When I first read the synopsis, I was in two minds about the book. A woman goes to her ex-husbands WEDDING??!! There is no way I would do that! However, I like to give things a go, so I got stuck in and read the book.

I loved it! Lucie is a woman who is struggling to adapt, post-divorce. Her ex has left her with a big debt that wasn't hers and her daughter Zoe is pregnant with no sign of a wedding ahead. Somehow or another, she is roped into taking her dad's Jag for a road trip to France, with her daughter and her nephew, Deva, in the car.

Gotta admit that Deva was my favourite character in this book. He really comes into his own as the book goes on and I absolutely loved that :)

A gorgeous, modern tale that is well worth reading.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

This story is about finding yourself and learning to thrive with a new purpose. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and how well the family dinamics were exposed, but also all the love behind it all.

This was a super quick and easy read. My first by this author but definitely will not be my last.
A great story about family and creating a new life after divorce and losing a loved one.
Lucie’s daughter can’t get to her fathers wedding in France due to a train strike, so against her better judgment, Lucie sets off to drive her daughter and her nephew to his wedding in France, and an adventure awaits them all. While on the trip, her nephew Deva, talks her into a side trip to see the birthplace of his idol, Chanel, and we get a bit of history through his character. We also meet some refugees in a side storyline which really added an element of depth to the story that I didn’t even know I wanted.
Overall this was a fun, feel good read and I enjoyed the ride.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

When life gives Lucie lemons, what should she do?
Divorced, in debt, and dire times to go through.
When an invitation arrives from her ex
To his marriage in France, leaving her vexed.

A train strike leaves their pregnant daughter needing aid
So, with Lucie’s Dad’s help, new plans are made.
Then her nephew joins the travellers, too.
The start of an adventure that’s fun the whole way through!

A story of making the most st of your chances,
Daring to dream, helping others and romances.
A lovely story from beginning to end
A delightful read in which time to spend.

For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I loved the idea of this book - a divorced wife taking her nephew (whom she really didn't know until the trip!) and her pregnant daughter to the south of France for her ex-husband's wedding. It was lighthearted and funny, and I really loved the points-of-view and the way that this book was written. It was a really quick and fast read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Carmen Reid for this arc!

Even though this book deals with some heavy topics, there is enough humor woven in to balance it out. I found it to be a heartwarming story with characters I would enjoy taking a road trip with. It was also interesting to learn so many facts about Coco Chanel. I will be seeking out more books to read by Carmen Reid. Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for a copy to read and review.

This book was different than I was expecting. It is almost a 3 person POV but the main character and most of the story is about Lucie. The characters experienced a lot of growth, which I loved. The story took some very sad turns at times but everything works out in the end. I loved all the Coco Chanel facts and I think I might delve deeper into her story as well! Some of the dialogue felt a big stilted but for the most part the book was a great read. I loved traveling through England and France!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books & Carmen Reid for my review copy. These are my thoughts:

When I applied for this book, I thought it would be a fun, light, entertaining read, filled with adventure and mishaps. I wasn’t wrong, but this book was so much more than that.

This book was entertaining and fun, but also bittersweet and heartwarming. From the characters and their struggles and issues, to the adventure they embark on, and even some over the top plot points, this was probably my favourite book of the month.

Recently divorced Lucie, is tasked with driving her very pregnant daughter and “strange” nephew to her ex-husband’s wedding in the south of France. She reluctantly drives them and what was supposed to be a straightforward journey, turns into an adventure - filled with sightseeing; a broken down jag and the “combing through” and mending of her relationship with her daughter, Zoe; as well as the blossoming of her nephew, Deva. With Coco Chanel as their guide, Lucie will discover that now is the time to start living and to start taking (calculated) risks.

What I liked about this book: how Lucie, Zoe and Deva bonded over the trip and helped each other. There was so much character growth. I loved Lucie’s father. He was so supportive and encouraging of his daughter and his relationship with both Lucie and Zoe was heartwarming.
I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation Lucie had with her ex-husband and how she told him off for the things he’d done. It made me proud of her. I also loved that Lucie got a second chance at love.

Themes of grieving, decision making, standing up for what you want and starting over, were very present with all the characters. As well as, not taking things at face value and with preconceived notions - it’s surprising the things you learn and find when you let go of prejudice (this will make sense when you read the book).

This book will have you thinking about human relationships; what you’re holding onto that is weighing you down and that life is full of possibilities and new beginnings.

Stuck in Second Gear, Lucie Marshal is still reeling from divorce and life as she knows it. When given an unexpected opportunity to turn her life around, she takes us on the road trip of a lifetime.

Reid is one of those author's who writes heartwarming, feel good fiction and there's always light at the end of the (channel) tunnel.

With family at its heart, Stuck in Second Gear is an enjoyable story of rediscovery and relationships.

An enjoyable, easy to read story with delightful characters and perfect pacing.

This is a delightful and engaging read that offers both heartfelt moments and a good dose of adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected twists in Lucie’s journey, which kept the story fresh and exciting. At its core, this feel-good story explores themes of family, resilience, and life after divorce with warmth and authenticity. What makes it even more special is its uplifting portrayal of neurodiversity, which adds depth and perspective to the narrative. A wonderful book that combines fun, heart, and meaningful representation—highly recommended!

Sometimes you read books and they stick with you, this will be one of those books. Lucie goes through so much on this roadtrip, it was nice to see how she handled every challenge. Having to go watch your ex get married is not an easy task but she took it all in stride, to be the mom her daughter needed in that moment. Zoe and Deva provide some much needed comedic relief and also added to the story line in their own ways. The unexpected passengers and the way Lucie handled everything with them really showed who Lucie is as a person. So while it took me a little bit to really get into this story, I enjoyed getting to know each character and learning what brings them joy, what struggles they face and how they overcome them, and just the way the book shows how every person can become better.

This is such a wonderful feel-good story! Fifty-two year old Lucie Marshal’s life isn’t going according to plan. Her car has broken down, the repair job will cost a huge amount and she’s still paying debts on credit card bills her ex-husband amassed before their divorce. Her father is sick and her daughter is barely talking to her. To top it all off, her ex is now getting remarried and she’s received an invitation to his wedding which will be taking place in France and shared all over on instagram. Lucie is determined that she won’t go to Miles’s new wedding, but when her daughter’s last minute travel plans fall apart, Lucie reluctantly agrees to drive her and another person to France, in her dad’s car.

I loved this book from the first pages! Lucie’s life used to be glamorous. She used to go to all the hip night clubs, meeting celebrities there and she used to have lots of cash when she was younger and in the early days of her marriage too. But after things went wrong with her ex-husband’s businesses, she now lives a much more humble life. Stuck with debts that her ex amassed before their divorce, she finds herself struggling with her finances these days, which is extra annoying to her as her ex now seems to have landed on his feet and is going to be having an elaborate looking wedding shown on instagram by his influencer wife. The story begins by follow Lucie as we find out more about her situation with her finances, the life she now lives as well as her past and situation around her daughter and father. I like how this book easily switches between different viewpoints of the three characters who eventually make the road trip together: Lucie, Lucie’s daughter Zoe, and Lucie’s nephew Deva.

I like Deva’s character and how his neurodiversity makes him act different. Deva was a fun character to follow, especially when you learn more about what he loves and wants to do in life, and his fascination with a certain French character from history. As the three make their way on the road a lot of fun things happen. Any road trip in stories is usually interesting but I like what happens as these three travel through France, taking some interesting detours along the way and we see more happening with Deva and some new characters too.

There’s something so feel-good about this story. I’ll admit I did guess one thing that would happen later on in the story a long while before, but I love what happens and how this tale kept me wondering what would happen next and how Lucie’s story could resolve into a happier one. All three characters, Lucie, Zoe and Deva, have their own story arcs in this book and I love how everything works out in the end for all of the characters, despite some difficulties they all have. The book doesn’t have anything really upsetting in this story. There’s the impending death of one character who is very sick, but this is known about throughout the story and is dealt with well. The whole story in fact has such a great feel-good mood to it and in the end you can’t help but smiling when you finish reading this.

The ending is a very satisfying one for all characters, it’s the perfect ending and now I’ve read this book I’m keen to read more books by this author too. Overall this is a wonderful road trip style story and a wonderful feel-good mild comedy, it just instantly makes you feel better reading. A lovely book I would recommend, especially if you want to read something to cheer you up. :)

Lucy Marshall used to be a fun-loving, successful wife, career woman, and mother. She’s gone from that to a divorcee, angry with her ex and barely speaking with her daughter. The last thing she wants to do is go to her ex-husband’s wedding. When her daughter and nephew Deva need a ride to France, due to a train strike, for her ex’s wedding, she decides to through caution to the wind and drive them to France. Along the way they make pit stops to see places important to Chanel, Deva’s idol, gaining some unexpected passengers.


I enjoyed this story about second chances, following your dreams, and living your best life. Lucy and her travel mates were great characters, and I enjoyed their road trip to the wedding in France and their adventures. I look forward to reading more from this author.


Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @rachelsrandomresources, @netgalley and the author for this arc.

A wonderful fun, witty and sometimes tearful story.

Lucie, after her divorce from Miles and left with his debts, is invited along with their Daughter Zoe, to his wedding in France to Jascasta, an Instagram influencer. After her dying father convincers her to take his car and drive, she relents and after pitstops, helping strangers and reconnecting with her very pregnant daughter, Lucie has to agree that it was the right decision.

The trip has also reconnected her with an old flame, Clarke and sparks fly!

A truly lovely read, one that you will not want to put down!

Even when I am trying to resist the lure of too many blog tours, there is one thing that will call me. Some days I am strong enough to resist, there are some days when I just can't. When I saw the blurb for this book, my resistance was very weak. How could I resist a road trip across France?

Lucie Marshal is flabbergasted when she receives an invite to her ex-husband's wedding to a much younger influencer. How very dare he! How on earth can he even afford such a lavish event, perfectly curated for social media, when she is still paying off the debts from their acrimonious split. There is no way that she is attending this wedding.

When Lucie and Miles split, she didn't just lose a husband, she lost her interior design business, her well to do lifestyle, and there are now very distinct cracks in her relationship with her daughter Zoe. She hasn't even met the man who is the father to her soon to be born grandchild. What did she gain? Well, some debt, life in a new town closer to her ailing dad, a car that is going to cost her a fortune to repair to make it roadworthy and not much more.

When there is a sudden train strike and all the flights are booked, Lucie's dad convinces her that she should take his old Jaguar and drive heavily pregnant Zoe to the wedding, and he will pay the costs. He also suggests to her that maybe she should try and live a little, have some fun along the way. And then her nephew Devi needs a lift too. Can anyone say road trip!

For Lucie, it would be best to just get to the wedding destination, drop Zoe and Devi off, and she can continue on to the little hotel by the sea that she has booked before making the return trip. Devi, however, is absolutely obsessed with all things Coco Chanel, and soon they are making deviations from the easy route, visiting Paris, the Auvergne region and more. I would not want to be driving a Jag into central Paris or some of the country roads in France!

Both Zoe and Devi have their own stories to be told during this road trip. Zoe's partner Rafi doesn't seem to want the same things as she does, and Devi's mother has very particular ideas of how he should live which don't equate with him living his best life!
I loved this book. I have never read Carmen Reid, but now she is on my list of authors that I have to read the backlists of! There was a lot going on in this book, what with all the events that happen as they drive across France, relationships to be repaired, with Deva taking ownership of who he really is, an influencer wedding where there is an unexpected guest and so much more. Carmen Reid does a great job of balancing the sad, the sweet, the funny moments, the joy and all the emotions in between.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. 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.

Rating 4.5/5

Lucie Marshal, 52, is divorced from Miles Marshal. They have a daughter, Zoe who works as a nurse in London and is pregnant. Her boyfriend is dragging his feet committing to an apartment for them to live in.

Lucie is drowning in debt that she inherited when she divorced her husband. She had a credit card in her name and her husband secretly used it to run up huge debts. In addition, his entire business died leaving her stuck with his debts and without the once really nice life she once knew.

Lucie’s father is quite ill and she doesn’t want to lose him. However, he is quite upbeat and doesn’t want her to worry.

When she gets an invitation to Miles’ and his fiancee’s wedding in France, she is appalled. Zoe has been invited too and wants to go. People are trying to get Lucie to go but she absolutely refuses. When a strike means that Lucie has to drive Zoe and her strange nephew, Deva Nadar to the wedding, she agrees as her father has said she can drive his beloved Jaguar.

Thus begins a journey that will long be remember by readers. There will be laughs, angst, and a lot of decisions made about life. This is yet another clever and charming book written by this delightful author. Come along and enjoy the journey and learn to live again.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

After her divorce and being left with a mountain of debt and living in a rented flat Lucie is definitely not going to her ex husband’s wedding in France! However things don’t work out as planned and she finds herself driving to the venue so that heavily pregnant daughter Zoe and nephew Deva can get there. With plenty of incidents, pit stops and with events and conversations leading to a better understanding of each other it turns out to be a very eventful journey. I absolutely loved the characters in this and adored Lucie’s dad Phil. I thought that the dynamics of each of the relationships were really well explored and written. This covers so many different topics and emotions but is essentially about finding to yourself. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Reid writes such relatable stories. Lucie is at loose ends after seeing both her career and marriage down the tubes.
I thought she ride her daughter Zoe pretty hard in the beginning of the book and needed to back off a bit.
My absolute favorite character was her dad, Phil, although his part of the book was sad he was such a dear.
It would be a cold day in hell before I attended my ex’s wedding but I laughed at two of the incidents that occurred.
When Lucie unearthed a photo I knew something would come of that dangling thread and I was right.
When you seem stuck in life you have to find a way out, even if it’s driving a vintage Jaguar.

This heartwarming story centers on family, resilience, and starting anew after divorce and loss.

When Lucie's daughter can't make it to her father’s wedding in France due to a train strike, Lucie reluctantly agrees to drive her daughter and nephew, Deva, to the wedding. What starts as a simple road trip turns into an unexpected adventure. Along the way, Deva persuades Lucie to take a detour to visit the birthplace of his idol, Coco Chanel, adding a delightful touch of history to the narrative.

The story also introduces a compelling side plot involving refugees, which adds emotional depth and a sense of connection to larger global issues.

Overall, this is a fun and feel-good read with layers of meaning and charm. It’s a journey of healing, discovery, and unexpected connections that will leave you smiling.

Stuck in Second Gear by Carmen Reid

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

Blurb

Lucie Marshal is absolutely furious! How did she go from being a successful wife and mother to divorced, teetering on bankruptcy, and barely speaking to her grown-up daughter? Even worse, she’s just heard that her moronic ex-husband Miles is marrying a much younger woman in an influencer-style wedding in France #blessed #theone

Lucie will absolutely NOT be going. To hell with Miles, his new teeth, new hair and new wife! She’s perfectly fine...In fact, Lucie feels lost and angry almost all of the time. Just what happened to her younger, freer wild child self, who used to live life to the full?

But then pregnant daughter Zoe needs a lift... and eccentric nephew Deva needs a lift too and now Lucie has somehow agreed to drive her Dad’s beloved old Jag all the way across France to take them to her ex-husband’s wedding.

With a pitstop in Paris, a breakdown, unexpected passengers, and miles of open road, all set to Deva’s showtunes soundtrack – could this be the journey Lucie needs to find a way back to herself?

My Opinion

The last thing Lucie wants to do is head off to France to attend Miles’ wedding – unfortunately when her daughter needs a lift, she doesn’t have a choice. For me, this was a quick and easy book to read. Carmen Reid has once again written some interesting characters and takes the reader on an inspiring journey.

Rating 4/5