This reminded me of a Kardashian-era Eat Pray Love to some extent. It personally didn't do it for me, but it is well-written and I could see the appeal.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, "Heart Restoration Project" is a charming and uplifting tale that reminds us of the power of love, forgiveness, and second chances.

loved this romance but this daughter of a famous family -- she has done alot of reality tv and trying to find her place in the family and herself. she gets an opportunity to restore a house in france and finds love but also learns more about the town, the people and more of what she wants to do. loved the learning about the town. I hope to see more books on the other sisters .

Fans of the romcom should give this one a try. Plum, who has lived her life on reality shows thanks to her family, finds herself a bit out of her comfort zone when she arrives in Provence to take part in one where she's going to renovate a chateau. Not that she has any experience. Luckily, there's Elliot, the producer, who might not seem like the nicest guy at first but who, well, you know. This has some chuckles and you gotta love a rom com set in Provence. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

What a wonderful romcom. I couldn’t put it down! This book was definitely a page turner and well worth the read!

I'm a sucker for anything about Provence and have seriously considered buying one of those one Euro homes… needless to say this book brought me back down to earth enough to realize that I may not be able to afford that life.

The main character Plum reminds me of a Kardashian, or maybe Paris Hilton back in the day. As part of a large reality-star family where everyone is multi-millionaires, she’s struggling to find her spot after her most recent chain in reality shows. I struggled with Plum a bit… it’s hard to sympathize with someone who seems like their life is pretty good and minor inconveniences throw her completely off kilter, but she was still likeable enough to root for her during the story.

For me, the best parts of the book are in the descriptions of the town: the charm of the buildings, strolling through a farmers market, a cup of lavender ice cream, the smell of the soil in summer. Now I’m putting out flight alerts to head to Provence ASAP!

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for this e-ARC of Heart Restoration Project by beth Marlin , Danielle Modaffieri

I loved the premise of this romance, renovating a run down chateau in France and then the plot thickens when Plum a down and out D list celebrity ( who is the the star of the reality show that work on the premise of renovating a run down house in Provenvce )starts this flirtatious connection with Elliott, (the head of the production team that is filming this project)each other ...

the tory ws good, a little bit too slow much of a slow burn for me and the pace was a little too patchy. I didn't resonate with Elliott or Plum sadly. And It Was not a favourite.

The Heart Restoration Project is a light, fun summer read, complete with drama, good food and wine, romance, and will satisfy some wanderlust.

The story itself was satisfying, the characters fairly attractive and enticing. The steaminess level was light.

I did not buy that the main character would have been hired on for this vague role as host for a chateau renovation without any related experience, and without knowing the language. That got in the way for me a number of times, as she was, for example, locked out of arguments about the direction of the construction. Her role was never clear, except to fulfill the arc of the plot.

But sign me up for Provence!

It took me a little while to get into this one, not because I wasn't enjoying it, or because it wasn't good. It's just a bit different to the kinds of things that I usually read. The first few setting-the-scenes chapters were a little slow going too.
I liked this finding yourself story, there is some romance here, but it's not really a romance book. It has more to do with Plum, our main character, finding what she wants from life and finding the courage to really go out and get it.
Who wouldn't want to go and spend time in France, working on the restoration of a tumble-down chateau? Even if it has to be for a reality TV show. It was a fun and interesting read as Plum tried to restore the fortunes of the small town, as well as her own.
There were a few twists and turns in this story, but nothing that took me completely by surprise, although the same can't really be said for the characters, which added to the enjoyment of the story.
This isn't my usual choice of book, but I enjoyed it all the same and I'm glad that I gave it a go.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

This was a great book. I connected with the characters. I felt engrossed with the plot. I would read another book by this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This was a cute sweet read and I loved every second of it.

♡ 2/5 ♡

Heart Restoration Project left me wanting more. The idea of a down-on-her-luck star redoing a chateau that has seen better days? Sounds great, but the story just fell short for me.
The idea of the story immediately made me want to read it, but I struggled to connect with the characters or the story. I found the premise really interesting, but I just couldn’t get into the book.
I feel like a lot of the details that would have made me enjoy the story more were left until the last minute and weren’t explored enough. Plum and Elliott just didn’t connect for me. Their romantic connection felt kind of forced and underdeveloped. The story seemed to focus more on Plum’s other romantic experiences rather than her relationship with Elliott, which left me wanting more from their dynamic.
While the romance fell short, I was definitely more pulled by the descriptions of France and the history of Chateau Mirabelle. Those descriptions made me want to jump on a plane and head back to France.
I can see how others would love this story. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.

The Heart Restoration Project advertised a story of self discovery and a bit of romance - a story of a reality start stuck in a rut who goes to France to restore a crumbling chateau with a mysterious history. It sounds intriguing, but overall it is a book with great potential that fell short of that promise.

The main character is presented as growing and healing - a journey that is reflective of the renovation work that is being done on the mansion. But the story instead reflected the false veneer of the reality show at the mansion as what was presented on the blurb was not what the story truly contained.

The balance of the many sub plots seemed off. A majority of the book was devoted to a falsehood and the more interesting aspects such as the chateau's history were left to the very end of the book. There was so much more there that could have been presented, more interactions with the people of the town, etc. Devoting so much of the story instead to the false romance and the reality show felt bland and hollow.

In the end I was left wishing for more. It was a cute story, just slightly disappointing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for allowing me to read an ARC of Heart Restoration Project by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi, in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars!

I loved everything about this book! The characters were very well-written, the dialog was snappy, the visuals from the scenic descriptions were awe-inspiring!

I look forward to reading more by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi.

I received a free copy of this book from Montlake through @netgalley I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Reality TV is not really reality and no one knows that better than Plum Everly who has been on reality TV her whole life. Now she is offered a show that will allow her to be herself, a restoration show fixing up a vineyard in France that was the heart of the city. The Vineyard has an interesting past Things of course are not always what they seem. This is a great light hearted romance. It's about redemption, finding your way, and not making snap decisions. It's a great romp through a small town in France with ties to the resistance fighters during WWII and standing your ground for what you believe.

I blew through this book and didn't want to put it down. Definitely a great read, however if you are looking for spice the most you will get in this is some smoldering tension and kissing.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the advanced copy of Heart Restoration Project. I enjoyed the overall theme and setting of the book, it made me want to book a flight to France that much more. However, I felt like the story got pulled into too many directions at times. I love romance novels but ultimately felt really bored with these characters. I think I probably would have enjoyed it more if it had focused solely on Plum and the history she researched.

Thank you for the ARC!

I guess I liked how Hallmark-y it was in terms of it being a sweet little read. But overall that wasn't enough to make me love the book. I couldn't connect to the plot or the characters which made me not too interested in the book.

Heart Restoration Project offers a delightful journey into the world of Plum Everly, a reality TV veteran fading into obscurity. Drawn by the opportunity to showcase her true self, Plum eagerly accepts an offer to restore Chateau Mirabelle in Provence. However, she soon realizes that she's uncertain of her own identity. As she delves deeper into the history of the chateau, Plum becomes determined to unveil her authentic self to the world.

Immersive descriptions transport readers to the picturesque landscapes of Provence, evoking a desire to experience it firsthand. The well-crafted characters, including the enigmatic Bastien, captivate the reader's interest, despite lingering doubts.

What sets "Heart Restoration Project" apart is its ability to infuse warmth and wit. Through Plum's witty narration and engaging interactions with the eclectic cast of characters, the novel strikes a perfect balance between entertainment and introspection. Plum's complexity as a character shines through her struggle to reconcile her identity with familial expectations. The subtle hints at her true self, manifested in her instinctual use of technology and a keen eye for aesthetics, add depth to her character arc.

Overall, "Heart Restoration Project" is a charming yet heartening tale that extols the virtues of love, forgiveness, and second chances. While I found some of the banter lacking in punch, the novel's inviting setting, lovable characters, and sincere storytelling ensure a delightful escape for readers!

Heart Restoration Project didn't quite hit the mark for me, but I can see how it might resonate with others. Personally, I found myself wishing the book delved more into the history of Chateau Mirabelle rather than focusing solely on Plum's attempts to restore it and her romantic entanglements with Bastien. Plum's role in the restoration felt unclear to me, leaving me somewhat puzzled throughout the story.

However, I did appreciate the historical aspects of the novel surrounding Chateau Mirabelle. Learning about its past added depth to the story, and I found myself wishing that this element had been introduced earlier on. Plum's realization of her naivety towards the end was a welcome development, and I was glad to see her character evolve over the course of the book.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions included here are my own.

There are some funny scenes, but the story is extremely rambling. There are many episodic perspectives to get to know the characters, and relatively many details are relieved about the basic conflict extremely quickly

The story would be interesting, but I have a sneaking suspicion that after 50 pages I can tell what its essence will be. Unfortunetly I decided to mark this book as did not finish.

Thanks to Montlake and the authors for providing the advanced reader copy.

This review is also published on Goodreads and Moly.