Falling for Provence by Alison Roberts, this was a new author for me and I really enjoyed this book. When three sisters inherit and old home in France, Ellie and Laura go to view the home and decide how to best sell the home. Ellie has been in a depression after losing her son, and not in a very good mind frame. Having said that she fell in love with the house, and decided to stay an do most of the renovations to make it worth selling. Little by little Ellie comes more and more out of the shell and opens up to the world around her. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and the publisher Boldwood Books, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Booklovers, get ready to armchair travel to Provence. Alison Roberts' romantic escape read provides romance, stunning scenery and a town filled with charismatic characters that you'll want to learn French to converse with them.

Laura and Ellie Gilchrist inherit a house in Provence and upon first sight, Ellie felt a stirring that she locked away after her baby's death. The floral elements of the house filled with hope that bloomed throughout her stay. As Ellie made the house hospitable, she attracted her neighbor Julian's attention. Both fighting demons from their pasts, they were afraid of being hurt,

As Julian's son, Theo worms his way into her heart and a loveable rescue dog perked up Ellie's passion for life, she begins to feel that Provence is her home. While there for a short stint, the changes she's making in the home, mirror her own growth. Will she be able to leave at the end of her summer adventure or has Provence's scenic setting stirred thoughts of staying? .

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early addition of #FallingforProvence in exchange for an honest review. Stories come into your life for a reason and this one afforded armchair traveling while job searching. My last international trip included the French countryside so this was a welcomed return. Readers will fall in love with Ellie's story and embrace her adventurous spirit.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: Nice… has some loose ends (first in the series)

When the Gilchrist sisters inherit an old house in Provence, it allows Ellie to focus on something other than her grief. The old stone house and its messy garden ignite a tiny spark she thought she had lost forever.
When Ellie meets her neighbor, Julien, it is not a meet-cute moment but still sends out some sparks. However, both of them are dealing with a sad past and are wary about letting another person into their lives. Julien cannot risk his three-year-old son, Theo, facing another disappointment.
But Provence has something else in store for them. After all, it’s a place to hope for a brighter future.
The story comes in Ellie and Julien’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
Firstly, why is this not marked as a series? It is important! I thought the book had a lot of loose ends and was sloppily handled only to realize that it is the first in a new series, that too by chance! So, I’m rounding up the rating (since it is not the author’s fault).
The plot development stays true to the genre but manages to throw in a couple of twists. Of course, I didn’t take this hoping for an intricate plot.
For me, the setting is the focus. The book scores well in this aspect. The beauty of Provence comes alive on the pages without distracting from the plot. Ellie’s artistic talent (painting), her gradual growth, and the beauty of the setting blend seamlessly.
The dual POV, though we get fewer scenes from the MMC, makes it easy to see his thought process and feelings. I liked how much he loved his little son (even if the kiddo doesn’t get a lot of space due to valid reasons).
Animal lovers will be delighted to find two donkeys and a cute doggy in this one. They have names too!
If I had known earlier about the series part, I’d have gone in prepared for the family track to stay in the background without resolution. Since I didn’t, I was annoyed to see the book end with many unanswered questions. At least now I know these are likely to be answered in the next two books (Ellie has two sisters – Laura and Fiona).
Quite a few elements are convenient and happen easily but that’s expected of the genre, so I didn’t mind. However, the aspects about grief, loss, moving on, second chances, etc., are done well (check TW at the end). At the same time, the writing is not so heavy that it feels overwhelming again and again but does enough to make you feel something.

To summarize, Falling for Provence is a steady-paced and touching story about loss, hope, and finding love (and inspiration) in a beautiful location.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This is the enchanting & captivating story of Ellie and her trip to Provence, where her unknown Uncle had lived. Ellie and her two sisters, Laura and Fiona, inherit La Maisonette on his death. Ellie decides to spend her summer renovating the property. There is much to do; and as she lovingly restores the house back to life, she rediscovers herself. She adopts a little dog, who helps her feel again. She’d known such terrible loss, and she finds someone who can identify with her. Her neighbour & his son Theo turn her life around. This is a wonderfully touching story. There’s beautiful descriptions throughout of La Maisonette, the villages, mountains and countryside. Thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommend. One of the best romance novels I’ve read

Alison Roberts’ book offers an enjoyable and heartwarming escape, with characters that feel both realistic and relatable. The story begins with the three Gilchrist sisters, Laura, Fiona, and Ellie, who inherit an old stone house in Provence after the death of their estranged uncle. The plot follows Ellie and Laura as they travel to Provence to inspect the house, which, though beautiful, has been neglected for many years.

Laura, the practical estate agent, immediately sees the potential in the property and decides to invest in renovations, hoping to sell it at a good price. Ellie, still grieving the loss of her baby boy, agrees to stay behind and oversee the work. For Ellie, the house in Provence offers more than just a project—it becomes a refuge, a place to heal and possibly rediscover herself.

The setting of Provence is beautifully woven into the narrative, and the author’s descriptive writing makes the reader feel as though they are walking through the French countryside, with the sun on their face and the scent of lavender in the air. As Ellie slowly picks up the French language and builds a sense of belonging, her healing journey becomes all the more palpable.

One of the highlights of the story is Ellie’s growing connection with her neighbour, Julien, and his son, Theo. Julien, a kind and caring doctor, is still dealing with his own grief after the betrayal and sudden loss of Theo’s mother. His relationship with his son is portrayed with warmth and tenderness, creating heartwarming moments throughout the story. Julien is a genuinely likeable character, and his chemistry with Ellie adds a sweet layer of romance that feels organic and well-paced. Their encounters, including an impromptu trip to the vet after Ellie’s accident with a stray dog, feel natural and unforced.

While the book has many charming elements, it does start slowly. The initial chapters take time to introduce the characters and plot, and the pacing may feel sluggish for some readers. However, once the story finds its rhythm, it becomes much more engaging, with unexpected twists that tug at the heartstrings. There are moments that evoke real emotion, from grief to joy, and the slower pace allows for reflection on the characters' deeper emotional journeys.
Adding to the cozy feel of the book are the animals that become part of Ellie’s life in Provence: the stray dog she temporarily adopts and names Pascal, the donkeys Coquelicot and Marguerite, and her trusty red bicycle—elements that enhance the small-town charm of the story. These details, alongside Roberts' ability to handle delicate themes like loss and recovery with sensitivity, give the novel a dreamy yet grounded atmosphere.

In summary, this novel is perfect for readers who enjoy small-town, single-dad romances with themes of personal healing. While the story takes time to build momentum, it rewards patient readers with heartfelt moments and charming characters. The cozy French setting, combined with the slow-blooming romance between Ellie and Julien, makes this a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance. A solid four-star read for anyone looking for a gentle, uplifting escape into the French countryside.

What a delightful read, I really enjoyed this book. Not your usual romcom or romance. It was a delight to get to know the characters and to discover their back stories.
Enjoy - I certainly did

It took me a while to read this book, I felt it wasn’t face paced enough for me but, it was a great story when it got going. I’m glad I didn’t give up on it.

Dreamy, cosy and heartwarming, Falling for Provence by Alison Roberts tells a story about a woman who goes to France to fix up a house she inherited and meets her new neighbour and his son.

Summary: Eleanor "Ellie" Gilchrist comes to Provence to fix up an old stone house "La Maisonette" that she inherited from an uncle she never knew she had. There, she meets her new neighbour, Julien Rousseau, and his son Theo. The two are hesitant about acting on their feelings for each other as they spend time together.

Tropes/Genres:
• small town
• neighbours
• single father
• contemporary romance
• set in Provence, France

Review: This book is so nice! The characters are so lovely and realistic. It's so nice to see how they grow throughout the story and learn to love bravely again. The writing feels so gentle and dreamy, creating such a nice cosy vibe while touching on delicate topics and balancing them with a dash of humour.

Ellie is such a sweet character. I just wanted to best for her, honestly. She has been through a lot. It was cute to see her pick up French and start to feel a sense of belonging in France the more time she spent there. I love the way she couldn't help but care for Julien's son, Theo. She's such a compassionate person that one can't help but love her.

Julien is such a nice guy and an amazing dad. He will do anything to protect Theo. Their father-son bond is so heartwarming to see. His backstory is honestly so sad, but it made him who he is today. He's a doctor, and he doesn't hesitate to help anyone in need.

I just think that Ellie and Julian are good for each other, and they have a cosy chemistry. The other characters in this book, such as Ellie's sisters, are also likeable. Here's a special shoutout to Coquelicot and Marguerite, her donkeys! I also absolutely love Pascal, the stray dog that the two of them saved.

Overall, this is such a nice and cosy book for romance readers. I definitely recommend it to those who want to read a small-town single-dad romance set in France! The characters are so lovely, and the story is so heartwarming. This is certainly worth a read.

P.S. I want to eat socca now.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the read.

Second chances in a picturesque setting🌄🍋🍷

4.5🌟 stars
I find it hard to believe many would not fall in love with Provence, the quaint villages and rural landscape, after reading Alison Roberts' descriptions in Falling for Provence. The serenity, healthy living and chance for healing offered to Scottish Ellie when she spends the summer fixing up the long-vacant cottage she and her sisters inherited seems pretty idyllic, especially those chances to sip wine on the terrace and watch a beautiful sunset either alone or with her handsome widower neighbor Julien. It's got a good, second chance romance, a cutie three-year old, some engaging donkeys and a stray dog that quickly worms his way into Ellie's heart.

I really liked the author's writing style which made it a fairly quick, easy read with plenty of emotional content and a good, gradual transformation for Ellie and Julien.

I felt there was a bit of something missing at the end regarding how Julien obtained a unique and meaningful piece of art, maybe in an effort to finish off the story quickly, but otherwise Falling for Provence was a really satisfying read.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

An easy summer read from Alison Roberts. Following Ellie and her two sisters as they inherit a property in Provence. A bit predictable but still lovely. Thanks to Alison and her publisher for the advanced copy. Thanks to NetGalley

This book was just okay for me. I liked getting to know the characters better as the story progressed, but ultimately I could see where it was going and I just wanted it to end. The author does a very good job at setting the scene and making the reader feel as if she were there.

I received this ARC from the publisher for my honest opinion.

Ellie Gilchrist and her two sisters inherit a dilapidated stone house in Provence from an uncle they never knew. Ellie travels there with one sister and decides to stay to renovate the property, hoping to escape her grief. She meets her neighbor, Julien, a grieving doctor, and his son, Theo, and their initial encounter is tense. After Ellie has an accident and a stray dog is injured, Julien helps her, and she decides to care for the dog temporarily. As Ellie works on the house, she begins to connect with the local surroundings and people, including Julien, and experiences emotional healing and renewal. The book is about new beginnings and rediscovering joy in life.

Having spent a summer in France as a teenager, I am a sucker for any book that makes use of this beautiful setting. Luckily the writing and storyline were also engaging, to go with the gorgeous landscape,

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

I loved this story set in France. very good characters, and the setting was beautiful. I enjoyed the book very much..

I really enjoyed this novel set in beautiful France, the characters were warm, the setting wonderful and the author transported me to sunnier climes. Would recommend a little bit of escapism..

"Falling for Provence" is a delightful escape filled with warmth, charm, and the promise of new beginnings. Alison Roberts’ portrayal of the stunning Provençal landscape serves as the perfect backdrop for Ellie’s journey of self-discovery. I was instantly drawn into the story, feeling the lushness of the lavender fields and the quaintness of small-town life.

Ellie is a relatable protagonist whose struggles resonate deeply, and I found it inspiring to follow her as she navigates her grief while opening herself up to the possibility of love again. The dynamic between her and Julien is beautifully crafted; their chemistry is palpable, and I loved watching their relationship blossom amidst the challenges they each face.

Roberts has a talent for creating a cozy atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re part of the story. The addition of the sweet stray dog adds a lovely touch that enhances the theme of finding warmth and love in unexpected places.

I wholeheartedly recommend "Falling for Provence" to anyone seeking a touching, romantic read that celebrates love, healing, and the magic of starting over. It’s a perfect choice for those who want to be swept away to a sun-kissed landscape where hope blossoms anew. This novel left me with a smile and a longing for my own French adventure!

Very slow and rather predictable, (if I’m honest it was more of a 2.5 stars) it was the lovely descriptions of France that kept me engaged.

I was expecting more depth to the story and imagined that there was some foreshadowing of a great revelation that the mysterious artist was a relative but no.

An easy read that didn’t require a thought or analysis.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood for this ARC.

Wonderful romance set in beautiful scenery. Ellie stays in Provence to renovate a house left to herself and siblings. A relief from grief, and a way to move on. Friendship with neighbour Julien develops....... Perfect summer reading.

Falling for Provence beautifully transports readers to the South of France, where Ellie Gilchrist, grappling with deep personal loss, inherits a rundown house. The vivid descriptions of Provence create a strong sense of place, making Ellie’s journey of healing and the restoration of the house deeply moving.

While the romance between Ellie and her neighbour Julien is predictable, it’s heartwarming and authentic. The story really drew me in, making it a wonderfully engaging, quick read - perfect for the summer! Overall a memorable story about healing, love, loss, and new beginnings. Perfect for anyone looking for a heartfelt escape.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy for review.

I really enjoyed this book. A setting waiting to be brought to life and someone who was hurting so badly she needed a change of scenery. This delightful story was a joy from start to finish and I found myself so immersed in the characters I didn’t want the story to end. Glorious.