Blacksmith ,Fiona , escapes to Provence to the love and peaceful life of her sisters, trying to banish the demons of her past life . Vet Christophe suggests a faux romance to aid his grandmother's recovery. Can they maintain the pretence without falling in love for real?

This is the first book I have read by Alison, I enjoyed the setting in the South of France. Fiona decides she needs to get away and leave her life behind and remembers she has a key for the cottage they were left by their uncle. Her sisters Ellie and Laura stay in the area with their families and she feels it’s time to reconnect with them. They were brought up in Oban in Scotland and their Mum still lives there. Their Dad left suddenly when they were very young and they have no connection with him. Jeannie,their Mum is coming to France on holiday. Fiona meets Christophe who is a good friend of her brother in law. He is a local vet and as soon as he sets eyes on Fiona he is smitten. She think he’s is gorgeous. They end up spending time together as he looks after donkeys and she helps him do their feet. They have both had bad romantic experiences so try to stay as friends but they find it difficult. It’s worth a read to find out what becomes of them all.

3.8 Stars
One Liner: Hopeful

Fiona Gilchrist has been running away from her demons for years. She finally decides to take control of her life by traveling to Provence and reuniting with her sisters. She hopes the place might do her good, as it did to her sisters.
Fiona accepts the offer to work alongside vet Christophe Brabant, who seems to have the same passion for animals. He is also kind, gentle, and committed to his job. As their friendship turns deeper, Fiona wonders if she, too, can lead a relaxed and safe life with someone who loves her.
The story comes in the third-person POVs of different characters.

My Thoughts:
This is the last book in the series, so it reads more like women’s fiction than a full-length romance. The ‘father’ track runs in parallel with Fiona’s story. Since I read the previous books, I knew what to expect from this.
However, it would be incorrect to call it ‘a dreamy, escapist cozy romance…’. The book has triggers for sexual assault, parental abandonment, and more. Though there are no descriptive scenes, the mood is heavier than what one would expect.
That aside, the book highlights the importance of family support, understanding, love, and friendships. It talks of second chances in life and how one’s worth doesn’t depend on what happened to them.
Given the MCs’ professions, animals, especially donkeys, play a major role in the book. There’s a cute new addition to the donkey family! So adorable!
The setting, once again, is the best part of the book. This time, we explore the nearby forest, the special old train, Menton (a picturesque town), etc. It’s always wonderful to go on such virtual tours.
The romance is indeed cozy and mellow, which suits what the characters need. And… there’s no third-act breakup! I was dreading one as it wouldn’t be suited to the story, so you can imagine how happy I was when it didn’t happen. Yay!
We meet little Theo and two other kiddos and their parents (the two couples from the previous books). They have substantial roles, so it would be better to start the series from the first if you want a wholesome experience.
There’s an epilogue that rounds up the book and the series satisfactorily.
To summarize, The Magic of Provence is a hopeful read about second chances, family, friendships, and love. You’ll enjoy it even more if you like donkeys.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Although I love any books set in France, I did think that this book would have benefitted from having some trigger warnings at the beginning. Otherwise, I thought the characters were well thought-out and the storyline was interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Promoted as a “dreamy escapist romance”, the novel begins a little abruptly but then we are whisked away to southern France. The beautiful details of the countryside and cottage really had me feeling cozy until 20 pages in and a sexual assault is described. It was jarring. This is not the book for me. Advertised as an escape, I was not expecting that so I will not be finishing the book. I believe the sensitive subject matter could’ve been worked in there more subtly or gradually. All of the conversations, motivations, and transitions in the book felt super unnatural. I continued reading and was introduced to even more characters that felt flat. I just couldn’t get invested in this book.

**** Publishing July 5, 2025****

When Fi is asked to leave her job, she knows she can’t go home to live with her mother, so she decides leave for Provence, France, where her sister Ellie lives. Fi shows up unannounced, but is welcomed by Ellie. Ellie starts the conversation with Fi that maybe her past trauma is not her fault. Can FI come to terms with her past tragedy? Can she start anew or will the past keep haunting her?

Definitely not an uplifting book! Even though this book is part of a series, you can read it as a stand-alone! A great book for book clubs! As this book would spark great conversations! A book to pair with wine and cheese as you read/discuss!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

this is the third book in a series about three sisters, I think you need to read the first two before you read this one. this is about Fiona who moves to Provence to be near her sisters.

Just finished The Magic of Provence and I have to say, it was exactly what my heart needed. This book feels like a soft exhale, warm, emotional, and full of hope.

It’s a gentle story about second chances, letting go of fear, and allowing yourself to believe in something good. If you love emotionally grounded romance with heart and healing, this one will wrap around you like a hug.

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

This is a new author to me and the book title read sold it to me
I thoroughly enjoyed this read

Very uplifting and perfect for summer

Highly recommend

Are you looking for your next read? Check out The Magic of Provence by Alison Roberts. I really enjoyed this one. It's available soon.

The Magic of Provence is the 3rd novel in Alison Roberts' series about the Gilchrist girls, three sisters who leave Scotland to live in Provence. As was the case in the first 2 novels, in The Magic of Provence, a 3rd sister goes to Provence to live in a cottage left to the sisters by an uncle none of the sisters have ever met. This French cottage is magical in its ability to create solace in those who are in pain. All three novels are romance novels and perfect for a sweet escape in southern France.

Roberts is able to create a romance with detail that capture the look and smell of France. The descriptions of locations, scenery, animals, and flowers serve to create the sort of background that allows readers to imagine themselves in France. Characters come to life in The Magic of Provence, as they did in Roberts' previous Provence novels in this series. This story about Fiona Gilchrist is perfect for a summer read. Readers can escape to southern France and imagine this kind of romance happening. The Magic of Provence isn't a simple girl meets boy, boy breaks girl's heart, girl and boy decides they love one another. This romance possesses enough complexity to move the romance into reality, or at least a reality, many readers would like to enjoy.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC for me to read and review. The above comments reflect my honest appreciation for this novel.

5 stars

My one and only gripe (which is a general gripe) is that nowhere does it tell you that this is the third book in the trilogy of books about the Gilchrist sisters. I hate reading a book to find that there are others before them. Happily, I realised I have read the previous two.

Fi Gilchrist has been hiding - literally and emotionally - from something that happened when she was at University, which had changed the course of her life for ever. When she is sacked from her job as a farrier, she realises the only place she can go is to the little cottage that she and her sisters inherited from their Uncle in Provence. Her two sisters live nearby and she realises that she will have to stop hiding from them now. The appearance of handsome vet Christopher provokes anxiety and attraction in equal parts. How will it all end?

This is a lovely summer read, with dark undertones that add depth to the story and make it more than frothy chick lit (as much as I enjoy that too at times!). The lovely Provence setting, small children, donkeys and descriptions of delicious food all add to the enjoyment this book creates. Through it all winds the thread of the growing relationship between Christophe - still reeling from a shattered heart himself - and Fi. It was a total joy to go along for the ride.

This is the third book about these three sisters, telling the story of the middle one, Fi.

Well written and I could almost picture myself in the South of France, with the fragrance of the lavender fields, fromageries, cafés, the cobble streets and the wonderful characters.

It can be read as a stand alone, but I liked how all three books compliment each other.

A beautiful romance that proves that relationships are strongest when your heart and soul give unconditionally to the one you love, even when they believe they are unworthy.

Fiona decides to move to Provence to be with her sisters to try and forget her past. She then meets Christophe who helps her with donkeys