By the sapphire blue waters of the French Riviera, a decades-long secret is about to be revealed…
Wayward Greek heiress, Ariana Theodosis, inherits the Hotel du Soleil as part of a mysterious legacy. Captivated by its faded glamour, she hopes it offers her the chance to start again.
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.
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.
As the past finally catches up with them all, will this summer reveal a forgotten secret, and change their lives forever…?
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
A very heart-warming read. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The story of Ariana’s family and how she inherited a hotel after her grandmother’s Death, and the story of Gabriel’s family and how they lost the hotel that Ariana inherited. Ariana’s family is of Greek heritage and very wealthy. Gabriel’s family built a hotel from scratch, but due to his father’s wayward spending on gambling and alcohol, they lost the hotel. Ariana inherits a lot of her grandmother’s estate, including a very special ring. The ring originally belonged to Gabriel’s mother. It ends up being her engagement ring. Could not put the book down, a captivating read. An easy read, great descriptions of the areas. I felt as though I was there with the story. Glenice, VIC, 5 Stars
All I needed was to be on a sun lounger by a pool with a spritz in hand while reading The Hotel on the Riviera by Carol Kirkwood. This novel was absolutely brilliant to be swept away to the glitz and glam life of the rich and famous on the French Riviera. The Hotel du Soleil in Cannes is the setting of this novel and it holds secrets of the past for Gabriel du Lac and his family. When this hotel comes into ownership to Greek heiress, Ariana Theodosis, it is up to her to unveil the family secret so she can understand why she has inherited it, while falling in love with the handsome and ever charming Gabriel. While the novel unfolds, we are also introduced to characters Elizabeth and Robert who are actors with a marriage crisis and to Estee and Stefan who work in the hotel so there are many love stories in this novel. I loved being transported to the French Riviera of Cannes and Nice and to the countryside of Grasse. The novel is written very well and makes a good book to read while on holidays or as an escape of ordinary life. Raffaela, VIC, 5 Stars
A well-written fairytale romance set amongst the rich-and-famous lifestyle of the French Riviera. The ‘secrets’ are not earth-shattering, but a fun, light summer holiday read nonetheless! Mopsy, VIC, 4 Stars
This was a very romantic and refreshing read after such a looooong winter! Carol really paints you into the landscapes in this novel and if you let yourself you can be transported to Greece and the French Riviera. Immediately the plot is clear but the predictability didn’t make it less enticing! Once I was hooked on the leading lady Ariana and the protagonist Gabriel – I could not wait to see where they’d take us… and they did not disappoint! This is for those time travelling romantics – Readers who enjoy this book will surely enjoy Carol’s first book Under A Greek Moon. Mercury, NSW, 4 Stars
Reading The Hotel on the Riviera is like taking a luxurious European holiday. Kirkwood’s characters are intriguing as they glamorously meander their way in and out of situations throughout the often suspenseful, and at times, romantic plot. The intertwining relationships also add interest to the dramatic narrative as does the carefully crafted series of events and flashbacks that you journey through with each new chapter. I would recommend this novel to anyone who is in need of a long awaited vacation or a summer romance. Maria, NSW, 4 Stars
This is Carol Kirkwood’s second novel although the first that I have read. I enjoyed it as an easy, lightweight read. Ariana, a Greek heiress, is surprised to be bequeathed a hotel in the Riviera by her late Grandmother. Equally surprised because no-one in her family was even aware her Grandmother owned it. The hotel, now quite dilapidated, is currently being run by Gabriel du Lac, who believed his family still retained ownership. His Mother lives reclusively, in the premium, top floor suite and keeps secret how, and why, the hotel was lost to the family. Gabriel is not willing to hand over the hotel without a fight. At the time of gaining ownership of the hotel, Ariana is trying to distance herself from a scandal in LA, plus Jonny, a bad boy who she has an “on again/off again” relationship. Add to this, Elizabeth and Robert, two glamorous A list movie stars, married but heading for divorce and Estee a dancer in a cheap nightclub, trying to earn money to support her daughter – there is plenty to keep you interested! A perfect read to enjoy over the Summer! Sue, VIC, 4 Stars
The Hotel on the Riviera is a great escape novel that beholds the glitz and glamour of the very rich. The novel follows Greek heiress and aspiring actress Ariana Theodosis, and how her inheritance of the Hotel du Soleil on the French Riviera slowly uncovers damning secrets. It of course entails a romance, allowing for an easy and sometimes predicable read that gives you a break from the seriousness of the real world. However, whilst beautifully written, I did find it a bit confusing at the beginning of the book to remember all the characters that were introduced and where they all fit in as I continued the novel. Overall, I would say that this is a lounge by the pool novel that would be perfect for dreamers of romantic European escapades that would enjoy an easy read. Charlotte, NSW, 4 Stars
Really enjoyed this book. Did not want to put it down. Felt like I was in the French Riviera. Michelle, VIC, 4 Stars
A nice easy read. Ariana inherits a hotel in Cannes and no one in her family knew the hotel exists. A love story with a set back in time theme too. Lizzie, SA, 3 Stars
If you are looking for a light, easy beach read for this summer then this is the book for you. A story of the rich and famous living it up during the Cannes film festival with a few issues thrown in to make it interesting. There are too many characters and I am not sure if the chambermaid’s storyline was absolutely necessary but I guess she was a foil for the spoilt rich peeps. There was a lot of name dropping, practically every celebrity gets a mention. As I said a very light easy and predictable read but not really my cup of tea. Emily, VIC, 3 Stars
When her grandmother passed away, Ariana inherits her jewelries and also a hotel in French Riviera, Hotel Du Soleil. None of her family, even her father, had ever known that her grandmother ever owned a hotel. The story gets more interesting when Gabriel du Lac, who owned the hotel for decades, has no intention to give up the hotel easily. The mystery of how Ariana’s grandmother can own this hotel kept ticking my curiosity and wanting to keep reading it. There are a few dramas throughout the book and I have definitely been kept hooked and wanting more as these have unfolded. Most characters in this book are elegant and rich, but the author drops those famous actors/actresses names way too many times, which come across a bit over the top and made me rolled my eyes a few times. Uncomplicated read which suits for a relaxing read in a beach or by the pool!! Vivi, NSW, 3 Stars
The Hotel on the Riviera was a delightful book. It took a bit to adjust to the large number of characters and perspectives but once I got the hang of it, I found it to be a great read. Daneka, QLD, 3 Stars
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