Katie Fforde is my go to for romance and just all round good books without any fuss and this continues that theme.
Another great read

This novel is nothing out of the ordinary, standard and unexceptional storyline but well written and enjoyable, chick lit.

My thanks to the publishers via NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Telling the story of Alexandra who takes on a nannying job as a change of career, in a French chateau. How will she learn to cope with the three children of the French count who is the father to the three, as she finds herself falling for him?

I quite enjoyed this story set in the 60's in France. It was a story that you could easily escape into and settle down with a nice cuppa. A gentle romance in more ways than one, the style of read that fans of Katie Fforde are used to reading.

Another wonderful story from the sublime Katie Fforde. I love how I can lose myself in one of Katie's books, and this story does not disappoint. I loved the characters and the setting, just the thing to make the day to day gloom and doom disappear!

Another great love story book by Katie Fforde. It's a lovely story to lose yourself in, over a rainy afternoon. I would recommend.

This is the second Mansell book I’ve read with a historical setting and the result both times has been slightly disappointing.

One of the things I have always enjoyed about Mansell’s writing is her keen eye of contemporary everyday life. And this book occupies a slightly odd space between a historical setting which isn’t very vibrantly drawn and the heroine whose impulses feel very contemporary. With the exception of Alexandra’s relatives subplot, this could have have had a modern-day setting and still been enjoyable.

As it is, the core story still has Mansell’s charm and warmth, but the occasional historical detail feel a bit jarring - quite a lot of the time I forgot the setting was supposed to be in the 1960s.

As a reader, these historical novels are some of the weakest Mansell has written because they don’t immerse me in a specific place or time - something she has done to good effect in previous books. Hopefully she returns to the contemporary world soon!

What a lovely book! I will admit to her being one of my favourite authors so I am a bit biased but it’s definitely worth a read. A well written book that is totally enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley for this copy. This is a really good book, kept me entertained throughout and I would thoroughly recommend to all.

Lovely book. Loved the characters and the way the story unfolded. Always a good read from Katie Fforde. Would definitely recommend

Rounded down from around 4.5 stars ⭐️ Katie Fforde has done it again by creating another incredibly charming read!

A Wedding in Provence follows Alexandra, a young woman who is desperately trying to avoid the life expected of her by her relations. When a chance encounter gives her the option to work as a nanny she jumps at the opportunity. But, the job is in a chateau in rural Provence, with 3 children to look after, no experience and a very attractive Count; can Alexandra forge her own path?

I absolutely loved this book and felt a deep sadness at having to say goodbye. The characters and setting were so incredibly vivid I was completely swept away. I very much felt like I was part of the family. Usually, I end up having one or two favourite characters but I loved almost every character in this charming book, even the ones who didn’t feature much! I love any book that can take me on a beautiful journey in foreign countries, from the comfort of my home. I loved exploring France in this book and felt a desperate desire for some French food!

This book gave off a Sound of Music, but set in France, vibe. There’s nothing particularly surprising in it, but the easy and lighthearted feel is exactly what I was craving. I loved that the book did touch on some important topics from the 1960’s. It was so interesting to compare it to contemporary life. This was just the fun romance novel that I needed to finish off the summer months!

I would recommend this to any fans of clean romance, especially if you like journeying to other times and places! I want to thank netgalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone publishers and Katie Fforde for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.

Having read this latest offering from Katie Fforde immediately after one of her very early novels from the 1990s, it is clear that she has really honed her craft. While there was nothing particularly bad about Stately Pursuits, the story did lag at points and in this tome, the pacing and structure are faultless.
Structure of a novel has no relevance to enjoyment less the plot and characters are able to hold their own as well and this one really does it in all respects.
The plot is set in 1960s England and France and we get small insights into what would become a full on love affair of the Brits living in France. Alexandra has applied for and been accepted for the position of nanny to three children living in a rural chateau.
She has misrepresented her age to help get the position and then has numerous escapades in this role. This is a thoroughly charming read and the perfect antidote to a week that has just been too much!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this novel. The opinions expressed are not influenced by this at all.

Brilliant escapist reading (as always) from the sublime Ms Fforde. I loved the setting of 1960’s France and found the characters very engaging and I was very sorry when I reached the end.

Many thanks to all concerned for allowing me to read and review this heartwarming novel.

Not a vintage Katie Fforde novel but still enjoyable. I think I preferred this to the previous book, ‘A Wedding in the Country’, which features some of the same characters. The chateau setting was fun and I thought the children were well depicted.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read many Katie Fforde books over the years and although this had the usual good vibes I felt it was a little underwhelming. It was unusally set in the 1960s most of Katies books I have read are set in the modern day. I didn't feel this era came through enough strong enough, I often felt the narrative was much more old fashioned and would have been better set in the 1920-40. Overall still an enjoyable reliable read. I will as always be looking forward to the next book!

A happy, light Summer read. A bit predictable + farfetched but a good beach read that can be dipped in + out of.

Another fun read from Katie Fforde. Loveable romantic fiction, easy to read and offers perfect escapism.

Set in the 1960s, the book picks up on the story of Alexandra, which follows on from ‘a wedding in the country’.

Katie Fforde writes so well, the words dance off the page, even though you know from the start that there will be a happy ending!

Heart warming storyline- what more can a girl want from her summer read? Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I always enjoy a Katie Fforde, and this one was no exception, however just a little bit too predictable, cute and too many coincidences in this one.
Some great characters. An enjoyable holiday read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having read ‘A Wedding in the Country’, where I was first introduced to these characters, Alexandra was my favourite. As this book focuses on Alexandra, I was excited to read it. I was not disappointed!
Alexandra has been summoned by her relatives in Switzerland, after the events that take place in the previous book. Arriving in Paris where she hopefully wants to spend some time, she meets Donna, a stranger she helps on the street. As per Alexandra’s nature, she comes to the aid of Donna, when she needs to put on a dinner party. It is through this chance meeting that Donna hears of a vacancy in France, which will hopefully keep Alexandra in Paris.
Landing the unknown job, Alexandra finds that the job is not in Paris, but in the South, in Provence. She is hired to be a nanny for a Count, Antoine, who she meets briefly at the interview, but is immediately struck with.
Getting to the château, she is met with the Counts three children.
She soon finds herself being more than the nanny when there are no other staff at the château, and that the children aren’t enrolled in a school. So she calls on her friend from London, David who brings along another friend to help look after the château as well as teach the young children.
I loved getting the chance to read more about Alexandra’s character, as she was and still is selfless, self sufficient, kind, capable and ready to take on a challenge. All these qualities help her along in the château and her kind nature is seen as a threat to some but loveable to the right people.
I felt fully immersed in the château living, as described so wonderfully in this book. I didn’t want the story to end! Can’t recommend highly enough!

This one was a lovely read. I really enjoyed reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4 stars read for me

An enjoyable light hearted read set in France in the 1960s. I didn’t realise it was part of a series so it is a standalone book .
Pure escapism, I would recommend
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Uk , and Katie Fforde for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review