Corkscrew!: Summer Sun at the Vineyard

French Escapes #2

by Fliss Chester

The perfect beach read, sizzling with sun and fizzing with flirtation!

Jenna Jenkins needs to get away. She's been unceremoniously sacked from her job and it's make or break time with her boyfriend Angus, so a summer job at the beautiful Chateau Montmorency in the south of France seems like the perfect solution.

Planning the party of the century, dining out with suave Frenchmen, and giving in to a little temptation among the vines are all in a day's work... but is there a secret lurking in the chateau cellars?

Caught in a trap she can't talk - or drink - herself out of, Jenna is well and truly corkscrewed. Things are really hotting up under the sun when a mysterious benefactor helps her out of her jam. But why does he seem so familiar...?

Jet down to the South of France for fun in the vineyards! Ideal for fans of Jilly Cooper, Shari Low, Tracy Bloom, Jenny Oliver and Heidi Swain.

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 14, 2018

Reviews

[Prachiti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms Chester has a gorgoeus style of writing that pulls the reader into her glamourous, decadent world... this time a fabulous, indulgent romp into the world of French wines and an enchanting Chateau...
The characters from her last novel (snowballs) make small, meaningful entires... celebrating Sally and Hugo's wedding... Fun, Celebration and drama... no wedding really is complete without either ;)
Jonty was just Uuuggh!.... Sally very rightfully named hime ;)

Great Summery Fun! Fab with a chilled glass of Château de l'Aumérade Rosé (Oui I do know my wines hahaha)
FOUR Glossy Stars!

~Thanks to Netgalley and Orion for my ARC~

[Justkeepreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will get you in the mood for the lazy summer holiday days in the sun. Fun, romantic, funny, and simply lovely. This book is sure to put a smile on your face and get you in the mood for summer.

[Catherine Simpson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Undoubtedly the worst book I’ve ever read

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sequel that I read as soon as I completed the first novel. Which was probably its downfall in my eyes as I was too invested in the relationship of the two main characters to see it crumble so easily in the beginning of this book. The faults I found with the first offering: the "... obvious plot points, mediocre sex scenes and (mostly) one dimensional characters [with their] odd vernacular ...", while somewhat toned down in this book, was somehow more obvious to me. I found myself wavering midway, not so convinced by the escapism that the book should have been offering me, however the second half of the book picked up and I found it much more agreeable, that is not to say that this is not a fun and enjoyable book overall. A perfect, light-hearted, holiday read.

Recommended by Daniela Van Rensburg; off her Kindle. Hascombe, Surrey.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book from a pile of 'to reads' as I had just finished a thriller and like to alternate between that type of book and easy reading. I read this book in 24 hours (during Lockdown) whilst sitting in my sunny back garden. I loved all the characters who were each described so that we knew a little about what makes them tick. The underlying story is quite easy to guess but it doesn't matter as I still found it a page turner.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre at all but I suppose there is a tenuous link to crime eventually.

Jenna Jenkins needs to get away & sort herself out. Sacked from her art gallery job, dumped by her boyfriend & unable to afford her little flat - she finds herself in the South of France for the summer drinking wine for a living.

Sad & hilarious in equal measure; think Bridget Jones. Romance, intrigue, fun all mixed up in this fab holiday read. Recommended.

[Rona Nimmo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summer at the Vineyard by Fliss Chester

This book had a lot of potential but alas that was as far as it went . Slow going and there was too much going on.

I kept hoping for more but it didn’t happen though there were some humorous bits atounnd but to few and far between.

Unfortunately promised great things but didn’t deliver for me. A disappointing read 2.5/5

[beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice summer read set in France. I liked how Jenna wasn’t a stereotypical rich girl and had a really likeable personality. The story was just lacking depth and I didn’t fall in love with any of the characters or storylines.

[Corinne Rodrigues · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of a job and feeling a bit pressured by living in a tiny flat with her boyfriend, Jenna decides to take up the offer of a summer job in a beautiful chateau and vineyard in the south of France. She's the maid of honour for her friend's wedding that is to be held in the chateau and that makes it even more important for her to be there.

But something goes amiss and she needs rescuing! And then comes a familiar figure to help her. Who is he?

While the premise of the book was good - a lighthearted romance set in wonderful, sunny France, I just couldn't get into it completely.