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Grape Juice: An 831 Stories Romance
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
2 days and 06:53:41
100 copies available
U.S. only
For fans of Under the Tuscan Sun, French Kiss, and The Pairing.
In her life in NYC, Alice feels like she’s withering on the vine. So when her boss suggests she attend wine harvest in rural France, she’s on a plane faster than she can second-guess herself. On her first day of alcohol-addled adult summer camp, she’s paired with Henri—equally disillusioned, albeit in his own very French way—and she realizes just how much can change if she’s willing to get her hands dirty.
In her life in NYC, Alice feels like she’s withering on the vine. So when her boss suggests she attend wine harvest in rural France, she’s on a plane faster than she can second-guess herself. On her first day of alcohol-addled adult summer camp, she’s paired with Henri—equally disillusioned, albeit in his own very French way—and she realizes just how much can change if she’s willing to get her hands dirty.
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2025
131 people are currently reading
6189 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 418 reviews
November 17, 2025
tastes like stars on the tongue
July 13, 2025
This was stunning. It packed a lot into a small book—and did so in a big way. The writing and descriptions were vivid, almost entrancing. I loved the characters and how they blended their personalities and cultures into a cohesive, heartfelt friend group. Alice and Henri were so sweet, and their love story felt both realistic and believable.
Every time I read an 831 Stories title, I’m reminded that I need to read them all—they’ve yet to disappoint me.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the advanced copy!
Every time I read an 831 Stories title, I’m reminded that I need to read them all—they’ve yet to disappoint me.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the advanced copy!
October 6, 2025
Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC.
Grape Juice is the second book I have read by the 831 Stories imprint. There are definite similarities between this book and Exit Lane by Erika Veurink. The female main characters that explicitly refer to themselves as "cold, aloof, and unknowable" who manage to attract a male love interest determined to break through their emotional walls and written by an author who does absolutely nothing to build or sustain emotional intimacy on page. The characters are wooden. Boring. Comically "New York." Deeply selfish. Don't misconstrue this critique as a demand for moral or virtuous characters or actions. Redemption is a theme I love to see explored through character development. Sadly, none of that is present in Grape Juice.
Grape Juice desperately wants to be taken seriously. It's in the purple prose writing style, the idyllic and lush French scenery, the malaise and ennui that only a life trapped in late stage capitalism can bring to these GenZ protagonists. The privilege on page is astounding in its lack of self-awareness. But, Grape Juice also very much wants to be apolitical. And it's that desire to remain neutral and apolitical, in a likely attempt to attract a broader reading audience, where it all falls apart. Everything about this story lands like a white chef appropriating the cuisine of a historically marginalized/colonized culture but making it "elevated." (ie. "It's Mexican food, but elevated. Refined.") These 831 Stories books want to capitalize on the billion dollar buying power of romance genre readers, but it seems they want to "elevate" the genre. The genre doesn't need to be "elevated," it needs authors and stories brave enough to engage with the present social and political realities with more depth than a wading pool.
There's also something particularly...icky...about a cast of deeply privileged characters, like the ones in Grape Juice, living out some agricultural-voluntourism fantasy in France and absolutely knowing that none of these characters would have the moral or political fortitude to stand up for the rights of agricultural workers back in their home countries. You just know they're leaving this experience having "discovered themselves" by immersing their hands into the rich earth of Alsace and rubbing elbows with real "salt of the earth" people. There is no emotional intimacy in Grape Juice. So, when the scenes of physical intimacy arrive, there is nothing to ground the act as anything other than insert part P into part V mechanics (but you're surrounded by grape vines in the French countryside, so there's that). If you're reading this review and thinking, "OMG it's not that deep!" Yeah, I know. I really, really know there's nothing deep about this book.
At every imaginable opportunity, the female main character, Alice, makes a reference to New York. New York as the height of culture. I'm a New Yorker, not an American. There's just something so different about Henri, he's so not New York. It's tiresome and repetitive and there's a clear sense of superiority communicated.
Grape Juice is the second book I have read by the 831 Stories imprint. There are definite similarities between this book and Exit Lane by Erika Veurink. The female main characters that explicitly refer to themselves as "cold, aloof, and unknowable" who manage to attract a male love interest determined to break through their emotional walls and written by an author who does absolutely nothing to build or sustain emotional intimacy on page. The characters are wooden. Boring. Comically "New York." Deeply selfish. Don't misconstrue this critique as a demand for moral or virtuous characters or actions. Redemption is a theme I love to see explored through character development. Sadly, none of that is present in Grape Juice.
Grape Juice desperately wants to be taken seriously. It's in the purple prose writing style, the idyllic and lush French scenery, the malaise and ennui that only a life trapped in late stage capitalism can bring to these GenZ protagonists. The privilege on page is astounding in its lack of self-awareness. But, Grape Juice also very much wants to be apolitical. And it's that desire to remain neutral and apolitical, in a likely attempt to attract a broader reading audience, where it all falls apart. Everything about this story lands like a white chef appropriating the cuisine of a historically marginalized/colonized culture but making it "elevated." (ie. "It's Mexican food, but elevated. Refined.") These 831 Stories books want to capitalize on the billion dollar buying power of romance genre readers, but it seems they want to "elevate" the genre. The genre doesn't need to be "elevated," it needs authors and stories brave enough to engage with the present social and political realities with more depth than a wading pool.
There's also something particularly...icky...about a cast of deeply privileged characters, like the ones in Grape Juice, living out some agricultural-voluntourism fantasy in France and absolutely knowing that none of these characters would have the moral or political fortitude to stand up for the rights of agricultural workers back in their home countries. You just know they're leaving this experience having "discovered themselves" by immersing their hands into the rich earth of Alsace and rubbing elbows with real "salt of the earth" people. There is no emotional intimacy in Grape Juice. So, when the scenes of physical intimacy arrive, there is nothing to ground the act as anything other than insert part P into part V mechanics (but you're surrounded by grape vines in the French countryside, so there's that). If you're reading this review and thinking, "OMG it's not that deep!" Yeah, I know. I really, really know there's nothing deep about this book.
At every imaginable opportunity, the female main character, Alice, makes a reference to New York. New York as the height of culture. I'm a New Yorker, not an American. There's just something so different about Henri, he's so not New York. It's tiresome and repetitive and there's a clear sense of superiority communicated.
July 23, 2025
A new favorite 813 Stories book has entered the chat! Loooooved this. Such a romantic and expansive story about letting go and living in the moment. This was like taking a sip of cold, sparkling wine on a hot summer night. Sexy, effervescent and a perfectly crisp night cap. I loved that Grape Juice revels in the romance of "what if" and isn't bothered with wrapping things up in a neat little bow. If I could climb into the pages of Eliza Dumais' Alsace during harvest season and live there for awhile I absolutely would.
This one’s not out until November, but I had to gush about it now to make sure people put this on their radar!
Many thanks to Netgalley and 831 Stories for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
This one’s not out until November, but I had to gush about it now to make sure people put this on their radar!
Many thanks to Netgalley and 831 Stories for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 5, 2025
2.5 ⭐️⭐️.✨ // I fear I am in a reading slump— although this was everything I was expecting in a short novella I kind of zoned out while reading. However it was atmospheric and romantic and I do love that I can read an 831 book in one sitting! I was approved through NetGalley for the audiobook and the narrator did a great job especially with the French accents!
July 4, 2025
Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the arc!
I absolutely loved this! While it was short, it certainly packed a punch. I loved all of the side characters, and the friend group/found family in this was so well written. Each side character had completely different dispositions and attitudes, and they all worked so well together. I loved Alice and Henri too, and the romance between them was super well-written. The book was fast-paced and to the point, and I also loved the author's writing style! Overall, I loved this book and would completely recommend it :)
I absolutely loved this! While it was short, it certainly packed a punch. I loved all of the side characters, and the friend group/found family in this was so well written. Each side character had completely different dispositions and attitudes, and they all worked so well together. I loved Alice and Henri too, and the romance between them was super well-written. The book was fast-paced and to the point, and I also loved the author's writing style! Overall, I loved this book and would completely recommend it :)
November 2, 2025
Cute and fun! Spent a rainy Saturday reading it cover to cover and it made me feel like I was on a warm vineyard in the South of France. 831 is really killing it with the short and sweet books.
More like a 3.5
More like a 3.5
November 23, 2025
Someone needs to read this at a winery in France just for the vibes! 🍷
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alice works in the wine business but has felt that her life is a bit boring lately. Her boss sends her to France to participate in The Harvest and hopefully reignite her love of life.
This book truly transports you. All I wanted was to be drinking wine at a vineyard while reading. Like how do I participate in a Harvest?! Alice’s adventure was amazing. Not just because she meets a hot man. But that has to be a nice perk. The food, the wine, the descriptions of the terrain. It just all was dreamy.
Alice and Henri have issues of their own but it was lovely how they worked through them in real life ways.
This is definitely on of my top favorite 831 Stories novellas.
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alice works in the wine business but has felt that her life is a bit boring lately. Her boss sends her to France to participate in The Harvest and hopefully reignite her love of life.
This book truly transports you. All I wanted was to be drinking wine at a vineyard while reading. Like how do I participate in a Harvest?! Alice’s adventure was amazing. Not just because she meets a hot man. But that has to be a nice perk. The food, the wine, the descriptions of the terrain. It just all was dreamy.
Alice and Henri have issues of their own but it was lovely how they worked through them in real life ways.
This is definitely on of my top favorite 831 Stories novellas.
September 23, 2025
Oh man, I really wanted to like this one. Set on a vineyard in France during harvest season?? Yes please.
Sadly, so sadly, this did not work for me on many different levels.
It is supposed to be a romance, but I didn't feel any chemistry between Alice and Henri. They apparently have an immediate connection, but I didn't get that at all. It also bothered me that Henri is on a break from his long-time girlfriend. They do discuss this in the story, and I understand it is supposed to be a sort of catalyst for other things, but it felt too close to cheating for me.
The writing also was not my cup of tea. It felt like it was trying to be a certain way – I'm not sure how to explain it. It didn't feel natural, it felt too flowery and put upon. Also, there are so many similes. I understand that one of Alice's personality traits or whatever is being able to describe the wine in unique and quirky ways – so keep the similes for that. The writer overuses this writing device to the point where it's distracting. It really felt like the book needed a good edit.
This may be a me problem, but it annoyed me how the French/English was used in the book. Almost always, when a character would something in French, they would immediately say it in English. I do speak French, so perhaps that's why it annoyed me – because it felt repetitive and unnecessary. But many times, the translation could be inferred in context. I don't think readers are going to be picking up this book to learn French phrases, so again, it just felt unnecessary.
Anyways, as you can tell, this book was not for me. But as always, just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you.
I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Sadly, so sadly, this did not work for me on many different levels.
It is supposed to be a romance, but I didn't feel any chemistry between Alice and Henri. They apparently have an immediate connection, but I didn't get that at all. It also bothered me that Henri is on a break from his long-time girlfriend. They do discuss this in the story, and I understand it is supposed to be a sort of catalyst for other things, but it felt too close to cheating for me.
The writing also was not my cup of tea. It felt like it was trying to be a certain way – I'm not sure how to explain it. It didn't feel natural, it felt too flowery and put upon. Also, there are so many similes. I understand that one of Alice's personality traits or whatever is being able to describe the wine in unique and quirky ways – so keep the similes for that. The writer overuses this writing device to the point where it's distracting. It really felt like the book needed a good edit.
This may be a me problem, but it annoyed me how the French/English was used in the book. Almost always, when a character would something in French, they would immediately say it in English. I do speak French, so perhaps that's why it annoyed me – because it felt repetitive and unnecessary. But many times, the translation could be inferred in context. I don't think readers are going to be picking up this book to learn French phrases, so again, it just felt unnecessary.
Anyways, as you can tell, this book was not for me. But as always, just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you.
I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2025
I feel like a better title would be Word Salad.
October 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this story! It leans a bit away from romance, and for a novella I found myself wanting a bit more emotional depth. I could have used a little less focus on the wine (even though I love wine lolol), but the writing and atmosphere was lovely.
The French wine country setting was honestly a fave of mine - cozy & charming. Loved the found-family, the hunky French man, and I thought the chemistry between the MMC & FMC felt very believable!
Thank you to 831 Stories for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The French wine country setting was honestly a fave of mine - cozy & charming. Loved the found-family, the hunky French man, and I thought the chemistry between the MMC & FMC felt very believable!
Thank you to 831 Stories for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 30, 2025
I absolutely loved this, and if you've enjoyed any of the other novells in this imprint I think this will be right up your alley (and if you haven't - you absolutely should read them because I'm obsessed!). Also if you like stories about letting yourself live and love again.
This story packs so much in so little. I loved the writing and the descriptions, and how it transported me to a vineyard in France. Spending time with this story was really beautiful. I also found the romance with Alice and Henri really refreshing, and I loved the whole set of characters. Seeing their connections form was so lovely.
Definitely pick this one up - you won't regret it!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All views are my own.
This story packs so much in so little. I loved the writing and the descriptions, and how it transported me to a vineyard in France. Spending time with this story was really beautiful. I also found the romance with Alice and Henri really refreshing, and I loved the whole set of characters. Seeing their connections form was so lovely.
Definitely pick this one up - you won't regret it!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All views are my own.
July 11, 2025
Top-tier 831. Really kinetic descriptions and gorgeous writing about food and wine and feeling. Great structurally with a sweet, believable romance. Fantastique!
November 22, 2025
This made me want to return to France… the romance, wine making, French countryside was beautiful. I brought just this book with me to read at home and I finished it on the train. Already looking up where to get another 831 romance!
October 14, 2025
Published in “An 831 Stories Romance” series, Dumais’s novella takes place on a French vineyard during harvest season. Alice, a wine sales rep. at the largest natural wine importer in the western hemisphere, flies in from New York to gain firsthand knowledge of the wine production process. For a month, she works alongside her new acquaintances, most notably an Australian named Ruby and a Parisian named Henri, whose family owns the orchard.
Alice and Henri become romantically involved, which forces both adults to come to terms with their respective romantic situations from before their time together. Henri’s working through his relationship with Charlotte, his long-time partner, until he decides to take a break from dating to reevaluate their future and what he wants. Alice ended her relationship with Max when, not long after he proposed, she answered “no.” With encouragement from her girl friends, Alice overcomes her fear of this relationship with Henri coming to an end, choosing to embrace awe, honesty, and open up to life again. After the month-long trip, she and Henri acknowledge their mutual enjoyment of the other and give love a chance. Alice stays in Paris for one more day and will take each day as it comes.
Dumais demonstrates her strength in bringing a group of characters to life, although heavily leaning on broad generalizations of folks from different countries. For example, the Australian is energetically contrarian, while the German is impersonally reserved. Grape Juice should certainly be tagged as a YA book that is written with striving for a literary timbre, so to speak: the author writes with grand ideas in mind—romance, self-growth, philia, unknown futures—that gives the book a life-is-about-to-begin feeling. Readers unaware of the YA tone (though categorically it should belong to the regular romance genre due to its mature content) may wish for more detail and complexity within these ideas, even within the standard bounds of the romance genre. For this reason, I rate Grape Juice 1.5 stars.
My thanks to 831 Stories and NetGalley for an ARC.
Alice and Henri become romantically involved, which forces both adults to come to terms with their respective romantic situations from before their time together. Henri’s working through his relationship with Charlotte, his long-time partner, until he decides to take a break from dating to reevaluate their future and what he wants. Alice ended her relationship with Max when, not long after he proposed, she answered “no.” With encouragement from her girl friends, Alice overcomes her fear of this relationship with Henri coming to an end, choosing to embrace awe, honesty, and open up to life again. After the month-long trip, she and Henri acknowledge their mutual enjoyment of the other and give love a chance. Alice stays in Paris for one more day and will take each day as it comes.
Dumais demonstrates her strength in bringing a group of characters to life, although heavily leaning on broad generalizations of folks from different countries. For example, the Australian is energetically contrarian, while the German is impersonally reserved. Grape Juice should certainly be tagged as a YA book that is written with striving for a literary timbre, so to speak: the author writes with grand ideas in mind—romance, self-growth, philia, unknown futures—that gives the book a life-is-about-to-begin feeling. Readers unaware of the YA tone (though categorically it should belong to the regular romance genre due to its mature content) may wish for more detail and complexity within these ideas, even within the standard bounds of the romance genre. For this reason, I rate Grape Juice 1.5 stars.
My thanks to 831 Stories and NetGalley for an ARC.
November 6, 2025
a quick palate cleanser! love everything this imprint is doing - switching up romance covers away from the cartoon trend included! saying that, didn't enjoy this novella from a romance aspect, but just loved reading about life on a vineyard.
October 17, 2025
Grape Juice is a short and summery read about Alice, who spends a season working at a French vineyard hoping to shake off her boredom and find a little spark again. The setting was definitely my favorite part. It felt warm, vivid, and easy to picture, with side characters who felt real and fun to follow. The descriptions of the vineyard and the French countryside were beautiful, and the audiobook narration was great too. The narrator handled all the different accents so naturally, which made it really enjoyable to listen to.
That said, the romance between Alice and Henri just didn’t work for me. Their relationship felt distant and I never really bought into their chemistry. The dialogue sometimes came across as a little too dramatic, which made it hard to imagine these characters as real people. I liked what they brought out in each other but wasn’t all that invested in them together. The story also wrapped up too quickly for my taste and left a few things unresolved.
Overall, Grape Juice was a light, atmospheric story, but it didn’t leave much of an impression once it ended.
That said, the romance between Alice and Henri just didn’t work for me. Their relationship felt distant and I never really bought into their chemistry. The dialogue sometimes came across as a little too dramatic, which made it hard to imagine these characters as real people. I liked what they brought out in each other but wasn’t all that invested in them together. The story also wrapped up too quickly for my taste and left a few things unresolved.
Overall, Grape Juice was a light, atmospheric story, but it didn’t leave much of an impression once it ended.
November 11, 2025
This was my first taste of 831 Stories, and although it wasn't my favorite pairing (a wine joke, of course), I'm very curious to read other titles. As I'd heard only wonders about this publisher, the problem with this one was entirely due to expectations. This was one of the rare occasions where I wish the book had been longer. I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time with the characters and understand their motivations and personalities before delving into the love story which the book focuses on.
October 22, 2025
thank you netgally for the arc!
personally i really did not like this book. i don't think its terribly written i actually liked a few passages but the flowery writing doesn't seem natural or have a good flow.
i don't think this book deserves to be one star because i can see why people enjoyed it or would enjoy it. but also i think there are more problems in this book than redeemable qualities.
for one there is a cast of 8+ characters in this 136 page (give or take) book. i felt as though all the characters lacked depth instead they all kinda felt like tropes or just characteristics instead of someone i'm supposed to picture as a person and not just words on paper.
these characters are so interchangeable and i felt like the authors attempt at a female friendship in this book falls very flat. they don't even pass the bechdel test. they only talk about men and their relationship and what they're gonna do with their men.
i also think i am supposed to like all of these characters? one of them (don't even remember who) is actively having an affair with someone and knows their married and it's just supposed to be like everyone has flaws? i feel like we're supposed to like this character too! i'm all for flawed or morally gray or whatever characters but this was definitely not like that.
i feel like we don't even know our main character. she was so boring and uninteresting i truly did not care about anything in the book. so much of this will they won't they could be solved by communication, and if lack of communication is the main conflict in your book i will never give it a high rating because it's the easiest way to make a conflict happen. instead of coming up with an actual original plot and conflicts that move the story along instead of stunting it.
i also really disliked how the main way we got information was by the characters asking about their love life like right after they met. it felt very clunky and unnatural. none of these characters felt like real people.
they would have some really dramatic lines that i couldn't picture a person actually saying and being serious and it took me even further out of the book.
also i don't think any of her female relationships pass the bechdel test! at one point she's speaking to a woman (i think ruby?) who's giving her advice and she says at the end "sleeping with older men has really done great things for my philosophical inquiry." which i found so gross. why wouldn't she have this knowledge just from her own experiences why does it have to be from a man? this book feels very man centered to me and that also made me uncomfortable. no woman was herself outside of a man.
let's talk about the actual romance. i did not feel any chemistry nor any emotional connection. i also hated henri being a break from his partner but not being broken up. again adding a very basic conflict that is not interesting or unique. i have read so many romances where this is part of the main plot and it's just cheating guys, it's just cheating! you are not single!
with there being no chemistry the sex scenes were incredibly dull and robotic. nothing romantic or steamy about it in fact they made me uncomfortable.
i know i am being harsh but that is truly because it took me over a month to read this tiny book because of how much i dreaded picking it up.
overall i think that people can enjoy this book and clearly people are but it was most certainly not for me.
personally i really did not like this book. i don't think its terribly written i actually liked a few passages but the flowery writing doesn't seem natural or have a good flow.
i don't think this book deserves to be one star because i can see why people enjoyed it or would enjoy it. but also i think there are more problems in this book than redeemable qualities.
for one there is a cast of 8+ characters in this 136 page (give or take) book. i felt as though all the characters lacked depth instead they all kinda felt like tropes or just characteristics instead of someone i'm supposed to picture as a person and not just words on paper.
these characters are so interchangeable and i felt like the authors attempt at a female friendship in this book falls very flat. they don't even pass the bechdel test. they only talk about men and their relationship and what they're gonna do with their men.
i also think i am supposed to like all of these characters? one of them (don't even remember who) is actively having an affair with someone and knows their married and it's just supposed to be like everyone has flaws? i feel like we're supposed to like this character too! i'm all for flawed or morally gray or whatever characters but this was definitely not like that.
i feel like we don't even know our main character. she was so boring and uninteresting i truly did not care about anything in the book. so much of this will they won't they could be solved by communication, and if lack of communication is the main conflict in your book i will never give it a high rating because it's the easiest way to make a conflict happen. instead of coming up with an actual original plot and conflicts that move the story along instead of stunting it.
i also really disliked how the main way we got information was by the characters asking about their love life like right after they met. it felt very clunky and unnatural. none of these characters felt like real people.
they would have some really dramatic lines that i couldn't picture a person actually saying and being serious and it took me even further out of the book.
also i don't think any of her female relationships pass the bechdel test! at one point she's speaking to a woman (i think ruby?) who's giving her advice and she says at the end "sleeping with older men has really done great things for my philosophical inquiry." which i found so gross. why wouldn't she have this knowledge just from her own experiences why does it have to be from a man? this book feels very man centered to me and that also made me uncomfortable. no woman was herself outside of a man.
let's talk about the actual romance. i did not feel any chemistry nor any emotional connection. i also hated henri being a break from his partner but not being broken up. again adding a very basic conflict that is not interesting or unique. i have read so many romances where this is part of the main plot and it's just cheating guys, it's just cheating! you are not single!
with there being no chemistry the sex scenes were incredibly dull and robotic. nothing romantic or steamy about it in fact they made me uncomfortable.
i know i am being harsh but that is truly because it took me over a month to read this tiny book because of how much i dreaded picking it up.
overall i think that people can enjoy this book and clearly people are but it was most certainly not for me.
December 10, 2025
This felt like an Emily in Paris episode, minus the insane wardrobe.
October 29, 2025
I loved the setting and overall story, but the tone was too pretentious for me. I think the combination of first person POV and the constant metaphors just didn’t do it for me. I couldn’t help think how exhausting it must be to think like that all the time.
That being said, I did appreciate the themes in the story, and I especially loved the conversations Alice had with Ruby.
I also think books as short as this one might not be for me. The pacing felt off, because some parts felt not fleshed out enough while others seemed to take up most of the book.
That being said, I did appreciate the themes in the story, and I especially loved the conversations Alice had with Ruby.
I also think books as short as this one might not be for me. The pacing felt off, because some parts felt not fleshed out enough while others seemed to take up most of the book.
November 2, 2025
4.5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC of Grape Juice!
Taking a break from her fast-paced life in New York, Alice travels to rural France to work a wine harvest, and unexpectedly crosses paths with Henri, a swoony, soft-spoken Frenchman who may just be the perfect pairing for her fresh start. Under golden vineyard skies and late-night glasses of wine, a magnetic connection begins to uncork something real… and maybe even lasting.
This book had everything you’d hope for in a French countryside romance: a deliciously romantic setting, a charming French leading man, and a storyline that balances desire with meaning. For a debut novel, I was truly impressed, Dumais’ writing is lush and sensory in a way that transported me right into those vineyards (and had me wishing I was making out with a French guy between the vines!).
The food, the wine, the nighttime air - it’s all described so poetically that I was drooling. And while the setting in France is swoon-worthy, I loved the subtle love letter to New York woven throughout Alice’s journey (fellow New Yorker approval ✅). The sprinkling of French language throughout felt natural and immersive too.
I also appreciated that while the romance is definitely sexy and swoony, it stays grounded and believable, never tipping into over-the-top territory. The side characters enhanced the story beautifully, adding depth without distraction. Another absolute win from 831 Stories!
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC of Grape Juice!
Taking a break from her fast-paced life in New York, Alice travels to rural France to work a wine harvest, and unexpectedly crosses paths with Henri, a swoony, soft-spoken Frenchman who may just be the perfect pairing for her fresh start. Under golden vineyard skies and late-night glasses of wine, a magnetic connection begins to uncork something real… and maybe even lasting.
This book had everything you’d hope for in a French countryside romance: a deliciously romantic setting, a charming French leading man, and a storyline that balances desire with meaning. For a debut novel, I was truly impressed, Dumais’ writing is lush and sensory in a way that transported me right into those vineyards (and had me wishing I was making out with a French guy between the vines!).
The food, the wine, the nighttime air - it’s all described so poetically that I was drooling. And while the setting in France is swoon-worthy, I loved the subtle love letter to New York woven throughout Alice’s journey (fellow New Yorker approval ✅). The sprinkling of French language throughout felt natural and immersive too.
I also appreciated that while the romance is definitely sexy and swoony, it stays grounded and believable, never tipping into over-the-top territory. The side characters enhanced the story beautifully, adding depth without distraction. Another absolute win from 831 Stories!
October 13, 2025
one of my favorite 831 story premises- alice is in wine sales and gets sent by her boss to france to work in a vineyard for 2-3 weeks. there's a summer camp vibe since everyone at the vineyard is in their 20s and they spend their days away from their phones and drinking copious amounts of wine. of course alice falls in love- it's sweet and fun, and i loved what this book had to say about vulnerability and the power of people gathering. i don't know if i understood what made alice and henri click but that's ok!
thank you netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!
thank you netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!
September 23, 2025
This story follows Alice who lives in NYC, but attends a wine harvest in rural France at the recommendation of her boss. It’s there she meets Henri and a fun cast of characters that are there together for some manual labor at a sort of adult wine harvesting summer camp. The writing is absolutely beautiful— descriptive, and lush. I kept finding myself re-reading Eliza’s sentences to fully appreciate how vividly she could describe the scenery, the senses and feelings. The side characters were all fun and felt like found family. I really enjoyed Alice and Henri’s relationship, and the way they were able to work through some of their previous issues while falling for each other.
I wished the romance just had a little more to it— more tension, or higher stakes. There was just something missing from this one piece of the book— but I still really enjoyed this read and highly recommend it.
I wished the romance just had a little more to it— more tension, or higher stakes. There was just something missing from this one piece of the book— but I still really enjoyed this read and highly recommend it.
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August 13, 2025A sweet little summer romance set over the course of just a few weeks in the French countryside. This felt more contemplative than a usual genre romance with the story revolving around two characters — Alice and Henri — getting to know each other through deep and honest conversations. The language in this was beautiful; the type of book that doesn’t take itself too seriously and just lets you sink into the little slice of life it presents.
November 17, 2025
summer should hurry so i can romanticise my work in the vineyard
December 10, 2025
2.5 stars ⭐️
this just didn’t do it for me. it didn’t really read like a romance book to me, i found myself spacing out while reading this so many times. there was just no real chemistry or connection present between our characters, it just felt like convenience.
loved the setting so much but i just couldn’t connect to these characters or the plot.
this just didn’t do it for me. it didn’t really read like a romance book to me, i found myself spacing out while reading this so many times. there was just no real chemistry or connection present between our characters, it just felt like convenience.
loved the setting so much but i just couldn’t connect to these characters or the plot.
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December 2, 2025Hailed as the A24 of the romance genre, 831 romance is publishing a series of romance novellas that challenge and push the genre forward. Grape Juice isn’t life changing, but I’m definitely a fan of what they’re trying to do. The writing is slightly more literary and leaves much more to the imagination that most romance. The imagery is amazing and the author manages to build an immersive narrative of the vineyard. My only gripes: one too many similes, not a fan of the last couple of chapters. All that being said, this did kind of read as the privileged person that goes on a “once in a lifetime” “self discovery” Europe trip every summer
December 18, 2025
never have i read a romance so completely lacking of emotion or substance….. genuinely disappointed but will NOT let this ruin the reading kick i’ve been on!!
November 3, 2025
2.5✨don’t know what it is with this one but I just couldn’t get into it? It felt like it dragged along. definitely my least favorite so far of the 831 stories. Could it be because I’m sick & mentally out of it? Perhaps…but idk I didn’t love henri he just seemed like a bit of a mess who doesn’t know himself without partnership. While I appreciated the theme of “living in the moment” it just felt like a constant justification for borderline cheating & selfish behavior. I don’t feel like the characters were flushed out well & I found myself liking the side characters & crew better than Alice & Henri. The setting & idea held great promise but just want for me!
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