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.
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
Wonderful review, Dar. I'd love to read this.
meah56 at gmail dot com
I'm a follower
I blogged on my giveaway page: http://bookfanmary.wordpress.com/giveaways/
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
I would love to read this. Thanks.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow your blog via GFC as Sandra K321.
I would love to read it, it sounds really good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
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!
Such a pretty cover! Love to read it.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I am a follower.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I think this one sounds like something I would really enjoy. Count me in! Thanks for sharing!
janezfan(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds like a wonderful story. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
Google follower
This book is so special and unique. Thanks for this lovely giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
What a wonderful review. SO captivating. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
kellymrao(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a follower of this blog. 🙂
I'm a follower- thanks for the giveaway!
Rachelhwallen@gmail.com
Such a great review – now I really want to read it!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com
GFC follower as Karen B.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com
Have seen this gorgeous book and would love to read it. I am a follower of your blog and will be tweeting about your giveaway.
lomaurice111@comcast.net
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!
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
I am a Google Friends Connect Follower of your blog.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I've been dying to read this book as well – hope I win:)
Happy Monday!
renee(dot)soriano(at)caltech(dot)edu
I tweeted. My Twitter name is Carolee88.
https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/2011/04/book-review-provence-cure-for.html? Giveaway of 'The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted'
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
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
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
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
I would love to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I am a GFC follower
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Sounds like a wonderful book: I really feel like reading some normal fiction for a change
Thanks for the chance to win:)
mk261274 at gmail dot com
I am also a follower:)
mk261274 at gmail dot com
You have sold me on this one!!! I love this type of story and you're right..what better place than what I imagine would be wonderful, France!!!
stacijoreads@gmail.com
Sounds like a great book to read.
Thanks for this great contest.
RJB
loki304(at)tds(dot)net
Sounds wonderful. Please include me.
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
I'm a follower too.
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
This sounds lovely! You know I'm all about foodie books. 🙂
jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a follower. 🙂
jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com
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
Please enter me! I would love to be able ot read this book!
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
I posted this to my blog! http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/04/peeking-between-pages-review-and.html
DanceAlertReads.blogspot.com
dancealert at aol dot com
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
I'm both a confirmed email subscriber, as well as a GFC Follower: Enamored Soul
~Hira~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: @inluvwithbookz
I tweeted the giveaway:
http://twitter.com/#!/inluvwithbookz/status/57711983935500288
~Hira~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: @inluvwithbookz
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
I follow you everywhere you post! GFC, Twitter, FB and email subscriber
sweepingnews(at)gmail(dot)com
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/InventingMyself/status/58024275440975872
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
I would love to win this book! I am a follower and my email is kelly(dot)baker(at)gmail(dot)com.
This book sounds so touching! Please include me in the giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com
Im a follower!
elizabeth_717@live.com
Looks intriguing….thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
fllower
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
I can't wait to read this!
I follow you via gfc
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/58955101859090432
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
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
I love comfort reads.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
I am an old follower.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/lag32583/status/59366132003520512
lag110 at mchsi dot com
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
I love a good comfort read now and then. I'm a follower
kimbaldwin74 at yahoo dot com
Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/InventingMyself/status/60417108663734272
follow through google &email.lomazowr@gmail.com
Sounds great, beautiful cover!
readwalk1@gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway. I love this cover!
I follow on GFC
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
This book had me with the cover!
Blog follower
ladybook21 @ yahoo dot com
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
Looking for a good read!
designloved at mariajblack dot com
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
I have posted your giveaway on my blog http://tutus2cents.blogspot.com
tbranco24 AT gmail DOT com
I just became a Google connect follower.
tbranco24 AT gmail Dot Com
This looks great! I love reading about France.
dana dot huff at gmail dot com
@danamhuff
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.
This interests me as well 🙂
I follow your blog.
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
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
I follow on GFC(Anita Yancey).
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
sounds like a book I wont beable to put down! sign me to win
amhengst@verizon.net
+1 Im signed up for your blog
Love to win books
follower of your blog + 1
please enter me-I so want to read this one
chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com
I follow
chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com