Suddenly unemployed and single, Anna escapes to her parents' beautiful house in France for a much-needed recharge – and to work out what she wants to do next with her life now her carefully mapped out plan has gone out the window.
Anna gives herself 6 months to recuperate, all the while helping renovate her parents' adjoining gites into picturesque B&Bs. But working alongside the ruggedly handsome Sam on the renovation project, she didn't expect for life to take an unexpected, if not unwelcome, twist...
*May Contain Spoilers*
The French Adventure is certainly a perfect springtime getaway! Lucy Coleman gives readers a strong female character who decides to completely rebuild her life after she realizes that the path she's on isn't right for her.
Anna is a very intelligent webpage designer who realizes that her current relationship isn't going in the direction she'd like. Because her beau is a co-worker, that means her job is out too. With nothing else to lose, Anna decides to join her parents in France for the summer on a working holiday. Though it turns into much, much more. Anna's decision to rewrite her life is one that requires courage and bravery. It's hard to let go of something you worked so hard for when you realize it's not what you thought it would be. Anna's struggle between what she feels her life should look like and what she wants it to look like is an experience that readers will relate to. Her determination, focus, and diligence will also have readers feeling connected to her character.
This book has a few simultaneous plot lines that weave in and out making this novel a fun, realistic, and romantic read. The first storyline that seems to underline the entire summer adventure for Anna is that her ex-boyfriend wants her back after she leaves London. It's almost harassment how badly he wants her back and Anna struggles to balance her feelings and actions while she's in another country. The second storyline that added a layer of depth to the novel was the mysterious box Anna finds while working at her parents' B&B. As she goes into search mode to find the owner, she connects with the town's people as well as adventures across France to uncover more and more details. The final plot line and perhaps the most intriguing to readers is the love story between Anna and Sam. It's a bit unconventional, as Sam is unconventional with a haunted heart, but it's surprising, interesting, and connects two people who challenge each other in a positive way.
With three different plot lines intersecting, there's something in this novel for multiple types of readers. Though I think this book would be best recommended for those who enjoy a love story, the mystery aspect of the lost box also intrigued me as a reader. Thus, the connection of the two genres turned into an enjoyable read and The French Adventure become a provider of both escape and entertainment.
Rating: 3.5/5 Cups
