When Ellie’s boyfriend forbids her from going to France to attend her best friend’s wedding, she decides she’s had enough. She dumps him and goes to France by herself. But travelling alone is scary and Ellie realises how reliant she’d become on the men in her life.
On holiday, she learns to trust her own judgement and grows in confidence. Just when she decides she doesn’t need a man to complete her, she meets Ash, who is everything her ex wasn’t.
But is Ellie willing to give up her new found independence and link herself to another man?
* Friends to lovers
* Heroine asserting her independence
* Summer in France
* Tiny puddings
That Holiday In France is a standalone story set in the little Yorkshire village of Trewton Royd (and France). Ideal for fans of Mhairi McFarlane or Sophie Kinsella.
(You get to choose which store you want to buy from. It’s available in all the usual ebook stores).
Core Themes
- Empowerment & Independence: Follows a protagonist (Ellie) who has spent her life being compliant to the men in her life—her father and her boyfriend—and finally finds the courage to say “no” and strike out on her own.
- Self-Discovery through Travel: Explores the “comfort zone” and the growth that happens when a nervous traveler leaves their familiar surroundings (Yorkshire) for a new environment (France).
- Overcoming Prejudice & Xenophobia: A nuanced look at how ingrained family attitudes towards “foreigners” can be challenged and unlearned through personal experience. I wrote this when the UK was reeling from the reality of Brexit. I drew a lot on the experiences I had as a young twenty something, travelling in Europe.
- Friends-to-Lovers Romance: Features a slow-burn, believable connection with a “nice guy” hero (Ash) who supports the heroine’s growth rather than stifling it.
Atmosphere & Tone
- Uplifting & Transformative: Starts with the heavy feeling of a toxic, oppressive relationship and blossoms into a light, liberating journey of self-worth.
- Evocative French Setting: The lush, sun-drenched French countryside and a grand country house wedding provide a beautiful, escapist backdrop.
- Grounded & Realistic: Despite being a “summer read,” the book addresses significant real-world issues like emotional control and the fear of the unknown with depth and sensitivity.
- Cozy yet Bold: Retains the charm of a small-town Yorkshire village while pushing the narrative boundaries into international travel and internal bravery.
Reader Emotional Experience
- Rooting for the Underdog: Readers describe a strong desire to “champion” Ellie as she stands up to her boorish boyfriend and begins to trust her own judgment.
- Heartwarming & Heart-Expanding: Reviews highlight the “lovely warmth” of the ending and the satisfaction of seeing a character unlearn old prejudices to open her heart.
- “Lockdown Escape”: A lot of readers felt it was a perfect “breather” or escape read that provides a sense of travel and emotional release. This makes sense, because I wrote this during lockdown, when I was also very sad about Brexit.
What Readers Love Most (according to reviews on Amazon and Goodreads)
- The Relatable Heroine: Ellie’s shyness and lack of confidence resonate with readers, making her eventual blossoming feel earned and inspiring.
- The “Nice Guy” Hero: Readers particularly like Ash, often noting his “green flag” qualities (like being an avid romance reader) as a refreshing contrast to the “alpha” or “toxic” tropes.
- The Supporting Cast: Readers mention that the secondary characters, like the supportive boss Sue at Pat’s Pantry and Ellie’s well-meaning but stubborn father, add layers of authenticity.
- Emotional Impact: As a novella, it is praised for packing “surprising depth” and big issues into a short, fast-paced, and highly readable format.
- A brown hero: A few (to be fair only two) reviews mention that Ash is of Sri Lankan descent. I wrote this book a long time ago, when there were very few Brit-Sri Lankan heroes to be found in romance books. This was me being the change I wanted to see.
Perfect For:
- Readers looking for “heroine finds her voice” or “self-discovery” narratives.
- Fans of “forced proximity” travel stories or “wedding guest” romances.
- If you like “modern British rom-coms that still tackle serious themes like toxic relationships and personal growth. Similar to Mhairi McFarlane, Julie Caplin, Sue Moorcroft or Sophie Kinsella.
- Readers who enjoy “Low spice/ sweet romance”. The bedroom door is closed.
Jeevani Charika and Rhoda Baxter 