I don't think I could quite possibly put into words just how much I enjoyed this novel. I don't believe I've ever read a book by Sophie Claire before but wow I will definitely be looking out for more of her novels in future! The cover didn't exactly blow me away, but when I read that this story was set in the beautiful location of Provence, I just knew I had to give it a read. What I didn't know was just how much I would love it!

The story follows main characters Natasha and Luc, who were once married and had been through one of the most awful experiences and pain imaginable. The couple were distant with each other and Natasha soon left and built a business and life for herself in Willowbrook. I wasn't keen on Luc at first because of what he had put Natasha through and how cold he was. Even when they get to France he still springs surprises on Natasha and to me it just seemed he was really self-centred and childish. However, when we get to read the story from Luc's point of view, it made me realise that he too had been through the heartbreak and made me warm to him a little more.

The location of the novel sounded idyllic. I love novels set in France anyway but this was off the scale. The descriptions made me feel as though I was actually there on the Duval's vineyard, surrounded by the juicy grapes and the scent of flowers enveloping me. I loved all of Luc's family, they seemed so lovely, kind and so family-orientated which I found very heartwarming. The storyline had me gripped from the start and I was so intrigued to find out what happened between Luc and Natasha and whether they would reconnect and retry with their relationship.

Overall, a lovely sunshiney read with heartwarming and heartbreaking topics. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel via Netgalley, which I have reviewed honestly.

I had read the Christmas Holiday before this one so I knew how things would end for Luc and Nat but I still wanted to know how they got there. I really like SC’s writing style and how she pulls you into the setting and the story. Luc and Natasha were interesting leads, whose love story did not work out first time round because they were both haunted by past relationships (him with his ex and issues with his dad and her with her distant aunt and loss of her parents). It was clear why they fell apart, stuck in their heads and not communicating how they felt with each other. Second time round it felt at times they were going to make the same mistakes even though they did actually start to talk to each other. I did find Natasha the more frustrating of the two because even years later, gaing insight on his perspective and seeing the different sides to him she was still stuck with her ghosts and unwilling to risk taking a chance with Luc. I did enjoy the story overall and look forward to more from this author.

If you're looking for a Mills and Boon type story, then this book will fit the bill. I found Natasha incredibly childish. I don't know if we were supposed to feel sorry for her. I did to some extent, but if she'd just opened her mouth! Luc wasn't perfect, but neither was she. I loved the descriptions of the French countryside, and Luc's family were lovely. Not my favourite book by Sophie Claire, but this is her earlier work (with a new title). A pleasant read all the same. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is not my usual genre, I’m more into crime/thriller books and even psychological thrillers too so I am extremely pleased and grateful to them for opening up my mind to something totally different.

I always feel bad rating things that I didn't finish, but I didn't finish this book! I tried three separate times, which is much more than I usually do and then decided to just let it be. I thought it was really flat and the writing style basic and dull. I couldn't find my way towards either of the main characters, which made it extremely hard to get on board with their romance. I really like the idea of this premise, but ultimately this just seems like a book that isn't for me. It seemed like a light and breezy read, but I got much too hung up on the prose and couldn't work through it.

Absolutely loved this story.
Very good strong characters that transported me to France. I felt like I was part of the story.
Natasha has her own florist and her ex husband Luc walks in one day, 3 years after their divorce, asking for her help.
Despite her doubts, Natasha eventually agrees and goes with Luc as his wife to France where she falls in love with the Duval estate and all the family.
A truly beautiful story that I didn't want to end and would have been totally happy with another couple of hours reading.

This book is about Natasha and Luc who are divorced after an acrimonious split. Luc is very career minded and is a property developer and Natasha starts a new life for herself in a small village called Willowbrook running a florists.
Luc re-enters Nat’s life 3 years down the line to ask her to go with him to his native France. It transpires his father is gravely Ill in hospital and has asked Luc to bring Nat to see him as he has never met her and Luc hasn’t told him they’re divorced. Unable to tell his father the truth because of his condition he begs Nat to go with him but she refuses as he broke her heart and doesn’t want to be near him. He manages to persuade her to go with him eventually and they set off in his private jet.
When they get to France they go to the hospital to see his father who is overjoyed to see her and it seems to lift his spirits. They then go his family home where we meet the rest of his family who are really pleased to meet her. While there it turns out one of Luc’s sisters has brought her wedding forward and is getting married while they’re there, which Luc conveniently forgot to mention so she feels obliged to stay.
Nat feels so guilty at deceiving Luc’s family as she grows to really like them and they her and it causes arguments galore with Luc.
I guessed the ending but it didn’t detract from or spoil the story.
The descriptions of France and the area are beautiful and made me want to visit. It’s a true love story to France.
It is ultimately a love story set in a gorgeous setting and the true meaning of family and I really liked this book very much.

I loved this book, the way that it began with secrets and heartbreak. Family loyalties, being the person who always tries to please others but never themselves by going above and beyond. But sometimes just being yourself shows others just how special you are. From being alone loved/unloved to being accepted into a huge family of love. How the flowers and smells are explained seems to make them come to life in the readers eyes. A must read

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for the E-Arc Via Netgalley
This book is honestly the perfect escape for a summer read. I really liked the setting of it being in France & a small quint village (Willowbourgh). The characters were all likeable and I like the development in Luc and how far he came and the revelation that tore Natasha & Luc apart was heartbreaking, the sisters of Luc were all great I thought they were super sweet and his father wasn’t as bad as I thought he would be later on in the story. Natasha & Lucs arguments were quite irritating in some places I thought they were the same being repeated over & over again but I’m glad they got over it eventually. I recommend for anyone looking for a romance read that’s definitely going to make your heart melt.

Natasha runs a florists in Willowbrook . She's quite happy with her life until her ex husband Luc comes back into her life. He wants her to go to France as his father is seriously ill and his family don't know that they're divorced

A sweet feel good easy read. The only thing that annoys me with this type of book is the extremely short period of time that everything happens in.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review as I also purchased it from Amazon.
I did realise that I'd read the earlier version of this book, Her Forget-Me-Not Ex but as this was some time ago read it again.
Natasha has a florists shop in Willowbrook where she had settled after a short lived marriage to Luc, a successful Frenchproperty developer. She is surprised when he suddenly turns up at her shop, asking her to visit his family in France where his father is seriously ill and pretend that they were still married as they didn't know about the divorce.
Luc initially comes across as a very hard hearted man, only interested in his business and not personal relationships which was one of the main reasons for their split. Nat struggles with this as she is naturally a friendly, emotional person and doesn't like having to pretend to Luc's family that they are still together.
Overall an enjoyable romantic story that shows that there is always hope in a relationship if both are willing to work on it.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Just what you need in these difficult times a feel good read, with great characters, great storyline.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for an early copy.

A enjoyable read.
Natasha and Luc part ways after they lose their baby and each have their own reasons of why they think the relationship didn’t work.
Luc tracks Natasha down and asks her to help him out - he’s not told his family about their relationship which is no more and now his fathers not well and wishes to see her.
At first she adamant that she won’t do it, but when Luc buys the cottage that her parents used to own, in exchange for her helping him out, she agrees to go with him for two weeks. On route Luc informs her of his sisters upcoming wedding.
Once at his families home, she feels like she’s betraying them with the lies as they are such a nice family.
His farther is happy to see her and she begins feel like she’s part of the family, albeit by deceit. His sister asks her to help with the flowers arrangement for the wedding.
Slowly, Natasha begins to see another side to Luc, why he is the way he is, and they talk about how they felt at the time they were together and how things ended.
The wedding is a joyful occasion and Natasha leaves soon after, they decide it’s not worth going through the same thing again.
Back home, although she’s happy to be back at her business she still misses Luc and his family. Even Luc’s not feeling in control of his business.
Over dinner, Luc tells her how he feels and they go home to tell his family the truth. Only to find out his father knew all along and it was his plan to bring them back together.
Definitely recommend it

I love this book, it’s an absolutely beautiful read.
I have devoured this book in just one sitting. I cannot say anything negative about this one and it is highly deserving of five stars

During these hard times I had been looking for a lighthearted read and this book just hit the spot!
I instantly fell in love with the characters and felt like I was part of the story.
Following a miscarriage and a divorce Natasha's ex husband luc turns up on her doorstep asking for a favour. Will she accept and help him out despite her heartache?
This book made me feel warm inside and has a strong sense of family (which I adore)
Can't wait to discover more books by Sophie Claire.

Sophie Claire made me read Pollyanna after I finished her other novel The Christmas Holiday. I loved both!

Her A Forget-Me-Not Summer was a happy read in these difficult times with covid going on. However, it wasn't near as funny or interesting as The Christmas Holiday. But that doesn't keep me from hoping for a third book in the Willowbrook series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.