The Bordeaux Book Club

Book excerpt: Love books? The Bordeaux Book Club is seeking new members! When Leah and her husband moved to France, it was with the dream of becoming self-sufficient. But in truth, it’s not the ‘good life’ she’d imagined, as three hours of digging barely yield a single straggly carrot. Worse, her teenage daughter is acting up, and her husband seems to find every strange excuse under the hot French sun to disappear. So when her friend entreats her to join the new bookclub she’s forming, Leah decides it’s something she will do for herself. The chance to make new friends, to drink a few glasses of wine, and to escape into stories that take her miles away from the life she’d thought would be her own happy-ever-after. But the book club is a strange group of misfits. There’s prickly Grace, who lives alone and seems to know everybody and like no-one. Buttoned-up Monica, who says her husband is away and appears to be parenting her baby all alone. Handsome builder George, who has barely read a book before. And Alfie – who is a full two decades younger than everyone else, and is hiding a devastating secret... As the stories they read begin to bring the new friends closer together, Leah is about to discover that happy-ever-afters don’t always look how you expect them to... A gorgeously escapist read from the bestselling author of A Year at the French Farmhouse, perfect for fans of Veronica Henry, Jo Thomas and Fiona Valpy. Readers love The Bordeaux Book Club: ‘I inhaled this absolute joy of a book in two greedy sittings. Wonderful! Gillian Harvey never disappoints and I can’t recommend this escapist gem of novel highly enough.’ Nicola Gill, author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A really heartwarming and satisfying read – full of character and warmth, like a glass of red wine with friends on a French summer’s evening. Formidable!’ Nancy Peach, author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Beautifully observed and exquisitely written. There’s such a range of emotions here and Gillian Harvey delivers them all with great depth.’ Ian Moore, author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wonderfully warm and enchanting, The Bordeaux Book Club immerses the reader in two tantalizing worlds: the book club that turns into something much more, and the dream of “let's-buy-a-farmhouse-in-France”... With empathy, insight, and humour, The Bordeaux Book Club will delight readers seeking their own escape and meaningful camaraderie over the joys of literature, laughter, and love.’ Natalie Jenner, author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A gorgeous heart-warming story about the importance of friends, whether old and new, in helping you through the twists and turns in life’s journey. An emotional but uplifting read.’ Jessica Redland, author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Like a cold glass of Chablis on a hot summer’s day, this lovely bookish story will refresh and restore you with its quirky mix of characters and lush French setting.’ Beth Morrey, author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A wonderful, heartwarming story... This novel not only celebrates the timeless power of fiction, but explores themes of loneliness in all its forms, of friendship and self-acceptance... A joy to read, so evocative of the Bordeaux region and with each character painted vividly and sympathetically. A book to utterly immerse yourself in. I loved it!’ Louise Fein, author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Gillian Harvey is my go-to author for uplifting and engrossing stories set in France. In The Bordeaux Book Club she is at the top of her game and this book is as delicious as the millefeuilles she so temptingly describes." Kirsten Hesketh, author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐