This beautifully written book certainly covers a lot of ground, a lot of topics – home swapping, travelogue, cheese, wine, a little about the Holocaust, Ukraine, friendship, and, of course, romance. But for me, the main lesson from Ms. Sands’ story is that it is never too late to follow your dream. It may require you to step outside your comfort zone but you may find it was definitely worth the risk.

Katherine Price, 55 years old, thought her 22-year marriage was stable until her husband left her a note telling her he was in love with another woman and he wanted a divorce. On top of this crisis her mother Elizabeth fell ill and died. Only after her mother’s death does Katherine learn of her mother’s survival of the Holocaust which distressed Katherine even more. Noticing the stress Katherine was dealing with, her cousin Andrea convinced her to try a home swap so she could get away for a while. Katherine had always gone on vacations with just her husband to places he wanted, so it was natural that she would be nervous about traveling on her own, but she did it – she accepted a swap to southern France. There she found a new life for herself as she delighted in the art, the food, the people, and the charm of the land. For Katherine this was a story of healing and finding faith in herself.

It is so refreshing to read the story of a mature woman recovering from a failed relationship and betrayal and finding a new joy for life. It was obvious through the written details that many of Katherine’s experiences mirrored Patricia’s own life. The descriptions are so vivid I felt like I was vacationing in southern France right alongside her. The characters are delightful and real. (My favorite character was Pico. Adorable!) Katherine’s friend Molly was a great “sidekick” who definitely added humor to the story. As in real life, not all the characters are likeable – yet are still totally believable. Relationships developed slowly and some will be further developed in the remaining books of the series (LOVE IN PROVENCE and I PROMISE YOU THIS). The story touches on so many emotions – anger, fear, grief, love, joy.

This book brought back thoughts I have had previously of moving to another country in my retirement. Maybe I need to think more on that.

Thank you to Patricia Sands and Tonni Callan for the opportunity to read and review this enchanting book. ( )

I absolutely loved this book. It makes me want to do a home swap with someone in Provence or at least rent a house there. I thought the characters were well developed and enjoyed Molly's character. I look forward to seeing what is next for Katherine and Philippe.

I won this from The Reading Room Webiste. ( )

I like this book at the start. It is written beautifully and enjoyed the characters in the book. This book would have been great if the rule of less is more was follow.
My problem with the story was the last 150 pages. I felt it was unnecessary and over the top. When I think about it there we a few over the top moments that I though wasn't need.
There was so much going on with Molly that it seemed to distract too much. She could have had her own book.
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THIS is a delicious book in that it is a verbal feast. The end came way too soon for me, wanted to put on the brakes to delay finishing it but...i had to keep turning those pages.
I've never been overseas but Patricia Sands takes you there in her artistic descriptions of her journeys, the food, her bike rides, the people who enter her life....simply deliciously amazing.

Briefly.....Katherine ( MY AGE FINALLY) comes home expecting an anniversary dinner with her husband and instead gets ....well read it yourself. In time it is her sister and brother-in-law who tell her about a site where one can do' vacation house swaps', and she gives it a whirl. Dreams come true when she trades her place in Canada for a spot in France....two weeks becomes addictive and she tries it again.
It's never too late...there IS more to life and you're never too old to find it. "An attitude of gratitude is what it's all about." ( )

A light read. Chick lit for grown ups. Not my cup of tea.
I was given a digital copy of this novel by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review. ( )