Book Review - Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace by Julie Stock

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace

Author: Julie Stock

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author Supplied Copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 14th July 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

t’s springtime at The Vineyard in Alsace, a new season and a new beginning

After being abandoned by her partner when she falls pregnant, Lottie Schell goes home to live on The Vineyard in Alsace, where she has started a new relationship with the estate’s winemaker, Thierry. Now about to give birth, Lottie’s determined to raise her child and to provide for them both on her own without having to depend on anyone else.

Thierry Bernard is still dealing with his grief and guilt following the death of his wife two years earlier, for which he blames himself. When he meets Lottie, the instant attraction he feels towards her gives him hope that he can move on from the tragedy of his past, as long as he can tell Lottie the truth of what happened.

When circumstances force Lottie and Thierry closer together, they both find it hard to compromise – she’s proudly independent and he’s fiercely protective – and they’re both wary about trusting someone new with their heart.

Can Lottie and Thierry take a chance on each other, move on from their pasts and start over?

Escape to The Vineyard in Alsace once again with this romantic read set in the heart of the wine country.

A charming story about Thierry and Lottie, and whether they are going to be able to ever fully trust each other in order to move on with their lives together. 

Although this is the second book in the Vineyard in Alsace series, it can easily be read as standalone, the main characters from the previous book are still present in a big way, and we get to see how they are progressing with life, but the focus told in two viewpoints is on Thierry and Lottie. 

And they both have personal challenges to overcome, Thierry needs to finally put to rest what happened when his wife died two years ago, and attempt to accept her loss properly.  And Lottie well she starts the book 8 months pregnant, and so seeing her adjusting to motherhood, is fun. She is determined to be independent, something that Thierry (who is not the father), needs to learn to accept. 

I loved being back on the Vineyard in Alsace, and seeing what everyone is now up to.  It really is just a lovely story, a will they won't they in terms of a HEA, and the baby is adorable once its born.   I enjoyed seeing Lottie's family dynamics, especially with her Papi. 

And Thierry's chapters with the counsellor are interesting and add a new dimension to the working of his brain and personality. 

It's about two people learning to compromise in places for the sake of their love for each other. It's about learning to trust again. 

It's just a really enjoyable way to spend an afternoon reading in the garden. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.