"French Lessons" by Roberta Samuels

Barbara, an American divorcée, moves to France in 2003 on an adventure of self-discovery. She buys an 18th century farmhouse in need of renovation in a tiny French hamlet. While settling in and visiting the attractions of the area, she meets and mingles with a mix of charming characters in her new community. On the lookout for a man to share her life, she explores the romantic possibilities of her new home. As she says, “I am willing to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince.” In between chipping away at the farmhouse improvements and building a new life for herself, Barbara reviews and reevaluates some of her preconceptions.

There are flashbacks to the late ’60’s when she was a foreign exchange student in Paris and to her work as a tour guide in the late 2000’s shepherding groups around the lesser-known and famous sights of France.

The book reveals many engaging tidbits about French life and history as it recounts the story of Barbara’s self-actualization and her discovery of the ideal mate.

ISBNs

9781637775554 / 9781637775561
9781637775738

Genres

American-in-France Romance

Renovate-a-Farmhouse Romance

308 pages

Language: English

Imprint: Red Penguin Books

Roberta Samuels earned degrees in French and Art History from Northwestern University and the University of Paris at the Sorbonne. French Lessons, One Woman’s Tale of Sex, Wine and House Renovation and her art history mystery book series, Vanished! evolved from her passion for French culture, beautiful objets d’art and exotic travel.

The starting point for the books is based on her experience living in an 18th century farmhouse and then in a medieval townhouse in a French village. She worked as a French teacher, translator, tour escort and art gallery owner, showing her own artwork among others. She speaks French fluently. She lives in New York City and Montpezat de Quercy, France with her partner.

Reviews

A lively read and set of journeys.
 
In a brisk and lively voice, the author takes you with her on her journeys of exploring parts of France and its inhabitants, of rennovating houses there, and of finding her way in life.