Gillian Harvey's 'The Village Cafe in the Loire' is a sweet and uplifting journey to the French countryside. The novel tracks high-flying London executive Becky Thorne, who, during a mandatory leave due to burnout, finds herself inheriting a café in a small village in the Loire from a distant great-aunt. Her intention is to sell the house quickly and resume her high-powered career track.

But soon a surly but irresistibly good-looking tenant, Pascal, and the irrepressible charm of French village life start to disrupt Becky's neatly planned future. The author skillfully depicts Becky's development from a go-getting, not especially likable heroine to a more self-knowledgeable and empathetic person. The novel exquisitely evokes the colors, sounds, and smells of the Loire, so it is an even more engaging read.

Although some may find Becky a frustration at first, her development over the course of the story is engaging. 'The Village Cafe in the Loire' is a charming mixture of romance, self-discovery, and the temptation of a more relaxed way of life, ideal for anybody wanting an inspiring and evocative holiday read.

This is a beautiful read which I enjoyed every page. I thought the main character was so easy to love. The location of this was perfect. Such a well written book.

A fun undemanding read! Great for holiday reading or if you need something that’s easy and flowing!!
Becky Thorne is burnt out from a very stressful demanding job in advertising in London but doesn’t know how burnt out! Her work enforces a month off with their doctor!
Her great aunt Maud has left her a cafe in a village in the heart of the countryside in France with a sitting tenant. There is nothing else to do but go to France and sort out this tenant and sell the cafe so she can get back to work. However nothing is as it seems at first!
This is a lovely cosy easy read, it’s a familiar storyline which I’m sure I’ve read with slightly different outcomes, it’s a bit predictable, however I always really enjoy Gillian Harvey’s books and have enjoyed this one too!
Love the French culture and life, this isn’t too deep and meaningful, it’s like a holiday, fun and relaxing!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the read for review, just what I needed to read after a stressful few weeks.

I loved this book so much, Becky's character had me laughing out loud one minute and in tears the next. A feel good story that sets out to show that you never know what is round the corner for you and some things should be grabbed with open arms. Oh and the cakes made my mouth water!
Brilliant book.

Becky is a challenging character to like. She is driven to the point of obsession and refuses to hear anyone's viewpoint. It is this intransegence that has contributed to her health crisis and why she faces compulsory medical leave from her executive career. The reasons behind her ambition become clear when you meet her mother. Friendship and work-life balance are key elements of this story. Becky receives an unexpected legacy: a rural café in the Loire. Initially, she wants to sell it to fund her perfect home, but when she goes to France, her dreams change. The café, village, and rural way of life are a welcome contrast to Becky's pressurised existence in London. Becky is more insightful and understanding after her time in France, which makes her a character to invest in. I appreciate the dynamic of her friendship relationship, which is increasingly positive as Becky's self-awareness and compassion grow. I love the chemistry and gentle romance between Becky and Pascal. It's a lovely, uplifting story set in an evocative setting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Becky has a high flying job in advertising but is so stressed that she throws her laptop across the office narrowly missing a fellow worker. The doctor puts Becky on one months enforced leave and this stresses her out even more.

One of the things that was stressing Becky was that she had inherited a cafe in a small village in rural France left to her by her great aunt Maud. One condition of inheriting this cafe is that she has to stay in it for one month before she can sell it. Becky needs the money from selling the cafe to buy the flat of her dreams in London.

This was a really nice story. Becky and her best friend Amber have a great relationship until Becky makes it all about her and seems to be uninterested in Amber's life. A feel good story about what really matters in life and how to get off the treadmill.
I always enjoy books by Gillian Harvey and enjoyed this one too.

When advertising whiz Becky Thorne has a meltdown at work and is signed off on stress leave for a month, she can't believe it. She certainly doesn't believe that her twitching eye and trembling legs are physical signs of stress. What is she going to do for a month? How on earth is she going to tell her driven, successful mother who doesn't believe in poppycock like burn out?

Part of the trigger for her stress is the fact that she has inherited a cafe with an apartment from her Aunt Maud who she hasn't seen in years after there was some kind of family fall out. The cafe is in a small French town called Vaudrelle in the Loire. Becky just wants to get it sold so that she can use the money to buy a fancy new flat in London and get on with her life.

The fact that there is a tenant is causing some problems and so Becky goes to France so that she can get to the bottom of it all, much to her mother's dismay. There she meets the tenant, Pascal. He is a writer who has been keeping the cafe going. He shares a letter with Becky from her Great Aunt Maud, asking her to at least spend a month working at the cafe before she makes any major decisions. Understanding that with French bureaucracy things are going to take time anyway, Becky agrees to stay but she starts renovating the cafe in preparation for when she can sell it.

Thankfully, she has the support of her best friend Amber who she can call on at any time. However, when Amber isn't as available as Becky needs she is somewhat perplexed. Amber always helps her navigate her difficult situations, including her difficult relationship with her mother.

Becky isn't really that nice a person for the first part of the book. She is very self-centred and not a great friend to Amber who keeps on trying to tell Becky that she has issues of her own. She also kind of bulldozes her way into town, making decisions about the cafe before she truly understands the town and it's people.

As you would expect though, taking some time out turns out to be exactly what she needs. She begins to understand who her aunt really was, and what prompted her to move to France all those years ago. She is also reminded that underneath her brittle shell of ambition and drive, there is someone who does appreciate different aspects of life including art and taking things slowly.

It is interesting to see the topic of burnout addressed in fiction. I have taken a few months off of work and whilst I haven't really used the term burnout. there's no doubt that my mental health has improved as a result of taking some time out.

I love Gillian Harvey's books about people making a new start in France. I didn't get the same sense of place that I normally do with this one though. I guess I was thinking that given that the setting was in the Loire Valley there might be a visit to a chateau or two or a mention of the river. I was looking for the Loire that I visited a couple of years ago in the pages.

I loved all of the film and pop culture references that were scattered through the book such as all the quotes from Jerry Maguire. There was also a bit of twist in the second half of the book that was as much of a surprise to me as it was to Becky. I liked how this really helped Becky understand a few things about her family.

Gillian Harvey is an auto-read author for me these days. Her books are always very readable, and this was no exception. I galloped through it in a couple of hours. I am already looking forward to her next book. I do have a couple of her earlier books that I still need to read in the mean time!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and with Paris In July hosted by Words and Peace. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 3.5/5

The Village Café in the Loire by Gillian Harvey

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

High-flyer Becky Thorne cannot believe what she’s being told. She doesn’t need to be signed off for burnout! Life has been a bit chaotic lately, that’s all. As if dealing with her enviable job and permanent meddling from her mother aren’t enough, she’s also inherited a café in the Loire from an estranged great-aunt, complete with sitting tenant who refuses to budge.

But nobody stands in Becky’s way! Ignoring her best friend Amber’s advice, she decides to storm over to France and sort the tenant out. Then she can finally get the café sold and jump back on the career ladder.

What she doesn’t count on is the tenant being Pascale, who is six feet of tall, dark, handsome and extremely grumpy about her plans for change. Not to mention the village and the secrets it holds about her past.

Becky’s path to success is all planned out. But the Loire has a magic she might not be able to resist…

My Opinion

I have read a few books by Gillian Harvey and they have all been delightful. Whilst there are some difficult themes this was a light-hearted read with some great characters. An enjoyable book with a lovely setting – I was hooked from the beginning.

Rating 4/5

Usually I enjoy reading books like this one that are well-written, read easily and faster, and are just simply bright summer reads that transport you to beautiful places while also being easily transportable themselves. “The Village Cafe in the Loire” promises just that: it brings you (together with the main heroine) on a trip to France, offering a respite from the busyness of life (or in main character’s case - burn-out) and a sweet tale of re-imagining one’s self, finding love and purpose.

And yet, I couldn’t fully get into this book. I think mostly the fault is on me - I just simply didn’t vibe with the main character Becky. I understand the author intended to give the character a personal growth arc but the “before” Becky was very annoying. She’s childish, irresponsible, a lot of her action do not align with her words and/ or values, she’s a terrible friend (poor Amber), and tbh her growth didn’t convince me as even after the supposed “turn of the character” she was still a bit neglectful to other people.

I did love Amber’s and Pascal’s characters though. They seemed to be written as actual adults, and their actions, although not perfect, reflected that. I’ve enjoyed the fairytale-like idea of inheriting a (already successful) cafe in France - who wouldn’t love that?! While reading, I’ve also easily imagined myself redecorating it and becoming part of the village community. That’s the fun part of such books - the fact that they let you live several lives through the stories they tell.

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

The Village Café in the Loire by Gillian Harvey is a feel-good escape that blends charm, heart, and a dash of French magic. The story follows Becky Thorne, a driven Londoner who’s forced to take a break from her high-powered job—and ends up inheriting a quaint café in a sleepy Loire village. What starts as a quick fix turns into a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and unexpected romance.

The dual setting—bustling London vs. peaceful Vaudrelle—is a great contrast, and the café itself feels like a character, full of warmth and secrets. Becky’s interactions with the grumpy (but swoon-worthy) Pascale add tension and spark, while her friendship with Amber brings emotional depth. The plot has just enough twists to keep things interesting without losing its cozy vibe.

Harvey’s writing is easy to sink into, with vivid descriptions and relatable themes like burnout, second chances, and finding your own path. If you love stories that whisk you away and leave you smiling, this one’s a lovely pick for your next reading escape.

I enjoyed reading The Village Cafe in the Loire by Gillian Harvey. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

The Village Café in the Loire by Gillian Harvey is a warm, feel-good story that offers pure escapism—perfect for a sunny afternoon or a holiday read. It follows Becky, a burnt-out young executive, who inherits a charming café in the Loire from her aunt. Initially intending to sell it and return to her city life, Becky instead finds herself drawn to the village, the people, and a slower, more meaningful way of living. The story touches on themes of friendship, change, and self-discovery, with just enough romance and emotional depth to keep the pages turning.

While the setting is beautifully described and the tone is light and uplifting, the characters and storyline lack some depth, which makes the book more enjoyable in the moment than memorable in the long term. It’s not meant to be thought-provoking, and that’s okay—this is a cosy, hopeful read that delivers exactly what it promises. I enjoyed my time in Becky’s world and would happily recommend it to fans of easy, comforting romances. A solid 3.5 stars for a sweet escape with a touch of French charm.

Becky's career was going well, or so she thought, but the pressure of being a director at a London advertising agency gradually crept up on her unawares. After an unfortunate incident in which a laptop was sent hurtling in the direction of the office intern, Becky finds herself signed off for a month due to 'severe burnout'. As someone used to climbing the ladder to corporate success, Becky does not know what to do with herself. Relaxing is simply not part of her make-up, but she needs to get her head together if she is going to achieve a coveted position on the board of the advertising agency.

She decides to head to France, where she has recently been bequeathed a little cafe in the Loire by her great-aunt Maud, who she had not seen since she was a child. She had been planning to sell the cafe and invest in a swanky new London apartment, but now might be just the time to tackle the unexpected headache the news of a sitting tenant at the property has brought...

After a heart-breaking diversion in Harvey's last book, Midnight in Paris, she is back to her more typical fictional fare with a story of new beginnings in the beautiful Loire. The story begins with Becky suffering a melt-down at work which forces her to reassess the things she really wants in life, through the revelations that come with returning to a place she loved in her childhood.

Becky begins her visit full of big plans for the the cafe, but as she bumps heads with the 'sitting tenant', handsome writer Pascale, and reconnects with her past she begins to realise she has been ignoring almost all other aspects of her life in pursuit of her career - including being a terrible friend to her bestie Amber.

New beginnings dawn, including a lovely slow-burn romance with gentle Pascale, via all the necessary bumps in the road you need in this kind of story. There is plenty of humour, lots of charming French content, a heart-warming twist or two, and the kind of examination of complicated family relationships that Harvey does so well, particularly when it comes to the expectations of over-protective (aka domineering) mothers.

Time to slow down with a cup of coffee, and the perfect slice of summer escapism Gillian Harvey style!

Travel escape romance

The Village Cafe in the Loire is a very good travel escape romance set between France and England. I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is an ideal choice for a summer holiday, by the beach or poolside or whenever you are relaxing.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

With thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC.

First off, I loved the premise of this book – who doesn’t dream of inheriting a little French property, in this case, a café! Sounds like a dream, right? Wrong! Especially in a small village where newcomers are regarded with suspicion as to their intentions. The village cafe is a sacred place, as anyone who has visited a small French town will know, and Becky’s inheritance (as a village outsider) comes with complications.

I was invested in this plot as soon as I started reading (it’s right up my alley!) and finished in just a couple of sittings. It’s a light-hearted read but has some serious themes too – burnout is no joke and a lot of the story deals with Becky learning (the hard way) about priorities and how hers were off. A little time away from home (and her mother!), a little distance from the corporate world and a full immersion in small village life were just the ticket to setting her on the right path, both for herself and in terms of her friendship with Amber. Becky’s character definitely grew on me over the course of the book – I didn’t care much for her at the start, but as she “softened”, so did my attitude to her.

Of course, there’s a romance (bien sûr) and a plot twist that I saw coming and, for me, was the only part of the story that was a *tiny* bit unbelievable (relatively speaking!). But, summer reads are often about suspending reality so I’ll let it go! This is a fabulous summer beach read (or a cozy winter couch read) that will have you dreaming of France!

Vie en France
This is an enjoyable book mainly set in rural France, but there are many sciences in London too. Strong female characters. Some interesting twists. Assumptions really do lead to the wrong conclusions. But there’s some lovely surprises too. The importance of supportive close female relationships is expired. As is finding your own path in life, and not being pressurised to live the life someone else wants for you. Great ending!

The Village Cafe in the Loire is a book about friendship, love, and starting over when you realize your dreams and goals actually belong to someone else.

Becky is a director at a prestigious advertising agency but when she has a meltdown, she's forced into a month long leave to destress. On top of that, she just found out she was left a café in France by her great, great aunt. With timing on her side, she takes a trip to France to settle the affairs of the café so she can get back to London and salvage her job and reputation.

When Becky arrives in France, she discovers selling the café isn't going to be easy. Not only is there a tenant who won't leave, but her great aunt left a requirement for Becky. Wanting to escalate the matter, Becky does not find a friend in the Mayor, so it looks like she's going to be managing a café.

The Village Café in the Loire is a charming story about the real effects of burnout, and not just for the main character. Becky's job is stressful and consuming of her time and life. She's been overworked by management and she gets to her breaking point. Any other company would have probably kicked her to the curb, however, I do like the fact that her employer was willing to give her time off to decompress. She's been a terrible friend and I felt so bad for Amber, who was going through her own tribulations and couldn't depend of Becky for any type of support.

Becky, unfortunately, learns the hard way about what her priorities should be and that shooting to the top of the corporate ladder at the expense of her friends and family has effects, not just on her but on others. I love how the author developed Becky and evolved her in a short period of time. I was hoping for an ending that brought all aspects of Becky's life together and I was satisfied at how the author pulled everything off. I was excited that what I wanted for Amber actually became a reality. Becky and Pascal are sweet together but they didn't start off that way. I enjoyed how the author introduced them, the part Pascal played in Great Aunt Maud's requirement, and how they eventually become something more than tenant and manager.

This book was my first experience with Gillian Harvey and I am enthrall by her writing. I was drawn into The Village Café in the Loire and kept engaged throughout. It was a wonderful book with great pacing, spectacular character development, and very vivid world-building. I'll be looking into more of this author's work.

This was a lovely feel good book that I read in one sitting as I was so addicted to the story. It’s a lovely easy read so perfect to read on holidays . Once I started into this book I was submerged in Becky’s story and life in the village in the Loire. It’s what I would call an escapism read and I often call these books my go to reads if I need a break from crime and psychological thrillers. Gillian Harvey is a new to me author and I’ll most certainly be checking out her previous books.

Sometimes I think Gillian Harvey is going to turn me into a Francophile, with all the gorgeous French setting books she writes, and this is one of those that makes me want to jump on the Eurostar, begin drinking coffee, and don a beret!
Becky is the protagonist, a thirty-something career woman who is on the brink of brilliant success; however, an inheritance looks set to derail all her plans.
She finds herself signed off from work, and ends up in a small village in the Loire, at the behest of her late great aunt, with a cafe for which she has no training, other than drinking coffee, and to pop the cherry on top, there is a lodger who it seems is resistant to leaving the building, even though all she wants to do is sell it.
Of course, that hunky, troublesome lodger named Pascale gives her another thing to think about.
Becky has few friends, Amber being her best friend, and her mother is there to guide her in life. But she sometimes cannot see beyond her own problems, often ignoring the SOS signs from those around her.
The storyline is one of self-discovery, and we see Becky begin to question all she has thought about her future before, and also to begin to look beyond herself, considering others, with a little romance along the way.
There is, of course, a little twist in the tale, too, to keep readers on their toes!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review…

This book pulled me into its pages right from the very first page and it did not let me go again until i had turned every last page and devoured it all! It was such a lovely, heartwarming, lighthearted, easy book to read and all the way through i just wanted to keep reading more.

I loved the two main characters, who showed real growth and i really adored them. Becky had inherited a café in The Loire and couldn’t resist the magic that came with it. There she meets Pascale who is tall, dark, handsome and incredibly grumpy too. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them both and finding out how their story unfolds.

I really did enjoy this uplifting novel and it was very easy to lose myself for a little while and immerse myself in all the French goodness. It was full of self-discovery, friendship, romance, it was atmospheric and beautiful and of course had that all important happy-ever-after…..