Review: The French Chateau Dream

Title: The French Chateau Dream

Author: Julie Caplin

Publisher: 30th June 2023 by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

Pages: 377 pages

Genre: romance, contemporary, France

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

You are invited to a summer of sparkling champagne, warm buttery croissants and a little bit of je ne sais quoi… With a broken heart and a broken spirit, Hattie is in need of a summer escape. So when an opportunity comes up to work at a beautiful, stately chateau in the Champagne region of France she books her flights quicker than the pop of a cork. Romance is the last thing Hattie is looking for but then she wasn’t expecting gorgeous Luc to stroll into her life. With picnics in the warm French sun and delicious foodie trips to the local market, Hattie starts to wonder if a holiday fling – or maybe even something more – might be just what she needs.

My Thoughts

I have read and enjoyed some of Julie’s previous ‘Romantic Escapes’ (this one is #10) as they offer great escapism to some wonderful world locations. Each of these novels are stand-alones (although there are characters from previous novels that may make fun appearances) and this time around I was fully ready for a stay at a French chateau in the Champagne region.

‘This wasn’t real life, it was an interlude. A long holiday. Hattie had never even thought about the possibility of staying. Living abroad was one of those pipe dreams.’

As I have come to expect from the previous ‘escapes’, Julie offers a story filled to the brim - this is certainly no one dimensional chick lit tale. Yes, there is the requisite romance but Julie always provides a cast of characters and locales that guarantee to add real depth to the story. On this occasion Julie takes us to rural France and the wine making region. With the exception of a few days shopping in Paris (ooh la la!) the bulk of the tale is set in the Champagne region of France and she immerses you in all things French - oui! What’s not to love? If you are a foodie you are sure to lick your lips with all the scrumptious food and baking on offer. I also enjoyed learning about the vineyard and wine making, the upkeep of a chateau and a bit of a history mystery. All up, who would not want to spend some time in a French chateau (vicariously of course!) and have family and friends, love and laughter, French cuisine and champagne? 

‘… no one should be dependent on someone else for their happiness. You have to be happy for yourself.’

The French Chateau Dream is the perfect recipe for light escapism. I like how Julie’s heroines tend to be at the crossroads of both career and love life, attempting to be bold enough to take strong steps to live their best. So, wait no more ... grab a glass of bubbles and snuggle up in your favourite reading spot to spend a few hours in France with this comfort read. If you are looking for the ultimate French Chateau Dream experience be sure to grab Julie’s latest romantic escape book.

‘You should slow down, enjoy life, savour things, enjoy lunch … the French way. You take things too seriously.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher 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.

Review: The Christmas Castle in Scotland

Title: The Christmas Castle in Scotland

Author: Julie Caplin

Publisher: 31st October 2022 by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

Pages: 350 pages

Genre: Christmas, romance, women’s fiction

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

Unwrap this gorgeous gift of a book for an escape to the snow-peaked caps of the Scottish Highlands and a romance that will melt your heart…

Izzy McBride had never in a million years expected to inherit an actual castle from her great uncle Bill but here she was, in the run up to Christmas, Monarch of her own Glen – a very rundown glen in need of a lot of TLC if her dream of turning it into a boutique bed and breakfast was to come true.

But when Izzy’s eccentric mother rents a room to enigmatic thriller author Ross Adair and the Scottish snow starts to settle like the frosting on a Christmas cake, it’s a race to get the castle ready before they’re all snowed in for the holidays.

My Thoughts

‘They want a traditional Christmas in a Scottish castle with all the trimmings’

I have read and enjoyed some of Julie’s previous ‘Romantic Escapes’ (this one is #9) as they offer great escapism to some wonderful world locations. Each of these novels are stand-alones (although there are characters from previous novels that may make appearances) and I was excited to spend Christmas in Scotland with her latest offering.

‘Around her the trees were silent and still and she felt as if she were the only person around for miles. Izzy took in a deep breath. Much as she’d enjoyed living in Edinburgh, she loved this intense quietness and the sense of peace and being at one with the world.’

As I have come to expect from the previous ‘escapes’, Julie offers a story filled to the brim - this is certainly no one dimensional chick lit tale. Yes, there is the requisite romance but Julie always provides a cast of characters and locales that guarantee to add real depth to the story. On this occasion Julie takes us to Christmas in Scotland. With the exception of a few days shopping in Edinburgh, the bulk of the tale is set in the Highlands and she immerses you in all things Scottish - yes even haggis! What’s not to love? If you are a foodie you are sure to lick your lips with all the scrumptious food and baking on offer. I also enjoyed all the traditions and might even adopt a few myself. All up, who would not want to inherit, renovate and live in a Scottish castle (vicariously of course!) and have family and friends, love and laughter, wine and whiskey? Maybe even a little Jamie Fraser 🤣 …

‘Secretly, she’d had more than her fair share of hot fantasies about Jamie Fraser from Outlander’

The Christmas Castle in Scotland is the perfect recipe for light escapism. I like how Julie’s heroines tend to be at the crossroads of both career and love life, attempting to be bold enough to take strong steps to live their best. So, wait no more ... grab a wee dram and snuggle up in your favourite reading spot to spend a few hours up in the Scottish Highlands with this comfort read. If you are looking for the ultimate Christmas experience be sure to grab Julie’s latest romantic escape book.

‘It’s a super tree and it’s the heart of our Christmas castle. May all who stay here be merry and bright, enjoying health and happiness for the whole of the festive season.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher 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.

Review: The Cosy Cottage in Ireland

Title: The Cosy Cottage in Ireland

Author: Julie Caplin

Publisher: 29th October 2021 by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

Pages: 373 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: contemporary romance, chick lit, culture Ireland

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

Snuggle up in your favourite armchair and take a trip across the Irish sea for comfort food, cozy cottage nights, and a heartwarming romance…

Talented lawyer Hannah Campbell is after a change in her workaholic Manchester life – so on an uncharacteristic whim, she books herself a place at the world-renowned Killorgally Cookery School in County Kerry. But on her first night In Ireland, sampling the delights of Dublin, Hannah can’t resist falling for the charms of handsome stranger Conor. It’s only when Hannah arrives at her postcard-pretty home at Killorgally for the next six weeks that she discovers what happens in Dublin doesn’t quite stay in Dublin…

Nestled amongst rolling green hills and breathtaking countryside, the cookery school throws Hannah and Conor together again–for better or worse.

My Thoughts

‘… she’d been too scared to make the jump. To step out of the comfort zone that had cocooned her all her life. Had she shut down possibilities in life?’

I have read and enjoyed some of Julie’s previous ‘Romantic Escapes’ (this one is #8) as they offer great escapism in this time of continued armchair travel. Each of these novels are stand-alones and I was excited for a trip to Ireland with her latest offering.

“.. we can’t help how we feel, but we can choose how we react” … 

‘We choose how we react?’ ‘Yes. You can choose to be pissed off and angry at things, but if you do that the only person who’s upset is you, or you can choose to move on and ignore those things. Focus on the positives.’’

As I have come to expect from the previous ‘escapes’, Julie offers a story filled to the brim, this is certainly no one dimensional romance tale. Yes, there is the requisite romance but I just relished how Hannah was determined and had no idea how famous Connor was. The cast of characters and locales add a real depth to this story. 

‘This was living. For so long she’d been existing, which had been OK but it had been a black and white sort of life. Whereas now she was living in technicolour with sunshine pouring into corners that she’d left unexplored for most of her life.’

On this occasion Julie takes us to Ireland. With a few days sightseeing around Dublin, it is off to County Kerry and she immerses you in all things Irish. What’s not to love? If you are a foodie you are sure to lick your lips with all the scrumptious food and baking on offer at this cookery school with the added dimension of learning and appreciating where one’s food comes from. Hannah was definitely a character I could relate to. She wanted to challenge her comfort zone but at the same time, relished time alone. And it's funny! This is the first book that has mentioned Bridgerton … Julie has her finger on the pulse!

‘I live in hope that the man of my dreams will come and sweep my off my feet, but sadly the only men in my dreams are building surveyors, tax inspectors, and local historians, none of whom are my idea of Regé-Jean Page.’ ‘Who?’ ‘Lord, girl. The Duke of Hastings. Have you not watched Bridgerton?’

The Cosy Cottage in Ireland is the perfect recipe for light escapism. I like how Julie’s heroines tend to be at the crossroads of both career and love life, attempting to be bold enough to take strong steps to live their best. So, wait no more ... grab a drink and snuggle up in your favourite reading spot to spend a few hours up in the Emerald Isle with this comfort read. If you are pining to escape somewhere ... anywhere ... be sure to grab one of Julie’s romantic escape books.

‘This felt right. Finding roots to nature. Her understanding of the world around her expanded and she realised just how limited she’d become in her life. Although she was successful in the usual ways–good job, good salary, owning a home–they were colourless in comparison to the life she was leading here. It was a moment of realisation: she wanted more in life.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher 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.

Review: The Little Swiss Ski Chalet

Title: The Little Swiss Ski Chalet

Author:  Julie Caplin

Publisher: 30th January 2021 by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

Pages: 368 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: romance, contemporary

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

It’s time to pack your bags and head to the breathtaking, snow-covered peaks of the Swiss Alps for velvety hot chocolates, delicious cheeses and a gorgeous love story…

Food technician Mina has always believed that chocolate will solve everything – and it’s just what she needs when her latest relationship mishap goes viral!

So with her bags packed and a new determination to sort her life out, Minna decides to drown her sorrows with the best hot chocolate in the world at her godmother’s cosy Swiss chalet. Chocolate: yes. Romance: no. Until she has a run in on an Alpine train with a mysterious but oh-so-gorgeous stranger…

My Thoughts

I read and enjoyed Julie’s ‘The Little Teashop in Tokyo’ (HERE), great escapism in this time of armchair travel. So I was quick to partake in an adventure to the Swiss Alps with her latest offering. Although this is part of a series called ‘Romantic Escapes’, each of these novels are stand-alones. This is a story about Mina and her chance for a fresh start in an idyllic location with the added bonus of loads of culinary delights.

‘She would never tire of this view. It still held the same magic for her, the mighty guardianship of the mountains, the clear, brilliant sky, and the pretty village with its sturdy buildings, nestling in the valley. It spoke of longevity, tradition, and steadiness, which she found reassuring. All this would be here long after she was gone.’

If skiing in the Alps and coming back to the chalet for warm drinks with lots of chocolate involved takes your fancy, then you are sure to appreciate this escapist read. I truly admire Julie’s skill (and remotely done so during these pandemic days) to capture and transport her readers to wonderful locations one might literally never traverse. It was wonderful to adventure throughout the serenity of Switzerland ... the home to chocolate! For me, the most enjoyable aspect of this book (as with The Little Teashop in Tokyo) is the window into different cultures, traditions and cuisine it provides. Julie always includes loads of information.

‘For the first time, it occurred to her that she’d been settling for a long time, just existing without really giving things much thought. What had happened to the high hopes and aspirations she’d had?’

Of course this book is also about finding yourself, what is important in life and trying to remain true to that. Sprinkle in some fun romance and it is the perfect recipe for light escapism. I like how Julie’s heroines tend to be at the crossroads of both career and love life (giving that added dimension), attempting to be bold enough to take strong steps to live their best. Personally, on this occasion, I found the ‘serendipitous’ connection too easy and the ending ... hmmm .... sweet but sensible? I’m not sure. 

So, wait no more ... grab a hot drink and snuggle up in your favourite reading spot to spend a few hours up in the Swiss Alps with this comfort read. If you are pining to escape to somewhere ... anywhere ... be sure to grab one of Julie’s romantic escape books. 

‘Isn’t it simple? You do the things that make you happy. That make you feel glad to be alive. And avoid the things that don’t. If you’re not happy, you change things. Only you can do that.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Little Teashop in Tokyo

Title: The Little Teashop in Tokyo

Author: Julie Caplin

Publisher: 11th June 2020 by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

Pages: 400 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: women’s fiction, romance

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

Grab your passport and escape to the land of dazzling skycrapers, steaming bowls of comforting noodles, and a page-turning love story that will make you swoon!

For travel blogger Fiona, Japan has always been top of her bucket list so when she wins an all-expenses paid trip, it looks like her dreams of the Far East are coming true.

Until she arrives in vibrant, neon-drenched Tokyo and comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart ten years ago, gorgeous photographer Gabe.

Fiona can’t help but remember the heartache of their last meeting but it’s not long before the Japanese art of contentment and a special, traditional tea ceremony work their magic…

Amidst the temples and clouds of soft pink cherry blossoms, Fiona and Gabe start to see life – and each other – differently.

My Thoughts

‘Wabi Sabi,’ murmured Haruka. ‘It is part of Japanese culture. It is an appreciation of things that aren’t perfect or finished, and that is their attraction. It’s accepting the value of things–an old pot, an old person–and understanding that those things have wisdom, that they have seen things.’

This book has a lot going for it - it had me at tea and travel!  There is something for everyone - travel, photography and romance - an all up winning combination. With an inviting cover and all set in Japan - a culture with so much to appreciate - I very much enjoyed this armchair travel.

‘It’s a country of contrasts: flash, modern, innovative, ridiculously neon and technological, all of which resides alongside a deep appreciation and respect for art, culture, and tradition. I’ve never lived anywhere quite like it before.’

Firstly, let’s focus on Japan - the writer has certainly done her homework and during these COVID days, provided her readers with some much wished for armchair travel. The sights, sounds and smells are vibrant and leap off the page. It could have read like a travelogue, but no, I found myself soaking up every detail of both the varied modern and traditional sites in this special destination - not to mention staying in a traditional Japanese tea shop!

‘There was a soothing quiet as all three women savoured their tea, and the comforting warmth of the china clasped between her hands made her feel grounded and somehow connected to the other two women.’

Tied in with this is Julie’s writing. I feel she has truly captured the essence of some special traditions in Japanese culture. The philosophy is cleverly weaved throughout and there are some definite pearls of wisdom for both the reader and the characters alike. Speaking of characters, there are many engaging ones to be found in this tale - from the traditional family to the main British female lead with her journey of discovery - both internal and external. The romance is front and centre, however, I am grateful that this was not the sole focus of this read. 

“... you face things. No matter how difficult, you try. You do new things. You challenge yourself, even though you don’t think of yourself as bold. You are my kintsugi, the golden glue that healed this jaded, cynical idiot and made him believe in love again.”

A final component of this story worth mentioning is the inclusion of photography as both a passionate hobby and serious business. I appreciated the appraisal of light, focus and natural natural moments captured in time. I was definitely Googling some of the locations to try and gain an awareness of where Fiona was trying to stand to take certain photos. 

‘... photography was capturing that one moment in time that might never happen again.’

All up this is a most engaging read on a number of topics. If you find yourself longing for some quality escapism, take the time to spend these couple of weeks in Japan as detailed in The Little Teashop in Tokyo - you won’t be disappointed. 

‘I’ve barely scratched the surface. Every time I talk to Setsuko or Haruka they tell me something fascinating about the philosophy or the culture of the country. There’s so much… it’s an amazing place.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.