Lucy checks in

Ernst (Maggie Finds Her Muse) offers a wonderfully fresh take on new beginnings, set against a picturesque French backdrop. After 40-something N.Y.C. hotel manager Lucy Gianetti's boss and ex-boyfriend flees the country with heaps of embezzled cash in tow, Lucy's left behind in disgrace. Unfounded rumors that she was involved leave her with no job prospects to speak of--until an unexpected offer to restore the neglected Hotel Paradis in Rennes, France. The run-down venue is nothing like the luxury spots Lucy's used to, but it's steeped in history and culture, and the delightfully quirky "family" of investors who reside in its rooms welcomes Lucy with open arms as they work together to restore the hotel to its former glory in time for peak tourist season. Lucy initially plans to return to New York after this project is complete but she soon embraces her life in Rennes--and the possibility of love with artist David "Bing" Bingham. When a tragedy strikes back home, however, Lucy must find a way to merge her old life with her new one. This funny, heartwarming story has all the charm of a small-town romance, with a delightful French twist. Add in large doses of self-discovery and romance, and the result is sure to please. (Aug.)

Fresh off a scandal involving her boyfriend stealing millions of dollars from their hotel, 49-year-old Lucia Giannetti is desperate to be taken seriously again as a professional hotel manager. When the owner of a small French boutique hotel hires her sight unseen, Lucy happily accepts, but is astonished when she discovers that she won't just be directing the Rennes historical hotel renovation--she'll be handling that paintbrush herself! Luckily, she is surrounded by the hotel's permanent guests (and financial backers) who are willing to help. One of those guests, Bing, a successful children's book illustrator, causes more exasperation than the others, but that conflict soon turns into love. Ernst (Better Off Without Him) successfully creates a hodgepodge of lovable characters who become Lucy's support system as she navigates living as an expat while supporting her family back home, tackling her brother's alcohol addiction. Gillian Vance's pleasant, conversational narration fits the breezy tone of the novel, and she voices the multiple characters effortlessly in this error-free production. VERDICT Recommend to fans of renovation television shows and realistic romances with forty-something women.--Sarah Hill