Blog Tour: One Winter at the French Chalet by Mandy Baggot

 

When journalist Orla Bradbee is given a last minute assignment by her boss, she just wants to get in, get the story, and get out and be home by Christmas. Her boss is determined that this will be the kind of story that will drive traffic. After all, who wouldn't want to read a story about mute man and a pregnant reindeer?

What Orla doesn't count on is that she will need to take her 16 year old sister, Erin, with her to the small French village in the mountains near Grenoble. Her mother is very concerned about Erin, in particular her intense online relationship with a man she has never met. Erin hears the word France, and assumes the bright lights and shopping of Paris which couldn't by further from the truth.  Taking Erin with her also gives Orla's parents the opportunity to work through whatever it is that they are going through.

The village of Saint-Chambéry is an isolated mountain village with a small close knit community, and at Christmas they have many charming traditions. The mainstays of the village are Gerard and Delphine, who is the owner of the local shop. She's the kind of person who knows everyone in town and just wants everyone to be happy. And the person who she just wants to see happy the most right now is Jacques Barbier, whose nickname is Wolf. 

While Jacques isn't mute, he is a man who chooses to live in an isolated house, keeping everyone somewhat at bay, including his young brother. His first meeting with Orla does not go well. It's very clear that Orla and Erin are not prepared for the hostile winter environment of the Alps which pushes all of his buttons. He is not quite sure how it happens, but suddenly Orla and Erin are staying with him, his 19 year old brother turns up out of the blue, and no one can get the coffee machine he hates to work.

Orla and Jacques both have a clear idea of how their life should be, but as the story unfolds it becomes clear that that they have some self reflection to do about what it is they really want. As for the reindeer, well, you will have to read the book to find out that part of the story.

I have read a few books by Mandy Baggot now, but it is the first time I have read something of hers not set in Greece, and I really, really enjoyed it! The village of Saint-Chambéry sounded so beautiful, and so festive! There are a lot of threads running through this story, but the author manages to bring them all together beautifully. 

I can definitely see myself reading more of Mandy Baggot's Christmas books!!! And her Greek books.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley  and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

About the book

One Winter at the French Chalet

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 without risking her own heart?

Escape to the beautiful French Alps with Mandy Baggot for a romantic, heartwarming story to get you through the cold winter months!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/frenchchaletsocial

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!

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