It’s a real pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for yet another of my favourite authors, sharing my review of A French Adventure by Jennifer Bohnet: published by Boldwood Books on 20th February, 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).
If you enjoy exploring new places, feeling the sunshine, and doing so in the company of wonderfully drawn characters from across the generations, Jennie might well be an author whose books you’d love as much as I always do. I’ve been reading (and enjoying) her books for some years now – if you pop her name into the search bar (on the right hand side if you’re on your computer screen), you’ll find all my many reviews along with several features and guest posts. There’s such warmth about her gentle storytelling, real people just being themselves, living their lives, and allowing the reader to be part of it. The last book of hers that I read and reviewed, Summer on the French Riviera, was simply lovely (you’ll find my review here) – a sequel to Christmas on the Riviera (and yes, you’ll find a review of that one too!), following the lives of the three women as they settle into their new home and lives, with some intriguing family history and a touch of romance for them all. And it’s back to the Riviera for her latest, but with a new set of characters destined to become my friends…
When your old life ceases to exist, its time to build a new one…
It’s early summer on the French Riviera when Vivienne Wilson arrives for a one-woman writers’ retreat after learning that her philandering husband or 30 years, wants a divorce.
There to collect the shell-shocked Vivienne is recently widowed Maxine Zonszain, who is struggling to come to terms with her empty life.
Florist extraordinaire, Olivia Murray, shares the Villa that Vivienne is renting. She’s content with life – but sad to add another failed relationship to her growing list and longs to meet ‘The One’.
Life under the summer sun in Antibes becomes a challenging time for all three women as secrets are shared, problems halved as they forge unexpected friendships and embark on new adventures.
Sometimes life’s surprises turn out to be unwanted but just sometimes the ‘new normal’ makes for a happier life than the one lost.
Vivienne is a successful author, on her way to the Riviera for some peace and quiet to complete her latest book – but as her husband leaves her at the airport, he also breaks the news that he’s found someone else and their marriage is over. Talk about picking your moment… and on arrival in Antibes, she’s understandably both shocked and heartbroken, with things only getting worse when she discovers the identity of his new partner and he begins to exert pressure over the sale of their family home.
But she finds friendship and support – recently widowed Maxine, who arranged her accommodation for her, and florist Olivia who lives in the apartment downstairs. As Vivienne finds the strength to stand up to her husband’s unreasonable demands and to think about the future, the book follows her emotional journey – but also picks up the lives and points of view of the two women who become her friends. The character development is really excellent, as they all deal with personal challenges, unexpected situations, and emotional choices. There’s a nice focus on family, but in different ways for each of them – and a few searches and discoveries that add a level of intrigue to the well-paced story.
The Riviera setting, as always, is quite wonderfully drawn – this really is armchair travel at its very best, as we experience all the excitement of the Grand Prix and the glamour of the film festival, but also visit the hillside villages and smaller communities where the lavender grows.
A story of fresh starts and second choices, beautifully written, with a strong cast of very real characters and the perfect ending – if you enjoy the same books that I do, you’ll find this one a total delight. Highly recommended for your summer reading list – a really lovely read.
About the author
Jennifer Bohnet is the bestselling author of 19 previous 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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