Book Review - The French Cookery School by Caroline James

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Title: The French Cookery School

Author: Caroline James

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 25th April 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

The recipe for a perfect summer…

Step 1: Mix together a group of mature students

Step 2: Add in a handsome host

Step 3: Season with a celebrity chef

Step 4: Bring to the boil at a luxurious cookery school in France!

Waltho Williams has no idea what he’s letting himself in for when he opens the doors to his beautiful French home, La Maison du Paradis. But with dwindling funds, a cookery school seems like the perfect business plan…

Divorcée caterer Caroline needs to be able stand on her own two feet. While warm-hearted Fran hopes to help her beloved husband fulfil his lifelong dream. And for food journalist Sally it’s a PR opportunity – until a certain celebrity chef gets under her skin…

But will the eclectic group be a recipe for success, or will the mismatched relationships sink like a souffle?

Whip out an apron, grab a wooden spoon and take a culinary trip to La Maison du Paradis…

The recipe for a fabulous Caroline James novel

Step 1: Have Caroline James write the novel, which she did in this case with total accomplishment, and had me feeling as though I really had been to a cookery school in France. 

Step 2: Have a fabulous group of characters attend the cookery school.. Well we certainly had those, a huge variety of those more advanced in age, including Caroline and Fran who are worlds apart. Caroline is our main character, and it took me a while to fully warm to her, whereas Fran, who Caroline seems to dislike instantly, was incredibly likeable.

Step 3: Ah handsome men, well there were certainly a few of those including Waltho the host of the course, plus the celebrity chef and his assistant.   I really enjoyed getting to know Waltho, and spent a fair bit of the story with my fingers crossed that he would end up with the ending he deserved.  And it was better than I would have imagined. 

Step 4: Fill a book with food, friendship, and trips into the local area in France.  I loved the excursions almost as much as I loved the food descriptions. And there was plenty of both of those! 

Step 5: Mix all of the above up, in a carefully considered way, in order to produce a truly entertaining story, that seemed to have emotions, drama and a whole lot of heart and love.  

Step 6: Pick this book up off the shelf and devour it, enjoying every last word, just like I did! It can't fail! 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.