A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey #Review

 

Back to beautiful Provence, for Gillian Harvey's A Month In Provence, which was published by Boldwood Books on July 11th.

Interior designer Nicky always used to know how to make the best of things. Ever since she lost her husband though, things haven’t been easy. She’s had to raise her two daughters alone and she’s so proud to see them all grown up, and she knows that’s down to her. But she can’t help but feel like she doesn’t know what to do with her life now…

But then her best friend begs her to help out. Jenny is a TV exec and her new renovation show is in peril. Only Nicky can help.

The catch – Nicky needs to fly to Provence… tomorrow. To renovate a tumbledown B&B. Jenny doesn’t mention the fact that the grumpy B&B owner Robert seems to need a makeover too. Or that the budget is next to nothing…

Will Nicky be able to turn the B&B’s fortunes around, save her friend’s job, and maybe even find some happiness for herself, under the blazing hot French sun this summer…?

 My Thoughts

 Rousillon provides the perfect backdrop of this enjoyable and entertaining read. Nicky has spent the last ten years putting her daughters first and trying to be a rock for her family, at the expense of her personal ambitions and self of self. Her lack of confidence in her abilities dog her throughout and it takes a massive step forward  for her to believe in herself. In Robert, she finds someone who understands her, as he has suffered loss himself. They discover a common link which binds them together in a comfortable friendship. There is a whiff of romance in the air but whether either of them can move on from the past, remains to be seen.

    I loved the humour that sprang from Nicky's attempts to makeover the B and B which Robert has been running. The TV crew who come to film the reality show contain some over the top characters. The locals prove to be sympathetic and you can feel Nicky settling into the french way of life. This is a pageturner of a story, with family and friendship underpinning events. There is grief and loss in the background but the overall tone is of hope and laughter.

In short: a heartwarming read

About the Author

Gillian Harvey is a freelance journalist and the author of two well-reviewed women’s fiction novels published by Orion. She has lived in Limousin, France for the past twelve years, from where she derives the inspiration and settings for her books. Her first title for Boldwood, A Year at the French Farmhouse, will be published in September 2022.

You can read my review of A Year at the French Farmhouse here.

 

You can follow Gillian here: Facebook

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Purchase Links

 

Thanks to Gilliam Harvey, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the event.

 

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