KATIE FFORDE – A WEDDING IN PROVENCE ***

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

To criticise this book is a little like kicking a cute puppy: you feel really bad and feel you shouldn’t really do it. Not having read anything by this author, I had chosen it because of its title. The first word that caught me was Provence (remembering A Year in Provence the best-selling book, and the universally panned John Thaw television series of the same name), the second Wedding, so I knew what to expect.

The Sound of Music story is okay: young English rose Alexandra travels to Provence and becomes the nanny to the children of count Antoine and marries him. Hardly a spoiler: you can guess the outcome from the title. It is set in 1963, a more innocent time, where in Paris on her way a finishing school in Switzerland she bumps into an American woman.

“Alexandra was naturally kind-hearted and couldn’t ignore the appeal from this young woman who must have been terribly lonely.”

My problem with this book is the author’s voice: most of the prose is telling you things, rather than showing you. We need to see that Alexandra is kind-hearted, not simply be told. There is no excitement in the writing. It is all very one note. Another problem I had is that neither Alexandra nor Antoine particularly come alive. Unlike most romances they seemed mere cyphers in their entirely predictable story. Yes, there are some well-drawn boo-hiss characters to cause them to stumble, but nothing major happens to prevent their union. That’s not necessarily a fault, if interestingly written. I am probably old fashioned, but I love descriptions. Think of the strong women in stories of H E Bates, the villages they live in, the countryside around them. They spring off the page.

Descriptions of the chateau and the minutia of their day to day lives - preparing scrambled eggs for breakfast, truffle hunting with their dog, the clothes they wear, their relatives, their friends, the locals - are all there on the page. They are well researched and carry you along, but with barely a metaphor or simile to lift the writing to the next level. For me it was too one-note and turgid, the equivalent of the A Year in Provence TV series, rather than the book. It could, it should, have been so much better. All the ingredients were there to make a three-tiered wedding cake, shame it turned out to be a Victoria sponge.

A charming, if predictable book. Easy to read with lovable characters that you wanted to have a happy ending. It wasn't the most intriguing and seemed a bit shallow in places. A bit of a fairytale type romance but a nice read overall

I have read Katie Fford’s novels from the very first one she wrote and she gets better each time. This time we begin in Paris where heiress Alexandra is on stop over before going to meet up with her rich family who she hardly knows. On a whim she decides to take the job of a nanny to Antoine a beautiful looking business man who she loves almost immediately. However the job is not in Paris but in Provence. This comes as a shock but Alex is a very resourceful young woman and makes a brilliant job of bonding with all the three children she is looking after. This is a fun read and the food, weather and beauty of Provence makes you really want to be there yourself. When Alex calls on her gay friend to come and teach the children you realise that we have met some of them in fford’s previous novel A Wedding in the Country. However this story stands just as well on its own. All the people we meet are fully rounded characters some likeable some not so much. Alex manages to keep almost everyone happy and keeps her temper when most people would not. The love story is really well told and there are hints about how they both feel right from the start.
This is a great read and it leaves you wanting to know how they all get on after the wedding and there is also a hint of another story to come.

A Challenge In France…
For some perfect escapism Katie Fforde rarely disappoints, the reader is well aware and is always anticipatory of what may be in the box, and this latest offering is no exception. This is more unusual in that we have an historic setting, not so far back though, of 1963 and a glorious chateau in France. Alexandra has arrived and is seeking a challenge. Is she up for the effort of the three, rather unfriendly, children that live inside this imposing building? Moreover, can she resist the charms of their father - a dashing and handsome French Count? One to closet yourself with and immerse yourself fully with it’s charms. Delightful.

I always look forward to a new book by this author and this one was no exception.

It’s the early 1960’s and Alexandra is on her way to finishing school in Switzerland when she suddenly finds herself employed as a nanny at a chateau in Provence to three surly children. How will Alexandra cope with the children and can she get them onside?

A delightful story with a great cast of characters, add a touch of romance and this makes for an easy and enjoyable read.

As usual an engrossing and easy feelgood read. You get what you pay for with Katie Ffoyde! Enjoyed the setting particularly and the little girl was charming.

Thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Reading a Katie Fforde book is like spending time with a friend. A lovely gentle story set in 1963 Provence where Alexandra, on her way from Paris to finishing school in Switzerland, finds herself employed by a count to look after his 3 children. She thinks the job is in Paris and is delighted to be offered the role - unfortunately for her though, the job is in Provence, in a rural chateau!

This was a sweet romance story, set in 1963 in France. It was very well written and flowed nicely, there was a good mix of characters, some I loved and some I most definitely didn't. While the outcome was fairly predictable and it had a very Sound of Music vibe to it, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.

The characters are all well written and well developed. I really liked Lexi and the way she stood up for herself and the children. I thought David was a wonderful foil for the stiff French relatives and loved the way he stood up for Lexi while calming troubled waters. Of course, Antoine, the Comte, was delectable and totally loveable.


Although this story is set in 1963, I couldn't honestly see that it would have been much different if it had been set in the present day. There were no real historical references, apart from the mention of Audrey Hepburn. Of course, communication was more tricky and some attitudes were of course different but I think it could have just as well been set in modern times. For me, it would have been better for it too.

Apart from that, it was a lovely story and an easy read. Despite having worked out the plot I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would recommend the book as an easy delightful read.

Alexandra is on her way to the Swiss finishing school her relations have decided she needs for a bit of polish after her bohemian ways in her Belgravia house. She decides to stop off in Paris on the way and bumps into another expat. She is persuaded to apply for a post as a nanny so she can prolong her stay but finds out it is in fact based in Provence. She puts her resourcefulness to good use to try to make her charges' lives better whilst trying to ignore her crush on their handsome father. I loved the simpler times set in the 60's a nice bit of escapism and also nice to catch up with some of the people from 'A Wedding in the Country'.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I chose it because I love the Provence area.
It is a light, feel good book that will probably appeal to readers of women's fiction or romance novels.
Personally I found it lacking. The relationship between Antoine and Alexandra was almost non existent, the need to over explain situations was annoying and there were quite a few eye rolling moments for me.
All in all I didn't love it but I also didn't hate it, it was ok.

Not my favourite Katy FForde book ( but then I have so many of her books in my favourite list) It didn't flow for me as well as usual. this is not a criticism as it would be awful if we all liked the same things all the times.
However, I still enjoyed it and loved the dynamics. Her books are a must read

A feel good romance novel with The Sound of Music/Disney vibes. Set in Provence,Alexandra finds herself getting a job in a chateau as a nanny/governess to 3 children. This is not my usual genre to read but it was enjoyable with some lovely descriptions of the area and the food.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read this advanced copy, I am under no obligation to leave my review

Alexandra has recently completed a cookery course, and heading off to France she seizes the opportunity to become nanny to three slightly hostile children. Determined to cheer them up and have fun she takes on the challenge.
Set in the 60s in a beautiful chateau in Provence, this is a feel good, uplifting story. As Alexandra becomes not only nanny, but cook, teacher and friend as well, she takes on some difficult challenges in her efforts to win the children’s friendship and trust.
The book is character driven, written in a chatty, friendly style with diverse and interesting characters brought to life with Katie Fforde’s expert pen. Alexandra, a young woman with a positive attitude, full of optimism and fun; Peter, her friend who helps her out, also the children’s aristocratic grandmother who doesn’t think that Alexandra is suitable for the role of nanny. And when the father of the children, a Count arrives back at the chateau, romance enters the scene.
Romance gradually unfolds between Antoine (the Count) and Alexandra, along with life at the chateau and friendships which develop as the story unfolds. There is a warm, welcoming atmosphere complete with friendly lovable dog, and even kittens. You always know you’re in for a great read with Katie Fforde, and this book doesn’t disappoint.

Absolutely loved this story as always do wothKatie Fforde, she is amazing at helping me escape to ahappy place!

This author never disappoints her readers, a nice quick easy read but very enjoyable and a lovely storyline to it ..

Returning to Katie Fforde books is like catching up with an old friend. Grab a cosy chair by the fire and curl up to read this . The story is set in the 1960s when communication was slower and not 24/7. This provides a refreshing backdrop for the book which followed a familiar but reassuringly comfortable formula.

Love Katie Fforde books. Set in 1963 Alexandra is being forced to go to finishing school in Switzerland by her relative. She goes to Paris and then gets herself a job as a nanny to 3 children.

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A romance set in France. A nanny falls in love with the father of the children she cares for. A cosy romance. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

I love Katie FForde's books so so so much. I've read them all and was so exciter to get the Arc to read her latest book. This one did not disappoint. Alexandra is a warm young personality who herself had many nannies in her younger years. She uses this experience with her love for the 3 young children to bring them further in life. This book is warm, loving with of course the accompanying romance. I loved all the well out written characters even the bitchy Veronique 😄

Thanks @netgalley and @ffordekatie for the arc in Exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

Late summer, 1963

Fresh from London and a recent cookery course, Alexandra has always loved a challenge.

Which is why she now finds herself standing outside an imposing chateau in Provence.

Waiting for her inside is three silent, rather hostile children who are to be her charges for the next month.

They will soon be more friendly, she tells herself. All they need is some fun, good food and an English education.
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Far more of a challenge though is their father - an impossibly good looking French count with whom she is rapidly falling in love . . .