Gillian Harvey is fast becoming one of my must-read authors because her protagonists are always so relatable,
This time, we have Emma, a middle-aged woman, married to Mark, a man a little older than her. they take a step to change their lives by buying a chateau in France to 'do up', with the hope of creating business opportunities with a venue for weddings and events and living a more relaxed lifestyle once all the renovations are done.
However, it's unlikely to ever be so easy, especially when there are renovations to do, little spare cash, an overenthusiastic husband with limited capabilities, the language barrier as well and trying to start a family.
An unfortunate accident leaves Mark unable to work on the property and feeling like they should just give up, and Emma goes from feeling despondent to turning around her way of thinking.
I like that this was not a 'fluffy' book. Harvey has dealt with real issues, here, from that feeling of insecurity when you move locations, all the anxieties about being somewhere where you don't really understand anyone, learning to build your independence, the stresses these changes can put upon a marriage, as well as the threat of infertility as age creeps up on you.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and loved the character development of Emma.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

3* Not really what I was expecting, not so much humor, more introspective and focused on anxiety and selfcare.

The careless tone of the blurb made me think this was a funny book even with the promised drama. Instead we get a more insightful story, where Emma struggles with her anxiety and fears about failure, about a pregnancy that doesn't come.
I thought her and Mark difficulties would be compensated with banter, humoristic scenes or other, there was little of that, they are quite the opposite of each other and where one is led by caution and pessimism the other is quite optimistic and careless.
But life doesn't go how you expect her and while Mark is away after and accident Emma finally has to take the future in her hands and find the courage to take control and find solutions.

I liked some of it, the resolution to change your own life, the self discover, but didn't engage with some other things happening. While I get that for Emma to flourish Mark had to be away I was still looking for some romance.
I also felt sometimes the drama could be a trigger for someone, as it really permeates the story.
So I have to say it is a 3 stars for me, nice but nothing more.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this book as an Arc in exchange of an honest review.

I like to watch tv shows where people are followed who start a new live abroad. This book is like that. Slow paced, just like the shows a lot of problems, new friends and settling in. A nice read, a little dragging forward could have been quicker but a nice ending!

It is a beautifully written book with lovely descriptions of the French countryside. I enjoyed the story and would certainly read more by this author—many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. I loved the French setting, the beautiful descriptions and the warmth of the characters. It would make a perfect holiday read for anyone off to France, but it was equally good on my own sofa in drizzly Britain! I’ll definitely be looking out for Gillian Harvey’s next book.

Who wouldn’t want to live in a chateau in France? These people are living my dream life, well with a few mishaps along the way. I giggled away at the hilarious mistranslation that occurred in the hospital and really felt for Emma learning to survive by herself, in a foreign place with all of her anxieties. A perfect book for anyone who has a dream….Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review. I will definitely be looking up more books by this author.

I enjoyed the second half of the book. It was joyful and productive. The evolution of the unattractively helpless female took too long. Condense the beginning and you have a fine book.

I am not sure what I expected from this book, maybe a humorous account of ex-pats renovating a chateau and their interactions with the quirky locals, but it was not.
The story revolved around Emma, a rather self involved woman and her much older husband, Mark. They sell everything and move to France where Mark breaks his leg and Emma finally has to be truly self reliant since he can not do everything for her. I found it hard to believe that a women in her thirties can not even figure out basic DIY projects but has all the time in the world to solely focus on trying to have a baby.
I did enjoy it well enough but it could of been better.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a book about hopes, dreams and possibilities. It’s about perseverance and not giving up. The writing is great. I was left feeling good after reading this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

A slightly odd story, based around a couple who buy a Chateau to renovate. I enjoyed parts but there were stretches where I just wanted to shake Emma. Still a fun story overall.