The Village Cafe in the Loire: Escape to France with a feel-good and romantic new story from Gillian Harvey for 2025

High-flyer Becky Thorne cannot believe what she’s being told. She doesn’t need to be signed off for burnout! Life has been a bit chaotic lately, that’s all. As if dealing with her enviable job and permanent meddling from her mother aren’t enough, she’s also inherited a café in the Loire from an estranged great-aunt, complete with sitting tenant who refuses to budge.

But nobody stands in Becky’s way! Ignoring her best friend Amber’s advice, she decides to storm over to France and sort the tenant out. Then she can finally get the café sold and jump back on the career ladder.

What she doesn’t count on is the tenant being Pascale, who is six feet of tall, dark, handsome and extremely grumpy about her plans for change. Not to mention the village and the secrets it holds about her past.

Becky’s path to success is all planned out. But the Loire has a magic she might not be able to resist...

Escape to France this summer with the most deliciously romantic novel you’ll read all year 🇫🇷🌼

Love One Night at the Château by Veronica Henry, The Greek House by Dinah Jefferies, and The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods? READ THIS!

‘Enchanting, beautifully written and with characters you will adore... An absolute triumph.’ Clare Swatman

‘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

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

'Gorgeously atmospheric and wise’ Linda McEvoy, 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

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

‘Gillian Harvey’s books are the ultimate treat... Witty, emotional, endearing... Her books are everything!’ Goodreads reviewer

With empathy, insight, and humour... Will delight readers seeking their own escape.’ Natalie Jenner

‘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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐