Sophie feels stuck in the artificial world of film sets and routines, so when she learns she has unexpectedly inherited part of a French estate from a relative she never knew existed, she jumps at the chance to escape to Provence. There, she is swept up by the charm of a crumbling château, the promise of a fresh start, and a growing attraction to Thibault, the handsome vineyard manager. But the sudden reappearance of Mark, the ex-husband she left behind years ago, throws everything off balance. What starts as a dreamy summer adventure quickly turns into a messy, funny, and emotional tangle of old feelings, new possibilities, family secrets, and the question of whether Sophie should build a new life in France or risk her heart all over again.
Portia MacIntosh writes in a bright, breezy romantic-comedy style that leans into humor, escapism, and second-chance tension. In Ex En Provence, that signature style comes through in the glamorous setting, playful voice, and fast-moving mix of romance, awkward history, and feel-good drama. MacIntosh is a bestselling contemporary rom-com author and former journalist, best known for light, destination-driven love stories that feel cinematic, funny, and easy to sink into. This book has all the ingredients for a perfect summer escape: sunshine, wine, a château in need of saving, and a heroine trying to decide whether the life she ran from might still have something to teach her.
I give Ex En Provence 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoy rom-coms because they give my mind a lighter place to land after darker or heavier reads, and on the surface, this one had exactly the kind of premise I usually love. Provence, inherited property, a vineyard manager, an inconvenient ex, and a second chance at both love and life should have been an easy win. Unfortunately, I found the execution more frustrating than satisfying. The storyline often felt too simplified, and several conflicts were resolved so quickly that they lost their emotional weight. For example, Thibault’s ex causes real tension for Sophie, but then gives in so easily after plotting against her that the moment feels rushed rather than earned. Those quick resolutions keep the story moving, but they also make the plot feel less authentic.
I also noticed a few subtle issues around the winemaking and vineyard details. They did not change the overall plot, but they did pull me out of the story and made me wonder how much research went into that part of the setting. For a light rom-com, I do not need every detail to be perfect, but when the location and vineyard atmosphere are such a central part of the book’s appeal, those small inaccuracies stood out. The result is a story that is charming in concept and easy to listen to, but not quite as immersive or emotionally satisfying as I hoped it would be.
If you are looking for a quick, fun, low-stakes story, you may still enjoy Ex En Provence, especially if you are in the mood for a sunny setting and a bit of romantic chaos. It works best when read as pure escapism rather than as a deeply developed romance. I would recommend it to readers who have enjoyed books by L.K. Wilde or Claire Friedman and want something light, casual, and easy to finish. However, if you prefer rom-coms with more emotional depth, stronger character development, or conflicts that take a little longer to unravel, I would point you toward authors such as Lynn Painter or Ashley Poston instead. This is a pleasant palate cleanser, but not one that fully delivered on the promise of its premise for me.
I chose Ex En Provence as my September TBR read after Audible recommended it based on other books I have enjoyed. The premise sounded like exactly the kind of book I wanted at the time: light, romantic, travel-inspired, and easy to settle into between heavier reads. In many ways, it did offer that escape. I appreciated the cinematic quality of the setting and the idea of Sophie being pulled out of her carefully managed life into something more spontaneous and sun-soaked. I only wish the story had slowed down enough to let the relationships, conflicts, and setting breathe. With a little more depth and a little less convenience, this could have been a much more memorable read.
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- Current print book: TBD
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- Book I’m most looking forward to: Murmuration, TJ Klune
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