The Vineyard Secret

by Gosia Nealon

Germany, 1945. I tiptoe across rows of symmetrical vines, my thin linen dress no protection against the whipping breeze. A cry echoes through the night, but when I reach the stream, my heart plummets. He isn’t here. And by the time I see the soldier, it’s already too late…

Present day. Devastated by the loss of the grandmother she adored, newly single Matylda escapes to the vineyard Rozalia called home to mend her twice-broken heart. Curled up beside the crackling fire, Matylda breathes in the scent of her childhood—woody vanilla mixed with lavender—and is filled with hope. But that shatters when she learns that the other half of her grandmother’s land has been left to a stranger…

“Welcome to our home”, Matylda says coolly to Tobias von Hagel, his blue eyes fixed on her as they hear the terms of Rozalia’s they must share the house for thirty days or forfeit their half. Who is this sullen man? And why would her grandmother insist on them living together like this?

Matylda throws herself into life on the vineyard, picking and crushing grapes from sunrise to sunset. But no matter how much she tries to avoid him, Tobias is always there. And as his fingers brush hers as they silently work the land together, Matylda feels herself warming to him. Until she uncovers a devastating the von Hagels were the Nazi family who kidnapped her grandmother, forcing her to labor in these very fields.

Dumbfounded, Matylda can’t imagine how Rozalia could return to this place after the war. And why would she reward the grandson of her tormentor with her beloved house? As deep-rooted secrets from Rozalia’s life surface, Matylda must ask how well did she really know her grandmother—and can she survive the truth hidden amongst the twisting vines?

A totally heartbreaking read about family secrets and forbidden love, by Polish American writer Gosia Nealon. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lorna Cook and The Letter.

What readers are saying about Gosia

“MUST READ!… I couldn’t put this book down! Fantastic from start to finish… Amazing!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Absolutely spectacular!!!… Addicting… Devastating, yet beautiful… Once I started, I could not stop… You won’t be able to put this one down… Grabbed my heart and it didn’t let go… An absolute MUST READ!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Exceptional… I loved this… Impossible to put the book down… I found myself on the edge of my seat… My heart rate quickened, I was so emotional, and couldn’t hold back the tears.” Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I could not put it down… Read it past my bedtime, finishing it in one day… Unputdownable.” Vegan Book Blogger, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Definitely kept me up past my bedtime!!!… Gripping… Made me ugly cry.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2026

About the author

While Gosia Nealon is a proud New Yorker, she was born and raised in Poland. Her journey to the Big Apple revealed a wealth of cultural differences, but also the values that connect us all. Like the fierce desire to protect family, find love, and ultimately, discover who we are and why we’re here.

Gosia’s award-winning short stories have always delved into life’s biggest questions, but it was the drama, sacrifice, and tragedy of WWII that led her to pen her debut novel, "The Last Sketch."
Growing up in Poland, Gosia heard many firsthand accounts of the war, told from a perspective rarely captured in mainstream literature. She was compelled to breathe life into Wanda and Finn, two young people falling in love in the midst of the most terrifying conflict of our time.

When Gosia isn’t tapping away at her laptop, she’s often walking the streets of New York. With her husband and three young sons in tow, they search for the most succulent pierogi, transporting them back to the cobbled streets of her childhood.

Reviews

[Heidireadsitall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Matylda and Rozalia so much. I was completely invested in both of their stories and needed to know what actually happened in Rozalia’s past. Andreas was an absolute treasure and honestly one of the few characters that gave me a moment to breathe during all the chaos and tension.
The atmosphere in this book was INSANE. The vineyard felt heavy with secrets, grief, history, and heartbreak. You could feel it in every interaction and every reveal. Rozalia held onto so much for so many years and every new piece of information had me sitting there like WAIT WHAT?!

The dual timeline worked so well here. Getting Rozalia’s story alongside Matylda trying to untangle the truth in the present made everything hit harder emotionally. I especially loved the letters to Matylda because it felt like learning the family history right alongside her in real time. I kept thinking I had things figured out and then another reveal would smack me in the face.

And can we talk about how Gosia writes villains? Because WOW. She creates the kind of characters that make me irrationally angry and ready to throw hands immediately.

Matylda and Tobias were so good together. Their relationship had so much tension layered underneath it because of everything tied to their families, and watching that slowly unravel was one of my favorite parts of the whole book. Every little shift between them felt earned.
This book had heartbreak, buried family trauma, painful truths, messy emotions, and secrets that completely changed everything. It was emotional, intense, and had me fully locked in the entire time.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I’m leaving a voluntary review and these thoughts are my own.

[Lorna Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly the kind of story we have come to expect from our best Historical fiction writers. Two timelines, hardship and resilience, heartbreaking stories, strong leads and a secret or two!
Matylda is back at the family vineyards in Germany after the death of her grandmother. Already having lost her parents and grandfather she is back in the place she loves and where she has good memories. However, she is soon surprised to find that her grandmother has only left her 49% of the vineyard to her – the rest to a stranger she soon finds out is linked to a terrible past. She spends her time unravelling the connection between her grandmother Rozalia and this stranger.
In the second timeline we find out more about Rozalia. Her story is one of heartbreak. How can she love someone from a German family, whose brother is playing his own terrible part in the war? How can she survive being away from her family? Her story unravels in her letters to Matylda.
This is a sweet romance which is heartbreakingly set alongside the many, many devastations of WW11. I was very touched by Rozalia and Andreas’ story. Their connection is palpable from the very beginning. It makes you realise that people can’t always choose who they love and there must have been many people who feel in love with someone from the other side during this and other wats.
I also love Matylda. My heart ached for her as she discovered her family stories but the story of her and Tobias is also sweet.
Everything takes place in the glorious vineyards, and the senses come alive with the descriptions of the views, the sun, the grapes, the smells, the wine.
There is lots to unravel as the story unfolds, which makes for a great page turner. A fab book for any fan of historical fiction.

[Fiction Fellowship · Rating 4 out of 5]

Western Poland, Present Day-
Matylda’s grandmother, Rozalia, has just passed away and she decided to move back to her grandparents’ manor house and vineyard, which was her childhood home. Her grandmother’s will states that Matylda gets 49% ownership and 51% goes to a mystery man from Germany, named Tobias. Her grandmother has left letters for Matylda to read that will explain why she did this and what her secrets were when she was younger. When Tobias arrives to meet Matylda, she must read the letters and share them with him in order to find out what made her grandmother make this decision.

Southern Poland, 1943-
Seventeen-year-old Rozalia is arrested in a round-up and taken to Germany, sentenced to forced labor as a captive of the Third Reich. Peter von Hagel purchases her to labor at his vineyard where she is a slave. One day she is chosen to care for Peter’s wounded brother inside the house and that changes everything.

This is a heartbreaking story about family secrets and forbidden love. My emotions went from worry, anger, happy, sad, and joyful all throughout the story and I loved every bit of it. This was my first book by Gosia Nealson and it definitely won’t be my last!

[Caroline’s Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matylda, still grieving the loss of her grandmother, finds solace in the vineyard, Rozalia’s beloved home. However, when Rozalia’s will is read, Matylda is devastated to learn that she inherits only half of the estate, leaving the other half to a German man named Tobias.

As Matylda sorts through letters left for her by her grandmother, she must read and share them with Tobias. These letters reveal the reasons behind Rozalia’s decision.

“The Vineyard Secret,” a captivating story by Gosia Nealon, completely broke my heart. From the very first page, I was engrossed and invested in the story. I couldn’t put it down until I reached the last page. This author never ceases to amaze me; her writing is exceptional, and each book she writes feels like a real-life experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed both Matylda and Rozalia, and they quickly became like family. The vineyard’s description was incredibly detailed, allowing me to vividly imagine the rows and rows of beautiful vines. This heartbreaking story will undoubtedly stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend this phenomenal book.

Grab your copy today!!

[Sabiha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Gosia Nealon for the ARC of The Vineyard Secret.

This is easily one of my favourite books of 2026 so far—an absolute 5-star read.

This gripping historical fiction novel is filled with buried family trauma, painful truths, and secrets that reshape everything. It’s emotional, intense, and completely impossible to put down. The ending had me tearing up. Seeing what Rozalia had to endure as a forced labourer for the Germans in Poland added such a heartbreaking and powerful historical layer to the story.

The characters—both past and present—felt so realistically flawed and deeply lovable. The story is told in a seamless dual timeline that worked beautifully. Reading Matylda’s present-day journey alongside her grandmother Rozalia’s past as Matylda tries to untangle her grandmother’s long-hidden secret made the story even more powerful and compelling.

This was emotional, immersive, and unforgettable. Gosia Nealon has officially become an auto-buy author for me after this book.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word for this book …. Stunning! It’s my favourite book of 2026 so far. I could not put this book down I was so invested in the story. Gosia Nealon has outdone herself with this book, it’s brilliantly written and had me going through a whole host of emotions as I read.

This utterly gripping dual timeline historical fiction novel is full of heartbreak, love, loss, tragedy and buried secrets. Teenage Rozalia is taken by the Nazis and sold into slavery to work at a vineyard for the Germans. It’s so emotional learning what Rozalia was put through and the pain she had to endure. Present day is Matylda who is Rozalias granddaughter. She had letters to read after her grandmothers passing, will she be able to untangle the truth of Rozalias long buried secrets.

This book totally deserves 5 stars, I can imagine it being made into a film it’s that good. Just wow, it was incredible! Get yourself a copy you will not regret it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my review. Publication date 9 June 2026.

[Inspiredbypmdd Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a definite 5 star 🌟 read. A Page turner from start to finish. Gosia has such a way with words and her research is detailed, it makes you believe this is real history instead of historical fiction. In this dual timeline you have to wonder who to trust?
The story is split between the 2nd World War and present day. Set in Wartime Gruenberg, Germany and Present Day Zielona Gora.
Told from Babcia Rozalia's perspective and that of her granddaughter Matylda.
Both ladies shared a very close bond, so when her grandmother passes at the fine age of 103 and leaves a collection of letters to be read by Matylda in a way of revealing her closely guarded secrets and explaining why she left 51% of her property to a german stranger named Tobias, with a number of conditions.
Her uncle Robert is in charge of the distribution of the letters.
Rozalia was taken from her home town and sold in Germany as a slave worker.
How did she survive at the hands of the von Hagel’s and their vineyard.
Love, loss, betrayal and some omg moments. A recommended read.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved how this story was written. Matlyda has inherited her grandmother's estate but there is a little complication. A stranger, Tobias, has inherited 51 percent of the manor and winery.

Through almost daily letters, her grandmother, Rozalia, will tell her story of her life during World War Two. The reader follows her life as if it is present day. The reader learns of her capture and sale as slave to an SS officer to work at a winery. What saved her was her abilty to speak fluent German even as a Pole. Grab the tissues, this is not a fluff peace. Rozalia's life was hard, living in danger sexual abuse, beating and death.

Rozalia's story will explain why she had left Tobias the majority of the manor. The reader soon learns how her past decisions and actions will affect the present. Secrets will be revealed; as Tobias and Matylda become closer and closer. The question is what will happen when everything is revealed.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

📆 dual timeline.
👀 multi POV
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
💬 "Those pictures are my windows to the past, to what I once had and lost."

Wow! What a heartbreaking read this was! When I got to "that" chapter I actually had to stop reading for a moment to take it in. I can't say more because of spoilers! But when you read the book you'll know.

Nealon's writing is so believable that you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a memoir, not fiction. I suppose that's because it is based on real events, if not real people.

The Vineyard Secret is a story about the forced Polish labourers during World War Two. I think this is a subject that isn't as well known as some other Nazi crimes, although it's becoming more and more popular as a genre, and Nealon is one of the best writers of it in my opinion.

Saying that I "enjoyed" a book about such a difficult subject always feels wrong. And yet there's something special and important about this kind of book. I highly recommend reading it.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! I’ve been reading a lot of dual timeline stuff recently and I enjoyed how the majority of this was spent in the past - as usual there is a typical romance plot in the present which escalated a little too quick but was luckily second to the mystery of the “secret book” and what happened to Andreas.

Rozalia was a Polish forced labourer sent to the von Hagel vineyard, which upon her death her granddaughter is now in possession of. The setting is exquisite and so vividly described!

Spoilers:

The discovery of what happened to Andreas ripped my heart out tbh! I was wondering if in fact Jan was Andreas all along and there was some noble sacrifice and stolen identity to evade the Soviets.

And I felt so much rage at Justyna and her betrayal, I haven’t hated a character so much in ages. I was hoping there’d be a note of what had happened to her and that it would involve some karmic retribution but alas not.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm giving this book 3.5 stars. I flew threw the book quickly, drawn in by Rozalia's story and needing to know how it ended. I generally dislike a dual timeline narrative but because the past was Rozalia's story and the present was her granddaughter's story, I actually enjoyed it. I didn't fall in love with the FMC, although I felt like she had the potential and I was interested in her life, I was not emotionally invested based on the writing style. The vineyard setting and snippets of winemaker knowledge helped to tone down some of the severity of the story. Overall I would recommend this book if you're a lover of historical fiction of the WWII era, knowing there is tragedy but also finding hope in humanity where you least expect it.

[Melissa * bookedwithmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosia does a wonderful job telling a story. I enjoyed the dual timeline. Present day Matylda and her grandmother Rozalia’s history. I can’t even choose a favorite of the two. It was very easy to connect to both women.

The things Rozalia suffered through during her time stuck in forced labor hurt my heart. She lays out her history in the form of letters to her granddaughter. She wanted to tell someone the truth of her past, and help Matylda understand why she left her land to not only her but a man named Tobias.

Matylda’s timeline covers how she handles losing the most important person in her life. She feels betrayed by the decisions her grandmother made, until she learns her true story. Dealing with her grief was a challenge and I felt sorry for her.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of this book.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always so excited to hear about a new historical fiction book release by this author! She writes with such rich historical detail and drops me into her setting within sentences of chapter one. I love how she blends both heroic and haunting experiences for her ordinary characters, showing readers the strength of a few who choose to pull together and fight fear with hope.

If you enjoy a seamlessly integrated dual timeline, a compelling narrative spotlighting family secrets and forbidden love, and a satisfying forced proximity trope, this historical fiction release needs to be on your reading list. Matylda and Rozalia will pull on your heartstrings and you’ll enjoy the journey to overcome evil.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dual time line story tells the story of Matylda’s grandmother, Rosalia, in WW2, and the reasons why she left the family vineyard to Matylda and Tobias. It was very emotional and sad, and I couldn’t put it down. After Rozalia was taken from Poland to be a worker in Germany, she had to learn new things to survive. She didn’t expect to find love with a German, Andreas, who was opposed to the Nazi ideals. However, the outcome after the war, wasn’t happy, and the secret she kept until her death was intense. Her story is revealed in a series of letters to Matylda. This was beautifully written book that showed the savage side of war, but also, the goodness of some people. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read and comment on this book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - Thank you so much Bookouture and NetGalley for the eARC! This is the first book I've read by Nealon and I really enjoyed it! I thought the story had great pacing although I personally prefer more of a slow burn romance. I loved the format and writing style. This book was beautifully written and there were so many quotes I loved. Although this book was very emotional and dark at times, it still felt like an easy, quick read. I think Nealon did a really great job balancing the lighter moments of the book with the darker moments. I would highly recommend and I'm interested in read more of Nealon's work.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This an incredibly moving story. The alternating timeline between Poland during WW2 and Poland present-day works very well to move the story between past and present. I loved the characters and was taken on a ride of so much emotion - love, fear, danger, etc.
Matylda is the granddaughter of Rozalia. Rozalia had been taken from her home in Poland and forced to work at a vineyard. She fell in love with one of the sons of the vineyard owner and their tragic story played a role in Matylda's present day and decisions she needs to make.
This was so good and I read it quickly over 2 days!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vineyard Secret
By: Gosia Nealon
Pub date: June 9, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture

I have read every book by Nealon, and this is my new favorite. I highly recommend all of her books if you are a historical fiction lover like me.

A novel filled with a family trauma and secrets which tugs at your heart. This novel is intense and gripping. Rozalia and what she endured as a laborer in Poland for the Germans was unimaginable.

We go from the past and present with a dual timeline. Matylda reading her journal with her grandmother unravels a long-held secret with is so captivating. My heart was so invested in this story. Gosia is a great story-teller and I am off to pre-order to add to my shelf with her other books.

[Lynn Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

An emotional story following Rozalia in World War II and her granddaughter Matylda in current times. Rozalia’s story is absolutely horrific, while Matylda’s was a bit boring. The contrast between the two was too stark at points. The writing felt somewhat disjointed and made reading a chore now and again.
The setting in the vineyard was beautiful though, with the details about wine making adding extra atmosphere.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this review copy.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely book I was gripped by the characters. It was full of romance and drama. Set during the 2nd world war in Poland that war invaded by the,Germans you have the horror of the treatment of the people and how love could flourish. With the story being resold to her granddaughter via letters once she had passed.
Both Matylda and Tobias needed to know the story for there own lives to make sense.
I have never read this author before but will definitely be looking for more
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my arc copy

[Lisa A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

I'm reasonably new to this author, but she quickly became a firm favourite. Well-developed and believable characters in both timelines and the author painted such a vivid picture of the settings that I could picture the events happening. This story has all the emotions, and I was pulled in from the very first page, often googling events as I was reading. The sense of grief, betrayal, fear and love all felt so real and the plot twists truly took me by surprise. An informative, emotional and engaging read that will stay with me for some time. I highly recommend you add this to your list.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Gosia Nealon for an advance digital copy. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

[Klara Łuczka-Hanzalová · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Vineyard Secret" is an intriguing historical fiction novel. Family secrets unfold dramatically across the pages. The atmospheric descriptions of vineyards and the art of wine-making add a very special flavor to this story.

The book is difficult to put down thanks to its gripping plot. And even across the doubtful moral choices described, a story of authentic love is painted. The finale was truly heartbreaking, which opened my eyes to how invested I was in the characters and their tragic fates.

[linda hole · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, i love this author's books. But my "problem" with dual timeline, is that is isually like the one part more than the other. With that ening Said let' s move on. I really enjoyed the sweet lovestory, i devoured the letters. I just thought the present timeline was a little bit too predictable. But i am grateful i read the book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a WWII story that is well researched and makes me feel as if I am there. I want the author to write characters that make me feel like I am one of them. This story did all that. Sometimes I feel guilty in loving a war story. But there is so much more to the story than that. They are emotional, struggles, friendship and pulling together. A well researched story can also teach us history. Loved this story!

[Nethanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

She inherited the vineyard of her grandmother but is devastated that she has to share it with a stranger. Why has her grandmother done that and put in her will that they have stay at the vineyard 30 days together? She received letters her grandmother has written about her past, will that bring clarity?
I really loved to read this story, the storyline is great.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this story.

[Brenda Robbennolt Camire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! What a great story. Besides learning family secrets, forgiveness and love, this book has the best twists and turns. Some things you just don’t see coming. I love all of Gosias books but this one is my favorite. I recommend✨5 stars

[Terri Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful!

This is my first time reading this author, but it won't be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come..

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dual timelines are always my favorite. Both stories were so good. Rozalia’s story was intense and almost hard to read at times. It’s a well written story that you won’t be able to put down. Perfect for all historical fiction fans