This book was received from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own .

The Winemaker’s
*
Wife
Champagne, 1940, at the cusp of the Second World War, Inès is the young wife of Michel, owner of the Maison Chauveau, a picturesque champagne house nestled among rolling vineyards near Reims, France. It should be an idyllic life, but Inès–who’s often treated like a child by her husband, his chef de cave, Theo, and Theo’s wife, Céline– is increasingly unhappy. 
She’s determined to make a change, but then the German’s arrive.

Kristin Harmel narration is told through dual timelines from Liv’s life in the present and then between Inès and Céline during the war in the late 1930s-1940s. The contemporary chapters propel the story along, but past is a turbulent secretive echo of historical fiction.

Devastated, and heartbroken Olivia, has just recently been divorced is relived to have an excuse to go to France with Edith, her wealthy 97 year old grandmother.


While there Olivia grandmother Edith, slowly tells her incredible story of her and her friends the life she led during the German occupation of the village where she lived with her husband.

This is a dramatic and intricate storyline infused with World War II elements of tragedy, betrayal, and brutality, tempered with love, devotion and heroism. The author masterly allows the reader to unravel the threads of this literary tapestry.

Brilliant progression as the storyline gives you an incredible look at the French resistance during the German occupation amid the champagne vineyards of northern France. The author has created a compelling character driven, emotional resonate novel.

What really stood out for me and what I really loved about this story was the compelling and emotional layered duel timelines and how they connected the story and the family. We see the historical side to the story and then a modern side to it. Each are strong, interesting stories with their conflicts and heartache that shaped the people. 


A deeply thoughtful historical fiction novel, based on details of real-life Resistance activities that occurred in France during World War II.



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This was a beautifully written story of how the choices we make in difficult times can haunt us, and ultimately shape the rest of our lives and those of future generations. The author did a great job with the plot and the characters. However, I felt the pacing was off. I also felt like the dual timeline structure didn’t work very well for me. I also felt that some of the historical details were glossed over or not really mentioned (eg, there were severe gasoline shortages and rationing so I found it hard to believe that Ines was able to drive to Reims so often without this being an issue). Ultimately, though, this was a well-written and emotionally compelling read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy.

WOW! What an incredible story, I could not put this book down! Absolutely fascinating, riveting! This was one a my favorite books so far this year :)

Wine? WWII? Resistance activities? Count me in! I really enjoyed this novel about a young woman who spent her post-war years trying to amend for her actions during the war. Don’t want to give it all away – no spoilers here!

I had enjoyed Kristin Harmel’s earlier novels, so I chose this one through Net Galley. I love reading of this era and am always amazed at the tenacity of the people who lived through such hardship. This was part love story and – to be honest – that was the one part I didn’t really enjoy. I particularly did not like the character of Celine’s husband and found him very one dimensional.

Overall, this was a great read and one I would recommend to folks who enjoy this genre.

Thank you for my review copy!

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Kristin Harmel, and Gallery Books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this historical novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.

The Winemaker's Wife is an excellent historical novel based on a great deal of background research by the author, Kristin Harmel. The locale is confined for the most part to the Champagne area of France, the imagined Maison Chauveau of Ville-Dommange based on several actual vineyards in that storied valley and the township of Reims. We have alternating timelines from the Second World War years in the voices of Ines Chauveau, wife of winery owner Michel, and Celine Laurent, wife of Michel's chef de cave, Theo. The modern times are presented in the voice of Olivia Thierry Kent (Chauveau) and the reluctant memories of 99-year-old Grandma Edith.

These travels back and forth in time are easily followed, the personalities sharp and well defined, the mystery buried deep. Whether you are a history buff, have a WWII interest or love a good love story, this book is for you. The Winemaker's Wife is a novel I will treasure and will read again when the mood strikes. It is a novel I am happy to refer to friends and family. This novel can take you there.

"The Winemaker's Wife" is a dual timeline story mainly focusing on Reims France during WWII with the contemporary chapters propeling the story along.

Ms. Harmel does a wonderful job bringing to life the vineyards of the Champagne region. I truly felt like I was in the caves of Maison Chauveau. The history is well researched and gives a great history of Reims during WWII.

The story centers around Michel and Inès Chauveau and Céline and Theo Laurent trying to survive during WWII. We also meet Liv, who has just gone through a divorce, and her 99-year old grandmother, Edith. Liv accompanies her grandmother, who is carrying a secret that weighs heavily on her heart, back to Reims.

I think I would have liked the book better if the characters had been better developed and likable. I did not find any of them appealing. Michel and Céline never gave Inès a chance. They judged her harshly and never really gave her a chance. Inès made some decisions out of jealousy and insecurity with horrendous results. I can understand the decisions Inès made, however I cannot condone them. Theo just had his head in the sand hoping that everything was going to be okay, which proved to be his downfall.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in winemaking and the history of the Champagne region of France.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Available now: The Winemaker's Wife
***** 5 stars, Loved it and stayed up all night reading: Kristin Harmel weaves the best and worst of human nature together in this multi-generational historical drama.



Recommended readers:

If you like novels with WWII history and drama
If you want an action-packed, historical read
If you like strong female characters
Here's my Rankings:

5/5 for characters
5/5 for plot
5/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Ines has just moved to Champagne, France and is newly married to Michel, owner of the well-known Maison Chauveau, when Germans begin to invade France in early World War II. Meanwhile Celine is the wife of the vineyard's manager and half-Jewish - must also be very careful with the German occupation. Meantime in modern day New York, Liv Kent has lost everything - husband, home  and career when you grandmother insists they go to France.

In this dual WWII and modern storyline, there's heartbreak, selfishness that leads to loss and so many strong characters. Kristin Harmel weaves the best and worst of human nature together - with heartbreak and perseverance to tell a story that affects many generations. A great read for any fiction lover.

Available now: The Winemaker's Wife

This is a novel for those that love France, Champagne, and stories of love, regret, and forgiveness. The lives of Ines, Celine, and Liv intersect across the years of World War ll and present day. The reader will learn of Nazi collaborators, members of the Resistance, and Liv’s “impossibly spry” grandmother and her connection to Paris and Champagne Chauveau. The descriptions of hidden caves, secrets of “riddling” the Champagne, along with the winding roads to Reims and Epernay, keep the reader anxious to get to the “bottom of the bottle” to discover the true outcome of the lies and secrets held for so long. The Grateful Reader “sipped and savored” every page of this ‘gold medal’ read. 5*

This book took me away. Away to a life that thank goodness we don’t have to live now. But of course that is what Inès, Céline, Michel, and Theo thought at the time too. They never expected that the war and the Germans would affect them the way it did. There is also Edith, Inès’s best friend and her husband Eduard. They play a fairly big part in this book and in the resistance during the war.

This book is told from Liv’s life in the present and then between Inès and Céline during the war in the late 1930s-1940s. Each has had much upheaval in their lives. Things happened that they didn’t expect.

Liv, newly divorced and without a job is newly divorced. Her ex has already moved on, even before the divorce started. Her grandmother, Grandma Edith, comes and takes her to France to get away from her life in NY and help her move on with her life.

Grandma Edith is one of my favorite characters with the exception that she is not a very loving or patient person. She loves Liv and will do anything for her now. She’s had a very hard life and much of it will come out in this book. The things she did and the guilt she fells follow her to her very last days. Despite her many failures she did a lot to help during the war. She helped many people but never felt like she truly was a good person. I thought she made a grave mistake when she thought Michel treated her inferior and like she couldn’t do anything right. I didn’t agree with some things she did but it pulled the story together to make it what it was. Also Celine and Michel were wrong in things they did. But again it was part of the storyline and set it up for what it was.

A book about love, betrayal, murder, cruelty, war, fear, sadness, loss and through many tears, this book takes you from present day to the past during WW2. To the winemaking houses and the business in town where the Germans took over and destroyed so many lives. To the resistance and the deaths of some good people. Mistakes that were made and loyalties that were broken. To the sorrows that follow when huge mistakes are made during a time when someone is hurt deeply. From the birth of a child who is part Jewish and then disappeared, to the mother who was thought dead. From public executions to the people left behind that relive these things their whole lives.

This was a very good, very touching story of such deep loss. A story of how a group of people helped save France after it was torn apart by an evil group who wanted to rule the world. How anyone can think they are so much better than another boggles my brain. How the Germans can think they are superior to the Jewish people was so cruel yet we see these things in everyday life even now. Prejudice is so awful. So horrible in fact.

Liv’s grandma Edith had a story to tell her but she had so much guilt on her that it was almost impossible for her to say the words. The ending of this book was told perfectly. It was a beautiful yet tragic story of love, loss and heartache. Death, life and moving on. For 99 years Grandmother Edith held on to a story that would change Liv’s life forever.

It’s also got a bit of a love story thrown in. Both in the 1940s and in the present. Love does not always prevail but it can. During a war it’s hard to keep the love strong. There are to many betrayals and lives lost. In the present there is a new love happening for Liv and the grandson of someone that Inès helped back when things were at their worse.

This is a book about war. A book about love. Betrayal and guilt. But it’s a book that will make you want more. It will make you appreciate the freedoms you have and hope we always have. Life was so hard during the war times. More than my mind can imagine without the help of a good book and this was an excellent book. Told in a way that makes you feel the things that are happening both in the present and the past. The past broke my heart. I shed many tears reading what happened to people during that war in that country in that house where the wine was made and the Germans took what they wanted when they wanted.

A must read by anyone who loves a good yet tragic story of love, loss and then found again in many ways. Forgiveness, moving on and finding the history of a family in a time when things go terribly wrong.

I received a copy of this book via #NetGalley and #Gallery books for my complete and honest review.

A 5 star and high recommendation from me.

The Winemaker's Wife is beautifully written with characters that are flawed and real. Kristin Harmel has a true talent for historical fiction and creating connections to the story. I think I will be a lifelong fan of Harmel's based on the two books I have read by her.

Kristin Harmel's The Winemaker's Wife was a solid read overall for me, although I'll admit I had a few issues with it. I really enjoyed the setting, as WWII and France are two of my favorite settings for historical fiction. I also very much enjoyed the glimpses into the winemaking world and learning that the winemakers were such an active part of the resistance movement during WWII. Harmel's writing is beautiful and the tale is engaging, so that I was easily drawn into the world she wanted to show me.

My biggest issue with the novel was when I read WWII historical fiction, what I'm looking for is that sense of resistance, those inspirational stories of strength about people who did everything they could to stand up to the Nazis. Even though those aspects are touched on throughout this book, I felt that they often took a backseat to who was in love with who, who was cheating on who, and who was jealous of everyone else. In that sense, it read like a historical romance more so than just historical fiction.

I was also unfortunately not a big fan of the character Inès, which didn't help matters since she features prominently in the book. While she comes across as very authentic -- I'm sure there are plenty of people like her in the world -- I found her selfish, juvenile, and just all around irritating, which made it hard to feel sympathetic toward her for the majority of the book. She spends much of the book whining because she thinks everyone thinks she's stupid, but then responds to everyone thinking she's stupid by racing off in her husband's car in the middle of the war to do stupid, reckless things that endanger not only herself but potentially the entire resistance movement.

I would definitely recommend the book to fans of Historical Romance. If you like messy, tangled-up relationships set against a wartime historical background, you'll love The Winemaker's Wife.

I received a free ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel is a historical fiction story that predominantly focuses on 2 women in WWII France during Nazi occupation. It is crosses over to present day with the Grandmother and Granddaughter who are going to France in 2019. You see the true struggle that people during WWII dealt with on a daily basis, but also get a good glimpse of how the past continues to impact the future generations. It is a story that will break your heart, and compel you to keep reading until finished.

The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel is an historical fiction novel and a dual timeline novel (which is my favorite thing). The story follows three women, two during World War II who live and work at a vineyard because both of their husbands are involved in winemaking. And one woman in 2019 who is dealing with a divorce and is taken to France by her grandmother, who has a mysteries reason for wanting to go there.

The majority of the book follows the World War II storyline and the two women who are struggling to deal with life under Nazi occupation and the stress that their husbands and themselves are under. Ines is young and does not want to understand the gravity of life under the German occupation and consequently doesn’t always make the best decisions. Celine is part Jewish, separated from her family, has heard the rumors about what is happening to the Jewish people, and fears for her family. The historical part of the story reminds me very much of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, because there is the sense of impending doom and the constant battle between characters as to how to get through the war. Does one resist and risk death? Or remain silent and hope to escape the Nazi’s notice?

In the contemporary part of the story Olivia, Liv, is heartbroken from her divorce to a man her grandmother never liked. She is glad to have an excuse to go to France with her wealthy grandmother (and she doesn’t seem to have much of a life outside her husband). Once there, the 97-year-old woman begins acting strangely, which adds a bit of mystery element, since it is logical that the two parts of the book must connect. I don’t think the mystery was too difficult to solve, but it is interesting to see it unfold. Overall, The Winemaker’s Wife reminds me most of The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah. I read that book last summer and loved it, and Kristin Harmel recommends the book herself in the Author’s note.

What I like most about Harmel’s writing in this book is that she takes a difficult time in history and writes about it with gravity and respect, but also gives the reader a break from the past every three chapters with the modern story. This kept me from getting too sunk into despair while reading, but also reminded me of how much the past effects the future and who we are.

This was a 5 star book for me because it had all the things I love: complex characters, difficult struggles, some history, some hope, a strong sense of place and a touch of romance.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. But this is one of those books that I would love to keep, so I imagine I’ll be buying it some day.

I am a big fan of historical fiction, and especially those stories dealing with World War II. This story certainly did not disappoint me as the story revolved around the French resistance in the wine countryside of Reimes. Sometimes the things that people did during this time frame to be able to survive was astounding. At the same time, personal lives in families/businesses were greatly affected by both personal, heartbreaking decisions, and instinctive actions that changed lives dramatically. The storyline is captivating, as modern day Liv tries diligently to figure out the secrets that Grandma Edith is both hiding, and yet trying to tell, as they travel from the US to France and the countryside where the secrets began. The author takes us through this reveal by taking us back in the history of Edith and the life she led during the German occupation of the village where she lived with her husband and friends., and then bringing us back to current time as Liv finds out more and more about her grandmother. As we learn the secret that has left Edith struggling with her conscience throughout her lifetime, we also have a heartbreaking scene where she begs forgiveness. But this story has a few twists in it that are unexpected, and yet bring the story to a satisfactory conclusion. I received an ARC of this from NetGalley, the author and Simon and Schuster in return for an honest review, which this has been. Thanks for the opportunity.. #NetGalley, #Simonandschuster, #TheWinemakersWife

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and the Winemaker’s Wife does the genre justice. The background history of the vineyards in France during WWII is well researched and quite informative. The interweaving of the past and the present adds much to the intensity of the storyline. Readers will not be disappointed when the two timelines intersect. (Tissue alert!) Harmel has created such wonderfully flawed characters that the reader is drawn to instantly. A must read! Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to have an early look at this great story.

I probably won’t be able to drink another glass of champagne 🍾 without thinking about the French Resistance against the Germans during WWW 2. I never considered or even knew that the champagne makers would be forced to turn over their bottles to the Germans but also they sometimes hid Jews and smuggled guns through their cellars.

Largely, this is a story of a family of fictional winemakers during a turbulent time. A story of love, loss, and regrets that spanned 3 generations. Plot twists that I could not have predicted made for an even better read.

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery, Pocket Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. This book was released on 8/13/19 for your enjoyment.

I enjoyed the story and the setting immensely, but I had a few issues with the writing. Overall and enjoyable and informative (when it comes to champagne) read.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42201870

3 champagne stars

This is a well-researched historical fiction tale set in the champagne region of France, mostly during WWII. I truly enjoyed learning more about the process of maintaining a vineyard, the process for making champagne, and a bit more about what the inhabitants of this region did as part of the French resistance.

The three women in this book – Celine, Ines, and Liv -- mostly didn’t capture my sympathy until the end of the book. They didn’t feel fleshed out and I struggled to understand why they acted in certain ways. I just didn’t connect to them in the way I do with a book that I love. There are elements of intrigue, secrets, and deception all woven into this one.

I really liked “The Room on Rue Amelie” by this author, so I will definitely read her next book, I wish I would have liked this one more.

The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel is a historical fiction novel. Part of the story takes place in France during World War II and part of the story is set in modern day Paris. It's about a family of winemakers in France who are trying to protect not only their family business but also their own lives and the lives of others during the German occupation of Reims.

I generally am not a fan of historical fiction that is set in two different time periods. It's a fairly common scenario- perhaps one that is becoming overdone in modern fiction. One part of the story is in the past, and the other part is in the future. As the two stories unfold, the reader discovers how the stories are connected to each other. Usually the scenes in the past are the strongest in these types of novels, and that holds true with The Winemaker's Wife. I was immediately pulled into the lives of the characters during World War II. However, the modern day characters did not connect with me as much.

Speaking of characters, there were a few frustrating characters in this story (Ines, I'm looking at you!). Ines especially was infuriating. I was constantly wanting to scream at her, "what is going on in your head?" However, the choices that these characters make do play an important role in the story. So without the frustrating characters, I guess there wouldn't be an interesting story!

Overall, I would give this book 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4). Especially if you are a fan of World War II historical fiction, this could be a good book for you to read next. It was interesting to read more about the history of champagne and how it persevered through the hardships of both world wars!

Thanks to Net Galley and Gallery Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Champagne will have a new and special meaning to me after reading this book. "This champagne represents history, my dear. Heroism. Bravery. The people behind these wines helped save France." There's so much history to the craft of winemaking and the winemakers who produce this product. As the author took me back to the 1940's and the invasion by the Nazi's into the vineyards of northern France, I found myself immersed into the story as if I were living it along beside the characters.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre and Ms. Harmel has written a novel that made me take a look at what happened in history through these pages. I became one with the characters living the horror and dread of what was unfolding during the invasion and the rounding up of a people just because of their religion. I felt the fear of never knowing when their lives would be changed. Living in dread day after day. I joined the Resistance Fighters who put their lives on the line to protect the Jews and their beloved country of France. It was as if I were there.

The characters are in complicated situations. The story is written in a dual time line about characters that are related to each other. I enjoyed the way the present day story was intertwined with the past and how as each piece was placed it became a whole picture. There are characters I fought with in my heart and drew the courage to do what they had to in order to protect each other. I hurt, I cried, I felt the betrayals and the dread. I felt the forbidden love and yearning to express that love. I felt the loneliness. There are secrets that can't come out and what the consequences of what that would be. The author has a talent for bringing the story to life in my mind.

The setting the author put this story in had me envisioning the tunnels of the caves where the champagne was kept in the barrels, the lush vineyards and grapes, the beautiful House of Chauveau, and just being in the country of France both in the past and also the present. I am intrigued by this history and how it resulted in the efforts of the French Resistance. It would be frightening to do what they did, but survival and determination would make that strength rise up.

There are so many passages that Ms. Harmel wrote in this book that made the characters have the depth and ability for me to relate to.
"We all make mistakes. But life goes on, and we can always become better. It's not the decisions in your past that matter, but the choices you make about your future."
"So you see," Rene concluded triumphantly, "when you drink a glass of Chauveau, you are really tasting heroism in all those bubbles. The Maison Chauveau helped save France."

That last passage takes me back to the first sentence of my review....I will always appreciate how the author wrote this story to honor the spirit and determination of the French people. I love learning new things from history and this book has taken me to that place. I want to thank Ms. Harmel and Netgalley for the honor of reading this book! A five star read for me.