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The Grape Series #1
My Grape Year
See where it all began in the first book of the #1 Bestselling Grape Series.
Sent on an exchange to France, Laura becomes not only enamored with la belle vie but falls madly in love with a local Frenchman. Can she abide by the rules while still managing to follow her heart?
At the age of seventeen in a last-minute twist of fate, Laura Bradbury is sent to Burgundy, France, for a year’s exchange. She arrives knowing only a smattering of French and with no idea what to expect in her first foray out of North America. With a head full of dreams and a powerful desire to please, Laura quickly adapts to Burgundian life, learning crucial skills such as the fine art of winetasting and how to savor snails.
However, the charming young men of the region mean Laura soon runs afoul of the rules, particularly the no-dating edict. Romantic afternoons in Dijon, early morning pain au chocolat runs, and long walks in the vineyards are wondrous but also present Laura with a How can she keep her hosts happy while still managing to follow her heart? Follow along on Laura’s journey to I’amour in My Grape Year.
#1 Amazon bestseller. Thousands of copies sold. Hundreds of 5 star reviews.
Praise for Laura Bradbury's Grape
"Bradbury’s Grape Series feels like a series of honest and funny letters sent from a friend about her fascinating (and sometimes baffling) life in France. A beautiful read.”
—JANICE MACLEOD, New York Times bestselling author of Paris Letters and A Paris Year
“Bradbury’s Grape Series takes the reader on a romantic adventure into the heart, soul, and people of la belle France. Filled with delicious food, love, and laughter, Bradbury’s writing proves that you have to dare to follow your heart wherever it leads you...and that sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone to truly live.”
—SAMANTHA VÉRANT, author of How to Make a French Family and Seven Letters from Paris
Sent on an exchange to France, Laura becomes not only enamored with la belle vie but falls madly in love with a local Frenchman. Can she abide by the rules while still managing to follow her heart?
At the age of seventeen in a last-minute twist of fate, Laura Bradbury is sent to Burgundy, France, for a year’s exchange. She arrives knowing only a smattering of French and with no idea what to expect in her first foray out of North America. With a head full of dreams and a powerful desire to please, Laura quickly adapts to Burgundian life, learning crucial skills such as the fine art of winetasting and how to savor snails.
However, the charming young men of the region mean Laura soon runs afoul of the rules, particularly the no-dating edict. Romantic afternoons in Dijon, early morning pain au chocolat runs, and long walks in the vineyards are wondrous but also present Laura with a How can she keep her hosts happy while still managing to follow her heart? Follow along on Laura’s journey to I’amour in My Grape Year.
#1 Amazon bestseller. Thousands of copies sold. Hundreds of 5 star reviews.
Praise for Laura Bradbury's Grape
"Bradbury’s Grape Series feels like a series of honest and funny letters sent from a friend about her fascinating (and sometimes baffling) life in France. A beautiful read.”
—JANICE MACLEOD, New York Times bestselling author of Paris Letters and A Paris Year
“Bradbury’s Grape Series takes the reader on a romantic adventure into the heart, soul, and people of la belle France. Filled with delicious food, love, and laughter, Bradbury’s writing proves that you have to dare to follow your heart wherever it leads you...and that sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone to truly live.”
—SAMANTHA VÉRANT, author of How to Make a French Family and Seven Letters from Paris
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2015
705 people are currently reading
1312 people want to read
About the author
Laura Bradbury
22 books343 followersLaura Bradbury is the author of the bestselling Grape Series, an award-winning cookbook Bisous and Brioche, the Winemakers Series, and "huggable" rom coms such as Oxford Wild.
She has a law degree from Keble College, Oxford but Laura’s true love was always storytelling.
She married a Frenchman and ran off to France after graduation so she would have something to write about. Now Laura lives between Burgundy, France and an island off Canada's West Coast with her French husband and their three daughters. She can be found writing, reading, or eating snails with a nice glass of Pinot.
Sign up for her beloved monthly Grapevine at www.bit.ly/LauraBradburyNewsletter or find her on IG at https://www.instagram.com/laurabradbu... or www.laurabradbury.com
She has a law degree from Keble College, Oxford but Laura’s true love was always storytelling.
She married a Frenchman and ran off to France after graduation so she would have something to write about. Now Laura lives between Burgundy, France and an island off Canada's West Coast with her French husband and their three daughters. She can be found writing, reading, or eating snails with a nice glass of Pinot.
Sign up for her beloved monthly Grapevine at www.bit.ly/LauraBradburyNewsletter or find her on IG at https://www.instagram.com/laurabradbu... or www.laurabradbury.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
January 2, 2023
4 Burgundian stars
I quite enjoyed this memoir of a young Canadian woman who spends a year in France as part of an exchange program. She harvests grapes, learns French, and falls in love!
I've been meaning to read this one for the longest time and finally made some time for it at the end of the year.
There are several more in the series and the author has also written some fiction books. This gives me my French flair for now!
I quite enjoyed this memoir of a young Canadian woman who spends a year in France as part of an exchange program. She harvests grapes, learns French, and falls in love!
I've been meaning to read this one for the longest time and finally made some time for it at the end of the year.
There are several more in the series and the author has also written some fiction books. This gives me my French flair for now!
April 17, 2021
Loved reading about the experience in Burgundy. Love the descriptions of food, wine, traditions and countryside. However, the book often felt like a ‘tween’ book when describing the search for love. Would have been 5 stars if I was 12.
December 4, 2015
This memoir is Laura’s third book about her love of France and life in the winemaking region of Burgundy in the east of France. This book goes back to the beginning to tell the story of how Laura, a 17 yr old from Canada who spoke very little French, came to be on a year long exchange in Burgundy, living with four separate host families, attending French lycée and promising not to drive, take drugs, drink alcohol or date boys during the year. Being sent to the heart of wine making country where one of her first encounters with one of the families was helping with the backbreaking grape harvest, the alcohol rule was looked on with more than a little flexibility from the start, the other rules however were not there to be ignored.
From the first chapter of her first memoir I have enjoyed Laura’s writing style, which is open as well as entertaining and was delighted to get the chance to read more about her time spent in France. It is obvious from the beginning she is a hopeless romantic who as well as wanting to succeed in mastering French and being the best student ambassador she can be, one of her reasons for leaving behind the familiar was the possibility that somewhere else in the world the right man was just waiting for her to walk into his life. She casts her apprising eye over her host brothers, her new school friends and the other people of her own age whom she meets through her new network of friends, but as the months tick by she sadly feels there isn’t actually that much difference between French boys and Canadian boys.
Laura describes the difficulties she encounters settling into her host families, the new foods she tries, the new school she must attend and how she copes in this new life with a language she struggles with. There is honesty, but humour and love for all things French too. Not all the families are easy to live with, but there are some who she develops a very special relationship with. Then things change when she meets someone very special, someone who feels like the ‘one’ and promises he will never hurt her. Life would be just perfect if it weren’t for that pesky little ‘no dating’ rule and the fact that very soon Laura will have to pack her bags and return to Canada.
If you haven't yet read any of Laura's books I would recommend starting with My Grape Year.
From the first chapter of her first memoir I have enjoyed Laura’s writing style, which is open as well as entertaining and was delighted to get the chance to read more about her time spent in France. It is obvious from the beginning she is a hopeless romantic who as well as wanting to succeed in mastering French and being the best student ambassador she can be, one of her reasons for leaving behind the familiar was the possibility that somewhere else in the world the right man was just waiting for her to walk into his life. She casts her apprising eye over her host brothers, her new school friends and the other people of her own age whom she meets through her new network of friends, but as the months tick by she sadly feels there isn’t actually that much difference between French boys and Canadian boys.
Laura describes the difficulties she encounters settling into her host families, the new foods she tries, the new school she must attend and how she copes in this new life with a language she struggles with. There is honesty, but humour and love for all things French too. Not all the families are easy to live with, but there are some who she develops a very special relationship with. Then things change when she meets someone very special, someone who feels like the ‘one’ and promises he will never hurt her. Life would be just perfect if it weren’t for that pesky little ‘no dating’ rule and the fact that very soon Laura will have to pack her bags and return to Canada.
If you haven't yet read any of Laura's books I would recommend starting with My Grape Year.
March 30, 2018
An absolute delight!
From Vancouver, Canada, Laura went on her exchange year abroad in 1990. She was 17 and would be graduating soon. Her first choice of country for the exchange had been Switzerland. She ends up going to France, a year in Burgundy. All the students were presented with a list of 'Don'ts'. Would she keep to it-or would she break it?
This series of books came highly recommended to me, many of my friends have read and loved them-and I can see why. A lovely, warm read, right from the outset. Laura writes about discovering the wonderful foods. And wine. The foods are so gorgeously described. A great read and a way to totally immerse yourself in France. This book is an absolute delight, and a feast of foods.
From Vancouver, Canada, Laura went on her exchange year abroad in 1990. She was 17 and would be graduating soon. Her first choice of country for the exchange had been Switzerland. She ends up going to France, a year in Burgundy. All the students were presented with a list of 'Don'ts'. Would she keep to it-or would she break it?
This series of books came highly recommended to me, many of my friends have read and loved them-and I can see why. A lovely, warm read, right from the outset. Laura writes about discovering the wonderful foods. And wine. The foods are so gorgeously described. A great read and a way to totally immerse yourself in France. This book is an absolute delight, and a feast of foods.
December 19, 2023
Who knew that a book about a foreign exchange teenager would have me in tears and longing to read the next in the series immediately? This book is the reason I read books. It took me to a place I hadn't been before. It challenged a lot of preconceived notions. And I picked up a word or two more of French. That probably doesn't count for much, but every little word counts, right?
Laura Bradbury can write an engaging book. When I found I couldn't read it tiny bits at a time, I longed for more of the story than the time reading it took. I added Whispersynch, and the voice of Hope Newhouse (Narrator) made the story even better, especially since she pronounced the words text-to-speech or my own struggles with unfamiliar French words.
I don't remember how I heard of the Grape books, and I hope it might be in connection with a movie or television series because this could be quite good in that medium, too. Anyway, I got the first Grape on Kindle Unlimited but decided to buy it and buy the Audio to go with it as I love the layers it adds to the written word.
I highly recommend this to teens and older. Even if 18 is 56 (yikes!) years ago, I still remember the angst of those years quite well, sometimes better than I remember where I put the keys, ya know?
Laura Bradbury can write an engaging book. When I found I couldn't read it tiny bits at a time, I longed for more of the story than the time reading it took. I added Whispersynch, and the voice of Hope Newhouse (Narrator) made the story even better, especially since she pronounced the words text-to-speech or my own struggles with unfamiliar French words.
I don't remember how I heard of the Grape books, and I hope it might be in connection with a movie or television series because this could be quite good in that medium, too. Anyway, I got the first Grape on Kindle Unlimited but decided to buy it and buy the Audio to go with it as I love the layers it adds to the written word.
I highly recommend this to teens and older. Even if 18 is 56 (yikes!) years ago, I still remember the angst of those years quite well, sometimes better than I remember where I put the keys, ya know?
August 1, 2020
A heartfelt and realistic story – highly recommended
A 17-year-old leaves Canada and lands in France on an exchange year abroad. Travelling to live with four different host families, the book tells the story of her year abroad. Full of charm and beautiful descriptions, this is a tale of growing up, learning French, adapting to new customs and ways, and falling in love. But somehow this is more than just a story told of a gap year. The writing is exquisite, the food and wine described make your mouth water, and the heartfelt angst of being 17 and wondering if you are ever going to ‘fit in’ and find someone special, make this book so special. The homes she stayed in, the wine she tasted, and the everyday school experiences she encountered bring her journey to life, and you are left with a sense that you have really got to know the author. I am eagerly beginning book 2 and can’t wait to see what happened next. (My only warning is – don’t read this book if you are hungry – the food descriptions are that good!)
A 17-year-old leaves Canada and lands in France on an exchange year abroad. Travelling to live with four different host families, the book tells the story of her year abroad. Full of charm and beautiful descriptions, this is a tale of growing up, learning French, adapting to new customs and ways, and falling in love. But somehow this is more than just a story told of a gap year. The writing is exquisite, the food and wine described make your mouth water, and the heartfelt angst of being 17 and wondering if you are ever going to ‘fit in’ and find someone special, make this book so special. The homes she stayed in, the wine she tasted, and the everyday school experiences she encountered bring her journey to life, and you are left with a sense that you have really got to know the author. I am eagerly beginning book 2 and can’t wait to see what happened next. (My only warning is – don’t read this book if you are hungry – the food descriptions are that good!)
April 28, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this 1st book in series! A Canadian high school student goes to France as an exchange student. She stays with 4 different familes while there, each very different. Laura immerses herself in the culture and experiences amazing food and wine (I surprised I didn't gain 5 pounds just reading this book!) while gaining a better grasp of the language and making friends during her year there.
June 14, 2023
I've heard so many conflicting things about Europe and its foods until I am determined to experience it and come to my own conclusions, especially about the food. This is an educational and personal coming of age love story if you will of Laura and Frank. I was made away of cultural differences between America, Europe, and Canada. I think I will finish the series and compare it to my travels when I go.
October 26, 2019
I loved this book. It really resonated with me and my own experiences of going into a foreign country to teach ESL. It brought back so many memories and emotions. I don't agree with all of Laura's decisions but it was definitely a fun and engaging read. It is written in a way that really captures the imagination and takes you on your own journey to France.
Read
October 6, 2020This first book in my Grape Series is not
only a true story but also all about a young
Canadian being parachuted into the most
prestigious vineyard in the world in
Burgundy, France. 150 five-star reviews. #1
bestseller status. Entertaining and
hedonistic escapism!
only a true story but also all about a young
Canadian being parachuted into the most
prestigious vineyard in the world in
Burgundy, France. 150 five-star reviews. #1
bestseller status. Entertaining and
hedonistic escapism!
February 21, 2017
If you enjoy Bradbury's "Grape" series, this book provides some great insight into how it all began: how the author fell in love with France--and her future husband--in the same year.
While enjoyable, this was my least favourite of the series, only because so much of it focused on how unfulfilled and hollow the then eighteen-year-old author felt without a man in her life. Sometimes it read like the overblown romantic poetry of a teenager. But she was writing about a teenager, so perhaps that was her intent.
At the same time, I applauded her bravery for leaving everything she knew behind to live in France for a year, even though she barely spoke a word of the language. Her account of her experiences and the various host families she lived with are extremely entertaining...I just could have done with less of the 'someday my prince will come' stuff. Still a very solid book.
As mentioned in other reviews, though, there are way too many typos in the ebook edition. It does detract from the story after a while.
While enjoyable, this was my least favourite of the series, only because so much of it focused on how unfulfilled and hollow the then eighteen-year-old author felt without a man in her life. Sometimes it read like the overblown romantic poetry of a teenager. But she was writing about a teenager, so perhaps that was her intent.
At the same time, I applauded her bravery for leaving everything she knew behind to live in France for a year, even though she barely spoke a word of the language. Her account of her experiences and the various host families she lived with are extremely entertaining...I just could have done with less of the 'someday my prince will come' stuff. Still a very solid book.
As mentioned in other reviews, though, there are way too many typos in the ebook edition. It does detract from the story after a while.
December 15, 2019
I read this book last of all in the series..if I had read it first I would not have read the others...however by a lucky accident I did read the rest of them and they are way better...this one was too juvenile for words...
I could not believe she was eighteen as it read like a book for 12 year olds..
Don’t let it put you off, as the remaining books are wonderful, although I can’t wrap my head around just how much they drink..
I could not believe she was eighteen as it read like a book for 12 year olds..
Don’t let it put you off, as the remaining books are wonderful, although I can’t wrap my head around just how much they drink..
February 13, 2021
I loved this memoir! This is about Laura's (she is from Vancouver Island in Canada) exchange year in France (specifically the Burgundy region) when she was 17 and 18 (1990-91)--her gap year before college. Delightful! There are 7 books in the series.
February 4, 2017
I have read other books about exchange students in France so I was very happy that this was more to my pace of life. No drugs involved in this memoir but an awful lot of drinking. Laura was only 17 when she arrived as an exchange student and luckily picked up French quick enough. She was lucky to stay with a lovely family for the first few months and their daughter had just exchanged to the states. She was totally involved in French life and the school adds a lot of amusement to the book. The second family had kids that weren't very nice but she soldiered thru it and the last family--they could barely care if she was there and was happy when she could spend the weekends with friends as they liked to go away on trips. At 18 her hormones were raging but she signed a document before going that said she wouldn't date soooooo what on earth could she do? I don't want to give too much away as I really enjoyed this book and if you like France this is a great read.
September 14, 2018
A coming of age memoir so extraordinary it could be mistaken for fiction. The author spent a year in France as a high school student on an exchange program that had her staying with four different families. She discovers French food, French customs, and love among other things. The details were so rich and enticing you’ll want to rush out and buy a ticket to France. The self-awareness and emotional development will make you want to read the next book in this series.
On a side note, I’ve never been a fan of self-published books because the few I read were so horribly written and/or edited. I picked this one up because she appeared on the Smart bitches podcast https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast/303-much-heroism-good-people-interview-laura-bradbury/. I am so glad that I did. 4.5/5
On a side note, I’ve never been a fan of self-published books because the few I read were so horribly written and/or edited. I picked this one up because she appeared on the Smart bitches podcast https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast/303-much-heroism-good-people-interview-laura-bradbury/. I am so glad that I did. 4.5/5
August 1, 2021
This isn’t the type of book I’d normally read (or admit reading), but I was looking for something easy that I didn’t have to think too hard about.
The first half of the book is great, the food, drink and scenery descriptions are brilliant. They really do transport you to Burgundy - every time I put this book down I felt like I’d just returned from holiday. The book was comforting and an escape.
I would have given this a higher rating - but I didn’t care much for the romance. I found it tedious and it took up far too much of the book. I know it’s a memoir so I can understand why the author wanted to include it - but I don’t think she should have made it such a focus point. It’s hardly the world’s most epic love story.
The first half of the book is great, the food, drink and scenery descriptions are brilliant. They really do transport you to Burgundy - every time I put this book down I felt like I’d just returned from holiday. The book was comforting and an escape.
I would have given this a higher rating - but I didn’t care much for the romance. I found it tedious and it took up far too much of the book. I know it’s a memoir so I can understand why the author wanted to include it - but I don’t think she should have made it such a focus point. It’s hardly the world’s most epic love story.
August 4, 2016
Love, love, love!
Laura Bradbury, you put into words the feeling I felt all through my teenage years. Even though I'm much, much older, I recognized what I never was able to express so eloquently. I have so enjoyed your journey. I have been fortunate enough to have visited Paris, Beaune, and areas of the Languedoc and have busted Victoria as well, but even if I never had your descriptions bring it all to life.
Thank you so much for sharing such an amazing life and even more, your amazing love story.
Deidre
Laura Bradbury, you put into words the feeling I felt all through my teenage years. Even though I'm much, much older, I recognized what I never was able to express so eloquently. I have so enjoyed your journey. I have been fortunate enough to have visited Paris, Beaune, and areas of the Languedoc and have busted Victoria as well, but even if I never had your descriptions bring it all to life.
Thank you so much for sharing such an amazing life and even more, your amazing love story.
Deidre
January 11, 2020
I'm mixed on how I feel about this memoir. I enjoyed the peak into French food and culture but I don't know if I'll be reading the rest of Laura Bradbury's memoirs. I'm curious how old she was when she wrote this. The love story part is SO immature (the Universe has aligned, he's the one I saw on the street and electricity coursed through me when our eyes met...) good grief. This book just was too much at many points; probably could have been half the length and still told the story.
June 20, 2022
I feel so happy and content .i feel like ..this warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart .i have seen so many readers mention this feeling but have never felt like this before .this was truly an amazing experience .yes .experience .i travelled to france.
I didn't think i would ever read a memoir .i thought they must be boring.after all it would be real life and what possible interesting descriptions would there be ?i mean some but surely it had to be boring? But i never once felt bored .never once did i think i was dragging or just wanted to move onto the next chapter or finish the book .
This was my first time reading a book slowly devouring every single page and every single line.
With all those food descriptions in every single chapter you would think it would get boring but no . I couldn't help but dream of all those food she mentioned .the description was honestly so good .
I found this book on a website .it was under a heartwarming romance.i came for romance but stayed for the amazing journey and everything .
I have never once liked instant love tropes.never ever .i always thought it was impossible and it was so not practical falling in love at first sight ,you know,just based on appearances but the author made everything so smooth I didn't even think about it a bit .to be honest the Thibault thing was really unnecessary . right,this happened in real.but still when she broke up with thibault i honestly felt so bad because she was like i dont need your kisses anymore.it felt like now that she had found frank she threw thibault away.
I get Thibault was absolutely wrong and didn't treat her right at all but still that breakup was so bitter .i honestly think that could have been a lot more better with the right words .
Besides that,it was a lovely ride .it has been so long since i have travelled and i truly think i just travelled france .
I was kind of in a major reasing slump but this book reminded me why most of us read . I just spent a year of an amazing life in one and a half day and i couldn't be happier .this has given me so much motivation to work hard so that i can get such an experience too .
It's almost rainy season here and the weather helped so much in enhancing my experience .
I loved the characters so much .laura was so dora the explorer throughout the whole book .she didnt hesitate to try new things which is so opposite of me .i never settleinto any kind of new things easily .never .
Frank is honestly so my type.this was such a delightful break from all of those cold arrogant and whatnot male leads .he was honestly so sweet .he didn't get offended easily.even though they weren't together all that much it really didn't feel like that .
I can't help but be jealous of you.i am exactly seventeen years old right now so i can relate so much about being an independent strong woman but still missing that one piece of your soul.i didn't think it was really possible for me to experience such love as shown in books but this has given me hope.and this hope makes me so bubbly inside .although i would keep it inncheck .because i most probably would not be as lucky as you .
I hope laura and Mrs beaupre can meet once again and be together like that day .i really loved the first family .
I imagine how it would be meeting you and everyone in the book .seeing the characters i read come to life.i wish it would be possible .
I will definitely read the next books .
This book onwards i will stop seeing books from a literary pov .this book made me realise there need not be major plots suspense and incidents to make a book wonderful.i no longer feel the need to analyse everything i read and then rate it .i am just going to rate every book from now on according to how i feel afyer finishing the book .and this was a five for me.and i also vow to never let other reviews affect if i want to read a book or not since everybody is different.
I sincerely want to thank the author for sharing this beautiful experience with us .
Thank you .
(I don't think i have ever written such a long review but I couldn't help it)
I didn't think i would ever read a memoir .i thought they must be boring.after all it would be real life and what possible interesting descriptions would there be ?i mean some but surely it had to be boring? But i never once felt bored .never once did i think i was dragging or just wanted to move onto the next chapter or finish the book .
This was my first time reading a book slowly devouring every single page and every single line.
With all those food descriptions in every single chapter you would think it would get boring but no . I couldn't help but dream of all those food she mentioned .the description was honestly so good .
I found this book on a website .it was under a heartwarming romance.i came for romance but stayed for the amazing journey and everything .
I have never once liked instant love tropes.never ever .i always thought it was impossible and it was so not practical falling in love at first sight ,you know,just based on appearances but the author made everything so smooth I didn't even think about it a bit .to be honest the Thibault thing was really unnecessary . right,this happened in real.but still when she broke up with thibault i honestly felt so bad because she was like i dont need your kisses anymore.it felt like now that she had found frank she threw thibault away.
I get Thibault was absolutely wrong and didn't treat her right at all but still that breakup was so bitter .i honestly think that could have been a lot more better with the right words .
Besides that,it was a lovely ride .it has been so long since i have travelled and i truly think i just travelled france .
I was kind of in a major reasing slump but this book reminded me why most of us read . I just spent a year of an amazing life in one and a half day and i couldn't be happier .this has given me so much motivation to work hard so that i can get such an experience too .
It's almost rainy season here and the weather helped so much in enhancing my experience .
I loved the characters so much .laura was so dora the explorer throughout the whole book .she didnt hesitate to try new things which is so opposite of me .i never settleinto any kind of new things easily .never .
Frank is honestly so my type.this was such a delightful break from all of those cold arrogant and whatnot male leads .he was honestly so sweet .he didn't get offended easily.even though they weren't together all that much it really didn't feel like that .
I can't help but be jealous of you.i am exactly seventeen years old right now so i can relate so much about being an independent strong woman but still missing that one piece of your soul.i didn't think it was really possible for me to experience such love as shown in books but this has given me hope.and this hope makes me so bubbly inside .although i would keep it inncheck .because i most probably would not be as lucky as you .
I hope laura and Mrs beaupre can meet once again and be together like that day .i really loved the first family .
I imagine how it would be meeting you and everyone in the book .seeing the characters i read come to life.i wish it would be possible .
I will definitely read the next books .
This book onwards i will stop seeing books from a literary pov .this book made me realise there need not be major plots suspense and incidents to make a book wonderful.i no longer feel the need to analyse everything i read and then rate it .i am just going to rate every book from now on according to how i feel afyer finishing the book .and this was a five for me.and i also vow to never let other reviews affect if i want to read a book or not since everybody is different.
I sincerely want to thank the author for sharing this beautiful experience with us .
Thank you .
(I don't think i have ever written such a long review but I couldn't help it)
August 30, 2021
This is Laura's telling of her year in France. As a seventeen-year-old Laura lands in Burgundy as an exchange student with a planned stay at four different host families' homes. She has a few 'goals': frequent French cafés, drink French wine, fall in love, and learn to speak French. Her exchange agency has a few rules that are in direct conflict with that: no driving, no drinking, and no dating. Hmmm...
The narrative is rife with fun, learning, French friends and frenemies, and - yes! - romance. Laura's prose is vivid and the reader is drawn into her world. You actually feel as if you're there with her, experiencing all of her joy, angst, impatience, and more.
As when she first tries pâté, it is a culinary awakening. "I sunk my teeth into the pâté on baguette. The bread was like a soft pillow under my teeth and the pâté was like silk against my tongue. It had a salty, savory taste that was perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying. I let out an involuntary sound of satisfaction. 'You like?' Julien asked me. He looked cool and collected as usual…not the type to groan at the table by accident. I nodded. He pushed forward a little ceramic bowl filled with what looked like mini gherkins. 'Try it with cornichons.' I picked a few and took a bite of the crisp, vinegary mini pickle. Then I took another bite of the pâté on baguette and a sip of the crisp, cool white wine. Why weren’t the clouds parting and an angelic chorus singing? The flavors, the textures…they were a revelation" (pg. 35).
Or when she celebrates Christmas with her host family, you long to join the festivities. "We had a proper French Christmas meal—foie gras and sauternes wine, a roasted goose with the most delectable stuffing made of chestnuts, an enormous cheese platter, bûche de Noël—which was a massive improvement on the dried fruit-filled fruitcake and plum pudding at home that I had always despised—clementine oranges, and brightly wrapped individual chocolates called papillotes with the café. All of that was washed down by Henri’s fine wine purchased during our bicycle wine-tasting excursion to Vosne-Romanée in the fall" (pg. 156).
But, probably, one of my favorite sentences in the entire book: "Do not make Jell-O for French people under any circumstances" (pg. 314).
Over lunch one day, I was explaining the circumstances of Laura preparing grape Jell-O for her Burgundian boyfriend's family. I had to chuckle at D's reaction: "Just don't make Jell-O ever. How about that?!"
The narrative is rife with fun, learning, French friends and frenemies, and - yes! - romance. Laura's prose is vivid and the reader is drawn into her world. You actually feel as if you're there with her, experiencing all of her joy, angst, impatience, and more.
As when she first tries pâté, it is a culinary awakening. "I sunk my teeth into the pâté on baguette. The bread was like a soft pillow under my teeth and the pâté was like silk against my tongue. It had a salty, savory taste that was perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying. I let out an involuntary sound of satisfaction. 'You like?' Julien asked me. He looked cool and collected as usual…not the type to groan at the table by accident. I nodded. He pushed forward a little ceramic bowl filled with what looked like mini gherkins. 'Try it with cornichons.' I picked a few and took a bite of the crisp, vinegary mini pickle. Then I took another bite of the pâté on baguette and a sip of the crisp, cool white wine. Why weren’t the clouds parting and an angelic chorus singing? The flavors, the textures…they were a revelation" (pg. 35).
Or when she celebrates Christmas with her host family, you long to join the festivities. "We had a proper French Christmas meal—foie gras and sauternes wine, a roasted goose with the most delectable stuffing made of chestnuts, an enormous cheese platter, bûche de Noël—which was a massive improvement on the dried fruit-filled fruitcake and plum pudding at home that I had always despised—clementine oranges, and brightly wrapped individual chocolates called papillotes with the café. All of that was washed down by Henri’s fine wine purchased during our bicycle wine-tasting excursion to Vosne-Romanée in the fall" (pg. 156).
But, probably, one of my favorite sentences in the entire book: "Do not make Jell-O for French people under any circumstances" (pg. 314).
Over lunch one day, I was explaining the circumstances of Laura preparing grape Jell-O for her Burgundian boyfriend's family. I had to chuckle at D's reaction: "Just don't make Jell-O ever. How about that?!"
April 30, 2018
My Grape Year by Laura Bradbury
Starts out with her leaving BC, Canada and heading to France=not her first choice for one year of school abroad.
Lots of travel and new things for her to get used to. The girl that she's taking the place of is leaving to head to the USA for her year abroad.
Lots of things to consider and wonder about as she is served coffee in a bowl rather than a mug.
She had studied French in school but didn't like it so didn't learn so much. She is able to pick out a few words when others are talking. When she arrives her lugguage didn't make it-lucky she had packed shorts and a shirt in her carryon bag.
After spendng a day at the grandmothers they arrive back at the familys house where there is a older son who speaks English who's most helpful to her lack of speaking in French.
After school starts she finds everything so confusing. Especially love the lesson in how to taste wine-i knew some of the parts but not all of them. Love that there are grapes nearby and by the title know I will learn more about the vineyard.
For the most part there is French being spoken and she has no idea what's being said-she can't study that way or learn anything and the book does not translate what is being said to us reading it.
There are four different host families that she stays with and she learns so much about the culture. There is food everywhere and it's described so much in detail you get hungry.
Laura is able to learn and harvest the grapes and the processes of making the wine. Learned so much about the grapes, so glad I read this book from the start to the finish.
Loved the four major parts of a good wine and how to tell once it's poured.
Her friend has a brother and when she meets him it's love at first sight....love family gatherings and all the food.
Especially liked the places visited, so much detail to descriptons.
Excerpt from the next book in the series is included at the end.
Starts out with her leaving BC, Canada and heading to France=not her first choice for one year of school abroad.
Lots of travel and new things for her to get used to. The girl that she's taking the place of is leaving to head to the USA for her year abroad.
Lots of things to consider and wonder about as she is served coffee in a bowl rather than a mug.
She had studied French in school but didn't like it so didn't learn so much. She is able to pick out a few words when others are talking. When she arrives her lugguage didn't make it-lucky she had packed shorts and a shirt in her carryon bag.
After spendng a day at the grandmothers they arrive back at the familys house where there is a older son who speaks English who's most helpful to her lack of speaking in French.
After school starts she finds everything so confusing. Especially love the lesson in how to taste wine-i knew some of the parts but not all of them. Love that there are grapes nearby and by the title know I will learn more about the vineyard.
For the most part there is French being spoken and she has no idea what's being said-she can't study that way or learn anything and the book does not translate what is being said to us reading it.
There are four different host families that she stays with and she learns so much about the culture. There is food everywhere and it's described so much in detail you get hungry.
Laura is able to learn and harvest the grapes and the processes of making the wine. Learned so much about the grapes, so glad I read this book from the start to the finish.
Loved the four major parts of a good wine and how to tell once it's poured.
Her friend has a brother and when she meets him it's love at first sight....love family gatherings and all the food.
Especially liked the places visited, so much detail to descriptons.
Excerpt from the next book in the series is included at the end.
May 8, 2025
You know, at this point I should probably buckle down and plan a trip to France. I've read enough memoirs about people who take the opportunity to live for a year or so in the country that I'm intrigued. My Grape Year was a charming read, and even if I got a little tired of her obsession with romance by the end of it I found her story to be a heartfelt one, and appreciated that she was able to laugh at her own mistakes and blunders along the way.
Laura is thrilled to have the chance to live abroad for a year as part of a student exchange program... and even more thrilled when she discovers an opening for an exchange to France! But she's unprepared for just how different French life is from her life in Canada, and cultural and language blunders abound. Despite this, however, she finds herself making friends, discovering new loves for wine and cheese, and dreaming of a new life in a new country. And she hopes that she might find the one thing she craves the most -- a chance at true love.
Laura tells her story with humor and warmth, not afraid to laugh at her own mistakes and finding joy and warmth in even difficult moments. She doesn't just write a travelogue, but a story of personal growth and becoming a more mature person along the way. And she gives us a portrait of Burgundy, France that I enjoyed -- not glossing over its flaws but still portraying it as a wonderful place. People need to realize that there's far more to France than just Paris, after all.
I did find the author's obsession with finding true love in France a little annoying. I do understand that she was a teenager during the events of this story, and teenage hormones are definitely raging. But it's still a little obnoxious. Thankfully I was still able to find joy in the rest of her story.
I'm not sure if I'll continue this series, but the first book was definitely a warm and enjoyable experience.
Laura is thrilled to have the chance to live abroad for a year as part of a student exchange program... and even more thrilled when she discovers an opening for an exchange to France! But she's unprepared for just how different French life is from her life in Canada, and cultural and language blunders abound. Despite this, however, she finds herself making friends, discovering new loves for wine and cheese, and dreaming of a new life in a new country. And she hopes that she might find the one thing she craves the most -- a chance at true love.
Laura tells her story with humor and warmth, not afraid to laugh at her own mistakes and finding joy and warmth in even difficult moments. She doesn't just write a travelogue, but a story of personal growth and becoming a more mature person along the way. And she gives us a portrait of Burgundy, France that I enjoyed -- not glossing over its flaws but still portraying it as a wonderful place. People need to realize that there's far more to France than just Paris, after all.
I did find the author's obsession with finding true love in France a little annoying. I do understand that she was a teenager during the events of this story, and teenage hormones are definitely raging. But it's still a little obnoxious. Thankfully I was still able to find joy in the rest of her story.
I'm not sure if I'll continue this series, but the first book was definitely a warm and enjoyable experience.
March 27, 2021
Pure Delight
From Vancouver, Canada in 1990 aged 17 and very soon graduating, Laura went on her exchange year to France. She and other exchange students were presented with a list of Dont's...Drinking, Drugs, Driving and Dating....the burning question, would or could she stick to them or break them?
Despite knowing very little of the French language she fits in well with her first host family, during the year Laura will spend time in the homes of four host families, some good times and others not so good and did not always go as smoothly as it should have done. Laura also has to attend a French school where she soon makes friends with some of the girls.
From her first day, Laura is introduced to French cuisine at its finest, of course, there is a different wine with each course, there goes Do No number one. The food is exquisitely described and having tasted the cuisine made me long for some of the delightful dishes to be placed in front of me. She embraces the French lifestyle, this is so different from her Canadian up-bring, with vigor and longing for love and romance, someone to call her own.
Invited out with two girlfriends she is introduced to Franck, sparks fly and she soon realises he is a very special man, is he the one? Another life adventure is about to begin and alter the course of her life. All too soon her year in France comes to an end and she must leave Franck and return to Canada. They spend a memorable day in Paris where Franck promises that they are destined to be together and he will join her as soon as it is possible.
Laura's year in Burgundy is open, honest, and is certainly packed with lots of fun and adventure and the making of lifelong friendships. A truly delightful memoir and I am so looking forward to continuing reading the series.
From Vancouver, Canada in 1990 aged 17 and very soon graduating, Laura went on her exchange year to France. She and other exchange students were presented with a list of Dont's...Drinking, Drugs, Driving and Dating....the burning question, would or could she stick to them or break them?
Despite knowing very little of the French language she fits in well with her first host family, during the year Laura will spend time in the homes of four host families, some good times and others not so good and did not always go as smoothly as it should have done. Laura also has to attend a French school where she soon makes friends with some of the girls.
From her first day, Laura is introduced to French cuisine at its finest, of course, there is a different wine with each course, there goes Do No number one. The food is exquisitely described and having tasted the cuisine made me long for some of the delightful dishes to be placed in front of me. She embraces the French lifestyle, this is so different from her Canadian up-bring, with vigor and longing for love and romance, someone to call her own.
Invited out with two girlfriends she is introduced to Franck, sparks fly and she soon realises he is a very special man, is he the one? Another life adventure is about to begin and alter the course of her life. All too soon her year in France comes to an end and she must leave Franck and return to Canada. They spend a memorable day in Paris where Franck promises that they are destined to be together and he will join her as soon as it is possible.
Laura's year in Burgundy is open, honest, and is certainly packed with lots of fun and adventure and the making of lifelong friendships. A truly delightful memoir and I am so looking forward to continuing reading the series.
June 28, 2017
I read My Grape Escape by Laura Bradbury and was very happy to discover that it was the third in a series of books about her life in France. This book starts at the beginning of her life changing decision to embark on a year long exchange programme, leaving Canada to live and study in the Burgundy Region of France. She had to sign a contract that as an ambassador for the Ursus Exchange scheme that she would abide by four strict rules – no drinking, no drugs, no driving, no dating. Some rules however were just waiting to be broken! While there she lived with several host families and attended a French school.
Despite not being a fluent French speaker Laura fits in well at school and becomes friends with a few of the girls. She also fits in well with her first host family who are extremely welcoming and introduce her to the delights of French cuisine and of course, wine. Bang goes one of the rules. This is a very open and honest memoir which describes so well her growing love of France and the way she embraces the very different lifestyle. She speaks of herself as having ‘an adventurer’s soul’ and like many young girls, longing for romance and love.
During her year in Burgundy she certainly has more than a few adventures which she tells of with honesty and humour. It isn’t all plain sailing but when she is introduced to Franck she realises that he is a very special man. This meeting changes the course of Laura’s life and another adventure is about to begin. She and Franck are destined to be together. Sadly, there is heartbreak too as all too soon her year in Burgundy is at an end and she must return to Canada. However, Franck promises her that they will be together … what a delightful memoir. Now I’m off to read book 3 as I need to know what happened next.
Despite not being a fluent French speaker Laura fits in well at school and becomes friends with a few of the girls. She also fits in well with her first host family who are extremely welcoming and introduce her to the delights of French cuisine and of course, wine. Bang goes one of the rules. This is a very open and honest memoir which describes so well her growing love of France and the way she embraces the very different lifestyle. She speaks of herself as having ‘an adventurer’s soul’ and like many young girls, longing for romance and love.
During her year in Burgundy she certainly has more than a few adventures which she tells of with honesty and humour. It isn’t all plain sailing but when she is introduced to Franck she realises that he is a very special man. This meeting changes the course of Laura’s life and another adventure is about to begin. She and Franck are destined to be together. Sadly, there is heartbreak too as all too soon her year in Burgundy is at an end and she must return to Canada. However, Franck promises her that they will be together … what a delightful memoir. Now I’m off to read book 3 as I need to know what happened next.
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December 8, 2024This wasn't a good fit for me, so I will not give it a rating. For what it is--a teenage romance--it's okay, and if that is what you want, go for it.
But I failed to realize that's what it was. The first half of the book was what I expected, an interesting and amusing story of a young Canadian who lucks into a student exchange program to France. Her stories of her host families, their food, and the whole culture shock of it all were precious. (Sweet, funny, painful, etc.)
Then it became a simple and extended "true love" story that went on forever. Or so it seemed to me. If you're young and in love, or want to be, it may be perfect for you. I found it boring and eventually gave up. A few pages or a couple of chapters of fiery stares, tingling touches, and deep kisses, are about all I can take. Not a half of a book!
But I failed to realize that's what it was. The first half of the book was what I expected, an interesting and amusing story of a young Canadian who lucks into a student exchange program to France. Her stories of her host families, their food, and the whole culture shock of it all were precious. (Sweet, funny, painful, etc.)
Then it became a simple and extended "true love" story that went on forever. Or so it seemed to me. If you're young and in love, or want to be, it may be perfect for you. I found it boring and eventually gave up. A few pages or a couple of chapters of fiery stares, tingling touches, and deep kisses, are about all I can take. Not a half of a book!
February 10, 2017
The author - then 17 - arrives in Burgundy, France from Canada on a year exchange - she has very little French but she does have some 'goals' - go to a lot of cafes, drink wine, falling in love and learn French - but not necessarily in that order! I loved this memoir - it's well written - it's full of fun, grace, learning & romance (soul mate searching/finding!) oh yes some emotional 'tests' too. Laura Bradbury describes her four host families and her friends so well - you actually feel like you could be there. The descriptions of the surrounding areas, the houses and the villages are just lovely. I need to know what happens next so I must now get Book 2 in this wonderful Grape Series.
October 21, 2018
Easy to read, funny book, but with some deep and serious emotions and relationships. It provides amazing details about moving to a new country, where the simplest things can turn out to be surprising and challenging. I love how she was determined to go, she was brave to try everything and enjoyed it. I love all the details about Burgundy, the cuisine, the wine.
I felt like I found a kindred spirit, who really tries to live the life and try things in a new country. I lived in three countries so far, and I felt very lucky to work in an international community in the UK to educate me, open my eyes for new cultures and habits, to be more accepting and flexible.
I got this book from the author to download it free, thank you!!
I felt like I found a kindred spirit, who really tries to live the life and try things in a new country. I lived in three countries so far, and I felt very lucky to work in an international community in the UK to educate me, open my eyes for new cultures and habits, to be more accepting and flexible.
I got this book from the author to download it free, thank you!!
March 10, 2021
Having now read four of the "Grape Series", this one was definitely my least favorite. Laura Bradbury goes to France as an exchange student. Knowing little French does not help her initial adjustment in the first few months of her trip. However, she does seem to pick it up rather quickly. During her time in France, she stays with a total of four families. A few she loves and a few didn't seem to get very involved with her. At some point in the story, she meets a French guy named Franck. This is where the book goes South. There was just a bit too much lovey-dovey moments that didn't add much to the story. I had almost decided to stop reading the series after this first one, but I'm glad I ventured on.
April 1, 2021
I had zero expectations of this book and yet, I fell in love. Laura Bradbury's writing style pulls you into the story and makes you feel like you are right there. This book describes her year abroad in France when she was 17. I loved reading all the details of the landscape, the people, and the food. What an absolute delight this book was! I couldn't get enough. I had to literally force myself to put it down so I could get some things done around the house. I am so glad I got the 1-4 book bundle. After I started reading, I quickly realized that I needed ALL of the books in the series. I then purchased books 5-8. I didn't want this book to ever come to an end, but I am consoled by the fact that there are 7 others in the series that await me.
April 25, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this delightful book about the author's year in France as a 17 turning 18 year old young West Coast Canadian woman. She arrives in the Burgundy region with very little French and even less knowledge of the customs and ways of the French. Through much perseverance, a few faux pas, some rule-breaking (she is a young woman after all!) and emerging maturity, Laura guides us through this charming year.
I felt Laura expressed very well the longings and wistfulness of a teenage girl, which were enhanced living in a foreign country. I look forward to reading more of the Grape series!
I felt Laura expressed very well the longings and wistfulness of a teenage girl, which were enhanced living in a foreign country. I look forward to reading more of the Grape series!
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