A glorious sunny read that is throws the relaxing scents of Lavender and the gorgeous French sunshine in between the pages as you read.

This was my first book by Jo Thomas and now I'm wondering what other gems I might have missed as I just loved it.

Del is a wonderful character who despite the odds digs deep to carve a new life for herself as per her original intention when she left her old life behind and moved to the farmhouse in France. From the first few pages I just knew I was going to love Del and as I kept turning the pages I just grew to love her character more and more.

This is a read that will bring a smile to your face on even the gloomiest day. I loved my afternoon in the garden making the most of the holiday and enjoying the delicious scent of the lavender fields and beautiful lavender inspired recipes.

If your looking for the perfect read to lose yourself in this is the perfect read for your sun lounger either on holiday or just for some much needed escapism.

Light hearted and heart warming this book will leave you with a lovely fuzzy feeling.

Jo Thomas is a firm favourite of mine & I'm happy to report that she has produced another absolute gem!

The setting is gorgeous and the writing is brilliant, you are instantly transported from your lockdown reading nook to the idyllic French countryside.

The main character Del, is a fabulous character and the perfect reminder of all the good things that come when you follow your heart, is it plain sailing? hell no, is it 100% worth doing hell yes!

This is feel-good escapism at it's finest, so treat yourself relax in a sunny spot and enjoy your break in this lavender-scented Provence.

Thanks to Anne Cater and Transworld Books for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Escape to the French Farmhouse" begins with a kick when Della, our main character, decides that her marriage is actually over and, even though she has packed all the things and the removal van is already there, and her husband Ollie waits for her in the car, she's not going back to the UK. So Del chooses to stay in France. Without Ollie but with Ralph, the dog she got from her husband after another failed IVF. On her own, Del quickly makes friends with some locals and to be able to pay the rent she starts to bake biscuits and cakes full of lavender from her own garden. Is she going to find her own happy end in this little French village?

It was a very feel - good, escapist story where everything happens as you want it to happen, in a good way - we all need this bit of sunshine in our lives and it is a perfect book when you need a bit of TLC.

The characters were lovely, though I'd love them to be a bit more rounded, as they were either verrry friendly and helpful or verrrry unfriendly and unhelpful. I adored Del and wanted to give her a standing ovation for realising what she wants from her life, for deciding to stay, for plucking up the courage - it's for sure not easy to simply leave everything behind and stay in a new place, without a job and perspectives. And yet, she was able to take this opportunity, to face the challenge. She didn't feel sorry for herself, but she rolled up her sleeves and immediately showed an initiative, grabbed every single aspect of French life and I cheered her on all the way. Integrating with the local community was a huge part of this book, showing how important it is to show your good faith, to get involved in the local life - and it's true, I know it myself very well, having moved to a different country 15 years ago.
There is also a bunch of background characters who all bring so much to Del's life and turn into her friends that she so much needed. The subplot with Del, Stephanie and Tomas was, even if sometimes too far - fetched, one of the most heart - warming things in this book, showing that where is trust there is also hope and possibility.

The descriptions of the food are, as always, exceptionally good, and I could feel myself put on weight only reading them - even though my ARC didn't have the recipes that I'm sure are there in the finished copies, boo. Really, don't read the book when you're on diet or when you're hungry, I can tell you from experience. However, it's not only the food that is so vividly described. Jo Thomas has a way with words and she has also captured the scenery, the setting, the weekly market so evocatively, bringing this all to life and transporting me immediately into the characters' world. And she truly couldn't have chosen a better setting, capturing the atmosphere of this part of France, introducing us to French customs and people.

This time I missed a bit the depth that I've learnt to expect from Jo Thomas's books. I had a feeling that the author didn't explore the subplots in a way that she always does, and it felt so chopped - let's take one thing, chop, another one, chop and tadah, here we are. Don't get me wrong, pretty please, it was still full of Jo's trademark warmth, humour, gorgeous setting and delicious food but this time it simply felt a bit too superficial for me, it missed the mark, it was sooo everything through rose - tinted glasses, and everything is solved so quickly but hey, I still truly, deeply enjoyed it, so there. No need to by so cynical, right, there are also happy ends.

And, as usual, the book is not only laugh, wine and food but there are also some sadder issues, that the author tackles with a lot of gentleness and delicately. Altogether, it is a typical Jo Thomas story, and let me tell, the author is a brilliant story - teller, her writing style is so chatty and friendly and you won't feel the time passing by when reading the book. It's a perfect read for a lazy afternoon, a book that is for sure going to leave you feeling warm and optimistic. Truly recommended!

Absolutely loved this book so much! Real heartwarming tale of following dreams whilst living in the moment each day at a time. Where even after heartache and sadness can come happiness. The setting was idyllic and what I love about Jo’s books is they really aren’t predictable and come with surprises. Highly recommended if you want to get lost in a different world away of the craziness of ours!

As you must of guessed by now i am big into escapism and virtual holidays right now and a trip to France was just what i needed. I haven't read much by Jo Thomas, but i had seen her on a virtual book event and she was discussing the book and i just knew it was a bit of me. I am pleased to tell you, i was right.



Del and Ollie have moved to France for a new start, after years of heartbreak with fertility this could be their chance for a new life, but when after 6 short weeks - it isn't all going as planned, the couple are packed up ready to return home. However, in that moment Del decides this is actually the life she wants and sends Ollie and all their belongings on their way whilst she stays with not even a chair in the house. She watches them leave and knows in that moment she has made the right choice.

"Was it Mistral madness? Whatever it was, this is a new day, a fresh new day , and there are far worse places i could be."

However - despite been as positive as she can there is still the stark reality of the fact she has no furniture, no income and bills to pay. Armed with a few lavender plants and not much else she starts to panic slightly. Yet first things first, furniture. She meets the delightful Fabian who helps her get enough furniture to get by, however when he arrives to drop it off he also gifts her the beautiful cookbook she was originally eyeing up which focuses on Lavender. Well - surely she is going to have to bake something. Her baking starts to flourish as does her relationship with Fabian and those in the community. Is this really the new start she needs? Can she let go of Ollie and her dreams.



I can't put into words how truly delightful this book was. I could see myself sat on the patio with a cold glass of Rose listening to the sounds of the bees and the smell of Lavender. It literally made me feel peaceful. Jo has written such a vivid book that is so clear you can smell the smells, hear the sounds and taste the food.



The characters were wonderfully written and i loved discovering how a community can make a family with such unique perspectives and kind hearts. It was just pure goodness. Del was just lovely, she was so kind, honest and i really feel like she needed to find her happy ending and make her own dreams come true.



I don't think these words do it justice but if you want something to take your mind of the current situations, this is just that. At its heart its about friendship, family and community and what more could you really ask for? I mean a swoon worthy man in the shape of Fabian and some delicious dishes at the Bistro were certainly an added bonus. I was so sad to leave, there is just so much in this book - i flew through it and i cannot believe how much happened but yet it didn't feel crammed. It felt natural and real.



I was gifted this for the blog tour and this is my honest review.

If you want to get a copy you can get one at amazon here

A beautiful book of rolling countryside filled with lavender boughs where each scene brought a twinkle to the eye and a smile on my face. Author Jo Thomas was brilliant in the book where she dipped her quill in the ink of hope and second chances and wrote this lilting tale of redemption and finding oneself. The book was pure happiness.

Del moved with her husband Ollie to the village in Provence, but after 6 weeks, they decided to return home. But Del saw the end of the line of her relationship and stayed put. She began the journey of self discovery, and every single day became special.

I love a Jo Thomas book, and this one was mighty special. She weaved magic into her words which showered its happiness on me as I flipped the pages. The story might seem familiar, the scenes known, but the journey was new and sprinkled with inspiration. I knew nothing of how my life would be when I started this book, but I knew that the end saw me sighing, with dreams in my eyes.

Life is stranger than fiction, and ours at the present times seemed to be in crisis. But we all need breathing time, time to reflect and be sane. This book made those moments a little special when it gave me the space to dream of a new life, a new beginning, where things might start anew like the shooting buds of the lavender plant.

The theme of lavender was well entrenched in the book, and the story was like lavender oil, bringing peace and calm to my soul as I read the story. A must read during turbulent times.

I’ve been a huge fan of Jo Thomas for a few years now, and so I can’t thank NetGalley and the publishers at Random House UK for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

Escape to the French Farmhouse has all the delicious ingredients that her other novels have:
- a (newly) single woman experiences a sudden upheaval in her life and decides to take a huge leap of faith into the unknown and opt for a new start - this time in provincial France.
- a cast of delightful characters that all have things in their past that have shaped them into who they are today, and become like a family to each other.
- an initial conflict between the incomers (e.g. expats) and the local people, with both ‘sides’ gradually coming together to create a community.
- incredible local foods that help in attaining the above, and that showcase the culture and traditions of the local area.

Together, these are the perfect fusion of ingredients that result in an absolutely delightful novel. I loved the setting in France, and with Del living on what was once a lavender farm, and adding lavender to her bakes, you can smell the setting, breathe it in and almost taste it. Jo Thomas makes everything come alive for the reader, and it is really is like you’ve travelled to that place. I loved the characters, with all their quirkiness and vast differences, yet still managing to come together. And the food.... oh my goodness. I love how food is such an important feature in the book!

At points I found the writing a little repetitive - there was a lot of mention of Del having chosen to be their alone, having left her husband, from whom she had grown apart when they couldn’t have children. Constant reminders of this throughout, though I did like that along the way we could see Del’s development and her finding herself again in this new place that becomes home to her.

If you’re looking for a warming read that will transport you to France, with characters that you can’t help but fall for, then this is the book for you!

Full of French fabulousness.
Set within a small lavender farm in Provence this books tells the lovely story of Del as she takes the brave step of leaving one life behind and beginning another.
I really enjoyed this book, a beautiful story written in a way that makes you almost be able to smell the lavender & feel the sunshine on your skin.
A perfect summer read.

After a turbulent few years in the UK, Del and her husband Ollie move to a small village in Provence to start a new life together. Just six weeks after they arrive, the book starts with them packing up to return to England accepting their dream has not become the reality they were expecting.

Suddenly as the removal van engine starts, Del decides she wants to give Provencal life another go, and Ollie leaves without her. She now has a farmhouse, and all the bills to cover with no job, no furniture or prospects until the people of the town rally round and life starts to take a turn for the better.

This is an absolutely wonderful story about friendship, hardship and overcoming your fears- Jo Thomas has fast become one of my favourite authors. She places you smack bang in the middle of the story and so you can feel the sun on your face, taste the biscuits that she’s baked in her kitchen and you can smell the lavender on the breeze.

We may not be going on holiday due to lockdown, but grab a glass of rose, pull up a chair, put some lavender oil in a burner and be prepared to be whisked away on the trip of a lifetime.

I adored this. What a beautiful story about finding friends and making a fresh start in France. I could almost smell the baking and the lavender. A perfect book to read when you need to escape.

Thank you to the publisher for inviting me to read and review this, and to Netgalley for giving me a copy of this delightful story.

I was thrilled to be reading a new book from Jo Thomas. I have only recently discovered her books, and have been catching up on all her stories. They always transport me to somewhere exciting. This book took me on a journey to a small town in the dusty French countryside, where, in addition to providing a gripping story, I was introduced to the ways in which lavender could be used in the dishes of Provence.

At the beginning of the story, we are introduced to Del and her husband Ollie, who are preparing to leave the peaceful French town where they have lived for only a short few weeks and return to the UK. At the last minute, Del decides not to leave their lovely old, if crumbling, farmhouse with adjacent lavender fields, having tired of a marriage she feels is dead. Having made the decision to go it alone, and needing a way to make a living, she begins cooking typical bakes and dishes of the area incorporating the lavender growing literally on her doorstep. She is well aware of the importance of fitting into the community, and quickly finds good friends amongst locals, including Carine the estate agent, Henri the local restaurant owner, homeless girl Stephanie and her young son, and, especially, local market owner Fabian. Can she make a new home and perhaps find love again in this little town?

I have really enjoyed this book and can thoroughly recommend it; it may even be my favourite Jo Thomas book thus far. I loved the characters in the story, good or bad. They are all completely believable. It is marvellous to watch as Del begins to gain in confidence and believe in herself as she seeks to blend in with the locals in the town rather than stick with a group of ‘ex-pats’, all the while meeting new challenges. Of course, we are treated to some wonderful descriptions of the town itself, with its fields of lavender, little river and market place. I could picture myself sitting in the sunshine in front of Del’s house with a bottle of wine and listening to the river flowing past. There is also frequent mention of the scrumptious dishes that Del and Stephanie prepare, always with a touch of lavender; it made me feel like trying some of the recipes myself. I’m sure that, like me, other readers will enjoy escaping to this particular French town with its lovely farmhouse.

Very much a story showing how a determined woman can survive on her own. Del and Ollie make yet another move, this time to France, where they buy a crumbling manor house. Ollie has only pictured the sunny side of life, drinking a glass of wine on the lawn, entertaining friends round a huge kitchen table. When none of this happens, mainly due to the fact that he does nothing to improve the property, he packs up and stomps off back to England. Without Del.
Her life begins to burgeon after finding a wonderful recipe book in an antique shop run by the delicious Fabien. She works at setting up her own business and becomes more and more part of a community.
I loved this book, especially as I had lived in France for many years. It brought back many memories.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher fr a review copy.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Just what I needed to read in these strange times, light hearted, great characters and good story line. An escapism read.

Escape to the French Farmhouse by Jo Thomas is such an enjoyable read. We are taken to the incredible life of Provence in France which many of us dream of us doing. The setting, scenery and atmosphere is captured so vividly in the book that I actually felt that I was in France!

For Del moving abroad is such a huge life changing event but she takes the opportunity with both hands, grabbing every aspect of French life and getting involved with her new community, lifestyle, neighbourhood and language. Del is such a lovely person and as the book develops, she becomes more and more determined to create the future that she has always wanted and deserved.

Along with travel, friendship, love, laughter and sunshine, there are also clouds of sadness but all the issues are tackled so delicately and so well.

Now I want to go and see the lavender fields in Provence and see the amazing patchwork of colour, experience the food and drink and capture the lifestyle! I would of loved to have seen the recipes at the back of the book that were made throughout the book - they sound delicious

A thoroughly enjoyable 5 star read! Highly recommended. Thank you!

This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

Such a lovely story of the French farmhouse and the lavender. It's a great read with strong, likeable characters. Family trials and problems seem to be sorted out under the French skies, its a tale of romance and travel, Anyone reading this will need to have an up to date passport as it's all such an appealing lifestyle that the plane tickets will be booked and the estate agents busier than ever.

A thoroughly light and enjoyable read of of pure sunny escapism which we all need in these isolating times. Lots of happy feel good moments with the intoxicating smell of lavender in the air, I'm instantly in Provence. Heartwarming and uplifting read. I would have given it 5 but for a few reality niggles but ignoring those definitely a read to escape with

This was a light easy novel to read. The characters were all well written and enjoyable to read about with happy endings all round. What more could you ask for in these difficult times but a nice escapist read with beautiful scenery. You could nearly smell the lavender..
Some of the story involved quite serious issues of homelessness but it was handled with a light touch.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the preview copy it was really enjoyed.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

I have been in a reading slump for quite some time so decided to try reading this book from Jo Thomas and what a delight it is. A beautifully crafted book which had left me day dreaming of a life in France, smelling the scent of lavender in the air every day. A heart warming read in this difficult time for the world and i loved being transported to Del's life for a little while.

Thank you for getting my reading mojo back xx

Escape to the French Farmhouse is the perfect escapism that you need in your life now. The descriptions are vivid, the setting gorgeous and it is written so beautifully that you can imagine yourself in the Farmhouse with Del.

One theme running through the book was Lavender. Lavender for baking, lavender for cooking and lavender for decoration. Using lavender, Del manages to immerse herself in the local community and through an old recipe book manages to bring some life into the old lavender bakes.

I love that Del, does not want to be the 'typical British Ex-pat' and wants to be part of the local community. And I think that it is this ability to 'fit in' that makes Del instantly a part of the community. That and she has a kind heart and the ability to help anyone in need.

I adored her relationship with Stephanie and her son Tomas.  It felt so natural and it was lovely to see them given an opportunity that perhaps they wouldn't have had. There is also Fabien, who seems to be the nicest person in the world. Corine who becomes Del's first friend and ally. And finally Herni a cafe owner and do-gooder. These three are key to Del being accepted and they give all plenty of opportunities to prove herself.

All of them provide a strong friendship for each other. And it is this connection and belief in helping one another that is so amazing. It allows everyone in this friendship group to grow. To make decisions that can, potential, change their lives. And gives them the option to explore possibilities.

Escape to the French Farmhouse is a feel good book that will make you wish that you could move to France in an instant. And with loads of delicious bakes mention it may make you hungry....

I absolutely loved everything about this book. When we are living in times where we find ourselves unable to go on holidays or even leave our homes, this book will transport you on a beautiful sunny journey. Set in an idyllic sounding little area in France that you can visualise so clearly and so wish you could be part of the wonderfully caring community. The lavender recipes you can almost taste and smell, ooze off the pages. I heartily recommend reading this book for yourself, it is such a lovely captivating, feelgood story. Sad it had to end and I had to return to reality.