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The Winemaker's Wife
The author of the “engrossing” (People) international bestseller The Room on Rue Amélie returns with a moving story set amid the champagne vineyards of northern France during the darkest days of World War II, perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale.
Champagne, 1940: Inès has just married Michel, the owner of storied champagne house Maison Chauveau, when the Germans invade. As the danger mounts, Michel turns his back on his marriage to begin hiding munitions for the Résistance. Inès fears they’ll be exposed, but for Céline, half-Jewish wife of Chauveau’s chef de cave, the risk is even greater—rumors abound of Jews being shipped east to an unspeakable fate.
When Céline recklessly follows her heart in one desperate bid for happiness, and Inès makes a dangerous mistake with a Nazi collaborator, they risk the lives of those they love—and the champagne house that ties them together.
New York, 2019: Liv Kent has just lost everything when her eccentric French grandmother shows up unannounced, insisting on a trip to France. But the older woman has an ulterior motive—and a tragic, decades-old story to share. When past and present finally collide, Liv finds herself on a road to salvation that leads right to the caves of the Maison Chauveau.
Champagne, 1940: Inès has just married Michel, the owner of storied champagne house Maison Chauveau, when the Germans invade. As the danger mounts, Michel turns his back on his marriage to begin hiding munitions for the Résistance. Inès fears they’ll be exposed, but for Céline, half-Jewish wife of Chauveau’s chef de cave, the risk is even greater—rumors abound of Jews being shipped east to an unspeakable fate.
When Céline recklessly follows her heart in one desperate bid for happiness, and Inès makes a dangerous mistake with a Nazi collaborator, they risk the lives of those they love—and the champagne house that ties them together.
New York, 2019: Liv Kent has just lost everything when her eccentric French grandmother shows up unannounced, insisting on a trip to France. But the older woman has an ulterior motive—and a tragic, decades-old story to share. When past and present finally collide, Liv finds herself on a road to salvation that leads right to the caves of the Maison Chauveau.
474 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2019
8596 people are currently reading
126985 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Harmel
28 books16k followersKristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling, USA Today bestselling, and #1 international bestselling author of The Paris Daughter, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker’s Wife, and a dozen other novels that have been translated into more than 30 languages and are sold all over the world.
Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. In addition to a long magazine writing career, primarily writing and reporting for PEOPLE magazine (as well as articles published in numerous other magazines, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and more), Kristin was also a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz. She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in February 2006.
Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Worthington, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. In addition to a long magazine writing career, primarily writing and reporting for PEOPLE magazine (as well as articles published in numerous other magazines, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and more), Kristin was also a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz. She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in February 2006.
Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Worthington, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,827 reviews
December 31, 2020
2.5 stars. Beautiful setting and atmosphere. Unlikeable and irritating characters.
This book had so much potential. A popular champagne house in the French countryside during WWII. Fields of grapes and rolling hills. Hidden wine caves. Resistance work. Past and Present timelines. All of these aspects drew me into this intriguing storyline. However, the characters and romance aspect spoiled most of my enjoyment potential.
The main character is the wife of the owner of the champagne house. She is a selfish character who irritated me from start to finish. I couldn’t sympathize with any of her decisions. Quite honestly, she ruined the story for me.
A large issue I had with this story were the romances. The love triangles in the Past timeline were too much for me. They didn’t feel real. They weren’t something I could root for. The repercussions of these love triangles are what push the story forward and since I wasn’t bought into the romances to begin with, I had no investment in what happened. For me, the heavy romance aspect took away from the serious nature of the wartime situation. The Present day romance was not believable for me — overdone and obvious. It felt forced, unrealistic and convenient for the success of the storyline.
Overall, I liked the champagne house setting and atmosphere of this book. I learned new pieces of this time in our history which I appreciate. However, the characters didn’t work for me and the heavy unbelievable romance aspect overshadowed my sense of historical fiction enjoyment. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy romance, no-grit, lighter wartime stories.
Audio review: Overall, the narrators were enjoyable. Their french accents added to the narrative. Some of their character voice changes were over the top, but for the most part, the audio was well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for my review copy!
Thank you to my lovely local library where I borrowed a copy of the audio.
This book had so much potential. A popular champagne house in the French countryside during WWII. Fields of grapes and rolling hills. Hidden wine caves. Resistance work. Past and Present timelines. All of these aspects drew me into this intriguing storyline. However, the characters and romance aspect spoiled most of my enjoyment potential.
The main character is the wife of the owner of the champagne house. She is a selfish character who irritated me from start to finish. I couldn’t sympathize with any of her decisions. Quite honestly, she ruined the story for me.
A large issue I had with this story were the romances. The love triangles in the Past timeline were too much for me. They didn’t feel real. They weren’t something I could root for. The repercussions of these love triangles are what push the story forward and since I wasn’t bought into the romances to begin with, I had no investment in what happened. For me, the heavy romance aspect took away from the serious nature of the wartime situation. The Present day romance was not believable for me — overdone and obvious. It felt forced, unrealistic and convenient for the success of the storyline.
Overall, I liked the champagne house setting and atmosphere of this book. I learned new pieces of this time in our history which I appreciate. However, the characters didn’t work for me and the heavy unbelievable romance aspect overshadowed my sense of historical fiction enjoyment. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy romance, no-grit, lighter wartime stories.
Audio review: Overall, the narrators were enjoyable. Their french accents added to the narrative. Some of their character voice changes were over the top, but for the most part, the audio was well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for my review copy!
Thank you to my lovely local library where I borrowed a copy of the audio.
June 16, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Shuster Canada for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Kristin Harmel presents a well researched and detailed story set in wartime Reims France( 1938-1943) and the other in contemporary France( 2019). I gravitated to this story because I have visited Reims and its gorgeous cathedral Notre-Dame-de- Reims( the site in which many French monarchs were crowned) and was intrigued at the angle of the champagne industry and it's resistance during German occupation. Also, I did enjoy the author's 2018 book The Room on Rue Amelie
But what often had me considering DNFing or giving this a lower rating on Goodreads was the descent into historical romance. Michel, Ines, Cecile, and Theo were all so weak and I honestly hated all of them. It was so incredibly difficult to relate to characters that just kept cheating on each other( Ines, Cecile, Michel) or stuck their heads in the sand( Theo). I totally get it that ordinary people do exist and they cannot all be superheros, but this book hurt my heart.
In the contemporary storyline, American Liv and her grandmother, Edith arrive in Reims where Liv is told that this trip is significant. Of course, a romance is thrown into the mix and the big "reveal" was not a surprise at all.
Disappointing.
Goodreads Review 16/06/19
Publication Date 09/07/19
Kristin Harmel presents a well researched and detailed story set in wartime Reims France( 1938-1943) and the other in contemporary France( 2019). I gravitated to this story because I have visited Reims and its gorgeous cathedral Notre-Dame-de- Reims( the site in which many French monarchs were crowned) and was intrigued at the angle of the champagne industry and it's resistance during German occupation. Also, I did enjoy the author's 2018 book The Room on Rue Amelie
But what often had me considering DNFing or giving this a lower rating on Goodreads was the descent into historical romance. Michel, Ines, Cecile, and Theo were all so weak and I honestly hated all of them. It was so incredibly difficult to relate to characters that just kept cheating on each other( Ines, Cecile, Michel) or stuck their heads in the sand( Theo). I totally get it that ordinary people do exist and they cannot all be superheros, but this book hurt my heart.
In the contemporary storyline, American Liv and her grandmother, Edith arrive in Reims where Liv is told that this trip is significant. Of course, a romance is thrown into the mix and the big "reveal" was not a surprise at all.
Disappointing.
Goodreads Review 16/06/19
Publication Date 09/07/19
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2019
The synopsis provided for this story is a bit misleading. Less than 15% of the story deals with the French Resistance; and moreover, it goes into little to no details about what they did other than hiding the munitions as stated in the synopsis. The members are never named, the groups are unknown, and the effect of their cause is anonymous. The reader never sees the outcome of what came from their help with the resistance and there is no action regarding the resistance movement.
The premise for this book was an interesting concept showing a different perspective of WWII German-occupied citizens: the winemakers. It was interesting that they were treated differently since the Nazi soldiers needed booze, and I would have liked more interaction between them.
This novel relishes in marital problems, affairs, and wine. The chapters alternate between Liz, Ines, and Celine. The reader is quickly made aware of Liz’s divorce in 2019 which causes her to fly to Reims, France to stay with her 99-year-old spunky Grandma Edith. Meanwhile set in 1943 during German-occupied France, Ines and Celine both express their own marital problems. The first half of the book primarily focuses on Ines and Celine’s relationship problems with their spouses. Ines constantly feels left out and insignificant, and for the reader it frequently feels like she is whining and can become annoying to suffer through the pages of her moaning about no one caring about her.
Overall, there was little depth to the main characters, so none of them really resonated with me. I didn’t like any of the characters set in the past, and I felt like it was hard to get to know them as a reader. On the other hand, I did like Grandma Edith and it was her relationship with Liv and the connection that was to be made between her and the past that caused me to keep reading. The ending was carefully crafted and enjoyable.
This is a good light read for those interested in both romance and wine. (There are pages and pages beautifully describing how wine is made.)
Thank you to Gallery Books, Kristin Harmel, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The premise for this book was an interesting concept showing a different perspective of WWII German-occupied citizens: the winemakers. It was interesting that they were treated differently since the Nazi soldiers needed booze, and I would have liked more interaction between them.
This novel relishes in marital problems, affairs, and wine. The chapters alternate between Liz, Ines, and Celine. The reader is quickly made aware of Liz’s divorce in 2019 which causes her to fly to Reims, France to stay with her 99-year-old spunky Grandma Edith. Meanwhile set in 1943 during German-occupied France, Ines and Celine both express their own marital problems. The first half of the book primarily focuses on Ines and Celine’s relationship problems with their spouses. Ines constantly feels left out and insignificant, and for the reader it frequently feels like she is whining and can become annoying to suffer through the pages of her moaning about no one caring about her.
Overall, there was little depth to the main characters, so none of them really resonated with me. I didn’t like any of the characters set in the past, and I felt like it was hard to get to know them as a reader. On the other hand, I did like Grandma Edith and it was her relationship with Liv and the connection that was to be made between her and the past that caused me to keep reading. The ending was carefully crafted and enjoyable.
This is a good light read for those interested in both romance and wine. (There are pages and pages beautifully describing how wine is made.)
Thank you to Gallery Books, Kristin Harmel, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 13, 2019
France, wine, WWII, present day, and love - all of this wrapped into one amazing, difficult-to-put-down read.
We meet Inez, Celine, Michel, Thor, Liv, and Liv's French grandmother, Edith, as the story moves back and forth in time.
We find out about the lives of the winemakers during the war and a secret that grandmother has kept for many years as well as a connection that the vineyards, a restaurant, and the characters have to both time periods and to their lives.
Grandmother Edith was my favorite character…mysterious and stubborn all rolled into one.
Liv was likable as well.
Inez, Celine, Michel, and Thor were interesting, and their wine tunnels were fascinating.
We learn more of the war, the resistance, the French people involved in the resistance, and how the danger of making one simple mistake could alter the safety of many people.
THE WINEMAKER’S WIFE is another marvelous, intriguing read about the resiliency and determination of the French people and the entire European population.
Those of us who were not living during this time, do not have any idea of the horrors and hardships endured by the European people.
Ms. Harmel weaved a beautiful tale filled with authentic characters and a story line that kept me turning the pages to learn more as well as cry with the characters.
Absolutely LOVED this book. Do not miss reading this book. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
We meet Inez, Celine, Michel, Thor, Liv, and Liv's French grandmother, Edith, as the story moves back and forth in time.
We find out about the lives of the winemakers during the war and a secret that grandmother has kept for many years as well as a connection that the vineyards, a restaurant, and the characters have to both time periods and to their lives.
Grandmother Edith was my favorite character…mysterious and stubborn all rolled into one.
Liv was likable as well.
Inez, Celine, Michel, and Thor were interesting, and their wine tunnels were fascinating.
We learn more of the war, the resistance, the French people involved in the resistance, and how the danger of making one simple mistake could alter the safety of many people.
THE WINEMAKER’S WIFE is another marvelous, intriguing read about the resiliency and determination of the French people and the entire European population.
Those of us who were not living during this time, do not have any idea of the horrors and hardships endured by the European people.
Ms. Harmel weaved a beautiful tale filled with authentic characters and a story line that kept me turning the pages to learn more as well as cry with the characters.
Absolutely LOVED this book. Do not miss reading this book. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2019
Informative, beautiful, and tragic!
The Winemaker’s Wife is a stirring, immersive story set in France during the early 1940s, as well present day, that is told primarily from three different perspectives; Inès Chauveau, a young wife who after feeling neglected and misunderstood naively makes choices that have far-reaching, life-changing consequences; Céline Laurent, the half-Jewish wife of Chauveau’s winemaker who lives in constant fear of the advancing Germans except when deep within the vineyard caves where she finds solace, hope, contentment, and love; and Liv Kent, a recently divorced American who journeys to France at the request of her grandmother only to uncover a family history that’s littered with secrets, betrayals, and sacrifices.
The prose is preceptive, vivid, and sincere. The characters are courageous, vulnerable, and resilient. And the plot is a heartrending tale that gives us a unique view into the struggles, sacrifices, horrors, and bravery of those who lived and survived in the Champagne region during this heinous time in history.
The Winemaker’s Wife is, ultimately, a story about life, love, loss, deception, determination, perseverance, resistance efforts, intricacies of winemaking, and the importance of forgiveness. It’s pensive, moving, and thoroughly absorbing and a fantastic choice for historical fiction fans and book clubs everywhere.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Winemaker’s Wife is a stirring, immersive story set in France during the early 1940s, as well present day, that is told primarily from three different perspectives; Inès Chauveau, a young wife who after feeling neglected and misunderstood naively makes choices that have far-reaching, life-changing consequences; Céline Laurent, the half-Jewish wife of Chauveau’s winemaker who lives in constant fear of the advancing Germans except when deep within the vineyard caves where she finds solace, hope, contentment, and love; and Liv Kent, a recently divorced American who journeys to France at the request of her grandmother only to uncover a family history that’s littered with secrets, betrayals, and sacrifices.
The prose is preceptive, vivid, and sincere. The characters are courageous, vulnerable, and resilient. And the plot is a heartrending tale that gives us a unique view into the struggles, sacrifices, horrors, and bravery of those who lived and survived in the Champagne region during this heinous time in history.
The Winemaker’s Wife is, ultimately, a story about life, love, loss, deception, determination, perseverance, resistance efforts, intricacies of winemaking, and the importance of forgiveness. It’s pensive, moving, and thoroughly absorbing and a fantastic choice for historical fiction fans and book clubs everywhere.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2019
This is one of those times where I feel finishing the book was redemption.
This book features the Champagne area of France during WWII. We have alternating storylines with Ines Chauvin, Edith Thierry and Celine Laurent in the 1940's and present day with Liv. This is your standard historical fiction novel with a few twists, heartbreak and of course a background of tragedy with the holocaust casting a cloud over the novel. I appreciated the author's attempt to introduce a fresh perspective with the champagne house narrative and history, but it just didn't hit for me.
Most of the book was a challenge to connect to the characters. They are just so unlikable that it made it hard to find anyone to get behind in this story. I anticipated most of the twists that inevitably present themselves to the reader. I found myself finding most of the plot extremely hard to believe and was constantly rolling my eyes at the conveniences that kept popping up. I also hated the present day storyline- Liv and the lawyer fall in love almost immediately- is that realistic? Maybe, but not based on what the author wrote. While I appreciated the attempt Harmel tried with presenting Ines as someone that didn't believe what the Nazi's were orchestrating, I ultimately couldn't believe how stupid she was with her decisions during this period in history.
If I DNF'd books, this might've been one I would have set aside early on, however I am so glad I finished it. The end mostly redeemed this novel for me and brought my review up to 3 stars. This is one of those times where I am thankful that I am an eternal completest.
Thank you to Netgalley and Galley Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book features the Champagne area of France during WWII. We have alternating storylines with Ines Chauvin, Edith Thierry and Celine Laurent in the 1940's and present day with Liv. This is your standard historical fiction novel with a few twists, heartbreak and of course a background of tragedy with the holocaust casting a cloud over the novel. I appreciated the author's attempt to introduce a fresh perspective with the champagne house narrative and history, but it just didn't hit for me.
Most of the book was a challenge to connect to the characters. They are just so unlikable that it made it hard to find anyone to get behind in this story. I anticipated most of the twists that inevitably present themselves to the reader. I found myself finding most of the plot extremely hard to believe and was constantly rolling my eyes at the conveniences that kept popping up. I also hated the present day storyline- Liv and the lawyer fall in love almost immediately- is that realistic? Maybe, but not based on what the author wrote. While I appreciated the attempt Harmel tried with presenting Ines as someone that didn't believe what the Nazi's were orchestrating, I ultimately couldn't believe how stupid she was with her decisions during this period in history.
If I DNF'd books, this might've been one I would have set aside early on, however I am so glad I finished it. The end mostly redeemed this novel for me and brought my review up to 3 stars. This is one of those times where I am thankful that I am an eternal completest.
Thank you to Netgalley and Galley Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 17, 2024
WWII historical fiction 💔 Need I say more?.. it’s obviously gut wrenching. 😢
August 13, 2021
The Winemaker's Wife is my second book by Kristin Harmel. I am fascinated with WWII and tend to be drawn to books that take place during this time. Unfortunately, I loved the idea of this book more than the book itself and a lot of it had to do with the characters. That being said, there were parts of the book that appealed to me.
As with many historical fiction, there are dual timelines, present day 2019 and the 1940s. The majority of the book takes place in the Champagne province in northeast France. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Maison Chauveau and its underground maze of caves and learning about the process of making/storing wine and champagne. The ending was also satisfying which bumped up my rating.
Now for my critiques. I struggled to connect with any of the characters. Ines was infuriatingly naive, immature and absolutely self-centered while Theo was clueless. I wish there would have been a little more attention given to the French resistance. That would have elevated this story and given it more depth in my opinion. I am normally really moved by books surrounding WWII, but sadly I felt no emotional connection to this story. I've gone back and forth with my rating, but it felt like more of a romantic drama rather than historical fiction which is a shame because I enjoyed her previous book that I read. 3 stars.
As with many historical fiction, there are dual timelines, present day 2019 and the 1940s. The majority of the book takes place in the Champagne province in northeast France. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Maison Chauveau and its underground maze of caves and learning about the process of making/storing wine and champagne. The ending was also satisfying which bumped up my rating.
Now for my critiques. I struggled to connect with any of the characters. Ines was infuriatingly naive, immature and absolutely self-centered while Theo was clueless. I wish there would have been a little more attention given to the French resistance. That would have elevated this story and given it more depth in my opinion. I am normally really moved by books surrounding WWII, but sadly I felt no emotional connection to this story. I've gone back and forth with my rating, but it felt like more of a romantic drama rather than historical fiction which is a shame because I enjoyed her previous book that I read. 3 stars.
September 6, 2025
This is a WWII Historical Fiction. This book is told in two timelines (1940's and 2019). I have found when a book is told in more the one timelines most the time I like one of the timelines and not the other one, but I liked both of the timelines in this book. The characters in this book is not lovable, but they grow on you as you read the book. This book brings to light that one big event can change so many peoples lives. There was so much going on in this book that I think even if you do not like WWII book you may still enjoy this book because this book is more like a family drama book that takes place in the 1940's.
October 20, 2019
I have no words. This was the most ridiculously silly WWII novel I have ever read. It totally trivializes the gravity of that period. The characters were cardboard and stereotypical. Ines was a complete idiot who seemed to not possess a single brain cell and Liv in the present time was pretty silly as well. This basically was a trite romance book. If you want an incredible WWII novel, try the "The Nightingale". I am frankly shocked at all the great reviews.
December 23, 2022
The Winemaker’s Wife is set in the beautiful Champagne region of France and it’s around 100 miles from Paris. The soil is chalky, rocky and the vines have to send their roots deep into the earth to survive and it gives the champagne a unique mineral flavor.
1940: Ines is married to Michel the heir of Maison Chauveau and he runs the famous champagne house with his head winemaker Theo Laurent and his wife Celine. Everyone in France is very worried after the Germans invade Poland; Michel starts making plans and begins hiding his priceless wine in the network of secret caves under the chateau. When the Germans arrive; they immediately start taking bottles of champagne, food, furniture and whatever else they want! Celine is part Jewish, she’s very anxious about her family’s safety and her husband Theo isn’t all that concerned! Michel decides to join the resistance, he's had enough of the German's and want's fight to free France. Soon both couple's marriages are struggling, tension escalates and will Ines crack under pressure and put everyone at the chateau at risk?
2019: Liv Kent’s 12 year marriage has ended her husband Eric has decided to move on and Olivia is devastated. She really didn’t see it coming, with her struggles to have a baby, Eric’s idea for her to stop working and he was planning to divorce her. Now she’s single, unemployed, living in a tiny flat, and childless. Her unconventional grandmother Edith arrives from America and whisks her off to Paris and takes her to Champagne. Her grandmother is 99, she’s always been rather erratic, her behavior becomes rather odd as soon as the plane lands in Paris and Liv is concerned.
The Winemaker’s Wife has a dual timeline account that alternates seamlessly between 1940 to 2019. It includes interesting information about the Champagne region during the Second World War, it’s full of suspense, mystery, danger and intrigue. The present day story is about Olivia's journey to discover the truth about her grandmother, family and what really happened during the war. I’m a huge fan of Kristin Harmel’s books, this novel doesn’t disappoint and five stars from me.
1940: Ines is married to Michel the heir of Maison Chauveau and he runs the famous champagne house with his head winemaker Theo Laurent and his wife Celine. Everyone in France is very worried after the Germans invade Poland; Michel starts making plans and begins hiding his priceless wine in the network of secret caves under the chateau. When the Germans arrive; they immediately start taking bottles of champagne, food, furniture and whatever else they want! Celine is part Jewish, she’s very anxious about her family’s safety and her husband Theo isn’t all that concerned! Michel decides to join the resistance, he's had enough of the German's and want's fight to free France. Soon both couple's marriages are struggling, tension escalates and will Ines crack under pressure and put everyone at the chateau at risk?
2019: Liv Kent’s 12 year marriage has ended her husband Eric has decided to move on and Olivia is devastated. She really didn’t see it coming, with her struggles to have a baby, Eric’s idea for her to stop working and he was planning to divorce her. Now she’s single, unemployed, living in a tiny flat, and childless. Her unconventional grandmother Edith arrives from America and whisks her off to Paris and takes her to Champagne. Her grandmother is 99, she’s always been rather erratic, her behavior becomes rather odd as soon as the plane lands in Paris and Liv is concerned.
The Winemaker’s Wife has a dual timeline account that alternates seamlessly between 1940 to 2019. It includes interesting information about the Champagne region during the Second World War, it’s full of suspense, mystery, danger and intrigue. The present day story is about Olivia's journey to discover the truth about her grandmother, family and what really happened during the war. I’m a huge fan of Kristin Harmel’s books, this novel doesn’t disappoint and five stars from me.
August 29, 2019
My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for sending me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by the publisher.
Okay. Minority opinion alert. This book currently has a very respectable 4.14 average on Goodreads, so if the synopsis sounds like something you'll love, by all means, don't let my review turn you off of it. But my honest reaction to this novel was mainly disappointment.
To start with, the synopsis gave me an impression of a plot that was firmly rooted in the resistance movement in France. Unfortunately, this all felt very secondary in the novel, and the main thrust of the historical portion of the plot hinges around marital affairs and discord. In and of itself, this could have been a decent focus for a story (despite not being what I was expecting) had the characters involved been a bit more developed. All that being said, there were high stakes for this part of the book and good cause to be emotionally invested in the outcome.
The modern portion of the plot, by contrast, felt tacked-on and lifeless. Liv, much like the characters in the earlier timeline, feel quite underdeveloped, and she was without the benefit of the tension in the HF portion to push the story along. Liv is recently divorced and sad about it. A very obvious romantic interest figure pops into the story when Liv's grandmother, Edith takes her to France, and their romance is delayed to a positively ridiculous degree by a misunderstanding and multiple characters' failure to communicate very basic facts.
Harmel has quite a few novels under her belt, but this one unfortunately read like a debut, in my opinion. The characters were all very shallow, and were often unsympathetic when I believe the author did not intend for them to be. The plot sometimes strained the limits of incredulity, and the more interesting aspects of the story routinely took a back seat to things like wine making and affairs. The rating is comparable to her prior books, however, so I think it's safe to say that fans of her existing work will not be disappointed in this book as I was.
All that being said, I was still prepared to rate this around three stars rather than two until I got to a particular scene that cast the entirety of the book in a bad light for me. I will try to be as vague as possible to avoid giving away huge plot points, but some spoilers are ahead.
Again, many readers thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of Harmel's work, please do give it a chance. Unfortunately, this was my first impression of her work and I don't think I'll be reading another of her books.
You can read all of my reviews on my blog, Jenna Bookish!
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Okay. Minority opinion alert. This book currently has a very respectable 4.14 average on Goodreads, so if the synopsis sounds like something you'll love, by all means, don't let my review turn you off of it. But my honest reaction to this novel was mainly disappointment.
To start with, the synopsis gave me an impression of a plot that was firmly rooted in the resistance movement in France. Unfortunately, this all felt very secondary in the novel, and the main thrust of the historical portion of the plot hinges around marital affairs and discord. In and of itself, this could have been a decent focus for a story (despite not being what I was expecting) had the characters involved been a bit more developed. All that being said, there were high stakes for this part of the book and good cause to be emotionally invested in the outcome.
The modern portion of the plot, by contrast, felt tacked-on and lifeless. Liv, much like the characters in the earlier timeline, feel quite underdeveloped, and she was without the benefit of the tension in the HF portion to push the story along. Liv is recently divorced and sad about it. A very obvious romantic interest figure pops into the story when Liv's grandmother, Edith takes her to France, and their romance is delayed to a positively ridiculous degree by a misunderstanding and multiple characters' failure to communicate very basic facts.
Harmel has quite a few novels under her belt, but this one unfortunately read like a debut, in my opinion. The characters were all very shallow, and were often unsympathetic when I believe the author did not intend for them to be. The plot sometimes strained the limits of incredulity, and the more interesting aspects of the story routinely took a back seat to things like wine making and affairs. The rating is comparable to her prior books, however, so I think it's safe to say that fans of her existing work will not be disappointed in this book as I was.
All that being said, I was still prepared to rate this around three stars rather than two until I got to a particular scene that cast the entirety of the book in a bad light for me. I will try to be as vague as possible to avoid giving away huge plot points, but some spoilers are ahead.
Again, many readers thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of Harmel's work, please do give it a chance. Unfortunately, this was my first impression of her work and I don't think I'll be reading another of her books.
You can read all of my reviews on my blog, Jenna Bookish!
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August 13, 2019
Rating: 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars
This is a dual timeline book mainly focusing on northern France during WWII. There are some contemporary chapters interwoven which helped propel the storyline. I’m giving the book 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars. This book’s genre is Historical Fiction. For me there were not enough historical details about the French Resistance in the Champagne region of France during the war to sink my teeth into. It often felt more like a Romance or Chic-Lit/Women’s Fiction genre book.
There was a lot going on with the three main protagonists in the WWII era. There is Michel Chauveau, and his recently wed wife, Ines. Also in the mix are Theo and Celine Laurent. Michel recently inherited Maison Chauveau upon the death of his father. He has worked hard to learn the wine, specifically the champagne, business. Maison Chauveau is unique. Michel’s grandfather dug an elaborate system of caves under the main house. The grapes are made into champagne in the caves. The resulting bottles are stored and tended in the caves to until they are ready for market. Much of the dramatic action of the book takes place in the caves.
Theo is Michel’s chef du cave (cellar master). His half-Jewish wife, Celine, was raised in a winemaking family from Burgundy. She is a good resource for many facets of the wine making process. Ines is the odd person out in this mix. She has no wine making experience. She soon feels real and imagined slights from Michel and Celine. Her feeling of exclusion leads her to make some bad decision have catastrophic unintended consequences. However, she is not the only one with unclean hands.
Then we have the modern story of Grandma Edith and Liv. While reading the modern chapters I was usually impatient to return to the WWII era to see what new scrapes this foursome was encountering. This was a brutal time of German occupation, French citizens collaborating with the Germans, and French Resistance networks. Those elements were touched upon in the story. Michel was working for the Resistance. I would have liked to read more about that work in the book. The story often dipped into Romance/Chic Lit levels of angst, especially in the modern storyline.
I would recommend this book to wine making aficionados who want to learn more about the Champagne region during WWII. I would also recommend it to readers who usually enjoy Women’s Fiction and want to learn more about this region in France during WWII. The Author’s Notes at the end of the book also gave more resources for continued research about this era and region, and the backstory of how the book came about. I appreciated having that information.
‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Gallery, Pocket Books; and the author, Kristin Harmel for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a dual timeline book mainly focusing on northern France during WWII. There are some contemporary chapters interwoven which helped propel the storyline. I’m giving the book 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars. This book’s genre is Historical Fiction. For me there were not enough historical details about the French Resistance in the Champagne region of France during the war to sink my teeth into. It often felt more like a Romance or Chic-Lit/Women’s Fiction genre book.
There was a lot going on with the three main protagonists in the WWII era. There is Michel Chauveau, and his recently wed wife, Ines. Also in the mix are Theo and Celine Laurent. Michel recently inherited Maison Chauveau upon the death of his father. He has worked hard to learn the wine, specifically the champagne, business. Maison Chauveau is unique. Michel’s grandfather dug an elaborate system of caves under the main house. The grapes are made into champagne in the caves. The resulting bottles are stored and tended in the caves to until they are ready for market. Much of the dramatic action of the book takes place in the caves.
Theo is Michel’s chef du cave (cellar master). His half-Jewish wife, Celine, was raised in a winemaking family from Burgundy. She is a good resource for many facets of the wine making process. Ines is the odd person out in this mix. She has no wine making experience. She soon feels real and imagined slights from Michel and Celine. Her feeling of exclusion leads her to make some bad decision have catastrophic unintended consequences. However, she is not the only one with unclean hands.
Then we have the modern story of Grandma Edith and Liv. While reading the modern chapters I was usually impatient to return to the WWII era to see what new scrapes this foursome was encountering. This was a brutal time of German occupation, French citizens collaborating with the Germans, and French Resistance networks. Those elements were touched upon in the story. Michel was working for the Resistance. I would have liked to read more about that work in the book. The story often dipped into Romance/Chic Lit levels of angst, especially in the modern storyline.
I would recommend this book to wine making aficionados who want to learn more about the Champagne region during WWII. I would also recommend it to readers who usually enjoy Women’s Fiction and want to learn more about this region in France during WWII. The Author’s Notes at the end of the book also gave more resources for continued research about this era and region, and the backstory of how the book came about. I appreciated having that information.
‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Gallery, Pocket Books; and the author, Kristin Harmel for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2020
Once again Kristin Harmel has written an incredible, well researched, historical novel of living in France during WWll. Michel and his young wife Ines working their vineyard Madison Chauveau producing champagne near Reims, France. Being that I have owned my wine business and producing wine and champagne brings this story closer to my heart. The story moves back and forth in time allowing us to meet some very incredible people which makes “The Winemakers Wife” an I can’t put down read. Enjoy...cheers🥂
August 15, 2019
3 champagne stars
This is a well-researched historical fiction tale set in the champagne region of France, mostly during WWII. I truly enjoyed learning more about the process of maintaining a vineyard, the process for making champagne, and a bit more about what the inhabitants of this region did as part of the French resistance.
The three women in this book – Celine, Ines, and Liv -- mostly didn’t capture my sympathy until the end of the book. They didn’t feel fleshed out and I struggled to understand why they acted in certain ways. I just didn’t connect to them in the way I do with a book that I love. There are elements of intrigue, secrets, and deception all woven into this one.
I really liked “The Room on Rue Amelie” by this author, so I will definitely read her next book, I wish I would have liked this one more.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kristin Harmel, and Gallery/Pocket Books for a copy of the book to read.
This is a well-researched historical fiction tale set in the champagne region of France, mostly during WWII. I truly enjoyed learning more about the process of maintaining a vineyard, the process for making champagne, and a bit more about what the inhabitants of this region did as part of the French resistance.
The three women in this book – Celine, Ines, and Liv -- mostly didn’t capture my sympathy until the end of the book. They didn’t feel fleshed out and I struggled to understand why they acted in certain ways. I just didn’t connect to them in the way I do with a book that I love. There are elements of intrigue, secrets, and deception all woven into this one.
I really liked “The Room on Rue Amelie” by this author, so I will definitely read her next book, I wish I would have liked this one more.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kristin Harmel, and Gallery/Pocket Books for a copy of the book to read.
September 2, 2019
I won this book on a Goodreads first reads giveaway.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
I don't really know where to start with this...
The whole reason I applied to win this book is because I had assumed it would be about La Résistance from the point of view of a vineyard owner.
As it turns out...I waspurposely slightly mislead by the synopsis.
La Résistance is indeed present in this novel, but only as a minor feature in the background of the story. So that was pretty disappointing.
Basically instead of the high stakes subterfuge with a bit of romance thrown in (a typical historical novel)...I got a high school level, three ring circus of a soap opera.
Look, I get that there were people who are oblivious, or scared, or complacent in war. Their main focus is survival and the survival of their families, or they're just too naive or traumatized to understand the hell their once normal world has been thrust into it. I'm not mad that this book didn't feature some heroine that risked her life to spy on Nazis or smuggle people across the boarders...
I am mad at how underdeveloped and childish the entire cast of characters was. Everyone was cheating on each other with each other and trying desperately to justify it. It didn't help Liv's (the modern day granddaughter) reaction to Grandma Edith's secret was so ungrateful and maddeningly selfish, I wanted to reach into the book and back hand her across her ungrateful face.
Cripes, this bordered on a nightmare.
I don't believe for a second that Michel didn't "know who he married", he married Inès for being Inès. He wanted a air-headed trophy wife and he got one. You can't seriously make me believe he was shocked that she was exactly what he expected her to be: a pretty but useless adornment on his arm. Also, I'm not buying that Inès had no inkling he was part of La Résistance or having an affair. She was air headed and naive, not completely blind.
And Céline, the "Jewess"...good Lord I had to force myself to read her parts, I seriously just wanted to skip over them. I couldn't stand listening to her whining and trying justify her actions and inaction.
It didn't help the whole affair between the two came out of left field. I'm supposed to believe they had no feelings for each other for close to a decade and then suddenly she and Michel start making googoo eyes at each other right after he gets married?
No.
It seriously didn't help that she had been offered (repeatedly) to be shipped to safety, away from the Nazis reach but she acted like they suggested she commit harikari, God FORBID she have to leave her affair behind to get to safety! Two pages later she was suddenly having a tantrum about how no one cared about her safety and how she was putting everyone in danger being there and it was only a matter of time before the Nazis came for her.
Inès herself was childish, naive, and spoiled. Yet out of everyone in this cast of characters, I felt for her the most. Sure she was dumb and she made terrible decisions, I also don't agree with her affair or her decision later in the book...but she got shorted severely, constantly.
Edith, Inès's best friend, and her husband were main players in La Résistance, I seriously wish the book had followed them instead. A stable couple who was actually working in the underground, sounds a lot more appealing than the steaming pile of melodrama this book turned out to be.
The whole thing wasn't helped by the modern day POV of Liv, the grandchild of Grandma Edith. When Liv found out the secret that Grandma Edith had been keeping for decades, her first reaction was instantly "she's not my grandma", she also makes a comment about how the vineyard "wasn't hers to give away", or something along those lines, and I just lost it. All I could think was:
Are. You. Kidding. Me?
(WARNING: HEAVY SPOILERS AHEAD)
Liv is a superficial witch. How in the fresh hell was her first thought, after this woman raised her father and practically raised her, who shuttled her to France every summer and spent time and tons money on her trying to cheer her up and provide a stable place to escape her mother's line of marriages and divorces, who cared deeply for Liv's well being, basically be: EDITH ISN'T MY GRANDMA BECAUSE SHE'S NOT BLOOD?
Another character does correct her, quickly. But that sentence just ruined it for me. Grandma Edith didn't have to risk her life during the war or live with the stigma of being a divorced single mom (not nearly as acceptable then as it is now) to raise a child that was produced from the affair between her husband and a employee. But she did. She raised both kids like they were own child and granddaughter...and that's the thanks Liv gives her?
Give me a break. I dragged my way through this soap opera for that? Ugh.
It felt like Grandma Edith was the only well developed character out of the bunch. The rest of them were just awful, completely immature and selfish.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
I don't really know where to start with this...
The whole reason I applied to win this book is because I had assumed it would be about La Résistance from the point of view of a vineyard owner.
As it turns out...I was
La Résistance is indeed present in this novel, but only as a minor feature in the background of the story. So that was pretty disappointing.
Basically instead of the high stakes subterfuge with a bit of romance thrown in (a typical historical novel)...I got a high school level, three ring circus of a soap opera.
Look, I get that there were people who are oblivious, or scared, or complacent in war. Their main focus is survival and the survival of their families, or they're just too naive or traumatized to understand the hell their once normal world has been thrust into it. I'm not mad that this book didn't feature some heroine that risked her life to spy on Nazis or smuggle people across the boarders...
I am mad at how underdeveloped and childish the entire cast of characters was. Everyone was cheating on each other with each other and trying desperately to justify it. It didn't help Liv's (the modern day granddaughter) reaction to Grandma Edith's secret was so ungrateful and maddeningly selfish, I wanted to reach into the book and back hand her across her ungrateful face.
Cripes, this bordered on a nightmare.
I don't believe for a second that Michel didn't "know who he married", he married Inès for being Inès. He wanted a air-headed trophy wife and he got one. You can't seriously make me believe he was shocked that she was exactly what he expected her to be: a pretty but useless adornment on his arm. Also, I'm not buying that Inès had no inkling he was part of La Résistance or having an affair. She was air headed and naive, not completely blind.
And Céline, the "Jewess"...good Lord I had to force myself to read her parts, I seriously just wanted to skip over them. I couldn't stand listening to her whining and trying justify her actions and inaction.
It didn't help the whole affair between the two came out of left field. I'm supposed to believe they had no feelings for each other for close to a decade and then suddenly she and Michel start making googoo eyes at each other right after he gets married?
No.
It seriously didn't help that she had been offered (repeatedly) to be shipped to safety, away from the Nazis reach but she acted like they suggested she commit harikari, God FORBID she have to leave her affair behind to get to safety! Two pages later she was suddenly having a tantrum about how no one cared about her safety and how she was putting everyone in danger being there and it was only a matter of time before the Nazis came for her.
Inès herself was childish, naive, and spoiled. Yet out of everyone in this cast of characters, I felt for her the most. Sure she was dumb and she made terrible decisions, I also don't agree with her affair or her decision later in the book...but she got shorted severely, constantly.
Edith, Inès's best friend, and her husband were main players in La Résistance, I seriously wish the book had followed them instead. A stable couple who was actually working in the underground, sounds a lot more appealing than the steaming pile of melodrama this book turned out to be.
The whole thing wasn't helped by the modern day POV of Liv, the grandchild of Grandma Edith. When Liv found out the secret that Grandma Edith had been keeping for decades, her first reaction was instantly "she's not my grandma", she also makes a comment about how the vineyard "wasn't hers to give away", or something along those lines, and I just lost it. All I could think was:
Are. You. Kidding. Me?
(WARNING: HEAVY SPOILERS AHEAD)
Liv is a superficial witch. How in the fresh hell was her first thought, after this woman raised her father and practically raised her, who shuttled her to France every summer and spent time and tons money on her trying to cheer her up and provide a stable place to escape her mother's line of marriages and divorces, who cared deeply for Liv's well being, basically be: EDITH ISN'T MY GRANDMA BECAUSE SHE'S NOT BLOOD?
Another character does correct her, quickly. But that sentence just ruined it for me. Grandma Edith didn't have to risk her life during the war or live with the stigma of being a divorced single mom (not nearly as acceptable then as it is now) to raise a child that was produced from the affair between her husband and a employee. But she did. She raised both kids like they were own child and granddaughter...and that's the thanks Liv gives her?
Give me a break. I dragged my way through this soap opera for that? Ugh.
It felt like Grandma Edith was the only well developed character out of the bunch. The rest of them were just awful, completely immature and selfish.
November 6, 2021
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"Ultima geană de lumină” este un roman cu o poveste ce se împarte pe două fire distincte: trecut și prezent. O poveste din timpul celui de-al doilea război mondial, care are un impact emoțional imens asupra cititorului, fiind în același timp un tablou al unei epoci ce a reușit să scoată tot ce are omul mai frumos, dar și mai urât, la suprafață.
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"Ultima geană de lumină” este un roman cu o poveste ce se împarte pe două fire distincte: trecut și prezent. O poveste din timpul celui de-al doilea război mondial, care are un impact emoțional imens asupra cititorului, fiind în același timp un tablou al unei epoci ce a reușit să scoată tot ce are omul mai frumos, dar și mai urât, la suprafață.
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....
May 2, 2020
What a story. It’s both complex, yet simple and embodies the feelings, ideas and fears of people, and how they vary in extreme situations (in this case WWII). You may be thinking, another WWII book; let me assure you there are thousands of WWII stories that are all very different and worth telling. Kristin Harmel tells one of them here.
Protection
During great adversity we are reminded of what the essentials are for human beings; and what are great luxuries. The Nazi's were obsessed with ensuring they received all the luxuries; even so far as to remove paintings from museums and galleries. Here we see this greed and selfishness shown in their desire for good champagne. And this in turn offers our characters (including one with Jewish connections) protection, of sorts. The problem with protection during an adverse time like this is the enemy is not playing fair. And so, of course, the Nazi's take advantage of their advantageous position by demanding, threatening, and belittling our characters.
Spoiled Products
One of the most interesting pieces of The Winemaker's Wife is that our characters making the wine can choose to make it sub-par. They know how to tweak it to make it amazing; and how to spoil it just a little. We see them scheme, along with fellow champagne makers, to trick the Nazi's into thinking they are receiving the best product; whilst preserving the actual best product for the future. It's dangerous, but clever.
How It's Made
Making champagne (or wine) is such an interesting process. I loved learning about it throughout this story. With a bit less detail, Kristin Harmel takes us though the process of making wine much like Lisa See did in The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. What's cool about learning about creation or farming processes like this via fiction is that it's far less boring (at least to me) than reading a non-fiction novel. You also get to see the impact things like weather, harvest delays, machinery breaking, etc. has directly on the process and people involved. The Winemaker's Wife is the next best thing to actually going out and making champagne in France yourself.
Lust and Sex
If you ever wanted to encounter a love-square/rectangle this is your book. Harmel gives our characters lusts for one another that make their lives a lot more complex than they needed to be (in an already complex time). That said it is what ultimately allows for our grand finale to be so stunning. Don't be surprised that there is a lot of sleeping around in this story. Scenes are all written tastefully, this is not smut and not really even romance; it's just a part of the story that affects people's interactions and motivations.
Overall
I really enjoyed The Winemaker's Wife. Harmel brings us a WWII story that is unlike any other I've read. The scheming between characters (even those who are working together) is brilliant and the complexities of scamming the Nazi's are well explained. While not my favourite WWII fiction, this novel deserves to be on a shelf alongside most other recent WWII fiction. If you enjoy these types of stories about people persevering and surviving in war times then you won't be disappointed.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Protection
During great adversity we are reminded of what the essentials are for human beings; and what are great luxuries. The Nazi's were obsessed with ensuring they received all the luxuries; even so far as to remove paintings from museums and galleries. Here we see this greed and selfishness shown in their desire for good champagne. And this in turn offers our characters (including one with Jewish connections) protection, of sorts. The problem with protection during an adverse time like this is the enemy is not playing fair. And so, of course, the Nazi's take advantage of their advantageous position by demanding, threatening, and belittling our characters.
Spoiled Products
One of the most interesting pieces of The Winemaker's Wife is that our characters making the wine can choose to make it sub-par. They know how to tweak it to make it amazing; and how to spoil it just a little. We see them scheme, along with fellow champagne makers, to trick the Nazi's into thinking they are receiving the best product; whilst preserving the actual best product for the future. It's dangerous, but clever.
How It's Made
Making champagne (or wine) is such an interesting process. I loved learning about it throughout this story. With a bit less detail, Kristin Harmel takes us though the process of making wine much like Lisa See did in The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. What's cool about learning about creation or farming processes like this via fiction is that it's far less boring (at least to me) than reading a non-fiction novel. You also get to see the impact things like weather, harvest delays, machinery breaking, etc. has directly on the process and people involved. The Winemaker's Wife is the next best thing to actually going out and making champagne in France yourself.
Lust and Sex
If you ever wanted to encounter a love-square/rectangle this is your book. Harmel gives our characters lusts for one another that make their lives a lot more complex than they needed to be (in an already complex time). That said it is what ultimately allows for our grand finale to be so stunning. Don't be surprised that there is a lot of sleeping around in this story. Scenes are all written tastefully, this is not smut and not really even romance; it's just a part of the story that affects people's interactions and motivations.
Overall
I really enjoyed The Winemaker's Wife. Harmel brings us a WWII story that is unlike any other I've read. The scheming between characters (even those who are working together) is brilliant and the complexities of scamming the Nazi's are well explained. While not my favourite WWII fiction, this novel deserves to be on a shelf alongside most other recent WWII fiction. If you enjoy these types of stories about people persevering and surviving in war times then you won't be disappointed.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
June 5, 2020
The Winemaker’s Wife
by Kristin Harmel
A few years ago I read several historical fictions based in Europe during WWII that I enjoyed. After that I started searching out more historical fictions from that period. However, last year I seem to have picked some poor ones and became tired of them. This one was still on my bookshelf so I started reading it and thought I would be done with them.
I rather enjoyed this one. Many other readers have said they are suckers for books with the word book, bookstore, or library in the title. Well I probably feel that way about wine. The story was intriguing, although it was predictable in parts.
There are the usual multiple POV, and in one case is from 75 years later, also something that seems to be common lately. I did think they were balanced nicely. It did keep my interest.
I could have done without the extramarital affairs, but they become a central part of the story.
As an historical fiction this was interesting and somewhat restores my fondness for historical fiction.
by Kristin Harmel
A few years ago I read several historical fictions based in Europe during WWII that I enjoyed. After that I started searching out more historical fictions from that period. However, last year I seem to have picked some poor ones and became tired of them. This one was still on my bookshelf so I started reading it and thought I would be done with them.
I rather enjoyed this one. Many other readers have said they are suckers for books with the word book, bookstore, or library in the title. Well I probably feel that way about wine. The story was intriguing, although it was predictable in parts.
There are the usual multiple POV, and in one case is from 75 years later, also something that seems to be common lately. I did think they were balanced nicely. It did keep my interest.
I could have done without the extramarital affairs, but they become a central part of the story.
As an historical fiction this was interesting and somewhat restores my fondness for historical fiction.
January 29, 2023
The Winemakers Wife by Kristin Harmel is a WW2 book The novel took place in France. Running a vineyard forced by Nazi. Underground with Resistance at a time Collaborators are lurking as well. Secrets become revealed with anger, sadness and a whole lot of drink. “Loose lips, sink ships” and get people killed. I love sweet surprises at the end.
Kristin Harmel never fails to write a well researched, well thought book. Strong characters that make you love them or hate them. Dual timelines take place during WW2 and 2019. 🥂🍾
Kristin Harmel never fails to write a well researched, well thought book. Strong characters that make you love them or hate them. Dual timelines take place during WW2 and 2019. 🥂🍾
October 2, 2019
I received a free copy of The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel from Goodreads for my honest opinion.
A wonderful work of Historical Fiction with dual time lines that take place between World War II and present day. The focus of the story is on a champagne house in the Champagne region of France! A story of a woman who spent her whole life trying to make amends for mistakes she made in her youth. There are twists and turns within this story you never see coming.
The characters are wonderful and real and full of life. The writing is brilliant and you will feel the struggles each character faces. Absolutely brilliant!
A wonderful work of Historical Fiction with dual time lines that take place between World War II and present day. The focus of the story is on a champagne house in the Champagne region of France! A story of a woman who spent her whole life trying to make amends for mistakes she made in her youth. There are twists and turns within this story you never see coming.
The characters are wonderful and real and full of life. The writing is brilliant and you will feel the struggles each character faces. Absolutely brilliant!
April 27, 2022
Another really good story about WWII. Taking place in France where all the wines are made and I did learn a lot more than I ever knew about wine making. Very interesting. This was a complex story told by 3 women from different times and in the end you find out how they are all involved even into the present. I enjoy this author very much and have really liked all her books. This one took a little more time to read because there's a lot of information in this book but the way it comes together at the end makes it worth the time. Definitely recommend.
February 12, 2021
Two parallel storylines, two unlikable characters in the beginning(to me), two histories fusing in the end to ultimately become a good read.
I did not like Liv Thiery Kent with her self-centerdness and self-pity. Neither did Edith, her grandmother, initially impress me enough on the same road to perdition as her granddaughter. But in the end I loved getting to know them, warts and all. The ending was one of those moments that I absolutely did not want to close it and leave the characters behind.
The blurb compares this novel to Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale. There you have it. I must say that I enjoyed this book a lot more.
Liv just divorced her husband in New York. She has nowhere to go; she lost her job; and she felt quite sorry for herself. Ninety-nine-year-old Edith arrives on her doorstep and whisk her away to Paris where time was running out for her to share a secret with Olivia.
Thus begins a journey back into the French Resistance in the Reims, the headquarters of the champagne industry of France. Maison Chaveau, with its secret caves and dedicated vignerons (wine makers) become the focus of Edith's story and her ultimate sacrifices. Her grandmother's story will change Liv's life forever. In many ways.
There are so many excellent reviews of this book including more of the story, that I don't want to say much more for spoiling the experience or the intrigue. Although it was a fictional story and romance was another major focus, I was more interested in the historical setting of this novel and how well the author brought it alive. The plight of the Jewish residents, the chalk tunnels, the many mistakes the residents made, were fascinating. The resilience and courage of the French people are unimaginable.
The historical background of this book was so well done. Picturesque, atmospheric, and gripping. In the novelist's notes she shares her research into this region and why we will feel different about champagne after reading this book. I already felt different after reading Veuve Clicquot's story . A nonfictional tale about the beginning of champagne and how Nicole Ponsardin, who married François Clicuot, became the first successful female winemaker in France (probably the world). She was to become known as the Widow Clicquot.
Overall I loved the experience. Liv's romance part not so much. Hence the lower rating. However, the rest of the story was really well done.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I did not like Liv Thiery Kent with her self-centerdness and self-pity. Neither did Edith, her grandmother, initially impress me enough on the same road to perdition as her granddaughter. But in the end I loved getting to know them, warts and all. The ending was one of those moments that I absolutely did not want to close it and leave the characters behind.
The blurb compares this novel to Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale. There you have it. I must say that I enjoyed this book a lot more.
Liv just divorced her husband in New York. She has nowhere to go; she lost her job; and she felt quite sorry for herself. Ninety-nine-year-old Edith arrives on her doorstep and whisk her away to Paris where time was running out for her to share a secret with Olivia.
Thus begins a journey back into the French Resistance in the Reims, the headquarters of the champagne industry of France. Maison Chaveau, with its secret caves and dedicated vignerons (wine makers) become the focus of Edith's story and her ultimate sacrifices. Her grandmother's story will change Liv's life forever. In many ways.
There are so many excellent reviews of this book including more of the story, that I don't want to say much more for spoiling the experience or the intrigue. Although it was a fictional story and romance was another major focus, I was more interested in the historical setting of this novel and how well the author brought it alive. The plight of the Jewish residents, the chalk tunnels, the many mistakes the residents made, were fascinating. The resilience and courage of the French people are unimaginable.
The historical background of this book was so well done. Picturesque, atmospheric, and gripping. In the novelist's notes she shares her research into this region and why we will feel different about champagne after reading this book. I already felt different after reading Veuve Clicquot's story . A nonfictional tale about the beginning of champagne and how Nicole Ponsardin, who married François Clicuot, became the first successful female winemaker in France (probably the world). She was to become known as the Widow Clicquot.
Overall I loved the experience. Liv's romance part not so much. Hence the lower rating. However, the rest of the story was really well done.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
March 16, 2020
A toast to Kristin Harmel for the sparkling facts we have learned about making champagne. It is an industry that many know only from afar -- perhaps just an occasional wedding toast. Clearly there was a large amount of research done to produce this novel. There are three POV: Liv in the present; Elas and Celine in the past (beginning in 1939). The combination of the champagne business and the resistance was an aspect of the war that was unknown to me previously. It was fascinating to see the two couples (Michel & Elas; Theo & Celine) working together and the ways they responded to the pressures of the business, the stresses of living in a time of war and especially their reactions to the resistance. Some of the characters really frustrated me. I'm not sure I always understood why they made the decisions that they did. That may be just the nature of living in wartimes and not indicative of a lack in character development. In the end, Harmel pulls it off with some tears and cheers. Well done.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2019
I have been a fan of Kristin Harmel's writing for quite some time now. She has written a few novels about World War II and the Holocaust, but each one has its own special flair that sets it apart from the others in this genre. The Winemaker's Wife tells a story about two women during a very tumultuous time and the secrets that threaten their safety.
This novel was thoughtful and well-written. I learned new things about winemaking. I liked seeing the perspectives of all three women and finding out why they made the choices they did. Being an avid reader, some parts were easy for me to guess, but other parts were surprising. There were elements that threw off my guesses, as well. Through her vivid descriptions, Kristin brought Paris, Reims, and Champagne to life. I really liked Grandma Edith, as she was very sharp for her age.
I would have liked a pronunciation guide or a footnote every time a new French name was introduced. That would have been helpful, as I don't speak French and probably butchered the way the names sounded in my head.
The Winemaker's Wife is another winner from Kristin that you are guaranteed to devour.
Movie casting suggestions:
Ines: Courtney Eaton
Celine: Mathilde Ollivier
Michel: Jeremy Irvine
Liv: Katherine Waterston
Julien: John Reardon
This novel was thoughtful and well-written. I learned new things about winemaking. I liked seeing the perspectives of all three women and finding out why they made the choices they did. Being an avid reader, some parts were easy for me to guess, but other parts were surprising. There were elements that threw off my guesses, as well. Through her vivid descriptions, Kristin brought Paris, Reims, and Champagne to life. I really liked Grandma Edith, as she was very sharp for her age.
I would have liked a pronunciation guide or a footnote every time a new French name was introduced. That would have been helpful, as I don't speak French and probably butchered the way the names sounded in my head.
The Winemaker's Wife is another winner from Kristin that you are guaranteed to devour.
Movie casting suggestions:
Ines: Courtney Eaton
Celine: Mathilde Ollivier
Michel: Jeremy Irvine
Liv: Katherine Waterston
Julien: John Reardon
February 14, 2020
Overall: A multiple storyline, quick-paced, and interesting story centered around the vineyards of Champagne France and the resistance during WWII. A lovely historical fiction novel to get lost in! 3.75/5 or 7/10
Summary: This book follows three separate storylines during two time periods. In Champagne, France in 1940 we meet two women: Inès who has just married Michel, the owner of storied champagne house Maison Chauveau, and Céline the half-Jewish wife of Chauveau's chef de cave. As the Germans invade France, Michel turns his back on his marriage to Inès and begins helping in the Résistance. In 2019 we meet Liv Kent in NYC who has just suffered from a difficult divorce. Her eccentric grandmother comes into the picture and insists on a spontaneous trip to Champagne France. The story follows all three of these characters for the duration of the novel.
The Good: I have read many books on WWII but none of this topic or region and found it fascinating. The story is interesting, fast-paced, and I felt drawn in from the beginning. The writing is good throughout and there was a moderate amount of character development (would have liked more).
The Bad: A few too many coincidences for my liking and overall the characters were shallow. Though I did not particularly care for Inès, it was interesting to see her character grow over time. This book had the potential to be more but is still an overall enjoyable read.
Favorite Quotes:
“I learned far too late that life is simply about being good and decent to others. It's as plain as that. But first, you must be good and decent to yourself. Find your own road. Find your own happiness. You must, my dear. You must, or you will wind up old and alone and full of regrets.”
Summary: This book follows three separate storylines during two time periods. In Champagne, France in 1940 we meet two women: Inès who has just married Michel, the owner of storied champagne house Maison Chauveau, and Céline the half-Jewish wife of Chauveau's chef de cave. As the Germans invade France, Michel turns his back on his marriage to Inès and begins helping in the Résistance. In 2019 we meet Liv Kent in NYC who has just suffered from a difficult divorce. Her eccentric grandmother comes into the picture and insists on a spontaneous trip to Champagne France. The story follows all three of these characters for the duration of the novel.
The Good: I have read many books on WWII but none of this topic or region and found it fascinating. The story is interesting, fast-paced, and I felt drawn in from the beginning. The writing is good throughout and there was a moderate amount of character development (would have liked more).
The Bad: A few too many coincidences for my liking and overall the characters were shallow. Though I did not particularly care for Inès, it was interesting to see her character grow over time. This book had the potential to be more but is still an overall enjoyable read.
Favorite Quotes:
“I learned far too late that life is simply about being good and decent to others. It's as plain as that. But first, you must be good and decent to yourself. Find your own road. Find your own happiness. You must, my dear. You must, or you will wind up old and alone and full of regrets.”
September 7, 2019
The one and only reason I'm glad I read this book was to learn the fascinating World War II role played by some of the great French champagne houses (Moet & Chandon, Krug, Veuve Clicquot, etc.). Indeed, one could use this novel as a starting point to read more about the Resistance efforts made by the various French winemakers. I believe this bit of history is not well known, so give plaudits where they are due!
But, as to the novel itself - un piece de merde. Really folks, there was nothing good about "The Winemaker's Wife". In no particular order, here are the low-lights:
"The Winemaker's Wife" was a simplistic novel, stocked with simplistic characters, written in a simplistic manner. It's too bad that this story wasn't handled by a more polished, imaginative author. The plot, and we the readers deserved better.
But, as to the novel itself - un piece de merde. Really folks, there was nothing good about "The Winemaker's Wife". In no particular order, here are the low-lights:
"The Winemaker's Wife" was a simplistic novel, stocked with simplistic characters, written in a simplistic manner. It's too bad that this story wasn't handled by a more polished, imaginative author. The plot, and we the readers deserved better.
October 30, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway program.
It is a beautiful work of historical fiction with dual time lines that take place during World War II and present day
This novel takes us to the vineyards of a France during the German occupation. It is the heart wrenching story of the people of France fighting for the Resistance .
It is a beautiful woven tale of love, betrayal and redemption.
During the height of World War II we find Michel owner of Madison, Chauveau keeping secrets from his young wife Ines, while falling in love with Celine, his chief winemakers wife. Michel is also hiding guns for the cause in his wine caves
Present time 2019: Grandma Edith takes her granddaughter Liv to France, to tell her secrets from her past. Edith is 99 Years old and lived in France during World War II. Both stories are intertwined and are written beautifully.
I enjoyed this book very much. I recommend it to anyone who likes to read Historical fiction.
It is a beautiful work of historical fiction with dual time lines that take place during World War II and present day
This novel takes us to the vineyards of a France during the German occupation. It is the heart wrenching story of the people of France fighting for the Resistance .
It is a beautiful woven tale of love, betrayal and redemption.
During the height of World War II we find Michel owner of Madison, Chauveau keeping secrets from his young wife Ines, while falling in love with Celine, his chief winemakers wife. Michel is also hiding guns for the cause in his wine caves
Present time 2019: Grandma Edith takes her granddaughter Liv to France, to tell her secrets from her past. Edith is 99 Years old and lived in France during World War II. Both stories are intertwined and are written beautifully.
I enjoyed this book very much. I recommend it to anyone who likes to read Historical fiction.
September 19, 2019
I-a lipsit putin sa fie genul acela de roman de suflet. Cu siguranta insa, daca va fi tradus si la noi, va fi apreciat de iubitorii de fictiune istorica. E un roman tulburator, dulce amarui, cu o atmosfera deosebita, cu o poveste de dragoste imposibila, o prietenie intre doua femei, loialitate si greseli ale tineretii ... totul pe fundalul celui De-al Doilea Razboi Mondial. Mi-a placut, asa cum imi plac toate cartile de genul. :)
July 6, 2020
This book could have been great, but the characters stunk! Ines' naivete drove me crazy, and they were all cheaters! I also didn't like the modern story as Liv was completely immature for a 41 year old and the love story was not believable. Has good rating on goodreads, but I would say don't waste your time.
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