A Wedding in Provence

July 1, 2014

Olivia, a fiftysomething divorcee, and Brody, a slightly younger widower, are about to get married at La Maison Verte in Cassis, France. Joining them are Brody's mom, Olivia's two adult daughters, and Olivia's friends, who own the inn. Complicating the joyous occasion is Olivia's eldest daughter, Nell, who has invited a dangerously sexy stranger to the nuptials. Nell's younger and more responsible sister, Carly, arrives sans her live-in boyfriend and vows to let her hair down for once. The innkeepers put a further damper on the festivities by experiencing a bump in their wedded bliss at a most inopportune time. When Carly and Nell's impromptu wedding date go missing at the same time, it becomes clear that this ceremony is off the rails and on a course to change the lives of the attendees as well as the bride and groom. VERDICT Women's fiction fans will enjoy Sussman's (French Lessons) knowing exploration of mother/daughter relationships and the bond between sisters. The vivid description of Provence will whisk the reader away to the Mediterranean tout suite.--Karen Core, Detroit P.L.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
Olivia and Brody are getting married. To celebrate, they have brought their respective families to a beautiful inn in the south of France run by Olivia's best friend, Emily, and her husband, Sebastien. Nestled among the vineyards and lavender fields of Cassis, the inn is the perfect setting. But when the wedding party begins to arrive, their idyllic world begins to crumble. Nell, Olivia's impulsive older daughter, has brought a stranger she picked up on the plane. Carly, the pragmatic younger one, decides to cut loose while away from her demanding job and straitlaced boyfriend. The cast also includes Jake the playboy best man, who is looking for romance, and Fanny, Brody's eccentric mother. As the ceremony draws near, friendships will be strained, children will disappear, couples will break up, and the delicate balance of the weekend will struggle to right itself. Sussman (The Paradise Guest House, 2013) once again expertly tells the story of one family growing up and moving on. With well-drawn characters, beautiful scenery, and challenging emotional terrain, Sussman's latest is a satisfying exploration of family and the enduring power of love.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)