We are returning to France for another great summer read by Gillian Harvey . The Village Cafe in the Loire was published by Boldwood on July 12th. High-flyer Becky Thorne cannot believe what she’s being told. She doesn’t need to be signed off for burnout! Life has been a bit chaotic lately, that’s all. As if dealing with her enviable job and permanent meddling from her mother aren’t enough, she’s also inherited a café in the Loire from an estranged great-aunt, complete with sitting tenant who refuses to budge. But nobody stands in Becky’s way! Ignoring her best friend Amber’s advice, she decides to storm over to France and sort the tenant out. Then she can finally get the café sold and jump back on the career ladder. What she doesn’t count on is the tenant being Pascale, who is six feet of tall, dark, handsome and extremely grumpy about her plans for change. Not to mention the village and the secrets it holds about her past. Becky’s path to succes...
One Last Summer by Victoria Connelly #Review
Welcome to today's stop on the tour to celebrate Victoria Connelly's emotional novel, One Last Summer.
They have the whole summer ahead of them. Is it enough to
rekindle the friendship they once shared?
Harriet Greenleaf dreams of spending the summer in a beautiful
ancient priory on the Somerset coast with her two best friends—but her dream is
bittersweet. On the one hand, it’s a chance to reconnect three lives that have
drifted apart; on the other, she has a devastating secret to share that will
change everything between them forever.
First to arrive is Audrey—the workaholic who’s heading for a
heart attack unless she slows down and makes time for herself. Then Lisa, the
happy-go-lucky flirt who’s always struggled to commit to anyone—or anything.
Ever the optimist, can Harriet remind them of the joy in their lives and the
importance of celebrating good friendship before it’s gone?
Through the highs and lows of a long, glorious summer, these
three women will rediscover what it means to be there for each other—before
they face the hardest of goodbyes.
My Thoughts
This is a moving and poignant read which still provides the reader with a hopeful and enjoyable read. You feel invested in the story and I particularly enjoyed how you got to know all the women in the novel who all had their own story going on. It is a thought provoking story and deals with some difficult issues of terminal illness and saying goodbye. However, it always retains a sense of the love and friendship between the friends.
Hannah is a wonderful character who is never mawkish or self- indulgent. It feels like a credible story. With a wonderful setting and beautifully written prose, it is an engrossing read which you can't put down. Despite the sadness, there are also some funny moments and a feeling of timelessness and life carrying on.
In short: A moving and compassionate story of love and friendship.
About the Author
Victoria Connelly studied English literature at Worcester
University, got married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales and now
lives in rural Suffolk with her artist husband, a young springer spaniel and a
flock of ex-battery hens.
She is the author of two bestselling series, Austen Addicts
and The Book Lovers, as well as many other novels and novellas. Her first
published novel, Flights of Angels, was made into a film in 2008 by Ziegler
Films in Germany. The Runaway Actress was shortlisted for the Romantic
Novelists’ Association’s Romantic Comedy Novel award.
Ms Connelly loves books, films, walking, historic buildings
and animals. If she isn’t at her keyboard writing, she can usually be found in
her garden, with either a trowel in her hand or a hen on her lap.
Her website is www.victoriaconnelly.com and readers can
follow her on Twitter @VictoriaDarcy and on Instagram @VictoriaConnellyAuthor.
Thanks to Victoria Connelly, and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Check out the rest of the tour!
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