***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Dee Ernst's Lucy Checks In is a delightful work of romantic comedy about a disgraced hotel manager who travels to Rennes to rebuild a hotel and her own life in the process.
Lucia Giannetti needs a fresh start. Once the hotel manager of a glamorous NYC hotel and intimately involved with the hotel’s owner, Lucy had her entire future planned out. But when the owner disappears, taking millions of dollars with him, Lucy's life as she knows it falls apart.
Two years later, forty-nine years old and unemployed, Lucy takes a job in Rennes, France to manage the Hotel Paradis. She pictures fur quilts and extravagant chandeliers, but what she finds is wildly different. Lucy is now in charge of turning the run-down, but charming hotel into a bustling tourist attraction. Between painting rooms, building a website, and getting to know Bing, the irritatingly attractive artist, Lucy finds an unexpected home. But can she succeed in bringing the Hotel Paradis to its former glory?
Witty and heartfelt, Lucy Checks In is an inspiring and feel-good novel about reclaiming your life, finding love, and creating a home in places you never thought possible.
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.
About Dee Ernst
Dee Ernst was born and raised in New Jersey, which explains a great deal about her attitude towards life. She loved reading at a very early age, and by the time she was ten she had decided to become a writer. It took a bit longer than she expected.
She went off to college, moved around a bit, had a job or two, a husband or two, and a daughter or two. It was the birth of her second daughter at the age of forty that got her thinking about what to do with the rest of her life. That was when she decided to give writing a real shot.
Dee loved chick-lit and romantic comedy, but hated the twenty-something heroines who couldn’t figure out how to go and get what they wanted. She began to write about women like herself — older, confident, and with a wealth of life experience to draw upon. She got an agent but no sales, and took the plunge into self-publishing in 2010.
In 2012, Better Off Without Him became an Amazon bestseller. She signed with Montlake Publishing, which went on to re-release Better Off Without Him and launch A Slight Change of Plan in 2013.
2016 will bring two ‘firsts’ for Dee — a series of cozy mystery novellas, and the release of her first full-length novel with Lake Union Publishing, Stealing Jason Wilde, in June.
She is still in New Jersey, where she writes full-time. She lives with husband #2, daughter #2, a few cats and a needy cocker spaniel. She loves sunsets, long walks on the beach, and a really cold martini.
Wow this books sounds like such a delight! It’s funny actually, a close family member who is currently staying with me lives in Rennes and another one has just visited! I think I’ve been before, but I don’t remember! Anyway, this book seems like a wonderful read. Hope you’re having a good week!
I like a good starting over story, especially with a character who is a bit older. And who probably did not expect to have to start over at that stage in her life.
This sounds great. It’s like a “second chance” novel, only the second chance is with her career and her life. I like that the main character is a more mature woman.
Wait, a book with a 40 + main character? Say no more ! This looks like a fun short read.
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This sounds like my sort of thing. And a bit of travel to another country!
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
I think you would enjoy it, Emily
This one sounds charming!
Thank you, Dedra!
This sounds interesting and I like the idea of a hotel existing since WWII. Amazing review!
Thank you, Yesha!
Wow this books sounds like such a delight! It’s funny actually, a close family member who is currently staying with me lives in Rennes and another one has just visited! I think I’ve been before, but I don’t remember! Anyway, this book seems like a wonderful read. Hope you’re having a good week!
Zoë
zbestbooks.blogspot.com
What a coincidence. I’d love to go to Rennes one day
Despite the dragging in the middle this sounds delightful! The hotel industry is fascinating and Lucy sounds like a good main character.
This one is on my list! I’m glad to see you enjoyed it overall!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I like a good starting over story, especially with a character who is a bit older. And who probably did not expect to have to start over at that stage in her life.
I agree, Tanya!
I’m liking these books with older protagonists.
Me too, Cathy!
I used to work in a hotel and it is strange to see it behind the scenes and how it works 😊 Great review 💕
That would be interesting to work in a hotel. I do love a behind the scenes look at things.
Oh I love the setting and think I would enjoy getting lost in the story. Lovely review!
Thank you, Kimberly
I’m finally starting this one tomorrow and after reading your review, I can’t wait! I think it sounds very good. Excellent review!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Tessa!
This sounds great. It’s like a “second chance” novel, only the second chance is with her career and her life. I like that the main character is a more mature woman.
I do too, Linda!
I had not seen this one, but it sounds good, especially with the older characters. Wonderful review, Wendy.
Thank you, Carla!
I’ve heard good things about this one. It sounds like fun.
It was so educational and fun! A perfect balance of the two.
Thanks for the lovely review!
My pleasure. I enjoyed the book. very much!
Kudos that she learnt a new career.
Yes, she sure learned a lot during this book.
I really enjoyed the older protagonist and the French setting of this book Wendy. I’m glad that you enjoyed it too. Lovely review.
I agree, Jodie!
What a great review Wendy. I should have requested this one!!🤗📚☕🥤💞
It’s a cute one!