Win 1 of 3 copies of Hangman’s Gap by Rachel Amphlett – QUEENSLAND, Australia
Novel set around BARLES – Provence
3rd April 2025
One Night at the Château by Veronica Henry, novel set around Barles, Provence.
Connie is suffering from empty next syndrome, compounded by the departure of her partner of 23 years, which has left the stuffing roundly knocked out of her. Her mother also recently died, so her life is in full flux. Her Godmother, Lismay – with whom she is close – is in a pickle and she needs someone to help out running Château Villette in Barles. It is a building with significant history, including a rumour that it may have been built for Pauline, Napoleon’s frivolous sister (where, it is mooted, she would meet her lovers).
Lismay and her husband have let their château B&B slide, their reviews have been plummeting, the gate is hanging off when Connie arrives and they keep their Nutella in the fridge, for goodness’ sake (you should never do that under any circumstance!). She, of course, will have to ease herself into the role of fixer upper and get things back on track, now she has time on her hands, something she will relish. It is something she will relish, given she was the editor of the magazine “The Heart Of The Home”.
The TF postcard in Aix
We also know that in Barles her heart was stolen a good 20 years ago by Rémy Gaspard, all round hunk, professional rugby player and vintner. They had a brief affair and now, all these years later, she is very aware that his family’s vineyard is next door to the B&B.
Her Godmother returns to London on a lengthy errand and Connie is left to run the business – a few weekend guests are scheduled. Of course she meets her paramour and you will have to buy the book to find out whether things develop between them.
The novel is beautifully set in Provence, with visits to Aix and l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, in the company of a newly acquired female friend. Back in London, the “destination” restaurant 45 Jermyn Street gets a good look in and the city at Christmas is nicely evoked. This is an easy-to-read and feel good novel that will delightfully transport you to the South of France.
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