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| French Dreams, Dogs and a Dodgy Motor by Jane Smyth |
My review today is for French Dreams, Dogs and a Dodgy Motor, a memoir about searching for a holiday home in France, by Jane Smyth.
In this very readable account, we follow along as Jane and Rob take those first steps towards turning their internet dreaming into a house-hunting mission in France. Their area of choice is the Haute Provence, nestled between the Alps and coast, close enough to ski in the winter months and wander through lavender fields in the summer. It’s where the French who live in the busy tourist areas of the Mediterranean coast retreat to for the summer, to escape the heat and crowds. It may not be an area of France I know well, but Jane’s descriptions painted such a beautiful picture that I’m already checking the maps and wondering about a possible cycling holiday there.
As well as their search, Jane generously shares the funny incidents that have happened to them over many years of holidaying in France. From their first meeting of their new neighbours and the comings and goings in the village, to disasters at their holiday home, and doggy tails from days out and about with friends. It was a privilege to share their French dreams and I felt her sense of peace as she enjoyed a quiet moment on her balcony with a view, at the end of the day.
This book is a great fun read, Jane comes across as the sort of person I could happily sit and chat with over an apéro, and I just know that the conversation would be full of laughs. As one chapter leads to another funny story, it was easy to get sucked into Jane and Rob’s adventures and forget about the worries of the world.
French Dreams, Dogs and a Dodgy Motor is available in ebook and paperback formats and links to Amazon can be found below.
Jane will be joining me back on the blog this Friday for my France et Moi feature where we’ll learn more about her love of France.
You can find Jane on Facebook where she shares book news and photos of their French holiday home, here.
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