Heart Restoration Project by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi is an uplifting and enchanting read that combines romance, self-discovery, and the charm of a French countryside setting. The novel follows Plum Everly, a reality TV star burned out by fame, as she embarks on a journey of reinvention. Escaping to Provence for a DIY renovation project at a historic château, Plum aims to restore not only the building but also her sense of purpose and identity.

What makes this book stand out is the seamless blend of heartfelt moments and witty humor. Plum’s transformation is both personal and empowering, and her budding romance with Elliott Schaffer, the flirty head of production, adds a delightful layer to the story. As they grow closer while working on the château, the novel explores themes of vulnerability, healing, and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self.

The setting in Provence is beautifully captured, with vivid descriptions that make the reader feel as though they are right there alongside the characters, experiencing the magic of the region. The historical backdrop of the château, linked to World War II, adds depth and meaning to the narrative, giving the characters an even greater appreciation for the project and their developing relationship.

Heart Restoration Project is a charming, feel-good story perfect for fans of romantic comedies and women's fiction. The combination of a captivating setting, relatable characters, and a heartwarming journey of transformation makes it a must-read for anyone seeking a delightful escape. Highly recommended for those who enjoy stories of personal reinvention, love, and finding true happiness in unexpected places.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

DNF at 19%

I cannot stand Plum. She has to be one of the most conceited and self centered characters I have read in a long time. I currently do not have the capacity to read a whole book in her head and hope there will be a LOT of humbling along the way.

Plum Everly is a burnt out reality TV star who travels to Provence to help restore an old house for a new show where she falls in love with the charming small Provence town and her cameraman. Moving (if a tad slow going) and perfect for fans of women's fiction, kissing only, celebrity second chance, coming of age stories or books like Under the Tuscan Sun. Great narration by Caroline Hewitt too and a cute cover for this first book by new to me author writing duo, Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Heart Restoration Project by Beth Merlin is a heartwarming romance set in the beautiful French countryside. The story follows Plum Everly, a former reality TV star who is burned out and looking for a fresh start. She takes on a project to restore the historic Château Mirabelle, but the journey becomes about more than just renovating a building—it’s also about personal growth and finding love.

The setting in rural France is vividly described, adding charm to the story, and Plum is a relatable character, dealing with the pressures of fame and searching for something more meaningful. The slow-burn romance between Plum and Elliot, the project’s lead, is sweet and develops naturally alongside the renovation of the chateau. The supporting cast and the rich history of the château add depth to the plot, making this more than just a love story.

Overall, this novel is a delightful read, perfect for fans of contemporary romance and stories about second chances.

Thank you @netgalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

When this book started out with the reality star drama and the sweetness of Plum’s father, I already knew I was going to like this one. Fixing up a chateau and vineyard in France? Yes, please. Throw in some history and romance? Even better.

This story stayed consistently good throughout the entire thing. Thank you for such a sweet storyline and ending.

⭐3.7

'Heart Restoration Project' by Beth Merlin is an empowering and engaging contemporary romance set in charming provincial France.

'Heart Restoration Project' presents an engaging and seamless plot set against the picturesque backdrop of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The novel transports the reader to the idyllic village of Maubec, where our heroine, Plum Everly, is tasked with restoring the dilapidated Château Mirabelle.

Beth Merlin’s writing is contemporary and evocative, striking a perfect balance between plot progression and rich, descriptive prose. The lush depiction of the historical landscape immerses readers in the charm and beauty of rural France.

Plum Everly is a deeply sympathetic protagonist, burdened by the fame thrust upon her in childhood. Though she has many hurdles to overcome, she demonstrates resilience, kindness and a tremendous capacity for personal growth. The supporting cast brings further heart to the plot - the true nature of each character is revealed gradually, enriching the story with relationships that develop in an organic manner.

Plum’s journey within is both poignant and uplifting as she navigates the complexities of fame, public scrutiny, and the search for trustworthy allies. The novel offers a thoughtful commentary on the darker side of celebrity culture, exploring the challenges of maintaining one’s identity amidst relentless media attention.

Overall, 'Heart Restoration Project' is a satisfying contemporary romance, each twist ensuring readers are eager to see how Plum’s story unfolds. This charming tale of personal and physical restoration is perfect for a holiday read. I look forward to exploring future works by this author.

Genres:
-Contemporary romance
-Contemporary fiction

Tropes:
-Reality TV show
-Renovation
-Celebrity
-Forced proximity

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I spent most of this book In a state of tension. First you're feeling the tension of our main character and her lack of fulfillment. Her current struggles and dissatisfaction in life. We'v all been there, right? And then ... hope for a second chance. And there's the tension of what could be for our heroine.

We meet our love interest. Or so we think. And then we meet another potential love interest. But we don't like him? Or do we?
Is this enemies to lovers? Is it workplace romance? What are our tropes?! And will Plum ever get her Happily Ever(ly) After?!?!?

Well.... it's a tense ride but it does work out in the end. So stick with it and you'll be glad you did!

"Heart Restoration Project" by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi is a beautifully crafted novel that blends the themes of healing, love, and personal transformation into a compelling narrative. Merlin and Modafferi create a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, with characters who embark on journeys of self-discovery and emotional restoration. The novel’s central theme of restoring both literal and metaphorical hearts resonates deeply, as the characters learn to rebuild their lives and relationships after experiencing loss and hardship. With its poignant storytelling, rich character development, and uplifting message, "Heart Restoration Project" is an inspiring and emotionally satisfying read, perfect for anyone seeking a story about resilience and the power of love to heal.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
'The HEart Restoration Project' is a very nice and easy read with some intriguing characters and a premise that many will find interesting! I felt the writing of the characters in this novel really helped me to relate to them and make them feel like I knew them, I was rooting for them and thier storylines throughout the novel.
The setting of the book was interesting and something new for me to read, so I felt I could fully dive into the world of French culture and that was something which I thoroughly enjoyed,
Personally I would have liked the romance to feature a little more heavily in the plot, but overall, I really enjoyed this novel.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this book

I read this and didn't like fully how this story played out, I can see the appeal to it but it didn't work for me and I am sorry ( another book I didn't connect with the characters and didn't care what happened to them).

Plum Everly accepts to shoot a new reality show in France to go away from the american paparazzi and to finally show her true self. When she arrives in Provence she finds out that the historic residence she has to restore, Chatau Mirabelle, hides some myteries and secrets that will make her job more interesting and valuable.

I really liked Plum, she is smart, witty and fun. I despised how the show biz wants to exploit her popularity without taking into account her feelings, but I liked to see her gaining more self-awareness and self-knowledge throughout her french trip.
I found the romantic aspect a bit lacking, even if Elliott is an adorable grumpy man.

Overall, Heart Restoration Project was a nice read, with an heroine desperate for proving her worth, and an enchanting landscape.

Heart Restoration Project by Beth Merlin is a captivating and uplifting novel that skillfully explores the complexities of identity, love, and self-discovery against the picturesque backdrop of Provence. Plum Everly, a burned-out reality show star, is a refreshingly layered and relatable protagonist who embarks on a journey of personal transformation and genuine connection.

Merlin's evocative writing brings the charming setting of Provence to life and immerses the reader in the rich history and beauty of the region. The themes of resilience, courage, and the healing power of love are woven seamlessly into the narrative, making for a deeply satisfying and emotionally resonant reading experience.

The dynamic between Plum and Elliott Schaffer, the charismatic head of production, is both entertaining and poignant, and their journey of self-discovery and mutual understanding forms the heart of the story. As Plum navigates the challenges of finding her true self outside of the realm of fame, the reader is drawn into a narrative that is both witty and enlightening.

Heart Restoration Project is a delightful and heartfelt novel that skillfully balances humor, romance, and introspection. It is a celebration of second chances, personal growth, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. I highly recommend this book to anyone in search of a heartwarming and thought-provoking read.

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

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was wonderful!

2.75 stars - This book was incredibly boring for about 80% and I would have DNF’d it if it was not an ARC. The beginning of the story is about Plum, who is one of the cast members on several reality TV shows. She gets her next calling to restore a historical house to glory in France. She goes to France and meets her co-host, falls in love with him…but then, you find out the real reason for the show. She starts falling for her cameraman...a majority of the story didn’t even go into THEIR romance! The story with Elliot was cute, but I feel like we did NOT need all the backstory with Bastien and all the French history. I also enjoyed the betrayal from Kate as well…like that makes for a good story! The last 20% of this book had potential.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, Beth Merlin, and Danielle Modafferi for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinions/review.

Heart Restoration Project by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi is a solid 3-star read for me. Plum Everly, a reality TV star, heads to France to restore a chateau and reinvent herself. The mix of her modern-day drama with the historical French Resistance backdrop was a bit jarring, and I found myself bored at times—it took longer to finish than I expected.

The descriptions of Chateau Mirabelle and the village were lovely, but I couldn’t connect with Plum, and the romance felt predictable. Plum's journey from scandal to self-discovery had its moments, but overall, it didn’t fully grab me. It's an okay read, just not a standout.

I loved several things about this story! The characters were full of spunk and had great appeal. I liked the rocky start of the relationship between Plum and Elliott and how it grew as they worked together. I loved that Elliott helped Plum figure out her passion in life and how she could fit into her family better. I appreciated that Plum had her parents and sisters' support in her decisions as she found her true self. I didn't care for the story's main plot as much as I did the sub-plot of finding out the history behind Chateau Mirabelle and its precious owners the Andelaises. I would have really enjoyed reading more of that story! The happy ending was the best part of the book with everyone being able to follow their dreams!

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed that this book was set in France and the vibes that came along with that, but I struggled to relate to the main character.

This was a very fun read!! I thought it was heartwarming and sweet! The characters had great chemistry, the pacing was well done, the writing was easy to follow! A good book to recommend to a romance reader!! Well done!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a good read. Although based on a reality show – with all the crazy that involves – actually at its heart is a very moving story about the previous owners of the building which is being restored.

Plum knows nothing but reality shows and knows it may be time to find a way to move on... but then is delighted when one takes her across the Atlantic to rural France. As we watch her wrestle with how to be herself – whether on or off screen – there are many things conspiring to derail her plans. Unexpectedly, Elliott is not one of them, and I really enjoyed how their mutual desire to work out the history of the château gives them a chance to be genuine and, one might even say, become friends.

There are quite a few romances which centre around a reality show, but this one definitely does a good job of changing the narrative and giving the reader more.