I am in serious danger of repeating myself in this and future reviews for any book I read by Lucy Coleman or Linn B.Halton. How many times can I say I absolutely love Lucy/Linn’s books! If you’ve visited my blog or social media pages recently, you will know I reviewed A Springtime to Remember and loved it. Well, guess what? I loved Summer in Provence too!

I read Summer in Provence before we all had to stay at home and I was captivated for hours. If I picked it up now, I would be so grateful to Lucy Coleman for transporting me to Provence and helping me escape the current situation for a few hours.  This book gave me hope and warmed my heart.

I like the storyline for Summer in Provence. Fern and Aiden have been together since their late teens and married for seven years. When they win some money on the lottery, Aiden has an itch he needs to scratch: to backpack around the world and discover more about himself…alone. He suggests to Fern that they both take a year out of work and use the time to each do their own thing. So, Aiden goes around the world and Fern goes to Château du Verdon, a retreat in Provence. The story then follows Fern on her year at the retreat and the people she mets. She goes on quite a journey of self discovery. There is a real sense of community at the retreat. Each person has their own reasons for needing the escape and the solace the retreat provides, including Fern.

Summer in Provence has some good messages about finding yourself, taking a step back to reflect, and discovering what it is you truly want in life.

I instantly connected with Fern, as I do with all Lucy’s female protagonists. I really cared about her from the first page. For me, a writer possesses a great skill to provoke this reaction in a reader. 

There is no question that Lucy Coleman knows how to tell a story and to draw her reader in from the beginning. She always goes much deeper than I am expecting and knows how to pull on my heart strings. Summer in Provence is no exception.

Thank you to Lucy Coleman for writing such beautiful stories that I devour in hours.

A lottery win, a marriage gap year, a retreat in Provence. Lucy Coleman writes captivating stories with gorgeous settings. When Fern and Aiden win the lottery you’d think this would be a happy event but... Fern and Aden have very different ideas about what they want to do with this money, and this leads to them confronting how different their dreams are. Aidan wants to travel the world and Fern is afraid of flying. This leads to Aiden proposing a marriage gap year where they both follow their individual dreams. Fern decides to go along even though she’s not crazy about the idea. Always wanting to pursue her artistic side Fern decides to volunteer at a art retreat in a Château in Provence.

Loved the setting of this gorgeous retreat. Also loved all the characters at the Château especially brooding artist Nico. I also really liked Fern’s siblings Owen and Hannah and was confused why her parents were so distant (although that does make sense later in the book). Fern was a great character and I really loved her growth throughout the book. It was fun seeing her realize her artistic talents and learn to relax a little. Nico what is a compelling character and I really liked the friendship that formed between Fern and him. This was one of those books where I wasn’t quite sure what direction it was going to take, and I was a little worried. But I did not need to worry because The story really went in the perfect direction. Wasn’t necessarily the direction I was thinking it would go in but I think it was lovely. A beautiful feel good heartwarming story with the perfect ending and even some bonus content.

This book in emojis 🖌 🎨 🧑🏼‍🎨 🌍 🇫🇷

*** Big thank you to Boldwood Books for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

Please can I move to Provence and begin a life of relaxation at The Haven? This book is so idyllic and perfect to just submerge into during all the chaos going on in the world at the moment. I couldn't have picked up a more perfect book to read at this time.

Fern and Aiden have won the lottery but that doesn't mean that life is perfect. It's anything but for Fern when husband Aiden asks to spend a year apart travelling and discovering themselves. Fern is anything but overjoyed at this new revelation but sets her sights on painting in Provence, when really it's the last thing she wants to do. She is used to spending her life worrying about all of her family and trying to be the glue fixing everyone's problems with no regard for her own.

When Fern agrees to allow Aiden to have a year away from their normal lives, she couldn't have anticipated how different their lives would become. Aiden decides to travel and volunteer for charities whereas Fern volunteers at a retreat. From the moment her car pulls up to the chateau, you know that this story is going to be fantastic.

Lucy Coleman is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. Her romance books are second to none with stunning scenery, loveable characters and gripping plots. She seems to have a way of making you feel as though you've been transported into her book and you're right there experiencing it all with the characters.

A wonderfully tranquil story that deserves nothing less than five stars.

This review will also be added to my blog on 29/03/20 www.booksandbookends.wordpress.com

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher this was just what the doctor ordered in the difficult times we are experiencing, if you want a bit of escapism this is the book for you.

A well written, engrossing and entertaining read with more depth than the average rom-com
I liked the characters, the vivid and lovely setting and the plot that flows.
A good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I enjoyed this book! It is a beautiful escapist romance that starts really light and ends up being pretty deep. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it even made me shed a few tears! Although the plot is not convoluted, the character development is really well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Well done, Ms. Coleman!

Another absolutely gorgeous setting ✅
Another absolutely fantastic plot ✅
Lucy Coleman is such a talented author, she never fails to grip my attention and fully suck me into her gorgeous stories.
This one had me hooked, I was able to switch off and escape to a beautiful setting. I devoured this book in just one sitting.
The characters in this book are extremely likeable and I have enjoyed getting to know them and feeling as though I have been right there with them.
I am definitely a huge fan of this author and this is another magical story which is highly deserving of five stars.

It's that time of year when we've had our fill of chilly mornings, interminable grey days and rain which seems like it will never stop; what's needed more than anything is an injection of sunshine and warmth - and that is exactly what this novel brings.

Fern and Aiden are a young, hard-working professional couple; when they have an unexpected cash injection Fern hopes they can bring forward their plans to start a family. Aiden, however, sees it as an opportunity to spread his wings and travel the world. And so begins their year apart, each pursuing their own interests before getting back together again and continuing on with their lives . . .

I wasn't quite sure how this was going to work - but work it did. As we follow Fern to Provence, we begin to understand how much she misses her husband, parents and siblings and just how much they each mean to her. In some ways, a year is no time at all whilst in others it's an eternity; her year unfolds at different paces but what clearly shines through is that it's her year. I found this a very comfortable and soothing read; the author really does full justice to the scenic area of Provence, creating a fabulous group of really appealing characters, each with their own history. I can't say I expected where it went - I didn't really expect anything at all, happy to just go with the flow. A novel really worth reading from a writer who understands her characters and lets the story lead the way. I was happy with how it 'ended' - the final bits, wrapping up each character's future, was a nice idea but, for me, unnecessary. A memorable read, and one I'm very happy to give 4.5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy and to Rachel's Random Resources for my spot in this tour. This is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

Summer in Provence shows us the beauty and tragic pain related to relationships.

The story is tad lengthy but something good to sink into on a holiday for some hope and upliftment.

There are a few twists and turns in this story but the ending is fairly predictable from quite early on. Nevertheless the characters are generally quite well rounded and the location in Provence is lovingly described. At times I found Fern to be annoyingly proficient at everything and to have too good an understanding of people for someone who is relatively young. A feelgood summer read.

Heaven in a book. This was a pure joy to read. It was very well written. Gorgeous sunny location always makes you feel better. Wishing it was me there instead.

IF you don't read this and not want to go to the Haven Retreat, then I don't know what book you've read! Even though the woman in the novel goes because of a pending divorce, it's a lovely relaxing time.

The retreat is there for people to paint, draw and just enjoy the scenery which they do. The time she spends there is lovely to experience too but there is a sad reason which threads through the whole novel. Imagine your husband going one way and you the other - literally! What a situation to be in!

But then there's Nico the painter and the Haven family.

A nice gentle as well as thought-provoking read to Provence!

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you won a million dollars? Would you put it in savings, take a trip or buy something you always dreamed about? In SUMMER IN PROVENCE, the couple decides to drop out of their regular life for a year, and do something they always wanted to do. The only problem is, their dreams aren't the same. The couple go in opposite directions to follow their dreams. While Aiden dreams of traveling the world, Fern goes to an art retreat to volunteer. The characters she meets are well written and so real, that it is easy to get involved in her adventure. Fern's growth as a person and artist adds so much to the story. What happens when the time comes to go back to their real life? I was surprised by that answer myself. This is the first novel by Lucy Coleman that I have read. I found it enjoyable and very entertaining. Special thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

What a lovely book. This is my first novel by this author and it won’t be my last.⠀
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I really enjoyed this story and was dubious about how it would all end for Aiden and Fern as they took their sabbatical from their marriage.⠀
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The writing is lovely, and quite honestly, I want to move to Provence if it is as beautiful as it sounds in this book. I felt as if I’d escaped to this gorgeous retreat and I didn’t want it to end.⠀
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The ending is magnificent, and I love how we saw little snippets of what each character was up to now, it was like watching a real life documentary.⠀
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All in all a lovely book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 from me

This author excels at description, giving you a strong sense of place.

It's an interesting premise, taking a gap year effectively from your marriage. Fern didn't want to, but ultimately wanted her husband to be happy. I didn't take to Aiden. I thought he was immature at nearly 30, but he married fresh from uni so maybe that's the reason. I liked Fern, but I thought some of her introspection was melodramatic at times. I couldn't believe how clingy she was in terms of her family, but when you learnt about the death of her sister it became more understandable. I loved her unfolding art journey and I loved everything about the retreat/haven in Provence. All of the characters there, including Nico, were likeable.

I knew what I wanted to happen at the end, and Lucy didn't disappoint. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Summer in Provence set in a stunning location at a retreat where Fern finds herself after her husband has decided he would like a year's sabbatical from their marriage.

I loved reading about Fern as she discovered herself without being the other half of Aiden and learnt to slow down and stop worrying about everyone else and look after herself.

The concept of the retreat really appealed to me as sometimes we all need to switch off and move away from the norm for a few days to give ourselves some quality uninterrupted time. Set in a gorgeous location with lots of time spent outdoors, your once again treated to some stunning views and descriptions from Lucy Coleman.

She is quickly becoming a goto author for me as her destinations are stunning and the descriptions are vivid and colourful and so easy to visualise.

I loved reading this book and am excited to see what she releases next as her books just whisk me off and provide some gorgeous away time from the real world.

I enjoyed this novel a lot. Very well written and spellbinding, with an engaging cast of characters. Highly recommended.

Another good book by Lucy.
The story of Fern and Aidan. They both decide, to take a gap year in their marriage as Aidan wants to do other things, he feels the life he’s living is not enough. They both go in different directions, Aidan on a trip to Australia along the way stopping at other countries and Fern - France.
They both begin to realise that although they are happy together, they were leading lives having hidden what they loved doing. Fern throws herself into the life she’s going to be living for a year, helping others, painting, which she used to love doing.
They stay in touch with each other, given the time difference.
But unbeknown to them both, they head home earlier than the year is up, Twists and turns - Fern learns what’s been happening with her family and Aidan reveals what he’s done.
Recommend it.

Some books stay with you after you finish reading and for me this was one of those books. I really liked how we find out at the end what happened in the lives of the supporting characters.

Aiden and Fern have been married seven years when they win some money in the lottery. Aiden wants to use some of the money to go travelling, a gap year that he never had. Fern doesn't like travelling, she is more the family anchor, the one who worries about everyone else and who everyone in her family lean on. However, she reluctantly agrees and while Aiden goes off on his travels Fern goes as a volunteer at The Haven, a chateau in Provence that offers not only a retreat but lessons in different skills. While enjoying being part of the chateau family Fern rediscovers her love of painting with Nico as her mentor.

The description of the chateau, the people. The grounds and the surrounding countryside is so cleverly done that it is easy to picture the beauty of Provence and enjoy the different characters that make up The Haven family.

Once Fern leaves Provence and goes back to what she hopes is her old life, I felt a bit cheated as this seemed a bit rushed. However, Lucy Coleman is an excellent storyteller and this book is well worth a read.

This book was ok little bit slow to begin with and then you just plod along, i wasn't keen on the end little bit rushed for my taste.