Summer in Provence

Is a change as good as a rest?

When married couple Fern and Aiden have a windfall, their reactions could not be more different. While Fern is content to pay off their mortgage and build a nest egg before starting a family, her husband is set on traveling the world.

Fern’s not much of a back-packer so, before she knows it, the idea of a ‘marriage gap year’ takes shape. And, as Aiden heads off to the wilds of Australia, Fern chooses the more restful Provence for her year out.

Set amidst the glorious French scenery, Château de Vernon offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of normal life, and Fern agrees to help out in return for painting lessons from the owner – renowned, but rather troubled, painter Nico.

As their year unfolds in very different ways, will the time apart transform their marriage, or will it drive Fern and Aiden even further apart…

Let Lucy Coleman whisk you off on a heart-warming, sun-drenched and magical French adventure.

Purchase Link

Amazon: https://smarturl.it/SummerInProvence

Author Bio

From interior designer to author, Linn B. Halton – who also writes under the pen name of Lucy Coleman – says ‘it’s been a fantastic journey!’

Linn is the bestselling author of more than a dozen novels – including Summer on the Italian Lakes, Snowflakes over Holly Cove, The French Adventure and A Cottage in the Country. She is represented by Sara Keane of the Keane Kataria Literary Agency.

When she’s not writing, or spending time with the family, she’s either upcycling furniture, working in the garden, or practising Tai Chi.

Living in Coed Duon in the Welsh Valleys with her ‘rock’, Lawrence, and gorgeous Bengal cat Ziggy, she is an eternal romantic.

Linn is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the SoA and writes feel-good, uplifting novels about life, love and relationships.

Social Media Links

Website: http://lucycolemanromance.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LucyColemanAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LucyColemanauth

Giveaway to Win a signed paperback of ‘A Springtime to Remember’ and a Boldwood Tote bag (Open INT)

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My Review

4.5/5 stars

This book took me totally by surprise. I’ll admit to struggling to get into the story at first, but after the first 20% I was hooked. For me, the preamble to Fern and Aiden took an inordinate amount of time, but soon after I could understand why the author had taken her time at the outset.

It was such an original storyline which was what initially attracted me, as well as having read previous books by the author. She has always managed to ground me totally to the location of her stories, whether it be Versailles, or now in Provence. I felt like Fern’s shadow, not just witnessing what she saw but understanding her concerns, her pain, and latterly her new found joy of painting. If it were possible, I’d be booking my tickets there right away.

The pacing turned out to be perfect for this story; the slow start necessary, the settling in scenes vital, and the ending just beautiful but not without some heartache on the way.

A story of self-discovery that felt so natural, unhurried, atmospheric, and captivating. Not your traditional romance, but definitely one that suited me, and one that will make me pick up more of this author’s books in an instant. Lucy Coleman is an author I trust implicitly to deliver a complete experience.

If you decide to delve in – and you should – be prepared to let the story happen at its own pace. You’ll be glad you waited for it. Fans of upmarket women’s fiction will love this.

As always,