Skip to main content

Review: Late Summer in the Vineyard

Late Summer in the Vineyard Late Summer in the Vineyard by Jo Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emmy works in a call centre and is struggling through life after the death of her mother. She lives with her dad who never fully recovered from his grief, and her sister Jody left to marry a wealthy businessman and distance herself from her working class family.

When the bailiffs come knocking on the door, Emmy knows that she has to up her game to try and save the family home which has gathered arrears on the mortgage. She talks herself onto a training programme in France for a wine merchant, which the opportunity of becoming team leader bringing with it a bonus which could solve her finance problems.

I loved this book and was transported to France on the best holiday of my life without ever leaving my house. The images that Jo describes are amazing, and I could see the vineyard, and the chateau on the hill, the Gita and the river. I could feel the sun on my back, smell the cheese and my mouth watered at the wonderful dishes that Gloria cooked.

If you are having a staycation this summer, treat yourself to this book and you will whisked off to the wonderful wine region, where you will crush the grapes with your feet, and learn about the magic of wine production.

I can't wait to read more of Jo's books.

View all my reviews

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

REVIEW: Moonlight Over Studland Bay by Della Galton

  Moonlight Over Studland Bay – Della Galton published by Boldwood Books Samantha Jones works as an audio typist for a local company in Dorset. However, it’s not her dreams job. She wanted to devote, and expand, Purbeck Pooches, her pet sitting service. When best friend (and housemate) Abby has a baby boy Sam’s priorities change and she realises she wants more from her life. Does she want life to continue as it is or does she want to look for the perfect sperm donor – on a drunken evening Abby and Sam draw up the perfect "daddy" list. Sam’s world is soon rocked when her boss Rex accuses her of moonlighting and her parents who have run a B&B locally for years make a shock revelation. I’m going to say it from the start…I loved this book! Sam is a relatable character who knows what she wants from life, but she doesn’t want to upset, hurt or trample on people to get it. She’s just an all-round good egg!! There were times in the book when Abby made me laugh but a

Review: One Enchanted Evening

One Enchanted Evening by Anton du Beke My rating: 4 of 5 stars Anton Du Beke has his finger in many pies, professional dancer, singer, entertainer and now he can add novelist to the list. One Enchanted Evening is set in the ballroom of a London hotel in the 1930s and tells the story of Raymond De Guise, the principle dancer, chambermaid Nancy, and porter Billy who all work downstairs, behind the scenes of the hotel. As you would expect dancing is a big feature in this book, but also surprisingly was the politics of the time, which I found added another dimension to the story. If you like Downton Abbey or The Halcyon (the ITV drama set in a hotel) or Upstairs Downstairs, you will love this book. An enjoyable debut novel from Mr Du Beke. View all my reviews

Diva written by Daisy Goodwin and published by Aria and Aries

  Opera singer Maria Callas known as “ la divina” with her fabulous voice was born with note only a gift of singing, but also the drama and beauty needed to succeed on the worldwide operatic stages. Sadly, liked a bird in a gilded cage, Maria’s life is lonely, and although surrounded by people and her husband she feels isolated. When she meets the fabulously rich shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, her isolation melts away. For the first time in her life, she believes she's found a man who sees the woman rather than the legendary soprano. Desperately in love, Onassis introduces her to a life of unbelievable luxury, mixing with celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. And then, suddenly, it's over. The international press announce that Onassis will marry the most famous woman in the world, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, leaving Maria to pick up the pieces. This is a fictional account based on true events, think of The