It’s such a pleasure today to be joining the blog tour and sharing my review of the latest book from Gillian Harvey, The Little Provence Book Shop: published on 9th October by Boldwood Books, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), as an audiobook, and in paperback. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
A new-to-me author this time. Although I can see she’s already had four very enticing books published since joining Boldwood – I have no idea why on earth I haven’t read and reviewed Gillian’s books before, as they look so much up my street (escapist, romantic… how on earth did I miss books like The Bordeaux Book Club and The Riviera House Swap?). Ah well, better late than never – let’s take a look at her latest…
Everyone’s story has some magic. You just have to turn the page to find it…
As the sun rises over the little Provence village where single mother Adeline has escaped with her little girl Lili, she breathes deeply. This is their new beginning. Here, she can forget the lies her family told her. Here, she can start her story again.
Later she opens the door to the town’s tiny bookstore, where she is to work, ready to meet the mysterious owner Monique for the first time.
She expected an ordinary bookshop. But this bookstore feels somehow different… magical. Breathing in the smell of books, she feels a jolt of something. It feels like a new chapter beginning.
As she gets to know the villagers – including the handsome Andre and friendly Michel – she starts to believe in the magic of this new start. But can a runaway like Adeline ever find what she’s looking for? Or is a happy-ever-after just another fiction?
A totally gorgeous, escapist, romantic novel – set in rural Provence – by the bestselling author of A Year at the French Farmhouse and The Bordeaux Bookclub.
I knew I was going to enjoy this one from its opening pages – so perfectly cinematic, with Monique opening her book shop as the day begins in the heart of her French village, looking forward to the arrival of her new assistant. And what followed certainly didn’t disappoint – a really lovely story, told with exceptional warmth, and with more than a touch of real magic.
Adeline’s life was rocked by a secret in her past, and the chance online discovery of an opening for a bookseller in the small village in Provence provides her with the refuge and escape she really needs. Accompanied by her young daughter Lili, the village and their temporary home are everything she hoped they would be – and bookshop owner Monique soon becomes a close friend. Although she is a touch unsettled when she discovers that Monique is in demand for the way she’s able to find the perfect books her customers need at difficult times in their lives – and even more so by her belief in spells and the power of crystals.
The book she introduces Adeline to is the poetry of Emily Dickinson – full of the right words to soothe her troubled mind (and nicely interspersed in the narrative). And finding herself increasingly at home within her new community – while discovering she too has a gift for matching people with the books they need, and the possibility of a love interest after a rather shaky start – she finds the bravery to repair the rift with her remaining family and to finally resolve the mystery that had unsettled her so badly.
The characterisation is superb – I very much enjoyed Adeline’s journey, young Lili is equally beautifully drawn, and Monique fascinated throughout. The story is gently told – and the touches of magic are equally gently introduced and a very natural and believable part of it all. There’s a palpable warmth to the story’s telling, and a really perfect touch with the more emotional content. And as for the village itself, and the bookshop Le Petit Libraire – as well as being a lovely endorsement of the healing power of books, this really was armchair travel at its very best, with the most vivid descriptions that made me feel present in every moment.
The story itself was completely engaging throughout – with a few twists and turns that perhaps weren’t entirely unexpected, but the ending was every bit as perfect as I hoped it would be. I’ll look forward to reading more from this talented author – this was a book I very much enjoyed, and would most certainly recommend to others.
About the author
Gillian Harvey is a freelance writer and bestselling author who lives in France. She writes escapist fiction set in France, including bestsellers A Year at the French Farmhouse and A Month in Provence.
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter Sign Up
