From Southport to the South of France – this is going to be a summer to remember!Life just got a whole lot more complicated for thirty-eight-year-old single mum Liv. Her son Jake is practically perfect in every way, but he’s started asking some difficult questions, and the answers lie in a holiday romance twenty years ago. Back when Liv was staying with her aunt on the French Riviera…Returning to … to the Cote d’Azur, with its white sandy beaches, her supportive aunt, and exquisite wine and cheese is harder than it sounds though. Because – if she’s going to give Jake the answers he needs – Liv knows she has to hunt down her first love Andre. And since she’s a professional baker rather than a professional investigator, she doesn’t even have a clue where to start.At first, finding the one that got away proves even trickier than she thought. And if she succeeds, how will he take the bombshell secret Liv has been keeping? Liv has to do the best thing for her family, but does that mean closing the door on this very French affair?A joyful, laugh-out-loud story about second chances, secrets and sunshine! The perfect summer read for fans of Carole Matthews, Jenny Colgan and Sophie Kinsella. Readers love A Very French Affair:‘Oh my God!!!!… I really loved this book… so good and sweet that it is very hard to leave behind’ The Nerdy Bookarazzi‘The story flows well, the characters are brought to life beautifully and you feel much happier after reading… Definitely a book to enjoy on a sunny day.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I thoroughly enjoyed this story!… the perfect story to read on a summer’s day or on a holiday where you can just relax and let the author’s words take you away… 5 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended!!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Go on your very own French adventure. Well in the pages of this book at least. This is a lovely holiday feel good fabulous read.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘After reading this book? Well, I was just about ready to book a flight to Nice… captures the spirit of the South of France perfectly… This should absolutely be your next read!’ Walking Through the Pages‘I enjoyed this book for so many reasons… a lovely love story.’ Liana Reads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘The entire book breathes sun, sand and umbrella cocktails… the perfect summer holiday read.’ Reflections of a Swede‘A wonderful holiday read, I would have loved to have read this poolside, in the sun, drinking a cocktail… A truly enjoyable story that kept me thoroughly entertained.’ Rachel’s Random Reads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘The perfect blend of everything I love in this genre… Liv felt like an old friend within minutes… Had me in hysterics… a truly fabulous, laugh-out-loud read that I devoured wholeheartedly. It really was such a fun, uplifting and heart-warming story. Whether you take it on the beach, the plane, the back garden, wherever you go this summer, make sure to have a copy.’ By the Letter Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘What can I say… a fabulous, feel-good summer read! I loved every page. The characters came to life and it was a perfect page-turner. Definitely recommend.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Head over to the most idyllic sounding place in France. Delicious food, tasty cocktails and wonderful baked goodies, add in a little romance and this book has it all… brilliant.’ Goodreads reviewer‘Everything that I absolutely love in a book… such a warm and heartfelt story. Without a doubt the ideal book to read while you are enjoying a cool glass of rose while gazing over the Mediterranean Sea.’ Boek in Wonderland‘What a wonderful weekend read… Made me feel I was in France.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Moving summer celebration of yummy cuisine, relationships and second chances – lovely!
July 5, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 stars
Sun-kissed and with minor angst, A Very French Affair is the dream romance of second chances set in a gorgeous Antibes summer. English entrepreneur baker Olivia takes off for the South of France and a trunkful of memories knowing that she owes it to her 20 year-old son to search for his father Andre, who left her to go on a world tour before Olivia even knew she was pregnant. Though she actually spends most of her time helping out in her aunt’s bakery and enjoying Antibes at its summer best, fate steps in and aids in her hunt for Andre.
The story is a romantic and happy one, but not unrealistically so. Flashbacks to 1998, the year Olivia met and lost Andre, are few but they set the tone for Olivia’s present day ambivalence and procrastination. If she succeeds and finds Andre, could it warp her memories of the youthful connection they shared? It’s no wonder she is hesitant about getting her hopes up. This is a heroine that I could easily identify with (though I, unlike Olivia, am no genius in the kitchen!)
The secondary characters are well-drawn, right down to the local market fruit vendor Olivia befriends, and all of the mouth-watering descriptions of food were so vivid I put on a pound or two just from reading about it!,
Overall, a lovely read and a paean to the French cuisine, scenery and lifestyle.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book provided through NetGalley; this is my voluntary and honest review.
4.5 stars
I want to try some strawberry and basil cake!
I enjoyed this book so much for so many reasons.
The heroine is great, she loves her family and she’s doing everything to help them and make them happy, even if she’s a single mother but tries to enjoy the life.
After returning to the same place where she fallen in love with her now 20 years old son, she hopes to find him and tell him about their son as the guild is making her more anxious every day.
A lovely love story with great descriptions of the surroundings and a second chance at love even if it’s long due.
This is a story about rekindling an old flame, about second chances and how life doesn’t always go to plan but still may end up pretty darn good.
It’s about Olivia (Liv), almost 40, a single mother with a thriving cake-baking business. When her 20-year old son starts asking questions about his father, Liv decides to track him down. But she doesn’t really have much to go on. She’d met André when she was only eighteen, during a summer vacation in France. She had thought he was the love of her life, but instead circumstances led to her raising their son on her own.
The story is mostly set on the French riviera and the entire book breathes sun, sand and umbrella cocktails. It’s all about quaint little towns, colorful markets and delicious pastries and cakes.
You get to follow Liv when she returns to Antibes, where she met André all those years ago and where her aunt runs a small bakery shop. In between helping out her aunt and enjoying the french cuisine Liv searches for André with only his name and former place of employment to go on. When she finally find him, the chemistry between them is still there. But how will André react to learning he has a son?
A Very French affair is the perfect summer holiday read. It’s sweet, light and entertaining. If you’ve never been to the Riviera, the colorful descriptions in this book will make you want to visit. And if you’ve already been, you’ll get all nostalgic wishing you could go back again. I know I do.
And since it will become available in the beginning of July, it’ll be the perfect beach companion.
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