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im211's review
4.0
I am so glad this book managed to stay clear of cliché contemporary tropes for the most part, and actually delved into the character’s turmoil and growth. This involves internal monologue to her mother who couldn’t make it to the trip and captures the beauty of Provence, France, as well.
Jamie has been sent on a trip to France, whilst suffering from the aftermath of an accident in order for her to recover and unwind. However she sees it a chance to atone for what happened that fateful day
With meeting an estranged grandmother whose disgruntled by their language barrier and leave her to her own devices. Jamie finds her holiday as an indirect mode of punishment for the accident, until she discovers a hidden letter which leads her to a treasure hunt destined for another 17 years back.
Driven by guilt-ridden ambition, Jamie takes on a quest with a friendly, curious local Valentine, then scores whole of Provence to get to the spot which she believes may hold the solution to everything.
Review.
This is an emotional yet adventurous treasure hunt story, that explores family bonds, self-growth, and realization as well as a reminder that the heart no matter how broken can heal again.
Jamie is absorbed in her guilt on what she believes is her fault as to why her mother can't make it to the trip with her. So rather than enjoying as she’s meant to, she decides to redeem herself in any way possible, without taking account that its not redemption she needs but just a little insight to get the real picture of not just the accident but also people around her.
We do get plenty of twists and surprises despite me finding this a predictable read, it was more than just a declaration of love but also willing to accept the differences and still walk on together.
I loved how the main character's feelings and thoughts were described and worth h to be highlighted.
This book manages to capture the 17-year-old emotional overhaul and confusion quite accurately, the guild, self-depreciation, and the stubborn hold onto pessimism. Jamie is by far not a charming character, she’s a fleshed-out realistic character who doesn’t think twice before embarking on a trip that might be more hurdle some than she bargained for.
Yet, throughout the quest we see everything that’s being thrown at her in midst of all strenuous search, her relationship with her grandma doesn’t seem to get better, her friendship with Valentine is sometimes strong as stone and other times as fragile as a strung wire.
And everything about that is what made this story a worthwhile read. WE don’t have a Valentine who’s a saint, but a peer who can be charming and disgruntled towards Jamie when she’s being unreasonable. And I really appreciated this about Valentine’s character, He’s a nice and sweet but he can also back down when Jamie loses her cool and behaves recklessly. Which is a great contrast from the all-perfect character we usually deal with in YA and I found this realistic portrayal quite refreshing to read for a change.
I loved how her guilt was dealt with and resolved when the time arrived, and how Jamie was put into her place for being blameless and at the same time given the news flash that she has been seeing it all from the wrong angle.
DISLIKE
I didn’t particularly dislike anything in this book, I felt like I’d already anticipated how the predicament would resolve from very early on, and what Valentine would turn out to be and the purpose behind the treasure hunt.
beesteele's review
4.0
First and foremost, I should say that I listened to this as an audiobook rather than reading a physical copy. It was my first ever audiobook, and I really enjoyed it this way! The narration was good, and I appreciated the full-on dedication to the French accents.
Now, onto the book itself...
This was such a cute story! It does deal with some hard issues such as guilt, trauma, and feeling unaccepted by family, but despite those heavy subjects, the story still manages to feel light and fun. Jamie's journey as she gets to know the south of France and her own family's history is an enjoyable one to join, and her dreamy guide, Valentin, makes it even more so!
I thought this book was great to read now, in a time when travel-lovers everywhere are clamoring to travel again after more than a year of being grounded due to the pandemic. The details of setting, food, wine, sounds, and smells are all very visceral, and it made me feel for a while like I really was exploring this part of the world too.
Huge thanks to the author/publisher for gifting me this audiobook. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a way out of a reading slump or a way to feel like you've hopped on a plane to Provence.
Now, onto the book itself...
This was such a cute story! It does deal with some hard issues such as guilt, trauma, and feeling unaccepted by family, but despite those heavy subjects, the story still manages to feel light and fun. Jamie's journey as she gets to know the south of France and her own family's history is an enjoyable one to join, and her dreamy guide, Valentin, makes it even more so!
I thought this book was great to read now, in a time when travel-lovers everywhere are clamoring to travel again after more than a year of being grounded due to the pandemic. The details of setting, food, wine, sounds, and smells are all very visceral, and it made me feel for a while like I really was exploring this part of the world too.
Huge thanks to the author/publisher for gifting me this audiobook. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a way out of a reading slump or a way to feel like you've hopped on a plane to Provence.
bewitched_bibliophile's review
4.0
3.5/5 Strars
I have mixed feeling for this Book.At first Book bit slow. Aix Marks the Spot is set in the backdrop of France Provence. So, the book starts with Jamie flying to France to stay with her grandmother after her mother’s accident.
The book is well written. The premises of the book are really cute with all scavenger hunts, that made the book interesting. The description of the different places given in the book is really good.
Coming to characters, first of all Jamie, I had hard time understanding her character because of lack of background story in the beginning and somewhere she was stubborn also. Valentin was more composed than Jamie whenever she get anxious. I like their Deep friendship and their cute romance.
The author also highlighted the difference between American and European Culture also. One thing I like about the book is, it has shown the family Bonding and any problem can be solved by talking and listening.
If you are looking something cute for this summer then you can give this book a try.
I have mixed feeling for this Book.At first Book bit slow. Aix Marks the Spot is set in the backdrop of France Provence. So, the book starts with Jamie flying to France to stay with her grandmother after her mother’s accident.
The book is well written. The premises of the book are really cute with all scavenger hunts, that made the book interesting. The description of the different places given in the book is really good.
Coming to characters, first of all Jamie, I had hard time understanding her character because of lack of background story in the beginning and somewhere she was stubborn also. Valentin was more composed than Jamie whenever she get anxious. I like their Deep friendship and their cute romance.
The author also highlighted the difference between American and European Culture also. One thing I like about the book is, it has shown the family Bonding and any problem can be solved by talking and listening.
If you are looking something cute for this summer then you can give this book a try.
paragraphsandpages's review
4.0
This is honestly a really tough book to review because lots of this hits really close to home and I don't really know how to feel about it sometimes. My situation is a lot farther from Jamie's, as I grew up knowing my parent's home country and their families, but yet sometimes I feel as isolated and pushed out by it, even sometimes my own home country too (like Jamie struggles with but through different motivations). So a lot of the questioning where one belongs/what culture one belongs to hit hard. The letters in the novel themselves also clicked with a lot of my own experiences And it's hard to explain how that impacted my reading experience, or my enjoyment of the book. It just made me feel raw or vulnerable at times, which honestly isn't a bad thing.
Honestly though, Anderson's representation of feeling between cultures, between families, between homes resonated deeply, which must mean that it was well done to a large extent. She captured a lot of what I've felt at times, being 'between' a lot of things myself. The way she portrayed European culture through American eyes was extremely well done as well, even done to the sometimes insanely small showers. Jamie had so many thoughts that I've had myself before, when comparing the two, or what I've heard Europeans say to me about America/ns. It just felt really authentic to reality, and I loved that.
Anderson also did a really great job of building up Provence, of bringing you along on Jamie's journey on her scavenger hunt. You feel her struggles when ordering, with tourists, and her enjoyment in all the new foods. You feel her awe when she comes across castles and beautiful, ancient cities, and I loved that so much. If this doesn't make people want to visit, I don't know what will.
The only reason this is 4 stars is because I found Jamie a little too frustrating at times, especially during her fights with Valentin. People lash out in anger but sometimes those fights, and the current conflict, felt a little forced, or worse, exaggerated. But honestly, this only detracted my enjoyment from very few scenes, as it honestly didn't happen that often.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and honestly didn't expect how real it would feel. I've always kind of avoided the books about Americans traveling to Europe (subconsciously, but still), but this might have convinced me to try and look for more.
Spoiler
as I'm also someone who came to a different country to study, and I felt a lot of the same things that Jamie's mother did (like being seen as an American, or even a tourist, is something that makes me cringe a lot sometimes)Honestly though, Anderson's representation of feeling between cultures, between families, between homes resonated deeply, which must mean that it was well done to a large extent. She captured a lot of what I've felt at times, being 'between' a lot of things myself. The way she portrayed European culture through American eyes was extremely well done as well, even done to the sometimes insanely small showers. Jamie had so many thoughts that I've had myself before, when comparing the two, or what I've heard Europeans say to me about America/ns. It just felt really authentic to reality, and I loved that.
Anderson also did a really great job of building up Provence, of bringing you along on Jamie's journey on her scavenger hunt. You feel her struggles when ordering, with tourists, and her enjoyment in all the new foods. You feel her awe when she comes across castles and beautiful, ancient cities, and I loved that so much. If this doesn't make people want to visit, I don't know what will.
The only reason this is 4 stars is because I found Jamie a little too frustrating at times, especially during her fights with Valentin. People lash out in anger but sometimes those fights, and the current conflict, felt a little forced, or worse, exaggerated. But honestly, this only detracted my enjoyment from very few scenes, as it honestly didn't happen that often.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and honestly didn't expect how real it would feel. I've always kind of avoided the books about Americans traveling to Europe (subconsciously, but still), but this might have convinced me to try and look for more.
itsmethebibliophile's review
2.0
**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for a chance to read & review an E-ARC of this novel!**
I went into this novel hoping to love it & unfortunately I came out feeling very meh about it. While I really enjoyed the cultural aspects of this story & the plot of a treasure hunt across Provence was alluring...it just didn't hit the mark for me. I know that parts of this novel are based on the author's real experiences. My review is by no means meant to try & degrade or discredit her experiences...it's just my thoughts & feelings from reading this novel. Please find my extended feedback below...along with some spoilers (beware).
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Things I Liked:
-Valentin: he was super helpful & so sweet! I sort of feel bad that he ended up with Jamie (please see my thoughts on Jamie below).
-JP: Jean-Pascal! While his part in this story was very small...he was so likable & funny! I enjoyed his little appearances more than almost any other character.
-the descriptions of Provence & the surrounding areas: I have always wanted to visit France & that desire is something that drew me to this novel. I loved the way the author provided such visual cues for the reader. It felt like I was really there. :)
-how the author addressed tourist issues: some tourists are really rude & do treat the places they visit like only destinations instead of respecting that these places are homes & communities.
-the twist of the plot: Jamie's mom actually wrote the letters! While this confused the heck out of me while I was reading that last letter...I thought it added some depth to the concept of Jamie's mother trying to learn from her husbands culture...not steal him from it.
-the French phrases & words mixed into the novel: I loved seeing this & enjoyed trying to understand the language even in the small phrases in this novel. French is a beautiful language & this made me want to learn it even more!
-the play on words in the title: cute! :)
Things That Didn't Sit Quite Right With Me:
-JAMIE: Oh Jamie. She was very self-centered, egocentric, whiny, & self-loathing. I found it difficult to like her. She twisted everything to be about her...why someone didn't like her...why people isolated her...why people weren't talking to her...how the accident was all her fault...how she was the reason the family fell apart...how she was the was the reason for her father & his mother's poor relationship...her refusal to enjoy being in France...she made it a challenge for me to enjoy this novel & she is honestly the main reason my rating is on the lower side.
-Mamie: she was just really rude & sour overall. Being hurt is not a reason to cause hurt. I was not a fan.
-how everything was "fixed" by the finding of the letters (Mamie reading them) & Jamie/Mamie traveling to America to make amends: I find that sort of resolution to be fast/pressured & somewhat unrealistic.
Overall, I gave this novel 2 stars. I think it would be a great read for those interested in reading a light YA read with romance, cultural, & familial relationship themes.
I went into this novel hoping to love it & unfortunately I came out feeling very meh about it. While I really enjoyed the cultural aspects of this story & the plot of a treasure hunt across Provence was alluring...it just didn't hit the mark for me. I know that parts of this novel are based on the author's real experiences. My review is by no means meant to try & degrade or discredit her experiences...it's just my thoughts & feelings from reading this novel. Please find my extended feedback below...along with some spoilers (beware).
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Things I Liked:
-Valentin: he was super helpful & so sweet! I sort of feel bad that he ended up with Jamie (please see my thoughts on Jamie below).
-JP: Jean-Pascal! While his part in this story was very small...he was so likable & funny! I enjoyed his little appearances more than almost any other character.
-the descriptions of Provence & the surrounding areas: I have always wanted to visit France & that desire is something that drew me to this novel. I loved the way the author provided such visual cues for the reader. It felt like I was really there. :)
-how the author addressed tourist issues: some tourists are really rude & do treat the places they visit like only destinations instead of respecting that these places are homes & communities.
-the twist of the plot: Jamie's mom actually wrote the letters! While this confused the heck out of me while I was reading that last letter...I thought it added some depth to the concept of Jamie's mother trying to learn from her husbands culture...not steal him from it.
-the French phrases & words mixed into the novel: I loved seeing this & enjoyed trying to understand the language even in the small phrases in this novel. French is a beautiful language & this made me want to learn it even more!
-the play on words in the title: cute! :)
Things That Didn't Sit Quite Right With Me:
-JAMIE: Oh Jamie. She was very self-centered, egocentric, whiny, & self-loathing. I found it difficult to like her. She twisted everything to be about her...why someone didn't like her...why people isolated her...why people weren't talking to her...how the accident was all her fault...how she was the reason the family fell apart...how she was the was the reason for her father & his mother's poor relationship...her refusal to enjoy being in France...she made it a challenge for me to enjoy this novel & she is honestly the main reason my rating is on the lower side.
-Mamie: she was just really rude & sour overall. Being hurt is not a reason to cause hurt. I was not a fan.
-how everything was "fixed" by the finding of the letters (Mamie reading them) & Jamie/Mamie traveling to America to make amends: I find that sort of resolution to be fast/pressured & somewhat unrealistic.
Overall, I gave this novel 2 stars. I think it would be a great read for those interested in reading a light YA read with romance, cultural, & familial relationship themes.
deethereader's review
3.0
Jamie has been sent to a France to stay with her fathers mother who she has never met. After being sent to the local village on an errand Jamie meets a local boy Valentin. Jamie discovers a letter that she thinks is written by her father to her mother and is a treasure hunt of sorts. Jamie enlist the help of Valentin to help discover the places that were significant to her parents and to reach the end of the hunt. Along the way Jamie wrestles with her own guilt and conscious that leaves her missing the most important clues of all
This was a great story not only of love but also of heartache and the coming to terms with how best to live you life
This eARC was sent to me by MetGalley for an honest review
This was a great story not only of love but also of heartache and the coming to terms with how best to live you life
This eARC was sent to me by MetGalley for an honest review
rennegade's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was some good, clean fun. I picked up it specifically wanting a cute romance, and I got that!
Jamie is sent to France to spend the summer with her absent and aloof grandmother after an accident left her mother relearning to walk. She finds an old treasure hunt in her father's bedroom and begins to follow it, convinced that solving this 17-year-old hunt is the key to fixing her family. In the process, she struggles to get accustomed to the language and culture, feels rejected by her grandmother, and meets a cute boy to help her in her quest.
The backdrop for this novel was gorgeous. It made me want to book a flight to France (despite the fact that the book also showed me that my four semesters of French were wasted on me as I barely remember a word of the language!) and go smell that lavender and see the sights.
The relationship with the grandmother hit very close to home for me. Without giving too much of the novel away, I will just say that I can very much relate to an aloof paternal grandmother who showed disdain for me and my mother. I am glad it was fleshed out and explored in this novel. It took a while to get to the heart of the issue, but once they did, they were able to work on resolution.
I left this book feeling warm and fuzzy, so I consider it a success. Sometimes the plot felt a bit choppy and forced, but it was quickly looked past in favor of the lush descriptions and sweet moments. This was a win for me!
This was some good, clean fun. I picked up it specifically wanting a cute romance, and I got that!
Jamie is sent to France to spend the summer with her absent and aloof grandmother after an accident left her mother relearning to walk. She finds an old treasure hunt in her father's bedroom and begins to follow it, convinced that solving this 17-year-old hunt is the key to fixing her family. In the process, she struggles to get accustomed to the language and culture, feels rejected by her grandmother, and meets a cute boy to help her in her quest.
The backdrop for this novel was gorgeous. It made me want to book a flight to France (despite the fact that the book also showed me that my four semesters of French were wasted on me as I barely remember a word of the language!) and go smell that lavender and see the sights.
The relationship with the grandmother hit very close to home for me. Without giving too much of the novel away, I will just say that I can very much relate to an aloof paternal grandmother who showed disdain for me and my mother. I am glad it was fleshed out and explored in this novel. It took a while to get to the heart of the issue, but once they did, they were able to work on resolution.
I left this book feeling warm and fuzzy, so I consider it a success. Sometimes the plot felt a bit choppy and forced, but it was quickly looked past in favor of the lush descriptions and sweet moments. This was a win for me!
sammys2's review
4.0
Amo descobrir livros novos e, nesse meio, acabar sendo surpreendida. 2020 tem seguido bem essa pegada em leituras para mim, sobretudo no âmbito YA que, como no caso desse livro, têm me feito perceber o quão profundo esse gênero ainda pode ser.
Por ter amado Amor & Gelato no início do ano, quando me deparei com a sinopse desse eu logo tive que ler. A premissa que se passa na França aos olhos de uma adolescente americana enviada para passar as férias com a avó materna com quem nunca teve contato antes me deu um ar da mesma saga de Lina no outro livro citado, e fiquei empolgada por encontrar mais uma história sobre trocas culturais e familiares, além do bônus da caça ao tesouro que Jamie acaba por descobrir.
Acontece que, mesmo o livro indo de encontro a essas expectativas iniciais, ele também foi além. Sob o pretexto da caça ao tesouro, Jamie vai acabar imersa numa verdadeira jornada não só de descobrir qual o grande tesouro ao final dela, mas também, nesse processo, a encarar a si mesma e o que a levou a, primeiro de tudo, ir parar na França.
Pouco a pouco, vemos Aix Marks the Spot se desdobrar de um "simples" YA para uma história que vai falar muito sobre temas bem reais e importantes, como o perdão, cuja pauta é iniciada logo por Jamie que se culpa constantemente por algo que ela acredita ter feito à mãe e vê na caça ao tesouro uma tentativa de se redimir. Além disso, por meio das interações entre ela, a avó Colette e Valentin, um garoto francês com quem faz amizade, muito vai se falar também sobre as diferenças culturais e os altos e baixos entre elas; sobre a importância de respeitar a cultura, idioma e país do outro, até discussões sobre como, por diversas vezes, a diferença linguística é só um detalhe e, com ou sem ela, ainda se pode evitar certos equívocos ou, no caso de Jamie e os demais, consertar erros.
Não leia esperando um romance como a sinopse pode destacar. Ele existe, mas bem nas entrelinhas, uma vez que o foco de verdade é a jornada de Jamie, por vezes ao lado de Valentin a auxiliando na localização e afins, rumo a descobrir um tesouro que, no final, nos leva junto com ela a descobrir e passear por entre as belezas e curiosidades de Provença e, logo mais, a ser mais um pretexto para fazer não só ela, bem como todos ao seu redor, a refletirem melhor sobre as culpas que carregamos e que, merecendo-as ou não, o quão libertador é se permitir perdoar, não só aos outros como, também, a si mesmo.
Está aí uma leitura que me fez refletir, emocionar, destacar vários quotes que me despertaram pensamentos, reações e sentimentos diferentes ao longo da leitura, me fez passar raiva com os personagens em alguns momentos e querer colocá-los em um potinho em outros, além de, por vezes, me fazer sentir como se estivesse passeando com os personagens por Provença e outros lugares ao sul da França que, se antes eu não conhecia, fiquei com vontade de visitar um dia. Um livro, várias emoções, e ainda que não tenha sido 5 estrelas ou um favorito, continua sendo incrível e eu definitivamente recomendo!
Por ter amado Amor & Gelato no início do ano, quando me deparei com a sinopse desse eu logo tive que ler. A premissa que se passa na França aos olhos de uma adolescente americana enviada para passar as férias com a avó materna com quem nunca teve contato antes me deu um ar da mesma saga de Lina no outro livro citado, e fiquei empolgada por encontrar mais uma história sobre trocas culturais e familiares, além do bônus da caça ao tesouro que Jamie acaba por descobrir.
Acontece que, mesmo o livro indo de encontro a essas expectativas iniciais, ele também foi além. Sob o pretexto da caça ao tesouro, Jamie vai acabar imersa numa verdadeira jornada não só de descobrir qual o grande tesouro ao final dela, mas também, nesse processo, a encarar a si mesma e o que a levou a, primeiro de tudo, ir parar na França.
Pouco a pouco, vemos Aix Marks the Spot se desdobrar de um "simples" YA para uma história que vai falar muito sobre temas bem reais e importantes, como o perdão, cuja pauta é iniciada logo por Jamie que se culpa constantemente por algo que ela acredita ter feito à mãe e vê na caça ao tesouro uma tentativa de se redimir. Além disso, por meio das interações entre ela, a avó Colette e Valentin, um garoto francês com quem faz amizade, muito vai se falar também sobre as diferenças culturais e os altos e baixos entre elas; sobre a importância de respeitar a cultura, idioma e país do outro, até discussões sobre como, por diversas vezes, a diferença linguística é só um detalhe e, com ou sem ela, ainda se pode evitar certos equívocos ou, no caso de Jamie e os demais, consertar erros.
Não leia esperando um romance como a sinopse pode destacar. Ele existe, mas bem nas entrelinhas, uma vez que o foco de verdade é a jornada de Jamie, por vezes ao lado de Valentin a auxiliando na localização e afins, rumo a descobrir um tesouro que, no final, nos leva junto com ela a descobrir e passear por entre as belezas e curiosidades de Provença e, logo mais, a ser mais um pretexto para fazer não só ela, bem como todos ao seu redor, a refletirem melhor sobre as culpas que carregamos e que, merecendo-as ou não, o quão libertador é se permitir perdoar, não só aos outros como, também, a si mesmo.
Está aí uma leitura que me fez refletir, emocionar, destacar vários quotes que me despertaram pensamentos, reações e sentimentos diferentes ao longo da leitura, me fez passar raiva com os personagens em alguns momentos e querer colocá-los em um potinho em outros, além de, por vezes, me fazer sentir como se estivesse passeando com os personagens por Provença e outros lugares ao sul da França que, se antes eu não conhecia, fiquei com vontade de visitar um dia. Um livro, várias emoções, e ainda que não tenha sido 5 estrelas ou um favorito, continua sendo incrível e eu definitivamente recomendo!
mol_jack's review
4.0
What an incredibly sweet YA contemporary novel that would make a great beach-read!
After a freak accident, Jamie is sent to the south of France to live with a grandmother she has never met for the summer. She travels to Provence with few expectations of how the summer will go, and is met with iciness and from her "Mamie" and difficulties with the language barrier. During a run to town for some groceries (with a list she can't read...) she runs into Valentin - a local teen who quickly takes a liking to Jamie's outspoken nature. The two quickly become friends and that bond is strengthened when Jamie discovers a treasure hunt that her father left for her mother 17 years prior. She knows the only way that she'll be able to venture across the south of France is with the help of Valentin, and she quickly realizes that "treasure" might not be the only thing she finds on her journey.
This book explores the relationships between friends, families and the importance of self-discovery. Anderson writes characters that are flawed yet relatable and her descriptions of Provence and the surrounding areas was idyllic. I'm all about authors writing in the language of the setting, but I do have to say the extensive use of French throughout made it somewhat difficult to follow. I started off by translating the sentences in French, and then that got to be too much work and I found myself skipping those longer sections.
If you're a francophile or looking for an incredibly sweet summer read, this will be the perfect book for you.
*Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for providing this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
After a freak accident, Jamie is sent to the south of France to live with a grandmother she has never met for the summer. She travels to Provence with few expectations of how the summer will go, and is met with iciness and from her "Mamie" and difficulties with the language barrier. During a run to town for some groceries (with a list she can't read...) she runs into Valentin - a local teen who quickly takes a liking to Jamie's outspoken nature. The two quickly become friends and that bond is strengthened when Jamie discovers a treasure hunt that her father left for her mother 17 years prior. She knows the only way that she'll be able to venture across the south of France is with the help of Valentin, and she quickly realizes that "treasure" might not be the only thing she finds on her journey.
This book explores the relationships between friends, families and the importance of self-discovery. Anderson writes characters that are flawed yet relatable and her descriptions of Provence and the surrounding areas was idyllic. I'm all about authors writing in the language of the setting, but I do have to say the extensive use of French throughout made it somewhat difficult to follow. I started off by translating the sentences in French, and then that got to be too much work and I found myself skipping those longer sections.
If you're a francophile or looking for an incredibly sweet summer read, this will be the perfect book for you.
*Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for providing this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
the_bookish_raven's review
4.0
3.5/5 stars (rounded up to 4)
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! When an accident happens that leaves her mother horribly injured, Jaime finds herself sent to France to live with a grandmother she has never met. Unfortunately, Jaime does not speak French which makes her life very difficult. Plus, her grandmother seems to want nothing to do with her. She stumbles across a letter which sends her off on a treasure hunt through France. Her friend/translator/guide, Valentin, accompanies her. A journey of discovery, love, heartbreak, and finding one's self begins.
If you're looking for a sweet, adorable, or cute book, this one's for you. I loved the fact this book took place in France! I find other cultures fascinating and I loved the author's descriptions of the towns and the food and the language! Valentin was definitely my favorite character, but I honestly loved all the side characters. I literally had Google Translate up to translate some of the French as I read along; this might bother other readers, but there was usually enough context to figure it out. And if there wasn't enough context, then not figuring it out was kind of the point. I'm just overly curious and I love languages, so I enjoyed translating the lines! The dialogue in this book is very authentic. Some authors butcher dialogue that takes place between people speaking languages other than their first one. This author nailed it! The broken French and English at the same time, the stopping to figure out one particular word, getting confused from rapidly switching back and forth for so long--it felt very realistic and I loved it!
I gave this book 3.5 stars for a couple reasons. Towards the end, the book started to feel rushed. I didn't have time to properly appreciate or process certain things. Without spoiling anything, there is one topic that is only vaguely mentioned towards the end of the book and I felt as if it was skipped over a lot. I also wasn't the hugest fan of Jaime and the way she treated Valentin sometimes. I understand that she was going through a lot, but he didn't deserve all of the backlash he got. I also wish the ending wasn't so short and abrupt; there was more I would've liked to see happen there, but it was satisfying enough to please me.
All in all, this book was sweet and enjoyable! Any one who loves France or a cute rom-com adventure should consider reading this!
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! When an accident happens that leaves her mother horribly injured, Jaime finds herself sent to France to live with a grandmother she has never met. Unfortunately, Jaime does not speak French which makes her life very difficult. Plus, her grandmother seems to want nothing to do with her. She stumbles across a letter which sends her off on a treasure hunt through France. Her friend/translator/guide, Valentin, accompanies her. A journey of discovery, love, heartbreak, and finding one's self begins.
If you're looking for a sweet, adorable, or cute book, this one's for you. I loved the fact this book took place in France! I find other cultures fascinating and I loved the author's descriptions of the towns and the food and the language! Valentin was definitely my favorite character, but I honestly loved all the side characters. I literally had Google Translate up to translate some of the French as I read along; this might bother other readers, but there was usually enough context to figure it out. And if there wasn't enough context, then not figuring it out was kind of the point. I'm just overly curious and I love languages, so I enjoyed translating the lines! The dialogue in this book is very authentic. Some authors butcher dialogue that takes place between people speaking languages other than their first one. This author nailed it! The broken French and English at the same time, the stopping to figure out one particular word, getting confused from rapidly switching back and forth for so long--it felt very realistic and I loved it!
I gave this book 3.5 stars for a couple reasons. Towards the end, the book started to feel rushed. I didn't have time to properly appreciate or process certain things. Without spoiling anything, there is one topic that is only vaguely mentioned towards the end of the book and I felt as if it was skipped over a lot. I also wasn't the hugest fan of Jaime and the way she treated Valentin sometimes. I understand that she was going through a lot, but he didn't deserve all of the backlash he got. I also wish the ending wasn't so short and abrupt; there was more I would've liked to see happen there, but it was satisfying enough to please me.
All in all, this book was sweet and enjoyable! Any one who loves France or a cute rom-com adventure should consider reading this!