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.

This was a lovely romance set in Provence, it’s beautifully written and leaves a smile on your face. Fiona is fed up with her life in the UK so she sets off to see her sisters in France, she’s got a secret though and it might be helped if the sisters help her with it. When she meets handsome Christopher will she be smitten? This is a perfect summer read, it’s happy, full of great descriptions of the French life including the bakery’s. This is third in this series, but I read it as a stand-alone. Will be good to read the others to find out the sisters stories. A fantastic 4.5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

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.