Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
It is always a pleasure to escape from the real world into a Katie Fforde book, and this is no exception, though I still like her early books the best. As one would expect with this type of storyline, one thing leads to another as acceptance and love blossom. Alexandra is on her way from London to finishing school in Switzerland when she stops off in Paris for 24 hours. I believe falling in love is the best thing in the world, and I want all my characters to experience it, and my readers to share their stories. Although it features several characters from her previous book, it won’t matter if you have not read it.
I love any book that can take me on a beautiful journey in foreign countries, from the comfort of my home.As a big fan of The Sound of Music, I enjoyed following the relationship and comparing it to Maria and Captain von Trapp’s.
Some lovely friendships were forged and I enjoyed seeing the children blossom under Alexandra’s care.
Soon, however, she finds herself up against Antoine’s former mother-in-law, Grand-mère, who wants to move in and educate the children so they ‘do not grow up as savages’. The setting (1960s Provence) could perhaps have been more strongly characterised, but the story is cute and a winning combination of sweet, clean romance with a hot French Count and a cast of other delightful characters (adults, children, big dog and small kittens) plus obvious 'baddies', copious amounts of chocolate - and did I mention the adorable kittens? The plot line isn't completely original, and there are no real surprised, but the quality of Katie Fforde's writing elevates it to a 5 Star for me. Good to read when in need of relaxation and a chance to escape to France in the 60s for fun and romance.
It is a light, feel good book that will probably appeal to readers of women's fiction or romance novels. Set in the 60s but to be honest that has little bearing on the narrative - jute a lack of mobile phones!I have to say, I kept forgetting that this was set in the 60’s as it felt like it could have been happening today, until something happened that was clearly set in an earlier time. This was your typical Hannah/Laura buddy read where the planned reading schedule goes to pot on the first night *snorts*. Alexandre is an orphan, and largely brought herself up when her parents died, with the aid of some remote family members, and various governesses and companions. Although young Stephie is the one I took to heart from the beginning, I developed soft spots for all the children.
Great Deal 
New Comment