Usually I enjoy reading books like this one that are well-written, read easily and faster, and are just simply bright summer reads that transport you to beautiful places while also being easily transportable themselves. “The Village Cafe in the Loire” promises just that: it brings you (together with the main heroine) on a trip to France, offering a respite from the busyness of life (or in main character’s case - burn-out) and a sweet tale of re-imagining one’s self, finding love and purpose.

And yet, I couldn’t fully get into this book. I think mostly the fault is on me - I just simply didn’t vibe with the main character Becky. I understand the author intended to give the character a personal growth arc but the “before” Becky was very annoying. She’s childish, irresponsible, a lot of her action do not align with her words and/ or values, she’s a terrible friend (poor Amber), and tbh her growth didn’t convince me as even after the supposed “turn of the character” she was still a bit neglectful to other people.

I did love Amber’s and Pascal’s characters though. They seemed to be written as actual adults, and their actions, although not perfect, reflected that. I’ve enjoyed the fairytale-like idea of inheriting a (already successful) cafe in France - who wouldn’t love that?! While reading, I’ve also easily imagined myself redecorating it and becoming part of the village community. That’s the fun part of such books - the fact that they let you live several lives through the stories they tell.

Thank you to the author, publishers, and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. My review is based solely on my honest opinion, and is written with the utmost respect.

The Village Café in the Loire by Gillian Harvey is a feel-good escape that blends charm, heart, and a dash of French magic. The story follows Becky Thorne, a driven Londoner who’s forced to take a break from her high-powered job—and ends up inheriting a quaint café in a sleepy Loire village. What starts as a quick fix turns into a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and unexpected romance.

The dual setting—bustling London vs. peaceful Vaudrelle—is a great contrast, and the café itself feels like a character, full of warmth and secrets. Becky’s interactions with the grumpy (but swoon-worthy) Pascale add tension and spark, while her friendship with Amber brings emotional depth. The plot has just enough twists to keep things interesting without losing its cozy vibe.

Harvey’s writing is easy to sink into, with vivid descriptions and relatable themes like burnout, second chances, and finding your own path. If you love stories that whisk you away and leave you smiling, this one’s a lovely pick for your next reading escape.

I enjoyed reading The Village Cafe in the Loire by Gillian Harvey. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

The Village Café in the Loire by Gillian Harvey is a warm, feel-good story that offers pure escapism—perfect for a sunny afternoon or a holiday read. It follows Becky, a burnt-out young executive, who inherits a charming café in the Loire from her aunt. Initially intending to sell it and return to her city life, Becky instead finds herself drawn to the village, the people, and a slower, more meaningful way of living. The story touches on themes of friendship, change, and self-discovery, with just enough romance and emotional depth to keep the pages turning.

While the setting is beautifully described and the tone is light and uplifting, the characters and storyline lack some depth, which makes the book more enjoyable in the moment than memorable in the long term. It’s not meant to be thought-provoking, and that’s okay—this is a cosy, hopeful read that delivers exactly what it promises. I enjoyed my time in Becky’s world and would happily recommend it to fans of easy, comforting romances. A solid 3.5 stars for a sweet escape with a touch of French charm.

Becky's career was going well, or so she thought, but the pressure of being a director at a London advertising agency gradually crept up on her unawares. After an unfortunate incident in which a laptop was sent hurtling in the direction of the office intern, Becky finds herself signed off for a month due to 'severe burnout'. As someone used to climbing the ladder to corporate success, Becky does not know what to do with herself. Relaxing is simply not part of her make-up, but she needs to get her head together if she is going to achieve a coveted position on the board of the advertising agency.

She decides to head to France, where she has recently been bequeathed a little cafe in the Loire by her great-aunt Maud, who she had not seen since she was a child. She had been planning to sell the cafe and invest in a swanky new London apartment, but now might be just the time to tackle the unexpected headache the news of a sitting tenant at the property has brought...

After a heart-breaking diversion in Harvey's last book, Midnight in Paris, she is back to her more typical fictional fare with a story of new beginnings in the beautiful Loire. The story begins with Becky suffering a melt-down at work which forces her to reassess the things she really wants in life, through the revelations that come with returning to a place she loved in her childhood.

Becky begins her visit full of big plans for the the cafe, but as she bumps heads with the 'sitting tenant', handsome writer Pascale, and reconnects with her past she begins to realise she has been ignoring almost all other aspects of her life in pursuit of her career - including being a terrible friend to her bestie Amber.

New beginnings dawn, including a lovely slow-burn romance with gentle Pascale, via all the necessary bumps in the road you need in this kind of story. There is plenty of humour, lots of charming French content, a heart-warming twist or two, and the kind of examination of complicated family relationships that Harvey does so well, particularly when it comes to the expectations of over-protective (aka domineering) mothers.

Time to slow down with a cup of coffee, and the perfect slice of summer escapism Gillian Harvey style!

Travel escape romance

The Village Cafe in the Loire is a very good travel escape romance set between France and England. I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is an ideal choice for a summer holiday, by the beach or poolside or whenever you are relaxing.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

With thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC.

First off, I loved the premise of this book – who doesn’t dream of inheriting a little French property, in this case, a café! Sounds like a dream, right? Wrong! Especially in a small village where newcomers are regarded with suspicion as to their intentions. The village cafe is a sacred place, as anyone who has visited a small French town will know, and Becky’s inheritance (as a village outsider) comes with complications.

I was invested in this plot as soon as I started reading (it’s right up my alley!) and finished in just a couple of sittings. It’s a light-hearted read but has some serious themes too – burnout is no joke and a lot of the story deals with Becky learning (the hard way) about priorities and how hers were off. A little time away from home (and her mother!), a little distance from the corporate world and a full immersion in small village life were just the ticket to setting her on the right path, both for herself and in terms of her friendship with Amber. Becky’s character definitely grew on me over the course of the book – I didn’t care much for her at the start, but as she “softened”, so did my attitude to her.

Of course, there’s a romance (bien sûr) and a plot twist that I saw coming and, for me, was the only part of the story that was a *tiny* bit unbelievable (relatively speaking!). But, summer reads are often about suspending reality so I’ll let it go! This is a fabulous summer beach read (or a cozy winter couch read) that will have you dreaming of France!

Vie en France
This is an enjoyable book mainly set in rural France, but there are many sciences in London too. Strong female characters. Some interesting twists. Assumptions really do lead to the wrong conclusions. But there’s some lovely surprises too. The importance of supportive close female relationships is expired. As is finding your own path in life, and not being pressurised to live the life someone else wants for you. Great ending!

The Village Cafe in the Loire is a book about friendship, love, and starting over when you realize your dreams and goals actually belong to someone else.

Becky is a director at a prestigious advertising agency but when she has a meltdown, she's forced into a month long leave to destress. On top of that, she just found out she was left a café in France by her great, great aunt. With timing on her side, she takes a trip to France to settle the affairs of the café so she can get back to London and salvage her job and reputation.

When Becky arrives in France, she discovers selling the café isn't going to be easy. Not only is there a tenant who won't leave, but her great aunt left a requirement for Becky. Wanting to escalate the matter, Becky does not find a friend in the Mayor, so it looks like she's going to be managing a café.

The Village Café in the Loire is a charming story about the real effects of burnout, and not just for the main character. Becky's job is stressful and consuming of her time and life. She's been overworked by management and she gets to her breaking point. Any other company would have probably kicked her to the curb, however, I do like the fact that her employer was willing to give her time off to decompress. She's been a terrible friend and I felt so bad for Amber, who was going through her own tribulations and couldn't depend of Becky for any type of support.

Becky, unfortunately, learns the hard way about what her priorities should be and that shooting to the top of the corporate ladder at the expense of her friends and family has effects, not just on her but on others. I love how the author developed Becky and evolved her in a short period of time. I was hoping for an ending that brought all aspects of Becky's life together and I was satisfied at how the author pulled everything off. I was excited that what I wanted for Amber actually became a reality. Becky and Pascal are sweet together but they didn't start off that way. I enjoyed how the author introduced them, the part Pascal played in Great Aunt Maud's requirement, and how they eventually become something more than tenant and manager.

This book was my first experience with Gillian Harvey and I am enthrall by her writing. I was drawn into The Village Café in the Loire and kept engaged throughout. It was a wonderful book with great pacing, spectacular character development, and very vivid world-building. I'll be looking into more of this author's work.

This was a lovely feel good book that I read in one sitting as I was so addicted to the story. It’s a lovely easy read so perfect to read on holidays . Once I started into this book I was submerged in Becky’s story and life in the village in the Loire. It’s what I would call an escapism read and I often call these books my go to reads if I need a break from crime and psychological thrillers. Gillian Harvey is a new to me author and I’ll most certainly be checking out her previous books.

Sometimes I think Gillian Harvey is going to turn me into a Francophile, with all the gorgeous French setting books she writes, and this is one of those that makes me want to jump on the Eurostar, begin drinking coffee, and don a beret!
Becky is the protagonist, a thirty-something career woman who is on the brink of brilliant success; however, an inheritance looks set to derail all her plans.
She finds herself signed off from work, and ends up in a small village in the Loire, at the behest of her late great aunt, with a cafe for which she has no training, other than drinking coffee, and to pop the cherry on top, there is a lodger who it seems is resistant to leaving the building, even though all she wants to do is sell it.
Of course, that hunky, troublesome lodger named Pascale gives her another thing to think about.
Becky has few friends, Amber being her best friend, and her mother is there to guide her in life. But she sometimes cannot see beyond her own problems, often ignoring the SOS signs from those around her.
The storyline is one of self-discovery, and we see Becky begin to question all she has thought about her future before, and also to begin to look beyond herself, considering others, with a little romance along the way.
There is, of course, a little twist in the tale, too, to keep readers on their toes!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review…

This book pulled me into its pages right from the very first page and it did not let me go again until i had turned every last page and devoured it all! It was such a lovely, heartwarming, lighthearted, easy book to read and all the way through i just wanted to keep reading more.

I loved the two main characters, who showed real growth and i really adored them. Becky had inherited a café in The Loire and couldn’t resist the magic that came with it. There she meets Pascale who is tall, dark, handsome and incredibly grumpy too. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them both and finding out how their story unfolds.

I really did enjoy this uplifting novel and it was very easy to lose myself for a little while and immerse myself in all the French goodness. It was full of self-discovery, friendship, romance, it was atmospheric and beautiful and of course had that all important happy-ever-after…..

The Village Cafe in the Loire was the perfect book for relaxing and taking some time to enjoy being in France.
Becky was left a café in a small town in France when her aunt passed away. When she is forced to take time off from work, she decides to head to France to sell the café. Little did she realize this was not going to be as easy as she thought it would be.
Thank you NetGalley, Gillian Harvey and Boldwood Books for the copy of the book The Village Cafe in the Loire. This is my personal review.

4.5⭐️ This book is about Becky who is living life on her Mom's terms and thinks she's happy. Becky is suffering from burnout on her job and when she's forced to take medical leave decides to go visit the cafe in Vaudrelle France that she recently inherited from her aunt in order to sell it. There's a twist to the story that is absolutely hilarious.

Becky meets Pascal who is a tenant above the cafe. He refuses to vacate his room so Becky cannot sell the cafe. He turns out to be a nice person and they actually form a friendship. Pascal points out to Becky that she is a little self-centered and doesn't seem to listen or even ask anyone else how they are doing and this forces Becky to take a good look at herself, how she's been acting, and what she actually wants out of life.

This book also centers around Becky's lifelong friendship with Amber, who is more like a sister, and I loved the way that part of the story played out.

I flew through this book and am secretly hoping that Amber and Georges get together in a future book (hint hint.) If you're looking for a quick, easy read, then pick this one up! I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more books from this author!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

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

When Becky is informed by the doctor that she is to take a short break from her work after she being involved in an incident at work, Becky thinks this is the perfect opportunity to visit the place in France she has inherited.

She wants to sort out the issue with the tenant and get the property on sale. But when she arrives, things that she thought mattered begin to change. Becky starts to enjoy her trip and decide how she wants her future to look like, whether she wants to carry on as she is or make changes for a better work/life balance.

I loved the setting and the characters, how Becky thought process changed and how she was with her friend.

I highly recommend this book.

I love how much Becky grew throughout this story! She starts off being very self-centered and rather uppity, and I did not care for her at all. But by the end she grew up and became a likable character. It was pretty predictable as a whole, but there was one twist thrown in that I didn’t expect, and I just love a story centered around a small town business. This was a quite enjoyable read!

Sometimes people are not aware that they do indeed need a break. Like Becky. Chucking a laptop across the room denotes a certain angst, I would guess.
I found Becky to be high strung and very self absorbed. I cheered when Pascal gave her a few home truths about herself regarding Amber because those were things she needed to hear.
She also has to learn how to handle steamroller Cynthia.
You can live life but not really be living it.

The Village Cafe in the Loire by Gillian Harvey is a great summer read. It is scheduled to be published on July 12,2025 and is a great read for anyone who has thought about changing their work/life balance and trying something new.

After being told by a doctor that she is required to take a month off of work after a workplace incident, Becky reluctantly takes the opportunity to visit the French countryside where she has inherited some property. Her plan is to deal with a troublesome tenant and sell the property. Once she arrives, some firmly held perspectives begin to shift and new adventures ensue where Becky needs to make some decisions about her future.

I enjoyed the writing style and the description of the setting. I would have liked more character development overall, but the story itself made up for it. The story was well paced overall and I would read more from this author.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for providing me with a digital advance review copy of this book via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

A fun story about starting over in life. Especially enjoyable because it’s set in a small French town. Who wouldn’t want to do that! I especially enjoyed the sense of community that the town has. I think most readers will love the main characters because they are quirky and fun and a little over the top.

Becky Thorne is asked to take a leave from work when she had a burn out session. Not to mention she has an overbearing mother and that also, she inherited a cafe in France from an estranged aunt. Becky moves to France as she is forced to take leave from work and she wants to make changes in the cafe even though her best friend Amber warns her against it. But she meets Pascal, a brooding handsome Frenchman who is a tenant and working in the cafe and who refuses for the change. Becky normally gets done the work her way but it seems that she might not be able to get her way with this Pascal.

This was a cute read. Reading this book made me feel like I was in France. I found Becky character slightly annoying at first although I managed to like her towards the middle to the end as she becomes a better friend to Amber and then she actually grows herself. I also like how she got reunited with her aunt and is able to stand on her own, making her own decisions. This was a cozy read for me and I give this four stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.