Another great book by Jennifer Bohnet, which did not disappoint. Once again transported to the beautiful South of France ❤ I had read the previous book so was familiar with the characters and it was great to pick up their stories.

Jennifer Bohnet explores the complexities of family ties and the many facets of relationships in her latest escapist and emotional page-turner, Summer on the French Riviera.

Gabriella Jacques has returned to the South of France and her childhood home, Villa Espoir, for a fresh start. Gabriella is ready for a change and for the chance to make new friends, reconnect with old ones and heal from the past. With family scars having festered for years on end, Gabriella is hoping to lay old ghosts to rest and forge forward with her life. But that is certainly not going to be easy. Her daughter Harriet also hopes to rebuild her life and connect with her daughter Elodie, whom she had left in her mother’s care in order to follow her heart. However, could her hopes for a rapprochement be smashed to smithereens when a secret from her past threatens to derail all of her plans?

Elodie is loving her life in France in her grandmother’s old home. As a freelance journalist, Elodie couldn’t be happier – except for one fly in the ointment: her mother, Harriet. With their relationship as fraught as ever, Elodie is frustrated that her mother refuses to speak about the past. What is her mother hiding? How can they hope to have any kind of future when their past simply cannot be resolved? Will Elodie and Harriet ever manage to put their history behind them once and for all? Or will the past continue to weigh heavily on their shoulders and ruin any hope they might have had of fixing their relationship?

Can these three very different women put aside their differences for good? Or will this summer on the French Riviera be the last Gabriella, Harriet and Elodie ever see of one another?

Jennifer Bohnet’s French-set women’s fiction novels never fail to sweep readers away into a glam and glitzy world full of strong women, fascinating men and intricate relationships rich in drama, intensity and pathos and with Summer on the French Riviera she has come up trumps yet again with a heart-warming tale readers will thoroughly enjoy.

A gripping and captivating yarn, Summer on the French Riviera is another surefire hit for Jennifer Bohnet.

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

This author's books always transport me to beautiful locations where I am lost in the lives of her warm and compelling characters. This book takes us back to the French Riviera where we learn more about Elodie and Gabby, as they settle into a living arrangement with Harriet, Elodie's estranged mother. Following these three genarations of women as they get to know one another more and learn that they are more similar than they thought was lovely. It's like catching up with old friends, her books always leave me smiling and fantasizing about sitting on a little balcony in the French Riviera sipping wine and eating baguettes and cheese. Hope to see more of thee women in future books.

Upon rejoining the Jacques family, the three ladies explore avenues to spend their days. Gabby focuses on rejuvenating the pool, garden, and equipping her kitchen with a range cooker. This endeavor rekindles her bond with an old friend, Colette, awakening both cherished and painful memories. Elodie dives into freelance travel journalism, works on her book, and deepens her relationship with her surfer beau. Harriet's path seems uncertain. She procrastinates returning to painting, but when she accepts a part-time gig at an art gallery, her passion reignites, especially with the lure of her own exhibit, a prospect she hadn't dreamed of.

This whimsical summer tale chronicles the experiences of three generations: Gabby, Harriet, and Elodie, as they commence a fresh chapter in a French villa. I was thrilled to re-immerse myself in their journey and witness their evolving life on the French Riviera.

When I picked this up, I had not realised this was a sequel to Bohnet’s Christmas novel, also set on the Riviera. Having now read this, I do think it best to have read the previous story as it helps so much with the different characters and their connections. Alas, however, I don’t think this book was one of Bohnet’s best and I was a bit bored by the gentle narrative.

In this story, Elodie has moved to the South of France to live with her estranged mother and her grandmother. Gabby raised Elodie and Harriet has only recently returned to Elodie’s life. With this combination, you can’t help but raise an eyebrow at the three women living together. After all, they all accept that they have a fractured family, so surely this is a time bomb waiting to explode?

However, I think it is the calming influence of the French Riviera and the sunny climes that help to ease the ladies back into more comfortable living. There are no arguments per se, but there is tension as Elodie is desperate for Harriet to reveal information about her father. Harriet has a few secrets under her hat and I liked how Bohnet reveals these to the reader before Elodie finds out this information for herself. This discovery between mother and daughter is the main element of the plot and I think it could have done with being a bit “spicier” because there really was no drama with the revelations.

Gabby, my more favoured character, tended to blend into the background with this story, it is as if her work is done. Observing the relationship between her daughter and grand-daughter, there is a small subplot about a discovered treasure in the villa basement, but otherwise, she is quite forgettable in this story. I found this a bit disappointing because I had enjoyed Gabby’s character so much from the previous story and wanted to see this developed further.

The setting was definitely the best bit of this novel: being transported to the French Riviera from the comfort of my home! Undoubtedly, Bohnet brings alive this tranquil, coastal area and I felt like I was walking along the seafront with the characters. It was my favourite part of the novel because it was portrayed as so relaxing, homely and welcoming.

I was disappointed with this book because it felt so bland. It is definitely perfect if you have a lot on your mind because Bohnet’s writing provides such easy escapism. Personally, I think I was hoping for more to get my teeth into and this narrative was too gentle for my current liking, making me feel bored and a bit relieved to reach the conclusion.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the sequel to the author's previous book Christmas on the Riviera. Although you don't need to have read the previous book I feel that the characters stories would make more sense if you have.
Summer on the Riviera tells the story of what happens after Gabby & Elodie make the move to France but I felt that the story didn't really have much depth and was just a bit of a Summer 'filler'.
It was a real shame as I loved the Christmas one but don't let this put you off as it makes an easy holiday read.

I didn't know there was a prequal to this book and that might have added to why I only gave it two stars. I felt something was missing. I think if I had read the prequal I would have connected with the characters more.

This book is the sequel to Christmas on the Riviera, and continues the story about three generations of women in the same family, Gabby, Harriet and Elodie. There is sufficient information within this book to be read as a standalone book, but honestly I really would recommend that you read Christmas on the Riviera first to get more depth on the story of the three women. For my review of Christmas on the Riviera please click HERE.

The return to France for Gabby has proved to be the right decision, moving back after living in Dartmouth most of her adult life, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. For Harriet the move to the south of France has not been such a smooth transition because she is burdened by her return to Elodie’s life after leaving her as a young child with her grandmother while she moved to Australia. Released from an unhappy and very controlling marriage following the death of her husband, she needs to find herself as well as find a balance with Elodie. Elodie’s romance with Gazz, and her work as a freelance journalist seem to be going well but she feels that she will never get the truth about the past from her mother, and finds herself increasingly frustrated with it.

I loved the way their stories developed from the first book, and I’m cautious not to give anything away, but I really hope there is a third book in this series.

Jennifer Bohnet has lived in France for some years, and her descriptions of locations I have been to even briefly are so accurate I can picture the location and the general ambience on the French Riviera. You will feel completely transported there, feeling the sun on your face, and the breeze coming in from the Med, with the smell of exotic flowers, and food from local restaurants. It is the perfect beach read, a gentle family drama, with art and glamour in a gorgeous location.

This story of three generations of a family weaves together the different story threads in such an enjoyable manner. I was delighted to take up their lives again and to see how living on the French Riviera has been working out.

I found Harriet’s story the most interesting probably because she was recent addition to the story. The complicated dynamics between the women is skilfully shown as they try to learn to live together. As before, the glorious French Riviera lights up the story and offers an escape to the reader from the grey skies of home. As the secrets of the past filter to the surface, it is great to see the reactions of each of the women. This is a warm, uplifting story about three characters you come to feel that you know so well.

In short: sun, France, romance, family
#blogtour

My Review: What a lovely visit to the French Riviera, I loved finding out what happened next with Gabby, Harriet and Elodie. I fell in love with Lulu the Tibetian Terrier and could near enough smell the fresh bread and clean air. There are new beginnings, a line of rebuilding relationships that had been fractured through decisions made in the past. Elodie in particular has questions, discoveries and a new world ahead of her. With the wine, love, and sunsets. whats not to love? I feel all warm and cosey now. Thank you, sorry for being so late with my review.

I have been super excited to read this one, after reading another book by this author with the same amazing characters late last year and this story did not disappoint. It picks up a few months after we've last seen them as they make the final preparations to relocate to Gabby's childhood home. As soon as I picked this up, it felt like I hadn't been away and I absolutely loved getting to know Harriet and learn more about Gabby before she left France. This story is rich in romance and give glimpses into the past as well as carving out paths for the future for these lovely ladies. I can't wait to pop back and visit them all again, as between the fantastic characters and amazing back drop it's a wonderful fuzzy read.

Summer on the French Riviera by Jennifer Bohnet

A reasonably well written book about three generations of women a family moving to their old childhood home to resolve sins and mistake of the past and makes better future together with each other.

There are some characters I liked and some really annoying and not overly likeable.

Although Descriptively you just image being in the sun soaking up the surroundings.

The main thing about this in that it is a follow to a previous book it is a book that has the feel of a book giving closure and secrets aired having been long buried though some parts were very enjoyable but personally not having read the previous spoiled it a little though for some it will be fully enjoyed as a stand-alone book I just felt when referring to previous event it left you in limb if this your first book.

Overall an enjoyable book. 3.5/5

Summer on the French Riviera by Jennifer Bohnet was another beautifully written book and a great read for relaxing by the pool or on your holiday.

Gabriella Jacques, is happy to be back in her childhood home, Beautiful Villa Espoir in the South of France ready to embrace fresh experiences with friends new and old and to heal some deep family scars.
Recently widowed Harriet Rogers, hopes to rebuild her family life and reconnect with Elodie, the daughter she abandoned into her mother Gabby’s care to follow her heart. But when an acquaintance from the past seeks her out, Harriet fears a secret from her past will ruin her plans.
Elodie Jacques, adores her new life in her Grandmothers old home as a freelance journalist. Her relationship with her mother is tense as she struggles to understand why her mother won’t talk to her about the past, as until their past is resolved, there can be no future.

Will these three women, all living under the same roof after two decades adrift be able to put aside the past.

Will they all find harmony in the present together?

I found this book a great page turner from start to finish especially as I love this part of France.

I highly recommend this book. I loved it

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books the Publisher for my copy x

This was a lovely sequel to Christmas on the Riviera. The story continues where the last one ended, now with the three generations of women ready to move to France. I loved Gabby and Elodie, just like in the first book and I did warm to Harriet just a bit, but she was still not my favorite character. As a mother I could just never imagine leaving my child behind.
Overall this was a really gentle story, written in the style I have come to expect from Jennifer, with great character development and characters that come across as real. Parts of the story got me quite emotional, but by the end I was left feeling hopeful. This book was like a little reminder that there are good people out there, without hidden agendas or evil master plans, just there for one another and that romance can happen at any age.

I am really enjoying this series of novels by this author - they are always a light and fun read. Perfect holiday material in my opinion.

When I finished Christmas on the Riviera, I was eager to learn what happens next for the characters and this book does not disappoint. Highly entertaining read from cover to cover.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one. I do love Jennifer’s books very much. This one was perfect to just sit in a chair and read until you finish it. The story is so bright and warm and made me think of warmer days. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Whenever I pick up one of the author’s lovely books, there’s a comfort in knowing what to expect – the friendships, the families, the very real characters spanning the generations, a touch of romance, the wonderfully drawn settings providing the perfect escape, and the loveliest reading experience as the stories unfold and the pages turn so effortlessly. And that’s not to suggest for an instant that her books are predictable – and there are certainly plenty of surprises and unexpected twists and turns as Gabby, Harriet and Elodie (grandmother, mother, and young woman) begin their new life in the neglected Villa d’Espoir in Juan-les-Pins. And this book is even more comforting than usual – it’s the sequel to the author’s last book, with characters I already knew and had already taken to my heart – although if it’s your first meeting, you’d have no problem at all, with the background woven into the story.

The villa was once Gabby’s family home, and her return allows her both to resume her relationship with the lovely Philippe and rediscover some more friends from her past along with revisiting her memories of her former life. Granddaughter Elodie plans to make her living as a freelance journalist, while picking up her own relationship with Philippe’s grandson Gazz. She was brought up by Gabby after her mother abandoned her, but Harriet is now back, feeling her way while trying to rebuild her relationship with both her mother and daughter. At the story’s core is the question mark over the identity of Elodie’s father and – as the women grow closer and move forward with their lives – that’s one secret it won’t prove possible to keep, for so many reasons. Then there’s the need for honesty about why Harriet walked away to start a new life in Australia, leaving Elodie behind – and until that full story is shared, there’ll always be an uneasiness about their new living arrangements. As the secrets are slowly disclosed, the development of the characters is just wonderful – and all three begin to move to a position where they can all focus on their happiness and look forward to what the future may bring.

There’s a great deal more to the story than that though – I really enjoyed the family history, the turning of the villa into a home, and the romance in the lives of all three women. The setting is quite wonderful – vividly brought to life, infused with sunshine, and I experienced the full flavour of the French Riviera. And each of the women confirmed their place in my heart – there’s such a warmth about the author’s gentle storytelling that I very much enjoy, real people being themselves, just living their lives, and allowing the reader to be part of it.

This was a read I thoroughly enjoyed, that entirely engaged me from the beginning to its lovely end, and is perhaps my favourite from the author so far – and one I’d very much recommend.

Multi generational feel good book, great for a sun lounger read. Jennifer Bohnet knows how to keep you interested till the end. Great well rounded characters pulling you into their lives. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

I've now reviewed a number of books by Jennifer Bohnet and loved them all. They are immediately feel-good and have an amazing attention to detail. Jennifer really gets inside the characters.

In Summer on the French Riviera, I really felt for Elodie as Harriett was back in her life. Gabriella was a wonderful grandmother and I felt the supportive relationship between them, although sometimes it was full of home truths too because of what every character had been through. This made it very true-to-life for me.

I found the whole decision to move to France very moving, as well as how that affected all three of them.

There was a sense of "coming home" as well as trying to move on, and each character had their personal battles.

Some moments were truly heartfelt. I found the last fish and chips with a glass of wine at their local pub poignant, as was the sight of the ferries and the memory that evoked for them all.

I was reminded of many a holiday to France throughout this book, although I've never been to the exact area mentioned in this book.

Jennifer Bohnet such a talent for showing the French way of life and her settings are always believable. I was left with the desire to travel after having reviewed this book and certainly feel like the plot made me travel to France. I feel something on the French Riviera was one of Jennifer's most heartfelt and emotional books. I was cheering the characters on . The pace was quick and immersive which made me love the book even more.

Thanks to Jennifer Bohnet, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review