A Year at the French Farmhouse: Escape to France for the perfect uplifting, feel-good book

This is the second of Gillian's books I've read. This one had an extra special surprise as the couple loved in Basildon and the author makes reference to a nightclub I attended for a couple of years.I loved the French in it, with translations as I don't speak it, as it made the place really come to life. I hope there's a part 2 to this book??

"Escape to France" I certainly did... enjoying Lily's journey in realising her dream, much like my own. I not only found the story charming but thoroughly entertaining, especially the quirky French misunderstandings in the language that Lily had frustratingly struggled with due to lack of fluency. Although the story was simple the characters were colourful and I was sorry to come to the end after a couple of days of feeding my own fantasy.

Very slow read nearly gave up on it worked out the end half way through the book.

A really charming story of real love and the ups and downs of everyday life. Sometimes dreams can become a reality it not turn out as predicted.This is a,well written story of a family that has stopped noticing each other. I hope others enjoy reading it as much as I have.

Review of A Year at the French Farmhouse by Gillian Harvey.This is an era of reality TV; love it, hate it, one thing it certainly isn’t is real. There is nothing in reality TV that approaches the true authenticity of what happens in the real world. Not in my book, (pun alert).Welcome to the world of Gillian Harvey and reality reading. If you think it’s over-the -top, over-romanticised, a land of dreams and hopeless visions, then you’ve never made the move from Blighty to the depths of rural France.Nail on head in oh so many ways. This captures the very essence of reality faced by those fortunate enough to have made the very brave and very daft decision to uproots and head off into the unknown.No hints from me, no spoilers, this is as factual as it gets, the joy, the pain, the tears, blood, sweat and every other emotion in between.It was like a potted history of the move my wife and I made, though with some very obvious differences between the authors imagination (?) and our actual experiences, but as I said, no spoilers.If you think it’s good idea to drive onto a ferry in Hull on a non-descript Thursday afternoon, still having no idea if the sale of your house has been completed (don’t ever talk to me about solicitors’) and your whole future depends upon the major financial transaction that may, or may not be happening, then you’ll understand this desire, this urge to carry on regardless with your dream. (Confirmation arrived as we set sail).If you plan to arrive in France on the morning of April Fool’s Day, having no real comprehension about the turmoil that is entering your life, then you’ll understand that what you’re about to encounter in this book, is nothing other than a journey into the unknown, made by people for whom common sense disappeared into the ether some time ago.Of course those were our experiences, and no two experiences will be the same, but you get the picture. This book captures the events that make or break us, in so many unimagined ways, no matter how well prepared you think you are.If you’ve ever made this journey, you’ll understand it 100%. I even found myself becoming quite emotional at some of the shared experiences, which took me quite by surprise.If you haven’t made this journey, if you’ve thought about it, hesitated, changed your mind back and forth and really wonder whether it’s worthwhile, or really just a stupid dream that will never become real, then just do it. You won’t understand the book yet, you’ll maybe appreciate it, but by heaven, if you press the go button, you’re in for the best time of your life.That’s what this book is about.William Mitchell May 2023

It’s a holiday read.

It takes a lot of courage or disappointment to leave a life you have known for twenty years and move to another country leaving everything behind you. Will it work as dreamed or is one big mistake?

What a pleasure to read a lovely story about people one can relate to, slightly flawed, muddled and oh so human.

This was the perfect summer read.Loved the love story.A story of new beginnings and fullfilling your dreams.Great summer for a book club.

Goodcread

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read , lovely characters and good company.

Very good read. Not a perfect story line but more real and with a happy ending. Her small details of French details add to an interesting read.

He had been promising to move to France for years when the time was right. Now, was the time for her but he isn't ready. She decides that it is the time if goes or not. This is how it goes for her on her own in a different country.A enjoyable read with characters you can love and others you aren't so sure about.