I have made it to book eighteen, and I chose to read Helen Pollard’s The Little French Guesthouse.  As you may be realising, I do love a novel set abroad and I have a soft spot for France.  So that’s my reason for choosing this novel explained! Here’s the synopsis;

‘When Emmy Jamieson arrives at La Cour des Roses, a beautiful guesthouse in the French countryside, she can’t wait to spend two weeks relaxing with boyfriend Nathan. Their relationship needs a little TLC and Emmy is certain this holiday will do the trick. But they’ve barely unpacked before he scarpers with Gloria, the guesthouse owner’s cougar wife.

Rupert, the ailing guesthouse owner, is shell-shocked. Feeling somewhat responsible, and rather generous after a bottle (or so) of wine, heartbroken Emmy offers to help. Changing sheets in the gîtes will help keep her mind off her misery.

Thrust into the heart of the local community, Emmy suddenly finds herself surrounded by new friends. And with sizzling hot gardener Ryan and the infuriating (if gorgeous) accountant Alain providing welcome distractions, Nathan is fast becoming a distant memory.

Fresh coffee and croissants for breakfast, feeding the hens in the warm evening light; Emmy starts to feel quite at home. But it would be madness to walk away from her friends, family, and everything she’s ever worked for, to take a chance on a place she fell for on holiday – wouldn’t it?’ (Thanks Amazon)

For someone who loves to be swept up in the romance of being in France, this is an ideal novel.  There’s sun, wine, croissants and not one, but two love stories! What marks this apart from other love stories is that this novel does not just include a romantic love story.  This one also includes a love story between two friends who help each other in their time of need.  It is that love story that I really enjoyed in this novel.  Emmy and Rupert’s budding relationship, which is formed when their partners run off with each other, is such a lovely story to follow.  They work together to ease each others pain, with their relationship turning from that of strangers to two close friends who truly love one another.  I also like the fact that this is not a story about a woman who has been wronged – Emmy is a strong, independent woman, who, with the help of her friends is able to find her way.  It is not a romantic love that saves her (although there is some romance!) – it is the love of her friends that helps her to follow the path right for her.

If you like romance and friendship set in beautiful surroundings, this is the perfect book for you.  Find yourself a comfy chair in the sunshine, a good glass of wine and enjoy!

Ratings: 3 and a half out of 5 stars