Another enjoyable read from Carol Drinkwater.

Celia and Dominic are living the dream, running the vineyard her parents developed in their retirement. Life in the South of France is hard work, but it has its rewards and life is good.

However, one summer, as they prepare to celebrate their wines and life together, Celia receives a phone call from her past that kicks off a summer of emotional and physical storms. Will things ever be the same again?

A beautifully written novel, with great characters, all who have interesting backstories. I really enjoyed reading this on holiday and definitely felt transported to the beauty and wonder of Provence.

Add it to your summer reading list.

I have been aware of Carol Drinkwater more as an actress than an author. In the early years of this century I read and throughly enjoyed her autobiographies about life on her olive farm in the south of France. Despite the fact that she is also a prolific fiction author this is only the second novel of hers that I have read.

‘One Summer in Provence’ is a family saga set in France where married couple Celia and Dominic run a vineyard. Celia is planning the estates annual summer party and things don’t quite go as Celia hoped due to some hidden secrets emerging.

I read this while relaxing in the shade during the recent gorgeous summer weather and was transported to the South of France. If you are looking a gentle summer read but one with depth, then this is for you.

With thanks to NetGalley, Corvus and Carol Drinkwater for the opportunity to read and review.

This book is a powerful story of family, love, relationships and friends and the secrets woven throughout them. The story is based around Celia and Dominic who live in an old French Manor house set amongst acres of vineyards. When their lives appear to be comfortable and settled, fate decides to intervene and old secrets and sadness are brought out into the open.
This is an emotional book although I did find it a little slow and repetitive at times. A good read if you can stick with it.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'One Summer In Provence' by Carol Drinkwater

An absolute stunner from the extremely talented Carol!!! An absolute beauty that will whisk you away to Provence at the turn of a page! Well done Carol on an absolutely beautiful and perfect read!! This is the ideal read to curl up on the sofa under a blanket with or relax on the beach while enjoying the sunshine as regardless of where you read it Carol will whisk you away with Celia into France

Where have you been hiding all my life Carol??? I am absolutely mind blown that only now I have discovered your gorgeous stories and I am so glad I have rectified the fact that I hadn't before now as I cannot wait to get whisked away in your other storylines both past and future! This utterly gorgeous escapism is not only unique and refreshing but has a storyline ram packed with stunning settings, family, secrets, drama, second chances, courage, forgiveness and so, so much more!! I mean, seriously, what are you waiting for? Don't waste your time reading my review and start reading this beauty instead!!! Carol's exquisite and gorgeous evocative and emotive writing skills and descriptions ensures that the reader can see the beautiful surroundings, feel everything that the characters are and smell the fresh Provence air surrounding them. It is a longer book at 493 pages but please do not let the length put you off if you do not normally read longer books as it is worth every moment reading and by the end you will be left needing more like Carol just like I have been. Carol takes her readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride of emotions leaving them feeling frustrated one moment, smiling the next, laughing one page and heartbroken in another. Carol truly has created a beautiful storyline that I loved getting completely lost in. If you are looking for a gorgeous read then grab this beautiful page turner and I can promise that you will not regret it!! There was so many times I attempted to get on with some housework but then realised there was no point as I just could not put it down and ended up devouring it in one day, and I don't normally read larger books which says something! I was walking around with my kindle glued to my hands!! The storyline is realistic, unique and beautiful and Carol's stunning evocative writing skills suck you deep into the book ensuring you can hear the character's voices, see the surroundings and the storyline come to life. I became so invested in this book that it actually felt like I was in Provence and I absolutely dreaded coming to the end again where I had to unpack my suitcase and get back to reality. I have never actually been there in my life yet thanks to Carol's descriptions it felt like I had by the time I had finished this book. It was an absolutely compelling, immersive and addictive heart lifting read that kept me turning the pages until late at night. I loved discovering the pasts and histories of the characters and I was absolutely swept away in the story line. The characters and locations came to life around me and I cannot wait to read the next book by this absolutely incredible author. It has everything you could ask for to lose yourself for several hours I just could not put it down so make sure you clear your schedules!!!! This book would make a beautiful movie!! An absolutely gorgeous, cute and addictive read that you will fall in love with!!

Do not turn a single page of this book until you have cleared your schedules and when you do get ready to go on a stunning holiday you will not want to leave!! Also, make sure you have the tissues at the ready before you get on this emotional rollercoaster ride!

I became completely invested in the characters, along with the storyline, who were all absolutely fantastic with their own individual personalities and quirks. They all started feeling like friends so quickly and I felt like I was leaving amazing people and friends and feel quite sad about that! Each of the characters have rich personalities and they will all stay with me for a long time. Carol's fantastic evocative writing skills ensure each and every one of them come to life in front of your eyes while you go through all their emotions with them. I was completely rooting for Celia throughout this beautiful page turner and felt sad to say Goodbye. To meet Celia and the rest of the characters and go on a beautiful journey to Provence then you'll just have to grab your copy today!!!

Congratulations Carol on an absolutely gorgeous success!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite author club and here is to your next success 🥂 !!!

Overall this is a perfect, stunning, page turning escapism with a great gang of characters that will sweep you away from the very first page to the end by the extremely talented Carol Drinkwater!

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Celia Gray has been married to playwright Dominic for many years. She is stepmother to his children. A few years ago he had written a play with a major part for Celia but it was not a success and it finished her career as an actress and nearly their marriage at the same time. They had to sell up in London and move to the vineyard Celia had inherited from her parents in Provence.

Dominic is still writing as well as managing the vineyard and they are about to host a big party for customers to sell them the new vintage wine. Celia is contacted by her son, David, who she gave up for adoption at birth. She has kept him a secret from Dominic but now realises she has to find a way to tell him about David as she has invited him to fly out for the party. Celia knows barely anything about David and is taken aback when he arrives with a young woman in tow, his ex wife’s daughter.

"One Summer in Provence" is the story of Celia and Dominic, a mature couple who seem to have it all. They live on a wine estate in the south of France, close to the Riviera. Celia is planning their annual summer party, and appears to be pulling out all the stops. However, the reality is that they are struggling financially and reliant on the next harvest. There is a wonderful ensemble cast of characters, secrets appear from various people's pasts and the weather has a dramatic impact.

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

oh i wanted to soak up the cover and continue to soak up the places Carol took me to with her descriptions. from the very first time i saw this book i was like "oh can i be the woman on the cover". and from there i just felt like i was totally immersed into this story. almost like i was wondering amongst them watching it. but somehow so much more because of course we go so much deeper than just a eye witness view on people here. we are truly learning their story.
its a family saga and they are my ultimate faves. the longer the better when you get a good one. this book also has the advantage of having its location set in Provence. this is where we meet Celia and her husband Dominic. they run a vineyard but there is more than grapes growing amongst the vines, their are secrets too. for Celia one such secret is about to come walking through the doors. and just how will her husband take this arrival , and arrival of someone he knew nothing of until now. and is this quite who Celia herself thinks is coming to meet her/ them. and who is the woman alongside sad surprise arrival. is what happens next going to change their lives forever. and just how will it all play out in the end. i bet you dont guess. i bet you will love the end as much as i did.

Not sure how to review this. A very intense read set in a chateau in France. It drew you in. Follow a mature couple who both had secrets. You have no idea how the story will go and I did not see the twists . Loved it. Good ending. Have a glass of wine with you to read it or the equivalent .

I absolutely loved this book. It was really well written and the characters and the setting drew me in immediately. A real family saga set in Provence, where Celia has settled with her husband Dominic running a vineyard. Things aren't quite what they seem and Celia has a past which she hasn't shared and one which comes home to roost. The author captures the emotions and dynamics of the family and other characters beautifully.. The ending wasn't what I was expecting at all and was a refreshing twist to an already engaging book.
Highly recommend.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. Although I found this book quite slow-going, with suspense built that didn't really go anywhere, I was still engaged throughout. The scenery was vivid and I enjoyed the setting and the storyline, and the final twist was a fantastic reveal.

This is a feel good summery read that whisked me away to the south of France. Celia is married to Dominic and they have the perfect life living in the south of France, when she arranges a big party, this is going to be epic but many years ago she gave up her new born son and now there is someone who says he is her son but is he? Celia decides to invite him to their party but a woman turns up with him who is she? will Celia and her husband's life going to be the same again? It was a good solid story to follow along with, with relatable characters, and I found it a light easy read. Perfect for the summer.