct and imprison the heart and mind.
Travel away to an exotic destination and be transported in a captivating novel.
A story that’s soaked in beauty, appeal, charm and elegance.
Shocking truths, complicated secrets, enigmatic mystery, chasing the past and affairs of the heart, Dreaming In French hits all the right buttons.
Saskia Wyle inherits half a dazzling mansion on a remote French island.
The other half goes to reclusive film actor, Felix Allard.
An heiress, Simone Durant, she befriended when she was nineteen one summer has bequeathed her this wealthy gesture, but why?
Saskia returns to the place of her teens and whilst staying there and deciding what to do she finds a manuscript.
What is Simone telling her?
Why is the past calling?
And why did Saskia receive an inheritance?
Vanessa is a magical storyteller and with her vivid descriptions, alluring plot and emotional characters it makes for an obsessive read.
Having loved her three previous bestsellers, I was very eager to read and be whisked away.
A tale that will tickle the spot and give the reader the heart flutters.
The writing is lyrical, the setting is enchanting and the storyline is fabulous.
Vanessa knows how to treat the audience with a creative book that will abduct and imprison the heart and mind.
Travel away to an exotic destination and be transported in a captivating novel.
March 10, 2024
Sydney mother of two, Saskia Wyle once spent a European summer on Ile de Re, working as an au pair. It's on the French locale where she befriended lonely heiress Simone Durant and local boy, the hard working, ambitious Felix Allard, who was also her first love.
The trio were inseparable up until the point where Saskia's charge, little Juliette, disappeared under her care. Betrayed, Saskia vowed to never visit the island again, cut off all ties with Simone and Felix, and tried desperately to forget.
Now, Saskia must face up to the past, when she bequeaths Simone's villa upon her death. Furthermore, the boy she once held dear is sharing the inheritance. Due to no contact over the years, there's a lot of questions raised. Did Simone's family curse lead to her untimely death? Why did she want Saskia and now famous actor Felix to take over ownership? Finally, what's the message that Simone left for Saskia, tucked away in a hidden manuscript written in French?
This has to be my favourite Vanessa McCausland novel to date. Her lyrical, vivid writing immediately tantalised my senses and immersed me into the romantic French culture as soon as I stepped onto Isl de Re. I'll always associate the scents of oranges, burnt toast and coffee with this book.
Vanessa doesn't shy away from tough topics either. The raw bluntness of issues such as anxiety, coersive control, grief, poor body image and post natal depression are expressed throughout. For me, this just meant that certain characters had little or no choice in the circumstances that led them to such a delicate edge.
What an exquisite arm chair holiday to the other side of the world!
5 🌟
The trio were inseparable up until the point where Saskia's charge, little Juliette, disappeared under her care. Betrayed, Saskia vowed to never visit the island again, cut off all ties with Simone and Felix, and tried desperately to forget.
Now, Saskia must face up to the past, when she bequeaths Simone's villa upon her death. Furthermore, the boy she once held dear is sharing the inheritance. Due to no contact over the years, there's a lot of questions raised. Did Simone's family curse lead to her untimely death? Why did she want Saskia and now famous actor Felix to take over ownership? Finally, what's the message that Simone left for Saskia, tucked away in a hidden manuscript written in French?
This has to be my favourite Vanessa McCausland novel to date. Her lyrical, vivid writing immediately tantalised my senses and immersed me into the romantic French culture as soon as I stepped onto Isl de Re. I'll always associate the scents of oranges, burnt toast and coffee with this book.
Vanessa doesn't shy away from tough topics either. The raw bluntness of issues such as anxiety, coersive control, grief, poor body image and post natal depression are expressed throughout. For me, this just meant that certain characters had little or no choice in the circumstances that led them to such a delicate edge.
What an exquisite arm chair holiday to the other side of the world!
5 🌟
August 19, 2023
Exquisite
July 7, 2023
Vanessa has crafted another complex story that will sweep readers away to a remote French island with a mystery that resurfaces after a couple of decades. Vanessa has such a way with words that so eloquently draws her readers in, so poetic in her prose that I often lose myself in the eloquence of her words.
‘… there's no use in going back, in remembering.
Besides, is the person you were so long ago really the same person you are now?’
The setting, as you can imagine, is picturesque - old French villas, sweet scented orange trees whilst sipping wine and watching the sunset. The cast of characters is complex with each of them on a journey of some form of discovery. The narrative is told in Saskia’s POV for the present timeline and mostly Simone’s POV for the past.
‘Such a tiny proportion of my life and a time before the internet. A time before the eternal cataloguing of information in the ether. Perhaps that's why it all feels so much like a dream I once had. If there is nothing but our memories, how do we know something existed?’
There are various themes and plots in this tale but at its heart is a mystery that unravels slowly with the impact - both past and present - on the main characters. Vanessa tackles some sensitive issues throughout the story but they are handled with care and compassion. Some suffer from anxiety and questions surrounding medicating this condition are alluded to. She touches on eating disorders and there is a powerful take on emotional abuse in a relationship with a clever capture of what it is to be coercively controlled.
‘She had wondered … convinced herself that this girl never thought about this tiny prism of time in the span of their lives. But now, as time concertinaed, and pressed around her like a bruise, she knew this could not be true … control is life’s ultimate illusion.’
If you have never read any of Vanessa’s books before, I highly recommend you do and Dreaming in French is a great place to start. Immerse yourself not only in a place of sun, salt and sand but also in a well paced mystery from the past that resurfaces in the present. Take a journey with Saskia, Simone and Felix and learn how events played out in a summer of long ago hold ramifications for them and their loved ones in the present day.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
‘… there's no use in going back, in remembering.
Besides, is the person you were so long ago really the same person you are now?’
The setting, as you can imagine, is picturesque - old French villas, sweet scented orange trees whilst sipping wine and watching the sunset. The cast of characters is complex with each of them on a journey of some form of discovery. The narrative is told in Saskia’s POV for the present timeline and mostly Simone’s POV for the past.
‘Such a tiny proportion of my life and a time before the internet. A time before the eternal cataloguing of information in the ether. Perhaps that's why it all feels so much like a dream I once had. If there is nothing but our memories, how do we know something existed?’
There are various themes and plots in this tale but at its heart is a mystery that unravels slowly with the impact - both past and present - on the main characters. Vanessa tackles some sensitive issues throughout the story but they are handled with care and compassion. Some suffer from anxiety and questions surrounding medicating this condition are alluded to. She touches on eating disorders and there is a powerful take on emotional abuse in a relationship with a clever capture of what it is to be coercively controlled.
‘She had wondered … convinced herself that this girl never thought about this tiny prism of time in the span of their lives. But now, as time concertinaed, and pressed around her like a bruise, she knew this could not be true … control is life’s ultimate illusion.’
If you have never read any of Vanessa’s books before, I highly recommend you do and Dreaming in French is a great place to start. Immerse yourself not only in a place of sun, salt and sand but also in a well paced mystery from the past that resurfaces in the present. Take a journey with Saskia, Simone and Felix and learn how events played out in a summer of long ago hold ramifications for them and their loved ones in the present day.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
November 11, 2024
The story telling inside the story was very beautiful. As was the setting!
Many trigger warnings in this book - anxiety, medications, coercive and physical abuse and eating disorders … but they are all explored with gentle care.
Clever twist and some excellent familial relationship explorations.
Some of the storyline was a little too fabricated but mostly it was wholly enjoyable!
Many trigger warnings in this book - anxiety, medications, coercive and physical abuse and eating disorders … but they are all explored with gentle care.
Clever twist and some excellent familial relationship explorations.
Some of the storyline was a little too fabricated but mostly it was wholly enjoyable!
July 17, 2023
So good . review to come
September 25, 2023
A fabulous novel about a mother of two who inherits half of a villa on a French island from a woman she befriended 20 plus years before but hadn’t seen since. Returning to the island to sign the paperwork and sell the villa as her husband is pressuring her to only opens up old wounds and fresh mysteries. A story of love and loss, of friendship and control. Highly recommended.
June 2, 2023
Yet another eloquently written novel from Vanessa McCausland with her now characteristic enfolding descriptions of time and place. You’ll be left dreaming yourself about this idyllic little island off the coast of France with its picturesque places and all the mysteries held there that are to be discovered page after page! Kept me intrigued til the end!
November 16, 2025
This was a 4.5 star for me. To be bequeathed half a home in the South of France and then go on a journey back to a prior life… that in itself is a dream.
This is a beguiling novel and I enjoyed stepping into this dreamy, luscious story of reconciling with a long ago love and seeing your past through different older, wiser eyes.
It’s about unravelling the confusion and heartache of a tragic event in your past, one you have tried to leave behind, finding your peace with it, finding how life moves forward and takes you somewhere else. Even if part of you remains forever there in the past.
This is a beguiling novel and I enjoyed stepping into this dreamy, luscious story of reconciling with a long ago love and seeing your past through different older, wiser eyes.
It’s about unravelling the confusion and heartache of a tragic event in your past, one you have tried to leave behind, finding your peace with it, finding how life moves forward and takes you somewhere else. Even if part of you remains forever there in the past.
July 5, 2023
I have loved all of Vanessa’s books, but this one is my new favourite. It has an amazingly evocative sense of place that made me feel like I’d been to Île de Ré off the west coast of France where the book is set.
It follows the story of Saskia Wyle, a Sydney mum who suffers anxiety and is cruelly dominated by her husband. The book opens as Saskia receives a letter from a French solicitor telling her she has been left a half share in a French villa and must return to the French island she spent a magical summer at 26 years ago and where she met cosmetics heiress, Simone Durrant, and charming salt worker, Felix Allard. Back in Simone’s crumbling villa, Saskia discovers a manuscript and she must finally confront the ghosts of her past and the tragic event that shaped her adult life.
It’s beautifully told through two narrative voices: Saskia in the present and Simone in the past. Vanessa has a gift for beautiful, atmospheric writing and in this book, she has elevated this to a new level.
As always, Vanessa explores some dark themes - anxiety, eating disorders, loneliness and coercive control in a marriage - which gives her plot and characters great depth.
Throughout it all, there’s the mystery of a tragic event that occurred that one summer in France and the revelation will leave you open-mouthed.
It follows the story of Saskia Wyle, a Sydney mum who suffers anxiety and is cruelly dominated by her husband. The book opens as Saskia receives a letter from a French solicitor telling her she has been left a half share in a French villa and must return to the French island she spent a magical summer at 26 years ago and where she met cosmetics heiress, Simone Durrant, and charming salt worker, Felix Allard. Back in Simone’s crumbling villa, Saskia discovers a manuscript and she must finally confront the ghosts of her past and the tragic event that shaped her adult life.
It’s beautifully told through two narrative voices: Saskia in the present and Simone in the past. Vanessa has a gift for beautiful, atmospheric writing and in this book, she has elevated this to a new level.
As always, Vanessa explores some dark themes - anxiety, eating disorders, loneliness and coercive control in a marriage - which gives her plot and characters great depth.
Throughout it all, there’s the mystery of a tragic event that occurred that one summer in France and the revelation will leave you open-mouthed.
November 12, 2024
This book really made me feel like I was in a seaside French village! There was a bit of a mystery but for me that all took a bit of a back seat to the setting, the food and the people. I really enjoyed it, it wasn’t fast paced action but more like a slow meander through a seaside village
July 20, 2024
This was the perfect escape from Sydney winter, I loved it and smashed it in 3-4 days which is very out of character. It’s a bit of French romance mixed in with one big mystery.
July 28, 2023
I was disappointed in this book. It was a romance which covered DV, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, lesbians and other current topics. However it was a long, slow story leading to a “secret tragedy”, which wasn’t a tragedy at all, and then wrapped up too quickly with the main character going from having no voice for 20 years, then suddenly standing up for herself, moving countries and fixing her relationship with her daughter, and her first love…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2023
Dreaming In French is the stunning new novel from Australian author Vanessa McCausland. Having enjoyed McCausland’s previous three books, I was eager to read and review her fourth novel thanks to publisher, Harper Collins. Set on the lush island of Ile de Re, and in Australia, this is the story of two women, Saskia Wyle and Simone Durant, and the summer that changed their lives. Will it be for better or for worse?
It all begins in Australia. Saskia is an ordinary wife and mother, with a creative soul. There are little signs though that all is not as it seems in her relationship with her husband Dylan, when Saskia receives a letter from Simone bequeathing her half a villa. The villa is in France, hurtling Saskia back into the past as a nineteen year old, memories of Simone and Felix Allard coming to the foreground. In contrast to Saskia’s shock, Dylan promptly sees dollar signs, encouraging Saskia to follow the letters instructions of travelling to France with their small family.
On arrival in Ile de Re, the reader is taken back into le passe (the past). It is time for Simone, a young French woman from old money, to tell her story of her blossoming friendship with Saskia and growing feelings towards Felix. With stars in his eyes and dreams that will take him beyond the humble island, Felix has eyes for only one woman. Will the other woman accept his choice, or will she twist destiny to suit her own needs?
Switching between the past and the present, McCausland gradually reveals the unexpected secrets that bind the three characters. It is one that will shatter their innocence, with consequences that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
With beautiful prose that draws on the readers senses, Dreaming In French exudes mystery, and romance, making this Vanessa McCausland's best book to date.
It all begins in Australia. Saskia is an ordinary wife and mother, with a creative soul. There are little signs though that all is not as it seems in her relationship with her husband Dylan, when Saskia receives a letter from Simone bequeathing her half a villa. The villa is in France, hurtling Saskia back into the past as a nineteen year old, memories of Simone and Felix Allard coming to the foreground. In contrast to Saskia’s shock, Dylan promptly sees dollar signs, encouraging Saskia to follow the letters instructions of travelling to France with their small family.
On arrival in Ile de Re, the reader is taken back into le passe (the past). It is time for Simone, a young French woman from old money, to tell her story of her blossoming friendship with Saskia and growing feelings towards Felix. With stars in his eyes and dreams that will take him beyond the humble island, Felix has eyes for only one woman. Will the other woman accept his choice, or will she twist destiny to suit her own needs?
Switching between the past and the present, McCausland gradually reveals the unexpected secrets that bind the three characters. It is one that will shatter their innocence, with consequences that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
With beautiful prose that draws on the readers senses, Dreaming In French exudes mystery, and romance, making this Vanessa McCausland's best book to date.
July 4, 2023
This novel is so beautiful, special, magical and brilliant! I’m sitting here with so many emotions going through me right now.
It is hard to put into words what I’m feeling, but this book is powerful. It starts off so fun, being whisked away to France but my goodness there is so much more to this story than red wine and a baguette!
The setting was dreamy and picturesque, I feel like I was there on the gorgeous French island, in the old villa filled with memories, tasting those delicious oranges, smelling the pine forest, drinking the wine.
The storyline was gripping and moving … friendships, first loves, lies, pain, motherhood, abusive marriages.
This story had so many important elements to it, my review cannot do this book justice no matter how hard I try, it was incredible. This is definitely a favourite for the year and one that I’ll be recommending to everyone!
Synopsis in my words:
Saskia returns to île de Ré after 20 years as she inherits half of Simone Durants villa… she finds a manuscript Simone has written in French and reunites with her first love Fèlix Allard who has inherited the other half of the villa. But no one knows why Simone would leave the villa to these two people after so many years and what is revealed in the manuscript.
I don’t want to spoil the rest of the story, but Saskia is tormented all her life with something that happened over 20 years ago on the island. She finds out more than I was ever anticipating!!
Thanks you so much to the wonderful team @harpercollinsaustralia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is hard to put into words what I’m feeling, but this book is powerful. It starts off so fun, being whisked away to France but my goodness there is so much more to this story than red wine and a baguette!
The setting was dreamy and picturesque, I feel like I was there on the gorgeous French island, in the old villa filled with memories, tasting those delicious oranges, smelling the pine forest, drinking the wine.
The storyline was gripping and moving … friendships, first loves, lies, pain, motherhood, abusive marriages.
This story had so many important elements to it, my review cannot do this book justice no matter how hard I try, it was incredible. This is definitely a favourite for the year and one that I’ll be recommending to everyone!
Synopsis in my words:
Saskia returns to île de Ré after 20 years as she inherits half of Simone Durants villa… she finds a manuscript Simone has written in French and reunites with her first love Fèlix Allard who has inherited the other half of the villa. But no one knows why Simone would leave the villa to these two people after so many years and what is revealed in the manuscript.
I don’t want to spoil the rest of the story, but Saskia is tormented all her life with something that happened over 20 years ago on the island. She finds out more than I was ever anticipating!!
Thanks you so much to the wonderful team @harpercollinsaustralia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2023
In about a decade, when someone mentions this title, I will remember the smell of oranges, salt and pine forests. What started off as a friendship between three people, who are different to one another, yet connected by their yearning to dream, becomes a book of complicated relationships, betrayals and mysteries.
Saskia lives in a complicated and controlling relationship in Australia when she receives a letter from France, saying that she has inherited half of a villa. Twenty six years ago, Saskia, Simone and Felix developed a friendship that defined their lives and losses. Saskia travels back to the island where the villa stands, trying and struggling so hard to forget the memories, the reasons why she left and never turned back, and hid her past from her family.
The book was told in Saskia’s POV for the present timeline and mostly in Simone’s POV for the past. The book turned into something more than parties, pool times and swims when a little girl disappeared. The book unraveled to bring the hidden dynamics of families, their secrets and desires. I never realised that the book would take such a different path and lead the reader through an emotional ride of a lifetime.
A beautiful book that would truly transport you to a time and place that can only be felt through the pages of books.
Saskia lives in a complicated and controlling relationship in Australia when she receives a letter from France, saying that she has inherited half of a villa. Twenty six years ago, Saskia, Simone and Felix developed a friendship that defined their lives and losses. Saskia travels back to the island where the villa stands, trying and struggling so hard to forget the memories, the reasons why she left and never turned back, and hid her past from her family.
The book was told in Saskia’s POV for the present timeline and mostly in Simone’s POV for the past. The book turned into something more than parties, pool times and swims when a little girl disappeared. The book unraveled to bring the hidden dynamics of families, their secrets and desires. I never realised that the book would take such a different path and lead the reader through an emotional ride of a lifetime.
A beautiful book that would truly transport you to a time and place that can only be felt through the pages of books.
July 11, 2023
Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a copy of this book to review!
When Saskia unexpectedly inherits a half share in a villa on the French island of Île de Ré, memories come flooding back to her of salt flats, sun-drenched beaches and being nineteen. However not all of her memories are good ones and she can’t understand why she has been left this superb home after over twenty years with no contact from the French girl Simone that she befriended - along with Félix - so many years before.
On arriving at the villa with her husband and daughters to finalize the paperwork, Saskia finds a manuscript in French that Simone has written and as Saskia begins reading it, she discovers the truth about a traumatic event from the past - and why the villa has been left to her….
This was such an enjoyable and engrossing story, with rather mesmerizing prose that felt almost ethereal at times. It was also quite evocative and you could almost feel the sun and salt on your skin and smell the oranges as you read through the pages.
The mystery was intriguing and took a few hairpin bends that I was not expecting! It also covered a couple of sensitive topics such as emotional abuse and coercive control, which I felt were done extremely well and felt very believable. Vraiment magnifique 🤩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
When Saskia unexpectedly inherits a half share in a villa on the French island of Île de Ré, memories come flooding back to her of salt flats, sun-drenched beaches and being nineteen. However not all of her memories are good ones and she can’t understand why she has been left this superb home after over twenty years with no contact from the French girl Simone that she befriended - along with Félix - so many years before.
On arriving at the villa with her husband and daughters to finalize the paperwork, Saskia finds a manuscript in French that Simone has written and as Saskia begins reading it, she discovers the truth about a traumatic event from the past - and why the villa has been left to her….
This was such an enjoyable and engrossing story, with rather mesmerizing prose that felt almost ethereal at times. It was also quite evocative and you could almost feel the sun and salt on your skin and smell the oranges as you read through the pages.
The mystery was intriguing and took a few hairpin bends that I was not expecting! It also covered a couple of sensitive topics such as emotional abuse and coercive control, which I felt were done extremely well and felt very believable. Vraiment magnifique 🤩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
July 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this one, I cannot believe it only has 590 ratings - get onto it people! The beginning had me craving bread and other food so much, the French food just came off the page! I took my time with it but it felt comfortable until about 3/4 through and then I just took a slide down the pacy section. Struggled a little with one of my own triggers towards the end (anything bad involving children) but luckily I could move through that quickly. It gave me Paper Palace vibes which is a strong compliment because I’ve been wanting to read something like this again.
September 8, 2023
This book was set on remote French Island.
Saskia was escaping life and the expectations of her mother working as a nanny on Ile de Re.
A French heiress Simone befriends Saskia. They also befriend Felix, a local boy and a waiter working for the parents at the restaurant of the parents that Saskia works for.
They all become very close over the summer. Saskia and Felix are building the closer bond. Then the little juju goes missing, consequences make all three lives go in all directions.
I did like this book but found it started off a little slow, but the ending was good.
Saskia was escaping life and the expectations of her mother working as a nanny on Ile de Re.
A French heiress Simone befriends Saskia. They also befriend Felix, a local boy and a waiter working for the parents at the restaurant of the parents that Saskia works for.
They all become very close over the summer. Saskia and Felix are building the closer bond. Then the little juju goes missing, consequences make all three lives go in all directions.
I did like this book but found it started off a little slow, but the ending was good.
December 20, 2024
Foarte bine scrisă, cu personaje interesante și bine conturate, o intrigă care te prinde și un deznodământ bine construit. Deși am anticipat unele intorsaturi de situație, tot mi-a plăcut. Mi-a adus puțin aminte de stilul lui Kate Morton cu pendularea între trecut și prezent, vila de pe insula, prezența lui Juliette. A avut un farmec aparte întreaga poveste.
July 5, 2023
Sometimes a book comes along that draws you in so magically that you can’t put it down. And yet, when you finish, you wish it hadn’t ended.
This is such a beautifully told story that seamlessly moved between the past and present, carefully covering complex issues.
This is such a beautifully told story that seamlessly moved between the past and present, carefully covering complex issues.
September 29, 2023
Dreaming in French took me to France and brought to life all the freedom and impulsivity of being young in a foreign country. Beautifully written; strong, dynamic characters; complex relationships. Vanessa is a natural story teller and this is my favourite of her books so far. I loved it.
October 30, 2024
My first Broome book club read 🫶🏻 the majority of this I really enjoyed but I was disappointed by the ending… I was left wondering what actually ends up happening with the characters. But it was a nice read and would recommend as a holiday read !
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