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What have we got Toulouse: A family moving to France (A mother in France Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 453 ratings

This is the true story of an ordinary British family who swapped their run-of-the-mill life in Southeast England for a far-from ordinary-life in a mill in Southwest France. Nikki McArthur, aka ‘A mother in France’, opens up a window to her world and invites you to journey with her through the positive and negative experiences of the process of moving, settling, making a living and raising a family in a new country. Woven within the pages of the family’s experiences are a treasury of facts and information making it not only a fascinating read but a useful guide to living in France.

Uncovering the thought processes behind why the family decided to move to France and how they went about it, the book reveals how to prepare for a move abroad, house hunting tips and the buying process. Discover what it was like when they arrived, the main difficulties and challenges they faced with settling in as a family, renovation challenges and experiences of developing a business and making a living. Follow the ups and downs of family life in France from pregnancy and childbirth through to adulthood with fascinating details on education, health, cultural differences and raising bilingual children. An intriguing mixture of facts backed by true life experiences and comparisons and a compelling read for anyone interested in or considering moving abroad.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B084WQBG28
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ A Mother in France (4 April 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 214 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 453 ratings

About the author

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Nikki McArthur
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In 2004 Nikki McArthur (with her husband and three children), traded in her life as an IT trainer and Hotelier in the UK, to live the good life in rural South West France. She now has five children, is a freelance Proof Reader, runs a Retreat and Holiday let business, Garden Centre and Landscaping business, and has also found the time to pursue her love for writing.

Nikki is currently writing a series of books the first of which is entitled "What have we got Toulouse? A family moving to France" which was released in April 2020.

A dedicated mother and natural helper and organiser, Nikki enjoys sharing the knowledge and experience she's gained over the years, which has been her drive for writing. Her practical and down to earth approach to life shines through in her work and is popular with her regular followers. When she's not writing, Nikki is a real estate agent and helps others find their dream home in France.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
453 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and informative. They appreciate the practical information and refreshing insights into French culture. Readers also mention the background history is interesting and helpful for understanding the move abroad.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

16 customers mention ‘Readability’16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the book. They found it well-written and engaging, with useful information for British expats moving to France. The chapter on languages was praised.

"I really enjoyed this book...." Read more

"...Chapter on languages is superb! Many smiles!" Read more

"If you are thinking of moving to France , this is the book you need to read !..." Read more

"I highly enjoyed this book and devoured all of the practical information it provided while painting a picture of one family’s adventure of moving to..." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Information quality’14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and insightful. They appreciate the useful information about France, including descriptions of different areas and properties. The story is well-told and interspersed with personal anecdotes. Readers find it refreshing to read about a family they can relate to. Overall, they describe the book as an honest account of living and making it work in France.

"I really enjoyed this book. It combines a fascinating and inspirational personal story with a goldmine of information for anyone thinking of moving..." Read more

"...If you like France, it is interesting to read descriptions of different areas and properties. Don't think it wise to drive for 18 hours in one go!..." Read more

"...Finally, it is refreshing to read about people who try to fit in with the French way of life. I was very sorry when I came to the end of this book." Read more

"...It is a testament of true determination and actually the power of love and and the belief of a dream !" Read more

8 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the book. They found it entertaining and funny in parts. The author provided an informative and humorous description of moving to and living in France.

"...The author is a talented writer too, which made the book a pleasure to read...." Read more

"...Although not even considering moving to France I found it entertaining and insightful for those who are considering such a move...." Read more

"...Very funny in parts . Will look forward to the next one" Read more

"Even for someone not contemplating a move to France, it was entertaining. What a lot was achieved by Nikki !" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Interest’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and informative. They appreciate the background history, which helps understand the move abroad.

"I liked all the background history. Good to know what led up to the move abroad...." Read more

"An interesting and informative read. What really struck me about this book was the wonderful work ethic of both the author and her husband...." Read more

"Interesting and informative..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Work ethic’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's work ethic and determination.

"...What really struck me about this book was the wonderful work ethic of both the author and her husband...." Read more

"Really enjoyed this journey from the UK to France by a hard working, open minded young couple with children...." Read more

"Hard work and determination!..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 May 2024
    I really enjoyed this book. It combines a fascinating and inspirational personal story with a goldmine of information for anyone thinking of moving to France. I can't wait for the next instalment! Highly recommended.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 August 2020
    I liked all the background history. Good to know what led up to the move abroad. If you like France, it is interesting to read descriptions of different areas and properties. Don't think it wise to drive for 18 hours in one go! Useful notes on places to buy furniture etc. Also useful comparison of NHS and French health system (although sadly my experience of NHS is not as good as Nikki's). However my experience of French drivers is much better, but only as a tourist on a motorbike not as a resident. Recommends the virtues of car sharing, but I don't think UK ordinary car insurance allows one to carry paying passengers. Good lessons on getting things done on time! Useful to learn about the spectacular weather, and also the electricity, or lack of it. Chapter on languages is superb! Many smiles!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 January 2021
    An interesting and informative read. What really struck me about this book was the wonderful work ethic of both the author and her husband. From the time they were young they put everything into supporting themselves and their growing family. If life gave ‘them lemons, they made lemonade’ rather than wallowing in misery. The author is a talented writer too, which made the book a pleasure to read. Finally, it is refreshing to read about people who try to fit in with the French way of life. I was very sorry when I came to the end of this book.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 November 2024
    Inspirational honesty . Not for those who can't face adversity and push through . It is a testament of true determination and actually the power of love and and the belief of a dream !
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 September 2020
    If you are thinking of moving to France , this is the book you need to read ! Everything from driving licences to maternity hospitals are covered in this book !
    And yet ...through all this advice is the story of Nikki and Gary ‘s dream of the ‘good life ‘ in France . Inevitably , they buy too large a property , don’t speak French , and believe that the sun shines all year round ! A familiar tale ...but Nikki’s conversational style makes the reader feel as though they are sharing this story with her over a glass of Sauvignon , sat outside the massive Mill . Who wouldn’t want to be her friend ?
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 March 2021
    couldnt relate to this writer
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 June 2020
    I highly enjoyed this book and devoured all of the practical information it provided while painting a picture of one family’s adventure of moving to France. I would highly recommend it as a must read for anyone with a family thinking of moving to France. It’s a huge dream of mine to one day move to France and it was refreshing to read about a family that I could relate to and how they pursued that dream. Looking forward to reading more about the McArthur family’s years in France!
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 March 2021
    I loved reading about Nicky and her family in France, but the book was as chaotic as her life .
    Perhaps less content but more depth would have been better.
    Look forward to the next one being a little more organised.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Gary
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read this
    Reviewed in the United States on 23 June 2023
    If you are considering moving to France this is a must read. She gives so much practical advice - starting with an explanation of the districts in Southern France and the characteristics of each.
  • ellen rugen
    5.0 out of 5 stars What have we got Toulouse? A family moving to France
    Reviewed in France on 28 April 2020
    An impressive account of one family's determination to move lock, stock and barrel to France. Nikki is engagingly frank about facing inevitable setbacks, and informative about settling in children as well as having some more!
    Finally there is the joy of finding the right place and work that fits in with a new lifestyle renovating an old mill.
  • skylark
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely read
    Reviewed in Australia on 2 July 2021
    Although aimed at the lucky people who are considering living in France this is a story for anyone interested in others lives and how they manage a challenging situation. Lots of admiration for how Nikki and Gary have built their lives up with grit and determination overcoming many difficult situations to achieve their dreams. Well written too.
  • Jackson Walker
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enlightenment on actually living in France.
    Reviewed in the United States on 8 July 2022
    Navigation of government and medical processes was very helpful. Weather info also of benefit to us. Country living may not be our metier but toulouse appeals.
  • Peter Jeffrey
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in Australia on 3 June 2021
    Full of info for expats moving to France but also very interesting
    Thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be reading the next

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