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Sotto Voce
New York-based wine critic Thomas Baldwin can make or break careers with his column for Taste Magazine. But when his publisher orders him to spend a year profiling rising stars of California’s wine country and organizing a competition between the big name wineries of Napa and the smaller artisan wineries of Sonoma, his world gets turned upside-down by an enigmatic young winemaker who puts art before business.
Sotto Voce is the story of love and wine, and how both require patience, passion, an acceptance of change—and an understanding that sometimes, you have to let nature take its course.
Sotto Voce is the story of love and wine, and how both require patience, passion, an acceptance of change—and an understanding that sometimes, you have to let nature take its course.
270 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2014
1 person is currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Erin Finnegan
3 books56 followersA lifelong Angeleno who writes stories rooted in the corners of California culture, Erin Finnegan is a former journalist & PR professional.
Her novels Luchador and Sotto Voce received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and INDIES Book of the Year awards from Foreword Reviews. Luchador was also named one of the Best Books of 2016 by Publishers Weekly.
Her story Last Call at the Casa Blanca Bar & Grille was published in the Interlude Press If the Fates Allow anthology.
Though Goodreads had it confused for a while, "Cuckhold Lifestyle" is not her book.
Connect with Erin at erin-finnegan.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/ErinGoFinnegan, on Google+ at google.com/+ErinFinnegan and on Twitter at @eringofinnegan.
Her novels Luchador and Sotto Voce received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and INDIES Book of the Year awards from Foreword Reviews. Luchador was also named one of the Best Books of 2016 by Publishers Weekly.
Her story Last Call at the Casa Blanca Bar & Grille was published in the Interlude Press If the Fates Allow anthology.
Though Goodreads had it confused for a while, "Cuckhold Lifestyle" is not her book.
Connect with Erin at erin-finnegan.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/ErinGoFinnegan, on Google+ at google.com/+ErinFinnegan and on Twitter at @eringofinnegan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 29, 2015
It was a strange book. Good, but strange.
There wasn't much of a romance and the bad guy that the author threw in was more of an annoying fly, than anything at all, just to add some innocent angst.
Miscommunication happened left and right, and that was fine by me. It was quite understandable, two men so devoted to their respectful professions, that the rest of the world had to be pushed out of the way in order to deliver a perfect product.
As a result, there were not a lot of hot romantic or erotic scenes, but there was plenty to hold my attention beyond the romance: the wine making, the rivalry between the wineries, bits of history.... let's say I was never bored.
And the love scenes when the boys finally got to it? Hot!
I only read m/m, so in a way it was a nice diversion, the story mostly about wine with a touch of m/m action in the background :) My only complaint - I really wanted for the ladies to get a better ending.
There wasn't much of a romance and the bad guy that the author threw in was more of an annoying fly, than anything at all, just to add some innocent angst.
Miscommunication happened left and right, and that was fine by me. It was quite understandable, two men so devoted to their respectful professions, that the rest of the world had to be pushed out of the way in order to deliver a perfect product.
As a result, there were not a lot of hot romantic or erotic scenes, but there was plenty to hold my attention beyond the romance: the wine making, the rivalry between the wineries, bits of history.... let's say I was never bored.
And the love scenes when the boys finally got to it? Hot!
I only read m/m, so in a way it was a nice diversion, the story mostly about wine with a touch of m/m action in the background :) My only complaint - I really wanted for the ladies to get a better ending.
January 2, 2015
4.5 stars
This romance, the love affair, is really about the art of winemaking, the obsession with a good bottle of red or white. This is what features prominently in Sotte Voce.
sotto vocce: in a quiet, soft voice
It is about falling in love, yes, but it’s also about the fine work that goes into nurturing the fruit into something exquisite and remarkable. About making a mark, a statement. About taking the science that much farther, into an art form. A labor of love. I especially love the author’s melding of the love story and wine making, the comparisons between the two. That it takes patience and hard work to create something beautiful and lasting. That the path may be difficult and unclear, but the end result well worth it.
We start off in New York City but most of the story takes place in the famous Napa-Sonoma wine region of California. So, East meets West when Thomas Baldwin and Gregory Kennedy, our two protags, come together. Tom is a wine critic, writes a column for a slick NYC style magazine, Taste, that caters to the well-heeled. Greg is the winemaker who owns and runs a small ‘boutique’ winery in Sonoma, California.
The Napa and Sonoma counties may be synonymous with excellent California wines but, in Sotte Voce the two regions are set up to compete with each other. The focal point becomes a big-scale blind taste contest that Taste magazine sets up to bring in advertising and boost sales not only in its own coffers but that of competing wineries. Not only is the coverage important, but it could be the making of a small, up-and-coming winery, too. Tom is sent to Northern Cali to organize the event and whittle down contenders from the large wineries as well as the smaller farms-- to duke it out in the contest-- to find the best vintages.
I very much enjoyed the slow burn build up between Tom and Greg, they are not at all friends when this all starts… Greg is suspicious of the big city slicker and his glossy rag. It’s fun to watch the slow breakdown of barriers lubricated by lots of vino consumption. These guys are unique, too. Tom is so glossly like his magazine, with all his fine grooming: moisturizing, dyed hair, GQ-worthiness; and Greg is a dichotomy… introverted one minute, needy at times. But, I like them. A lot.
There is a lot, a whole lot, of talk about wine culture-- the growing, nurturing, harvesting, history, etc. (Why do so many wineries have rose bushes growing around them? Read this to find out!)-- so if this doesn’t appeal, this book may not appeal either.
For me, it was great fun. I loved the blending of wine technology, musical references, and romance colored by the beauty of the unique region-- it’s old stomping grounds for me. And the obsession-- I’m no wine expert, but that bottle of wine from a lesser-known, family-run boutique winery-- it can be transcendent and transforming.
This is not a perfect book but it is a damn fine debut novel. The author clearly has a close knowledge of the subject and a nice way with words. I have to mention a couple things: that there are some great secondary characters-- two strong women-- who deserve their own story. And a small peeve… the bacchanalia… I wanted it a whole lot dirtier.
An extra star for the uniqueness, and, like a good wine, this one is memorable. I’ll be very happy to read more of this author’s work-- I’m hoping there’s much more to come.
July 23, 2017
"'The strongest words cane said in the softest voices and still be resonant.'"
Absolutely, richly, decadently beautiful and romantic; slow-paced, slow-burn, and full-bodied. And that ending detail--ahh, what a way to pull a gasp and huge grin from a reader on the last page!
The language was beautiful; the descriptions of the wine-making process--from tending the grapes to harvesting them to putting them through different processes--were bursting with passion and a love for the process and artistry that I could taste. I could feel in every bone Greg's devotion to his winery, and it just made me want to hop in the car and visit Sonoma (only an hour away, so I just might!). And I was wholly transported to Sonoma valley, to an isolated little winery not "off the beaten path--there was no path, and no signage" to signify its presence. Yet it was a magical place.
I loved how Tom changed from when I met him in NYC to when I left him in Sonoma. How Greg changed him, slowed him down, and gave him a new path in life. I felt their bond and slow, steady love and saw how every moment led to where they ended up. Very well done!
The sex was hot, descriptive, and more inventive that the usual in locale and sentiment. (I am going to reenact the dessert scene soon, just sayin'.)
The only issue was that there were a few distracting grammatical issues that need a bit of cleanup, but they weren't damaging to the prose.
Overall, I highly recommend this read. It won't just make you feel more sophisticated and generally knowledgable ;), but it will lead you through beautiful imagery, invoke your emotions, and also give you hours of many smiles and laughs and pants and "aww"s and victorious happiness.
P.S. There is a movie that I saw a couple of years ago, at least, about the Judgement of Paris in 1976. I remember enjoying it, if anyone wants to know more or watch a good movie...
Absolutely, richly, decadently beautiful and romantic; slow-paced, slow-burn, and full-bodied. And that ending detail--ahh, what a way to pull a gasp and huge grin from a reader on the last page!
The language was beautiful; the descriptions of the wine-making process--from tending the grapes to harvesting them to putting them through different processes--were bursting with passion and a love for the process and artistry that I could taste. I could feel in every bone Greg's devotion to his winery, and it just made me want to hop in the car and visit Sonoma (only an hour away, so I just might!). And I was wholly transported to Sonoma valley, to an isolated little winery not "off the beaten path--there was no path, and no signage" to signify its presence. Yet it was a magical place.
I loved how Tom changed from when I met him in NYC to when I left him in Sonoma. How Greg changed him, slowed him down, and gave him a new path in life. I felt their bond and slow, steady love and saw how every moment led to where they ended up. Very well done!
The sex was hot, descriptive, and more inventive that the usual in locale and sentiment. (I am going to reenact the dessert scene soon, just sayin'.)
The only issue was that there were a few distracting grammatical issues that need a bit of cleanup, but they weren't damaging to the prose.
Overall, I highly recommend this read. It won't just make you feel more sophisticated and generally knowledgable ;), but it will lead you through beautiful imagery, invoke your emotions, and also give you hours of many smiles and laughs and pants and "aww"s and victorious happiness.
P.S. There is a movie that I saw a couple of years ago, at least, about the Judgement of Paris in 1976. I remember enjoying it, if anyone wants to know more or watch a good movie...
November 2, 2014
Very few books have transported me so completely--I want to live in this world! With the delicious romance, the descriptions of wine, and the people and landscape of wine country, it reminded me of "Chocolat" and "Under the Tuscan Sun." I was fascinated and on the edge of my seat, waiting to see when the Greg and Tom would finally get together. Ah, the magic of anticipation!
I love brooding rebel guys with a big heart, and Greg is one of the best. Such a beautiful, well-crafted novel with a payoff that made me swoon.
I love brooding rebel guys with a big heart, and Greg is one of the best. Such a beautiful, well-crafted novel with a payoff that made me swoon.
October 20, 2014
It doesn't take very long to discover that I'm passionate about books. There are few things I enjoy more than settling down with a new story and a glass of wine; quite often one that I have brewed myself.
It is equally obvious that Erin Finnegan is passionate about storytelling. I love to spotlight new and upcoming authors on my blog, and it is especially thrilling to feature one that is as talented as Erin.
Thomas and Gregory's first meeting is an unmitigated disaster... and their second encounter isn't looking very promising either. It isn't until they let go of preconceived expectations and reveal the truth hidden behind their veneers that Tom and Greg are able to connect. Their attraction and subsequent friendship seem to flourish effortlessly, but the circumstances surrounding their coming together are complicated at best. Some relationships are and meant to last forever, while others are simple sparks that naturally fade with the passage of time.
SOTTO VOCE essentially swept me away. Bringing California's wine country and its inhabitants to life with each turn of the page; the descriptive writing, consistently paced story line and well developed plot are perfectly blended to yield an emotional harvest of the highest quality.
I recommend SOTTO VOCE to both newcomers and connoisseurs of the contemporary romance genre. I promise you, this is a delicious story you will want to savor.
My OFFICIAL REVIEW written for Carly's Book Reviews
It is equally obvious that Erin Finnegan is passionate about storytelling. I love to spotlight new and upcoming authors on my blog, and it is especially thrilling to feature one that is as talented as Erin.
Thomas and Gregory's first meeting is an unmitigated disaster... and their second encounter isn't looking very promising either. It isn't until they let go of preconceived expectations and reveal the truth hidden behind their veneers that Tom and Greg are able to connect. Their attraction and subsequent friendship seem to flourish effortlessly, but the circumstances surrounding their coming together are complicated at best. Some relationships are and meant to last forever, while others are simple sparks that naturally fade with the passage of time.
SOTTO VOCE essentially swept me away. Bringing California's wine country and its inhabitants to life with each turn of the page; the descriptive writing, consistently paced story line and well developed plot are perfectly blended to yield an emotional harvest of the highest quality.
I recommend SOTTO VOCE to both newcomers and connoisseurs of the contemporary romance genre. I promise you, this is a delicious story you will want to savor.
My OFFICIAL REVIEW written for Carly's Book Reviews
December 2, 2014
If I had to describe this novel in one word, I would say that it’s sensual. I don’t mean that primarily for its sexual connotations. Most of the sensuality in this book is about wine, and sometimes about scenery. What I mean is that the descriptions are so vivid, taking the time to engage every single one of the five senses, that reading this book is an immersive experience. From the “click-clack-click” of Tom’s boots in the opening sentence to the cozy patio tableau of the closing one, every feature of this book’s environment comes alive.
The story is all about the clash of two worlds. The author did an excellent job of describing, on the one hand, Tom’s big-city life and the Napa wineries and luxurious accommodations that accompany it, and on the other hand, Greg’s hands-on rural lifestyle and low-key comforts. What’s really interesting is how Tom is flawlessly written to look prestigious and confident within his own world, but self-important and out of his depth when he collides with Greg’s world for the first time — and how he changes over time, sliding in and out of those two worlds and becoming less comfortable with the first, more comfortable with the second. It’s extremely well done.
It's also a page turner. I picked it up at 11 pm one night, just to read the beginning and see what I was getting into. I didn't put it down until 1:30 in the morning, and I finished it two days later. The story keeps you going, with lots of excitement and no down time.
The story is all about the clash of two worlds. The author did an excellent job of describing, on the one hand, Tom’s big-city life and the Napa wineries and luxurious accommodations that accompany it, and on the other hand, Greg’s hands-on rural lifestyle and low-key comforts. What’s really interesting is how Tom is flawlessly written to look prestigious and confident within his own world, but self-important and out of his depth when he collides with Greg’s world for the first time — and how he changes over time, sliding in and out of those two worlds and becoming less comfortable with the first, more comfortable with the second. It’s extremely well done.
It's also a page turner. I picked it up at 11 pm one night, just to read the beginning and see what I was getting into. I didn't put it down until 1:30 in the morning, and I finished it two days later. The story keeps you going, with lots of excitement and no down time.
January 6, 2015
Up until a few years ago, I was the sort of reader who devoured books, even if I didn't really like them. Since the birth of my second son, I haven't had time to waste on books I don't like, much less hardcore, ignore the world, get sucked into a book like I used to.
Sotto Voce was that sort of book; not only did I want to get utterly lost in it, I *did*. My kids might be feeling resentful at the moment.
Tom's character sucked me in from the start. There was an excellent sense of refinement but distance created that piqued my interest. I could tell from the start that he needed *more*, that he wasn't as connected with himself and his life as he could be. And the instant he meets Greg, in a wonderfully written scene that created instant sparks, I was completely and utterly hooked.
I loved this story when I read it as a fanfiction story, but the transition Finnegan makes here to a re-imagined story worked incredibly well for me. The characters came alive in a new way that complimented this story and made it fly.
I'll admit I love a romance story that teaches me as well. I've read hundreds of romance stories in my life, and I've always had a soft spot for ones that immerse me in a world, profession, or culture I know nothing about. I loved reading about the making of wine, wine culture, the ins and outs of this whole world. I'm not a wine drinker, but dang, I want to be now.
I loved the complexity of their feelings and miscommunications and the obstacles they faced; they felt real and true to the challenges faced when falling in love in real life.
The writing is excellent, there's an obvious love for the subject and a tone that pays tribute to the story told; the prose is soft and rich and never once pulled me out of the story, which is a problem I've faced more in the last few years.
Definite five stars, high recommendation. Advice: get a glass of wine, tuck yourself under a blanket, and prepare to lose yourself in this lovely romance.
Sotto Voce was that sort of book; not only did I want to get utterly lost in it, I *did*. My kids might be feeling resentful at the moment.
Tom's character sucked me in from the start. There was an excellent sense of refinement but distance created that piqued my interest. I could tell from the start that he needed *more*, that he wasn't as connected with himself and his life as he could be. And the instant he meets Greg, in a wonderfully written scene that created instant sparks, I was completely and utterly hooked.
I loved this story when I read it as a fanfiction story, but the transition Finnegan makes here to a re-imagined story worked incredibly well for me. The characters came alive in a new way that complimented this story and made it fly.
I'll admit I love a romance story that teaches me as well. I've read hundreds of romance stories in my life, and I've always had a soft spot for ones that immerse me in a world, profession, or culture I know nothing about. I loved reading about the making of wine, wine culture, the ins and outs of this whole world. I'm not a wine drinker, but dang, I want to be now.
I loved the complexity of their feelings and miscommunications and the obstacles they faced; they felt real and true to the challenges faced when falling in love in real life.
The writing is excellent, there's an obvious love for the subject and a tone that pays tribute to the story told; the prose is soft and rich and never once pulled me out of the story, which is a problem I've faced more in the last few years.
Definite five stars, high recommendation. Advice: get a glass of wine, tuck yourself under a blanket, and prepare to lose yourself in this lovely romance.
December 19, 2014
What a delicious debut!
From the first page to the last, I found myself smack dab in the middle of California Wine Country, experiencing the sights, sounds, and scents along with the characters. I gazed wide-eyed around the beautiful vineyards, rolled the flavours of wines across my tongue, and lost myself completely in the two wonderfully complex lead characters.
With Sotto Voce, Finnegan hasn't just written a love story. She has delivered an absorbing, engaging story of love and life that is worth savouring--just like a glass of great wine.
From the first page to the last, I found myself smack dab in the middle of California Wine Country, experiencing the sights, sounds, and scents along with the characters. I gazed wide-eyed around the beautiful vineyards, rolled the flavours of wines across my tongue, and lost myself completely in the two wonderfully complex lead characters.
With Sotto Voce, Finnegan hasn't just written a love story. She has delivered an absorbing, engaging story of love and life that is worth savouring--just like a glass of great wine.
January 21, 2015
Take a bow, Erin Finnegan. The metaphors and sustained allusions related to wine making and tasting woven throughout the story were so well done.
Although I am no wine connoisseur, I'd like to think I have cultivated a sophisticated palette for savoring words. Finnegan layers even the briefest exchanges with impressions, sentiments, and reactions that enrich. Here are three such illustrations. As Tom tries to process his first interaction with Greg, she described the meeting as "so awkward, so uncomfortable-so downright hostile." Later, the bonds of a long-time friendship allow one character to confide in another, "I thought I knew you well enough to assume that you would have figured that out pretty quickly, but apparently not." Again, when the subject of professional ethics and discretion are first broached by Tom, Greg replies that keeping their friendship a secret would be too close to being back in the closet.
This layering is also done quite effectively when Finnegan intersperses the celebratory after-party with flashback snippets from the evening's competition. Just that brief taste of the sweetness of victory is enough to flavor the main meal - a final intimate meeting of the two MCs.
At key points she takes a few strategic risks to separate herself from many in her genre who serve up dishes of insta-chemistry for quick gratification. For example, Greg noted that he should have made a bet which could have led to more drinking and more opportunities, but, at that point in the story, Finnegan chose to play the long game. In response to Tom's query, "Are you happy?" she also allows Greg's subtle and rather evasive reply to speak for itself in the scene. As the wine maker finally notes, "You've got to pace things." This pairs nicely with the wine critic's comment, "With time and care and patience, you can make something truly special, even life-altering."
And, just as many oenophiles might argue that you get what you pay for, this is the first time I've paid $7.99 for an ebook, and agree with the value placed on the craftsmanship herein. Salud!
Although I am no wine connoisseur, I'd like to think I have cultivated a sophisticated palette for savoring words. Finnegan layers even the briefest exchanges with impressions, sentiments, and reactions that enrich. Here are three such illustrations. As Tom tries to process his first interaction with Greg, she described the meeting as "so awkward, so uncomfortable-so downright hostile." Later, the bonds of a long-time friendship allow one character to confide in another, "I thought I knew you well enough to assume that you would have figured that out pretty quickly, but apparently not." Again, when the subject of professional ethics and discretion are first broached by Tom, Greg replies that keeping their friendship a secret would be too close to being back in the closet.
This layering is also done quite effectively when Finnegan intersperses the celebratory after-party with flashback snippets from the evening's competition. Just that brief taste of the sweetness of victory is enough to flavor the main meal - a final intimate meeting of the two MCs.
At key points she takes a few strategic risks to separate herself from many in her genre who serve up dishes of insta-chemistry for quick gratification. For example, Greg noted that he should have made a bet which could have led to more drinking and more opportunities, but, at that point in the story, Finnegan chose to play the long game. In response to Tom's query, "Are you happy?" she also allows Greg's subtle and rather evasive reply to speak for itself in the scene. As the wine maker finally notes, "You've got to pace things." This pairs nicely with the wine critic's comment, "With time and care and patience, you can make something truly special, even life-altering."
And, just as many oenophiles might argue that you get what you pay for, this is the first time I've paid $7.99 for an ebook, and agree with the value placed on the craftsmanship herein. Salud!
April 3, 2015
A sweet slow-burn of a story told with gorgeous imagery of Sonoma Valley and an intimate look at the art of wine making, the highlight of this novel is definitely the developing relationship between Tom and Greg. Reading this novel is like an intricately orchestrated experience. Finnegan pairs romance and the joy of learning another person, falling in love with them and place, and adds notes of humor, the heavier tones of angst and miscommunication, and settles it all in a satisfying conclusion.
August 23, 2023
Solid if basic.
Lots of wine and sex details.
Needed to talk it out.
Lots of wine and sex details.
Needed to talk it out.
January 27, 2015
Sotto Voce is a spectacularly lovely romance story, with an extremely interesting subplot involving the world of wine-making. From the start, I was drawn into the very well-developed character of Tom Baldwin, a nationally revered wine critic.
When Tom agrees to move from his beloved New York to live for a year on assignment in California wine country, he does not realize that this move will turn out to be such a pivotal event in his life, not only professionally, but personally.
Tom’s assignment is to spearhead a competition between the large wineries of Napa Valley and the smaller, artisan wineries of Sonoma Valley, which is a character in and of itself. His contact in Sonoma is the rugged owner and chief winemaker of Sonoma’s Rhapsody Winery, Greg Kennedy. The two men clash from the beginning, with Greg’s guarded personality and harsh remarks quickly become a thorn in Tom’s side.
As Tom and Greg are forced to spend more and more time together, their relationship evolves naturally and truthfully through mutual dislike, to vague tolerance, to genuine caring and desire. Their course is navigated carefully, taking into account the obstacles, such as Tom’s assignment, that are their roadblocks.
Erin Finnegan clearly knows her stuff when it comes to the world of wine-making and viticulture. From the deliciously detailed way in which Tom’s wine tasting process is described, to the down and dirty points of Greg’s hands-on approach to his vineyard’s operation, this aspect of the novel is what sets it off from a standard love story for me. Finnegan weaves a romantic musicality into her story as well, and the crescendos and decrescendos of the music and the wine-growing mirror Tom and Greg’s relationship beautifully, and add to the sensuality of the story.
What could be more appealing than the combination of two gorgeous, intelligent, passionate men intermingled with the competitive world of California’s wine-making regions, with a dose of the romance of classical music metaphors? By all means, settle in for a few cozy evenings with this rich novel.
When Tom agrees to move from his beloved New York to live for a year on assignment in California wine country, he does not realize that this move will turn out to be such a pivotal event in his life, not only professionally, but personally.
Tom’s assignment is to spearhead a competition between the large wineries of Napa Valley and the smaller, artisan wineries of Sonoma Valley, which is a character in and of itself. His contact in Sonoma is the rugged owner and chief winemaker of Sonoma’s Rhapsody Winery, Greg Kennedy. The two men clash from the beginning, with Greg’s guarded personality and harsh remarks quickly become a thorn in Tom’s side.
As Tom and Greg are forced to spend more and more time together, their relationship evolves naturally and truthfully through mutual dislike, to vague tolerance, to genuine caring and desire. Their course is navigated carefully, taking into account the obstacles, such as Tom’s assignment, that are their roadblocks.
Erin Finnegan clearly knows her stuff when it comes to the world of wine-making and viticulture. From the deliciously detailed way in which Tom’s wine tasting process is described, to the down and dirty points of Greg’s hands-on approach to his vineyard’s operation, this aspect of the novel is what sets it off from a standard love story for me. Finnegan weaves a romantic musicality into her story as well, and the crescendos and decrescendos of the music and the wine-growing mirror Tom and Greg’s relationship beautifully, and add to the sensuality of the story.
What could be more appealing than the combination of two gorgeous, intelligent, passionate men intermingled with the competitive world of California’s wine-making regions, with a dose of the romance of classical music metaphors? By all means, settle in for a few cozy evenings with this rich novel.
January 26, 2015
I'm no expert. Wine and music are two things I appreciate and enjoy wholeheartedly, but I do so without much of an understanding of the technicalities -- of the underlying processes that give the end results I love so much.
Author Erin Finnegan, through her characters -- wine columnist Tom and wine maker Greg -- has taught me a little more about both, through Greg's use of musical terms to name his wines. (A glossary at the end of the book helped, too.) Along the way, they each learn a little, too -- Greg about accepting change, and Tom about embracing the slower Sonoma pace -- not to mention about the day-to-day life of a California vintner.
The early attraction between Tom and Greg doesn't mean a relationship will build easily, or that it will be without problems, but the bumps along the road make for a great love story that will leave readers clamoring for more even after the gratifying ending.
I still don't quite understand how tasting leather in wine can be a good thing, but I'll take Tom and Greg's word for it. After all, they're the experts.
Author Erin Finnegan, through her characters -- wine columnist Tom and wine maker Greg -- has taught me a little more about both, through Greg's use of musical terms to name his wines. (A glossary at the end of the book helped, too.) Along the way, they each learn a little, too -- Greg about accepting change, and Tom about embracing the slower Sonoma pace -- not to mention about the day-to-day life of a California vintner.
The early attraction between Tom and Greg doesn't mean a relationship will build easily, or that it will be without problems, but the bumps along the road make for a great love story that will leave readers clamoring for more even after the gratifying ending.
I still don't quite understand how tasting leather in wine can be a good thing, but I'll take Tom and Greg's word for it. After all, they're the experts.
May 13, 2015
I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of Sotto Voce a few weeks ago, and I'm so pleased I can finally review it, because it is SO GOOD!
Erin Finnegan has a gentle, restrained writing style that packs a real punch - every word; every scene has depth and meaning, which makes it such a pleasure to read.
Tom Baldwin is the wound-too-tight wine critic who is forced by his boss to spend a year in Sonoma/Napa reviewing the wines of the region, and he's none too happy about it. He's not the only one - despite being warmly received by some of the "big guns", others are decidedly less enthusiastic, especially Greg Kennedy of Rhapsody wines.
The development of the relationship between the two is a delicious slow burn, and the author does an excellent job of exploring their chemistry as well as their very different personalities.
I would read anything and everything by this author, and this wine-infused tale especially.
It is a beautiful, well crafted story, and I highly recommend it.
Erin Finnegan has a gentle, restrained writing style that packs a real punch - every word; every scene has depth and meaning, which makes it such a pleasure to read.
Tom Baldwin is the wound-too-tight wine critic who is forced by his boss to spend a year in Sonoma/Napa reviewing the wines of the region, and he's none too happy about it. He's not the only one - despite being warmly received by some of the "big guns", others are decidedly less enthusiastic, especially Greg Kennedy of Rhapsody wines.
The development of the relationship between the two is a delicious slow burn, and the author does an excellent job of exploring their chemistry as well as their very different personalities.
I would read anything and everything by this author, and this wine-infused tale especially.
It is a beautiful, well crafted story, and I highly recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2015
I loved this so much! The romance had such a beautiful slow build and the tension was just perfect. The author's love and experience of wines really showed through and blended really well with the characters and romance. I just really loved this a lot and I just want to wallow in it a bit more. It's so beautiful.
October 26, 2015
Beautifully written
I have to say reading this was a true pleasure. With every word I was transported into Napa Valley, the Sonoma Hills and streets. I felt the sunshine on my face and I smelled the grapes on the vines. I fell in love with the male leads and appreciated their journey. This was so thoroughly written I am forever a fan of this author. We done.
I have to say reading this was a true pleasure. With every word I was transported into Napa Valley, the Sonoma Hills and streets. I felt the sunshine on my face and I smelled the grapes on the vines. I fell in love with the male leads and appreciated their journey. This was so thoroughly written I am forever a fan of this author. We done.
February 6, 2016
Here’s a story after my own heart: writer from New York, transplanted to the West Coast, with wine involved. It’s what I hope for my own life, too.
The longer, clearer version: Thomas Baldwin is the private but well-known wine editor for Taste magazine. He’s based in New York (even though our wines out here aren’t the best, I admit), but gets transplanted to Napa/Sonoma wine country in California for a year to review wineries and run a contest for his magazine. He lives long-term in a hotel, and putts around the countryside in a rented clown car, interviewing and sampling and generally doing wine journalist things pretty seriously until he meets Greg Kennedy.
Kennedy is a Sonoma wine-maker, a recluse, a bit crusty and not entirely quick to trust Thomas. Eastern-educated as a winemaker, he’s won a spot among the Sonoma wine-makers and earned their trust as a leader. And he makes, apparently, damn fine wine. (Plus, he looks, Thomas notes, as if he’s stepped out of a Ralph Lauren ad.) He’s volunteered by Carmen, the not-so-diplomatic emissary of the Sonoma County wine makers, to be interviewed by Baldwin, and to hook Baldwin up with other Sonoma winemakers.
What also happens, however, is that—despite a crusty, rough start—Greg and Thomas become friends. Against the backdrop of a big Napa/Sonoma wine competition, there develops tolerance, amicability, attraction, feelings, and—eventually—a relationship. Thomas is earnest; Greg is slow to trust and easily hurt; still, they get there.
It’s a story of opposites: there’s the backdrop of the competition between Old, Rich Napa with its big-name vineyards and conglomerates and Spunky, Unknown Sonoma, with its little vineyards and its passion and its hidden gems. There’s the former lovers—Carmen, the wine emissary, and Thomas Baldwin’s Taste boss (both hard-edged and no-nonsense, but still very polar). There’s also cranky, reclusive Greg Kennedy (down to earth and focused on his craft) and city slicker Thomas Baldwin (great at what he does, but still searching for passion). It’s told elegantly through traditional narrative punctuated by columns for Taste written by Baldwin.
Both Baldwin and Kennedy have been burned by previous relationships; while Baldwin left his back in New York City and seems ready to trust Kennedy now, Kennedy’s a bit more skeptical of outsiders. Plus, his former flame is still around (and from Napa, no less!) and haunts the edges of his life like a nasty ghost. There’s also the fact that things between Kennedy and Baldwin have to simmer for a while until the contest Baldwin’s running is over, to avoid any impression of bias. But all these impediments only make that something bubbling between these two men boil harder (you know what they say about absence making the heart get all passionate and stuff). One spends so much of this novel hoping these two will finally get their acts together and hit it.
Aside from the great characters and the romance and the longing for relief, there is also wine. This story takes place in wine country, and focuses on a critic and a maker, and so wine is here in the very fabric of the story. There’s an eye into the process of making, growing and blending and tasting and understanding—it’s a fun world into which the story allows us a peek.
It’s an apt backdrop for a story about a love that needs time to grow, be cultivated into something right, and then mature.
The longer, clearer version: Thomas Baldwin is the private but well-known wine editor for Taste magazine. He’s based in New York (even though our wines out here aren’t the best, I admit), but gets transplanted to Napa/Sonoma wine country in California for a year to review wineries and run a contest for his magazine. He lives long-term in a hotel, and putts around the countryside in a rented clown car, interviewing and sampling and generally doing wine journalist things pretty seriously until he meets Greg Kennedy.
Kennedy is a Sonoma wine-maker, a recluse, a bit crusty and not entirely quick to trust Thomas. Eastern-educated as a winemaker, he’s won a spot among the Sonoma wine-makers and earned their trust as a leader. And he makes, apparently, damn fine wine. (Plus, he looks, Thomas notes, as if he’s stepped out of a Ralph Lauren ad.) He’s volunteered by Carmen, the not-so-diplomatic emissary of the Sonoma County wine makers, to be interviewed by Baldwin, and to hook Baldwin up with other Sonoma winemakers.
What also happens, however, is that—despite a crusty, rough start—Greg and Thomas become friends. Against the backdrop of a big Napa/Sonoma wine competition, there develops tolerance, amicability, attraction, feelings, and—eventually—a relationship. Thomas is earnest; Greg is slow to trust and easily hurt; still, they get there.
It’s a story of opposites: there’s the backdrop of the competition between Old, Rich Napa with its big-name vineyards and conglomerates and Spunky, Unknown Sonoma, with its little vineyards and its passion and its hidden gems. There’s the former lovers—Carmen, the wine emissary, and Thomas Baldwin’s Taste boss (both hard-edged and no-nonsense, but still very polar). There’s also cranky, reclusive Greg Kennedy (down to earth and focused on his craft) and city slicker Thomas Baldwin (great at what he does, but still searching for passion). It’s told elegantly through traditional narrative punctuated by columns for Taste written by Baldwin.
Both Baldwin and Kennedy have been burned by previous relationships; while Baldwin left his back in New York City and seems ready to trust Kennedy now, Kennedy’s a bit more skeptical of outsiders. Plus, his former flame is still around (and from Napa, no less!) and haunts the edges of his life like a nasty ghost. There’s also the fact that things between Kennedy and Baldwin have to simmer for a while until the contest Baldwin’s running is over, to avoid any impression of bias. But all these impediments only make that something bubbling between these two men boil harder (you know what they say about absence making the heart get all passionate and stuff). One spends so much of this novel hoping these two will finally get their acts together and hit it.
Aside from the great characters and the romance and the longing for relief, there is also wine. This story takes place in wine country, and focuses on a critic and a maker, and so wine is here in the very fabric of the story. There’s an eye into the process of making, growing and blending and tasting and understanding—it’s a fun world into which the story allows us a peek.
It’s an apt backdrop for a story about a love that needs time to grow, be cultivated into something right, and then mature.
January 31, 2015
Review also posted on The Bookish Raven
3.5/5 stars.
Sotto Voce started off slowly for me. There were a few times where I considered quitting it, but there story and the setting intrigued me and compelled me to keep reading. And am I glad I did. Sotto Voce was a sweet love story with a setting that was obviously well-researched. It's definitely one of my favourites.
The best part of this book, in my opinion, was its setting. Sotto Voce mostly takes place in Northern California's Sonoma county, home to boutique and family-owned wineries. Throughout the novel, Ms. Finnegan paints a lovely picture of this wine county. The descriptions of Greg's property and the country around it were so vivid - I could see everything clearly in my head. This and the way the different wines were described were really what made this book perfect, in my opinion. The wine/viticulturist aspect was front and center in this story - more so than the romance aspect - but I really didn't mind it because it was done so well. Learning about the way that wine is made was really interesting.
Now let's talk about the characters. I loved Tom and Greg. They were sweet and sarcastic and really well-written characters. Their love story progressed naturally and beautifully. I was rooting for them the whole way through. Carmen and Brooke were also great side characters. I do wish they would have gotten a happier ending, though. Also as much as Tate was a jerk, he was a wonderful antagonist and the way his interactions with Tom and Greg were written were highly entertaining.
I did find that the pacing of Sotto Voce was a bit fast at times and the writing could be confusing. For example, the way I understood it was that Tom would be in California for a whole year and then there would be the competition between the Sonoma and Napa counties' wine after that year when in fact the competition takes place roughly halfway through the book. It took me by surprise and kind of interrupted the flow of the story because the logistics of Tom's project weren't super clear. I also would have liked a bit more back story from the characters. The story did touch a bit on where they came from/how they got where they are, but it didn't go into too many details, and I think that might have made the story and its characters more real, instead of just scratching the surface of their personalities.
Sotto Voce by Erin Finnegan is a great story about love, passion and the art of wine making. It's beautifully written with vivid descriptions and characters that I fell in love with immediately. Even with its occasionally slow-pacing, it's a book that is meant to be savored and enjoyed, like the cover says. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for a sweet love story and maybe wants to learn a few things about the culture of wine making.
3.5/5 stars.
Sotto Voce started off slowly for me. There were a few times where I considered quitting it, but there story and the setting intrigued me and compelled me to keep reading. And am I glad I did. Sotto Voce was a sweet love story with a setting that was obviously well-researched. It's definitely one of my favourites.
The best part of this book, in my opinion, was its setting. Sotto Voce mostly takes place in Northern California's Sonoma county, home to boutique and family-owned wineries. Throughout the novel, Ms. Finnegan paints a lovely picture of this wine county. The descriptions of Greg's property and the country around it were so vivid - I could see everything clearly in my head. This and the way the different wines were described were really what made this book perfect, in my opinion. The wine/viticulturist aspect was front and center in this story - more so than the romance aspect - but I really didn't mind it because it was done so well. Learning about the way that wine is made was really interesting.
Now let's talk about the characters. I loved Tom and Greg. They were sweet and sarcastic and really well-written characters. Their love story progressed naturally and beautifully. I was rooting for them the whole way through. Carmen and Brooke were also great side characters. I do wish they would have gotten a happier ending, though. Also as much as Tate was a jerk, he was a wonderful antagonist and the way his interactions with Tom and Greg were written were highly entertaining.
I did find that the pacing of Sotto Voce was a bit fast at times and the writing could be confusing. For example, the way I understood it was that Tom would be in California for a whole year and then there would be the competition between the Sonoma and Napa counties' wine after that year when in fact the competition takes place roughly halfway through the book. It took me by surprise and kind of interrupted the flow of the story because the logistics of Tom's project weren't super clear. I also would have liked a bit more back story from the characters. The story did touch a bit on where they came from/how they got where they are, but it didn't go into too many details, and I think that might have made the story and its characters more real, instead of just scratching the surface of their personalities.
Sotto Voce by Erin Finnegan is a great story about love, passion and the art of wine making. It's beautifully written with vivid descriptions and characters that I fell in love with immediately. Even with its occasionally slow-pacing, it's a book that is meant to be savored and enjoyed, like the cover says. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for a sweet love story and maybe wants to learn a few things about the culture of wine making.
July 18, 2016
This book had some pros and definite cons, but overall a fun, light read.
I loved everything about the wine. The author clearly knows her stuff about wine and it really showed. So much so that it convinced me to buy wine that I could drink while reading it - and I have never actually liked wine. So that was fun.
The plot and the characters though? Not so great.
Nothing really ever happened with the plot.
There was a lot of potential for conflict brought up, but it never actually turned into anything: Tom and Greg not being able to have a relationship until the contest was over, anything to Tate Harrington, the Bacchanalia. Nothing ever came to a head. Tom and Greg managed to hold off their feelings for each other until after the event; Tate was annoying but ultimate didn't end up interfering; the Bacchanalia was made out to be this huge deal, but was skimmed over pretty quickly and nothing happened. I thought for sure that Kurt--I mean Tom would get in trouble for buying the bottle of Sotto Voce anonymously over the phone, but nope.
Even the ending was less than satisfactory. There was finally enough conflict for them to break up. Lack of communication, refusal to express feelings, etc. Cliche, sure. But expected and welcomed in a romance. But suddenly Blaine--shit, I mean Greg brings Tom a bottle of wine he made for him and *poof* everything is fine again! Yes, I understand what that bottle of wine meant. It was a super special thing for Greg to make for Tom. But then it just...ended. Tom got the bottle of wine and there was no more talking. We just got a lame epilogue with an article about how Tom is now living in Sonoma. I expected so much more.
The characters were also incredibly flat. We saw things from Tom's perspective at first, but throughout the story, I didn't learn anything more about him than I did in the first chapter. He was boring. Greg was a little more interesting because of his anger and reclusiveness. Carmen and Brooke seemed to be thrown in there more as the token lesbian/bi ex-couple, than for any actual contribution to the plot. Their past relationship really didn't add anything to the story to me and could have been left out altogether. Tate Harrington was a typical Gay Villain that was irritating in all the wrong ways.
Overall, despite the major flaws, I still enjoyed the book. It gave me a new appreciation for wine and though the romance/plot/characters could be better, I still found myself eagerly turning page after page.
I loved everything about the wine. The author clearly knows her stuff about wine and it really showed. So much so that it convinced me to buy wine that I could drink while reading it - and I have never actually liked wine. So that was fun.
The plot and the characters though? Not so great.
Nothing really ever happened with the plot.
There was a lot of potential for conflict brought up, but it never actually turned into anything: Tom and Greg not being able to have a relationship until the contest was over, anything to Tate Harrington, the Bacchanalia. Nothing ever came to a head. Tom and Greg managed to hold off their feelings for each other until after the event; Tate was annoying but ultimate didn't end up interfering; the Bacchanalia was made out to be this huge deal, but was skimmed over pretty quickly and nothing happened. I thought for sure that Kurt--I mean Tom would get in trouble for buying the bottle of Sotto Voce anonymously over the phone, but nope.
Even the ending was less than satisfactory. There was finally enough conflict for them to break up. Lack of communication, refusal to express feelings, etc. Cliche, sure. But expected and welcomed in a romance. But suddenly Blaine--shit, I mean Greg brings Tom a bottle of wine he made for him and *poof* everything is fine again! Yes, I understand what that bottle of wine meant. It was a super special thing for Greg to make for Tom. But then it just...ended. Tom got the bottle of wine and there was no more talking. We just got a lame epilogue with an article about how Tom is now living in Sonoma. I expected so much more.
The characters were also incredibly flat. We saw things from Tom's perspective at first, but throughout the story, I didn't learn anything more about him than I did in the first chapter. He was boring. Greg was a little more interesting because of his anger and reclusiveness. Carmen and Brooke seemed to be thrown in there more as the token lesbian/bi ex-couple, than for any actual contribution to the plot. Their past relationship really didn't add anything to the story to me and could have been left out altogether. Tate Harrington was a typical Gay Villain that was irritating in all the wrong ways.
Overall, despite the major flaws, I still enjoyed the book. It gave me a new appreciation for wine and though the romance/plot/characters could be better, I still found myself eagerly turning page after page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
What drew me to this book was the wine country and the promise of romance within that setting. Sotto Voce is foremost a story about wine and less about romance. The book is well written and clearly researched by an author that is well versed in the area and the subject. But, the majority of the book is about wine making, wine tasting, wine marketing, wine articles, wine judges, vine growing, pruning, and one demanding boss added to the mix. There is not much romance or even the start of a relationship until well into the story. There is minimal tension between Tom and Greg because they avoid each other for a portion of the book due to the competition. Then, there is finally a little time for the men to be together, and then right away we get crop maintenance, then a tantrum, oh, and don’t forget about harvest. By this time I am feeling a bit deflated as there are other wine sources I would have turned to.
We are then trying to navigate a relationship between two men we barely know and have limited connection to, which is a tragedy because both men have a lot to offer. The beginning of their relationship should be the happiest of times, but they have no communication, have lots of issues and mood swings, and then the holidays. Tom, really? There is a side story of two secondary characters that is added in that took valuable time away from the men and then we are only told of that resolution almost as an afterthought.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
What drew me to this book was the wine country and the promise of romance within that setting. Sotto Voce is foremost a story about wine and less about romance. The book is well written and clearly researched by an author that is well versed in the area and the subject. But, the majority of the book is about wine making, wine tasting, wine marketing, wine articles, wine judges, vine growing, pruning, and one demanding boss added to the mix. There is not much romance or even the start of a relationship until well into the story. There is minimal tension between Tom and Greg because they avoid each other for a portion of the book due to the competition. Then, there is finally a little time for the men to be together, and then right away we get crop maintenance, then a tantrum, oh, and don’t forget about harvest. By this time I am feeling a bit deflated as there are other wine sources I would have turned to.
We are then trying to navigate a relationship between two men we barely know and have limited connection to, which is a tragedy because both men have a lot to offer. The beginning of their relationship should be the happiest of times, but they have no communication, have lots of issues and mood swings, and then the holidays. Tom, really? There is a side story of two secondary characters that is added in that took valuable time away from the men and then we are only told of that resolution almost as an afterthought.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
January 4, 2017
It's funny, I almost gave up on this story at about 30% into it, or at least thought I'd take a break from reading it. But I kept on, and I'm so glad I did because I just LOVED the second half of this story, and I finished it all in one sitting late last night.
One thing I can say with certainty is that the author sure does know her wine! The writing, the info and background about Napa and Sonoma, of the wineries and what goes on there, was just really interesting to read about. I loved the articles we got to read from Tom through the story, and the process that Greg went through in making his wines. I especially loved the blend of music terms with wines that Greg used. You can tell that a lot went into making this feel authentic, you really feel like you're in Sonoma valley with Tom and Greg!
Tom and Greg were delightful to read about - from them clashing at their first meeting, to this slow burn build up (mostly at first due to Tom trying to remain neutral and unbiased while he's planning this huge wine tasting challenge), to them beginning a relationship and overcoming the roadblocks the encounter. There are definitely some miscommunication between the two, but it never got to be too much. I think that's why I enjoyed the second half more, as it switched from the plot of the Taste challenge, to the relationship between Tom and Greg.
The writing in this was strong, and I enjoyed the other characters too - Brooke and Carmen were very well written female characters. I believe this was the debut novel for this author, so I look forward to more.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One thing I can say with certainty is that the author sure does know her wine! The writing, the info and background about Napa and Sonoma, of the wineries and what goes on there, was just really interesting to read about. I loved the articles we got to read from Tom through the story, and the process that Greg went through in making his wines. I especially loved the blend of music terms with wines that Greg used. You can tell that a lot went into making this feel authentic, you really feel like you're in Sonoma valley with Tom and Greg!
Tom and Greg were delightful to read about - from them clashing at their first meeting, to this slow burn build up (mostly at first due to Tom trying to remain neutral and unbiased while he's planning this huge wine tasting challenge), to them beginning a relationship and overcoming the roadblocks the encounter. There are definitely some miscommunication between the two, but it never got to be too much. I think that's why I enjoyed the second half more, as it switched from the plot of the Taste challenge, to the relationship between Tom and Greg.
The writing in this was strong, and I enjoyed the other characters too - Brooke and Carmen were very well written female characters. I believe this was the debut novel for this author, so I look forward to more.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2016
4.5 stars
I have to say I haven't read a whole lot of m/m books, not for lack of wanting to but simply because they have not crossed my path. I got this book while I was at RT this past weekend and my goodness am I glad that I got it. it was so beautifully written. The story line flowed so well. It was super informative on wine and the terminology. I do have to say that I would have liked a little more character development it seems to me that some of the supporting characters were more developed and out tgere than the main characters. but aside from that it was a great read
I have to say I haven't read a whole lot of m/m books, not for lack of wanting to but simply because they have not crossed my path. I got this book while I was at RT this past weekend and my goodness am I glad that I got it. it was so beautifully written. The story line flowed so well. It was super informative on wine and the terminology. I do have to say that I would have liked a little more character development it seems to me that some of the supporting characters were more developed and out tgere than the main characters. but aside from that it was a great read
December 20, 2014
I don't have any ties to the writer or the publishing company but I had read the original story in fan fiction form. I think it has translated well as I could begin to picture the characters as original creations, and not just the actors that inspired them. The only quibble I had with it was that I felt Tom didn't have enough of a backstory.
October 4, 2015
A delicious, interesting love story with intense chemistry. I certainly enjoyed reading this quite a lot, and found all the tidbits and details about wine making to be way more interesting than I anticipated! Finnegan is a skillful writer who has created a deeply absorbing universe that I look forward to dipping into time and again.
May 1, 2015
Hmm. Fantastically written story. Romance was kind of stilted or lukewarm to me but the writing, detail and word crafting is so great, I didn't care. I could see everything vividly and felt a lot of attention and passion was given to the subject matter.
December 27, 2017
This was a delectably sweet read. I know very little about wine, so I suspect quit a bit of the more intricate layers were lost on me, but it was a nice story all the same. Recommended for romance and wine lovers alike.
June 2, 2015
I loved this book. It's beautifully written: romantic without the schmaltz, sexy without the cliches. I loved the build-up, that it takes its time getting where the relationship is destined to go, because it makes the pay off so, so good. Highly recommended.
June 14, 2015
I recently bought several wine-themed novels to take along on vacation to Napa, and this was the stand-out. It's elegantly written by someone who clearly knows wine, but more than that, it was a well-paced and believable romance. Five stars.
August 24, 2015
A wonderful read. An education on wine and a captivating romance. Highly recommended.
March 20, 2016
This was quite lovely...
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