Return to the Little French Guesthouse: A feel good read to make you smile (La Cour des Roses Book 2)

Once in a while, we get lucky enough to read a series that touches our hearts. The Little French Guesthouse series is one of those. With enough hilarious an snarky commentary to keep it from being too sweet or sappy, along with real life situations, the sequel continues Emmy's journey in France. With the myriad of interesting characters included in both books, I'd love to see this series continue and possibly explore a romance between Rupert and Ellie?! I want to know how things turn out for Ryan and Sophie, whether the Thomsons return for another family reunion, and I might even be willing to entertain some positive future in Nathan's and Gloria's lives...please oh please, Ms. Pollard, don't end this series with book #2! Well worth the time and $ to buy and read--I love these books!

I thoroughly enjoyed the original book, The Little French Guesthouse. I very much like the descriptive language that made me feel I was there in France, enjoying the lovely views and the delightful characters. This sequel, however surprised me. From the first page, there was crisis after crisis - drama followed by even more drama. It was not the relaxing, enjoyable read I had hoped for. There was too much tension throughout. Though the main character's resilience through all of her trials is impressive, I was looking for a more gentle, light hearted read.

I loved this book. It was even better than the original French guest house book. The characters are extremely likeable, the plot touches all of my emotions. I just wanted to be there, to stay a month in that wonderful place with those wonderful people. Emmy is suc a hard worker and such a kind soul, you just want everything to go right for her. And, with a few mishaps, it does. It is a wonderfully sweet book without being syrupy. Helen Pollard is certainly a gifted writer. Please give us a third "Guesthouse" book.

Love, love, loved, all three Little French Guesthouse books. It made me warm and fuzzy. I felt as though I knew each character personally after reading the last book in the series. It helped me realize that “ life is to short” so enjoy it to the fullest.I wish that Helen Pollard would continue to write about life at La Coir des Roses. Expanding on Ellie, Johnathan, Sophie and Ryan. There’s so much to explore yet.Thank you for the excellent presentation. The easy reading, which keeps the interest of the reader from beginning to end. I couldn’t put the books down and craved for more( my household chores will vouch for it.).

I thoroughly enjoyed ‘Return to the Little French Guesthouse’ by Helen Pollard. It was a worthy sequel. It really was a feel good book that made me smile. Light reading which I needed but very well written with characters & a plot that kept me interested throughout. Each time I opened the book I looked forward to finding out what was going to happen next for Ellie as she carved out a new life & career at the rose - themed guesthouse. I already have a sample of Helen’s next book in the series. Don’t usually want to read 3 books in a row by the same author -without a break that is- but I’m going to this time!

A really delightful story- written so well that I got the feel of every day at this little french guesthouse. Every detail was important as was every emotion. I just wanted the story to continue.It had a realism about it and the characterization was excellent.Having lived in France for several years - I could identify with much of the bureaucracy but also the wonderful folk who live in the countryside.Food always important - and having a chef for evening meals - well - I wish I could have been there.

Delightful story that lived up to my expectations. So often sequels are a disappointment but not this time. I would have already made reservations and a deposit if "La Cour des Roses" were real. I would love to meet every character and spend time with them in the garden with a glass of wine or pot of tea. I hope that there will be a follow up because there is a wedding I want to know about.

After reading the first book in the series I couldn't wait to read the further adventures of Ellie, Rupert, and all their friends. So many trials and tribulations for Ellie, especially with the return of horrible Gloria. Very believable and I especially liked the glimpses of the surrounding area, including Chenenceux and Saumur. They are real places that I have visited. I really couldn't put this book down until the wee morning hours when I finished it.

This was a piece of light - very light - reading. It reminded me of the kind of stories that regularly featured in popular women’s magazines in the fifties and sixties, everything ending in a rather anodyne, “happy ever after” sort of way. If you like that kind of thing, fair enough; it is simply not for me. I was particularly disappointed by the fact that I didn’t pick up any sort of feel to the story that conveyed the typical uniqueness of a French rural community. Indeed, the setting could have been anywhere. I did finish the story and, eventually, developed some interest in what was going on with the characters. I don’t think, however, that I will be in any hurry to read the next novel in the series.

Another great book to join the first La Cour des Roses series. It made me so happy to return to this story you have no idea! I absolutely loved the first and couldn't wait to read the second. The cover, once again, drew me in and I found that I couldn't say no (even though I have a ton on my TBR pile!).The story follows Emmy after her very recent move to France and you find yourself reading about her settling in to her new role as guesthouse manager for La Cour des Roses. I was thrilled when old faces joined the story and couldn't wait to read more about Emmy's adventures into French everyday life.I loved reading about the French markets, the cobbled streets of the town and the crisp and chilled wine. I will admit one thing, and it's that this series has made me long to go to France! I found that Emmy's relationship with Alain was lovely to read and it made me feel all warm inside when they finally came together! I loved all the characters and enjoyed reading about their lives as well as Emmy's.There is some more drama in this book as well as the first, what with the gargantuan booking that Gloria simply forgot to tell them about, the return of said ex-wife Gloria and a huge bombshell that Gloria (can you see a pattern here?) dropped just before she left. The book leaves you hanging on to every chapter, dying to know what happens next.Overall, a brilliant second part of the series. I've just finished the third and final instalment (boo!) and the review shall be up on my blog soon!

Emmy sorts out her life in Brum and goes back to France as manager of the guest house La Cour des Roses. Helen Pollard certainly sets up some extraordinary situations concerning various guests to the B&B - whenever I have stayed in a B&B I have found them dull and boring - but here Emmy sorts everything out but I must say life really is very hectic here.....also we are introduced to some quite interesting ex-pats and a few locals - Mme Dupont is my favorite.......and then there is part 3......

I absolutely loved this book, even better than the first. Just read it on holiday, so relaxing and entertaining. The characters are so real and the descriptions of French culture make me want to follow in Emmy's footsteps. I do hope there will be more in this series, there are so many storylines to follow. I want to find out what happens to Emmy and Alain, see if Sophie and Ryan will get together, and maybe even Rupert and Ellie. Hope we've seen the last of evil Gloria, but then I suppose there has to be some conflict in their perfect world. Please, please, please ........!

Capturing the imagination, the story marches through a myriad of problems, mainly of the heart, but also the daily troubles of managing a Guesthouse, the kind with a high profile and amazing potential; which Emmy plans to develop in her own unique style. Unfortunately, life intervenes and deals several blows along the way. But Emmy got lucky and found her niche. Of course with a lot of help from her friends. Some of which she assumed was a given, at times, and tended to take for granted. Ryan springs to mind as the kindly, though cast off ex lover. Emmy was young and beautiful, and used this fact to full advantage. With the male community at her feet, it was unlikely she could fail in any venture. She even had the obligatory female support, but the cherry would be her very predictable marriage offer from the local adonis, of course. But why no explanation about Gloria and Nathan's demise?