A review by montanamomreads
The French Winemaker's Daughter : A Novel by Loretta Ellsworth

challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Thank you to @harperperennial, @netgalley and @lorettaellsworth_author for the #gifted e-book.

In this captivating dual timeline, we meet Martine and Charlotte. Martine, a young Jewish girl in 1942, narrowly escapes from German soldiers after her winemaker father is arrested. A nun discovers her and takes her to an abbey, where Martine's harrowing journey of survival unfolds. Nearly fifty years later, Charlotte stumbles upon a bottle of wine that carries a profound legacy and embarks on a compelling quest to uncover Martine's story. Their lives beautifully intertwine, leading to an incredible and moving conclusion.

I found both characters deeply relatable. The author's ability to evoke emotions as Martine endures the horrors of WWII is masterful. The vivid descriptions of wartime France and Charlotte's explorations of the wineries are stunning. From the very first page, I was entranced by the intertwining narratives.

If you're a fan of historical fiction, this book is a must-read!