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Book Review: Tout Sweet by Karen Wheeler & Giveaway
August 19th, 2011
Tout Sweet: Hanging Up My High Heels for a New Life in France by Karen Wheeler is a memoir of a woman who gives up a pretty cushy life in London as a fashion editor to move to rural France on her own and renovate a house. Doesn’t everyone dream of doing this? I know I do and every time I read a memoir like this where a single woman moves to France or Italy and renovates a house, it just brings that dream alive again.
Thirty-something Karen is single after a bad breakup with her boyfriend. The breakup really took it’s toll on her as she had been pretty much planning on marrying this guy and having babies. As a fashion editor she has everything most of us only dream about – great clothes, shoes, and lots of parties but after her breakup she feels more and more like she’s had enough. So what does she do, well she leaves it all behind of course, and buys a run down house in Poitou-Charentes, France. She names it Maison Coquelicot – or ‘house of the wild poppy’.
The house is a mess when she arrives but she has a vision and she sets about seeing it come alive. I enjoyed reading about her renovating adventures especially in the beginning when she couldn’t stay at the house yet and ended up in a tent instead. It was great hearing about it all come together though, like the first night she got to spend in her own bed in her house or getting the garden fixed up and being able to sit out there and see all the beauty before her.
She met a lot of people too and made some good friends although some of these friendships didn’t come without a few surprises too. The one thing Karen struggled with was letting go of her ex-boyfriend in order to be able to move on herself. It doesn’t help of course that she seemed to have the worst of luck in the area of being able to even find herself a man. First she moved to an area that seems to be inhabited with mostly people over sixty and that certainly doesn’t help when you may be in the market for a man. That aside though she does meet a few eligible (or so she thought) men in France but each time these tentative relationships fell apart. I admired the way she picked up and moved on though and hopefully at some point love manages to find her again.
I really enjoyed Karen’s story and truthfully I found this book read more like fiction than a memoir which made it even more enjoyable for me. I found myself completely drawn into the little world Karen has carved out for herself in France. She writes in an easy, flowing way that I found pleasant to read and once I got started reading I found I really didn’t want to put the book down until I finished it. Getting to the end was kind of sad because I still want to know if she finds love or gets a dog. To that end I was happy to see that there is a sequel to Tout Sweet and I plan on reading it next.
What I liked most about Karen’s writing was she made me feel as though I was right there with her in France. I could see the scenery as she described it and taste the yummy delicacies she got from the bakery or the wine she shared with friends. Mostly I like how she had the nerve to just give up her life in London and move to France and renovate a house. Even more important as she renovates this house and meets all these new friends who become important to her, she manages to find herself as well. She learns that life isn’t all about the newest fashions or going on your next shopping spree – it’s actually about the small things like getting something accomplished in the house or enjoying a walk in the countryside. A simple life can hold many pleasures.
I really enjoyed Tout Sweet by Karen Wheeler. I think it stems from me wishing I could do this very same thing some day. I always enjoy reading about someone moving to some far away place but France and Italy really intrigue me. I can’t wait for more adventures from Karen! You can visit Karen’s blog and follow her on Twitter as well. You can pick up your own copy of Tout Sweet here in the US and here in Canada.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I have one copy of Tout Sweet by Karen Wheeler up for grabs. To enter…
- For 1 entry leave me a comment with your email address to contact you (no email, no entry).
- For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in your comment so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
- For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word!
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, September 10/11. Good luck everyone!
© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
My copy of Tout Sweet by Karen Wheeler was received for review from Sourcebooks.
Filed under 2011 Challenges, 2011•100 Books or More Challenge, 2011•ARC Tracking Challenge, 2011•eBook Tracking Challenge | Comments (90)
I have been seeing this one around this book and it does sound cute
I LOVE this cover, it is gorgeous. And yes, it would be great to renovate a house. But my dream is to visit France and Italy…someday!
Sounds like a good book. Please enter me.
givingreadingachance AT gmail.com
I don't normally gravitate to memoirs but this one sounds really good, thanks to your review!
lag110 at mchsi dot com
I am a GFC follower.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/104499963291115520
lag110 at mchsi dot com
I love a good fixer-upper!! Please sign me up.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm a gfc follower: theresan.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
I don't read alot of memoirs, but when I do they tend to be ones by "ordinary" people, like this one…the fact that there is a food component is always a draw for me too, lol.
Like you, Darlene, I've sometimes thought I might like to move to someplace new and a little "exotic"…of course, I never will do it myself, but it's nice to live vicariously through others
Even though I shouldn't, given the size of my TBR pile, I would like to throw my hat in the ring for this one: Bookgirlblog@hotmail.com
Beth
Sounds like a good book, please enter me.
littleone AT shaw doT ca
GFC Follower
littleone AT shaw DOt ca
This looks so cute! I'd love to win. thejoyofbooking [at] gmail [dot] com
I follow via RSS.
And I tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/thejoyofbooking/status/104567775737020416
Oh, this sounds like just the type of thing that I would love, and I like that it feels almost like a fictional story while still being a memoir. It sounds like a great book, and I would love the chance to read it, so please do enter me, Dar, and thanks for hosting this wonderful giveaway! Awesome!
zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net
I follow through google reader!
What a wonderful giveaway. Thanks for this great review and book. Ellie. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am interested in this special giveaway. Many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a follower- thanks for the giveaway!
Rachelhwallen@gmail.com
This sounds like a great book, I love to dream of living somewhere else, particularly in the winter! Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a GFC follower! (holdenj)
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
*SQUEEEEEEE!!! I want to get my hands on this book!!! I enjoyed the post. Hope I'll win this one!!! Thanks!!
hellgirl_fran@yahoo.com
GFC follower: frunchezzcuh
hellgirl_fran@yahoo.com
This sounds just perfect! How wonderful would it be to leave what you know and feel comfortable with and set off on an adventure like she did! Thanks for the giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com
Sounds like a fun read!
PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com
I follow your blog via GFC as pmnsl95
PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com
Tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/104587760710598657
PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com
Wouldn't we all love to just change our lives? I'd love to read this.
mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com
love memoirs.Subscriber lomazowr@gmail.com
I follow on GFC. (mamie316)
mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love this book! Thanks for the giveaway!
Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com
I'm a follower
Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com
i am also a follower lomazowr@gmail.com
I love these kinds of novels. They always make me want to get out of town and go write somewhere rural.
Sounds like a very interesting book! I love home renovations.
irbratb(@)gmail(.)com
GFC follower: Vicki Newell
irbratb(@)gmail(.)com
TWEET
irbratb(@)gmail(.)com
This one sounds really good. I liked Under the Tuscan Sun and I've seen it compared to that. I'd love to win!
I follow in google reader.
je2kids(at)gmail(dot)com
2 Kids and Tired Books
I would love to visit France and Italy someday. Alas, I will probably have to settle for reading about those countries. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
I am a GFC follower.
suzebomb(at)gmail.com
Oooo I've been reading some great stuff about this book. So cool! I wish I could hang up everything and do stuff like that.
Amanda
libraryofmyown at gmail dot com
I follow your blog via Reader and I'm tweeting @vegasbookgirl
Thanks!
It sounds like a fun read.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I follow you via gfc
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
Glad you enjoyed it Dar. I really liked this one too.
Sounds like a fun read!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
GFC follower as Karen B.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
This sounds like a good book to read between a couple of my "heavy" books.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow your blog with GFC as Sandra K321.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
Doesn't this cover just scream SUMMER?
pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com
I've always dreamed of a home in France, perhaps renovating a chateau (I aim high!). This book sounds delightful.
I am a follower.
ashley.l.mikowski@gmail.com
I would love to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I am a GFC follower
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I'm a subscriber and a follower via gfc. I posted this to my blog: http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/08/peeking-between-pages-review-and_19.html
dancealert at aol dot com
Sounds great! jerilynm (at) gmail dot com
I'd love a chance at this giveaway.
unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com
I'm a follower thanks.
unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com
Count me in please
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow via GFC quixoticdreamer
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/QuixoticWeetzie/status/104761050133577728
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
I'm so wish listing this one. Karen sounds like my type of female hero.
I cannot wait to read this!!
I am a follower and email subsciber
also I tweeted: Parakiss25
faefever25(at)hotmail(dot)com
This book sounds so good! I am a follower, rachel.rooneyr@gmail.com
Please enter my name in the book giveaway. What a summery book cover and today is the 20 of August already.
pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com
This sounds like a great book about the ups and downs of love.
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a GFC follower.
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
I haven't heard of this book and it sounds fantastic. I love to read books/memoirs from other countries and having visited France this one intrigues me. I'd love a chance at winning a copy.
I am a long time follower!
redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom
I had an adventure. I went on a three week tour of China, where of course there were lots of different customs, foods and exciting things to do. France would be a great place to live for a while. Please enter me in this contest.
P.S. Do it before you are too old to travel easily.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I follow with GFC, Facebook, Twitter and an e-mail subscription.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I tweeted:
http://t.co/F6u7AuJ
CarolNWong@aol.com
I follow and this book has my name written on it.
thank you
chocolateandcroissants at Yahoo . com
This is so the adventure I would love to have.
thank you
chocolateandcroissants at Yahoo . com
I enjoy memoirs about ordinary people. I think this sounds fun.
Please enter me Dar,
Cjay (at) iavalley (dot) edu
I follow on email
Cjay (at) iavalley (dot) edu
This sounds like a good one especially where you said it reads more like fiction than a memoir. Please enter me in the drawing.
florida982002[at]yahoo.com
Gfc follower
florida982002[at]yahoo.com
It looks like a story I would enjoy.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
I follow on GFC
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
Hey Dar,
Please enter me for this giveaway!
I am a follower
I posted it on my sidebar (I finally caught up with ALL your giveaways!)
forevereading at gmail dot com
Dar, thanks for having this giveaway! Please enter me for it.
I am a follower of yours.
cmcdermitt1@carolina.rr.com
Ever since I saw "Under a Tuscan Sun" I have wanted to do the same thing! I do watch that movie again & again!
I would love to read this!
pinchbuggies at hotmail.com
I follow you!
pinchbuggies at hotmail.com
Tweeted the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/Pinchbuggies/status/109335250278166528
@pinchbuggies
pinchbuggies at hotmail.com
I love the sound of this book. I can’t wait to read it.
hootowl1978 at gmail dot com
I follow via GFC as Jessy
hootowl1978 at gmail dot com
I tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/hootowl1978/status/111253308294967296
hootowl1978 at gmail dot com
Sounds like my kind of book. I would love a chance to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
Anita Yancey
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Old Follower on GFC as Anita Yancey.
Anita Yancey
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Sounds good!
Diana Quinn
sahara5150@hotmail.com
I am also a follower of your blog.
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
GFC Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1
GFC Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2
Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis
http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/112357520701526016
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1
Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis
http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/112357520701526016
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2
Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis
http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/112357520701526016
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#3