Member Reviews
I loved this . Set in France in a magical bookshop that you wanted to visit . You have a cute little girl, the shocks and joys of family, a slow burn love story. Lots of great twists . I could not work how it would fall into place. I do like Gillian Harvey as a writer. A great plot. Read it
Londoner Adeline’s world falls apart when, after caring for her during a long illness, Adeline’s mother dies and family secrets are revealed. Adeline hastily decamps for France, with her five-year-old daughter in tow. There, she hopes to heal her heartbreak and reevaluate all she believed bout her life, while working in a bookshop in a tiny town in Provence.
This was a pleasant, heartwarming tale of finding family, friendship and love. The descriptions of the French town were enjoyable and the cast of characters who enter the bookstore to heal their own heartaches through a well-placed book choice was a nice twist. While I enjoyed the story set-up, the writing at times felt a bit flat. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for this escapist tale set in beautiful Provence.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.
In The Little Provence Book Shop, Gillian Harvey enchants readers with a heartwarming tale of new beginnings, self-discovery, and the unexpected magic found within the pages of a book. Adeline, a single mother seeking refuge from her tumultuous past, takes a leap of faith and relocates to a picturesque village in Provence with her daughter, Lili. It’s here that she hopes to reclaim her story and build a brighter future.
Harvey’s vivid prose brings the idyllic setting to life, making readers feel the warmth of the sun and the charm of the town as Adeline steps into a quaint bookstore unlike any other. The transformative power of literature is palpable, as the shop seems to hold the promise of new adventures and love. Through her interactions with the villagers, particularly the enigmatic Monique, the handsome André, and the affable Michel, Adeline begins to redefine her identity and open herself up to the possibilities of happiness.
This novel beautifully explores themes of belonging, resilience, and the search for a place to call home. Harvey expertly balances moments of introspection with delightful encounters that are both uplifting and poignant. As Adeline navigates her journey, readers are invited to consider whether true happiness is something to be found or created.
The Little Provence Book Shop is a delightful escape, perfect for those who believe in the power of new beginnings and the magic of community. If you’re looking for a feel-good read that will transport you to the sunny streets of Provence and inspire you to embrace life’s possibilities, this book is a must-add to your reading list
This book was a cute little story about finding family and love in a small French town.
Unfortunately the plot was all over the place. The pacing felt off, and important moments, such as the main character’s first date with the love interest, were skipped entirely.
There was some slight character development for the main character, but not much, and the story didn’t have a satisfying finish.
This could be a good read if you’re looking for a something that’s a quick read and pure fluff, but overall I don’t recommend it.
In The Little Provence Bookshop by Gillian Harvey, the story follows Adeline, a single mother who embarks on a journey from London to Provence, France, with her young daughter, Lilli. As Adeline navigates this new chapter of her life, she starts working at a charming, magical bookshop owned by an elderly woman. Through this experience, she begins to uncover the secrets of her past, including her untold birth story. With the help of the bookshop owner, Adeline learns more about her history and discovers new aspects of herself.
While the plot is engaging and has a magical touch, I felt the story occasionally lacked emotional depth. Some parts were predictable, and despite the strong presentation, there was an element of the narrative that didn't quite resonate on a deeper, more heartfelt level. Overall, it’s a lovely story, but it feels as if something essential is missing.
This was a nice, cozy story about a woman named Adeline finding herself again after discovering some things about her life that leave her with more questions than answers. The characters had a certain charm about them, set in a whimsical little French village, complete with a mysterious (or perhaps magical) bookshop.
I enjoyed Adeline's self-journey through this book. The story itself progressed very predictably, which is what I tend to expect with a cozy read. As much as I enjoyed Adeline's character herself, I was finding myself wanting to learn more about the others that come up frequently, wanting more details about them.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a cozy story, small towns, and books, and wants something easy and enjoyable to read. Especially in the between summer and fall seasons, it feels like the perfect setting for this story.
I was really excited about the idea of *The Little Provence Book Shop*. The setting in a small, charming French village with a cozy bookshop sounded perfect, and I was eager to dive into Adeline’s journey. But while the story had some sweet moments, it didn’t completely work for me.
The main storyline about adoption and searching for family had a lot of potential, and I was curious to see where it would lead. But I couldn’t quite connect with the characters the way I wanted to. Adeline and Monique’s interactions felt a bit stiff, and some of the dialogue just didn’t seem natural. Monique’s focus on fate, crystals, and healing people through books was an interesting touch, but it felt overdone after a while. I love the idea that the right book can help someone through tough times.
The romantic plot felt pretty flat as well. The French guys in the story were barely sketched out, and the romance didn’t add much depth.
What I did enjoy were the descriptions of Provence and the bookshop itself. I could almost picture the cobblestone streets and smell the old books. I also appreciated the reflections on the power of books to connect people, which really resonated with me. But overall, the pacing was slow, and some parts of the story dragged, especially when Adeline’s inner monologues took over.
In the end, *The Little Provence Book Shop* was a light and easy read, perfect for a lazy afternoon. I just wish it had a little more depth in the characters and a bit more spark in the romance. Still, it had some charming moments, and if you're looking for a book that blends a beautiful setting with themes of family and fate, it might just be for you.
As small town setting suckers, I was immediately interested after reading the synopsis. AND THIS BOOK IS NOT DISSAPOINTED ME!
This book is about Adeline who runaway to St. Vianne after knowing the truth about her family. There, she work for Monique in a small bookshop. And yess, her story begin....
This book is kind of slow paced, that's why if you're into fast-paced story, you'll find it boring. But, since I don't have problems with slow paced story, this book really suits me. It has heart-warming and peaceful vibes for small town, about how books can help somebody, about acceptation, family bonding, etc.
Somehow, this book reminds me with Welcome to The Hyungnam Bookshop and Door-to-Dooe Bookstore. If you like those 2 books, give this book a try!!!!
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwoods Publishing for the ARC!!! 😍
I love a bookshop novel and this was no different. Lovely setting made it even better. A tad predictable in places but when you’re on holiday you don’t want anything too challenging. Great summer read!
I have read this ARC with a view to providing a review
All opinions and thoughts are my own
A new author to me and the description sounded great
A fabulous read and spent a lovely few reading this
Loved it
Loved this book. The ending was predictable but the story to get there was great. I will be reading more by thud author
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story about family anr learning to love yourself. It was way to love and cheer for Adeline. Great writing and a great story!
Gillian Harvey is a master of writing relationships in all their many fascinating phases. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While it is referred to as a "summer read' or "getaway novel", which it certainly can be, it has more depth than many novels of that sort. The setting is beautifully described, transporting the reader to rural Provence. The characters are engaging and clearly defined. The plot is straightforward and well-executed. This is an excellent addition to Harvey's collection of books set in France.
What a lovely cover, an interesting title, and the blurb. Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. Mainly because I couldn't connect with the writing style and the characters.
Thank you for the copy. Sorry, I am not writing a proper review.
I loved the setting and characters in the book. I did think that the twist was rather predictable too early in the book.
Are you ready for an uplifting read centered around a book shop? Pick up The Little Provence Book Shop.
With thanks to netgalley and the author Gillian Harvey
I enjoyed the little Provence book shop, it was a fun read.
This was such a pure book about self discovery and family. I loved that the story slowly unfolded with slight hints throughout. Adeline’s relationship with her daughter is sweet and made me smile. This is one of those books you can pick up and just enjoy for its feel good simplicity. If you’re someone that is looking for a story that doesn’t revolve around romance, this is a good pick! The only reason I didn’t give it a 5 star rating is because some parts were a little too wordy and my ADHD brain would skim and get distracted.
3.5 ⭐️ This book was such a beautiful story about rediscovering yourself and finding where you belong. I found the story just a tad predictable at times, but I enjoyed it all the same. I also appreciated Gillian Harvey's descriptive way of writing St. Vianne. She really made me feel like I was stepping through the page into the village.
If you are looking for a cozy and quick read, I recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this eARC for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
I received a free copy of, The Little Provence Book Shop, by Gillian Harvey, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Adeline goes to France with her daughter Lili, after she finds out she is adopted, working at a magical bookstore in Provence, she learns so much. The book was a bit predictable but over all was a good read, I liked Adeline and her growth through out the book.