However, if your ‘cup of tea; is simple, beautiful escapism and a peak into how the other half live - fairy tale style…….you will adore it and gobble it up! I’m just more of a realist and like the main characters to be flawed and ‘less than perfect’ which frankly we all are! Ariana Theodosis is a Greek heiress who has had her whole life handed to her on a plate. Most recently she has been trying to make it as an actress in Hollywood, but has fallen in with the wrong crowd and spent most of her time partying. From Sunday Times bestselling author and the nation’s best loved TV presenter Carol Kirkwood comes a glittering escape to the French Riviera. ‘Deliciously escapist’ Cathy Kelly ‘A stunning holiday read with passion and heart, perfect…!’ Anton Du Beke

I loved this book. It sweeps you away to the glamorous French riviera and is the perfect holiday read. There is an element of mystery, as Arianna tries to uncover the how the hotel ended up in her possession and the characters are brilliantly weaved in, so that you feel like you know them. I read this in one day as I did not want to put it down. Whereas Gabriel and his family has been running it for over two decades and wants to take it over however he is trying to figure out why it wasn’t left to his own family. What a dream of a book to read, I have literally read this within 24 hours, as I couldn't put it down. It had old school Hollywood glamour, drama ,fighting, mystery and secrets. The hotel offers a heated indoor pool, an outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, and gym. Additional services including a choice of massages are also available. In the evenings there is a variety of live entertainment.Unlike most novels with multiple narratives, this one is more difficult to follow. In one paragraph you are reading about the present of Ariana. The next you are reading about Gabriel’s deceased family. There are no breaks in the writing at all to let you know instead you have to use your mind and memory to recap this every few paragraphs which is VERY annoying. Dartmoor; with its mile after mile of ever changing scenery, is of course a ‘must’ for every visitor. Whether you are visiting Torquayon business or pleasure, you'll find that the RivieraHotelmakes for the perfect setting during your stay on the English Riviera. Around 2 p.m. (or even earlier during late fall and winter to seize more daylight hours), take a car or taxi to the nearby Calanques National Park, a stunning protected area of natural beauty. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes with good grip for hiking, a bottle of water, and bring a swimsuit for swimming and water sports in warm-weather months.

Madame du Lac has watched the rich and famous pass through the doors of the hotel for almost half a century, and she has kept its secrets too. With secrets surrounding the transfer of ownership of the hotel, and the tragedy that surrounds it, will Ariana and Gabriel ever work out their differences about the ownership of the hotel. Next, spend a bit of time exploring the town itself, with its quiet streets and alleys, Provencal-style squares lined with warmly hued facades, and traditional shops.

I enjoyed both storylines. However the ending with Elizabeth and Richard felt rushed and didn't feel satisfying. Just to the west of Sidmouth lies the Raleigh Country. Sir Walter was born at Hayes Barton, in a beautiful Tudor building which is now a farmhouse. The last leg of your week on the French Riviera takes you further west to the pretty fishing village of Cassis, near the ancient port city of Marseille. While the latter is, oddly enough, not generally considered part of the Riviera, feel free to eke out some time to explore it, if you so choose-- or add an extra day to your itinerary if you can. Your week in the French Riviera begins in Nice and Monaco, then moves westward to famous resort towns and beaches including Cannes, Antibes, and St-Tropez. Along the way, you'll also visit a couple of the region's most stunning "perched villages." We finish off the week at the west end of the Riviera, with a visit to the postcard-pretty town of Cassis and the natural wonders of Calanques National Park.

The du Lacs themselves are a mysterious family – Gabriel is a successful hotelier who does not want the Hotel du Soleil to leave his family’s possession. Constance his sister has never left and remains devoted to their mother, who has been a recluse and barely left her room at the top of the hotel for years. From an up to the minute approach to business conferences or a traditional family celebration you can be assured of the same personal attention from our experienced and friendly team.Hotelier Gabriel du Lac’s family have owned the hotel for decades – and he has no intention of giving it up for a beautiful stranger.