Title: Eight Hundred GrapesAuthor: Laura Dave
Genre: Women's Fiction
Publication Date: 2nd June 2015
Pages: 272
Book Source: own purchase
Synopsis: There are secrets you share, and secrets you hide…
Growing up
on her family’s Sonoma vineyard, Georgia Ford learned some important secrets.
The secret number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine: eight hundred.
The secret ingredient in her mother’s lasagna: chocolate. The secret behind
ending a fight: hold hands.
But just a week before her wedding, thirty-year-old Georgia
discovers her beloved fiancé has been keeping a secret so explosive, it will
change their lives forever.
Georgia does what she’s always done: she returns to the family
vineyard, expecting the comfort of her long-married parents, and her brothers,
and everything familiar. But it turns out her fiancé is not the only one who’s
been keeping secrets…
My Thoughts:
I'm
drawn to stories about family dynamics and secrets and wine and Brandie's
glowing review had me pushing this to the top of my
reading list. Thanks for giving me a new author to stalk Brandie ;)
A
week before her wedding Georgia discovers her fiance Ben has been keeping
secrets. She hightails it back to the family vineyard and finds her family
unraveling with secrets of their own.
Set
on a Sonoma vineyard, Eight Hundred Grapes has a wonderful sense of place. I
loved the details on the wine varieties and the winemaking process especially
since Georgia's father is a biodynamic winemaker.
I
liked Georgia but she also frustrated me, her on-again-off-again indecision
drove me a little nuts but I guess she just had to get there in her own time.
Ben ... hmm I actually thought he was a bit of a dick. It didn't really lessen
my enjoyment of the story, probably because there was so much to love.
Eight
Hundred Grapes is about about family, love, forgiveness and finding your place
and it left me smiling.
A
gorgeous summery read to enjoy while guzzling savouring a
glass of wine.
"You have to grow about eight hundred grapes to get just one bottle of wine. If that isn't an argument to finish the bottle, I don't know what is." - Anonymous
I'm
linking up to weekend cooking because wine totally counts as a food group ...
right?
Fox 2000 has
optioned the movie rights, this will be wonderful on the big screen.
Connect with Laura Dave
Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads and open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs.
It sounds like a wonderful book
ReplyDeletehope you get your hands on this one B :)
DeleteI was drawn in by Brandie's reviw too and some of the other reviews I have read were all positive. Laughing at your summing up of the characters, especially Ben. I look forward to reading it. Without the wine unfortunately, once bought some red wine, opened it with much of it hitting the ceiling and then only to find I couldn't drink it because it caused reflux. Just have to be unhealthy!
ReplyDeleteHope you like it too Kathryn, bummer about the reflux though. Is it only red wine that causes it? ... with white wine, sweet is my thing, I like moscato and yet my palate for reds is much more adventurous lol
DeleteWasn't it good! I really enjoyed it - love messy family dynamics.
ReplyDeletemy favourite family dynamic to read about lol
DeleteThis sounds really good! I love a story where I want to kick the guys butt! LOL!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like this one Julie :)
DeleteI've seen this book all around this summer. Quite the summer story and I love reading about messy families. :-)
ReplyDeleteit seems many of us like the messy family premise ... keeps it real I guess, or makes us feel better about our own messy stuff lol
DeleteI look forward to this one on the Big Screen, too...and yes, Georgia made me a little crazy, too! I wanted to shake her a little and say "make a decision!" LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
lol Laurel, glad I wasn't the only one ;)
DeleteGot this one on audio and look forward to it.
ReplyDeletekeen to see what you think of the audio version Nise, I'll keep an eye out for your review!
DeleteI've seen a lot of glowing reviews of this one, and the northern California wine country setting appeals to me. I agree this seems like it would be a good movie. Great reviews, and love that quote! :)
ReplyDeletethanks Greg, the author seemed to have an intimate knowledge of wine country.
DeleteTotally legit Weekend Cooking. I write about wine and other adult beverages all the time! I have this book on my list. Can't wait to get reading.
ReplyDeletelol thanks Beth. Can't wait to see what you think :)
DeleteWine and a book, what's not to love?
ReplyDeletemy feelings exactly lol
DeleteI have this one but haven't read it yet; it does sound like a perfect summer read.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it as much as I did Diane.
DeleteI haven't seen this Obie or read the book but you have me sold! I like books where wine figures prominently!
ReplyDeletelol Tina, happy to be a book enabler, hope you enjoy this one :)
DeleteSounds like a good read :) Glad to hear there's a movie in the works as well.
ReplyDeleteMight be a way off but I'd definitely see the movie. Thanks for stopping by Bidisha :)
DeleteI've got a copy of this to read for review and it is pretty popular at the library. I am glad you liked it even though the protagonist was frustrating at times. Hopefully I will enjoy it too. I'm kind of interested in learning more about wine making so the setting sounds appealing also. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it too Christina, I'll keep an eye out for your review!
DeleteI love your review!! And I'm so glad you enjoyed it - makes me happy when my friends end up enjoying the same books as me. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize it was already optioned for a movie!! That's great - I can't wait!
Love the picture, too. Two of my favorite things. lol.
me too ... nice to share the book love. We both have good taste LOL
DeleteWonderful review, this is on my wishlist and I've thought about going the audio route with this one.
ReplyDelete