I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, delightful, cozy wonderful book! I loved it from start to finish!

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and author Gillian Harvey for this eARC

A lighthearted, hopeful contemporary romance about finding your place and your happiness.

The Village Cafe in the Loire was a very cute, lighthearted read. I thoroughly enjoyed the quirky side characters and the cozy small town setting.
I wish we would've dove a bit deeper into Beckys relationship with her mom, but I'm happy about the resolve we got with Amber.

Perfect for warm summer days relaxing and reading in the sun.

Becky has been told to take a break, for 30 days she must stay away from her job. All this started when she inherited the cafe from a great-aunt ant it has been nothing but trouble. Becky starts out completely self-centered but I love how she comes to be such a wonderful character; it was fun to watch her grow and learn. This was a delightful read and I would recommend this to anyone needing a feel good pick me up.

When Becky gets signed off work with burnout, she decides to got to France and hopefully speed up the sale on a cafe she has inherited from her estranged aunt, much to the disapproval of her overbearing workaholic mum. Will it be s easy as she hopes to sell the cafe of will the lodger in the adjoining flat cause problems.
This was a cute read and loved story the little twist.

This was an enjoyable read.
Becky is the main character who has inherited a cafe in France.
It was good to watch Becky grow from caring about nothing but scaling the career ladder to learning there are other things in life. Maybe just something better.
The supporting characters are interesting and a good match for Becky.
This was a quick read and I flew through it. Although it is a light read it makes you think.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

In this charming new romance novel set in the beautiful Loire region of France, readers follow burnt out denier Becky Thorne as she is forced to take a leave of absence from her intense London job much to her intense mother’s displeasure. Having inherited a cafe in the Loire from an estranged great-aunt, Becky decides to visit the location and force the tenant to move out so she can sell the business and get back to her London life as soon as possible. However, the tenant and aspiring author Pascale is not who Becky planned to deal with, and he opposes her plans to change and sell the cafe, so Becky ends up spending more time in the village discovering its charms and secrets than she planned. Packed with fantastic details and absolutely charming, readers will love the beautiful setting and enemies-to-lovers aspect of the story. The characters are well-written and totally opposite of each other, but their chemistry is undeniable and entertaining. Their interactions and relationships with other characters add great depth to their respective character arcs, and the depth of detail in the characters’ backstories really adds dimension to the larger narrative in this entertaining and fun new romance novel.

When Becky is signed off work with burnout, she can't believe it - she doesn't have time to be ill! Add to that, she has inherited a caffe in the Loire from her great aunt, but can't sell it as there is a tenant living there. As she is signed off, Becky decides to head to France and convince the tenant to leave. But when she arrives, she meets the tenant - and the villagers - and her plans start to take a turn. Can she win over the villagers and sort her life out?

This had all the elements of a lovely cosy story - girl in trouble, heads to foreign country, meets stranger, falls in love with the charming village, etc. However I could not get past the way that Becky treated her best friend, Amber, who clearly needed Becky's help but who Becky ignored throughout. I don't know if Becky was meant to be an unsympathetic character, but she definitely came across that way! Apart from that, I loved the French village setting and the laid-back Pascale!

Becky escapes to France from a bad situation at work and an overbearing mother who wants to dictate the path of her life. Becky is unsure about what she wants to do but realises that her mother wants the best for her and has plotted her life so that she achieves a lot in her career. She expects her trip to France to be over in a flash but as she discovers, life in the Loire region goes at a slower pace to London and there seems to be all sorts of complications.

Becky's relationships with both her family and her friends seem to be the most interesting part of this story. Becky seems dependent on others but can come across as self-obsessed, not really taking into account others' needs. Running the cafe opens her eyes to what she is capable of and reminds her that she has a streak of creativity which has been ignored for too long. There is a mystery at the heart of life in the village which Becky is slow to pick up on but together with a slow burn romance, makes for a warm and inviting read.

In short: starting over

The Village Café In The Loire has been a lovely introduction for me to the writing of author Gillian Harvey. Set mostly in the gorgeous Loire Valley village of Vaudrelle with brief visits to London for contrast, the imagery made me feel as though I was there watching events take place.
As the story opens, Becky, our heroine, is being informed that she is to take a month’s enfor ced leave from her hih-stress job as an advertising executive. She’s clearly burned out and in need of the break. Self-centred, she didn’t entirely endear herself to me at first, though after deciding to visit the Loire cafè she’s inherited from her aunt and which she wants to sell to fund her purc hase of a London flat, she begins to see that there’s more to the world than her.
I loved watching Becky slowly immerse herself in village life after meeting Pascal, the tenant who refuses to vacate the cafè so she can sell it. I also loved watching these two grow more and more fond of each other as she unwound and learned to appreciate life in a slower lane. While their romance is secondary to the overall story, it does contribute. That said, I found the romance a little unrealistic. One minute they were sharing their first kiss and the next they woke up in bed together. It all seemed a bit abrupt. If you overlook that, the romance is sweet.
This is a story of self-discovery and personal growth, a story of community and inclusiveness and a thoroughly delightful read. With central themes around family, relationshiops, stress and what it means to be successful, it is also a thoughtful book that raises interesting questions about the importance of these things in shaping our lives.

This book is a cozy, delightful read set in a charming village in France. It begins with Becky hitting burnout after a stressful episode in her career, when an unexpected inheritance from her great-aunt sends her to the picturesque Loire Valley—and into a whole new life she never planned. The village café she now owns comes with a grumpy yet magnetic tenant, Pascale, and as Becky settles into her new surroundings, she begins to rediscover herself and rethink what success truly means.

The characters are well-developed, reflecting real-life struggles and emotions, which makes the story feel authentic. The slow-burn romance between the two main characters is heartwarming, and the setting radiates enough cozy vibes to make the reading experience wonderfully relaxing.

This book is perfect for fans of feel-good escapist fiction, small-town charm, and slow-burn romance.

This was my first time reading Gillian Harvey, and I absolutely enjoyed The Village Cafe in the Loire. It’s a charming, feel good story full of warmth, friendship, and the kind of small town community spirit that makes you wish you could visit for real.

I loved the beautiful setting along the Loire River—it’s vividly described and really brought the story to life. The characters felt genuine and relatable, and the story’s gentle pace made it a perfect escape.

I look forward to reading more from Gillian Harvey.

❤️ WoW ❤️ The Village Cafe in the Loire by Gillian Harvey was the most beautifully written book from start to finish and I just fell in love with this book from the very beginning and ended up reading it all day. ❤️ WoW ❤️ Gillian wrote this book from the heart from start to finish and it will steel your heart especially as it is so addictive.

I loved the main character, Becky Thorne she is a high-flyer and works hard in her job, she loves but now she has been told by her Doctor she is burn't out! and has been sign off sick for 1 month!
"1 month I hear you say and it is paid sick leave!!!!" As you can imagine Becky is not happy! especially as her life is so hectic and it has been a bit chaotic lately, But, when she tells her mother, she is not happy at all and Tells her to go back to work! Becky is better than this. The word Burn't out is not in her mothers dictionary!!!

Becky gets a big surprise, she has inherited a café in the Loire from an estranged great-aunt, but, she has a sitting tenant who refuses to budge. This cafe and the village holds lots of secrets about her past and holidays she had with her parents when she was a child. Now, this is a perfect time to go to France and see what she has inherited.

When, she finally goes to Loire and see's her café she has been left, Plus, to sort out the sitting tenant. as Becky wants to to sale the café, she wants to get back to her job as soon as possible and climb the career ladder where she works.
But, when she gets there she gets a big surprise, she is greeted by a six feet of tall, dark, handsome and extremely grumpy man called Pascale. Pascale also works at the café and is set on his ways especially as he does not like change!
Becky, still wants to sell and starts to renovate the little café.

Becky’s path to success is still planned out for her. But the Loire has a magic force and it is slowly pulling her in.............

Now..........Does Becky go back to her old life she thought that made her happy? and purchase her dream apartment she loves with the sale of the cafe?

Or does Becky stay in Loire and run the cafe.....this is carefree life and you never know she may find someone to share her life with?

But, Becky is missing someone in her life........... she is missing her best friend from childhood Amber and they do everything together.

❤️ I highly recommend this wonderful book ❤️

The Village Cafe in the Loire, just took my breath away especially as I have visited many French Cafes whilst in France and this cafe is so like the one's I have visited and drank coffee and ate pastries in. Perfect.

The Village Cafe in the Loire is a charming summer read about Becky, a woman suffering from intense burnout. A meltdown at work leads to a month at the cafe in France that was her aunt's favorite place in the world. Early on, it's tough to like Becky, but as she spends time in France, her story arc makes her so much more likeable. I'd love to escape to a French cafe for a month to recover from my stress-induced eye twitch! Although Becky finds romantic sparks in France, the real love story of the book is her relationship with her best friend. (It's giving major "Meredith & Christina" vibes if you've ever watched Grey's Anatomy.)

Upon arriving in France, Becky quickly realises that selling the café will be far more complicated than she anticipated. Not only does she face the challenge of a stubborn tenant who refuses to vacate the premises, but her great aunt's will also contains a stipulation that complicates matters further: before she can consider selling. Initially brimming with ambitious plans to revitalise the establishment, Becky soon finds herself entangled in a web of unexpected confrontations and personal revelations.

I liked the blurb, title and the cover. And it started on an interesting note but then it gets very repetitive. They are discussing the same thing until Becky leaves for France, that is the third chapter.

Also, it's kind of misleading. The blurb says, ‘What she doesn’t count on is the tenant being Pascale, who is six feet tall, dark, handsome and extremely grumpy about her plans for change.’
However, Pascal is not at all grumpy (not sure about him being tall, dark, handsome). In fact, he appeared to be so friendly and understanding that I thought he was a random character and the cranky Pascale would appear from somewhere.
Becky is annoying and pretentious for sure. Plus, there was nothing interesting about their first meeting and conversation. I lost my interest by the 6th chapter.

Becky’s mother uses quirky alternatives for ‘nonsense’ —Balderdash!
Claptrap!
Codswallop!
Pish posh!
That was interesting.

Thank you for the copy. Sorry it didn't work for me.

Her five and ten year plans didn't include a break
Even if it is one a doctor insists she'll take
For Becky she's really not sure how it can be true
Signed off for burnout, what should she now do?

An unexpected inheritance had added to her stress
Owning a village café with a tenant- she couldn't need less!
So with a month of not working on the agenda now
She'll go to France to sort it out somehow.

Becky's Mother is against ever going there again
And doesn't think Becky is ill and just wants to complain.
Reaching the village brings back memories galore
Maybe she should stay to explore some more?

A story where health scares cause further drama it seems
Giving time to reevaluate life plans and dreams.
Maybe having everything planned isn't the way to go?
But until she's tried it, how can Becky know?

With new friendships, new plans and lots more besides
Where will Becky finally decide she resides?
There are unexpected revelations and secrets, too,
In this brilliant read, I highly recommend to you.

For my copy of this book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

The Village Café in the Loire by Gillian Harvey

Becky Thorne feels the relentless pressure of her ambitious career, unable to afford even a moment of respite. As she navigates the corporate ladder in her fast-paced life, the constant meddling of her mother only fuels her determination to succeed. However, the unexpected inheritance of a quaint café from her Great Aunt in the serene Loire Valley nudges her towards a much-needed escape.

Upon arriving in France, Becky quickly realises that selling the café will be far more complicated than she anticipated. Not only does she face the challenge of a stubborn tenant who refuses to vacate the premises, but her great aunt's will also contains a stipulation that complicates matters further: before she can consider selling. Initially brimming with ambitious plans to revitalise the establishment, Becky soon finds herself entangled in a web of unexpected confrontations and personal revelations.

As she clashes with the charismatic yet enigmatic writer Pascale, who occupies the café, Becky is forced to confront the walls she has built around her heart. Her journey to reclaim her familial legacy becomes intertwined with her struggle to reconnect with the parts of her life that she has neglected, especially her friendship with Amber. Throughout the early chapters, Becky is portrayed as somewhat self-absorbed, often disregarding Amber's own struggles and advice. She bulldozes into the tranquil village, making hasty decisions about the café without fully grasping the intricacies of the local culture or the needs of its people.

As Becky navigates her relationship with Pascale and reflects on her past choices, she begins to grasp the weight of her responsibilities—not just to her career but to the relationships she has taken for granted. The journey through the picturesque yet challenging landscape of the Loire serves as a backdrop for her awakening to the importance of balance in life, friendship, and self-discovery.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the free arc.
Gillian Harvey's "The Village Cafe in the Loire" is a delightful and heartwarming novel that transports readers straight to the picturesque French countryside. This charming story is a perfect blend of romance, community, and the irresistible allure of a fresh start.

The narrative centers on a protagonist seeking a new beginning, who finds herself immersed in the challenges and charms of running a local cafe in a small Loire Valley village. Harvey skillfully captures the essence of French village life, from its quirky residents to its delicious culinary traditions, making the setting feel like a character in itself. The prose is engaging and light, filled with a gentle humor that makes for an easy and enjoyable read.

Themes of self-discovery, embracing change, and finding belonging in unexpected places are woven throughout the story. "The Village Cafe in the Loire" is an ideal escape for anyone dreaming of French adventures, good food, and a feel-good tale that celebrates the simple pleasures of life and the power of community. It's a truly charming read that leaves you with a warm glow.

what a fab read!! this was such a heart warming story of finding your way and your happiness, a story of friends and families and dreams
a real cozy book to get lost in

I have to say Harvey writes the most wonderful books and they're always an absolute delight to read.

Her stories are always set in France, an area she knows only too well...she did live there for fourteen years after all.

I was so envious of Becky when she inherited the café...I have aspirations of a book café, and to be set in the Loire too, that would be idylls!

It's a thoroughly enjoyable heartwarming story full of hope and happiness.

The characters are charming. I even found Pascal became endearing after a while.

Perfect summer reading.