I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were so relatable and the story was great fun with some sadness at times. I would thoroughly recommend.

Really enjoyed reading this book! One that I couldn’t put down once I started. Definitely will be on the look out for more from this author.

Thank you!

This was a sweet and touching story about the power of love, giving yourself grace, and the magic of second chances and being yourself.
This is a great fit for fans of Remarkably Bright Creatures, but European with autism representation. Completely different stories, but the heartwarming feels the same 💗

Reluctant Road Trip..
Reluctant road trip to France turns uproarious and unexpected in this humour laden jaunt featuring a cast of eccentric, eclectic and larger than life characters. Her ex husbands wedding is not Lucie’s idea of a good time, certainly no holiday, but when circumstances conspire what on earth can she do? Amusing, heartwarming and uplifting in equal measure - a solid escapist read.

Lucy was divorced from Miles and they had a daughter named Zoe. Miles left Lucy in a bind owing quite a bit of money after divorce and now he is getting married. Miles and his new bride Jacasta to be is having a destination wedding at a very expensive venue. Zoe wants to go to her Dad’s wedding but she is very pregnant so her mom says she will drive her there. Then Lucile’s nephew Deva wants to ride with them because he is obsessed with Coco Channel and he wants to visit places of interest to her. Lucid was going to rent a room and just enjoy herself and not attend her ex-husband’s new marriage but she ended up going. One of the funniest things is when Lucie does something to the wedding cake. I laughed so hard I was literally crying.

I received this ARC from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A road trip, romance, divorce, grief and a lesson in Neuro diversity and Chanel. I love the story over all and the many characters. some parts were a little far fetched (the main character is absolutely skint but her father who she has a fabulous relationship with is very wealthy and the channel crossing with refugees) but a lovely easy read.

Lucie reluctantly drives her daughter and her nephew to the wedding of her ex-husband. The road trip turns out to be a very good thing for all the passengers.
I loved reading this book! It has so many likable characters and the story was completely uplifting. I felt for Lucie from the start and wished for her to have a happy ending. But I also absolutely liked Deva's character.
A very entertaining book that I will definitely recommend to friends!

Another great fun totally relatable read from Carmen! Full of middle life angst, reality and a sprinkling of frivolity!
Absolutely raced through this book as I became more and more invested in Lucie and how she rediscovered her true self after being divorced, crippled with debt and living a dreary life as a newly divorced middle aged woman!
The metamorphosis into a vibrant, fulfilled, solvent woman who was ready to live and love again was remarkable!
A wonderful road trip in her dads old car, accompanied by her daughter and nephew through France to her ex husbands wedding was the catalyst for that change aided and abetted by her passengers, the wonderful scenery, and an old flame!
A great read that will keep you entranced from start to finish
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

Lucie is not inclined to travel to the south of France to the weeding of her ex-husband but somehow she ends up driving there in her dying father's jaguar with her very pregnant daughter, neuro-diverse nephew and a lot of emotional baggage. This is light and fun reading with occasional darker undertones and a positive and optimistic ending. I loved it.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed and I will definitely be working my way through her previous novels.
Lucie’s ex husband Miles is getting married to a younger woman in France while Lucie has been saddled with all his debt.
After certain events occur she ends up driving her daughter and eccentric nephew in her dying father’s prized Jag. What follows is an eventful drive to France and an even more eventful wedding.
An excellent read full of fun, laughter,heartbreak and romance.
Thanks to NetGalley, Carmen Reid and Boldwood Books foe an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review,

"Stuck in Second Gear" is a glorious, funny and endearing story of a road-trip through France which proves to be the adventure of a lifetime. As Lucie chauffeurs her daughter and nephew in her father's old Jaguar she re-discovers her younger self and her old joie de vivre. Carmen Reid has given us a book about friendships, family, love and looking out for others. If only everyone had half as much compassion as Lucie.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

This was a super quick and easy read. My first by this author but definitely will not be my last.
A great story about family and creating a new life after divorce and losing a loved one.
Lucie’s daughter can’t get to her fathers wedding in France due to a train strike, so against her better judgment, Lucie sets off to drive her daughter and her nephew to his wedding in France, and an adventure awaits them all. While on the trip, her nephew Deva, talks her into a side trip to see the birthplace of his idol, Chanel, and we get a bit of history through his character. We also meet some refugees in a side storyline which really added an element of depth to the story that I didn’t even know I wanted.
Overall this was a fun, feel good read and I enjoyed the ride.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Lucie was once married, ran a successful business and lived an extravagant lifestyle until her husband's debts caused them to lose everything, including their marriage. Lucie is now divorced, has a mediocre job and is in debt. She is a sad reflection of who she once was.

Stuck in Second Gear is about Lucie rediscovering herself and regaining that spring she once had in her step.

There were some storylines that were far-fetched (the Channel crossing), but overall, this proved to be a refreshing read.

A journey of a lifetime begins with a single step. For Lucie, it is a journey to her ex husband's wedding. Traveling through France with her very pregnant daughter and her neurodiverse nephew, things get exciting. The journey has bumps and bruises as it continues bringing new emotions and life changing decisions. A thoroughly engaging novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lucie can't understand how she went from the perfect life with a great job, husband and lovely house to having nothing, divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy. Then she finds out her ex-husband is getting married i9n France with a huge wedding to someone a lot younger than her and she's been invited to the wedding. Her daughter Zoe and nephew Deva persuade her that she needs to take them and so starts and adventure for them all

Well, this was riveting! Truthfully, I couldn’t put it down. I love books with this kind of pace. Great book and congrats. I’m sure many more will enjoy it as well. I loved it . . . stayed up late to finish it!

What a wonderful book! This isn’t an author I’ve come across before and will definitely be reading the rest of her novels. This one gave me lots of interesting back stories of Coco Chanel that I was totally unaware of. There were excellent researched storylines of autism, death, grief and travelling by car through France to Perpignan all subjects I’m well acquainted with and made the story even more realistic. There were some lovely funny moments, lots of heartfelt incidents and a couple of unlikely bits that made you realise it was a novel and not real life. Simply glorious!

Thank you Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Lucie's life has been spiraling out of control since her divorce. She went from being happy to being broke. When she learns, her ex is getting married, she is surprised. I liked this book.

I love this story so much! It has wonderful characters, who immediately went straight to my heart. I really enjoy books that have characters of various ages, especially if they include an elderly main character. I am thrilled to say this story has a lovely older gentleman.

The majority of the story is an unexpected and unplanned trip filled with self discovery and a chance to explore relationships. It was a joy to go along on this journey.

I absolutely adore this book and wish I had better skills to convey why! It just touched me so deeply. I know I will be reading this book again, which is a huge compliment, since I rarely re-read books. I look forward to future books by this author, Carmen Reid who has become a favorite of mine.

A sincere thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

I have only recently been introduced to this authors books not sure why I missed them out on them for so long n I love how they write about topics which are r engaging and relatable and also how within the serious topics and storyline there is undertones of humour and real laugh out loud moments.

This was an emotional yet heartwarming read which covered some serious topics in a very sensitive way.

I would love a sequel to this book to see how the characters lives progress.