Great book. I really enjoyed it and fully recommend it.
The bonds and affections are written beautifully.

Thanks #netgalley.

This is the fifth book I have now read by this author and I found it another lovely visit to The South of France.

Antibes is more like a welcome recurring character in Jennifer's books, rather than just a destination setting and it's always lovely to 'hear' from it again.

This story involves a set of friends all in their 50's , looking for a second chance or new/different experience in their life. There are a number of characters all at a particular crossroads in life and it was great to read of a story with all the main characters 50 plus in age.
In this new novel however, there are 5 different stories of people women looking for a new beginning and I felt that it slightly diluted my ability to really connect with anyone of the character's journey. Plus as there were so many they were all rounded off quiet quickly and without much difficulty at the end. I also felt that there wasn't much of a plot driven storyline in amongst the romance story, that the author has written so well before in previous books.

However, saying all that, this was still a pleasant read and as with all the others, pure escapism to sunnier times at this dreary time of year. I have been reading a fair number of thrillers lately and I always find these books a wonderful treat and delightful read.

In Villa of Second Chances, you follow the stories of several characters, all linked through their youth. The ties of friendship are strong and for many, it is a reunion to celebrate the re-marriage of Freya and Marcus. Rebecca and Delphine's wonderful villa is the setting and it truly sounds like an escapist dream. The South of France sounds glorious, especially in the early days of March when winter is still hanging on.

From the start, you sense that there are changes coming for most people. Either because they have been bereaved or rather are at a crossroads in their life, they all seem to enjoy the breathing space that the visit to the villa offers. The different story strands are skilfully woven together, with secrets which have been buried rearing their heads. I particularly enjoyed Rebecca's story and also was surprised by Clemmie's secret which I had not guessed. This is a lovely escapist read with a variety of characters and settings.

In short: Bask in the sun in the South of France
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Another beautiful book by Jennifer. Set on the Riviera, Villa Sesame is a dream wedding venue run by sisters Rebecca and Delphine. When Delphine decides to retire, Rebecca ponders whether she can continue on her own.

I really enjoyed this book. Rebecca and Delphine own and run Villa Sesame in France.

They have a booking for a wedding and the best man of the couple getting married turns out to be an old aquaintance of Rebecca. Old secrets threaten to be exposed and feelings are running high.

It was a good story, nice setting, and a lovely ending.

Jennifer is a new author for me and I’m so glad I found her. This book had everything you could want in a book and I devoured it in 2 days. This author is definitely on my list of ones to watch out for.

This is one of the most enjoyable books that I have read lately. There were a lot of characters to get used to at first but once I had worked out who was who & how they were connected, the story flowed easily and quickly with no unnecessary fluffing.
The description of Villa Sesame and the South of France and the pretty picture of Dartmouth that the author conjured up made you feel like you were having a holiday & were very relaxing.
An enjoyable, easy to read, feel good book.

Changes are coming at the Villa Sésame at Antibes on the French Riviera. Over the last twenty-five years, the sisters have turned it into the perfect wedding venue – Rebecca front-of-house and the supremely efficient organiser, Delphine creating the wonderful food. But Delphine – who’s recently lost the love of her life – has decided that it’s time to retire and do some of those things she’s never had time to do, and Rebecca’s not sure whether she can carry on without her.

But first, they must both turn their attention to the second time marriage of Freya and Marcus, and their friends and family who will be staying at the villa for the next week, and an intriguing cast of characters assembles. There are the two childhood friends who are to be bridesmaids – Clemmie in the early stages of a new relationship, Angela recently widowed and struggling with her grief and a secret that’s tearing her apart. And, as is often the case with weddings, there’s the family member that no-one really wanted to attend – scheming cousin Verity, whose presence will be uncomfortable for many – along with all the family members across the generations. But it’s perhaps best man Rufus who causes the most ripples – and gives Rebecca more to think about than the future of the villa as her past begins to catch up with her and force some difficult decisions.

I really enjoyed this one – with well-drawn characters of an age where they’ve lived a little, a nice layering of secrets and echoes from the past, interesting relationships unfolding in the present. The whole story is beautifully constructed – the introductions to all the characters and their back stories in the last week of May, the developments and relationships between them over the week of the wedding (with a few surprises and revelations along the way), then the sorting out of all the complications once the dust has settled and the wedding is over. At times, it’s primarily Rebecca’s story – but all the characters take their turn in the spotlight, every one of them with interesting depth and engagement. It’s a light read, but has the perfect emotional touch – and it all plays out against a background that’s quite beautifully drawn, where the villa almost becomes another character in the story.

Perfect escapism, an engaging and well told story, a few individuals I really took to my heart, well-drawn relationships and character development, convincing problems and satisfying solutions – and a read I’d thoroughly recommend.

Oh the weather outside is frightful…….but I have a Jennifer Bohnet book to take me to sunnier places with beautiful views and wonderful characters so I don’t actually care!
I think I am now at a point where I can tell Jennifer’s trademark style and content easily as there are certain things that I have come to expect from her books.
As always, we are whisked away to a stunning location, this time Antibes in the South of France and Dartmouth in Devon. Both locations were described so beautifully and vividly that I could build such a strong picture in my head and go there. It’s obvious that Jennifer has such a strong knowledge and passion for the places she writes about in her books. The villa itself sounds amazing and I love the idea of hiring a whole place for a wedding. It sounds perfect.
Another of my favourite things in Villa of Second Chances is how the main characters are a little older than most and this really makes for a interesting perspective and character development. For me, it is also more relatable (although I’m not quite the age of some characters). All the characters have a connection of some sort and some relationships are stronger than others. I particularly enjoyed the sister relationship and the uncertainty surrounding the future of Villa Sesame.
The chapters are short which makes this a good book for picking up during small intervals but I’d have found it difficult not to have devoured it in a few longer sittings. Each chapter is narrated from the perspective of a character so you get a stronger feel for each one and their personal perspective on things.
Villa of Second Chances is pure escapism. It’s a light read in gorgeous locations and explores multiple plots. It also explores a variety of different relationships and it goes so beyond a straightforward romance. There’s always plenty of drama with a little smidgin of tension too.
Highly recommended for a book to completely get yourself lost in.

The Villa of Second Chances is a heartwarming tale of new beginnings. I like that the female protagonists are older with a life full of experiences. Freya and Marcus hold their second marriage at the Villa, owned and run by two sisters, Rebecca and Delphine. It is a time of change for the sisters. Freya's two childhood friends from Dartmouth are attending the wedding, one newly bereaved.

Long-held grudges and secrets and the renewal of old acquaintances make this an absorbing story full of poignant moments. Believable characters have unexpected connections that reveal themselves as the story progresses, making it a satisfying read.

The settings are vibrant and add to the story's uplifting quality.

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

It would be fair to say most of my reading is done at the end of the day, and very quickly, this became one of those books that saw me keen to dash off early to bed for some extra reading time, and then be reluctant to put it down and turn off the light.

Villa Sesame’s owners, Delphine and Rebecca, might have known tough times in their personal lives, but they have dedicated their working lives to creating the perfect setting for weddings, doing all they can to ensure everything goes to plan on the day. As we join in the celebrations for Marcus and Freya’s slightly unusual late-in-life wedding, change is afoot for both Delphine and Rebecca, as well as the guests.

It was easy to picture the villa and its location near Antibes on the French Riviera. Luxurious but intimate, great food, a relaxed atmosphere and not forgetting a little healing magic too. This book is also packed with engaging characters whose intricately woven stories had me hooked. I loved getting to know Marcus, Freya and their guests - best friends for many years, Angela, Clemmie, Rufus and Hugo. The beginning of the book gives us just enough of their back stories and what had brought them to the villa for this special week of celebrations, I couldn’t wait to see where it would take them. There was love, heartbreak, jealousy, grief and guilt, but also time to heal and discover new paths for the future.

There is nothing quite as refreshing or heart-warming as happy stories of late-life new beginnings, as well as will-they-won’t-they intrigue.

The world is an unhappy place at the moment, but this book gave me a much-needed escape that lifted my spirits and made me smile.

Jennifer Bohnet has done it again, The Villa of Second Chances would be the perfect book to add to your summer 2022 reading list.

Sisters, Delphine and Rebecca, have run the Villa Sésame for twenty five years and have turned the once neglected estate into one of the most fashionable wedding venues in the South of France. When Freya and Marcus invite an intimate group of friends and family to share in their second marriage to each other it opens up a whole range of emotions not just for the guests at the wedding but also for Rebecca and Delphine who are considering important changes for Villa Sésame.

Everyone gathered at the wedding of Freya and Marcus have the perfect reason to take a second chance, all are of a certain age, in their mid-fifties, and each are carrying some sort of regret, of secrets hidden, friendships lost, and sadness unexplored. I liked how each individual character brought something different to the story and whilst some are more likeable than others, they each have an important decision to make about their lives, going forward.

I've now read several books by this talented author and I am always delighted to be given a wonderful story in a glorious romantic setting with relatable and authentic characters. The warmth of the sunshine and sparkling nature of the French Riviera combined with the wonderfully comfortable Villa Sésame is just the most perfect escape for a dull, grey day. Filled with an abundance of sunshine, friendship and warmth the Villa of Second Chances is a lovely story about being brave enough to take a second chance at life and of helping your friends in the process.

Another lovely book by this author in a gorgeous setting. Lots of great characters with their own stories and told in a nice gentle pace from various points of view. Pure escapism in this dreary weather whisking you away to the sunny South of France making it a perfect beach read

The heroines of the stories written by Jennifer Bohnet are generally older than the average heroine, but as a woman in my 50s I love reading about women a similar age to me.

This story, Villa of Second Chances is a story about love, loss and second chances. In addition to the owners of the villa, sisters Rebecca and Delphine, who are both in need of second chances, there are second chances all around, as many of the attendees at the wedding being hosted at the villa are in need of a few second chances too.

I loved the locations in the story, Dartmouth in Devon, and Antibes in the south of France. The villa sounded so idyllic and the descriptions of the locations were so evocative I could picture it beautifully.

I appreciated that some of the second chances in the story did not relate to romance/romantic partners, but in relation to the need to expand horizons, or repair fractured relationships with friends or relatives. It felt so real and authentic given how relationships and life in general can easily hit stumbling blocks in real life.

Jennifer Bohnet is firmly one of my ‘go to’ authors because of her immensely relatable characters, and captivating stories.

Villa of Second Chances by Jennifer Bohnet was an escapist delight of a story about family, friendship, love, loss and the second chances that arise when you least expect them.

Villa Sesame is a wedding venue on the French Riviera run by two sisters Rebecca and Delphine…imagine an azure blue swimming pool, gorgeous terraces, and the chirping of the cicadas of a balmy evening and you’re halfway there!

Freya and Marcus have rekindled their love and are getting married to each other…again and decide to have their wedding at Villa Sesame, gathering their friends and family to share their special day.

However behind the scenes at the villa Delphine has announced to her sister that she wants to retire and travel, however Rebecca doesn’t know where life is going to take her especially when Rufus turns up at the villa as a guest at the wedding.

Jennifer writes books that are completely relatable even if they are set in exotic locations that you may never get to visit – but we can all dream though can’t we?

I am a similar age to most of the characters so it was refreshing to read about people in their 50s falling in love and getting a second chance at things it was completely endearing.

I absolutely love Jennifer’s writing style, when you flick through the first pages of her books you know that she has bought you an airline ticket to a gorgeous, sunny location, where she will then introduce you to new friends and feed you with plenty of food and wine! You will never want to leave!

This is a lovely easygoing read set in a gorgeous location in the South of France. As the title suggests, the characters are hoping for a second chance and a new start in life.
There are a lot of characters to follow, who all narrate their own stories. It did get a little confusing at times to remember who was who. I liked the fact that the characters were mostly older though, as it makes a nice change.
This was a nice heartwarming read and I enjoyed reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for my ARC.

I adore Jennifer Bohnet's books: they are so genteel and grown up, and I love that her main characters are often older, with a wealth of life experiences behind them.

The setting of this latest novel of hers is pure escapism and absolutely beautiful. Second chances describes the storyline perfectly, I thought and I simply fell in love with the characters, the villa, the romance...

Everybody loves a good second chance story and even more so, if it is set in lovely South of France...
This was my first book by this talented author, but it won't be the last.

It was very easy to imagine gorgeous Villa Sesame, run by sisters Delphine and Rebecca, an exotic venue for elegant, intimate weddings. But life doesn't stand still and big changes are coming to this sun-soaked, romantic place...Delphine has lost her beloved husband Andre and now would like to do what she had promised him: to retire and enjoy her life and that would mean becoming a sleeping partner in their successful business. A big wedding is coming up and with the couple's guests, friends and family, each with their own story. The stories intertwine and create new second chances at life.

What I loved the most about this book is that the characters belong to a more mature category which is underrepresented in romance. Readers will appreciate the realistic way the author portrays life challenges and dilemmas the characters face. There are secrets and past mistakes, regrets and caution, born out of life experience. There's also foregiveness and hope.

A heartwarming read with interesting characters and a lovely setting.

I liked this story, but I felt it lacked tension. There was a little, but things sorted themselves out easily. For me also, there were too many narrators. Each time a new chapter began, I had to try and remember which character was which. All the loose ends were tied up neatly, and I enjoyed the scenic descriptions. I didn't buy into Rebecca and Rufus's romance though. I couldn't believe that after one weekend together, then 25 years apart, they were in love with each other. I also think there would have been ways for them to find each other. Rebecca could also have just not got on the boat. It wasn't credible for me, and even when they were reunited there wasn't any grand passion. It was refreshing to read a book were the main characters were all 50+, and the story of the 2 sisters, as well as the group of old friends, was a nice one. Lots of plus points, but lacking in emotion and conflict for me.

Great book. I felt myself whisked away to the South of France with the descriptions given throughout the book.

Perfect summer/beach reading and one I wasn't able to put down.

There are a lot of characters in this book however once I got going it was easy enough to continue with.

I will definitely try some more Jennifer Bohnet books.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.