What do you think?
Rate this book
En månad i Provence
Hur vet du att du är redo för en förändring i ditt liv?
Inredningsdesignern Nicky har alltid haft en förmåga att vända motgångar till framgångar, men livet har inte varit enkelt sedan hon förlorade sin man. Som ensamstående mamma till två döttrar har hon kämpat för att ge dem en trygg och kärleksfull uppväxt, och nu ser hon med stolthet på de starka och självständiga kvinnor de har blivit.
När hennes bästa vän Jenny, en driven tv-producent, ber om en stor tjänst, känner Nicky att hon inte kan säga nej. Jennys nya renoveringsprogram är på väg att gå i stöp och enligt Jenny är Nicky den enda som kan rädda det.
Utan mycket tid att förbereda sig, kastas Nicky in i ett äventyr hon aldrig kunnat fö redan nästa dag ska hon flyga till Provence för att förvandla ett förfallet Bed and Breakfast till något spektakulärt. Men det är inte bara fastigheten som behöver en makeover – den barske och tillbakadragne ägaren Robert verkar också behöva lite hjälp på traven. Och som om det inte vore nog, är budgeten så tajt att varje beslut blir avgörande.
Kommer Nicky att lyckas förvandla den slitna fastigheten till en drömplats och samtidigt briljera framför kamerorna? Under den gassande franska solen står inte bara hennes väninnas karriär på spel – kanske hittar Nicky också en väg till lycka och ett nytt kapitel i sitt eget liv…
---
"Det finns inget som fångar mig så fullkomligt som en bok där huvudkaraktären får förändra sitt liv! … Varm och underbar … Verkligen relaterbar och härlig och fick mig att vilja hoppa rakt in i den … Definitivt en upplyftande, hjärtevärmande och eskapistisk roman som bör läsas med en STÖR EJ-skylt. För när du väl börjat kommer du inte vilja lägga den ifrån dig." - Kim Nash
"Det var underbart att fly till Provence … [och] en fröjd att följa Nickys återupplivning av ett förfallande franskt hotell medan hon kommer till rätta med sitt eget förflutna (och möjliga framtid?!) i en briljant skriven, upplyftande berättelse." - Tom Benjamin
"En månad i Provence är härlig eskapism till södra Frankrike, med en väl genomtänkt handling … Trots sorg finns det humor och, när saker förändras i Nickys liv, en känsla av hopp. På det hela taget är den upplyftande i ton och atmosfär med välutvecklade karaktärer." - Bookmarks and Stages
"Iscensatt på den franska landsbygden i Provence, är denna vackert skrivna romantiska komedi en berättelse om en andra chans till kärlek … En månad i Provence fick mitt lilla frankofila hjärta att sjunga när landskapet och de pittoreska städerna väcktes till liv, och huvudkaraktärerna fick en chans att hitta kärlek efter förlust." – BookMadJo
"En månad i Provence var min första bok av författaren och jag ser fram emot att läsa fler! … Rekommenderar varmt den här romanen om du gillar lättsamma, roliga och upplyftande böcker om starka kvinnor, vänskap, charmiga värdshus, andra chanser och lätt romantik i en vacker miljö.
Inredningsdesignern Nicky har alltid haft en förmåga att vända motgångar till framgångar, men livet har inte varit enkelt sedan hon förlorade sin man. Som ensamstående mamma till två döttrar har hon kämpat för att ge dem en trygg och kärleksfull uppväxt, och nu ser hon med stolthet på de starka och självständiga kvinnor de har blivit.
När hennes bästa vän Jenny, en driven tv-producent, ber om en stor tjänst, känner Nicky att hon inte kan säga nej. Jennys nya renoveringsprogram är på väg att gå i stöp och enligt Jenny är Nicky den enda som kan rädda det.
Utan mycket tid att förbereda sig, kastas Nicky in i ett äventyr hon aldrig kunnat fö redan nästa dag ska hon flyga till Provence för att förvandla ett förfallet Bed and Breakfast till något spektakulärt. Men det är inte bara fastigheten som behöver en makeover – den barske och tillbakadragne ägaren Robert verkar också behöva lite hjälp på traven. Och som om det inte vore nog, är budgeten så tajt att varje beslut blir avgörande.
Kommer Nicky att lyckas förvandla den slitna fastigheten till en drömplats och samtidigt briljera framför kamerorna? Under den gassande franska solen står inte bara hennes väninnas karriär på spel – kanske hittar Nicky också en väg till lycka och ett nytt kapitel i sitt eget liv…
---
"Det finns inget som fångar mig så fullkomligt som en bok där huvudkaraktären får förändra sitt liv! … Varm och underbar … Verkligen relaterbar och härlig och fick mig att vilja hoppa rakt in i den … Definitivt en upplyftande, hjärtevärmande och eskapistisk roman som bör läsas med en STÖR EJ-skylt. För när du väl börjat kommer du inte vilja lägga den ifrån dig." - Kim Nash
"Det var underbart att fly till Provence … [och] en fröjd att följa Nickys återupplivning av ett förfallande franskt hotell medan hon kommer till rätta med sitt eget förflutna (och möjliga framtid?!) i en briljant skriven, upplyftande berättelse." - Tom Benjamin
"En månad i Provence är härlig eskapism till södra Frankrike, med en väl genomtänkt handling … Trots sorg finns det humor och, när saker förändras i Nickys liv, en känsla av hopp. På det hela taget är den upplyftande i ton och atmosfär med välutvecklade karaktärer." - Bookmarks and Stages
"Iscensatt på den franska landsbygden i Provence, är denna vackert skrivna romantiska komedi en berättelse om en andra chans till kärlek … En månad i Provence fick mitt lilla frankofila hjärta att sjunga när landskapet och de pittoreska städerna väcktes till liv, och huvudkaraktärerna fick en chans att hitta kärlek efter förlust." – BookMadJo
"En månad i Provence var min första bok av författaren och jag ser fram emot att läsa fler! … Rekommenderar varmt den här romanen om du gillar lättsamma, roliga och upplyftande böcker om starka kvinnor, vänskap, charmiga värdshus, andra chanser och lätt romantik i en vacker miljö.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2023
1873 people are currently reading
796 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Harvey
12 books310 followersI'm a British author and freelance writer, currently living in Norfolk, England with my husband and 5 children. I write contemporary, uplifting and emotive fiction, often set in France where I lived for 14 years.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
July 19, 2023
Who can resist a good challenge especially when Provence was the destination and interior designing was involved? Nicky was an interior designer but she had not had the opportunity to use her talents in a very long time. She had been widowed for ten years now. Was Nicky up for a challenge of this magnitude? Could she inject new life into a failing French B&B located in Provence, help her friend Jenny, a t.v. executive for a reality show about renovations, by filling a vacated spot in the new reality show and along the way, perhaps, find herself and some much needed happiness in her own life? Those were the decisions Nicky was forced to make, I discovered, as I began to read A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey.
After ten years of being a widow, Nicky should have been able to move on and put the tragic car accident that took her beloved husband from her behind her. That was not as easy as some people thought it might be. At first, Nicky was wrapped up in raising her two daughters and meeting all their needs. Both of her daughters were grown now. One even was married and had a daughter of her own. Nicky remembered that long before she became a widow, she had dreams of her own. Some how, Nicky had pushed them from her thoughts. Jenny’s proposition was tempting. This could be just the challenge she had been waiting for without even knowing she had been.
When Nicky arrived in Provence and saw the condition of the B&B, she knew that she had her work cut out for her. Then she met Robert, the owner of the B&B, and realized that she might have bit off more than she had been prepared to handle and change. Robert, the owner of the B&B, was also a widower. Nicky soon learned that Robert was floundering, too. His people skills and dress attire were questionable. Could Nicky summon up the courage and self confidence she so needed to succeed at this endeavor? Was Nicky flexible enough to endure all the last minute changes in the budget and scheduling that her friend Jenny and the crew threw at her? Could she help Robert make the dreams he and his late wife dreamed about for the B&B become a reality? Could Nicky and Robert help each other become more confident individuals, win this competition and perhaps find happiness and new and more positive outlooks on their lives?
I loved how Gillian Harvey navigated and portrayed the growth, outlooks, transformations and destinies of both Nicky and Robert. Their characters were so endearing. I really enjoyed that both Nicky and Robert were middle aged characters. It was so easy for me to relate with them. A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey was so full of hope, smiles. discoveries, likable characters and vivid descriptions of the picturesque landscape of Provence. It was so well written and relatable. I did not want the book to end. The cover appealed to me as well. I loved it! Although, Gillian Harvey was a new author for me, I was quite impressed. I will definitely look for her books in the future. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a good book about real people, that involved a little romance and if are up for finding out who the winner of the competition was.
Thank you to Boldwood Books for allowing me to read A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
After ten years of being a widow, Nicky should have been able to move on and put the tragic car accident that took her beloved husband from her behind her. That was not as easy as some people thought it might be. At first, Nicky was wrapped up in raising her two daughters and meeting all their needs. Both of her daughters were grown now. One even was married and had a daughter of her own. Nicky remembered that long before she became a widow, she had dreams of her own. Some how, Nicky had pushed them from her thoughts. Jenny’s proposition was tempting. This could be just the challenge she had been waiting for without even knowing she had been.
When Nicky arrived in Provence and saw the condition of the B&B, she knew that she had her work cut out for her. Then she met Robert, the owner of the B&B, and realized that she might have bit off more than she had been prepared to handle and change. Robert, the owner of the B&B, was also a widower. Nicky soon learned that Robert was floundering, too. His people skills and dress attire were questionable. Could Nicky summon up the courage and self confidence she so needed to succeed at this endeavor? Was Nicky flexible enough to endure all the last minute changes in the budget and scheduling that her friend Jenny and the crew threw at her? Could she help Robert make the dreams he and his late wife dreamed about for the B&B become a reality? Could Nicky and Robert help each other become more confident individuals, win this competition and perhaps find happiness and new and more positive outlooks on their lives?
I loved how Gillian Harvey navigated and portrayed the growth, outlooks, transformations and destinies of both Nicky and Robert. Their characters were so endearing. I really enjoyed that both Nicky and Robert were middle aged characters. It was so easy for me to relate with them. A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey was so full of hope, smiles. discoveries, likable characters and vivid descriptions of the picturesque landscape of Provence. It was so well written and relatable. I did not want the book to end. The cover appealed to me as well. I loved it! Although, Gillian Harvey was a new author for me, I was quite impressed. I will definitely look for her books in the future. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a good book about real people, that involved a little romance and if are up for finding out who the winner of the competition was.
Thank you to Boldwood Books for allowing me to read A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 23, 2023
Can Nicky turn the French B&B’s fortunes around, save her friend’s job and find happiness for herself?
You’ll love this wonderful story full of rich descriptions and character growth as much as you’ll love the authentic, down-to-earth characters with realistic life stories. Harvey spotlights her characters at a pivotal moment in their lives and shows what can happen when they cling to hope and fervently attempt to find themselves again.
Harvey’s story finds her characters at moments when they’ve misperceived something significant about their own reality. Many readers will be able to connect to this destabilizing experience and read about how it doesn’t need to lead to destruction. Fear can be a big roadblock and Harvey shows what happens when a foundational perspective we have of ourselves is upended. Not only is Nicky grieving, but she also has self-doubt, she’s a planner by nature and she feels like she’s been thrown into the deep end. The t.v. crew and her friend keep changing the parameters and surprising Nicky and she needs to learn to ‘go with the flow’ and make the best of things. Robert is grieving, too. He’s become overwhelmed and needs someone to ground him and give him direction. I loved watching how Harvey’s characters navigated their world and grew to forge new outlooks and destinies.
I won’t forget Nicky any time soon; she grabbed middle age by the lapels and took advantage of time to make meaningful changes.
I was gifted this copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
You’ll love this wonderful story full of rich descriptions and character growth as much as you’ll love the authentic, down-to-earth characters with realistic life stories. Harvey spotlights her characters at a pivotal moment in their lives and shows what can happen when they cling to hope and fervently attempt to find themselves again.
Harvey’s story finds her characters at moments when they’ve misperceived something significant about their own reality. Many readers will be able to connect to this destabilizing experience and read about how it doesn’t need to lead to destruction. Fear can be a big roadblock and Harvey shows what happens when a foundational perspective we have of ourselves is upended. Not only is Nicky grieving, but she also has self-doubt, she’s a planner by nature and she feels like she’s been thrown into the deep end. The t.v. crew and her friend keep changing the parameters and surprising Nicky and she needs to learn to ‘go with the flow’ and make the best of things. Robert is grieving, too. He’s become overwhelmed and needs someone to ground him and give him direction. I loved watching how Harvey’s characters navigated their world and grew to forge new outlooks and destinies.
I won’t forget Nicky any time soon; she grabbed middle age by the lapels and took advantage of time to make meaningful changes.
I was gifted this copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
May 29, 2023
Gillian Harvey is fast becoming one of my must-read authors, so I snapped up the chance to read her latest release, A Month In Provence.
I always love it when characters are of a certain age, where I feel I can relate to them all the more, and our MCs are exactly that in this book.
Nicky is a woman who has been grieving for ten years, always putting her daughters first and never allowing them to feel the gap created when they lost their father. Her best friend offers her the opportunity of a lifetime. A way to reclaim some of the dreams she dared to dream before her world was rocked to the core.
She finds herself in Provence for a month as a business advisor and interior designer and, most importantly, a TV presenter, as she heads a reality TV style project to do up a floundering B & B Business.
Robert is the owner of said business. In the beginning, he is a bit grumpy and stand-offish, but with layers to peel, giving us a glimpse of a much more sensitive soul with a story as tragic as Nicky's.
I loved how they built a tentative friendship over the month that she resides in his ailing B & B, and all the misdemeanours as they attempt to get things ship shape for the TV crew that keeps surprising them,
The cast of side characters is also a joy to get to know, from the local business owners to Nicky's two daughters, and not forgetting Buster the dog!
Honestly, I loved this story so much. It is filled with hope, and there are emotional moments as well as some giggles, too. I read this within a few hours and wished there was more to come!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
I always love it when characters are of a certain age, where I feel I can relate to them all the more, and our MCs are exactly that in this book.
Nicky is a woman who has been grieving for ten years, always putting her daughters first and never allowing them to feel the gap created when they lost their father. Her best friend offers her the opportunity of a lifetime. A way to reclaim some of the dreams she dared to dream before her world was rocked to the core.
She finds herself in Provence for a month as a business advisor and interior designer and, most importantly, a TV presenter, as she heads a reality TV style project to do up a floundering B & B Business.
Robert is the owner of said business. In the beginning, he is a bit grumpy and stand-offish, but with layers to peel, giving us a glimpse of a much more sensitive soul with a story as tragic as Nicky's.
I loved how they built a tentative friendship over the month that she resides in his ailing B & B, and all the misdemeanours as they attempt to get things ship shape for the TV crew that keeps surprising them,
The cast of side characters is also a joy to get to know, from the local business owners to Nicky's two daughters, and not forgetting Buster the dog!
Honestly, I loved this story so much. It is filled with hope, and there are emotional moments as well as some giggles, too. I read this within a few hours and wished there was more to come!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
May 31, 2023
I absolutely loved it! A second chance uplifting book featuring midlife women.
Nicky is an interior designer, who’s had to raise her two daughters alone after losing her husband. She’s proud of her grown up daughters but not quite sure what to do with her life now.
Nicky’s best friend Jenny is a TV executive who’s desperate for Nicky’s help on her new renovation show. The only catch is Nicky needs to fly to Provence tomorrow to renovate an old worn down B&B. Jenny doesn’t bother to mention there is barely a working budget or the grumpy B&B owner Robert.
I love Gillian Harvey’s books and was excited to read this. Her descriptions of France are second to none. The characters are so likeable and I love that they are of a certain age which makes them more relatable to me. Loved the back stories of the characters and their growth as the story progresses. There were plenty of emotional moments but funny moments as well. The story was so well written and I’m ready to book my ticket to Provence!
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nicky is an interior designer, who’s had to raise her two daughters alone after losing her husband. She’s proud of her grown up daughters but not quite sure what to do with her life now.
Nicky’s best friend Jenny is a TV executive who’s desperate for Nicky’s help on her new renovation show. The only catch is Nicky needs to fly to Provence tomorrow to renovate an old worn down B&B. Jenny doesn’t bother to mention there is barely a working budget or the grumpy B&B owner Robert.
I love Gillian Harvey’s books and was excited to read this. Her descriptions of France are second to none. The characters are so likeable and I love that they are of a certain age which makes them more relatable to me. Loved the back stories of the characters and their growth as the story progresses. There were plenty of emotional moments but funny moments as well. The story was so well written and I’m ready to book my ticket to Provence!
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 7, 2023
I had to skim read to get through this story. I didn’t like the main character, Nicky. And the whole filming thing was just downright frustrating. As if they kept just turning up at the drop of a hat. And all the silly things going wrong, like knocking over the paint. Just annoying. But one of the things that annoyed me the most was the weird use of American words when she was supposed to be English. Off the top of my head she used emergency room when we use casualty or A&E; guerney when I have never heard anyone use that word in a British hospital. And at one point she referred to a server rather than waiter or waitress. Overall, just annoying.
July 14, 2023
A Month In Provence - Gillian Harvey.
Gillian Harvey is one of those authors who writes books full of sunshine.
#AMonthInProvence is a gorgeous and feel good story. Set in beautiful Provence, Gillian Harvey truly brings the setting to life with her descriptive writing skills setting the scene with a clarity that will stir your senses.
I love that Nicky and Robert are both middle - aged characters. They are both dealing with their own heartache and are at a point in their lives where they maybe need a little bit of a nudge out of the ruts that they are separately in.
It was a joy to follow their journey as they rediscovered themselves and also breathed new life into the distinguished old B&B.
I really did adore this book. It’s very sweet and warm. It’s funny, touching and full of love.
#AMonthInProvemce is one of those books that will nestle in your heart and radiate a warmth that will leave you with a big smile on your face and happiness in your soul.
A gorgeous 5⭐️ read.
With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Netgalley, Boldwood and the lovely Gillian Harvey for a digital arc of this title.
Gillian Harvey is one of those authors who writes books full of sunshine.
#AMonthInProvence is a gorgeous and feel good story. Set in beautiful Provence, Gillian Harvey truly brings the setting to life with her descriptive writing skills setting the scene with a clarity that will stir your senses.
I love that Nicky and Robert are both middle - aged characters. They are both dealing with their own heartache and are at a point in their lives where they maybe need a little bit of a nudge out of the ruts that they are separately in.
It was a joy to follow their journey as they rediscovered themselves and also breathed new life into the distinguished old B&B.
I really did adore this book. It’s very sweet and warm. It’s funny, touching and full of love.
#AMonthInProvemce is one of those books that will nestle in your heart and radiate a warmth that will leave you with a big smile on your face and happiness in your soul.
A gorgeous 5⭐️ read.
With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Netgalley, Boldwood and the lovely Gillian Harvey for a digital arc of this title.
March 27, 2024
An enjoyable palate cleanser about a middle-aged widow who is roped into her friend's reality show giving a B&B in Provence a makeover. The owner is a rather grumpy widower who needs a makeover of his own. Thoroughly predictable but lots of fun, and just what I needed in between some denser reads.
June 7, 2024
This wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good and put me in an absolute reading rut. Descriptions of the south of France were fun but this dragged on for entirely too long for such a short book
February 21, 2024
2.5 stars, not my style, enjoyed the idea of the book.
October 23, 2023
This story had a couple of over the top ridiculous scenarios that made it hard to take seriously. A drunken paint party complete with oversleeping the night before an important day. Really? And the ridiculous demands made by the production company? I kept telling myself to remember this is chick lit and not serious fiction.
If you’re looking for a quasi silly feel good love story, this is for you
If you’re looking for a quasi silly feel good love story, this is for you
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2023
Innitially it took me awhile to get into this book, eventually l did warm towards it. The book is about new beginnings after heavy loses and the importance of friendship in helping people to move forward in life. It’s about making mistakes, being human and forgiveness. Full of possibilities.
March 9, 2024
A very nice story about how a British woman is picked by a TV show to refurbish a failing B&B in France. It is also about how two lost souls find they can love again after losing their mates. It was a bit long in some areas that did not need that much information. But otherwise, a lovely story.
December 1, 2023
This book felt like a hug that held humour 🫶🏼
It was full of funny and heartfelt scenes with a backdrop that is described so beautifully, you feel as though you are right there with the characters in picturesque Provence.
I thought the challenges and lessons that Nicky faced were so real and, in some ways, encouraging to those wondering ‘what now?’ when a significant season of life ends.
A small amount of language here and there but I liked that the intimacy between the characters was discreet yet you could still sense something special between them - It made it a sweet and sunny read for all ages!
It was full of funny and heartfelt scenes with a backdrop that is described so beautifully, you feel as though you are right there with the characters in picturesque Provence.
I thought the challenges and lessons that Nicky faced were so real and, in some ways, encouraging to those wondering ‘what now?’ when a significant season of life ends.
A small amount of language here and there but I liked that the intimacy between the characters was discreet yet you could still sense something special between them - It made it a sweet and sunny read for all ages!
September 12, 2023
A good easy read. If you have just finished a fast paced suspenseful novel and need something light, this would be your book. It is predictable and pleasant. A middle aged woman whose husband passed away in a tragic accident (10 years prior to the beginning of the story), has 2 grown daughters. She is entered into a TV contest to remodel a B&B in France. Although it has been years since she has used the necessary skills to pull this off, her confidence and self-esteem struggle. Her midlife blues and self-deprecating behaviors were sometimes over the top for me.
July 12, 2023
Ten years ago, Nicky's world came tumbling down when her husband was killed in a tragic accident. Thrown into life as single mum to two girls, Nicky's own needs were consigned to the back burner, and though times have been hard, she is proud of the young women they have become. This should be the time for Nicky to start thinking about herself, but at forty-nine-years-old she does not really know where to begin.
Then Nicky's best friend Jenny becomes a TV executive to a renovation show with a twist, and she needs Nicky's help. One of the show's designers has had to pull out at the last minute, so Jenny asks Nicky to call upon her dormant interior designer skills to step in and save the show. The catch is that it means Nicky must drop everything and fly to Provence tomorrow to oversee the renovation of a shabby French B & B...
Unsure if she is really up to the job of TV renovation celebrity, Nicky finds herself with a challenge on her hands. The B & B's grumpy owner, Robert, seems a lost cause; the renovation budget is miniscule; and the TV recording schedule is impossible. Can Nicky regain the confidence she once had, rescue the project, and find a way for her and Robert to move forward?
A Month in Provence is my third romantic French adventure with Gillian Harvey, and it is my favourite one so far. Nicky has spent the last ten years thinking of her girls, and it comes as a bit of a surprise to her that now might just be the right time to pick up the threads of her own life and take on some new challenges. As she gets stuck in to the task of helping the apparently feckless Robert to turn around his business, she also finds herself undergoing somewhat of a makeover herself - which extends in an emotional overhaul in Robert's life as well.
The TV show theme in this book is absolute gold, and Harvey hams it up delightfully to let the humour run free throughout this story from the moment Nicky arrives in France. I promise you will find a lot to giggle at in the way she pokes fun at the celebrity led makeover format, and the comical mishaps that result. She also throws in all the necessary bumps in the road before Nicky and Robert's storylines come together in a heart warming ending, with a bevy of emotional themes woven throughout.
I love the way she explores second chance relationships for people who have suffered heart breaking loss and have become consumed by living day to day, without moving forward with their lives, through Nicky and Robert's budding friendship. There is something deeply moving in this story in how they connect with each other and are each finally able to move beyond their grief, to realise that they might just have a chance at happiness once more if they are brave enough.
More than that, Harvey uses Nicky's storyline to touch on many relatable themes around motherhood, getting older, and moving into a different phase of your life once your children are grown. I really enjoyed the way Nicky finds her sense of purpose, regains her confidence, and rediscovers her own sense of being over the course of the story - and this will speak to many of Harvey's more mature readers too.
This is such an enchanting story of love and friendship, full of all the things about France that Harvey brings alive so well. I consumed it one tasty bite, and recommend it to you are the perfect escapist summer read to warm the cockles of your heart and bring joyful tears to your eyes.
Then Nicky's best friend Jenny becomes a TV executive to a renovation show with a twist, and she needs Nicky's help. One of the show's designers has had to pull out at the last minute, so Jenny asks Nicky to call upon her dormant interior designer skills to step in and save the show. The catch is that it means Nicky must drop everything and fly to Provence tomorrow to oversee the renovation of a shabby French B & B...
Unsure if she is really up to the job of TV renovation celebrity, Nicky finds herself with a challenge on her hands. The B & B's grumpy owner, Robert, seems a lost cause; the renovation budget is miniscule; and the TV recording schedule is impossible. Can Nicky regain the confidence she once had, rescue the project, and find a way for her and Robert to move forward?
A Month in Provence is my third romantic French adventure with Gillian Harvey, and it is my favourite one so far. Nicky has spent the last ten years thinking of her girls, and it comes as a bit of a surprise to her that now might just be the right time to pick up the threads of her own life and take on some new challenges. As she gets stuck in to the task of helping the apparently feckless Robert to turn around his business, she also finds herself undergoing somewhat of a makeover herself - which extends in an emotional overhaul in Robert's life as well.
The TV show theme in this book is absolute gold, and Harvey hams it up delightfully to let the humour run free throughout this story from the moment Nicky arrives in France. I promise you will find a lot to giggle at in the way she pokes fun at the celebrity led makeover format, and the comical mishaps that result. She also throws in all the necessary bumps in the road before Nicky and Robert's storylines come together in a heart warming ending, with a bevy of emotional themes woven throughout.
I love the way she explores second chance relationships for people who have suffered heart breaking loss and have become consumed by living day to day, without moving forward with their lives, through Nicky and Robert's budding friendship. There is something deeply moving in this story in how they connect with each other and are each finally able to move beyond their grief, to realise that they might just have a chance at happiness once more if they are brave enough.
More than that, Harvey uses Nicky's storyline to touch on many relatable themes around motherhood, getting older, and moving into a different phase of your life once your children are grown. I really enjoyed the way Nicky finds her sense of purpose, regains her confidence, and rediscovers her own sense of being over the course of the story - and this will speak to many of Harvey's more mature readers too.
This is such an enchanting story of love and friendship, full of all the things about France that Harvey brings alive so well. I consumed it one tasty bite, and recommend it to you are the perfect escapist summer read to warm the cockles of your heart and bring joyful tears to your eyes.
August 10, 2023
Novel set in PROVENCE
A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey is either the perfect holiday read, or the chance to reminisce about this beautiful part of France. This gently paced romance includes peaks of angst and tension that will keep you reading and entertained. Gillian Harvey knows France well, having lived there for some years. She describes daily life in Provence with authority and an affectionate realism, so that you can’t help but smile.
Nicky Green is only 49, but most of her life seems to be behind her. Ten years ago she had to abandon a budding career in design after the death of her husband. And although her family is now grown and independent, she is still struggling to move on. Nicky’s faithful friend Jenny, a reality TV executive, understands and is always there to support her. She offers Nicky a last-minute opportunity: a hotel inspector-style transformation of a run-down property in Provence. Despite her lack of confidence, Nick can’t refuse. She arrives in the village of Roussillon “…hoping to change the fortunes of a ramshackle B&B, and her own, in one fell swoop.” But when she arrives she faces a real challenge. The budget is smaller than promised and the owner Robert, is uncooperative. Can she change the fortunes of the business in just a month? And can she win Robert round to her point of view?
I loved the humour that runs through this book. The characters are realistic and likeable, and the problems thrown their way cause them real dilemmas. Many a mid-life woman has faced turning points, so it’s easy to identify with Nicky and I for one was cheering her on, hoping she would succeed. From my (older!) perspective, it was hard to see a 49-year-old as past it, whether in her business or romantic life, but of course that’s the whole point. Nicky displays a lack of confidence, so typical of many women, in everything from her schoolgirl French to relationships with her best friend and daughters. The setting might be boldest, most beautiful Provence, but the characters are mild and terribly British in their inability to communicate honestly – either with themselves or each other. In fact, the younger characters often have to remind their elders how to put themselves first and be braver. I predict this book will play with your emotions, but you will love it just the same!
A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey is either the perfect holiday read, or the chance to reminisce about this beautiful part of France. This gently paced romance includes peaks of angst and tension that will keep you reading and entertained. Gillian Harvey knows France well, having lived there for some years. She describes daily life in Provence with authority and an affectionate realism, so that you can’t help but smile.
Nicky Green is only 49, but most of her life seems to be behind her. Ten years ago she had to abandon a budding career in design after the death of her husband. And although her family is now grown and independent, she is still struggling to move on. Nicky’s faithful friend Jenny, a reality TV executive, understands and is always there to support her. She offers Nicky a last-minute opportunity: a hotel inspector-style transformation of a run-down property in Provence. Despite her lack of confidence, Nick can’t refuse. She arrives in the village of Roussillon “…hoping to change the fortunes of a ramshackle B&B, and her own, in one fell swoop.” But when she arrives she faces a real challenge. The budget is smaller than promised and the owner Robert, is uncooperative. Can she change the fortunes of the business in just a month? And can she win Robert round to her point of view?
I loved the humour that runs through this book. The characters are realistic and likeable, and the problems thrown their way cause them real dilemmas. Many a mid-life woman has faced turning points, so it’s easy to identify with Nicky and I for one was cheering her on, hoping she would succeed. From my (older!) perspective, it was hard to see a 49-year-old as past it, whether in her business or romantic life, but of course that’s the whole point. Nicky displays a lack of confidence, so typical of many women, in everything from her schoolgirl French to relationships with her best friend and daughters. The setting might be boldest, most beautiful Provence, but the characters are mild and terribly British in their inability to communicate honestly – either with themselves or each other. In fact, the younger characters often have to remind their elders how to put themselves first and be braver. I predict this book will play with your emotions, but you will love it just the same!
September 17, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. It was an interesting premise and the characters are lovely people. But, boy, there were times the wordiness got to me. Too many descriptions and inner thoughts for me.
Nicky is a widow who has raised two adult daughters. They are both successful young women. Nicky works as an adviser for businesses which need some help. She has also dabbled in decorating.
Nicky has received a surprise from her best friend. Jenny is a producer for reality TV shows. She has promised Nicky to a team who produce a series which shows B & B’s being rescued from obscurity. Nicky will be in France helping with a small B & B which has fallen on very hard times.
Robert is a man who has lost his way in his personal life as well as the owner of a B & B. He is a widower who cannot seem to see a path past his loss. The reviews for the B & B have been terrible. Not only is the building below standards, but Robert is described as a horrible host. He needs help and he signed up with the TV series, because he needs to save his B & B as well as himself.
The reader is taken on a tour of a small town in France and all the beauty that is sunny France. The people of the small town are charming and helpful and most are very fond of Robert. They are happy to help him if they can. These same people have been supporting him as a friend for several years.
REALLY A 3-3/4 FOR ME
Nicky and Robert are rebuilding their lives. Both have allowed themselves to become dull people who live in a rut and enjoy it.
I liked both of them. I liked everyone I met in this book. The secondary characters add a great deal to the story. There is a kindness and caring which permeates this story.
At times, it was as though I was slogging through a swamp. I would be moving along with the plot and then I would feel slowed down by the wordiness.
This is my first story by this author and I know from the quality of her writing I will need to find another of her books and see whether I can like what she writes a little more.
Nicky is a widow who has raised two adult daughters. They are both successful young women. Nicky works as an adviser for businesses which need some help. She has also dabbled in decorating.
Nicky has received a surprise from her best friend. Jenny is a producer for reality TV shows. She has promised Nicky to a team who produce a series which shows B & B’s being rescued from obscurity. Nicky will be in France helping with a small B & B which has fallen on very hard times.
Robert is a man who has lost his way in his personal life as well as the owner of a B & B. He is a widower who cannot seem to see a path past his loss. The reviews for the B & B have been terrible. Not only is the building below standards, but Robert is described as a horrible host. He needs help and he signed up with the TV series, because he needs to save his B & B as well as himself.
The reader is taken on a tour of a small town in France and all the beauty that is sunny France. The people of the small town are charming and helpful and most are very fond of Robert. They are happy to help him if they can. These same people have been supporting him as a friend for several years.
REALLY A 3-3/4 FOR ME
Nicky and Robert are rebuilding their lives. Both have allowed themselves to become dull people who live in a rut and enjoy it.
I liked both of them. I liked everyone I met in this book. The secondary characters add a great deal to the story. There is a kindness and caring which permeates this story.
At times, it was as though I was slogging through a swamp. I would be moving along with the plot and then I would feel slowed down by the wordiness.
This is my first story by this author and I know from the quality of her writing I will need to find another of her books and see whether I can like what she writes a little more.
August 15, 2023
Gillian Harvey’s A Month in Provence is sun-kissed romantic escapism at its finest.
For interior designer Nicky, life hasn’t always been a bed of roses. Since losing her husband, Nicky’s had to pull herself up by her bootstraps and work as hard as she possibly can to give herself and her two daughters the best possible life. It hasn’t always been easy and there have been plenty of difficult moments, but Nicky and her girls have always managed somehow. Now that the girls have grown up, Nicky has found herself all on her own and wondering what she’s going to be doing next. And as luck would have it, an old friend could have just the thing for her…
TV exec Jenny is currently working on a renovation show that is in big trouble. With the axe on the horizon, Jenny needs an interior designer who is warm and friendly and knows what she is talking about – somebody exactly like Nicky. When Nicky hears of her friend’s predicament, she doesn’t hesitate to say yes – even if it means having to be in Provence in twenty-hour hours!
Of course what Jenny had omitted to mention was that Nicky would have to renovate a dilapidated B&B owned by grumpy Robert on a very tight budget. Nicky has always loved a challenge – and this might just turn out to be her biggest one yet!
Under the hot blazing French sun, Nicky is going to save the B&B, rescue Jenny’s show from the axe – and maybe even find some happiness of her own…
Gillian Harvey’s A Month in Provence is a gorgeous summer read perfect for Jo Thomas and Jennifer Bohnet fans. Witty, uplifting, feel-good and full of French colour and panache, A Month in Provence is a wonderful tale about starting over, second chances, healing and falling in love I couldn’t stop myself from lapping up!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For interior designer Nicky, life hasn’t always been a bed of roses. Since losing her husband, Nicky’s had to pull herself up by her bootstraps and work as hard as she possibly can to give herself and her two daughters the best possible life. It hasn’t always been easy and there have been plenty of difficult moments, but Nicky and her girls have always managed somehow. Now that the girls have grown up, Nicky has found herself all on her own and wondering what she’s going to be doing next. And as luck would have it, an old friend could have just the thing for her…
TV exec Jenny is currently working on a renovation show that is in big trouble. With the axe on the horizon, Jenny needs an interior designer who is warm and friendly and knows what she is talking about – somebody exactly like Nicky. When Nicky hears of her friend’s predicament, she doesn’t hesitate to say yes – even if it means having to be in Provence in twenty-hour hours!
Of course what Jenny had omitted to mention was that Nicky would have to renovate a dilapidated B&B owned by grumpy Robert on a very tight budget. Nicky has always loved a challenge – and this might just turn out to be her biggest one yet!
Under the hot blazing French sun, Nicky is going to save the B&B, rescue Jenny’s show from the axe – and maybe even find some happiness of her own…
Gillian Harvey’s A Month in Provence is a gorgeous summer read perfect for Jo Thomas and Jennifer Bohnet fans. Witty, uplifting, feel-good and full of French colour and panache, A Month in Provence is a wonderful tale about starting over, second chances, healing and falling in love I couldn’t stop myself from lapping up!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 3, 2023
Who wouldn’t want to visit Provence during the summer? The weather is divine, the scenery is breathtaking and the food is delicious. Provence is located in southeastern France and is known for its picturesque and diverse landscapes with blossoming lavender in the summer. I will probably never get the chance to see Provence so I was thrilled to be able to witness Nicky’s enthusiasm as she took a quaint but unloved B&B and made it into a showplace that its owner Robert would be proud of. Nicky was reluctant to accept this amazing job opportunity from her best friend Jenny, but just thinking about getting back into interior designing made her giddy with excitement. I envied Nicky’s adventurous spirit and her desire to take a chance at finding herself again. Nicky knew this was her time to shine and she would do everything in her power to make the B&B a success.
Nicky and Robert were complete opposites but her bubbly personality and compassionate nature were just what he needed to make himself feel better about his future. Their friendship was fun to watch as they shared their pasts, both happy and sad, and relaxed into a comfortable routine that was beneficial to both of them. Robert took Nicky shopping for items for the renovation and they often shared a meal at one of the many cafes in town where they also enjoyed exploring the unique shops along the winding streets. Nicky never knew what to expect from Robert during their excursions and maybe that was what she liked most about him. Robert’s quiet nature appealed to her as well as his ability to listen intently as she told him about her life back home. Nicky knew she would miss Robert with all her heart when her job was finished. Was there a chance for them to be together or would her memories of their special time remain in Provence, where all of her dreams had come true?
Nicky and Robert were complete opposites but her bubbly personality and compassionate nature were just what he needed to make himself feel better about his future. Their friendship was fun to watch as they shared their pasts, both happy and sad, and relaxed into a comfortable routine that was beneficial to both of them. Robert took Nicky shopping for items for the renovation and they often shared a meal at one of the many cafes in town where they also enjoyed exploring the unique shops along the winding streets. Nicky never knew what to expect from Robert during their excursions and maybe that was what she liked most about him. Robert’s quiet nature appealed to her as well as his ability to listen intently as she told him about her life back home. Nicky knew she would miss Robert with all her heart when her job was finished. Was there a chance for them to be together or would her memories of their special time remain in Provence, where all of her dreams had come true?
July 29, 2023
My mother and I are headed to Provence this year, so I’m reading everything about the area that I can. This was a little gem of a book. It took me to southern France, showed me the quaintness of it, and hooked me with a gentle romance.
Nicky, the protagonist, has allowed her widowhood and motherhood to define her for a decade. But when her best friend offers her a chance to work on a reality television show, she takes it. I loved the premise—a widow who has not recovered from losing her husband ten years ago put in an unfamiliar situation with the possibility of romance. I’m a sucker for a story in which a character, who is outside of her comfort zone, hangs in there and overcomes.
I appreciated the characters being middle aged and likeable but not perfect. I might have fallen a little for Robert, who had also lost his wife. Nicky and Robert’s developing relationship was believable and, even though I had a good idea what would happen, I still enjoyed how Gillian Harvey unfurled it.
I thought the story line about Nicky’s friendship with her best friend Jenny was interesting too. Haven’t we all been in uncomfortable spots with the dearest of friends? It was nice to see how Nicky worked through her issues with Jenny.
Harvey deftly explored themes of getting “unstuck” and taking chances coupled with mid-life romance and mothering adult children. Throw in interior design with a B&B in need of refurbishing, great descriptions, and gentle humor and you’ve got a winner.
Thank you to Boldwood Books for allowing me to read A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nicky, the protagonist, has allowed her widowhood and motherhood to define her for a decade. But when her best friend offers her a chance to work on a reality television show, she takes it. I loved the premise—a widow who has not recovered from losing her husband ten years ago put in an unfamiliar situation with the possibility of romance. I’m a sucker for a story in which a character, who is outside of her comfort zone, hangs in there and overcomes.
I appreciated the characters being middle aged and likeable but not perfect. I might have fallen a little for Robert, who had also lost his wife. Nicky and Robert’s developing relationship was believable and, even though I had a good idea what would happen, I still enjoyed how Gillian Harvey unfurled it.
I thought the story line about Nicky’s friendship with her best friend Jenny was interesting too. Haven’t we all been in uncomfortable spots with the dearest of friends? It was nice to see how Nicky worked through her issues with Jenny.
Harvey deftly explored themes of getting “unstuck” and taking chances coupled with mid-life romance and mothering adult children. Throw in interior design with a B&B in need of refurbishing, great descriptions, and gentle humor and you’ve got a winner.
Thank you to Boldwood Books for allowing me to read A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2023
What a wonderful holiday read. Gillian Harvey has certainly not disappointed her fans.. Life for Nicky has not had too many highs. Unknown to her, one phone call is all it takes to turn her life around. Ten years previously, her husband Steve, was in a fatal car accident. Left with two children to raise on her own, is daunting and hard work. She puts her life on hold whilst the girls were growing up. Jenny her best friend has supported her all the way through. Jenny , a TV executive rings Nicky for a huge favour. She needs someone to take over her designer for a TV programme about renovating properties Nicky agrees and shelll shocked when she was told she had to be in Provence, the following day.
What follows is a delicious book, made with some hilarious moments as well as a few sad bits. The characters were all true to life and you could not help nut adore them all. Nicky comes across at times, reserved. Her two girls and granddaughter are her life. Always putting their needs before her own. The sun shines on her as she goes to help renovate a B&B. The owner Robert, has a tale of his own to tell. Robert has become quite insular. Applying to be on this TV show would either make or break him. Such a quiet but gentle.
The ambience of Provence spills from the pages as we travel to France and watch the story unfold. Gillian Harvey has nailed it again. A definite five star read. Follow the TV show unfold. Thank you Gillian and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this.
What follows is a delicious book, made with some hilarious moments as well as a few sad bits. The characters were all true to life and you could not help nut adore them all. Nicky comes across at times, reserved. Her two girls and granddaughter are her life. Always putting their needs before her own. The sun shines on her as she goes to help renovate a B&B. The owner Robert, has a tale of his own to tell. Robert has become quite insular. Applying to be on this TV show would either make or break him. Such a quiet but gentle.
The ambience of Provence spills from the pages as we travel to France and watch the story unfold. Gillian Harvey has nailed it again. A definite five star read. Follow the TV show unfold. Thank you Gillian and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this.
September 30, 2023
When will I learn to stop reading books with a plot based on a fictional reality TV show? As I've mentioned before, I'm a sucker for books set in France so here I am!
While I appreciated the way that the main characters' grief was portrayed throughout the novel, overall this book just moved too slowly for me and I just could not get on board with the whole TV show aspect of the plot. Most of the supporting characters felt flat to me.
The TV show was a farce - they sent someone with zero experience to be a "business and design guru" to renovate a B&B in France and proceeded to put her on TV with no budget for clothes, no makeup artist, no script or planned scenes to film, no preparation, no work crew or support whatsoever. The production schedule changed with no notice, leaving them to make up something on the fly to film to show "progress".
At one point, the BFF who sent Nicky on this trip told her they had to cut the budget and the B&B owner had to sell a personal item to fund the renovation. He mentioned he earned €3000 for it, which Nicky said "tripled the budget". I'm sorry, what? They expected someone with no experience or support to renovate this place and help it get back on its feet again business-wise with €1000??
The romance, such as it was, between Nicky and Robert moved at a glacial pace, partly understandably since they both were still struggling with grief in their own ways, but there just seemed to be a lack of spark or connection between these two who appeared to have nothing else in common besides the loss of a partner.
I also tired of Nicky referring to herself/being referred to as a "TV star". And while her BFF did have somewhat of a redemption arc, it wasn't enough IMHO to get past what a shitty person she was to Nicky over the whole TV show thing.
While I appreciated the way that the main characters' grief was portrayed throughout the novel, overall this book just moved too slowly for me and I just could not get on board with the whole TV show aspect of the plot. Most of the supporting characters felt flat to me.
The TV show was a farce - they sent someone with zero experience to be a "business and design guru" to renovate a B&B in France and proceeded to put her on TV with no budget for clothes, no makeup artist, no script or planned scenes to film, no preparation, no work crew or support whatsoever. The production schedule changed with no notice, leaving them to make up something on the fly to film to show "progress".
At one point, the BFF who sent Nicky on this trip told her they had to cut the budget and the B&B owner had to sell a personal item to fund the renovation. He mentioned he earned €3000 for it, which Nicky said "tripled the budget". I'm sorry, what? They expected someone with no experience or support to renovate this place and help it get back on its feet again business-wise with €1000??
The romance, such as it was, between Nicky and Robert moved at a glacial pace, partly understandably since they both were still struggling with grief in their own ways, but there just seemed to be a lack of spark or connection between these two who appeared to have nothing else in common besides the loss of a partner.
I also tired of Nicky referring to herself/being referred to as a "TV star". And while her BFF did have somewhat of a redemption arc, it wasn't enough IMHO to get past what a shitty person she was to Nicky over the whole TV show thing.
October 2, 2023
A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey was beautifully written from start to finish. Gillian Harvey is one of those authors who writes books from the heart and makes everything around you shine! A must book to grab when you are feeling blue! This is a uplifting book featuring midlife women.
Interior designer Nicky always used to know how to make the best of things. Ever since she lost her husband though, things haven’t been easy. She’s had to raise her two daughters alone and she’s so proud to see them all grown up, and she knows that’s down to her. But she can’t help but feel like she doesn’t know what to do with her life now.
But then her best friend begs her to help out. Jenny is a TV exec and her new renovation show is in peril. Only Nicky can help.
There is a catch – Nicky needs to fly to Provence….........tomorrow. To renovate a tumbledown B&B. Jenny doesn’t mention the fact that the grumpy B&B owner Robert seems to need a makeover too.
Or that the budget is next to nothing.
Will Nicky be able to turn the B&B’s fortunes around, save her friend’s job, and maybe even find some happiness for herself, under the blazing hot French sun this summer…?
Just Brilliant - A ray of Sunshine - A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey was. Just Beautiful
Interior designer Nicky always used to know how to make the best of things. Ever since she lost her husband though, things haven’t been easy. She’s had to raise her two daughters alone and she’s so proud to see them all grown up, and she knows that’s down to her. But she can’t help but feel like she doesn’t know what to do with her life now.
But then her best friend begs her to help out. Jenny is a TV exec and her new renovation show is in peril. Only Nicky can help.
There is a catch – Nicky needs to fly to Provence….........tomorrow. To renovate a tumbledown B&B. Jenny doesn’t mention the fact that the grumpy B&B owner Robert seems to need a makeover too.
Or that the budget is next to nothing.
Will Nicky be able to turn the B&B’s fortunes around, save her friend’s job, and maybe even find some happiness for herself, under the blazing hot French sun this summer…?
Just Brilliant - A ray of Sunshine - A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey was. Just Beautiful
December 29, 2023
Nicky has been grieving for her husband whilst raising their two daughters. Her friend offers her a chance to be on TV and rediscover her interior design skills. But the hotel in France is a little worse for wear, the budget is halved, and Nicky has a big task in front of her...
A Month in Provence is a warm novel about fresh starts and new chances at happiness. I think it would be perfect for a holiday read as there is a light hearted tone and a foreign setting.
Nicky has had her fair share of heartache and is ready to start emotional healing. She is offered the chance to feature in a refurbishment programme but finds the boundaries keep changing. She befriends the owner Robert despite a prickly start and also has a potential spark with the cameraman Tom.
The grief that Nicky feels could have darkened the tone of the book, but instead the couple's love shines through despite the tears. The overall tone is lighthearted and warm as Nicky negotiates new friendships, considers relationships and rediscovers herself as a person not just a mum. There is plenty of fun and laughter along the way as Nicky and Robert try to revamp the hotel and themselves ready for the TV.
A Month in Provence is an enjoyable, light hearted read and I was transported to France for the whole book.
A Month in Provence is a warm novel about fresh starts and new chances at happiness. I think it would be perfect for a holiday read as there is a light hearted tone and a foreign setting.
Nicky has had her fair share of heartache and is ready to start emotional healing. She is offered the chance to feature in a refurbishment programme but finds the boundaries keep changing. She befriends the owner Robert despite a prickly start and also has a potential spark with the cameraman Tom.
The grief that Nicky feels could have darkened the tone of the book, but instead the couple's love shines through despite the tears. The overall tone is lighthearted and warm as Nicky negotiates new friendships, considers relationships and rediscovers herself as a person not just a mum. There is plenty of fun and laughter along the way as Nicky and Robert try to revamp the hotel and themselves ready for the TV.
A Month in Provence is an enjoyable, light hearted read and I was transported to France for the whole book.
July 12, 2023
Rousillon provides the perfect backdrop of this enjoyable and entertaining read. Nicky has spent the last ten years putting her daughters first and trying to be a rock for her family, at the expense of her personal ambitions and self of self. Her lack of confidence in her abilities dog her throughout and it takes a massive step forward for her to believe in herself. In Robert, she finds someone who understands her, as he has suffered loss himself. They discover a common link which binds them together in a comfortable friendship. There is a whiff of romance in the air but whether either of them can move on from the past, remains to be seen.
I loved the humour that sprang from Nicky's attempts to makeover the B and B which Robert has been running. The TV crew who come to film the reality show contain some over the top characters. The locals prove to be sympathetic and you can feel Nicky settling into the french way of life. This is a pageturner of a story, with family and friendship underpinning events. There is grief and loss in the background but the overall tone is of hope and laughter.
In short: a heartwarming read
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
I loved the humour that sprang from Nicky's attempts to makeover the B and B which Robert has been running. The TV crew who come to film the reality show contain some over the top characters. The locals prove to be sympathetic and you can feel Nicky settling into the french way of life. This is a pageturner of a story, with family and friendship underpinning events. There is grief and loss in the background but the overall tone is of hope and laughter.
In short: a heartwarming read
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
July 19, 2023
Her husband's untimely death
Left Nicky feeling so bereft.
However with two daughter to raise alone
The decade since has passed, the time flown.
When her best friend asks for her aid
A challenge and new plans are made.
A month in Provence to renovate a B&B
A fresh start, new chance? Read it to see!
The grumpy owner, the state of the place
Both appear neglected, a total disgrace!
But finding out what he's been through
Helps them understand each other, too.
A sense of community, where friendship is the key,
A glorious place with people and places to see.
A television series will follow them through
Watching how they react and what they do.
Can Nicky apply the skills from years that have past
And use her business acumen together at last?
Will this help her start to make personal changes
As the renovation of the B&B and its owner she arranges?
What a lovely story with great characters, too,
Set in glorious countryside with lots to do!
With challenges a plenty and surprises in store
A gorgeous read, the kind I adore!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
Left Nicky feeling so bereft.
However with two daughter to raise alone
The decade since has passed, the time flown.
When her best friend asks for her aid
A challenge and new plans are made.
A month in Provence to renovate a B&B
A fresh start, new chance? Read it to see!
The grumpy owner, the state of the place
Both appear neglected, a total disgrace!
But finding out what he's been through
Helps them understand each other, too.
A sense of community, where friendship is the key,
A glorious place with people and places to see.
A television series will follow them through
Watching how they react and what they do.
Can Nicky apply the skills from years that have past
And use her business acumen together at last?
Will this help her start to make personal changes
As the renovation of the B&B and its owner she arranges?
What a lovely story with great characters, too,
Set in glorious countryside with lots to do!
With challenges a plenty and surprises in store
A gorgeous read, the kind I adore!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
July 11, 2023
♦️Nicky had always dreamt of a career as an interior designer. However, ten years back when her husband died suddenly, to raise her two daughters all alone, she had to take up a job which was far from what she had aspired to. Now, when her daughters are grown up and busy with their own lives, her best friend Jenny presents her with a great opportunity. Jenny is a senior TV executive and through her new show "The Great B&B Rescue", they are rescuing ten Brit-run B&Bs in France. However, in one case, the assigned designer suddenly met with an accident leaving the show in jeopardy. So, Jenny asks Nicky to step-in in his place and save her. It can also be a life-changing moment for Nicky for she will finally get to pursue her dream job and if it is a success, she will never have to look back. The only problem is, to renovate the crumbling B&B, she will have to fly off to Provence, France and stay there for a month. When Nicky turns up in the B&B, she meets the unfriendly owner, Robert, who seems not to be very happy with her presence. Will Nicky give herself a second chance and be successful in transforming the B&B? What inner demons are Robert fighting? Does he need a transformation too?
💥This is a cosy story set in a small place in France. The author has emphasized giving ourselves a second chance irrespective of our age. The story teaches us that at any point in our life, there can always be a new beginning. Gillian Harvey's magical words are sure to give you the vibes of staying in a picturesque village in France. We get to learn that with sheer determination, we can achieve anything in life. The novel also throws light on leaving our past and moving on.
💥Nicky is the protagonist of the story and the plot revolves around her. As we proceed through the book, we get to learn about her past struggles in raising two daughters as a single mother and the rawness which is left within her even after ten years of losing her husband. The determination with which she coped after losing her husband is also shown in the way she helps in renovating the B&B. Robert is another important character who is the owner of the above-mentioned B&B. He has a bitter past of his own and is struggling to cope with it when Nicky arrives.
💥The story is a fine example which shows that if given a chance, a person can have the ability to achieve anything and change the world. This is my first read by the author and I am looking forward to reading more of her books. I would highly recommend this book to other readers.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this book.
💥This is a cosy story set in a small place in France. The author has emphasized giving ourselves a second chance irrespective of our age. The story teaches us that at any point in our life, there can always be a new beginning. Gillian Harvey's magical words are sure to give you the vibes of staying in a picturesque village in France. We get to learn that with sheer determination, we can achieve anything in life. The novel also throws light on leaving our past and moving on.
💥Nicky is the protagonist of the story and the plot revolves around her. As we proceed through the book, we get to learn about her past struggles in raising two daughters as a single mother and the rawness which is left within her even after ten years of losing her husband. The determination with which she coped after losing her husband is also shown in the way she helps in renovating the B&B. Robert is another important character who is the owner of the above-mentioned B&B. He has a bitter past of his own and is struggling to cope with it when Nicky arrives.
💥The story is a fine example which shows that if given a chance, a person can have the ability to achieve anything and change the world. This is my first read by the author and I am looking forward to reading more of her books. I would highly recommend this book to other readers.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this book.
September 21, 2025
Gillian Harvey- Mesiac v Provence
Veľmi príjemná kniha na čítanie… rozdelila by som ju na 3 časti- úvod,stred a koniec…
Úvod bol za mňa veľmi zaujímavý a nútil ma čítať ďalej…stred bol zase opakom a mala som pocit,že je veľmi rozťahaný a stále je o tom istom… potom nastal záver a napriek tomu,že bol dosť predvídateľný,tak bol pekný… pekne príbeh prebehol,odohral sa skončil…
Celý príbeh prebiehal v krásnom prostredí Provance…nijako extra však opísané nebolo,čiže moja predstavivosť vychádzala z poznatkov,ktoré o tejto oblasti mám z iných zdrojov a pohľadov… hlavnými hrdinami boli Nicky- mama,vdova,podnikateľka… a majiteľ penziónu Róbert… ich stretnutie mala na svedomí priateľka Jenny,vďaka ktorej sa obom dokázal zmeniť zabehnutý život za mesiac… Jenny Nicky hodila rovnými nohami do TV súťaže… pre niekoho je nepredstaviteľne,že stačí mesiac na zmenu…no pre iných je to dlhá doba,kým zmena nastane… do ktorej skupiny patrili naši hrdinovia? Bola zmena trvalá? Podarilo sa im vyhrať?
Knihe dávam 4⭐️z
June 2, 2023
******Publishing July 11, 2023*****
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The entertainment, the friendships, the drama, the laughs, a book that transports you to the South of France = A Great Summer Read!
When Nicky is approached by her TV producing friend, Jenny, to be the interior designer for the hit TV show The Great B&B Rescue, Nicky is hesitant, but eventually agrees. A month in Provence, what is there not to like? After arriving, Nicky is informed by Jenny that there are budget cuts, so she has to work on a smaller budget. Can she pull it off and satisfy her friend, while possibly boosting her career? Or is it more than she can take on?
If you need a fun, entertaining, and enjoyable read, then add this book to your TBR list! I was drawn to this book as I used to live in the South of France!! So any book set there, I’m all in!
Thanks to Boldwood Books, I was provided an ARC of A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The entertainment, the friendships, the drama, the laughs, a book that transports you to the South of France = A Great Summer Read!
When Nicky is approached by her TV producing friend, Jenny, to be the interior designer for the hit TV show The Great B&B Rescue, Nicky is hesitant, but eventually agrees. A month in Provence, what is there not to like? After arriving, Nicky is informed by Jenny that there are budget cuts, so she has to work on a smaller budget. Can she pull it off and satisfy her friend, while possibly boosting her career? Or is it more than she can take on?
If you need a fun, entertaining, and enjoyable read, then add this book to your TBR list! I was drawn to this book as I used to live in the South of France!! So any book set there, I’m all in!
Thanks to Boldwood Books, I was provided an ARC of A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2023
Nicky Green is a 49 year old widow who is unexpectedly given the opportunity to travel to Provence for a month, as a design guru for a reality TV show which showcases makeovers of failing B&B's.
This is a far cry from Nicky's day to day world at present - but something her younger self would have loved to do, so Nicky decides to chase her dream and in the process of refurbishing the B&B finds herself again.
The author stays clear of cliche, anyone of any age will recognise how easy it is to put family before self until self becomes a shadow you don't even realise is missing. I absolutely loved reading Nicky's journey through restoring the property and her own self confidence, and the author painted such a vivid picture of France it was easy to feel totally immersed in the B&B and local village. This book will be enjoyed by anyone who likes Milly Johnson or Katie Fforde. A really entertaining summer read!
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for the review copy.
This is a far cry from Nicky's day to day world at present - but something her younger self would have loved to do, so Nicky decides to chase her dream and in the process of refurbishing the B&B finds herself again.
The author stays clear of cliche, anyone of any age will recognise how easy it is to put family before self until self becomes a shadow you don't even realise is missing. I absolutely loved reading Nicky's journey through restoring the property and her own self confidence, and the author painted such a vivid picture of France it was easy to feel totally immersed in the B&B and local village. This book will be enjoyed by anyone who likes Milly Johnson or Katie Fforde. A really entertaining summer read!
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for the review copy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews