Alyce Donovan has a lot of nerve. After losing her low-paying job and the wealthy man she hoped to marry, she spends her severance on a total-immersion language program in the South of France. Never mind that she's never left American soil or that her courage came from a bottle of Bordeaux she gulped down in her dismal Hoboken apartment. Once in France, Alyce unintentionally offends her local hosts. From farmers to nuns, each one sends her packing. She has only one option left: the guest cottage of her program director's brother. Enigmatic author Jean-Luc is no fan of Americans, but he could use the money. He's also searching for new book material and thinks Alyce is just the one to provide it. Can he put up with the brash American? And can she stick it out long enough to learn French ... and some other well needed lessons?

Extras, where available, include an essay from the author on the true adventure behind the story, recipes, and discussion questions.