Review: The Little French Guesthouse by Helen Pollard
17May 8, 2016 by Myndi @ madbooklove
Title: The Little French Guesthouse
Author: Helen Pollard
Pages: 344
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Source: Free ARC from Bookouture
Rating: A
Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review (and trust me, honest is always what you’ll get).
Review: Look at the cover of this book and ask yourself, how hard would it be to leave a place like that to return to the mindless rat race? Yeah. Me, too. And doesn’t it just scream “summer read”? It reminds me of a brightly colored watercolor I got from a street artist in Florence many moons ago. It lightens my heart just to look at it. Probably I shouldn’t start by blubbering over the cover art, but I’m just so in love with it. 😉
In the first few pages of the book, I honestly thought I wasn’t going to like it. This big dramatic scene happens and I didn’t even know the characters yet, so I didn’t really know how to feel about any of it. But in hindsight, I understand why it begins that way. That one incident unravels Emmy’s entire life in one fell swoop, and it is through the aftermath of that event that we really get to know – and truly love – her, to root for her as she works through what comes next. What does she really want? Has she been on autopilot her entire adult life? Does she have the guts to take a risk and chart a new course? What is truly important to her?
The cover is so warm and inviting, and there is a lot about this book that is as well, but it isn’t fluff. It’s a little escapist and a lot thoughtful. It’s fun and endearing whilst taking a good luck at the assumptions we make about what our lives are supposed to be composed off, about taking stock of our lives before it’s too late to turn back.
Once you get to know the community surrounding La Cour des Roses, it is difficult to leave them. Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by such a loving and accepting group of people? And if I read correctly, there is a sequel in the works, so if you were as sad to leave this story as I was, you can sleep easy knowing another trip to La Cour de Roses is on the way.
Mad Book Love (Old) 
Thank you so much for taking the time to review – I’m so pleased you enjoyed The Little French Guesthouse!
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Thanks so much for stopping by! It was a great read. Very much looking forward to the next one.
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[…] Source: Review: The Little French Guesthouse by Helen Pollard […]
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Reblogged – hope that’s OK!
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Absolutely! 🙂
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I absolutely love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme.
Did you create this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my own site and want to
know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named.
Kudos!
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Thanks! It’s a WordPress theme called Grisaille. I added a custom image for the header, and updated the font for it, and that’s about it. Nothing fancy or complicated. 🙂
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I have just finished reading The Little French Guesthouse and it was absolutely fantastic!!! I thought the story was great, loved all the descriptions of the gorgeous location and enjoyed the characters. I can’t wait to read the sequel!! X
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Hi! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I loved it as well and I am super eager for the sequel as well. Wonder how long we’ll have to wait? Hopefully not long!
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It just went up for pre-order last weekend, Myndi 🙂 Publication date is 26th August. It will be up on NetGalley before then, though!
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Oh, that is SO exciting! I will definitely keep an eye out for it. Thank you for letting me know!
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Thank you so much, Helen – it’s lovely to hear how much you enjoyed it x
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I have just finished reading this delightful book and am so pleased to see that the sequel is due soon. I found the storyline interesting, the conflict of emotions regarding two very different scenarios a joy to unravel and the humour mixed together to produce a good read. As a person who moved to France nine years ago, I fully understand the pull of the French way of life. After all, if I were still working the hours demanded in England, I wouldn’t have had time to read! Thank you.
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I agree all around! And how lucky that you’ve been able to live abroad all these years. Hopefully, when my children are grown, I’ll be able to do the same. My bucket list abounds! Thank you for stopping by and commenting. 🙂
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Thank you, Anne – so glad you enjoyed the book. How lovely that you live out there! Good for you!
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I absolutely loved your book little French guesthouse and now finished am very disappointed can’t wait for the next book 📖 need to know about Emmy and Alain!! Thank you for such a great read
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Thank you, Lyn, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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