ARC Review – A Wedding in Provence by Katie Fforde

I must confess to having loved Katie Fforde’s writing for well over a decade.  I was fortunate to receive a digital ARC of her last book, A Wedding in the Country, my review is here, so I was thrilled to discover that A Wedding in Provence featured characters from the previous book.  I am grateful to NetGalley UK and Random House for the digital ARC, received in exchange for an honest review.

A Wedding in Provence is published on February 17th, 2022

Synopsis

Late summer, 1963

Fresh from London and a recent cookery course, Alexandra has always loved a challenge.

Which is why she now finds herself standing outside an imposing chateau in Provence.

Waiting for her inside is three silent, rather hostile children who are to be her charges for the next month.

They will soon be more friendly, she tells herself. All they need is some fun, good food and an English education.

Far more of a challenge though is their father – an impossibly good looking French count with whom she is rapidly falling in love . . .

Review

Discovering that the Alexandra in this story, was Lexie from a Wedding in the Country, made my day.  I really enjoyed that book and was sad when it ended.  We catch up with Alexandra in Paris, filling a couple of days before heading to Switzerland to attend a finishing school on her relatives’ insistence.

Still in the heady days of 1963, Alexandra forges a friendship with recently married Donna, a rapid sequence of events leads to Alexandra changing her plans and heading to Provence.  She is hired as a temporary Nanny to the children of the Comte de Belleville.  Meeting him only briefly, she feels a rush of attraction which catches her by surprise.

Arriving at the chateau on the edge of Saint-Jean-du-Roc, Alexandra is shocked to discover that she is to act as both Nanny and Housekeeper to three very different children.  She sets about getting them onside despite interference from both their grandmother and their estranged mother.

This is a fabulous story, which views the challenges, faced by sixties women, from a different perspective.  With a few references to Mary Poppins, and support from her friends back home, it soon becomes clear that Lexie is far more than just a Nanny.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, in particular, I found it wonderful to revisit Lexie’s friendship with David.  One of my favourite aspects of the last book, was their wonderful relationship.  My favourite characters would probably be the children.  Each had remarkably differing personalities which presented individual challenges for Lexie.  A special mention must go to Milou, the dog, and the kittens, this crazy cat lady was enchanted by them all. 

Once again, Katie Fforde manages to create a story of strong women, each character was perfectly developed and a joy to imagine.  Alexandra’s/Lexie’s story arc is wonderful, and I enjoyed following her adventures.  An escape to Provence was just what I needed.