Light Through the Vines is a fun, quick read. It was lacking a bit in depth, but it was fine for a summer read.

This was my third book in the French series - I didn’t necessarily read them in the correct order but it didn’t present any problems at all, they can all be read interchangeably.

Fiona Valpy has this ability to write characters so well that they become your friends, even part of your family.

I’ve found the three books comely different in tone to the first of hers that I read - The Storyteller of Casablanca - but where she excels across all four books is her character creation, and pure beauty in her prose. The protagonist Gina. Is a delight, her auntie Liz is a beautiful soul, the characters on the periphery complimenting the both of them perfectly. And then you get those characters that, whilst brilliantly written, you don’t like so much - like Ed and Nigel. But the others make you feel like you’re part of this community.

Oh the idea of taking yourself off somewhere in the countryside (French or otherwise) with a glass of wine in hand and a handsome man down the round just sounds like bliss.

There’s no real twists and turns or red herrings which I’m glad of, as they would have felt out of place. Instead you get a warming, cosy book full of love, laughter and friendship.

I felt myself physically smiling whilst reading this, my shoulders relaxed and I just felt very peaceful. I ignored the real world for a little bit; I felt comforted by this book.

I appreciated how simply Fiona writes about Gina’s job as a wine buyer. When the characters understand a job, then it can be hard to explain it to the reader without it feeling jarring to the characters, but she’s provided enough for us to get a taste of the job but without it being overwhelming or confusingly technical. Her job is just part of her as a person.

One thing I did like was the little additions of the odd French word or sentence. Obviously, French people are going to speak French, but with an English protagonist and an English-speaking audience, there has to be a fine balance between the two languages. I admit my French is a little rusty but Fiona has chosen the right places to drop a phrase or a word so you get a firmer feel for it being set in French but you are able to follow the conversation.

I read all three books in as many days. Fiona Valpy is fast becoming a go-to author for me. These are reprint editions of three books previously published, and whilst I know there are only three in the series, I wish so much that she writes at least one more….or two, or maybe three.

Fiona Valpy never disappoints - each time I see a new title, I know that I am in for a happy read.
Set in France, amongst vineyards and sympathetic characters, this is a well written, thoughtful book. Pair it with a French rose and you're all set!

This author has such a way with words…..In this tale of fresh starts in the Escape to France collection from bestselling author Fiona Valpy, Gina has lost everything. Can a crumbling old cottage offer her a new life, new love—and new hope? I recommend if you want a fun, easy story with lovable characters. This author can tickle the funny bone and tug on the heart strings when they need to, and is a clever enough storyteller to not overindulge in either.

Gina moves to France and inherits her aunt's house in Bordeaux. She finds out that many years ago, her aunt Liz used to have an affair with her father, way before her father married her mother. Meanwhile, Gina meets handsome Cedric and as Gina is a bit insecure, she kind of has been distrusting people.

What I liked about this book is I liked reading about the beautiful scenic descriptions of Bordeaux France, that made me feel like I was in France with the main character. . Also this is a quick read and so if you are lookingto read a quick read historical or literary fiction, then this book is recommended. I also enjoyed reading about the wine making process in the story.

But the story is far predictable as I predicted most parts of the story. Other than that, it was beautifully written. Worth 3.5 stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

While somewhat predictable, Light Through the Vines is a tale of love and second chances. Cédric is an engaging love interest. Gina, on the other hand, is lost in her own emotions after learning about her father and her aunt. Accordingly, she is quick at making assumptions and a little too wishy-washy about what she wants for herself. A fast read.

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Women’s Fiction
Historical Fiction

Review:

Overall:

The book is beautifully written, set in the Bordeaux region of France, the scenery is described careful and with great detail. This made it very captivating and vivid. It felt like you were actually there. The characters were interesting and likable. Their actions were explained well, this made them realistic. A great summer read that captures you from the start.

Review copy provided by Netgalley at no cost to me.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This book swept me away with the location, the storyline and the characters. I really enjoyed it.

I was confused a sI was sure I had read this before and then discovered it had been previously published under another title. Its a relaxing if predictable read and the characters are engaging.

This is a nice read. Great if you like historical novels. Or should I say books that are set around a historical period of time. Instead of always being 100% completely accurate to the times. It has some good characters in it and a nice element of romance running thoughout.

I think I have read two of Fiona Valpy's previous books, including one which covered WW2 and the resistance which I loved. This book has a contemporary setting and is purely romance based. Our main character Gina moves to
France after inheriting her late Aunt's home. I loved the setting for the story and the beautiful descriptions of the cottage, the area and the wine making process. The romance element comes in the form of one of the builders who comes to repair the roof at her cottage, and it's one of those stories where they don't get together due to a misunderstanding, until right
at the very end when it is resolved and they live happily ever after. I enjoyed the various characters - from the awful Nigel to the lovely Mireille - we all need a neighbour like her! I read the book very quickly and enjoyed it a lot, I can recommend to those looking for an easy summer read on the beach or maybe if you aren't going away and just want some French sun shining through the pages of a book.

Not the usual historical novel from Fiona valpy however am easy read, perfect for a summer day. Her books are always heartwarming and this one doesn’t disappoint, beautifully crafted characters, all a little bit flawed and damaged by life however with a lovely happy ending.

If you are looking for a book to lift your heart, learn a bit about the wine industry/wine making process and isn’t too challenging or complex then I’d highly recommend this one.

Thank you Netgalley the author and publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I was in the mood for a light summer read not set at a beach house, so this fit the bill. The main character is at a crossroads in life after her dad has died, she has been let go from her job, and her boyfriend has unceremoniously dumped her. When she inherits a house in Bordeaux country for her aunt, this is a perfect opportunity to escape and start afresh. I enjoyed the novel, but it wasn’t quite the right fit for me. As a teetotaler, the extensive and exhaustive descriptions of wine-making bored me to tears. The romance was one of those where the characters are kept apart by a misunderstanding and then suddenly boom everything is resolved. I would have liked a little more development and nuance to the relationship.

I wanted to read another book by Fiona Valpy, The Dressmakers Gift. I had hoped this book would also be about WW2 and resistance, but it was a contemporary romance set in the wine region of the Loire. Having said that, it was a well written story and an enjoyable read. Not what I was looking for but worth the time and effort. I am even willing to buy more French wine rather than Australian and know far more about wine production than at the start of the book.

This was a very enjoyable read.You really felt like you were in France and going through all the emotions of the main chapters.When you came to the end you realized what a great book and ending.I would highly recommend this book.

Light Through the Vines by Fiona Valpy is the first book of the Escape to France collection. I enjoyed all three of these and recommend reading all three! This novel was so charming, with the beautiful setting of Bordeaux wine country. I learned quite a bit about the wine making process! Family secrets, romance, and a happy ending, what more could you ask for?!

I have not read any books by Fiona Valpy and thought this one sounded right up my alley. And it is a delightful story with a delightful and scenic setting. set in Boudreaux, surrounded by wine (I love wine) and starting a new life made for a book that was sweet, easy to read and an enjoyable and entertaining story.

And being a shorter style book it was one you could pick up and read in a day or two without any problem.

I enjoyed it and look forward to reading a few more of her books in between some of my more intense books/reads.

There are parts of this book that I found very interesting, like the grape harvest and parts I found very weak. When Gina decides to move into her late aunts house in the south of France temporarily she is leaving behind sadness at the passing of her father, her redundancy from a job she loved and her cheating ex boyfriend. There is mention that she might sell the house in France to pay off the mortgage on her flat but the flat in England is never mentioned again.

Although interestingly written I didn’t enjoy the misunderstandings and felt the ending was rushed.

I have read and enjoyed Fiona Valpy before. While I think this new series is a little more frothy with a little less substance than her previous books, I did enjoy them very much! Perfect beach read,

A sweet summer beach read. Book One in a three book series. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the early read.