Family saga beach read🏖

3.5🌟 stars
Sunny skies, lovely French cuisine and pastries😋, and a front row seat for the swaths of humanity roaming the picturesque streets of Cannes: all pleasant elements as backdrop for a multi-generational saga set around the recent death of a selfish, manipulative Frenchman called Oscar. Family descends on Cannes to settle his estate and old wounds are reopened and some surprises are revealed.

It was an easy, quick read and the twists, not all that unexpected, provided some light drama. There's romance for several of the characters but no steamy stuff. The plot was fine but I just did not connect well with the characters. I also found the ending a bit too all sweetly wrapped up. It made me feel even further removed from the characters who seem to be living a charmed life.

I generally like the author's work, especially her French settings and the challenges her female characters face. I've read and greatly enjoyed quite a few and plan to continue seeking her books.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 4/8/25 on Waterstones and Goodreads, and with Barnes & Noble. To be shared with kobo and Google Play upon publication.

This was a beautiful story depicting romance and family secrets in a gorgeous Italian setting.
I liked the storyline of the book and the way in which the story followed three generations, as they navigated difficult circumstances and secrets from within the past. I really liked following each of them individually and I thought that the story progressed for each of them really well and I liked how things ended for them all. You could see cracks between them healing and I really liked seeing their relationships grow.
Theo for me was the perfect gentleman 😍. He was the ideal support for Agnes and my heart went out to him at the end when the twist was revealed, although I did suspect that would be revealed. He was the complete opposite of his brother, who I really did not like!
The setting of the book sounded so nice and I could picture myself sitting on the balcony and listening to the sea with morning pastries like Francine and Jasmine.

Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky is a heartwarming novel that delves into family bonds, resilience, and the impact of the past, all set against the picturesque backdrop of the French Riviera. The story follows three generations of women—Agnes, Francine, and Jasmine—as they embark on a journey to uncover long-buried family secrets, forcing them to confront past wounds and redefine their relationships with one another.While the Riviera setting adds charm to the story, it could have been more vividly described to fully immerse the reader in its atmosphere. Additionally, while the book successfully explores emotional depth, certain moments could have been given more weight to heighten their impact. Overall, Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky is a compelling and fast-paced novel that will resonate with fans of contemporary women’s fiction and multi-generational family dramas. It offers a touching exploration of rediscovering the past, healing old wounds, and embracing the hope that comes with new beginnings.

I enjoyed this story about an extended family with a beautiful French setting. I identified mainly with Agnes, (probably my age!), and found Francine a bit annoying. The multi-generational characters should mean there’s someone for readers of all ages to connect with. The Cannes setting was a highlight for me, it would make a perfect holiday read.

The story is told thru multi points of view from past to present tense. It made the story difficult to get into and connect with the characters. The secrets that unfolded were somewhat predictable as was the mother daughter conflict between Zazz and Francine. It is a fast read, but the story was not as good as I hoped.

If this doesn’t speak romcom perfection I don’t know what does!… I was so delighted with the warm fuzzy feeling this book left me with

Set in the South of France this is Agnes's story of her return to France with her daughter and granddaughter on the death of her estranged huband. She has old hurts and memories to confront but as the secrets emerge and are resolved, the story moves to a very satisfying ending. An excellent read as always from this author.

This book was hard to get into. Did not like where the scenery was and did not connect with the characters. This book was not my cup of tea.

Jennifer writes such gorgeous books set in the South of France and this one is no difference. I loved every minute of reading this easy but page turning book about Agnes, Francine and Zazz in the aftermath of the horrible Oscar's death. There were moments I wanted to scream at Francine as she, as one of the characters says 'uptight' but she is also a vile and controlling person at times. The chapters are short and I easily flew through this book, not wanting to put it down as we follow three generations as they return, and in someways visit, Cannes for the first time. I loved the backdrop of the book too,

I can't wait for Jennifer's next book.

Jennifer Bohnet’s "Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky" was a delightful and enjoyable read, offering a charming escape to the picturesque French Riviera. While the novel had some shortcomings, its strengths in storytelling, setting, and character development made up for them, creating a pleasant and engaging experience overall.

One of the standout aspects of this book was its sweet and heartfelt storylines. The novel followed three generations of women—Agnes, her daughter Francine, and her granddaughter Zazz—each navigating their own personal journeys. Their individual arcs were well-developed without becoming overwhelming or difficult to follow, which can sometimes happen with multiple perspectives. Bohnet did a great job intertwining their stories in a way that felt seamless and natural, keeping the reader engaged throughout.

The setting was another highlight. The vivid imagery of the French Riviera truly transported me into the world of the novel. Bohnet’s descriptions of the landscape, atmosphere, and culture painted a beautiful and immersive picture, making the book feel like a mini getaway. However, while the use of French vocabulary throughout the story contributed to the authenticity of the setting, it occasionally made the narrative feel choppy. For readers familiar with the language, this addition might enhance the experience, but for those less fluent, it could interrupt the flow of the story.

Despite these strengths, the novel did have some weak points, particularly in its dialogue. There were moments where conversations felt rushed or understated, especially when characters were relaying key information to one another. This sometimes diminished the emotional weight of significant plot developments, as major turns in the story were often glossed over rather quickly instead of being given the depth they deserved. If these moments had been explored more thoroughly, they could have added more substance and impact to the narrative.

While the book leaned heavily into fluff, it was nonetheless a very pleasant read. The light and uplifting tone made it easy to get through, and despite my critiques, I found myself enjoying the journey. It was a quick read for me, it could easily be finished in two or three sittings. Ultimately, while this specific story may not be one I’d typically gravitate toward, I appreciated its warmth, likable characters, and satisfying conclusion. For those who enjoy feel good contemporary fiction with a scenic backdrop, Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky is certainly worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for ARC

Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky had potential, but it ultimately left me feeling underwhelmed. Agnes’s return to Cannes to confront her past after her husband’s death should have been an emotional and intense journey, but a lot of the plot points felt underdeveloped. There were moments when I was really intrigued by the family secrets and the tension surrounding Oscar’s last will, but these threads weren’t fully explored or resolved in a satisfying way. Some of the characters, like Theo, seemed to have much more depth than others, yet the story didn’t give them enough room to really shine. While I appreciated the setting in the South of France and the family dynamics, I found myself wishing for more depth and connection between the plot and the characters. A 3-star read for me.

A brilliant book set mainly in the South of France. I absolutely loved it. The main character x husband dies and so many secrets come to head. Three generations of woman worlds are affected. You can’t put it down . A great relaxing read . You will love it. A perfect ending too.

It grabs you from the start to the finish. Easy read, great characters. Would recommend

Thank you to Jennifer Bohnet, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc of this book.

I enjoy Jennifer's books, and this was no exception. This was a light escapist read perfect for the beach - gentle and undemanding of the reader! |I liked the setting but maybe wasn't as drawn into the vibrancy of Cannes as I could have been. There were a couple of little errors not picked up by the editor which was a bit annoying but maybe they will be by final pub date.

Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky is a heartwarming exploration of family bonds, resilience, and the long shadows of the past, set against the sunlit backdrop of the French Riviera. The story follows three generations of women—Agnes, Francine, and Jasmine—as they journey to confront long-buried family secrets.

My favourite element of the book was the intertwining perspectives of the three women, which added depth to the unfolding drama and offered a poignant glimpse into how their pasts continue to shape their relationships. Themes of resilience, reconciliation, and second chances shine through, leaving a hopeful and uplifting impression.

Another of the novel’s standout elements is its use of flashbacks, which provide insight into the complicated history that binds the characters. This narrative structure creates an engaging rhythm, balancing the present-day storyline with revelations from the past. There were a few minor grammatical errors, but they didn't detract from the overall reading experience.

While the Riviera setting initially drew me to the book, I would have loved more vivid descriptions to truly immerse myself in the atmosphere. I also felt that the emotional weight of certain experiences could have been explored more deeply to heighten the impact of the story’s themes.

Ultimately, Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky is an enjoyable, fast-paced read that will appeal to fans of contemporary women's fiction and multi-generational stories about rediscovering the past and finding hope in second chances.

Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky by Jennifer Bohnet is a light and enjoyable read, perfect for a quick getaway escape. The setting along the Riviera is beautifully described, and the plot is charming, with plenty of twists to keep things interesting. However, the characters feel a bit underdeveloped, and the story can be predictable at times. It’s a pleasant read, but it lacks depth and emotional impact. A solid 3 stars—lovely, but could have been more engaging.