Adaline arrives in a small village in Provence with her daughter Lilli. She's discovered something she didn't know about her family.
She is running away and applied on a whim for a job in the bookshop.
I really liked this story, and Monique's ability to help people through books and crystals.
I also liked Adaline and enjoyed seeing her flourish.
This book has likeable characters and interesting descriptions of the bookshop, food and clothes it was a really quick read.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley

The Little Provence Bookshop is a gently told story of family, finding your roots and rediscovering yourself in the face of grief. Central to the story is Adeline, who only discovered she was adopted after the woman she always thought was her mother died following a lng illness. As the story opens, Adeline, who has always lived in London and worked as a teacher, is taking a new direction, moving to the small Provençal town of La Vienne to work at La Petite Librairie, a quirky book shop owned by Monique, who is also a central character. Monique had a child at the age of sixteen and her baby was adopted out against her will. Both Adeline and Monique feel a connection, something that is strengthened throughout the book as Adeline begins looking for her French birth mother and also discovering her intuitive side. There are plenty of lovely supporting characters including Lili, Adeline’s five year -old daughter, Monique’s nephew Michel and André, the local boulangier patissier. The story itself moves quite slowly, matching the pace of lfe in a small French town. It’s a book to relax with and savour and one that embraces the power of love and friendship.

There are a lot of books around set in bookshops nowadays but this was a bit different. Not a love story, or running from a broken romance. Adeline impulsively moves to France with her 5 year old daughter, Lily, to work in a small town book shop. Her mother has recently died and Adeline has found things that have changed her life. Monique the bookshop owner is in some ways a strange lady. Very intuitive and with her own way of living life. The two women and Lily form a relationship and help each other through the trials of life. With an unexpected consequence. A gentle read. #netgalley #thelittleprovencebookshop

"The Little Provence Book" by Gillian Harvey has the magic of transportating you to another world. It gives you the feeling of personally being in a small french town, where everyone knows everyone.
This was my first read of this author and I am definitely not disappointed: we have the story of a woman, Adeline, who moves from a big city like London to a small town in France after discovering some life changing news.
I really enjoyed this book, although I would have loved to read more details about the other characters (which were so likeable!)
The beginning could seem a bit slow, but keep reading and you will not regret it!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity of reading this arc in exchange of a honest review.

Healing with a beautiful country. I enjoyed reading this book and learn the dynamics between the characters and the struggles with life and coming to terms with a secret. It’s a quick read but I still wasn’t able to read it in a couple of sittings as I found it hard to stick with the story

After discovering the truth about her background after her mom passes away, Adeline takes off for Provence with her daughter Lilli to work in a bookshop. There, she gets to know the other locals and learns more about herself.


This is the third book I’ve read by this author, and I’ve enjoyed them all. I enjoyed being transported back to Provence. The main characters, Monique and Adeline, worked in a bookshop where the owner could sense what the clients needed to read to help them. I would’ve loved to see her romantic interests be more well-developed, but overall, I enjoyed the story. It makes me want to take off to France and work in a bookshop.
I look forward to reading more by the author.


Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources, @netgalley, @boldwoodbooks, and the author of this ARC.

I just love this authors books so when her latest book came out called The Little Provence Book Shop by Gillian Harvey, I had to clear my day and dive into her book. WoW it did not disappoint! It was a wonderful read from the very first few pages. Gillian writes from her heart and this one was no different, it was a beautiful read.

As the sun rises over the little Provence village where single mother Adeline has escaped with her little girl Lily, she breathes deeply. This is their new beginning. Here, she can forget the lies her family told her. Here, she can start her story again.

Later she opens the door to the town’s tiny bookstore, where she is to work, ready to meet the mysterious owner Monique for the first time.

She expected an ordinary bookshop. But this bookstore feels somehow different… magical. Breathing in the smell of books, she feels a jolt of something. It feels like a new chapter beginning.

WoW......Take me to this book shop in a little village in Provence!

I highly recommend this book a great holiday read.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and especially Boldwood Books, for the ARC.

I received The Little Provence Bookshop through NetGalley, and while I found it a pleasant read, it didn’t quite stick with me the way I hoped. That said, there’s a lot to love about this book, especially if you enjoy stories with beautiful settings and themes of second chances.

The Provence village, with its magical bookstore and colorful locals, really pulled me in. I could easily picture the warm sun, lavender fields, and the quaint, tiny shop where Adeline starts her new life. Adeline’s journey is one of finding herself again after running away from the lies of her past, and while the plot twists around her family secrets added some interest, I found the story a bit predictable at times.

The setting is lovely — you can almost feel the warm sun and smell the lavender fields through Harvey’s descriptions. There’s something magical about the little bookstore where Adeline begins working, and the quirky characters in the village, from the charming André to the friendly Michel, add a nice touch. But if I’m being honest, the book didn’t leave a deep mark on me. It was enjoyable in the moment, but I didn’t find myself thinking about it much afterward. That’s not to say it wasn’t good — it just didn’t quite hit that sweet spot for me.

Now, let’s get into a little spoiler territory! The central mystery of Adeline’s past was intriguing, and the gradual revelations about her family’s lies did keep me invested. But as much as I wanted to root for her fresh start, the plot twists felt a bit predictable. Adeline’s romantic connection with André was sweet, but also somewhat expected — there wasn’t much tension or surprise in their relationship. Monique, the mysterious bookstore owner, had so much potential to add a real magical element, but in the end, her character didn’t quite deliver the impact I hoped for.

That said, I think the book shines in its atmosphere. If you're a fan of small-town settings with a dash of whimsy and light drama, The Little Provence Bookshop could be a perfect escape. For me, it was good, but not exactly the kind of story I’ll remember for a long time.

I found this book slow to get into and lost interest, I kept meaning to go back to finish it but dont find myself thinking about the book at all so I have not picked it up and the characters were quite forgettable

Cute. Predictable.

Adeline moves to France with her daughter Lili to find herself after learning she was adopted. There she finds a home with the small community and her boss at the town bookshop. She learns who she is, who her real mother is and maybe even starts to believe in magic a little.

The Little Provence Book Shop is an adorable read, perfect for a cosy evening, or a sunny afternoon, it’s a beautiful story about about adoption and family, full of gorgeous descriptions of Provence. I just wanted to go to the bookshop and wander down the cobbled streets.

I loved Adeline and Monique, but I loved Monique the most, could be her idea of books healing is something I’ve always believed in (full NHS supporter here I believe in modern medicine, just that books have a beautiful power too) I loved the fact she too loves crystals and seemed a free spirit.

This is a heartwarming story, such a delight to read and so touching, about finding out where you belong and what true family is. Wonderful!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A charming read about a bookstore in France that gives off its own special breed of magic.
Adeline ran from England because of disturbing news she discovered and starts over with daughter Lili.
I liked the mystique of Monique and her special brand of bibliotherapy.
It was fairly easy to predict most of the story but I disagreed with whom Adeline ended up with. I was Team M all the way. That did surprise me because I really thought M would win in the end.
It’s a quick read about finding family and also realizing family is more than blood ties.

The Little Provence Book Shop - a small town novel about a woman trying to find herself again after finding out some shocking news after her mother's death.

I loved the setting - small provencial town - and the small side sorry of her romance. Being a romance novel lover, I would have preferred this area to have been a bit meatier. I felt like an after thought. The story was easy to read, however I felt it was a bit drawn out especially in the beginning. The relationship between Adeline and her daughter was adorable and sweet.

Whilst I liked the overall arching storyline of adoption and finding blood relatives, I did feel like the ending was a little predictable and also outlandish. I personally didn't like the 'magic' element to it as it felt out of place and was quite a large focus of the book.

I rated it 3 out of five.
Thank you to Net Galley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

EXCERPT: Growing up in Paris, she'd never imagined that small town life could be as rich; Maman, with her scarlet lips and tailored clothing had scorned what she called 'the dying countryside', and preferred to be where there was life.
Only there was a difference between amongst life and living. In Paris they had been surrounded by people but ad remained lonely. Here, she had been able to make a difference; to use her talent to change lives - and what else was it for? She longed to tell her mother she was wrong.
But she had not spoken to Maman for more than thirty years; perhaps she was already dead? The flash of pain was soon subdued by the memory of what her mother had done to her. Some things could be forgiven; others left deep wounds that never quite closed.

ABOUT 'THE LITTLE PROVENCE BOOK SHOP': Everyone’s story has some magic. You just have to turn the page to find it… As the sun rises over the little Provence village where single mother Adeline has escaped with her little girl Lily, she breathes deeply. This is their new beginning. Here, she can forget the lies her family told her. Here, she can start her story again.

Later she opens the door to the town’s tiny bookstore, where she is to work, ready to meet the mysterious owner Monique for the first time.

She expected an ordinary bookshop. But this bookstore feels somehow different… magical. Breathing in the smell of books, she feels a jolt of something. It feels like a new chapter beginning.

As she gets to know the villagers – including the handsome Andre and friendly Michel – she starts to believe in the magic of this new start. But can a runaway like Adeline ever find what she’s looking for? Or is a happy-ever-after just another fiction?

MY THOUGHTS: Having recently read and loved The Bordeaux Book Club by Gillian Harvey, I was excited to read The Little Provence Book Shop. It is a charming read that incorporates a little drama and romance with a little magic.

I loved Monique, the owner of the book shop. She has an ability to 'read people' and to match them with the book they need. And she feels an instant connection with Adeline who has escaped to France to lick her wounds.

I found Adeline a little hard to relate to although I admired her pluck in upping roots and moving to France for some breathing space.

The Focus of The Little Provence Book Shop is on adoption and it is a thread that is woven throughout the storyline. I thought I knew where Gillian Harvey was going with this, but I wasn't quite right. She threw a curveball in there.

I could have done without the romance thread. It just seemed to complicate matters. I would have preferred to see a friendship that deepened over the course of the book. With the romance and the dramas surrounding the adoption thread, it all seemed just a little too much.

Overall, I enjoyed this read but not as much as The Bordeaux Book Club which seemed to have a little more depth to it.

⭐⭐⭐.6

#TheLittleProvenceBookShop #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: I'm a British author and freelance writer, currently living in France with my husband and 5 children. I write contemporary, uplifting and emotive fiction, often set in France.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Little Provence Book Shop by Gillian Harvey for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Charming and cozy modern day fairy tale about the power of books to heal the soul and bring people together. Loved the setting and the "magic." Must read more from this author!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy

This was my first book from the author and I have to say it was bloody spiritual in a good way okay? IT had a lot of trauma and things to deal with and finding things where and when we least excepted, those woles we have.. It was amazing

In this story, we are introduced to Adeline and her daughter Lili, who have moved from England to Provence, France, after Adeline uncovers new information about herself that has been hidden her entire life. After seeing an ad for help wanted in a book shop in Provence, a place that is related to her family, she packs up and moves. There, she meets Monique, the owner of the book shop, and several other characters in the small town.

This book was a cute and heartwarming story about finding where you belong and finding lost family. It did not take me long to know exactly where this book was going and how the story would turn out, but it was still heartwarming to read it as it played out. I do wish that we got more details on the meetings and the uncovering of information because it was such a huge part of the story line and there was a lot of build up to these moments, but it was still good nonetheless. I loved the small town feel of this book, everyone knows everyone, and the idea of people coming in to the book shop to get a book that they need at that specific time was also a nice touch.

I knew I was going to enjoy this one from its opening pages – so perfectly cinematic, with Monique opening her book shop as the day begins in the heart of her French village, looking forward to the arrival of her new assistant. And what followed certainly didn’t disappoint – a really lovely story, told with exceptional warmth, and with more than a touch of real magic.

Adeline’s life was rocked by a secret in her past, and the chance online discovery of an opening for a bookseller in the small village in Provence provides her with the refuge and escape she really needs. Accompanied by her young daughter Lili, the village and their temporary home are everything she hoped they would be – and bookshop owner Monique soon becomes a close friend. Although she is a touch unsettled when she discovers that Monique is in demand for the way she’s able to find the perfect books her customers need at difficult times in their lives – and even more so by her belief in spells and the power of crystals.

The book she introduces Adeline to is the poetry of Emily Dickinson – full of the right words to soothe her troubled mind (and nicely interspersed in the narrative). And finding herself increasingly at home within her new community – while discovering she too has a gift for matching people with the books they need, and the possibility of a love interest after a rather shaky start – she finds the bravery to repair the rift with her remaining family and to finally resolve the mystery that had unsettled her so badly.

The characterisation is superb – I very much enjoyed Adeline’s journey, young Lili is equally beautifully drawn, and Monique fascinated throughout. The story is gently told – and the touches of magic are equally gently introduced and a very natural and believable part of it all. There’s a palpable warmth to the story’s telling, and a really perfect touch with the more emotional content. And as for the village itself, and the bookshop Le Petit Libraire – as well as being a lovely endorsement of the healing power of books, this really was armchair travel at its very best, with the most vivid descriptions that made me feel present in every moment.

The story itself was completely engaging throughout – with a few twists and turns that perhaps weren’t entirely unexpected, but the ending was every bit as perfect as I hoped it would be. I’ll look forward to reading more from this talented author – this was a book I very much enjoyed, and would most certainly recommend to others.

I am a big fan of Gillian Harvey's books. I love how her passion for France shines through, whih really isn't surprising given that she lived there for years. I pick each one up with a great sense of anticipation, and this one was no different, although the story itself almost felt a bit different - almost sprinkled with fairy dust.

When Adeline and her young daughter Lili move to a small village in Provence, it is almost like fate played a hand. Adeline has recently learned something about herself that has changed the way she feels about her remaining family. She sees an ad in a paper for someone to work in a bookstore and before she knows it, the job is hers.

The bookstore owner is Monique, a woman who has a reputation for being a little bit "witchy", for want of a better word. She believes in gemstones and old wives tales, and she has the uncanny ability of being able to pick exactly the book that her customers need, even if they don't know they need it themselves. And she believes that Adeline has that exact same ability.

It is no surprise that Adeline moves to Provence, and soon she is looking to find the truth about her own identity, but along the way she has to question if making such an impulsive move was actually a good idea both for her daughter and for herself. Meanwhile Monique has many secrets of her own so maybe it is time for her to make her own fresh start as well.

And there is no newcomer to France story without a bit of romance with a lovely French man right?

As always, reading a Gillian Harvey book makes me wish that I could just pop over and live in France for a while. A girl can dream can't she?

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and the Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

The Little Provence Book Shop by Gillian Harvey

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

As the sun rises over the little Provence village where single mother Adeline has escaped with her little girl Lily, she breathes deeply. This is their new beginning. Here, she can forget the lies her family told her. Here, she can start her story again.

Later she opens the door to the town’s tiny bookstore, where she is to work, ready to meet the mysterious owner Monique for the first time.

She expected an ordinary bookshop. But this bookstore feels somehow different… magical. Breathing in the smell of books, she feels a jolt of something. It feels like a new chapter beginning.

As she gets to know the villagers – including the handsome Andre and friendly Michel – she starts to believe in the magic of this new start. But can a runaway like Adeline ever find what she’s looking for? Or is a happy-ever-after just another fiction?

My Opinion

Gillian Harvey has written another delightful book. Monique owns a ‘magical’ book shop and her customers come in hoping that she can help them. When she puts out an advert looking for an assistant, she meets Adeline and her daughter Lili.

Each of the characters in this book is relatable with both Adeline and Monique trying to look for someone they have lost. In places the book was a little bit predictable, but overall I thought that it was an enjoyable plot.

With a lovely setting, this with an easy read. Ideal for reading when you want a quick escape to France.

Rating 4/5