I have just completed reading (in record time!) this most amazing, engrossing and beautiful book. There was not one moment while reading this title that I wanted it to end---all of my questions, wants and story line were all just so incredibly written and left the reader so satisfied. Aside from learning so much while reading, the book just touched my heart with all the relationships, the characters and how the ends all tied together. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this title prior to publication--I will not forget it easily and it will stay with me so quite some time.

This is a story that makes you feel like you dropped right into wartime France. I got so involved that I was late for work reading "just a little bit more" one day. The characters felt very real, not always likable , especially Inez, but very much like real life people. The plot was believable, with a twist near the end you won't see coming. Smooth writing flow too.

Highly recommended.

*ARC via netgalley*

I have been a fan of Kristin Harmel's writing for quite some time now. She has written a few novels about World War II and the Holocaust, but each one has its own special flair that sets it apart from the others in this genre. The Winemaker's Wife tells a story about two women during a very tumultuous time and the secrets that threaten their safety.

This novel was thoughtful and well-written. I learned new things about winemaking. I liked seeing the perspectives of all three women and finding out why they made the choices they did. Being an avid reader, some parts were easy for me to guess, but other parts were surprising. There were elements that threw off my guesses, as well. Through her vivid descriptions, Kristin brought Paris, Reims, and Champagne to life. I really liked Grandma Edith, as she was very sharp for her age.

I would have liked a pronunciation guide or a footnote every time a new French name was introduced. That would have been helpful, as I don't speak French and probably butchered the way the names sounded in my head.

The Winemaker's Wife is another winner from Kristin that you are guaranteed to devour.

Movie casting suggestions:
Ines: Courtney Eaton
Celine: Mathilde Ollivier
Michel: Jeremy Irvine
Liv: Katherine Waterston
Julien: John Reardon

A story of love, tragedy and the resolve of the human spirit- the Winemakers Wife will transport you to France’s wine country and its rich and victorious history. Told from multiple character points of view Harmel weaves a multidimensional tale that carries us through the struggles of the French people during World War II and their varied roles in fighting the war at home.
The characters are varied and unforgettable, the plot is detailed and thought provoking. Fans of The Nightingale will find satisfaction in The Winemaker’s Wife.

The Winemakers Wife is an intriguing story about world war two. The characters will fill your heart with their stories. You'll learn about champagne as well as the war. There are some surprises and twist that will keep you reading until the end.

From this day forward, I will never watch the bubbles rising in a glass of champagne without thinking of this book. As we approach the 75th anniversary of the ending of World War II, there are a plethora of books about the unknown people who fought the war from their homes. This is the best by far! Although this is a work of fiction, the stories revealed in this book will capture your heart and remain there as you ponder the horrors committed during this war. This book is well researched, and the characters are living, breathing beings. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever sipped a glass of wine without giving thought to its origin.

I loved this book and wished it continued so I knew what happened next! The speaker/timeline chapters allowed me to really feel how each of the characters were evolving through WWII France deep in the champagne country. I love historical fiction with a great plot where I also learn about the political, historical, and local aspects surrounding the plot. This book presented all of this and more. Winemakers Wife will be on my top recommendation list when published

What a great story, very moving! It's hard not to feel such strong emotions from the WW2 era of history.
The characters felt real and I loved the story jumping back and forth in time, it gave it more depth.

What a wonderful books. It was intricate, detailed, and had multiple stories weaved through WWII sand present-day. I loved the characters. A must-read.

I love her writing and she has a gift for creating memorable characters and tight plots with lots of historical details
thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel is truly a gem. This is a novel of historical fiction focussing on a Champagne House in the 1940s near Reims, France during WWII. It involves the House’s owners: Michel and Ines and their chief winery’s chef Theo and his Jewish wife Celine. It also gracefully interweaves the past with the present with the current story line involving Olivia, who recently went through a very upsetting and devastating divorce.

The author is remarkable in the way she was able to weave a complicated, passionate, thrilling, and thought-provoking story into two generations that tied up nicely in the end.

There were so many stunning moments, and twists, that I was caught by surprise several times.

What I love the most is that all of the characters from the WWII story line is that they were all flawed, human, and imperfect, but yet all strived to mend their errors and overcome the obstacles to become better people in the end.

5/5 stars. One of the best reads for me so far this year.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

As always, Kristin Harmel does not disappoint!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this outstanding book.

I absolutely loved each parallel story that made this novel so enticing to read. In present day, Liv and Edith’s story is so enigmatic, I just had to keep reading to find out exactly what had transpired in the past. In the past, the interesting connections between Ines, Celine, and Michel were twisted like I can imagine happens during wartime.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book; excellent historical aspects, characters, and poignancy as well!

Kristin Harmel is a wonderful storyteller. The Winemaker’s Wife takes place during World War II in the vineyards of France. There was a small amount of interesting information on the role the vineyards and wine caves played during Nazi occupation in France. I enjoyed this book more for the wonderful story telling rather than for the historical fiction part of it. This is the second book I have read by Harmel and I will continue to read her books. If you haven’t read any of her books I suggest you give this author a try, I do not think you will be disappointed. Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

A great different historical story about the French winemakers during the WWII occupation of France.
Good drama ,twists, suspense, angst, romance.
About 3couples and how their lives intertwine with an OMG ending.
If you like WWII historical stories you will like this book.
Voluntarily reviewed.

The Winemaker’s Wife (Gallery Books August 13, 2019) is an eloquent historical novel that reveals its multiple but ultimately linked story lines in rich, careful layers—much like a fine mystery novel. The writing is lush, often lyrical, the crossing plot lines captivating, the history stunning, and the characters intriguing and memorable. Kristin Harmel does herself proud once again.

The rest of the review, written for Compulsive Reader, will be posted along with a link once CR has published the review. Shorter reviews will also be posted at Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, and Bookbub.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book. I loved reading it. And I sincerely hope that others will feel the same about it. Switching between WW II and the present the book is an amazing inside about Europe's history and a love story in a tiny little French village situated in the Champagne. I highly recommend reading it

Thank you to Net Galley and Pocket Books for an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. What an interesting book about WW II and yet another aspect of it I knew little about. This book focused on the area in France where Champagne and wine flourished. Edith is nearly 100 years old, and she wants her granddaughter to learn about the region of her heritage, with hard truths coming to light. I liked this book a great deal, and I'm picky about this period. I loved the information at the end, giving me new insight into the sparkling beverage we take for granted. I didn't love some of the main characters that you'd have thought I would. I highly recommend this one.

This book has been on my radar for quite some time as one of my most anticipated historical fiction reads of 2019. I was so excited when I was selected to read it early! Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster. With that being said I love a good World War II romance novel that takes a look on the war from a different perspective. What I loved about this read was the vivid descriptions and the past and present that wove their way together intricately but perfectly.

If you liked The Commandant's Wife, or The Lost Girls of Paris or The Nightingale you will love this book! Filled with interesting characters in trying situations, it's hard to put it down; I always wanted to know what happened next!

Two families work together in Champagne France to make wonderful wine for champagne house Maison Chauveau. Michel and his young wife Ines own the winery which has been in the family for generations. When the Germans come to down, Michel does what he can to hide the wines from the Germans while still meeting their demands, so the winery will survive the war. Ines is devoted to Michel but feels that he treats her like a flighty child, and protects her too much. When Michel joins the resistance to fight against the Germans, Ines is devastated that he won't include her and makes some decisions that put them in danger.

Celine is married to the chef de cave, Theo Laurent. When the Germans come to the chateau, Theo's preference would be to find a way to get along with them. But Celine is half Jewish, a fact this is not widely known, but not secret either. It had never been an issue before, but in German occupied France that changes dramatically. Theo does not know that Michel is part of the resistance, and soon Celine joins him in his secret rebellion against the Germans. Their mutual resistance turns into mutual attraction. While unaware that they are lover's, Ines's jealousy at not being included in Michel's activities leads her to some truly terrible decisions with potentially devastating consequences.

Fast forward to 2019. Liv Kent is recovering from a disastrous marriage when her eccentric grandmother takes her off to France, not exactly to recover but for reasons of her own. Grandmother Edith has always been somewhat of a mystery and has always refused to discuss her past, but in France that begins to change. Clearly something is on Edith's mind, but what? And what does it have to do with Maison Chauveau? The alternating story lines, past and present, come together in a stunning conclusion.

The Winemaker's Wife is a really great story. From time to time I did get frustrated with Ines' immaturity and self centeredness, but it was very satisfying watching her grow. Michel is a classic hero, one we'd all like to fall in love with. The Winemaker's Wife is a very enjoyable read for those who like books of this time period (I do!),

This book was received as an ARC from Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical Fiction has taken a new trend at our library and our patrons loved The Lost Girls of Paris and I know from reading Winemaker's Wife and the enriched history behind the story, they will love this one too. I love all the Historical facts woven into the plot that Kristin Harmel exemplified throughout the book. This book also reminded me a lot of the Zookeeper's Wife and how she protected all the Jewish children and people from the Nazis and how she was determined to save their lives similar to the risk Inez and Celine made with having love at their fate risking their own lives. This book will definitely be a hit throughout our library.

We will consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.