The Riviera House Swap by Gillian Harvey #Review

 

Happy Publication Day to Gillian Harvey! Her latest read, The Riviera House Swap is published today by Boldwood Books.

Would you swap houses with a stranger?

Nina has always played it safe. But when her divorce papers come through on her fortieth birthday she decides enough is enough.

She’s always chosen the sensible route, staying in her stable job and marrying her rather boring ex. In fact – she realises – she’s chosen security over excitement for years. Ever since she refused to elope with her first love: beautiful, poetic, thoughtful Pierre, the man she met aged 17, on her French exchange. The only man who ever made her heart race.

Maybe it’s time to take a few risks?

Impulsively she goes online and finds another kind of French exchange… a house-swap. She can’t imagine what French businessman Jean-Luc wants with her terraced home in rural England, but she can’t wait to stay in his beautiful, spacious, bougainvillea-strewn villa on the French riviera.

She’s not just there for the house though. She’s decided to find the love she missed all those years ago. But will Pierre still be the man of her dreams after all this time?

As two lives collide, will love bloom on the French riviera?

 My Thoughts

Nina is at a crossroads in her life. As she reaches a significant birthday and faces up to her recent divorce, she finds herself re-evaluating what her future is going to look like. Taking advantage of her imminent house sale, Nina decides to take the plunge and embarks on a House Swap in the French Riviera. Nina finds herself looking back at her youth and wonders what would happen if she was to meet up with her first love. 

    On her extended break from work, Nina is hoping for a quiet period of isolation and solitude. What she gets are unexpected friendships, naked swimming and quite a few surprises. This is an escapist and heartwarming read. There are several romances in the mix and you find yourself hoping that Nina will take a few risks and stop trying to please everybody else. 

In short: a great summer 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 such as A Year at the French Farmhouse and A Month in Provence.

You can follow Gillian here: Facebook

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Book 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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