Can she find her recipe for happiness?
Del and her husband Ollie moved to a beautiful village in Provence for a fresh start after years of infertility struggles. But six weeks after they arrive, they’re packing the removal van once more. As Del watches the van leave for England, she suddenly realises exactly what will make her happier… a new life in France, without Ollie.
Now alone, all Del has is a crumbling farmhouse, a mortgage to pay and a few lavender plants. What on earth is she going to do? Discovering an old recipe book at the market run by the rather attractive Fabien, Del starts to bake. But can her new-found passion really help her let go of the past and lead to true happiness?
Oh my! What a wondrous, sunshine-drenched, inspiring and wholly evocative read this was. From the glorious setting of Provence to the magnificent foodie delights and entertaining characters of this tale, I adored ‘Escape to the French Farmhouse’ and savoured every last page of it, much like I was eating a homely, delicious meal made by Henri in his gorgeous little bistro himself. If escapism is what you’re after, then there’s no need to look any further because this story has it all. Jo Thomas will whisk you far, far away from reality and take you somewhere much more pleasant, with the freedom to roam the lavender fields, the beautiful village nearby, and the river just a short walk away from the place you’ll be calling home. You’ll love your stay here, I promise.
In ‘Escape to the French Farmhouse’ by Jo Thomas, readers join the lovely Del as she discovers that life isn’t all about staying shtum to avoid rocking the boat. Her marriage to Ollie is not working. It’s as simple as that. And it’s while Del is looking up at the beautiful yet battered farmhouse they’ve only recently moved into but are now leaving, that she realises she’s followed Ollie’s dream rather than her own. It was Ollie’s idea to come here, for them both to have a ‘fresh start’, the place fitting Ollie’s ideal after he’d become rather addicted to A New Life in the Sun and Escape to the Chateau. Yet, it was only Del who’d had to make the sacrifices, who’d had to leave her job in the UK that she adored so much, was respected in, and it was Del who’d had to leave her friends behind. It quickly becomes apparent that the balance is not right in this relationship, and when it becomes clear that Ollie has no real concrete plan for when they return to the UK, I was genuinely baffled. What on earth was wrong with this man? Did he just plan to drag poor Del everywhere with him, until he found a decent wi-fi signal, because it certainly seemed that way. Coupled with the loss of Del’s mother, failed IVF treatment and Ollie being made redundant, it was clear that Del was troubled, and it’s no surprise really. But I think, sometimes, it’s in the way your partner reacts to things that really tells you all you need to know about them, and I was in agreement with Del when she decided to stay behind, and let Ollie return to the UK alone.
‘I’ve never felt more certain of anything. I’m not going back to my old life with him. We’re over. Finally, the cracks are wide open and the ceiling is on the floor. Now all I have to do is work out what kind of ceiling I want to put up.’
It is here, once Del makes this courageous decision, that her life changes course completely and I absolutely loved it. There is nothing more satisfying than a woman saying no to something, regardless of what everyone else will think of her decision. No, she doesn’t want to be unhappy anymore. No, she doesn’t want to eat in fancy, posh restaurants, and no, she doesn’t want to go back to the UK with Ollie because nothing will change. The same age-old issues will be there. She knows, in all certainty, that there is no saving their marriage, and so, she makes the decision for both of them, and I respected her for that. Sure, she’s scared and a little nervous about what she’ll do now, but it all becomes clear soon enough, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent beside Del as she discovers what it is that truly makes her heart sing, and it turns out that it’s nothing like what Ollie would have wanted.
This truly is an inspiring story with so much heart and soul at its centre. Thomas writes beautifully and with warmth, describing the farmhouse with its ‘lavender blue shutters’ and ‘peach-coloured stone walls’. I wanted to be there myself, to enjoy a glass of rose’ whilst looking out over the valley, to the lavender farm in the distance, perhaps as the sun set. It was dreamy and tempting and incredibly potent. Thomas had me falling under the spell of this place entirely and I wanted nothing more than to head there myself, spend a week or two beside Del as she figured out what she’d do next.
There was a real sense of adventure within this story, too. The unknown was a huge theme because once Ollie leaves, Del is left with only Ralph for company. She has no job, so of course this means no steady income, and no friends, either, so there’s no one she can turn to for help. Plus, she still has a mortgage to pay off, so it’s not like she can sit around, really, although in place like that, you’d be sorely tempted to. But as Del ventures further out, into the town and the market place, Thomas really highlights the community feel and the sense of new friendships on the horizon. As the novel progresses, we see Del join the community and it’s wonderful, watching her evolve and grow as a person, becoming brave and creating a life for herself, from practically nothing. From baking to helping friends in need, Del is no longer an outsider but one of the townspeople, and it lifted my heart immeasurably.
Jo Thomas provides readers with the most gorgeous sense of escapism in her latest release. It was everything I had hoped for and more. It opened up an entire new world not only for Del, but for me, too. I was excited for all that awaited Del, and felt truly inspired by her story. Because the truth is, life is far too short to force yourself to stay in something that no longer makes you happy. Do the things that make you feel alive, take the chances that make your heart race, and enjoy the moments you never saw coming.
This was a gorgeously uplifting, happiness-inducing tale of taking chances and being brave, of letting go of the past and looking forward to the future. I absolutely adored it, and ‘Escape to the French Farmhouse’ by Jo Thomas is receiving a five out of five rating from me. With thanks to the publisher for the advanced reading copy of this book, that of which has no reflection in providing a fair and honest review.
You can pre-order/purchase your copy of ‘Escape to the French Farmhouse’ by Jo Thomas here.
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