Firstly, I loved the setting of this book. I hadn't previously read a book that was set in Croatia and I really enjoyed that. The descriptions of the setting were really nice and I could picture myself there.I also loved how emotional this story was. I thought that it was a great depiction of guilt and trauma and the realistic and craggy atmosphere really added to the story. I loved Marina's character arc.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this story!

Kristin Vukovic wastes no words in her storytelling. The portrayal of her characters were so vividly real, I found myself wanting to dive into the book to shake Dragana to her senses, give her a piece of my mind, and maybe bang some pots and shelves to prove my point. Kicking Franko's ass was also on the list. I gritted my teeth in frustration at Nikola, sympathised with Marina, and cheered when she was finally recognised and lauded for her sheer, hard work. I will henceforth, appreciate every cheese that goes into my mouth.

The Cheesemaker's Daughter is a beautifully-written story of family, loss, and the journey to find one's self. The book is set in Croatia, and the descriptions of the country are stunning. It was incredible to learn more about Croatia's challenging history and the cheese-making process.

Thank you to NetGalley and Regalo Press for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review. The Cheesemaker's Daughter releases on August 6, 2024.

The Cheesemaker's Daughter by Kristin Vukovic is a touching story about identity, loss, tradition, and forging your own path in life set on a gorgeous Croatian island.

Marina Marzic returns to Pag, the Croatian island where she was born, to help revive her father's struggling cheesemaking factory, Sirana. After spending most of her life in New York where her father sent her during Croatia's war of independence, Marina is forced to confront her past- her past identity, memories, and pain from a country still suffering from the effects of its war and about to join the European Union. It is this dichotomy, of past meets present meets the future that Marina struggles with throughout the story. She sees her own life mirrored around her, in both the ancient traditions of the island and in the cheesemaking process where she, like the island and her father's factory, are being forced to reckon with change, betrayal, and identity. Returning to Pag as neither fully Croatian nor American, with a failed marriage, devastating health crisis, and a broken heart, Marina will learn how to rescue and revive Sirana, and herself in this moving story.

I found this story to be very emotional and relatable in so many ways. Like Marina, and the author, I too share a personal connection to Croatia, that holds a somewhat mythical and complicated place in my heart. The descriptions of Croatia- its rocky scenery, coastal charm, and dazzling sea were not the typical touristy descriptions, but rather, more realistic and true to its natural raw beauty that reflected the characteristics and personalities of the people and culture. There was a survivalist tone to the atmosphere, a toughness and hearty feel that captured the true essence of the Adriatic people. The characters in this story felt authentic and the whole story almost read like a memoir where every little detail of each person, place, and thing felt realistic.

The overall storyline about a Croatian woman returning to her homeland, having survived the war in the comforts of America, explored heavy topics like survivalist guilt, identity loss, and trauma, using cheesemaking as a metaphor for reinvention and healing. I found the topic of cheese fascinating and I enjoyed reading about characters who were forced to innovate their ways into stability, success, and the future. The story was sad, but it had a hopeful ending, and in true Croatian fashion, the author did not sugar coat anything, yet still handled difficult topics with care.

The story was layered, not unlike the many steps involved in making artisanal cheese, and anyone who has ever felt displaced, whether physically or emotionally would find a connection to this book. The juxtaposition between the past and future, love and hate, forgiveness and betrayal were examined in this story, with delicious cheese and a majestic island supporting the heart and soul of this family saga.

I am so glad I read The Cheesemaker's Daughter by Kristin Vukovic...I've been waiting to read a story like this for a long time.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Cheesemaker’s Daughter by Kristin Vuković is a contemporary fiction novel featuring Marina, who travels back to her home country of Croatia to help with the family business of cheese making. The business is in financial trouble, Mariana tries to find solutions and how to compete with a local, rival cheese maker. She is estranged from her husband in New York after his extramarital affair and her stillborn birth. She also is struggling with not being Croatian enough after living in America for a good part of her life. The backdrop of Croatia is lovely, you will definitely feel the wind of the Adriatic Sea as you read this book. The food sounds amazingly good, especially the cheese.

I would recommend this book for readers who want to learn more about Croatia and its’ history. This novel has so many layers with family drama, a personal journey through miscarriage and divorce, and finding your place in the world. Cheese making takes center stage and I learned a lot about the process and ingredients. I would love to try the Grandmother Cheese that Mariana makes!

Thank you Regalo Press and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I was engaged with the story, it had everything that I was looking for and enjoyed going through this story. The characters worked well in what was happening with them and thought it worked overall. I was enjoying the concept and how the characters interacted. It was a joy to read and I can't wait to read more from Kristin Vukovic.

Marina returns home to Pag Town Croatia on request of her father. Upon arrival she realizes the family cheese factory is in financial distress which is why her father asked her to come. Marina jumps to the task assisting in apply for grants and using her marketing background to turn things around for the business. Marina’s love life is also an integral part of the story- her rocky marriage with a husband back in New York and the drama of being around her old flame who just happens to be the son of the rival cheese factory owner.

If you enjoy historical family dramas with inviting prose this book is for you!

The formatting is a little clunky but I assume that’s just bc it’s an ARC. Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and rewrite this ARC!

This was a great book. It was a very heartwarming story. The setting is perfectly done and I could not put it down. I would highly recommend this book.

When I selected this (my first!) book from @netgalley, I had been hoping for a heartwarming story with a strong aroma of cheese and a splash of romance to provide some light distraction at the end of a busy week.

The Cheesemaker's Daughter absolutely provided those lovely ingredients, but it was way more than that.

The main character, Marina, leaves a broken marriage and personal tradgedy to return to her father's cheese factory, where business is struggling and the future is far from certain. Ghosts from the past, and unwelcome interest from outsiders cause trouble for Marina and her family, but will love of family and tradition save the day?

The book is set in Croatia and an awful lot of the plot is tied up with the war that took place there in the early 1990s, There are a few triggers, due to this, as well as other themes some readers may find challenging.

I am absolutely sure this fabulous debut novel by Kristin Vuković will make an excellent holiday read, especially as it's publishing in August this year. Add it to your wishlist for the summer, friends!

Hugely grateful to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

With great thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel from Kristin Vukovic. Knowing practically nothing of the story or author beforehand - I will admit that I went for this book because I really, really love cheese. However, the book went deeper than expected, and provided a compelling story of Marina, a woman pulled between her life in America and her home of Pag where Sirana, the family cheese factory is struggling. You root for this strong character who is dealing with heavy personal, marital, and family issues on top of the cheese business. While reading you also get a taste of history of the region. And, true to the title and what drew me in in the first place, there is much discussion of the cheese world (how do i get a ticket to the World Cheese Awards!?).

#TheCheesemakersDaughter #NetGalley