If you’re looking for a light, funny read for your summer holidays then look no further than the debut novel by Melanie Jones.
If the name rings a bell then maybe her blog, The River Cottage Diaries, will jog your memory. I have enjoyed reading Melanie’s blog for the last few years, ever since she returned from living in France and moved with her family to Wiltshire.
L’Amour Actually: Falling in Love in the Heart of France tells the story of a young PR executive in search of a new, simple life in France. As Melanie steps off the plane in her vertiginous Louboutins, carrying her vintage Louis Vuitton case, the reader knows it isn’t going to be an easy transition for the London city girl with only a smattering of GCSE French to help her integrate with the locals. But there is warmth and a genuine wish to be part of the community which had me rooting for her from the word go.
The book is part fact, part fiction based on the time Melanie lived in South West France. There is much amusement to be had trying to guess which events in the book actually did happen. I’m guessing the knicker-flashing from the tractor might be a little porky but I bet the escaped bunny is true. I’m in two minds about Snoopy the geriatric Persian pussy but I really do hope the gorgeous d’Aubeville twin brothers exist in real life.
The book is packed full of engaging, witty dialogue and a whole cast of gloriously painted characters from the crazy drunken taxi driver, Gerard, to Chummy Blythe-Cholmondeley-Walker, the larger than life expat neighbour. The plot is fast-paced but there are times when we are allowed to sit back, sip on a glass of rosé and admire the rolling French countryside for a moment before the next twist in the tale.
Melanie is a talented writer and this is what turns a fun, frothy novel into something a bit special. I hear a sequel is in the offing? Merveilleux!
L’Amour Actually is published by Summersdale.Â
Trish, thanks so much for taking the time to read – and emjoy – L'Amour Actually. As a first time writer, getting publicity of not that easy so as a certain supermarket chain says, 'every little helps'. Can I just add that it's available from Waterstones (in the travel writing section) online through Amazon, Play, The Telegraph Book Shop and The Guardian Book Shop. It's also available in the US and Canada through Amazon and comes into bookshops across Australia from 1st August. That's it for the sales pitch! xx
No problem at all, Melanie. I read the book last weekend in the garden and chuckled all the way through it.
Best of luck with the sales: you deserve success x
Sounds like a perfect summer read. I shall add it to my next Amazon order (currently in progress!)
That's what I need to do – start thinking about what to take away for our hols. I get books to review but then forget to keep some back for my own holiday reading!
Sounds like a great summer read! 🙂
It's a good fun, light read. And great to support a fellow blogger.
I feel very guilty for not having bought this as I know Melanie so I should be more supportive! *slinks away to Amazon*
Click on that basket!