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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you have an interest in boutique hotel management in France, you’ll love this book.
Oh dear. Another women’s lit book mis-marketed as romance. And the cover?! Who is the chick on the cover? It’s definitely not Lucy who has grey hair! My fault for not reading the synopsis better, and for jumping in based on the cute cover. I struggled to relate to Lucy as she reinvents herself now that she is entering her 50s. It’s VERY difficult to not picture my mom when reading this, so romance was icky when present. Which wasn’t often. There’s an Eat, Pray, Love vibe going on in that Lucy has to really find herself and her happiness. There are some silly moments too that I mostly eyerolled at. A 50 year old woman has bad expectations of her new hotel. Because google earth isn’t a thing?!
That’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll watch the Hallmark movie someday. (Which maybe will actually develop the romance beyond attraction).
Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my review!
That’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll watch the Hallmark movie someday. (Which maybe will actually develop the romance beyond attraction).
Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my review!
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In Lucy Checks In, a fancy hotel manager moves to France to renovate a hotel sight unseen. Lucy's running from a hostile situation in the US. Her former boss and lover stole millions from his NYC hotel, and though Lucy's been cleared of all wrongdoing (thanks to some expensive lawyers), her name still carries the whiff of scandal. Which is how she winds up working to get a historical, boutique hotel off the ground despite some desperate need for TLC and elbow grease. The hotel has been shuttered since the last world war, now home to a motley crew of residents eager to see the vacant rooms returned to their former glory. Lucy is confident in her skills, but she doesn't anticipate the depth of what's needed (some light plant larceny) or her role in it (painting all the walls instead of sitting comfortably in an office). As she tackles this major project, Lucy has to learn to trust herself again after the major betrayal she suffered. While her professional confidence survived intact, she must resurrect her ability to connect with new people and find a life that brings her joy and satisfaction.
This is another example of a book classified as a romance where the love story is more of a side plot. It's well-designed and thoughtful, but this is Lucy's story through and through. It's about her professional life, her family, her self-worth, and her friendships as much as romance. One of the best parts of the book is a friendship trip to Paris rather than a romantic one, and the book's all the better for it. In addition, I was relieved to dodge stressful, over-the-top comedic mishaps as the characters renovate the hotel. This is about Lucy piecing together her confidence, not ridiculous tomfoolery to make me sweat it out. There's also no final act breakup to add unnecessary angst and no backsliding or prevaricating to stagnate the plot.
My only complaint is that some big emotional beats felt rushed or sidelined in comparison to their potential. Lucy breaks down her barrier to romantic happiness, but this big milestone rushes into bliss after most of the book made an effort at slow burn by avoiding any progress. Lucy's relationships with her nieces are pegged as important early on but didn't give me the emotional impact I needed to shed any tears when tragedy strikes (content warning for death in the family and for alcohol addiction). The big moments hit me like plot devices rather than meditations on deeper feelings due to timing (i.e. Lucy needs an ending that features both romance and proximity to her beloved nieces rather than Lucy struggles with grief and complicated family relationships).
Overall, this was a light and fluffy read that I enjoyed on that level. Lucy drinks wine outside cafes and eats French foods of superior quality that made my mouth water. She renovates a hotel and makes friends, feeling the proud results of her hard work. The romance and family plots clamor to carry big feelings at the end, defeated by the need to wrap things up in a neat bow. All the same, it was a pleasant read with a gorgeous ambiance. Thanks to SMP Romance for my copy to read and review!
This is another example of a book classified as a romance where the love story is more of a side plot. It's well-designed and thoughtful, but this is Lucy's story through and through. It's about her professional life, her family, her self-worth, and her friendships as much as romance. One of the best parts of the book is a friendship trip to Paris rather than a romantic one, and the book's all the better for it. In addition, I was relieved to dodge stressful, over-the-top comedic mishaps as the characters renovate the hotel. This is about Lucy piecing together her confidence, not ridiculous tomfoolery to make me sweat it out. There's also no final act breakup to add unnecessary angst and no backsliding or prevaricating to stagnate the plot.
My only complaint is that some big emotional beats felt rushed or sidelined in comparison to their potential. Lucy breaks down her barrier to romantic happiness, but this big milestone rushes into bliss after most of the book made an effort at slow burn by avoiding any progress. Lucy's relationships with her nieces are pegged as important early on but didn't give me the emotional impact I needed to shed any tears when tragedy strikes (content warning for death in the family and for alcohol addiction). The big moments hit me like plot devices rather than meditations on deeper feelings due to timing (i.e. Lucy needs an ending that features both romance and proximity to her beloved nieces rather than Lucy struggles with grief and complicated family relationships).
Overall, this was a light and fluffy read that I enjoyed on that level. Lucy drinks wine outside cafes and eats French foods of superior quality that made my mouth water. She renovates a hotel and makes friends, feeling the proud results of her hard work. The romance and family plots clamor to carry big feelings at the end, defeated by the need to wrap things up in a neat bow. All the same, it was a pleasant read with a gorgeous ambiance. Thanks to SMP Romance for my copy to read and review!
This book. This beautiful, beautiful book. How can I describe the feelings it brought out in me? Found family is my absolute, all-time favorite trope. Lucy Checks In has this is spades. I love fun cast of characters to flesh out a book. Lucy, Bing, Marie Claude, Claudine, Karl, Vera, and Georges all have their own roles to play. This mixed group of people come together in Hotel Paradis and make it come alive. Dee Ernst describes Rennes in a way that makes you feel as though you're standing right next to Lucy, experiencing everything right alongside her. If you like a story with a full cast of wonderful, lovable characters, a gorgeous setting, and an emotional connection, this book is for you.
slow-paced
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.25/5 stars
I want to start with the caveat that I really enjoyed Maggie Finds Her Muse and that was my main reason for requesting this book. I like that Dee Ernst writes stories about women in their 40s getting a second chance at life -- it's a refreshing change of pace.
I liked this book. I liked the characters. I think it holds up to the description.
Where I'm running into a disconnect is with the cover. If I solely look at the cover (because yes, we do actually judge books by their cover), I'd think our main character was a 20 year old woman. The silhouette on the front is so thin -- but in the book, Lucy is not described this way and she is definitely older than her 20s. I just think the cover could have fit the book better. It's a great story but if you're expecting something different just by glancing at the cover, you could be disappointed and not experience the book the way it was meant to be experience.
That said, I enjoyed this book. It was a light and refreshing read, and I'll continue to read more from Ernst.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
I want to start with the caveat that I really enjoyed Maggie Finds Her Muse and that was my main reason for requesting this book. I like that Dee Ernst writes stories about women in their 40s getting a second chance at life -- it's a refreshing change of pace.
I liked this book. I liked the characters. I think it holds up to the description.
Where I'm running into a disconnect is with the cover. If I solely look at the cover (because yes, we do actually judge books by their cover), I'd think our main character was a 20 year old woman. The silhouette on the front is so thin -- but in the book, Lucy is not described this way and she is definitely older than her 20s. I just think the cover could have fit the book better. It's a great story but if you're expecting something different just by glancing at the cover, you could be disappointed and not experience the book the way it was meant to be experience.
That said, I enjoyed this book. It was a light and refreshing read, and I'll continue to read more from Ernst.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
I received a free copy of this book for review purposes from NetGalley and the Publishers. "Lucy Checks In" was absolutely adorable. Lucy is an affable and realistic character. I feel like more cute, chick-lit, rom-com characters tend to be in their early to mid twenties or early thirties. It was extremely refreshing to have an older protagonist in Lucy. The vivid descriptions of Rennes made me want to immediately plan a trip to France. I found all the secondary characters from Bing, to Lucy's parents/nieces, Claudine, etc. to also be very well-developed and entertaining in their own ways. This story has an incredible message, you can always begin again. In these times we need more books that portray that message. "Lucy Checks In" is a breath of fresh air on many levels for that reason.