My Grape Baby

The Grape Series #9

by Laura Bradbury

In the ninth book in Laura Bradbury's #1 bestselling Grape series, Laura learns that having a baby is vastly different in France.

My Grape Baby takes fans of Laura Bradbury’s Grape Series back to Burgundy, where Laura and Franck embark on one of their biggest adventures yet - a third pregnancy and baby to be born in France.

Not only is the paperwork endless and the pregnancy guidelines completely different, but doctor's examinations involve significantly less clothing and Laura's French mother-in-law is insisting the new baby is named "Marie" after the Virgin Mary.

Much as Laura has always dreamed of having a third child (and has now dragged Franck along for the ride), she discovers she's woefully prepared for the rule that no husbands are allowed in the OR, demolishing a supporting wall in her house in her third trimester, or the hazards of steak tartare.

Find out if Laura and Franck manage to pull off their most important creation yet - a grape baby born amongst the vineyards of France.

"Laura Bradbury's writing will make you hungry for life." - Amazon reviewer

Praise for Laura Bradbury's Grape
"Bradbury’s Grape Series feels like a series of honest and funny letters sent from a friend about her fascinating (and sometimes baffling) life in France. A beautiful read.”
—JANICE MACLEOD, New York Times bestselling author of Paris Letters and A Paris Year

“Bradbury’s Grape Series takes the reader on a romantic adventure into the heart, soul, and people of la belle France. Filled with delicious food, love, and laughter, Bradbury’s writing proves that you have to dare to follow your heart wherever it leads you...and that sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone to truly live.”
—SAMANTHA VÉRANT, author of How to Make a French Family and Seven Letters from Paris

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, France

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2023

About the author

Laura Bradbury is the author of the bestselling Grape Series, an award-winning cookbook Bisous and Brioche, the Winemakers Series, and "huggable" rom coms such as Oxford Wild.

She has a law degree from Keble College, Oxford but Laura’s true love was always storytelling.

She married a Frenchman and ran off to France after graduation so she would have something to write about. Now Laura lives between Burgundy, France and an island off Canada's West Coast with her French husband and their three daughters. She can be found writing, reading, or eating snails with a nice glass of Pinot.

Sign up for her beloved monthly Grapevine at www.bit.ly/LauraBradburyNewsletter or find her on IG at https://www.instagram.com/laurabradbu... or www.laurabradbury.com

Reviews

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sad that this is the end of the series, as far as I know. It has been fun to watch Laura in her college years, meeting and marrying Franck. I loved meeting her Canadian family and Franck's French family. There is a bit of a feeling of traveling and living somewhere other than here.

In previous books, we met Laura and Franck's first two babies. We enjoyed watching them flip a couple of homes and a wine cellar. And we read about food and wine, a lot of wine. The real estate and food I can do without, but in this book, it gets personal. And may I, without giving spoilers, warn you to have Kleenex nearby.

I wish Laura and her family all the best. Enjoy these books if you get the chance.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous addition to Laura's Grape series, this is the story of Laura and Franck's decision to have a third child, who will be born in France, not Canada. And of course, they decide to make things difficult for themselves by renovating their Burgundian home as Laura's pregnancy progresses. I loved learning about the differences in obstetrics between Canada and France, and the way pregnant women are treated there. I also enjoyed meeting some favorite characters from previous books; Laura's best friend Marie, and Franck's beloved Mémé. And I was overjoyed to hear that there is going to be a final book in the series, My Grape Child, which I have already preordered. I definitely recommend this book. I have only one fault to find with it - like all of Laura's memoirs I wish it was twice as long.

[Carol Morenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

I love all the Grape books and this one didn’t disappoint. I was so hoping that Mémé would be around for Clémentine’s birth. My grandmother was Canadian French and a Mémère (as we spelled it) and I am a Mémère also. Both families spoke french maybe that’s why I like wine so much. Looking forward to the next book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun to return to the Grape series. Nice to leave my own life and take a trip to the French countryside.

[Jane Coward · Rating 3 out of 5]

A French look at pregnancy -

There’s nothing like comparing how the French look at pregnancy versus Canada ir the USA! As seen in this book, they really respect pregnancy, and everybody wants to be a part of it. This makes it the whole experience very personal not only in the immediate family but with everybody they meet. Very interesting and so sweet.
On the downside, I found it very annoying to have so many typos, and other errors in the text. Hopefully it was because it was edited by a French person. It just needed a good proofreading before it went to press . I found it very distracting, and there were many! This has not happened in previous books and I loved every one of them.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Laura's books and reading about the family's journey. I feel like I know them all at this point. This one was good and I hope she continues to write because there are a lot of years between the ending of this book and the last. I was actually crying on the train a couple of times but won't give any spoilers.

Minus one point for all of the grammatical errors and typos - way, way too many (Us woman?! First of all, if you are going to use us instead of we then it should be plural women, not singular woman but that us thing is abhorrent and used throughout the entire book multiple times). Girl, I know you thanked a lot of friends for helping you proofread but you've gotta kick them to the curb (or kerb as you'd spell it) and hire me for free! I find typos in both languages.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun diary!!

I have only read the first book in the series, but a story about baby #3, born in France, unlike the first two, was irresistible! Everything about prenatal care and the birth process was just the opposite in France. I love reading about the differences. I had read Pamela Druckerman’s book, Bringing Up Bebe, which covered some of the same ground, nevertheless I was fascinated. Laura is an spunky, fun character, as a Canadian. I was so happy to see the baby delivered! And the name. I believe she is actually a teenager now. So now I may go back and read the entire series, or at least #2. I recommend this to Francophiles!!

[Carole Handel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining and delightful story

Loved it just like all Laura’s books. I’ve been following the Grape series for many years. It was great to be back in Burgundy reconnected to those villages of Magny and Villers. I stayed in Magny in 2009. Walked to Villers past the tiny chapel, so reading this story, I’m back there once more. Such a wonderful celebration of life and I’m connected again as 8 years ago I had to choose what I would be called as a new grandmother and French obsessed me chose Mémé from reading Laura’s books. It was amazing to return to Burgundy last year and fall in love again with this special part of France. Merci Laura. A lovely memoir.

[Lisa Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Laura’s ‘Grape’ series. This latest addition didn’t disappoint. Laura’s writing is some of the best around, the food descriptions mouthwatering, the comedic lines perfectly spun.
In My Grape Baby, Laura decides she wants another child; this one will be a true Burgundian, born in France. Being pregnant in France is a very different tray of escargot to Laura’s native Canada. Laura had me in stitches describing her naked appointments with the doctor, whilst the over-the-top chivalry of Frenchmen, was a revelation. I look forward to more from the Grape series soon.

[Alyson Sheldrake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not even particularly interested in stories about pregnancy or babies, but I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see how things turned out for Laura and her family. Being pregnant and giving birth in France was always going to be different than doing so in her native Canada, and this was a light, easy read full of food and wine, families and fun, all the while overshadowed by the impending birth in a French hospital. Laura has a clever, engaging style of writing that draws you in from the first page and this is a worthy addition to an engaging series.

[Janet Lapworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read. For third time mother and author, Laura Bradbury, pregnancy in Burgundy had its personal challenges and cultural surprises. A taciturn doctor, a house renovation, celebration days and a favourite matriarch all feature and reflect the seasons of life amongst the vineyard community. An enjoyable and sensitive memoir and, for those who have read other ‘Grape’ series books, there is the pleasure of reuniting with some we have ‘met’ in the past.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Could Not Put it Down!

I picked up this book and could not put it down! Ms Bradbury brings you to Beaune, France and into her life - leaving you wanting more. The details are all there - conveyed in a way that keeps you laughing and crying and hoping and eating and everything else right along with her. What an amazing story! I can hardly wait for the next story! Thanks you for sharing your life with us, Laura!

[Sharon W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to Be Back With Laura & Franck in France!

Seamlessly adding to her previous Grape series, Laura shares the story of their third baby, Clementine, and the “normal” chaos that rules their lives with a home remodel and a busy family schedule. A charming read, to be followed by the next book about bringing up baby Clem as the third child in this active and crazy family.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series by Laura Bradbury. In this 9th book, Laura and her husband, Franck, find themselves pregnant with their third baby. Life in Burgundy, filled with family, great food and wine, is an adventure. Add to that their home is in the midst of renovation, and it’s daunting. This is a great escapist read and look forward to the next book in the series!

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great autobiographical series. When Laura and Franck decide to have a third child, they are living in Burgundy France. Laura's first two children were born in Canada. While experiencing the differences between the medical systems in both countries, they still have to raise their daughters, finish the renovation of their house and live their best Burgundian life. Highly recommended.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Perfect Grape !

Honestly I knew I’d love this book before I even started it, just based on my enthusiasm for the Grape Series. So many highs, nail biting moments, and laughing out loud was packed into this sweet story.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. It was interesting to read of the differences between France and Canada when it came to pregnancy. It would be wonderful with all countries were as supportive of the pregnant mothers during pregnancy and after.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Grape Series books, and this one did not disappoint. It's all about Clementine--Laura's and Franck's 3rd child--the pregnancy and birth--in France.

[Lori Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

tears, happy tears

Thank you for sharing another great time in your life, I’m glad your daughter kept pushing for her story. I laughed, I cried ugly tears, I smiled.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion Bradbury’s My Grape series never disappoints. This book is no exception.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny, so touching, so many interesting details about life in France...just lovely.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely addition to the Grape series. This heart-warming memoir describes Laura's desire to have another child and to give birth in Burgundy. Of course with Laura and Franck nothing just runs smoothly and during this time they start renovations on their house - what an upheaval! It was interesting to compare the French ante natal treatment to that of Canada (or the UK) I think France wins hands down. Laura writes with such vitality and humour and her love of family, friends and France are evident throughout. I look forward to book 10 and reading more of this lovely madcap family.