ShortBookandScribes #BookReview – Love in Provence by Jo Thomas

Love in Provence by Jo Thomas was published on 6th June in paperback by Penguin Transworld. It’s also available in eBook and audiobook. My thanks to Chloe Rose for the review copy.

Escape to the beautiful lavender fields of Provence this summer

Del moved to the south of France three years ago and hasn’t looked back. She’s found new friends, new purpose, and new love with gorgeous Fabien.

But just as harvest on her little lavender farm is due to begin, Del gets some shocking news. With no time to dwell as she welcomes a new crew of lavender pickers, she unexpectedly waves goodbye to Fabien for the summer.

Usually cooking – the thing she loves best – would help soothe her troubles, but Del doesn’t remember how . . . And then chef Zacharie comes to town, dropping another bombshell!

Over one summer in Provence that’s full of surprises, friends old and new rally round. Can they complete the harvest and pull the community back together? And if Fabien returns, will Del finally get her happy-ever-after?

Love in Provence is Jo Thomas’ first follow-up book, returning to Del and Fabien who we first met in Escape to the French Farmhouse (but don’t worry if you haven’t read that one as Love in Provence works perfectly as a standalone read). Once again I have been completely transported to beautiful Provence for a tale of love, friendship and food.

Three years have passed and Del has never regretted her move to France and taking on the lavender harvest at her farmhouse, Le Petit Mas de la Lavande. She’s also cooking after her friend Henri’s bistro and life is good. But life comes with ups and downs and change is afoot. Will Del weather the storm?

A group of people come to the farm to assist with the lavender harvest and they help to make up a cast of characters that I loved reading about. Thomas always manages to make me wish I was there with them, sharing the delicious food and drink and being a part of the camaraderie that takes place around the table. Although love is a part of the storyline, this book is very much about friendships, both old and new, and their restorative power. I just loved how everybody pulled together when things got tough.

Love in Provence has everything I love about Jo Thomas’ books. It has the setting full of atmosphere and local charm, the food that I could practically smell and taste, characters that I really cared about, and a story to warm the cockles of my heart. I loved every word.

Jo Thomas worked for many years as a reporter and producer, including time at Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Radio 2’s The Steve Wright Show.

Jo’s debut novel, The Oyster Catcher, was a runaway bestseller and won both the RNA Joan Hessayon Award and the Festival of Romance Best eBook Award. Her book Escape to the French Farmhouse was a #1 bestselling eBook. Jo loves to explore new countries and discover the food produced there, both of which she thoroughly enjoys researching. Jo lives in Pembrokeshire with her husband and three children, where cooking and gathering around the kitchen table are a hugely important and fun part of their family life.