Happy release day!

First Published: April 26, 2023

Quick Review

Rom-com with a mystery to solve—yes, please!
Narrator Kelsey Navarro brought Sarah Ready’s heroine, Merry, to life in this audiobook. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Merry's (oblivious!) sister just married the only man Merry has ever loved. She accepts an offer from her (fairy???) godmother to vacation in a (crumbling!) castle in the French countryside. Merry knows her French holiday will fix everything. Until she finds Noah—the best man at her sister’s wedding and the worst man she’s ever known—staying in her castle. It's hate at first sight and a holiday where nothing goes right until they find a truce—and a mystery to solve. Together!
I loved this story. Except the lobster...he creeped me out. I loved everything else! The characters are charming (even the grumpy ones and the narcissistic one). Ready's descriptions bring the decrepit chateau and the French sights into vivid view.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and funny romantic story with some grumpy/sunshine, friends-to-lovers, French neighbor love triangles, and a mystery.
4/5 hearts
2/5 flames (slow burn, yay!)

French Holiday

Merry DeLuca has a problem—a big problem. Her sister just married her best friend and the only man she’s ever loved. Her life is rapidly spiraling down the drain and she doesn’t have an escape plan.

So when Merry is offered a three-month holiday living in a romantic castle in the French countryside she leaps at the chance. Merry knows her French holiday will fix everything—there will be mouthwatering pastries, delicious (meaningless) flirtations, and languid strolls through vineyards at sunset. Her holiday will be perfect.

At least, Merry believes that until she arrives and finds Noah Wright—the best man at her sister’s wedding and the worst man she’s ever known—staying in her castle.

Famous travel documentarian by day and arrogant devil by night, Noah refuses to leave the castle. Which means that Merry and Noah are stuck together in France, in a crumbling castle, in a holiday where nothing goes right. Not for Merry and not for Noah.

So they strike a truce—they’ll live as cohabitating friends for three-months, and then they’ll amicably part ways, never to see each other again.

But the thing about friendship? Sometimes secrets are uncovered. Mysteries revealed. Hearts laid bare. And friendship can start to feel a lot like caring. A lot like love. It can even make you wish that the holiday never has to end.