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The Vines We Planted
Award-Winning Finalist in 2018 Best Book Awards, Multi Cultural Fiction, sponsored by American Book Fest. In the heart of the California wine country, secrets seem to grow on the vines that Uriel Macon’s family have tended for generations. Uriel, the winery’s young widower, steers clear of complicated relationships. He prefers the lonely comfort of his vineyard and his horses, until he is reminded of his love affair with Amanda Scanlon; a relationship that ended when she abruptly left the country years ago under a cloud of mystery. When Amanda returns to Sonoma because of a family crisis, she tries to mend the broken relationships she left behind. In addition, she seeks the truth about her parents’ complicated history and her own parentage. But Amanda’s unveiling of the past has devastating consequences. In the midst of California’s beautiful Sonoma Valley, the Scanlon family struggles to overcome harsh realities with dignity and grace. Both Amanda and Uriel stretch to take care of their families, which are facing immigration issues, marital crises, and loss. While navigating these challenges, the couple must decide if they trust themselves to love again, or to finally let each other go. A Sonoma local, author Joanell Serra’s debut novel is captivating, poignant, and uplifting, demonstrating how seeds planted long ago continue to grow. Sometimes into a strangling weed, sometimes offering a bountiful harvest.
- GenresFictionLiterary Fiction
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2018
72 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Joanell Serra
2 books34 followersJoanell Serra, MFT lives in and writes about the lovely Sonoma Valley. Joanell edited the (Her)oics Anthology for Pact Press at Regal House Publishing. The anthology shares the stories of 51 women from around the country during the Coronavirus pandemic. The essays offer a mixture of humor, bravery, grief, poignant moments and lessons learned.
Joanell's First novel was The Vines We Planted, published with Wido Publishing in 2018. A finalist for a multicultural fiction award and August 2018 pick for Latinx Book of the month club, the novel gives a fresh perspective on family life in Sonoma County, She can be found writing more at a coffee shop, or sipping a perfect Cabernet in a Sonoma winery. For more of her writing, go to http://Joanellserraauthor.com
Thank you for your reviews! They really make a difference for small press writers.
Joanell's First novel was The Vines We Planted, published with Wido Publishing in 2018. A finalist for a multicultural fiction award and August 2018 pick for Latinx Book of the month club, the novel gives a fresh perspective on family life in Sonoma County, She can be found writing more at a coffee shop, or sipping a perfect Cabernet in a Sonoma winery. For more of her writing, go to http://Joanellserraauthor.com
Thank you for your reviews! They really make a difference for small press writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
July 15, 2018
4 immersive stars to The Vines We Planted! 🍇 🍷 🍇 🍷
Set in Sonoma, California, the stunning wine country, the writing in The Vines We Planted had me firmly planted in a lush and realistic setting with its vineyards and its people. Uriel Macon’s family is responsible for a vineyard and has been for generations. He is a young widower and leads a stoic life spending his days working hard on the vines and with his horses.
Uriel had a relationship with Amanda Scanlon before he was married, and she left him and the country under mysterious circumstances. When Amanda is called back to Sonoma for family-related crisis, she is hoping to mend fences with those she hurt in the past, including Uriel.
Amanda’s family is carrying big secrets, and the truth eventually comes to the surface, which leads to some dramatic scenes. Amanda and Uriel are caretakers to their families, and their feelings for each other reignite. Will they overcome their past and fall in love again?
The Vines We Planted has a picturesque setting that was brought to life, not only with its physical backdrop, but also in its descriptions of the local people. Immigration affects the families, and this is presented in a deeply heartfelt and relatable way. There is a sensitivity and authenticity to Serra’s writing I adored, and the characters are complex and lovable as a result.
Overall, The Vines We Planted is a moving story ultimately about family coming together to get through the difficult times. It is emotional, fast-paced, and gorgeously-written.
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The Vines We Planted is available now!
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com, and if you check out my review of this one, you will see a picture of the book that I loved taking!
Set in Sonoma, California, the stunning wine country, the writing in The Vines We Planted had me firmly planted in a lush and realistic setting with its vineyards and its people. Uriel Macon’s family is responsible for a vineyard and has been for generations. He is a young widower and leads a stoic life spending his days working hard on the vines and with his horses.
Uriel had a relationship with Amanda Scanlon before he was married, and she left him and the country under mysterious circumstances. When Amanda is called back to Sonoma for family-related crisis, she is hoping to mend fences with those she hurt in the past, including Uriel.
Amanda’s family is carrying big secrets, and the truth eventually comes to the surface, which leads to some dramatic scenes. Amanda and Uriel are caretakers to their families, and their feelings for each other reignite. Will they overcome their past and fall in love again?
The Vines We Planted has a picturesque setting that was brought to life, not only with its physical backdrop, but also in its descriptions of the local people. Immigration affects the families, and this is presented in a deeply heartfelt and relatable way. There is a sensitivity and authenticity to Serra’s writing I adored, and the characters are complex and lovable as a result.
Overall, The Vines We Planted is a moving story ultimately about family coming together to get through the difficult times. It is emotional, fast-paced, and gorgeously-written.
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The Vines We Planted is available now!
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com, and if you check out my review of this one, you will see a picture of the book that I loved taking!
May 22, 2018
Thank you to debut author Joanell Serra for a free review copy of The Vines We Planted in exchange for an honest opinion.
An engaging page turner from the first paragraph, this debut novel is packed with thought provoking and relevant themes such as family secrets, loyalty, forgiveness, grief, honesty, adoption, and trust. You will enjoy this quick and compelling read filled with complicated relationships, complex characters, romance, long-held secrets, wine, and horses.
Throughout the fast-paced story, Serra explores how the secrets of the past affect our lives and the challenge of facing life’s difficulties honestly. “He’d never learned how to weather the anger of someone he loved. Never been able to face their disappointment. He’d chosen to lie rather than confront, to avoid rather than reveal.” On many occasions, I felt that the author’s background.....her professional expertise in counseling, her insights into relationships, and experiences in working with families....added depth and authenticity to the story.
What I loved:
* Set in California wine country, the descriptions and visual images were special connections for me as a California resident.
* Complicated family stories and relationships always intrigue me.
* The theme of adoption is compelling because adoption touches my life....some of my fav stories have adoption themes.
* My experience as a teacher in a Title 1 school in SoCal helps me empathize with immigrant concerns, dilemmas, and hardships.
* Substantial themes are an important element in my enjoyment of a story.
What I’d Like You To Know:
* There’s a lot going on in this story! In one way, this makes it fast paced and unputdownable .....which I like....you will be dropped right into their complicated lives. However, there are many heavy themes to consider and several relationships to keep straight. (I liked the challenge!) Second, the story contains a few steamy romantic scenes and a sprinkling of f-bombs. Some readers might want to know this ahead of time.
Overall, The Vines We Planted is engaging, thoughtful, and well written. Recommended for fans of complicated family stories and important and relevant themes, and for fans of romance. Congrats to Joanell Serra for a terrific debut novel!
For more reviews visit my blog: readingladies.com
An engaging page turner from the first paragraph, this debut novel is packed with thought provoking and relevant themes such as family secrets, loyalty, forgiveness, grief, honesty, adoption, and trust. You will enjoy this quick and compelling read filled with complicated relationships, complex characters, romance, long-held secrets, wine, and horses.
Throughout the fast-paced story, Serra explores how the secrets of the past affect our lives and the challenge of facing life’s difficulties honestly. “He’d never learned how to weather the anger of someone he loved. Never been able to face their disappointment. He’d chosen to lie rather than confront, to avoid rather than reveal.” On many occasions, I felt that the author’s background.....her professional expertise in counseling, her insights into relationships, and experiences in working with families....added depth and authenticity to the story.
What I loved:
* Set in California wine country, the descriptions and visual images were special connections for me as a California resident.
* Complicated family stories and relationships always intrigue me.
* The theme of adoption is compelling because adoption touches my life....some of my fav stories have adoption themes.
* My experience as a teacher in a Title 1 school in SoCal helps me empathize with immigrant concerns, dilemmas, and hardships.
* Substantial themes are an important element in my enjoyment of a story.
What I’d Like You To Know:
* There’s a lot going on in this story! In one way, this makes it fast paced and unputdownable .....which I like....you will be dropped right into their complicated lives. However, there are many heavy themes to consider and several relationships to keep straight. (I liked the challenge!) Second, the story contains a few steamy romantic scenes and a sprinkling of f-bombs. Some readers might want to know this ahead of time.
Overall, The Vines We Planted is engaging, thoughtful, and well written. Recommended for fans of complicated family stories and important and relevant themes, and for fans of romance. Congrats to Joanell Serra for a terrific debut novel!
For more reviews visit my blog: readingladies.com
August 13, 2018
I really struggled with this book and I wanted to love it. The description of the book is really only a fraction of what it is about. There are a lot of "side stories" that I think take away from the book. It reminded me of a soap opera with a ton of different story lines. There was too much going on and some of it seemed too far out there. But, a lot of people are enjoying the book so maybe this wasn't the right book for me right now.
October 25, 2018
I slept on this book. I totally slept on this book and I am a little mad at myself for not reading it earlier.
The Author of the book reached out to me back in May to ask me to read and review this book, I kept putting it off until finally I decided to pick it up and I was genuinely blown away. I think because I had such a low expectation for the book, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I thoroughly enjoyed picking up this book.
The book follows two main characters and by extension their family. We meet Uriel who works on a vineyard, he is still reeling from the death of his wife. Amanda, returns home after getting a call from her father saying he was diagnosed with cancer. With Uriel and Amanda's world crumbling around them they turn to each other, but they have a muddy past, of course things get very interesting.
While I did enjoy reading this book a lot, may major drawback as the number of plotlines. There were three too many characters, which led to unexplored storylines. Aside from that, I would recommend picking this book up.
Thanks Joanell Serra, looking forward to your next book.
The Author of the book reached out to me back in May to ask me to read and review this book, I kept putting it off until finally I decided to pick it up and I was genuinely blown away. I think because I had such a low expectation for the book, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I thoroughly enjoyed picking up this book.
The book follows two main characters and by extension their family. We meet Uriel who works on a vineyard, he is still reeling from the death of his wife. Amanda, returns home after getting a call from her father saying he was diagnosed with cancer. With Uriel and Amanda's world crumbling around them they turn to each other, but they have a muddy past, of course things get very interesting.
While I did enjoy reading this book a lot, may major drawback as the number of plotlines. There were three too many characters, which led to unexplored storylines. Aside from that, I would recommend picking this book up.
Thanks Joanell Serra, looking forward to your next book.
April 27, 2018
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book. It doesn’t have a big publishing house behind it, nor a lot of publicity. But this is an impressive debut, with sympathetic, fully realized characters.
The story revolves around two intertwined families in Sonoma, California, centering on Uriel, a young widower running his family’s winery, and Amanda, his high school sweetheart who returns home when her father is diagnosed with cancer.
Each character is in the midst of a difficult turning point, whether it’s facing deportation, illness, or the end of a long marriage. And as they work toward overcoming these challenges, secrets from the past threaten to upend everything.
Serra’s genuine dialogue and fluid prose uncover relatable truths about humanity:
“He let his guard down for a minute, not much more. But that was all it took, as if life demanded constant vigilance.”
“It took enormous energy to stay sane in this world. She needed to talk to Dr. Love about that feeling. How did other people do it? Stay sane while their lives slipped away like old water funneling down the drain?”
There are times when there’s maybe a little bit too much going on—perhaps certain characters could have remained more in the periphery—but this is a highly readable and engaging book about people seeking happiness, security and forgiveness.
The story revolves around two intertwined families in Sonoma, California, centering on Uriel, a young widower running his family’s winery, and Amanda, his high school sweetheart who returns home when her father is diagnosed with cancer.
Each character is in the midst of a difficult turning point, whether it’s facing deportation, illness, or the end of a long marriage. And as they work toward overcoming these challenges, secrets from the past threaten to upend everything.
Serra’s genuine dialogue and fluid prose uncover relatable truths about humanity:
“He let his guard down for a minute, not much more. But that was all it took, as if life demanded constant vigilance.”
“It took enormous energy to stay sane in this world. She needed to talk to Dr. Love about that feeling. How did other people do it? Stay sane while their lives slipped away like old water funneling down the drain?”
There are times when there’s maybe a little bit too much going on—perhaps certain characters could have remained more in the periphery—but this is a highly readable and engaging book about people seeking happiness, security and forgiveness.
July 9, 2018
The Vines We Planted was the perfect ebook read and I’m so glad I read this one! It’s a classic complex family story that demonstrates how everyone’s life is interwoven and affected by each decision a person makes, but more importantly, the impenetrable strength of a community when someone is in need. Love plants us, binds us, and if need be, carries us.
While each character has a difficult and dramatic story to tell, I appreciated how genuine each story was. It was refreshing to step away from the often recommended book directed at young adults and read adult fiction that addresses love beyond fictional romance, and lifelike stories that deal with grief, extramarital affairs, and immigration — to name a few.
What I enjoyed most about this novel is it’s set in Sonoma, California, which is not far from me, so I loved reading something with a familiar location. I’m not normally a wine person, but this book made me want to take another trip to Sonoma and try the many restaurants and drinks out — and horseback riding! I loved the bits about horseback riding, and this would be a great book choice for any wine or horseback-riding fans.
A wonderful adult fiction read.
While each character has a difficult and dramatic story to tell, I appreciated how genuine each story was. It was refreshing to step away from the often recommended book directed at young adults and read adult fiction that addresses love beyond fictional romance, and lifelike stories that deal with grief, extramarital affairs, and immigration — to name a few.
What I enjoyed most about this novel is it’s set in Sonoma, California, which is not far from me, so I loved reading something with a familiar location. I’m not normally a wine person, but this book made me want to take another trip to Sonoma and try the many restaurants and drinks out — and horseback riding! I loved the bits about horseback riding, and this would be a great book choice for any wine or horseback-riding fans.
A wonderful adult fiction read.
May 13, 2018
Thank you so much to author Joanell Serra for reaching out to me to see if I’d be interested in reading and reviewing her debut novel, The Vines We Planted! Joanell weaves a beautiful story around characters residing in and working at wineries based in Sonoma where I vacationed many years ago. It was a surprise to recall memories of the town square that I had forgotten! The characters have multi-generational intertwining lives and are still feeling the repercussions of decisions and choices made long ago. Former high school sweethearts, Amanda and Uriel and their respective families encounter some heavy issues like infidelity, death, immigration, illness and divorce. There’s a lot going on in this emotional story and I was hooked from the beginning.
September 29, 2018
Rating: 4/5 Stars
“She thought about the mistakes one makes, out of love, and prayed her daughter’s heart had not grown too hard.”
The Vines We Planted immerses the reader in a beautiful valley where the wine is hearty and earthy, the horses are gorgeous and stubborn, and the love is deep and rich. Uriel, Amanda, Elena, Gloria and Jim all seem to endure their own versions of heartache. When faced with adversity and the pain of the past, they must each decide if they are willing to put their troubles behind them and move on, or runaway.
Joanell Serra captivated me very early on in her story. She created marvelous characters, each one with a history I felt invested in. The characters were emotional. Their emotions felt real and raw. I wanted to feel angry or hurt or ecstatic with them. Aside from Serra’s characters, I absolutely adored her imagery. I could see the vineyards, taste the wine, smell the lemon scent of Uriel’s apartment when it was freshly cleaned. Everything was described in palpable detail. It felt both exquisite and homey.
Some of the themes I noticed while reading The Vines We Planted were family, betrayal and loss. After terrible news and a betrayal, Elena and Amanda must try to rebuild their family. But Amanda is torn – can she forgive her parents for all that they’ve done? Uriel has so much love in his heart, but he has lost so much already. There’s no guarantee he can reopen his heart if he is left behind again. Every character must endure trials, but these trials help shape them and grow throughout the story.
Although I really loved this book, it had a bit of a rough start. I struggled my way through the first 40 pages or so. The transition between scenes was a bit choppy at first. A character would be somewhere doing something, and then without a break in the page would suddenly be somewhere else doing something else. After those first 40 or 50 pages, however, Serra seemed to find her rhythm and the story continued smoothly.
Love is a lot like wine. It may be sweet, but it may be bitter. It may be fresh or well-aged, cheap or rich. This story explored many varieties of love, but the best ones are those that warm your heart. If you crave a deeply moving love story and some delicious wine, this one is for you!
“She thought about the mistakes one makes, out of love, and prayed her daughter’s heart had not grown too hard.”
The Vines We Planted immerses the reader in a beautiful valley where the wine is hearty and earthy, the horses are gorgeous and stubborn, and the love is deep and rich. Uriel, Amanda, Elena, Gloria and Jim all seem to endure their own versions of heartache. When faced with adversity and the pain of the past, they must each decide if they are willing to put their troubles behind them and move on, or runaway.
Joanell Serra captivated me very early on in her story. She created marvelous characters, each one with a history I felt invested in. The characters were emotional. Their emotions felt real and raw. I wanted to feel angry or hurt or ecstatic with them. Aside from Serra’s characters, I absolutely adored her imagery. I could see the vineyards, taste the wine, smell the lemon scent of Uriel’s apartment when it was freshly cleaned. Everything was described in palpable detail. It felt both exquisite and homey.
Some of the themes I noticed while reading The Vines We Planted were family, betrayal and loss. After terrible news and a betrayal, Elena and Amanda must try to rebuild their family. But Amanda is torn – can she forgive her parents for all that they’ve done? Uriel has so much love in his heart, but he has lost so much already. There’s no guarantee he can reopen his heart if he is left behind again. Every character must endure trials, but these trials help shape them and grow throughout the story.
Although I really loved this book, it had a bit of a rough start. I struggled my way through the first 40 pages or so. The transition between scenes was a bit choppy at first. A character would be somewhere doing something, and then without a break in the page would suddenly be somewhere else doing something else. After those first 40 or 50 pages, however, Serra seemed to find her rhythm and the story continued smoothly.
Love is a lot like wine. It may be sweet, but it may be bitter. It may be fresh or well-aged, cheap or rich. This story explored many varieties of love, but the best ones are those that warm your heart. If you crave a deeply moving love story and some delicious wine, this one is for you!
May 28, 2018
This was a great read with relatable characters and realistic dialogue. This book was a more intense than I was expecting. It touches on some serious topics and brings up some interesting perspectives. The characters are all a little dramatic but still believable. Joanell Serra does a great job intertwining the lives and struggles of the characters. I was left wanting more details about some of the characters and the ending was a bit vague. Overall, it is a solid book with great imagery and an engaging plot.
July 25, 2018
If there is a book set in wine country, chances are I'm going to want to read it. Set in California's wine country? Absolutely going to read it. Yes, I often choose a book by its setting. It's a cheap way to travel.
The Vines We Planted, a fabulous debut novel by Joanell Serra, is set in Sonoma County, California. A story of two families, intertwined by choices past and present. Amanda finds herself heading home to Sonoma after finding out that her father has been diagnosed with cancer. Returning home means facing Uriel, the love she left behind. Amanda's parents are each dealing with their own issues which opens the door to secrets and betrayals that the family has been hiding for years.
Uriel is dealing with his own problems, like his wife's recent death and a family member's pending immigration status, when Amanda reappears. Secrets kept with even the best of intentions still cause damage, but together Amanda and Uriel navigate discovering the truth.
When a grapevine is made to struggle, it brings out a better flavor profile of the fruit. Winemakers want their vines to struggle because they know at the end the wine will be better for it. Amanda, Uriel, and their families are struggling throughout this book, but it is the struggle that will make them better in the end.
Just like a full glass of wine on a summer's evening, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was easy to read, full of interesting characters. This book is heavy with dialogue which I love. When I read, I like the characters' voices to be inside my head. It rounds out them out for me making them real. Never did their issues seem implausible, and even though their problems were serious, the book never felt negative or heavy.
This book would be a great choice for book clubs because there is plenty to unpack and discuss. It's a quick read that keeps you engaged the entire time. This book was a pleasure to read and I would recommend this read to all of my friends. Just be aware, you might find yourself longing for a glass of wine while you read.
A big thank you to the author, Joanell Serra, for a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
The Vines We Planted, a fabulous debut novel by Joanell Serra, is set in Sonoma County, California. A story of two families, intertwined by choices past and present. Amanda finds herself heading home to Sonoma after finding out that her father has been diagnosed with cancer. Returning home means facing Uriel, the love she left behind. Amanda's parents are each dealing with their own issues which opens the door to secrets and betrayals that the family has been hiding for years.
Uriel is dealing with his own problems, like his wife's recent death and a family member's pending immigration status, when Amanda reappears. Secrets kept with even the best of intentions still cause damage, but together Amanda and Uriel navigate discovering the truth.
When a grapevine is made to struggle, it brings out a better flavor profile of the fruit. Winemakers want their vines to struggle because they know at the end the wine will be better for it. Amanda, Uriel, and their families are struggling throughout this book, but it is the struggle that will make them better in the end.
Just like a full glass of wine on a summer's evening, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was easy to read, full of interesting characters. This book is heavy with dialogue which I love. When I read, I like the characters' voices to be inside my head. It rounds out them out for me making them real. Never did their issues seem implausible, and even though their problems were serious, the book never felt negative or heavy.
This book would be a great choice for book clubs because there is plenty to unpack and discuss. It's a quick read that keeps you engaged the entire time. This book was a pleasure to read and I would recommend this read to all of my friends. Just be aware, you might find yourself longing for a glass of wine while you read.
A big thank you to the author, Joanell Serra, for a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
May 8, 2018
What do you do when well-intentioned decisions crumble and you are now faced with the consequences of those decisions? The Vines We Planted is a story that follows multiple characters who are all connected to the two main characters, Uriel and Amanda. They have not seen or heard from each other for 5 years ever since Amanda abruptly ended their relationship and left the country. They reconnect when Amanda returns home after hearing some upsetting news about her father. From here, the story follows these characters as they each have their own struggles they are facing. Secrets from the past are slowly revealed and characters come face to face with realities that they have tried to avoid for too long.
•
This story felt like the act of unwrapping a package. There are many layers to this story. The book jumps between different storylines, all of which are all engaging and interesting. I found myself empathizing with all the characters at many points in the story. This was both my favorite and least favorite aspect of the book. I thought all of the characters were well crafted and would have gladly read more about each of the characters’ lives. I only wish this book would have either been longer, or that the focus would have been more in depth on fewer characters. Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about family secrets, relationships, and fighting to keep family together.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of the eARC.
•
This story felt like the act of unwrapping a package. There are many layers to this story. The book jumps between different storylines, all of which are all engaging and interesting. I found myself empathizing with all the characters at many points in the story. This was both my favorite and least favorite aspect of the book. I thought all of the characters were well crafted and would have gladly read more about each of the characters’ lives. I only wish this book would have either been longer, or that the focus would have been more in depth on fewer characters. Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about family secrets, relationships, and fighting to keep family together.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of the eARC.
January 15, 2019
What a beautifully written piece of art. This is a gorgeous read, with realistic and messy scenarios, but beautiful and moving stories. Loved all the characters and their stories, and of course, the wine! Such a fantastic read, I couldn't put it down. A favorite for sure!! So sad it's done.
May 11, 2018
I always thought it would be fun to pair wine with a great work of literature— a robust cabernet when reading Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, a peppery tempranillo with Don Quixote, or a buttery chardonnay with Madame Bovary. Certainly one should be sipping on a pinot noir when gulping through the pages of the hit novel Sideways, the book about of two friends who head out for one last trip to wine country before one of them marries.
I consider this again after reading the new novel The Vines We Planted by Joanell Serra, a complex family saga touching on a number of themes—loss, redemption, forgiveness, marriage, immigration, love, adoption, mystery, and yes, wine. Plenty of wine. Like an old vine wine, the story has deep roots, taking place in California’s wine country where generations have tended to a family vineyard. But where family also means complicated realities, secrets, heartbreak, and courage to face tough truths about mysterious relationships.
Along with wine, there are also horses. And I don’t say this flippantly. Some of the most beautiful passages in this story center around the Macon family’s young widower, Uriel and his love of horses, the peace and comfort he receives from caring for them. In the first pages of the book, Serra writes, “Uriel understood how to coax an angry stallion back to his stall, when to let a horse run hard, and when to rein it in. He knew never to turn his back on a horse or put himself in the path of its temper.” These words come to define much more than the character’s relationship with horses.
Serra weaves a number of storylines into a larger narrative about how we face our challenges and learn to overcome them. Sometimes taking in all the themes makes for a dense read, but when is family not complicated? The layers of any family run long and deep. The Vines We Planted captures that reality.
So, what wine should one be drinking when reading The Vines We Planted?
Rosé.
The wine has an array of flavor profiles—grapefruit, raspberry, peach, to name a few. And the range of colors includes mango, cantaloupe, and melon, among others. The assortment of possibilities with rosé is like the scope of storylines in The Vines We Planted—complex, but highly drinkable, a book, like the wine, that one can savor.
I consider this again after reading the new novel The Vines We Planted by Joanell Serra, a complex family saga touching on a number of themes—loss, redemption, forgiveness, marriage, immigration, love, adoption, mystery, and yes, wine. Plenty of wine. Like an old vine wine, the story has deep roots, taking place in California’s wine country where generations have tended to a family vineyard. But where family also means complicated realities, secrets, heartbreak, and courage to face tough truths about mysterious relationships.
Along with wine, there are also horses. And I don’t say this flippantly. Some of the most beautiful passages in this story center around the Macon family’s young widower, Uriel and his love of horses, the peace and comfort he receives from caring for them. In the first pages of the book, Serra writes, “Uriel understood how to coax an angry stallion back to his stall, when to let a horse run hard, and when to rein it in. He knew never to turn his back on a horse or put himself in the path of its temper.” These words come to define much more than the character’s relationship with horses.
Serra weaves a number of storylines into a larger narrative about how we face our challenges and learn to overcome them. Sometimes taking in all the themes makes for a dense read, but when is family not complicated? The layers of any family run long and deep. The Vines We Planted captures that reality.
So, what wine should one be drinking when reading The Vines We Planted?
Rosé.
The wine has an array of flavor profiles—grapefruit, raspberry, peach, to name a few. And the range of colors includes mango, cantaloupe, and melon, among others. The assortment of possibilities with rosé is like the scope of storylines in The Vines We Planted—complex, but highly drinkable, a book, like the wine, that one can savor.
June 3, 2018
I loved this book!! The descriptions of the setting were so vivid that I felt as if I was there. The characters are complex and richly developed. I felt as if I knew each and every person on a personal level. The dialogue was very realistic and true to life. I was very moved by the dynamics of this story. It covers many issues, such as, depression and addiction, which I could relate to on a personal level. I got lost in this book. You will love it from beginning to end. It will keep you turning the pages and I was sad to see it end. I look forward to many more books from this debut author. What a great job she did. It is hard to believe that this is her first book. This book is a highly recommended read. It will make you feel so many emotions. You will be immersed from the very first page.
July 25, 2018
Thanks to the author, Joanell Serra, for a copy of her debut novel that made me want to get on a plane to California immediately. It took me a while to get into this novel, probably because of the volume of characters, but I’m glad I kept going; that ended up being one of my favorite things about the novel. You work a little bit to get to know the ensemble cast of characters, but you get a huge payoff in the end with all the diverse perspectives on the situations these people find themselves in. I loved how they were all connected, how they grew, how vividly Sonoma was described, and how she really connected the title to the lessons they learn.
April 11, 2019
Thank you to the author for a free Kindle copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed the characters and the various plot lines woven throughout the book. There was a lot going but I think it worked. I love seeing older individuals get just as much attention on their romances as the younger characters! Getting older doesn't mean all romantic feelings just die. I'm a straight, white woman so I can't personally judge on whether the representation was accurate but I appreciated that the author didn't set her book in the California vineyards and make all of the characters white and straight.
I really enjoyed the characters and the various plot lines woven throughout the book. There was a lot going but I think it worked. I love seeing older individuals get just as much attention on their romances as the younger characters! Getting older doesn't mean all romantic feelings just die. I'm a straight, white woman so I can't personally judge on whether the representation was accurate but I appreciated that the author didn't set her book in the California vineyards and make all of the characters white and straight.
December 8, 2018
The author reached out to me to read and review a copy of her book! Just seeing that the book took place in wine country had me hooked, I lived there while in college and a few years after that too. I love books that take place in places I have lived. It’s so fun to picture in your head those places because you have been there before :)
This book is the story of a couple of families, mistakes, secrets, and tragedies. These people aren’t perfect and the author does a good job of showing us what they are going through and what they might have to do to make things better.
Sometimes it felt like there was a bit too much going on but was a great read 👍🏻
This book is the story of a couple of families, mistakes, secrets, and tragedies. These people aren’t perfect and the author does a good job of showing us what they are going through and what they might have to do to make things better.
Sometimes it felt like there was a bit too much going on but was a great read 👍🏻
June 24, 2018
I received a request to review this book by the author @joanellserra and was happy to oblige. The book follows the lives of many characters that are inter- related.
Jim Scanlon throws his family's lives into chaos after revealing he's gay, has cancer and is leaving his wife Elena of 30 years. His lies and decisions over the years have affected his wife and daughter Amanda deeply and they must find a way to deal with the aftermath.
The book also follows Uriel, Amanda's ex boyfriend whom she never stopped loving and who is dealing with his own wife's death. And Gloria, the Scanlon's house keeper who is trying to get her ex husband to sponsor her green card.
The book is a Romance-Drama, a genre I don't read often. In parts, this book is very interesting. I was particularly moved by Gloria's and Elena Scanlon's stories considering they dealt with contemporary issues such as depression, suicide and in Gloria's case - immigration which is a hot topic at the moment.
I did not understand Uriel's mourning of a marriage that was obviously bad. I found it weird that Noah, a minor character, knows about Amanda but she has no idea who he is. And a couple of timeline issues threw me off. I also found it hard to connect with the Uriel - Amanda romance/arc.
Having said that if you love this genre, if you enjoy the slow unraveling of dysfunctional families and their efforts at redemption, you may just enjoy this book.
Jim Scanlon throws his family's lives into chaos after revealing he's gay, has cancer and is leaving his wife Elena of 30 years. His lies and decisions over the years have affected his wife and daughter Amanda deeply and they must find a way to deal with the aftermath.
The book also follows Uriel, Amanda's ex boyfriend whom she never stopped loving and who is dealing with his own wife's death. And Gloria, the Scanlon's house keeper who is trying to get her ex husband to sponsor her green card.
The book is a Romance-Drama, a genre I don't read often. In parts, this book is very interesting. I was particularly moved by Gloria's and Elena Scanlon's stories considering they dealt with contemporary issues such as depression, suicide and in Gloria's case - immigration which is a hot topic at the moment.
I did not understand Uriel's mourning of a marriage that was obviously bad. I found it weird that Noah, a minor character, knows about Amanda but she has no idea who he is. And a couple of timeline issues threw me off. I also found it hard to connect with the Uriel - Amanda romance/arc.
Having said that if you love this genre, if you enjoy the slow unraveling of dysfunctional families and their efforts at redemption, you may just enjoy this book.
July 6, 2018
This is the most “summer read” book I’ve read this summer. Set in Sonoma, the story of two families, primarily the relationship between Uriel and Amanda. I’m not a romantic, but I kinda fell for the love story between these two likable, damaged characters. Their family members have roles here too, with stories of their own.
The book takes on a lot - infidelity, sexuality, race and socioeconomics, immigration, addiction - but it all falls within context of the characters’ personal stories. Everyone in this book is flawed, troubled or imperfect, but all so likable - I was cheering for all of them to succeed.
Thank you to the author, Joanell Serra, for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Congrats to her on this debut novel. Solid work.
The book takes on a lot - infidelity, sexuality, race and socioeconomics, immigration, addiction - but it all falls within context of the characters’ personal stories. Everyone in this book is flawed, troubled or imperfect, but all so likable - I was cheering for all of them to succeed.
Thank you to the author, Joanell Serra, for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Congrats to her on this debut novel. Solid work.
June 26, 2018
Thank you to Joanell Serra for reaching out and offering me a free review copy. All opinions in this review are mine.
This book is full of drama. From family secrets, to challenging spouses, Serra packs the book full of interesting character's and their problems. I enjoyed getting the glimpse into the lives of so many people in Sonoma. I also loved the language that was used to describe the wine country. Serra uses language wonderfully to place the reader where she wants them. Even the wine descriptions sounded fantastic, and I'm not a wine drinker.
However, I did struggle with keeping all the character's and their plots straight. I feel like there was A LOT going on in this novel, and think that I may have enjoyed it more if the character count was less and the problems were explored more complexly. I really wanted to know more about all of the characters. I wanted more depth.
Overall, I did enjoy this novel. It was entertaining and a light read. I think it's great for those that love family dramas with some romance and themes of moving forward.
This book is full of drama. From family secrets, to challenging spouses, Serra packs the book full of interesting character's and their problems. I enjoyed getting the glimpse into the lives of so many people in Sonoma. I also loved the language that was used to describe the wine country. Serra uses language wonderfully to place the reader where she wants them. Even the wine descriptions sounded fantastic, and I'm not a wine drinker.
However, I did struggle with keeping all the character's and their plots straight. I feel like there was A LOT going on in this novel, and think that I may have enjoyed it more if the character count was less and the problems were explored more complexly. I really wanted to know more about all of the characters. I wanted more depth.
Overall, I did enjoy this novel. It was entertaining and a light read. I think it's great for those that love family dramas with some romance and themes of moving forward.
July 25, 2018
A great debut from the author set in Sonoma wine and horse country. Story follows five characters including parents and adult daughter. Themes include marriage, family, secrets and trust. Also touches in immigration. A good read! Recommend.
May 19, 2018
A joy to read - absolutely delightful
Loved the rich weave of the character's lives and the gorgeous descriptions of the setting, which was almost a character, itself. The book was surprising, entertaining, a pleasure to read and yet, all the characters had depth & complications. So glad to hear there will be a sequel - I wasn't. Ready for the story to end!
Loved the rich weave of the character's lives and the gorgeous descriptions of the setting, which was almost a character, itself. The book was surprising, entertaining, a pleasure to read and yet, all the characters had depth & complications. So glad to hear there will be a sequel - I wasn't. Ready for the story to end!
May 14, 2018
This is Ms. Serra's debut book and I am very much looking forward to what else she has up her sleeve. For me, this book hit all the right notes for a great weekend read--not too serious, but definitely not fluff--it addresses some serious issues while adding a twist of romance, family relationships and hope that life can always get better. I found that Ms. Serra's writing style really took me to the time and place -- the descriptions were beautiful! I do suggest that you have a glass of wine and some tissue by your side :)
I was provided a free review copy of this book by the author for my honest review. All opinions are my own--I really did love this one!
I was provided a free review copy of this book by the author for my honest review. All opinions are my own--I really did love this one!
June 15, 2018
I received an e-copy of the book, which promptly resulted in an "Oh, damn" reaction on my end: I'm somewhat of a fervent anti-ebook activist. (Print life 4-ever!) As such, I had to read the book on my phone. My optometrist friends are probably smacking their foreheads at this point; but I did it. I read the whole thing on my 4" screen! Which is kind of a feat in itself, as I've only ever finished one other book on my iPhone, having abandoned the other 4-5 I started. If I'm going to read a full book on my phone, it had better be appealing.
Fortunately, The Vines We Planted met my e-reading standards and proved itself worthwhile. The novel is set in modern-day Sonoma Valley, California, where a number of integral characters' lives intersect via a winery + stable combination farm. Uriel, a 30-year-old ranch hand and horse trainer, is recovering from heartbreak: after an early-20s fling dissolved in the bat of an eye, he married a spirited young woman on a dare. At the start of the novel, she'd died a year or two previously in a tragic accident, leaving Uriel to wallow in a pit of bachelor-despair. Meanwhile, Amanda, 28 years old and finishing her PhD abroad, returns to the valley when she discovers her emotionally-distant father has been diagnosed with cancer. Their lives become entwined as both deal with family crises and secrets from the past that bubble and erupt from the surface.
If I had to characterize this novel, I'd call it contemporary literature focusing on family drama with a touch of romance. There's a strong sense of setting in the work, which I am appreciative of: for this western Kansas girl, anything that transports me from the dry, vacant plains is a welcome distraction. Characters are mostly believable -- in truth, I had issues with a few of Amanda's choices/reactions, and these minor blips took me out of the story briefly -- and though there is a host of major players, their personalities and circumstances are easily distinguished from one another.
...
Full review can be found at: https://littlereaderontheprairie.word...
Fortunately, The Vines We Planted met my e-reading standards and proved itself worthwhile. The novel is set in modern-day Sonoma Valley, California, where a number of integral characters' lives intersect via a winery + stable combination farm. Uriel, a 30-year-old ranch hand and horse trainer, is recovering from heartbreak: after an early-20s fling dissolved in the bat of an eye, he married a spirited young woman on a dare. At the start of the novel, she'd died a year or two previously in a tragic accident, leaving Uriel to wallow in a pit of bachelor-despair. Meanwhile, Amanda, 28 years old and finishing her PhD abroad, returns to the valley when she discovers her emotionally-distant father has been diagnosed with cancer. Their lives become entwined as both deal with family crises and secrets from the past that bubble and erupt from the surface.
If I had to characterize this novel, I'd call it contemporary literature focusing on family drama with a touch of romance. There's a strong sense of setting in the work, which I am appreciative of: for this western Kansas girl, anything that transports me from the dry, vacant plains is a welcome distraction. Characters are mostly believable -- in truth, I had issues with a few of Amanda's choices/reactions, and these minor blips took me out of the story briefly -- and though there is a host of major players, their personalities and circumstances are easily distinguished from one another.
...
Full review can be found at: https://littlereaderontheprairie.word...
July 13, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book and loved that it pairs well with a glass (or bottle) of wine!
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This book is so much more than just a story about a young mans loss. It is about love, family, infidelity, betrayal, immigration, and much more.
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Uriel is a 27 year old widower who works on the family vineyard in Sonoma and trains horses to comfort his heavy heart. When an old love returns to town, he is forced to face reality and confront some deep feelings.
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This book has a great cast of characters who intertwine with Uriel’s life and come with their own drama. I was wrapped up in each characters story which left me wanting more in the end! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for a sequel 😉 or anything else @joanellserraauthor writes.
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This book is so much more than just a story about a young mans loss. It is about love, family, infidelity, betrayal, immigration, and much more.
.
Uriel is a 27 year old widower who works on the family vineyard in Sonoma and trains horses to comfort his heavy heart. When an old love returns to town, he is forced to face reality and confront some deep feelings.
.
This book has a great cast of characters who intertwine with Uriel’s life and come with their own drama. I was wrapped up in each characters story which left me wanting more in the end! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for a sequel 😉 or anything else @joanellserraauthor writes.
May 13, 2018
The story was beautifully written, and as a California native, it felt like I was at the winery, and was a fly on the wall watching the characters come to life.
The feeling was a combination of drama and romance. Uriel is the character that seems tough because of what he has gone through. You will love him.
I hope you enjoy The Vines We Planted like I did. I give it 5/5.
May 9, 2018
I really enjoyed this story set in Sonoma. The book starts off with a bit of excitement which leads to the main character connecting with an old love. As they reconnect, we learn about their families and the losses that make them both hesitant to commit. The story moves along with good dialog and great details about wine, horses, and immigration. Hoping to read more about all these engaging characters who have lots of stories to tell.
September 18, 2018
Note: I received a free review from the author.
My Synopsis: This book follows the lives of 3 main families. These families are intertwined and connected to one another in more ways than one.
We follow Amanda’s family, through her adoption, and her parent’s unconventional marriage. We follow Jim, Amanda’s father through his fight for his health.
We follow Yuri and his heartbreak at losing Amanda once, the love of his life when she walked out on him. Yuri then later also loses his wife after only being married for a short nine months. Yuri loses his wife to a car accident.
We also follow Gloria and her family struggles with being a single mother due to a husband who is often absent in their son’s life.
My Review: There are many different themes introduced and covered in this book. The story deals with some very heavy issues: family, divorce, adoption, bisexuality, betrayal, forgiveness, depression leading to suicide attempts, and even immigration. This book is jam packed with so much family drama, it will totally fill your emotions, and pull at your heart strings.
If I had to choose one word, and one word only to describe this book, then that one word would be BEAUTIFUL.
EVERYTHING about this book was beautiful! The characters are beautifully written. The premises are beautifully described. The plot was beautifully constructed. The writing style flowed beautifully as each character is given his or her opportunity to describe the details of their lives to the reader.
I also love the deep passion that was written throughout this book. The passion for what Amanda does for a living, and the passion she has for her adoptive parents. I love the passion Yuri has for his line of work, tending horses, and his passion for working in the family vineyards. I also loved the passion in the family’s relationships in general.
The book was so FRESH. Often making many references of meals being made from fresh picked vegetables, and I especially loved the reference to the Portuguese cooking, oh the Caldo Verde a popular Portuguese soup reference made my mouth water. This made me want to head straight to the market to buy fresh items to prepare a home cooked meal for my own family. This is that type of book!
Along side the daily struggles there was always that one fresh crisp cold glass of wine to help soothe the troubles of the day away. I could almost smell the aroma from the grapes seeping through the pages. The book however in no way exploited wine drinking or offered it as a solution to the problems covered in this book, and I found this fascinating.
As I try to think about my favorite characters I realize that I cannot choose just one. I think this is a first for me. I don’t ever recall reading a book before where I loved ALL the characters so equally. Every character was captivating, believable. To choose just one would be an injustice to the other wonderfully written characters.
My heart cried for Jim, living his life in a lie and feeling like he had to live this lie to sacrifice his own happiness for his family’s happiness.
My heart broke for Amanda constantly throughout, with all that she endures and discovers about her family.
My heart shattered for Elena, for her depression and choices she makes.
My heart ached for Yuri, at discovering his own truths, but as painful as these truths are, they only made him stronger.
Every character in this book had a wonderfully well written part and story to tell the reader.
Closing Thoughts: This book is most definitely a FIVE STAR! I enjoyed this book very much, so much so that I LOVED it. I was captured and pulled in, right away.
If you are looking for a book that will hook you, and destroy your emotions, but in a good way, you MUST read this book now. Happy Reading, for I know that you WILL love it.
Congratulations Joanell on a GREAT debut novel!
My Synopsis: This book follows the lives of 3 main families. These families are intertwined and connected to one another in more ways than one.
We follow Amanda’s family, through her adoption, and her parent’s unconventional marriage. We follow Jim, Amanda’s father through his fight for his health.
We follow Yuri and his heartbreak at losing Amanda once, the love of his life when she walked out on him. Yuri then later also loses his wife after only being married for a short nine months. Yuri loses his wife to a car accident.
We also follow Gloria and her family struggles with being a single mother due to a husband who is often absent in their son’s life.
My Review: There are many different themes introduced and covered in this book. The story deals with some very heavy issues: family, divorce, adoption, bisexuality, betrayal, forgiveness, depression leading to suicide attempts, and even immigration. This book is jam packed with so much family drama, it will totally fill your emotions, and pull at your heart strings.
If I had to choose one word, and one word only to describe this book, then that one word would be BEAUTIFUL.
EVERYTHING about this book was beautiful! The characters are beautifully written. The premises are beautifully described. The plot was beautifully constructed. The writing style flowed beautifully as each character is given his or her opportunity to describe the details of their lives to the reader.
I also love the deep passion that was written throughout this book. The passion for what Amanda does for a living, and the passion she has for her adoptive parents. I love the passion Yuri has for his line of work, tending horses, and his passion for working in the family vineyards. I also loved the passion in the family’s relationships in general.
The book was so FRESH. Often making many references of meals being made from fresh picked vegetables, and I especially loved the reference to the Portuguese cooking, oh the Caldo Verde a popular Portuguese soup reference made my mouth water. This made me want to head straight to the market to buy fresh items to prepare a home cooked meal for my own family. This is that type of book!
Along side the daily struggles there was always that one fresh crisp cold glass of wine to help soothe the troubles of the day away. I could almost smell the aroma from the grapes seeping through the pages. The book however in no way exploited wine drinking or offered it as a solution to the problems covered in this book, and I found this fascinating.
As I try to think about my favorite characters I realize that I cannot choose just one. I think this is a first for me. I don’t ever recall reading a book before where I loved ALL the characters so equally. Every character was captivating, believable. To choose just one would be an injustice to the other wonderfully written characters.
My heart cried for Jim, living his life in a lie and feeling like he had to live this lie to sacrifice his own happiness for his family’s happiness.
My heart broke for Amanda constantly throughout, with all that she endures and discovers about her family.
My heart shattered for Elena, for her depression and choices she makes.
My heart ached for Yuri, at discovering his own truths, but as painful as these truths are, they only made him stronger.
Every character in this book had a wonderfully well written part and story to tell the reader.
Closing Thoughts: This book is most definitely a FIVE STAR! I enjoyed this book very much, so much so that I LOVED it. I was captured and pulled in, right away.
If you are looking for a book that will hook you, and destroy your emotions, but in a good way, you MUST read this book now. Happy Reading, for I know that you WILL love it.
Congratulations Joanell on a GREAT debut novel!
June 15, 2018
***This is a review for a book I received for free in exchange for my honest review***
You guys, this book was soooo good! The book is told by five different points of views but they’re all somehow interconnected. I love how they all have their own personal struggles and drama that we get to follow along with. I felt like I really connected to the characters and found myself rooting for each of them. Nothing was overdone or over dramatic. I thought the book was really well written and she did an amazing job with the Hispanic heritage. I loved, loved that she added plenty of Spanish dialogue. Again, the Hispanic portions of this book were some of the best I’ve seen. It’s something that I rarely see in books and I hope she will continue with it in her future books. The only thing I had trouble with was the ending. I wasn’t completely satisfied with it but I will admit I am picky with endings: Overall, I couldn’t put the book down once I started it. It was a 4/5
You guys, this book was soooo good! The book is told by five different points of views but they’re all somehow interconnected. I love how they all have their own personal struggles and drama that we get to follow along with. I felt like I really connected to the characters and found myself rooting for each of them. Nothing was overdone or over dramatic. I thought the book was really well written and she did an amazing job with the Hispanic heritage. I loved, loved that she added plenty of Spanish dialogue. Again, the Hispanic portions of this book were some of the best I’ve seen. It’s something that I rarely see in books and I hope she will continue with it in her future books. The only thing I had trouble with was the ending. I wasn’t completely satisfied with it but I will admit I am picky with endings: Overall, I couldn’t put the book down once I started it. It was a 4/5
June 11, 2018
I was blown away by Joanell Serra’s debut novel. The writing was beautiful and flowed so well from one narrative to the next. I found myself completely wrapped up in the lives of the families in this story, and although I wasn’t too surprised by the secrets that came out, I enjoyed seeing them unfold and reading the characters reactions to everything that was happening. The characters were dynamic and so well fleshed-out.
I loved the ending, but I still found myself wanting more. I was left with a few questions about some of the characters (I’m assuming this was on purpose, maybe this won’t be the last we see of these characters!?!), and I’m hoping they were able to get the endings they deserved to have!
This is a fantastic family saga, I highly recommend picking this one up. I can’t wait to see what Serra writes next!
I loved the ending, but I still found myself wanting more. I was left with a few questions about some of the characters (I’m assuming this was on purpose, maybe this won’t be the last we see of these characters!?!), and I’m hoping they were able to get the endings they deserved to have!
This is a fantastic family saga, I highly recommend picking this one up. I can’t wait to see what Serra writes next!
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