Sunset in St. Tropez

by Danielle Steel

Danielle Steel does it again with this moving tale of hidden secrets and second chances. In Answered Prayers , an unsatisfying marriage, the death of her stepfather, and the reappearance of a man from her past prompt 47-year-old Faith Madison to reassess her life choices and summon the courage to start anew, letting go of a lifelong secret in the process. In Faith, whose dilemma will be recognizable to many readers, Steel has crafted a vibrant, believable middle-aged woman in transition and cast her in the leading role. Loyal fans will undoubtedly look beyond the author's tendency toward repetitiveness and root for the complex heroine in this uplifting page-turner.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adult

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good one, I remember loving the holiday house and wishing I could go somewhere as lovely... ahhh the joys of a DS novel!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was in grad school far away from what had become my life. It was an easy, guilty pleasure read. And I very much enjoyed it :)

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an objectively terrible book.

I'd never read a romance novel before and decided I might as well see what they're like. With as open a mind as I could manage, I started reading this and within 3 pages was considering setting it on fire. I persevered in order to give it a fair go but it continued to disappoint in monumental proportions.

The prose is bland, simplistic, and dry. The characters are undeveloped and lack depth to the point that by the end they were virtually interchangeable in terms of emotional response. The plot itself was formulaic, unrealistic, and devoid of any shred of thought-provoking dilemmas.

Frankly, I'm shocked that this drivel was produced by a best-selling author. It's garbage in every way possible.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

If zero stars was an option, that is the rating I would have provided. I'm pretty sure this is just about the worst book I have ever read. Just awful. Please don't waste your time (not that it takes long to read). Just truly, truly terrible. I kept waiting for something to happen....anything!! I kept waiting for some character development, some plot twist...nope. This had no redeeming qualities at all. This was the first Danielle Steele novel I have ever read, and it will be the last. I have no idea what all the hoopla is about with respect to her....please put the book down and back away, turn around, don't look back...just leave it! Go now!!

[Lianne Burwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Back when I decided to read this, it was to find out why Danielle Steele is such a high seller, and it was a short book.

Big mistake. It read more like the outline for a much longer book. Characters are not developed, and it suffers from a bad case of telling instead of showing. Definitely not a book worth reading.

[Nicole Freadhoff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring! Nothing exciting happens in this book, and the author just keeps repeating how the characters feel about each other.

[Kiera simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Danielle Steele book done and dusted! Such a wholesome book honestly! Will definitely dive into more of her books soon!

[Moonchild · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Tatiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐

Si, en un mes metí tres libros de Danielle Steel; esta demas decir que me esta gustando mucho como escribe.

"Vacaciones en Saint Tropez" cuenta la historia de un grupo de amigos conformado por tres matrimonios, Diana y Eric, Pascale y John, y Anne y Robert, quienes tienen la tradición de pasar año nuevo juntos, durante la fiesta deciden alquilar una casa en Saint Tropez para pasar el verano todos juntos; sin embargo, la vida dió una vuelta, unos días despues de año nuevo, Robert queda viudo inesperadamente y sus amigos lo apoyan e insisten en que vaya de vacaciones con ellos. Todo se complica cuando llega el momento de irse de vacaciones, la casa al final no es lo que parecía y Robert tiene una nueva y joven compañía, algo que despierta curiosidad, celos y desconfianza en el grupo de amigos.

Venía de leer dos libros muy buenos de Danielle, pero este en particular lo encontré algo plano. Si, habla de la muerte, la infidelidad, los problemas que surgen en un matrimonio pero como que le faltaba algo. En un solo capítulo, todo se resuelve y se termina el libro... hubiese estado bueno que le hubiese agregado un mini cap o un epilogo para darle un mejor cierre.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick listen on audio. It was an ok book; I’ve liked others of here better.

3 couples, aged 40-60, who have know each other a long time decide to go on a month- long vacation in St. Tropez. One of the wives passes away before the trip, and another couple have marital infidelity. They end up going on the trip but the “villa” is not quite what the brochure advertised. The widower brings a new “friend” and the other women freeze her out as they still miss their deceased friend.

[Lindsey Rojem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for the "holiday" prompt of the December mini-challenge. It was a bit of a relationship roller coaster, and I don't feel like any of the characters were really deep enough for me to be emotionally invested in what happened.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three couples vacation together.... renew friendships and relationships.

[Ann Mallia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book a really easy read. Danielle Steel has been one of my favourite authors for a very long time.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Así es como se escribe una novela romántica! Este es el segundo libro de Danielle Steele que he leído (en español) y no me decepcionó. A diferencia de muchas de las tonterías románticas que, según creo yo, dominan las listas de los libros más vendidos en los últimos tiempos, Steele te ofrece personajes reales, emociones auténticas y sentimientos genuinos. Disfruté de cada personaje, pareja y lucha que aparece en este libro. Y puede que parece absurdo decirlo, pero su forma de escribir me recuerda mucho a Isabel Allende, otra escritora (que a menudo escribe novelas románticas) a la que también amo y admiro. ¡Voy a dar una oportunidad a más libros de Danielle Steele!

[هديل خلوف · Rating 1 out of 5]

بدايةً الرواية غالية على قلبي لأنها هدية من صديقاتي , لكني سأتحدث عن مضمونها بغض النظر عما تعنيه لي .. الرواية من نمط " التيك أويه" .. قصة رومانسية مسطحة تتناول العلاقات والحب والصداقة والأبطال كهول وشيوخ ! وأنا أكره جداً تناول قصة حب بين مسنين أو كهلين ! ( على الرغم من أنّ الحب لا يقيده عمر كما يقولون ) .. القصة لم تضف لي شيئاً وأعتقد أنها لن تبقى بذاكرتي بعد أسبوعين من الآن .. لكن منزلتها ستبقى بقلبي إلى الأبد .. لا أنصح بقراءتها عموماً ..

[Analia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5⭐

Las vacaciones los personajes solo las disfrutan pasada la mitad del libro. Todo lo anterior es la historia que precede al viaje y es algo triste pero esperanzadora. Diana y Eric, Pascale y John, Anne y Robert tienen por costumbre pasar el Año Nuevo juntos; una tradición sagrada para las tres parejas de amigos ya adultos mayores de sesenta años. Durante la fiesta los seis amigos tuvieron la idea de alquilar juntos una mansión en el sur de Francia el verano siguiente. Sin embargo, dos semanas después de año nuevo, Robert se queda abruptamente viudo. Con él sufrí mucho porque la autora brevemente nos narra los más de treinta años de matrimonio y siempre el amor romántico en ellos. Sufrí con Robert porque es un hombre romántico y compañero de Anne. Un hombre que lo tuvo todo y que de repente, se siente acabado.
Aborda muy bien Steel la secuencia que sufre el familiar ante la pérdida. Esos momentos en el que sos una especie de zombie, buscas entender pero el desconcierto es… muy grande. Son reacciones que no diferencian clases sociales: uno está ciego, sordo y mudo. Ante la pérdida te dejas guiar por los que están acompañándote. “Robert parecía funcionar con el piloto automático, mientras se movía entre la gente.”
Sus amigos están para apoyarlo en ese duro trance, al tiempo que lo alientan a ir con ellos a Saint-Tropez en verano. Pero, al llegar finalmente el mes de agosto descubren dos cosas: que la mansión de ensueño que el folleto turístico ofrecía no es más que una vieja casona destruida y, Robert a los siete meses de quedar viudo ya tiene como compañera a una joven y despampanante actriz, Gwen Thomas, veintidós años menor que él, que solo provocará celos y desconfianza en Pascale y Diana porque les parece demasiado pronto, después de la muerte de Anne, para empezar a salir de nuevo, y curiosidad y admiración en John y Eric.
“Vacaciones en Saint Tropez” es una novela que muestra a aquellas familias que parecen perfectas, que todo lo tienen, hasta que abruptamente la muerte se hace presente en una de ellas y… los desestabiliza por completo.
Una novela que habla de la pérdida, el engaño, la infidelidad, heridas que tienen que cicatrizar, pero es también una historia sobre el valor de la amistad que perdura en el tiempo, con momentos graciosos referidos al paso del “lujo de Nueva York” a lo “rústico francés”. Es rápido de leer, un poco repetitivo, pero está bueno para pasar el rato e ideal para leerse en verano y no en pleno invierno como hice yo😆. ¡Ah! Nada de escenas sexuales lo que me hizo un poco de ruido, pero bueno así es Danielle Steel.

[Page Passion · Rating 3 out of 5]

The epitome of a beach read!

DS does it again. Though this is a light vacation read, there were some heavy themes such as the death of a spouse, infertility, and infidelity . There are several funny moments between all the problems with the vacation home and its crazy staff.

Taking place on the South of France, 6 friends or three couples embark on an annual trip that makes them take stock of where they are in their lives and how they want to continue before returning to their normal lives in New York.

Made we wish I had a tight knit group like this and of course the French setting made me wistful for a European getaway.

[Belle Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
Author is obsessed with describing characters stature about every other chapter which was super odd and distracting? Maybe because it was written in 2003, but there were numerous occasions where I caught myself wondering how long ago this was written due to the nearly random comments.
Also struggled to understand/empathize with the reasoning of some characters’ thoughts/choices on numerous occasions which also was turning me off of this book. It’s possible that this book was simply out of my age range — I think I am simply not in the target audience.

[Tammy Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summer read. Three couples who have remained friends for years face the unexpected and sudden death of one of their own. Having scheduled a vacation in the south of France, it doesn’t seem right to go following the death of their friend and spouse, but realize their money cannot be returned. St. Tropez brings unexpected challenges and surprises they could never have imagined! My favorite character, Agothos and her husband, added a dose of humor that had me laughing out loud!

[Lesley Albers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical fluffy book but I enjoyed it!

[Irene Azuaje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es genial cuando una amistad dura tanto tiempo, pero la vida puede ser muy caprichosa.

[Ivana Lukanic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knjigica za godišnji odmor...... Volim takva opustajuča stiva.... Sa porukom da je u zivotu sve moguce.

[Omnia Mohyee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Classic story but fun to read.

[Carol Fellenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A death, an affair, and a vacation in the south of France

[Katarina ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agréable à lire.
On a envie d'aller en vacances à Saint-Tropez, la maison à l'air accueillante pour y passer des vacances de rêve.
Il y a cependant un drame, des désaccords, des désillusions mais tout fini bien.

[Ryma Reem · Rating 3 out of 5]

la plume de Steel est meilleure que l'histoire en elle-même 🙈

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

TERRIBLE. I can't believe I finished this book.

[Fahad السيابي · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

[Eff's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐3/5⭐

As much as I loathed some of the issues discussed and explored in this book, I can't deny Danielle Steel is inarguably one of the authors who brings calmness and comfort to me when reading her books. I was smitten when I first read Safe Harbour. Plus this book really did approach the issue of, How do you actually move on from the death of a love one? and whether or not you are allowed to move on and start a new journey after their death? and of friends gatekeeping each other to maintain the normalcy of their friendships.

However, I am particularly irked with two issues in this book, the infidelity and the astonishment men have over juvenility and youthfulness of a woman's appearance as a partner.

What I want to bring to light is (in the specific context regarding to this book and similar issues that comes with it) when a man cheats, it's because what he currently have is not enough for him, suddenly, looking into the new woman's eyes he sees endless possibilities of new adventure, of a new exciting endeavors which he can experience and start a new, he's going against every grain of his usual being to risk his current relationship at that fleeting moment when he cheats. The man might stick around or might not, but when he decided to keep those two women around him, he's just having a safety net he can fall to.

When things gets exciting and he likes how it's looking with the new woman, he can just leave the old one in the dust and start anew, and if the new relationship doesn't actually live up to his expectations he can just simply fall back into his previous stable relationship. And what's infuriatingly normalised in our society is they won't and don't punish a man for cheating, he's applauded for being courageous and he'll receive, "Good for him"s from other men, while the women are heavily scrutinized for her inability to keep a man, and she is being judged by society and being questioned if she did something to provoke his cheating. And it is very unfair and very irritating to read this book which promotes the mentality that, "the cheater is the victim."

Diana, by the end of the book, learn to accept Eric's cheating by justifying it as his, "last grab at his youth" it's very distasteful and I immensely hated how she was the one who suffered the endless persuasions by her friends to forgive Eric and his cheating behavior, he wasn't reprimanded, no one asked him why he did it, he just simply demanded her to put it all behind them and his friends only listen and sided with him and hoped she forgave him. It's very infuriating.

Secondly, I read once where someone argued how, some men glamorise pedophilia mindset, in a way they glamorised the youthfulness (in regards to their appearance) of a partner. They prefer their women to possess the quality of what a child is supposed to be, slim, perky, obedient, meek, wearing childlike attire, innocent, etc etc. And to acquire a partner who possesses this quality is considered a score amongst them. And it's very unnerving to say the least how this book treats this issue the same way. Eric cheated on Diana with a woman who was 20+ years younger than her, and Robert fallen in love with a woman who was 20 years younger than him.

Also, I literally read 6 pages of Diana describing how good they look, and it creates this superficial quality to their relationships, how it makes me feel that as much as she says, they are connecting, it makes it seems like they are talking, but not.

All in all, I regretted buying this book without actually looking up the book description just for the sake of Danielle Steel. If I had known, I would have never picked up a book that talks about Infidelity, because as always, by the end of the book, they are justified, they are forgiven and they are applauded. Literally a huge middle fingers to all the partners who devoted their life and love to their partners.

[Debbie Harr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent