Easy, charming and reminded me of many trips to France. Plot a bit fragmented, but tant pis. ( )

Simon Shaw is tired to death of the advertising business. He meets a lovely woman in France who suggests he buy an old building, restore it and open a small hotel in Provence. This will be relaxing for him. Right. I've managed a small hotel and it is anything but relaxing! Fun ensues as Simon discovers this for himself.

I enjoyed this read, it was like a mini-vacation. Nothing stressful, although there are bumps in the road for Simon, somehow the reader knows that this will be a gentle ride. I'm pretty sure one could learn a lot of naughty words in French if one took the time to look up the translations. I didn't, but I don't think I missed anything important to the story. ( )

A light read that is deeply satisfying. Newly-divorced man and his valet/butler take off to Provence to relax and recover, only to open up a hotel and restaurant. Mayle's writing is very evocative ~ I immediately wanted to book a flight and stay in the region that Hotel Pastis is situated. ( )

Mayle's Hotel Pastis is the perfect treat when one is wanting something light, but not unintelligent or poorly written. Let's think of it as the thinking reader's bon-bon. Light and sparkling as a glass of Dom Perignon ( not a little of which is quaffed in the novel), Mayle spins an engaging story of middle age, top of his game ad exe who is tired of the racquet. Simon chucks it all and with the help of his natty aide de camp, Ernest and his savvy new girlfriend Nicole, he restores an old police station in Provence with the intention of opening a small hotel. Ah, that life was that simple. Before long he is caught up in the not quiet life of the countryside. He finds himself fending of Mafia types, involved in retrieving a kidnapping victim and buffeting an expat neighbor's attempts to discredit the hotel. Not to mention there is a bank robbery with some of the most delightful petty criminals in fiction. Witty dialogue, wry insights, pleasing descriptions of setting, marvelously funny characters. Much fun. ( )

Mayle's Hotel Pastis is the perfect treat when one is wanting something light, but not unintelligent or poorly written. Let's think of it as the thinking reader's bon-bon. Light and sparkling as a glass of Dom Perignon ( not a little of which is quaffed in the novel), Mayle spins an engaging story of middle age, top of his game ad exe who is tired of the racquet. Simon chucks it all and with the help of his natty aide de camp, Ernest and his savvy new girlfriend Nicole, he restores an old police station in Provence with the intention of opening a small hotel. Ah, that life was that simple. Before long he is caught up in the not quiet life of the countryside. He finds himself fending of Mafia types, involved in retrieving a kidnapping victim and buffeting an expat neighbor's attempts to discredit the hotel. Not to mention there is a bank robbery with some of the most delightful petty criminals in fiction. Witty dialogue, wry insights, pleasing descriptions of setting, marvelously funny characters. Much fun. ( )