It's hard to put my finger on why I didn't love this book. I have enjoyed Rhys Bowen's writing before, and the idea was really good, but in the second half of the book, it was hard for me to connect with the characters like I did in the first half. I am not big on setting, and maybe it was because once the main characters arrived in Saint-Benet, it seemed there was a huge focus on setting. I get it. The place was gorgeous, definitely somewhere I'd love to visit, myself; but there was a disconnect between me and the characters from that point on. I feel as if the writing itself was more surface-level, more telling than showing. I wanted more dialogue, more conversations in which the characters expressed their dreams, longing, fears, etc.

Semi-Spoiler Alert
Once the main female character developed an actual romantic relationship with another character, I expected to see more intimate conversations between them. Not "sexy talk" (I don't read what I consider R-rated books) but something deeper and more meaningful than what was there. To sum it up, I wanted more depth.

Five stars for the idea, three stars for the execution, four stars for the outcome.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC.
This is such a lovely book, uplifting, if sad at times, but featuring lovely female characters on an adventure, driving from England to France after their lives have become untenable.
When the car breaks down in a small village on the coast of France they end up staying there, eventually renovating a small chateau.
Then WWII irrevocably changes life as they know it,but there's a happy ending after heartache.
I had tears in my eyes a few times, but loved the read immensely!

I have read all of Rhys Bowen's books and love the characters, history and the pace of the stories. This one did not disappoint and I'm sure will be the hit of the summer.

This was the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be the last. A fantastic read and it’s great characters! I loved it!

I loved this book! Really liked the characters.
I devoured the book. Got drawn into it quickly. I was in need of a light hearted uncomplicated read, and this was just what I needed. Although the twists at the end were heartbreaking. If you’re in need of something uplifting this is perfect.

Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure. The most important thing to know about Rys Bowen’s splendid story is that once you start reading you will not want to stop. Ellie Endicott is blindsided when her long time husband asks for a divorce. A trip to France sounded like a wonderful idea as a way to regain her life. War with Germany seemed far away when Ellie and her two, then three traveling companions settled in a small peaceful French fishing village, but war did arrive. This book is a compelling mix of friendship, new beginnings, war resistance, loss, love and recognition. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

A lovely story. History, a sense of place, a women’s sense of identity and a little romance, all the tapestry of a lovely story that kept me reading. I hope I’m as brave and up for adventure as Ellie if the occasion arises.

What a lovely, wonderful book. Ellie’s husband comes home one day demanding a divorce for a new younger girlfriend. Instead of quietly slinking away Elle decides to visit the south of France again, along with two others, her housekeeper Mavis, and a well to do older village woman, Dora. Taking her husband’s Bentley they break down in a little fishing village on the Mediterranean and decide to stay, creating a new life for themselves. New friends, new experiences, new challenges, and they blossom as life is once again open to possibilities. All is wonderful until the war comes and they live through it the best they can. A story of new beginnings, challenges, love, heartache, and inner growth. Life can still begin anew when you’re in your fifties.

Three and a half stars.

Its 1938 and Ellie Endicott is shocked when her pernickety husband Lionel asks for a divorce to marry his pregnant (much) younger girlfriend who is expecting a baby. Refusing to roll over and obey his every command the way she has throughout their marriage, Ellie forces him into a decent financial settlement and decides its time to live a little. Lionel never wanted to go abroad, too many foreigners, so Ellie decides to go to the South of France. Much to her surprise, she has company, the caustic spinster who makes everyone's life a misery with her strictures about ironing the church altar cloth who has been given only months to live by her doctor, and Ellie's cleaner Mavis whose husband is a little too free with his fists after a few beers. In a fit of bravado, Ellie decides to take Lionel's beloved Bentley.

En route the ladies pick up Yvette, a young Frenchwoman who was thrown out by her father when he discovered she was pregnant. Initially the travelling companions are a motley crew, but gradually the ice thaws, until the Bentley breaks down in a small fishing village outside Marseilles called Saint Benet. After a few days in Saint Benet the ladies decide to make it home, especially when Ellie finds an abandoned villa on the cliff top which rumour says was given to a famous opera singer by her aristocratic lover.

But their idyllic life is soon to be overtaken by events on the world stage.

I've seen books by Rhys Bowen many times but this is my first read. I did enjoy it, but I felt it glossed over the war years in soft focus, everything was a bit like skimming stones on a pond, not much detail and the cursed insta-love. I enjoyed, and I think it would make a wonderful Sunday evening mini-series, but it could easily have been set without WW2.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for the opportunity to read Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen.

I am actively seeking out books of a gentle nature right now and this one certainly falls into this category! Delightful. Mrs.Endicott and her friends were the perfect distraction - charming and smart and the best sort of company.

But also a little sad.

I'd like more, please.

Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure is a brilliant read and I could not put it down as I was so determined to find out what happened next. How does Rhys Bowen weave together so much history, sense of place and social challenges with women’s identity and a little romance? I am amazed. Highly recommend.

What a charming book. Ellie Endicott sits at the breakfast table one morning and is told by her husband that he wants a divorce. He has found a younger woman. Ellie decides not to be a doormat any longer, talks to a lawyer, and is able to negotiate a generous settlement. She decides to travel to the south of France where she has visited at a young age. Coming along with her is Mavis, her housekeeper leaving and abusive husband, and Doris, an elderly woman who lived in the village. Off they go, and what an adventure they have! It is the beginning of WW2 and they settle in a charming fishing village not far from Marseille. A great story about finding yourself and happiness!

Rhys Bowen drew me in to this story so smoothly that I didn't realize I hadn't moved a muscle in over two hours once I began reading. How many of us would love to think we would be as brave and as adventurous and still remain as kind as Ellie? I was thoroughly pleased and content when I finished the book. All in one day, which is not my norm. But there it is. I have not been to the French coast but I certainly could see it and smell the lovely seaside village. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

This novel is a perfect blend of historical fiction, adventure, and romance—and may be the best stand-alone that Rhys Bowen has written! If you are a fan of Bowen’s “Royal Spyness” series and waiting for the next installment, this is the ideal book to read while you wait. Set in 1938, starting in England and then moving to the coast of France, this is the story of a woman who suddenly finds herself starting a new and unexpected life. I loved Ellie Endicott’s spirt and this book is delightful, despite the grim reality of the WWII years and other challenges that Ellie and the people in her life face. I enjoyed it greatly and can’t wait to recommend it to others. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.