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Семейство по френски
Историята на Веран е удивително питателна и богата като френската кухня, описана на страниците й.
Мишел Гейбъл, автор на бестселъра „Парижкият апартамент”
Съдбата на Саманта прилича на приказка, но напълно действителна и изненадващо искрена. И докато приказките свършват с „и заживели щастливо”, Семейство по френски започва оттук. Един французин и неговите две пораснали деца, загубили майка си, една американка и зелените поля на Прованс – това са съставките, от които Саманта Веран е готова да забърка новия си живот. Рецептата на пръв поглед е лесна, но в живота, както и в кухнята, винаги има място за изненади.
Още в мига, в който самолетът каца на френска земя, Саманта разбира, че френската й приказка ще е пълна с неочаквани обрати – включително сърдити тийнейджъри, нашествие от бълхи и езикова бариера, която често се спуска в най-конфузните ситуации. Но когато съдбата ти предлага втори шанс в живота и любовта, не можеш да откажеш, колкото и да е трудно.
Топла и искрена, забавна и сърцераздирателна, Семейство по френски събира изпитанията на новото начало, малките ежедневни проблеми и големия празник на любовта. Оформена като шеговита рецепта, книгата включва и съвсем реални френски рецепти, които всеки може да опита у дома. Защото ключът за създаване на щастливо семейство е любовта, а ключалката често е някъде в кухнята.
Мишел Гейбъл, автор на бестселъра „Парижкият апартамент”
Съдбата на Саманта прилича на приказка, но напълно действителна и изненадващо искрена. И докато приказките свършват с „и заживели щастливо”, Семейство по френски започва оттук. Един французин и неговите две пораснали деца, загубили майка си, една американка и зелените поля на Прованс – това са съставките, от които Саманта Веран е готова да забърка новия си живот. Рецептата на пръв поглед е лесна, но в живота, както и в кухнята, винаги има място за изненади.
Още в мига, в който самолетът каца на френска земя, Саманта разбира, че френската й приказка ще е пълна с неочаквани обрати – включително сърдити тийнейджъри, нашествие от бълхи и езикова бариера, която често се спуска в най-конфузните ситуации. Но когато съдбата ти предлага втори шанс в живота и любовта, не можеш да откажеш, колкото и да е трудно.
Топла и искрена, забавна и сърцераздирателна, Семейство по френски събира изпитанията на новото начало, малките ежедневни проблеми и големия празник на любовта. Оформена като шеговита рецепта, книгата включва и съвсем реални френски рецепти, които всеки може да опита у дома. Защото ключът за създаване на щастливо семейство е любовта, а ключалката често е някъде в кухнята.
336 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2017
About the author
Samantha Verant
9 books383 followersSamantha Vérant is a travel addict, a self-professed oenophile, and a determined, if occasionally unconventional, at-home French chef. Over the years, she’s visited many different countries, lived in many places, and worked many jobs— always on the search for the one thing that truly excited her. Then, one day, she found everything she’s been looking for: a passion for the written word and true love. Writing not only enabled her to open her heart, it led her to southwestern France, where she’s now married to a sexy French rocket scientist she met over twenty years ago, a stepmom to two incredible kids, and the adoptive mother to one ridiculously adorable Charteux cat. When she’s not trekking from Provence to the Pyrénées, tasting wine in American-sized glasses, or embracing her inner Julia Child while deliberating what constitutes the perfect boeuf bourguignon, Samantha is making her best effort to relearn those dreaded conjugations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
April 26, 2017
What can I say? I'm a bit biased. Well, that, and my first memoir, SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS, had heart; this one has soul. This book was also very hard for me to write. So, I thank you for sharing this journey with me. Dare to follow your heart. And remember to appreciate the tiny, beautiful things in life. "Perfect" doesn't exist, but, oh, the beauty we are able to find in an imperfect world. Life, after all, isn't a fairy tale...but we can all carve our own happily-ever-afters (even when the going gets tough). And our families and friends, along with humor, love, and laughter (and good food!!!) can take us there.
Gros Bisous-
Samantha
XOX
p.s. The early reviews of this book are from readers from my Advance Copy Reader (ARC) tour. I sent four books out (one reader sends it on to the next...they signed up on Facebook) and I'm sure, once the book is posted on NetGalley, there will be other early reviews. DISCLAIMER: out of the 44 people on the ARC tour, I only know six of them personally (a few I haven't seen in years and years). So, there you have it. The whole truth, and nothing but the truth, I swear!
Gros Bisous-
Samantha
XOX
p.s. The early reviews of this book are from readers from my Advance Copy Reader (ARC) tour. I sent four books out (one reader sends it on to the next...they signed up on Facebook) and I'm sure, once the book is posted on NetGalley, there will be other early reviews. DISCLAIMER: out of the 44 people on the ARC tour, I only know six of them personally (a few I haven't seen in years and years). So, there you have it. The whole truth, and nothing but the truth, I swear!
March 18, 2017
Samantha has been given a second chance at love when she was 40 years old. Now living in Southwestern France, she is prepared to to take up her new role as a wife and stepmum. She quickly finds out that making a French family takes more than just good intentions. Suffering from culture shock and struggling to communicate with her 10 year old stepson and 13 year old stepdaughter.
This is a funny memoir that I loved from beginning to end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Source Books and the author Samantha Verant for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a funny memoir that I loved from beginning to end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Source Books and the author Samantha Verant for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2017
Саманта Веран има много минуси като писател, но най-големият ѝ плюс е, че е искрена. Истории като нейната са една на милион и всеки си мечтае тайничко да му се случат и на него. Пък и нека си признаем, всеки се е чудил поне веднъж, какво се случва след като Пепеляшка се ожени за принца и се нанесе в замъка. "Семейство по френски" е чаровна, на места бъбрива, понякога смешна и най-вече - много, много вкусна книга. Оказва се, че замъкът има нужда от малко домашен уют, бумащината покрай нанасянето не е никак малко, но за сметка на това - върви с откриването на един нов свят: този на френската кухня. На книгата ѝ липсват финтифлюшки, духовни търсения и простотии. Няма претенции да е голяма литература и точно затова е толкова приятно да се отпуснеш с нея и да почетеш за живота на някой друг.
Ако искате книжния вариант на романтичен коледен филм по Холмарк, това е вашата книга. Ако търсите нещо по-артистично, изпълнено с послания и т.н., по-добре преминете нататък.
Ако искате книжния вариант на романтичен коледен филм по Холмарк, това е вашата книга. Ако търсите нещо по-артистично, изпълнено с послания и т.н., по-добре преминете нататък.
February 7, 2017
A perfect summer read, "How To Make a French Family" is set in picturesque southwest France and gives honest details of the author's second chance at happiness. We cheer Verant on in her new life, as she dives into marriage with a charming Frenchman, whom she met 20 years earlier. In a heartbeat, she becomes a wife, a step-mom, an ex-pat immersed in a new and often overwhelming culture... and a whiz in the kitchen. We empathize with the author's situation (partly because sometime you feel like you are reading a diary) all the while wondering how would we react if encountering all of these circumstances ourselves.
Although there are many books about France on the market at the moment, Verant has set her story apart by taking it one step further: including treasured family recipes, the meals over which her new French family bonded. The occasional tidbit of touristy information was valuable as well.
Verant's light, conversational style of writing easily carries the reader along on her many adventures. She speaks from the heart (sadly heavy-hearted at times); has showed firsthand that humour, perseverance and great food (and the occasional band-aid) make the difficult times manageable. She is inspirational yet realistic in her search for the beauty in every moment, in everyday life. Thank you for the reminder!
The story was at times bouncy, almost as if you were sitting across from Verant, both cheerfully sipping red wine as she retells her stories. Because of this, I found that having read her previous memoir, "Seven Letters From Paris" helpful in understanding her back-story more fully. Although not necessary, for added dimension, reading Seven Letters is recommended.
I am excited to try out her recipes (yes, even Tuna Noodle Casserole) and to read what family adventures Verant writes about next.
Part of Team Seabiscuit, I had the great fortune of obtaining an advance reader copy of this book. Due to be released on April 1, 2017, you can pre-order your copy of highly recommended "How to Make a French Family" on Indigo.ca: http://bit.ly/2kpMKqX
Although there are many books about France on the market at the moment, Verant has set her story apart by taking it one step further: including treasured family recipes, the meals over which her new French family bonded. The occasional tidbit of touristy information was valuable as well.
Verant's light, conversational style of writing easily carries the reader along on her many adventures. She speaks from the heart (sadly heavy-hearted at times); has showed firsthand that humour, perseverance and great food (and the occasional band-aid) make the difficult times manageable. She is inspirational yet realistic in her search for the beauty in every moment, in everyday life. Thank you for the reminder!
The story was at times bouncy, almost as if you were sitting across from Verant, both cheerfully sipping red wine as she retells her stories. Because of this, I found that having read her previous memoir, "Seven Letters From Paris" helpful in understanding her back-story more fully. Although not necessary, for added dimension, reading Seven Letters is recommended.
I am excited to try out her recipes (yes, even Tuna Noodle Casserole) and to read what family adventures Verant writes about next.
Part of Team Seabiscuit, I had the great fortune of obtaining an advance reader copy of this book. Due to be released on April 1, 2017, you can pre-order your copy of highly recommended "How to Make a French Family" on Indigo.ca: http://bit.ly/2kpMKqX
October 1, 2016
I was lucky to receive an ARC of this book. Not so long ago, I read Seven Letter from Paris, Samantha Verant's first memoir. The writing flowed easily, and I was caught up her story.
Now, after the first memoir of her failed marriage, her quest to find the French man she'd met 20 years prior at 19, and the leap of faith she made to marry him and move to France, she shared what happened afterwards. I thought I knew most of the story after following her blog for years, but I only knew the surface. In this book, we get to see how the relationship with her husband develops. Samantha immerses the reader in the experience of being an immigrant, and how she lost her voice. She shares the goofy, exasperating, and poignant aspects of becoming a stepmom. And most importantly, she shares her long, sometimes difficult, and even painful exploration of what it means to be a family.
Like Seven Letters from Paris, I was completely drawn into Samantha's world. While Seven Letters from Paris shares those first love letters with Jean-Luc, How to Make a French Family shares recipes. I am excited to try French ones, American ones, and the ones inspired by both cultures. But I'm skipping the tuna casserole.
Now, after the first memoir of her failed marriage, her quest to find the French man she'd met 20 years prior at 19, and the leap of faith she made to marry him and move to France, she shared what happened afterwards. I thought I knew most of the story after following her blog for years, but I only knew the surface. In this book, we get to see how the relationship with her husband develops. Samantha immerses the reader in the experience of being an immigrant, and how she lost her voice. She shares the goofy, exasperating, and poignant aspects of becoming a stepmom. And most importantly, she shares her long, sometimes difficult, and even painful exploration of what it means to be a family.
Like Seven Letters from Paris, I was completely drawn into Samantha's world. While Seven Letters from Paris shares those first love letters with Jean-Luc, How to Make a French Family shares recipes. I am excited to try French ones, American ones, and the ones inspired by both cultures. But I'm skipping the tuna casserole.
December 5, 2016
How to Make a French Family: A Memoir of Love, Food, and Faux Pas by Samantha Verant
This is the second part of her memoir , the first being Seven Letters From Paris, but one does not need to have read the first to be able to enjoy this one, although I highly recommend both as they are both so full of wonderful stories and people. The first one gives us more, about her life before moving to France, and about how she met Jean-Luc and then reconnected with him 20 years later.
In this book the Author Samantha, moves to France to live with her Love, Jean-Luc and his two children her now stepchildren. She goes through a lot, of both joy and fears as she gets used to living in France, from the language, meeting new friends and getting the acceptance of her stepchildren, everything is new and a challenge, but one she is determined to master.
The Author is a wonderful writer, making us feel like we are a part of her journey. We can all relate to some of the things she has gone through and that I think draws us even more into her story.
I really hope she continues to write about her life and her families lives, as the years go on.
I thank NetGalley for the ARC copy.
This is the second part of her memoir , the first being Seven Letters From Paris, but one does not need to have read the first to be able to enjoy this one, although I highly recommend both as they are both so full of wonderful stories and people. The first one gives us more, about her life before moving to France, and about how she met Jean-Luc and then reconnected with him 20 years later.
In this book the Author Samantha, moves to France to live with her Love, Jean-Luc and his two children her now stepchildren. She goes through a lot, of both joy and fears as she gets used to living in France, from the language, meeting new friends and getting the acceptance of her stepchildren, everything is new and a challenge, but one she is determined to master.
The Author is a wonderful writer, making us feel like we are a part of her journey. We can all relate to some of the things she has gone through and that I think draws us even more into her story.
I really hope she continues to write about her life and her families lives, as the years go on.
I thank NetGalley for the ARC copy.
March 10, 2017
Love, laughter and tears-a delight to read.
I loved the concept of this: A memoir with recipes. A lovely warm tone at the start, I could tell instantly it was a book I was going to enjoy. A lovely, lighthearted look at life and love.
I must confess I have Samantha Verant's first memoir-but not read it yet. I wondered whether to read it first or dive straight in this new book. Could it stand alone too? I definitely think it can, you can read them in any order.
There's a really happy, bubbly feel to this. It would make a very pretty, heart warming film-but it's not just a fictional feel-good movie-it's Samantha's real life-and it makes wonderful reading. So the fairytale begins-but does it continue happily ever after? There are unexpected humorous events right after getting home from their honeymoon.
I really enjoyed this memoir combined with recipes symbolising the perfect ingredients for happy and contented family life and the spontaneous changes to those recipes along the way; the ups and downs that life throws at you. A wonderful read, a real feast of a book. I loved it all the way through, from start to finish. Love, laughter and tears-a delight to read.
I loved the concept of this: A memoir with recipes. A lovely warm tone at the start, I could tell instantly it was a book I was going to enjoy. A lovely, lighthearted look at life and love.
I must confess I have Samantha Verant's first memoir-but not read it yet. I wondered whether to read it first or dive straight in this new book. Could it stand alone too? I definitely think it can, you can read them in any order.
There's a really happy, bubbly feel to this. It would make a very pretty, heart warming film-but it's not just a fictional feel-good movie-it's Samantha's real life-and it makes wonderful reading. So the fairytale begins-but does it continue happily ever after? There are unexpected humorous events right after getting home from their honeymoon.
I really enjoyed this memoir combined with recipes symbolising the perfect ingredients for happy and contented family life and the spontaneous changes to those recipes along the way; the ups and downs that life throws at you. A wonderful read, a real feast of a book. I loved it all the way through, from start to finish. Love, laughter and tears-a delight to read.
February 6, 2017
What do you get when you mix a handsome Frenchman, a lovely American woman, two stepchildren, and a heavy dose of love and friendship? You get the recipe for a magical modern-day fairy tale that will have you cheering out loud. Samantha Verant’s memoir, How to Make a French Family, is the true story of how one woman finds the courage to open her heart to love, and by doing so, discovers the things that are truly important.
After Samantha goes through a divorce, she finds herself thinking of a Frenchman named Jean-Luc whom she met on a trip to Paris while in college. After reconnecting with Jean-Luc through a blog, she follows her heart and flies to Paris. In true fairy tale fashion, Samantha and Jean-Luc get married, and Samantha finds herself moving to a small village in France. The house she moves to is not a castle, but there is a lovely flower-filled garden in the back, spacious light-filled rooms, and plenty of love to add beauty and a sense of comfort.
Unlike in other fairy tales, Samantha’s road to happily-ever-after is not a straight one. Learning to deal with two stepchildren, trying to learn a new language, and attempting to navigate French culture and bureaucracy are but a few challenges Samantha has to face before she finds her true happy ending. She goes through an incredible journey of self-discovery where she finds out that you need to "open your heart to everything and everybody. According to Samantha, "When we dare to follow our hearts, the risk is worth it. Love bigger, live stronger, and don't let anybody tell you that something isn't possible."
From the very first page of this book I was totally hooked. From her second meeting with Jean-Luc and their subsequent marriage to her journey of discovery in her adopted home, I was thoroughly taken by Samantha’s unflinching honesty, her openness of heart, and her sense of humor. I laughed out loud while reading about her language faux-pas, and I cried unashamedly every time she lost another baby. I didn’t want this book to end and will be impatiently waiting for a sequel. I loved that she added recipes to the end of each chapter, so readers can find out for themselves how food and the love that goes into cooking for others can bring about positive changes.
How to Make a French Family is a book to share with anyone you love. It’s the perfect choice for book clubs, binge reading or any time you want a “feel good” book to read.
After Samantha goes through a divorce, she finds herself thinking of a Frenchman named Jean-Luc whom she met on a trip to Paris while in college. After reconnecting with Jean-Luc through a blog, she follows her heart and flies to Paris. In true fairy tale fashion, Samantha and Jean-Luc get married, and Samantha finds herself moving to a small village in France. The house she moves to is not a castle, but there is a lovely flower-filled garden in the back, spacious light-filled rooms, and plenty of love to add beauty and a sense of comfort.
Unlike in other fairy tales, Samantha’s road to happily-ever-after is not a straight one. Learning to deal with two stepchildren, trying to learn a new language, and attempting to navigate French culture and bureaucracy are but a few challenges Samantha has to face before she finds her true happy ending. She goes through an incredible journey of self-discovery where she finds out that you need to "open your heart to everything and everybody. According to Samantha, "When we dare to follow our hearts, the risk is worth it. Love bigger, live stronger, and don't let anybody tell you that something isn't possible."
From the very first page of this book I was totally hooked. From her second meeting with Jean-Luc and their subsequent marriage to her journey of discovery in her adopted home, I was thoroughly taken by Samantha’s unflinching honesty, her openness of heart, and her sense of humor. I laughed out loud while reading about her language faux-pas, and I cried unashamedly every time she lost another baby. I didn’t want this book to end and will be impatiently waiting for a sequel. I loved that she added recipes to the end of each chapter, so readers can find out for themselves how food and the love that goes into cooking for others can bring about positive changes.
How to Make a French Family is a book to share with anyone you love. It’s the perfect choice for book clubs, binge reading or any time you want a “feel good” book to read.
September 21, 2016
If you tend to be attracted to something 'French', this book needs your attention. As the title shows, the book is about making a family knitted with love, food, and language adaptaion in France. The stories spread in a small Southern town near Toulouse, not in Paris. It means that the author is not a romace-seeking-first-time traveler, but an "instant immigrant step mom", who has to survive in the country. (Even if she was an American traveler who actually met her love of life in Paris. You can find the romantic part of her French life from her other memoir, "Seven Letters From Paris", which is very cheerful.)
I love this book, because the stories are so genuine that I found myself relating my life to hers many times. The feeling of isolation in a foreign country. Being a stepmother of children who are not certain or ready to accept her as their mom. Her struggle to make her own place in the family and the community. The desire for having one's own children. Her gratitude for tiny, beautiful things. Moreover, those twists and turns of her life in France always come with the food. She cooks to cure wounds, to make friends, and to fill the family with love. Each chapter provide the recipes of certain French cuisine that she(or other family members) actually had made at each moment. The ingredients lists used to make my mouth watering. With the background stories set in, the recipes seem homey and appealing to give it a try. The recipes are another great charm of this book.
The most memorable sentences were, "Love didn't come from just DNA.", "You can't just ignore problems, hoping they'll go away."
I participated in the advanced copy review group for this book. I am so lucky to read it in advance and introduce it to others. Good things deserve to be shared. I hope you enjoy the book as I did! Cheers!
I love this book, because the stories are so genuine that I found myself relating my life to hers many times. The feeling of isolation in a foreign country. Being a stepmother of children who are not certain or ready to accept her as their mom. Her struggle to make her own place in the family and the community. The desire for having one's own children. Her gratitude for tiny, beautiful things. Moreover, those twists and turns of her life in France always come with the food. She cooks to cure wounds, to make friends, and to fill the family with love. Each chapter provide the recipes of certain French cuisine that she(or other family members) actually had made at each moment. The ingredients lists used to make my mouth watering. With the background stories set in, the recipes seem homey and appealing to give it a try. The recipes are another great charm of this book.
The most memorable sentences were, "Love didn't come from just DNA.", "You can't just ignore problems, hoping they'll go away."
I participated in the advanced copy review group for this book. I am so lucky to read it in advance and introduce it to others. Good things deserve to be shared. I hope you enjoy the book as I did! Cheers!
April 4, 2017
I was sent an ARC by Net Galley in advance of Samantha Vérant's new memoir launch in April 2017.
Loved this. It's beautifully honest and makes you want to track down the author and give her a big hug. Samantha Vérant's first memoir, SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS left us feeling a teensy bit envious of her new-found love in France with the guy of her dreams... well the dream gets real real quick in this sequel. Yet it is a story chock full of warmth, humor, love, light as well as some extremely sad moments... and I didn't want it to end. It brought me to tears yet left me with tons of delicious-sounding recipes. There were family parties and some family devastation... and a lot of fleas.
A wonderful gift of a book that is both life-affirming and down-to-earth.
Encore, Ms. Vérant, please keep writing what is in your heart because it's as bitter-yet-sweet as cherry clafoutis and as warming as boeuf bourguignon.
Loved this. It's beautifully honest and makes you want to track down the author and give her a big hug. Samantha Vérant's first memoir, SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS left us feeling a teensy bit envious of her new-found love in France with the guy of her dreams... well the dream gets real real quick in this sequel. Yet it is a story chock full of warmth, humor, love, light as well as some extremely sad moments... and I didn't want it to end. It brought me to tears yet left me with tons of delicious-sounding recipes. There were family parties and some family devastation... and a lot of fleas.
A wonderful gift of a book that is both life-affirming and down-to-earth.
Encore, Ms. Vérant, please keep writing what is in your heart because it's as bitter-yet-sweet as cherry clafoutis and as warming as boeuf bourguignon.
October 24, 2016
I started reading this and thought the author’s story sounded familiar. I later realized I had read her earlier memoir “Seven Letters from Paris”.
This second memoir follows Sam as she moves to France to be with her husband and his two children. She explains the differences in the French culture that she had to adjust to as an ex-pat living in France. Her relationships with the children, her husband, neighbors and friends are explored. While she is experiencing a new culture, she is also learning to be a stepmother, trying to become fluent in a language, navigate making friends as an adult, dealing with miscarriages, and assimilating into a new family.
I enjoyed the author’s honesty in presenting her story. I also enjoyed reading the recipes included in the book, and might have to try a few of them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley.
This second memoir follows Sam as she moves to France to be with her husband and his two children. She explains the differences in the French culture that she had to adjust to as an ex-pat living in France. Her relationships with the children, her husband, neighbors and friends are explored. While she is experiencing a new culture, she is also learning to be a stepmother, trying to become fluent in a language, navigate making friends as an adult, dealing with miscarriages, and assimilating into a new family.
I enjoyed the author’s honesty in presenting her story. I also enjoyed reading the recipes included in the book, and might have to try a few of them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley.
June 2, 2017
I loved this book maybe even more than the author's first book which is one of my all-time favorite memoirs, being an expat myself who packed up and moved over to Europe for love and adventures. She really shares some painful things that the family has gone through but still has her sense of humor and joie de vivre! I hope Samantha has another book coming along because reading her books is like sitting down with a good friend with a great glass of rosé!
December 22, 2020
This book came in my life just at the right time. Reading about family, food and France was such a joy and it helped lift me out of my covid weariness.
September 10, 2019
Admit it, I love memoirs. I especially love stories about settling in a new country. If it's France, even better and if there's romance involved then that's a perfect recipe for me. However this book adds a splash of potential step-mother issues, several ounces of foreign country blues, a small, sad measure of loss and grief, some heaped spoons of new friendships and a generous cup of family love. Yes it's a book on how to make a French family, but the delightful bonus is that the author is more than generous with her inclusion of some of her delicious recipes. I loved every page!
April 14, 2017
I once heard a great litmus test for a successful relationship - put up wallpaper and go canoeing. If the couple can survive these two things, then they have a rather high chance of success. Well, Samantha has done both, and more, with her beloved husband, family and France. Her book, How to Make a French Family, is her journey of the relationship litmus test.
Remembering who you are in any situation can be challenging enough. Take knowing who you are and add moving to a new country, getting married, becoming an instant mother to two children, a new language, and much more - this is a recipe for innovation. Samantha delivers an honest and sincere story about letting go of what a dream once was in order to let it become a better fit for who she is now.
It takes more courage than you can ever imagine to uproot your life to a new country. Seldom do you hear about the "behind the scenes" stories of that uprooting change. What I enjoyed about this story is the added element of how to overcome some of those obstacles of the expat life. Samantha's recipe to make a French Family: Communication, Friendship, Adventure, Passion, Love. Couldn't agree more!
By the way, did I mention there are some rather mouth watering recipes sprinkled throughout the book? Yes, in addition to a honest memoir this also has cooking recipes. A win-win in my view!
Remembering who you are in any situation can be challenging enough. Take knowing who you are and add moving to a new country, getting married, becoming an instant mother to two children, a new language, and much more - this is a recipe for innovation. Samantha delivers an honest and sincere story about letting go of what a dream once was in order to let it become a better fit for who she is now.
It takes more courage than you can ever imagine to uproot your life to a new country. Seldom do you hear about the "behind the scenes" stories of that uprooting change. What I enjoyed about this story is the added element of how to overcome some of those obstacles of the expat life. Samantha's recipe to make a French Family: Communication, Friendship, Adventure, Passion, Love. Couldn't agree more!
By the way, did I mention there are some rather mouth watering recipes sprinkled throughout the book? Yes, in addition to a honest memoir this also has cooking recipes. A win-win in my view!
August 8, 2021
Kad se snovi promijene, treba samo da se i ti kotrljaš s njima.
April 11, 2021
I loved hearing more about Sam and Jean-Luc!
August 30, 2020
I don't normally read memoirs, but I happened to stumble across this book at the library and thought I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did because I loved every moment of it.
It's impossible to read this story and not end up feeling like a close friend of Sam and her family. She's so honest, open, and warm in her writing that it really is just like a conversation...naturally, a one-sided one, but in a good way. 😊 I laughed, worried, loved, and cried (well, I got teary-eyed; I don't cry often) right alongside her. At this point, my husband should also feel like he knows Sam since I spent a couple of hours recounting her story to him in great detail.
I read this during all of the travel bans and social-distancing of Coronavirus (COVID19); so it checked off more boxes than a typical read would. My family and I love France and traveling, in general. Since we're currently barred from visiting anywhere out of country, we are in travel withdrawal. This book helped itch the travel but by allowing me to live vicariously through Sam, exploring parts of France, practicing my French a bit, and feeling like I was seeing French culture up close and personal. I talk to my husband often about moving to France once day, and Sam's adventures helped highlight some of the things we might experience. It also pointed out misconceptions that we had such as free healthcare, etc., and introduced us to new traditions like 13 desserts for Christmas to represent Jesus and the Apostles.
A couple of other bonuses to the book are that it's a fun, quick read, and it includes around 30 recipes! I didn't get a chance to try them yet, but I'm so excited to have my husband make them (he's the family cook). Overall, the book is wholly entertaining, informative, satisfying, and uplifting. I plan on reading all of her other books as well as presenting this one to my book club since I think they'd love it as much as me.
It's impossible to read this story and not end up feeling like a close friend of Sam and her family. She's so honest, open, and warm in her writing that it really is just like a conversation...naturally, a one-sided one, but in a good way. 😊 I laughed, worried, loved, and cried (well, I got teary-eyed; I don't cry often) right alongside her. At this point, my husband should also feel like he knows Sam since I spent a couple of hours recounting her story to him in great detail.
I read this during all of the travel bans and social-distancing of Coronavirus (COVID19); so it checked off more boxes than a typical read would. My family and I love France and traveling, in general. Since we're currently barred from visiting anywhere out of country, we are in travel withdrawal. This book helped itch the travel but by allowing me to live vicariously through Sam, exploring parts of France, practicing my French a bit, and feeling like I was seeing French culture up close and personal. I talk to my husband often about moving to France once day, and Sam's adventures helped highlight some of the things we might experience. It also pointed out misconceptions that we had such as free healthcare, etc., and introduced us to new traditions like 13 desserts for Christmas to represent Jesus and the Apostles.
A couple of other bonuses to the book are that it's a fun, quick read, and it includes around 30 recipes! I didn't get a chance to try them yet, but I'm so excited to have my husband make them (he's the family cook). Overall, the book is wholly entertaining, informative, satisfying, and uplifting. I plan on reading all of her other books as well as presenting this one to my book club since I think they'd love it as much as me.
October 17, 2016
After reading Samantha Verant’s first memoir, which describes her real life fairy tale of reconnecting with and marrying a Frenchman after 20 years apart, we are treated to her second memoir which takes readers on an adventure, as Samantha adjusts to her new life in the French countryside and her new role as a stepmom and wife. To me, the most intriguing part of How to Make a French Family is Samantha’s bravery throughout the book. She shows us the challenges and tribulations she has to overcome while growing within. With her beautiful choice of captivating words, Samantha takes us on a picturesque tour of Southwest France and surrounding regions; introduces us to her extended family, new friends and neighbors; tempts us with her culinary dishes; takes on new challenges as they arise; and eventually evolves from hesitant immigrant stepmom to a friendly, very strong, unconditional-loving mother… and, personally, one of my biggest inspirations!
Disclaimer: I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2016
This book was a delight to read. After marrying her long, lost, French love of twenty years previous, Samantha writes about the challenges and joys of fitting into her new French family with new husband and two step-children, life in a French town and a new culture. There are some sad parts which I will not reveal here, but the reader cannot help feeling the author's joys and sorrows along with her.
The writing is uplifting, humorous and scintillating as with her previous book, Seven Letters from Paris, which would be good to read before this one, although she reviews the story for those who haven't read it first.
One cannot help feeling hopeful in life in spite of its challenges. She leaves us with the same compassionate and uplifting vision of her previous book.
I was happy to read this book as part of a 'preview book tour' before it is published in the Spring of 2017.
The writing is uplifting, humorous and scintillating as with her previous book, Seven Letters from Paris, which would be good to read before this one, although she reviews the story for those who haven't read it first.
One cannot help feeling hopeful in life in spite of its challenges. She leaves us with the same compassionate and uplifting vision of her previous book.
I was happy to read this book as part of a 'preview book tour' before it is published in the Spring of 2017.
October 27, 2016
Here's another memoir by an American who has moved to France, complete with recipes. Unlike the others books I've read, however, Samantha Verant did not move to France with her American family, but married a Frenchman and joined a French family. She also did not move to Paris. Moreover, she was far from being fluent in French, and describes the mental fatigue caused by that. Mostly, though, she describes her happiness with her French family--her scientist husband and his two children from a previous marriage. There is some sadness in the story due to miscarriages, but happiness prevails . . . and love. Madame Verant repeatedly stresses the importance of loving wholeheartedly. Just throw yourself into a new life and love without fail.
(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the author or publisher.)
(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the author or publisher.)
September 21, 2016
When I read Seven Letters from Paris I did not want the story to end !!!!! I was so excited to hear that Samantha was going to continue the story. How to make a French family will not disappoint !! It is a beautiful, from the heart, sincere story. Samantha's has a wonderful sense of humor as well. The recipe's are a great addition to the story line. I certainly did not want this book to end either. Loved the descriptions of the villages and all the interesting people. Could we have a book 3?
Thank you for sharing your stories ❤️
Marsha Harwood
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you for sharing your stories ❤️
Marsha Harwood
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2016
This book is about a divorcee finding her feet in France. She marries a Frenchman and moves to France. This is the story of her acclimation to the area and to being apart of the family. I found myself laughing and smiling through a lot of this memoir, but also feeling for her when she was sad or having trouble adjusting. I did feel like sometimes it jumped around a little too much and I wasn't sure where we were at anymore. But everything seemed to piece it self together in the end. Verant is a great at bringing you into her world but also opening you up and being able to relate.
January 6, 2017
How To Make A French Family shares the ups and downs, good, bad and funny moments of building a new life and family in France, never letting us forget that in the end, love saves the day.
February 26, 2021
Here’s the epilogue to Samantha Verant’s charming memoir, Seven Letters from Paris, the fairy tale story of her improbable marriage to Jean-Luc Verant.
Jean-Luc is a prince of a guy, but he’s not a Prince. He’s a working man, an aerospace scientist at France’s equivalent of NASA. No castle here, no ladies in waiting for Samantha. She moves into his modest home in a small town outside of Toulouse in southern France and immediately steps into the role of step-mother—Jean-Luc has an 12-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son. They’re not waiting with open arms for a new mom, especially an American one.
She speaks some French, but she’s not fluent. She has to tackle the language to buy food, clothing, household goods, and negotiate daily life in a relatively small town. She has to make friends, adapt to a new culture as well as a new marriage. Sometimes it’s tough. She has to negotiate the bureaucratic paperwork necessary to live as an expatriate in France. At other times, it’s embarrassing—like the time the family cat goes missing and she asks the next door neighbor if he had seen it. Her question stuns him. She asked, “Est-ce que t’as vu ma chatte?”—which, she discovers, translates as “Have you seen my pussy?” (Yep, that one, not the feline one.)
She does make friends. She works her way into Jean-Luc’s huge extended family. They travel and Jean-Luc introduces her to great out-of-the way spots most tourists never get to see. She takes up French cooking, becomes quite skilled at it.
But she also confronts true hardship and pain—a series of personal tragedies that are enough to bring ordinary people to their knees. There’s real anguish here. But not a whit of poor-me.
We see her develop as a writer as well as stepmother, wife, expat and explorer. She turns the tale of her improbable marriage into a memoir, Seven Letters. She sends it to agents and publishers. Then come the rejections, the rewrites, and finally success—it’s a story all writers know so well, so painfully well.
You have to admire her grit as she and Jean-Luc remodel their house, admire her patience and understanding as Jean-Luc’s kids became her kids. Through it all, Samantha carries on with humor, grace, and love.
When I finished French Family. I couldn’t put it away on a bookshelf. It sits on my desk like a bound collection of thoughtful letters from a dear friend I’ve never met—stories of Samantha’s and Jean-Luc’s daily lives, their love, their victories, their aches as she settles into this totally different culture and lifestyle.
I wrote Samantha recently to catch up on the news. Her kids are in college now, Elvire, 24, is in Prague finishing her master’s degree; Max, now 21, is in Paris starting a six-month internship he needs to finish up his BA. . . man they grow up fast these days, don’t they?”
In short, when you sit down to read How to Make a French Family, don’t think of it as “reading a book.” Think of it as knocking on Sam and Jean-Luc’s door. They’ll invite you in, and you’ll become part of their extended French family.
Jean-Luc is a prince of a guy, but he’s not a Prince. He’s a working man, an aerospace scientist at France’s equivalent of NASA. No castle here, no ladies in waiting for Samantha. She moves into his modest home in a small town outside of Toulouse in southern France and immediately steps into the role of step-mother—Jean-Luc has an 12-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son. They’re not waiting with open arms for a new mom, especially an American one.
She speaks some French, but she’s not fluent. She has to tackle the language to buy food, clothing, household goods, and negotiate daily life in a relatively small town. She has to make friends, adapt to a new culture as well as a new marriage. Sometimes it’s tough. She has to negotiate the bureaucratic paperwork necessary to live as an expatriate in France. At other times, it’s embarrassing—like the time the family cat goes missing and she asks the next door neighbor if he had seen it. Her question stuns him. She asked, “Est-ce que t’as vu ma chatte?”—which, she discovers, translates as “Have you seen my pussy?” (Yep, that one, not the feline one.)
She does make friends. She works her way into Jean-Luc’s huge extended family. They travel and Jean-Luc introduces her to great out-of-the way spots most tourists never get to see. She takes up French cooking, becomes quite skilled at it.
But she also confronts true hardship and pain—a series of personal tragedies that are enough to bring ordinary people to their knees. There’s real anguish here. But not a whit of poor-me.
We see her develop as a writer as well as stepmother, wife, expat and explorer. She turns the tale of her improbable marriage into a memoir, Seven Letters. She sends it to agents and publishers. Then come the rejections, the rewrites, and finally success—it’s a story all writers know so well, so painfully well.
You have to admire her grit as she and Jean-Luc remodel their house, admire her patience and understanding as Jean-Luc’s kids became her kids. Through it all, Samantha carries on with humor, grace, and love.
When I finished French Family. I couldn’t put it away on a bookshelf. It sits on my desk like a bound collection of thoughtful letters from a dear friend I’ve never met—stories of Samantha’s and Jean-Luc’s daily lives, their love, their victories, their aches as she settles into this totally different culture and lifestyle.
I wrote Samantha recently to catch up on the news. Her kids are in college now, Elvire, 24, is in Prague finishing her master’s degree; Max, now 21, is in Paris starting a six-month internship he needs to finish up his BA. . . man they grow up fast these days, don’t they?”
In short, when you sit down to read How to Make a French Family, don’t think of it as “reading a book.” Think of it as knocking on Sam and Jean-Luc’s door. They’ll invite you in, and you’ll become part of their extended French family.
August 19, 2019
I wanted to love this book, but I didn't. Frankly I was bored. A LOT. While I appreciated the romantic story (Samantha reconnects with a French man from her past 20 years later and moves to France with him), ultimately the story just fell flat for me. The story is about her joys and struggles as she adjusts to to her new life in France which involves a new country, a new language, a new marriage and being a stepmother to two tween/teen children. There are some really lovely details here, but ultimately it was the details that drove me crazy. The book basically describes her first year in the country and sometimes regular life is boring, especially when it is described in never-ending, minute details. (Seriously, I don't need a play-by-play of every shopping trip and family gathering.) I also found myself annoyed with the teen children; obviously this is a hard situation for them too, but the author is an amazing step-mother to them and sometimes pretty unappreciative back. I enjoyed the recipes interspersed throughout the book, but ultimately I just didn't feel there was enough story here to justify a book.
April 4, 2017
Once again (after Seven Letters from Paris), Samantha Vérant swept me along with this wonderfully entertaining, honest, emotional and life-affirming read about building a new life in France with her husband and stepchildren. Beautifully written, reading this book was like being on a high-energy bubbly carousel ride of both highs and lows in equal measure, all told with humour, honesty and sincerity. It is both funny and moving, and a wonderful testament to overcoming your fears and embracing life.
September 1, 2019
Nagy tévedés volt. Egy kis hangulati bevezetőt szerettem volna ahhoz a tájegységhez, ahová idén tervezünk utazni. Nem emelném piedesztálra a Napsütötte Toszkánát (amit egyébként példaértékűnek vall a szerző), de azt elolvasva évekig Toszkánába jártunk tavasszal. Ehelyett kaptam egy számomra teljesen érdektelen történetet, amit még elmesélni se sikerült rendesen. (Milyen lehetett az első könyv?) Lehet, hogy a receptes része nem volt sótlan, de azt átlapoztam.
October 7, 2017
I knew author Samantha Verant when she and I worked together at a Chicago ad agency over 10 years ago. Her personal story, both Seven Letters from Paris and this, its sequel, is a real-life romance. I read it with a smile on my face, so happy for her happiness. Can't wait to try the recipes!
December 3, 2017
Tetszett a szerző őszintesége. Őszintén írt a beilleszkedési nehézségeiről, de szerencsére megtalálta a boldogságát Franciaországban. Újabb információkkal gazdagodtam a francia kultúráról. Mindig tanulok valamit az ilyen típusú könyvekből, ezért is szeretem az ilyen memoárokat.
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