In 'When in French: Love in a Second Language,' Lauren Collins, an American journalist, chronicles her whimsical journey of falling in love and marrying a Frenchman, Olivier. Despite the romantic backdrop, she faces a daunting challenge: not speaking a word of French. As they relocate to Geneva, Collins's resolve to learn the language deepens, propelled by visions of becoming an out-of-touch mother. Through immersive classes and comical interactions (including mistakenly telling her mother-in-law she birthed a coffee machine), she wrestles with French culture and identity. What began as a quest for linguistic competence transforms into a heartwarming exploration of communication, identity, and the entangled ways love transcends language barriers. This memoir is not just about learning French; it delves into the profound ways language shapes our relationships, our society, and our very selves.