I have always loved Karen Clarke's novels. They're heartwarming, easy to read and overall just a really enjoyable, happy read. This one was no different to her other novels. I have really enjoyed Karen's other series' such as The Seashell Cove series and also The Beachside Bay series and was really looking forward to reading this one. I believe this is her first novel which is set abroad (which I'm aware of anyway) but I was excited to see where she would take it and how it would be. I'm not sure if this would be a series but if it is, I'd love to read more!

The cover is equally as eye-catching and as beautiful as her others. I love the bold red and blue colours, they really stand out and draw you in. The little checked table cloth and the little Westie in his striped top are also really cute! And I really enjoy the sea in the background, really making you feel in holiday-mode.

Natalie is our main character and she has moved to France to live with her dad after suffering a bad heartbreak and needing some space to get her head and heart back together. Whilst living there, she has secured a job as a journalist for an ex-pat magazine, which she publishes an article for. However, Natalie doesn't feel fulfilled with her job and longs to work at Magnifique, an extremely popular magazine but feels like she never has the opportunity to show her writing to the famous Editor. When famous but extremely shy and reserved actor Jay Merino comes to the island to film his latest blockbuster, Natalie jumps at the chance to try and get an interview with him. She does slightly, only a little bit, not really, know him from quite a few years ago and he did promise her an interview after all!

When Jay Merino agrees Natalie is over the moon, and the pair soon grow close as they get to know one another, but when sensitive details from the interview come to light before it is even released, Jay and Natalie's relationship seems over for good. Natalie is obviously devastated as she realises she liked him a whole lot more than she originally thought. She has no idea how she's going to make this right but she makes it her mission to make it up to Jay and to prove it wasn't her that released the interview. As the story goes on, there are quite a few shocks but ones that will leave you on the edge of your seat, longing to find out more!

At the start of this novel, I was a little bit apprehensive as to how this novel was going to go. I really thought that Natalie would fall for best friend Charlie's charms but throughout the book it's a bit hazy as to how it will end., when Jay entered the story it came a bit clearer though! However it was a great novel and the ending was beautiful and heartwarming! I absolutely adored this novel and was so sad when it finished. The French setting sounded idyllic and soon had me wanting to visit the island, and the characters all seemed really warm and lovely! Overall, would 110% recommend this novel for anyone who wants a bit of lighthearted reading. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel via Netgalley, which I have reviewed honestly.

The book was okay. I felt like it was rather wordy and could use some fine-tuning on the dialogue and descriptions for a more concise read. It was hard to really become immersed in the story.

I would like to thank Bookouture for asking me to review this book and to be apart of the blog tour.
I adored Karen Clarke's last series of books so when I was this I knew I had to read it and boy I am glad I have. It is fantastic. Our main character Natalie is a strong women who stays true to herself and her dreams. She has some what if questions regarding an encounter with a boy from the past and when he appears in her present, what ifs become that is what would have happened. This is a lovely and captivating romance that I found very entertaining, we not only have love but friendship, hope and drama.
This is defiantly one not to miss this summer. Be warned once started it is hard to put down.

This was a sweet slow romance set in France which was a nice read. It wasn't as strong as her other books in my opinion but it was still enjoyable. The characters were good and the setting was incredibly lovely. Overall I enjoyed it and am definitely looking forward to reading more by the author.

I loved the Seashell Cove Series so I was excited to read this book. I enjoyed it and the cover is very cute and eye catching. It was a fun and quick read. I loved the description of the island and would love to sit at the cafe drinking coffee while eating a croissant. Especially if Madame Bisset brought her fluffy Persian!! It wasn't a shock at who was behind leaking the story about Jay. I predicted the culprit right away. The story started with Natalie already living in France. I wouldn't have minded a little more back story about her and the ex-boyfriend. I don't feel like I got to know Charlie that well. He was always around and one of the main character but I don't know much about him. How did Jay remember Natalie after all those years? He has instant recognition of her, but he never really knew her. They talked for maybe fifteen minutes and it was dark. Nicolas was definitely creepy.

I recommend the book and can't wait for the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The story of Natalie and Jay was sweet and charming. The book was set in France which was a nice touch. I liked the story as it was a light read.

I appreciate the opportunity from Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this fun little romance story immensely. Who hasn't at one time or another wished to meet up again with someone from their past? Set that opportunity in the romantic country of France, and you have the makings of the perfect vacation read!

5 Stars

Wow, this book has everything. Romance, friendship, second chances and drama. I could not put the book down!

Natalie moves to France to pursue her dream of being a writer. Her dream is to write for Magnifique, a very well known magazine. After being rejected numerous times Natalie does not give up, When she hears Jay Merino, a childhood crush now turned actor, is filming in her little village Natalie believes all her dreams have been answered. This would be her meal ticket to success!
Natalie's quick wit and humour had me laughing out loud. Jay's sweet personality is gorgeous, I just wanted to hug him! Simon (Jay's bodyguard), I want a complete book dedicated to this hard, mysterious man. Natalie's father had me laughing, his clothing choices. You will see yourself what I mean haha!
Whenever times get tough, Natalie retreats to her best friends café! Charlie is Natalie's shoulder to cry on, the kick she needs to get going again and overall an amazing guy.
I genuinely can not fault this book in anyway.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quaint read ultimately about trust for me with a real slow-burner of a romance.

Natalie moves to the idyllic Chamillon in France to live with her dad as a way of escaping the UK and a relationship breakdown. She is getting by writing articles for websites about her daily life but struggling to make it big-time as a serious writer/journalist.

Enter Jay! He is a screen star who is in France filming. Natalie knew him when they were younger and they shared a tentative kiss that she has never forgotten. He agrees to give her an exclusive interview but the story is leaked and their blossoming romance appears to hit the rocks before it gets chance to really take off whilst Jay comes to terms with a betrayal and Natalie tries to get to the bottom of how it leaked when she'd been discreet.

I felt at times there was more to her friendship with best friend Charlie, it had been explained that had shared a tentative kiss that left them both feeling it wasn't meant to be but I just wasn't convinced at times! However he proved to be an excellent friend and was a welcome addition to the story. I feel like he would be an ideal main character in the next instalment.

At times funny, one part in particular had me laughing out loud, this book had warmth radiating through it and was a fun, quick read - perfect for a holiday read!

My many thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t know what it says about the book, but I spent more time thinking about the word ‘trotters’ (aka pig feet, apparently) and the use of the word ‘pooches’ on the first page than I did about the rest of the story.

The prose was good, the conversations flowed well. But I was disengaged. I didn’t care. Natalie’s journalistic dreams didn’t interest me and her character just put me off.

I think the main issue was emotion - I didn’t feel any connection with the characters and there didn’t seem to be a strong one between the characters either, it seemed kind of clinical. And boring.

Wouldn't read again, wouldn't recommend to others, wouldn't read anything else by this author.

The Escape to the Little French Cafe was exactly what I expected it to be- charming & a tad predictable. It was a cute story and I’d recommend it to anyone that wants a quick, fun read.

This was a perfect light fast read for vacation. I enjoyed the fun characters and the story was great. The author writes in a way that is easy to follow and develops the characters well. Overall great read, highly recommend.

Some of this novel was very cute and enjoyable. The heroine, Natalie, has moved to a little French town to live with her father and try to break into journalism at a prestigious French magazine. The portrayal of this town in western France was lovely and her life with her father who is trying modern dating after having separated from his wife is sweet and fun.

I enjoyed the heroine’s relationship with her best friend, a charming and funny guy. I would have liked it better if that best friend were the romantic interest. Instead she falls within a couple of minutes for the movie star she wants to interview. He falls for her and it all seems pretty unmotivated and just written in to fit the author’s plan for the plot not because it was truly motivated by the interactions of the characters.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I kinda board while reading this book. Her constant complaining in the beginning make it hard to root for this heroine in the story. I was just a few chapters in and really wanted something dramatic to happen, anything to stop her complaining. Charlie comes across as a heart breaker and he has these sweet charms about him. Her dad is going through a midlife crisis and trying to find a new look and that’s kind of funny. I struggled to finish this story since I was a bit annoyed from the beginning.

Natalie has always wanted to be a writer: a journalist who writes ‘real’ stories that touch and entertain. But, after a breakup with her ex who, unlike with her, was marrying this one, she decided to move into the little house her father had just purchased after he and her mother separated. Having spent holidays on the island, and working as a freelancer gives Natalie plenty of freedom to work from anywhere, she’s navigating her father’s ‘attempts’ to start dating, showing her mum the house via video-chat during their frequent conversations, and desperately trying to land a job with a top-drawer magazine based in Paris, to no avail.

Fortunately her best friend Charlie – also an expat, is living above the café that his mum owns, and is always available for a chat, advice or even to hang out – the two having decided that they are better friends than anything more, much to Charlie’s mum’s disappointment. Yet, as familiar (and occasionally horrifying) as her life is with her father and his befuddlement with dating and his tragic style makeovers, they’ve also made good friends and have established themselves as members of the community, even as Natalie is always chasing the dream of writing for a major publication – and hoping that, in mentioning a connection to a famous if notably reclusive actor (they grew up in the same town) that it will open the door to a job and possibly gain her advice from that magazine’s top journo.

Oh this was fun – from Natalie practically rugby tackling Jay when she mistakes a movie scene for real life, the opera-singing, Austen reading bodyguard Simon, the despicable and wholly without ethics Fleur all are embroiled in the ultimate nightmare for a reclusive actor: the context of Natalie’s interview with Jay is shared by a waitress who just happens to be related to Fleur and desperate to become an actress leaves the news outlets clamoring for more. Poor Natalie – always with the best intentions and sharing information ONLY with those she thought she could trust puts her whole dream of exploring the chemistry she felt with Jay into the bin, as he wants nothing to do with her and Simon doesn’t seem any more interested in hearing what she has to say. It’s going to take a whole village (ok – the café regulars and her best friend Charlie) to get them face to face again, without interruptions and onto their own path of happy ever after….. Like all of Clarke’s books her characters bring the setting alive, and allow us moments of escape, camaraderie and even a few moments to wince at the embarrassing bits, always leading us to new friends and places that, if not visited in person, are just as wonderful to visit in a book.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-akS/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This was just the sort of read I was look for after recovering from a bout of flu, lighthearted, great characters and an easy read. Thank you

Charming and funny, I loved this book. A great read with nice characters, perfect beach reading. I love the cover too, I find a good one helps make a novel!

Escape to The Little French Cafe is a fun read. Natalie escapes to France for a fresh start. She has family there, so the situation is ideal. This story is typical and everything falls into place eventually, but it's still a charming story that will make you smile. Natalie and Jay are adorable and likeable. The setting is idyllic. It's sweet and cute and light. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I've read almost all of Karen Clarke's books so was really looking forward to this book! It's a charming and funny read that is perfect to enjoy while on holiday or when you want to escape to France in your mind for a few hours. The author has an amazing way of developing the characters over the story and you always end up deeply invested in their lives. Will certainly be ordering copies of this for my library!

Got to say I am really enjoying reading books that are set in other countries at the moment. This is another idyllic escapism that transports us to a wonderful little village in France.

Natalie is very brave moving to France for a fresh start. She is lucky in that her dad lives there as well as her very good friend, Charlie. It made me wish I had friends in other countries, so I could hot tail it there to join them.

There is a great amount of humour, of which, one part in particular had me laughing out loud in the story. It really makes it a very light hearted read with a healthy dose of romance thrown in for good measure. Jay certainly set my heart a flutter and could easily envision him in my head which had me fall a little in love with him. I mean who doesn’t like a good character crush?

Escape To The Little French Café is a fun filled read with plenty to entertain it’s reader. It really has a lot going for it with the wonderful location, romance and a hot love interest. What isn’t to like? A wonderful French escape.