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Keys to the Castle
The author of the Ladybug Farm series delivers an exhilarating new novel of a middle-aged woman who follows her heart to love and happiness.
When a dashing French poet swept forty-something workaholic Sara Graves off her feet, she did something completely She married him. Then three weeks later he died, leaving her a house she can't afford to keep in a country she's never been to. Traveling to France to settle the estate, Sara is shocked to discover that her husband wasn't the impoverished poet he claimed to be- and that the estate he left her is a 400-year-old crumbling castle in the Loire Valley. Now Sara must sell Chateau Rondelais before it (not to mention her late husband's disarmingly handsome lawyer and best friend) makes her question her decision to leave-and opens her heart to change and all its unexpected possibilities.
When a dashing French poet swept forty-something workaholic Sara Graves off her feet, she did something completely She married him. Then three weeks later he died, leaving her a house she can't afford to keep in a country she's never been to. Traveling to France to settle the estate, Sara is shocked to discover that her husband wasn't the impoverished poet he claimed to be- and that the estate he left her is a 400-year-old crumbling castle in the Loire Valley. Now Sara must sell Chateau Rondelais before it (not to mention her late husband's disarmingly handsome lawyer and best friend) makes her question her decision to leave-and opens her heart to change and all its unexpected possibilities.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2010
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646 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
November 25, 2011
I’m dismayed there aren’t more romances written with an older main couple. It seems most love stories with a man and a woman over forty are delegated to second story status. What grabbed me about Donna Ball's Keys to the Castle is that the hero and heroine are over forty-five. Also, Donna, known as Donna Boyd, who wrote The Passion, (one of my favorite all-time books) is an excellent story teller. This is proven perfectly with Keys to the Castle, an endearing romance that has a nice chick-lit but mature tone to it. From beginning to end, this book left me with a warm, fuzzie feeling because the elements written creates a wonderful story and one I’ll remember for a long time.
Sara Graves is in mourning. She thought she finally found true love with Daniel Orsay, a French poet. Their world wind courtship ended up with them getting married within months of knowing one another. Sara thought she had everything- a great job making a nice salary, respect from her peers and a husband who made her heart ache in all the right ways. But then Daniel was killed in a car accident only three weeks after they married. Sara is at a crossroads. She ended up quitting her job, and after a year stills feel adrift in her life. Now she must hop on a plane and travel to the French countryside and deal with an estate Daniel owned and one she never knew about. There seems to be many things she didn’t know about Daniel. She’s hoping to unlock the mystery surrounding her deceased husband.
When Sara arrives in France, she’s in for quite a shock. Daniel’s estate is a four-hundred year old, falling apart castle. Daniel’s best friend, Ash Lindeman, a British lawyer meets her and says he owns a part of the castle. He’s willing to buy Sara out because along with the taxes and the renovations, she would be in over her head. Also, Ash’s ex-wife and Daniel’s cousin, Michele, wants the castle for her own purposes. Michele is deceitful and cunning and will do whatever she can to get what she wants. Sara feels like Alice down the rabbit hole, but Ash is there to help her. He shows her around the countryside and the beauty the France has to offer but assumes she’ll go back to the US and he’ll deal with the mess Daniel left behind. But then Michele shows up with a secret. Daniel may have a five year old daughter, Alyssa. Daniel never did a paternity test and Alyssa’s mother killed herself, leaving Alyssa an orphan. Alyssa was been hidden away at a private school that Daniel paid for. Ash knew about Alyssa and treats her like his ward. Sara feels even more duped and Michele wants to become Alyssa’s guardian because if Alyssa is indeed Daniel’s daughter, she would gain ownership of the castle.
Sara longs to run away and go return home to her sister. But ever since she left her childhood behind at the trailer park where she grew up poor, she hasn’t backed down from anything. To Ash’s dismay, she’ll stay and renovate the castle and perhaps adopt Alyssa. Ash tries to talk her out of it and soon she’s treating him like the enemy, but Ash doesn’t want to be that. He wants something else entirely where Sara’s concerned.
Keys to the Castle was an incredible reading experience for me. Donna has proven why romance and falling love isn’t dead after a certain age. Sara and Ash complement each other so well and their path to finding one another is filled with uncertainty, mistrust and deceit. Watching these two become friends, then adversaries and finally lovers will have you sighing. I even found Alyssa to be precious and adorable. She’s the catalyst that bring Sara and Ash together.
There’s also a very slight supernatural element in regards to Ash when we’re first introduced to him. The way Donna writes it in and how it’s accomplished may bring tears to your eyes because it creates a truly wonderful ending.
Keys to the Castle engages all the senses because of the setting and the story. Also Sara and Ash’s interactions are delicious, especially when they act on their desires for one another. The love scenes are not overly gratuitous but just enough that I was satisfied.
If you’re looking for something a different and with two mature adults who learn something about themselves and life in general, do read Keys to the Castle. This is going in my top five of 2011 because of the profound nature I had while reading and the joy I felt when I finished. A true hidden gem.
Sara Graves is in mourning. She thought she finally found true love with Daniel Orsay, a French poet. Their world wind courtship ended up with them getting married within months of knowing one another. Sara thought she had everything- a great job making a nice salary, respect from her peers and a husband who made her heart ache in all the right ways. But then Daniel was killed in a car accident only three weeks after they married. Sara is at a crossroads. She ended up quitting her job, and after a year stills feel adrift in her life. Now she must hop on a plane and travel to the French countryside and deal with an estate Daniel owned and one she never knew about. There seems to be many things she didn’t know about Daniel. She’s hoping to unlock the mystery surrounding her deceased husband.
When Sara arrives in France, she’s in for quite a shock. Daniel’s estate is a four-hundred year old, falling apart castle. Daniel’s best friend, Ash Lindeman, a British lawyer meets her and says he owns a part of the castle. He’s willing to buy Sara out because along with the taxes and the renovations, she would be in over her head. Also, Ash’s ex-wife and Daniel’s cousin, Michele, wants the castle for her own purposes. Michele is deceitful and cunning and will do whatever she can to get what she wants. Sara feels like Alice down the rabbit hole, but Ash is there to help her. He shows her around the countryside and the beauty the France has to offer but assumes she’ll go back to the US and he’ll deal with the mess Daniel left behind. But then Michele shows up with a secret. Daniel may have a five year old daughter, Alyssa. Daniel never did a paternity test and Alyssa’s mother killed herself, leaving Alyssa an orphan. Alyssa was been hidden away at a private school that Daniel paid for. Ash knew about Alyssa and treats her like his ward. Sara feels even more duped and Michele wants to become Alyssa’s guardian because if Alyssa is indeed Daniel’s daughter, she would gain ownership of the castle.
Sara longs to run away and go return home to her sister. But ever since she left her childhood behind at the trailer park where she grew up poor, she hasn’t backed down from anything. To Ash’s dismay, she’ll stay and renovate the castle and perhaps adopt Alyssa. Ash tries to talk her out of it and soon she’s treating him like the enemy, but Ash doesn’t want to be that. He wants something else entirely where Sara’s concerned.
Keys to the Castle was an incredible reading experience for me. Donna has proven why romance and falling love isn’t dead after a certain age. Sara and Ash complement each other so well and their path to finding one another is filled with uncertainty, mistrust and deceit. Watching these two become friends, then adversaries and finally lovers will have you sighing. I even found Alyssa to be precious and adorable. She’s the catalyst that bring Sara and Ash together.
There’s also a very slight supernatural element in regards to Ash when we’re first introduced to him. The way Donna writes it in and how it’s accomplished may bring tears to your eyes because it creates a truly wonderful ending.
Keys to the Castle engages all the senses because of the setting and the story. Also Sara and Ash’s interactions are delicious, especially when they act on their desires for one another. The love scenes are not overly gratuitous but just enough that I was satisfied.
If you’re looking for something a different and with two mature adults who learn something about themselves and life in general, do read Keys to the Castle. This is going in my top five of 2011 because of the profound nature I had while reading and the joy I felt when I finished. A true hidden gem.
March 29, 2011
Keys to the Castle is a modern fairy tale complete with happily every after. Donna Ball has written a fun story featuring a middle aged heroin.
Sara Graves met and married Daniel, a dashing French poet, only to have him die three weeks later. A year later Sara must travel to France to settle Daniel’s estate. When she arrives she finds that the broken down castle Daniel talked about is in reality a estate. Chateau Rondelais, the castle, needs a lot of work but is Sara is soon charmed with the location, the locals and her late husband’s lawyer. Of course there are problems that at first seem insurmountable but it would not be a story if everything went smoothly.
Keys to the Castle is a feel good read and it will go on my comfort book shelf to join others that I like to re-read. It is nice to have a HEA for those of us who are older.
November 8, 2010
Keys to the Castle is the newest contemporary romance novel by Donna Ball, who is not only prolific under this pseudonym but under several others as well including Donna Boyd, Donna Carlisle, Rebecca Flanders and more.
Keys to the Castle is about two of what I call "hoity-toity" middle-aged aristocratic characters who unexpectedly find love under the most unusual and melodramatic circumstances. Sara Graves is the recent widow of an artistic, bohemian French-man who leaves behind a magnificent (and expensive) castle in France that Sara doesn't know about until after he dies. Her deceased husband's best friend and lawyer Ash Lindeman handles the estate and soon they find themselves falling fast in lust -- or love if you may call it that. As Sara is lulled deeper into France's bewitchment, she learns that her late husband has not led a life without secrets. Thus, drama ensues and Sara must cope with new challenges thrown her way.
In order for me to really enjoy a romance novel, I've gotta be crazy about one or both of the main characters. Both Sara and Ash are conservative and just simply boring that it really is hard to read this novel all the way through. Sara is too serious and uptight whereas Ash just doesn't have sexy written all over him...read this book and you'll understand what I mean and where I'm coming from. Maybe he will appeal to middle-aged women who prefer stuck-up, wimpy men as opposed to the cliched muscle-ripped tall, dark and handsome gents.
While I appreciate that Donna Ball tries to integrate contemporary issues into Keys to the Castle such as custody battles, parenthood, death, and inheritances, the novel just remains too far-fetched to be enjoyable or possible to relate to. This novel is like a fairy-tale that comes true in the beginning, but veers off into just such negativity that it becomes easy to lose interest and not care about the outcome.
Sex scenes are pretty much non-existent and what little physical romance there is, is completely bland and unstimulating. I would recommend Keys to the Castle to, well, nobody.
With respect to Donna Ball, I know that all novels can't be winners. The author has been extremely successful with other titles, especially The Passion (1998) by Donna Boyd, which also sits on my bookshelf at home. Readers, please don't be turned off by Donna Ball because Keys to the Castle isn't worth the read. Her other titles include Smoky Mountain Tracks (2006, and a dog mystery, how fun!), A Year on Ladybug Farm (2009), and Dark Angel (1998).
Read more book reviews at http://dreamworldbooks.com.
Keys to the Castle is about two of what I call "hoity-toity" middle-aged aristocratic characters who unexpectedly find love under the most unusual and melodramatic circumstances. Sara Graves is the recent widow of an artistic, bohemian French-man who leaves behind a magnificent (and expensive) castle in France that Sara doesn't know about until after he dies. Her deceased husband's best friend and lawyer Ash Lindeman handles the estate and soon they find themselves falling fast in lust -- or love if you may call it that. As Sara is lulled deeper into France's bewitchment, she learns that her late husband has not led a life without secrets. Thus, drama ensues and Sara must cope with new challenges thrown her way.
In order for me to really enjoy a romance novel, I've gotta be crazy about one or both of the main characters. Both Sara and Ash are conservative and just simply boring that it really is hard to read this novel all the way through. Sara is too serious and uptight whereas Ash just doesn't have sexy written all over him...read this book and you'll understand what I mean and where I'm coming from. Maybe he will appeal to middle-aged women who prefer stuck-up, wimpy men as opposed to the cliched muscle-ripped tall, dark and handsome gents.
While I appreciate that Donna Ball tries to integrate contemporary issues into Keys to the Castle such as custody battles, parenthood, death, and inheritances, the novel just remains too far-fetched to be enjoyable or possible to relate to. This novel is like a fairy-tale that comes true in the beginning, but veers off into just such negativity that it becomes easy to lose interest and not care about the outcome.
Sex scenes are pretty much non-existent and what little physical romance there is, is completely bland and unstimulating. I would recommend Keys to the Castle to, well, nobody.
With respect to Donna Ball, I know that all novels can't be winners. The author has been extremely successful with other titles, especially The Passion (1998) by Donna Boyd, which also sits on my bookshelf at home. Readers, please don't be turned off by Donna Ball because Keys to the Castle isn't worth the read. Her other titles include Smoky Mountain Tracks (2006, and a dog mystery, how fun!), A Year on Ladybug Farm (2009), and Dark Angel (1998).
Read more book reviews at http://dreamworldbooks.com.
August 12, 2019
I almost put this down after Chapter 2, when Ash was introduced and I didn't like him one bit. I didn't like the way he spoke to his secretary, I didn't like the way he spoke to his mother. I didn't like his attitude at all.
But I had liked the first chapter, introducing Sara, just fine, so I figured I'd keep reading until the two future lovebirds met, and see if I liked the way Ash spoke to her. It was like he was a different person entirely, and somehow, I read the next two hundred pages in one sitting.
That isn't to say this is an amazing book, because now that I'm finished, it's really just a few thin character archetypes in a trench coat. Sara is the weepy but determined American widow, headstrong and occasionally foolish. Ash is the suave, charming British lawyer (as opposed to the rotund, bumbling British lawyer) who is used to getting what he wants and can't imagine this widow standing in his way. His ex-wife Michele is the worst of the lot, a conniving French viper who has no heart, only machinations. Ash's mother isn't all that great, either, an interfering Mother Knows Best woman who takes every opportunity to scold her child, and her future daughter-in-law, into doing her bidding. When the story adds the little girl Alyssa to the mix, she's entirely too lovable and perfect--her existence is a complication to Sara and Ash's plans, but not her person itself, whom they both adore.
It's all so, so slick, especially when this soap-opera worthy plots and lies and schemes are set against a crumbling French ruin in an otherwise idyllic setting. I read it so fast because there was nothing to grab onto to slow me down, nothing that ever gave me pause or made me think too hard.
And while the setting is romantic and there's tons of tension between the leads, a great deal of that tension ends up being because Ash, both in a professional capacity and a personal one, spends most of the book hiding truths from Sara. Sometimes it's outright lying to manipulate her (even though I can see, in his twisted lawyer brain, how he believes he was acting in good faith on Alyssa's behalf) and the rest of the time it's simply failing to give her relevant information in ways he sees as for her own good.
The conflict between them is so one-sided, and were I Sara, I could never trust him. It's just not credible to me that she does, let alone falls in love with him. Or maybe I could grant that, for all his charming ways, but loving and trusting aren't always the same thing, and when presented with the proof of his misdeeds, she forgave him when I would have slammed the door in his face. I'm not on board with that kind of romance.
But I had liked the first chapter, introducing Sara, just fine, so I figured I'd keep reading until the two future lovebirds met, and see if I liked the way Ash spoke to her. It was like he was a different person entirely, and somehow, I read the next two hundred pages in one sitting.
That isn't to say this is an amazing book, because now that I'm finished, it's really just a few thin character archetypes in a trench coat. Sara is the weepy but determined American widow, headstrong and occasionally foolish. Ash is the suave, charming British lawyer (as opposed to the rotund, bumbling British lawyer) who is used to getting what he wants and can't imagine this widow standing in his way. His ex-wife Michele is the worst of the lot, a conniving French viper who has no heart, only machinations. Ash's mother isn't all that great, either, an interfering Mother Knows Best woman who takes every opportunity to scold her child, and her future daughter-in-law, into doing her bidding. When the story adds the little girl Alyssa to the mix, she's entirely too lovable and perfect--her existence is a complication to Sara and Ash's plans, but not her person itself, whom they both adore.
It's all so, so slick, especially when this soap-opera worthy plots and lies and schemes are set against a crumbling French ruin in an otherwise idyllic setting. I read it so fast because there was nothing to grab onto to slow me down, nothing that ever gave me pause or made me think too hard.
And while the setting is romantic and there's tons of tension between the leads, a great deal of that tension ends up being because Ash, both in a professional capacity and a personal one, spends most of the book hiding truths from Sara. Sometimes it's outright lying to manipulate her (even though I can see, in his twisted lawyer brain, how he believes he was acting in good faith on Alyssa's behalf) and the rest of the time it's simply failing to give her relevant information in ways he sees as for her own good.
The conflict between them is so one-sided, and were I Sara, I could never trust him. It's just not credible to me that she does, let alone falls in love with him. Or maybe I could grant that, for all his charming ways, but loving and trusting aren't always the same thing, and when presented with the proof of his misdeeds, she forgave him when I would have slammed the door in his face. I'm not on board with that kind of romance.
January 2, 2011
Keys to the Castle by Donna Ball
Contemporary Romance - Jan 4th, 2011
4 stars
Sara Graves is widowed three weeks after her whirlwind marriage to the charming, romantic Daniel Orsay. After his death, she realized that she barely knew anything about him or his life back in France. The only thing he left her is an estate in Loire Valley. Sara travels to France, hoping to sell the house, only to realize that it is a real-life chateaux that comes complete with a huge amount of overdue property tax and expensive upkeeping. To aid her, the Orsay’s family lawyer, Ash from Lindeman & Lindeman, is doing everything he can to help her to settle the property. But what he didn’t plan to do is fall in love with his best friend’s widow...
Keys to the Castle is a charming, breezy read, though a bit formulaic. As all readers know, when the widow visits the ex-husband’s family/town/old house, secrets have a habit of popping out, shattering the widow’s view of her ex-husband. Fortunately, Donna Ball is a deft writer who did not turn the husband into either a complete saint or the devil, which is a cliche done to death. The two main character’s easy camaraderie that turns to love is natural and flows well. I especially like the fact that they are two middle-aged characters, still struggling to find their true self, which is realistic.
Overall, Keys to the Castle is a dreamy read, one that transports you to an exotic land far away complete with a British knight/lawyer, a run-down castle that’s magically transformed, and a lost princess that finally finds her true home.
Reviewed by Pauline from Bookaholics Romance Club
Contemporary Romance - Jan 4th, 2011
4 stars
Sara Graves is widowed three weeks after her whirlwind marriage to the charming, romantic Daniel Orsay. After his death, she realized that she barely knew anything about him or his life back in France. The only thing he left her is an estate in Loire Valley. Sara travels to France, hoping to sell the house, only to realize that it is a real-life chateaux that comes complete with a huge amount of overdue property tax and expensive upkeeping. To aid her, the Orsay’s family lawyer, Ash from Lindeman & Lindeman, is doing everything he can to help her to settle the property. But what he didn’t plan to do is fall in love with his best friend’s widow...
Keys to the Castle is a charming, breezy read, though a bit formulaic. As all readers know, when the widow visits the ex-husband’s family/town/old house, secrets have a habit of popping out, shattering the widow’s view of her ex-husband. Fortunately, Donna Ball is a deft writer who did not turn the husband into either a complete saint or the devil, which is a cliche done to death. The two main character’s easy camaraderie that turns to love is natural and flows well. I especially like the fact that they are two middle-aged characters, still struggling to find their true self, which is realistic.
Overall, Keys to the Castle is a dreamy read, one that transports you to an exotic land far away complete with a British knight/lawyer, a run-down castle that’s magically transformed, and a lost princess that finally finds her true home.
Reviewed by Pauline from Bookaholics Romance Club
July 24, 2011
This story really was one I could identify with. Sara is a middle-aged workaholic who suddenly needs to change her life. She has spent her life taking care of her family and is now trying to take care of herself after losing what she thought was the love of her life. She goes to France just wanting to get rid of her legacy and ends up embracing it. The author has done a phenomenal job of telling Sara and Ash’s story. Her descriptions of Chateau Rondelais and the book’s characters are beautifully vivid. I loved reading about her efforts to renovate the chateau and Ash’s futile efforts to stay uninvolved. Sara’s gradual emergence from grief-stricken widow to mother and chateau owner will keep you enthralled to the very last page.
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
February 15, 2011
Far fetched, frivolous and FUN! It reads a bit like a Lifetime movie script, only better written. It is predictable with some surprising twists; just enough to keep you guessing a little. This is most girl's dream....unexpectedly inherit a castle in France, fall in love with a wealthy, handsome English man and live happily ever after. It was just what I needed in the dead of winter. Not good literature, but a great escape. "Calgon, take me away!"
January 29, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Being transported to the French countryside. A great love story.. Just a great book.
November 29, 2020
Keys to the Castle by Donna Ball was a page turner that left you on the edge of your seat it was really phenomenal filled with adorable scenes and fluffiness between the two major characters.I thought it was so hilarious when Sara was calling her sister Dixie about what was going on in France and especially when they were talking about Beauty and the Beat which is a Disney Classic from the early 1990s since she was in a castle that was rather large and she was wondering if she would find her beast but when she finally met with Ash she was like,”Ummm........you must be the Beast.”😂😂 It was absolutely so hilarious which made me laugh.
This novel makes people believe that they will find their happily ever after and discovering second chances.But in real life there’s no such things as a happily ever after or finding your one true love in life there will be heartbreak and your love not being true to you but in Keys to the Castle it makes it believe that dreams can come true and second chances.
I absolutely adored Ashton’s and Sara’s relationship it was so cute and really adorable! Especially their kissing scenes which made me so happy I just loved them in general,”If you continue in this vein,you’re going to start crying if you start crying,I shall have to kiss you and that will inevitably lead to activities not suitable for the eyes of a five year old.So just.... shut up.”When I read that quote I was like damn Ashton, also I especially adored the epilogue which was there wedding I was soooo excited! I was like there wedding YAY! 😃
Let’s just talk about Daniel shall we? Since Sara was only married to this French “Poet” for only three weeks till’ he drastically passed away (I don’t really know how he passed away the book didn’t say) I really loathed him so much since we read about his background I just didn’t like the guy at all I just can’t believe Sara married him of all of the people in the world you chose Daniel Orsay.Also, I loathed Michele Ashton’s ex-wife and Daniel’s cousin she was just so unlikeable and her character sounded like she was so stuck up with her own life and selfish,and also she is rather seductive towards her ex-husband I was like please don’t go in that direction he doesn’t have romantic feelings for you anymore.Overall,I really enjoyed this book I highly recommend it to anyone that his looking for a phenomenal romance story between Ashton and Sara!!
Happy Reading!!📚📚
This novel makes people believe that they will find their happily ever after and discovering second chances.But in real life there’s no such things as a happily ever after or finding your one true love in life there will be heartbreak and your love not being true to you but in Keys to the Castle it makes it believe that dreams can come true and second chances.
I absolutely adored Ashton’s and Sara’s relationship it was so cute and really adorable! Especially their kissing scenes which made me so happy I just loved them in general,”If you continue in this vein,you’re going to start crying if you start crying,I shall have to kiss you and that will inevitably lead to activities not suitable for the eyes of a five year old.So just.... shut up.”When I read that quote I was like damn Ashton, also I especially adored the epilogue which was there wedding I was soooo excited! I was like there wedding YAY! 😃
Let’s just talk about Daniel shall we? Since Sara was only married to this French “Poet” for only three weeks till’ he drastically passed away (I don’t really know how he passed away the book didn’t say) I really loathed him so much since we read about his background I just didn’t like the guy at all I just can’t believe Sara married him of all of the people in the world you chose Daniel Orsay.Also, I loathed Michele Ashton’s ex-wife and Daniel’s cousin she was just so unlikeable and her character sounded like she was so stuck up with her own life and selfish,and also she is rather seductive towards her ex-husband I was like please don’t go in that direction he doesn’t have romantic feelings for you anymore.Overall,I really enjoyed this book I highly recommend it to anyone that his looking for a phenomenal romance story between Ashton and Sara!!
Happy Reading!!📚📚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2025
Beauty and the Beast. But they are both the beasts and dear sweet Alyssa is the only beauty in question. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this for 3 days. I've wished more than once to read longer and actually contemplate taking a work leave just to finish the book in one sitting because I am, indescribably, hooked, to say the least. The premise is nice...a corporate slave such as myself will find it either insufferable (perhaps) or a reading session filled with: “Oh yeah, that's smart,” “That's legal?!” and “French estate laws and taxes AND emancipation slash adoption are just gibberish” (this was me the entire ordeal)
There was never a dull scene as I had initially expected since the characters are way too grown to be the cliche thriving mid to late 20's couple during the peak of their careers. No, this one is a bit older, less sensual, and more mature. And I loved it against all expectations. I love that it doesn't involve sex in every single page and chapter, and the yearning does exist, so much that sometimes I wanna scream at both of them to just "bloody talk and set aside your pride for once, you ogres!" But I did no such thing. Just simmering on my bed at 12 midnight while I have to be up and about in 5 hours to get to my 9 to 5.
Ash is such an a-hole and he couldn't be more charming than that. And I love Sara's character development. And oh my god, the menopause reference. I myself am nowhere near their age yet, but dreaded it enough. She went from being the snobbish typical american tourist to being the girl who wears that ridiculous humongous hat in Ash's dream (what a spoiler, although you really should have expected it from the start. After all, this //is// a romance book).
This book reminded me so much of the Diane Lane's movie—Under the Tuscan Sun. But French version. Especially the very Italian Constandin's appearances. They are such a comic relief, that you wouldn't think their significance in the story is so pivotal. But it is, if you actually dwell on it. They hold the keys to the castle, after all. What can we say, Orsay? (I urge you all to laugh!)
And it has not been twenty minutes yet after I finally finished reading this spectacle. Hah.
There was never a dull scene as I had initially expected since the characters are way too grown to be the cliche thriving mid to late 20's couple during the peak of their careers. No, this one is a bit older, less sensual, and more mature. And I loved it against all expectations. I love that it doesn't involve sex in every single page and chapter, and the yearning does exist, so much that sometimes I wanna scream at both of them to just "bloody talk and set aside your pride for once, you ogres!" But I did no such thing. Just simmering on my bed at 12 midnight while I have to be up and about in 5 hours to get to my 9 to 5.
Ash is such an a-hole and he couldn't be more charming than that. And I love Sara's character development. And oh my god, the menopause reference. I myself am nowhere near their age yet, but dreaded it enough. She went from being the snobbish typical american tourist to being the girl who wears that ridiculous humongous hat in Ash's dream (what a spoiler, although you really should have expected it from the start. After all, this //is// a romance book).
This book reminded me so much of the Diane Lane's movie—Under the Tuscan Sun. But French version. Especially the very Italian Constandin's appearances. They are such a comic relief, that you wouldn't think their significance in the story is so pivotal. But it is, if you actually dwell on it. They hold the keys to the castle, after all. What can we say, Orsay? (I urge you all to laugh!)
And it has not been twenty minutes yet after I finally finished reading this spectacle. Hah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2018
Sara Graves is mourning the loss of her French husband, Daniel, in a little seaside town in North Carolina. She lives with her sister (and through her sister) -- enjoying her nephews and working in the little bookstore her sister owns. When she gets news that she has to settle things in Daniel's home in Rondelais, she reluctantly flies out to France. There, she gets the surprise of her life when she finds out Rondelais is a castle, and she's now the owner. Also surprising is that the castle comes with suave, British Ash Lindemann, who's an old friend of Daniel's and owns shares in the castle.
Will Sara stay at Rondelais or return to the States? And will she ever have a future with Ash?
After reading a ton of YA books, this was like a whole different world. Wow... adults... adult problems. I didn't want to read about the death of a husband (sad) especially since Sara was only married a few months. I didn't want to read how she lived through her sister (sad) and didn't seem to have her own life and her own friends. I didn't want to know how she was stuck in a strange land where she couldn't even communicate (sad) and had to deal with Ash's ex-wife, who wanted to claim the property. I didn't want to read how she had to deal with so many problems involving the castle by herself -- including fixing all the bathrooms (what a pain!) And I didn't want to read about the back and forth and back and forth between her and Ash, which seemed so, so unrealistic. It was just so sad and exhausting, and it made me sad and exhausted.
Loved the descriptions of the castle, but didn't love the book. Only read it because it was the only book I could find in the cruise ship's library.
Will Sara stay at Rondelais or return to the States? And will she ever have a future with Ash?
After reading a ton of YA books, this was like a whole different world. Wow... adults... adult problems. I didn't want to read about the death of a husband (sad) especially since Sara was only married a few months. I didn't want to read how she lived through her sister (sad) and didn't seem to have her own life and her own friends. I didn't want to know how she was stuck in a strange land where she couldn't even communicate (sad) and had to deal with Ash's ex-wife, who wanted to claim the property. I didn't want to read how she had to deal with so many problems involving the castle by herself -- including fixing all the bathrooms (what a pain!) And I didn't want to read about the back and forth and back and forth between her and Ash, which seemed so, so unrealistic. It was just so sad and exhausting, and it made me sad and exhausted.
Loved the descriptions of the castle, but didn't love the book. Only read it because it was the only book I could find in the cruise ship's library.
March 11, 2019
(3.5 stars) Sara makes an unexpected choice when she marries Daniel, a poet originally from France. She has scraped her way forward in life, pulling herself and her sister out of their trailer park past, to a successful businesswoman. But Daniel charms her and shows her something missing in her life. His tragic death, just weeks after their marriage, throws her into a tailspin and she goes to her sister for support. When she is contacted by a law firm to deal with Daniel’s estate, she is stunnned to find that the property left to her is far different than she expected. Ash, Daniel’s best friend and lawyer is also unexpected, but offers to help Sara to deal with the property and the taxes outstanding. However, Sara finds out about other issues from Daniel’s past, one that has the potential to change her life forever.
October 10, 2022
This would be three stars alone just because the inheritance issue is SO confusing. Sara is swept off her feet and marries a romantic Frenchman, only to be left a widow very quickly. When she goes to France to "settle his estate" his best friend (also a romantic Frenchman . . . ) is there to "help"?? her figure out the inheritance. But I was still confused about it at the end of the book. What is she supposed to sell? How much money does she have?? Who actually owns shares in this place?? How much control can she keep if she lets it be developed?? Then you throw in the hot and cold best friend and a few other plot twists--and then it doesn't even resolve one of the twists (which was really annoying to me, but maybe not so much to other people? . . ). An easy and quick read but could have been written better.
January 19, 2018
This was first and foremost a modern fairy tale romance. Handsome, wealthy man misleads recently widowed attractive, self-assured woman in a castle in France. Throw in an adorable orphaned child and a witty, wealthy mother-in-law and you have all the pieces. Not my cup of tea. I had read two other Ball novels that included strong women looking to get their lives back on track and thought this novel might be similar in theme. Not similar. But I should have figured that out with the beginning of chapter 2. But I wanted something to read and a fairy tale was okay, since I knew -- and the characters said repeatedly -- that the love story was a fairy tale. But even Grimm's stories had a bit more punch than this one.
September 4, 2022
I hate when I check out a book thinking that it looks interesting only to remember that somewhere along the way I had checked it out before and it bored me to tears. That would be this one. I loved the premise of it but unfortunately the story begins with preparations for leaving for France. I didn't get much past the first chapter because I really wanted to read about her meeting her future husband (it's there, but just told in flashbacks). It's a very 'modern' book and I was disappointed by that since I thought that it was going to be like a period novel. Remind me not to check it out a third time.
September 11, 2022
Not sure where I got this book, but it's not a genre I usually read. I liked the escape to France, everything about the castle, and overall liked the book (okay, maybe 3 1/2 stars) but what really annoyed me was Ash. From the outset, for days, weeks even, he had his hands on Sara, took her on romantic picnics -- everything he did and said seemed like he was dating/courting her, yet done under the guise of business. That rang phony to me. I didn't like the way he always disparaged his mother, but I liked her once she entered the picture. I liked the adorable child. Anyway, if you like romantic novels, especially with middle-aged protagonists, this is a good one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
Surprisingly charming story set abroad, a pleasant vacation read. Sara Graves is in her 40s when she meets and very impetuously marries a charming Frenchman named Daniel -- who dies just months after they're wed. Now nearly a year has passed and she must travel to France to settle his estate. But what she was lead to believe was a crumbling old house is actually a centuries-old castle -- and this isn't the only secret Daniel kept. As Daniel's childhood best friend and lawyer, Ash, helps Sara navigate this complex and foreign landscape and weigh the choices that await, she begins to question her life choices, and future possibilities.
March 23, 2019
Sara Graves never expected to find love but did so at a later age than most and married a young French poet who swept her off her feet. Unfortunately within three weeks of marriage Daniel died in a car accident. Sara never really knew ab out Daniel's past but now she has been summoned by a lawyer who informed her that Daniel had left some property in France. Sara arrives in France to find a crumbling castle in the Loire Valley and she is at a loss on how to proceed. Stay or go this is a big question she faces but her life is about to change.
September 2, 2018
Because I loved the Ladybug Farm series I thought I would love this book as well but I actually found it disappointing. I was pretty confused with all of the legal talk about who owned the castle and what could be done with it, etc.
October 9, 2019
I loved this modern romance set in France. It was like reading a hallmark movie with a little more kissing and depth. I loved the characters and the setting. The story was good with some great twists and conflicts. I was cheering for everything to work out and love happy endings.
September 22, 2017
Good beach read. Predictable but fun.
September 28, 2017
Too predictable, and the author copied a character in a favorite book of mine (a classic).
July 16, 2018
I enjoyed this book. Had romance and suspense. It was not so predictable like other romance novels. Donna Ball is one of my favorite authors.
December 28, 2019
Simple, enjoyable light read. Perfect mood lightener and mind cleanser in between heavy reads. Comparable to Danielle Steele or Nora Roberts.
October 22, 2020
Meh. It was ok. Characters were underdeveloped and story was predictable.
February 10, 2021
Just a really nice "bath tub" book -- I enjoyed this story!
March 5, 2021
A riveting story
I love this author and have never read one of her tales.I found this interesting and full of surprises A fun taale.
I love this author and have never read one of her tales.I found this interesting and full of surprises A fun taale.
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May 22, 2021Too difficult to read the large print!
August 18, 2021
I really enjoyed her Year on Ladybug Farm, but this read more like a typical romance novel, which is not my jam.
March 12, 2022
Liked this book
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