A Year at the French Farmhouse

By: Gillian Harvey

Narrated by: Lucy Scott

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

After ten years of loyal service Lily Butterworth has been made redundant. Like any clever woman, she knows the cure to redundancy is a little too much wine and her best friend.

Only the next morning, Lily has more than a hangover...she has a whole new house – in France!

Seeing this as an opportunity instead of a disaster, she’s excited about finally moving to France, just as she and her husband always dreamed of. However, Lily is in for another surprise. Despite planning to move there for over 20 years, her husband never actually intended to go.

So begins a year in France, alone, renovating the gorgeous old farmhouse that is held together by wallpaper and wishes.

Will a year at the French farmhouse be just what Lily needs? Or could it be the previous owner, Frederique, that is the answer to Lily’s dreams?

©2022 Gillian Harvey (P)2022 Boldwood Books

Light breezy romance

Enjoyable escape to a French farm house. The narration was really good, her voice was relaxing.

Somewhat predictable but a fun escape for the mind

A light read, predictable but enjoyable. Our protagonist says “thank you” to ad nauseam, but that was the most bothersome thing about it. I enjoyed it as a relaxing bedtime listen.

It had its moments

This was just an ok read for me. It felt as if Lily really should have had a chance to grow and mature on her own a lot more than she did, and Ben was frusterating.

A fun quick read

Enjoyed the dream I share written into words. If you love French little stories, you will enjoy this story.

Made me look at real estate in France!

Sweet story, and anything set in France with references to Russell Crowe is fun for me.

Interesting Theme

I never warmed up to the main character but I found it a very interesting take on when a person has a dream, pursues it and all the pressure by others who can be very convincing as well as the guilt that comes with "going for it. "The main character had to be absolutely resolute in her decision to pursue her dream and courageous. I think, if any of the readers have dreams of their own , this book points out what it takes to do it.

One little bugaboo for me is how the French were portrayed as being open to someone new and forming friendships. I love the French and I love France but culturally, it takes a long time for most French people to open up and become a friend. It wouldn't happen as quickly as in this book.

The narration was outstanding

Leaving a spouse to pursue a dream

I was disappointed that this book was all conversation and the self centered thoughts of the main character and very little to do with a French farmhouse. She ditched her husband and son to chase a dream of living in France, Very little description of her new life there other than being pursued by a French suitor.

Why?

Why am I listening to this story? Lily, the protagonist, is dumb as a rutabaga. Her behavior would be more believable if she were 15. (My apologies to teenagers, and rutabagas.) l am only listening because I'm stubborn, and a part of me thinks it's possible this selfish, stupid, and childish character will miraculously grow up. I think l shall be disappointed.

slow moving story filled with political talking points

I despise writers who feel like making fun of particular political hot topics so I immediately stopped listening. Because a writer agrees to alienate their audience, this will just hurt their bottom line. Total garbage.