A sweet book that transports you to the fabulous setting of the South of France. Adeline is running away - we don’t know why at first - but she ends up, serendipitously in a small town, with her small daughter.

A warm and engaging book with lovely characters- not the most profound - but people you’d like to meet, and a place you’d like to visit.

TW: Although uplifting, I wouldn’t recommend for someone who has had a recent bereavement or family challenges!

When the death of her mother brings a shocking revelation, single-mum Adeline makes a spur of the moment decision to up-sticks, head to rural France with her five-year-old daughter Lili, and take a job in a little bookshop in Provence. Sleepy St Vianne is a big change from the London buzz they are used to, and Adeline is nervous about meeting Monique, the stranger she will be working for. However, as soon as she steps through the doors of the bookshop, her worries vanish. She senses something magical about the place, and the curious Monique, who she rapidly learns has a rare talent for matching her customers with just the right books.

Adeline soon settles into life in St Vianne, making friends among the villagers (such as Michel, Monique's 'nephew', and the handsome Andre, who makes her heart flutter), and Lili begins to thrive. Adeline feels in her bones this the new start they needed, but she still has questions about who she is and what she really wants. Can she find the answers here in Provence?

I always know I am in for a heart-tugging read when I settle down with a Gillian Harvey book, and The Little Provence Book Shop was no exception. Harvey has a real talent for stories about new beginnings in France, and with each book her ability to introduce some really interesting themes just gets better.

Adeline discovers a secret about her past, when her mother dies, which creates a breach between her and her brother. She needs a new start for herself and her daughter, so when a job advert catches her eye at just the right time, and curiously in just the right place where some answers might be found, she and Lili embark on village life in Provence.

The secret is pretty easy to spot from the outset, and it allows Harvey to connect the two lovely strands of the story. The first is Adeline's search for the truth of her origins, that sensitively explores adoption and how this links to questions about your own sense of self, especially when the knowledge you are adopted comes as a complete shock. The second is the quite magical environment of the bookshop, Monique's acute sense of intuition, and the ability of books to connect with your soul.

The two storylines weave together, touching through the experiences of Adeline, and in a clever twist Monique, as they each search for answers in their own adoption stories. Harvey maintains just the right level of mystery to keep you guessing about where their searches will take them, and hits the perfect emotional soft spot when they reach the end of their quests. The bookshop element enriches the themes of searching for answers, and healing journeys, with a sprinkling of intuitive magic that may or may not be supernatural. I adored this part of the story, which thrums with the love of books and the restorative power of their contents - absolute balm for the bibliophile soul.

Along the way, Harvey does her usual excellent job of bringing France alive, and St Vianne and its community are an atmospheric delight. I enjoyed the light romantic suspense she injects into the tale through Adeline's friendships with Michel and Andre, for the will-they-won't-they vibes; and Adeline's relationship with her brother Kevin is so sweet. But for me, this one is all about the relationship between Adeline and Monique, and the themes that tie them together - mothers and daughters; recognising the true value of found family; connection to blood family; and trusting your gut instincts to steer your right.

Escapist loveliness, with a pinch of fairy-dust, and a warm-hearted ending - that gently explores big themes.

This was my first Gillian Harvey book and I will definitely be adding more to my book shelf. The authors style of writing brought the beautiful scenery to life and I could easily imagine myself being there in parts of this story. This was a very easy read and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet story about starting a new life and finding out where you belong.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

a wholesome book about a young mother that needs to find herself after her mother's death and decides to move to a little town in the Provence region where she starts to work in a book shop. there she meets lots of interesting characters and makes a surprising discovery about herself.

i enjoyed this book a lot: it's very well written, very fluid with nice characterisations of places and characters however i was afraid that the story would end in a nonsensical way because the fulcrum of this story is about the revelation of a possible parental relationship between the two main characters of the story. deciding to end the book leaving the possibility open to interpretation was actually the perfect decision because it highlights the beauty of finding your own family.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

The Little Provence Book Shop, written by Gillian Harvey, is a lovely easy to read page turner, with a spring-summer vibe. Set in a charming little village in France, Adeline and her daughter begin to settle in to a new life after leaving London. She begins to work at a little book shop with the owner, Monique, who uses a little magic to match people with the books they really need, while she attempts to find herself as well as her birth mother. But Adeline ends up finding much more than she’d planned. This book features a lovely story with relatable character, written in a beautiful setting.

3.5⭐️

The cover of this book is what drew me to it, and I’m pleased to say I enjoyed it. The one thing that stood out was some of the descriptions throughout the story were so good. Some of the characters I liked and some I found it hard to connect to. The plot was good and it’s a book that would be ideal to read on the holidays. It’s an easy and quick read that doesn’t require too much thought. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for their digital copy to read and review.  Recommended.

This book was a little bit slow for me. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect with the characters and the story felt bland.

In this charming and cozy novel set at a book shop in rural Provence, readers join single mother Adeline and her daughter Lili as they start their new beginning in the tiny bookstore owned by Monique. No ordinary bookshop, the store feels magical and alive, an auspicious beginning for Adeline and Lili’s new beginning in this beautiful village. As they grow used to village life and meet Andre and Michel, Adeline starts to believe in the magic of the bookshop and the possibility that she will get her happy ending after all. The brilliant characters and charming mother-daughter relationship between Lili and Adeline is heartwarming and draws readers into the narrative, while the familial bond developing between Lili, Adeline, and Monique is equally charming and well-written. The location is beautiful, complex, and well-developed, and Gillian Harvey’s characters and setting combine to really bring the novel and its emotional message to life for the readers. The attention to detail and the strong emotional core of the novel are incredibly attractive, but the characters are the heart of the novel and really engage readers with their emotions, relationships, and need for faith in the happy ending -- a perfect message to take away from such a charming book.

The Little Provence Book Shop by Gillian Harvey is a charming story about starting over and finding new purpose. The book follows the protagonist as she leaves her old life behind to open a bookshop in the picturesque French countryside. . Overall, it’s a pleasant read for anyone looking for a light, uplifting escape.

We get to travel to the French countryside with a little book shop. Adeline is a signal mom that is wanting to have a fresh start and to see if she can meet her mom. This was a quick and entertaining read of family and friendship.

I thoroughly loved this book. One minute it had you crying, and laughing the next. It was such a well written book, and I couldn't put it down. It is the perfect cozy read, and I highly recommend it. The characters and plot line were so well thought out, and the book flowed so well. I can't say that I loved it enough.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Boldwood Books.

I think this was the book that solidified that any book that revolves around a bookshop will just be an instant hit for me.

I loved the setting and the characters so much. The setting in particular was just so immersive, it was so easy to picture and I could visualise everything so well.

I do think that the romance felt a little out of place and that brought my rating down, but not by much.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶🏻

As a bookstore owner, I constantly seek literature that highlights the charm and allure of bookstores, book clubs, and the community they foster. The Little Provence Book Shop has quickly become one of my favorites. The story beautifully captures the essence of community through Delphine’s interactions with her quirky neighbors and the diverse group of people she meets. Each character adds a unique charm and depth to the narrative, making the bookshop a place of connection and healing. The writing style is simple and accessible, yet it radiates warmth and wit. It’s a delightful read that made me laugh, smile, and even shed a tear. The narrative weaves themes of courage, taking risks, (I brought a bookstore and that turned out to be a big risk) and the realization that it's never too late to chase your dreams. Yes, I'm still a bookstore owner with a dream of moving back home to DC and expanding my bookstore with coffee and wine. The Little Provence Book Shop is an ideal choice. It's a tale that leaves you feeling both uplifted and inspired. I wholeheartedly recommend The Little Provence Book Shop. It’s a book that resonates with those who cherish the magic of bookstores and the transformative power of stories. Whether you’re a fan of heartwarming narratives or simply love the idea of a bookshop as a haven for dreams, this novel is a must-read.

The Little Provence Book Shop bring us to the France countryside, to a quaint little bookshop, and its curious owner Monique, who is whispered to dabble in magic. We visit the bookshop alongside Adeline and her little 5-year old Lili, as she escapes from London after finding out she has been adopted. When she finds an advert indicating a rural bookshop in the area her birth mother is from is looking for help, there is only one place she can go....

Hm, what to say? This was such a mixed bag for me. Let's start with the good: The setting is deliciously rich. One can almost hear the floorboards in the bookstore creak, the smell the delicious smells wafting from the little bakery and see the characters step from the pages. The overall storyline of a young woman trying to find who she might be, coming to terms with adoption, was okay. Not spectacularly new, but definitely interesting enough to spend some time with.

On the other hand, I feel the romance plotline was unnecessary, and unfortunately not worked out quite well enough to really make any difference to the main character's growth. Could have done without that. I also felt that, while I liked the aura of mystery and otherworldly charm the author tried to bestow on Monique and the "Magic" she practiced, it was very obviously inspired by Joanne Harris' Chocolat, a book that is also referenced a couple of times in the story. Perhaps I wouldn't have even picked up on it, if the reference wasn't there. Who knows.

Obviously, these are minor complaints on what is, in the end, a well-written story of found family. If you are looking for a heart-warming feelgood that allows you to escape to the French countryside, this may well be the right pick for you.

I love books like this! Gillian Harvey has just become another favorite author. The setting was wonderful and the characters had great appeal to me. This story has easy readabiity- loved the story line! I swear, the older I get, the more, the more I enjoy these tales. Nice escapist fare; they can be read in an afternoon. Beach read? Long leisurely weekend or holiday? I rate this one right up there with the Nina George books I discovered a year or so back! Highly recommend. Great tale, Gillian Harvey! I look forward to reading more of your works,

Hope, emotion, drama and intrigue. A beautiful story set in France as the protagonist runs away from the lies her family had told her.

The Little Provence Bookshop is a delightful and heartwarming novel that takes readers to the picturesque French countryside. Adeline, a woman seeking a fresh start, finds solace in the charming village of Provence. As she settles into her new life, she discovers the magic of books and the warmth of community. The novel’s gentle pace and charming characters create a cosy and inviting atmosphere.

The author skillfully weaves together elements of romance, friendship, and self-discovery, creating a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. While the plot is predictable at times, the book’s focus on the power of human connection and the transformative nature of reading makes it an enjoyable read. The descriptions of the quaint village and the cosy bookstore are particularly evocative, transporting readers to a world of tranquillity and beauty.

The exploration of themes like family, identity, and the healing power of books adds depth to the narrative. Overall, The Little Provence Bookshop is a heartwarming and uplifting story that will appeal to readers who enjoy cosy and feel-good fiction. It’s a perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day.

What is sweet story! I loved the new age/spiritual nuances, the way she wove crystals and such into the story. And I really loved all of the connections and how it all came together. Masterfully told, beautifully woven, a story of the Lost, and the found, the fine delicate threads that weave at all together, and how those find delicate threads are actually a strong bond bringing together four generations. A charming French village setting as the backdrop and a book shop as the foreground setting warms this book lover's heart.

While I saw the twist/reveal coming a mile off, I still really enjoyed this story for its setting and cozy feel. It was a good match for a weekend when I needed some softness and armchair travel to the South of France.