Daisy is a hardened London divorce lawyer, in charge, independent and inflexible. She lives life in the fast lane and is used to getting her own way. French builder Gabriel prefers a slower, more considered pace of life. He is hurt, angry and grievinDaisy is a hardened London divorce lawyer, in charge, independent and inflexible. She lives life in the fast lane and is used to getting her own way. French builder Gabriel prefers a slower, more considered pace of life. He is hurt, angry and grieving and has no time for Daisy and the plans she is proposing. Sometimes in life your path unexpectedly crosses with someone so different to yourself, you appear to have nothing in common and yet you are inexplicably drawn to each other. This is true for Daisy and Gabriel. Despite their pre-conceived ideas and lack of flexibility, there is no doubt there is chemistry between them and I couldn’t wait for the inevitable emotional fireworks.
This is a book of many parts. It is deliciously hot and passionate, but as the truth behind their damaged pasts slowly comes to light it is also emotional, heart-breaking and painful. The more time Daisy and Gabriel spend together, the more they learn about each other, and themselves. It took a while for me to warm to Daisy, but I loved watching the subtle changes that affected them both and I desperately wanted them to give in to the chemistry and in doing so, give themselves a chance of happiness. With neither willing to let go of what is holding them back, it seemed an unlikely outcome.
Aside from the heat, the passion and the emotions, this book is also packed with lots of lovely French descriptions and detail that took me to Provence. The people, the village community, the French customs and traditions, everything blended perfectly with a storyline that was easy to fall into, but not so easy to put down.
If you are looking for an escape to France this summer, add this latest book from Sophie Claire to your holiday reading pile, you won’t be disappointed....more
Kat and her dog Angelique have settled into a comfortable life in Alsace. While Kat works in a bookshop/café, set in a large park, Angelique snoozes in the office, dreaming of lunchtime and after work walkies. Friends and relationships come and go, eKat and her dog Angelique have settled into a comfortable life in Alsace. While Kat works in a bookshop/café, set in a large park, Angelique snoozes in the office, dreaming of lunchtime and after work walkies. Friends and relationships come and go, even family bonds have been an issue for Kat in the past, and this summer, life is about to throw a few more challenges her way. Luckily there is nothing quite like the love of a devoted dog.
When things with her boyfriend go spectacularly wrong, it’s not just her personal life that suffers and I couldn’t help feeling that gut-punching disappointment for her at the way she is treated by those she trusted. Kat soon realises the benefits of having brother Solly on hand, but even his presence in her daily life, brings certain buried emotions out in the open – giving Kat yet more soul-searching to deal with.
Solly’s roommate, the quiet and mysterious Noah, carries a heart full of sadness with him and his summer is going to be no less disruptive and emotional than Kat’s. Despite both their problems, Kat and Noah find the time to help each other through the tough days, and a beautiful friendship begins to grow.
These characters were all engaging and great fun to get to know. Their traumas, their weaknesses and the emotional journey’s thrown their way, all made for addictive, page-turning reading. Some of the topics covered were heartbreakingly sad, but always sensitively dealt with. This book really highlighted the emotional damage that family relationships in all their murky forms can lead to, but I also never lost hope that ultimately, they would all find their happy ever afters.
As well as a storyline and characters that grabbed me, this book also had a location that made me feel very at home. Who wouldn’t want to spend time in a book café, especially one set in a leisure park that brought back memories of childhood holidays? I was in fiction heaven. The beautiful region of Alsace, whose food, architecture and customs are so different from the rest of France, came to life from the pages and is tugging once more at my wanderlust.
This book is another superb hot summer read from Sue Moorcroft, whose books just get better and better....more