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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
What a delightful and immersive read! Lucia Giannetti was once the best woman in the hotel business. Now, she's unemployed, broke, and directionless. Saved by an offer from overseas, Lucy travels to France where her new job awaits her, but it's far from what she expected. A once beautiful hotel, now crumbling at her feet. Lucy is tasked with restoring the hotel to its former glory. Lucy Checks In is a sweet story about changing directions and discovering what truly matters in life. Lucy was an interesting main character to follow, and it was especially interesting to read from an older perspective. The story itself was good, if predictable. The book does tend to drag around the 60-70% mark but is saved by an expected plot turn. However, everything is tied up nicely in the end and the book finishes with satisfying closure. I would recommend this book to people who love romances and stories set in other countries. I would also highly recommend it for people looking to read characters in an older age demographic.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.
The world Dee Ernst created in this book reminds me of the warm summer sun beating down on my face as I sit on a patio surrounded by a garden with a glass of white wine, breathing in the summer in the air. It reminds me of Europe and the joy of hard work and family and it reminds me of happiness - like summer sun happiness. Needless to say, I loved it.
Quick Synopsis: Lucy is a 49 year old workaholic now destitute, living with her parents, and in desperate need of a job and a chance after her former lover stole all the money from the hotel she worked at and fled with millions of dollars. Now with a tattered reputation and no savings, Lucy is offered a job to bring a small, boutique hotel to live in Rennes, France. What she doesn’t realize is that she’ll be doing the grunt work along with a rag tag group of devoted tenets who have lived their for years. Lucy embarks on a journey to not only create a beautiful hotel, but also to reconnect and find a family in a new country and new life.
Trigger warnings include but are not limited to: betrayal; financial ruin; embezzelment; white collar crime
What I liked:
-This is a beautifully written novel and I couldn’t put it down. It’s easy to read but also engaging and dynamic.
-The relationship dynamics are nuanced and very French. I loved that we don’t get American relationships but based in France, these are French people with French dynamics and it seems authentic.
-There is so much chemistry between all of the characters. I found myself rooting for all the couples. Which is another reason I loved this book: we get more than one happy ending.
-The final climax of the story was unexpected and I loved the way it was handled.
-There was one scene that made me tear up and almost cry, and it wasn’t between Lucy and our main love interest, Bing, but rather between Lucy and her best friend, Julia. *minor spoiler alert* Once the hotel is completed, Lucy’s best friend Julia not only comes, but is the first to book at a room. The support Julia demonstrates for her best friend is just beautiful and it’s a small thing sure, but something I found so beautiful in this book.
-There are so many little moments that seem small, they’re small acts of romance and small moments, but they build the dynamic and the story beautifully.
-There are some hilarious moments, truly hilarious. The humor is dry and it can be hidden sometimes, but there are moments where I was laughing out loud.
-The scenery and descriptions were perfect and I could picture myself in France, in a little hotel, sitting on a patio with a glass of wine.
-I loved how hard Lucy worked. She gave it her all and she knew herself, but throughout this novel, she learns to appreciate more than just work.
-The characters are older - Lucy is 49 and Bing is 55 (I believe). While there are younger characters, I loved that our main characters are not 20 year olds.
I loved this so so much. It was just a beautiful story with beautiful characters. It’s not a tale that will knock you over the head with its tropes, but is a quiet, beautiful story to be appreciated for its simplicity and subtlety (and humor it’s hilarious).
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.
The world Dee Ernst created in this book reminds me of the warm summer sun beating down on my face as I sit on a patio surrounded by a garden with a glass of white wine, breathing in the summer in the air. It reminds me of Europe and the joy of hard work and family and it reminds me of happiness - like summer sun happiness. Needless to say, I loved it.
Quick Synopsis: Lucy is a 49 year old workaholic now destitute, living with her parents, and in desperate need of a job and a chance after her former lover stole all the money from the hotel she worked at and fled with millions of dollars. Now with a tattered reputation and no savings, Lucy is offered a job to bring a small, boutique hotel to live in Rennes, France. What she doesn’t realize is that she’ll be doing the grunt work along with a rag tag group of devoted tenets who have lived their for years. Lucy embarks on a journey to not only create a beautiful hotel, but also to reconnect and find a family in a new country and new life.
Trigger warnings include but are not limited to: betrayal; financial ruin; embezzelment; white collar crime
What I liked:
-This is a beautifully written novel and I couldn’t put it down. It’s easy to read but also engaging and dynamic.
-The relationship dynamics are nuanced and very French. I loved that we don’t get American relationships but based in France, these are French people with French dynamics and it seems authentic.
-There is so much chemistry between all of the characters. I found myself rooting for all the couples. Which is another reason I loved this book: we get more than one happy ending.
-The final climax of the story was unexpected and I loved the way it was handled.
-There was one scene that made me tear up and almost cry, and it wasn’t between Lucy and our main love interest, Bing, but rather between Lucy and her best friend, Julia. *minor spoiler alert* Once the hotel is completed, Lucy’s best friend Julia not only comes, but is the first to book at a room. The support Julia demonstrates for her best friend is just beautiful and it’s a small thing sure, but something I found so beautiful in this book.
-There are so many little moments that seem small, they’re small acts of romance and small moments, but they build the dynamic and the story beautifully.
-There are some hilarious moments, truly hilarious. The humor is dry and it can be hidden sometimes, but there are moments where I was laughing out loud.
-The scenery and descriptions were perfect and I could picture myself in France, in a little hotel, sitting on a patio with a glass of wine.
-I loved how hard Lucy worked. She gave it her all and she knew herself, but throughout this novel, she learns to appreciate more than just work.
-The characters are older - Lucy is 49 and Bing is 55 (I believe). While there are younger characters, I loved that our main characters are not 20 year olds.
I loved this so so much. It was just a beautiful story with beautiful characters. It’s not a tale that will knock you over the head with its tropes, but is a quiet, beautiful story to be appreciated for its simplicity and subtlety (and humor it’s hilarious).
The world Dee Ernst created in this book reminds me of the warm summer sun beating down on my face as I sit on a patio surrounded by a garden with a glass of white wine, breathing in the summer in the air. It reminds me of Europe and the joy of hard work and family and it reminds me of happiness - like summer sun happiness. Needless to say, I loved it.
Quick Synopsis: Lucy is a 49 year old workaholic now destitute, living with her parents, and in desperate need of a job and a chance after her former lover stole all the money from the hotel she worked at and fled with millions of dollars. Now with a tattered reputation and no savings, Lucy is offered a job to bring a small, boutique hotel to live in Rennes, France. What she doesn’t realize is that she’ll be doing the grunt work along with a rag tag group of devoted tenets who have lived their for years. Lucy embarks on a journey to not only create a beautiful hotel, but also to reconnect and find a family in a new country and new life.
Trigger warnings include but are not limited to: betrayal; financial ruin; embezzelment; white collar crime
What I liked:
-This is a beautifully written novel and I couldn’t put it down. It’s easy to read but also engaging and dynamic.
-The relationship dynamics are nuanced and very French. I loved that we don’t get American relationships but based in France, these are French people with French dynamics and it seems authentic.
-There is so much chemistry between all of the characters. I found myself rooting for all the couples. Which is another reason I loved this book: we get more than one happy ending.
-The final climax of the story was unexpected and I loved the way it was handled.
-There was one scene that made me tear up and almost cry, and it wasn’t between Lucy and our main love interest, Bing, but rather between Lucy and her best friend, Julia. *minor spoiler alert* Once the hotel is completed, Lucy’s best friend Julia not only comes, but is the first to book at a room. The support Julia demonstrates for her best friend is just beautiful and it’s a small thing sure, but something I found so beautiful in this book.
-There are so many little moments that seem small, they’re small acts of romance and small moments, but they build the dynamic and the story beautifully.
-There are some hilarious moments, truly hilarious. The humor is dry and it can be hidden sometimes, but there are moments where I was laughing out loud.
-The scenery and descriptions were perfect and I could picture myself in France, in a little hotel, sitting on a patio with a glass of wine.
-I loved how hard Lucy worked. She gave it her all and she knew herself, but throughout this novel, she learns to appreciate more than just work.
-The characters are older - Lucy is 49 and Bing is 55 (I believe). While there are younger characters, I loved that our main characters are not 20 year olds.
I loved this so so much. It was just a beautiful story with beautiful characters. It’s not a tale that will knock you over the head with its tropes, but is a quiet, beautiful story to be appreciated for its simplicity and subtlety (and humor it’s hilarious).
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.
The world Dee Ernst created in this book reminds me of the warm summer sun beating down on my face as I sit on a patio surrounded by a garden with a glass of white wine, breathing in the summer in the air. It reminds me of Europe and the joy of hard work and family and it reminds me of happiness - like summer sun happiness. Needless to say, I loved it.
Quick Synopsis: Lucy is a 49 year old workaholic now destitute, living with her parents, and in desperate need of a job and a chance after her former lover stole all the money from the hotel she worked at and fled with millions of dollars. Now with a tattered reputation and no savings, Lucy is offered a job to bring a small, boutique hotel to live in Rennes, France. What she doesn’t realize is that she’ll be doing the grunt work along with a rag tag group of devoted tenets who have lived their for years. Lucy embarks on a journey to not only create a beautiful hotel, but also to reconnect and find a family in a new country and new life.
Trigger warnings include but are not limited to: betrayal; financial ruin; embezzelment; white collar crime
What I liked:
-This is a beautifully written novel and I couldn’t put it down. It’s easy to read but also engaging and dynamic.
-The relationship dynamics are nuanced and very French. I loved that we don’t get American relationships but based in France, these are French people with French dynamics and it seems authentic.
-There is so much chemistry between all of the characters. I found myself rooting for all the couples. Which is another reason I loved this book: we get more than one happy ending.
-The final climax of the story was unexpected and I loved the way it was handled.
-There was one scene that made me tear up and almost cry, and it wasn’t between Lucy and our main love interest, Bing, but rather between Lucy and her best friend, Julia. *minor spoiler alert* Once the hotel is completed, Lucy’s best friend Julia not only comes, but is the first to book at a room. The support Julia demonstrates for her best friend is just beautiful and it’s a small thing sure, but something I found so beautiful in this book.
-There are so many little moments that seem small, they’re small acts of romance and small moments, but they build the dynamic and the story beautifully.
-There are some hilarious moments, truly hilarious. The humor is dry and it can be hidden sometimes, but there are moments where I was laughing out loud.
-The scenery and descriptions were perfect and I could picture myself in France, in a little hotel, sitting on a patio with a glass of wine.
-I loved how hard Lucy worked. She gave it her all and she knew herself, but throughout this novel, she learns to appreciate more than just work.
-The characters are older - Lucy is 49 and Bing is 55 (I believe). While there are younger characters, I loved that our main characters are not 20 year olds.
I loved this so so much. It was just a beautiful story with beautiful characters. It’s not a tale that will knock you over the head with its tropes, but is a quiet, beautiful story to be appreciated for its simplicity and subtlety (and humor it’s hilarious).
Where do I start? Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst was a breath of fresh air. I am used to reading novels about younger women who are trying to find themselves. It is a rare treat to read about a woman closer to my age. This story touched me on many levels. I loved Lucy’s character. She was strong, yet vulnerable. Fierce, yet afraid. Lucy lost everything to the man she loved. At almost 50, she has to start over and rebuild her life and career from scratch. It tore her heart and confidence to shreds. Unable to trust her own judgment of character, she is afraid to form new relationships. Alongside a lovely and diverse cast of characters, Lucy regains her confidence and learns what love can be. I adored everything about Hotel Paradis. I am ready to pack my bags for a visit. The author enchanted me from the beginning and kept me hooked until the very end. I laughed, I cried. This story spoke to me. Well done. Another excellent novel for 2022.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s press, and the author, Dee Ernst, for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s press, and the author, Dee Ernst, for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭑
Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst is about a woman who after a devastating career loss, has to remake herself and her career in hotel management.
Lucia Giannetti has been hiding out in her parent's home for almost two years. After a devastating scandal where the owner of the hotel she managed ran off with millions of dollars, she’s been hounded by the press and the FBI until finally, she’s been exonerated. However, the press and the hotel industry have a long memory and she can’t find a job anywhere due to her association with the scandal. It doesn’t matter that he also ran off with all her savings and her pension fund.
When she’s contacted by a small boutique hotel in Rennes, France, she’s ecstatic, and can’t wait to get back and manage a high-end hotel. But, what she finds in France is very different than what she thought she was getting into. The hotel hasn’t been a hotel since the war, and WWII, and there are several permanent guests who live in the hotel beside the owner. The property is run down and needs a lot of work. Can Lucy turn the old run-down hotel into a boutique hotel in time for the summer holidays?
I enjoyed this book and I also learned a lot about the hotel business. The setting in Rennes, France was beautifully described and I loved this varied cast of side characters. This is about found family, and friends supporting each other with a dash of romance. I also enjoyed Lucy’s journey from an uptight career driven individual to a happier person with more to live for than just her career. I also liked that Lucy is a bit older, she’s almost fifty, and I enjoyed her more mature outlook on life.
It was a little bit slow in the middle, but the end was worth it. I enjoyed how this book finished, and I liked all the characters very much.
I highly recommend Lucy Checks In to anyone who enjoys Women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst is about a woman who after a devastating career loss, has to remake herself and her career in hotel management.
Lucia Giannetti has been hiding out in her parent's home for almost two years. After a devastating scandal where the owner of the hotel she managed ran off with millions of dollars, she’s been hounded by the press and the FBI until finally, she’s been exonerated. However, the press and the hotel industry have a long memory and she can’t find a job anywhere due to her association with the scandal. It doesn’t matter that he also ran off with all her savings and her pension fund.
When she’s contacted by a small boutique hotel in Rennes, France, she’s ecstatic, and can’t wait to get back and manage a high-end hotel. But, what she finds in France is very different than what she thought she was getting into. The hotel hasn’t been a hotel since the war, and WWII, and there are several permanent guests who live in the hotel beside the owner. The property is run down and needs a lot of work. Can Lucy turn the old run-down hotel into a boutique hotel in time for the summer holidays?
I enjoyed this book and I also learned a lot about the hotel business. The setting in Rennes, France was beautifully described and I loved this varied cast of side characters. This is about found family, and friends supporting each other with a dash of romance. I also enjoyed Lucy’s journey from an uptight career driven individual to a happier person with more to live for than just her career. I also liked that Lucy is a bit older, she’s almost fifty, and I enjoyed her more mature outlook on life.
It was a little bit slow in the middle, but the end was worth it. I enjoyed how this book finished, and I liked all the characters very much.
I highly recommend Lucy Checks In to anyone who enjoys Women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.