It is so wonderful to read a book about a mid-life starting over woman who not only has to get over her own insecurities, but also set the past behind her. As a mid-lifer who is fully aware that life gets in the way of your dreams, it is wonderful to read a story about a woman who is reaching out to attempt to take on her full potential. Realistic interpersonal relationships between a mother/daughters, between friends and between men/women are just one part of what makes this book such a great read. The funny antics and witty dialogue are another part, but the inspiration of reaching out to try to attain the dreams you have for yourself is a large part of what makes this book so read worthy! This is a new to me author and I must say I am quite excited to read more from her as this book was quite a compelling read that was easy to relate to.

A lovely mid-life story of memories, romance and second chances set in Provence. Nicky's husband's death still haunts her, and now her girls have left home, she wonders what's left for her. Her friend Judy is in television production and persuades Nicky to use her interior design skills on a B&B renovation reality TV show. Robert struggles with his life, and Nicky realises they can help each other enjoy life again. It took me a while to empathise with the characters, as I wouldn't say I like reality television. However, the gentle romance, humour and poignancy invested me in the main characters making this an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the vividly described setting, the story's myriad emotions, and the humour in this escapist tale.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Nicky’s best friend talks her into joining a realty TV show. She has a month in Provence to help turn around a B&B She’s surprised at the condition the B&B is in and now her budget is cut in half. Can she along with Robert do the impossible and win this competition.
It’s a fairly quick book with some light romance. Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the early copy

Interior designer Nicky has spent the last ten years trying to build a life after the sudden death of her husband. When her friend sets her up on a reality tv show to transform an old B&B in Provence, she doesn't anticipate that the owner, Robert, will also require her assistance to revamp him as well. How will Nicky manage despite the many pitfalls that befell her attempts to resurrect this lovely old home?
The author has taken a trend in reality television and used it as a vehicle for two middle-aged people to further their relationship. I loved the fact that the main characters were older and had to overcome life experiences while discovering new things about themselves along the way.
Fans of Emily Henry will enjoy this book that transports you to a lovely romantic setting and creates the appropriate conditions for romance. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Month in Provence is a lovely book with laugh out loud moments and you’ll have a smile on your your face while reading it.

Nicky is heading to France to work as a designer for a tv show, she has to renovate a B&B in a month. Robert is the B&B owner and has lost his way.

Great characters and lovely descriptions of France.

A fabulous read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

I love Jillian Harvey's books as they take me on a journey, the take me to wonderful places. The descriptions make me feel as if I am there and I can picture each and every detail in this book.

The characters are well written and people you can relate to like Nicki. The B&B is a great addition to this story and it is a book that I found quite endearing and lovely. The friendships made, the work done and the lives lived are all so real and make for a heartwarming read.

There is laughter, hope, emotion and it is enjoyable and entertaining to read. A great read and I do recommend it.


Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Lovely story of how new circumstances enable perspectives on life to change radically for the better. For empty nester widowed Nicky, it is an intimidating time to really look at her life and of what could be. For also widowed Robert, it is time to reflect on all he has abandoned over three years after his loss. For both of them, it is a time of renewal.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I really enjoyed reading this book, a page-turner.

It’s the story of finding yourself and getting on with your life, after losing your partner.

The story had romance, laughter and tears, along with finding help and support from those that love you.

I recommend this book.

I enjoyed this book so much. from page one. A story about getting on with your life after the loss of a husband. An emotional
roller coaster involving a makeover of a B&B in Provence for television, support of family and friends, and the possibility of a little romance. Full of laughter and tears.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.
I was happy to get this book because when reading the reviews it mentioned for Debbie Macomber Fans.

Nicky lost her husband and now she has to raise two daughters alone. Once the girls are grown up her friend Jenny asks her to fly to Provence but she doesn't realize she has to help renovate a B&B for a grumpy man named Robert.

I loved reading about Provence and now it makes me want to go there. What an uplifting story.

Perfect summer read set in the wonderful Provence, beautifully descriptive loved the renovation part. Get the sun lounger out and start reading. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

I LOVE reading books set in Provence, so when I saw this title and read the description I was sold. And this book did not disappoint me at all. It was really good, I got lost in the remaking of the B&B and the rural life. The romance was sweet and cute. 5 stars

Oh this book was so good! I simply got lost in the pages it was so good. A 5 star read!!
I just reviewed A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey. #AMonthinProvence #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Can Nicky turn the French B&B’s fortunes around, save her friend’s job and find happiness for herself?

You’ll love this wonderful story, full of rich descriptions and character growth as much as you’ll love the authentic, down-to-earth characters with realistic life stories. Harvey spotlights her characters at a pivotal moment in their lives and shows what can happen when they cling to hope and fervently attempt to find themselves again.

Harvey’s story finds her characters just as they’ve misperceived something significant about their own reality. Many readers will be able to connect to this destabilizing experience and read about how it doesn’t need to lead to destruction. Fear can be a big roadblock and Harvey shows what happens when a foundational perspective we have of ourselves is upended. Not only is Nicky grieving, but she also has self-doubt, she’s a planner by nature and she feels like she’s been thrown into the deep end. The t.v. crew and her friend keep changing the parameters and surprising Nicky and she needs to learn to ‘go with the flow’ and make the best of things. Robert is grieving, too. He’s become overwhelmed and needs someone to ground him and give him direction. I loved watching how Harvey’s characters navigated their world and grew to forge new outlooks and destinies.

I won’t forget Nicky any time soon; she grabbed middle age by the lapels and took advantage of time to make meaningful changes.

I was gifted this copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I enjoyed reading A Month in Provence, by Gillian Harvey. This novel was the perfect summer read--easy, romantic, and sweet. I could easily imagine Harvey's novel as a setting for a reality TV show, largely because that was the premise of the book. A designer fits up a B&B owner's business and turns it into a success. The central characters are likable, and like many other readers, I found myself engaged by their story.

A widower and a widow join forces to refresh a B&B located in Provence. The widower, Robert, has lost his ambition to succeed, his ability to maintain his business, and his ability to deal with guests after his wife dies. Nicky, a widowed designer, is hired to travel from England to France to refresh Robert's B&B and help him get his business started again. And so yes, the premise is a bit predictable, but that does not mean that the journey was not a lot of fun. Anyone who watches design or make-over shows on TV, will likely be able to predict the problems and pitfalls that Nicky and Robert face. This is escapist reading and perfect for a light summer read. This is my first Harvey novel, but I will certainly want to read more of Harvey novels.

I do want to thank the author and publisher, Boldwood Books, for providing me with this ARC to red and review. The above comments are my honest review. Thank you also to NetGalley for making this novel available for me to download.

I love reading books set in France as my mum and step dad have lived there for quite a number of years now and I can relate to some of the explantions of the little towns and villages. The rural French way of life goes at a slow pace and I love the idea of it.

I really enjoy pace and descriptions in all of Gillian's books and the fact that they are all relatable I'm some way.

I love Nicky, she seems like she's lost a bit of her spark but I loved reading because I hoped she'd get it back somehow by challenging herself. Her daughters are so lovely for encouraging her despite what they've been through.

I didn't like Jenny to begin with but she grew on me once there was a discussion had between her and Nicky.

I really enjoyed the excitement of the will they won't they save the b&b. Its a big thing to do and its exciting to find out if Nicky will overcome all the stressed and sort it out.

This is rather more than what meets the eye, akin to an analogy, that the author Gillian Harvey has adeptly woven into the B & B makeover portrayal. The lives of Nicky and Robert meet post-tragedy and each gets "tasered" back to life as they work towards the end goal. 'Twas a lot of work for them but worthwhile. I feel this would be a gentle sort of 'therapy' for any in this regard. I really liked the outcome.

A 4 - Star rating from me.

~Eunice C. Reviewer/Blogger~
June 2023

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Nicky was an interior designer that was confident in her abilities, until her husband died and she had to raise her two children on her own. Now, her children are grown and she is not sure what to do now. Enter her best friend Jenny, who has a renovation show that is having trouble. Nicky can help, but she is required to go to Provence immediately in order to renovate a ramshackle bed and breakfast. The owner of said bed and breakfast is Robert, who has an attitude that needs fixing. Now Nicky has to help her friend’s show, fix the bed and breakfast, and hopefully steer her life into a new direction. This was such a great, escapist read! I loved that Robert had layers to his character, and that Nicky was able to bring purpose to hers after years of grief and putting herself second. The secondary characters were also really enjoyable, and I loved spending some time in Provence, which the author brought to the page beautifully.

I received this book from NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for an honest review.

A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey is a charming, lighthearted story that is perfect for summer reading. The main character, Nicky Green is a 49 year old widow with 2 grown daughters in the UK, who is unexpectedly given the opportunity work on a reality TV show as a design guru tasked with making over a failing Bed & Breakfast in Provence, as part of a competition. In Provence she meets Robert, the owner of the B & B, and the story unfold from there, as Nicky not only transforms the B& B, but her life as well. There’s a lot to like here, especially the setting and the mid-life romance. I’ll certainly look for more by this author when in need of a little escape from every day life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the eARC in exchange for an honest opinion

Cute romance, loved the renovations on the house, couldn’t quite connect with the characters but enjoyed the story.