In this humorous and endearing journey, a busy mom of five dares to follow a lifelong dream. With a heart full of love for Europe and a desperate need for a reset, Debbie sets out with her family on a bold adventure through France, Italy, and Austria—searching not just for a place to live, but a new way to
be.
Craving a slower pace and the magic of everyday moments, she imagines a life steeped in
joie de vivre and
il dolce far niente—the sweetness of doing nothing. But as the dream unfolds across Parisian cafés, picturesque villages, sun-drenched vineyards, and Alpine peaks, reality throws in twists and wrong turns: language barriers, unexpected mishaps, possible vampires, and family meltdowns.
Told with warmth, wit, and unflinching honesty,
Searching for Home is more than a travel memoir. It’s a story of rediscovery—of what matters most, of how travel transforms us, and of how sometimes, searching for home leads us right back to ourselves.
With practical travel tips, fascinating historical events, and heartwarming stories, Debbie’s journey invites you to reflect on your own dreams—and the courage it takes to chase them.
Filled with food, inviting interiors, and deep reflection,
Searching for Home is a memoir about savoring life’s simple joys and discovering the meaning of home.
Perfect for dreamers, travelers, lovers of Europe, and anyone longing for a life lived more intentionally.
Ideal for fans of
Under the Tuscan Sun,
A Year in Provence, and anyone who’s ever wondered, “What if I just packed up and left?”
Included in the book are twenty additional stories of people who found home in unexpected places or ways.
Explore the stories of a Texan pastry chef making magic in Versailles, a Midwestern mom sailing the globe, Dutch couples restoring dreamy French châteaux, and a nurse who found love under the Tuscan sun. You’ll also meet a Florida realtor who reinvented herself as the founder of a French magazine, a California native who now runs charming flower shops in both Paris and Norway, and a chef who journeyed across the globe to heal from grief—only to find a new home in Italy.
Additional stories feature a resilient woman who rebuilt her life after a devastating fire, a spirited woman who took a leap of faith by saying yes to a historic home, and an elegant woman who turned a lifelong dream into reality by relocating to Paris.
You'll also encounter a British artist cultivating beauty in a Czech garden, van-lifers who found home in both Alaska and Hawaii, an Australian creating art in a French château, and a free-spirited Floridian embracing life on the move. Meet a Kansas City photographer now rooted in Paris, a devoted guardian of vintage European treasures, two young women in search of where they truly belong, and an accountant who swapped routine for a life drifting along Europe’s canals.
Debbie's European journey and these additional inspiring journeys will transport you across continents and cultures, reminding us that it’s never too late to chase a dream, start over, or find home in the most unexpected places.
