On the beautiful French coast lies the Café Belle Vie, a peaceful haven offering a warm welcome and delicious pains au chocolat – and where Natalie’s quiet life is about to be turned upside down…
When thirty-one-year-old Natalie Bright’s boyfriend dumps her and immediately gets engaged to his ex-girlfriend, she escapes her heartbreak and moves to the charming village of Chamillon on the Île de Ré.
She’s determined to build a new life there: writing about farmer’s markets for a local magazine, exploring the local vineyards on her bike, and taking advantage of the sunshine. And in the Café Belle Vie she finds a bustling community – including new best friend Charlie – and a near-constant supply of cakes.
All in all, things are looking pretty good.
So when a blast from the past – her teenage crush Jay Merino – suddenly turns up in Chamillon, Natalie’s thrown. She’s sworn off men ever since she moved to France, but she and Jay have a connection that stretches back years.
But could taking a chance on an old flame complete her new life – or ruin everything she’s worked so hard for?
My review
Blue sky, blue sea that’s certainly not what I see when I look out of my window. One more reason to dream away with this lovely story.
France is not my kind of country. I am more a Spain loving girl. I have only been to France once and you will never guess where. So I will tell you. I have spend a wonderfull three days in La Rochelle and visited the beautiful Ile de Ré. Reading about a place you have been makes it even more attractive.
This book is about second chances, because you thought you had lost love but you didn’t really, about finding true love after being betrayed, about jealousy wrecking people’s lives and about a very strong friendship. When some funny sitations are added to all of the above, the result is a very entertaining story.
It was nice being taken back to this beautiful part of the world. I enjoyed this fluently written story very much. If I would have to pick my favourite character, it would definitely be Simon. 4 stars.
Thank you, Karen Clarke, Bookouture and Netgalley.
About the author
Karen Clarke writes romantic comedy novels. Her BEACHSIDE series is set in the fictional seaside town of Shipley and features recurring characters, but each book can be read as a standalone. She is currently working on a new, three-book series set in Devon.
Karen has also written three romcoms with a paranormal twist, all available to download
When she’s not working on her novels, Karen writes short stories for women’s magazines and has had over three hundred published globally. Some of them can be read in her short story collection ‘BEHIND CLOSED DOORS…and other Tales with a Twist’
Karen lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband and three grown-up children.
Author Social Media Links
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/karen.clarke.5682
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/karenclarke123
WEBSITE: https://www.karenclarkewriter.com
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