I love this authors books as they always take you on a journey to warmer sunnier climes and make you feel like you are holidaying in France. Love how they write about real people and real issues in a relatable way and give Middle Aged women a voice.

This book was a funny and heartwarming read and was also heartbreaking in places. Loved how the characters connected and how Nicky developed and had a second chance as the story unfolded. Would love a sequel to see how her life continues to develop.

Tho would make the perfect summer holiday read.

A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey is either the perfect holiday read, or the chance to reminisce about this beautiful part of France. This gently paced romance includes peaks of angst and tension that will keep you reading and entertained. Gillian Harvey knows France well, having lived there for some years. She describes daily life in Provence with authority and an affectionate realism, so that you can’t help but smile.

Nicky Green is only 49, but most of her life seems to be behind her. Ten years ago she had to abandon a budding career in design after the death of her husband. And although her family is now grown and independent, she is still struggling to move on. Nicky’s faithful friend Jenny, a reality TV executive, understands and is always there to support her. She offers Nicky a last-minute opportunity: a hotel inspector-style transformation of a run-down property in Provence. Despite her lack of confidence, Nick can’t refuse. She arrives in the village of Roussillon “…hoping to change the fortunes of a ramshackle B&B, and her own, in one fell swoop.” But when she arrives she faces a real challenge. The budget is smaller than promised and the owner Robert, is uncooperative owner. Can she change the fortunes of the business in just a month? And can she win Robert round to her point of view?

I loved the humour that runs through this book. The characters are realistic and likeable, and the problems thrown their way cause them real dilemmas. Many a mid-life woman has faced turning points, so it’s easy to identify with Nicky and I for one was cheering her on, hoping she would succeed. From my (older!) perspective, it was hard to see a 49-year-old as past it, whether in her business or romantic life, but of course that’s the whole point. Nicky displays a lack of confidence, so typical of many women, in everything from her schoolgirl French to relationships with her best friend and daughters. The setting might be boldest, most beautiful Provence, but the characters are mild and terribly British in their inability to communicate honestly - either with themselves or each other. In fact, the younger characters often have to remind their elders how to put themselves first and be braver. I predict this book will play with your emotions, but you will love it just the same!

Nicky Green is a 49 year old widow who is unexpectedly given the opportunity to travel to Provence for a month, as a design guru for a reality TV show which showcases makeovers of failing B&B's.
This is a far cry from Nicky's day to day world at present - but something her younger self would have loved to do, so Nicky decides to chase her dream and in the process of refurbishing the B&B finds herself again. The author stays clear of cliche, anyone
of any age will recognise how easy it is to put family before self until self becomes a shadow you don't even realise is missing. I absolutely loved reading Nicky's journey through restoring the property and her own self confidence, and the author painted such a vivid picture of France it was easy to feel totally immersed in the B&B and local village. This book will be enjoyed by anyone who likes Milly Johnson or Katie Fforde. A really entertaining summer read!
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for the review copy.

Jenny's husband dies, and she decides to help a friend in Provence, she is renovating a bed and breakfast. great location and characters.

This talented author has written a fun read. Realistic characters keep the story moving quickly. Love and romance…this book was sent to me by Netgalley electronically. Thanks to the publisher and the author. I liked this book. I enjoyed the setting. I liked the characters.

I really enjoyed this book. The setting was amazing and the story was charming and romantic with warm engaging characters. Perfect beach read and would recommend.

Who wouldn’t want to visit Provence during the summer? The weather is divine, the scenery is breathtaking and the food is delicious. Provence is located in southeastern France and is known for its picturesque and diverse landscapes with blossoming lavender in the summer. I will probably never get the chance to see Provence so I was thrilled to be able to witness Nicky’s enthusiasm as she took a quaint but unloved B&B and made it into a showplace that its owner Robert would be proud of. Nicky was reluctant to accept this amazing job opportunity from her best friend Jenny, but just thinking about getting back into interior designing made her giddy with excitement. I envied Nicky’s adventurous spirit and her desire to take a chance at finding herself again. Nicky knew this was her time to shine and she would do everything in her power to make the B&B a success.

Nicky and Robert were complete opposites but her bubbly personality and compassionate nature were just what he needed to make himself feel better about his future. Their friendship was fun to watch as they shared their pasts, both happy and sad, and relaxed into a comfortable routine that was beneficial to both of them. Robert took Nicky shopping for items for the renovation and they often shared a meal at one of the many cafes in town where they also enjoyed exploring the unique shops along the winding streets. Nicky never knew what to expect from Robert during their excursions and maybe that was what she liked most about him. Robert’s quiet nature appealed to her as well as his ability to listen intently as she told him about her life back home. Nicky knew she would miss Robert with all her heart when her job was finished. Was there a chance for them to be together or would her memories of their special time remain in Provence, where all of her dreams had come true?

A great story and some fantastic laugh out loud moments. The plot is fun with lots of romance, cliffhangers. I found myself really hoping everything would work out, a sure sign I’m hooked and believing in the characters.

******Publishing July 11, 2023*****

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The entertainment, the friendships, the drama, the laughs, a book that transports you to the South of France = A Great Summer Read!

When Nicky is approached by her TV producing friend, Jenny, to be the interior designer for the hit TV show The Great B&B Rescue, Nicky is hesitant, but eventually agrees. A month in Provence, what is there not to like? After arriving, Nicky is informed by Jenny that there are budget cuts, so she has to work on a smaller budget. Can she pull it off and satisfy her friend, while possibly boosting her career? Or is it more than she can take on?

If you need a fun, entertaining, and enjoyable read, then add this book to your TBR list! I was drawn to this book as I used to live in the South of France!! So any book set there, I’m all in!

Thanks to Boldwood Books, I was provided an ARC of A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such an enjoyable read: engaging, moving and thoroughly entertaining. I grew to feel genuinely fond of Nicky and Robert, I wanted to go shopping at Michelle’s and eat at the village brasserie. Beautiful descriptions of the faded b and b, tempting descriptions of French food. I definitely recommend this book - especially if you’re going on holiday to France!

I absolutely loved it! A second chance uplifting book featuring midlife women.

Nicky is an interior designer, who’s had to raise her two daughters alone after losing her husband. She’s proud of her grownup daughters but not quite sure what to do with her life now.

Nicky’s best friend Jenny is a TV executive who’s desperate for Nicky’s help on her new renovation show. The only catch is Nicky needs to fly to Provence tomorrow to renovate an old worn down B&B. Jenny doesn’t bother to mention there is barely a working budget or the grumpy B&B owner Robert.

I love Gillian Harvey’s books and was so excited to read this. Her descriptions of France are second to none . The characters are so likeable and I love that they are of a certain age which makes them more relatable to me. Loved the back stories of the characters and their growth as the story progresses. They were emotional moments but plenty of funny moments as well. The story was so well written and I’m ready to book my ticket to Provence!

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy of this delightful book in exchange for my honest review.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I fell in love with Gillian's writing thanks to her last book. When this book came up I just knew I wanted to read it and this is every bit as good as her last one. This tells the story of Nicky, a interior designer who is given the challenge of renovating a property in Provence. Tne single mum of two, still grieving from the death of her husband, takes up the challenge but can she make this place everything that it can be even with a next to nothing budget? After all her best friend's TV show will be axed if she doesn't.....

Join Nicky in gorgeous Provence as we follow on this page turning book that will keep you coming back for more.

Gillian Harvey is fast becoming one of my must-read authors, so I snapped up the chance to read her latest release, A Month In Provence.
I always love it when characters are of a certain age, where I feel I can relate to them all the more, and our MCs are exactly that in this book.
Nicky is a woman who has been grieving for ten years, always putting her daughters first and never allowing them to feel the gap created when they lost their father. Her best friend offers her the opportunity of a lifetime. A way to reclaim some of the dreams she dared to dream before her world was rocked to the core.
She finds herself in Provence for a month as a business advisor and interior designer and, most importantly, a TV presenter, as she heads a reality TV style project to do up a floundering B & B Business.
Robert is the owner of said business. In the beginning, he is a bit grumpy and stand-offish, but with layers to peel, giving us a glimpse of a much more sensitive soul with a story as tragic as Nicky's.
I loved how they built a tentative friendship over the month that she resides in his ailing B & B, and all the misdemeanours as they attempt to get things ship shape for the TV crew that keeps surprising them,
The cast of side characters is also a joy to get to know, from the local business owners to Nicky's two daughters, and not forgetting Buster the dog!
Honestly, I loved this story so much. It is filled with hope, and there are emotional moments as well as some giggles, too. I read this within a few hours and wished there was more to come!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Gillian Harveys’ books are the ultimate treat for a long Sunny weekend of reading. They’re an escape and Gillian uses her knowledge of living in France as an English person, to build a location that you cannot help but want to relocate to!

Wonderful characters - I absolutely loved Nicky and Robert and their down-to-earth realism. I loved their back stories and how they emerged to be revealed and I loved the storyline too and why Nicky was in France.

The best part is Gillian’s delivery. Funny, witty, emotional, endearing… her books are everything and this one is no exception.

I absolutely love Gillian Harvey’s books so could not wait to start reading this.
This book is just wonderful!
I adored the main characters Nicky and Robert due to their like-ability, their back stories, and also how I could completely relate to parts of Nicky’s personal life. This made me feel so much empathy for her that in one of the chapters, I cried my way through the whole of it as it was just so moving and meaningful…that is how much I was invested in Nicky due to how brilliantly it was written.
This book is also funny and had me giggling and smiling at certain things that happen along the way.
This has been the perfect book, in the perfect setting, with perfect characters, for a perfect bank holiday read 💕
Without a doubt, this book gets 5 shiny stars!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Courtesy of Boldwood Books and Netgalley, I received the ARC of A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey. I escaped to the beauty of France through this descriptive novel of second chances and romance. Nicky, a widow of 10 years still deeply mourning her husband, accepts a position on a reality TV show for a B&B fixer-upper contest. As the timeline progresses, Nicky reminisces, and searches within herself, realizes her abilities, develops awareness and confidence in herself for personal growth, and forms new relationships. I am ready to visit Provence and stay in the renovated B&B!

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey. A fun, heart lifting book with characters I enjoyed spending time with.