One Summer in Provence: The BRAND NEW sun-soaked Summer read for 2025 from the BESTSELLING author of The Olive Farm

by Carol Drinkwater

'SUPERB - I LOVED IT!' MIRIAM MARGOLYES
'SHINES WITH ALL THE COLOURS AND TEXTURES OF PROVENCE' KATE MOSSE
'PERFECT ESCAPISM' PRIMA

A season of secrets...

Celia Grey appears to have the perfect married to Dominic, the man of her dreams, and living on a glorious, thriving vineyard in the south of France. To celebrate their good fortune, she decides to throw a huge party.

When she is contacted by a stranger who claims to be her long-lost son, David, the newborn she gave up at twenty and has never spoken of since, Celia impulsively invites him for the weekend of celebrations - without mentioning it to her husband.

Despite his surprise, Dominic graciously welcomes David and his unexpected companion - but secretly he harbours doubts. Is David really Celia's son? And who is the mysterious young woman travelling with him?

Only Celia can decide how far she will go to hold everything together, to keep her perfect life from unravelling...
One Summer in Provence is a story of betrayal and belonging, and of discovering love in unexpected places.
Readers love ONE SUMMER IN PROVENCE
'A perfect summer read ... My first book by this author but I'm guaranteed to be reading more' *****
'An absolute stunner' *****
'Always a great sign when you're slowing down towards the end as you don't want it to end' *****
'The ending just blew me away!' *****

407 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2025

About the author

Carol Drinkwater is an Anglo-Irish actress, author and filmmaker.

Reviews

[Marg · Rating 5 out of 5]

rtc

[ednarine · Rating 2 out of 5]

1,5 — 2⭐️

Actually, I was really looking forward to reading a long book over the summer, but I was rather disappointed. Too much was happening at once, and none of it really caught my interest.

[Sarah - Sarah's Vignettes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can be found at sarahsvignettes.wordpress.com.

My thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of the book in return for this honest review.

Regular visitors to my blog, Sarah's Vignettes, will know that Carol Drinkwater is one of my favourite authors. I’ve been a fan ever since I read The Olive Farm in my early twenties. I don’t even need to read the blurb on the back of her books to know I’ll enjoy the story. That’s exactly what happened with her latest novel, One Summer in Provence.

One thing I love about Carol Drinkwater’s novels is how each story feels fresh and unique, yet every one centres around a strong female protagonist. In One Summer in Provence, the story revolves around Celia Grey. Celia is a famous English actress who inherited her parents’ vineyard in the south of France and now lives and runs it with her husband, Dominic, a playwright.

Celia and Dominic are busy preparing for a summer party to celebrate their business success, but Celia’s world is turned upside down when she receives a message from David, the son she gave up as a baby. Without hesitation, she invites him to the weekend festivities. What David doesn’t know is that Celia has been keeping this secret for years, and she hasn’t told him about the unexpected guest either.

What unfolds is a family saga where the author keeps us questioning everyone who appears: are they truly who they claim to be? Can their intentions be trusted? Reading this story was an emotional rollercoaster – one moment, I was savouring the warmth of a vineyard in Provence; the next, I was shouting at the page, frustrated by the characters’ attitudes and actions. The author masterfully captures the family’s emotions and the dynamics of the community around them.

The setting becomes a vivid character in the story, bringing scenes to life with all the senses. Picture the vineyard’s sun-soaked vines and earthy scents, the coast’s rhythmic waves and salty air, and the textured landscapes that surround it – immersing you in a rich sensory experience.

[Φερειπείν · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ολοκληρώνοντας την ανάγνωση αυτού του βιβλίου έμεινα με πολύ ανάμεικτα συναισθήματα.
Η πλοκή συχνά μοιάζει να ακολουθεί μια γραμμική πορεία, η αφήγηση συμβαδίζει μαζί της σε μια ήσυχη, χωρίς "αναταράξεις" εξιστόρηση, με συχνά εξαντλητικές περιγραφές χώρων και πραγμάτων, μιας πολυτελούς ή έστω υπερβολικά -για τα προσωπικά μου γούστα- ευκατάστατης διαβίωσης που με κούρασε αρκετά. Και ξαφνικά αρχίζουν οι εξελίξεις και οι ανατροπές που εναλλάσσονται με τις ανωτέρω στιγμές και βρίσκομαι από τη μια, να αναρωτιέμαι γιατι συνεχίζω την ανάγνωση και απο την άλλη, να συγκινούμαι μέχρι τα βάθη της ψυχής μου για όσα μου αποκαλύπτονταν.
Εντέλει, χαίρομαι που το ολοκλήρωσα. Βρίσκω τη συγγραφέα με πολλές δυνατότητες, αλλά νομίζω πως χάνεται συχνά σε έναν πολύ συγκεκριμένο τρόπο ζωής που εχει στο μυαλό της, περιχαρακωμένο σε ενα μικρό πλαίσιο που περιορίζει το συγγραφικό της ταλέντο.
Ενα ανάγνωσμα βαθύ και αφελές την ίδια στιγμή.



Finishing this book left me with very mixed feelings. The plot often seems to unfold in a straightforward, almost linear fashion, with the narration following along in a calm, undisturbed manner. At times, the text lingers in exhaustive descriptions of settings and objects, portraying a life of luxury—or at least one of excessive affluence—that I personally found rather tiresome. Then, quite abruptly, the narrative shifts: developments and reversals appear, breaking the earlier stillness. I found myself caught between wondering why I continued reading and, at other moments, being profoundly moved by what was revealed.

In the end, I am glad I persevered. The author clearly has significant potential, but too often she seems confined by a particular lifestyle that dominates her imagination—a narrow frame of reference that ultimately limits the scope of her talent.

A reading experience that is both profound and naïve at once.

[bookgirlieri X · Rating 4 out of 5]

The utmost thanks to Carol Drinkwater and Atlantic books for sending me this gorgeous proof read

This is a story bathed in sunlight, steeped in secrets, and shaped by second chances.

Some novels are merely a story. Others envelop you. One Summer in Provence belongs to the latter—less a story told than an experience lived. You don’t just read it, you smell the lavender, feel the heat radiating from stone walls, and the bittersweet notes of past choices.

Carol Drinkwater offers more than a picturesque escape to southern France. She delivers a poignant exploration of the past catching up with the present. At the heart of the tale are Celia and Dominic, keepers of a flourishing vineyard and what seems to be a charmed life. But the arrival of a young man claiming to be the son Celia gave up in her youth shakes that foundation. With him comes an emotional reckoning—grief unspoken, guilt long buried, hope fragile but persistent.

The novel unfolds with quiet grace. It contemplates motherhood, buried truths, and the delicate dance between concealment and confession. Forgiveness.

Perhaps the novel’s most striking quality is its sense of place. Provence isn’t merely a backdrop—it breathes with every page. The vineyard reflects Celia’s own internal terrain: twisted and weathered, yes, but capable of extraordinary renewal.

There’s a subtle courage to how this story is told. It doesn’t chase spectacle. Instead, it trusts the reader to sit with the slow burn of emotion and the quiet ache of human complexity.

This isn’t a novel of neat endings or fairytale reunions. It asks what happens when the life you’ve built collides with the life you left behind—and whether love is strong enough to survive the fallout.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life in Provence shimmers with a brittle cheerfulness when you first meet Celia, an aging ex-actress with a few secrets in her past. Her relationship with her husband, Dominic, has weathered a few storms but you sense that she has learnt how to maintain their relationship by knowing when to back away and leave him to his writing. There seems to be unfinished business around a play which he wrote and she starred in which drew terrible reviews and came at a difficult stage in their marriage. They took the opportunity to move to France to a vineyard which Celia inherited and built a new life there, learning the craft as they went.

When Celia receives a shocking letter from David, she is thrown as to how to respond and can't seem to find the right time to break some life-changing news to Dominic. There seems to be a lot unsaid in their marriage, especially around relationships in the past. Secrets however, cannot stay buried for ever. You meet a rich cast of characters in the story, who are brought together at the vineyard. You are unsure for a long time as to whether they are reliable and whether you can take what they say at face value. At times, they seem to be putting on a show, hiding parts of their past. The only ones who appear grounded are the locals who seem to have taken Celia and Dominic to their hearts.

This is a quality read which weaves together a web of secrets and slowly lets you uncover the true picture. Family, such a hole in Celia's life for so long, takes on a new significance and she comes to appreciate the depth of feeling to be got from true friendships.

In short: a summer of surprises
Thanks to the publisher

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the years, I have read quite a few books by Carol Drinkwater. I've enjoyed her non-fiction Olive Farm series and equally loved her fiction. It has been a joy to discover her latest novel, and despite the fact that it's a hefty one at almost 500 pages in my paperback proof copy, I flew through it in a few days.

The novel opens with a quite shocking prologue, taking place in England in the summer of 1976. We are then taken to the South of France in the present day where Celia and her husband Dominic live on a vineyard. They are throwing a party, the weather is stifling hot and they are getting over the disappointments that occurred in their marriage before they moved out to France.

However, Celia has had a secret - one that relates to the prologue mentioned, dating back fifty years. She had a child and gave him up, and he's written a letter to her. Celia is very impulsive and although she's never told Dominic about the child, she invites David to their party. He doesn't attend alone.

This is a complex family drama set in such a glorious place. It is the ideal summer read, and the reader is transported to the French vineyards and the stifling heat

Beautifully written, evocative and emotionally rich. Drinkwater examines the intricacies of relationships and the effect of hidden secrets so well. Recommended by me.

[amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect beach read. Celia, a former actress lives and works on a vineyard in the south of France with her playwright husband who still writes but their vineyard has thrived under their management. Celia is organising a midsummer party for friends, family and buyers and as they need it to run perfectly. However, Celia receives a call from her long lost son she gave up for adoption and invites him, on the spur of the moment to join the celebrations. The book is written from Celia’s point of view, her loneliness, heartache and bewilderment are very believable. I did find the characters of Gillian and Dominic to be rather disagreeable and would have cheerfully pushed them both off the cliffs but Celia is far too nice to consider such a thing.

I loved the descriptions of the aromas of the vineyards and sea, they were described so well I could almost smell them. The scenery was also described in beautiful detail and you really got a sense of what the location looked like. As the author lives in Provence it gave an authentic feel to the book.

Not my usual type of read but I enjoyed it and now really want to visit the area that the book is set.

[LindyLouMac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been aware of Carol Drinkwater more as an actress than an author. In the early years of this century I read and throughly enjoyed her autobiographies about life on her olive farm in the south of France. Despite the fact that she is also a prolific fiction author this is only the second novel of hers that I have read.

‘One Summer in Provence’ is a family saga set in France where married couple Celia and Dominic run a vineyard. Celia is planning the estates annual summer party and things don’t quite go as Celia hoped due to some hidden secrets emerging.

I read this while relaxing in the shade during the recent gorgeous summer weather and was transported to the South of France. If you are looking a gentle summer read but one with depth, then this is for you.

With thanks to NetGalley, Corvus and Carol Drinkwater for the opportunity to read and review.

https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...

[BooksCoveredHB · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my full sensory review please visit my blog. Although a heavy book I feel this is the perfect travel book if you’re fortunate to be jetting or sailing off on holiday. I was able to enjoy my own back garden.

I was at first a little daunted by the length however I didn’t need to worry as the narrative was good and well written. You are in very safe hands with Carol Drinkwater.

I was literally hooked from the first page. Drinkwater’s style follows so easily for me and I was not racing as I never do but before I knew it I was 50 pages in. One Summer in Provence in a very sensory book throughout with wonderful descriptions. There are the plants and flowers their scents and the sun and it’s warmth of the French landscape. I literally lost myself in this book. I was transported from my garden chair to Provence through Drinkwater’s fabulous prose.

The family dynamics are super written. Lovers of contemporary fiction based in France with a find saga this is one for you.

[Anne Robichaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Carol Drinkwater's Olive Farm books - she has a unique gift of transporting the reader to a specific locale - land and place - through her vivid descriptive prose. Her latest fiction, "One Summer in Provence," does the same. I was imagining the olive farm while I was reading about the people, the vineyard and the area of Provence. Her in-depth descriptions invite you to join the characters on their journeys as the story unfolds. There are secrets and mysteries that touch at the very core of human emotions. I did get a bit exasperated with Celia's insecurities and Gillian's rudeness but all of that certainly enhanced character development as well as the story itself. And while the mysteries were solved, not necessarily happily, I was still disappointed when the book ended. I found myself wanting to learn more about this odd mix of characters who formed a family through fate, tragedy and love.

[Val Millard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celia Gray has been married to playwright Dominic for many years. She is stepmother to his children. A few years ago he had written a play with a major part for Celia but it was not a success and it finished her career as an actress and nearly their marriage at the same time. They had to sell up in London and move to the vineyard Celia had inherited from her parents in Provence.

Dominic is still writing as well as managing the vineyard and they are about to host a big party for customers to sell them the new vintage wine. Celia is contacted by her son, David, who she gave up for adoption at birth. She has kept him a secret from Dominic but now realises she has to find a way to tell him about David as she has invited him to fly out for the party. Celia knows barely anything about David and is taken aback when he arrives with a young woman in tow, his ex wife’s daughter.

[Angi Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great novel for summer. It’s long and languid and evocative of the lavender fields. It is also about love, life and the things people say or don’t say in relationships.
I did get the feeling that Celia and Dominic skated around their pasts. Also they seemed to have unspoken agreements that the reader went fishing for. Celia knows when to back off gracefully and Dominic doesn’t ask questions about the past that he might not like the answers to.
But when Celia’s past turns up in the form of David they have to talk about things more honestly and one summer in Provence becomes the summer the secrets were set free. This is a lovely story that is very character oriented and it will keep you turning pages. A lovely summer read which I enjoyed a lot.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a feel good summery read that whisked me away to the south of France. Celia is married to Dominic and they have the perfect life living in the south of France, when she arranges a big party, this is going to be epic but many years ago she gave up her new born son and now there is someone who says he is her son but is he? Celia decides to invite him to their party but a woman turns up with him who is she? will Celia and her husband's life going to be the same again? It was a good solid story to follow along with, with relatable characters, and I found it a light easy read. Perfect for the summer.

[Kelly Hollingworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect summer read, in the garden, at the beach or away on holiday. Set in the beautiful French region of Provence Celia Grey and her husband Dominic seem to have it all - an idyllic life with a vineyard, a swimming pool and daily fresh eggs. But there is a nearly 50 year old secret that Celia has not shared with Dominic until that secret unexpectedly appears. With twists and turns this book kept me captivated to the end. There is a depth to the plot and the characters created through this tome which I enjoyed. I would love to read a sequel to delve further into what could happen next.

[Marie Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read from Carol Drinkwater.

Celia and Dominic are living the dream, running the vineyard her parents developed in their retirement. Life in the South of France is hard work, but it has its rewards and life is good.

However, one summer, as they prepare to celebrate their wines and life together, Celia receives a phone call from her past that kicks off a summer of emotional and physical storms. Will things ever be the same again?

A beautifully written novel, with great characters, all who have interesting backstories. I really enjoyed reading this on holiday and definitely felt transported to the beauty and wonder of Provence.

Add it to your summer reading list.

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a journey.
A journey through the descriptive writing of the beauty of the setting, a family journey full of emotion.
When Celia’s past comes to visit her present you start to doubt who is being honest and anticipating the secrets they hold.
A perfect summer read whether you be in your home, garden or somewhere sunny ☀️
My first book by this author but I’m guaranteed to be reading more, a very enjoyable read.

@randomthingstours @carol4olivefarm @corvusbooks #onesummerinprovence #bookstagram

[Emma Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

🩷 Blurb -A season of secrets...
Celia Grey appears to have the perfect married to Dominic, the man of her dreams, and living on a glorious, thriving vineyard in the south of France. To celebrate their good fortune, she decides to throw a huge party.
When she is contacted by a stranger who claims to be her long-lost son, David, the newborn she gave up at twenty and has never spoken of since, Celia impulsively invites him for the weekend of celebrations - without mentioning it to her husband.
Despite his surprise, Dominic graciously welcomes David and his unexpected companion - but secretly he harbours doubts. Is David really Celia's son? And who is the mysterious young woman travelling with him?
Only Celia can decide how far she will go to hold everything together, to keep her perfect life from unravelling...
One Summer in Provence is a story of betrayal and belonging, and of discovering love in unexpected places.
💛 Review -
I hadn't read anything by the author before but I will definitely be reading more by them. This was such a beautifully written book. I loved the author's writing style and the story was easy to follow. The place settings in the novel sounded beautiful and I loved the great mix of characters. Despite the book's size I soon got through it. Overall, a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers.
💝 Thank you to Random Things Tours, the author and publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathryn Gauci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It was the setting that drew me in first: a vineyard in Provence. Perfect. With a diverse cast of characters, it was a page-turner, and I couldn't put it down. I knew there would be a twist at the end, but it wasn't what I imagined, which is just the sort of ending I love. Recommended.

[Pirouette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this gentle but emotional trip to Provence. Carol Drinkwater's writing is very evocative and always just enough, never overdoing it. I enjoyed discovering the different characters and revising my opinion of some of them. If you can't get away to Southern France, this story is a short trip you will not regret.

[Marie O'Halloran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read Carol Drinkwater's non-fiction works in the past and enjoyed them. This novel was interesting enough to keep me reading, with a good sense of place, but I felt it would have been enhanced if it had been pruned by about 20%.

[Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Ms Drinkwater's stories as entertaining, drawing me into the characters, and especially, presenting such a desirable setting. Each book has been a step more enticing, although I do think this one could be tightened up a bit. Her Olive Farm series is fantastic.

[C. Moschopoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her brst novel yet. A story with many surprise and unexpected turns that return us to the center, love, family and community.

[Julietta Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It kept me reading with the promise of a juicy reveal, but it was all very rushed at the end. Enjoyable however

[Narinder Gore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story with beautiful settings 🌅

I won't lie, It was a little daunting when I saw how thick this book was at almost 500 pages, but it really didn't take me long to read at all! The story flowed and the French setting really did just fit perfectly!

A lovely summer read with tropes such as Second chances, Found family and a touch of drama! I loved Celia and was rooting for her to have a perfect ending ❤️

Definitely reccomend this as one to read this summer 😍

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a load of piffle!