Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

Fiona is leaving her past behind in Scotland and going to France so that she can be with her family.

She was only intending to stay a short period of time, but, being back with her family, she didn’t feel like leaving.

Fiona decided to inform her sister of what happened with her and let them take care of her.

There was a mystery of a paining that was solved, which brought back memories for all the family.

I loved the setting as well as the characters and animals.

It was a story of second chances, love and finding yourself after something bad happens.

I highly recommend this book.

Fi suddenly finds herself jobless and unsure what to do next. She then remembers the little cabin that was left to her and her sisters and heads to France.
Christophe is devoted to his job as a vet and sworn off women. A chance meeting has him offering Fi a job.
This was a nice story. It does touch on some sensitive life issues. It makes for a nice beach read.

4.5 stars rounded up

The Magic of Provence by Alison Roberts weaved its magic on me because I loved it! It is a contemporary fiction/romance that pulls at the heartstrings and evokes a setting that the reader does not want to leave.

I found Fiona Gilchrist to be an instantly relatable character. This book became very emotional for me as she worked through the past trauma that is revealed throughout the book with the help of her family, some precocious donkeys, and a very charming French veterinarian. Even though the book got very heavy at times, the author was adept at pacing and not allowing the reader to stay in the difficult moments for too long. I found myself laughing and crying and back to smiling within the span of a chapter or two.

I would have liked for this book to be a bit longer because I didn't want to let the characters go. Some of the tensions between characters could have been explored more fully. This may happen in the previous books, so I may not have had the full context. I was happy to find out that while this book stands on its own, it is part of a series. I can go and read the other two and hope for a subsequent book.

This is exactly the right kind of book for me: relatable, well-written characters, emotional exploration of family dynamics, difficult topics written with care, and cute animals for good measure.

Thank you very much to Boldwood Books and the author for providing a digital early copy of this book via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is the third in Alison’s Provence series following the lives of the Gilchrist girls and I’ve loved each one . This one tells us Fiona’s story , the sadness, the guilt that she holds close , but slowly Provence, the donkeys , the people and her family , works its magic .
Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended,

This is a very sweet romance with enough family drama to keep it interesting. Fiona has lots of demons in her past so she is not interested in relationships. Christopher is not interested in falling in love again after having his heart broken. So of course, these two will come together to help each other with no pressure of a relationship. The descriptions took me right to France and the romance with so sweet and lots of funny moments to boot. This was a wonderful story from start to finish.

The Magic of Provence by Alison Roberts is more than the breezy, escapist romance its cover and title might suggest. Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my gifted ARC. I came for the lavender fields and a French love story, but what I found was a much deeper emotional thread—one about trauma, trust, and choosing to stop surviving and start living.

The story follows Fiona Gilchrist, the youngest of three sisters who have each, in their own way, ended up in Provence. Fi is a farrier, strong and independent on the surface, but she’s been quietly carrying the weight of something devastating since her university days: an unresolved trauma that changed the course of her life. When she loses her job under deeply unfair circumstances, she has no choice but to face the thing she’s avoided for years—herself. She heads to La Maisonette, the cottage the sisters inherited from their late uncle, and it’s here that the book really begins to breathe.

Fiona’s relationship with her sisters, Ellie and Laura, is tender and complicated. There’s love, but also distance—some of it emotional, some of it self-imposed. It’s refreshing to see sisterhood portrayed as both a source of comfort and a mirror held up to things you’d rather not face. As Fi begins to settle into life in the French countryside, she’s drawn to local veterinarian Christophe Brabant, a man whose charm runs deeper than his easygoing demeanor. He’s also dealing with his own grief, and their connection isn’t instant fireworks—it’s quiet, hesitant, and deeply believable. It’s a relationship built not on grand gestures but on shared silences, mutual respect, and small acts of kindness.

This is a slow-burn romance, and that’s exactly what the story demands. Fi’s trauma isn’t brushed aside for the sake of plot progression, and Roberts never turns healing into a montage. One line in particular stuck with me: “Maybe healing didn’t mean forgetting. Maybe it just meant finally feeling safe enough to remember.” That single sentence anchors the book. It’s not about closure; it’s about creating space for the truth without letting it define your future.

Roberts does an exceptional job balancing the weightier emotional themes with moments of joy. The setting—Provence in all its golden-hour beauty—isn’t just a pretty backdrop. It feels like a balm, both for Fi and the reader. Whether it’s the sound of donkeys in the field, the scent of warm bread from a village bakery, or the rush of a train winding through the hills to Menton, there’s a tactile richness here that makes the world feel lived in. And the animals—particularly the donkeys—aren’t just cute filler. They’re woven into Fi’s healing process, providing purpose and, in a subtle way, companionship she didn’t know she needed.

As much as I enjoyed the novel, I do want to note that the promotional copy and cover marketing feel misleading. This is not a lighthearted romantic escape. The story opens with a confrontation and the implication of sexual assault from Fi’s past, which becomes a central thread. It’s handled with restraint and compassion, but a proper trigger warning would have been appropriate. Readers looking for a dreamy, low-stakes romance may be unprepared for the emotional terrain covered here.

It’s also the third book in a series about the Gilchrist sisters, though it functions well as a standalone. I hadn’t read the previous two, and while I could sense there were backstories I missed, I never felt lost. Instead, I found myself intrigued—especially about the family dynamics that thread through all three books. That said, I would’ve appreciated a clearer heads-up in the marketing that this book was part of a series.

Where The Magic of Provence truly shines is in its emotional honesty. Fi’s evolution is not driven by romance alone—it’s fueled by self-acceptance, by reclaiming control over her narrative, and by letting others into her life in a way she never allowed before. Christophe doesn’t rescue her, and that’s the point. He listens. He shows up. He offers steadiness, not salvation.

In a market crowded with formulaic love stories, this one takes its time—and earns its emotional payoff. It’s romantic, but not in a fantasy kind of way. It’s romantic in the sense that it believes people can grow, that love can be safe, and that places—whether literal or emotional—can heal us when we finally stop running.

If you want a soft, steady romance with a heart full of compassion and a soul rooted in truth, The Magic of Provence is absolutely worth your time. Just don’t go in expecting fluff. Go in expecting something real.

This is an absolutely beautiful addition to such a lovely series centred around the Gilchrist sisters. Following on from the previous two book this focuses on Fiona who has over the last few years has distanced herself from everyone. After an incident at the stables where she works, and with nowhere else to go, she heads to France to La Maisonette. It’s the lovely little house that she inherited along with her sisters and where she is hoping to find refuge while she decides what to do next. What she doesn’t count on is meeting and building a friendship with Christoph the local vet. For me this isn’t just a love story, it’s a story about healing wounds, trust and new beginnings as well as so much more. I love how the characters interact and how the story flows. A super series. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

I didn’t realise that this was the third book of a series but it was easy to read as a standalone novel. It does I think, provide answers to questions that have been raised in previous books. This is the story of Fi the youngest sister of the family and the only one not to have found love. The reasons for this are gradually revealed when Fi arrives in Provence after losing her job. Sensitively written, a good summer read.

🌄Healing love story between 2 animal lovers🌿

I really was drawn to the subplot about main characters Scottish farrier Fiona and French vet Christophe working together to care for donkeys, and how they gradually break down the self-erected barriers to their hearts. The setting in southern France is beautifully described and the story has a family affair atmosphere as it focuses on both Fi and Christophe's families and some medical drama, mystery and unexpected romance there.

In general, plenty of characters and swirling subplots on the side of the main romance as Fiona's sisters, featured in the previous books in the series, their new and growing families, Fiona's mom Jeannie, her mysterious dad, and Christophe's beloved mom and Italian grandmother fill out the supporting cast with their own action. But I did find the repeated "no way I could love and have a family" from both Fiona and Christophe a bit too oft said. Especially for Christophe. Luckily the "doth protest too much" saying applies here. Multiple character HEA? Yes. Even for some of the four-legged variety!

TW: trauma of past sexual assault and animal neglect/death.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 6/28/25 on Waterstones and Goodreads, and with BAM and Barnes & Noble. To be shared with kobo and Google Play upon publication.

I picked this up expecting a light, escapist romance, so I was incredibly surprised to find that the central storyline deals with the aftermath of the main character being raped as a student. While the book is ultimately about facing your fears and finding strength, it tackles an incredibly difficult and emotional topic — and I don’t feel this was made clear upfront. I really believe a trigger warning would have been appropriate here, as this is not a lighthearted read and may catch some readers off guard.

Fi is escaping from her past and life in Scotland to reconnect with herself and her family in France. What started as a trip supposed to last just a few weeks, became so much more.
Fi learned to open up with her sisters about her troubled past, to let her guard down and let herself be loved not only by her family…
A very cute summer read, perfect for lovers of the dreamy setting of Provence and animals. A story about love, rediscovery and second chances.
Apparently the book is part of a series about the sisters, but I’ve finished it without even knowing about it and not noticing something was missing. So it can definitely be read as a stand alone book.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Magic of Provence was a truly heartwarming and charming read! I especially loved the natural way the author wove different languages into the dialogue, which really brought the French setting to life. It beautifully highlighted Christophe's diverse family background and Fiona's Scottish heritage, adding wonderful depth. The meet-cute at the heart of the story was absolutely delightful and left me feeling happy and satisfied.

Plot & Pacing
The story follows Fiona as she seeks refuge with her sisters in Provence after a difficult experience. Watching her slowly rebuild her trust, surrounded by the animals she cares for, was really sweet. Her developing connection with Christophe, the kind local vet, provided a lovely, steady anchor for her journey. This is definitely a slow-burn romance, which I personally enjoy as it allows the relationship to develop naturally and believably.

Characters & Setting
I was so charmed by the genuine love and kindness that both Christophe and Fiona showed towards their animals. Fiona's sisters, Ellie and Laura, also stood out as strong, supportive figures when Fiona needed them most.
And the setting! Provence truly felt like a character in itself. The descriptions made me dream of visiting! I was particularly fascinated by Menton, described as a unique blend of French and Italian cultures—it sounded incredibly appealing.

Who Should Read This?
If you're looking for a gentle, heartwarming romance set against the gorgeous backdrop of rural France, with strong characters and a lovely slow-burn development, you'll definitely want to add The Magic of Provence to your list!

The Magic of Provence is a gentle romance that offers a warm embrace of second chances, emotional healing, and the beautiful setting of French charm. This is the second book in Alison Roberts’s A Year in France series, and I haven’t read the first one, but it stands well on its own.

The setting is beautifully described, and the story really shines when it leans into the everyday magic of healing, family, and finding joy in simple things.

While I found the story charming and full of heart, the pacing occasionally dragged, and some plot turns felt a little too neat. Still, this is a lovely pick for fans of slow-burn romance, emotional journeys, and a strong sense of place.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Alison Roberts, and the publisher for the ARC of The Magic of Provence in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't realise this was part of a series but it read well as a one off story although I would like to read the others. There was a shock assault at the beginning which was a reaction to something bigger in Fi's life. I would have thought some kind of realisation from the employer would have been covered instead of the bad reaction he had. It seemed very unfair.
I enjoyed the story of Fi going back to her sister's place in Provence and eventually telling them what happened to her. The sisters are lovely.
The French men were all just as French men should be in a book. I really like Christophe.
A lovely romantic story with lovely people. I hope to read the others in the series.

The Magic of Provence is a heartwarming and emotionally layered romance that wraps readers in sunshine, secrets, and second chances. Although it’s the third book in a trilogy about the Gilchrist sisters—a fact frustratingly absent from the book’s blurb—it stands well enough on its own.

Fi Gilchrist, the youngest sister, is running from a traumatic incident in her university years that continues to shape her adult life. When she loses her job as a farrier, her path leads her to the idyllic cottage in Provence she and her sisters inherited. The charming but complicated vet Christophe, still healing from his own heartbreak, becomes an emotional catalyst for Fi. Their connection is undeniable but fraught with vulnerability and fear.

The chemistry between Fi and Christophe is gently developed and believable, with enough emotional tension to keep you invested. It’s a story of healing, trust, and the power of love to mend old wounds, all set against a backdrop that makes you want to book a trip to the South of France immediately. Overall, it is a lovely blend of escapism and emotional depth. Ideal for fans of contemporary romance with soul.

Thank you Boldwood for this ARC copy! This book was so beautifully set but it just didn’t hit the mark for me. There were too many characters to keep up with/ didn’t make an impact. The switching between so many languages without any translation clues either was difficult

Love a series and these books did jot disappoint. It was lovely to catchup and to hear the other sisters story too. Also to get a lot more backstory on the whole family.
I would lobe a prequel on the mums story too. I lobed meeting the donkeys and meeting Christophes Nonna and mama. Fi had a lot of history and life to unfurl before she could ever move on.
Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange on an honest review.

Fi Gilchrist has been avoiding a traumatic event from her university days that drastically altered her life. After losing her job as a farrier, she retreats to a cottage in Provence, inherited with her sisters. With her siblings nearby, Fi can no longer keep her past or emotions at bay. As she begins to confront her fears, the arrival of a charming vet, Christopher, stirs both anxiety and romantic tension—leaving her future uncertain.

The book evoked mixed emotions, blending sadness that made you empathize with Fi and lighthearted moments that made you root for Fi and Christopher. It was a cozy, immersive read that vividly transported you to Provence, France through the author's evocative writing. Plus, donkeys!

A great comfort summer read. Loved the history behind the characters and how hey overcome they’re demons.
Fabulous family connections of support and a real animal lovers read. Look forward to the continuation..

hhhhhhhhhh! it was almost too much to think i could read this next book. the other books had me in pieces. in all the right ways. but also in all the i love these books too much ways! the previous being one of my very favourite of all time. yes i know, bold statement but its just true. true true true. so going in i was soooo excited. and boy was i right to be. and ive decided i can have a favourite as in a whole series. and then i dont feel so bad abut loving these books so much for all their different reasons, i wont be betraying the others feeling, haha.
and for this one i knew there might a few more complexities as we finally touch on the more mysterious of the sisters. one who throughout the other books ive wondered so much of. but this woman is hard to read, and she manages to keep herself hidden from us throughout the other books.
and it seems the authors know Fi has been hiding. and when we find out why oh i wanted to scoop her up and never let go. but it changed everything for her and took everything from her. and when there is a final blow to her tether at home all these years later she knows there is one place she can go. maybe one place she now wants to go. to the home they inherited in France. to her sisters. but this also means she will need to be telling them something. she will need to stop hiding even from them.
but donkeys and a vet start to inhabit and then shake her carefully constructed walls. and this in itself is terrifying and she doesn't know whether she can do this.
but there is also things to the vet and his own heart hurt that might come in to play for her but also for him. but could this be a meeting of hearts that need an another to understand...to heal?
i would like to keep the stories of these girls in my heart and memory forever. i dont want to forget them. and how they made me feel whilst and after. if not i would definitely please like to own them one day to keep on a shelf forever.
oh and what future will Alisons books have. please more like this. and please, please come my way.