Hardly entertaining........... - Rated 
I have read many books on this theme, and I have to say that this author is the most annoying and self centered of any I have come across.Why is he amazed that there are financial difficulties associated with a vast property? He wants to be Lord of the Manor and is prepared to exploit artisans, the children of friends and various others in order to satisfy this wish, whilst being unwilling to make much of an effort himself. He derides his guests for the temerity to complain about dirty uncompleted accommodation and a garden full of cat poo, which he actually told them was edible! He resented the presence of wedding parties and the idea of making their stay pleasant seems alien to him unless all guests remain silent and invisible. I finished the book, only in the hope that he, his wife and their stangely named children would leave the chateau and return to a life where he was able to support his family using the talents he had, which sadly do not include hopitality.
Honest and Thoroughly Delicious - Rated 
"A Chateau of One's Own" is one of the most honest, compelling travel memoirs I have ever encountered (and I've ready many through the years).
So many ex-pat abroad writings are filled with the clever locals in constant, wily conflict with the author; cutesy, unbelievable stories about unlikely events; and an underlying current that always tells the reader who is really, in the end, in charge. Not at all the case with Mr. Juneau's 'Chateau.'
From my experiences abroad, I sense that the author is telling us the truth -- unvarnished and clear. Of course, it is funny and sweet by turns, but he never strays too far from the essential core of ex-pat life -- oftentimes, it is difficult and hostile mixed with occasional bursts of sunlight, wine and fragrant wisteria! So many other books want us to know that they've made the right choice, their choice is in fact superior. Mr. Juneau acknowledges the tedium and challenges while taking time to share also the beauty and glory of France.
It seems many readers want their travelogues neatly packaged, tidy and jovial. 'Chateau' shows a man and his family who are really coming to grips with what it means to be happy, where one can be happy, how and why and with whom. In this sense, 'A Chateau of One's Own' is a real journey, not a touristic voyage. It is the real story of real people looking for real joy. They don't always find it but they're willing to take the risks to make it at least possible.
Well-conceived, nicely written, witty and quite fun. It's one of the best of the genre. Most highly recommended.
A disappointing book - Rated 
I read this book partly because I am embarking on a somewhat similar project elsewhere in Europe. However, I found the book poorly edited, the writing full of repetition and bad punctuation and the author unlikeable. (He may be a lovely person really, but I didn't warm to him through his writing, and how could he burden his poor children with those names??) I didn't laugh once, despite the promises on the cover.
Inspirational - Rated
I just finished "A Chateau of One's Own" and it was absolutely terrific. I had the pleasure to meet the author and his wife in France one summer and what they did and the resulting tale is truly inspirational. Their undertaking was most highly commendable.
The story amazed me and the strong, sober character of the wife made me want to be better.
Well written.
Captivating.
Fascinating.
Please, don't miss this one! And I can't wait for the next book!
Honest and Extremely Funny! - Rated
I read this book and thought it was great! The author is a natural! The storytelling was honest, thoughtful, insightful and extremely funny.
There is a bit of everything -- a compelling storyline, a little history of the Loire Valley, history of France, architecture, chateaux life. A very full meal of a book.
The author's conversational style works really well in the written form...his irreverent sense of humor really comes through in the book.
Congratulations...I'm sure this is just the beginning of many books to come. And I can't wait for the next book to see what happens!
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