Book to Read: Road Trip to the Riviera by Gillian Harvey

Road Trip to the Riviera kicks off not with fireworks but with a fractured leg. Sarah, stuck in a boot, has no choice but to journey to the South of France with her ex-boyfriend Hal, who is also the father of their son. Gillian Harvey whisks them away on a quirky countryside-to-coast adventure in a VW camper van, serving up a delightful blend of humour, heart, and the kind of tension only forced proximity and co-parenting can bring.

About the Author

Gillian Harvey is an international bestselling author of thirteen books, including A Year at the French Farmhouse, The Bordeaux Book Club, and Road Trip to the Riviera. She also writes regularly for UK magazines and newspapers including The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian, Woman’s Weekly and People’s Friend. She lives in Norfolk with her husband, Ray, and their five children.

Connect with Gillan Harvey:
Instagram: Gillian Harvey (@gillplusfive)
Facebook: Gillian Harvey Author | Facebook
Website: www.gillianharvey.com

Photo credit ©Amanda Craig photography

Book Review: Road Trip to the Riviera

Sarah is a successful lawyer who, after an unfortunate fall, has her leg in a boot. Her doctor tells her she cannot fly, which is a problem because she has a plane ticket to the French Riviera for her son’s wedding in two weeks. The timing surprises her, as her son Louis and his fiancée, Summer, had indicated they wanted a long engagement. Was something or someone behind this rushed date?

With few options left, Sarah turns to Hal—her son’s father and her ex—for a lift to the wedding. Hal envisions a laid-back trip in his beloved vintage VW van, “Betty,” while Sarah is all business, determined to get there as fast as possible. She is driven and impatient; he is easygoing and unhurried. Their only real bond is co-parenting, and cramming them into a camper van together is a recipe for chaos.

Road Trip to the Riviera is anything but a smooth ride, and that is exactly what makes it so endearing. Tender moments and laugh-out-loud scenes unfold as Louis’s parents rediscover each other, meandering through the French countryside at Betty’s unhurried pace before reaching Vivian’s home for the wedding. Vivian is a whirlwind of determination, having spent years nursing her resentment toward Hal since Sarah’s teenage pregnancy. Now she is set on orchestrating Louis and Summer’s wedding down to the last detail.

Final Words

Road Trip to the Riviera is an ideal getaway for readers who love stories built on clashing personalities. This novel is a standout choice for book clubs eager to dive into modern family dynamics, travel adventures, and the unpredictable ways people handle life’s surprises.

Even if the setup seems unlikely, the challenges of co-parenting and balancing work with family ring true. Gillian Harvey pulls readers into Sarah and Hal’s world by weaving together their witty banter and inner struggles, intensifying the story’s emotional heart and making their relationship leap off the page.

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Saint-Tropez - Jewel of the French Riviera: Full day tour with a winery visit

Spend your day as a movie star in Saint-Tropez! The departure is set early in the morning to avoid the traffic towards the legendary town, with which a thousand stories are associated. The experience will start with a tour of this enchanting small fishing town of Saint-Tropez, which inspired numerous painters and whose beauty of the port always attracted the cinematographic world.

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).