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emmas_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
This book was as charming as the French boutique hotel it’s set in. 😍 Lucy feels like her life is over when, nearing 50, her life partner leaves her and her career ends all in one fell swoop. But she gets a second chance when she’s offered the General Manager position at a boutique hotel in Rennes, France. When she arrives, the hotel is not quite what she bargained for, but I’m the end turns out to be so much more. 💖 This was a quick and charming read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Car accident, and Death
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Moderate: Racism and Death
Minor: Toxic relationship, Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lucy Checks In was not what I expected, but once I got over that, it was a very touching story of having to start over.
Lucy was the manager of a very fancy hotel in New York City, at least until her former boss and lover stole millions when he left, and she he very nearly took the fall. While she managed to avoid that, her entire reputation was ruined, leaving her with no career opportunities. When she sees the chance to be the manager of a boutique in Rennes, France, she jumps. And then learns that the hotel is... exactly as reported: it needs to be renovated from the wallboard studs out. Lucy thought it would be much easier to get the hotel open and ready for online bookings in a much shorter time. Except, she has to do everything, including setting up a website.
The hotel also has several permanent residences, some of whom help more than others with the renovations. Claudine is very willing to break laws to get her hotel ready, even when Lucy isn't willing to. There's a very serious subplot to the book, involving Lucy's alcoholic brother, which does come to a head. I was very worried about the ending, afterher brother dies in a accident while driving drunk, leaving her as the guardian of his two children , but I really enjoyed how Ernst played that out. Excellent character development.
All in all, Lucy Checks In is an excellent study in character development and learning to fight for what you want.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the free eARC.
Lucy was the manager of a very fancy hotel in New York City, at least until her former boss and lover stole millions when he left, and she he very nearly took the fall. While she managed to avoid that, her entire reputation was ruined, leaving her with no career opportunities. When she sees the chance to be the manager of a boutique in Rennes, France, she jumps. And then learns that the hotel is... exactly as reported: it needs to be renovated from the wallboard studs out. Lucy thought it would be much easier to get the hotel open and ready for online bookings in a much shorter time. Except, she has to do everything, including setting up a website.
The hotel also has several permanent residences, some of whom help more than others with the renovations. Claudine is very willing to break laws to get her hotel ready, even when Lucy isn't willing to. There's a very serious subplot to the book, involving Lucy's alcoholic brother, which does come to a head. I was very worried about the ending, after
All in all, Lucy Checks In is an excellent study in character development and learning to fight for what you want.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the free eARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Grief, Addiction, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Cancer, and Racism
sanj's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Death
courtney__bernard's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Lucy is a hotel manager in need of a move. The owner and boyfriend of her last hotel disappeared taking millions of dollars with him and leaving Lucy to take the blame. Two years later she gets offered an opportunity to live and work at a new hotel in France and find a way to find herself again in the process.
This story is categorized as a romance but I would not say it was one. Yes, there was a small romance but with such a slow build that the first kiss happens 80% of the way through the story. The main focus of the book was Lucy finding and learning to trust herself again after being hurt by what was the most important person in her life.
I did like reading about a character who was older and knew what she did and didn’t like. Lucy shows you that you can start over and find a version of yourself you never knew existed and might even like better.
The atmosphere in the book has you wishing you were in France but with the Romance tag, I want there to be more chemistry and scenes of the romantic relationship. Otherwise, this was a nice, quick, clean read that if you wish you were in France gives you that feeling. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Death
midnightbelles's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for the Arc! Here is my honest review.
I really struggled to get into this at first, I'm not entirely sure why but it took me considerably longer to get through this than it typically takes me to finish a book. However, I'm happy that I did finish. I really enjoyed this book.
Lucy is a well-known hotel manager who lost her job and fame because the man that she fell in love with stole all of the money from their famous hotel and ran away. Unable to find another job in America she jumps at the chance to work at a hotel in France and goes there with high expectations. Unfortunately, the hotel was run down and didn't exactly offer her the same amenities that she was used to receiving. Despite feeling lied to about the condition of the hotel she decides to stay and help renovate the hotel and in the process begins to grow and open up to new possibilities in her life.
I did go into this thinking it was a romance and while the romance that was present was nice, this is not a romance book (slow burn romance is sprinkled into the story here and there). Despite that, I did enjoy this. Reading about the progression of the hotel and seeing Lucy begin to open up was really heartwarming and lovely. I also really enjoyed the relationship she had with everyone and just how much they were like a tight-knit family. It was also really interesting reading about an older mc when I'm used to reading about teenagers or people in their early twenties. (and Bing, I absolutely adore him despite his moments where he's a pain in the butt lol). I will probably read this again, especially since it's a fast-paced book, and I'm already adding it to the list of books I need to purchase when they're finally published.
I really struggled to get into this at first, I'm not entirely sure why but it took me considerably longer to get through this than it typically takes me to finish a book. However, I'm happy that I did finish. I really enjoyed this book.
Lucy is a well-known hotel manager who lost her job and fame because the man that she fell in love with stole all of the money from their famous hotel and ran away. Unable to find another job in America she jumps at the chance to work at a hotel in France and goes there with high expectations. Unfortunately, the hotel was run down and didn't exactly offer her the same amenities that she was used to receiving. Despite feeling lied to about the condition of the hotel she decides to stay and help renovate the hotel and in the process begins to grow and open up to new possibilities in her life.
I did go into this thinking it was a romance and while the romance that was present was nice, this is not a romance book (slow burn romance is sprinkled into the story here and there). Despite that, I did enjoy this. Reading about the progression of the hotel and seeing Lucy begin to open up was really heartwarming and lovely. I also really enjoyed the relationship she had with everyone and just how much they were like a tight-knit family. It was also really interesting reading about an older mc when I'm used to reading about teenagers or people in their early twenties. (and Bing, I absolutely adore him despite his moments where he's a pain in the butt lol). I will probably read this again, especially since it's a fast-paced book, and I'm already adding it to the list of books I need to purchase when they're finally published.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, Car accident, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Racism
thisisris's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
This book was provided to me as a digital ARC by Netgalley & St. Martins Press.
After reading this book, I am now day dreaming about running off to a small town in France to manage a boutique hotel.
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written, and the story had my attention from start to finish. Although the main character is in her mid-40s, I think this book would appeal to all (adult) ages. As someone in their 20s I often don't enjoy stories about middle aged characters as its hard for me to related to but this story mainly focuses on Lucy starting a new and trying to rebuild her life, and is a theme I think many people can related to no matter their age.
This however takes me to my biggest complaint about the story, the genre. It's listed as a romance novel, but I would classify this book as more of a general adult/contemporary fiction. Although there is romance in the story, it isn't the main focus and in my opinion, is the least interesting part of the whole story. Although it is very obvious from the beginning who the romantic interest is, there wasn't a lot (if any) of build up to the romance. At no point was I super eager for them to get together which I feel is an essential aspect of any romance. It was just a nice extra I suppose? Additionally, I do wish there was more relationship development between all the characters. I liked the characters but watching their relationship grow wouldve been a nice addition.
Otherwise, I would recommend reading this book, just go in understanding this isn't quite a romance novel!
After reading this book, I am now day dreaming about running off to a small town in France to manage a boutique hotel.
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written, and the story had my attention from start to finish. Although the main character is in her mid-40s, I think this book would appeal to all (adult) ages. As someone in their 20s I often don't enjoy stories about middle aged characters as its hard for me to related to but this story mainly focuses on Lucy starting a new and trying to rebuild her life, and is a theme I think many people can related to no matter their age.
This however takes me to my biggest complaint about the story, the genre. It's listed as a romance novel, but I would classify this book as more of a general adult/contemporary fiction. Although there is romance in the story, it isn't the main focus and in my opinion, is the least interesting part of the whole story. Although it is very obvious from the beginning who the romantic interest is, there wasn't a lot (if any) of build up to the romance. At no point was I super eager for them to get together which I feel is an essential aspect of any romance. It was just a nice extra I suppose? Additionally, I do wish there was more relationship development between all the characters. I liked the characters but watching their relationship grow wouldve been a nice addition.
Otherwise, I would recommend reading this book, just go in understanding this isn't quite a romance novel!
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Death
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