New Chapters On The French Riviera By Jennifer Bohnet
Can a talented chef and a group of writers rediscover joy—and perhaps even create new beginnings?
Eight months after suddenly closing its doors, Michelin-starred chef and Villa Celestia proprietor Guy Lyon is almost ready to begin again. When his friend Sandy Thoreau asks to rent the villa on the French Riviera for a last-minute women’s writing retreat, Guy reluctantly agrees.
As Villa Celestia reopens, Guy is swept into the orbit of an eclectic group of writers. Helena and her friend Mandy are tackling their debut novels, Isobel is polishing a cosy crime novel, Liz hopes to reignite her creativity, self-published Lorraine seeks guidance, and Becky… well, Becky plays by her own rules.
Amid sun-drenched days, shared meals, and creative breakthroughs, friendships flourish and unexpected connections form. Together, they discover fresh inspiration, bold new directions, and the courage to turn the page.
Emma sits down in a quiet rose garden in her local park, and from nowhere a handsome man sits next to her and turns her world upside down.
Over the weeks, she and Nick meet regularly, always in the same place, always at the same time. They discover they have a lot in common – shared heartbreak, and shared dreams. They tell each other stories about the people they’ve lost – things they’ve never told anyone else. Bit by bit, they get to know each other, and fall in love.
But there’s a catch, because however much they have in common, they have one big thing keeping them apart… twenty years apart. Because when Nick is sitting in the garden it’s 1999 – two decades before Emma is there.
Emma never expected to fall in love again, but now she has, she’s not going to give up on it without a fight. But how do you turn something impossible into a happy ever after?
This is a tender, imaginative timeslip romance that blends emotional depth with a wonderfully original premise. Clare Swatman delivers a heartfelt story about grief, healing, and the unexpected ways love can find us—even across time. Emma and Nick, both mourning the loss of their spouses, meet by chance at a bandstand and immediately feel a spark, only to later discover an astonishing truth: they’re living in the same house, but twenty years apart.
The time-slip element is handled with such charm and creativity. Nick’s awe at modern technology is delightful, and the pair’s research into their bizarre connection adds a fun, speculative thread that balances the heavier emotions. Swatman sensitively portrays grief, allowing Emma and Nick’s journey to feel authentic as they cautiously open their hearts again.
The supporting cast—friends and family rallying around them—adds warmth, humour, and grounding moments, especially as they react to the impossible situation. Moving, hopeful, and deeply romantic, this story beautifully shows that love can bloom again, even when life seems irrevocably broken. A truly touching, memorable read.
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