I enjoyed following Belinda's story and seeing her establish herself in France. The sense of place is spot on and you really feel as though you are there in the middle of the french countryside. I also appreciated the range of characters in the story, especially Fern and her canny mother- in- law, Anouk, and there are plenty of secondary storylines going on to keep them all occupied.

With a writing style which is fluid and interesting, you find yourself hooked into the story. There are several secrets waiting to be uncovered and you get to know quite a bit about Belinda's childhood as the story unfolds. Finding new friends is never easy but you come to feel for Belinda and Fern and can believe in their friendship. For a good, escapist read to sunny France, this is well worth a go.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for a copy of the book.

An uplifting and emotional tale of secrets, renewal and second chances, A French Affair is the latest addictive page-turner by Jennifer Bohnet.

When her parents’ marriage had come to an acrimonious end, Belinda’s idyllic life in Brittany had come to a sudden and devastating end. Forced to return to England with her mother, the teenager had been forced to bid farewell to her old life and although many years had passed since that fateful day when she had bid adieu to France, Belinda’s still looks back to that time with a mixture of nostalgia, trepidation and unease. Now settled back in England, Belinda never thought that she would ever set foot in Brittany ever again until her boss surprises her the week before Christmas by asking her to help rejuvenate their latest investment: a run-down campsite in Brittany. With no other option but to comply with her boss’s wishes, Belinda prepares herself to
face ghosts of the past and heart-breaking memories and emotions that have lain dormant for decades…

As secrets from the past threatens to overwhelm her, Belinda quickly realises that her mother wasn’t totally honest about what transpired during her marriage. It seems that her mother had been very selective about what she revealed to her daughter and as Belinda continues to dig deeper into her family’s past, she not only begins to uncover the truth about what happened back when she was a teenager, but she begins to feel like she has once again found somewhere she can belong and a place she can call home.

A new life awaits Belinda in France, but will she find the happiness that has eluded her for so long? Or will the past continue to exert a sinister hold over her future?

Jennifer Bohnet whisks her readers off to France with such style and aplomb that they will feel as if they are in Brittany soaking up the sights with the characters of her latest heart-warming, intriguing and compelling new novel, A French Affair. A beautifully layered and wonderfully told tale of forgiveness, healing and starting over that touches the heart and lifts the spirit, A French Affair is a spellbinding tale just perfect for losing oneself into – particularly during these testing and trying times.

Jennifer Bohnet’s A French Affair is a dramatic and hopeful story written with sensitivity and heart from a superb writer of contemporary women’s fiction.

A lovely story of how Belinda has worked hard and is settled in a job she loves with her daughter and grandchildren close by. However her employers buy a run down camp site in an area of France that unknown by them Belinda used to live in years ago. Reluctantly she arrives in France to oversee the overall of the campsite. She encounters a huge obstacle in Alain, makes a new friend in Fern and overtime the mysteries surrounding her parents divorce and why her on her mother’s death bed she wants Belinda to go and rest the ghosts

This was a delightful story told from the perspectives of Fern and Matilda, who become friends when Matilda is asked by her employers to help update a holiday camp they have bought in Brittany - Fern owns the guesthouse where Fern stays.

It is also nice to have female fiction and romance with middleaged heroines - we are seriously underrepresented in the book world!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

Belinda’s job is as a ‘troubleshooter’ for a small hotel business.  Coming along at just the right time following her divorce, it has ‘saved’ her and while working hard, she has found that she is good at what she does.  When her bosses unexpectedly announce that they have bought a run down camp site in Brittany, she is shocked!  Asking her to go out there and get it ready for business, she has doubts. Not the usual high end hotels she is used to working with she wonders if she is qualified to take it on.  However, there is another reason Belinda is reluctant to go.  Brittany holds bad memories for her and she would rather not revisit the past, but this is her job and she needs it.
When she arrives, the campsite is even more of a disappointment than she thought and the bad mannered manager, Alain, puts her back up straight away.  The surrounding area is lovely though and she begins to see it’s potential, as we read along and learn of her plans and the new faces she meets like Fern who runs the local auberge.
As with all Jennifer’s novels, the french countryside is vibrant and wonderful to read of, her characters, so easy to get along with, with their stories of love, regret, friendships and new beginnings are delightful and the plot lines quickly absorb you into their world, making this another great read to escape with.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for review based upon my honest opinion.

This was a great summer beach read. Belinda was a great character I enjoyed her story from start to finish. The people she encountered in her story like Fern, and Bernie, all great characters. The book was very descriptive, I felt like I was in France with her, I could so easily see it in my mind from her descriptions. It was an easy read, it actually could’ve been a little longer and some of the characters would’ve been nice to see them more detailed, maybe hear more of their story.

I really like this author, Jennifer Bohnet’s stories always leave you with a smile on your face. This was not my favourite of her books but it was very enjoyable.

A French Affair by Jennifer Bohnet is a romance, and my first book by this author. This book was easy to read and perfect for an escape from hot weather or the pandemic. I will be reading more books by this author, I highly recommend this book if you enjoy romances.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Belinda has a career she enjoys and excels at but renovating a camping park in Brittany for her employers is not what she wanted to do at this time Brittany has painful family memories for her but why you may asked i did and now she has to confront them but did she you have to read to see . The campsite is a disaster and the antagonistic manager Alain, ramps up the conflict. I loved them both Alan made me smile then I wanted to hot him you will love or hate him

The French setting is well-described anscwas there with them all and i like the Friendships, gentle romance and family dramas they all seem to be woven into this plot. It's easy to get lost in this story, and the characters and their lives i was hooked in to the plot a very good read you love it a nice summer book you be on holiday in France when you read it

This is a lovely read it got it all friendship, love and poignancy. I was hooked

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is a very atmospheric novel, and couldn’t be set anywhere other than France. The author catches the sights, sounds and all the nuances of expat life beautifully.

It’s also rather sad at times, particularly where Belinda and Fern tackle some serious issues. We experience the action of the novel from the point of view of these two characters. However, the book is fast-paced so we don’t get too long to dwell, and in contrast to these more difficult elements, there are joyful moments, and lots of life and imagination, and yes, happiness.

It is, however, essentially an optimistic novel overall, dealing as it does with facing up to truths, processing them and moving on, although that’s not as easy as it might sound. But it doesn’t shy from the damage and difficulties having such lurking truths – or rather untruths – can inflict.

The cover is lovely and oh so enticing, but since there are a lot of books out there called A French Affair, or some sort of close variation on the theme, I do worry slightly that this particular book will get lost in the melee. It really isn’t the most imaginative title! I think it deserves to made far more distinctive as it’s a unique story and should be allowed to stand out as well as it deserves to.

I can always rely on Jennifer Bohnet’s books to transport me to their location, and I was particularly delighted to find that this one was set in Brittany – I have very fond memories of camping in Finistère in the early 70s, and there was a great deal I recognised about the campsite and its smaller details.

Her characters are always excellent too, although I’ll admit it did take me just a little while to warm to Belinda – a troubleshooter for a small hotel chain, sent in to jointly manage the renovations that are needed to bring the site into the 21st century. Alain – son of the previous owners – really makes her less than welcome, and is initially spiky and difficult. But they do learn to rub along together, and both their characters – and their hard edges – become rather more rounded, and infinitely more likeable as a result. We slowly learn about Belinda’s background, and the reasons for her reluctance to spend time in Brittany – and that builds into a fascinating and complex story of family history that I thoroughly enjoyed, as the relationship between Belinda and Alain warms up rather nicely too.

Friendship features heavily too, when Belinda initially stays at the auberge run by Fern – recently widowed with fears about the future, and plenty of family concerns of her own. I really liked her thread of the story – her relationship with her 90 year old mother-in-law and the solution they find to some of those family issues, but particularly the unexpected and rather lovely developing romance and the possibility of future happiness.

The author really is a wonderful storyteller, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way this one unfolded – perfectly paced, a few surprises along the way, that strong focus on family and friendship, a couple of satisfying romances, and the vividly drawn setting. A perfect light read for an afternoon in the sunny garden, but with plenty of depth and twists and turns to keep me thoroughly engaged – recommended!

I haven't managed to read all of Jennifer's books to date but I have read a few.  Those that I have read, I have thoroughly enjoyed.  I read the synopsis for 'A French Affair' and it certainly sounded like I was going to be in for a cracking read.  Well I must be psychic because that's exactly what happened.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'A French Affair' but more about that in a bit.

'A French Affair' was a delight to read from start to finish.  As soon as I began to read the story, I knew that I was going to (a) become addicted to the story and (b) I would find it increasingly difficult to put the book down for any length of time.  I was spot on in both cases.    My Kindle wasn't glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me.  I really liked the main character of Belinda and I felt compelled (in the nicest possible way) to keep reading to see how life panned out for her.  The pages turned increasingly quickly as I seemed to charge through the story.  All too quickly I reached the end of the book and I had to say goodbye to Belinda.

I found 'A French Affair' to be a well written and absorbing story that drew me in from the first word on the first page.  The author kept my attention throughout the story.  Usually I have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case.  I was gripped by the story from start to finish.  I loved the way in which Jennifer wrote about the campsite and the area in which Belinda finds herself.  In fact she described the area so vividly that if I closed my eyes, it would be easy to imagine that I was in France with the sun beating down on my face.  'A French Affair' is perfectly described as being escapist reading for the summer.  I liked the way in which the author successfully weaved a few little sub plots into the overall story.  I also liked the way in which she wrote about the beauty of friendships and the way in which she wrote about families and their dramas.  I felt as though I was part of the story and that's thanks to Jennifer's very vivid and realistic writing style.

In short, I really enjoyed reading 'A French Affair' and I would recommend it to other readers.  I will certainly be reading more of Jennifer's work in the future.  The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

A cozy romance set in present-day Brittany, France at a Campground Resort. This book is very well written with wonderful characters and a sense of reading about home and family. It makes me want to rent a cabin in the mountains and sit by the fire looking up at the stars while roasting marshmallows. I found Belinda's desire to know what happened between her parents intriguing and hoped that she would be able to find closure with her father. I also enjoyed the relationships and friendships between the characters and their family members. Especially the sweet and tender relationship between Fern and her mother-in-law, Anouk. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Thank you to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I always enjoy a Jennifer Bohnet book and this one didn't disappoint. It was lovely seeing the French countryside through the author's eyes and although I have added Brittany to the list of places I want to visit, I feel as though I have already been there, as the descriptions were so vivid.

I loved the main character, Belinda, and I also appreciated that she was a more mature lady. The plot was interesting and the love interest was perfect. All in all, a pure escapism read.

I adore novels set overseas and although the backdrop for A French Affair is only a hop, skip and a jump away, it still left me wanting to buy a travel ticket, pack my suitcase and go searching for my own adventure in a part of France I've yet to explore.

When Belinda Marshall's employers ask her to oversee the renovation of a camp-site they've just bought in Northern France, the idea fills her with horror. It brings long-buried memories to the surface, a reminder of the turbulent time she spent in Brittany when she grew up, resulting in her parent's divorce. However, as she embarks of her work project and settles into life in the area she knows well, it becomes apparent, details from her past are not quite as they seemed.

The first surprise was the narrative came from a duel point of view. When I began reading about Belinda and her ties to Northern France, I believed the focus would be solely on her. So, when we're introduced to Fern, I liked we hear her voice too. The second is knowing two middle-aged women, are not too old to have another chance at a happy ever after.

The narrative is busy with lots of plot lines to keep readers invested without getting overwhelmed. It's sprinkled with some French too, which got my rusty brain working. The author brings to our attention the emotions felt by Belinda and Fern as they handle their problems while friendship grows between these two women. There's a balance between sadness and happiness as truths from the past are revealed. Additionally, Belinda and Fern finding romance highlights the point you are never too old to fall in love, thanks to Alain and Scott.

Overall, a captivating novel to escape into by a new to me author.

***arc generously received courtesy of Boldwood Books via NetGalley***

What a lovely read! A complete tale with a beginning, a middle and a satisfactory ending.

Belinda hasn't returned to France since her parents split up when she was a teenager - her mother returned to England with her and she never saw her father again. Now divorced and close to her daughter and family, Belinda has never considered returning to Brittany until her employers send her to oversee the run down campsite they have just added to their business, tasked with bringing it up-to-date and taking guests as soon as possible. Can Belinda survive this journey full of past memories?

Jennifer Bohnet certainly pens an interesting tale full of believable characters and situations. I loved how the story develops with Belinda making new friendships and the introductions of other threads, keeping my attention throughout. There are just enough details of french food to make my mouth water as I read, and I always melt a little when characters have a canine friend in tow! A well-written, well-planned novel with engaging characters and scenic locations, this is an ideal holiday read especially this year when many of us go no further than our own back gardens! Recommended to lovers of the genre and earning a full four stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy and Rachel's Random Resources for my spot on this tour; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

Belinda has a career she enjoys and excels at but renovating a camping park in Brittany for her employers is not what she wants. Brittany has painful family memories for Belinda, and now she has to confront them. The campsite is a disaster and the antagonistic manager Alain, ramps up the conflict.

The French setting is well-described and lets the reader experience life in Brittany. Friendships, gentle romance and family dramas are all carefully woven into this plot. It's easy to get lost in this story, and the characters and their lives resonate.

This is a lovely read for a Summer afternoon full of friendship, love and poignancy.

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

What a beautiful cover, Needed to be said first. This story focuses on the two main characters Belinda and Fern.

Belinda works in the hotel business in the UK but has soon found herself with a new opportunity in France doing up a camping site which she doesn't say no to. While there she soon becomes friends with the owner of the auberge she is staying in Fern.

Belinda has a past within France and starts to research into it. The story is a mixture of new beginnings, happiness, hope, romance, friendships and loss. A little bit of everything. An escape. Uplifting. Refreshing. A lovely read. A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend.

I have read several books by Jennifer Bohnet and I always enjoy them. I was pleased to receive an early preview copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publisher.
This book is set in Brittany, France. Due to travel restrictions and Lockdown I have been staying at home. This book transported me to France, in an idyllic location, it is a wonderful escapism.
I liked the characters in this book, I could picture them perfectly. This book is well written, and easy to read. I recommend reading this book, and I am looking forward to reading Jennifer Bohnet's next book.

Absolutely loved this! I read the whole book in a day as I couldn't put it down.

The characters are fantastic and I warmed to both Belinda and Fern. The book also has a fantastic setting which was easy to imagine. It even got me tempted to try camping!

All in all a fantastic, well-written summer read which is highly recommended.

🌄New starts for everyone! Lovely setting with friends, family and a little feud?

4-4.5🌟stars
I really liked the characters in this story set in rural Brittany. I am a big fan of novels that offer romance and new adventures to the over 50 set and this story has a majority of its main and key secondary characters who've experienced life and heartache and are ready to turn the page and begin a new chapter of living.

Divorced grandmother Belinda has career choices and a fractured past to address, plus she arrives in Brittany to find a brusque, confrontational Frenchman who challenges her constantly as she settles in her new assignment: quickly getting a dilapidated camping ground into shape for her hotelier bosses. Belinda aims for modernization to expand their pool of likely visitors; Alain favors the nostalgia of a more rustic, family-oriented refurbish.

Widowed Fern and her ninety year-old mother-in-law are trying to regroup after Laurent's sudden death eighteen months earlier in a car crash. Fern's been through two marriages but now, running a none too busy Auberge that she's put all of her assets into remodeling, she's a bit lost and lonely.

Belinda's story is deepened by her sad memories of ties to Brittany and the wrenching separation of her parents. Her return to Brittany after over three decades away churns up old hurts and disconcerting questions. Fern faces pressure from her son-in-law to upend her life for his family's benefit.

The plot has a good variety of action, emotion and introspection that keeps it moving at a good pace. Yes, there are quite a few sad moments and at times Fern seems to beat the brunt of them, but it's not unrealistic, especially the way her bosses make major decisions that affect her and THEN bring her in the loop, But I think the good food, fond friends and close family moments sprinkled with some clean, sweet romance make it in toto a happy story of reconciling with change and moving forward. I totally enjoyed the book and will be looking in future for others by its author.

Thanks to publishers Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy; this is my voluntary and honest review.