"Hilarious one moment, poignant the next... An author with ten lifetimes' worth of experiences, Kaplan has penned far more than a writer's story but an evocative and witty tour back in time to the French Riviera as most only dream of it. Clever and—best of all—true, Once Upon a Villa belongs at the top of every reader's list." – NY Times bestselling author Tosca Lee


In this wise, warm-hearted, witty, and LOL hilariously funny true account, New York Times bestselling author Andrew Kaplan tells what it’s like when he, his wife, and two-year-old son decided to chuck it all and live the fantasy in a villa by the sea in that extraordinary corner of the world – part international café society, part billionaires’ playground, part provincial France – that is the French Riviera.

Whether it’s matching wits with French bureaucracy, searching for the perfect bouillabaisse, encounters with con men, eccentric ex-pats, and Monaco’s royal family, partying with the international set on Onassis’ yacht, playing chess with a philosophical police chief, or adventures and friendships with the rich and famous and the presumably standoffish French, Once Upon a Villa will transport you to a fascinating and shrewdly-observed world that you will savor like your first-morning bite of pain au chocolate.

So pour yourself a glass of wine, open the book, and Santé!


Early Readers can't get enough of this delightfully charming memoir:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A delightful memoir of life on the French Riviera!…It is hilarious…The writing style is very good and easy to read with lots of dialogue. It felt as though the author was having a conversation with me…” –Goodreads reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Andrew Kaplan's "Once Upon a Villa" is as a gust of fresh air… a refreshingly nuanced approach…The author's accounts of the writing process, interspersed with anecdotes that give the story its (situational) humor, made me feel as though I had been lent the very eyes writing…” –Netgalley reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A thoroughly enjoyable work!… The lightness of the writing was perfect with the glamour of the setting and characterization…Once Upon a Villa is definitely on my list for gifts…” –Goodreads reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This is my first book by Mr Kaplan, and I enjoyed everything about it very much. First and foremost it’s hilarious…There are a couple of moments of sadness, however, the Author does a masterful job with the events and the aftermath, bringing us back to the general levity of this story…I highly recommend this book!” –Goodreads reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Once Upon a Villa is a charming memoir overflowing with notable names, tasty wines, fabulous food and interesting ex-pats…I wholeheartedly recommend this memoir! You are guaranteed a fascinating escape to the French Riviera.” –Goodreads reviewer