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One Winter at the French Chalet by Mandy Baggot #Review

  We are travelling to France for Mandy Baggot's latest romcom, One Winter at the French Chalet which was published by Boldwood Books on October 4th. Things aren’t going well for travel writer Orla Bradbee. With Christmas fast approaching, her boss is insisting Orla must travel to a rural village in France to interview a man who doesn’t speak. But with trouble at home – her teenage sister Erin is in a ‘situationship’ with a man online – Orla’s only plan is to take Erin with her. Get the interview done, find out more about this online Romeo and still be back in time for Christmas dinner. Easy, right? Saint-Chambéry is a picturesque French village nestled in the snow-capped mountains, but Jacques Barbier – gorgeous and brooding, yet a man of few words – makes it clear that Orla is wasting her time here. Orla can’t deny that Jacques intrigues and infuriates her, but what is the mysterious Frenchman hiding exactly? And can she get close enough to uncover his secrets with

In the Greek Midwinter by Mandy Baggot #Review

 

We are off to Athens for a festive read today. In the Greek Midwinter by Mandy Baggot was published  on October 6th by Boldwood Books

It was supposed to be a holiday of a lifetime…

But when Jen’s boyfriend David suddenly cancels their romantic Paris trip, needing to urgently travel to Athens for work, it’s best friend Bonnie who suggests they surprise him.

Having already booked the time off from her events company – Christmas Every Day – Jen decides an impromptu and romantic gesture might be just what their relationship needs?

Arriving in Greece and finding David is not there, Jen has a lot of questions. And when she gets her answers she has a choice – should she go home or should she stay a while?

With the help of Astro, the handsome yet Christmas-hating waiter from the local bar, she sets about a little Greek Christmas research. But what starts as a ‘business trip’ soon turns into something more…


 My Thoughts

This is a festive story with a twist as it is set in Athens and you certainly get a feeling for different parts of the city. At its heart is the Parthenon which stands as a symbol of the history which surrounds the city. Jen turns out to be an interesting character with a complicated backstory. She has lacked a traditional family as a child but as you come to realise, there are people who care about her. She has tried to protect herself in the past by burying herself in her work. However, she is also immersing herself in all that has made her feel safe in the past. 

    Astro has a lot in common with Jen. He too has felt a lack of family in his past and buried what he really wants to do so as to avoid criticism. There are plenty of humorous moments as the story unfolds. Some are associated with the children in the story but others with a rather curious pigeon. Others in the story have their own issues to work through but what emerges is a sense of the Universe clicking into position and hope for the coming year.

In short: cultures clash as the stars collide 


About the Author

Mandy Baggot is a bestselling romance writer who loves giving readers that happy-ever-after. From sunshine romantic comedies set in Greece, to cosy curl-up winter reads, she's bringing gorgeous heroes and strong heroines readers can relate to. Mandy splits her time between Salisbury, Wiltshire and Corfu, Greece and has a passion for books, food, racehorses and all things Greek!

 

You can follow Mandy here: Facebook   |  Twitter  |  Instagram |   Bookbub

Book links:  Purchase links   
 
Thanks to Mandy Baggot, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

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