Review: "The Little French Guesthouse" by Helen Pollard (Womens Literature, Chick Lit)

	The Little French Guesthouse by Helen Pollard Publisher: Bookouture Genre: Womens Literature, Chick Lit Publication Date: April 28, 2016 (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher: Sun, croissants and fine wine. Nothing can spoil the perfect holiday. Or can it? When Emmy Jamieson arrives at La Cour des Roses, a beautiful guesthouse in the French countryside, she can’t wait to spend two weeks relaxing with boyfriend Nathan. Their relationship needs a little TLC and Emmy is certain this holiday will do the trick. But they’ve barely unpacked before he scarpers with Gloria, the guesthouse owner’s cougar wife. Rupert, the ailing guesthouse owner, is shell-shocked. Feeling somewhat responsible, and rather generous after a bottle (or so) of wine, heartbroken Emmy offers to help. Changing sheets in the gîtes will help keep her mind off her misery. Thrust into the heart of the local community, Emmy suddenly finds herself surrounded by new friends. And with sizzling hot gardener Ryan and the infuriating (if gorgeous) accountant Alain providing welcome distractions, Nathan is fast becoming a distant memory. Fresh coffee and croissants for breakfast, feeding the hens in the warm evening light; Emmy starts to feel quite at home. But it would be madness to walk away from her friends, family, and everything she’s ever worked for, to take a chance on a place she fell for on holiday – wouldn’t it?
My Rating:	Sexiness Rating:
I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.com for an honest, unbiased review. My opinion is my own. There is one word that continuously came to my mind as I read this, and that word is: Charming. This is the kind of story that really envelops you and makes you adore the quirky characters. Well, except Nathan. He isn't really likable at all, but that's hardly a surprise considering you meet him while he's shtupping the wife of his B&B host while on a romantic holiday with the protagonist. :) There is a great atmosphere in this story, so that you really get a sense of the surroundings, the friendly people Emmy encounters, and just why someone might never want to leave. And yet it's more than just escapism because it all feels very plausible. There is nothing here, short of perhaps the first 10% which sets up the story, that I think could be considered outrageous. It's so comfortable and feels almost familiar. The friendship that grew between Emmy and Rupert was very sweet and seemed so genuine it made me smile. The only thing that I was less excited about was Emmy and Alain. But only because there just wasn't enough! I wanted more, especially after the trip to the zoo. I wish Alain's character had been featured a bit more throughout. Overall, this is a seriously charming story in an idyllic setting that I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for something relatively light and quick to read.