Jul på Rivieran

by Jennifer Bohnet, Sofia Berntson (narrator), Anna Maria Granlund (translator)

Tjugofyraåriga Elodie Jacques har svårt att hantera ilskan mot en mamma som övergav henne när hon var liten. Trots det fick hon en lycklig uppväxt i England hos sin franska mormor Gabriella. När mormodern oväntat föreslår att de ska fira jul i Antibes blir Elodie överlycklig.

Gabriella har dock dolda motiv bakom att vilja återvända till södra Frankrike efter 40 år. För henne blir det en nervös hemkomst fylld av minnen, hemligheter och anklagelser.

Rivierans pulserande ljus sätter stämningen för en perfekt jul. Men när Elodie får reda på att hennes frånvarande mamma kanske ansluter sig till dem riskerar den glittrande högtiden att bli en ångestfylld resa bakåt i tiden. Eller blir det ett tillfälle att läka ett öppet sår?

Genres: Christmas, France, Adult Fiction, Contemporary

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 21, 2022

About the author

Sixteen years ago Richard and I, with our then dog, 14 year old Holly in a trailer attached to Richard's bike, cycled down through western France via the canal paths, arriving in Antibes in July. With the exception of two fleeting visits back to the UK we have lived in France ever since.

For the past five years we have lived in a small cottage in central Brittany with one large collie dog called Viking, one fat cat known as Little’un and a young tortoiseshell cat called Missy. Oh, and there are various ducks and chickens in the garden, and a large pond with about a hundred fish in!

I have contributed short stories and serials to many of the UK women's magazines including, The People's Friend, Candis, My Weekly, Best, Yours and my stories have been published in Australia, Sweden, South Africa and Ireland.

I also write magazine features and my work has been published in national magazines and newspapers like, The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Home and Country, Devon Life. For over three years I had my own newspaper column in the South Hams Group of Newspapers, that took a wry look at family life.

I am a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors.

Reviews

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would love to spend Christmas on the French Riviera! Loved the gorgeous setting of this story! I also really loved the relationship between Gaby and her granddaughter Elodie. Really love that grandma Gaby had a love interest, Philip who was positively lovely. I do wish the book was a little bit more Christmasy, but it was the French Riviera after all. what I found a bit problematic with the story was the relationship between Elodie and her estranged mother Harriet. and I truly didn't like how this all played out. I really felt as though Gabby was very unfair to Elodie in the situation. Family doesn't always deserve forgiveness, even at Christmas time. I just think there's so much involved in being abandoned by your mother and I just can't see it being fixed like it was in this book. I also would hope a grandmother would have a little more understanding of her granddaughter's feelings. Sorry I've gone on a tangent, but this is a trigger for me. we bring our own baggage into Books and if this is not an issue for you it is a fun festive read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a light, Christmassy feel, this book is ideal if you are not after gushings of festive spirit. It is a quick read and I think this makes it perfect for something you don’t want to commit too heavily to. However, in terms of plot itself, this wasn’t a favourite from Bohnet.

This is my third book from this writer and I was really confident I would enjoy this Christmas offering; the other reads have been so enjoyable in the past. Yet, this plot felt like something I had seen before, the characters too one-dimensional and the plot development too obvious. It felt like a step-down from Bohnet’s usual quality of writing, even though she typically depicts such wonderful stories set in France.

I really liked the juxtaposition established with the time of year and the setting. Despite imagining chilly winter days on the French Riviera, this doesn’t seem to exist and there is even descriptions of people swimming in the sea! It sounded like a relaxing place to spend Christmas and perfect for the two characters, Gabby and Elodie. But, it soon becomes clear that there is more to this Christmas visit than a get away for Gabby and her granddaughter. Over the novel, readers discover more about Gabby’s French past and her attachment to this particular area. As they become acquainted with the locals and their apartment hosts, it is evident that this trip is more than just a chance of a festive holiday.

Clues are often dropped about Gabby’s time in the area and I was really keen to learn more about her experience of working in the hotel, especially as it was frequented by the rich and famous. However, I thought this became glossed over by the writer and an opportunity lost for developing this subplot. In my opinion, the story would have been enriched by vivid flashbacks, living as Gabby as a young woman, witnessing the goings on in the hotel. Instead, these memories become condensed to mere paragraphs, meaning I did not get a true sense of the gravity of Gabby’s feelings, especially as she had not revealed everything to her granddaughter.

In the same sense, I found Elodie’s behaviour frustrating and like she was hanging on to her grandmother unnecessarily. I was hoping for a more of an independent woman and could not understand how immature she behaved in the novel. A bit like a petulant child, I wanted to see her grow up and be the adult she professes to be. It is only until she sees the chance to stay in France permanently as being an option does she start to act in a more endearing way, but only because Gabby seems to force some of this herself.

For me, it was the setting that made this book the most enjoyable. The derelict hotel was an opportunity to add more depth to the story and bring Gabby’s past to life. Instead, it all felt rather rushed with a need to reach the predictable conclusion. Overall, it was a rather safe, bland story that was too obvious to be a Christmas winner.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Life has a funny habit of sorting things out at the right time. It might throw a couple of curve balls in your direction but in the end they can turn out to be the very thing you need, although it’s impossible to see that at the time.”

Oh my gosh…French Christmas market, Edith Piaf and “La Vie en Rose”, freshly baked socca and mince pies, mulled wine and Antibes Juan-les-Pins…I was hooked from the first few pages!

I loved the chance to explore the iconic Cote D’Azur Hotel Le Provencal (real life reno soon to be completed as luxury residences), to explore Villa No.5 (Villa de L’Espoir) which had been locked up for years, and to experience the holidays in France - a dream of mine before I knew about the 13 dessert tradition on Christmas Eve!!! The author has stuffed so much authentic French ‘flavour’ into this novel - it’s as if she took everything I love and put it in one single book. Villa No. 5 even had a pizza oven on the patio!!!!

The heartache of a fractured family was evident throughout the novel and I empathized with Gabby’s desire to bring everyone together for the first time in 20 years. I saw a lot of myself in Gabby; I, too, tend to make obstacles bigger than they really are.

In exploring second chances, lost opportunities and putting old ghosts to rest, Jennifer Bohnet has written an emotionally charged festive read full of French flavour and has truly captured the glamour and glitz of the French Riviera. Her heartfelt message for us is that home really is where the heart is.

I was gifted this advance copy by Jennifer Bohnet, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Catarina | cat literary world · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to start by thanking both Boldwood Books and NetGalley for allowing me access to this ebook.

“Christmas in the Riviera” brings us the story of 70 year old french Gabriella Jacques living in England with her granddaughter and wanting to go back home (to the French Riviera) for Christmas.

TW: parental abandon of child, talks of controlled relationships

The book is relatively small (under 200 pages) and overall super light and cute. I was living for the grandmother-granddaughter relationship, super unconventional but really showing relationships don’t have a guide, they can be what we made of them and this one is a true tribute to grandparents that have to raise their grandchildren, for whatever reason that happens.

I found this book a very comfort read, ideal for the winter months, although I felt the Christmas vibe was somehow lost. It may be a me problem, but I think the French Riviera screams summer, late nights and sun, not winter and Christmas, so I didn’t get the vibe I was expecting from it, but still recommend!

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

Christmas On The Riviera is a wonderful festive and multi-generational story that centres around family.

I absolutely loved the location, set on the French Riviera and through the author’s wonderful writing style, it was very easy to imagine myself there amongst all that was happening. It was the most perfect bit of armchair travel and I loved it.

This is a fairly short book and i found myself flying through it really quickly as it was very easy to read and also because I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen!

This was a wonderful, heartwarming, cosy, comfort read and i thoroughly enjoyed it…….

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's about time too that Jennifer Bohnet finally wrote a Christmas book, and one set on the French Rivera was incredibly welcomed by me.

I loved Gabby and Elodie's story and how things seemed to change once they arrived in Antibes and it's surrounding area for a two week Christmas vacation.

For Gabby it was returning to her past, and it reawakened many memories and feelings in her.

For Elodie, it offers a chance to break out of her rut., and both of them soon make some wonderful friends.

Fans of the author will recognise the setting as it has been used before so instantly felt familiar to me and made me happy to see.

It's a story all about family and forgiveness, and I loved seeing the French Riviera all set up for Christmas, and also a few French traditions sneaking in too.

It's another truly fabulous book from my favourite author who features France frequently.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Janet Long · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the book until Harriet returned. I thought the way the grandmother forced the relationship on Elodie was horrible and unreasonable. I’m addition, even if there was a reconciliation, it wouldn’t happen overnight.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed in this story. It felt rushed and unfinished.

[Bookworm Blogger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d like to thank Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to be involved in this blog tour.

This story was a quick and easy read from cover to cover, it’s the type of book you can sit and enjoy on a chilly afternoon whilst the winter weather rains down outside. I was drawn to this book because I am curious of how people celebrate Christmas in other countries, what traditions do they uphold and what events take place. Christmas in France sounds delightful! Whilst it may not have the common characteristics you’d expect such as snow it more than makes up for it in the delicious food and beautiful markets, the thirteen different desserts on Christmas Eve sounds like my cup of tea.

I really enjoyed the close relationship between Gabby and Elodie, they truly had a special bond and it was lovely to see them both enjoying their holiday together. I was very intrigued by Gabby’s history, returning home after so many years away must have been hard for her. I wished we had got to know more about her life when she was working at the hotel and had this part of the story added to make it a dual timeline, I am a historical fiction nut though so that it probably why.

The blossoming romances for our two leading ladies were both sweet and expected. I was amused by the misunderstandings and enjoyed the courting element. I didn’t care much for Harriet as a character. I struggled with her choices, even when I had learnt of her reasons. Gabby, understandably was more forgiving but I found myself siding with Elodie on a few occasions.

If you enjoy quick reads, filled with a little romance, mystery and delicious food then this is a book for you!

[Jo Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas on the Riviera by Jennifer Bohnet is a wonderfully festive story with three generations of the same family. It is a story of family and forgiveness and of taking a chance on the future.

Set on the French Riviera, in Juan-les-Pins, Grandmother Gabby wants to return to her birthplace because she has issues to resolve in a location she has avoided for years. Granddaughter Elodie is thrilled at the opportunity to go with Gabby, who has raised her since she was young, as she is feeling stuck in a rut with her work as a journalist and is hoping a new location will provide her with inspiration. When Gabby tells Elodie that her mother will be visiting them, she is initially very angry, having been abandoned by Harriet and raised by Gabby. The focus of the story is on whether Elodie can find forgiveness in her heart, but also looks at the issues that have haunted Gabby since she grew up in Juan-les-Pins. The friendships that arise with the family whose Air BnB is rented for the holidays by Gabby really adds depth to the story.

I loved the location and could easily picture the location, and the juxtaposition between the still relatively warm South of France, with the traditional festive atmosphere of Christmas lights and markets selling festive food and gifts. I loved reading about French traditions for Christmas and liked the way in which the characters blended French traditions with British ones.

I liked the ending of the story, but really felt bereft afterwards, so I am hoping there will be another book which will take us back to Villa d’Espoir!

Christmas on the Riviera, although a story about family and forgiveness, will give you complete festive vibes, and a really strong desire to hop on a plane to the South of France!

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas on the Riviera by Jennifer Bohnet

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

As a toddler Elodie Jacques was abandoned by her mother and left in the care of her French grandmother, Gabriella in Dartmouth, Devon.

Now 24 years old, Elodie struggles to reconcile the deep anger for the mother she has never since seen.

When Gabriella unexpectedly announces she wants the two of them to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her home town of Juan-les-Pins in the South of France Elodie is thrilled.

Gabriella meanwhile has her own ulterior motives for wanting to return after 40 years, a daunting homecoming potentially filled with memories, secrets and recriminations.

With Juan-les-Pins pulsing with lights, decorations and the festive spirit, Christmas promises to be filled with fun. But when Elodie learns there is the possibility that her long absent mother may join them she hides her feelings behind a show of indifference and animosity.

Will there be the reconciliation that Gabriella longs for - or will the spirit of Christmas fail to work its wonder?

My Opinion

A nice, cosy read set over the festive period. At just over 200 pages this is a relatively quick novella to read. This is my first book by Jennifer Bohnet but I already have my next one lined up. A story of hope, love and family all make for a great read.

Rating: 4/5

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ such a wholesome quick read. Didn’t harp on Christmas cliches like other Christmas novels but still had that magic Christmas feel. Loved the relationship between Elodie and Gabby- the natural love between someone who had raised them felt natural and believable to the story.

[Margie Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about comfort food--here's a book (the author calls it a novella at 216 pages) that is the perfect, undemanding, happy-ending story to pick you up when you're feeling low.

Gabriella will soon have her 70th birthday, and she wants to spend it in her hometown in the South of France. She doesn't have to work hard to convince her 24-year-old granddaughter, Elodie, to come along on a 2-week trip encompassing Christmas and New Year's, as Elodie is in a rut at work and wondering what to do next. Her mother abandoned her when she was very young, so "Gabby" has been the only maternal figure in her life. Elodie isn't aware of the reasons Gabriella felt she had to leave France for England many years ago, nor that her grandmother hopes to resolve past issues with this trip.

The town of Juan-les-Pins is full of Christmas decorations and holiday spirit that refresh and inspire both women. There are also a couple of men who find them attractive and a figure from their past who may not be welcome in their lives. Parts of the story are predictable, but I so enjoyed the depiction of the lovely town and savored the experiences of both women. I may have to look for more by this author to keep for the moments when I need to feel that there is good in the world and dreams can come true.

My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby booked a holiday in the French Riviera with her granddaughter over Christmas. She used to live in the area and enjoys looking round the area again. They manage to book a wonderful sounding apartment which has only just become available.
I loved everything about it- Gabby and Elodie planning a Christmas, being invited to a New Year party and Elodie organising her grandmothers 70th Birthday party. You felt like you were part of the tiniest of details- local shops, antique showrooms. local delis and cafes and meeting new people who become firm friends.
There is a wonderful element of family bonds, new friendships, warm romances alongside the feeling that you were visiting the French Riviera with them. They have surprise meetings, exploring local areas - a wonderful holiday with a hint of their lives about to change forever.

[Carol North · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing Ending

I love Jennifer Bohnet's writing and have never given a low rating to a review before. I liked the characters and the setting for this story but the ending was a big disappointment to me. It just didn't seem to end properly, just more or less ran out of steam. There were so many unanswered questions. Perhaps the door is being left open for a continuation of the story. I'll keep my eyes open for a potential part two.

[Tiziana Langone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas filled with memories of the past and hope for the future 
Elodie Jacques grew up with her French grandmother Gabriella in Dartmouth after her own mother abandoned her.
She never understood how a mother could just leave her child for a man, and she is still resenting her mother for it, even if Gabby gave her all the love she needed.
When Gabby announces her wish to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her home town in the south of France, Elodie sees this as a chance to gather her thoughts and think about her future.
But Elodie doesn’t know that Gabby has her own reasons to return to Juan – les – Pins, as Gabby left her home 40 years ago and returning will open those wounds that actually never truly healed… 
And when there is a small chance of Elodie’s mother returning on the scene, may this be a Christmas filled with forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts? 
Jennifer Bohnet has the talent of writing stories that are sweeping you off your feet. And with this story taking place around Christmas it just got better! 
I loved how this stories is focussed on two characters, a grandmother and a granddaughter who are looking after each other, but also how different they are from each other. 
First we have Gabby, who left her life in France behind to start over in Devon, but has never been able to have closure over her previous life.
I found it first of all courageous to see how she was able to start a new life without the people she loved and especially in her state.
But it was also very clear that she missed her home, knowing she wouldn’t be able to return to her home and family because of her situation. 
I also admired her for making up for her own daughter’s mistake, and raising Elodie on her own. And while I, just like Elodie can’t comprehend why a mother would leave her child behind, I also understood Gabby, because in the end, Elodie’s mother is her own daughter, who she loves deeply, despite the mistakes she made… 
And then there is Elodie, a young woman raised by her grandmother, feeling that she was not worth for her mother to stay…
Elodie needs a change in her life, but doesn’t know what direction to take. And that makes her very recognizable, because I think we all have been in that phase, wanting a change but not knowing where to turn… 
Going to Juan – les – Pins has a different meaning to both women. I was curious to know Gabby’s full story and I also wanted to know if Elodie would find answers to her own questions.
I passed Antibes once very quickly, but I can easily that Juan – les – Pins, by just reading its descriptions made me fall in love with the place.
Not only of its beauty, but also with how welcomed Gabby and Elodie were by its inhabitants. 
It was sweet to read how both Gabby and Elodie met new friends, how the place, even with Gabby’s sad memories, truly felt like home and how future plans were made. 
But also the author managed to show us that there always two sides of a story, especially when Elodie’s mother is back on the scene. While it was easy to initially condemn her, when reading how her life was, it made me feel sad and made me understand that in this case, there were more than just one person left heart – broken… 
I loved reading this marvellous story, filled with both holiday feelings and Christmas feelings. But after finishing the last chapter, the thing that I remembered the most of it, was that everyone deserves forgiveness. And that starting over, at a new place or an old place, can be the start of a wonderful next chapter in life and can bring you more happiness, love and joy than before!  

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s always a particular authenticity about the author’s characters, and in this lovely book she looks at the complexities of families with that perfect emotional touch that’s always such a strong feature of her writing. I really liked the relationship between Elodie and her grandmother Gabriella who brought her up – and I certainly shared Elodie’s excitement at the prospect of spending Christmas in Juan-les-Pins, the home town of Gabriella’s youth.

Their Airbnb accommodation proves to be better than they could have ever hoped for, their hosts happy to share their own Christmas celebrations and offer friendship and support – perhaps the only downside is the view of the dilapidated Hôtel Le Provençal where Gabriella once worked, and which holds bittersweet memories for her. And with everything in place for their own celebrations it slowly becomes clear that they might be joined at the dining table by an unwelcome third – the mother who abandoned Elodie, and who she has no desire to see again, although Gabriella is rather keener on repairing their fractured relationship. And that’s only one of the surprises in store – there are plenty more in Gabriella’s past, and their disentangling makes this a fascinating and emotionally engaging read.

There’s a lovely focus in this book on that special link between mothers and daughters – their various interactions are entirely real, the hurt feelings palpable, the effort needed on all sides to make things right again perfectly judged. The story’s secrets were well-handled and unexpected, memories that are sometimes less than comfortable, echoes from the past – and something else I really enjoyed was the introduction of some gentle romance for several of its characters, with age no barrier to the prospect of future happiness. The supporting cast is beautifully drawn too – I was particularly taken by the lovely Philippe, having always been rather attracted to a Jean-Paul Belmondo look-alike, and perhaps more my style than Gazz. And I really loved the setting – beautifully brought to life with walks and shopping expeditions, the daily outings for the breakfast croissants, the pavement cafes, and the socca I swear I could actually taste.

And is it Christmassy? Yes, it most definitely is – with a lovely French flavour, but not forgetting the tree and sparkling lights, and with the accompanying warmth of friendship and family. This really was the loveliest read, a gentle and emotional story beautifully told – everything I wanted it to be, and highly recommended, most definitely one to add to your Christmas romance reading list.

[L.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's back to France I go, this time to Antibes (Juan-les-Pins) with grandmother Gabriella (Gabby) and granddaughter, Elodie Jacques.
Gabby has received a letter and now wants to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her hometown of Juan-les-Pins, a place she left (under a cloud) over 40 years ago.
Elodie has been raised by Gabby ever since he mother Harriet left the family some 20 years to remarry and settle in Australia. Elodie has long since given up on a relationship with her mother and sees Gabby as more than fulfilling that role. She is also stuck in a rut professionally, not achieving the goals she expected of herself, and as for romance... well, that's a non-starter too.
Consequently, spending the holidays in sunny France seems like the perfect solution; besides, she has always been curious about her grandmother's history, why she left France and never returned.

For Gabby, her hometown has changed a lot but there are glimpses of her former life that evoke plenty of memories for her, not all of them good. She also needs to reveal some news to Elodie, news that might drastically change her life and her future imminently and forever.

The setting, as expected, is glorious; the characters are real and their reactions relatable, but it is the secrets that Gabby has to share with Elodie that delight, allowing the reader to wonder how such news might affect them. The author takes us on a fantastic journey delving into Gabby's past and her reason for leaving France while also offering us a taste of how their lives might change in the weeks that follow. New friendships and loves leave us hoping for a happy ending, although we know there are obstacles yet to be overcome as a family reunion becomes part of the equation.

This is a relatively quick read but one that transports us to another life, Christmas in the sun, with new friends and hopes to inspire and encourage both Gabby and Elodie to take the next steps.
I'd like to think there will be a sequel featuring more about these characters and not forgetting the mystery of Collette's bicycle and the antiquities shop ;)

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the last couple of dull autumn days I've thoroughly enjoyed spending time in the warmth and sunshine of the South of France with this lovely story and becoming acquainted with Gabriella Jacques, and her granddaughter, Elodie, as they both seek to lay the ghosts of their past.

Returning to Juan-les-Pain after a forty year absence isn't easy for Gabby however, Elodie and the lovely new friends Gabby meets on her arrival to the resort certainly help to make the transition easier. Elodie also has to face the trauma of her own past and the conducive atmosphere of Juan-les-Pain certainly seems to help mend some bridges. Juan-les-Pain becomes another character in the story and I enjoyed exploring the resort and stopping off at the boulangerie for early morning croissants with Elodie, or sharing memories with Gabby as she remembers working in the resort as a young woman.

Christmas on the Riviera is a lovely warm-hearted festive read and although it covers some deep topics it's all done with this author's customary light touch and fine attention to detail. Whilst there is an undoubtedly festive atmosphere, who could fail to want to spend Christmas on the Riviera, it isn't overly done, and I think is easily one of those lovely, light stories you could read at any time of the year

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast, easy read with a predictable plot. That’s okay, that’s why I read this book. One small, kind of silly, thing bothered me though and it hit a discordant note as I was reading.

Twice the book referred to macaroons, once mentioning customers having a coffee break treat of macaroons and once when Elodie bought a macaroon in a presentation box for Gabby’s stocking. I strongly suspect these were macarons, not macaroons, two entirely different desserts, though only an extra “o” in the spelling differentiates them.

Macaroons are coconut drop cookies. Macarons are a sandwich type cookie made with almond flour and dyed bright colours with food dye. The filling is a jam, a ganache, a fruit curd or a buttercream. Because of the ingredients, they tend to be very expensive and are looked upon as something special. I’ve never seen a macaroon in a presentation box, but I’ve certainly seen macarons presented like that.

Since the author has lived in France for years, I’m sure she probably wrote macaron and an over-zealous proofreader thought she’d made a spelling mistake and changed macaron to macaroon.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet return to her hometown for prodigal Gabriella🏖

3.5-4.0 🌟 stars
This is a cozy story of family, new friendships and new beginnings set over the Christmas and New Year's holidays on the southern coast of France. Lots of lovely French delicacies, strolls about the town and women of three generations thinking about what they want out of life. And Gabby gets the whole ball rolling by deciding to spend the holidays and her 70th birthday back where she grew up.

I've read a number of the author's novels and this one just did not elicit a strong reaction, positive or negative, from me. No real surprises or strong connection to the characters. The ending is happy and pretty predictable. But I liked the setting and the idea that we can pick and choose to keep the best parts of our past and leave the rest while building a better future at any age.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three generations, life has torn one apart,
Will Christmas give them each a chance to heal every heart?
Elodie was left with her French grandmother
Whilst her mother flew away to make a new life with another.

After forty years of staying away
Why does her gran want to be in her hometown on Christmas Day?
However, Elodie is happy to go with her for the festive holiday
Who knows what she'll find out during their stay?

A story filled with family love and secrets from the past
That are slowly to be revealed to all at last.
New relationships, new places and new chances
As well as the possibility of some romances!

A heartwarming read filled with family drama and mystery
Along with revelations about past history.
The opportunity to start anew
If only they dare do!

I highly recommend this delightful family drama and romance,
I really hope you'll give it more than just a chance!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I really enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the idyllic setting of Juan-les-Pins in the South of France. It sounded very charming and like an enjoyable vacation spot.
When Elodie Jacques is three years old she is abandoned by her mother when she gets a new man, and he doesn't want a child from the mother's previous relationship around.
Having been raised by her grandmother ever since she's been happy.
Grandmother announces she wants to spend New Years and her 79th birthday in her hometown of Juan-les-Pins. Unknown to Elodie grandmother has some secrets she has been keeping from her and she needs to travel to France to take care of somethings and come to grip with her feelings. The book has a mention of Christmas here and there, but you don't get a Christmassy feel to it.
While there are some heartwarming moments and a sweet new romance there were some things I didn't agree with in the book that brought the stars level down for me. Quick easy read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. Its a quick, simple read. It's about a Grandmother and granddaughter who head to France to visit the grandmother's hometown. While there, Gabby (the grandmother) has plans to not only ly heal the traumas of her past butbhelp her daughter and granddaughter heal their relationship.
It's a great feelvgood story that happens around Christmas. A few of the things that bothered me were miner but they all called eachother by their first names, so Elodie, the granddaughter would call her grandma Gabby, and same with Harriet's, Elodies mom. I suppose this was easier when writing conversations.
The other part, Elidie was falling for a local guy named Gazz. She was worried about his relationship status with Fiona yet was strolling through a village holding his hand. Like I said, miner stuff. Overall was very cute and I loved the message of healing and forgiveness.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed how this story focuses on two generations, Elodie and her grandmother, Gabriella, who are both at a crossroads in their lives, and wondering how to make changes. You get to see their differing reactions to life in France. Gabriella, in particular, has a few secrets in her past which she has kept from Elodie. Life in the South of France sounds wonderful and all the festive touches makes it just right for this time of year.
Motherhood and parenting are important parts of the story across the generations and whether past mistakes can be forgiven and moved on from. This is a gently paced story, with touches of romance but the main focus is on family relationships and making new friendships and moving on.
In short: family relationships and moving on
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

[Henriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gentle, festive and heart-warming story, written in typical Jennifer Bohnet style. The characters were well developed and I could feel the bond between Elodie and her grandmother Gabby. It felt like a warm hug.

The setting on the French Riviera was wonderful and made me want to experience the Christmas markets there and just the general atmosphere there. Although there is some romance in the story, it is mainly about family and secrets and letting the past be and learning to move forwards. Harriet was definitely not my favorite person, even after hearing her reasons. I preferred to have the focus on Gabby and Philippe and Elodie and Gazz. I wonder will there be a sequel? I would definitely read it.

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This author always writes really cute little romances that take you away to another place and let you vacation without leaving your home. This book is no exception it takes us to Christmas in the French Riviera, who wouldn’t want to be there. Thus book is more about family love than romance but the romance is hinted at. It was a nice quick read that made me smile. I really enjoyed learning about the French Christmas traditions as well.

I am always on the lookout for books by this author.

[Felicity Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful feel good story around Christmas time on the French Riviera!!
Gabby wants to return to France after being away over 40 years, to go for Christmas and her birthday with her beloved granddaughter Elodie. She has 2 letters in her bag, which are full of the secrets she needs to share with Elodie........Will she find the right time in France? What will her home town be like after being away for so long?
Warm, festive, very French, and a perfect mix of family friends and life.
An enjoyable festive book! Full of hope, love and warmth, comfort and joy!!
Delightful and endearing!! Loved it!!
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the early read.

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publisher: Boldwood Books @booksandtonic
Publication Date:31st August 2022
Genre: General Fiction, Women's Fiction

Christmas in the Revina introduces us to Gabby and Elodie her granddaughter who she's raised from a young age.

She was abandoned by her mother she is 24 years later

A brilliant cosy read which is set over the festive period. At just over 200 pages this is a relatively quick novella to read. This is my first book by Jennifer Bohnet. A brilliant story of hope, love and family all make for a great read. Shows a lot about relationships.
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[Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love books by Jennifer Bohnet and was super excited to pick this up and take a trip to the South of France. What beats a wander around the Christmas markets whilst enjoying the sunshine and a glass of mulled wine.

We get to know the lovely Gabby & Elodie, as Gabby returns to France for the first time in many years and provides Elodie with an insight into how her life was when she was younger.

Set over the Christmas period it is filled with French traditions and the wonderful formation of new friendships. As always I absolutely loved the visit to France and loved this story and characters from start to finish