It’s a real pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for another of my favourite authors, sharing my review of Summer on the French Riviera by Jennifer Bohnet: published by Boldwood Books on 29th March, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
I always so enjoy Jennie’s lovely books – escaping to her wonderfully described locations, getting drawn into the lives of her very real characters drawn from across the generations. I’ve been reading her books (and loving every one) for many years now, and if you pop her name into the search bar on the right hand side, you’ll find many reviews along with several features and guest posts. And I particularly enjoyed the last book of hers I read, Christmas on the Riviera, with its focus on the more complicated side of mother and daughter relationships, a number of intriguing secrets, a lovely few touches of romance, and a French Christmas to remember surrounded by family and new friends (you’ll find my review here). That book ended on a big decision, and a future of major changes – and I’m so delighted we didn’t have too long to wait for this book, the sequel…
A family reunited after a twenty-year estrangement, will discover secrets that change their lives forever…
Gabriella Jacques, is happy to be back in her childhood home, Villa Espoir in the South of France ready to embrace fresh experiences with friends new and old and to heal some deep family scars.
Recently widowed Harriet Rogers, hopes to rebuild her family life and reconnect with Elodie, the daughter she abandoned into her mother Gabby’s care to follow her heart. But when an acquaintance from the past seeks her out, Harriet fears a secret from her past will ruin her plans.
Elodie Jacques, adores her new life in her Grandmother’s old home as a freelance journalist. Her relationship with her mother is tense as she struggles to understand why her mother won’t talk to her about the past, as until their past is resolved, there can be no future.
Will these three women, all living under the same roof after two decades adrift be able to put aside the past and find harmony in the present together?
Whenever I pick up one of the author’s lovely books, there’s a comfort in knowing what to expect – the friendships, the families, the very real characters spanning the generations, a touch of romance, the wonderfully drawn settings providing the perfect escape, and the loveliest reading experience as the stories unfold and the pages turn so effortlessly. And that’s not to suggest for an instant that her books are predictable – and there are certainly plenty of surprises and unexpected twists and turns as Gabby, Harriet and Elodie (grandmother, mother, and young woman) begin their new life in the neglected Villa d’Espoir in Juan-les-Pins. And this book is even more comforting than usual – it’s the sequel to the author’s last book, with characters I already knew and had already taken to my heart – although if it’s your first meeting, you’d have no problem at all, with the background woven into the story.
The villa was once Gabby’s family home, and her return allows her both to resume her relationship with the lovely Philippe and rediscover some more friends from her past along with revisiting her memories of her former life. Granddaughter Elodie plans to make her living as a freelance journalist, while picking up her own relationship with Philippe’s grandson Gazz. She was brought up by Gabby after her mother abandoned her, but Harriet is now back, feeling her way while trying to rebuild her relationship with both her mother and daughter. At the story’s core is the question mark over the identity of Elodie’s father and – as the women grow closer and move forward with their lives – that’s one secret it won’t prove possible to keep, for so many reasons. Then there’s the need for honesty about why Harriet walked away to start a new life in Australia, leaving Elodie behind – and until that full story is shared, there’ll always be an uneasiness about their new living arrangements. As the secrets are slowly disclosed, the development of the characters is just wonderful – and all three begin to move to a position where they can all focus on their happiness and look forward to what the future may bring.
There’s a great deal more to the story than that though – I really enjoyed the family history, the turning of the villa into a home, and the romance in the lives of all three women. The setting is quite wonderful – vividly brought to life, infused with sunshine, and I experienced the full flavour of the French Riviera. And each of the women confirmed their place in my heart – there’s such a warmth about the author’s gentle storytelling that I very much enjoy, real people being themselves, just living their lives, and allowing the reader to be part of it.
This was a read I thoroughly enjoyed, that entirely engaged me from the beginning to its lovely end, and is perhaps my favourite from the author so far – and one I’d very much recommend.
About the author
Jennifer Bohnet is the bestselling author of over 14 women’s fiction titles, including Villa of Sun and Secrets and A Riviera Retreat. She is originally from the West Country but now lives in the wilds of rural Brittany, France.
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