Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure, set at the beginning of what will become WWII, is classic Rhys Bowen—an ensemble cast led by a genuinely likeable, initially underestimated (even by herself) soon-to-be heroine. Finding herself suddenly unmoored from the respectable (and dull) Surrey life she expected to continue to the end of her days, she escapes for France on a lark (and in a commandeered Bentley), picking up, in effect, strays along the way, whether they deserve the benefit of the doubt or not. The stray collecting and accidental permanent alighting in a town on the South Coast of France are a little unbelievable, but so it goes. There she leads a highly unconventional life—including becoming an agent of the Resistance as the Nazi army intrudes on the little village. You will cheer her and the friends and family she acquires along the way as they demonstrate one small act of courage after another, experiencing some losses and betrayals along the way (all shocking when they come, even if predictable). But in general, people rise to the occasion and the book is an engaging, encouraging, but in no way preachy story about what individuals of integrity can do in the face of rising authoritarianism and its enablers.

Mr. Endicott comes home one day and tells Mrs. Endicott he would like a divorce. After devoting her adult life to her husband and their children, Ellie is blindsided and unsure of where to go next. Almost on a whim, she takes his Bentley and picks up two surprising companions. On a journey to a tourist area of France, the women end up in a small village with car trouble.

The village is actually the perfect place for the three women to settle down. The women enjoy the country life until word of the Nazi invasion reaches them. Wartime will challenge Ellie in ways she's never been challenged before.

Recommended for historical fiction readers.

Ellie Endicott has been replaced. Her husband has decided to marry a much younger woman despite the years of support she's given to help raise him socially.

Gobsmacked, she decides to take her husband's Bentley, her maid Mavis and an elderly spinster on a road trip to France. When the Bentley breaks down in a small fishing village, Ellie discovers that she feels at peace exactly where she is. Her motley family and friends support her and she puts down roots by renting an abandoned villa up in the hills. As she heals emotionally, she finds that maybe she's not too old start over again.

Finally WWII finally arrives in her village and she must make some decisions to protect herself and those with her. Although this account is a rather toned-down version of what happened during the war years, it makes it less traumatic for sensitive readers.

This was a light read that, despite the lack of deep character development I found enjoyable to the end.

Set before the beginning of World War II and then following the hard years if the war this very lighthearted and sweet novel will indeed be good for the soul. It tells the story of one woman taking her life back after after husband of thirty years suddenly wants a spur of the moment divorce. This novel gives off the vibe of the movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
Ellie Endicott has been married thirty years to her husband Lionel when he announces one morning that he has met someone else and wants a divorce. Instead of being heartbroken Ellie is relieved as she has realized she has lived a boring life all these years. Remembering the time her Aunt took her around Europe when she was a young girl Ellie decides that she wants to go to France and seeing that she has no responsibilities to take care of she decides it could be short eventually turning to a long term thing. She eventually persuades her friend Dora an older woman who is dying and her housekeeper Mavis who is trying to escape her abusive husband.
They manage to make it to France and from there it is an adventure. Along the way they meet a troubled young girl who is trying to escape a bad situation. They also encounter car troubles in which causes them to stop and have to rent a run down villa. However despite the situation they manage to grow some love for the place and fix it up and meet some wonderful people along the way.
However even though these ladies are in paradise they still realize that it doesn't fix all of life's problems. There is still the unavoidable facts of tragedy of loss and death. The war also brings some devastating losses as well. Overall this was a very good book.
I recieved an ARC copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own

I love Rhys Bowen's historical fiction novels. This one takes place in the South if France after Ellie's husband decided to do a runner. Wonderfully atmospheric, carefully plotted with a cast of characters aiquickly become invested in.

1938 England. When her husband suddenly asked her for a divorce, Ellie Endicott felt stranded. Where to go, what to do, she had no idea. That is until she was given some advice...she would show him!! Making up her mind to go to the South of France. Along with her maid and an elderly (crotchety) neighbor the 3 of them take off in her husband's Bentley. And an adventure it was, driving on the narrow, curved road in France (especially on the opposite side where English people drive), picking up a stray young (and pregnant) girl. The car breaks down in a small village, yet the ladies are welcomed. With war clouds gathering, what to do...do they stay or wait until the car is fixed and travel on? This was a lighthearted book, quite enjoyable. When I happened upon this novel and found the author was Rhys Bowen I quickly requested this story. I did not regret one page and would highly recommend this. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rhys Bowen consistently puts out great reads and I always look forward to the next. This book was such a wonderful story, and the characters made me so invented. Highly recommend!

Ellie Endicott’s husband wanted a divorce, so she took the car, her settlement and some friends and left England for a new life in the South of France. Thing are going splendidly until the Nazis come into their small village. Great story about friendship, courage, second chances and making a good life despite the circumstances.

Rhys Bowen takes us all on an adventure in “Mrs. Endicott”s Splendid Adventure” From 1938 until the end of WWII in Europe, we tag along with Ellie Endicott and all of her unlikely friends. We get to experience betrayal, compassion, acceptance, courage, and love. This was another enjoyable read from one of my favorite authors. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for approving my request.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

And what a splendid adventure it turns out to be!

When Ellies husband asks for a divorce, moving on to a younger replacement, she no longer wishes to stay local. She wants to find herself elsewhere.

Mavis, her maid, suggest she sees a solicitor so that her husband doesn't take advantage of her. In which Ellie does and comes out decently. Ellie asks Mavis to come with her as her friend not her maid. Mavis is in an abusive relationship in which Ellis is afraid he may kill her one day.

Dora, the town grump with very strict expectations, is on her small list of those Ellie needs to let know she's leaving. Dora doesn't react as she thought she would. Instead, with failing health and no family ties to hold her down, she joins in the trip!

Along the way they pick up a "stray", Yvette. Mavis never trust Yvette as more secrets and lies come from her.

We follow these 4 through their adventure that lands them in a small town. Ellie has a peaked interest in a ruined villa after several days in the small village. The ladies end up renting the ruin. Here we follow their stories. From love to loss. From happy times through the hard times of WW II.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I feel as if I can picture the small town and the villa clearly. A place I would love to visit!

Reading this book was like settling into a comfortable chair and losing yourself every time I opened the pages. Rhys Bowen transports one first to a tired marriage in England where Mrs Endicott is told in no uncertain terms, her husband wants a divorce. Left for a younger woman, Ellie Endicott pulls herself up by her shoelaces and begins an adventure that neither her nor her traveling companions would have imagined. I found myself rooting for Mrs Endicott and her friends in all the places she traveled and hoping she'd stay longer. This book expounds beautifully on how tiny fishing villages managed during the outbreak of WWII and the years that followed, with villagers befriending one another, depending on one another, working together. When a betrayal effects the entire village, Mrs. Endicott is forced to once again find her strength and carry on for those she's come to care about. Highly recommend this story. Thanks to Rhys Bowen for writing this, and to NetGalley for the ARC to enjoy and review.

What a delight! I thoroughly enjoyed MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE. The characters are supremely entertaining, and I was cheering for Ellie as she begins her second act in life after receiving a terrible shock from her husband. Her travel plans are fun, and the small town where the car breaks down is charming and full of surprises. I do wish the novel was slightly shorter; it didn't need to be quite this long. However, that is a minor complaint all things considered. Somehow this novel manages to be both hysterically funny and tragically sad. Rest assured, this is not your typical wartime story. Bowen keeps things fresh and new. The theme of life as an adventure is beautifully conveyed. Rhys Bowen continues to impress!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

What an absorbing, beautiful novel! I was completely absorbed in the story and the mystery..The characters felt so real, and it was wonderful to enjoy a story of wimwomen being brave and having an adventure that ended up helping not only themselves but many others. Fantastic! And definitely a splendid adventure!

after 30 years of marriage Ellie's husband wants a divorce. she gets her housekeeper Mavis, and her friend Dora, and they go on a road trip. the car breaks down in a small fishing village Saint Benet, Ellie rents a house and starts her second act.

Rhys Bowen is just an amazing storyteller. This book flowed so well and made you care about every character. I was honestly sad when it ended.

I loved this novel! It was an incredible story with enchanting characters. The setting was the best part, it takes you away to paradise! A must read for historical fiction fans! Rhys Bowen creates another amazing world to escape into.

Mrs. Ellie Endicott is a proper, British, middle-aged wife in the decade prior to WWII. Her pompous banker husband blithely informs at breakfast one morning that he wants a divorce. It seems he has fallen for a younger woman. After her initial shock and anger, Ellie thinks this may be the best thing that ever happened to her.
After the papers are signed Ellie embarks on a trip to the south of France with two unlikely companions. She had always longed to travel but her husband refused. So, she and her two friends abscond with the Endicott Bentley and ferry across the Channel to begin their adventurous road trip.
Eventually the Bentley breaks down and they are forced to remain in a small seaside town while it is being repaired.
What follows is the most atypical World War II story you will ever read.
It is funny, it is sad, it is romantic, tragic, joyous, simple and complex. It embodies the thrill of the open road of life. Living life is an adventure once you open yourself to all the possibilities.

Usually, I love Rhys Bowen, but this one fell short. I felt it was quite boring at times- maybe because i couldnt relate to it? Hoping the next book is better!

Set in 1938, this delightful and heartwarming story follows three brave women who take a leap of faith and embark on an adventure of a lifetime. After recovering from the shocking announcement that her husband of 30 years wants a divorce to marry his much younger girlfriend, Ellie Endicott stands firm in her demand for a fair settlement. Once those details are finalized, Ellie decides to take a trip, inviting her friend and housekeeper, Mavis, along with another elderly friend from church.
At the last moment, rather than taking a train, Ellie opts to drive the Bentley, leaving a note for her soon-to-be ex-husband. As they travel from England to the South of France, they pick up an unexpected passenger—a young pregnant woman who appears to be homeless. When car trouble forces them to stop in Saint Benet, a charming fishing village, their journey takes an unforeseen turn. Their stay is prolonged while they await car parts, and by the time the Bentley is up and running again, they have fully immersed themselves in the local culture, making a variety of new friends.
The women move into an abandoned villa with the agreement that they will clean and repair it rent-free for three months, after which they will begin paying rent. As they settle in, lifelong secrets come to light alongside new love interests, but they also face complications and hardships as the war intensifies, bringing Hitler’s men closer to their small village.
The loveable characters are relatable and come alive on the page. I found it difficult to put this book down.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.