Freya's French Farmhouse

by Daisy James

Welcome to Freya's French Farmhouse, the second book in a brand new series from the author of the Hummingbird Hotel series and the Cornish Confetti Agency series.

Escape to the French Riviera!

After losing her aromatherapy studio in the Blossomwood Bay fire, Freya Farnham finds herself at a loose end, especially when her trusty Renault decides that it’s time to head to the scrapyard in the sky. Now she has no excuse not to agree to her parents’ request to head to the pretty village of Saint-Julien to find out why her late Uncle Toby’s gorgeous French farmhouse isn’t selling, even when the real estate agent, Xavier Deschamps, advertises himself as "the best in the whole of Provence".

As soon as she arrives, Freya realises what the problem is, and so, with the help of handsome local car mechanic Jacques Jordan, she invests her last euro in a kaleidoscope of cleaning products and sets about transforming the drab and dusty dwelling into a chic and shiny château. Little did she know that in the process she would discover more about her family’s history than she bargained for.

Can she come to terms with her past? Or will the demons that have been snapping at her heels since childhood prevent her from seizing the chance to achieve a much-longed-for sense of belonging in the friendly community where she’s treated as one of their own?

Why not join Freya as she explores the lavender-infused Provençal countryside, and enjoy a trip filled with fun, fragrance, and delicious foodie treats with a dash of heart-warming romance thrown in for good measure!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Adult

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2023

About the author

Daisy James loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plot-lines. She especially likes to create sunshine-filled settings in exotic locations - the Caribbean, Tuscany, Cornwall, Provence - so she can spend her time envisioning her characters enjoying the fabulous scenery and sampling the local food and drink.

When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea - china plates and teacups are a must.

Reviews

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful read. I’ve loved being with Freya in the beautiful setting of Provençal and the chateau and village sounded idyllic. Who could resist the charms of the lavender infused countryside and the charms of the French community?
The mystery around the chateau and Uncle Toby was a nice addition to the flow of the story and it was interesting to see how being in France and feeling close to her beloved uncle allowed Freya to finally decide what she actually wanted in life.
I loved how quickly Freya felt she was part of the community and loved how quickly they took Freya into their hearts. The quirky characters only adding to the story’s charm.

[Sarah Kingsnorth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freya’s French Farmhouse - Daisy James

This is book 2 in Daisy James’ #BlossomwoodBay series.
I’d always suggest reading a series in order, but #FreyasFrenchFarmhouse does read well as a standalone story. Each book follows a new character from Blossomwood Bay as they pull their lives back together after tragedy.

If you like your books full of romantic comedy, with gorgeous settings and a bit of a mystery thrown in, you will love #FreyasFrenchFarmhouse

Daisy James paints the most beautifully vivid images of the little village in France and Freya’s uncle’s farmhouse.
She really makes the place come alive, with all the sights, sounds and smells of France.

As always Daisy James creates a wonderful mix of characters. Freya is very likeable and I enjoyed her journey.

Freya’s French Farmhouse is an absolute delight. It’s incredibly heartwarming and the most perfect place to lose yourself in.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for a digital arc of this title.

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read book one and enjoying it, I was already familiar with a lot of these characters in this story. We dive into what happened to Freya after the incident in book one. These are best read in order. What follows is Freya decides to find her new beginning elsewhere, that being France. She soon settles in, finds her friends, and there may even be a little romance blossoming. But she has a family estate to sort out first and might have met her first enemy. A brilliant read. Uplifting, hopeful, and a new beginning. A well-deserved four stars from me.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy James is back with a gloriously escapist and wonderfully romantic new novel, Freya’s French Farmhouse.

Freya Farnham finds herself at a loose end. After losing her business in a fire, Freya realises that she has no other choice but to acquiesce to her parents’ request and go to the pretty French village of Saint-Julien to figure out why her late Uncle Toby’s gorgeous French farmhouse isn’t selling. Although the family had engaged the best estate agent in the village, Xavier Deschamps clearly isn’t as good at his job as he claims to be and on arrival, Freya immediately realises that they are going to need a miracle if they are ever going to get her uncle’s property off their hands.

Armed with a smorgasbord of cleaning products – and aided by dashing car mechanic Jacques Jordan – Freya sets about transforming Uncle Toby’s dingy and dilapidated dwelling into a chic and charming chateau. But in the process, she discovers far more about her family’s history than she had bargained for. As Freya gets to grips with the past, she finds herself welcomed with open arms by the kind-hearted community of Saint-Julien. Will she seize this chance of belonging and put down roots in this idyllic French town? Or will her demons and insecurities leave her with no other choice but to head back home?

Daisy James’ terrific romantic page-turners never fail to hit the spot and she has done it again with Freya’s French Farmhouse. Fun, witty, feel-good and sprinkled with magic, emotion and heart, Freya’s French Farmhouse is a gorgeous romantic read with a heroine it is impossible not to root for, a gorgeous hero and a terrific cast of secondary characters readers will love.

Daisy James never disappoints and she has done it again with her latest novel, Freya’s French Farmhouse.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[RomanceByTheBook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freya’s French Farmhouse is a captivating and swoonastic romance that had me wishing I could escape to the French countryside.

To say I was excited to read this book was an understatement. I loved Tilly’s Tuscan Teashop (the previous book in the series), and I could not wait to dive back into the world that Daisy created. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but if you enjoy books that take you to gorgeous destinations, I recommend reading both books in the series. Freya’s story was everything I hoped it would be, and I loved spending time with her in the French countryside.

Once again, Daisy “wows” me with her ability to transport to whatever place her books take place in. The descriptions in this story were just utterly perfect. They were so lush and vivid, and I felt like I was there with Freya. I also want to pack my bags and head over to France; I’m sure my boss won’t mind if I take an unexpected vacation, LOL. The story has all that wit, charm, drama, and romance that I have come to expect from a book Daisy has written. Everything in this book just worked, and the story is easy to sink into. It was one of those books I read in one sitting. The romance between Freya and Jacques – c’est magnifique! I adored these two together and ate up every scene they were in. There were so many cute and swoony moments between them, and I loved their chemistry.

Freya’s French Farmhouse is a satisfyingly addictive romance that will have you packing your bags and heading off to the French countryside.

Thank you, Rachel Random Resources for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a rom com, you're gonna absolutely love with an exotic location, a little bit of a mystery, a whole lot of romance a bit of drama and a fabulous plot well you're just gonna love Freya's French Farmhouse.
Freya's parents insist she head to the village of Saint-Julien and find out why her late Uncle Toby’s gorgeous French farmhouse isn’t selling. It's been on the market for a while with supposedly the best agent around. He's not exactly friendly when she goes to confront him and ask what is going on and then, he drops a bombshell on that that throws her for a loop. Loving the mystery and drama bit in this.
So heartwarming, the characters are people you'd absolutely want to know.
Freya is just looking for a place to hang her hat and feel at home. With missionary parents even though they had a very important job to do she never felt she fit in anywhere except for her uncle's farmhouse which is now for sale.
The homey, charming village she is in sounds fantastic. The people super friendly and accommodating, when she's down on her luck they are right there for her. The romance is sweet, and the characters are they type that make you want the best for them. I loved the plot and can not wait to read more in this series. Warm, friendly and you can't stop reading til it's done.

Published February 28, 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own,

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this gorgeous story in just a few hours. I love Daisy James' writing especially when there is a stunning setting to be had, and this little French village near Provence is gorgeous.

I loved the descriptions of the farmhouse, and could picture it really clearly, and could smell the scents, as Freya mixes up aromatherapy oils and perfumes.

This is the second book in the Blossomwood Bay series, and it can easily be read as a standalone as each book follows a different Blossomwood Bay beach hut business owner as they try to get back on their feet after a fire destroys all the beach huts.

I enjoyed getting to know Freya's backstory, as well as that of the french farmhouse. I also enjoyed seeing how she started to get to know everyone in St Julien, and the new friends she was making. There may even be a man that possibly attracts her interest despite being determined to stay clear of men.

Where what she should have been staying clear of was Esme's baking skills, which shall we say are adventurous, and reminded me just slightly of Mrs Cropley from The Vicar of Dibley.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, it was full of French summery warmth, new friendships and some interesting sub plots. Another great addition to this series. Bring on the next book.

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

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

Aromatherapist, Freya Farnham, has nothing to do,
Since a fire burned her business and special oils, too.
She is cajoled into travelling over to France to discover
Why her late Uncle's home isn't selling like any other.

She used to spend summers with him there,
Always appreciating his love, time and care.
However after she was twelve that came to a halt
She's not sure why or who was at fault.

Returning to where she spent such happy times once more
The chateau, the grounds and locale to explore
But this time she's a task to complete
Returning the house to a state clean and neat!

What a gorgeous story, with great characters who
Come to life in your imagination as you read what they do.
The sense of community, the setting wrongs to right
The taste, smells and scenes vividly brought to light.

A heartwarming read in a glorious setting
What a lovely welcome there Freya is getting.
There's new friendships, surprises and even a mystery
As Freya discovers more about her family and its history.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fabulous read
And hope it proves to be the next book you need
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

[Elizabeth Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freya's French Farmhouse by Daisy James was a feel good, quick, and amusing read. This is the second book that I have read by Daisy James, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Freya is at a crossroads in her life. Her business burned to the ground, taking her opportunity to support herself with it. There are no other jobs available in the English seaside village where she was living. She decides to travel to her beloved deceased uncle's French villa/farmhouse to learn what s preventing prospective buyers from making an offer.

Freya must decide whether or not to take a chance of a lifetime by remaining at the villa and making it into a spa and wedding venue. She has an opportunity to look inward and discover why she runs away from opposition. She has a chance to follow her childhood dream, but is she brave enough to do so.

A major component of this book centers around embracing the opportunity to belong. Freya looks inward to seek the answers to the conflicts she is facing. While there is a plot line, and action is included in the story, this is a character led plot and not an action based one.

[anie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freya just lost her business, her car broke down and is being evicted. As her life crumbles around her, she realises nothing is holding her at Blossomwood.

So she goes to the French countryside. Her estranged uncle died a year ago and his house which should have already been sold is still on the market. The real estate agent that should be the best is no help. With her parents always on the road, she takes it upon herself to clean up the place and sees to the sale.

As she explores the town, she meets all of the wonderful people living there and falls in love with the town and the town mechanic.

It's a lovely story, so full of French vibes that it makes you want to move to Provence. There is romance, but the best part was the growth that Freya went through and the small-town vibes.

It's a bit long in places with descriptions. However, that doesn't take away the charm of it.

I got the ARC, all thoughts are my own

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a trip to Provence with Freya! I really enjoyed this escapist cozy romance, second in the Blossomwood Bay series. The food and the settings are stunning, the perfume theme is interesting, and the romance and friendships are sweet.

Freya Farnham is the aromatherapy specialist who lost all her oils and premises in the pier fire. She’s even more down on her luck at the start when she learns her landlord is ending her lease. What is a girl to do but trot off to Provence, where a rude real estate agent is supposed to be selling her deceased uncle’s farmhouse/chateau where she used to spend idyllic summers, so she can figure out what’s going on and spur a sale.

We follow Freya as she arrives and is warmly welcomed into the village community and starts to learn more about what - and who! - will make her happy. It follows closely to the plot line of Tilly’s Tuscan Teashop, with reveals from past dramas and some current ones to add a few bumps on the road to HEA.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance in Provence

Continuing the Blossomwood Bay series, Freya goes to France to sort out the sale of her late uncle's farmhouse. Set in Provence, the perfect destination for someone obsessed with perfumery and aromatherapy, Freya immediately feels at home. A heartwarming romance set amongst the heady scents of the region. I loved this book, and look forward to continuing with the rest of the series.

[Frankie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Blossomwood Bay series 💜

Freya (like Tilly in the first book) loses her business in Devon in a fire- hers is a therapy shop, so finally takes responsibility of going to France to sell her Uncle's farmhouse/château as the estate agent her parents put in charge of it has not done anything with the sale.
Freya has been running from her problems including her past relationship so when this opportunity comes up to escape for a little bit she grabs it and goes.
She quickly makes friends, including a possible romance, so when push comes to shove will she stay or will she go?

I do like this series, but I felt it kept repeating itself and when there was French it wasn't translated, so anyone not on a kindle would have had to keep looking it up which would be annoying.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but a bit more implausible than these sort of stories usually are. It makes sense even if you don't read the first book in the series because the start of that one read as if the first half was missing. So sweet that our heroine believes you can make a decent living renting out three classic cars.

[Gretchen Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me back to Provence

I’ve dreamt of going to Grasse, a place I’ve missed in other trips to Provence, and the nearby villages for years. This book makes the desire even stronger. A great adventure! Thank you, Daisy. I look forward to Holly’s Hawaiian Holiday, a heaven where I live.

[Nicola Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicola’s review

It’s an awe inspiring enjoyable book with romance in it. It’s easy to picture the characters and she really makes them come to life. The estate that was Freya’s uncles that she inherited from him sounds spectacular and sounds very inviting! It’s a book I’d recommend to friends and family and to anyone that loves chick lit!

[Dick R. McCart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good

I'm I little worn out with the 'denial' phase of books of this genre. You know she's going to find something financially promising and stay. I don't know how you put the surprise back in these books.

[Myrt Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Much Fun!

Great story line, fun & interesting characters.. The description of the land, village, and people makes me want to live there also. A good book to take a much needed vacation of the mindset.

[Susan Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely heartfelt story. Makes you want to live the dream and just do it. Loved the characters, and the storyline.

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freya goes to Provence to oversee the sale of her Uncle Toby’s farmhouse which has been left to her parents. She’s surprised to discover the farmhouse in poor condition but the garden is a work of art, who is responsible. A beautiful book with wonderful characters, packed full of gorgeous descriptive French goodies with a mystery which Freya wants to solve.

[fiona knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy James

Another fantastic read from Daisy James. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. Loved the setting and the characters.

[Tracey Hodgkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read although I felt like strangling the main character a couple of times. I still enjoyed it and would read more of the authors books.

[Patricia Gutmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very light and good entertainment. Well written. At the end, I wanted to continue reading what would happen with the projects and the romance.