A review by sikonat
French Holiday by Sarah Ready
4.0
Sarah Ready has the ability to put me through the ringer (such as her 'Josh and Gemma' books), but then she transports me to a less emotional ringer of a book that still explores the less brighter sides of life.
In 'French Holiday', Merry escapes to Annecy France to live in her bohemian aunt's rundown castle, only to find herself forced to share with documentary filmmaker Noah, a man she doesn't like, who was the best man at her sister's wedding. You see, her impulsive younger sister married Merry's best friend who was the man she was in love with. Along the way there's a mystery and a lobster.
I really felt for Merry, to be in love with a man for whom she thought she had an unspoken spark for, only to find him marrying her sister in a very short space of time made my heart ache for her. Ready manages to walk a very fine line between the pathos and comedy, and I think this is where her strengths as a writer lies. I also loved Noah's character development and his search for answers.
I must say I did find the side plot with the neighbours a bit much and would've much preferred it to be a triangle fake out, instead of the fourth party coming into the scene (being vague here because spoilers). I just found her a less rounded out character and couldn't buy the resolution to that C plot. I also could've done with less lobster hijinx.
This book was a delightful escapist fun, but what made this book even more special for me was that last summer I travelled overseas to Annecy France. All because I'd read a romance novel set in Lake Como Italy, and since that was too far and expensive, I searched 'big lakes, France". To my delight discovered Lac d'Annecy was a short train ride from Lyon, my destination. So I could easily remember just how blue the lake was, along with the canals and the pretty streets. If you cannot travel to Annecy though, read this book instead!
In 'French Holiday', Merry escapes to Annecy France to live in her bohemian aunt's rundown castle, only to find herself forced to share with documentary filmmaker Noah, a man she doesn't like, who was the best man at her sister's wedding. You see, her impulsive younger sister married Merry's best friend who was the man she was in love with. Along the way there's a mystery and a lobster.
I really felt for Merry, to be in love with a man for whom she thought she had an unspoken spark for, only to find him marrying her sister in a very short space of time made my heart ache for her. Ready manages to walk a very fine line between the pathos and comedy, and I think this is where her strengths as a writer lies. I also loved Noah's character development and his search for answers.
I must say I did find the side plot with the neighbours a bit much and would've much preferred it to be a triangle fake out, instead of the fourth party coming into the scene (being vague here because spoilers). I just found her a less rounded out character and couldn't buy the resolution to that C plot. I also could've done with less lobster hijinx.
This book was a delightful escapist fun, but what made this book even more special for me was that last summer I travelled overseas to Annecy France. All because I'd read a romance novel set in Lake Como Italy, and since that was too far and expensive, I searched 'big lakes, France". To my delight discovered Lac d'Annecy was a short train ride from Lyon, my destination. So I could easily remember just how blue the lake was, along with the canals and the pretty streets. If you cannot travel to Annecy though, read this book instead!