This book had all the potential in the world to be a banger, but, it was slow and i simply couldn’t get behind these women. Maybe because it is a story of women all written by a man idk! It wasn’t for me!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishing team for this ARC!

This was a dud for me. The characters were totally insufferable. The twists were predictable, I figured them out very early on. The dialog between the petty, snarky, narcissistic women gave me major cringe, especially knowing it was written by a man. "Little girlie gang" to describe a group of 50-year-old women almost had me DNFing, and honestly I wish I had...

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for the ARC.

Five friends meet for a journey to celebrate the 50th birthday of one of their number. Steph, the organiser and birthday girl, has booked a beautiful getaway to France for them to enjoy together.

But what they aren't aware of is just how much emotional baggage and dangerous secrets some of them are bringing on the trip. Not to mention, the price that they will all be paying for that excess baggage...

In this story, Simon McCleave takes the tired trope of a reunion among friends and does a remarkable job of delivering a gripping and well crafted story with some very unexpected twists, even for experienced thriller readers. This one is not to be missed! It gets 4.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of Five Days in Provence. The cover is captivating, just beautiful. I was confused in the beginning when trying to get to know the characters. Honestly I struggled with the story a bit but then something changed and I couldn’t wait to find out who did it!!! If you stick with it even at the slow parts, you will be happy you did. The ending was a Twist but also very sad. It turned out to be a book I would recommend.

A nice easy summer read set in Provence. Five friends celebrating Steph's 50th birthday. The beginning of the book gives us an idea of what happens. Put it this way, only four return from the trip. I liked Simons writing style as it kept me absorbed throughout. I did get an inkling as to how it would end but there are also some twists on the way. A great beach read for the summer.

3.5⭐️
Five Days in Provence by Simon McCleave
I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC, set to be published on June 27, 2025.
"Five Days in Provence" is an enjoyable slow-burn read that delves into the intricacies of its characters and the drama surrounding them. The narrative takes its time in developing the characters and revealing the emotional baggage they carry, which adds depth to the story. For readers in search of a mystery filled with drama and unexpected bombshells, this book offers a compelling experience.
Overall, McCleave has crafted a narrative that keeps readers engaged, making it perfect for anyone looking for a rich and intricate mystery.

Five Days in Provence is a tense, twisty thriller that pulled me in right away. What starts as a relaxing birthday getaway in a beautiful Provence farmhouse quickly turns deadly when one of the five friends doesn’t come back from a hike and suspicion starts to grow.

It’s fast-paced, packed with secrets, and full of characters you’re not sure you can trust (especially Darcie who’s brilliantly awful). A great holiday read that keeps you guessing.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC!

The second psychological thriller from Simon Mccleave. This one is about a group of women who go to Provence to celebrate a 50th birthday. We follow the ladies as they celebrate and enjoy the surroundings, when someone suddenly dies. The characters are enjoyable and annoying in equal measure. Just when you think that you know what's happening something changes. The final outcome was unexpected. I found this book enjoyable to read. Another corker from Mr Mccleave. With thanks to the author, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to sample this book.

This was a chilling read, five friends go on holiday together to France, they are looking forward to it, but all is not as it seems. One has a stalker back in the UK, when one ends up dead up a mountain and a phone call later, they know the stalker is here in France. It’s an intense read, that’s written in chapters written by each of the friends, I liked that it gave perspective from each of the characters. Liked the plot and the twist at the end. Very well written, a fantastic 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

The pitfalls of Social Media and the illusion of a perfect life and a perfect lie.

How easily we get sucked down a path we didn't think we would ever be on. Five lifelong friends. Celebrating birthdays and milestones together. Secrets. Secrets can tear you up and create walls where none should be.

The mystery was okay. The murder is in the beginning with some suspense, but you can easily get the gist of the story and where it's heading.

An enjoyable read with plenty of details and atmosphere but some of the twists in the tale were easy to guess, making it a little less exciting to read the reveals.

5 close friends gather in Provence for the perfect birthday celebration, but all is not well in paradise and resentments and secrets are spoiling the perfection. Throw in a stalker and wildfires and you have a great suspenseful novel.

This book was so good and I thought I had things figured out with one character and the author took it a way I never would’ve expected. Great plot twist and lots of action. It was entertaining the entire read and I finished it within a few hours. Definitely recommend!

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

This had all the makings of a compelling thriller: a group of lifelong friends, a stunning Provencal setting and a murder that shatters their seemingly perfect reunion. The atmosphere was rich and immersive and the simmering tension among the characters hinted at deeper secrets waiting to explode. But the story never quite lived up to its potential. The pacing was uneven and the twists were predictable and underwhelming. The final reveal aimed to shock, but it didn’t work out. Not a bad book by any means… I was left wishing for more depth, more suspense, and a stronger emotional punch.

𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 : ★★.75

Thank you to Simon McCleave, Storm Publishing & NetGalley for my e-ARC copy.

𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚 : 27 june 2025

Another great read from Simon McCleave five friends go on holiday for a 50th birthday. Abi, Darcie, Katie, Ruby, and Steph they have all been friends for years unfortuntely not all of them will make it alive.
Looking forward to next thank you for advanced copy.

Five longtime friends travel to Provence to celebrate Steph’s 50th Birthday. They rent a luxury farmhouse where Steph’s has planned the getaway to party hard and then hike up Mont Ventoux. The girls have known each other for most thirty years since their Oxford days and now in their 50’s. Darcie is a local influencer and spends her day posting on Instagram her daily life. She has a stalker where an incident that the stalker had a knife at her throat. So, the time away with her friends are much needed but neither of the girls’ relationships are not plain sailing and tensions arise between them.
The next day the girls hike up Mont Ventoux, when local wildfires start some of the girls get separated and the consequences. One ends up dead.
I have read some of the authors Anglesey series which I really enjoyed. So, I was looking for forwarding this. This is a completely different style of writing from the author that I am used to. I did enjoy the premise of this thriller, and I kept reading this in a day. But unfortunately, I didn’t think that the characters were very likeable. Especially Darcie who I thought was quite obnoxious. 4 stars from me.

This one was a rollercoaster and was a very enjoyable read. It was a little more predictable than I like but nonetheless I still enjoyed the read. I do love destination type reads. It was well written and the characters were good.

The book was enjoyable and I liked the ending. I do have to say though that it seemed more so that the main characters were in their teens-early twenties rather than in their 50’s. All in all it was a good book, but I think it could have been a little bit of a better “thriller” story line and not focusing so much on the main characters.

A quick whodunnit read that would be perfect for a vacation read. The pacing was quick but manageable and I was able to get through it in just a few hours. Has some twists and turns - some of which I guessed early one and one that I didn't see coming at all. It's my first read by this author and I'll likely check out more of their works. Would rate a 3.5/5 stars. Enjoyable but likely won't pick it back up.