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July 18

Jacqueline is now friends with Elizabeth Kraus

May 12

rated a book it was amazing An Escape to Provence by Sophie Claire

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 grievin ...more

rated a book it was amazing Summer at the French Café by Sue Moorcroft (Goodreads Author)

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, e 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, 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