The Vineyard at Painted Moon is a story of love and family, how that changes during divorce, and how you can find yourself and your dreams again.

This was a good family drama. I couldn’t put it down. I was a little surprised with Barbara’s character. But this book sucked me in right away.

Though there is a very small thread of romance in The Vineyard at Painted Moon, I wouldn’t call it a love story. Unless you would classify a woman finding herself and loving herself again a love story. Because that’s what this book is about. Women finding themselves and rebuilding their lives after major changes.

While at times I thought a few of the scenes or small pieces of dialogue were a bit overdramatic, the main stories were wonderfully done. I understood the struggles of each of the women and loves how they went about rebuilding their lives.

While the story was complete, I would have loved this book to be a series because I would have enjoyed more time with each woman, Mackenzie, Stephanie, and Four. I wanted to know even more about them, experience more of their feelings, and really feel out the plot. Plus, who doesn’t want to spend more time at a vineyard.

The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars, because I legitimately read it with almost no breaks, is the mother character. She was honestly too over the top evil for me. Not that those type of people don’t exist, because believe me they do, but I like my villains to be a little more complex. Otherwise, this was just a fun, wine filled journey through family complexities.

Conclusion
Women’s fiction lovers will really enjoy The Vineyard at Painted Moon, especially my fellow winos.

Unfortunately Covid pushed back me reading this book but I finally got around to it. An easy contemporary read by Susan Mallery Who is always a master at the ChickLit genre. Vineyards and romance and old loves coming together again make such a satisfying read that you won’t want to put this book down.

When I think of literary fiction, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and can satisfies just about every reader's heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day. Susan Mallery is one of the best.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Vineyard at Painted Moon by: Susan Mallery
Thanks to Harlequin Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed this advance reader copy of this book all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mackenzie Dienes is a winemaker for her husbands family. While in college she was roommates with Stephanie, her sister in law. She came home with her for the holidays 16 years ago and found a family by falling for Rhys. She’s content with her life until Rhys asks for a divorce… she has to deal with the fact that her home, career and family are all tied to Rhys. She has two choices stay and work for the family or start a new future that she has always dreamed of.
I loved this book from the beginning. A HEA being was just what I was looking for this weekend!

I enjoyed reading this book, it was a good romance novel and I liked the way Ms. Mallery writes. The characters were well done and it left me wanting more.

This was a great book and it was the first one I've read of Susan Mallery. I will definitely be reading more of her.

The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery is a wonderful story of a multi-generational family and the changes that one family member has to make once they are no longer a part of the family.
A great read!

I always read and review Susan Mallery as soon as I get my hands on a copy. I always review on other platforms but always forget to review here. One of my favorite books by her!

This was a wonderful story about several characters who all work at the family vineyard. The main character is married to the oldest son. He asks her for a divorce. She grows the grapes for the wine and it is her passion. The family asks her to stay in the compound and continue with the family business. She slowly comes to realize that she will never be a member of the family, just sn outsider looking in. She decides to leave which results in her former mother in law becoming very cruel. Our main character does get her #hea

Mackenzie Dienes loves her life. Her job is fun and interesting in the family winery as an elite winemaker. Her close friends are her in-laws, and she has a beautiful home. But the family in charge of the winery isn’t her family, she just married into it and now her marriage is coming to an end. When her husband agrees that their marriage is over, the pain is unavoidable and Mackenzie is on the brink of losing everything she has come to love about her life: family, job, and friends. But sometimes when one door closes, another opens and when Mackenzie finds the strength to move out on her own, she will find something even more beautiful in her future if she has the strength to just reach for it.

Susan Mallery delivers another stirring story about changes, what makes a family and more in THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON and I can’t help but root for Mackenzie right off the bat. She is plucky, feisty and is very relatable especially as she tries to figure out how to move forward when her life seemingly falls apart. Ms. Mallery is a top-notch writer who captures her characters essence completely within her pages of the book and delivers a wild and heartfelt story in her latest women’s fiction novel. I love how Mackenzie finds the strength to move on and make something for herself instead of just maintaining the status quo with her soon to be ex-husband’s family. Within the pages we find Mackenzie finding the strength to move past the pain to see what the future holds even as her life becomes even more chaotic as her divorce moves forward and a surprise ends up giving her something to ponder and embrace.

THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON is a fast-paced story filled with amazingly complex characters and a setting so lush, it makes me want to go visit the place. Her characters are surprisingly relatable, and I found myself enjoying all of them even the soon to be ex-husband even if he is a dog at the end. This is truly one of her finest books to date and one I look forward to reading again.

If you enjoy a wonderful story filled with unique and entertaining characters and a setting that will make you long for a wine tour in Napa Valley, then grab THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON and get ready for an adventure that will leave you hooked from start to finish. I look forward to seeing where this author goes next as well as hoping we see more about Mackenzie and her endeavors in the future if possible.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery is a contemporary women’s fiction novel with a bit of romance . This one has the beautiful setting of a vineyard in Walla Walla, Washington and touches on just what makes family and friendship.

Mackenzie Dienes has a large, loving and wonderful family and a wonderful job as a winemaker at the family vineyard. However, the family is that of her husband and the vineyard is owned by his mother and now Mackenzie’s husband wants a divorce as their marriage has not been working for a while.

Mackenzie isn’t sure what she should do, she loves her job and her husband’s sisters are her best friends but her mother in law does not take the news of the divorce well at all. As much as Mackenzie loves the job she’s been doing all these years while married she wants to think that she deserves more in her life than just becoming a paid employee in what she’s helped build.

Mackenzie was a character who was easy to get behind and want to root for quickly in this story. I found myself really engaged in her story and enjoying watching it all unfold as I continued to read. The other characters were also well developed and while not all were likable that seemed to be the intended nature and it made the story all that more entertaining as the drama unfolded and I enjoyed the way everything wrapped up in the end.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I’ve decided I need to stop reading Susan Mallery’s women’s fiction books. I love her straight romance titles and never disliked or was disappointed in any of them. This one felt flat and I was disappointed in the outcome. I didn’t need that much info on wine.

I loved every line of this book and could affirm with all my heart why author Susan Mallery is one of the most atelnted authors. The way she drew out all my emotions was brilliant. I felt so alive.

MacKenzie’s marriage was over; Rhys wanted a divorce. But the problem was she would get no part of the family vineyard, the place she worked for 16 years. The mother-in-law Barbara had made her sign a post-nuptial contract.

This was MacKenzie’s journey from the shocks and disappointments followed by a new path opening for her. I loved how the author etched her character. I couldn’t help respect her more as the pages went by.

The mother-in-law on the other hand was painted by a tarred brush who soon lost nearly everything over her stubbornness. I loved the dialogues of their confrontation. It was awesome to see MacKenzie growing strong with each barb.

MacKenzie found her new hope, new love, a new Vineyard at Painted Moon. The book was a story of strength, on how to rise after seeing the abyss and find oneself. The emotions were genuine and held me together with its warm vibes. I cheered when MacKenzie found her HEA with many shocks and few loving surprises.

The Review

The author has done it again, crafting a brilliant contemporary women’s fiction that delves into the emotional core of facing divorce, testing the bonds between not only friends but adopted family, and the oftentimes painful yet worthwhile effort that takes us towards the legacy and career we always dream of. The amazing family dynamics between MacKenzie and her husband’s family are incredible to see, and the drama of her own pursuits mixed with the ties she has to this family really elevates the tension in the character’s arcs.

However, what really was amazing to see was the author’s attention to detail. The research and deep dive into the study of viticulture was a great addition to the depth of the protagonist and really showcased how well-rounded the narrative felt throughout. Add this with the incredible imagery the author incorporates into the narrative and readers will not be able to put this book down.

The Verdict

A brilliant, captivating, and entertaining read, author Susan Mallery’s “The Vineyard at Painted Moon” is a must-read contemporary women’s fiction read. Full of emotional storytelling and engaging character arcs that readers won’t be able to get enough of, this is a fantastic story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copies today!

Susan Mallery never disappoints. Another great romance! Loved the characters and the direction that the story was taking throughout.

I loved this story about second chances and being strong enough to forge a new path. The tale was told through the experiences of the Barcellona women (one by marriage). Each of the women was in different places in their lives, but each had to face big changes and figure out how to make new situations work. I found MacKenzie to be the most relatable. Anyone who has been married knows what it is like to lose track of a sense of self-identity. It was a pleasant story filled with likable characters in a calming, pastoral setting. 4.5 stars. For a detailed review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Books for a digital ARC of the book.

Susan Mallery's women's fiction titles are always good, but I really enjoyed this story of a woman coming into her own amidst the Washington state wine industry. Relationships of all kinds are complicated, and there are plenty of all kinds here, including those between family, friends, romantic possibilities, and business partners. The setting and workings of vineyards and wine-making only add to the story. Recommended.

Thank you Susan Mallery for creating another wonderful book filled with amazing storylines. One of my favorite books this year! Mackenzie is a gifted winemaker, and loves working at the winery her husband’s family owns. The story will follow all the different relationships in the family. It was enjoyable to learn about the vineyards and wine making process.

I received and ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.