I really enjoyed this! It was a nice, cute, fun read. Blame "Emily in Paris" but I'm currently really into stories set in France, and this fulfilled that need just enough. I also like a minimalistic love story built into the backbone of a story about friendship and self discovery.
If you are looking for something really deep about divorce, or middle-aged women finding themselves, or heavily detailed dreamscapes about France...this is not your jam. This is just a fun, light read, perfect for plopping in your TBR list between some heavier things!

As the title suggests, this is a gorgeous story set in France. School teacher Katy badly needs an invention - refusing to see her marriage to the slimball that is her husband is over, her friends kidnap and whisk her off to the French countryside. Arriving in the country she fell in love with as a child, together with her friends as they spend two weeks painting as the guests of Cecelia (you can't help but love her), she suddenly sees a whole new world of possiblity.

France, and being a guest at the Maison d'Art, she meet Valentin, who changes everything. With early morning strolls to the patissertie, she finds herself slowly falling in love with Cecelia's brother. You just want her to move on, see that what her friends have done for her is a blessing in digust. Seeing her coming out of her shell, becoming this new person who suddenly wants to change her world. And why shouldn't she? But just when she thinks she knows what she wants, including accepting that her daughter is right to be staying in Australia, she gets her mojo.

With the help of old and new friends including Bob who, technically, gates crashes their little retreat, she begins to slowly start to see a new life. You can't help but want her to take that chance, until Will comes running back. I don't want to give too much away about him, but seriously, I wanted to see what really was, a lovecheat.

I'm so glad I was accepted to be on my first blog tour with this lovely book about Katy. This is my first book by Gillian Harvey. I love how she managed to paint a picture of the various locations that were used, as well as seamlessly incorporting English and French writing. I really enjoyed this book and think, maybe, it could have a sequel as I want to know what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood and Rachel's Random Resources for allowing me a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to read another book by Gillian Harvey, such a wonderful heartwarming journey.
The main character Katy is so unsure of where her life is headed, she’s devastated when her husband wanted a ‘break’!
Katy’s daughter has moved to Australia so when her three best friends take her on a surprise trip to France, it’s time to regroup!.
I particularly loved the bond that Katy has with her friends, there’s a wonderful opportunity to open her heart and eyes to the future.
This book is absolutely brilliant in showing that we are worthy of a future where dreams become reality. A great storyline of self-discovery!
Katy slowly realises that her husband is very controlling and selfish, she finds strength and happiness as the future unfolds! A real gem!

Thanks so much to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*****Publishing February 14, 2023*****

Gillian Harvey’s books are always so much fun to read as they will transport you to France!

Katy has been separated from her husband for 6 months. During that time, she exercised and improved her appearance in hopes her husband would change his mind. Instead, he asked her to meet at the pizza place where they had their first date, in order to ask her for a divorce. When she is in despair, her best friends show up to surprise her with a girls' trip to Bordeaux, France. Her friends had booked a B&B called Maison D’Art, where they will paint for two weeks at different picturesque locations. Will bringing out her inner creativity help her to finally accept her new reality? Will this give her the push to move on with life? This book will have you turning the pages to find out!

A fun and entertaining book that will even have you laughing out loud at times. A perfect book to take on vacation!

Thanks to Boldwood Books, I was provided an ARC of One French Summer by Gillian Harvey via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #OneFrenchSummer

A British woman’s life is upended when her husband asks for a separation and, later, a divorce. Her three friends spirit her away to France to give her relief from her “maybe we will get back together” mindset. In France, her friends aid her in rediscovering herself and maybe a chance at a different life.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One French Summer by Gillian Harvey was a quick, relaxing and entertaining read. Katy and her three friends were well likable characters as were the secondary characters. Will, Katy's husband, really made the hair on your neck stand up and I am thrilled how the story ended. I will read other books by this author and recommend this one to all.

First of all, I love this cover. This is the perfect escape read. Harvey's reading made me feel like I was on a summer vacation in France. This is perfect to read at the beach or a warmer climate....or if you just miss the heat. I loved reading about the friendships and the uplifting message to support one another. It dealt with life challenges and the battles of menopause. It was a great reminder that we are never alone and to surround yourself people who love, support, and uplift you.

Katy's husband Will has asked for a trail separation, she obliged but when he asks for something more permenant, her world as she knows it changes. Her friends pull an intervention and they all fly to France, where Katy discovers a lot about how she really feels.

I like Gillian Harvey's books; her characters are well written and believable but this book didn't grab my attention as much as the last. It's not a 'fluffy' romance book, there are points which actually feel quit uncomfortable to read as Katy's husband is quite controlling. That being said, it's got genuine moments in it and a nice ending!

Lovely read about Katy who’s husband has left her for another woman. She’s late 50’s and lost. Waiting for him to change his mind and ask her back.
Her friends try to question her to make her see that she is worthy but they eventually stage an intervention. A holiday to France. Good food, sunshine and friendship.
This is a great book, full of friendship, good food and sunshine. Really lovely and very easy to read.
Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Katys friends decide that she needs help so take her off to france on an artist retreat. Lovely book

I love this authors books and how she transports you to beautiful locations and with her descriptive writing makes you feel like you are there. This was the perfect escapism and uplifting read and read it in one go.

This was a very relatable read due to being of a similar age to the characters who are battling with lives crossroads and the onset of the menopause and also gives hope that not going through it on own and that we are still capable of achieving what we set out to do if we put our minds to it and generate a fresh start.

Loved the friendships and understanding the characters had with each other and how the camaraderie of having others around can lift women up and empower them.

Reading this made me want to escape to sunnier climes and follow in the main characters footsteps.

This was my second Gillian Harvey read, and I wasn't disappointed.
Katy is at that time of her life when her child has flown the nest (rather far, actually, to Australia, and decided to stay there a while longer), and her husband wants a break which appears to be more permanent than she originally thought.
She's devastated. After trying her hardest to change things up, enrolling in a BootCamp with her friends, and generally making herself more like she thinks her husband wants, her whole future is up in the air.
Then her friends take her away on a trip to France. Katy begins to rediscover herself and finds she rather likes what she remembers.
Could romance be on the cards?
There is something in this story that could speak to every woman of a certain age. We are battling with perimenopause and that feeling of being there for the use of the rest of the family, not ourselves.
I just loved how even though there were down moments, Katy was able to find herself in a way that she could enjoy a future that would embrace her as a person, not just a plus one.
Lovely read!
Many Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.