Carla Sullivan has just buried her mother and upon clearing out her house she discovers a letter addressed to her mother’s sister, Josette. She is not sure what to do with the letter as a big family rift caused the family to fall apart years ago. Back home, she discovers that her husband David is cheating, once again.

On impulse, she decides she has had enough and buys a ticket to the South of France to visit her Aunt Josette. Josette and her mother hadn’t spoken for many years and Carla doesn’t know that much about her or the French side of her extended family but with recent events, she has decided it is time to find out about them and the rift that pulled her extended family apart.

Josette, whilst happy to see her niece would rather keep the past where it is and doesn’t want to get too close to Carla. Some secrets should stay just that, but can Carla get her Aunt to open up to her and sort out her marital issues too?

Villa of Sun and Secrets is an adorable book with the most gorgeous scenery as we not only visit Antibes with Carla but also Monaco and Cote d’Azur.

Both Carla and Josette were tough women who have had their problems in life. Carla is used to relenting to her husband David but this time it’s different, not only with the new woman Lisa but in Carla herself. She somehow feels stronger and more determined to change her life, especially as she is nearing fifty.

Josette has run a rather carefree life. The secrets of the past have made her harden her emotions, like building a brick wall around herself. She has lived an extraordinary carefree life which we get to read in snippets.

The book is simply beautiful and I loved getting to know these two women as well as wanting to stay at Villa Mimosa. As the secrets unravelled I felt for both women, especially Josette, having to relive the past and Carla having to hear it for the first time.

This is a beautiful book full of life and intrigue. It was an easy read and the pages just flew by as I couldn’t put it down. Jennifer Bohnet has created a story in the most stunning of place and that along with the plot make this a must-read novel.

About the Author

Jennifer Bohnet is the bestselling author of over 10 women’s fiction titles, including Rosie’s Little Cafe on the Riviera and The Little Kiosk By The Sea.

She is originally from the West Country but now lives in the wilds of rural Brittany, France.

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