This short novella transports you to a sun soaked vineyard. I usually don’t read short stories, but this one packed a punch with vivid descriptions, wonderful characters, and meaningful chemistry between the two. A much needed palate cleanser after reading a dark romance- I enjoyed it immensely.

Reading an 831 Stories romance novel is like easing into a warm bubble bath at the end of a long day. The stories are romantic, yes, but also sweet and tender and easy to fall into. This one centers on Alice and Henri, two people feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled in their own lives, who meet at a vineyard in France and instantly feel a romantic (and soulful) connection. Their relationship feels real and genuine and I also loved loved loved the little family that is made during this summer at the vineyard. I loved the side characters as much as I loved the main characters! Eliza Dumais’s writing is beautiful, both with the character-building and the world-building. Those descriptions of rural France! Lemme book a ticket immediately! Another absolute banger from this imprint.

I had a hard time connecting with this one and struggled to care that much about the main characters’ relationship. I enjoyed the winery setting though and did especially love the scene of the 5 friends toasting to their harvest and reminiscing on their friendships.

A wonderful and light read for those who dream of a euro summer and the possibilities that can live just outside of your comfort zone. As a whole, I loved the dreamy nature of the book, and the way the author settles us into the world of winemaking and the sheer intimacy it requires. That being said, I feel like the relationship between Henri and Alice felt distant from me as the audience. They clearly cared for each other, but I didn't feel like I understood who they were separate from one another, and that made me feel a bit detached. All in all, they were still written very well and I loved the conclusion. It felt very Emily in Paris!

4.5. This was so fun and so different than anything I’ve read before. I loved the dive into wine making and the harvest side and what that all entailed. I loved the self discovery and the information about the FMCs love life. I felt so close with all of the side characters even though this was less than 100 pages. The writing was beautiful and I had a great time

I absolutely loved everything about this book. The setting was incredible and it made me want to be there with the characters as I turned every page. I loved the backdrop of France so much. I really loved the writing in this and I found myself wanting to hi-light so many lines while reading. The characters were very likable and I enjoyed reading about them. I absolutely loved the scenes of the, all eating together or doing tasks together. You could really feel the budding romance between Alice and Henri while reading. I was rooting for them the entire time. While this is really packed with emotions and depth, I’d say this is a perfect summer read that I would recommend often!

Thank you to NetGalley, Eliza Dumais, and 831 Stories for sending me this arc!

Thank you so much to 831 Stories and NetGalley for this ARC!

Grape Juice by Eliza Dumais completely pulled me in ( I read this in one sitting). From the first page, I was wrapped in its stunning prose. The imagery is so vivid, I genuinely felt like I was walking through the vineyard alongside Alice, tasting the late-summer air and hearing the crush of soil underfoot. The metaphors, the wine tastings? They ate me up. Dumais writes with such sensual precision it made every small moment feel charged with meaning.

Beyond the language, the story hits a deeply emotional chord. It perfectly captures what it’s like to be in your late twenties after ending a long, formative relationship, that strange mix of grief, freedom, and the terrifying thrill of starting over. Alice’s journey isn’t loud or dramatic, but that’s what makes it so resonant. It’s about stepping out of the safe and familiar, letting discomfort teach you something real, and finally experiencing life instead of just coasting through it.

Highly recommend! I can’t wait to get a physical copy!

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars

Alice is gifted the experience of a lifetime- her boss sends her to Lyon, France to learn the process of harvesting the grapes that will be used in the wines her company distributes in the US. It is through all the steps of harvesting that she learns about being present, embracing what joys in life can be found in the simplest places, and most importantly how personalities are the enrichment that gives life it’s true flavor. Naturally, she falls for Henri, focusing on each moment they have together while moving through the baggage of past relationships and current complications. A richly written romance that is as much about the gifts of nature as much as it is about the relationships we forge in service to it.

“it feels like we’ve been building toward something, and what a shame to dismantle it, just because we’ve run out of grapes.”

this took me back to my summer working in yellowstone national park and i almost cried remembering how hard it was to say goodbye when it was time to leave. dumais really captured the spirit, intensity, other-worldliness and fierce connections made while working a seasonal job.

though the people you meet may only be with you for a short time, the impact they made will stay with you forever.

thank you to eliza dumais, 831 stories and netgalley for this arc 🖤

thank you to netgalley for the e-arc. i think this is my book of the year. i highlighted more lines and full paragraphs than any other book this year for sure. i loved the way eliza wrote about food, wine and the scenery. i loved how the love story evolved throughout her short stay. it really made me want to do a similar trip one day.

Eeeek! What a tender, beautifully written gem. Grape Juice may be short, but it’s packed with yearning, emotion, and the kind of immersive, poetic prose that makes you want to underline every other sentence. The romance is refreshingly real, and the side characters are lovely. Definitely a great summer quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley, 831 Stories, and Eliza Dumais for the opportunity to read and review an arc of Grape Juice.

I was sold as the premise of this being akin to the films French Kiss and Under the Tuscan Sun - I am a sucker for a travel romance novel. Especially when it is set in one of my favorite places in the world: France. There is something inherently romantic about the French countryside, surrounded by vineyards under the summer sun. Pair it with an excellent cast of characters and a slow burn, teasingly sexy romance, and it's truly the perfect book.

I had so much fun reading this, I found I couldn't wait to pick it back up again and yet, I wanted to savor it as much as possible. The writing was so rich and delicious, I have so many highlights saved on my kindle of Dumais's beautiful words. The story is absolutely precious as well, about finding yourself and taking chances, about loving and letting go. I cried at the end, primarily because I wasn't ready to say goodbye (just as the MC, Alice, felt).

This is such a great summer romance, or all-year-round really. I would highly recommend this book to fans of romance (and good wine)!

“You know, if you strip away the poetry, all of this is just grape juice.”

What an utterly delightful read from start to finish. Even though it was short, it embodied so much emotion, and each character blended with one another in a wonderful way. I enjoyed the diversity of characters and the close relationships they formed in this beautiful vineyard setting.

Of course, Alice and Henri’s relationship was a delight to see unfold, as the chemistry and yearning felt completely realistic and well written. Moreover, the author’s writing was beautifully done, with vivid, ripe and immersive descriptions throughout. I could imagine myself there, sipping on delicious wine in a vineyard, in France.

Very easy to read, low stakes romance. Pacing of the love story felt good and believable in such a small amount of pages. Some of the writing was absolutely beautiful too :)

A new favorite 813 Stories book has entered the chat! Loooooved this. Such a romantic and expansive story about letting go and living in the moment. This was like taking a sip of cold, sparkling wine on a hot summer night. Sexy, effervescent and a perfectly crisp night cap. I loved that Grape Juice revels in the romance of "what if" and isn't bothered with wrapping things up in a neat little bow. If I could climb into the pages of Eliza Dumais' Alsace and live there for awhile I absolutely would.

I haven’t read a book in a long time where everything just made sense. I felt like I was there in France with this group of people. The description of all the day to day activities made me realize that there is so much beauty in a business. The amount of work you put into it suddenly starts to make you feel whole again, which in my opinion is quite magical. Alice’s ability to bring life into inanimate objects is truly amazing. Her descriptions of wine itself and how they have distinct personalities makes you feel even more connected to the story. You’re left feeling hopeful and that maybe things will work out the way you envisioned it.

Grape Juice is a delightful novella that immerses you in the lush, sensory world of a French vineyard during harvest season. From the moment Alice arrives in rural France, the writing pulls you in with vivid, lyrical descriptions that make the vineyard’s sights, smells, and tastes come alive. The book feels like a sensory experiment — the warmth of sunshine, the crispness of grape juice, and the heady scent of earth and wine are all palpable throughout the pages. It’s a story that invites you to slow down and savor the beauty in the details.

The romance between Alice and Henri is sweet and sincere, built on the kind of gentle connection that can blossom quickly when two people are at crossroads in their lives. Their chemistry is palpable, even as the novella’s brevity means they move through their relationship at a brisk pace. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed — I wanted more time for them to just be together in Paris, basking in the romance and the magic of the city. But given the novella format, I understand there’s only so much that can be packed into this story.

Beyond the romance, I loved the found family vibe of the other vineyard workers, and how Alice’s journey of rediscovery felt authentic and heartfelt. The story’s atmosphere is dreamy and nostalgic, making it a perfect escape for anyone who’s ever dreamed of a summer spent among the vines in France. Overall, Grape Juice is a charming, evocative read that left me craving a longer stay in this beautiful world.

Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC — I’ll definitely be rereading this

This felt like I was working on a vineyard in France. The writing the imagery. I loved it all. The ending did feel a little rush and wanted more of them together in Paris but I understand there is only so much you can put in a novella. Overall this entire book felt like a sensory experiment and I loved getting absorbed in it

This is a cute story about a woman whose boss sends her to pick grapes in France ostensibly to learn more about the winemaking industry (she works as a wine sales rep). She's a little lost and unsure of in where she is in life and immediately meets a French guy she's drawn to. I did find this book to be a little too slow and it ultimately wasn't my favorite of the 831 books but it's a cute quick way to pass the time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
This was a cute romance about rediscovering yourself in a new place with a stranger.