I really enjoyed this. Gray is adorable.

I flicked through the flash backs other than the time they explained why Phil and Maggie fell out.

My only set back is that I wish we had more time between Gray and Maggie. It felt a tad rushed.

Got this on the recommendation of a friend as she was loving it, and I thought the cover was lovely. I enjoyed it. It was a slow start, and didn’t love the flashback chapters chucked in - it kinda seemed very disruptive to the flow, though the book still whizzed by. I thought both Veronica and Mungo were the wettest rags ever, and Mungo just made my eye twitch.

Anyway. Jamie was fun, and I liked the setting of the hotel and France, the cooking, and even the useless Audrey. A nice, fluffy, fun, if predictable, read. Genuinely just what I needed, have been in a bit of a funk for a while. I will check out more of Sophia Money-Cotts’ work, especially if I want a relaxing, easy read.

3⭐️

This book was completely different to what I’ve read before.
Maggie’s aunt dies and she inherits a hotel in France and decides to go for a much needed break after fertility issues and marriage troubles. She has loved this hotel since her youth so naturally it’s her first love

Maggie begins a journey of grief and rediscovery whilst finding love on the way, in both a person and France itself. Her life is full of losses both through the loss of her aunt and the loss of her identity after her marriage.

I liked this book but I feel it was more a journey of self discovery than a romance as advertised.

Thanks to HQ stories and the author for a copy of this book!

I really enjoyed this one and it was a closed door fun, summery read. The book touched upon some really serious topics without dragging the whole story down.

The banter between characters was great and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Set predominantly in Provence - this is the exact type of book you should be reading lying on a beach with a cocktail in your hand!

A famous chateau in Provence fallen into disrepair. The owner dies leaving a millions euros worth of debt behind.. the owners much loved niece Maggie inherits it, but she lives in London and is desperately trying to get pregnant via IVF!
The chateau was previously “the” place to be seen at! A celebrity hide out with mouth watering food…
What should Maggie do?! Sell up and move on? Or try to save the chateau!?
“Leaving a place doesn’t mean you lose the memories”

Perfect for those who enjoy:
- Dual timelines: visiting memories
- Easy summer beach reads
- Enchanting fiction
- Decisional dilemma stories
- Happy endings

With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

I found The Right Place different in tone to Sophia Money-Coutts' previous books but certainly no less enjoyable for that. A great cast of characters and a wonderful setting for a novel that has you rooting for the lead characters and wishing you could taste some of the many dishes that come out of Maggie's kitchen.

When we meet Maggie Lemon, she's struggling after six failed IVF attempts, pressured by her husband and mother to give up her restaurant and even change her name. But when her estranged aunt leaves her a French countryside hotel, Maggie sees it as a chance to escape. Despite her husband's objections, she decides to refurbish the hotel for sale. Along the way, she takes on guests like Hollywood star Gray Hudson, hiding from bad press. Flashbacks reveal Maggie's past conflicts with her aunt.

I've always enjoyed Sophia Money-Coutts' witty stories about upper-class women navigating life changes and romance. "The Right Place" skillfully addresses infertility and alcoholism, showing Maggie's slow progress as she regains confidence through cooking and freedom from fertility treatments. The bond between Maggie and Gray, both facing infertility, adds depth to the story. It's a funny, heartwarming, and poignant read, possibly Money-Coutts' best work yet.

Special thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC.

Just loved watching Maggie grow as a character
A beautiful tale set in France. Charming characters in a beautiful setting.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading

This was my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful writing.

I loved the French setting and the story of continuing and building a life after grief and big changes. It’s definitely not a light fluffy read as the character of Maggie faces tough decisions and reflection when it comes to grief, separation and fertility.

It does have some comic relief with the side characters and it was a really interesting read.

When Maggie’s aunt dies and leaves her a dilapidated hotel in France, Maggie travels there in order to finalize the sale. Tired of several failed IVF attempts, Maggie finds solace in the happy place of her youth, while trying to overcome the loss of her aunt and find herself again.

This was a charming read and I very much enjoyed the atmosphere of the book. The chateau felt almost tangible in a way that I could feel myself being transported there. I loved following Maggie’s journey through grief and self-discovery, she was an insanely likable character whom I found really easy to empathize with. There is a good balance between heavier subjects and humor, and a really good cast of supporting characters that add a bit of levity to the book. The only thing I found lacking was the romance, which felt rushed and didn’t have enough breathing room to develop properly. Otherwise, this was a perfect beach read.

3.5⭐️

Many thanks to publishers and NetGalley UK for this ARC.

What a well written book once I started reading it was difficult to put it down. From beginning to end I couldn't wait to turn the next page. A story of a couple struggling to conceive and the true reality of what it can do to a marriage.
The description of life living in in her Aunt's Chateau and how Maggie turned it round and found true love.
Looking forward to a sequel.

When we meet Maggie (Meriwether) Lemon, she's a shell of herself, having undergone six unsuccessful rounds of IVF. On the pressure of her husband Mungo and mother, she's given up her beloved restaurant she opened at 25 and even her surname in the process, while Mungo has given up nothing.

Upon learning her estranged aunt has died and has left her Le Figuier, her hotel in the French countryside, Maggie decides to return, citing the need for a break, much to Mungo's chagrin as he wants her to see another doctor. Much like Maggie, the hotel has seen better days, nothing like the place it was when celebrities clamoured to stay there. With pressure from Mungo to sell it, Maggie ends up staying longer to prepare the place to sell but finds her taking on the remaining remaining bookings, including the Hollywood movie star Gray Hudson, who is hiding after reports of his bad on-set behaviour. Short and sharp flashbacks from teenage Maggie leading up to her falling out with her aunt eight years prior also form part of the story to show how Maggie's decisions led her to the present.

I've been a fan of Sophia Money-Coutts' comedic stories that carefully balance character growth of usually upper class women undergoing life changes and a slow-burn romance, infused with her gentle humour. 'The Right Place', has all of this and more as she sensitively tackles infertility and alcoholism. Just like the hotel, Maggie is a slow work in progress, finding her confidence returning after cooking again and being free of endless fertility treatments. I also loved the scenes between Gray and Maggie, as they both find themselves drawn to each other having a similiar outlook in life and also going through infertility journeys.

This book is funny, heartwarming but also poignant. I think this is Sophia's best work.


Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a wholly enjoyable room - perfect for those sunny holidays. Characters you will love, easy to get into and difficult to put down - a classic beach read for 2024.

"The Right Place" by Sophia Money-Coutts is a delightful romp through the chaotic world of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of London's glamorous social scene, this charming novel follows the journey of heroine Maggie Lemon as she navigates the highs and lows of modern dating. Money-Coutts' witty prose and engaging storytelling draw readers into Clara's world, filled with eccentric characters and unexpected twists. With its humor, heart, and irresistible charm, "The Right Place" is a captivating read that leaves a lasting impression. A perfect blend of romance and humor, it's a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction.

In The Right Place by Sophia Money-Coutts, Maggie Lemon inherits a hotel in Provence, leading her to reassess her life amidst a struggle for motherhood.
As she navigates through family tensions and unexpected responsibilities, an unlikely bond forms with Hollywood actor Gray Hudson. The narrative captures the essence of self-discovery against the backdrop of picturesque Provence.
While the exploration of fertility challenges is sensitively handled, the writing style and dialogue execution may not resonate with all readers. Despite this, the novel offers a solid storyline and engaging character development.
Overall, a compelling read for those seeking a blend of romance and introspection, deserving a rating of 4 stars.

I was grateful to get this free review copy as I’ve always enjoyed this author’s previous books. The Right Place is a gently, frothy book that I wished I could have read in the south of France where it’s set. The author’s ability to describe the town and the crumbling chateau where the book is set really adds to the reader’s enjoyment. The characters felt real and well rounded. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable novel that I would recommend for anyone looking for a bit of easy escapism.

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy from NetGalley!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

TW: death of a relative (off page), mentions previous miscarriages, alcoholism, sexual harassment, cheating

Sophia Money-Coutts is on her A-game, and I am obsessed. I am obsessed with this book, the characters, basically everything, and now I want to move to France and live in a run-down hotel with two donkeys (and maybe an attractive actor too). However, this book does discuss some potentially heavy topics, like IVF, so if you’re looking for something 100% lighthearted, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend The Right Place.

In The Right Place, we follow Maggie Lemon (it’s pronounced Le-mon, as her husband likes to remind everyone), who has just inherited her aunt’s hotel in France, which has seen much better days. Over the course of the summer, Maggie has to get the hotel up to scratch so she can sell it, all while still looking after her guests (including the aforementioned attractive actor, Gray). But as the summer goes on, the idea of returning to her life in the UK, with its IVF appointments and spiritless marriage, just doesn’t seem that appealing anymore, and Maggie is going to have to decide where she really belongs.

Money-Coutts makes this plot come alive, creating a charming and funny fixer-upper story that deftly manages some more serious themes. I’ll go into more detail about the slower romance in a bit, but even without Gray and Maggie’s relationship, this book would still have been so satisfying to read, which is a real testament to the sharp and refreshing writing. From page one, The Right Place felt like a 5 star read - the story never drags, the pacing is perfect and the flashbacks, which I’m usually not a fan of, work perfectly to enrich the characters and the atmosphere of the hotel. The descriptions of the hotel and, more importantly, the food are so vivid and incredible, making everything easy to imagine. As good as the descriptions were, the best thing about The Right Place was that, even with a Hollywood star thrown into the mix, it felt real and believable, something you could really enjoy without laughing at the improbability of it all.

Every single character is well-fleshed out and adds something to the book, even Mungo - who grated on me no end, but he was so well written that I didn’t even mind. Within a couple of chapters, you get the perfect intro into Maggie and Mungo, and a real sense of their marriage, without having to endure an info dump. Maggie comes across incredibly well and you really feel for her as she navigates the emotional side of things amidst the chaos of the hotel. And of course I can’t talk about the characters in The Right Place without talking about Gray. Charming. Funny. Good with his hands (he helps in the garden, get your mind out of the gutter).

Now, as much as I loved The Right Place, for any fellow romance lovers out there, bear in mind that, while there is a romance, it’s gentler than lots of other books and takes more time to be established. Don’t let that put you off, though, as Maggie and Gray’s relationship still has great chemistry and is all the more satisfying because of the slower pace. However, the fact that Maggie and Gray are both still married when they do sleep together was the one thing that I really didn’t like about this book. Yes, I’m glad they were together, but it was dishonest.

All in all, The Right Place is 100% a 5 star read and perfect for its release this summer. As soon as I finished it, I started looking at Money-Coutts’ other books and adding them to my TBR.

I have to start this review by saying I absolutely love this author. I have read each of her previous books and devoured them. I would actually go back and read them again!

The Right Place felt like a different author to me. It felt so different to previous work by Sophia Money-Coutts and I really struggled to engage with it.

I will still eagerly anticipate the authors next release!!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'The Right Place' by Sophia Money-Coutts.

Well. This book was not what I expected but that is probably my fault. Our main character is going through a rough patch right now- not because she's married to a man named Mungo but I feel like I needed to state his name is Mungo - and then bam she gets given this hotel that has been a love in her life since she was young. I just couldn't grow to like anything about this book and it annoyed me. Is it probably my fault as I expected something different from this book? Yeah. But that's how it goes.

Thank you to HQ stories and NetGallery for approving my advanced read of The Right Place, this is my first novel by the author and I had a great time reading it. Ideally, I would have read this on the beach or at Le Figuier's lush swimming pool!

The Right Place leaned more towards women’s fiction than romance, despite not finding the main character’s problems particularly relatable I still really loved her characterisation and could completely understand where she was coming from. All the characters are well rounded, vivid and flawed, two of my favourites being Audrey and Jamie.

I found the flashbacks intrusive to the pacing of the main storyline at first, but as the story went on (perhaps as Maggie grew older within them) I began to appreciate them. Overall I really enjoyed this story and Sophia Money-Coutt’s writing style and commentary.

The reason this is a four-star review is the ending felt quite rushed, especially the situational whiplash of the epilogue. I think the story would have benefitted from the characters admitting their feelings a little bit earlier in the story, so there would have been time to ruminate on what their relationship would look like if they were together (and deriving more tension from that).

Thank you again HQ and NetGalley for the ARC!