This is part of my Summer Reads series where I’ll be reviewing a series of “not just cookbooks”.
This week’s Summer Reads pick is actually three books in one, bonus for those of you looking to fill the last lazy days of summer with a little bit of armchair travel! Written by Laura Bradbury, of The Grape Series (memoirs – I’ve written about them here), Return to the Vineyards is the final in her series, The Winemakers Trilogy – Laura’s first fictional works (I wrote about the first one, A Vineyard for Two here).
About the book:
They married for all the wrong reasons…can they ever make it right?
Amandine needs to get married within days to save the family vineyards from her incompetent brother. Headstrong and obsessed with winemaking, the only possible candidate is Gaspard, the ex-fiancé she dumped in an explosive fight mere months before.
Gaspard has vowed never to give Amandine a second chance to humiliate him. Every bit as domineering and stubborn as her, he’s still outraged at how she rejected him over a trivial winemaking matter. At the same time, he cannot simply stand by while Amandine loses the winery she fought for so fiercely.
With their fake marriage Amandine and Gaspard have met their match—a match that has already proved disastrous. When old feelings resurface and the past is revisited, can two equally fiery people find a way to rewrite their future?
Though it’s part of a trilogy, I’d say this is also a stand-alone read – no need to read the first two before you read this one (but you might want to once you have!).
From the author:
So many of us have been missing travel this year…this book will whisk you off to the vineyards of Burgundy, France in an instant and introduce you to a whole cast of quirky, romantic , hard-working winemakers and their families. Trust me – Return to the Vineyards is so ripe with atmosphere you’ll be able to catch the whiff of spilled pinot noir and freshly baked gourgères coming out of the oven.
This is definitely a perfect summer read – one you’ll probably finish in one or two sittings (or a long plane or train ride or a day on the beach!). Though it’s an easy read it has some complex characters (some likeable, some not-so-much), loads of romance and mystery/ family intrigue. Plus, FRANCE. Burgundy, wine, charming countryside, oh and the food! Though these stories are fictional, Laura lived in France for many years (and travels there often as she is married to a Frenchman, had family there and also runs vacation rental homes) so her portrayal of daily life (in vineyards) is accurate and full of details that Francophiles will appreciate.
Pure escapism is what we all need right now as we continue to deal with the pandemic and I can’t think of a better way to escape the news than to get lost in the story of Amandine and Gaspard. A light read for heavy news times and definitely recommended if a trip to Burgundy isn’t on the cards anytime soon!
Follow Laura Bradbury
Follow Laura on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and check out her author website. You can also rent Laura and Franck’s vacation rental properties in Burgundy – check out the information here.
Buy Return to the Vineyards on Amazon this link should bring you to the Amazon store in, or closest to, your country).
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Please note: This post contains product links from Amazon which are affiliate links, meaning if you click over and purchase something, I will receive a very small percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Thank you in advance!
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Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book from the author. I was not asked to review this book, nor am I receiving compensation for doing do. All opinions are my own.
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MY (first) BOOK! In the French kitchen with kids is out now! Click here for order details!
