It’s springtime at The Vineyard in Alsace, a new season and a new beginning
After being abandoned by her partner when she falls pregnant, Lottie Schell goes home to live on the Vineyard in Alsace, where she has started a new relationship with the estate’s winemaker, Thierry. Now about to give birth, Lottie’s determined to raise her child and to provide for them both on her own without having to depend on anyone else.
Thierry Bernard is still dealing with his grief and guilt following the death of his wife two years earlier, for which he blames himself. When he meets Lottie, the instant attraction he feels towards her gives him hope that he can move on from the tragedy of his past, as long as he can tell Lottie the truth of what happened.
When circumstances force Lottie and Thierry closer together, they both find it hard to compromise – she’s proudly independent and he’s fiercely protective – and they’re both wary about trusting someone new with their heart.
Can Lottie and Thierry take a chance on each other, move on from their pasts and start over?
Escape to The Vineyard in Alsace once again with this romantic read set in the heart of Alsace’s wine country.
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Review
A dual journey of fresh starts and self-discovery
Our story starts almost in media res, as heavily-pregnant Lottie must decide whether to take a change on new boyfriend Thierry, after her baby daddy heard the test results and ran for the hills. Indeed, it's a choice she must make again and again as she faces life with a newborn.
Thierry, for his part, has his own share of baggage in his closet - not least of which is his guilt around the death of his wife less than two years before. He loves Lottie - that much is sure - but can he live with her, and her with him?
It's this thorny question that weaves its way through this book. Over and over, Lottie and Thierry clash as they face up to their pasts, their problems, and the biggest challenge of all: communication.
You though I was going to say parenthood, didn't you? Well, no, because Lottie's baby is adorable. As is Lottie's step-niece Chloe. There are a whole family (both blood-related and choice-related) ready to gather around them, many fresh off their own book (Fran and Didier) or ready to start (Ellie and Henri). Not only that, but the vineyard is almost a character in itself, even though I know nothing about wine or its making.
Back to the communication. It's such a relief when Lottie and Thierry finally acknowledge their problems - to each other, no less - and work to face them. For instance, I'm incredibly proud of Thierry for going to a counsellor. He even addressed the stigma and went anyway. And it helped. There's so many little details, little character moments that made me go "oh, there you are, thank you".
I will note that the conversation seemed a little formal - a lot of the dialogue came off stilted and overly wordy. There's so much emotion in many of these conversations but it can become lost in the verbiage.
Overall, a solid read about two strong people learning to bend.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources, all opinions are my own
Julie Stock writes contemporary feel-good romance from around the world: novels, novellas and short stories. She published her debut novel, From Here to Nashville, in 2015, after starting to write as an escape from the demands of her day job as a teacher. Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace is her ninth book, and the second in the Domaine des Montagnes series set on a vineyard.
Julie is now a full-time author, and loves every minute of her writing life. When not writing, she can be found reading, her favourite past-time, running, a new hobby, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen, glass of wine in hand.
Julie is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and The Society of Authors. She is married and lives with her family in Bedfordshire in the UK.
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Thanks so much for reading and reviewing Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace, Lauren. I really appreciate it, and I'm glad you enjoyed reading it :)
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