A Vintage Summer

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Pub Date 21 Mar 2019 | Archive Date 29 Mar 2019

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Description

A sparkling story that's FULL of surprises!

London has not been kind to Lottie Allbright. Realising it’s time to cut and run, she packs up and moves back home – but finds her family in disarray. In need of a new place to stay, Lottie takes up the offer of a live-in job managing a local vineyard. There’s a lot to learn – she didn’t even know grapes could grow so far north!

Butterworth Wines in the rolling Derbyshire hills has always been run on love and passion but a tragic death has left everyone at a loss. Widowed Betsy is trying to keep the place afloat but is harbouring a debilitating secret. Meanwhile her handsome but interfering grandson, Jensen, is trying to convince her to sell up and move into a home.

Lottie’s determined to save Butterworth Wines, but with all this and an unpredictable English summer to deal with, it’ll be a challenge.

And that’s before she discovers something that will turn her summer – and her world – upside down . . .

Your favourite authors have loved reading Cathy's novels:

‘Delightful!’ Katie Fforde
‘A page-turner of a story’ Milly Johnson
'Delightfully warm with plenty of twists and turns' Trisha Ashley

A sparkling story that's FULL of surprises!

London has not been kind to Lottie Allbright. Realising it’s time to cut and run, she packs up and moves back home – but finds her family in disarray. In...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780552173957
PRICE £7.99 (GBP)
PAGES 416

Average rating from 60 members


Featured Reviews

Another fantastic book from Cathy, as always. A real heartwarming light read. Wonderful characters and setting.

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The story of Lottie, back in Derbyshire after leaving her controlling boyfriend in London.
She gets a job at a local vineyard, where there are an interesting bunch of characters.

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Lottie and her boyfriend Harvey have relocated to London. Harvey intends to set up his own business, but when his plans fall through and the couple’s relationship takes a downward turn, Lottie flees back home..

With nowhere to stay, she finds a live-in job at a local vineyard. Not having the first clue on how to run a vineyard, she finds help comes in all shapes and sizes. As Lottie begins to get to grips with her job, an unexpected discovery turns her life upside down.

A Vintage Summer is a feel good story with delightful characters. A lighthearted book which was entertaining and an enjoyable read.

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Having read all of cathy's books comes as no surprise that once again we have a totally fantastic book.
This really is a TRUMPET-TOOTING EXTRAVAGANZA of a book
I was totally captivated from the first page loved learning about wine and champagne making intertwining a fabulous story with the rather dashing Jenson and Lottie.
Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Can't praise this book enough

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Sparky, warm andxwith a light breeze of s lovely summer’s day. What a lovely story, engaging and with likeable characters, well done!

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I’ve now read several books by Cathy Bramley and really enjoyed them; she’s definitely on my list of favourite authors.

Lottie Allbright has relocated to London with her boyfriend to help further his career but, once there, he starts to become controlling and slightly aggressive. Lottie decides to cut and run, back to the village in Derbyshire where she grew up. Unfortunately for Lottie, her widowed father has decided to go travelling and rent out the family home, so she is desperate for somewhere to stay. She finds a temporary job in a local vineyard that she didn’t even know existed, and it comes with accommodation. It looks as though Lottie has found her happy-ever-after until she receives some very unexpected news that will change her life. Bring in the vineyard owner’s grandson, Jensen, and we have a warm, witty, and interesting story with a great supporting cast, and some twists and turns.

I loved A Vintage Summer and would highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

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Delightful story. You can always rely on Cathy Bramley to create a heartwarming read. You are rooting all the way for Lottie and the people at the vineyard.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc and giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

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Another feel good romance from Cathy Bramley. This time, as the title implies, the actjon is set around a vineyard, although who knew they flourished as far north as Derbyshire. Our heroine Lottie at last realises her mistake in setting up house far away from her roots with Harvey, a controlling and manipulative would be personal trainer.

As soon as Lottie meets her new employer's grandson, having moved back home, the ending is inevitable. This book is about their adventures along the way. There are some lovely characters and the settings are lovingly described. A great read.

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I loved this so much, Cathy Bramley books are always like a warm hug. Lottie is such a loveable kind character and Jensen is amazing, all the chemistry and warmth you expect. Cathy Bramley does this so well and each book you don’t want to put down and this is no different.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

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When Lottie Allbright leaves her abusive partner in London and returns to her family in Derbyshire she doesn't know what she will do next. Fortunately, thanks to her interfering Sister she gets job at Butterworth Wines, a local vineyard, caring for the vines and the owner Betsy. The vineyard is in debt since Betsy's husband died and Lottie has to come up with ideas to turn things around. Betsy’s Grandson Jensen has a good job and doesn’t want to take on the responsibility of the vineyard but when he and Lottie meet the chemistry is undeniable. Unfortunately life seems to have a way of spoiling Lottie’s plans. Jensen is in line for a big promotion that will take him abroad and worried about his Gran's failing health, he wants her to sell the vineyard and move into a home. Can Lottie turn around the fortunes of the failing vineyard and find love or is achieving one of these goals enough to make her happy.
As always Cathy Bramley writes great characters and a very good story line..

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I devoured the majority of A Vintage Summer by Cathy Bramley on a couple of train journeys. It’s a beautiful story full of surprises, family, teamwork and love. It’s got some great characters that by the end feel like old friends. Wonderfully written it’s an absolute joy to read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and the author for the chance to review.

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With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
A Vintage Summer by Cathy Bramley was a breath of fresh air on a cold, fresh, spring morning. It was a delightful read and was absolutely fascinating about growing British wines. Lottie as the main character was brimming with enthusiasm and her love of life. The storyline was funny, sad, romantic and an enjoyable, entertaining read.
Highly recommended.

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When I picked this book up, I was looking for something different. I wanted to try a new author, I wanted a setting I hadn’t read about before, and I was hoping for something light-hearted. And the cover on this one? Well, I couldn’t pass it up without finding out more. And I’m pleased to say it turned out to be a very engaging read.

First of all, the setting and the characters brought this book to life. Vineyards aren’t the first thing I think of when someone mentions Derbyshire (although, that could be entirely Jane Austin’s fault!) but then, Butterworth Wines isn’t your average vineyard either. Owned by the elderly and entertaining Butterworth sisters, things have all but come to a standstill, prompting “two well-meaning buffoons” to advertise for a manager—unbeknownst to the seemingly irascible Betsy Butterworth. She doesn’t need any help, thank you very much, but she’s quick to recognise a young lady who could use her help, and so Lottie begins a new career and a steep learning curve.

I loved how central the vineyard and the wine production process was to this story. Butterworth Wines wasn’t merely a token backdrop; it was almost a character in its own right, made all the more lively by the eclectic group of volunteers who had been doing their best to help Betsy out and the relationships Lottie built with them all. I felt my own attachment to the place growing right along with hers.

The other side to this story is Lottie’s personal journey. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but the developments in her situation created some great tension throughout the story, pulling her in different directions and pushing her to grow and discover her real self—a self that had been lost in the unhealthy relationship she leaves behind in the opening chapters. And Betsy’s handsome and concerned grandson added just the right note of romance to the blend.

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One of my favourite books by Cathy Bramley and I love them all. The story starts with the main character Lottie who is working at a crematorium, living in London with her abusive boyfriend Harvey. I loved this character from the off and went on to love her more and more as the story continued! Cathy has a way of writing that draws the reader in and I was hooked from the first chapter. Make yourself a cup of tea, dive under a blanket and get ready to be taken on this incredible journey! You will love it!

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What a charming story! Really captivating characters and what a cast they were - such a wide variety but I loved them all (okay, not you Harvey grrr).

The main character is Lottie and what a likeable, and relatable, lady she is. Ending her controlling relationship, she sets off to be closer to home and her sister when she ends up taking on employment with a vineyard. Now looking at the book cover, which is stunning, and not paying proper attention obviously to the synopsis - I thought this book was going to be set in the Mediterranean so I was pleasantly surprised that actually it was Derbyshire. Go figure - an English vineyard! Loved it.

The passion that Lottie shows for the family and friends that take her in, as well as her new role at Butterworth Wines, is so endearing. She learns the craft at such a pace but it is very believable due to that passion and her ideas to help the business grow and develop are very savvy.

What a cast of characters - affable and a genuine tight knit group, it was clear they truly were Lottie's family and brought so much to the story. Whilst Lottie was clearly the main character, plenty of others rightly got more than bit parts. I adored Betsy and Marjorie whose gentle bickering and needling of one another was incredibly lovable and they would be firm friends of mine.

Lottie has a crush on Betsy's grandson Jenson but with some surprising news of her own teamed with Jenson's determination (albeit for the good of the family business) to sell up, it is unclear if anything can truly come of their friendship and if it could become more than that.

All in all, this was such an enjoyable and entertaining read, the breadth of characters made it for me. Yet another masterpiece from Cathy Bramley - she can do no wrong!

My many thanks to Random House UK via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Firstly, that cover! I absolutely adore the Summer Vibes that always come from Cathy Bramley’s book covers. Vibrant, bright and full of everything that makes a warm summers day come alive… So, now that we’ve appraised the cover..on to the book!

Cathy Bramley is the author of the best-selling romantic comedies Ivy Lane, Appleby Farm, Wickham Hall, Conditional Love and The Plumberry School of Comfort Food. She’s also super approachable on social media and in her Book Group and is just a fabulous person in general which really helps to raise an author’s profile and following.

London has not been kind to Lottie Allbright. Realising it’s time to cut and run, she packs up and moves back home – but finds her family in disarray. In need of a new place to stay, Lottie takes up the offer of a live-in job managing a local vineyard. There’s a lot to learn – she didn’t even know grapes could grow so far north!

Butterworth Wines in the rolling Derbyshire hills has always been run on love and passion but a tragic death has left everyone at a loss. Widowed Betsy is trying to keep the place afloat but is harbouring a debilitating secret. Meanwhile her handsome but interfering grandson, Jensen, is trying to convince her to sell up and move into a home.

Lottie’s determined to save Butterworth Wines, but with all this and an unpredictable English summer to deal with, it’ll be a challenge.

I LOVE how much research goes into Cathy’s books – and this one is no exception. Not only did I get stuck into a fabulous Summer read (in February no less), but I also learnt so much about wine making.. Who even knew that the UK could be so good at it! So I really applaud Cathy for not only creating fabulous characters, injecting the right dose of humour into each chapter, splashing a dash of romance here and there and painting beautiful scenery – but she also teaches through her words as well. You will not be disappointed if you order this book today!

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A sparkling romance among the Derbyshire vines.

Lottie escapes her mundane job as a gardener in a London crematorium and her bossy boyfriend, Harvey, to return to Fernfield, the Derbyshire village where she grew up. There she finds a new job as manager of a vineyard, which appeals to her love of fresh air. She also finds Jensen, the handsome, caring grandson of the owners of Butterworth Wines, so different from selfish Harvey. All her new staff and the Butterworth family love her but does Jensen? Then there's a very unexpected development.....

What makes this book for me is Lottie and her transformation. At first, she's downtrodden but making the most of her time away from the horrible Harvey by talking to the people whose graves she tends so carefully. By the end, she's blossomed into a confident, decisive woman who makes important life changes with the help of her loving family and friends.

Really enjoyed this simple and touching story, full of romance and humorous moments. For fans of Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews and Milly Johnson.

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I have to start by saying how much I loved Lottie. She is a believable character who I think lots of women can relate to. The fact that she can climb trees as well as cut them, just made me love her that little bit more. She isn’t some delicate wall flower but rather a wholesome and robust woman which was a total breath of fresh air to your stereo typical protagonist you usually see in this genre.

Apart from Harvey, the rest of the characters in the novel are just fabulous. It is a very character driven story of which all of them made me fall a bit more in love with this novel. Betsy was especially a character who grabbed my attention from the start and I just adored her.

The setting of a local vineyard is something you don’t see in many books, well not ones that are set in England that’s for sure. Even though I haven’t got a green finger on me, I loved the whole idea of throwing myself into the work and running the place just like Lottie. It made it at times a picturesque and idyllic setting.

A Vintage Summer is a novel to fall in love with. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing the blossoming relationship between Lottie and Jensen develop. It is a wonderful story of friendship and family as well as romance. A story to warm any heart.

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I have read many of Cathy Bramleys novel's and I could not wait to read A Vintage Summer! An absolute delightful romantic novel! Loved it! The book is set in the stunning Derbyshire Hills with amazing scenery! The characters are wonderful - I loved how everyone made Lottie feel so welcome and how they all became a family from the very beginning. Betsy and Majorie are just the best!

As I read the book I so wanted everything to work out for Lottie and was so pleased when everything turned out so lovely, and so magical! Lottie and Jensen are a wonderful couple.

I learnt so much about grapes, wine, and working in Butterworth Wines vineyard! The depth of knowledge that is put into the book is so interesting - I never knew what viticulture was until I read this! The setting was so real and easy to imagine, the characters so lovely and they came to life so quickly!

I would highly recommend this book - I read it in a couple of days as I was so gripped. I could not wait to find out how it would end! If only Butterworth Wines was real, I think they would be getting quite a few orders after reading this wonderful book! I look forward to Cathy Bramley's next novel!

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I loved the book from the first page to the last. The story was interesting and I even cried a couple of times. I love English soafkljng wines do it was really good to read about how it is done

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Cathy Bramley is an author who I have grown to rely on and look forward to her novels with great excitement. When you know you are going to get lost in a story and enjoy some excellent writing then you know they are always a joy to read. This new novel was no different and lived up to all my expectations.

Lottie Allbright left Derbyshire to follow her love Harvey to London. But after six months it does not seem that love was on the agenda at all. When a chance encounter with a lady in the gardens at a crematorium, gives her the strength to make a decision, Lottie returns home to Derbyshire.

To her widowed father about to embark on a journey across Europe as well as a highly strung sister, Evie who will stop at nothing to be a mother. Lottie needs to find her place again in the world, find something she enjoys doing and to create a future for herself. Little does she know that the future came back with her from London.

When a job comes up at Butterworth Wines for some help for six months, it seems like the perfect opportunity for Lottie to throw herself into something and the bonus that it comes with accommodation means at least he is settled for a while.

However the job ends up being a lot more. Betsy the owner of the Vineyard, after her husband Ted passed away is losing her sight and will not admit it to anyone. She is trying to hide the truth from her grandson Jensen otherwise he will suggest putting her in a home. But she promised Ted that she would be there to see the harvest come in and she stands by her decision.

Lottie suddenly finds herself thrown in to a family which are still reeling from the death of Ted, the decline inf Betsy's health as well as Betsy's sister-in-law Marjorie, wheelchair bound because of an accident. Lottie needs to find out about viticulture and fast and so readers did I.

As Lottie gets to grip in producing English wine and English Sparkling Wine, the enthusiasm of all the volunteers knows no bounds. Matt, Clare, Roger, Godfrey and the shy Pippa all make up the team at Butterworth Wines and it is simply a case of Lottie directing them all to blend the wines, get in the harvest and perhaps make the vineyard a going concern for someone else to take on.

Trouble is the volunteers love the vineyard, all brought their by Ted for various different reasons, Betsy does not want to leave her home and Lottie has found something which she enjoys and can finally see herself settling down, especially when Jensen, the good-looking grandson shows an interest.

But when a discovery changes not just Lottie's world, but Evies, Jensen's and the prospect of Butterworth Wines survival it seems that this is going to be one summer that no one is going to forget.

This is a fantastic read. It has everything you want from a book, humour, tragedy, light and dark moments and covers some difficult subjects with careful consideration. Plus I got to learn a lot about viticulture as well as the word itself! Wonderful characters which are introduced gradually and all play a part in the overall story. They are not all flung in at the beginning of the novel, but woven into the tale as you go so they are full formed and can be remembered quite clearly once you have put the book down.

Vintage Cathy Bramley which absolutely fizzes!

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Love love love!
Love the gentleness, the tranquility of this book. The story take us from London to the countryside in Derbyshire and into a vineyard and winery. You will also learn loads about wine! And we follow two sisters as their relationships change, alter, develop, flip and go through many changes.

I love everything about this book and adore this authors gentle style!

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I received an early preview copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I am a huge fan of Cathy Bramley, and have read all of her books, so I was very excited to read an advanced copy. This is definitely one of the best books that I have read by Cathy. I couldn't out it down once I started reading it. I began reading it in bed, and I got to nearly halfway through, until I was too tired to carry on reading. I had to finish it the next morning, as I couldn't wait to see what happened.
Lottie has moved to London to be with her boyfriend, but when things go badly wrong, she packs up and moves back to Derbyshire to be with her family. Instead of welcoming her back home, she finds her family in chaos.
In desperation, she applies for a temporary job at the local vineyard, despite not knowing anything about it. She soon discovers that there is disharmony, with the grandson, Jensen trying to encourage the owner to sell up. As she has faced the challenge of changing his mind, she finds out that her life is going to get even more complicated.
In places, the book seemed t be predictable, but the plot didn't always go they way that I expected it to. There were lots of twists to the storyline.
This book is fabulous, I really enjoyed reading it. The characters were interesting, and likeable. There was drama, action,romance and humour, so it really kept me interested, and I couldn't put it down. It was interesting to read about the wine making process, although it made me want to try some of their excellent sounding wine.
I can't recommend this book enough, it is an excellent read.

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Another brilliant book by Cathy Bramley. The story centres on Lottie but has other characters that you can’t help falling in love with too, Betsy especially. The book is set round an English vine yard trying to survive in a world where English wine is not valued highly. With Lottie’s determination will it succeed? This book made me want to start growing grapes and drinking English wine.

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Another Cathy Bramley classic! This is the perfect beach read. It's easy to fall in love with the main character Lottie as she undergoes a complete life change. Also, make sure you have a glass of fizz or some wine on hand as you read, because Butterworth Wines will have you craving some!

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A heart-warm9ng book full of tears and laughter. I loved the character of Lottie from the very first chapter. A brave, loving, caring and determined girl, I was willing her to get a happy ending. A good range of characters in both age and personalities. I loved the setting and Cathy had obviously done great research to make it all believable. I loved this book and could not put it down.

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Because I love this author so much, I downloaded the book without reading the blurb, and then started reading it still without having a look at a blurb. From the title I think I was expecting something perhaps featuring vintage clothes, and evidently I didn't look at the cover properly, or vineyards may have come to mind!

We meet Lottie in London, as the groundskeeper of a crematorium and trying to desperately keep her boyfriend happy. I took an instant dislike to Harvey and it was well grounded, and I cheered when Lottie made the decision to move back to Derbyshire to be closer to her family.

Little did she realise at the time that it would be the best decision she ever makes and she ends up living and working at Butterworth Wines, and learning all about viticulture.

It is once we are the the vineyards that the book really gets going, and I loved the wide variety of people who volunteered at this family business,. All of which I loved getting to know, especially Betsy and Majorie who are widowed ladies who are hoping to see the vineyard through one last summer and harvest.

Betsy and Majorie are a real pair, so close to each other and listening to them bicker is always amusing.

While Lottie is getting to know this new business, and the readers are learning all about the English Wine industry, we are also getting to know Jensen, Betsy's grandson. And is he who will be so key to many of the outcomes of the book.

I loved this look at an English vineyard, and it has all of Cathy Bramley's warmth, love, good feeling, excellent writing, easy to picture settings and people and just everything you want for a wonderful and charming book.

In some respects I felt it was slow to get going properly, ie, to get to the key bits of the book, the moving to Derbyshire, but it was a highly engaging and enjoyable slow start, and it was all relevant and key information, that would help you empathise with Lottie later in the story.

This is vintage Cathy Bramley through and through and I urge her fans, and those new to the author to give this a go if you want an incredibly enjoyable story and a lovely feeling at the end of it.

Thank you to Transworld and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

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There is nothing quite like a glass of good wine which is what this latest book by Cathy Bramley is,it’s smooth but with full bodied characters.
It deserves an award too ,good storyline and twists it had me hooked from the first page ,cheers everyone

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