Book Review - Celebrations at the Chateau by Jo Thomas - Blog Tour

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Title: Celebrations at the Chateau

Author: Jo Thomas

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Transworld Digital

Publication Date: 2nd September 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Cosy up with this heart-warming, romantic story from Jo Thomas about turning your dreams into a reality.

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When their grandfather dies, Fliss and her sisters are astonished to inherit a French chateau! Travelling to Normandy to visit the beautiful if faded house, they excitedly make plans over delicious crepes and local cider in the town nearby.

But they soon discover the chateau needs major work, a huge tax bill is due . . . and there's a sitting tenant to whom they owe a monthly allowance.

Unable to sell but strapped for cash, Fliss determines to spruce up the elegant old rooms and open a B&B. But, why is Jacques, the local mayor, so hostile? How did Fliss's grandfather come to own the place anyway? And will Jacques and Fliss be able to put their differences aside to save the chateau?

Inspired by Escape to the Chateau, this cosy and uplifting novel to curl up with, from the author of Escape to the French Farmhouse and Finding Love at the Christmas Market.

Jo Thomas has once again out done herself with another truly wonderful book.  I've read this over the course of a few short hours, and as often is the case with reading books from this author, I almost lost track of where I was on a tube journey as a result! 

From the moment we arrive in France with the three sisters, and realise they have inherited not a small little holiday home as they thought it might be, but a great big Chateau I was hooked.  I needed to know just why it was Fliss's grandfather had bought the Chateau, why none of his grandchildren had any inkling about it, and on discovering a rather key complication to what they thought was a straightforward inheritance, how things would proceed. 

I wasn't too keen on how little Fliss's siblings seemed to think of both the Chateau on first impressions and also how they treat Fliss, just because she doesn't want to follow conventional steady career or already have children routes. Yet they realise they have to rely on her, in order to stand any chance of sorting this Chateau out. 

I loved the story of the family who were the previous owners of the Chateau, and as to why is is initially in the village Fliss wasn't exactly welcome. There are various sub plots, all of which captured my attention and intrigue, and I just couldn't get enough at all of this Chateau, its cider apples and it's array of wild life that possibly isn't meant to be within the borders of the property, as well as Boris the temperamental boiler! 

I especially liked that Fliss was dyslexic and seeing how her confidence was able to grow, in spite of her struggles with reading and maths. 

I loved the small town rural French setting, the many hats the man next door seemed to wear, and just seeing the Chateau come to life, as Fliss tries to make it earn some money and earn it's keep. 

A real feel good book that had me smiling, as I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. I just couldn't get enough of this and wish we could have more from the Chateau and the three sisters.  And it even had me craving Cider! 

Thank you to Transworld and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.