Another awesome Susan Mallery story with family love, dysfunction and healing. If wine isn't your thing it doesn't matter. The story is still really good.

I love Susan Mallerys books. Her style, her ease of friendships, her small town, bog characters.
Every book gets better and better !

Susan Mallery is a gifted storyteller and this book is definitely another to add to her collection. I did begin to read this book and I thought it was a romance, and I found out soon that I was wrong. This is one of her women’s fiction books so it has more complicated life issues throughout the plot, with just a touch of romance. Although I was looking forward to a light, easy read, this book full of difficult life circumstances, was still enjoyable.

Ms. Mallery creates well rounded, true to life characters. Almost each character is going through life changing situations. The characters are mainly strong women, which in most cases is a good thing. Unfortunately, one character builds her strength to the equivalent of a brick wall and nothing good comes from that.

The plots are well interwoven and the story flowed very smoothly. I was drawn into the book immediately and this was a page-turner for me, to see how the book would end.

I want to thank NetGalley and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for allowing me to read the advanced reader copy of this book with no obligation to write a review. My review is my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Mackenzie was openly acknowledged as the daughter of my heart by her mother-in-law Barbara the matriarch of this family of vintners. When Mackenzie married the only son Rhys she was immediately enveloped in this wonderful close family with whom she shared knowledge and affection for the business of harvesting and processing wines. There was no doubt that Mackenzie was going to be a great asset to the business and of course the family.
You know there is an expression – the blush is off the rose. Well I couldn’t help thinking of that phrase when I started reading THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON. Susan Mallery doesn’t mince words or suffer fools and so there is little or no subterfuge in THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON. From the first page Susan Mallery alerts you to the fact that not all is what it seems. And then truth begins to unfold before our very eyes. That blush was diminishing from the marriage of Mackenzie and Rhys even if they were reluctant to admit it. Mackenzie describes it as a routine and a life but not really a marriage.
The Annual Summer Solstice Party at Bel Après seemed to be a very pivotal moment for this family. Observing relationships and emotions looking closely this was pretty evident. But in THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON you don’t have to look very hard to see that change is on the horizon. Not sure if that is good or bad but it is definitely going to be impactful on this family and their business.
Have you ever looked at a family owned and operated enterprise with envy? It looks so idyllic – on the surface. But in THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON Susan Mallery takes us behind the scenes and much of that is really eye opening and juicy like really good gossip.
After many years of marriage Mackenzie would be the first person to admit that not much of what she has and who she is belongs to her. Ownership has never been important. She loves what she does and is paid well. But perhaps that is the gnawing insecurity that pierces her mind on occasion. Mackenzie considers herself an employee. She has love and respect for the folks at Bel Après but no ownership. Her marriage lacks romance – more like a wonderful friendship in reality. If she were to leave Bel Après just what would she take along? What is hers? And why now is she starting to think about the prospect of leaving.
Mackenzie isn’t the only character forced to take an honest look at themselves in THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON. It seems as if each member of the family and extended family is finally going to make an unguarded assessment of their life and expectations. Some will fall short and others will surpass those expectations.
THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON is a prime example of the talent of Susan Mallery. THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON is a study of human relationships, emotions, expectations and spirit. We meet some wonderful multidimensional characters complete with flaws and witness some of their best and worst moments. Susan Mallery paints this tapestry with an awareness of their joys and sadness. Life is full of ups and downs and so is THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON. This is what fans of Susan Mallery expect and in THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON she delivers with panache.

A really enjoyable read with a hugely satisfying ending! I thought It got bogged down a lot in the middle and Barbara’s and Lori’s hateful attitude towards MacKenzie seemed a little far-fetched when MacKenzie announced she was leaving Bel Apres. My favorite character was “Four” and also Rhys.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another great read from Susan Mallery. I really enjoyed the small town setting and the characters. I was worried this book would get bogged down in wine making details but was very pleased with the info woven throughout the book. Even though the book contains several different story lines it as to follow

I was skeptical that this book would get bogged down in wine jargon, but I was pleasantly surprised. There were a few details about winemaking included and I was able to learn a few things I didn't know as a result- which always makes me happy.

I enjoyed the stories woven together. Even though we were following several characters I never felt lost. I also enjoyed how the stories ended. A "they lived happily ever after" is just what I needed this month....this year.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC

The Vineyard at Painted Moon is a great read! Layers of relationships are explored.Friends to family to choices that divorce makes inevitable. Choices to accept people as they are, to recognize strengths and weaknesses, to explore internal truths as to which type of person each character chooses to be. Should the legacy of material family things such as a vineyard take prescidence over relationships? Or should people discover their strengths and choose to let them shine over the wishes of others? Family dynamics and true connections that can’t be bought are explored with great insight through changes mirroring the observations and daily work of turning grapevines into successful vintage wines. Like fine wine, relationships grow better with age or sour into bitterness. This novel depicts the outcomes of the important consequences of how the characters deal with change.

I loved this book! The characters are dynamic and bring so much to the story. The small town, close knit community, and the vineyard make the perfect setting for living out your dream. Mackenzie and Stephanie were room mates in college and best friends. Upon graduation, Mackenzie married Stephanie’s brother Rhys and became a part of the family’s winery. Mackenzie’s whole life was tied to the grapes and after years she is surprised to find out that Rhys wants a divorce. In her divorce, she has enough money to begin a partnership in a new winery and a chance to run the winery and make it her own. This story is about friendships, loyalty, trust, and working hard to get what you want.

Susan Mallery is my happy place. She writes romances about people I like doing things I find interesting. In this book, we follow Mackenzie Dienes — winemaker extraordinaire — as she struggles to find a future when divorce threatens everything she holds dear in life: her husband, his family, her best friend (his sister), and his family’s vineyards. This story also features a pretty wicked mother-in-law and a hunky Italian named Bruno. We’re not exactly rooted in reality here as our characters tend to be pretty well-off (filthy rich even?) and good looking and talented but I find reality overrated anyway.

Grand and glorious, filled with angst. What a wonderful story centered around the wine country of Washington state and a family winery. A painful uncoupling of the vintner and the cherished son provide much of the drama along with an evil matriarch. I loved the story, very realistic and touching.
Everyone gets what they deserve and that is perfection.

I just started reading Susan Mallery books a few months ago. I started by beginning her fools gold series, Since Kindle unlimited doesn't have all of them, I am going to read them somewhere else, hopefully at the library. Anyway, I was excited I got the chance to read and review this book. I look forward to doing more reviews for Susan Mallery in the future,

I enjoyed this book alot, it had alot of twists and turns, the ending was just perfect and alot better than what I expected. I loved the characters, all except Barbara and her son Rhys. Barbara was a very cruel woman, I was hoping that she would turn around at the end, but she didn't. She is like the wicked stepmother in Cinderella but meaner. Rhys was ok until the end, where he didn't want anything to do with his daughter. I felt bad for Mackenzie, but no matter what she been through, she survived.


I don't want to give any more spoilers, but this was a really good book. I think there should be a sequel because I would like to see how the new winery is going. For a while there, I was tempted to figure out on how I can start my own winery. I am grateful that netgalley let me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Mackenzie is a talented winemaker, working at the vineyard owned by her in-laws. When her marriage shows signs of ending, she is faced with difficult decisions about what her future holds. True characters are exposed and opportunities arise for several of the characters in the book. I enjoyed reading more about the wine-making business, and really enjoyed all of the characters. A happy read.

A family story that goes beyond the happy home. It was good to see the women grow and expand in their lives. As always, Susan Mallery writes in a way that draws the reader deeply into both the story and the characters. I definitely recommend this book.

This was an excellent story - probably one of the best I've read in the past few years from Susan Mallery. Mackenzie is such a strong woman, flowing with whatever life brings her. Loved the end where she succeeds in her goals. I'm really hoping this story continues so I can find the fate of the closest woman she's ever had as a mom.

The Vineyard at Painted Moon is Susan Mallery at her best. She has written a book with romance and a lot of inter-family dynamics.

Mackenzie is a famous winemaker who works for and with her husband's family. She lives a comfortable life but there's no passion in her marriage and after one last night together, they decide to divorce. Mackenzie's entire life and career are turned upside but she manages to thrive and land on her feet. The mother-in-law character was a bit over the top but made for a good villain. A good family drama read.

Mackenzie is the most talented winemaker in Eastern Washington. She has major abandonment issues after being orphaned and completely alone as she entered college. Her roommate, Stephanie, is part of a well-known family winery. Of course Mackenzie falls for the older brother on a weekend visit and marries him thus building the prestige of the winery. The family matriarch treats her better than her daughters on one hand because she falls in line and does not realize she is being taken advantage of on a daily basis, with now ownership possibility. Of course she realizes that she means nothing to her mother in law once he files for divorce. Later in the book you find out that Mackenzie's professors all shouted her praises and you wonder if the mother forced her son to lock her in for her own gain. After you really get to know the mother, you decide.

The book explores the relationship between four vastly different siblings, most who fear their mother and then begin to figure themselves out. Some in a positive way, others not so much. If you can get through a story of smart women allowing themselves to be treated so poorly and then finally figuring it out and getting their HEA, give this one a read.

Not so much a love story as it is a "coming into her own as an adult" story. Mackenzie is a very successful winemaker in Washington state and works with her husband's family's vineyard. She had a lonely childhood, so she is so happy to be part of a big, loving family. All that changes when her husband asks for a divorce. Rather than take an easy way out when her life is upended, Mackenzie thoughtfully and bravely takes a personal inventory and sets some goals for herself. She finds a partner, buys her own vineyard, Painted Moon, and moves forward with shaky confidence. She's a great character, as are the secondary characters who support her story.

Set in the vineyards of Walla Walla, Washington, Mackenzie Dienes has the perfect life or does she? Mackenzie's family are her in-laws and she loves her mother-in-law as a second mother but when something happens that upsets Mackenzie's perfect life Mackenzie finds out just who she can count on.

The Vineyard at Painted Moon is mostly Mackenzie's story but we do learn about her mother-in-law, Barbara; sister-in-laws: Stephanie, Four, and Lori; and her husband Rhys. They are all part of the Barcellona family that owns and runs Bel Apres Vineyards.