If you've read and enjoyed any of Lucinda Riley's books, you will love "Under a Riviera Moon" by Helen McGinn! It has a lot of similar vibes and topics. "Under a Riviera Moon" is a well-written great read to take with you on a vacation or (if you're like me and are not currently planning any trips, but would love to) to broaden your imagination and explore the streets of Paris and Riviera through the pages of the book.

Helen McGinn writes in a beautiful, easy to read and flowy style, guiding you through her story smoothly, so that you turn page after page without wishing to put the book down for a moment. I love these kind of books with dual, somewhat historical or historically inspired timelines, where you get to enjoy not one, but two or more stories of different characters.

Here, we get to meet Maggie, who is recently divorced and unfortunately quite stagnant and unhappy in her current job and life. Prompted by her caring mother, Maggie travels from the UK to the Cannes in the French Riviera (hence the name of the book) to meet Allegra, an older lady, a former friend of Maggie's grandmother, an American living in the Cannes. This short visit to the beautiful Riviera is going to change both Maggie's and Allegra's lives. And while we are enjoying a week of warmth, sun and beautiful nature together with Maggie, we also read through the second timeline - 1960's in France, Paris, exploring Allegra's story, her youth, student years and first love.

Like I've already mentioned before, I really enjoyed this book and these two timelines. The characters are vivid and quickly become close to you like real family members. I do wish we had more of an opportunity to see more of Maggie's second-chance-in-love relationship, instead the book skipped a whole year and turned it into a sort of insta-love relationship, which I do not usually enjoy. It either has to be a very charismatic quick building and well written love story, or it quickly becomes unconvincing, and sadly this was the case. It felt like we just got introduced to Nico and then suddenly [ they got married (hide spoiler)].

I also wish we could have also gotten to explore more of Maggie's grandmother's story. The premise is very interesting - she is in love with a slightly older man, who is a student taking part in 1960's protests against war in Algeria. There is such an important story about the Algerians and France (google "Paris massacre of 1961" if you want to know more), and their relationship could have been such a deep, potentially even tragic, and definitely an engaging story to read about.

Instead, we heard very little about that, and also only got glimpses into Allegra's relationship with Etienne. And while that story of a somewhat fatal once-in-a-lifetime love is really interesting and sweet... well, SPOILER there was not much of it either! [We were given a year of them falling in love, and then she had to come back to New York, and he wrote to tell her that he changed his mind and does not love her (lies!!!) and she should not come back to France?! I was really really confused and not convinced we really needed this. (hide spoiler)] I understand it was meant to make us long and grieve their lost love, but if you are not yet convinced about it, you are not going to care much about it either. At least I didn't.

Anyway, all of that aside, I still had a lot of reading pleasure and great time with this book. And if you're looking for an easy and enjoyable read, it will do the trick for sure.

Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. My review is based solely on my honest opinion.

Maggie heads to Cannes to retrieve a box that belonged to her Grandmother. Maggie meets Allegra who was friends with her Grandmother.
It’s a nice story told through dual timelines. The location sounds beautiful, somewhere you definitely want to visit. Definitely add to your beach reading list

I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Not for me.

This is such a lovely book. Dual timelines cover the lives of Allegra and Maggie. Totally absorbing and so heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure. Maggie is tasked with collecting and sorting through a box of her grandmother Elizabeth’s things. They are being looked after by Allegra the friend that Elizabeth made in the 1960’s in Paris. Travelling to Cannes Maggie stays with Allegra who tells her stories of how she met Elizabeth and the life they led. A beautiful friendship develops and Maggie’s life begins to change in a way that she never imagined. I just loved the characters in this, how the story developed, the intimacy of friendship and wonderful descriptions of Paris, vineyards and New York. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Under a Riviera Moon by Helen McGinn is a beautifully written dual-timeline novel that weaves together the lives of two women—Maggie in the present day and Allegra in the past. Maggie, a divorcée living in the UK, finds herself at a crossroads. Her life hasn’t turned out quite the way she imagined, and she’s feeling somewhat adrift. When her mother asks her to travel to Cannes to collect a box of her late grandmother’s belongings, she expects a quick and simple trip. However, this journey leads to unexpected discoveries that begin to shift her perspective and open her heart to new possibilities.

The second timeline introduces Allegra, who now lives in Cannes but recounts her younger days as a student in 1960s Paris and her later adventures in New York. Allegra’s story is rich with emotion, passion, and the pursuit of dreams, painting a picture of a young woman navigating love, ambition, and heartbreak in two of the world’s most iconic cities.

As Maggie learns more about Allegra and her grandmother’s past, a deep connection forms, bridging generations and revealing how the choices of the past can shape the present. The novel tenderly explores themes of love and loss, the power of second chances, acceptance of the past, and the importance of friendship that transcends time. With heartfelt emotion and beautifully drawn characters, this is a compelling and uplifting story of personal growth, healing, and the magic of unexpected connections.

I was transported to every location. Every moment of intrigue,memory and love. This was a beautiful book. I was in the depths of the pages throughout and didn't want to leave. I wanted to be in the lounge,garden,bedroom and kitchen reading this book because every time I put it down I jist coupdnt wait to start again.
It's got all the things from the genre you could wish for. And one of those brilliant books where the characters are just as special as the storyline they enter.

A magical read. You move back and forward in time . A lovely story . You follow Maggie who is unsettled in life and she goes to the south of France to find about her grandmother and you have a beautiful love story , a horrid father, kindness of others , vines and a brilliant ending . You can’t put it down. A perfect spring Saturday afternoon read.

Thanks for giving me an advance copy.

Pick up this gorgeous hug of a book and get transported to a beautiful place wraps itself round you like a cosy blanket. It has warmth, charm, laugh-out-loud moments and a wistful nostalgia. I absolutely loved it.

"Under a Riviera Moon" by Helen McGinn is the first book I've read by this author, and it had me hooked from the very start. I immediately connected with the characters. The narrative flows smoothly between two different timelines.

In the present, we meet Maggie, a divorcée living in the UK, whose life is not what she expected it to be at this stage. The other timeline follows Allegra, who lives in Cannes today but shares her experiences as a student in 1960s Paris and later in New York.

The story explores themes of love, loss, second chances, acceptance of the past, hope for the future, and, most importantly, friendship. The two women are linked through the friendship of Maggie's grandmother. Maggie travels to Cannes to collect a box of her grandmother's belongings as a favor for her mother. This seemingly simple errand ultimately alters Maggie's life in ways she never anticipated.

The author paints vivid imagery, making you feel as if you are walking the streets of Paris, admiring art in both Paris and New York, and taking a dip in the waters of the Riviera.

Under a Riviera Moon sounds like the perfect romantic escapist novel and it delivered exactly what I hoped it would!
Helen McGinn has a brilliant way of describing the heady days of 1960s Paris and New York and present day Cannes that made me wish I could transport myself to these exotic locations!
The heroine of the present day novel, Maggie, has been having a difficult few months in London- after a divorce and career uncertainty she finds out some news that drives her further into despair. A trip home to Scotland sends her on a mission to France to recover some of her beloved grandmother's belongings from an old friend, Allegra, whom Maggie has never met.

The story then switches to the 1960s and the story is told from Allegra's point of view. She has been sent to Paris by her wealthy but distant parents to get rid of the trouble she has caused them. Allegra meets some wonderful friends and learns how to delve into the beautiful world of art, which sets her on a course to change her life.

This is the perfect holiday read, preferably somewhere on the Riviera with a glass of champagne in your hand! I really enjoyed both timelines. Believable characters, a plot with a few twists and a satisfying ending - what more does one require? Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars from me

Absolutely loved this latest from Helen McGinn it’s the perfect holiday and escapist read!! Set in two timelines of Paris in the early 1960’s and now in London, northern England and Cannes, with a bit of New York in between!!
Maggie’s life is not looking great as she finishes up one job as a tv producer and finds out some devastating news from her ex-husband. Whilst staying with her parents in rural northern England, her mum asks her to see an old family friend in France.
Is this the escape that’s needed or should she carry on in a life she’s not enjoying?!
Great storylines, fabulous characters, cities, country, vineyards, life and love!! It’s all here with some great references to history art culture and of course wine!!
This is a deliciously gorgeous read!!
Hugely recommended and thoroughly enjoyed!!
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the early read, I loved it!!

"Under a Riviera Moon" is the second escapist, romantic read from Helen McGinn. This one covers the worlds of art and wine-making, with references to the Paris riots in the early 60s about the Algerian crisis. Students Elizabeth and Allegra meet in Paris and become instant friends, spending much of their free time together, and with their boyfriends. Sixty years later Maggie meets Allegra and finds out about the exciting time her grandmother (Elizabeth) spent in Paris and all about Allegra's amazing life.

This is a wonderful, heart-warming novel, with great locations and characters.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed Under a Riviera Moon by Helen McGinn—it's the kind of book that whisks you away to sun-soaked destinations while weaving together past and present. I loved following Maggie as she uncovered the secrets of her grandmother’s glamorous life in 1960s Paris. The mix of romance, nostalgia, and self-discovery kept me hooked, and Allegra’s stories added such a beautiful depth to the novel. While some parts felt a little predictable, the rich setting and heartfelt moments made up for it. A solid 4-star read—perfect if you’re looking for an escapist, feel-good story!

Maggie is sent to Cannes by her mother, meets her grandmother's closest friend Allegra and learns of their past lives in Paris as young women. A fascinating story, well written with relatable characters. Perfect holiday/wet weather reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Maggie is still grieving her failed marriage to Jack, her inability to have children and her loneliness in a stressful job as TV producer that she isn't sure she likes anymore. Her father has dementia and her mother asks her to go to Cannes to visit Allegra, an old American friend of her grandmother Elizabeth. They both lived in Paris together for a year in 1961 and now Allegra wants to hand over some old photos. Maggie is intrigued and wangles time off with alarming ease for such a high-pressured job.

This is the framework for flashbacks to Allegra's story which is engrossing, and while there are two timelines and POVs, it feels like Allegra's story is way more interesting and rightly gets more exposition. Maggie's emotional troubles and her romance are almost an afterthought, but that is okay.

The Swinging Sixties in Paris, an art gallery in New York and then retirement in the Riviera - Allegra has had a full life and even though her first love didn't work out, she had a good long marriage to a good guy. That father of hers though - yikes.

What a lovely book this is. The characters and plot are interesting, the setting of Southern France is jealousy-enducing and the food is mouth-watering. This is well-written and reads easily. I just wish we've had heard more of Elizabeth's life - did we ever find out what happened to Luc? I'm glad there is a healing process for Maggie, kick-started when she realises that other lives are available and she can reinvent herself.

This is a wonderful holiday read that reminds you that if life doesn't go as planned you can still make the most of what you've got, with bells on (and a gorgeous cover). Recommended.

4.25 stars