Nina has always played it safe. But on her fortieth birthday, when her divorce papers arrive, she decides it's time for a change.

Nina has consistently opted for the sensible path, sticking with a stable job and marrying her predictably dull ex-husband. She suddenly realizes that for years she has chosen security over excitement. This pattern started when she refused to elope with her first love, Pierre—a beautiful, poetic, and thoughtful man she met at 17 during a French exchange program. Pierre remains the only man who ever truly made her heart race.

Nina makes a bold decision to escape her mundane routine by taking a month-long sabbatical and exchanging homes with an unfamiliar person in the South of France. She travels back to the city where she had initially encountered Pierre, her teenage crush, questioning if he still holds the key to her heart as her one true love. The story narrates a woman's quest for self-discovery and belief in her intuition; all woven into the fabric of a slowly kindling romantic flame. The book is not meant to be a long read but rather one that easily hooks you from the beginning till the end, keeping you captivated throughout.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing a copy of this book.

This escapist romance, features Nina, a 40 year old recently divorced English woman at a crossroads in her life. She feels that she has been living “safely”, hurriedly checking boxes on her life to do list, not pausing to do what she really wanted. She decides to take a month long sabbatical from work and swap homes with a stranger in the South of France. She had done an exchange program in the same city at 17, and wonders if her first crush could be her one true love. The book is part journey of self discovery and learning to trust your gut, and part slow burn romance. It’s a quick, easy read and a nice palate cleanser. ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own. 6/11/24

****Publishing June 11, 2024***

I love how Gillian Harvey transports you to France with her books! This time to the French Riviera!

Nina always played it safe throughout her life. After her divorce, she decides to take more risks in order to start living life! The divorce finalization came in the mail on her 40th birthday! Not great timing!

Nina decides to do a house swap to the French Riviera! She thought she would do this solo, but the owner’s sister shows up and insists on staying. Will Nina embrace the visitor, or will it be an annoyance?

When she reconnects with Pierre, a boyfriend she had when she was 17 on a French exchange, is it what it seems? Will this house swap give her adventure and new beginnings she is seeking?

Gillian Harvey’s writing just draws you from the start. Her books give you a good laugh, and they have relatable characters, which makes it so entertaining! A perfect book to take on vacation because you won’t want to put it down!

Thanks to Boldwood Books, I was provided an ARC of The Riviera House Swap by Gillian Harvey via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley . #TheRivieraHouseSwap

I was really absorbed in this book and Nina's journey of going in search of her first love. Her journey is moving, funny and has lots of unexpected revelations and realisations. It is a great book that I'd highly recommended!

Nina is a 40-year-old woman who has recently gotten divorced and she feels like her life has been pasding her by. On a whim she sets off to France to a town where she went as an exchange student with 17 and fell in love with Pierre supposedly the one who got away.
The book was entertaining, it had a believable storyline and characters. The FMC was likable, even though she seemed very naive - it was very obvious what was up with Pierre from the start. It was an enjoyable read and I rate it 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4).

The Riviera House Swap, by Gillian Harvey, is a fun read with an interesting plot and loveable characters. There is some heartache, lots of happy moments, new friends, old flames, and new possibilities. This is a great light read about taking chances and making changes. I hope we hear more about these characters in the future.
Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Cute story - girl meets French boy on school exchange, they fall in love, and hope to spend the rest of their lives together but parents get in the way. 20 years later girl is newly divorced in a job she doesn't love and takes a risk on a month in the south of France, convinced that what she needs in her life is the French boy from all those years ago. Cue some angst, some misunderstandings and some drama and an ending you'll most likely predict halfway through! This is a fun and fast beach read but I think I preferred The Bordeaux Book Club!

An interesting plot, set in a beautiful place, the South of France, with loveable characters. I always like to read about more mature women like Nina and her friends. I enjoyed this uplifting story.

Nina is newly divorced and decides to getaway and explore some of her love regrets — in France . I do enjoy this authors writing — she does characters that I can relate to — but boy oh boy — the red flags were flying all through this book — I personally was rooting for Nina to fail in her quest— cause she could do much better . another enjoyable read about a woman coming into her own independence in her 40s and exploring life more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boodwood books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Loved this book! Reminded me of the holiday film! Such a feel good book! Thanks net galley for the early read

What a delightful story! The characters are wonderful and funny; a definite feel good read. The ending was perfect and just what I hoped for.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this story. A house swop in France , a brilliant idea . I also know St Albans well. Nina’s best friends were ace I can’t spoil it but once the waiter followed them my heart sank . Sabine was my favourite character. Loved her. The main character grew in confidence and I loved that . Swimming in the sea. X husbands what a pain. This review is not doing the book justice. It was a great read. Going back to the past is always a risk. Read it

Will Nina take a leap of faith after her divorce and find the love of her life in the French riviera? This is a heartwarming read that you will not want to put down. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me an ARC of this book.

Will Nina find the love of her life, Pierre, when she swaps houses with Jean-Luc? That is the question in this gorgeous new book by Gillian Harvey. Set on the gorgeous Riviera it's another page turning book with characters you can't help but love. I couldn't put this book down and can't wait for the next one from her.

A pool read for sure.