Genre: Contemporary fiction, feel-good fiction

Stars: 5

Links: Amazon UK and Amazon US

The Blurb:

Sun, croissants and fine wine. Nothing can spoil the perfect holiday. Or can it?

When Emmy Jamieson arrives at La Cour des Roses, a beautiful guesthouse in the French countryside, she can’t wait to spend two weeks relaxing with boyfriend Nathan. Their relationship needs a little TLC and Emmy is certain this holiday will do the trick. But they’ve barely unpacked before he scarpers with Gloria, the guesthouse owner’s cougar wife.

Rupert, the ailing guesthouse owner, is shell-shocked. Feeling somewhat responsible, and rather generous after a bottle (or so) of wine, heartbroken Emmy offers to help. Changing sheets in the gîteswill help keep her mind off her misery.

Thrust into the heart of the local community, Emmy suddenly finds herself surrounded by new friends. And with sizzling hot gardener Ryan and the infuriating (if gorgeous) accountant Alain providing welcome distractions, Nathan is fast becoming a distant memory.

Fresh coffee and croissants for breakfast, feeding the hens in the warm evening light; Emmy starts to feel quite at home. But it would be madness to walk away from her friends, family, and everything she’s ever worked for, to take a chance on a place she fell for on holiday – wouldn’t it?

Fans of Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Nick Alexander will want to join Emmy for a glass of wine as the sun sets on the terrace at La Cour des Roses.

My Review:

A feel-good, heart-warming story of friendship and finding yourself, this is beautifully written fiction.

While on holiday in France, Emmy’s boyfriend, Nathan, leaves her for their guesthouse owner’s wife. Rupert (the owner) is left reeling in shock and, given his fragile state, Emmy decides to face her feelings of responsibility by mucking in. Soon she is changing sheets, making local friends, drooling over hot gardeners and dreamy accountants, and fighting the panic of her impending departure…

This was wonderfully crafted, heart-warming fiction, with doses of romance and wit, and with friendship at its core. The characters were realistic, from the dull to the overbearing, and their interactions (especially those that didn’t share a common language) were a joy to read. And read all about them you must.

*I received a free copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.