This book was a great read. It's told in multi POVs It had me gripped from pretty early on. I did find some of it slightly predictable but there were also parts I wasn't expecting, especially the ending!
Most of the characters were likeable, but then two I really hated from the start of first reading their characters parts.
The book was very descriptive so we get a good picture of the surroundings which I liked.
This book was a great standalone by Simon McCleave so I recommend it!

An enjoyable standalone read from Simon McCleave. Set in glorious Provence the book relates the story of a group of women celebrating a 50th birthday. They have been friends for years but still find plenty to fall out about usually concerning Darcie the self centered social media influencer in the group. Darcie has a stalker and an alcoholic, sex pest, actor husband on the verge of being outed and cancelled by the press. All these characters are written really well by the author and I felt it was easy to empathize with some and dislike others. The story line I felt was a bit weak in places but it held my interest even though I did guess who the stalker was and what the ending would be. Not quite up to some of the author's other books but an easy and interesting read all the same.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Five friends are flying to Provence to celebrate Steph’s Birthday. Friends who have been together through their single days, marriages, births of children and sadly divorces. But nothing could prepare them for this weekend of reminiscing, laughing, drinking and death. Five have arrived,
but only four will be going home. A psychological tense thriller with a shocking ending. This was an excellent book and I appreciate receiving the EArc from Netgalley and Storm Publishing for free and I have voluntarily written this review.

🌿 Book Review: Five Days in Provence by Simon McCleave 🌿

This psychological thriller sets the stage beautifully: five lifelong friends, a dreamy farmhouse in Provence, and what should be the perfect birthday getaway. But things quickly unravel when a hike through the lavender fields turns deadly—and one of them doesn’t make it back.

I liked this book overall. The setting was atmospheric, and the tension among the group was well-drawn as secrets began to surface. McCleave did a solid job keeping me guessing—I genuinely didn’t know who the killer was until the final reveal, which definitely kept me turning the pages.

That said, I didn’t love it. The story held my attention, but at times it felt like it meandered a bit. I found myself wishing it had been a little tighter—some of the buildup could have been more concise to keep the momentum strong throughout.

If you enjoy slow-burning thrillers with a scenic backdrop and twists that keep you guessing, this one’s worth a read. Just don’t expect it to hit the same high notes as some of the genre’s best.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Celebrating someone’s birthday five friends head off to Provence for some fun and celebration.. Steph planned the perfect celebration and her friends were all for it. Hang around the pool, drinking wine and climbing up Mount .Ventoux. Everything’s going fine until it came to the hike up the mountain. There were fires that were causing smoke and the visibility was terrible. Now Steph and her friends have been having a few arguments here and there. When it came to Darcie there was more trouble in her life than she cared to share. So off they went on this hike. Everything was fine until the smoke got too intense. With separated and once the smoke cleared one friend was left dead. Who was it? Why would they wanna kill this woman while she was celebrating her friends birthday? There were some twists and I was a little blown away by the ending. Enjoy this.

I like that there was a strong friendship between these women. Yet there was some turmoil between them. It was a little hard to get to like them at first each had a story to tell within a story. Once you’ve gotten to know them, I sometimes wanted how any of them could be friends. Someone was always fighting with someone which could be annoying. I like the mystery behind it because I didn’t realize what would happen at the end of the book. I gave it a 3 1/2 because I liked the story I liked the characters and the twist and turns. I must say it made me think about hiking up a mountain because you really don’t know what is going to happen and who might happen to me.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm for the ARC. I would totally read another novel by this author and I’d recommend this one to my fellow readers.

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