The book opens with yet another grape harvest on the Cambon's French estate and we meet Clarisse, the matriarch and Luc's mother and Jane, Luc's wife who are everything but friendly towards each other.

Transported to beautiful, picturesque Les Cigales, meeting the Cambon family and learning about the many secrets they have was indeed one of a kind reading experience. 'The Forgotten Summer' was such an incredibly wonderful surprise! Having no expectations about the book, I dived in and was immediately hooked. *Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review* But the personal secrets soon unravel and she has to find strength and energy to sustain her livelihood, as well as her sanity in the face of adverse discoveries.Ĭarol clearly knows the area really the well as she has relocated to her own farm in France – the descriptions are suffused with detail and warmth, and the story could only be set amongst the vineyards and olive trees of this part of the world. She garners the support of those in the Cambon employ, who rally once they understand her commitment to the failing farm and that she is determined to at least try and get it back on its feet. Should she settle in France, where she has fond memories of travels with her father, or should she remain in London? How can she even begin to work on the relationship with Clarisse, who, as time folds in on herself with alcohol induced depressive episodes? However, matriarch and mother-in-law Clarisse has never taken to this female interloper and will take every opportunity to vent her cutting displeasure.īut there are secrets aplenty within this family and when tragedy strikes, Jane is left to delve into the history so that she can start to settle and work out her future. Daughter-in-law Jane is joining husband Luc as it is all hands to the deck at this critical starting point in the wine producing year.

The book opens with the annual grape harvest at the Cambon family home in the South of France. This review first appeared on our blog, where we chat to author Carol Drinkwater about writing and relocation.

The hunger carol drinkwater