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After Ever After: A Heartfelt Novel of Love, Loss, and Starting Over in a Small French Village
Three years since the sudden death of her beloved husband Etienne Grenaud, and the end of her life in the beautiful French village of Monpazier, 30 year-old Ava is at a loose end. Now back in London, she spends most of her time with her semi-regular hookup Archie and working on the unfinished draft of her The Grief Diary. But when her Editor tells her to head back to Monpazier to focus on finishing the book, Ava finds herself learning how to navigate life back in the small town without Etienne.
Ava struggles to come to terms with her feelings towards the town, especially after the arrival of Etienne's estranged brother, Florian, which digs up resentment from the past. But with the support of new friends, including her Octogenarian Landlady, Ava rediscovers the person she was before her husband, and finds out what her life could look like, After Ever After.
Ava struggles to come to terms with her feelings towards the town, especially after the arrival of Etienne's estranged brother, Florian, which digs up resentment from the past. But with the support of new friends, including her Octogenarian Landlady, Ava rediscovers the person she was before her husband, and finds out what her life could look like, After Ever After.
272 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 24, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. I read it in about three sittings and honestly would’ve finished it in one day if I’d had the time.
I adored Ava and her journey through grief, healing, and finding love again. Every character felt so warm and real, but I have to say the American absolutely stole my heart and now I need her own spin-off immediately.
There were so many moments that genuinely left me completely flabbergasted. Points where my mouth literally hung open in shock. Then other moments had me laughing out loud through the characters’ stories and interactions. It was such a lovely balance of emotion, humour, heartbreak and romance.
This book is an absolute credit to you, Hannah. As a debut novel, it has been phenomenal and I genuinely cannot wait to watch your journey as a published author.
One of the cutest and most enjoyable love stories I’ve read so far, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone, and that’s not just because the author is my best friend. A true five-star read 🤍
I adored Ava and her journey through grief, healing, and finding love again. Every character felt so warm and real, but I have to say the American absolutely stole my heart and now I need her own spin-off immediately.
There were so many moments that genuinely left me completely flabbergasted. Points where my mouth literally hung open in shock. Then other moments had me laughing out loud through the characters’ stories and interactions. It was such a lovely balance of emotion, humour, heartbreak and romance.
This book is an absolute credit to you, Hannah. As a debut novel, it has been phenomenal and I genuinely cannot wait to watch your journey as a published author.
One of the cutest and most enjoyable love stories I’ve read so far, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone, and that’s not just because the author is my best friend. A true five-star read 🤍
May 13, 2026
This is so much more than just a second chance romance.
Ava, a 30-year-old widow, returns to her late husband’s hometown in the South West of France in search of closure - and to finally finish her novel.
Firstly, the setting.
Monpazier is described through medieval streets, lazy lunches, flowing wine, and a bustling, close-knit community. It’s the kind of small village where there’s always someone around the corner and life moves at a gentler pace.
Ava returns three years after losing her husband, giving herself one month to accomplish what she came there to do. But this story becomes so much more than simply tying up loose ends.
It explores grief in a deeply honest way - how Ava has been coping with her loss, how she’s trying to heal, and the importance of the people around her. At its heart, this is really a story about self-discovery, friendship, and learning what kind of support we truly need.
The writing beautifully captures Ava’s emotional state throughout. Grief and recovery are shown in all their different forms: comfort and joy one moment, then raw sadness the next.
Surprisingly for a romance, this story also contains several twists - something you don’t always expect from the genre. But because we’re following Ava’s personal journey, and healing is never straightforward, those moments feel believable rather than dramatic for the sake of it. It adds realism to the narrative and makes Ava’s experiences feel genuine.
There’s also a lovely light-heartedness woven throughout the story in the form of “The American” - a flamboyant 80-year-old woman we meet right at the beginning. We don’t even learn her real name until the end, and neither does Ava.
She’s the kind of character you instantly fall in love with.
As Ava’s landlady and eventual companion, she brings humour, warmth, and wisdom to the story. Though she may be 80, she’s wonderfully young at heart - someone who listens without judgement, offers comfort without pressure, and provides the kind of advice that only comes from a lifetime of experience.
We also have Archie, Ava’s “special” friend, who adds another layer of kindness and quiet hopefulness to the story.
And then there’s Florian, our male protagonist, who brings warmth, second chances, and genuine joy to the pages.
Nothing in this novel is entirely straightforward, and I think that mirrors the reality of grief perfectly. Healing isn’t linear, and Hannah does a wonderful job of conveying that throughout the book.
At its core, this is a story about love after loss, second chances, friendship, and starting over, all wrapped up in a beautiful French small-town setting, with just a touch of enemies-to-lovers sprinkled in for good measure.
While the novel is rooted in grief, ultimately it is a story about hope.
Thank you to Novel Tours & Hannah Luckett for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ava, a 30-year-old widow, returns to her late husband’s hometown in the South West of France in search of closure - and to finally finish her novel.
Firstly, the setting.
Monpazier is described through medieval streets, lazy lunches, flowing wine, and a bustling, close-knit community. It’s the kind of small village where there’s always someone around the corner and life moves at a gentler pace.
Ava returns three years after losing her husband, giving herself one month to accomplish what she came there to do. But this story becomes so much more than simply tying up loose ends.
It explores grief in a deeply honest way - how Ava has been coping with her loss, how she’s trying to heal, and the importance of the people around her. At its heart, this is really a story about self-discovery, friendship, and learning what kind of support we truly need.
The writing beautifully captures Ava’s emotional state throughout. Grief and recovery are shown in all their different forms: comfort and joy one moment, then raw sadness the next.
Surprisingly for a romance, this story also contains several twists - something you don’t always expect from the genre. But because we’re following Ava’s personal journey, and healing is never straightforward, those moments feel believable rather than dramatic for the sake of it. It adds realism to the narrative and makes Ava’s experiences feel genuine.
There’s also a lovely light-heartedness woven throughout the story in the form of “The American” - a flamboyant 80-year-old woman we meet right at the beginning. We don’t even learn her real name until the end, and neither does Ava.
She’s the kind of character you instantly fall in love with.
As Ava’s landlady and eventual companion, she brings humour, warmth, and wisdom to the story. Though she may be 80, she’s wonderfully young at heart - someone who listens without judgement, offers comfort without pressure, and provides the kind of advice that only comes from a lifetime of experience.
We also have Archie, Ava’s “special” friend, who adds another layer of kindness and quiet hopefulness to the story.
And then there’s Florian, our male protagonist, who brings warmth, second chances, and genuine joy to the pages.
Nothing in this novel is entirely straightforward, and I think that mirrors the reality of grief perfectly. Healing isn’t linear, and Hannah does a wonderful job of conveying that throughout the book.
At its core, this is a story about love after loss, second chances, friendship, and starting over, all wrapped up in a beautiful French small-town setting, with just a touch of enemies-to-lovers sprinkled in for good measure.
While the novel is rooted in grief, ultimately it is a story about hope.
Thank you to Novel Tours & Hannah Luckett for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
After Ever After by Hannah Luckett may have been placed in the romance genre, but for me it had been so much more than that. It had explored themes of loss, grief, healing, friendship, and the importance of support systems with real emotional depth.
The language and prose felt like a comforting blanket wrapped around me, yet at times that comfort was suddenly stripped away, leaving me feeling raw and exposed, a true testament to Luckett’s writing.
The twists were unexpected and, at times, completely heart-piercing, making me want to reach into the pages and hug the main protagonist. That was how real and believable she had felt throughout the story.
I loved the character of the American from the very beginning. We all need someone like her in our lives, someone who listens without judgement and offers support and advice so naturally that you barely realised she was doing it.
I also adored Archie, whose kindness, level-headed nature, and quiet hopefulness had brought warmth and balance to the story.
What surprised me most was the book’s ability to make me smile when I least expected it. The witty remarks and those painfully relatable “oh, that’s so true” moments had added lightness amongst the heavier emotions. I had even found myself crying during certain scenes.
This book had truly been a roller coaster of emotions, and Luckett’s writing had made me feel every single one of them deeply.
Overall, After Ever After had been an emotional, heartfelt, and beautifully written story about love, loss, and finding a way forward when life changes forever. I felt it would particularly resonate with readers who enjoy emotional contemporary fiction with strong friendships, relatable characters, and romance woven through deeper, more meaningful themes. It had been a story filled with both heartbreak and hope, balanced with warmth, humour, and moments that felt incredibly real.
The language and prose felt like a comforting blanket wrapped around me, yet at times that comfort was suddenly stripped away, leaving me feeling raw and exposed, a true testament to Luckett’s writing.
The twists were unexpected and, at times, completely heart-piercing, making me want to reach into the pages and hug the main protagonist. That was how real and believable she had felt throughout the story.
I loved the character of the American from the very beginning. We all need someone like her in our lives, someone who listens without judgement and offers support and advice so naturally that you barely realised she was doing it.
I also adored Archie, whose kindness, level-headed nature, and quiet hopefulness had brought warmth and balance to the story.
What surprised me most was the book’s ability to make me smile when I least expected it. The witty remarks and those painfully relatable “oh, that’s so true” moments had added lightness amongst the heavier emotions. I had even found myself crying during certain scenes.
This book had truly been a roller coaster of emotions, and Luckett’s writing had made me feel every single one of them deeply.
Overall, After Ever After had been an emotional, heartfelt, and beautifully written story about love, loss, and finding a way forward when life changes forever. I felt it would particularly resonate with readers who enjoy emotional contemporary fiction with strong friendships, relatable characters, and romance woven through deeper, more meaningful themes. It had been a story filled with both heartbreak and hope, balanced with warmth, humour, and moments that felt incredibly real.
May 18, 2026
Thank you to Bedford Square Publishers and NetGalley for this ARC. After Ever After is out August 4th.
I really struggled with how to rate this one, because there were parts I genuinely thought were beautifully done, and other parts that just did not sit right with me at all.
The portrayal of loss and grief was delicate, raw, and deeply believable. That side of the story felt incredibly real, and I thought it was handled with care and emotional honesty. The pain, the loneliness, the trying-to-move-forward-while-still-being-stuck-in-the-past feeling — that all really worked for me.
However, the romantic aspect involving the main character and her late husband’s brother was where the book lost me. Personally, this is one of those lines I struggle to get past. I know grief is complicated, love is complicated, people are complicated… but this particular dynamic just felt uncomfortable to me, and I couldn’t fully root for it.
I did absolutely love The American, the octogenarian character, who brought such flair, warmth, and personality to the story. Honestly, she was a little scene-stealer.
So overall, this was a difficult one to rate. As a story about grief, healing, and loss, it was beautifully written and emotionally strong — easily 4.5 stars for that aspect. But the romance itself really didn’t work for me, which makes my overall feelings much more conflicted.
A thoughtful, emotional read, but one where the romantic direction may not be for everyone.
Rating: conflicted — 3.5 stars overall, with 4.5 stars for the grief/loss storyline.
I really struggled with how to rate this one, because there were parts I genuinely thought were beautifully done, and other parts that just did not sit right with me at all.
The portrayal of loss and grief was delicate, raw, and deeply believable. That side of the story felt incredibly real, and I thought it was handled with care and emotional honesty. The pain, the loneliness, the trying-to-move-forward-while-still-being-stuck-in-the-past feeling — that all really worked for me.
However, the romantic aspect involving the main character and her late husband’s brother was where the book lost me. Personally, this is one of those lines I struggle to get past. I know grief is complicated, love is complicated, people are complicated… but this particular dynamic just felt uncomfortable to me, and I couldn’t fully root for it.
I did absolutely love The American, the octogenarian character, who brought such flair, warmth, and personality to the story. Honestly, she was a little scene-stealer.
So overall, this was a difficult one to rate. As a story about grief, healing, and loss, it was beautifully written and emotionally strong — easily 4.5 stars for that aspect. But the romance itself really didn’t work for me, which makes my overall feelings much more conflicted.
A thoughtful, emotional read, but one where the romantic direction may not be for everyone.
Rating: conflicted — 3.5 stars overall, with 4.5 stars for the grief/loss storyline.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to Novel Tours and Hannah Luckett for my physical copy to read and review.
This was a lovely book. It explores grief and friendship and resilience and love.
Ava’s husband died. Three years ago. Unexpectedly. To deal with her grief she started writing a diary and writing a blog and eventually this led to a book deal. But the book needs an ending, so she goes back to France where she lived with him so try to bring some kind of closure to her emotions.
Back in France Ava is faced with a shared history with her husband, her estranged ex brother-in-law, and new friendships.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ava’s pain is very raw, and she wears her emotions on her sleeve. It was enchanting to see little pieces of pain start to fall away, but then in a moment a torment of grief returns. This felt very genuine and authentic to me.
The community of the town in France comes through perfectly both in terms of the visual aesthetics of the town and the market and its cafes, but also the people that live there. The American is hilarious and I loved her and the way she could see what Ava needed.
Ava’s up and down relationship with her ex-brother-in-law is a real rollercoaster. She has such mixed feelings for him as he is not the man she once knew and he is similar but not the same as her husband. Her emotions are understandably complex and challenging to navigate.
A wonderful book that I would happily recommend. Much more than just a summer read!
This was a lovely book. It explores grief and friendship and resilience and love.
Ava’s husband died. Three years ago. Unexpectedly. To deal with her grief she started writing a diary and writing a blog and eventually this led to a book deal. But the book needs an ending, so she goes back to France where she lived with him so try to bring some kind of closure to her emotions.
Back in France Ava is faced with a shared history with her husband, her estranged ex brother-in-law, and new friendships.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ava’s pain is very raw, and she wears her emotions on her sleeve. It was enchanting to see little pieces of pain start to fall away, but then in a moment a torment of grief returns. This felt very genuine and authentic to me.
The community of the town in France comes through perfectly both in terms of the visual aesthetics of the town and the market and its cafes, but also the people that live there. The American is hilarious and I loved her and the way she could see what Ava needed.
Ava’s up and down relationship with her ex-brother-in-law is a real rollercoaster. She has such mixed feelings for him as he is not the man she once knew and he is similar but not the same as her husband. Her emotions are understandably complex and challenging to navigate.
A wonderful book that I would happily recommend. Much more than just a summer read!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5
Thank you @novel.tours @bedfordsq.publishers for a place on the book tour and my #gifted copy of this book! I’ve devoured this, sat in the sun on a gorgeous bank holiday weekend ☀️.
This book is an ideal chick-lit/ romance - it ticks all the boxes for me:
✅ Effortless to read with a comfortably predictable plot
✅ Beautiful setting
✅ Love triangle
✅ Heartache and healing in equal measure
✅ Self-discovery
✅ Unlikely friendship formed by characters from vastly different generations
If you like @emilyhenrywrites, @paigetoonauthor or @lucyvineauthor books or @netflixuk ‘Emily in Paris’ and similar, you will love this one too!
I am a sucker for this sort of story and the premise of this one had me hooked from the beginning! I really enjoyed the writing and the tone of each character, especially the FMC, Ava.
This might be a ‘me problem’ but, whilst I liked all the characters, I was really disappointed by the outcome! Wrong man won for me 🫣🙄. I think this will cause some discussion in the book community and I’m ready for it!!!
Is this one on your radar?
Thank you @novel.tours @bedfordsq.publishers for a place on the book tour and my #gifted copy of this book! I’ve devoured this, sat in the sun on a gorgeous bank holiday weekend ☀️.
This book is an ideal chick-lit/ romance - it ticks all the boxes for me:
✅ Effortless to read with a comfortably predictable plot
✅ Beautiful setting
✅ Love triangle
✅ Heartache and healing in equal measure
✅ Self-discovery
✅ Unlikely friendship formed by characters from vastly different generations
If you like @emilyhenrywrites, @paigetoonauthor or @lucyvineauthor books or @netflixuk ‘Emily in Paris’ and similar, you will love this one too!
I am a sucker for this sort of story and the premise of this one had me hooked from the beginning! I really enjoyed the writing and the tone of each character, especially the FMC, Ava.
This might be a ‘me problem’ but, whilst I liked all the characters, I was really disappointed by the outcome! Wrong man won for me 🫣🙄. I think this will cause some discussion in the book community and I’m ready for it!!!
Is this one on your radar?
July 7, 2026
I was absolutely loving this book for the beautiful setting, gorgeous writing with tenderness about grief. I was really excited as I read because I thought this was going to be a 5 star read. I was hoping Ava would find a healthy way to move on from the loss of her late husband.
Then, she falls in love with the husband’s brother? I didn’t even feel any connection with the romance. Felt all forced and random. Like it was just because he looks like her husband she misses so much.
What’s even worse is she treated her flawless, incredibly patient and understanding lover/boyfrend cruelly, and dumps him for the brother. After totally leading him on the whole time. Ava thinks she didn’t. Umm, no, she really did. She led him on.
The book lost me at that point.
I’ve never been this infuriated with a romance book in my life😂 But it is because I had such a high hope for this in the first half!
Then, she falls in love with the husband’s brother? I didn’t even feel any connection with the romance. Felt all forced and random. Like it was just because he looks like her husband she misses so much.
What’s even worse is she treated her flawless, incredibly patient and understanding lover/boyfrend cruelly, and dumps him for the brother. After totally leading him on the whole time. Ava thinks she didn’t. Umm, no, she really did. She led him on.
The book lost me at that point.
I’ve never been this infuriated with a romance book in my life😂 But it is because I had such a high hope for this in the first half!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I felt wrung out in the best possible way. Luckett’s writing carried every emotion straight to my chest: the grief, the hope, the quiet moments of healing were beautifully done.
It’s a tender, deeply felt story about love, loss, and learning how to move forward when life reshapes itself without warning. The friendships were warm and believable, the characters felt wonderfully real, and the romance threaded through the heavier themes with just the right touch. Heartbreak and hope sat side by side, softened by humour and moments that felt genuinely lived‑in.
If you enjoy emotional contemporary fiction with relatable characters and meaningful connections, this one will absolutely stay with you.
Thank you @novel.tours @bedfordsq.publishers @hannahluckettwrites for this lovely book 🙌🏽
It’s a tender, deeply felt story about love, loss, and learning how to move forward when life reshapes itself without warning. The friendships were warm and believable, the characters felt wonderfully real, and the romance threaded through the heavier themes with just the right touch. Heartbreak and hope sat side by side, softened by humour and moments that felt genuinely lived‑in.
If you enjoy emotional contemporary fiction with relatable characters and meaningful connections, this one will absolutely stay with you.
Thank you @novel.tours @bedfordsq.publishers @hannahluckettwrites for this lovely book 🙌🏽
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! I read this in one sitting. If you’re after a beautiful love story, set in a small French village (that’ll you’ll want to visit after), with captivating characters, with an incredible amount of depth, who really come off the page, then this book is for you. I loved the American woman, who had me laughing out loud. Hannah Luckett deserves to be up there with writers such as Emily Henry, and I personally think this is even better than an Emily Henry novel! Bring on the second novel please Hannah Luckett! Such a brilliant debut.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5✨
A really lovely story featuring Ava who returns to her late husband’s small village in France to be able to write the end of her novel.
This is a story about managing grief and starting to heal, the beauty of friendship and finding love all over again.
I really liked the characters, “The American” stole the show for me! She was my favourite and brought so much fun, warmth and joy to the story, which was a great way to balance an emotional story!
Hannah’s writing was beautiful, I’m ready to take a trip to the South of France!
A really lovely story featuring Ava who returns to her late husband’s small village in France to be able to write the end of her novel.
This is a story about managing grief and starting to heal, the beauty of friendship and finding love all over again.
I really liked the characters, “The American” stole the show for me! She was my favourite and brought so much fun, warmth and joy to the story, which was a great way to balance an emotional story!
Hannah’s writing was beautiful, I’m ready to take a trip to the South of France!
June 21, 2026
This book is a perfect holiday read.The author has managed to tackle a difficult and very personal subject of grief with great maturity.Set amongst the backdrop of a beautiful sleepy southern French town. You are transported to the ambiance of Montpazier sharing the occupants daily lives.The characters are believable especially “The American “ whom the protagonist befriends.Did I mention romance well yes woven into the reflection and recovery it is an unexpected love story.As a debut novel by a young author this is a wonderful beginning. I cannot wait for the next novel …
Did Not Finish
May 30, 2026Não foi para mim esse livro.
June 9, 2026
A nice easy read
June 25, 2026
Wasn’t a fan of Ava. Didn’t like how she treated Archie or Florian.
June 29, 2026
3.5
Notes to self -
struggled with the fmc - she was frustrating and at times, pretty unlikeable especially with the way she treated both Florian and Archie - but enjoyed the book overall
Notes to self -
struggled with the fmc - she was frustrating and at times, pretty unlikeable especially with the way she treated both Florian and Archie - but enjoyed the book overall
July 8, 2026
What are people liking about this book? I only gave it 2 stars for Birdie. So predictable
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the ARC of After Ever After by Hannah Luckett — this is a voluntary review.
This follows Ava as she returns to a small French village three years after losing her husband, trying to finish her book and figure out what’s next for her life.
I loved the setting in France and the overall storyline. The friendship between Ava and “The American” was such a highlight, and I really enjoyed the slow, natural development of her relationship with Florian.
A lovely, emotional read that made me laugh and really touched me 🤍
This follows Ava as she returns to a small French village three years after losing her husband, trying to finish her book and figure out what’s next for her life.
I loved the setting in France and the overall storyline. The friendship between Ava and “The American” was such a highlight, and I really enjoyed the slow, natural development of her relationship with Florian.
A lovely, emotional read that made me laugh and really touched me 🤍
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews