Escape to the Little French Cafe by Karen Clarke

Blurb

On the beautiful French coast lies the Café Belle Vie, a peaceful haven offering a warm welcome and delicious pains au chocolat – and where Natalie’s quiet life is about to be turned upside down… When thirty-one-year-old Natalie Bright’s boyfriend dumps her and immediately gets engaged to his ex-girlfriend, she escapes her heartbreak and moves to the charming village of Chamillon on the Île de Ré. She’s determined to build a new life there: writing about farmer’s markets for a local magazine, exploring the local vineyards on her bike, and taking advantage of the sunshine. And in the Café Belle Vie she finds a bustling community – including new best friend Charlie – and a near-constant supply of cakes. All in all, things are looking pretty good. So when a blast from the past – her teenage crush Jay Merino – suddenly turns up in Chamillon, Natalie’s thrown. She’s sworn off men ever since she moved to France, but she and Jay have a connection that stretches back years. But could taking a chance on an old flame complete her new life – or ruin everything she’s worked so hard for?

Review

It took me a little while to get into this story, but once I did, I was hooked.

I adore stories about lost first loves, and this one didn't disappoint. Karen Clarke wove her usual magic, and served the reader a generous portion of romance and drama. It's in a lovely setting and, with more rain than usual in these kinds of stories, I think the weather became a bit of a character in its own right!

About the Author

Karen is the author of the popular BEACHSIDE, SEASHELL COVE and LITTLE FRENCH CAFE series of romantic comedies, published by Bookouture. She's also written three romcoms with a paranormal twist, all available to download Karen lives in Buckinghamshire in the UK with her husband and three grown-up children, and when she's not writing loves reading, walking, baking and eating cake

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