As I read, I literally can’t stop smiling at the splendour and beautiful picture that Dick and Angel paint of the whole scene. Dick and Angel leapt into action transforming Château-de-la-Motte Husson into both a thriving family home and a sustainable business, and began making their dream of rural life in a fairytale castle a reality. It's fascinating to get a behind the scenes look into life restoring an old Chateau, more detail and insight then even the show. I loved this aspect of the book together with the artistic inspiration I felt on following Angels decorating projects.

Especially in times like these, we all need a little escape and A Year at the Chateau offers that in abundance. Like many couples, Dick and Angel had long dreamed of living in France, but where others might settle for a modest bolthole in the French countryside, the Strawbridges fell in love with a 19th-century fairytale château, complete with 45 rooms, seven outbuildings, 12 acres of land and its own moat. Like many couples, Dick and Angel had long dreamed of living in France, but where others might settle for a modest bolthole in the French countryside, the Strawbridges fell in love with a 19th-century fairytale chateau, complete with 45 rooms, seven outbuildings, 12 acres of land and its own moat. When Nicola's husband, Dominic, retires they decide not to spend their days finding hobbies to fill the time until Countdown is on. I've read the book, learnt a lot about owning a château and enjoyed hearing about their story from two different view points.In fact it made me nostalgic for the early episodes (which unfortunately aren't currently available to me for streaming - I'll wait). They take turns reading a bit then there is a pause and Dick picks up from Angela which is a slight relief. Read this book if you really want to know about their wedding invitations and the vintage napkins they set out. She also has a tendency to not credit her artists on later seasons of the show and on the Château's social media accounts, which leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

A Year in the Chateau takes a light-hearted look at a group of friends who decide to pool their resources and who find themselves the owners of a dilapidated chateau in Northern France. because I don't want to renovate a castle of my own (let alone do TV shows to make it possible—no shade, and I'm delighted that other people are doing it, but being on television is not any version of my dream job! All the tables had vintage games and memorabilia that dated back to before the Second World War and each place setting had vintage china, cutlery and a vintage French napkin. I simply love it when waiters are friendly and you can ask them for menu recommendations or new local events to attend.Of course pictures tell a thousand words and the ones featured within the pages of the book add a nice touch and allow you further inside into their lives.