The Little French Guesthouse by Helen Pollard

4 Star

Sun, croissants and fine wine. Nothing can spoil the perfect holiday. Or can it? 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? 

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Kathryn - 4 Star

I enjoyed The Little French Guesthouse for many reasons. Firstly because any novel that can make me feel as if I've settled into a holiday is a good start. Secondly, I loved the characters and thirdly, the plot moved quickly and kept me hooked. 

Frankly this poor woman got a rough start to her holiday to say the least and I was glad we (and she) weren't tortured by Nathan's pretenses for any longer than necessary. What a guy...she plans the vacation and he wrecks it in mere days. I thought we were well rid of him (and Gloria, his partner in crime). ‎Their exodus though led to a lovely friendship between Emmy and Rupert and I was warmed every page with their ease and their banter. Given that they were strangers they quickly became each other's support systems but it never felt forced. Rupert is quite cheeky in his demands of her time when Emmy offers to stay on and help him during his hour of need. I think many would have said no but it just went to prove how much Emmy was in need of a break from her life that she readily accepted his challenges. I think they gave each other something unique in those few weeks that could never be replaced.

I was really impressed with Emmy’s insistence that she wanted to return to the UK because she loved her job. I would have jumped at the chance of remaining there with a ready job and new friendships. But she persevered and I think ended up making the best choice for the outcome of the novel.

The Little French Guesthouse is full of enchanting characters, empowering friendships, love interests and a great sense of finding oneself that I couldn’t resist. I would like to visit Rupert at La Cour des Roses immediately.

Thank you to Bookouture for our review copy.  All opinions are our own.

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