There’s always a particular authenticity about the author’s characters, and in this lovely book she looks at the complexities of families with that perfect emotional touch that’s always such a strong feature of her writing. I really liked the relationship between Elodie and her grandmother Gabriella who brought her up – and I certainly shared Elodie’s excitement at the prospect of spending Christmas in Juan-les-Pins, the home town of Gabriella’s youth.

Their Airbnb accommodation proves to be better than they could have ever hoped for, their hosts happy to share their own Christmas celebrations and offer friendship and support – perhaps the only downside is the view of the dilapidated Hôtel Le Provençal where Gabriella once worked, and which holds bittersweet memories for her. And with everything in place for their own celebrations it slowly becomes clear that they might be joined at the dining table by an unwelcome third – the mother who abandoned Elodie, and who she has no desire to see again, although Gabriella is rather keener on repairing their fractured relationship. And that’s only one of the surprises in store – there are plenty more in Gabriella’s past, and their disentangling makes this a fascinating and emotionally engaging read.

There’s a lovely focus in this book on that special link between mothers and daughters – their various interactions are entirely real, the hurt feelings palpable, the effort needed on all sides to make things right again perfectly judged. The story’s secrets were well-handled and unexpected, memories that are sometimes less than comfortable, echoes from the past – and something else I really enjoyed was the introduction of some gentle romance for several of its characters, with age no barrier to the prospect of future happiness. The supporting cast is beautifully drawn too – I was particularly taken by the lovely Philippe, having always been rather attracted to a Jean-Paul Belmondo look-alike, and perhaps more my style than Gazz. And I really loved the setting – beautifully brought to life with walks and shopping expeditions, the daily outings for the breakfast croissants, the pavement cafes, and the socca I swear I could actually taste.

And is it Christmassy? Yes, it most definitely is – with a lovely French flavour, but not forgetting the tree and sparkling lights, and with the accompanying warmth of friendship and family. This really was the loveliest read, a gentle and emotional story beautifully told – everything I wanted it to be, and highly recommended, most definitely one to add to your Christmas romance reading list.

This is cute and fast read novel to uplift your Christmas spirit this December with the town showing its festive side. Gabrielle Jacques and her beloved 24 year old granddaughter Elodie plans to spend Christmas and celebrate Gabby's 70th birthday in Antibes Juan les Pins for the first time in forty years in France, the town she was born. Gabby thought it is better to talk to Elodie about both her past and future that would be easy if they were in France and as she was planning to leave her the inheritance to Elodie. Elodie was a journalist writing full time novels in her spare time and completed her media degree. Gabby was more of a surrogate mother to Elodie growing up in the same house in Devonshire, as her mother abandoned her and never promised to return. Elodie did not know that her grandmother was always there for her whenever she needed the support. As they reach France and make their stay comfortable at an Airbnb, Christmas fun was definitely in the air. Down by the harbor they stood on the Esplanade du Pres des Pecheurs, looking at the Christmas market.

As going back to the memory lane, it was hard for Gabby in her younger years to work in a casino and later at Hotel Le Provencal when she was growing up and even disowned by her family. Elodie is stunned has she learns her grandmother owned a villa No.5 in France which Gabby had inherited from her father leaving her with excitement too. Gabby also owned a property house on the Riviera in France. All this being kept as a secret away from Elodie as she was not old enough to uproot it. Gabby wants Elodie now to think about the villa and the house in France, decide what is the right thing to do, whether to rent or sell it.

Elodie becomes bitter and unforgiving to her mother Harriet who returns back to her and Gabby after many years of abandoning her. As Harriet confronts why she had to leave it becomes difficult for Elodie to accept her mother and come in terms with her. The ending is happy and expected one.

I just reviewed Christmas on the Riviera by Jennifer Bohnet. #ChristmasontheRiviera #NetGalley. Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher Boldwood Books for an advance copy for my honest review.

Publisher: Boldwood Books @booksandtonic
Publication Date:31st August 2022
Genre: General Fiction, Women's Fiction

Christmas in the Revina introduces us to Gabby and Elodie her granddaughter who she's raised from a young age.

She was abandoned by her mother she is 24 years later

A brilliant cosy read which is set over the festive period. At just over 200 pages this is a relatively quick novella to read. This is my first book by Jennifer Bohnet. A brilliant story of hope, love and family all make for a great read. Shows a lot about relationships.
#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #generalfiction #womensfiction #blogtour

I would like to start by thanking both Boldwood Books and NetGalley for allowing me access to this ebook.

“Christmas in the Riviera” brings us the story of 70 year old french Gabriella Jacques living in England with her granddaughter and wanting to go back home (to the French Riviera) for Christmas.

TW: parental abandon of child, talks of controlled relationships

The book is relatively small (under 200 pages) and overall super light and cute. I was living for the grandmother-granddaughter relationship, super unconventional but really showing relationships don’t have a guide, they can be what we made of them and this one is a true tribute to grandparents that have to raise their grandchildren, for whatever reason that happens.

I found this book a very comfort read, ideal for the winter months, although I felt the Christmas vibe was somehow lost. It may be a me problem, but I think the French Riviera screams summer, late nights and sun, not winter and Christmas, so I didn’t get the vibe I was expecting from it, but still recommend!

This review will also be available on my GoodReads profile and, early in December, on my Instagram account - @cat.literary.world

It's back to France I go, this time to Antibes (Juan-les-Pins) with grandmother Gabriella (Gabby) and granddaughter, Elodie Jacques.
Gabby has received a letter and now wants to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her hometown of Juan-les-Pins, a place she left (under a cloud) over 40 years ago.
Elodie has been raised by Gabby ever since he mother Harriet left the family some 20 years to remarry and settle in Australia. Elodie has long since given up on a relationship with her mother and sees Gabby as more than fulfilling that role. She is also stuck in a rut professionally, not achieving the goals she expected of herself, and as for romance... well, that's a non-starter too.
Consequently, spending the holidays in sunny France seems like the perfect solution; besides, she has always been curious about her grandmother's history, why she left France and never returned.

For Gabby, her hometown has changed a lot but there are glimpses of her former life that evoke plenty of memories for her, not all of them good. She also needs to reveal some news to Elodie, news that might drastically change her life and her future imminently and forever.

The setting, as expected, is glorious; the characters are real and their reactions relatable, but it is the secrets that Gabby has to share with Elodie that delight, allowing the reader to wonder how such news might affect them. The author takes us on a fantastic journey delving into Gabby's past and her reason for leaving France while also offering us a taste of how their lives might change in the weeks that follow. New friendships and loves leave us hoping for a happy ending, although we know there are obstacles yet to be overcome as a family reunion becomes part of the equation.

This is a relatively quick read but one that transports us to another life, Christmas in the sun, with new friends and hopes to inspire and encourage both Gabby and Elodie to take the next steps.
I'd like to think there will be a sequel featuring more about these characters and not forgetting the mystery of Collette's bicycle and the antiquities shop ;)

I was transported to the French Riviera, with all the magic and sparkle of Christmas. This is a book of romance, mystery, Christmas and New beginnings. It is beautifully written and a thoroughly enjoyable storyline.

A quick read, a light read, and not too heavy on Christmas celebrations, so all in all, I enjoyed it. My main frustration with this book was that it felt unfinished. I do wonder if a sequel is planned. Much much more needed fleshing out in terms of Elodie's relationship with her mother for example. Romance was hinted at in this story, but the focus was more on family relationships. I enjoyed learning about French Christmas traditions. I also enjoyed all the foodie elements. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I put me in the Christmas spirit from the very first page.

Good read. Great characters, enjoyed the setting, lots of side stories weaved into it and it flowed really well. A good read for a rubbish day. Will make you feel better!

This book is everything. A last minute holiday spent on the lush French Riviera. Fresh baked croissants in the morning. Pink champagne in the evening. Leisurely afternoon strolls along the Mediterranean. Mouthwatering shopping sprees in a delectable farmer's market. Old family wounds reconciled. New love interests ignited. A lifetime of hope rekindled. Jennifer Bohnet has written a Christmas present for the soul. Get your copy today!

Gabby booked a holiday in the French Riviera with her granddaughter over Christmas. She used to live in the area and enjoys looking round the area again. They manage to book a wonderful sounding apartment which has only just become available.
I loved everything about it- Gabby and Elodie planning a Christmas, being invited to a New Year party and Elodie organising her grandmothers 70th Birthday party. You felt like you were part of the tiniest of details- local shops, antique showrooms. local delis and cafes and meeting new people who become firm friends.
There is a wonderful element of family bonds, new friendships, warm romances alongside the feeling that you were visiting the French Riviera with them. They have surprise meetings, exploring local areas - a wonderful holiday with a hint of their lives about to change forever.

With a light, Christmassy feel, this book is ideal if you are not after gushings of festive spirit. It is a quick read and I think this makes it perfect for something you don’t want to commit too heavily to. However, in terms of plot itself, this wasn’t a favourite from Bohnet.

This is my third book from this writer and I was really confident I would enjoy this Christmas offering; the other reads have been so enjoyable in the past. Yet, this plot felt like something I had seen before, the characters too one-dimensional and the plot development too obvious. It felt like a step-down from Bohnet’s usual quality of writing, even though she typically depicts such wonderful stories set in France.

I really liked the juxtaposition established with the time of year and the setting. Despite imagining chilly winter days on the French Riviera, this doesn’t seem to exist and there is even descriptions of people swimming in the sea! It sounded like a relaxing place to spend Christmas and perfect for the two characters, Gabby and Elodie. But, it soon becomes clear that there is more to this Christmas visit than a get away for Gabby and her granddaughter. Over the novel, readers discover more about Gabby’s French past and her attachment to this particular area. As they become acquainted with the locals and their apartment hosts, it is evident that this trip is more than just a chance of a festive holiday.

Clues are often dropped about Gabby’s time in the area and I was really keen to learn more about her experience of working in the hotel, especially as it was frequented by the rich and famous. However, I thought this became glossed over by the writer and an opportunity lost for developing this subplot. In my opinion, the story would have been enriched by vivid flashbacks, living as Gabby as a young woman, witnessing the goings on in the hotel. Instead, these memories become condensed to mere paragraphs, meaning I did not get a true sense of the gravity of Gabby’s feelings, especially as she had not revealed everything to her granddaughter.

In the same sense, I found Elodie’s behaviour frustrating and like she was hanging on to her grandmother unnecessarily. I was hoping for a more of an independent woman and could not understand how immature she behaved in the novel. A bit like a petulant child, I wanted to see her grow up and be the adult she professes to be. It is only until she sees the chance to stay in France permanently as being an option does she start to act in a more endearing way, but only because Gabby seems to force some of this herself.

For me, it was the setting that made this book the most enjoyable. The derelict hotel was an opportunity to add more depth to the story and bring Gabby’s past to life. Instead, it all felt rather rushed with a need to reach the predictable conclusion. Overall, it was a rather safe, bland story that was too obvious to be a Christmas winner.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's about time too that Jennifer Bohnet finally wrote a Christmas book, and one set on the French Rivera was incredibly welcomed by me.

I loved Gabby and Elodie's story and how things seemed to change once they arrived in Antibes and it's surrounding area for a two week Christmas vacation.

For Gabby it was returning to her past, and it reawakened many memories and feelings in her.

For Elodie, it offers a chance to break out of her rut., and both of them soon make some wonderful friends.

Fans of the author will recognise the setting as it has been used before so instantly felt familiar to me and made me happy to see.

It's a story all about family and forgiveness, and I loved seeing the French Riviera all set up for Christmas, and also a few French traditions sneaking in too.

It's another truly fabulous book from my favourite author who features France frequently.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Gabriella (Gabby) suddenly decides she wants to return to the French Riviera where she was was brought up with her grand daughter Elodie to celebrate Christmas and her 70th birthday
Elodie believes they are just going on holiday but Gabby has a secrets that she needs to share with her
A lovely read

Another delightful Christmassy book by Jennifer. Seems strange reading this in the middle of summer, but it has been a refreshing and enjoyable read.

A lovely multi-generational festive read, full of atmosphere, emotion and possibilities as Gabriella returns to the French Riveria with her Granddaughter Elodie to face mistakes with the hope of reconciliation for the future.

The author evokes the festive season in this region of France in an immersively vibrant way. It's a sensory delight for the reader. The story is about forgiveness, hope and second chances, with solid friendships and conflicts. It's a heartwarming and poignant read that ends positively.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I closed my eyes and dreamt about spending Christmas on the Riviera after reading this book.
I could taste the food- smell the scent in the air- picture the location and feel all the emotion the author put into this book.
The story was filled with love, hope, family and looking back to see how the past made the things that happened in the future what they are.
The story felt so right and made everything fall together perfectly.
Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer Bohnet and Boldwood Books for the ARC of Christmas on the Riviera.

A lovely Christmas read to get you into the Christmas spirit. Would recommend to all romantic Christmas fans. Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read this.

Christmas on the Riviera by Jennifer Bohnet

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

As a toddler Elodie Jacques was abandoned by her mother and left in the care of her French grandmother, Gabriella in Dartmouth, Devon.

Now 24 years old, Elodie struggles to reconcile the deep anger for the mother she has never since seen.

When Gabriella unexpectedly announces she wants the two of them to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her home town of Juan-les-Pins in the South of France Elodie is thrilled.

Gabriella meanwhile has her own ulterior motives for wanting to return after 40 years, a daunting homecoming potentially filled with memories, secrets and recriminations.

With Juan-les-Pins pulsing with lights, decorations and the festive spirit, Christmas promises to be filled with fun. But when Elodie learns there is the possibility that her long absent mother may join them she hides her feelings behind a show of indifference and animosity.

Will there be the reconciliation that Gabriella longs for - or will the spirit of Christmas fail to work its wonder?

My Opinion

A nice, cosy read set over the festive period. At just over 200 pages this is a relatively quick novella to read. This is my first book by Jennifer Bohnet but I already have my next one lined up. A story of hope, love and family all make for a great read.

Rating: 4/5

I absolutely loved this so much that I never wanted it to end… addictive from start to finish and I didn't want to put it down.