
Member Reviews

A lovely story with a little mystery and a little magic. Adeline beings her daughter with her and moves to a small village and France after a shocking discovery. A lovely story and wonderful characters. I really enjoyed it.

📚Finding herself in France: good plot, lovely village setting👩👧
3.5🌟 stars
The story focuses on a young, single mother fleeing London to a small town in Provence after discovering major secrets her family kept from her through her mother's death. Devastated after accidentally uncovering the truth, Adeline grabs at the chance to pack up her life in England and accept work in a small French bookstore run by Monique, a bit of an eccentric who believes magic and fate are alive and working in everyday lives. Adeline is interested in new/old family connections and, apart from her lively five year old daughter Lili, Adeline's stop and start search for her birth mother was the best part of the story for me. There are some false starts and surprises along the way. A good chunk of the plot also revolves around village life and Adeline's growing attachments there, including her employer Monique, Monique's nephew Michel, and a handsome pastry chef named Andre.
Although the bulk of the story is heartwarming, cozy and kept my interest, I'm afraid the last few chapters before the epilogue brought my rating down because they just fell flat with me. And I wanted more from the romance for Adeline.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Drift off to a little village in Provence and soak up the atmosphere . Light and cosy read to enjoy in the closing rays of summer

❝Everyone’s story has some magic❝
A Comfy Self-Discovery Tales ✿ Set in the middle of a little village in France, where La Petite Libraire existed with its secret—maybe you can call it the magic red strings of fate! ✨
The story revolves mainly around Adeline, a single mother who escapes a hectic city to chase her dream of living in France—or she is just losing herself and trying to find a way to keep on living. With her daughter, Lily, she embarks on a new journey to meet new friends, do a new challenge, and embrace her past. Such a lovely storyline, I should say, and it is the charm that you could expect throughout the reading journey.
❝… the right book can heal us, can speak to us, and help us to be well.❝ – I love how the theme of the magic of books and found family is depicted throughout the story. You could find a lot of book recommendations–that might or might not connected to your situation, from this story (mostly Emily Dickinson’s) and I think this theme resonates with me the most. While the found family theme gives you the “warmth” vibe although I felt something was missing in the plot, in a sense that it somehow felt really instant and predictable, however, it still moved my heart.
As I mentioned before, I think what is lacking from this book is how the characters feel shallow in a way that you don’t really feel a connection with them. Especially in highlighting the romance between the characters that I felt the rush and instance of the chemistry. Regardless, I feel that the book gives me comfort in reflecting on myself and finding a connection with books I’ve read before, I think those are the best part of this book.
I would say, if you are looking to experience the magic of books or if you’re looking for a story that will take you on a self-discovery journey then this book is definitely perfect. Coming to you on October 9th, don’t miss it!
❝I gave you a book from a woman who is dead many years, yet you hear her voice. You feel what she feels. You sense it. There is a connection. What is that if it is not magic?❝
#thelittleprovencebookshop #gillianharvey #netgalley

The Little Bookshop of Provence,
A story of finding ones roots, place in the world where your sense of belonging is unquestionable. I loved this quite, emotional, no fuss story of Adeline, Monique and them creating their own rules for being a family and finding love, happiness and forgiveness too.

I enjoyed the found family aspect of this book, reading about life in a small French town, and of course the part the bookstore plays in the story! This was a good book, but I felt it was too over the top in a lot of ways. I think that there are other readers who may enjoy it more than me, ones who are more interested in the unexplained/supernatural (ex: magic, crystals, “feelings”).
Thank you Net Galley and publishers for an advanced copy!

Adeline along with her daughter Lilli move to Provence.
She’s fortunate to find a job in a little bookshop.
This was a nice little story. It’s full of some surprises which to me were not all that surprising. I liked Adeline and her strength to move somewhere she knew no one.

Adeline is struggling with her identity after finding out that she quite literally is not who she thought she was. She discovers after her mother’s death that she had been adopted as an infant and her life is turned upside down.
In search of something new, she feels drawn to accept an ad for a position at La Petite Librairie and move with her young daughter Lili to St. Vianne, France.
Adeline, and Monique (the bookshop owner) embark on similar journeys, filled with grief and hope as they discover more about their pasts and future.
One of my favorite parts was how Monique, and eventually Adeline, were not just readers of books, but readers of people. Seeing who someone was on the inside and innately knowing what they needed.

Adeline and her daughter move to France after the death of Adeline's mother. she finds a wonderful bookstore, where she makes friends. sweet story.

I really wanted to love this book. I mean who wouldn’t be drawn to this lovely cover, set in France in an old bookshop. I could picture it. It just wasn’t my type of read. It seemed to take so long with much repetition and undeveloped characters.
I do appreciate NetGalley & the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable story and I absolutely loved the setting and description of the bookshop and town. The characters and the romance piece fell a little flat for me, but I was still a light fun read with an interesting story line.

Lived this book so much! So heartwarming and sweet. I will definitely be reading more books by this author

After the death of her mother, Adeline is left not knowing who she really is. In order to find herself, she runs away from her life in England, taking her five year old daughter with her, to a little village in Provence.
The Little Provence Bookshop tells of fate, and how deep a families love can be.
Although it was a bit predictable, it was still a charming enjoyable and easy read.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for letting me read this book in return for my honest review

The Little Provence Bookshop is a feel-good novel set in a small French village. It’s about Adeline, a single mum who moves to Provence with her daughter after discovering some family secrets. She gets a job at a quirky little bookshop run by Monique, and slowly starts rebuilding her life.I enjoyed the relaxing vibe of the story—it's perfect if you're into books with a bit of magical realism and gorgeous French settings. The descriptions of the village and the bookshop make you feel like you're right there in Provence. The story is both light and heartwarming, with themes of family, love, and finding yourself. I found it an easy and comforting read that would perhaps be enjoyed most by fellow bibliophiles.

What a lovely story of loss, new beginnings and love with a little bit of magic thrown in. The story of Adeline and the loss of her mum and with it a bombshell that she just cannot take in, a random advert for a job in a book shop in France which takes her and daughter Lili on an adventure.
This is a lovely story and well worth the read..
My thanks as always to NetGalley and to Publisher Boldwood Books and author Gillian Harvey for the chance of the early read.

I loved this . Set in France in a magical bookshop that you wanted to visit . You have a cute little girl, the shocks and joys of family, a slow burn love story. Lots of great twists . I could not work how it would fall into place. I do like Gillian Harvey as a writer. A great plot. Read it

Londoner Adeline’s world falls apart when, after caring for her during a long illness, Adeline’s mother dies and family secrets are revealed. Adeline hastily decamps for France, with her five-year-old daughter in tow. There, she hopes to heal her heartbreak and reevaluate all she believed bout her life, while working in a bookshop in a tiny town in Provence.
This was a pleasant, heartwarming tale of finding family, friendship and love. The descriptions of the French town were enjoyable and the cast of characters who enter the bookstore to heal their own heartaches through a well-placed book choice was a nice twist. While I enjoyed the story set-up, the writing at times felt a bit flat. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for this escapist tale set in beautiful Provence.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

In The Little Provence Book Shop, Gillian Harvey enchants readers with a heartwarming tale of new beginnings, self-discovery, and the unexpected magic found within the pages of a book. Adeline, a single mother seeking refuge from her tumultuous past, takes a leap of faith and relocates to a picturesque village in Provence with her daughter, Lili. It’s here that she hopes to reclaim her story and build a brighter future.
Harvey’s vivid prose brings the idyllic setting to life, making readers feel the warmth of the sun and the charm of the town as Adeline steps into a quaint bookstore unlike any other. The transformative power of literature is palpable, as the shop seems to hold the promise of new adventures and love. Through her interactions with the villagers, particularly the enigmatic Monique, the handsome André, and the affable Michel, Adeline begins to redefine her identity and open herself up to the possibilities of happiness.
This novel beautifully explores themes of belonging, resilience, and the search for a place to call home. Harvey expertly balances moments of introspection with delightful encounters that are both uplifting and poignant. As Adeline navigates her journey, readers are invited to consider whether true happiness is something to be found or created.
The Little Provence Book Shop is a delightful escape, perfect for those who believe in the power of new beginnings and the magic of community. If you’re looking for a feel-good read that will transport you to the sunny streets of Provence and inspire you to embrace life’s possibilities, this book is a must-add to your reading list

This book was a cute little story about finding family and love in a small French town.
Unfortunately the plot was all over the place. The pacing felt off, and important moments, such as the main character’s first date with the love interest, were skipped entirely.
There was some slight character development for the main character, but not much, and the story didn’t have a satisfying finish.
This could be a good read if you’re looking for a something that’s a quick read and pure fluff, but overall I don’t recommend it.

In The Little Provence Bookshop by Gillian Harvey, the story follows Adeline, a single mother who embarks on a journey from London to Provence, France, with her young daughter, Lilli. As Adeline navigates this new chapter of her life, she starts working at a charming, magical bookshop owned by an elderly woman. Through this experience, she begins to uncover the secrets of her past, including her untold birth story. With the help of the bookshop owner, Adeline learns more about her history and discovers new aspects of herself.
While the plot is engaging and has a magical touch, I felt the story occasionally lacked emotional depth. Some parts were predictable, and despite the strong presentation, there was an element of the narrative that didn't quite resonate on a deeper, more heartfelt level. Overall, it’s a lovely story, but it feels as if something essential is missing.