Another wonderful book by Jennifer Bohnet. This time I was transported to Antibes in France. I could visualise the villa with its beautiful garden and even more beautiful gardener Joel. I was gripped from the very beginning and wanted to know all the details of twins Amelia and Josette and their lives. I would highly recommend this book, a very worthy 5 star review.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable listen with interesting characters and story, and I loved the narration and revealing of the relationships between the characters! I would recommend and give my thanks to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

A charming, gentle story about love, life, family, secrets – things that were done for a reason many years ago and second chances. Almost a noeud de vipers. This is a thoughtful novel, that I cannot recommend enough. It has been a though provoking process at times as I remember a scandal at that time in my family that I know snippets about, with my family their scandal turned out well, and as the next generation down, I am here to tell the tale. I really love this book – the fact that the Unconventuality mirrors the stories of both my own and other family’s.

Carla’s Mother has died and her marriage to her serial adulterer Husband has broken down. She goes to France to see her estranged Aunt Josette (her Mother’s twin) and ends up moving to Antibe to live in the villa that they own.

Once living in France, Carla realises that there are clearly some hidden family secrets, although when she finds out the truth, she struggles to come to term with it at first.

Her newly divorced status, together with her newly found assertiveness see Carla refusing to give her ex. Meanwhile we are teased with the suggestion of potential romance for both Carla and Tante Josette – with l either the gardener, Joelle or her new friend Bruno in Carla’s case and with either the charismatic Gordon or Mario (her old flame) in Josette’s case.

I won’t spoil the ending for you, but assure you that this is thoroughly worth reading.

My thanks to Netgalley for an audio version to review. I think the author developed an interesting and captivating storyline with likeable characters, all of which I enjoyed.
For me personally, I think I’d have preferred a paper copy in this instance as I found I tired of Josette’s strong French accent and don’t feel it added to the audio version, I felt it would’ve worked well without it.
I had a few issues with the audiobook’s sound stalling in the Netgalley app even though the timer suggested it was still playing so missed the start of a few chapters, but overall, I’d recommend the author for her story writing skills.

Villa of Sun and Secrets by Jennifer Bohnet is the second story of this author I have reviewed over the last few weeks. Before this I had not encountered Jennifer Bohnet but now! Now 2 stories on, one book and one audiobook I must say I am really enjoying her writing.
Carla is dealing with the death of her mum, who was a difficult woman but still her mum. She discovered a letter that her mum had written to Carla's estranged Auntie. Carla can't decide what action to take over the letter as she discovers her husband has been up to his old tricks and is straying away from their marriage vows. In a spur of the moment decision she just goes to deliver the letter in her Aunts hometown of Antibes, on the French Riviera personally. When she arrives they begin to lay the foundations to a way forward and the more they talk the more they realise that they have both allowed other people to make decisions for them. Resulting in secrets being told and they start to work together on unravelling the truth.
A beautifully narrated story, told with the correct amount of pace. This is another escapist read and it did the trick, as the authors last book I reviewed also did. This setting is another place I have never seen and the book took me there easily. The small details of the area make it seem so real. After my sojourn in the French Riviera I can cope with a bit more of the cold winter lockdown again!
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, Netgalley and Jennifer Bohnet for the audiobook so I could write my review.

I need to start off by saying that if the cover is a representation of a real place, I want to go there when we can travel again! It looks like heaven. The cover is evocative of the story and yes, it may have helped to persuade me to listen to the story :-) That, and the fact that the story is set on the French Riviera.

Villa of Sun and Secrets is a story I needed right now. It was a real escape to the sights and sounds of Antibes. Antibes is one of my favourite towns in the south of France and to be there in this audiobook for 9 hours was a treat. I felt like I was on the Riviera. And in a time where armchair travel is the norm, this was great.

For me, the enjoyment of an audiobook hinges on the narrator and their ability to interpret the author's words, develop male and female character voices, accents, create an atmosphere, and convey emotions through their voice. Julia Franklin easily does all of the aforementioned and really brings to life Jennifer Bohnet's words and characters, allowing me to get lost in the story. There are a few different accents to contend with including Scottish and French and she handles these well.

Jennifer Bonet has written an enjoyable story in the Villa of Sun and Secrets. She has captured the south of France lifestyle that we all dream about. I could feel the summer sun on my skin, hear the sea, and taste and smell the delicious food. The story is well-plotted and I loved how it unfolded as Carla learns more about Josette and the family history that centres around the family villa, Villa Mimosa, and Antibes.

I loved listening to Villa of Sun and Secrets. I really warmed to Carla and enjoyed following her journey at a pivotal time in her life. Carla really learns what is important in life and how it can begin again at 50. I also liked Carla's Aunt, Josette, who is at first reticent, but as the story progresses, we understand why.

About the Book: After Carla’s mother, Amelia, dies and Carla is sorting through her house, she finds an envelope in her mother’s belongings addressed to Carla’s Aunt Josette, who is Amelia’s twin. After finding out that her husband, David, has cheated on her again, Carla decides go to the South of France to deliver the letter directly to Aunt Josette whom she never had a relationship with growing up.

In the South of France, Josette lets Carla knows she is half owner in the family Villa. Carla, needing a life change decides to leave the UK, move into Villa Mimosa in the Antibes and open it as a B&B.

As Carla begins her new life and spends time with her Aunt Josette, long held family secrets are revealed.

My Thoughts: This is such a great family drama. The multiple facets of Carla starting over at 50 years old in a new country where she doesn’t speak the language and the history of her Aunt Josette and her relationship with Carla’s mom, Amelia, make for a immersive listen.

The descriptive setting of the French Riveria and sprinkling of romance are added bonuses to the wonderful plot.

I appreciate books that have characters that are closer to my age and Carla at age 50 is only 3 years younger than myself. I can relate to Carla at times like when she writes a list of all the things she needs to tell her cheating husband, David.

I love the narrator which I think makes a big difference in any audiobook.

I love both Carla and Josette and their strength. And I love the way the family story unfolds throughout the book.
Thanks @rachelsrandomresources @boldwoodbooks @netgalley for the chance to listen and review.

I must begin by saying that I found this book a little on the slow side for my liking. The book dragged in places but in others … my word, in others! There were some real surprising twists and turns. Turns that I could have never of dreamed of when our characters started this adventure.

I think that Tante Josette may be my favourite character. Though she is conflicted about her past. I find her attitude about life and personality somewhat inspiring. Also I adore her frenchness. She has me longing for a French auntie of my own.

I felt sorry for Carla when her story began, but she really made a life for herself and turned her life around. I love the villa and I love what she does with it.

In terms of narration, occasionally I found the accents a little strong and jarring but overall I thought that Julia Franklin’s voice a brilliant one to transport you to the French Rivera and even the short trip to Monaco.

I always adore reading a new author and I thank Rachel for introducing to me another new, and amazing author.

I hope that you love this book as much as I did!

Sitting next to a warm fire, staring out at the snow falling in a chilly Northern England, I was instantly transported to the warmer climes of the south of France in this delightful story of Carla and her new life.

I felt that Carla coped admirably as one secret after another was slowly revealed to her.

This is a captivating novel of 'what might have been', long-ago family secrets, romance, bitterness, friendships, love and 'what can be in the future'.

I couldn't held being impressed at the ease in which narrator Julia Franklin effortlessly switched between all the French, English, Scottish and Italian accents! This added to my overall enjoyment of the story.

I read the digital book in 2019. The audiobook edition brings the characters to life in an engaging way. Carla's character is easy to empathise, as she comes to terms with her family's secrets. The narrator differentiates between the different characters and genres believably. This story is easy to listen to and perfect to escape with.

The author's knowledge and love of France come through clearly in this story. The setting is vivid, beautiful, and sometimes in sharp contrast to the revelations at the villa.

This is a multi-generational family drama. Carla's life isn't easy, an unfaithful husband, looking after her sick mother, and an empty nest, something needs to change. Uncharacteristically she takes an opportunity to visit Antibes and her estranged aunt.

Forgiveness, love, relationships and secrets, are interwoven into this engaging story. It's a chance to see an ending as a new beginning. The issues explored are emotionally draining, but the outcome is hopeful and makes the angst worthwhile.

The characters are flawed, sometimes they lack the courage to take the first step to something better, but they are easy to empathise and believable. The setting is a lovely contrast to the drama and emotions, and the story's ending is heartwarming.

I received a copy of this audio and digital book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

As you can see from above, I really enjoyed this book. I mean, I really, really liked this book.

I’m kind of a sucker for summer in France or Italy. I’m also a sucker for women remaking their lives. Who hasn’t dreamed of starting over and living your secret dream in an idyllic country? Of getting a second chance to make the right decisions for yourself, this time with the benefit of wisdom that comes from age?

Add to that the idea of life altering family secrets and you get one very entertaining novel. I understand that some people will be turned off by the perfection of it all, but honestly, I’m all here for it. Maybe it’s my current frustration with life and the world, but I couldn’t put Villa of Sun and Secrets down.

I wanted to stay in that perfect place where people can find find love and happiness after misery. Where family secrets can be life changing but not devastating or life ending. Where forgiveness is asked for and obtained.

Maybe that makes me a sucker in general, but I really don’t care. In Villa of Sun and Secrets, Carla escapes her life only to find herself, and I enjoyed escaping my life to find her as well.

Villa of Sun and Secrets is a touching tale about following your heart and the tremendous power of secrets.

A gorgeous setting and an abundance of secrets. Jennifer Bohnet swept me away to the French Riviera in this stunning tale. Carla has recently lost her mother and now she finds out her husband is cheating on her. Needing a getaway Carla remembers a letter she found in her mother’s belongings addressed to her mom’s estranged twin sister Josette. Josette has always been a bit of a mystery to Carla, she never knew what caused the rift between her mother and her sister. So Carla packs her bags and heads to France to clear her head and get to know her French side of the family. What she finds in France is a lovely aunt, a gorgeous villa, and a lot of secrets.

Julia Franklin did a wonderful job of pulling me into the story with her vivid narration of the audiobook. She did a wonderful job with giving the perfect voice and accent to each of these colorful characters. And there were quite a few accents English, French, American. My only teeny tiny complaint is occasionally especially with the male French accent I had a harder time understanding, but that’s probably just my American ear. I loved the warm sunshiny feel of this story. The Villa, the food, the sun, the wine, the romance... and of course the secrets. The overall vibe of the story was quite heartwarming although there were some definite moments of heartbreak. I was pretty impressed with how Carla handled everything being thrown at her. She was a great character, and I love that she along with the majority of the characters in the story were over the age of 50. A Beautifully told French escape.

This book in emojis 🇫🇷 ☀️ ✉️ ⚱️ 🌻 🍷 🫖

*** Big thank you to Boldwood Books for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

This book took me for quite a ride. I was initially intrigued by the setting and was excited to get lost in the villa of sun and secrets, I wasn't prepared for how in depth the family scandal went. I loved the setting and I loved our main character, she was so endearing and refreshing. A woman who is done making excuses for her cheating husband decides it's time to stand up for herself and along the way to self discovery uncovers so many family secrets, can she get to the bottom of these scandals and can the family heal and move on? Just when I thought I had everything sorted, there was more to unfold providing a lot of action. I loved being with her for this journey. The audio was top notch. I couldn't ask for more!


My review will be published on my blog on January 26 as part of my blog tour stop. www.thebookreviewcrew.com

What a rollercoaster of a romance audiobook.
It sounded like a sublime setting, which left me longing for summer warmth whilst looking out the window staring at the snow.
I felt sorry for Carla so many times, I didn't like David for obvious reasons and was pleased he wasn't around much.

The sagas just kept coming and coming, just when you get over one, another one happened!
Absolutely lovely story x
Highly recommended.

Whilst I enjoyed the audiobook the playback system on NetGalley dashboard really needs looking at. There is a problem with the software and the latest update from Apple so I have to stop and start the book between chapters and it becomes really annoying and can have an negative impact on the reader enjoying the book!!

Clara Sullivan has recently buried her mother and found out her husband is having yet another affair, fast approaching the big 50 she decides to do something for herself and on finding a letter in her late Mothers possessions she decides to go to the South of France to visit her Aunt Josette. Josette is a complicated woman, and hasn't really had a relationship with her sister or Clara she tries to keep herself private. The book is filled with family drama and family secrets. I must admit it was a slow burner for me, both Clara's husband and daughter annoyed me to no end with their attitudes towards his affairs. I really wanted to love this book more especially with the lovely cover and the South of France settling but it just wasn't for me. I think I may have enjoyed it more in paper form also as the problem I had with the audiobook mentioned about is very frustrating and stops the book from flowing.

The authors descriptions of the area, the villa are beautiful and it did make me long to feel the sun on my skin. I would definitely read other books by the author but again in epub form.

Thank you to NetGalley, the published and author for gifting me a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

As she approaches her fiftieth birthday, Carla Sullivan’s life undergoes a lot of change. Her mother passes away, and she learns her husband is having yet another affair. After finding an envelope containing a letter from her mother, as well as the need to get away, Carla escapes to the South of France to the home of her Tante Josette to hand deliver the letter.

Carla barely remembers her Tante Josette and has not seen her in many years. As the two women get to know one another, many secrets from the past are revealed including why Carla has not seen Josette for many years. Carla becomes enamoured with Antibes and soon has made plans to return to begin a new life.
The book not only explores the relationship between Carla and Josette, but it is also a story of personal growth, forgiveness and moving on. To say Carla is thrown more than enough change for a lifetime is an understatement. She is a survivor and adapts better than most to what challenges lay ahead.

I enjoyed this book and the character development of Carla and Josette. I felt the story moved a little slow at times, but it maintained my engagement throughout. I loved the setting for this book-perfect for reading as we head into winter. There is one relationship from Josette’s past which felt a little distasteful to me. Having said that, I felt compassion for both of these women and appreciated the growing bond between them as the book progressed. I am a big fan of strong women and these two have it in spades.

I listened to the audiobook version of the book which was narrated by Julia Franklin who gives a good performance. I enjoyed her performance of Carla, but did find it a little challenging at times to understand the French accent of Josette. I appreciated the fact that the narrator had an age appropriate voice for these characters and was expressive throughout the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books UK Audio for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for the honest review provided here.

At first, it took me a while to get into the resigned unhappy life of Carla. I felt frustrated with her husband and sometimes even with her daughter. But when she met her French aunt Josette and she finally started treating her life as not something set in stone, I cheered her on. I enjoyed meeting her new friends and deepening her relationship with Josette. And it was even more satisfying to see how she had become strong enough to come to terms with her new environment and revealed secrets.

All in all, this was an engaging family story, told from two points of view of women from different generations. To me, the choice of an audiobook narrator is half of success and this one was spot on. And just a final remark, only observational, not negative, the author did not use any physical descriptions of the characters. I did not particularly mind, I had my own images anyway, I just found it curious.

* I voluntarily reviewed this audiobook via NetGalley and I thank Boldwood Books UK for the opportunity

Narrator 4 stars

Book 3 stars

This book was an enjoyable listen. The narrator did a great job keeping my interest and The characters were likeable.

So much for a happy birthday. Carol Sullivan is turning 50, and her gift is discovering her husband is having an affair. Finding a letter from her mother’s estranged sister, she decides to track the woman down in the South of France. Carol isn’t sure what to expect from her aunt Josette, but the two women quickly form a close bond, one that may be threatened as Carol learns the reason her mother and aunt parted ways