Ett år på den franska lantgården

by Gillian Harvey, Elin Olausson (Translator)

Efter tio års trogen tjänst har Lily Butterworth blivit uppsagd från sitt arbete. Men som varje klok kvinna vet, är botemedlet mot arbetslöshet en bästa vän och lite för mycket vin.
Morgonen därpå har Lily dock mer än bara baksmälla … Hon har ett helt nytt hus – i Frankrike!

Istället för den katastrof det skulle kunna vara, ser hon det som en chans att slå slag i saken och äntligen flytta till Frankrike, så som hon och hennes man alltid har drömt om. 
Men Lily får ytterligare en överraskning. Trots att de i mer än tjugo år har pratat om att flytta till Frankrike, har hennes man aldrig egentligen haft för avsikt att åka.

Så börjar ett år i Frankrike, ensam, med att renovera ett vackert gammalt lanthus som inte hålls samman av mycket annat än tapeter och hennes drömmar.

Kommer Lily att lyckas läka såren från uppbrottet med sin man, börja om på nytt och finna drömmen hon längtat efter i hela sitt liv i sitt nya hemland? Och kan det vara den tidigare ägaren av huset, Frederique, som är svaret på Lilys förhoppningar för framtiden?

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"Följ dina drömmar och lyssna på ditt hjärta! Jag älskade den!" - Heidi Swain

"En underbar eskapistisk historia om andra chanser. Jag älskade den." - Alex Brown

"Kunde inte sluta läsa. Ett år på den franska lantgården är den ultimata feelgood-romanen. Jag var där tillsammans med karaktärerna, kände atmosfären, hejade på Lily och ville att allt skulle gå bra." - Paula Greenlees

"Den perfekta må-bra-läsningen. Upplyftande, rörande och faktiskt ganska rolig. Det är som att åka på semester utan att lämna ditt hem." - Tim Ewins

"Oh la la, denna bok är très magnifique! Jag föll för författarens sätt att skriva och hennes förmåga att skapa en berättelse med så mycket hjärta och djup. Gillians beskrivningar av den franska landsbygden var hisnande och så levande. Jag kände mig som om jag transporterades till den franska landsbygden … Ett år på den franska lantgården är en härlig berättelse om vänskap, kärlek och att ta chanser." – Romance by the Book

Genres: Fiction, Romance, France, Contemporary, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Womens Fiction

383 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2025

About the author

I'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.

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say — I thought it was going to be like A Year in Provence or Under the Tuscan Sun. Unfortunately, Instead of a credible memoir of meeting the challenges of a foreign culture and making them come to life for the reader, the story read like a Hallmark movie in which the drama is leavened with romance, and the real question is which of the desirable partners will she choose. Don’t get me wrong. It was written with a great eye for colorful detail and an obvious enjoyment of the French countryside and people. I’m sure for many, it will be just what they were hoping for. I just prefer my travel tales without the sugar coating.

[Karin Van duuren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this one. I loved the moving to France part with all the miscommunication, the house struggles, meeting new people and the relationships. But i didn’t like the Frédérique storyline. It was too much. Too over the top. In this case less Frédérique is more. Other then that it was a delightful read and makes you wanna go on EBay and buy a French farmhouse.

I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[eyes.2c · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreams and opportunities!

What do you do when you’re made redundant?
Obviously drink a lot of wine and bid on eBay for a house in France for a month.
What do you do when you find out that you’d actually bought a house in France on eBay? Only two choices, scream or live the dream!
However Lily Butterworth finds her and her husband’s dream for a life in France is in reality her dream, not her husband Ben’s.
Is this the moment of walking through the door into her lifelong dream?
It seems so. Life in France is maybe more than Lily bargained for but she’s living the dream. Isn’t she?
An interesting tale of not saying No! or rather grabbing an opportunity with two hands and saying Yes!

A Boldwood Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[m a e g a n ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not care for the characters. Nothing even really happened, and the things that occurred (moving, friendships, house repairs) were just so boring and bland.

[Catbytheseareads ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute & sweet romance.

Escape into the beautiful France farmland.
After being married for 25 years, they talked about moving to France to retire going from their home in London.
Ben decided he cannot and will not leave but allows Lily to go without him. She becomes confused and angry after talking to Ben about this dream of theirs to go only to find out he never really wanted to go.

The adventure becomes confusing to Lily being on her own, yet having the courage to do it.
She's meeting so many amazing new friends but still feels so alone. A cute story about relationships, friends, family and new chapters.

3.5stars

[window · Rating 2 out of 5]

I ended up setting this one aside about 25% in- it just wasn't holding my attention (despite the fact that I'm normally a sucker for stories set in France). Lily and Ben kind of annoyed me. Him because it's a jerk move to promise your wife year after year that you will do a thing that has been a lifelong goal of hers without actually ever intending to do the thing. Her because she bought a house online after drinking a bottle of wine and then left her husband and kid to move to France by herself (yes yes, he's in his last year of school and getting ready to go to university so he's not a small child, but he is still a minor living at home).

Like I said, I think this just wasn't the right story at the right time for me so I moved on to a different book.

[Marg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily and Ben Butterworth have a dream. They are going to pack everything up and move to France. This is a dream that they have been talking about for years. They are just waiting for the right time. Only problem is that every time Lily suggests that it is time, Ben finds reasons/excuses as to why it isn't.

When Lily is made redundant after ten years, she calls her best friend Emily and together they polish off a bottle of wine or two. After Emily leaves, Lily is consoling herself by looking at holiday destinations. So it is something of a surprise the next morning when she receives notification that she has successfully purchased a dilapidated farmhouse in the Limousin region of France.

Once she gets over the surprise, she realises that this could be the perfect time to actually live the dream. Their son Ty is about to move to his university so he will be independent. Lily no longer has a job. Except Ben finally reveals that even though he has always said that he wanted the same dream as Lily, he really doesn't.



Read more at:

http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2022...

[Tea Leaves and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored being transported to rural France in Gillian Harvey’s upcoming new novel… Gillian always writes about brilliant characters making bold decisions that go against the grain of most books. Whilst doing so, she invokes a sense of companionship between reader and character – a sort of “me too” feeling.

Beautiful settings, in this case France, are always present too. And, as if that wasn’t enough, Gillian’s trademark humour also shines through once again. She somehow manages to create the perfect balance of achingly painful moments coupled with often hilarious ones. Her writing is frank, and to the point, but in the best possible way.

I loved being transported to France. To the B and B, the house, the beautiful villages…the quirky characters and romances.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good example of my favorite escape reading; our main character making the best of an uprooted life, preferably somewhere I find irresistibly tempting. In this case a woman leaves her husband to fulfill a lifelong dream. There are interesting twists in the plot and for a couple of the characters, and the happy ending really is one. Nicely written with splashes of funny.

[Patricia Sands · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read

A Year at the French Farmhouse is an entertaining story for francophiles and anyone who dreams of moving to France.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Boldwood Books, I was provided an ARC of A Year at the French Farmhouse by Gillian Harvey via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

**** Publishing September 29, 2022****


Do you need a a fun, light, and humorous book that will transport you to the French countryside and keep you entertained?

Lily’s life came crashing down when she was let go by her job. It makes her rethink her life. Lily and her husband, Ben had always wanted to live in France for 1 year, so with her most recent predicament and her son set to attend University, she decides it’s time to stop putting it off and make plans to live in France. On the night she was laid off, she bought a French farmhouse on eBay after consuming almost an entire bottle of wine. The next morning, she realizes what she had done and has to tell Ben. After much discussion with Ben, Lily realizes all the sacrifices she has made for Ben and her son wasn’t reciprocal, so decides to fly to France to buy the farmhouse without him. Will it be all she envisioned? Will Ben come around and eventually join her? Will this be the beginning to the end of their marriage?


A book of friendships, love, loss and second beginnings! A great book club pick as it will lead to many great discussions!

While reading this book, I could relate to some of Lily’s experiences in France as it brought back memories of when I lived in the South of France! Especially hearing about her renovations and navigating a new language and culture!

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following Gillian Harvey for a while. However, this was my first read by her, making me want to put her other books at the top of my teetering TBR pile!
A fabulous story about a middle-aged woman, ready to spread her wings as her chick flies the nest and embark on that adventure she and her husband have been planning for many years.
Lily's redundancy couldn't have come at a better time. Her son, Ty, is off to university, meaning the pay-out money can help her and Ben realise a dream they have been nurturing for a long time. Moving to France to live a wonderful life out there.
Only, she finds out it might not have been Ben's dream, only hers.
In a state of emotional drunkenness, Lily makes the sort of eBay purchase that makes her cringe in the morning.
A dilapidated farmhouse. In France.
Oops!
How's this one going to work out?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story as anything about women my age grips me straight away. Wouldn't we all like to move away, somewhere new, and begin living our lives for ourselves, after decades of being wife/mum/slaves to our jobs?
Lily has to battle the fact that her husband wasn't interested in fulfilling the dream they had always talked about and decides to just go for it, with or without him. A strong woman!
Moving to a different country will always have its ups and downs, and to do that alone and to find out exactly how dilapidated the property you bought on a drunken whim could be classed as a huge dip in your line of ups and downs.
Fortunately, Lily meets some fantastic people along the way, and she still has her best friend, Emily, as a support for her, by phone, message and impromptu visits.
There is even a little romance, but, how do you explain to your teenaged-son that you might be going on dates but that it doesn't mean anything, even though you and your husband have split up?
A Year at The French Farmhouse was an easy read with a great ending, and it fostered the spirit of never being too =old to make our dreams come true!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun easy beach read. Literally. Read it on the beach in about 2 hrs over 3 sittings. For a beach read 3.5/4.

[Angela Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant story of a dream pursued, love lost and found in different ways and some sobering realities of ‘living the dream’. An easy read from start to finish.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Willie is made redundant at her job and is giving a pay out she is excited she thinks they can move to France a year earlier. Ever since her and been got married she has basically begged him to move there. He tries to put her off once again and it may have worked but he didn’t know the night before in a drunken stupor she bought a French farmhouse. Her first thought is“Can she get out of it?“ and then she thinks “, but what if?” Ty is about to leave for you need and she believes now is the perfect time but then Ben is finally honest and says he doesn’t want to move to France where he doesn’t know the language and he’s not keen on starting over at his age.. Lily however is determined and so she packs up and leaves been to move to France. She does meet some fabulous people like the owner of the B&B close in the mayor and head of the John Dum and seller of the farmhouse. Will Lily regret her move to France or will it all work out in the end? OK I know other people loved this book and if you ignore the fact she broke up a perfectly fine marriage and move to a whole new country then yes this is a fun great book but The author explained it away by saying been didn’t love her unconditionally but her moving to France without him prove she didn’t love him unconditionally either. No having said that I I really enjoyed the book and although I didn’t like the fact She had a marriage most would die for and just left it to move to France I understand it’s better not to have regrets when it’s over and they left with I wish I would have… If you love feel good fiction this is a great book to read as far as my opinion goes it seems to be The minority. I still highly recommend it though. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Pauline · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to this book while commuting because a stone house in France sounded amazing and I loved a Year in Provence. This book was not like that one at all—it just made me so frustrated. I wound up talking to it, “are you kidding me?” “Seriously?” “Oh brother!”

I only review it because I want people to know that most of this book is filled with selfishness, an all about me attitude, and the “I deserve what I want, NOW” mindset. There was not a word of sacrifice or satisfaction until she got what she wanted. After about 75%, I fast forwarded to the last chapter and epilogue hoping I would find some redeeming value—there was a glimpse, but she got what she wanted on her terms. I pity people who live so selfishly.

Frédérique drove me crazy and if I was a Frenchman I’d be offended at the caricature. One good thing about the book: the locale. But still, that’s not enough to give it more stars.

I don’t recommend this book and wish I’d stopped sooner and not wasted my time. I just kept hoping it would get better and I hate not finishing books I’ve started. Silly me.

[Marisa Dottore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute premise in theory. Very fluffy and not a lot of depth to the characters. Good if you need to kill an afternoon but that’s about it.

[Angela Blakley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. If you want a cute-ish read with bad communication between a couple and more writing causing you to lean towards another marriage breaking up just for a good romance story...

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

To escape to France to live they'd planned for years,
But kept putting off, delayed by other fears.
Now they've a plan, next year it'll be all go
Their dreams coming true - well, they hope so!

Then comes redundancy, that's really a surprise
So maybe it will be time their dreams to realise?
An evening drinking wine with a friend
With a house in France is how it'll end!

Excited for the future, Daisy is so ready to go
But her husband, Ben, admits living in France for him is a, "No!"
The home in France needs lots of work, that's true
But Daisy plans on continuing seeing her dreams through.

New challenges and friends
How will it all end?
To discover that you'll need
This book for yourself to read!

Leaving Ben behind, moving to France, taking the chance,
Maybe whilst there there's the chance of romance?
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Year at the French Farmhouse by Gillian Harvey, so owning a Farmhouse in rural France myself with my Hubby and doing the same thing! and purchased from Ebay! I had to read this book and what a beautiful book this was..
I loved it!

When Lily and Ben Butterworth have a dream. They' want to pack everything up and move to rural France. They have been talking about it for years.........But, deep down Ben never wanted to do it, and doesn't go. So, Lilly goes alone to France for a year and starts to renovate a gorgeous old farmhouse that is held together by wallpaper and wishes.

This book is beautiful and is about friendships, love, loss and second beginnings! for Lily It was hard work bit so worth it in the end.

Now Did she regret it...........Well, you will need to read the book..........But for me living here is a No. Its beautiful just like this book. I highly recommend it

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous! The settings of rural France, the farmhouse, the delicious food and the atmosphere, it sounds perfect, when can I go?

The characters were wonderfully likeable, real and relatable. Lily was great, so determined and brave to leave her old life behind and pursue her dreams.

A Year at the French Farmhouse is an uplifting, feel-good piece of escapism that I loved every minute of.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. If you were a fan of Under The Tuscan Sun you will enjoy this. I think a lot of us had a dream of picking up and moving to a place we dreamed of. Lily makes this deal come true from England to France. New stone house to renovate, new friends, language and more. I enjoyed guessing how this would play out in the end. It’s my first time reading this author and look forward to more.

[Maria Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this light hearted escape novel. The dream of a stone cottage in France, whats not to love.
Enjoyable characters that kept me interested in the story. Lot's of laughs and fun reading.

[Cathie (ClassyLibrarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, this started out with me cheering the main character on. You go live the dream girlfriend!! Then, I became increasingly annoyed with her whining and spoiled attitude. But the ending was nice, very Hallmark-esque but all in all not a bad fluffy read.

[Melissa Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Lisa Overman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming

An enjoyable read of French expat adventures and a family reconnecting that leaves readers feeling happy. Worth reading and sharing.

[Margo Loflin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feel good book

Though this story reminded me of Under the Tuscan Sun (single woman, dilapidated house, crazy array of helpers) it was still an enjoyable read for a lazy afternoon.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I did finish it. It is set in France. It does have that whole A Good Year vibe. (It may rely to heavily on that latter.)

After twenty years of marriage, Lily leaves her husband and almost adult son to live her dream in France. After three weeks in France refurbishing an ancient house, she seems to leave her life in England behind. Totally. That is where Lily lost me. Totally.

[Aishu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A feel-good read.

[Carron · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up reading this book about halfway through. It just never got off the ground.

Contrary to a variety of very positive reviews. I felt this story failed to take flight.

The premise reminded me of A Country Escape by Katie Fforde but, unlike that book which really I enjoyed, this story lacked any real plot action. I found myself wondering what I was reading on to find out. Wondering what I was even wanting to happen.

Initially the text was nicely written and the main character seemed relatable. I enjoyed the writing style, but then it descended into a veiled attempt at a bilingual text. The main character was attempting to learn French so most discussions started in basic french which was then translated which was fine. Perhaps, as a fellow learner of french, I enjoyed this initially, but it soon got old. and in some situations, such as a shopping trip, it descended into a bilingual shopping list of items that added little to the story. I wasn't reading the book for a lesson in basic French vocabulary. I wanted a story.

Meanwhile, by chapter 20, the English husband she'd left behind, inspired no desire for a reunion. He was portrayed as a very one dimensional character who was quite self centred and lacked any real depth. The sudden and short-lived journeys into their previous relationship milestones felt pointless. and added little to either character or the wider plot. In fact, they felt quite jarring as they interrupted the flow of present day action and left me with little more knowledge of the husband Ben or desire to know more of him. If the reader was meant to desire a reunion, I completely failed to feel the chemistry of this.

Back in current day France, Frederique, the farmhouse owner, town mayor and head of the local gendarmerie (police), seems like he should be the love interest of the story but only in so much as Lily (the lead character) describes him as handsome while reminding herself he is not the leading man in a "tv Rom Com". However, his interactions are no more friendly than a local farmer neighbour and the females of the village who she interacts with.

Ultimately if this is meant to be a 'which man should she choose" saga, then it fails to present either as a viable option.

The arrival of the best friend doesn't really add much to the story either. She's another under developed character with a non-event of a medical drama causing her to create some convenient local gossip. But it all feels very disjointed and I don't really see what she adds to the plot or character development.

If the story is meant to be an adventure around restoring a dilapidated farmhouse, I feel like that should have been well underway by chapter 20 rather than just beginning in chapter 21 of 37. The fact that the sale doesn't fully go through for some weeks also seems more like a convenient way to keep Frederique in the picture. Since there are no conditions on the sale going through, no other interested parties or inheritance hunters, it's simply a delay that, again, adds little to the plot.

Ultimately, even if these issues are resolved in the latter half of the book, I feel like there should have been a heck of a lot more depth resolved by the halfway point. Most particularly, there should be a clear reason for continuing. Whether a problem to overcome, a mystery to uncover or a heart to be won, by halfway it should be clear why one is reading.

I am left wondering.... where is this story going? and I find that my answer is... "I really don't care."