Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Escape to the French Riviera by Helga Jensen is the perfect getaway in book form, transporting readers to the sun-soaked shores of Monaco, France. The story follows a woman seeking a fresh start in her career as a writer while on holiday in one of the most glamorous destinations in the world. An unexpected encounter with a stranger who offers to help with her writing sets the stage for an interesting journey.

With vivid descriptions of charming locations in France, this book beautifully builds up a romance that captivates readers, making them feel as if they are living inside the story. The author introduces a diverse cast of characters, adding depth and making the narrative more engaging while also exploring deeper themes such as the power of friendship and family bonds.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy vivid settings, heartwarming romance, and stories that explore the power of friendship and family bonds.

After reading this book I'm left feeling confused and unsettled. Like, is that really the end??

What I loved: the setting in Monaco is magnificent! I'd stay there in a heartbeat and have the best holiday! The sisterhood of women is fabulous. Girlfriends are so important as we age.

What left me feeling meh: the main characters. Both are wishy washy. They both let their adult kids rule their lives. I kept wanting to say get a backbone, especially to Lucy. Stop letting people walk all over you. Would like to have a deeper development of each of the main characters and their relationship.

Overall, it was a cute rom com with a middle aged couple.

Loved loved this book. You felt like you was there with the details of the surroundings and a gorgeous story to go with it x

Escape To The French Riviera by Helga Jensen

4🌟🌟🌟🌟

Second chance romance for a widower Elias and divorcee Lucy, who met in France when Lucy forgets her money at a Market and Elias offers to pay. Although he doesn’t expect repayment and they don’t exchange information they cross paths again. Although Lucy has sworn off dating and trusting men, her and Elias are drawn to each other. The problem each are afraid to completely trust and then add their adult children and things become more complicated. Will Lucy & Elias be able to overcome all these obstacles or will their time in the French Riviera be just a fling?

Escape to the French Riviera
by Helga Jensen

This enchanting book is a delightful journey—a true feel-good romance that captivated me from the very first page. It was my inaugural encounter with Helga Jensen's writing, and I was thoroughly impressed by her ability to weave together an engaging narrative.

The story revolves around Lucy, an aspiring author, who finds herself at a lavish 50th birthday party in the stunning setting of Monaco. Surrounded by opulence and glamour, she is blissfully unaware that this extravagant event will lead to a transformation in her life. Initially, Lucy is not searching for love, but when she meets the charming Elias, her perspective begins to shift. He invites her to experience the thrill of sailing on his employer's luxurious yacht, and she eagerly accepts—seeing it as a perfect opportunity for inspiration in her writing.

What truly captivated me was the remarkable character development of Lucy throughout the book. Jensen expertly guides us through her journey, allowing us to witness her growth as she navigates unexpected feelings and newfound possibilities. The novel beautifully balances romance, self-discovery, and the allure of the French Riviera, making it an unforgettable read.

I really enjoyed this book. I love how Helga writes for the older women and finding a new path in their life and taking risks. Beautifully written, I could not put this down. It transported me to Monaco and the French Rivera and how the other life lives.

A lovely getaway of a book. An entertaining, easy-to-read second chance romance. This book was fun. Lavish yachts, glamorous Monaco, casinos of Monte Carlo, and traveling in Saint Tropez were a fascinating setting to fall in love. Lucy found herself in a fairytale among the rich lifestyle. Lucy and Elias were so good together. It was heartwarming. Characters are relatable and realistic. Their concerns are genuine when life takes an unexpected turn. We can never guess, at what stage of our lives, we'll find our happily ever after. Overall, it's a good uplifting book.
Thanks to the author, @Netgalley, and the publisher for the eARC.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Helga Jensen.

It’s a story of second chances and learning more about yourself. Lucy aspires to become a writer, but she is finding it hard to get the words flowing. She and her friends travel Monaco, where one of them is going to celebrate her big birthday.

She meets Elias by chance, who is a handsome man and later invites Lucy and her friends to go on a yacht and have a sailing experience.

They slowly begin to grow close because of their past. Now, she has to think about what happened in her previous relationship that she finds it hard to trust another man again.

I loved the gorgeous setting. The story was well written and had romance, secrets and delicious food to make your mouth water.

I highly recommend this book.

I enjoyed the story overall, but once again the author spends too much time on telling. As another reviewer put it, it's like a stream of consciousness coming from Lucy, and Lucy is quite childish for a 52 year old. There's something about the narrative style, it's too simplistic. I didn't feel there was much of a romance. The children were all annoying. Why didn't we hear more about the book Lucy was writing? That would have been interesting. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had such high hopes for this book based on the blurb but it didn't quite live up to expectations. On reflection, i don't think the characters were particularly well developed. The description of the setting was lovely but the story was a little meh unfortunately.

Even though I find the title and the cover of this book very beautiful, I found its content very weak. The story follows fifty-two year-old Lucy who goes in the south of France to celebrate her best friend's birthday. There, she meets a mysterious man called Elias and they have an instant connection.

The story in itself was fine and enjoyable, but the characters were awful, especially the main character, Lucy. She acted so gullible, not like she is 52 but 12. I found the dialogue weak and cringey, and even the love interest was really bad and didn't treat her well.

I could say that I am not the target audience of this book, but I have enjoyed so many books and authors in this genre. I would still give the author another chance, she has potential, but I also think she needs to hone her craft.

This book follows Lucy, an aspiring author who attends a wealthy friend’s 50th birthday party in Monaco. Still healing from a broken marriage, she isn’t looking for love. However, when she meets Elias, a charming man who invites her sailing on his employer’s boat, she agrees—seeing it as an opportunity for book research rather than romance. As they spend time together, they bond over their adult children, who seem intent on limiting their independence. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but Lucy soon questions whether Elias is truly who he seems. More importantly, is she ready to open her heart again?

Jensen delivers a heartwarming and engaging later-in-life romance with well-developed, relatable characters. Lucy is an inspiring protagonist, and her journey—both as a writer and someone learning to trust again—feels authentic. The romance with Elias is written realistically, highlighting the challenges of dating with adult children in the picture. The setting in the French Riviera adds a rich, atmospheric backdrop, and the novel’s balance of humor, warmth, and heartfelt moments makes it an enjoyable read. Fans of uplifting, second-chance romances will appreciate this compelling and beautifully told story.

Too much telling, not enough showing. The book opens up with exposition instead of action. I read romance because I want to read about falling in love—not about how the heroine’s previous marriage failed. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

This was my first Helga Jensen novel and it was exactly what I wanted! An untaxing, uplifting, romantic novel set in a beautiful location, it made the dreary January commutes fly by.
I enjoyed the fact it had an older-than-average heroine, dealing with different issues to the norm - navigating life post divorce, a difficult ex-husband, demanding teenage children. And I loved the handsome but humble Elias, as he and Lucy both learned to trust again.
I thoroughly enjoyed my Escape to the French Riviera! Thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for the advance copy.

Wahoo another Helga book. She's such a talented and always on my to-read list author. I love her charming style. Her wit which just lifts the story. And how I just want to snuggle in and immerse myself in every moment of the book.
This time we are escaping to the French Riviera. And once again we are right there with the characters with Helgas wonderful descriptions and scene setting.
We have Lucy our aspiring author who's still suffering a lack of confidence due to heartbreak. Attending her friends birthday in Monaco she meets Ella's and is instantly taken with him. And the chemistry is mutal. He offers to take her on a boating adventure and their connection grows.
Will Lucy have the courage and self belief to love again.

I really liked how this book was in the "older" than the norm age group. And it's didn't lose anything from being so. We really need to see more of this age group and beyond. The more mature characters are always some of best in books so I don't know why they don't have a more prominent place!
Loved it. And I'm so grateful I got to read the next of one of my top favourite authors.

I was looking forward to this book however it did not live up to any of my expectations. Flat, one dimensional characters made it a struggle to finish.

Another great read from this author love how they write about relatable characters and issues and also write books about women in their 50s and show how life can begin at 50 and that it is possible to be given a second chance in life.

This was a perfect me pick up and feel good good uplifting read.

Escape to The French Riviera by Helga Jensen is a heartwarming tale of second chances and self-discovery. Lucy, a jaded aspiring author, attends a lavish birthday party in Monaco and unexpectedly crosses paths with Elias, a charming man who invites her on a sailing adventure. As their connection deepens over shared experiences and a growing attraction, Lucy must confront her past heartbreak and fears about trusting again. Set against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera, this novel explores themes of love, healing, and the courage to embrace new beginnings. With its mix of romance, introspection, and scenic allure, it’s a perfect read for fans of feel-good, transformative love stories.

A lovely story of ignoring all the cliches and falling in love again. You had 3 good friends , 4 grown up children , an x pain in the neck husband and a beautiful setting. A real feel good read. Loved it. Read in one session.

Charming book. Great writing. But the highlight for me was the setting - reading this makes you feel like you are in the heart of the French Riviera.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.