The Winemaker's Wife Hardcover – August 13, 2019

When you are used to reading books by great writers, not necessarily famous ones, but those who know how to develop character, increase tension, invoke passion, you realize that this book lacks depth on many levels. The plots move quickly and there are plenty of twists and turns but you will never feel totally invested in the characters. It is a book with a story but without soul.

The Winemaker’s Wife is by Kristin Harmel. This novel is set during World War II in the Champagne region of France near the city of Reims. Most of it is set on the vineyard of Chauveau. This book deals with the personal relationships of friends and lovers as well as husbands and wives. It deals with how people were able to protect themselves and their property during the occupation by the Nazis. The Resistance is definitely working in this area and there were lots of collaborators and traitors. How each person chose which side to be on and whether to be active or not is looked at in detail. The story is told in two different eras, during the war from 1940-5 and the present 2016.In May, 1940, Inez Chauveau raced towards the vineyards from Reims. She had news to relay to her husband. She felt he didn’t pay much attention to anything she did or said and that everything she did or said was wrong. This time, she was totally right and the news wasn’t good. When she found Michel, he was in the caverns with the wine. When she told him that war had started in France, his reaction was not what she expected. His first words were, “I guess we need to finish hiding the champagne.” Once more, his first thought was for the wine. However, Inez immediately began helping move the best of the wines to a secret room in the caverns. The winemaker was going to make sure the Nazis didn’t get the best wines his vineyard could produce. Luckily, his great-grandfather had created several secret rooms in the caverns where they kept the wines. There were miles of caverns beneath his property. You could easily get lost there. Inez and Michel lived here with his winemaker, Theo Laurent, and his wife, Celine. Inez got along with them; but they were never destined to be best friends. Theo thought she was just flighty and immature. All of them made her feel like they were judging her every day and she always fell short of their expectations. She came to resent them and went to Reims where she began a relationship with Antoine. At least he pretended to listen to her and believe in her. However, he would become her downfall.Liv Kent had just broken up with her husband. She was devastated when her grandmother, Edith Thierry came to take her to Paris. Her grandmother had a reason other than to get her back on track. She planned to tell her the truth about her heritage; but Edith was having a hard time doing that. Edith took Liv on tours and walks; but never told her the secret. Liv was introduced to Edith’s attorney who knew the story but was unable to tell her Edith’s story. Would she ever tell her the true story behind the Chauveau vinyards?The book is very good and keeps you reading. You just can’t stop.

I've read several of Kristin Harmel's books, and loved them all so much. I was anxiously awaiting the release of this newest book. Sadly, I'm very disappointed. If I didn't know this was a new release, I would have sworn I've read it before. Same ole story line. I didn't care for any of the characters. It was a struggle just to finish it. After having paid full price for it, I was determined to read it through. No matter how much it pained me.I sure hope the author comes up with better stories next time. As I do like her writing style.And up until this book, really enjoyed all her other books. Oh well, they can't all be great I guess.

If you like World War II books you will love this . This author just writes the best books. I have read all of them and this is one of her best. Read it...you will love it too. 🤗🤗💕

This beautifully written novel is one of my all time favorites. I did not want it to end. This Champagne region of France was nearly destroyed in World War I and World War II took a terrible toll also.The family of a top vineyard was involved in the French resistance. The characters are are deeply developed and based on the realities of life in the region during Nazi occupation and terror. This is a story of love through generations, of the French Resistance and families of blood and choice. Fabulous read!

I just completed The Winemakers Wife and loved it,Excellent research by the author and vividly written.A must read for those who enjoy reading WWII historical novels.If you enjoyed the The Room on Amelie then you will love this read.I could almost hear those Nazi jackboots descending the cave stairs and feel the fear of Celine and Inez!

Kristen weaves a great story about the French winemakers during WWII. I learned so much about champagne making! What work goes into each bottle to make it just right. I also learned how the French resisted in their own special way to the Nazis taking control. The main characters chose different paths of resistance each aligned to their personality. Kristen did well in developing the storyline, characters, winemaking, and the war!

The book was not as much about the French Resistance as I would have liked. Much of the book was about a secret and romance. It went between present day to WWII. I had mixed feelings about Michael and Celine. I loved Liv and Edith! Without them the book would have been blah.

I liked the story of Wine growing and amazing way they managed to exist during the War. We don't realise how much people suffered.I don't like the way the book kept jumping to the future. I always miss these chapters and then read them together at the end

I have just finished reading this incredible book, set in the Champagne region of France during the Second World War. A fiction based on true facts and actual engagements of The Resistance.For the rest of my life, not a single sip of Champagne will touch my lips, without my admiration, appreciation, revere and awe for the bravery, the courage, the selflessness, the commitment, the strength and the patriotic love for their country with which the owners and the workers of the Champagne Houses of France, both major and small, risked their lives to regain and free their country from The Occupation.Merci...Santé ...Vive La France 🍾🥂🇫🇷👏

This is another incredible story written by a Kristin Harmel. I couldn't put it down. Every time I picked up the book I felt like I was right there in France with the Characters. I laughed with them and cried for them. I could feel there pain and heartbreak through the incredible descriptions Kristin wrote. This is a truly must read!

So many novels portray stereotypes, the heroes and villains. This book is well written and complex, describing humans with their weaknesses and at times exceptional strengths. Even if you know the history of the second world war, this book brings something new, the human perspective

I enjoyed this book, will recommend it to friends and will read more by this author. A book to get lost in.