Lucy Coleman

This was always going to be the Christmas from hell and I knew that from the start.

Controlling client. Dysfunctional families. A Christmas contract.

Leesa's new client Cary Anderson is an arrogant, controlling workaholic who doesn't seem to have a clue about love and compassion...until it comes to his grandmother, Cressida Anderson, international bestselling romance author. Cary and Leesa agree on a contract to fool their families into thinking they are an item until the holidays are over. show more Cressida wants her grandson to settle down with a nice woman and Leesa fits the bill. Leesa's Christmas with her ex inlaws is a bit more delicate, especially when her volatile ex shows up unannounced. When Cary comes to her rescue, the contract needs to be extended to keep everyone happy, but at what cost for Leesa and Cary?

This story is full of surprises and touches on subjects such as spousal abuse, miscarriage, infidelity and depression. Cary has an intimidating work ethic and a hot mess of a personal life. Raised by a famous domineering, but sweet, grandmother, he's not one to wear his feelings on his sleeve though Leesa seems to bring out the best in him. Leesa's past is shocking and sad and burying herself into her up and coming video production business is notable. However, the incident at her ex inlaws' home shows just how vulnerable she is with Cary coming to her rescue.

I enjoyed this sweet and complex holiday story filled with love, drama and best intentions.

Thank you to Ms. Coleman for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review. show less

Seren was an absolute doll. She was stronger than she thought, more able than some might have guessed, and lived each day not only from her mind, but her heart. She did not love easily, but when she did it was completely. She put her passion for life into her work, both at the gallery and at home with her metalwork. Speaking of metalwork, I love the fact that this unexpectedly medium was what held her creative heart. As Reid pointed out, it's not something you would have guessed and yet, it show more didn't make it any less possible, or her work any less moving. When planning the event for the gallery, she put her creative side to work, meshing things together that were not formerly thought of with much success...but that's not to say there weren't pitfalls along the way. Some were regarding the project, while others involved her heart in unexpected ways. Seeing her work her way through the culture, the shocking revelations, and the unexpected turn of events, was like watching a master painter at work. She took time to understand who was ultimately constructing the work, accepted those things she could not change, and made adjustments when surprises made themselves known...making the ending THAT much sweeter.

In the end, it was a definite jewel that deserves it's time in the sun, and while Provence still holds my heart, it was a pleasure to walk with this one, hand in hand, as we moved towards an unforeseeable future that was no less mesmerizing. Recommended read for Women's Fiction fans as well as those that like a good Contemporary Romance, heavy on the story and inner soul searching.


**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own show less

What a perfect cover for this heart-warming book; we usually expect amorous couples in a clinch on the cover of chick lit books so it just shows that The French Adventure is setting out to be something that little bit different from the rest.

I loved the character of Anna - she is strong, talented and, after the first few chapters, single. Anna knows her own heart and mind, which is why she never responded in kind to the many 'I love you's' that Karl, her soon to be ex, seemed to say so show more effortlessly. Feeling betrayed by Karl when he doesn't admit to their boss that they are in a relationship, Anna needs to get away from it all and she has got the perfect location with her parents living in France.

Not one to sit idle and mope over the love she has lost, Anna throws herself into helping to renovate her parents' properties and improving their digital presence. Anna also has the perfect medicine to get over Karl: working alongside handsome, but deep as the ocean, Sam. Sam is clearly suffering from heartbreak but any attempt to get close to him seems to push him further away. Anna's not one to give up easily though and she's as determined to fix Sam as she is to fix up the gites.

This book was a real surprise; there's sunshine and romance but also a bit of mystery and adventure. I felt as if I was in France with Anna; as I was reading I could almost feel the sun on my face and Ziggy winding herself around my ankles and purring contentedly. The French Adventure is the perfect summer read.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion. show less

"Christmas at Lock-Keeper's Cottage" will certainly encourage readers to join in the holiday spirit! This clean read of friendship, family, love, and laughter begins aboard the Santa Ahoy narrowboats, and continues on through a surprising Christmas Day. The strength of this book lies in its creative portrayal of celebrations among friends and portrays the spirit of giving. I felt as if the characters were my friends, and I would have liked to be part of their jolly group. The style, setting, show more and characters reminded me of novels by my favorite author, "Miss Read," Dora Jessie Saint, and that is high praise indeed.

Although the story may seem to get off to a slow start as the characters are introduced, I encourage readers to continue, as the story is worth the wait. My only complaint is with the ending, which seemed out of sync with the rest of the lovely story, as if it was tacked on as an afterthought. I wish the story had stopped after Christmas!

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. show less