I have adored every book that I have read by Nina George starting with The Little Paris Bookshop. To me, her books are quite special. I think that is why I held this one back-just so I would know that there was a Nina George for me when I needed it.

This is the story of Marianne who needs to/wants to change her life. She has been in an exceedingly difficult marriage for one thing. Go on a journey with her. You will be glad that you did.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Enjoyable read that would be a great boo club book! A little too dramatic for my taste but I definitely see the audience for it.

I started this one and was not able to finish it. The setting and the side characters were described well, but I had no feeling for Marianne. Her character felt very flat and her journey to Brittany did not feel plausible.

I loved this book as much as the little bookshop in Paris. She’s a fantastic storyteller and I could really get into this story.

I read George's The Little Paris Bookshop and felt this book to be quite similar is concept. I felt so bad for the main character. George did an excellent job of getting into the mindset of those of suffer from abuse. This book is ultimately about moving on and finding yourself. The book was well written.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

When Marianne realizes that for the past 41 years, she has been living in a loveless marriage and making her life small to fit around what her husband wants of her, she decides to kill herself. While recovering in a Paris hospital from her failed attempt, she sees a tile with a beautiful painting of a French coastal town that calls to her. Marianne makes her way to that town, still intending to kill herself once she has seen it. However, she slowly builds a new life and new relationships there until she realizes that she really wants to live before it is too late.

I like the fact that this book featured so many older characters. Unfortunately, I didn't really get attached to any of them. While the book mainly focused on Marianne, we got to know some of the stories of the people who became her friends. I don't know if there was not enough time with any of the supporting characters to connect with them, or what. The story had so many elements of books that I usually like, but this one was just OK for me.

The Little French Bistro

by Nina George

This seemed like it was going to be one of those charming summer reads along the lines of Under the Tuscan Sun, and it was, for the most part. The summary is a bit deceiving though, and I don't think it's revealing a plot twist to note that Marianne's idea of how to leave her loveless marriage is to literally leave this world. (This is downplayed as "taking action" in the summary.) The problem I have with this is that while she escapes into a completely implausible picturesque new life, she still entertains thoughts about suicide. I am not trying to belittle these thoughts in any way, but instead, I felt like the author was merely pandering in perpetuating this storyline. Perhaps if there had been a little more conflict in Marianne's ideal new life, George wouldn't have had to continue with the half-hearted plot. To be fair, there are some terrific characters here, and, between them and the inspired setting, they make up for the lapses in plot. I am going to believe that something was lost in translation.

And yes, I am totally jealous of the new life Marianne is living, so there's that. But lucky for me, I have a wonderful husband who's walked along the Seine with me, without ever making me feel the need to jump.

For Goodreads:

Why I picked it — It looked like the perfect beach read.

Reminded me of… Britt-Marie Was Here, Under the Tuscan Sun, A Year in Provence

For my full review — click here

This book opens with Marianne, a 60 something, unhappily married woman, attempting to commit suicide. I was not sure if I wanted to read about another unhappy senior who regrets his/her life, but as I was listening to this story, I thought I would keep going. So glad that I did. This suicide attempt is actually the beginning of her new life. She makes her way to Brittany, France where she meets the most wonderful people and learns to live life again.

I loved meeting these characters and getting to know about life in Kerdruc. As Marianne gets to know them, she begins to heal. The real Marianne, who has been buried deep inside, begins to emerge. I want so much to visit and get to know these characters better. I was drawn right into their lives, troubles and all, in order to see how both they affected Marianne and she affected them. I realized this book was about staying true to yourself and becoming the best you can be. Marianne escaped from a hospital to escape her verbally and emotionally abusive husband. I loved Marianne's character, her strength, uncertainty and love for others. Finding love in this quiet, out of the way village was like watching the sun rise. Nina George created a story that makes you feel like anything is possible, as long as you have the courage and strength to go after it.

The writing is rich and wonderful, beautiful and poetic. I listened to the audio book and I felt like I was there, listening to the characters speak. I enjoyed this book much more than The Little Paris Bookshop and I enjoyed that one, so this shows how much I loved this one. If you are looking for a book to fall in love with, evoke your emotions and having you wish that it did not end, then pick up this wonderful story.

This was more emotional than I expected and definitely puts the reader through the ringer of the emotions along with the characters. But sometimes, it is good to read a book like that and only a good writer can really grab you like that.

Marianne is tired of her life---enough to want to end it, but instead she makes her way to a town she's seen in a painting where she gets a second chance at life and love.

This was a sweet book. In some ways, it was a fairly standard story of a middle-aged woman who realizes that she isn't living the life she really wants, but there are many additions that bring it beyond the norm. I love Paris and so the setting in France is very enjoyable. There are so many different characters to love and appreciate, and adventures to enjoy.

3.5 stars. A charming read about love, friendship and discovering yourself. Great characters.

Sadly, I did not enjoy this book as much as her previous one. I just wasn't as into the premise or characters.

This book started off really depressing, and I was worried I would hate it. I turned out to like this journey of a woman finding herself after finally walking out on a horrible marriage. The prose is just beautiful, and all of the other characters are on journeys of their own. It's a lovely novel to read at the beginning of a year.

At age 61, Marianne has been trapped in a loveless marriage for over 40 years. She has reached the point where the only out is to commit suicide. Her attempt is foiled and this sets her off on a journey she could have never expected.

I had such a roller coaster of emotions for Marianne - sadness, hope, joy, concern and happiness. A story about perseverance and love. I enjoyed every minute of this book!

ARC from Crown Publishing via Netgalley.

A delightful tale. Love the array of colorful characters. Nina George creates a fairy tale for older adults. Through this fun story line, one finds that second chances in life can happen and to always follow your dreams and your happiness in life no matter your age or situation. George is a very creative storyteller.

There's something so charming about the idea of moving to a small Breton village by the sea and starting a new life, right? If a person could be happy anywhere surely this would be the place. And if a person came to it unhappy with life, sad to her very soul, this would, without a doubt, be the perfect place of healing. Nina George's newest novel, The Little French Bistro, is set in one such place in Brittany.

Marianne Lanz is in her sixties but sounds older because she is tired and beaten down. She's trapped in a loveless marriage with a controlling husband and on a trip to Paris, she decides that she's through with life and determines to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge into the Seine. Rescued by a bystander, she is taken to the hospital where her husband roundly chastises her for her seemingly impetuous and, to him, deeply embarrassing attempt before leaving her there so he can catch the bus back to Germany. She can find her own way home. Instead, inspired by a lovely, small, hand painted tile she finds by the nurses' station, Marianne runs away from the hospital, heading to the Port de Kerdruc depicted on the tile, thinking that it would be a beautiful place to die. Once again she survives her attempt. Fished out of the water by a local fisherman and accepted by the local people despite an initial wariness, she settles in to make her home in this quaint and picturesque town. Kerdruc would be a beautiful place to die but Marianne quickly finds that it's an even more beautiful place to live.

This is very much a novel about second chances. Marianne finds the strength to stand up to her bully of a husband, emerging from lifelong oppression and carving out her own life in a new and welcoming place. In this she is inspirational but in presentation, this is more like a fairy tale than real life. And that's fine if that's what you want to read but the story brings up some very dark issues that shouldn't be so easily solved. Marianne is the character whose journey of discovery and starting over is the most obvious but each of the friends she makes in Kerdruc has a problem to solve or a situation to change so that they too can embrace life and reach for love. The secondary characters are all amiable and winsome and their kindness is clearly the most important thing in helping Marianne to heal but sometimes they blur together, not being quite as differentiated as they should be. The story is ultimately simple and life-affirming. Those readers looking for a warm, feel-good novel writ in soft focus will find this delightful and hopeful despite the darker undertones.

The Little Paris Bookshop became and instant favourite for book clubs, and this follow-up will certainly take the same path. It's a lovely, slow story about rediscovering who you are after being lost for years, and while sections may strain belief (she clearly has an ear for languages to pick up French so quickly!), it's a charming story.

I was drawn to this book as I had read the author's The Little Paris Bookshop, I was not disappointed! With an array of unusual characters, set in a small town (that I did not know) reading this book was like going on a vacation! I enjoyed the enlightened moments that each character experienced and once again had confirmation that we are all "learning at our own pace". A great summer read whether you are on vacation or not!

A charming read of courage, starting over and embracing life fully even at 60 years old. Marianna has had it with her loveless marriage and her life. She has a moment in Paris where she chooses a new direction and sets off for Brittany by herself. She meets wonderful people, has many fun experiences and embraces her new life fully with joy . This is a love story to the Brittany coast of France, with delicious food, the beautiful buildings and lovely people.. I loved this book and look forward to the next by the author.