As the sun rises over the little Provence village where single mother Adeline has escaped with her little girl Lili, she breathes deeply. This is their new beginning. Here, she can forget the lies her family told her. Here, she can start her story again.

Later she opens the door to the town’s tiny bookstore, where she is to work, ready to meet the mysterious owner Monique for the first time.

She expected an ordinary bookshop. But this bookstore feels somehow different… magical. Breathing in the smell of books, she feels a jolt of something. It feels like a new chapter beginning.

As she gets to know the villagers – including the handsome Andre and friendly Michel – she starts to believe in the magic of this new start. But can a runaway like Adeline ever find what she’s looking for? Or is a happy-ever-after just another fiction?

A totally gorgeous, escapist, romantic novel – set in rural Provence – by the bestselling author of A Year at the French Farmhouse and The Bordeaux Bookclub.

Readers love Gillian Harvey:

'Gorgeously atmospheric and wise’ Linda McEvoy, author

‘I inhaled this gorgeous novel in two greedy sittings. Escapist, romantic and deliciously atmospheric.’ Nicola Gill, author

‘An uplifting, heartwarming, escapist novel to be read with a DO NOT DISTURB sign, because once you start that very first page, you are not going to want to put it down.’ Kim Nash, author

‘Wonderfully warm and enchanting… With empathy, insight, and humour… Will delight readers seeking their own escape.’ Natalie Jenner, author

‘Just wonderful!… In one of the chapters, I cried my way through the whole of it… just so moving and meaningful… [But] this book is also funny and had me giggling and smiling at certain things that happen… This has been the perfect book, in the perfect setting, with perfect characters.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The entertainment, the friendships, the drama, the laughs, a book that transports you to the South of France = A Great Summer Read!… Fun, entertaining and enjoyable… I’m all in!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A joy… Honestly, I loved this story so much. It is filled with hope, and there are emotional moments as well.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Such a great, escapist read!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐