Author: Loretta Hill
Genre: Romance/Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date: 2nd January 2015
Pages: 352
Book Source: Random House Aust & NetGalley
Synopsis: ‘ You are cordially invited to the wedding of Phoebe and Christopher . . .’
All families have their problems. No more so than the Maxwells of Tawny Brooks Winery. Situated in the heart of the Margaret River wine region, this world-renowned winery was the childhood home to three sisters, Natasha, Eve and Phoebe.
Today all three women are enmeshed in their city lives and eager to forget their past – and their fractured sibling relationships. Until Phoebe decides to get married at home. . .
Now the sisters must all return to face a host of family obligations, vintage in full swing and interfering in-laws who just can’t take a hint. As one romance blossoms and others fall apart, it seems they are all in need of some sisterly advice.
But old wounds cut deep. Somehow, the Maxwell sisters must find a way back to one another – or risk losing each other forever.
My Thoughts:
I
adore sister/family themed stories and being a bit partial to a nice wine
myself, I loved the Margaret River wine region setting and the descriptions of Tawny Brooks vineyard, the grape varieties, their harvesting process. It took
me back to weekends spent touring wineries, soaking up the sights and smells,
sampling wines until we found a new favourite.
The
Maxwell family are a mildly dysfunctional bunch, likable, frustrating and
entirely real. Happy-go-lucky Phoebe (the youngest Maxwell sister) is the
reason the Maxwell sisters are returning home to Tawny Brooks Estate. Phoebe is
getting married and she wants her estranged sisters, Natasha and Eve to mend
the rift before her wedding.
Mix
in ... a month of wedding planning, a jealous Greek mother, a father who loves to give the
impression of being a sandwich short of a picnic, the mother-in-law from hell, the men in the Maxwell sisters' lives and you get a melting pot of
misunderstandings, squabbles, secrets and family drama. I loved that this tale
was as much about sisters reconnecting as it was their romances. And I
especially loved the humour injected with the mother/mother-in-law wedding battles and John Maxwell's penchant for keeping score.
The
wedding day drama was a bit over the top for me but that's a small gripe in an otherwise charming story about family, love, food and wine. Four of my favourite things.
A
fun read to enjoy while guzzling sipping a nice glass of
Australian wine.
I
heard on the grapevine (HA sorry) that Loretta has more Margaret River wineries to visit in
future books. I look forward to that.
Connect with Loretta Hill
Chuckling at your review. I'm not a wine person but in spite of that the book sounds good and I just might give it a read. The number of good Australian authors amazes me always - guess I shouldn't be amazed but I am. So many to try.
ReplyDeleteI'm continuously amazed too Kathryn and I'm Australian lol. I read a lot of Australian authors but it's still only the tip of the iceberg ... I need more hours in a day :)
DeleteThis one keeps popping up on my Kindle ... gonna have to get it!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it Julie :)
DeleteIt's summer here Felicia and it felt like a nice summery read, but wine is good anytime lol
ReplyDeleteDespite some over the top scenes you really had me with sisters/family and wine country setting. Awesome find and review
ReplyDeleteThanks Kimberly, now that I think about it, most of the Australian reads have been outback, coastal or small rural town settings so the wine region made a nice change. Hope you get to enjoy this one!
DeleteOh I know, there should be book-themed wine tours as well! Or wine-themed book tours. Either would work! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you there Deb ... what are you waiting for lol
DeleteSounds good :)
ReplyDeletego on B ... the guys are hot, you know you want to :)
DeleteI really enjoyed the setting too, I used to holiday around there as a child :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a nice, simple read. I also love books about family and groups of people together because I have such a close bond with my family and friends themselves.
ReplyDelete