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maria161985's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this sequel was cute! I looked forward to reading how Samantha got on with her hunky husband Jean-Luc, her step-children Elvire and Max, and navigating her new life in France. I did find that some situations in which she talks about were not explained in as much detail as I would have hoped. I felt that there was a lot of jumping from one situation to the next, making it hard to fully grasp the gravity of the situation at hand. Overall though, a warm and thoughtful read for those who thrive for a good love story!
librarylady10's review against another edition
4.0
“How to Make a French Family” is a memoir, detailing author Samantha Verant’s marriage in her late 30’s to Jean-Luc, a man who she met briefly at 19 while traveling Europe and reconnected with via Facebook after her first marriage ended. This book encompasses the many changes happening in her life during this time. Samantha struggles as an immigrant trying to adapt to the culture and language of another country, while also trying to build a relationship with her two stepchildren, find out what it means to her to have a family, and become a published (and paid!) author.
I loved the author’s writing style. She writes as if she is telling you her story over coffee. The writing flows and engages the reader. I truly cared about what happened to Samantha and her family and could not wait to get to the end of the book to find out all I could.
The author also includes recipes in each section of her book. Although I’m not a cook, I enjoyed reading about the different ingredients and techniques involved in making each dish.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story. This book would be a great read for book clubs, as well.
*I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the author’s writing style. She writes as if she is telling you her story over coffee. The writing flows and engages the reader. I truly cared about what happened to Samantha and her family and could not wait to get to the end of the book to find out all I could.
The author also includes recipes in each section of her book. Although I’m not a cook, I enjoyed reading about the different ingredients and techniques involved in making each dish.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story. This book would be a great read for book clubs, as well.
*I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
karenleagermain's review against another edition
5.0
Thank You to Sourcebooks for providing me with an advanced copy of Samantha Verant's memoir, How to Make a French Family, in exchange for an honest review.
PLOT- In her early thirties, Samantha Verant found herself divorced, working as a dog walker, and living at home with her parents in California. Thinking about her past, she decides to send an apology letter to Jean-Luc, a Frenchman whom she had met in her late teens while traveling in Europe. Verant had promised to stay in touch with Jean-Luc, but failed to keep her promise. Now, nearly two decades later, she discovers that Jean-Luc is a widower with two teenage children, Max and Elvire. Jean-Luc and Verant quickly fall back in love, marrying a year later. Verant's memoir captures the joys and frustrations of moving to a foreign country and becoming a step-mother to two French teenagers.
LIKE- I've read many "fish-out-of-water" memoirs about living in foreign country, but Verant's unique details make How to Make a French Family, compelling. Verant is not only living in a foreign country, but she is now the step-mother to two French chidren. As a American step-mother to two Swedish children ( and a former dog walker, divorcee and Californian), I could relate to Verant. We still live in the United States, and only have the children on holidays, but it's not out of the question that we could one day move to Europe. I admire Verant, as she is both tough and brave following her new destiny in France. Luckily, Max and Elvire are accepting of Verant, and normal teenage issues aside, they accept her as part of their family.
Verant is in her late 30's/early 40's, when she decides to try for a baby with Jean-Luc. Verant suffers multiple miscarriages, but the support of her French family, allows her to embrace the idea of her current family being enough. Although Max and Elvire were happy about the prospect of a new sibling, both time and the loss of the babies, gave them the courage to express to Verant that they feared she would not view them the same as a child of her own. Verant came from a blended family. and was very close to her own step-father, so this was the last thing that she wanted Max and Elvire to think. This frank dialogue and love, is what I liked most about Verant's family.
If you're a Francophile or simply curious about French culture, Verant peppers her story with her American perspective of living in a foreign country. She certainly has some frustrations and mishaps, but most of her writing reveals an affinity for her new home.
Food is a huge part of French culture and Verant includes the recipes for all of the meals mentioned in, How to Make a French Family. Do not read on an empty stomach!
DISLIKE- Nothing. Verant's memoir is entertaining and it will warm your heart.
RECOMMEND- Yes! How to Make a French Family is proof that your life can shift course when you least expect it. Verant has a beautiful life to share, and it will certainly make you want to visit southern France.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
PLOT- In her early thirties, Samantha Verant found herself divorced, working as a dog walker, and living at home with her parents in California. Thinking about her past, she decides to send an apology letter to Jean-Luc, a Frenchman whom she had met in her late teens while traveling in Europe. Verant had promised to stay in touch with Jean-Luc, but failed to keep her promise. Now, nearly two decades later, she discovers that Jean-Luc is a widower with two teenage children, Max and Elvire. Jean-Luc and Verant quickly fall back in love, marrying a year later. Verant's memoir captures the joys and frustrations of moving to a foreign country and becoming a step-mother to two French teenagers.
LIKE- I've read many "fish-out-of-water" memoirs about living in foreign country, but Verant's unique details make How to Make a French Family, compelling. Verant is not only living in a foreign country, but she is now the step-mother to two French chidren. As a American step-mother to two Swedish children ( and a former dog walker, divorcee and Californian), I could relate to Verant. We still live in the United States, and only have the children on holidays, but it's not out of the question that we could one day move to Europe. I admire Verant, as she is both tough and brave following her new destiny in France. Luckily, Max and Elvire are accepting of Verant, and normal teenage issues aside, they accept her as part of their family.
Verant is in her late 30's/early 40's, when she decides to try for a baby with Jean-Luc. Verant suffers multiple miscarriages, but the support of her French family, allows her to embrace the idea of her current family being enough. Although Max and Elvire were happy about the prospect of a new sibling, both time and the loss of the babies, gave them the courage to express to Verant that they feared she would not view them the same as a child of her own. Verant came from a blended family. and was very close to her own step-father, so this was the last thing that she wanted Max and Elvire to think. This frank dialogue and love, is what I liked most about Verant's family.
If you're a Francophile or simply curious about French culture, Verant peppers her story with her American perspective of living in a foreign country. She certainly has some frustrations and mishaps, but most of her writing reveals an affinity for her new home.
Food is a huge part of French culture and Verant includes the recipes for all of the meals mentioned in, How to Make a French Family. Do not read on an empty stomach!
DISLIKE- Nothing. Verant's memoir is entertaining and it will warm your heart.
RECOMMEND- Yes! How to Make a French Family is proof that your life can shift course when you least expect it. Verant has a beautiful life to share, and it will certainly make you want to visit southern France.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
milshollini's review against another edition
3.0
Саманта Веран има много минуси като писател, но най-големият ѝ плюс е, че е искрена. Истории като нейната са една на милион и всеки си мечтае тайничко да му се случат и на него. Пък и нека си признаем, всеки се е чудил поне веднъж, какво се случва след като Пепеляшка се ожени за принца и се нанесе в замъка. "Семейство по френски" е чаровна, на места бъбрива, понякога смешна и най-вече - много, много вкусна книга. Оказва се, че замъкът има нужда от малко домашен уют, бумащината покрай нанасянето не е никак малко, но за сметка на това - върви с откриването на един нов свят: този на френската кухня. На книгата ѝ липсват финтифлюшки, духовни търсения и простотии. Няма претенции да е голяма литература и точно затова е толкова приятно да се отпуснеш с нея и да почетеш за живота на някой друг.
Ако искате книжния вариант на романтичен коледен филм по Холмарк, това е вашата книга. Ако търсите нещо по-артистично, изпълнено с послания и т.н., по-добре преминете нататък.
Ако искате книжния вариант на романтичен коледен филм по Холмарк, това е вашата книга. Ако търсите нещо по-артистично, изпълнено с послания и т.н., по-добре преминете нататък.
jenniferdenslow's review against another edition
3.0
Samantha reconnect with a crush from years ago and when that reconncection turns into something more permanent, she finds herself with a ready-made French family, including a teenage daughter and pre-teen son.
Samantha gives scant time to the harsher side of being a stepmom and her sunny attitude infects the whole book.
Samantha gives scant time to the harsher side of being a stepmom and her sunny attitude infects the whole book.
shelfquest's review against another edition
5.0
How to Make A French Family is a delightful follow-up to Seven Letters from Paris. In this book, Samantha has moved to Cugnaux, a small town in southwestern France with her husband, Jean-Luc, and her stepchildren, Elvire and Max. Moving to a new country, newly married, and suddenly being a mom are all huge life events. Samantha shares the struggles of her experience without dragging the reader down; she adequately describes the difficulties while still keeping an upbeat tone, which is consistent throughout the entire book.
One thing I really love about her writing is that the tone makes you feel happy and like everything is going to be okay. This is a happy read from the very first sentence and doesn't stop, despite painful and uncomfortable topics (miscarriages, telling your step-daughter you're having "asshole" for dinner). There were several moments where I laughed out loud (see "asshole" note in previous sentence) and some where I wanted to cry (or give them a hug) for what this family I have grown to care so much about through these two books we're going through. It was also really neat to read about how Seven Letters from Paris came to be.
The positive tone of this book is contagious and makes me feel hopeful for my own aspirations to write and become fluent in French. Merci, Samantha, for another truly wonderful book. I'm already eagerly awaiting the next one! ;-)
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One thing I really love about her writing is that the tone makes you feel happy and like everything is going to be okay. This is a happy read from the very first sentence and doesn't stop, despite painful and uncomfortable topics (miscarriages, telling your step-daughter you're having "asshole" for dinner). There were several moments where I laughed out loud (see "asshole" note in previous sentence) and some where I wanted to cry (or give them a hug) for what this family I have grown to care so much about through these two books we're going through. It was also really neat to read about how Seven Letters from Paris came to be.
The positive tone of this book is contagious and makes me feel hopeful for my own aspirations to write and become fluent in French. Merci, Samantha, for another truly wonderful book. I'm already eagerly awaiting the next one! ;-)
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
nanettels's review against another edition
4.0
Delightful sequel to Seven Letters from Paris
Delicious recipes accompany this memoir about Samantha's adjustment to her new French family. Becoming a step mother, learning to live in a new country, and surviving home remodeling are all part of this entertaining story.
Delicious recipes accompany this memoir about Samantha's adjustment to her new French family. Becoming a step mother, learning to live in a new country, and surviving home remodeling are all part of this entertaining story.
mbarron57's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourceboks for the ARC of this book.
I hate giving books 2 stars but I hate it even more when it's a memoir. Unfortunately this book was just not my cup of tea. It wasn't anything really about the book other than it seemed mundane to me. I felt the book just get of "went" but it didn't really go anywhere. I did really enjoy the recipes though so if Mme Verant wants to put out a cookbook I would be HAPPY to read that!!
I hate giving books 2 stars but I hate it even more when it's a memoir. Unfortunately this book was just not my cup of tea. It wasn't anything really about the book other than it seemed mundane to me. I felt the book just get of "went" but it didn't really go anywhere. I did really enjoy the recipes though so if Mme Verant wants to put out a cookbook I would be HAPPY to read that!!
jendickey's review against another edition
5.0
If you loved Seven Letters from Paris (which I did!!) then this is a must-read!