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La Cour des Roses #3
Сватба в Прованс
Еми Джеймисън обича своя нов живот сред нежните хълмове и слънчогледите на красивата френска провинция, управлявайки „La Cour des Roses“, красива къща за гости. А предстоящата им женитба с Ален прави нещата съвършени.
Собственикът на къщата за гости Рупърт и всички стари и нови приятели са там, за да се уверят, че нищо няма да попречи на щастието на Еми.
Но тъй като големият ден наближава, една тайна от миналото изкарва всичко извън релси. Ще продължи ли нейната идилична френска сватба, както е планирано, или Еми ще се върне в Англия с разбито сърце?
Това лято, може да избягате в лозята на Франция за едно вдъхновяващо четене.
Собственикът на къщата за гости Рупърт и всички стари и нови приятели са там, за да се уверят, че нищо няма да попречи на щастието на Еми.
Но тъй като големият ден наближава, една тайна от миналото изкарва всичко извън релси. Ще продължи ли нейната идилична френска сватба, както е планирано, или Еми ще се върне в Англия с разбито сърце?
Това лято, може да избягате в лозята на Франция за едно вдъхновяващо четене.
304 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
425 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
About the author
Helen Pollard
11 books189 followersAs a child, Helen had a vivid imagination fuelled by her love of reading, so she started to create her own stories in a notebook.
Now a bestselling author of contemporary romance, she believes that good characterisation is the key to a successful book and loves infusing her writing with humour and heart.
Helen is a member of The Society of Authors.
You can find her online at:
viewauthor.at/HelenPollardAmazon
Now a bestselling author of contemporary romance, she believes that good characterisation is the key to a successful book and loves infusing her writing with humour and heart.
Helen is a member of The Society of Authors.
You can find her online at:
viewauthor.at/HelenPollardAmazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
July 8, 2017
Loved being back with Emmy, Rupert and friends. Fantastic summer read. Sad it's the last in the series as I've really enjoyed this series. Lots of ups and downs this year. But glad to have a happy ending. Really hope the author changes her mind and returns for another book
July 29, 2017
There are books that take you on vacation from the moment your eyes fall on them. The first two books in Helen Pollard's series had this effect on me. I am glad to inform you I took off safely and happily to La Cour Des Roses again and had the best of times!
Emmy has it all! A beautiful guest house, a wonderful partner with whom to make it the best place for travellers, a handsome and everything-but-boring accountant soon-to-be husband, a new and promising business... I could have just read her every day life in Pierre-La-Fontaine forever! Helen Pollard has the key to the French paradise and opens the door with an easy-flowing and charming writing style that makes you want to wish you could book a room until the end of time!
There was no doubt the French knew how to enjoy a leisurely lunch.
I admit that among the hundred reasons why I was eagerly waiting for Summer at the Little French Guesthouse, the main excitement came from knowing I would embrace and share wine with some of the best and most realistic characters I have encountered. Personalities, hair, jobs, everyone has a role, everyone is equally important to make this close-knit community the wonderful place it is and this time again, there is room for everyone, as well as surprises! Some I saw coming, some that made me gasp, some that made me smile! Helen Pollard brilliantly depicts a life with its ups and downs, its sudden changes of plan, and offers a large part of the cake to some of the most hilarious situations ever! I could picture everything so vividly I felt I had never left the place, and I became a part of this vacation too. That's how magical this series is. It shows you a messy and crazy life, but with croissant and a strong coffee so you don't ever want to leave, no matter what happens!
I am so used to all those characters by now that my heart was filled with love, with pain, with worry, as I read page after page about a simple French life.
Well, not so simple!!! I adored every subplot!
Yes, Emmy is our main character and I wish we were friends in real life. She's adorable, her relationship to her mother is as complicated as mine, and she can't make eggs! She has a way to make the simplest thing funnier, brighter, and yet, she does have her problems and she is the perfect example of a young woman relying on a fabulous set of friends, trying to make sense of life, and wearing her heart on her sleeve. Here, she has so much in her hands I felt she was a wind passing by and I was waiting for the moment she would explode! I just cannot express how refreshing it is to have a story that gives you holidays as they truly always happen: disasters, arguments, misunderstandings, you have them all. Then you are reminded of the true meaning of a holiday, and how your loved ones can turn everything around and make the world a better place.
I felt Rupert had a slightly smaller but just as interesting part in this third installment, looking over things with wisdom and always the right thing to say to make the reader laugh! Rupert being Rupert is what I wanted, and I was not disappointed! I used to see Mrs Dupont very clearly in my mind, and her story just pulled at my heartstrings in a way I wasn't expecting. She is a lot like a wonderful aunt I am lucky to have, the “perfectly strict on the outside, but with a heart of gold and the French wisdom that comes with a life under our sun” on the inside. I wished I could squeeze her tight, a lot. No, I mean it, really, even if neither her or my aunt are very touchy-touchy!!!!
It was very exciting to meet characters I had heard of in the previous books, and Helen found them a place without having to put some of my favorites on the bench. Kate was just as I imagined her to be, and Alain's family brought a new light to his character, and to the events at La Cour Des Roses!
Everyone moved me in a different way. I think what makes this life story work so well is how Helen Pollard takes the best of France, splashes it with the best of England, and sparkles the mix with humor, hardships, surprises, and feelings, all it takes to realize what happiness is!
No holiday is perfect, no plan is perfect, that's the lesson I learned during this Summer at the Little French Guesthouse! You can plan all you want, have your mother nagging and nagging you, check and double check everything, there is always something that comes in the way, and it's okay. It's okay in the end. Just as long as you don't lose sight of what is important. And keep working on your garden!
I fell in love all over again with Summer The Little French Guesthouse, the absolute best vacation read. Helen Pollard is a magician holiday-maker, and she takes you with her on an amazing, genuine and unforgettable trip to the beautiful La Cour Des Roses.
This unbiased review is my thanks to the publisher Bookouture for providing me with a copy of this book and letting me kick off the wonderful blog tour this story deserves!
July 12, 2017
So it is with tears in my eyes that I come to write my review for our last visit to The Little French Guesthouse and I am so sad to say goodbye to this lovely series. The characters have come to feel like friends and the first thing I wanted to do when I finished reading this book was to get online hoping to magically find the best little guesthouse in France and book myself a week away from all my own stresses at home and spend time being looked after by Emmy, Rupert and the others. I have absolutely loved being part of their lives and will miss them even though I like to imagine them continuing to lead their lives in a parallel universe somewhere!
Helen Pollard has created some very memorable characters here and placed them in a setting that francophiles especially will love! Having spent many holidays in France and visited the country regularly since the age of 14, I have a personal love affair with it myself and Helen has captured the scenery, the people and the food perfectly. I always end up popping out and treating myself to a loads of French delicacies while reading Helen’s books (if I lived in France I would be constantly gorging on Croissants, cheese, bread and my absolute favourite Tarte au Citron!!) to keep myself in the mood and I do have to agree with Emmys brother when he says that no matter how expensive the coffee here, it never tastes as good as it does in France.
Although there is romance in these books, this one felt much more “grownup” as Emmy is preparing for her wedding to Alain, her delicious English/French fiancé but as with nearly all weddings the path to commitment never seems to run smoothly! Emmys relationship with her mum is one speed bump that needs to be carefully negotiated and as I know that I would probably be a “mother of the bride from hell” myself I thought it was handled with just the perfect balance between humour and drama as we watch them clash.
All the ends are ties up neatly and it was a joy to watch how all the threads came together in the build up to the big day, which had some jaw dropping shocks in store for some of the friends and family attending! I found myself totally lost in the plot as it wound its way towards the wedding day which was definitely memorable but if you want to know for what reasons then you need to read this book!
This a perfect summer sunshine read-just be prepared to laugh, cry and crave pain au chocolate dipped in a cafe au lait when you do!
Helen Pollard has created some very memorable characters here and placed them in a setting that francophiles especially will love! Having spent many holidays in France and visited the country regularly since the age of 14, I have a personal love affair with it myself and Helen has captured the scenery, the people and the food perfectly. I always end up popping out and treating myself to a loads of French delicacies while reading Helen’s books (if I lived in France I would be constantly gorging on Croissants, cheese, bread and my absolute favourite Tarte au Citron!!) to keep myself in the mood and I do have to agree with Emmys brother when he says that no matter how expensive the coffee here, it never tastes as good as it does in France.
Although there is romance in these books, this one felt much more “grownup” as Emmy is preparing for her wedding to Alain, her delicious English/French fiancé but as with nearly all weddings the path to commitment never seems to run smoothly! Emmys relationship with her mum is one speed bump that needs to be carefully negotiated and as I know that I would probably be a “mother of the bride from hell” myself I thought it was handled with just the perfect balance between humour and drama as we watch them clash.
All the ends are ties up neatly and it was a joy to watch how all the threads came together in the build up to the big day, which had some jaw dropping shocks in store for some of the friends and family attending! I found myself totally lost in the plot as it wound its way towards the wedding day which was definitely memorable but if you want to know for what reasons then you need to read this book!
This a perfect summer sunshine read-just be prepared to laugh, cry and crave pain au chocolate dipped in a cafe au lait when you do!
May 7, 2020
This series has been brilliant and couldn't wait to read this next book and I wasn't disappointed at all. Full of romance with heartbreak from the past but also full of family and friends in the wonderful French countryside and will have you crying in places to.
Emma is working at the wonderful guesthouse in France and now engaged to Alain and she can't wait for the perfect French wedding but her mum keeps trying to run the wedding for her so can she get the wedding she wants or not. The guesthouse is all running well and she lives living in France and her family and friends all over for the big day but will it go ahead or not as a secret fin the past could be about to change everything.
A simply brilliant read.
Emma is working at the wonderful guesthouse in France and now engaged to Alain and she can't wait for the perfect French wedding but her mum keeps trying to run the wedding for her so can she get the wedding she wants or not. The guesthouse is all running well and she lives living in France and her family and friends all over for the big day but will it go ahead or not as a secret fin the past could be about to change everything.
A simply brilliant read.
July 5, 2017
I want to stay at the Cour des Roses! It seems to have quite an effect on the characters and there's some fun french characters too. Whitewashed and full of hope but with some troublesome relatives and a bothersome ex. Part three of a series but I hadn't read these and it made total sense but I do now want to go back and see how this story started and how characters met.
Set in the Loire Valley in a fictional village, there is French flair on every page. warm and charming. A lovely read!
Set in the Loire Valley in a fictional village, there is French flair on every page. warm and charming. A lovely read!
July 16, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, the author Helen Pollard and the publishers Bookouture for this review copy.
First things first – this book is the 3rd book in the La Cour Des Roses series. Whilst you can do what I did and read it as a standalone book, I would recommend that you read the series in order. There are lots of characters in the book which were obviously in the other two books, and their back story would be more understandable. Saying that, I read this one first and it certainly didn’t detract from the enjoyment of the book – in fact, it’s made me all the more determined to go and get those other two books and read the series properly!
In this book, we return to Emmy Jamieson, who is managing La Cour Des Roses, a guesthouse in the beautiful French Countryside. It is weeks to her wedding to the handsome Alain, and life couldn’t be better. But as the wedding gets nearer and her mother going into full wedding planner mode, things start to go wrong! Then a secret from the past threatens to throw everything off course. Will Emmy and Alain have their perfect day?
I’m ashamed to say this was the first book by this author and the first book of the series that I have read. I thought it might hamper me slightly by coming in at the end of the story, but once I got used to who everyone was I slotted right into it like I’d been reading the series all the way through. The lovely Emmy is marrying her handsome French beau. She’s obviously not been lucky in love in the past, but has met her perfect man with Alain. Perfect man, perfect job, perfect life…..that is until her mother wants to plan her wedding. As the time gets nearer, her mother becomes the mother of the bride equivalent of Bridezilla! Constant phone calls about the cake, the venue, the favours and of course the dresses! After failing to find dresses to compliment her varying array of bridesmaids’ sizes and shapes, Emmy decides to let the bridesmaids find their own dresses, which is proving a problem for Kate and her over-ample chest! As you can imagine, this doesn’t go down very well with Emmy’s mum!
As the book continues, we not only get to wallow in the forthcoming wedding plans, but also in the beautifully descriptive images of the French Countryside and the guest house that Emmy manages. It sounds so perfect that you just want to hop over the Channel right now! The little villages and shops sound wonderful, perfect for an afternoon of wandering around in the sun! I wasn’t sure whether I would like this book, as I prefer to read books that are set in the UK, but I thought it was wonderful!! It was romantic, picturesque and funny. I love the relationship that Emmy had with all her family and friends (even with her husband to be’s ex-wife - I’m not sure I could be that friendly!!)
It was a lovely easy read, perfect for those summer evenings or holidays (all the more better if in the French countryside!) Well recommended – even better if you go and buy the other two books as well!! 5 Stars!
First things first – this book is the 3rd book in the La Cour Des Roses series. Whilst you can do what I did and read it as a standalone book, I would recommend that you read the series in order. There are lots of characters in the book which were obviously in the other two books, and their back story would be more understandable. Saying that, I read this one first and it certainly didn’t detract from the enjoyment of the book – in fact, it’s made me all the more determined to go and get those other two books and read the series properly!
In this book, we return to Emmy Jamieson, who is managing La Cour Des Roses, a guesthouse in the beautiful French Countryside. It is weeks to her wedding to the handsome Alain, and life couldn’t be better. But as the wedding gets nearer and her mother going into full wedding planner mode, things start to go wrong! Then a secret from the past threatens to throw everything off course. Will Emmy and Alain have their perfect day?
I’m ashamed to say this was the first book by this author and the first book of the series that I have read. I thought it might hamper me slightly by coming in at the end of the story, but once I got used to who everyone was I slotted right into it like I’d been reading the series all the way through. The lovely Emmy is marrying her handsome French beau. She’s obviously not been lucky in love in the past, but has met her perfect man with Alain. Perfect man, perfect job, perfect life…..that is until her mother wants to plan her wedding. As the time gets nearer, her mother becomes the mother of the bride equivalent of Bridezilla! Constant phone calls about the cake, the venue, the favours and of course the dresses! After failing to find dresses to compliment her varying array of bridesmaids’ sizes and shapes, Emmy decides to let the bridesmaids find their own dresses, which is proving a problem for Kate and her over-ample chest! As you can imagine, this doesn’t go down very well with Emmy’s mum!
As the book continues, we not only get to wallow in the forthcoming wedding plans, but also in the beautifully descriptive images of the French Countryside and the guest house that Emmy manages. It sounds so perfect that you just want to hop over the Channel right now! The little villages and shops sound wonderful, perfect for an afternoon of wandering around in the sun! I wasn’t sure whether I would like this book, as I prefer to read books that are set in the UK, but I thought it was wonderful!! It was romantic, picturesque and funny. I love the relationship that Emmy had with all her family and friends (even with her husband to be’s ex-wife - I’m not sure I could be that friendly!!)
It was a lovely easy read, perfect for those summer evenings or holidays (all the more better if in the French countryside!) Well recommended – even better if you go and buy the other two books as well!! 5 Stars!
August 6, 2017
This is the third in the La Cour des Roses series and I really enjoy revisiting the characters in the idyllic setting. Emmy is organising her wedding to Alain, whilst working at the guesthouse with Rupert. The characters feel like friends now and I'd love to stay at the guesthouse.
You just know that there are going to be a few hiccups in the build up to the wedding- things can never run completely smoothly. Her mum is proving to be a bit of a 'mother of the brideszilla'.
Rupert is a wonderful shoulder to lean on in times of crisis and her friends are also lovely characters.
I was so sad to come to the end!
You just know that there are going to be a few hiccups in the build up to the wedding- things can never run completely smoothly. Her mum is proving to be a bit of a 'mother of the brideszilla'.
Rupert is a wonderful shoulder to lean on in times of crisis and her friends are also lovely characters.
I was so sad to come to the end!
July 27, 2017
I enjoyed this book as much as the others, it was lovely to go back and find out what happened to Emmy and Alain.
July 23, 2017
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I really enjoyed this book and whilst it can be read as a stand alone, I’d really recommend that you read the whole of the series to get the full experience of this wonderful book and you can then enjoy the journey with the characters. This was definitely a five star review from and I loved it – it was released on the 12th July 2017 so you can grab your copy now!!
I really enjoyed this book and whilst it can be read as a stand alone, I’d really recommend that you read the whole of the series to get the full experience of this wonderful book and you can then enjoy the journey with the characters. This was definitely a five star review from and I loved it – it was released on the 12th July 2017 so you can grab your copy now!!
June 25, 2017
I'm utterly bereft that this fantastic book has come to an end, and that I have no idea if there will be another book in this series, have I have been hooked on from the start.
There is just such a charm to La Cour des Roses that suckers me in, grips my heart and won't let go, I absolutely adored being able to catch up with Emmy, Alain and their friends and family. One of my favourite things about reading series is that you find out so much more about the characters than in just one book, and I couldn't think of a better group of characters to keep returning to.
The entire book centres around the run up to the big wedding between our main characters, and as you may expect from a book dedicated to just that topic, plus some subplots, things don't necessarily go as smoothly as you may want!
From Emmy's overbearing mother who is driving the bride mad with daily calls and emails, to a disaster involving the wedding favours, to all manner of last minute problems, plus the run up is affecting the happy couple's relationship.
I really enjoyed getting to know Emmy's niece and nephew-in-law a lot better, they are adorable children that do play a fairly important part in some of the storylines in this book. I loved seeing more of ife at the guesthouse, especially a year on from that fateful holiday of Emmy's that was the catalyst for well...books 2 and 3! There was a good variety of guests for Emmy and Rupert to entertain.
I was enjoying the story so much I didn't even think if it could be read as a standalone.. I suspect it can be but please don't quote me on that! I was just so happy to be back amongst my French friends at the guesthouse that I can safely say its a brilliant book for fans of the series!
I could potentially wax lyrical for far longer about various aspects of the book, but really I may start spoiling it for you, as it really is an enjoyable story that I could talk about for the rest of the evening! There was just so much to enjoy about this book from the writing, to the characters, the setting, the funny bits plus a very fitting finale!
Summer at the Little French Guesthouse is a wonderful way to escape your own life, while devouring a great story that should have you grinning for the majority!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
There is just such a charm to La Cour des Roses that suckers me in, grips my heart and won't let go, I absolutely adored being able to catch up with Emmy, Alain and their friends and family. One of my favourite things about reading series is that you find out so much more about the characters than in just one book, and I couldn't think of a better group of characters to keep returning to.
The entire book centres around the run up to the big wedding between our main characters, and as you may expect from a book dedicated to just that topic, plus some subplots, things don't necessarily go as smoothly as you may want!
From Emmy's overbearing mother who is driving the bride mad with daily calls and emails, to a disaster involving the wedding favours, to all manner of last minute problems, plus the run up is affecting the happy couple's relationship.
I really enjoyed getting to know Emmy's niece and nephew-in-law a lot better, they are adorable children that do play a fairly important part in some of the storylines in this book. I loved seeing more of ife at the guesthouse, especially a year on from that fateful holiday of Emmy's that was the catalyst for well...books 2 and 3! There was a good variety of guests for Emmy and Rupert to entertain.
I was enjoying the story so much I didn't even think if it could be read as a standalone.. I suspect it can be but please don't quote me on that! I was just so happy to be back amongst my French friends at the guesthouse that I can safely say its a brilliant book for fans of the series!
I could potentially wax lyrical for far longer about various aspects of the book, but really I may start spoiling it for you, as it really is an enjoyable story that I could talk about for the rest of the evening! There was just so much to enjoy about this book from the writing, to the characters, the setting, the funny bits plus a very fitting finale!
Summer at the Little French Guesthouse is a wonderful way to escape your own life, while devouring a great story that should have you grinning for the majority!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
December 3, 2017
Emmy loves working for Rupert at La Cour des Roses. She's managing the guesthouse and feels right at home there. She is exactly where she belongs, being in France among people she treasures. She's about to get married to Alain and she can't wait to be his wife. However, the preparations for the wedding are going far from smoothly. Emmy has asked her mother to help with the organization and even though her interference is welcome time wise it is quite a struggle in all other areas. Emmy's mother is a handful and she's making things difficult for Emmy, Alain and Emmy's friends. Will Emmy be able to fix this problem?
When the wedding comes nearer something starts feeling wrong and this is threatening Emmy's happiness once more. A terrible family secret comes to the surface and Alain's ex is causing trouble. This puts Emmy and Alain's relationship under pressure. Emmy has got the perfect wedding ahead of her, but will she actually have her much anticipated big day or will something ruin her plans and cause a rift between her and Alain?
Summer at the Little French Guesthouse is another wonderful book about Emmy and her adventures in France. I enjoyed reading about La Cour des Roses again very much, it's one of my favorite fictional settings. It's such a gorgeous place and I had fun reading about Rupert's personal life, his guests and his dog as usual. Emmy is a sweetheart and wants to make everybody happy, but sometimes she needs to stand up for herself instead. She's a strong woman and she can handle more than she thinks. She has such a good personality and truly deserves a happy ending, I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to see if she would get it and would actually marry the handsome Alain or not.
Helen Pollard has written such a lovely series, I enjoyed reading the La Cour des Roses book from beginning to end. The most amazing thing about them is the atmosphere. I love the way Helen Pollard makes the guesthouse come to life, it's exactly how a cosy guesthouse in France should be. She writes about second chances, interesting relationships, friends, family and true love in a fabulous captivating way. She combines this with plenty of charm and entertainment. Summer at the Little French Guesthouse is another heartwarming feelgood story about Emmy and her friends. I will miss reading about them and highly recommend this series.
When the wedding comes nearer something starts feeling wrong and this is threatening Emmy's happiness once more. A terrible family secret comes to the surface and Alain's ex is causing trouble. This puts Emmy and Alain's relationship under pressure. Emmy has got the perfect wedding ahead of her, but will she actually have her much anticipated big day or will something ruin her plans and cause a rift between her and Alain?
Summer at the Little French Guesthouse is another wonderful book about Emmy and her adventures in France. I enjoyed reading about La Cour des Roses again very much, it's one of my favorite fictional settings. It's such a gorgeous place and I had fun reading about Rupert's personal life, his guests and his dog as usual. Emmy is a sweetheart and wants to make everybody happy, but sometimes she needs to stand up for herself instead. She's a strong woman and she can handle more than she thinks. She has such a good personality and truly deserves a happy ending, I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to see if she would get it and would actually marry the handsome Alain or not.
Helen Pollard has written such a lovely series, I enjoyed reading the La Cour des Roses book from beginning to end. The most amazing thing about them is the atmosphere. I love the way Helen Pollard makes the guesthouse come to life, it's exactly how a cosy guesthouse in France should be. She writes about second chances, interesting relationships, friends, family and true love in a fabulous captivating way. She combines this with plenty of charm and entertainment. Summer at the Little French Guesthouse is another heartwarming feelgood story about Emmy and her friends. I will miss reading about them and highly recommend this series.
October 30, 2019
I liked the first two books, not this one. In my opinion, this is the kind of book one picks up when wanting to escape to a light-hearted world. However, during the first 70% of the book nothing happens, but we get to read Emmy, the protagonist, complain over and over about everything while making every little insignificant thing the biggest problem ever. No, thank you. It also gets very boring to read 400 times that everybody NEEDED to drink, or NEEDED coffee, as if their lives depend on them. It is very redundant. The book gets two stars because I still think the author has a better writing style than the average writer of this kind of novel, but this book was a "NO" for me.
August 18, 2017
Emmy has finally found her feet: her own upscale holiday property listing site is ticking along nicely, La Cour des Roses is fully booked, and her marriage to Alain is creeping closer. Rupert is still dealing with some fallout from his own divorce from Gloria, but overall things seem to be normalizing. Emmy feels her roots starting to take hold, and plans for moving into Alain’s home after the wedding, and the two week honeymoon in Ruperts Mallorca holiday home before it sells, are all things to look forward to. With her mother back in England organizing and planning the wedding, Emmy is free to check last-minute details, entertain guests with Rupert, and clear the decks for her planned vacation.
But all is not smooth: Emmy’s mother is a bit of a martinet and while highly organized, her ideas of what Emmy’s wedding should be, and Emmy’s own desires are often miles apart. And there are lists, calls, checklists and even calls to organize her bridesmaids: Kate, Sophie and Ellie. Dreading every call, text and the upcoming visit, not to mention the stress of holding her ground have Emmy on edge. When you add in some rather peculiar behavior from Alain’s brother and his wife (Alain’s ex) and a few guests at Les Cours des Roses that are either drunk, letchy, demanding or all three: the loss of Madame Dupont’s services couldn’t have come at a worse time. And the poor old lady is shuttling between relatives’ homes after her own home burned.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, things between Emmy and Alain are feeling tense, and what should be a relaxing lead up to the wedding (since all the details are sorted) becomes a minefield of sharp words and tense moments, leaving Emmy feeling like she may have made a mistake. When the wedding day dawns after a horribly dramatic night, and one of the members of the wedding party is missing the day passes in a blur of tension, searching and tears: but one where Emmy’s mum takes charge – delegating, organizing and managing the searchers to perfection.
All of the moments in Emmy’s story are plausible: while I would hope no one has everything piling on at once, each situation is one that readers can relate to: from the sweet moments with Madame Dupont to the discovery of new circumstances for her friends, and even learning how to deal with her mother as an adult, not reverting to her thirteen year old self, the progress in this story is dramatic. Oh she still doesn’t have much French, but what she does have is a group of friends, and many townspeople who know and admire her, a new husband to love and a wonderful future. Another great installment in the series – a favorite summer feel good for sure, perfect for those who want to escape to ‘elsewhere’ for a few hours.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
But all is not smooth: Emmy’s mother is a bit of a martinet and while highly organized, her ideas of what Emmy’s wedding should be, and Emmy’s own desires are often miles apart. And there are lists, calls, checklists and even calls to organize her bridesmaids: Kate, Sophie and Ellie. Dreading every call, text and the upcoming visit, not to mention the stress of holding her ground have Emmy on edge. When you add in some rather peculiar behavior from Alain’s brother and his wife (Alain’s ex) and a few guests at Les Cours des Roses that are either drunk, letchy, demanding or all three: the loss of Madame Dupont’s services couldn’t have come at a worse time. And the poor old lady is shuttling between relatives’ homes after her own home burned.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, things between Emmy and Alain are feeling tense, and what should be a relaxing lead up to the wedding (since all the details are sorted) becomes a minefield of sharp words and tense moments, leaving Emmy feeling like she may have made a mistake. When the wedding day dawns after a horribly dramatic night, and one of the members of the wedding party is missing the day passes in a blur of tension, searching and tears: but one where Emmy’s mum takes charge – delegating, organizing and managing the searchers to perfection.
All of the moments in Emmy’s story are plausible: while I would hope no one has everything piling on at once, each situation is one that readers can relate to: from the sweet moments with Madame Dupont to the discovery of new circumstances for her friends, and even learning how to deal with her mother as an adult, not reverting to her thirteen year old self, the progress in this story is dramatic. Oh she still doesn’t have much French, but what she does have is a group of friends, and many townspeople who know and admire her, a new husband to love and a wonderful future. Another great installment in the series – a favorite summer feel good for sure, perfect for those who want to escape to ‘elsewhere’ for a few hours.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
July 17, 2017
This book is like a holiday between two covers. If you love descriptive books set in idyllic locations, this is the one for you. I now want to spend my summers at the little French guesthouse. I love it when you can become so absorbed in a novel that you forget everything else and I was able to do that with this book. I spent most of a night finishing it although I knew that I should have been in bed long hours before.
The characters in this novel are great and I could see each one clearly in my mind, thanks to the author's gift of being able to differentiate her characters through the way they speak and the descriptions she offers of them. You never have to question who is who when reading her work and that makes it so pleasant to read.
This plot never wavered, getting more and more interesting as the page number grew. By the end of this book, I had forgotten to have dinner, to let the dog out and that I had to work the next day. It ruined me, in a good way. I definitely recommend this book to others who enjoy more complex romance stories with lots of great characters.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
The characters in this novel are great and I could see each one clearly in my mind, thanks to the author's gift of being able to differentiate her characters through the way they speak and the descriptions she offers of them. You never have to question who is who when reading her work and that makes it so pleasant to read.
This plot never wavered, getting more and more interesting as the page number grew. By the end of this book, I had forgotten to have dinner, to let the dog out and that I had to work the next day. It ruined me, in a good way. I definitely recommend this book to others who enjoy more complex romance stories with lots of great characters.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
July 9, 2017
I have to admit I didn't realise this was part of a series until the end. But it didn't stop me enjoying the story anyway, in fact if anything it just makes me want to go back and read the previous ones just for my own curiosity.
The characters are fun and I would definitely love to stay at the guesthouse since it seems that there is never a dull moment. I also loved the French characters too, maybe a little stereotyped but in a light harmless way.
Definitely one to read with a good glass of wine.
I was sent an advanced copy of the book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are fun and I would definitely love to stay at the guesthouse since it seems that there is never a dull moment. I also loved the French characters too, maybe a little stereotyped but in a light harmless way.
Definitely one to read with a good glass of wine.
I was sent an advanced copy of the book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2020
Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...
July 16, 2017
Don't want it to end.
Whilst browsing Amazon, I was thrilled to discover the third book was about to be released. I was on holiday in a busy city, but unashamedly read late into the night, and every spare minute in the daytime. I wasn't disappointed. It was typical Emmy drama, but she is surrounded by the very best of both friends and family. My only wish is for Helen Pollard to write another. Perhaps Emmy starting her family? Rupert and Ellie getting married? I read these books over and over. They are my happy books, and make me smile.😀
Whilst browsing Amazon, I was thrilled to discover the third book was about to be released. I was on holiday in a busy city, but unashamedly read late into the night, and every spare minute in the daytime. I wasn't disappointed. It was typical Emmy drama, but she is surrounded by the very best of both friends and family. My only wish is for Helen Pollard to write another. Perhaps Emmy starting her family? Rupert and Ellie getting married? I read these books over and over. They are my happy books, and make me smile.😀
July 17, 2017
I was sad to realise that this is the end for Emmy and the Guesthouse, having read the previous 2 books I had fallen a little in love. Emmy Jamieson is running La Cour Des Roses the guesthouse set in the French countryside and it's only a matter of weeks until her wedding to the lovely Alain. Rupert is the man who she runs the Guesthouse with and I was thrilled to be back in their lives as they are wonderful characters. This main storyline centres solely around the run up to her wedding with the addition of the overbearing Mother/Bridezilla . The thing that made me fall for these books is the characters and once again Helen Pollards skill of drawing you into their lives is what makes these such an enjoyable read.
Her descriptive ways explaing how beautiful it is where they are in France is also an added bonus. From the guesthouse, to the foord and drink, to the wonderful characters she has created. We see the return of characters from books one and two but we also meet some new family members which always makes books like these all the more interesting. With Emmy mother causing mayhem it seems that nothing is going right for her and you spemt the whole time praying that things worked out.
I don't want to mention too much more of the storyline for fear of ruinig it for those who have yet to read it. What I will say is that although you could read this book as a standalone, why would you want to? This trio of books is absolutely wonderful and they could be read back to back for pure enjoyment and total escapism. I once again was transported into another world, one which I wish I could have been a part of. As much as I am sad to see the last of the Guesthouse and it's owners, I am so excited to see what Helen Pollard comes up with next. This is certainly an author that I would highly reccomend.
Her descriptive ways explaing how beautiful it is where they are in France is also an added bonus. From the guesthouse, to the foord and drink, to the wonderful characters she has created. We see the return of characters from books one and two but we also meet some new family members which always makes books like these all the more interesting. With Emmy mother causing mayhem it seems that nothing is going right for her and you spemt the whole time praying that things worked out.
I don't want to mention too much more of the storyline for fear of ruinig it for those who have yet to read it. What I will say is that although you could read this book as a standalone, why would you want to? This trio of books is absolutely wonderful and they could be read back to back for pure enjoyment and total escapism. I once again was transported into another world, one which I wish I could have been a part of. As much as I am sad to see the last of the Guesthouse and it's owners, I am so excited to see what Helen Pollard comes up with next. This is certainly an author that I would highly reccomend.
July 16, 2017
The Little French Guesthouse in question is La Cour des Roses and Emmy is still working there, with the wonderful Rupert who has become a firm friends since circumstances brought them together in the first 'French Guesthouse' book.
They are as busy as every and Emmy is settling very much into village life and is enjoying the guests staying and also expanding her own business as well. But most of all Emmy is enjoying being with Alain, the man she is about to marry.
Surely she can organise a wedding to the man she loves. Well she can and she could if her mother did not keep stage managing it from a distance. Emmy's patience is tested, trying to please and placate everyone as she has to check, double-check and then check again that the flowers are right, the bridesmaid dresses match, the cake will work.
However there are somethings that are going to not run smoothly, no matter what Emmy or Emmy's mother thinks and demands.
The past is generally never far behind and when it becomes ever-present, it means that the wedding is suddenly not the most important thing on everyone's mind. Surely happiness is not that far away.
Helen Pollard has not lost anything in her writing and she manages to drip the sunshine into the pages and the rolling hillsides, even the delicious food prepared in the guesthouse has you salivating as you can almost taste the chilled white wine, easing away your troubles.
This is the third in the trilogy of books, which I confess to being sad about as I would love to see the guesthouse in the autumn and winter, but nonetheless, this book does bring a lot of the story to a fitting conclusion for the characters.
I have loved spending time in The Little French Guesthouse and I am sure you will too.
They are as busy as every and Emmy is settling very much into village life and is enjoying the guests staying and also expanding her own business as well. But most of all Emmy is enjoying being with Alain, the man she is about to marry.
Surely she can organise a wedding to the man she loves. Well she can and she could if her mother did not keep stage managing it from a distance. Emmy's patience is tested, trying to please and placate everyone as she has to check, double-check and then check again that the flowers are right, the bridesmaid dresses match, the cake will work.
However there are somethings that are going to not run smoothly, no matter what Emmy or Emmy's mother thinks and demands.
The past is generally never far behind and when it becomes ever-present, it means that the wedding is suddenly not the most important thing on everyone's mind. Surely happiness is not that far away.
Helen Pollard has not lost anything in her writing and she manages to drip the sunshine into the pages and the rolling hillsides, even the delicious food prepared in the guesthouse has you salivating as you can almost taste the chilled white wine, easing away your troubles.
This is the third in the trilogy of books, which I confess to being sad about as I would love to see the guesthouse in the autumn and winter, but nonetheless, this book does bring a lot of the story to a fitting conclusion for the characters.
I have loved spending time in The Little French Guesthouse and I am sure you will too.
November 30, 2017
This was my first book by Helen Pollard and this is the third and the last in the series.
I read this book knowing nothing about the first two books and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I read such light romantic books in between my thrillers just to get my mind to relax.
And this book did the trick. Reading about Emmy and Alain's life took me away from mine to the French countryside, and I fell in love with the entire setting.
Helen Pollard has done a wonderful job in describing the entire countryside and I could see myself living in such a place preferably with Internet and other amenities.
All the characters described are fun, quirky including Emmy's mother who is the self designated wedding planner and things start to go wrong including a secret which can blow off this wedding.
The whole book is a light read, it is a world away from our real world and a life filled with beautiful nature and cottages and shops. Everything is described picture perfect and I loved reading each line of this book.
I read this book knowing nothing about the first two books and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I read such light romantic books in between my thrillers just to get my mind to relax.
And this book did the trick. Reading about Emmy and Alain's life took me away from mine to the French countryside, and I fell in love with the entire setting.
Helen Pollard has done a wonderful job in describing the entire countryside and I could see myself living in such a place preferably with Internet and other amenities.
All the characters described are fun, quirky including Emmy's mother who is the self designated wedding planner and things start to go wrong including a secret which can blow off this wedding.
The whole book is a light read, it is a world away from our real world and a life filled with beautiful nature and cottages and shops. Everything is described picture perfect and I loved reading each line of this book.
July 3, 2017
Another instalment in the Little French Guesthouse series. I really enjoy these books - they're so evocative of the Loire Valley. It's the characters that make these books - from Emmy and her gaggle of girlfriends to Rupert and his faithful Gloria (the dog, not the ex-wife)! Put your feet up, get yourself a glass of wine and immerse yourself in French country life.
4.5* stars from me - an easy, enjoyable and summery read.
4.5* stars from me - an easy, enjoyable and summery read.
December 4, 2017
This trio of books, set in France, is as delightful a series as you will ever find! The setting, the unforgettable characters, the warmth and love contained within the books is a pure delight. Thank you Helen Pollard, this little trio will remain with me. I loved this series and I recommend this story...though three books, it is still one story...or, if you like, as many story as there are delightful characters!
January 23, 2021
Brilliant book/series
I was quietly pleased to read that Helen is not, like so many authors, tempted to add to these three delightful and successful books. They are a delightfully sufficient and hold together with a well structured tale. Thank you Helen. And thank you for the many happy memories of rural France they evoked.
I was quietly pleased to read that Helen is not, like so many authors, tempted to add to these three delightful and successful books. They are a delightfully sufficient and hold together with a well structured tale. Thank you Helen. And thank you for the many happy memories of rural France they evoked.
September 9, 2019
No tõesti, see kolmas osa oleks võinud kirjutamata jääda. Väga väga pingutatud.
July 19, 2017
In the third and final book in the La Cour des Roses series by Helen Pollard; Summer at the Little French Guesthouse, we find ourselves back in the Loire Valley in France with Emmy, where alongside running the guesthouse with Rupert, she is establishing her own business and planning her imminent wedding to Alain.
It was great to be back. I slipped between the pages easily, loving being back with characters that have become familiar and whose company I enjoyed like good friends.
Throughout the series Emmy has established herself as someone dependable, who can be relied on to keep calm in a disaster and organise everyone into a happy ending. However, this time it’s her happy ending that is in jeopardy. She finds herself up against her controlling mother, who has the ability (as some mothers do) to make Emmy feel like a rebellious teen once again over the finite wedding details. Things are also complicated in Alain’s family, meaning lots of drama for our usually cool and collected bride-to-be. There were certainly enough last minute hiccups to raise my heart rate as I was reading it.
I can honestly say there was nothing I didn’t enjoy about this book and although books one and two in the series are very good, Helen has left the best till last. I’m sad to be saying goodbye and can’t help feeling how lovely it would be to book a holiday there. Meet my friends for real, take a stroll around the market, listen to the Jazz band and of course sample one of Rupert’s delicious meals.
I can only hope Helen continues to take us to France in her future books.
Wherever you are going on your holidays this year, take one (or all) of these books with you; I can’t recommend them enough.
It was great to be back. I slipped between the pages easily, loving being back with characters that have become familiar and whose company I enjoyed like good friends.
Throughout the series Emmy has established herself as someone dependable, who can be relied on to keep calm in a disaster and organise everyone into a happy ending. However, this time it’s her happy ending that is in jeopardy. She finds herself up against her controlling mother, who has the ability (as some mothers do) to make Emmy feel like a rebellious teen once again over the finite wedding details. Things are also complicated in Alain’s family, meaning lots of drama for our usually cool and collected bride-to-be. There were certainly enough last minute hiccups to raise my heart rate as I was reading it.
I can honestly say there was nothing I didn’t enjoy about this book and although books one and two in the series are very good, Helen has left the best till last. I’m sad to be saying goodbye and can’t help feeling how lovely it would be to book a holiday there. Meet my friends for real, take a stroll around the market, listen to the Jazz band and of course sample one of Rupert’s delicious meals.
I can only hope Helen continues to take us to France in her future books.
Wherever you are going on your holidays this year, take one (or all) of these books with you; I can’t recommend them enough.
October 29, 2017
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What I Say.....This is the third book in the La Cour Des Roses series and I was so happy to receive a copy to review. I was hooked from the first book and the third one was just as good.
Emmy is finally ready to marry Alain, but it wouldn't be a summer in the French countryside without some bumps rising in the road to happily ever after.
SPOILER ALERT! A house fire, a troubled marriage, an unexpected pregnancy, and pushy parents are just some of the things brewing before the wedding day. Emmy is also dealing with a contentious mother, who doesn't seem to think texting her friends for every wedding detail is any big deal. Ugh. I'd lose my mind, but I also don't have a handsome French boyfriend who thinks everything I do is perfect - I'd like one though.
I don't think there's much danger of Emmy running back to England with a broken heart, but her chateau wedding is definitely in danger.
All I can say is keep the series going - I love it!
What I Say.....This is the third book in the La Cour Des Roses series and I was so happy to receive a copy to review. I was hooked from the first book and the third one was just as good.
Emmy is finally ready to marry Alain, but it wouldn't be a summer in the French countryside without some bumps rising in the road to happily ever after.
SPOILER ALERT! A house fire, a troubled marriage, an unexpected pregnancy, and pushy parents are just some of the things brewing before the wedding day. Emmy is also dealing with a contentious mother, who doesn't seem to think texting her friends for every wedding detail is any big deal. Ugh. I'd lose my mind, but I also don't have a handsome French boyfriend who thinks everything I do is perfect - I'd like one though.
I don't think there's much danger of Emmy running back to England with a broken heart, but her chateau wedding is definitely in danger.
All I can say is keep the series going - I love it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2017
Summer at the Little French Guesthouse is a lovely easy read, though tended to go on a little. The ending sure did take one by surprise which gave the story a lift just where it needed. As this is a sequal to the earlier two parts, one needed to have read them to understand full where each character lay, although it was refreshed early on in this story. Emmy took a risk by moving to France, and she clearly has fallen in love with the location, the life, and as well as her fiance Alain. the story starts off with the organisation of the wedding and carries on from there. But trouble lies just around the corner. It really was a great read, I do recommend.
July 18, 2017
Emmy is happily planning her wedding to Alain - how different her life is now living in France helping Rupert to run his guesthouse - and this summer should be perfect.....as long as she can cope with her mother wanting to take over the wedding preparations and needing updates every five minutes!
Everything appears to be on track until Alain's ex (now married to his brother) drops a bombshell - can things now go ahead or will all the arrangements fall apart. Emmy and her mother desperately try to calm everything down to get Emmy the day she has been so desperate for.
Great to be back with all the old friends and see new relationships forming til everything falls into a nicely tied up ending - perfect light reading for the beach.
Everything appears to be on track until Alain's ex (now married to his brother) drops a bombshell - can things now go ahead or will all the arrangements fall apart. Emmy and her mother desperately try to calm everything down to get Emmy the day she has been so desperate for.
Great to be back with all the old friends and see new relationships forming til everything falls into a nicely tied up ending - perfect light reading for the beach.
July 23, 2017
Absolutely charming tale
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. You too will love Emmy and friends. A sweet story from beginning to end, its sweetness is perfect, not syrupy. A touch of tension makes the characters come together in a life-changing way, and does not detract from the lovely storyline.
A must-read for anyone who is enamored with a great story of "le grand amour" as well as la belle France.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. You too will love Emmy and friends. A sweet story from beginning to end, its sweetness is perfect, not syrupy. A touch of tension makes the characters come together in a life-changing way, and does not detract from the lovely storyline.
A must-read for anyone who is enamored with a great story of "le grand amour" as well as la belle France.
March 28, 2025
Overall a good final book for the series! I'm quite sad to let go of this beautiful found family and holiday place, but every story ends at a point, so...
I only gave four stars because in my opinion there were some situations where the drama was unnecessary and I found it too unreal that everyone fell in love with or found each other.
However I would still recommend this series for everyone!
I only gave four stars because in my opinion there were some situations where the drama was unnecessary and I found it too unreal that everyone fell in love with or found each other.
However I would still recommend this series for everyone!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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