☕Forced to slow down & smell the coffee😌

A story that I couldn't find the strength or inclination to put down, this Gillian Harvey novel was a treat. It's a mixture of women's fiction and romance with an easygoing Frenchman. Female lead Becky's life's trajectory has been dominated by her mother's ambitions for her, something that has ended up in stress and a month's enforced leave from her executive job in advertising, which she unsuccessfully fights. But it gives her the time to tend to some business in a small town in France where she learns that big bucks and stressful competition are not prerequisites for a good life.

Becky's relationship with her roommate/best friend is tested and the reason for mom Cynthia's aversion to a relaxed lifestyle, especially when it's connected to a gift from Great Aunt Maud (who abandoned a lucrative London career in the law to run a small coffee shop in rural France), eventually comes out. Finding out more about Maud's life after London was good, too. I was just a bit surprised that it took so long for them to figure out the seemingly perfect arrangement for all involved.

The overall mood was more cozy than reflective, plenty of doing along with the self-examination. Just the right number (fairly small) of named characters, great plot and well-developed characters. I got a kick out of Becky and Amber's love of quoting romcoms, and their reference to Rick Astley made me laugh. A pleasure to read. Not my first novel by the author and definitely won't be the last.

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 7/6/25 on Waterstones and Goodreads, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM. To be shared with kobo and Google Play after publication.

Who wouldn't want a break to the Loire? After reading this, I certainly wish I could! It felt entirely relatable with the stress of full time work and high internal expectations l. Though it was a lovely read, it did also make me consider whether I'm taking enough time for rest and relaxation myself!

A must read for escaping the read world and losing yourself in a little French village complete with a DIY project!

I love this authors books as they always transport the reader to idyllic French settings and this time we are transported to the Loire Valley. This was an emotional story of second chances and forgiving family for what has happened in the past. It also explores the topic of burnout which is something that isn’t always talked about despite it becoming more prevalent in todays society.

We all love a story of new beginning and the dream of leaving our corporate jobs to find a new life in a little village in France but unfortunately this time I could not get attached to the main character Becky.

She’s probably one of the most annoying characters ever written, she’s self centred, spoiled and entitled, and having a controlling mother that pressured her during her whole life is not excuse to ignore or being sh*t towards the only few people that are still beside her.
The story wants to show that sometimes we only believe we’re living the life of our dreams but instead we need to step back and re-centre, which is all good and well in theory. But I think the author has been a little too good and forgiving towards Becky… Everyone can make mistakes but in real life it takes more than one “I’m sorry” to make up for years of terrible behaviour towards your so-called friends.
Amber, Becky best friend and “love of her life” (not in a romantic way! as remarked again and again and again…) gets completely ignored by her for years and yet she’s ready to forgive her straight away. I’m all about a good story of friendship, don’t get me wrong, but this time something was off unfortunately…

Thanks Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange of an honest opinion.

The Village Cafe in the Loire by Gillian Harvey ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The perfect book to take to the beach . The setting which give you the vacation vibe in France. The story is slow paced so you can relax and unwind without having to think to hard as you bask in the sun.

Becky has a stressful job and she snapped one day causing her Boss to make her take time off. So she heads to France to sell a cafe she inherited from her great aunt. But it doesn't go as smooth as she thinks it will. It comes with road blocks she needs to figure out if they are worth it.

Pre-order this book for a July 12th release day and receive in time for vacation.

This book has a lot to answer for, I now want to quit my job rum off to France and find a cafe to work in! Seriously though lovely read and I could picture the café perfectly. A wholesome read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks

As the only child of a highly successful woman, Rebecca was raised with the understanding that success and status are everything. When she unexpectedly inherits a cafe from her aunt in France, she originally heads out there in hopes of making some quick cash before returning to her high-speed life. But will a look at the slower side of life change Rebecca's mind?

This was a cute read. There was not a lot of depth to the characters or topics discussed, which I believe was the goal. A lighthearted, hopeful summer romance read is exactly what you get from this. I enjoyed my time reading this but will probably never think about it again. The setting was perfect, I liked the male love interest and how the romance began, but I don't think this is a story that will stick with me, therefore I gave it 3 stars.

Enjoyed reading. Loved how Becky discovered what was really important, including her friend Amber.. An important reminder that money doesn’t always give happiness.

I kept thinking how much deeper and more descriptive this book could be. The characters and storyline fell so incredibly flat and forced. Ugh.

A modern romance with a burnt out young executive who is signed off work with stress. She coincidentally inherits a cafe in Provence so is able to travel to supervise the sale of the property to fund a city apartment. During the course of the book she learns the value of friendship, freedom, self expression and happiness versus the corporate culture of the city. The ability to do this whilst being underwritten by wealthy relatives is only briefly discussed but this is a romance novel so the point isn’t pursued. Light summer read.

First of all, I want to say that the setting of the story is just divine - a cute village in France, perfect!

A great summer romance overall. The characters are so real, the whole stress and burnout is pretty close to many of us nowadays.

Also, I loved the whole friendship story; female friendships are amazing, and it’s always great to see them in stories.

A wonderful read, enjoyed it a lot.

This was a really fabulous read!! Imagine being so wrapped up in your career that when you're signed off with burnout, you're begging the Dr to reconsider!! That's where Becky finds herself - always putting work first and herself last.

it's also at this time that she finds she's been left a cafe in the Loire, by a great aunt she knew little of, so her first thought is 'get it sold asap'! With time off from work, she takes the plunge to travel over to see it in person - and that's where the fun and problems start!

The cafe is at the heart of the community so she faces resistance with her plans and changes, and there's also a sitting tenant who seems very at home in the cafe. She soon finds that he was very close to her great aunt, so learns more about this woman, Maud, and the more she learns the more she warms to her. Her mother is very reluctant to talk about Maud, and is also pushing Becky to get back to her career as she's always been about money and work.

the more that Becky has to 'slow down', the more she begins to see the joy in life and that was wonderful to see her embracing this different style of life and pace. And her friend Amber has some choice words for her too and I really enjoyed her character as well as she gave a different perspective on Becky as a person. Loved the shock twist too!! A must read!!

Even though the story felt a bit predictable at times, I still really enjoyed it. The novel captures a very real issue we face today—how easily we get caught up chasing happiness, security, and financial stability, all the while neglecting the things that actually matter (family, friendships, social interaction with strangers, being present for those we hold dear to us) . As for the characters, Becky honestly got on my nerves for most of the book. She's the classic self-absorbed type (without realizing it), so caught up in her own drama that she can’t see how privileged she really is. That said, she does redeem herself by the end, which made the journey worth it. Overall, it's a comforting and heartfelt read that reminds you to pause, look around, and maybe reconsider what "the good life" really means.

A well written book and thoroughly enjoyable read. The story set in the Loire valley when the main character Becky
uses the trip to France see thet bequest of the cafe and treats it like a holiday instead of trying to recover from a melt down at work having been forced to take time off from her burn out.
On her journey to recovery it appears that things in her life are not as it seems and she is forced to at personnel life. Her working life is very successful but she is forced to look at herself!.

I absolutely adored the setting in this book!! Give me a charming French village, a crumbling café, and a grumpy-but-gorgeous tenant and I’m so in. The Loire came to life on the page, and I was obsessed with every detail.

Becky’s journey from burnout to (maybe) slowing down was heartwarming and fun, even if she was a bit stubborn at first. Pascale was the perfect brooding contrast, and I loved how their dynamic unfolded alongside the village’s secrets.

This was such a cozy, feel-good escape. Light, romantic, and deliciously atmospheric. 4.5 stars from me!

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This is a lovely, relaxing read. With its beautiful French setting it makes the perfect book to take on holiday. The comforting predictability of the main story is part of the book’s appeal. Though there was one particular twist I didn’t see coming! Becky is a very likeable main character, and I’d love to call into the cafe for a coffee!

Set against the sun-dappled charm of rural France, this novel follows Becky Thorne, a high-achieving London professional forced to confront burnout, family expectations, and long-buried personal wounds after inheriting her estranged aunt’s café in Vaudrelle.

Becky’s journey is both relatable and inspiring. Harvey explores timely themes—career pressure, toxic perfectionism, and the deep need to be seen and loved for who we truly are—with warmth and authenticity. The evolving friendship with her best friend Amber adds emotional depth, while the slow-burn tension with grumpy but charming Pascal brings a delightful romantic thread.

Rich in atmosphere and filled with well-developed characters, this uplifting tale balances heartache with hope. Harvey’s message is clear: sometimes, stepping away from the life you’ve built is the first step to becoming who you’re meant to be. With a strong emotional core and a satisfying, happy ending, this is a must-read for fans of women’s fiction with heart, soul, and a touch of French magic.

This book catches my attention from the immediate start. Good writing, lovely characters and amazing atmosphere. Emotional and funny. Have a feeling of hope! Thank you! Well done!

The storyline is excellent and the characters, are interesting and well described.

Thank you to Gillian Harvey, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc of this book

An unexpected legacy coincides with a forced vacation. Becky's high-stress job is side lined when she acting out uncharacteristically in frustration, Becky is banned from work for a month so she heads to the Loire to evict her new bakery's tenant, Upon arrival, Becky is surprised by the man in residence. Forced to confront her past, awakens new possibilities. Will Becky rise to the occasion or is her new path a pie in the sky dream?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of The Village Cafe in the Loire in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed armchair traveling to France and unlocking new chapter in Becky's life.