Nicola’s move to France is not going to plan. Her husband Steven’s job meant he couldn’t join her for the first few months. Now he has to work at Christmas too, and she’s facing the season alone.
She’s finding life in the tiny French village harder than expected. The house feels more remote than she remembered, and the cold weather makes going out a challenge. Plus the neighbour she’d hoped to befriend seems to be doing everything he can to avoid her friendly ‘bonjours’.
Things begin to look up when she takes on an art student named Lucien who introduces her to life beneath the village’s sleepy façade. Then – at the local Christmas market – she’s given a ceramic angel and told to make a wish…
Nicola doesn’t believe in magic. But as things in her life begin to change, she starts to wonder whether wishes really can come true?
After heartbreak hits in three very different ways, Emily Jacobs and her friends Sienna and Blair take up Sienna’s offer to escape to her client’s luxurious beach house for sun, sand, and girl talk. But paradise comes with a twist: in his absence, the owner of the house forgot to reschedule his staff, leaving his brooding and impossibly tight-lipped personal chef, Patrick Owens, in charge of dinner for them. Every. Single. Night.
Emily can’t help but be intrigued by the chef with his guarded eyes and irresistible culinary skills. Certainly, they should know something about the person serving them food every night. As she tries to break through his tough exterior, his limited small talk creates deeper questions, just as a massive storm blows in, threatening their peaceful getaway.
Between laughter, late-night conversations, and undeniable chemistry, Emily realizes life’s storms reveal more than the weather’s.
This book is about friendship, heartbreak, healing, and the unexpected ways life nudges us toward new beginnings. This book follows college friends Emily, Sienna, and Blair as they reunite for a much-needed beach getaway while each faces personal upheaval. What begins as a simple escape quickly becomes transformative when a broody celebrity chef, Patrick, is unexpectedly added to the mix and a looming tropical storm forces everyone together under one roof.
Hale shines at creating warm, comforting atmospheres and emotionally relatable characters. Each woman’s struggle feels grounded and authentic, making it easy to empathize with their fears, hopes, and growing courage. The storm serves as both a literal and emotional catalyst, pushing the group into deeper connection and honest reflection. The found-family element—especially Patrick’s sister and nephew—adds charm and heart, balancing the heavier emotional moments.
The pacing is gentle and soothing, perfect for readers seeking an uplifting escape. Ultimately, this is a tender celebration of friendship, resilience, and second chances, making it an ideal summer read that leaves you feeling hopeful and comforted long after the final page.
