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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
World War II and wine-making. The storyline kept me reading - I was just a little discouraged with the characters - they weren’t as developed as I would have liked - I just didn’t feel a connection with any of them. But the ending has a great twist!
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Underlying Tones
As is the case with Harmel’s novels, the historical accuracy of The Winemaker’s Wife is faultless. But beneath the story of France’s brave resistance workers in and around the vineyards of Champagne and the added flavor of the winemaking industries lies a story of love, hope, and friendship. There is betrayal and forgiveness. There are promises both broken and kept by the two female protagonists, Ines and Celeste. There are secrets that lie silent in the chalk caves under Maison Chaveau, building intensity like the waiting bottles of champagne, waiting to be uncorked.
As is the case with Harmel’s novels, the historical accuracy of The Winemaker’s Wife is faultless. But beneath the story of France’s brave resistance workers in and around the vineyards of Champagne and the added flavor of the winemaking industries lies a story of love, hope, and friendship. There is betrayal and forgiveness. There are promises both broken and kept by the two female protagonists, Ines and Celeste. There are secrets that lie silent in the chalk caves under Maison Chaveau, building intensity like the waiting bottles of champagne, waiting to be uncorked.
Thank you Gallery Books and Goodreads for an Advanced Readers Copy of The Winemaker's Wife! So excited to win a Copy! I read this book in less than twenty-four hours. It is an engaging read. That being said, I sadly did not like the modern day part of the story. The story is told in three part by the characters Ines, Celine, and Olivia. Olivia's part is the modern day part and it felt flat and unengaging. The other character's are set in WWll in Nazi occupied Champagne, France. Celine is half-Jewish and works for the owner of the champagne house that Ines' husband owns. Ines feels alone and useless at the champagne house. Both make decisions that alter the course of their lives forever. Celine falls in love with Michel, Ines husband who is working for the resistance. Ines falls into the arms of a Nazi collaborator. The actions cause of lifetime of guilt, heartache and secrets that at the age of ninety-nine Olivia's French grandmother decides to share and unburden her lifetime of guilt. All roads lead back to the champagne house of Maison Chauveau and the caves that hold the secrets of a lifetime ago.
This was my second Kristin Harmel novel and it wasn’t nearly as good as the first one I read, The Book of Lost Names. I agree with other reviewers that the main characters in the 1940’s timeline were not likable and therefore hard to route for. On the other hand I did like the 2019 timeline characters and they actually are why I kept reading. The 3 star review (as opposed to fewer stars) is due to the setting in Champagne and the insight into the resistance in that area of France. I also thought the themes of forgiveness and redemption were interesting. Overall I could have done with more history and less romance.
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes