Lucie is in a bad place - divorced, stuck in a boring job and paying off a credit card debt that her ex-husband Miles left in her name for his hair plugs.

To make matters worse, her father is terminally ill and dirsnt have much time left, she has fallen out with her pregnant daughter Zoe after she expressed concerns about her relationship with boyfriend Rafi and she has just received am invite to Miles' wedding in France...

Lucie decides she is not going tonthrnwedding as Miles.jusy wants to show off his younger influencer wife . However, when the trains are cancelled and Zoe struggles to find a flight Lucie agrees to drive her, along with her neurodivergent cousin Devi.

The premis of this story sounds depressing but it is actually light-hearted and feel-good. A fun light read. I really enjoyed Carmen's writing style and hope we get to hear more from the characters in future books!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

We meet Lucie who is still dealing with the after affects of her divorce to Miles. The divorce didn’t exactly leave her flush, in fact, it left her with a lot of debt due to all the bad decisions he made.

Then, she receives an invite to his forthcoming wedding in France. Her Dad is very ill as well as that her daughter is just a short time away from giving birth. So going to France to attend a wedding isn’t exactly doable.

But, even though she has no intention of going, the decision is changed when she has to drive her daughter and her nephew to the wedding as there’s been a change in their mode of transport.

The journey isn’t straightforward and has some funny moments as well as some emotional times as well.

Does Lucie reach the venue on time and will she stay to attend the wedding herself?

I recommend this book

It took me a good few chapters to get into this one, but once I had I was hooked! I really enjoyed the twisting plot and found myself cheering for certain characters. It was a really comforting read and I’d definitely recommend you check it out!

Lucie Marshal was stuck in second gear, but a trip to France, to take her grown up daughter Zoe and her nephew Deva, to her ex-husband's wedding changed that. She is no longer stuck in second gear, and is having the time of her life. When she heads back home, she had a choice, go back to second gear or continue on with who she found in France. You will enjoy the book so I hope you read it and find out what happens.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

I have enjoyed Carmen Reid's previous books and this one also didn't disappoint. An unexpected but enjoyable road trip with ups and downs for a mum and her daughter and nephew.

Stuck in Second Gear is the tenth Carmen Reid book I’ve reviewed. It has a catchy title like so many of her books.

I really liked Lucie. Dava was interesting and I loved how we learned so much about Chanel through him. He was so committed to his knowledge about her. Chanel is someone I admire too. I have some of her perfumes, as well as a lipstick by her. I have a DVD about her life. Dava’s passion has inspired me to search for a book about her life and to know as much as I can about her.

Zoe was likeable but I felt sad for her and Rafi. I felt very annoyed with Rafi about his attitude towards her and lack of commitment towards and their unborn baby girl. I, like Zoe, was frustrated that he wasn’t there with her.

The road trip was so fun and realistic given the characters’ personalities.

Stuck in Second Gear is more than a road trip, it’s more like a voyage of self discovery. I really liked Lucie’s father and how positive he was in spite of being elderly and needing care. I loved how much love and respect he showed Lucie and Zoe. It was heartwarming to witness how he allowed them to use his Jaguar to drive to France instead of Lucie’s car.

I felt Pete and Fikru’s subplot was harrowing yet heartwarming.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I finished the book in a day. Everything about it is perfect, the characters, plot and pacing.

5 stars but it deserves more.

I have enjoyed Carmen Reid’s books for a long time. Strong female character, usually disillusioned from a failed relationship and how they turn their life around. Stuck in Second gear is written with her usual trope and fans will not be disappointed

This was a brilliant story. I loved it . Even the sad bits were readable . Loved how the main character changed through the book. Her x was a piece of work. You got why he did it . Loved her father won’t say any more . The Channel part and her nephew was sad, happy and a good ending. You have to read it. All the clothes mentioned were good. Just a good happy relaxing read.

Lucy is divorced, broke, and dealing with family issues. The story would’ve been better if it had just the mother daughter relationship. The obsessive coco Chanel references were a bit much. Overall it was a good story. Thanks NetGalley for an ARC.

I received a free copy of, Stuck in Second Gear, by Carmen Reid, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Lucie's life has not turned out like she expected it to. She is divorced, unhappy, not a lot of money, a pregnant daughter, and her ex husband getting married in France. Her daughter, and nephew wants her to drive them to France for the wedding. This book was a little silly, but nice.

I did not enjoy this book. It could have been soo much better especially when part of it is set in France. I found the character Deve very annoying especially when he kept going on about Coco Channel. I think had the write kept it as a mother daughter trip it would have been soo much better.
I would not recommend this book.
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

Lucie is single, divorced, repaying debts for her ex husband, has a sick father and a difficult relationship with her daughter. Against her better judgement, she embarks on a journey across France to take her daughter to the wedding of her father, Lucie’s ex, and a crazy adventure begins. A heartwarming story, interesting characters, a touch of romance and some humour too…..loved it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book , read it in two sessions over the weekend. Great characters, well written , good realistic storylines, touches on issues which are very much current but with sensitivity . A good all round read and highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

Aw I absolutely loved this book. Prob my favourite Carmen Reid book so far.

Lucie is still reeling from her divorce to Miles....the same divorce that left her in debt due to his bad financial choices....when she gets an invite to his next wedding in a chateau in France. With her dad terminally ill and her daughter heavily pregnant, a wedding in France is definitely not on the cards......however, life has a different plan and she ends up driving her daughter and her adult nephew to the wedding.
The journey is a challenge but written to include the hilarious highs of the journey and the emotional lows as well.
Will Lucie survive the journey and the wedding and what will look like after it all???

Brilliantly written book...,,,,loved it !!

Emotional battered by divorce, losing the family home, your business and downsizing.
Feeling the financial pain of paying off your ex debts whilst facing the terminal illness of your beloved dad.
A wedding invitation to the ex's wedding in France a train strike, heavily pregnant daughter and Coco Chanel obsessed nephew becomes a road trip.
Learning about yourself and family dynamics. Putting yourself at the centre of things and being true to you. All cliché but true.
Enjoy the trip and the honesty

Lucie reluctantly agrees to take her daughter and nephew to her ex-husbands wedding in France, in her father's old Jag. what could go wrong?

What a great quick read!
It's fun and heartfelt with great characters and a feel-good story about family & creating a fulfilling life after divorce.

This was the first book I read by Carmen Reid but it won't be my last.

Thank you NetGalley, Carmen Reid and the publisher for the e-arc.

Such a fun and honest five-star read. I know some people will get all bent at the Chanel references and feel like it’s a little over done, but I loved it, it really showed me the type of character that Deva was, and added a whole slew of character definition to a character that could have easily been glossed over. I loved how the author got to know everyone, and dealt with the loss of Dad, you will get swept up on the journey and love going on a trip that shouldn’t be happening. Don’t miss this great story as the writing is so good, it will sweep you up.

This book was so much fun. It was just what I needed after reading too many dark mysteries. Lucie was a great character and I felt I could really relate to her. She is still dealing with the aftermath of her divorce and now has to deal with her ex husband getting remarried. But then her daughter Zoe calls and asks for a ride to the wedding for not just for herself but Lucie’s nephew Deva who added so much fun to this novel. The things that happen on this road trip is so funny and at the same time so heartwarming. What a great fun read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
4.5 fun stars!