Twelve Days in May

by Niamh Hargan

They haven’t spoken for 12 years.


Can they fall in love in 12 days?

Lizzy Munro is working at the Cannes Film Festival, in a job that involves a lot more admin than red-carpet glamour.


There, Ciaran Flynn is the man everyone is talking about: heartthrob of the moment and director of the most romantic movie of the year.


What nobody knows is that twelve years ago, they were best friends . . . and they haven’t spoken since.


But when Ciaran’s film runs into trouble, there’s only one person he can turn to.



Is twelve days enough to save not only Ciaran’s film, but also the spark he and Lizzy once shared?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Chick Lit, Friends To Lovers

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2022

Reviews

[Katie Lumsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entirely delightful.

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Niamh Hargan’s second chance, friends to lovers rom-com debut is utterly swoon worthy, beautifully written and very very romantic—I honestly loved every second of it!

With such a dreamy locale and the glitz and glamour of Cannes for a backdrop, it was very easy to instantly find myself completely immersed in Hargan’s utterly charming storytelling. It did honestly feel like I was peering behind the curtain of this prestigious event and the film industry as a whole, yet that pales in comparison to how completely enamoured I was with the slow, undeniably swoon worthy romance building between the estranged pair.

The dual timelines following the start of Lizzy and Ciaran’s friendship at uni and their unexpected reunion over a decade later was really enjoyable, I loved the seamless shift between the past and the present and really loved watching Lizzy and Ciaran’s friendship (and more than friendship) blossom. Even the awkwardness and insecurities imbued in these chapters were oddly charming, it was also great to slowly get to know both characters and see just what caused them to stop talking to one another.

From friends to enemies, back to friends and then lovers—Lizzy and Ciaran’s journey back to friendship may have been years in the making but the chemistry we get with them both at Cannes was absolutely worth it (in my opinion).

I loved both Lizzy and Ciaran, and felt their individual evolutions throughout the novel (centred around their own personal insecurities and self worth) was beautifully handled, I felt it added a touch of realism to the characters, almost everyone has their own issues with confidence and self doubt despite at some point even if they’re accomplished, confident and successful in their chosen fields/ careers.

The public intrusion into Ciaran’s life and the scrutiny Lizzy faces whilst in it also portrays a startlingly relevant message on the toxicity of social media can have on mental health, the misogyny, cyber bullying and general awfulness can be really damaging and sadly is still a huge problem.

Overall this is a heartwarming story of second chances & miscommunication in this utterly engaging and addictive rom-com you’ll definitely want to be reading on your next vacay. Trust me, rom-com/ contemporary romance lovers this is soo good you absolutely need to pick this one up!

Also, huge thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours and Harper Collins for the print copy

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! The story was fun, well-written and kept being interesting through flashbacks. Miscommunication did occur a few times - they broke up because of the smallest reasons, which was slightly annoying. From friends to enemies to friends to- go read it ;).
Overall, a light and energetic read!

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sparkling four-star read. This has all of the makings of a five-star read, but it just missed the mark a little, but I honestly couldn’t understand where or why. This has all of the makings of a great story, romance, a twisted past, Cannes festival, and the dreamy taste of Tunnocks. This is a case of having all the right moving parts, but still not making the whole moving machine, it comes so close, but stalls as it gets going. I am so excited to read more from this author, as the gritty talent is there, it just needs a little extra something. Do pick this story up, as I am so sure lots of people wont be as picky as me, as will be won over by the big screen drama.

[Julie Brookes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was reading this book there seemed to be a lot of words but nothing happening, I wasn't gripped, so didn't finish it sorry

[Zaain]

34% in and very little has happened to move the plot along. Just not in the mood for so many words and long winded descriptions of places.

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like the perfect summer romance to read, especially in the last dregs of the hot weather. I thought the Cannes Film Festival setting was unique, definitely not one I've come across before, and one I thought I would enjoy, which I did! There were a couple of big things that I wasn't a fan of which ultimately lowered my enjoyment of reading Twelve Days in May overall. One was the extent to which the Bordeaux backstory was told - obviously Ciaran and Lizzy's origin story needed to be told, but as I much preferred the present-day setting of Cannes I couldn't help but feel that too much time was spent telling the story of the past. Despite the book being longer than a lot of other contemporary romances, I did find myself flying through it, but I think that had more to do with Hargan's strong writing than being personally invested in the romance.

[Vanessa (bookfairy95) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so real and relatable!

💖#secondchanceromance
💘#contemporaryromance

#EineLiebeImMai hat eine süße Romance - auf jeden Fall! Doch das ist nicht das war mich an dem Buch am meisten begeistert hat. Denn was wirklich herausgestochen ist, ist wie sehr ich mich mit dem Buch identifizieren konnte. Vielleicht nicht unbedingt mit Cannes und all den Persönlichkeiten dort, aber mit den Erfahrungen der Protagonistin, die in ihren frühen 20ern im Erasmus Programm war und dort ihre Erfahrungen gesammelt hat. Ich selbst habe vor einigen Jahren ein Auslandsjahr gemacht und alles was Lizzy beschreibt und erzählt (bzw. in den Kapiteln aus der Vergangenheit erlebt) hat bei mir einfach geklickt. So viele Kommentare in diesem Buch haben mich zum schmunzeln gebracht, weil sie einfach #relatable waren und eventuell hat auch die Beziehung und das Hin und Her von ihr und Ciaran Erinnerungen dieser Art bei mir geweckt. Vielleicht ist das ja einfach ein Erasmus-Ding.😂

Es hat aber natürlich ebenfalls geholfen, dass sowohl Lizzy als auch Ciaran - trotz ihrer Fehler und hier und da mangelnder Kommunikation - einfach sympathisch waren. Es hat Spaß gemacht dabei zuzusehen, wie die beiden sich in jungen Jahren näher kommen, geschmerzt als es aufgrund so vieler Missverständnisse nicht funktioniert hat und mir Hoffnung gegeben, als die beiden sich 12 Jahre später und wesentlich erwachsener erneut annähern und endlich alles auf die Reihe kriegen (auch wenn es in der Gegenwart ebenso das ein oder andere Hindernis für die beiden gab).

Eine Liebe im Mai ist ein Buch mit guten Charakteren, ein Buch rund ums Erwachsenwerden, aber auch ein Buch, dass sich mit den Schwierigkeiten, Unsicherheiten und dem Gefühl nicht genug zu sein beschafft. Es hat demnach nicht nur eine schöne #secondchance Romance, sondern befasst sich auch mit ernsten Themen, die wohl für jeden auf die ein oder andere Weise nachvollziehbar sein werden! :)

[Melanie’s reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take one woman who is working at the Cannes film festival as an advocate for Scotland and one heart breaker ex who is now a hotshot director. It could be movie magic or a big fat razzie award.

Lizzie and Ciaran haven’t spoken in years and after snubbing her it looks like it will stay that way. Then Ciaran who is hoping to premiere his film about his time as a student in Bordeaux, gets hit with a notice of plagiarism from a woman claiming it’s based on her script. With his hopes about to be dashed he needs Lizzie’s help. After all it is both their story.

Told via a dual timeline we learn of their history together as students and how it ended with them not speaking. From miscommunication to no communication I wanted to bang their silly little heads together.

I love it when the male lead is Irish as they are famously known for their wit and charm and Ciaran is full of both. While Lizzy was half American half Scottish and outwardly confident she does hold some insecurities which endeared her as the leading lady.

I’ve always loved films, the closest I got though was running a Blockbuster store and I can tell you that was certainly not as glamorous as Cannes. It was really interesting to get a behind the scenes look at what goes on and all the dealings that happen with filmmaking and the trappings.

A really enjoyable enemies to lovers and second chance romance with a little added movie magic and A list glamour.

[Sophie aka ✨book addict✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t enjoy this story the way I thought I would. Some aspects were annoying or boring, such as the entire reason why Lizzy and Ciaran haven’t talked to each other for 12 years. The entire book seemed a bit too long as well. Besides that, there were some unclear and confusing time jumps and it took me a few sentences to realise. The main character Lizzy was also super annoying and way too oblivious in terms of certain things most of the time and I could not empathise with her until the very last bit of the book. Ciaran was a better character for sure and I felt very sorry for him most of the time. He deserved better. A good thing to add is the humour in this book. Some jokes actually made me laugh out loud.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5 stars rounded down
This book had all the signs of being a beautiful romance but unfortunately it just didn't deliver. It felt very long winded and while there were certainly parts that I liked & enjoyed (I did love Ciaran as a character and wish we got more from his pov), it was definitely not the steamy rom com the back of the book made me believe it would be. It honestly barely even felt like a romance book so if you typically like books where the romance is more of a sub plot then I think you probably will enjoy this.

[Vika Ryabova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Качественный дамский роман с хорошо выписанной фактурой. Авторка знает материал - киноиндустрию, Канны, - так что подробности интересные, все выглядит реалистично. Герои менее убедительны :( Взрослая 33-летняя женщина, состоявшаяся, добившаяся высокой должности в кинокомпании, все еще _настолько_ зависит от мнения чужих людей о своей внешности и 13 лет не может забыть парня, который её обидел в университетские годы? Впрочем, это же ромком :) И герой такой красавчик ;)

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw lots of quotes from authors I love recommending this book, and as it was advertised as a rom com, and that is my favourite genre, I was excited to dive in. Unfortunately, it wasn’t really for me. Firstly, I have no idea why it’s billed as a rom com, there’s nothing remotely funny in this book, it should be simply listed as womens fiction I think. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the lead female character. I found the first 2/3rds of the book quite slow, and overall, it wasn’t a book that really grabbed me unfortunately.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an intro to this author, I found it to be relatively well written with some interesting likable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Lizzy and Ciaran, seeing them interact and how things developed between them. It certainly wasn't smooth sailing that's for sure as both of them let their past history/past mistakes constantly get in the way of their potential future. I did find i wanted more at the end of the story though.

[Heather Darwent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! So sweet and funny. Lizzie was quirky and a well-rounded character who I fully believed in. My favourite part was the setting, and I really felt like the Bordeaux and Cannes settings were perfectly rendered. All in all a really super fun read – absolutely perfect for the summer.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is nice easy read about a second chance at love. I did find it quite predictable. It is one of those nice light reads, well written I just unfortunately didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped, I did find some of it quite long winded and hoped for more of a romantic read.

I did like how it was written with how detailed the author was with the characters and involving flashbacks from the past as well as focusing on the present to give us that insight in to their lives years ago and the setting was great too.

[Emilie Minna · Rating 3 out of 5]

the vibes were amazing. i liked the characters a lot but lizzy was just a little too aggressively self critical for my liking and i wished there were more scenes from ciaran’s pov cause he was such a cutie.

[Chloe Newman · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5? 💀

[Niamh Doran · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I gave this book a second chance (a bit like Ciaran and Lizzy!) because I ended up really, really enjoying it. Also: author has a great name.

[Gabi Fulk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story and the setting a lot but it just dragged on a bit much for me and I didn’t love the miscommunication.

[Jenni Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rating. Rounded up. 2nd chance romance. 3rd POV. Fade to black.
Romantic and emotive.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, had to read it before may ended because I'm mentally ill <3

[Liv (livreads_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is (surprisingly) Niamh Hagan’s debut and it did not disappoint. I’ll definitely be looking out for her future releases!!

If you are a fan of friends to lovers then this is definitely one for you. It’s a fun rom com, set in beautiful Cannes. I totally felt like I was being transported there as the writing was so well done, that I got such a sense of the atmosphere.

Lizzy and Ciaran’s relationship is filled with chemistry and I loved the banter and interactions with each other. They had a fling 12 years ago and this is their ‘second chance’ which I was loving and was completely rooting for them! There was some miscommunication which I find so frustrating sometimes but I thought it was really well done in this case. Also, I adored Lizzy as a main character and I want her to be my pal😂

This book is one of definitely recommended if you’re looking for a chemistry filled romance, with humour and adventure! The perfect summer read IMO!🌞

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

HAPPILY EVER AFTER SLAY!!! this was soooo cringe in the best way possible i am so happy for them!!!!!!! friends to enemies to friends to lovers to enemies to lovers GAHH

[Phaedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why won't people in books learn to talk? 😫

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzy Munro is a half-American, half-Scottish advocate for the Scottish Film Board. The team are at the Cannes Film Festival hoping to lure some big Hollywood director into their marquee and persuade them to shoot their films in Scotland; they don't have the big budget of some of their rivals but Lizzy hopes that the Ceilidh she has planned for the last night will help them stand out.

Having her lunch one day, Lizzy is horrified to see hot-shot Irish director Ciaran Flynn in the same café, even more incensed when he totally blanks her when she waves. Their friendship twelve years ago when they were students in France may have ended really badly but there's no need to be rude.

Ciaran is riding high, bringing his film about living as a student in Bordeaux to the Cannes Film Festival to premiere at the Palais des Festivals, the most important venue. Then his film company is served with an infringement notice claiming that Ciaran's film Wish You Were Here bears a striking resemblance to a similar screenplay submitted to the film company two years earlier. Now the only hope Ciaran has of refuting the claims is to find someone who could confirm some of the aspects of the film are based on real life - and that someone would be Lizzy.

Lizzy doesn't want to help Ciaran, the man who not so much broke her heart as stamped all over it then set light to the remains, but her innate sense of fair play forces her to agree. Watching the film together reminds both Lizzy and Ciaran of their time together, both of them lamenting their relationship and how it ended.

This was a sweet and quirky romance about second chances, first love, and how things can appear very different from the other point of view.

Perfect holiday reading (if we get one in 2022), light, amusing, charming and with likable characters.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Bumped for release.

[Kate Highmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Niamh Hargan's writing is often so beautiful and so evocative, I'd probably just like to read a book of essays from her or something. So few writers of this genre really explore what would *really* happen in a situation their characters encounter, or get to the authentic nub of real feelings and motivations. The huge success of this book is that Hargan really thinks about those things. She doesn't phone it in, ever. She's very witty and has such a great command of language that she does what only Mhairi McFarlane can do, in my opinion, and generate true empathy in her readers. Young Lizzy's feelings around her parents' divorce and her mum's sense of sexual freedom at a time when Lizzy felt inhibited, is so spot on, and showed me how that feels - thankfully, not been through anything similar, but I came away with a sense that I had really seen how painful the separation of your parents can be, in a way I have never felt before from literature.

I've seen that some reviewers on here enjoyed the Bordeaux scenes less, and that the past-tense story didn't do it for them. My experience was completely different, as I absolutely LOVED the Bordeaux chapters - I think the story of how Lizzie and Ciaran met is the most successful aspect of this book.
Those chapters, so expertly woven through the present-day action, form a beautifully and empathetically drawn picture of immature and starry eyed love, and I was utterly convinced by it.

On the whole though, I wasn't captivated by the storyline in the present day plot. I think it touched on a few issues without seeing any of them through or developing them into a compelling storyline. For example, we've got the issue of the Lizzy's insecurities and the press interest which gets shoehorned in later in the book almost as an afterthought. We've got potential plagiarism around Ciaran's movie, a strand which sort of fizzles unaccountably about halfway through, the semi-developed idea of how similar Lizzy was to the main character in Ciaran's film - I have absolutely no idea why Hargan didn't give us a little bit of a scene from the film, as seen through Lizzy's eyes. That was bizarre. If Ciaran based this main character on Lizzy, it was a lovely opportunity to give us a glimpse of the girl he loved, as seen on screen.

I really didn't warm to Lizzy. She basically seems to sack off the actual work she's in Cannes specifically to do, so that she can clear her diary and take every opportunity possible to get back in Ciaran's orbit. She is incredibly relaxed about her workload considering she is days away from an event, the culmination of months of work. She wilfully ignores massive red flags during meetings about the venue for the event, even when a key player turns up at the office unexpectedly to try and get a message to her when she is cavorting with Ciaran. At that point she still sees fit to dash off an email to her manager, palming her work off to Simon without so much as any prior agreement, and justifies it to herself on the basis that she has never been lazy with her work thus far, so she deserves a break. He can do it, sort of thing. Inevitably, several balls are dropped when Simon fails to actually do her work for her, because...it's her work. There's a brief show of self awareness at one point, then she goes back to self-righteous indignation, because on the whole, she just thinks all this mess is her boss's fault, and that she's having to clean it up. All very weird and so deeply unlikeable. Anyway, then Lizzy's junior Shauna does most of the legwork to get the event back on its feet, thinking of several crucial things Lizzy has been too busy moping about poor Ciaran to consider. I haven't been so annoyed by a character since a florist in a romcom who got annoyed with her boyfriend for offering constructive business advice she'd completely failed to think about.

At one point Lizzy is so depressed about the negative press attention and Ciaran is just doing her work for her.

And the romance...well, because I wasn't so fond of Lizzy, I was unable to really dial into the saucier aspects and feel like I was rooting for her. I thought Ciaran was a bit of a drip at times, and deserved better than Lizzy. One memorably good scene was the one where they clear the air on the beach. I thought that was very well done.

On the whole, Hargan's wit and her immaculate writing are far better showcased by her second book, The Break Up Clause, which contains one of the best depictions of ghosting in a female friendship I have ever read. Go get it!

[rachel dulay · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️/5⭐️

My 4th anticipated read of the year! When I found out about the synopsis last year I was so intrigued because the thought of the Cannes film festival was very intriguing so it’s very cool to have a book written surrounding the event, like I’ve never read a book as unique as that. The writing style- mostly the dialogue- reminds me of Normal People by Sally Ronney, so I wasn’t thrown off with that format. The book was kind of hard to grasp at first because it would switch to past and present without an indicators but nonetheless loved this book.

I don’t think I’ve read characters like Ciaran and Lizzy and I absolutely loved them. I loved how cinema dates were kinda their thing and twelve years later they meet at the biggest movie festivals ever. I do have to say that the miscommunication (both times, I think?) had me annoyed but they were still very loveable.

Absolutely adored this book, so unique, well written and perfectly executed!

SPOILERS AHEAD:

Things I liked:
* “The next morning, Lizzy throws open the shutters to let the day in, and she decides: she is done with thinking about him. Fuck him!”
* “She grinned, and Ciaran turned to look at her. ‘Bingo,’ he called over, with a smile.”
* “She had enough of an ego to enjoy hearing that. Still, though, she sidestepped the compliment.”
* “Lizzy smirked a little in amusement. She found herself doing that a lot with him”
* Ciaran offering to help babysit a devil child Lizzy is babysitting
* “On Wednesdays from then on, Ciaran would come to the Durands’ with her in the morning, and she would go to the movies with him in the afternoon.”
* “The time she spent with Ciaran, just him and her, wasn’t a secret exactly. But she didn’t love the idea that other people knew about it without her having told them.”
* “Lizzy looked over at Caroline and Ciaran now, it was Ciaran who formed the focus of her attention.”
* “He was smiling faintly, but somehow she knew that he wasn’t laughing at her. Still, she suddenly felt a little shy.”
* “In the French way, she and Ciaran kissed each other on the right cheek, then the left, and then, somehow, they were kissing each other’s lips.”
* “Then, it comes to him. In the darkness, he reaches down, pulling a few packets of Maltesers from his bag. Silently, he offers one to Lizzy.”
* “He seems – he fucking really seems – to have made a film about the woman sitting next to him.”
* “It had been hard to see his name on the credits and stop herself from thinking wow, you really did it.”
* “the warmth of his hands on her shoulders when they were there, but she found that she did notice the absence of them.”
* Them kissing in Paris (younger them) iconic
* “Everyone is looking at the camera, except for her and Ciaran. They’re looking at each other.”
* “Yeah. I have to say, turns out I’ve kinda missed hearing your thoughts on stuff, Elizabeth.”
* Everyone giving a standing O for Ciaran’s film at Cannes (my heart)
* “… What?’ she manages eventually, brow furrowed. ‘You thought I was … out of your league?”
* “Lizzy, almost as soon as he met her, had been any number of new and wonderful things.”
* “He laughs, and it’s so satisfying to her every time, amusing him.”
* “I want to be … what you want.’………‘You’re already what I want,’ she breathes out.”
* “Lizzy is singing. Her voice rises and trills and Ciaran doesn’t have a clue what the song is, but suddenly it’s his favourite.”
* “He stayed for her. He doesn’t say it, but Lizzy’s not deaf. She hears it. They smile bashfully at one another ”
* When Ciaran shows up at her event (I screamed)
* “Under his gaze, his touch, she has only ever felt like more than enough.”
* “You’re all I can think about, though, all the time – again – and I think I could look my whole life and never find anybody like you, Ciaran.”
* “I want everything,’ he whispers, his breath warm against her ear, and then he’s kissing her again, more softly this time, just lips on lips, gentle but sure.”
* “This might actually be the perfect town for us,’ he continues, dipping his head to kiss her again. Their mouths move slow and sweet against one another’s this time, and from the back of her throat, a hum of contentment escapes Lizzy.”

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve Days in May by Niamh Hargan is a wonderful debut. It’s a lovely second chance, friends to enemies to lovers romance set amongst the back drop of the Cannes Film Festival. I am a huge fan of rom com novels and love movies and so this was just a brilliant read for me.

Twelve Days in May centres around Lizzy and Ciaran. They haven’t spoken in 12 years, since they were both in Bordeaux for their year out. They now each find themselves at the Cannes Film Festival. Lizzy is there on behalf of the Scottish Film Board and Ciaran is set to premiere his new film. When Ciaran’s film runs into trouble will Lizzy be able to help him? And what will happen to these once best friends when forced to confront their past and their present feelings?

I enjoyed the duel timelines within Hargan’s story and the way that the past unfolded through memories during the present. We begin the story with Lizzy and Ciaran bumping into each other in the present and through recollections we learn how they met, what they were to each other and how it all fell apart in 12 years prior. This is done so really well and you always have a clear sense of when and where you are.

I enjoyed the romance between Lizzy and Ciaran. It’s a second chance romance and sees them going from friends, to hating each other (at-least in Lizzie’s case) to friends and finally lovers. It’s a great slow burn and the tension build up was brilliant. I was almost cross at their younger selves for how badly they failed to communicate with one another, but felt that Hargan used this as a brilliant way to explain both Lizzy and Ciaran’s own issues and insecurities.

Lizzy was a really interesting female lead. She is accomplished, knows her stuff and seems confident. Yet under the surface still remains her younger self who felt that no one could like her in the way she hoped. She was/is very self conscious and self critical of elements of her appearance which was really sad to read. The unwanted spotlight cast upon Lizzy during her time in Cannes also sent a strong message on the intrusion of peoples’ privacy and the cruelty of people online - something that remains a significant issue.

I absolutely loved the use of Cannes as the backdrop and setting for Hargan’s story. I liked how we were able to see two very different sides of Cannes merge, from Lizzy’s work with the Scottish Film Board scouting new talent and trying to lure film makers to Scotland, to the glamour and complications of Ciaran’s film premiering. Hargan created such a wonderful sense of place that you really felt as though you were there with Lizzy and Ciaran.

Overall this was a really great read and one I’d happily recommend.

With thanks to Netgally and Harper Collins for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember what its like to be young and tempestuousness where you easily cut off loved ones without communication because you're angry with them?

Niamh Hargan's explores second changes set in the sunny backdrop of Cannes Film Festival, in her debut 'Twelve Days in May'.

Twelve years previously, Lizzy Munro and Ciaran Flynn met in France while on the Erasmus university exchange program. They become besties through a shared love of film. Then nothing.

Imagine their mutual shock when they run into each other at Cannes Film Festival, where Lizzie is working with the Scottish Film Board to entice filmmakers to Scotland, and Ciaran is debuting his second film to great fanfare after winning a BAFTA with his first.

Worst still, Ciaran needs Lizzie's help after he's being sued for plagarism as his film is about young people on exchange - which bears story similarities to a woman's screenplayer submitted to the same studio who produced his film.

Through time jumps, we slowly see the burgeoning relationship between young Lizzie and Ciaran. Hargan captures the youthful dreams and possibilites ahead, along with young love and the tenuous nature of early love. Hargan really captures teenage Lizzie's push/pull with Ciaran where its clear she's falling for him, but denying it to everyone because she's shitscared. Which then leads her to make rash decisions that ultimate cut her nose to spite her face.

Lizzie's outward appearances vs her inward insecurities is something very relatable.

One of my favourite bits is how Hargan gives a taste of the festival. I felt like I really was at Cannes, experiencing the frenetic pace on my feet all day trying to shmooze people as a worker bee to Ciaran's more red carpet glam experience.

However the book does have some issues, mostly with the pacing when the time jumps. Some of the Bordeaux chapters could've been cut IMO with the action condensed to why Lizzie and Ciaran's burgeoning relationship died.

Overall 'Twelve Days in May' is a sweet and charming second chance romance which sparkles like the sun hitting the Mediterranean Sea at Pointe Croisette.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC. I've pre-ordered my copy.