Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Del moved to the south of France three years ago. She has settled into a life with Fabian on a lavender farm, made new friends and now has a purpose in life. She gins herself receiving some shocking news that rocks her world but she must try to carry on as a new crew of lavender pickers arrive.

Having read how Del came to settle in Provence in Escape to the French Farmhouse, I was delighted to find out how life has panned out for Del, Fabien and their friends. There is a real feeling of community in the novel and a wide variety of characters. The new lavender pickers who arrive to help Del with the harvest fit into life on the farm. They each have their own backstory but find friendships and form into a tight group.

Early in the story, Del’s life suffers a huge shock and all her plans for the future are in jeopardy. In her grief, she pushes Fabien away and encourages him to embark on a tour with his old band. Too late, she finds she misses Fabien terribly but communicating this proves awkward. This is a warm, affectionate story, set in a beautiful part of France. Full of the sounds, smells and sights of Provence, I savoured the descriptions of the local food which serves to bind people together. There are lessons to be learned for several of the characters about facing up to what makes them happy. Whether Del can slow down and make room in her life for her relationship with Fabien remains to be seen. She has to face up to her vulnerabilities and trust in the strength of her love.

In short: escapist reading full of warmth and happiness

It was great to be back in France with Del on the lavender farm.
I really enjoyed the chance to catch up with the characters and their lives three years later. It was like I'd never been away!

There were some great new characters introduced as people come to stay to help bring in the lavender harvest. And a not so nice character emerges that could spell disaster for Del and her business.

My only sadness with this book was Fabien heading out to follow his dream.

It started with a bang and finished with a happy ever after that made my heart sing.

Another enjoyable story by Jo Thomas.

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

I read and reviewed the previous book earlier. I didn’t even realise it might have a sequel. When I picked this up the first time I did it because of the author. Only when I looked at the blurb did I realise that the people sounded familiar.

In the previous book, we have a middle aged woman at a crossroads in life. She and her husband initially plan their Italian move as a way to reconnect but that book begins with one choosing to stay behind. This book is about what happens once plans are made and life gets in the way.

It is a very practical and realistic book in some ways. No person introduced in this book and even from the previous visit are perfect. They bring their own messes to the table and there are some additional hurdles this time around.

I think prior knowledge would be helpful but not essential in enjoying this book. This is more about seasonal helpers who land at the lavender farm and then end up being part of the bigger story.

I like the author’s way of depicting characters and the matter-of-fact tone which is present during most of the scenes. This book works both as a sequel( for something I didn’t think a sequel would work) as well as a book with characters in more advanced stages of relationships than one would be accustomed to.

I would recommend this book to fans of the genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Jo Thomas gave a masterclass in the art of descriptive writing with this one! A fun, light easy read that will have you feeling like you're in Provence too and really rooting for the characters.

There was quite a bit of repetition and unnecessary bits but still overall this was a nice read.

Del- the main character is very likable even though she does some silly things and can be quite histrionic.
A good breach read if you're looking for one!

This is a really lovely book from Jo Thomas. This is a sequel/follow up to Escape to the French Farmhouse,

The descriptions of Provence, the smell of the lavender, descriptions of the food immediately transports you to the beautiful French countryside.

Thanks must go to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review..

I couldn't wait to read the next instalment in Provence.
Love In Provence is a heartwarming and enchanting read that offers a perfect blend of romance, adventure, and self-discovery. Jo Thomas’ ability to paint a vivid picture of Provence and create endearing characters makes this novel a joy to read. Whether you're a fan of romance or simply looking for a book to whisk you away to the French countryside, "Love In Provence" is a wonderful choice.

Sequel to Escape to the French farmhouse, although works well as a stand alone novel
Loved the setting of the lavender fields of Provence
With a good storyline, full of food and community and making you realise what is important in life.
Heartwarming and tear jerking all at the same time - will they complete the harvest - makes you feel you’re part of the story.
Also loved the yummy French recipes at the end of the book
Perfect holiday read - pack it in your suitcase.
Thanks @jothomasauthor @penguinbooksuk & @netgalley for the fab summer read

I read this book not knowing that it was a follow up. It is a delightful setting and story although I guess I did feel that there was a back story there. It is very descriptive and you can almost smell the lavender! Good characters all making a good contribution to the plot. Pleasant summer read

Love in Provence makes for perfect summer time reading. Based in the beautiful South of France, this book is filled with beautiful characters and delicious food. As a self-confessed foodie, this book really spoke to me.

I hadn't read the previous book in this series but it worked very well as a standalone.

If images of lavender, french countryside and delicious food intrigue you, I'd highly recommend escaping to the South of France this summer with Love in Provence.

France and cooking - what’s not to like? Del is a likeable character who is left holding the fort when her partner plays one last time with his former band. The seasonal pickers, a mixed bunch, who come to help with the lavender harvest renew Del’s zest for cooking and have their own stories to tell. There is trouble in the guise of a chef who re opens Del’s former workplace. All in all this is an easy read full of French sunshine.

Love In Provence by Jo Thomas is a lovely summer read filled with all the holiday lushness of the South of France. This is a sequel but can be read well enough as a standalone. A bright, fun, summery read

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Penguin and Jo Thomas for ths ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I was asked to review this book by NetGalley. This is another beautifully written book by Jo Thomas set in such a beautiful location

Love, friendship, local food and wonderful setting

Recommended sunbed read

Another lovely book by Jo. One that tugs at the heartstrings and is heart warming. Lovely book. And I adore Provence so being back there even in book form was wonderful.

Great to be back in Provence with Del and her friends for another lovely story. As with the previous book this one is full of great characters that you care about and a good storyline so that you are disappointed when you have finished it and you have to leave them behind. Perfect light summer read

“Love In Provence” returns to the beautiful lavender fields of Provence where, once again we meet Del at harvest season – the busiest time of the year. As she looks forward to welcoming a new group of pickers from all over the world some bad news turns her world upside down.

Then Del’s partner Fabien is given the chance to rejoin his old band for one last tour – and Del wants him to seize the day. But is sending him away the right decision?

As the pickers arrive and the harvest gets underway, Del feels the mounting pressure of trying to keep everyone happy. Even her cooking – the thing she loves best – is suffering. Until the pickers, missing home and keen to find comfort through a home-cooked meal, share their recipes with her...and a supper club is born.

Jo has a knack for creating heartwarming stories where she transports her readers to the picturesque fields of lavender and quaint village markets, making the sights, sounds, and smells of Provence almost tangible.

"Love In Provence" is a heartwarming and enchanting read that offers a perfect blend of romance, adventure, and self-discovery. Jo Thomas’ ability to paint a vivid picture of Provence and create endearing characters makes this novel a joy to read. Whether you're a fan of romance or simply looking for a book to whisk you away to the French countryside, "Love In Provence" is a wonderful choice.

Without having read Escape to the French Farmhouse, I initially felt at a slight disadvantage but was soon comfortable amongst the wonderfully drawn characters. Jo Thomas writes incredibly compelling stories and I melted into the warm embrace of her writing.
Del is a particularly interesting protagonist, and I was moved by her struggle with her insecurities. The gentle reminders of the events in the previous books helped me clearly understand why she doubted her relationship with Fabien and why Henri’s was so precious to her. I certainly didn’t feel at a disadvantage and can happily recommend this book as a standalone story.
Fabien really caught my imagination, and I think I fell a little in love with him. His relationship with Del was filled with love and patience. Whilst not perfect, it was as close to perfection as any couple could hope for.
A character that I didn’t like was Henri’s son, Zacharie. His coldness was tangible and had me shivering at the very thought of him. Manipulation was clearly his driver, and it was difficult to read about his behaviour toward both Del and her friend, Rhi.
Lavender and food play major roles in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed imagining the fragrances of the cooking and the beautiful, purple-hued fields. Along with the lavender harvest, we meet a collection of characters who each have their own tales to tell, which, in turn, add to this gorgeous story.
I purposely read this book slowly because I wanted to savour everything about it, and I am so glad that I did. Jo Thomas has created a rather special village with a rich collection of characters who I hope to visit again, in the future.

Another wonderful story from one of my favourite authors Jo Thomas, she manages to spin beautiful vistas in your mind along with colourful characters and always a great plot. Highly recommend, loved it.

How wonderful to be back in Provence for a second time. I really enjoyed the first book in the series so was thrilled to find a follow-up. It could be read as a stand-alone as there are no assumptions that you know characters or previous storylines; however I’d recommend reading the first just because it is a great read.
Fully-formed and believable characters populate this book, with descriptions of the setting making the reader feel you can almost smell the lavender being harvested.
I did get a little frustrated with the main characters lack of communication, but I obviously understand it was needed for the plot-line, but my frustration was borne from knowing how good they were together in the first book & wanting it to continue in this.
A wonderful read, perfect for the summer.