Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review: The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridget Asher & Giveaway (US only)

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The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridget Asher is a beautifully written novel that encompasses grief and life, love, food and can be best described as charming and full of hope. For me, this novel is what I class a comfort read. I started it and was immediately taken by the story and just couldn’t put it down. Finishing this book for me was really quite sad; I was not ready to leave the lives of the people within its pages.

Heidi is still trying to get over the death of her husband Henry who passed two years ago. Thankfully she has her son Abbott who pretty much forces her to carry on but he has problems of his own – his grief is coming out through compulsive behaviors. She can’t seem to take care of the bakery she and her husband owned and hasn’t baked in ages which was something she always loved – creating her pastries. She just can’t seem to move forward because she can’t give up her past with Henry and her hope that he’s still coming back.

Her mother tells Heidi that every woman needs a lost summer for herself. It just so happens that they have a family home in the French countryside where her mother had her very own lost summer when Heidi and her sister were young. This is where her mother feels Heidi, Abbott, and her niece Charlotte should go to get away for a while and remodel the old house. Heidi leaves for Provence with the kids and while there she begins to open herself up more to life and living while, at the same time, learning some long kept secrets about her own mother that leads her to know and understand her better.

I really liked Heidi. Her grief and her struggles to wade through it made her such a realistic character to me. I liked how she encouraged her son and spoke of her husband often with him. In Provence, even while she was battling against love, she was opening herself up to it. I could feel her pain, her sorrow, and then later her happiness and faith in a better future. While Heidi was my favorite, the other characters were great as well – Charlotte was hilarious as was Heidi’s mom. Abbott was pretty cute with his obsessive behaviors and trying to get past them. As always it doesn’t hurt to have a Frenchman like Julien, who sounded like a piece of heaven in a gorgeous package.

The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridget Asher is so much about trusting enough to open yourself up to love again after suffering a great heartbreak. This book is a beautiful romance and new beginnings. It’s about learning to live again and let’s face it, could there be a better place to do that in than France? I loved the descriptions of the food and the area – I could almost feel myself there (well I was definitely wishing I was!). It’s a fairly long novel at over 400 pages and not once did I feel like I wanted it to end. As a matter of a fact I kept checking to see how far I had to go and began to dread it ending. I was enjoying it that much. I laughed and I cried – for me that makes this novel a favorite! If you’re a fan of foodie books and especially the ones where someone travels to another country, then I think you’d love this book as much as I did!

I read The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridgit Asher for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Make sure to check out all the other tour stops here. You can visit Bridgit Asher’s website here and you can find her on Facebook and Twitter as well. Your own copy of The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridgit Asher up for giveaway. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with an email address (no email, no entry).
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 7/11. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

My copy of The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridgit Asher was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the Publisher.

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Comments

  1. Oh yes! I really want this book. I have entered to win it so many times and haven't won yet.
    OK one more try! Here goes.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

    I am a follower

    I posted it on my sidebar

  3. I don't think I have read a comfort read in awhile, and this one sounds warm, and homey, and like a lot of fun. Great review, Dar, and please do enter me in your giveaway. I would love to read this one!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

    I follow through google reader

  8. No need to enter me. I so badly want to read this book after the great things I've heard about it! I hope I can get to it soon – it's been sitting on my shelf for ages!

  11. I think this one sounds like something I would really enjoy. Count me in! Thanks for sharing!

    janezfan(at)yahoo(dot)com

  12. This sounds like a wonderful story. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

    Google follower

  13. This book is so special and unique. Thanks for this lovely giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  20. OH how I love a book that makes me feel that way. Your description reminds me of how I felt reading Erica Bauermeister's School of Essential Ingredients a few years ago. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you os much for the fantastic review and for being on the tour!

  21. I would love to win this comfort read. I just finished reading a book that I kept laying down, I finished it but now I am very eager for a book that I don't want to end!

    Please enter me in this giveaway. Thank you.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  23. I've been dying to read this book as well – hope I win:)
    Happy Monday!
    renee(dot)soriano(at)caltech(dot)edu

  25. Oh yes! you made me want to read this book and cozy on down with something new – Thank you. I liked your descriptions and you shared enough without destroying the plot and story

  26. I love a book that I don't want to end. I'm intrigued by this one since it's set in France.

    I subscribe in Google Reader.

    kathy(at)bermudaonion.net

  27. I always like having a comfort read for those days when I need a story that will absorb me, book I don't want to put down. This sounds like the perfect book for those kinds of days!

    Thank you for another great giveaway.

    I am a GFC follower of your blog.

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  30. Sounds like a wonderful book: I really feel like reading some normal fiction for a change

  39. I've wanted to read this and I was so bummed when I missed the tour. It sounds terrific from your review. I'd love to win it!

    I follow in google reader.

    je2kids(at)gmail(dot)com

  41. I didn't put my email address in my first comment althought it shows up as Brenda. I'm a follower through GFC I also subscribe.

    dancealert at aol dot com

  43. I am REALLY hoping to win this book, as it seems to be a book about love, loss and healing – all set in the beautiful and scenic areas of France. I'm really looking forward to reading a book that will fill me with ennui, and yet uplift me! Thank you SO much for hosting this giveaway! 😀

    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

  44. I'm both a confirmed email subscriber, as well as a GFC Follower: Enamored Soul

    ~Hira~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

  46. I love it when the stories grab you so much, you feel like you are leaving friends when done with the book!
    sweepingnews(at)gmail(dot)com

  47. I follow you everywhere you post! GFC, Twitter, FB and email subscriber
    sweepingnews(at)gmail(dot)com

  49. I am a follower, and would love to win this book. I like her style!! whipanne at yahoo dot com Follower name is whipanne or librarianne

  50. I would love to win this book! I am a follower and my email is kelly(dot)baker(at)gmail(dot)com.

  57. I've not heard of this book so thanks for bringing it to my attention! It sounds like a book I would enjoy and the cover is gorgeous.

    I'm a long time follower!

    redladysreadingroomATgmaiDOTcom

  61. I've heard so much about this book! I'm really eager to check it out.

    I'm a new follower of your blog.
    ReadingOnARainyDay AT gmail DOT com

  68. Any book with the words "Provence" or "Tuscany" in the title is a must-read for me. Some day I hope to visit those parts of the world.
    pboylecharley(at)hotmail(dot)com

  70. I read the sample first 30 pages on my Kindle APP and I really want this one….I'm hooked! Please enter me

    tbranco24 AT gmail DOT com

  73. This looks great! I love reading about France.

    dana dot huff at gmail dot com

    @danamhuff

  74. Terrific review and this book sounds like my cup of tea, too. I am a follower and have posted this in my blog's sidebar.

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

    Thank you for hosting this, Darlene.

  75. This interests me as well 🙂

    I follow your blog.

    quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

  76. I enjoyed your review. Sounds like a very touching novel. I would love to read it. It has a very pretty cover. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  81. please enter me-I so want to read this one

    chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com