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Summer Under a Starry French Sky
Can a change of setting ever really be enough to bring about a change of heart?
When stunt double Amber finds herself spending the summer working on a film set in the rolling French hills she's 100% clear going in: romantic as the setting may be, she's not open to anything besides casual flings.
Yes she's a daredevil stunt woman, who isn't scared of high-speed car chases. Or of being beaten up. Or even of diving off a cliff - literally. But relationships? That's where you really get hurt.
Enter scruffily handsome archaeology academic Nico. He's furious to be missing an important dig to work instead as an on-set historical accuracy advisor for a ridiculous Hollywood movie, and his scathing tone soon starts to irritate Amber no end. After a disastrous run-in one night she vows to avoid the grumpy professor for good.
And yet.
As long hot days melt into slow evenings drinking wine under the stars, everyone on set finds themselves changed by the sensual French summer unfolding around them.
And Amber and Nico can't help but feel their own walls start to come down too...
When stunt double Amber finds herself spending the summer working on a film set in the rolling French hills she's 100% clear going in: romantic as the setting may be, she's not open to anything besides casual flings.
Yes she's a daredevil stunt woman, who isn't scared of high-speed car chases. Or of being beaten up. Or even of diving off a cliff - literally. But relationships? That's where you really get hurt.
Enter scruffily handsome archaeology academic Nico. He's furious to be missing an important dig to work instead as an on-set historical accuracy advisor for a ridiculous Hollywood movie, and his scathing tone soon starts to irritate Amber no end. After a disastrous run-in one night she vows to avoid the grumpy professor for good.
And yet.
As long hot days melt into slow evenings drinking wine under the stars, everyone on set finds themselves changed by the sensual French summer unfolding around them.
And Amber and Nico can't help but feel their own walls start to come down too...
- GenresContemporary Romance
404 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 28, 2026
Although I found it to be a bit slow to start, I ended up really enjoying this book.
I found it initially to be one of those books I was never really reaching for but I did eventually warm into it and finished the last 200 hundred pages in a couple of hours.
The story is told from the dual perspectives of Amber and Nico, which is a bit confusing as it's not always signposted particularly clearly; you can switch from Amber to Nico's perspective from one paragraph to the next which sometimes results in the feeling of having missed something. Especially in the early chapters, these quick perspective changes also left me with the feeling that there was never enough time given to dwell on each character's emotional positioning at any given point.
For a romance I found it to have a very deep and rich plot with significant character development throughot. This helped build momentum as the story progressed and left the ending feeling well-deserved and satisfying.
I didn't realise until the teaser at the end that there is another book in the same universe detailing Alex's story, and I will now definitely have to add that to my 'to read' list.
I found it initially to be one of those books I was never really reaching for but I did eventually warm into it and finished the last 200 hundred pages in a couple of hours.
The story is told from the dual perspectives of Amber and Nico, which is a bit confusing as it's not always signposted particularly clearly; you can switch from Amber to Nico's perspective from one paragraph to the next which sometimes results in the feeling of having missed something. Especially in the early chapters, these quick perspective changes also left me with the feeling that there was never enough time given to dwell on each character's emotional positioning at any given point.
For a romance I found it to have a very deep and rich plot with significant character development throughot. This helped build momentum as the story progressed and left the ending feeling well-deserved and satisfying.
I didn't realise until the teaser at the end that there is another book in the same universe detailing Alex's story, and I will now definitely have to add that to my 'to read' list.
September 15, 2026
My favourite Sophie Claire story so far. This unlikely romance between Amber, a stuntwoman who packs a punch, and Nico an academic and reluctant history advisor on the film set, really captivated me. I could see a lot of research had gone into the background of this book which has been written with a light and gentle touch. It was lovely to feel immersed in the French landscape and get wrapped up in the story. Super.
September 17, 2026
Picked this up from my local library and thought what beautiful book cover, I saw a bit of romance and was heading on Hoilday so I thought to myself ! Perfect!
It was a change from my usual crime and thrillers, yet it provided the sweet romance, and relatable mix of characters in this charming setting!
It was a change from my usual crime and thrillers, yet it provided the sweet romance, and relatable mix of characters in this charming setting!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first of Sophie's books I've read and I enjoyed it. I wish I'd know it was ultimately the second part to one of her other's but I think OK to read as standalones. Glad to see there is a back catalogue that I can now make my way through.
Come back to your Review on the pub date, 2 Jul
Come back to your Review on the pub date, 2 Jul
September 8, 2026
Really enjoyed this book.
Did Not Finish
September 16, 2026Picked this book up looked like a nice read, however read the first couple pages and realised it is again written in 3rd person
October 2, 2026
Enjoyed it mostly and was interesting about the life of stunt doubles. Am always a sucker for a great happy ending!
October 5, 2026
4.25⭐️s Families and relationships can be complicated. This read was very enjoyable while developing friendships family complications and taking on living life. A nice getaway to between UK and France.
August 25, 2026
This was the perfect summer read set amongst the valleys of France and Sophie's immersive writing will have you feeling like you are really there.
I really enjoyed the storyline of the book and it was interesting to be somewhere so rural, whilst in the middle of a film set. There were some very diverse characters and I really liked not just the camaraderie between everyone, but also the support and trust also.
Amber & Nico were such polar opposites, but the attraction between them was evident from the start. I really liked their slow burn relationship and I found myself really rooting for them.
A lot of difficult topics were discussed within the book, which were not only written well, but also added another dimension and layer to the characters and it was good to see their development and growth.
I really like Sophie's writing and this was the perfect summer read, which leaves you with a smile on your face.
I really enjoyed the storyline of the book and it was interesting to be somewhere so rural, whilst in the middle of a film set. There were some very diverse characters and I really liked not just the camaraderie between everyone, but also the support and trust also.
Amber & Nico were such polar opposites, but the attraction between them was evident from the start. I really liked their slow burn relationship and I found myself really rooting for them.
A lot of difficult topics were discussed within the book, which were not only written well, but also added another dimension and layer to the characters and it was good to see their development and growth.
I really like Sophie's writing and this was the perfect summer read, which leaves you with a smile on your face.
August 4, 2026
3.5 stars
A fun read. A little romance in a beautiful location. A little twist with a stunt double in the mix. A total escapism.
A fun read. A little romance in a beautiful location. A little twist with a stunt double in the mix. A total escapism.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews