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Een chateau in de Provence
Zomer, 1963. Alexandra is net klaar met een kookcursus die ze in Londen volgde, en nu is ze op zoek naar een nieuwe uitdaging. Als er een vacature voor een inwonende oppas bij een -gezin in Frankrijk op haar pad komt lijkt dit precies wat ze nodig heeft. Ze besluit de kans te grijpen en voor ze het weet woont ze op een prachtig chateau in de Provence.
Daar wachten drie stille, vijandige kinderen op haar, voor wie ze de -komende maanden zal moeten zorgen. Ze zullen wel snel ontdooien, denkt Alexandra. Ze hebben alleen maar wat plezier, goed eten en een gedegen Engelse opvoeding nodig. Hun vader blijkt echter nog de grootste uitdaging te zijn – hij is een verschrikkelijk knappe Franse graaf, op wie ze al snel smoorverliefd wordt. Lukt het Alexandra om zowel de harten van de drie kinderen als dat van de graaf voor zich te winnen?
Daar wachten drie stille, vijandige kinderen op haar, voor wie ze de -komende maanden zal moeten zorgen. Ze zullen wel snel ontdooien, denkt Alexandra. Ze hebben alleen maar wat plezier, goed eten en een gedegen Engelse opvoeding nodig. Hun vader blijkt echter nog de grootste uitdaging te zijn – hij is een verschrikkelijk knappe Franse graaf, op wie ze al snel smoorverliefd wordt. Lukt het Alexandra om zowel de harten van de drie kinderen als dat van de graaf voor zich te winnen?
412 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2022
210 people are currently reading
1514 people want to read
About the author
Katie Fforde
96 books2,312 followersCatherine Rose Gordon-Cumming was born 27 September 1952 in England, UK, the daughter of Shirley Barbara Laub and Michael Willoughby Gordon-Cumming. Her grandfather was Sir William Gordon-Cumming. Her sister is fellow writer Jane Gordon-Cumming. Katie married Desmond Fforde, cousin of the also writer Jasper Fforde. She has three children: Guy, Francis and Briony and didn't start writing until after the birth of her third child. She has previously worked both as a cleaning lady and in a health food cafe.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews
October 19, 2022
Rounded down from roughly 4.5 stars ⭐️ Katie Fforde has done it again by creating another incredibly charming read!
A Wedding in Provence follows Alexandra, a young woman who is desperately trying to avoid the life expected of her by her relations. When a chance encounter gives her the option to work as a nanny she jumps at the opportunity. But, the job is in a chateau in rural Provence, with 3 children to look after, no experience and a very attractive Count; can Alexandra forge her own path?
I absolutely loved this book and felt a deep sadness at having to say goodbye. The characters and setting were so incredibly vivid I was completely swept away. I very much felt like I was part of the family. Usually, I end up having one or two favourite characters but I loved almost every character in this charming book, even the ones who didn’t feature much! I love any book that can take me on a beautiful journey in foreign countries, from the comfort of my home. I loved exploring France in this book and felt a desperate desire for some French food!
This book gave off a Sound of Music, but set in France, vibe. There’s nothing particularly surprising in it, but the easy and lighthearted feel is exactly what I was craving. I loved that the book did touch on some important topics from the 1960’s. It was so interesting to compare it to contemporary life. This was just the fun romance novel that I needed to finish off the summer months!
I would recommend this to any fans of clean romance, especially if you like journeying to other times and places! I want to thank netgalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone publishers and Katie Fforde for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
A Wedding in Provence follows Alexandra, a young woman who is desperately trying to avoid the life expected of her by her relations. When a chance encounter gives her the option to work as a nanny she jumps at the opportunity. But, the job is in a chateau in rural Provence, with 3 children to look after, no experience and a very attractive Count; can Alexandra forge her own path?
I absolutely loved this book and felt a deep sadness at having to say goodbye. The characters and setting were so incredibly vivid I was completely swept away. I very much felt like I was part of the family. Usually, I end up having one or two favourite characters but I loved almost every character in this charming book, even the ones who didn’t feature much! I love any book that can take me on a beautiful journey in foreign countries, from the comfort of my home. I loved exploring France in this book and felt a desperate desire for some French food!
This book gave off a Sound of Music, but set in France, vibe. There’s nothing particularly surprising in it, but the easy and lighthearted feel is exactly what I was craving. I loved that the book did touch on some important topics from the 1960’s. It was so interesting to compare it to contemporary life. This was just the fun romance novel that I needed to finish off the summer months!
I would recommend this to any fans of clean romance, especially if you like journeying to other times and places! I want to thank netgalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone publishers and Katie Fforde for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
February 15, 2022
If you’ve read any previous book by Katie Fforde you’ll know she absolutely slays her characterizations, every single character in all of her books are believable, not perfect in any way, and absolutely so dang lovable. The pacing of this wonderful book is perfection, and you can tell there has been research into the time setting for this one as it all felt very authentic. I loved seeing Alexandra thrust into life as a nannie for children that, very obviously, resent her and do not want her there. This book has a great cast of characters, from the old fashioned, rude and somewhat cruel ex-mother in law, to the ex-wife herself, poor Alexandra is really thrown into the thick of it with her new job in Provence. But with Antoine to gaze at, with his gorgeous eyes and heart warming smile, and her can-do just get on with it attitude, we don’t really have anything to worry about as she’s sure to come out triumphant.
I’d absolutely recommend this book to anyone and everyone, whether you’re a romance lover or not, read Katie’s books. You need them in your life, trust me on that. I can’t fault anything in this book, I can only fault Katie herself… for not writing more than one book a year!! Katie I need at least three books a year please and thank you.
I’d absolutely recommend this book to anyone and everyone, whether you’re a romance lover or not, read Katie’s books. You need them in your life, trust me on that. I can’t fault anything in this book, I can only fault Katie herself… for not writing more than one book a year!! Katie I need at least three books a year please and thank you.
February 17, 2022
Another great book from Katie Fforde. I’m always excited to read a book of hers and I know they are always such a lovely read. This one was set in the sixties in Provence. It was warm and sweet and a fun read. Loved it. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
January 28, 2022
I normally love anything written by Katie Fforde but this one didn’t work its usual magic for me. It’s the story of Alexandra, a 20 year old orphan who manages to fall into a job as a nanny to three children in Provence. Alexandra is a lovely character and her relationship with the three children is lovely although slightly reminiscent of The Sound of Music. The Chateau where they live is almost a character in itself and definitely feels like a real place that I can imagine visiting and the surrounding area of Provence is also well detailed. There are a host of other characters who are all lively and interesting in different ways too.
My main problem with the novel was the character of Antoine, the children’s father. He wanders in and out of the story but there isn’t really any depth to him. To me, the romance seemed a bit contrived and not very convincing. The novel is set in 1963 and I can certainly see the benefit of setting the novel in that time period before mobile phones etc. However, there wasn’t anything in the story to make it feel as though it was set in that period apart from several references to Audrey Hepburn.
It is an enjoyable story and the kittens almost make it worth reading by themselves but to me, it all seemed a bit predictable with too many stereotypes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My main problem with the novel was the character of Antoine, the children’s father. He wanders in and out of the story but there isn’t really any depth to him. To me, the romance seemed a bit contrived and not very convincing. The novel is set in 1963 and I can certainly see the benefit of setting the novel in that time period before mobile phones etc. However, there wasn’t anything in the story to make it feel as though it was set in that period apart from several references to Audrey Hepburn.
It is an enjoyable story and the kittens almost make it worth reading by themselves but to me, it all seemed a bit predictable with too many stereotypes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 25, 2022
Aaaaawh! This book is like a lovely, warm hug in front of a toasty fire, It's essentially The Sound of Music story, with less music and just enough original details so that it is not merely derivative. The setting (1960s Provence) could perhaps have been more strongly characterised, but the story is cute and a winning combination of sweet, clean romance with a hot French Count and a cast of other delightful characters (adults, children, big dog and small kittens) plus obvious 'baddies', copious amounts of chocolate - and did I mention the adorable kittens?
Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century for the arc via NetGalley. All views my own.
Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century for the arc via NetGalley. All views my own.
March 9, 2022
Although this was a easy read I was really disappointed with it. I found it a bit far fetched and lacking any depth. Not one of her best at all. It didn’t flow and I was beginning to wonder where it was going but I persevered but was left disappointed. Wouldn’t recommend it unless you want a read where you don’t have to think and know the ending.
February 1, 2022
This is the first book I have read by this author and I chose it because I love the Provence area.
It is a light, feel good book that will probably appeal to readers of women's fiction or romance novels.
Personally I found it lacking. The relationship between Antoine and Alexandra was almost non existent, the need to over explain situations was annoying and there were quite a few eye rolling moments for me.
All in all I didn't love it but I also didn't hate it, it was ok.
It is a light, feel good book that will probably appeal to readers of women's fiction or romance novels.
Personally I found it lacking. The relationship between Antoine and Alexandra was almost non existent, the need to over explain situations was annoying and there were quite a few eye rolling moments for me.
All in all I didn't love it but I also didn't hate it, it was ok.
November 7, 2022
3.5 stars
February 27, 2023
Lovely sequel to A wedding in the country
November 17, 2022
I don’t think I could have picked a better story for my first ever Katie Fforde book. Plus, I got to buddy read it with my booksta bestie, Hannah. Well, I say buddy read… *taps chin*
This was your typical Hannah/Laura buddy read where the planned reading schedule goes to pot on the first night *snorts*. So, after a trying week at work I had a date with my sofa and the book on the Saturday and I wasn’t moving!
*sighs* I devoured Alexandra’s story in just over a day. Once I started I didn’t want to put it down as the story unfolded. I hesitate to use the term easy-read as there is a skill to make a read this effortless. The pages were turning themselves!
Set in the early 60s, a chance meeting in Paris will change 20-year-old Alexandra’s life… at least for the summer. Oh come on, I can’t give all the story away!
I will say this… if you have a weakness for pining/unrequited love à la forbidden love (ish!), self-discovery and found family tropes then you are in for a treat!
Btw, I’d go ahead and admit surrender right now and prepare to lose your heart to a sassy nine-year-old.
Also, please tell me I’m not the only one that was getting all The Sound of Music vibes? Hello Captain Von Trapp aka Antoine! *sighs* (again!) It’s the whole saying so much without saying anything, isn’t it? Hello to The Look! Words are so underrated!
It was as if the Chateau and its inhabitants were just waiting for Alexandra’s arrival (and those who follow) to breathe new life back into it. Talk about being a spark! I just wish I’d been there for one event in particular.
Oops, I best shut up now or I’ll be here rambling all day. To sum up, I think it’s safe to say this won’t be my last KF read.
This was your typical Hannah/Laura buddy read where the planned reading schedule goes to pot on the first night *snorts*. So, after a trying week at work I had a date with my sofa and the book on the Saturday and I wasn’t moving!
*sighs* I devoured Alexandra’s story in just over a day. Once I started I didn’t want to put it down as the story unfolded. I hesitate to use the term easy-read as there is a skill to make a read this effortless. The pages were turning themselves!
Set in the early 60s, a chance meeting in Paris will change 20-year-old Alexandra’s life… at least for the summer. Oh come on, I can’t give all the story away!
I will say this… if you have a weakness for pining/unrequited love à la forbidden love (ish!), self-discovery and found family tropes then you are in for a treat!
Btw, I’d go ahead and admit surrender right now and prepare to lose your heart to a sassy nine-year-old.
Also, please tell me I’m not the only one that was getting all The Sound of Music vibes? Hello Captain Von Trapp aka Antoine! *sighs* (again!) It’s the whole saying so much without saying anything, isn’t it? Hello to The Look! Words are so underrated!
It was as if the Chateau and its inhabitants were just waiting for Alexandra’s arrival (and those who follow) to breathe new life back into it. Talk about being a spark! I just wish I’d been there for one event in particular.
Oops, I best shut up now or I’ll be here rambling all day. To sum up, I think it’s safe to say this won’t be my last KF read.
February 16, 2022
A delightful, easy, quick read perfect for a young reader, around early twenties I would say.
Characters and places are beautifully depicted and I found the setting in the early 60s quite unusual and very interesting. A very well written and nice story!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Characters and places are beautifully depicted and I found the setting in the early 60s quite unusual and very interesting. A very well written and nice story!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2022
When I want to read some romantic fiction, Katie Fforde is an author I turn to first. As I have been reading and enjoying her novels since 1995, I think I can safely say her writing never fails to provide just what I need at the time. Romantic escapism.
Set in the early sixties, the protagonist Alexandra comes from a privileged background. En-route from England to a finishing school in Switzerland, she stops off in Paris for a few days and finds herself accepting a job as a Nanny. Surprisingly the position turns out not to be in Paris but in Provence, but Alexandra accepts the challenge, despite her only experience being with her own Nannies. Initially she does not feel at all welcome at the chateau, but her personality wins through. As one would expect with this type of storyline, one thing leads to another as acceptance and love blossom.
Recommended as a perfect read for when one is in the mood for a readable romance, with the inevitable happy ending. Relax and enjoy.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
Set in the early sixties, the protagonist Alexandra comes from a privileged background. En-route from England to a finishing school in Switzerland, she stops off in Paris for a few days and finds herself accepting a job as a Nanny. Surprisingly the position turns out not to be in Paris but in Provence, but Alexandra accepts the challenge, despite her only experience being with her own Nannies. Initially she does not feel at all welcome at the chateau, but her personality wins through. As one would expect with this type of storyline, one thing leads to another as acceptance and love blossom.
Recommended as a perfect read for when one is in the mood for a readable romance, with the inevitable happy ending. Relax and enjoy.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
August 4, 2022
Smegenims visiskai atjungti lengva atostogine romantika 👌🏻 tobulai klisinis scenarijus, kur durniau ir nesugalvosi: nudrengtoj pily gyvenantis neturtingas grafas vaikams pasamdo 20mete auklyte, kuri pasirodo dar ir yra dideliu turtu paveldetoja..
July 12, 2023
Ganska platt och lite tråkigt. Saknar mening.
Har knappt någon ”kärlek” för att vara en romance-bok.
Inte dålig dock, helt ok bok.
Har knappt någon ”kärlek” för att vara en romance-bok.
Inte dålig dock, helt ok bok.
March 4, 2022
This was a lovely novel, set in France in the 1960s . Typical to ffordes style, it was light and breezy and easy to read. A nice book to transport you in a different time and place.
February 25, 2022
The story begins in late summer 1963. Alexandra is 20 years old having being orphaned very young. She had had a comfortable life and had nannies and later companions to guide her through the years after family decided to support her from afar. She has just completed a cookery course and made good friends. Not a way-wood way of life but unconventional. Her family from afar have decided that she should go finishing in Switzerland. Reluctantly she goes, stopping in Paris en route. she makes a new friend and helps her out with a dinner party taking the opportunity to stay in Paris a bit longer. She gets to hear about a job and decides that this would be the perfect opportunity to putting her cooking skills to good use and getting to stay in Paris a bit longer.
She's offered the job but it's not quite what she expected, it's for the position of a nanny and it's not in Paris, it's in Provence!
She finds herself looking after a teenage girl, a not much younger brother and adopted much younger sister. The teenage daughter is not best pleased she's there! Then comes along the prim and proper granmere followed by the children's estranged mother who both insisit the new nanny is not suitable and the children should be sent to boarding school in England leaving behind their adopted sister.
The children's father - a count and very handsome often works away and Alexandra is left to cope with this alone.
Alexandra enlists the help of her good friend from England - gay something still illegal in England and her in turn brings a friend.
In true Katy Fforde style, this is a pleasant gentle escapist romance.
I had to give it three stars as I didn't feel the plot was entirely original, a Chateau instead of a castle, a gay friend and fellow employee, dressing the house and having a traditional Christmas and skating on the lake and even relations concerned that they should inherit.
It also left me feeling a little uncomfortable when Alexandra was assessing men for their suitability as suiters and that she should prefer this one instead of that one because her's closer in age, Perhaps it was something that women did in the sixties? Look at men as potential husbands?
This aside, I would still recommend this book and I would definitely read another Katie Fforde having enjoyed so many of her previous books.
Suitable for readers of romance/women's fiction.
#AWeddinginProvence #NetGalley
She's offered the job but it's not quite what she expected, it's for the position of a nanny and it's not in Paris, it's in Provence!
She finds herself looking after a teenage girl, a not much younger brother and adopted much younger sister. The teenage daughter is not best pleased she's there! Then comes along the prim and proper granmere followed by the children's estranged mother who both insisit the new nanny is not suitable and the children should be sent to boarding school in England leaving behind their adopted sister.
The children's father - a count and very handsome often works away and Alexandra is left to cope with this alone.
Alexandra enlists the help of her good friend from England - gay something still illegal in England and her in turn brings a friend.
In true Katy Fforde style, this is a pleasant gentle escapist romance.
I had to give it three stars as I didn't feel the plot was entirely original, a Chateau instead of a castle, a gay friend and fellow employee, dressing the house and having a traditional Christmas and skating on the lake and even relations concerned that they should inherit.
It also left me feeling a little uncomfortable when Alexandra was assessing men for their suitability as suiters and that she should prefer this one instead of that one because her's closer in age, Perhaps it was something that women did in the sixties? Look at men as potential husbands?
This aside, I would still recommend this book and I would definitely read another Katie Fforde having enjoyed so many of her previous books.
Suitable for readers of romance/women's fiction.
#AWeddinginProvence #NetGalley
June 3, 2024
I really enjoyed this romance. Easy to read and I loved loads of the characters and hated Lucinda and Veronique so well done Katie 👏
January 22, 2022
Katie Fforde has accompanied me through my young adult years, all the way to the present, and I know that whenever I pick up one of her books, I will be engulfed in the story, immediately.
A Wedding in Provence is much the same.
Alexandra is en route to Switzerland, in Paris, enjoying her last moments of freedom, before she has to enrol in a finishing school, as expected by her relations.
Not very eager to take this route, she jumps at the chance to stay in gay Paree for a little longer when a temporary job offer comes up, but it ends up in Provence, as a nanny, rather than something more glamorous.
She finds herself in a chateau, looking after three children, unaided, two of which aren't keen to have her there, with a grandmerè who doesn't feel she is qualified, an estranged mother of said children, who wants to whisk the children away, and a friendly dog.
What's more, she appears to have some feelings for the father, who just happens to be a Count.
Oh, it could just be straightforward, couldn't it? The Nanny and the Count fall in love and the children have a ready-made happy family...
But where's the fun in that?
We get to meet Alexandra's friend David, who comes to help her tutor the children, and he also happens to be homosexual, something frowned upon in England during the setting of this story. He's her best friend, but also like a surrogate father to her.
There are many interesting characters in this book, that help to add colour to the story, and the market scenes make me want to go and visit similar places, too!
Yes, the romance is there, absolutely, simmering, in the background, but I do wish there had been more of the build-up, as the inevitable conclusion is so sped up!
However, we do get to enjoy the development of the relationship between the young nanny and her charges, as they go from wary to not wanting her to ever go.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A Wedding in Provence is much the same.
Alexandra is en route to Switzerland, in Paris, enjoying her last moments of freedom, before she has to enrol in a finishing school, as expected by her relations.
Not very eager to take this route, she jumps at the chance to stay in gay Paree for a little longer when a temporary job offer comes up, but it ends up in Provence, as a nanny, rather than something more glamorous.
She finds herself in a chateau, looking after three children, unaided, two of which aren't keen to have her there, with a grandmerè who doesn't feel she is qualified, an estranged mother of said children, who wants to whisk the children away, and a friendly dog.
What's more, she appears to have some feelings for the father, who just happens to be a Count.
Oh, it could just be straightforward, couldn't it? The Nanny and the Count fall in love and the children have a ready-made happy family...
But where's the fun in that?
We get to meet Alexandra's friend David, who comes to help her tutor the children, and he also happens to be homosexual, something frowned upon in England during the setting of this story. He's her best friend, but also like a surrogate father to her.
There are many interesting characters in this book, that help to add colour to the story, and the market scenes make me want to go and visit similar places, too!
Yes, the romance is there, absolutely, simmering, in the background, but I do wish there had been more of the build-up, as the inevitable conclusion is so sped up!
However, we do get to enjoy the development of the relationship between the young nanny and her charges, as they go from wary to not wanting her to ever go.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2022
A sweet slice of romantic escapism.
A chance meeting in Paris in 1963 earns Alexandra a job as a nanny in rural Provence. Her task to take care of two teenagers and little girl for a handsome but often absent comte. What ensues is a heartwarming story of love and family in beautiful setting.
I really liked Alexandra she was resourceful loyal and kind. Her story was accompanied by a varied cast of interesting side characters, including endearing children and a dashing loved interest. I also adored the setting and the sense of the rural like evoked in this story.
A chance meeting in Paris in 1963 earns Alexandra a job as a nanny in rural Provence. Her task to take care of two teenagers and little girl for a handsome but often absent comte. What ensues is a heartwarming story of love and family in beautiful setting.
I really liked Alexandra she was resourceful loyal and kind. Her story was accompanied by a varied cast of interesting side characters, including endearing children and a dashing loved interest. I also adored the setting and the sense of the rural like evoked in this story.
June 23, 2022
Poorly written, repetitive, overly descriptive, unbelievable and ultimately boring.
November 6, 2022
Ah to try and find the words to sum up this book… I absolutely loved reading this, I buddy read it with Laura and we both ended up racing through this in a little over 36 hours as it was just so good.
Set in Provence in the middle of the 60’s you are just transported straight into the chateaux with Alexandra, having the confidence to take on the job of nanny to three kids just days after arriving in Paris at just 20 is inspiring and tells you a bit about the kind of character she is. Though instantly attracted to Antoine she knows that there are too many reasons why they could never be a couple and focuses all of her love and attention on his 3 children.
And those kids, Stephie especially, just make this book extra special, I loved how blunt and honest Stephie was, she really doesn’t mince her words and it’s so sweet how she gets on with Alexandra so quickly. It’s not quite the same when it comes to Felicite, who at 15 clearly doesn’t feel like she needs a nanny to look after her, although the change in her as the book plays out is clear. And the way both her and Henri look after and feel about Stephie is just the sweetest!
I have to say, I kept forgetting that this was set in the 60’s as it felt like it could have been happening today, until something happened that was clearly set in an earlier time. I also didn’t know that the French celebrate Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day but the way Alex and David introduced the more English traditions felt so fitting in this.
Overall I just really loved this book, there were a few occasions where I gasped out loud as I found myself just getting absolutely lost in the pages. I can’t believe that this is the first book by Katie Fforde that I’ve read as it definitely won’t be the last!
Set in Provence in the middle of the 60’s you are just transported straight into the chateaux with Alexandra, having the confidence to take on the job of nanny to three kids just days after arriving in Paris at just 20 is inspiring and tells you a bit about the kind of character she is. Though instantly attracted to Antoine she knows that there are too many reasons why they could never be a couple and focuses all of her love and attention on his 3 children.
And those kids, Stephie especially, just make this book extra special, I loved how blunt and honest Stephie was, she really doesn’t mince her words and it’s so sweet how she gets on with Alexandra so quickly. It’s not quite the same when it comes to Felicite, who at 15 clearly doesn’t feel like she needs a nanny to look after her, although the change in her as the book plays out is clear. And the way both her and Henri look after and feel about Stephie is just the sweetest!
I have to say, I kept forgetting that this was set in the 60’s as it felt like it could have been happening today, until something happened that was clearly set in an earlier time. I also didn’t know that the French celebrate Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day but the way Alex and David introduced the more English traditions felt so fitting in this.
Overall I just really loved this book, there were a few occasions where I gasped out loud as I found myself just getting absolutely lost in the pages. I can’t believe that this is the first book by Katie Fforde that I’ve read as it definitely won’t be the last!
February 18, 2022
Katie Fforde’s latest novel ‘A Wedding in Provence’ is a refreshingly energetic read and a nod to an era where young ladies, raised by nannies and destined for finishing school, was a very real thing.
It’s 1963 and free-spirited heiress Alexandra has 24 hours in Paris before jumping on a train bound for finishing school in Switzerland. She bumps into Donna outside the Sacré Coeur, and there begins a chain of events that leads her to gaining employment from the handsome Le Comte de Belleville. He has ‘dark eyes fringed with long lashes’ and a ‘mouth that curled at the corners’. It comes as no surprise that she finds him ‘almost impossible not to fall in love with’.
Cookery school-trained, with ‘colloquial and rustic’ French, Alexandra is to take charge of le Comte’s – Antoine’s – three children in a chateau in Provence for a month. Orphaned herself at a young age and ‘supervised’ from afar by relations living in Switzerland, Alexandra has always fended for herself in the family home in London. Now she has to care for children who view her ‘with a mixture of hostility, resentment and defiance’.
With a get-on-with-it mindset, she throws off her pearls and stiff dresses and adopts a barefoot Provençial lifestyle. Soon, however, she finds herself up against Antoine’s former mother-in-law, Grand-mère, who wants to move in and educate the children so they ‘do not grow up as savages’. Yes, she really does say that. She also says she ‘doesn’t think people should be fat’. Ooph. She is a woman of her time.
This bohemian story rolls along energetically, hardly pausing for breath, a cast of colourful characters gathering in the chateau as the story builds.
Alexandra is a sweet, kind girl, who means well and is blessed with seeing the positive in most things, which is an attribute you don’t see much of these days. She is likeable and her spirited, less conventional side adds a little pizzazz. With relatable challenges that keep her on her toes – Antoine’s over-bearing ex-mother-in-law and his haughty ex-wife, a prickly love rival, the upward battle of building trust with children who have all but been neglected – Alexandra’s character develops gently and convincingly.
Themes of long-lost love and the search for family security are involved, and homosexuality is also given its own story thread during a time when it was illegal to be homosexual in Great Britain.
And, of course, we wait to see if Alexandra falls in love.
Katie Fforde paints an accurate portrayal of 1960s privileged, upper-class society where pearls, champagne and cookery courses mask a lack of emotional intimacy within families and the acceptance of sexual aggression towards women.
Simple, country Provençial life is pleasantly portrayed through descriptions of the landscape, markets and food, and provides a relaxed backdrop for stiff-natured characters to change.
‘A Wedding in Provence’ is enchanting. Most of all it is escapist and fun.
Thanks to Cornerstone, Random House UK and NetGalley for an advance copy to review.
It’s 1963 and free-spirited heiress Alexandra has 24 hours in Paris before jumping on a train bound for finishing school in Switzerland. She bumps into Donna outside the Sacré Coeur, and there begins a chain of events that leads her to gaining employment from the handsome Le Comte de Belleville. He has ‘dark eyes fringed with long lashes’ and a ‘mouth that curled at the corners’. It comes as no surprise that she finds him ‘almost impossible not to fall in love with’.
Cookery school-trained, with ‘colloquial and rustic’ French, Alexandra is to take charge of le Comte’s – Antoine’s – three children in a chateau in Provence for a month. Orphaned herself at a young age and ‘supervised’ from afar by relations living in Switzerland, Alexandra has always fended for herself in the family home in London. Now she has to care for children who view her ‘with a mixture of hostility, resentment and defiance’.
With a get-on-with-it mindset, she throws off her pearls and stiff dresses and adopts a barefoot Provençial lifestyle. Soon, however, she finds herself up against Antoine’s former mother-in-law, Grand-mère, who wants to move in and educate the children so they ‘do not grow up as savages’. Yes, she really does say that. She also says she ‘doesn’t think people should be fat’. Ooph. She is a woman of her time.
This bohemian story rolls along energetically, hardly pausing for breath, a cast of colourful characters gathering in the chateau as the story builds.
Alexandra is a sweet, kind girl, who means well and is blessed with seeing the positive in most things, which is an attribute you don’t see much of these days. She is likeable and her spirited, less conventional side adds a little pizzazz. With relatable challenges that keep her on her toes – Antoine’s over-bearing ex-mother-in-law and his haughty ex-wife, a prickly love rival, the upward battle of building trust with children who have all but been neglected – Alexandra’s character develops gently and convincingly.
Themes of long-lost love and the search for family security are involved, and homosexuality is also given its own story thread during a time when it was illegal to be homosexual in Great Britain.
And, of course, we wait to see if Alexandra falls in love.
Katie Fforde paints an accurate portrayal of 1960s privileged, upper-class society where pearls, champagne and cookery courses mask a lack of emotional intimacy within families and the acceptance of sexual aggression towards women.
Simple, country Provençial life is pleasantly portrayed through descriptions of the landscape, markets and food, and provides a relaxed backdrop for stiff-natured characters to change.
‘A Wedding in Provence’ is enchanting. Most of all it is escapist and fun.
Thanks to Cornerstone, Random House UK and NetGalley for an advance copy to review.
March 20, 2022
A big slice of romantic escapism!
Alexandra is on her way from London to finishing school in Switzerland when she stops off in Paris for 24 hours. Whilst sightseeing she meets Donna. Alexandra comes to Donna’s rescue as her bag of shopping splits and she helps her to carry the escaped vegetables! Little does Alexandra know this small Good Samaritan act will change the trajectory of her life.
Having decided, at Donna’s insistence, to spend a little longer than the planned 24 hours in Paris, Donna tells her about a job in Paris an acquaintance is looking to fill. When she goes for the interview she has to lie about her age as it is for a nanny position to three children and she is only 20! The only nannying experience she has had is that of her own nannies who brought her up after her parents died.
The job turns out to be in Provence, in a chateau and somehow Alexandra gets the job and finds herself face to face with three children, 2 of which definitely do not want a nanny! Think Sound of Music. Alexandra manages to settle into life in her temporary position at the château. Then Antoine, the children’s father, returns from a business trip and it is love at first sight for Alexandra.
Oh and Alexandra is an heiress to a fortune which she will receive when she turns 25. Or when she marries if before then.
A wonderful cast of colourful characters all so brilliantly written. Loved them all, even the evil ones!
Alexandra is on her way from London to finishing school in Switzerland when she stops off in Paris for 24 hours. Whilst sightseeing she meets Donna. Alexandra comes to Donna’s rescue as her bag of shopping splits and she helps her to carry the escaped vegetables! Little does Alexandra know this small Good Samaritan act will change the trajectory of her life.
Having decided, at Donna’s insistence, to spend a little longer than the planned 24 hours in Paris, Donna tells her about a job in Paris an acquaintance is looking to fill. When she goes for the interview she has to lie about her age as it is for a nanny position to three children and she is only 20! The only nannying experience she has had is that of her own nannies who brought her up after her parents died.
The job turns out to be in Provence, in a chateau and somehow Alexandra gets the job and finds herself face to face with three children, 2 of which definitely do not want a nanny! Think Sound of Music. Alexandra manages to settle into life in her temporary position at the château. Then Antoine, the children’s father, returns from a business trip and it is love at first sight for Alexandra.
Oh and Alexandra is an heiress to a fortune which she will receive when she turns 25. Or when she marries if before then.
A wonderful cast of colourful characters all so brilliantly written. Loved them all, even the evil ones!
May 16, 2022
Following on from A Wedding in the Country where three young women, Lizzie, Alexandra and Meg, meet on a cookery course and become firm friends, A Wedding in Provence is Alexandra’s story. A chance meeting in Paris leads to her being employed as a nanny to three French children who live in a chateau in Provence. Their father is absent a lot of the time, and their mother left many years before, so they present her with a bit of a challenge to say the least. However, Alexandra is a capable and resourceful young woman and, despite disapproval from almost everyone she meets, gradually gains the children’s trust. Her relationship with them is the main focus of the story, with the romance almost taking second place.
I have read all of Katie Fforde’s novels over the last twenty years or so, and A Wedding in Provence has a lot of the familiar elements that make her books so memorable. Although it features several characters from her previous book, it won’t matter if you have not read it. It stands on its own just fine, but some things will make more sense if you do.
It is always a pleasure to escape from the real world into a Katie Fforde book, and this is no exception, though I still like her early books the best. The characters are well drawn and believable, and there is a strong sense of time and place, with France in 1963 vividly depicted. It definitely makes you want to book a holiday in Provence and head off in search of the sun. I’m hoping that the next book will be Meg’s story and continue the 1960s theme. Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
I have read all of Katie Fforde’s novels over the last twenty years or so, and A Wedding in Provence has a lot of the familiar elements that make her books so memorable. Although it features several characters from her previous book, it won’t matter if you have not read it. It stands on its own just fine, but some things will make more sense if you do.
It is always a pleasure to escape from the real world into a Katie Fforde book, and this is no exception, though I still like her early books the best. The characters are well drawn and believable, and there is a strong sense of time and place, with France in 1963 vividly depicted. It definitely makes you want to book a holiday in Provence and head off in search of the sun. I’m hoping that the next book will be Meg’s story and continue the 1960s theme. Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
January 27, 2022
This is a book that really aught to be a 4 Star book. The plot line isn't completely original, and there are no real surprised, but the quality of Katie Fforde's writing elevates it to a 5 Star for me. I was totally invested in the characters and couldn't put it down. So much so that when I woke at 5.30am one morning instead of going back to sleep I read until it was time to get up!
Alexandre is an orphan, and largely brought herself up when her parents died, with the aid of some remote family members, and various governesses and companions. When the family members decide she should join them to attend a Swiss finishing school, she decides to spend a few days in Paris first, visiting the city. A series of events means she end up as a short term Governess to 3 children whose mother has left, and whose father has to work away, so Alexandre at age 20 finds herself in a French chateau in Province in charge of 3 children - the oldest of whom is 15 - not too much younger than herself.
I absolutely loved the story and the way it was told, and was totally invested in the family. I'd love to know what happens next. More please.
Alexandre is an orphan, and largely brought herself up when her parents died, with the aid of some remote family members, and various governesses and companions. When the family members decide she should join them to attend a Swiss finishing school, she decides to spend a few days in Paris first, visiting the city. A series of events means she end up as a short term Governess to 3 children whose mother has left, and whose father has to work away, so Alexandre at age 20 finds herself in a French chateau in Province in charge of 3 children - the oldest of whom is 15 - not too much younger than herself.
I absolutely loved the story and the way it was told, and was totally invested in the family. I'd love to know what happens next. More please.
March 4, 2022
I have not read many books by Katie but I thoroughly enjoyed this one, I felt as though it was an easy and fun read that had lots packed into it. The main character is called Alexandra who after finishing a cookery course heads to France where she finds a job being a nanny to three children, at first they are hostile to her but she soon gets them to open up to her and it was lovely to see that blossom. I liked how the book was written it had a chatty feel to it which I liked, I liked Alexandra, I felt as though she was a strong women that people could look up to. When the father returns to his children we then see romance sizzle between him and Alexandra and I was really hoping she would get her happy ever after as she is such a great nanny and person. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more by Katie in the future.
August 23, 2022
✨𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿. 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺. '𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲, 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲, 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲!' 𝗛𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿. 𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗯𝗲.✨
This was such a delight to read! The story flowed so smoothly. This is just the read I needed this past weekend to relax!❤️
This book follows twenty year old Alexandra who finds herself thrust into a job to be a nanny to 3 children for a count
It helps obviously that the count is dashingly handsome.
I feel like the story is centered more around Alexandra's relationship with the children (which was EVERYTHING) rather than a romance with the count, but the ending tied it all up neatly and made my heart so happy! This was absolutely easy to read, I didn't find myself having to 'push' through it which makes it a high recommendation in my books 😍
This was such a delight to read! The story flowed so smoothly. This is just the read I needed this past weekend to relax!❤️
This book follows twenty year old Alexandra who finds herself thrust into a job to be a nanny to 3 children for a count
It helps obviously that the count is dashingly handsome.
I feel like the story is centered more around Alexandra's relationship with the children (which was EVERYTHING) rather than a romance with the count, but the ending tied it all up neatly and made my heart so happy! This was absolutely easy to read, I didn't find myself having to 'push' through it which makes it a high recommendation in my books 😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2022
What a wonderfully heart warming book.
From the very first page I was transported to another time and place. Alexandra’s story is lovely and visiting 1963 again was wonderful. I loved seeing her grow and care for the children and try so hard not to fall for her older sexy boss. There was more than just one romance story going on. I loved Jack and Penelope reuniting and falling love again and even David f ding love, yet having to still stay hidden due to social convention. Seeing him step up and help Alexandra again and be her family was lovely. I loved his informal teaching and I loved the 3 children. Some lovely friendships were forged and I enjoyed seeing the children blossom under Alexandra’s care.
This book was everything I didn’t even I now I needed to read. I couldn’t stop reading.
From the very first page I was transported to another time and place. Alexandra’s story is lovely and visiting 1963 again was wonderful. I loved seeing her grow and care for the children and try so hard not to fall for her older sexy boss. There was more than just one romance story going on. I loved Jack and Penelope reuniting and falling love again and even David f ding love, yet having to still stay hidden due to social convention. Seeing him step up and help Alexandra again and be her family was lovely. I loved his informal teaching and I loved the 3 children. Some lovely friendships were forged and I enjoyed seeing the children blossom under Alexandra’s care.
This book was everything I didn’t even I now I needed to read. I couldn’t stop reading.
November 12, 2022
My thanks to the publishers via NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Telling the story of Alexandra who takes on a nannying job as a change of career, in a French chateau. How will she learn to cope with the three children of the French count who is the father to the three, as she finds herself falling for him?
I quite enjoyed this story set in the 60's in France. It was a story that you could easily escape into and settle down with a nice cuppa. A gentle romance in more ways than one, the style of read that fans of Katie Fforde are used to reading.
October 22, 2024
This was an impulse get at the library one day, and it was pure, fluffy, entertainment, which I must have needed as I quite enjoyed it. This is a new to me author, a very prolific and well known romance writer, of whom I’d never heard. I enjoyed her lead character Alexandra, although I doubt she’d have grown up so emotionally mature from having such absent parenting in real life. However, it was a romance novel after all, albeit without any casual sex thrown in, which I found refreshing. All in all, it was a nice relaxing, mostly stress-free read, that I enjoyed.
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