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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
Loved learning more about the Champagne region of France and its role in resisting German occupation during WWII. Harmel has certainly done her research! This was an entertaining read and I found myself staying up late to finish it! Well worth it, in my opinion.
That being said, this novel doesn't delve into a whole lot of details about the French resistance in Champagne and I found that this novel could have benefitted from those details. There was also a romance in the past that seemed to be rushed and ill-contrived. I felt sorry for Ines most of all and how she was one-dimentionally depicted...and then had to clean up everyone's mess in the end.
That being said, this novel doesn't delve into a whole lot of details about the French resistance in Champagne and I found that this novel could have benefitted from those details. There was also a romance in the past that seemed to be rushed and ill-contrived. I felt sorry for Ines most of all and how she was one-dimentionally depicted...and then had to clean up everyone's mess in the end.
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The first half was slow and predictable, but the plot twist later in the book re-engaged me. Found the main characters annoying and unbelievable, but the history and setting were great. Definitely cried.
The characters in this book are a complete and total mess! War time, insecurity, marriage, nazi's, wine. It's all there. The majority of the characters in this book are unable to be faithful in their marriages leading to one disaster after another, while trying to make it better by their resistance to the nazi's in France. It showcased very complicated relationships during a very complicated time in history. I particularly enjoyed the story line of Olivia, but every time there was a flashback I just became annoyed at the stupidity and selfishness of the other characters! A decent read but I would recommend The Book of Lost Names by her instead!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story is set in Champagne, France during WWII and told from this time and current day, 2019. Similar to other stories set during this time period, it is about resisting the German Invasion and highlighting the heroic efforts normal people had to do to not only survive but try to stop the Germans. I love reading stories set during this time and this book did not disappoint. It focused on the owners of a champagne vineyard and is full of star crossed lovers, jealousy, determination, the effects of misinformation, redemption, and a bit of selfishness.
Ines is the wife of a winemaker who feels she does not quite fit in. In my opinion she is a bit immature and this shows in some of her selfish actions. However I loved watching her develop and grow throughout the story.
I cannot say too much about the story without giving away surprises but I was truly engrossed in this story. I stayed up way too late finishing the story because I had to know how it ended. I highly highly recommend it for anyone interested in WWII historical fiction.
Ines is the wife of a winemaker who feels she does not quite fit in. In my opinion she is a bit immature and this shows in some of her selfish actions. However I loved watching her develop and grow throughout the story.
I cannot say too much about the story without giving away surprises but I was truly engrossed in this story. I stayed up way too late finishing the story because I had to know how it ended. I highly highly recommend it for anyone interested in WWII historical fiction.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An amazing story about unexpected love, chosen family, interspersed with the tragedy of WW2.
Whew what do I say about this heartbreaking novel? I absolutely adored learning about Champagne, France and wine making during WWII. I loved the premise that they would use the wine tunnels to help the resistance fight the Nazis. However, this fell a little flat as most of the book was about marriage. The chapters alternate between present Liv, and past Inès and Céline (I couldn't stop singing Betty in my head by Taylor Swift every time I saw Inès).
2019: Liv is recently divorced and is swept to France by her stubborn and mysterious and wonderful 99-year-old grandmother Edith, who was probably my favorite character. The present day budding romance was slow-burning but was a little awkward at times. The ending of the novel in the present was well crafted and beautifully wrapped up the story. I enjoyed the unraveling that occurred to get us there.
1940-1945: Inès and Céline are winemaker's wives living at the Maison Chauveau helping make wine that the Nazis are stealing from all the winemakers for themselves. But they are also all committing adultery and I did not enjoy reading about it. Between them and their husbands I didn't really like any of the past characters or their stories until towards the end when everything goes wrong.
This was a light fast read about wine, WWII, marriage, betrayal, and discovering yourself.
2019: Liv is recently divorced and is swept to France by her stubborn and mysterious and wonderful 99-year-old grandmother Edith, who was probably my favorite character. The present day budding romance was slow-burning but was a little awkward at times. The ending of the novel in the present was well crafted and beautifully wrapped up the story. I enjoyed the unraveling that occurred to get us there.
1940-1945: Inès and Céline are winemaker's wives living at the Maison Chauveau helping make wine that the Nazis are stealing from all the winemakers for themselves. But they are also all committing adultery and I did not enjoy reading about it. Between them and their husbands I didn't really like any of the past characters or their stories until towards the end when everything goes wrong.
This was a light fast read about wine, WWII, marriage, betrayal, and discovering yourself.