Sunday 18 June 2017

Book Review - The Vineyard in Alsace by Julie Stock - Fab Firsts



Fab Firsts is my new regular Sunday feature, that is going to be highlighting books that are firsts. When interviewing authors, it will be about their first book, as well as other firsts in their lives. When reviewing books for this feature, there will be a mix of debuts, first books in a series, the first time I read an author, and possibly other firsts depending on what I can think of!

If you are an author wanting to take part in Fab Firsts then please do email on gilbster at gmail dot com and I'll whizz the questions over to you.

I hope you enjoy this look at a variety of hopefully fabulous firsts, while making some sort of dent in my review and paperback TBRs which are my current main focus!

Although not Julie Stock's first book, it is the first book that I have read by this author. 

Amazon UK
Title: The Vineyard in Alsace
Author: Julie Stock
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied review copy
Publisher: Clued Up Publishing 
Publication Date: 9th March 2017
Rating: 5 Stars

Is there really such a thing as a second chance at love?

Fran Schell has only just become engaged when she finds her fiancé in bed with another woman. She knows this is the push she needs to break free of him and to leave London. She applies for her dream job on a vineyard in Alsace, in France, not far from her family home, determined to concentrate on her work.

Didier Le Roy can hardly believe it when he sees that the only person to apply for the job on his vineyard is the same woman he once loved but let go because of his stupid pride. Now estranged from his wife, he longs for a second chance with Fran if only she will forgive him for not following her to London.

Working so closely together, Fran soon starts to fall in love with Didier all over again. Didier knows that it is now time for him to move on with his divorce if he and Fran are ever to have a future together. Can Fran and Didier make their second chance at love work despite all the obstacles in their way? 

A romantic read set against the enticing backdrop of the vineyard harvest in France. 

If you like books set in France, or vineyards, or wine, or a second chance romance, then look no further than The Vineyard in Alsace.   It is a fabulous story with writing that felt incredibly comfortable to me to read, which is great as I had never read the author before this book. 

I loved the writing style and the fact the book is written in alternating perspectives between Fran and Didier, where you were often getting to see both of their thoughts on the same instance, while the story moves forward too. 

Fran and Didier used to date while they were at uni before circumstances drove them apart. Didier couldn't believe it when Fran applies for a job at his vineyard and can't wait to see her again.  Although a lot has happened in four years. Between them they both have incredibly tricky exes, one of them has a child, and there is also a dog too! 

I loved hearing all about life on the vineyard in Alsace, and with the initial tours showing Fran around, it reminded me a lot of my own tours of a couple of small vineyards in the Bandol region of France, last year. To me it all seemed incredibly realistic and I could picture it all very clearly. 

I loved the innate French-ness of the vineyard and town of Alsace. There was a spattering of basic french vocabulary used in some of the dialogue which added to the feel of the book, and the talk of getting fresh mouth watering croissants at the local bakery each day was incredibly pleasing to see. 

I really enjoyed seeing Didier and Fran's story, but not only theirs Fran's best friend Ellie comes out to visit and it changes her life too. They both have horrific ex-es to deal with, one more recent than the other, and its thanks to the ex-es that there are some great moments of drama and conflict in the book. 

The Vineyard in Alsace is an incredibly enjoyable book,  that transported me to a foreign location, for a lovely story that was very pleasurable to read. 

Thank you Julie Stock for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 


1 comment:

  1. Thanks so much for your lovely review, Rachel. I really am so glad that you enjoyed The Vineyard in Alsace :)

    ReplyDelete

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