My Story as an American Au Pair in the Loire Valley

French Illusions, Book 1

De: Linda Kovic-Skow

Narrado por: Lucy Floyd

French Illusions: My Story as an American Au Pair in the Loire Valley is the first of two books based on my diaries from 1979 and 1980. Twenty-one-year-old Linda Kovic needs to learn a language fast in order to fulfill her dream of becoming a flight attendant, so she contracts to become an au pair for a wealthy family in the Loire Valley. In order to secure the nanny position, she lies on her application and pretends to speak French, confident she'll be forgiven once she arrives at her destination. This book captures Linda's real-life story inside and outside the Chateau de Montclair, detailing her challenges and triumphs as she tries to adjust to her new life with the hard-to-please Madame Dubois, her husband, and their two incomprehensible children. When Linda attends language classes at a local university, she encounters, Adam, a handsome young student, and her life with the family becomes more complicated, adding fuel to her internal battle for independence. Join Linda on her adventure of discovery and romance in an extraordinary part of the world.

©2012 Linda Kovic-Skow (P)2016 Linda Kovic-Skow

Interesting and kept my attention

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I am a lover of France and the French language. I enjoyed this audiobook partly because of the narrator speaking so much French in such an authentic accent and also because I have been that girl who tells a white lie to get what she wants and then ends up paying dearly. The story held my attention and I looked forward to listening to it each time I had time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Adam was my favorite character. I know French men just like him.

Which character – as performed by Lucy Floyd – was your favorite?

Madam Debois with her nasty French attitude. I know French women like her.

What a treat!

Where does My Story as an American Au Pair in the Loire Valley rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was my first audible book

Who was your favorite character and why?

Linda

Have you listened to any of Lucy Floyd’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this is my first

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, if I had the time.

Any additional comments?

This was my first audible book and it was a treat! I had previously read French Illusions and it is at the top of my favorites list, so when Linda asked if I would like to listen to her book on audible I jumped at the chance. The narrator Lucy Floyd is absolutely brilliant and heaven to listen to. Listening to her voice in French was lovely. I highly recommend French Illusions Book 1 on audible. I hope to listen to book 2 sometime in the future.

Audio brings the story to life

What did you love best about My Story as an American Au Pair in the Loire Valley?

I have already read both books in the pair and I love the story of personal growth through very difficult circumstances. It is also a very different kind of love story.

What did you like best about this story?

It is a real glimpse into the mind of a 21-year-old women in 1980, far from home.

What does Lucy Floyd bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Lucy is brilliant with voices and bringing nuanced emotions out of the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I love the interactions between Linda and the children.

Any additional comments?

Whispersync is great for this book. I get to see the snippets of written french and hear the pronunciation.

An Honest Tale

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! It was well-written and had great details about life as an au pair in France.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the honesty with which the author told her story. I'm glad she didn't sugar-coat the feelings she had for the "Madame" of the house. The woman who was her boss was just a horrible person to work for, but sometimes authors like to pardon bad behavior in a way that seems insincere. I was very happy that this author revealed her true feelings and let the reader draw his or her own conclusions. It felt very honest and very sincere.

What does Lucy Floyd bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is an excellent reader and her French is impeccable! I am fluent in French and was impressed with her language skills and her ability to provide new intonation for each character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

I have just purchased Part 2 of this memoir and can't wait to get started!

Paris after all.

I loved this book. I love thé girl who wrote it- it felt like a best friend. I always wanted two things I’ve never had: to be an international flight attendant and to live in Paris. This book satisfied my longing for both. I ordered her book. I wish she’d write again soon. Don’t miss this one.