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Vintage Attraction
Before Peter Hapworth meets Izzy, he knows the difference between Pinot Noir and peanut butter, but that's about it. Lonely and frustrated with his academic career--as well as with dating--his life takes a sudden turn one night when he turns on the television. He's transfixed by the woman staring back at him, a glass of wine swirling delicately in her hand--Isabelle Conway, one of the preeminent sommeliers in the world. There's something about her. Somehow, he feels like he already knows her.
On a whim, he pitches himself as a guest on her popular TV show, and the two embark on a whirlwind courtship. But relationships require a delicate balance of nurturing and belief, much like winemaking. Hapworth and Izzy must navigate the complex mysteries of wine--and the heart--from glamorous social events and domestic travails in Chicago to the vineyards and rocky bluffs of Santorini in Greece. Vintage Attraction is a rich and insightful novel by an exciting, young literary talent.
On a whim, he pitches himself as a guest on her popular TV show, and the two embark on a whirlwind courtship. But relationships require a delicate balance of nurturing and belief, much like winemaking. Hapworth and Izzy must navigate the complex mysteries of wine--and the heart--from glamorous social events and domestic travails in Chicago to the vineyards and rocky bluffs of Santorini in Greece. Vintage Attraction is a rich and insightful novel by an exciting, young literary talent.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
656 people want to read
About the author
Charles Blackstone
11 books40 followersCharles Blackstone is the author of Vintage Attraction, an acclaimed novel about wine, pugs, and the cult of personality. He is also the author of The Week You Weren't Here, a novel, and the co-editor of the anthology The Art of Friction. His recent prose and criticism has appeared or is forthcoming in Joyland, Oldster, and Fiction Writers Review. He lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 13, 2013
I really wanted to like this book. The premise fit into the types of books I usually like to indulge myself in. But after reading about 40% of the book, I just could not take it anymore. I feel cruel rating a book I didn't read 100% of but I also do think I read enough to be able to validate my rating.
The biggest issue I had was simply the writing. I felt like the story was just droning on. There were way too many unnecessary descriptions and words in general that the read was just not so smooth. I would find myself going on to the next page without even knowing what on earth I read previously because it just flew right over my head. I stopped caring about who said what or what was going on. In addition, I got super sick of Peter and his condescending attitude toward others, and his constant whining and inferiority issue when with Izzy. All of this just made me pine for other books that I am currently reading at the time and made me realize that I'm just wasting my time trying to get through this overloaded book.
The biggest issue I had was simply the writing. I felt like the story was just droning on. There were way too many unnecessary descriptions and words in general that the read was just not so smooth. I would find myself going on to the next page without even knowing what on earth I read previously because it just flew right over my head. I stopped caring about who said what or what was going on. In addition, I got super sick of Peter and his condescending attitude toward others, and his constant whining and inferiority issue when with Izzy. All of this just made me pine for other books that I am currently reading at the time and made me realize that I'm just wasting my time trying to get through this overloaded book.
November 12, 2013
Full review at my blog:
http://tieryas.wordpress.com/2013/11/...
"In Charles Blackstone's Vintage Attraction, wine becomes a parable for love and the complexities that comprise both. “Wine’s not a big mystery. It’s a journey.” Peter Hapworth’s journey is a bildungsroman of celebrity love that upends the trope of the normal “writerly” novel with a quirky romance that never goes quite the way we expect. Blackstone reminds us wine is as fertile and volatile as romance, both requiring delicacy and a sensitivity to nuance (“Only three percent of the countless thousands of worldwide examinees ever became master sommeliers.”). His education in wine goes hand in hand with his growing marriage. Vintage wines are often saved for special occasions. In Vintage Attraction, Blackstone reminds us that wine isn’t a question to be solved, but a drink to savor, relish, and celebrate."
____
Original post:
Will write more on this soon. Blackstone mentions two works that I loved, The Garden of Eden by Hemingway and Manhattan from Woody Allen. A unique mix of both and more is what the work evokes, and yet there's so much more to it.
http://tieryas.wordpress.com/2013/11/...
"In Charles Blackstone's Vintage Attraction, wine becomes a parable for love and the complexities that comprise both. “Wine’s not a big mystery. It’s a journey.” Peter Hapworth’s journey is a bildungsroman of celebrity love that upends the trope of the normal “writerly” novel with a quirky romance that never goes quite the way we expect. Blackstone reminds us wine is as fertile and volatile as romance, both requiring delicacy and a sensitivity to nuance (“Only three percent of the countless thousands of worldwide examinees ever became master sommeliers.”). His education in wine goes hand in hand with his growing marriage. Vintage wines are often saved for special occasions. In Vintage Attraction, Blackstone reminds us that wine isn’t a question to be solved, but a drink to savor, relish, and celebrate."
____
Original post:
Will write more on this soon. Blackstone mentions two works that I loved, The Garden of Eden by Hemingway and Manhattan from Woody Allen. A unique mix of both and more is what the work evokes, and yet there's so much more to it.
January 4, 2014
Overwhelmingly disappointing. I wanted to like the story: wine, romance, food--all things I love. But I was immediately put off by the overblown prose, use of obscure words (coruscating, frangible, and so on),and the obvious attempts to be original with adjectives and metaphors, which only pulled this reader out of the story with their oddness (servers orbiting rooms, Siametically attached). I was almost finished with the book when I realized the author was writing in the same vein many wine reviewers use (okay, I ran across "mineral clang" in a wine description).
I read a review where the main character was described as similar to a "Phillip Roth character, but without the anger." Maybe the character should have been angry to generate some sympathy. He was completely unlikable and nonredeemable. In fact, I think I dated him a couple of decades ago. For someone in his late 30s, he was terribly juvenile, and a drunk to boot. His love interest wasn't much better.
I read a review where the main character was described as similar to a "Phillip Roth character, but without the anger." Maybe the character should have been angry to generate some sympathy. He was completely unlikable and nonredeemable. In fact, I think I dated him a couple of decades ago. For someone in his late 30s, he was terribly juvenile, and a drunk to boot. His love interest wasn't much better.
February 26, 2014
This book was terribly monotonous. It just droned on and on with its unnecessary and lengthy descriptions. It got to the point where I was so tired of reading about wine tastings and food pairings over and over again that I'd have to really push to get through it. Also, it was as if the author had a thesaurus next to him in order to use the longest words possible and it was incredibly annoying and unnecessary. I also didn't even find the two main characters to be all that likable, which made it harder to read. I felt that they were dull and static and the only character development took place at the very end, which seemed forced. Overall, the only things this novel has going in its favor are the amiable pug and the narrator's occasional witty humor.
February 18, 2014
Peter Hapworth is a slacker, a whiner, and not much of a main character. The main female character, Izzy (Isabelle), is not really developed but that was not much of a surprise to me since the author is young and male. I liked the book title and HOPED (to no avail) that the back cover blurbs were accurate. I feel those who wrote them didn’t read the same book I did! I slogged through to the end which wasn't unusual but was better than most of the rest of the book. This book started out as slow going and didn’t really improve—a waste of time. There was very little about Greece in the book and no characters I really cared about. Not even the dog!
June 28, 2013
i really enjoyed the beginning of the book and the ending of the book. and all the twists in the middle of the book kept me on reading because i had to find out how the book ended. i first wanted to read the book because i love wine and travel, this was a skillfully and vary modern and truthfully written love story.
April 21, 2014
It's hard for me to be concise about all the ways this book didn't work for me. To start with, neither of the two main characters was in the least likable, and positively raced to do the wrong thing in every situation. That might not be impossible to endure if the whole thing were not the absolute definition of tedious; the combination was deadly.
June 3, 2025
I bought a restaurant. Some time ago.
When I was sixteen, I managed two bars and room service. I try not to remember that. Maybe it never happened and just play the autistic card. It was a lot of crackerjack for a kid. I take too many risks. Especially in relationships. I overestimate.
I was so busted. My job is never over.
My restaurant was rough, and my booze (for which I had no license) was from an elderly man from Palermo. I kid you not.
Gumbo was about it.
All writing is about what you can get away with. Mine and everyone who has ever tried. Because we mainly think that you all don’t drink enough. You guys in Chicago are very thirsty. But I always love another bar fight in Chicago because they mean it.
Art has no purpose. Blackstone keeps pushing life forward but he’s the kind of guy who seems to have both questions and no small amount in pause, itself. To look around him in a wonder we never quite see.
We all know this is Charles (narrator trustworthy) not Pete but Charles only looks like Pete who is really Charles. My life. Your paragraph. Mine, too. Internal dialogues drive the novel but not to Zelda Fitzgerald.
Because neither the book or the romance of good wine (would sustain moi) is a hall of mirrors where sustain is a kind of shadow god, oh, and it’s mysterious. I do not know why but the soft landing of the wine (and local TV) makes the rumble in the urban background unbound like a woman’s flesh.
I loved the scenes in bars with the dark wooden gleam. Woody Allen could be the dishwasher. Gotta light.
The author is showing you the hemline in the story. For me, it was all noir, but one filled with questions and relationships — nevertheless, there is a third partner here — the wine. Just like managing a bar, any bar, you make it up not unlike the sun also rises.
There is a breaking point. “All of it is surreal.” But so is noire because the moment is the point. Moment after moment. Because that is what the truly good and gracious writers do, this is what it’s all about. The electric cellar. The dialogue with the fearful and the courageous s self. Where to read about your second self is to write about that spark of moment to moment dance on and off outside the living in the relationship and about what if it all falls apart because layer and after layer is a romance with the act of language and change and it’s always hard, but it gives you an insight into how complex the animal is to taste what holds you to some other journalist who shot off guns in the air to scare off submarines, the guy who freed the Ritz. If I tell a writer to keep writing, just shoot me.
When I was sixteen, I managed two bars and room service. I try not to remember that. Maybe it never happened and just play the autistic card. It was a lot of crackerjack for a kid. I take too many risks. Especially in relationships. I overestimate.
I was so busted. My job is never over.
My restaurant was rough, and my booze (for which I had no license) was from an elderly man from Palermo. I kid you not.
Gumbo was about it.
All writing is about what you can get away with. Mine and everyone who has ever tried. Because we mainly think that you all don’t drink enough. You guys in Chicago are very thirsty. But I always love another bar fight in Chicago because they mean it.
Art has no purpose. Blackstone keeps pushing life forward but he’s the kind of guy who seems to have both questions and no small amount in pause, itself. To look around him in a wonder we never quite see.
We all know this is Charles (narrator trustworthy) not Pete but Charles only looks like Pete who is really Charles. My life. Your paragraph. Mine, too. Internal dialogues drive the novel but not to Zelda Fitzgerald.
Because neither the book or the romance of good wine (would sustain moi) is a hall of mirrors where sustain is a kind of shadow god, oh, and it’s mysterious. I do not know why but the soft landing of the wine (and local TV) makes the rumble in the urban background unbound like a woman’s flesh.
I loved the scenes in bars with the dark wooden gleam. Woody Allen could be the dishwasher. Gotta light.
The author is showing you the hemline in the story. For me, it was all noir, but one filled with questions and relationships — nevertheless, there is a third partner here — the wine. Just like managing a bar, any bar, you make it up not unlike the sun also rises.
There is a breaking point. “All of it is surreal.” But so is noire because the moment is the point. Moment after moment. Because that is what the truly good and gracious writers do, this is what it’s all about. The electric cellar. The dialogue with the fearful and the courageous s self. Where to read about your second self is to write about that spark of moment to moment dance on and off outside the living in the relationship and about what if it all falls apart because layer and after layer is a romance with the act of language and change and it’s always hard, but it gives you an insight into how complex the animal is to taste what holds you to some other journalist who shot off guns in the air to scare off submarines, the guy who freed the Ritz. If I tell a writer to keep writing, just shoot me.
May 2, 2013
Charles Blackstone in his second novel, Vintage Attraction, poignantly, intimately, and wittingly writes about love—in its many various forms. Blackstone who opens his novel with two very apropos epigraphs, includes among them a quote by Philip Roth from Zuckerman Unbound, “But the way it works, you get what you get and the rest you have to do yourself.” The rest you have to do yourself . . .
Vintage Attraction tells the story of an adjunct, frustrated-with-love, commuter college English professor, Peter Hapworth, who lives in Chicago and would rather be known as a conceptualist. He enjoys coming up with clever, perhaps cheesy, restaurant concepts that don’t come to fruition. One day, Hapworth turns on the television and discovers a local show about wine, hosted by the entrancing Master Sommelier, Isabelle Conway. Hapworth, who dreamily gazes at the television, is immediately smitten by Izzy’s aura, by everything about her. He comes up with a love-fueled plan, deciding that he must meet her, and sends her a clever email. Much to his surprise, he is greeted by a welcoming response.
Hapworth and Izzy waste no time in establishing their relationship, and why should they? Their connection is immediate. Izzy, a sophisticated Chanel-wearing local celebrity is also down-to-earth enough to tote around a Timbuk2 messenger bag. She takes to Hapworth and pronounces him her voice of reason and her stalwart. She needs him, and he needs her—boldly accepting the lifestyle changes that are ahead for him and declaring that she makes him whole. And so their story catapults ahead to a condo purchase, a spontaneous engagement, and a casual elopement. Soon after, very soon after, Hapworth and Izzy already find themselves longingly reflecting on what Izzy has termed, “when our love was new.” Their infant marriage is suddenly faced with physical and mental challenges that their new pre-marriage love had been blind to—or perhaps, just too wine swirlingly dizzying for either of them to dream of contemplating.
In Vintage Attraction, Blackstone expertly and with Rick Steves-like detail takes the reader on a heart-led journey from Chicago to Greece, with some side trips in between. His writing is strong as well as smart, raw, and incredibly honest. The book’s strengths are in these true emotions as well as in his motley cast of human, well-developed characters. This honesty along with the relatable characters makes Vintage Attraction a book that you simply will not want to stop reading. Yet, you will because you won’t want it to end.
I struggled with this push/pull throughout my reading of Vintage Attraction. Wanting to plow ahead, but also wanting the book to continue on forever. I don’t ordinarily feel both forces when reading a book, but because Blackstone writes of feelings and relationship obstacles that are (dare I say) universal, yet not typically presented this truthfully, this novel is—as Hapworth himself would perhaps say, a NOVELty.
Vintage Attraction tells the story of an adjunct, frustrated-with-love, commuter college English professor, Peter Hapworth, who lives in Chicago and would rather be known as a conceptualist. He enjoys coming up with clever, perhaps cheesy, restaurant concepts that don’t come to fruition. One day, Hapworth turns on the television and discovers a local show about wine, hosted by the entrancing Master Sommelier, Isabelle Conway. Hapworth, who dreamily gazes at the television, is immediately smitten by Izzy’s aura, by everything about her. He comes up with a love-fueled plan, deciding that he must meet her, and sends her a clever email. Much to his surprise, he is greeted by a welcoming response.
Hapworth and Izzy waste no time in establishing their relationship, and why should they? Their connection is immediate. Izzy, a sophisticated Chanel-wearing local celebrity is also down-to-earth enough to tote around a Timbuk2 messenger bag. She takes to Hapworth and pronounces him her voice of reason and her stalwart. She needs him, and he needs her—boldly accepting the lifestyle changes that are ahead for him and declaring that she makes him whole. And so their story catapults ahead to a condo purchase, a spontaneous engagement, and a casual elopement. Soon after, very soon after, Hapworth and Izzy already find themselves longingly reflecting on what Izzy has termed, “when our love was new.” Their infant marriage is suddenly faced with physical and mental challenges that their new pre-marriage love had been blind to—or perhaps, just too wine swirlingly dizzying for either of them to dream of contemplating.
In Vintage Attraction, Blackstone expertly and with Rick Steves-like detail takes the reader on a heart-led journey from Chicago to Greece, with some side trips in between. His writing is strong as well as smart, raw, and incredibly honest. The book’s strengths are in these true emotions as well as in his motley cast of human, well-developed characters. This honesty along with the relatable characters makes Vintage Attraction a book that you simply will not want to stop reading. Yet, you will because you won’t want it to end.
I struggled with this push/pull throughout my reading of Vintage Attraction. Wanting to plow ahead, but also wanting the book to continue on forever. I don’t ordinarily feel both forces when reading a book, but because Blackstone writes of feelings and relationship obstacles that are (dare I say) universal, yet not typically presented this truthfully, this novel is—as Hapworth himself would perhaps say, a NOVELty.
February 22, 2014
Did I enjoy this book: No, not really, but I mostly blame myself. I ventured outside my favorite genres because, well, I like to drink wine, so I figured I’d give it a go. In the same way that deep fried tofu is a gateway drug into full-blown vegetarianism, I figured a book about wine might be just the thing to interest me in the world of… err… literary professionals who write thinly veiled novels about their home lives.
That probably isn’t fair. It’s not like Blackstone is a writer married to a… oh wait, yes he is.
My husband says I’m being too rough, and for once, I totally agree. This wasn’t a book I would have picked for myself, but rather something new I was trying, and I failed. It’s really not Blackstone’s fault. He’s got impeccable grammar, a great vocabulary and, per his dust jacket photo, he’s a good looking guy. It just seems to me that though we have much in common, if we met in person we’d probably spend most of our time arguing the semantics of “films” versus “movies.” Add to that a plot resolution that left a vinegary taste in my mouth, and there you have it. I should not be reviewing novels like this; they make me unnecessarily cranky.
Would I recommend it: Though there are many people who enjoy spending their leisure time reading novels that could be true, I’m not one of them. There may be a novel out there that’ll draw me over to the more realistic side of the spectrum, but despite my love of wine, Vintage Attraction isn’t it.
Will I read it again: Decidedly not.
As reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/02/re...
That probably isn’t fair. It’s not like Blackstone is a writer married to a… oh wait, yes he is.
My husband says I’m being too rough, and for once, I totally agree. This wasn’t a book I would have picked for myself, but rather something new I was trying, and I failed. It’s really not Blackstone’s fault. He’s got impeccable grammar, a great vocabulary and, per his dust jacket photo, he’s a good looking guy. It just seems to me that though we have much in common, if we met in person we’d probably spend most of our time arguing the semantics of “films” versus “movies.” Add to that a plot resolution that left a vinegary taste in my mouth, and there you have it. I should not be reviewing novels like this; they make me unnecessarily cranky.
Would I recommend it: Though there are many people who enjoy spending their leisure time reading novels that could be true, I’m not one of them. There may be a novel out there that’ll draw me over to the more realistic side of the spectrum, but despite my love of wine, Vintage Attraction isn’t it.
Will I read it again: Decidedly not.
As reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/02/re...
September 13, 2014
Blackstone, in a whirlwind of mismatched lovers, captures something essential and true in Izzy and Hapworth, their ambivalence, their doubts about career and marriage, their sense of frenzied disarray. All of their uncertainty winds itself into a clear sense of purpose on the shores of Santorini, revealing a truth of what binds people together. He treats the wine as a third partner in their marriage – showing insight into their relationship, and giving us a thorough education in oenophilia.
October 2, 2013
If you haven't read Blackstone before, start here, I say! It's a lively glimpse into an unconventional courtship and marriage, brilliantly told.
February 5, 2014
Fast-paced and lighthearted (mostly), this book was perfect for a dreary winter week. The Greece chapters in particular. I may have even learned something about wine to boot.
October 14, 2013
A cheeky novel. I wanted to like this book. It had wine and travel; my two favorite things. But sadly it did not hold my interest.
November 9, 2013
An hilarious, wine soaked treasure. One of the most entertaining books I've read in a long time.
December 7, 2013
I tried really hard to like this...I just couldn't
April 7, 2014
I quit this book before I finished because it was stupid.
August 11, 2014
Narcissistic dross.
July 20, 2025
The author is an editor and married to a sommelier in Chicago, so I hope not too much of this novel is autobiographical.
The main character, Peter Hepworth, is an adjunct Comp instructor at UIC and annoying. He does nothing well (until the end of the book when he magically obtains work ethic) and jumps headfirst into a relationship and quick marriage with Isabelle Conway, a Chicago wine personality with her own TV show. He loves the fancy suits, parties, and being famous by being with her. I have no idea what she sees in him. But neither character is likable and they both make bad decisions and don’t deserve the happy ending they get at the end of the book. Did this book make me have strong feelings? Yes. So it succeeded in that way.
The main character, Peter Hepworth, is an adjunct Comp instructor at UIC and annoying. He does nothing well (until the end of the book when he magically obtains work ethic) and jumps headfirst into a relationship and quick marriage with Isabelle Conway, a Chicago wine personality with her own TV show. He loves the fancy suits, parties, and being famous by being with her. I have no idea what she sees in him. But neither character is likable and they both make bad decisions and don’t deserve the happy ending they get at the end of the book. Did this book make me have strong feelings? Yes. So it succeeded in that way.
May 28, 2017
Attracted to the novel by the Chicago setting. Isabell is a sommelier working at a high end restaurant, on a TV-show, and presenting at numerous events.
Peter is an adjunct professor at UIC, English department. His email for consideration as a panel member on the TV show prompts Isabell to contact him. Coup de foudre for Peter and soon they're in love, traveling together, living together and married.
Peter is an adjunct professor at UIC, English department. His email for consideration as a panel member on the TV show prompts Isabell to contact him. Coup de foudre for Peter and soon they're in love, traveling together, living together and married.
January 13, 2020
I hated this book. And when you read the details about the author, you see that it's gotta be based a little bit on his own life.
My impression on the author/protagonist is that he's boring, uninteresting, and insufferable. He's not only the kind of guy that would tell you about his trip to BarTHelona, but he'll mansplain to you when you talk about your trip to Barcelona. Insufferable hipster with no redeeming qualities.
My impression on the author/protagonist is that he's boring, uninteresting, and insufferable. He's not only the kind of guy that would tell you about his trip to BarTHelona, but he'll mansplain to you when you talk about your trip to Barcelona. Insufferable hipster with no redeeming qualities.
September 3, 2020
I liked this story, but the writing was overwrought throughout much of the book. I followed Peter Hapworth’s wine education with interest but the author lost me at the end when Hapworth’s education deepened but mine did not! I’d like to learn more about wine, but not from a book.
March 13, 2017
You want to know how bad this novel was? I got more out of reading the map on the inside of the hardcover than I did from the novel itself. The story is hardly believable, especially when you have a overly smart and patronizing narrator falling for, what I believe, is a woman who's way out of his league. She's successful, witty, beautiful, smart, and not much else because the narrator's constantly going on about how beautiful she is and blah blah blah. You'll also find yourself wondering why the plot is so slow until you realize it's because the narrator describes so many things that don't advance the plot at all. The language is pretentious at best, or at worst, I don't even know anymore. The depiction of a relationship, and this is the part where I thought the book would save itself, is absolute garbage.
*end rant*
*end rant*
April 22, 2021
Did not finish at page 68.
The interest hook didn't register or give any indication that it would happen.The main character/Blackstone kind of overestimated how interesting Peter's headspace is. I didn't dislike Peter but his semi-existential thoughts were not enough to engage me in going on. Izzy was just...OK I guess.
Kinda sucks cuz I thought that a story about wine, a pug and a Mustang would have a more grabbing style but the potency of all that was not justified well enough. The other feedback I have is that the editor-author could have trimmed some verbiage prose which sat in the territory of tedious & inefficient. I didn't mind the vocabulary which some other readers complained about; the fault I find in the prose is the aforementioned.
The interest hook didn't register or give any indication that it would happen.The main character/Blackstone kind of overestimated how interesting Peter's headspace is. I didn't dislike Peter but his semi-existential thoughts were not enough to engage me in going on. Izzy was just...OK I guess.
Kinda sucks cuz I thought that a story about wine, a pug and a Mustang would have a more grabbing style but the potency of all that was not justified well enough. The other feedback I have is that the editor-author could have trimmed some verbiage prose which sat in the territory of tedious & inefficient. I didn't mind the vocabulary which some other readers complained about; the fault I find in the prose is the aforementioned.
January 8, 2014
MY REVIEW FROM AUTHORLINK...
Vintage Attraction (Pegasus 22 October 2013), is like someone nudging you with a glass of Pinot Grigio as you consider the marriage pitfalls of a newlywed couple who take a holiday to Greece – and all with a pug sitting at your feet.
One cannot help but empathise with the brilliant and amusing Hapworth, an adjunct professor, who falls in a rush of love with Izzy, a celebrity sommelier, when their last-minute marriage creates a swift decline upon their lives.
Their efforts to relinquish the past fail with the appearance of former lovers, crazy work demands, and neighbours that never shut up. As their passion cools, they decide to take a trip to Greece and make their biggest discovery yet.
A rom-com-travel novel soaked in wine, Vintage Attraction presents a fascinating world into grapes and varietals, love and relationships based on the life of the author, Charles Blackstone, who plays the strings between the genres of fiction and non-fiction with harmonious ease.
Vintage Attraction is armour against the influx of crime-thrillers that harrow the mind and crowd the bookshelves; entertaining in its brutal honesty, sparkling wit, and laugh-out-loud perspective.
Vintage Attraction (Pegasus 22 October 2013), is like someone nudging you with a glass of Pinot Grigio as you consider the marriage pitfalls of a newlywed couple who take a holiday to Greece – and all with a pug sitting at your feet.
One cannot help but empathise with the brilliant and amusing Hapworth, an adjunct professor, who falls in a rush of love with Izzy, a celebrity sommelier, when their last-minute marriage creates a swift decline upon their lives.
Their efforts to relinquish the past fail with the appearance of former lovers, crazy work demands, and neighbours that never shut up. As their passion cools, they decide to take a trip to Greece and make their biggest discovery yet.
A rom-com-travel novel soaked in wine, Vintage Attraction presents a fascinating world into grapes and varietals, love and relationships based on the life of the author, Charles Blackstone, who plays the strings between the genres of fiction and non-fiction with harmonious ease.
Vintage Attraction is armour against the influx of crime-thrillers that harrow the mind and crowd the bookshelves; entertaining in its brutal honesty, sparkling wit, and laugh-out-loud perspective.
October 24, 2013
The premise is a fun one--a somewhat nerdy English professor in his late thirties meets a local celebrity and they fall in love. Cue the whirlwind romance, rash actions, regrets, and all that follows. The fact that this celebrity is an attractive sommelier who has her own television shows means that copious quantities of alcohol are involved on all parts. Vintage Attraction has the grounds for good romantic comedy but doesn't bear fruit. The couple goes from living with roommates (although both are in their thirties) to buying a condo—with the obligatory neighbors from hell living directly upstairs. As said neighbors began exhibiting hellish tendencies during the initial showing of the loft it seems odd that Izzy and Peter would have bought it so readily. Unless they were drunk, which is possible because the concept of tasting wine (small amount of wine in mouth, then spit out) is an anomaly in the novel. I’m all for the joys of wine but these people drink anything and everything, often to the point of passing out. Feels more like self-medication than wine appreciation.
The rest of this review can be read at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://wp.me/p2B7gG-Af
The rest of this review can be read at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://wp.me/p2B7gG-Af
August 26, 2014
The storyline and the setting both captured my interest, and also, I love the cover. So I was excited to read Vintage Attraction. I did enjoy the plot and enjoyed some great moments in the story. The momentum of the beginning of the story really captured me enough to hold on until the end.
The reason I gave it only 3 stars was my inability to care about the characters. I wasn't rooting for them individually or even as a couple. They seemed childish, selfish, and naive. So you become this observer of people's lives and I like to feel invested into the story. Like I can picture myself as the friend giving Izzy some much needed career and personal life advice.
The reason I gave it only 3 stars was my inability to care about the characters. I wasn't rooting for them individually or even as a couple. They seemed childish, selfish, and naive. So you become this observer of people's lives and I like to feel invested into the story. Like I can picture myself as the friend giving Izzy some much needed career and personal life advice.
August 10, 2016
I liked Blackstone’s rendering of disgruntled hipster-intellectual Peter; the scenes involving academia are amusing and insightful. Peter’s ex-lover Talia brings a fun element and Isabella is well-drawn, but Peter’s 1st person point-of-view intellectualisms take precedence over passion. The wine descriptions felt slow for me but I enjoyed the Chicago setting. The cover doesn't look like Chicago, you say? You're right. Peter and his wife go to Greece at the very end of the book; I don't think the cover really fits.
Official review in LJ Sep 1 2013 issue.
Official review in LJ Sep 1 2013 issue.
August 15, 2016
I'm so disappointed with this book. The description was promising but when I started reading it, the main character was just an immature and insecure 30+ male.
For some reason, he comments on brands and details of items that don't have any relevance and uncharacteristic for someone who portrays such a simple and casual lifestyle. He is not endearing in anyway and makes the book a frustrating read.
For some reason, he comments on brands and details of items that don't have any relevance and uncharacteristic for someone who portrays such a simple and casual lifestyle. He is not endearing in anyway and makes the book a frustrating read.
August 26, 2014
Sometimes random picks from the library do not pay off. I thought this would be a fun summer travel book but the characters were completely unlikable. The protagonist is man and his wife is totally one dimensional- her crazy behavior remains a mystery throughout the book. If not for a few good food scenes, the book would be painful.
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