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br1sr3alm's review
3.5
I had the opportunity to follow Natalie on her writing journey where we are reminded that life is not all wine and roses and can challenge us when we're already down, but we should never give up. I recommend this inspiring and informative read to any wine lover, male or female, who has encountered heartbreak in love or discrimination in the workplace.
kgraham10's review
medium-paced
3.0
Highly repetitive. Lots of self-promotion. If she has a point, she describes it in four different paragraphs in different ways enamored of her own writing. This book needed a good editor and less PR.
I also think this marketing prevented her from discussing the personal damage done by her drinking. She approaches it and then veers away repeatedly.
I also think this marketing prevented her from discussing the personal damage done by her drinking. She approaches it and then veers away repeatedly.
richellebelle55's review
4.0
When the author first invited me to read a beta copy of her memoir, I thought I had received a spam message. As a small-business owner, I receive plenty of spam on social media platforms, and am wary of reading unsolicited messages from people I don't know. But after learning more about her and her work, I accepted her invitation. I am grateful I did.
Reading her wine memoir was like having a heart-to-heart chat with a dear friend I hadn't seen since before the pandemic. She turned her harrowing journey of divorce, defamation, and excessive drinking into an absorbing, witty and often hilarious page-turner that showcased her inner strength and tenacity. I couldn't relate to all the situations she described in her book, but could empathize, particularly because her writing made me feel like I was experiencing these events with her. And in those situations in which I experienced the same thing or something similar, I felt seen and like my own experiences were validated through her words.
My only critique of her book is that some chapters could have benefitted from a tighter narrative arc. At times, it felt like she was including too much detail when a more focused summary would have sufficed.
Overall, I enjoyed this read and recommend it to anyone looking for a breezy, yet engaging memoir to read this summer, perhaps on a beach with a glass of wine in hand. :)
4.5 Stars
Reading her wine memoir was like having a heart-to-heart chat with a dear friend I hadn't seen since before the pandemic. She turned her harrowing journey of divorce, defamation, and excessive drinking into an absorbing, witty and often hilarious page-turner that showcased her inner strength and tenacity. I couldn't relate to all the situations she described in her book, but could empathize, particularly because her writing made me feel like I was experiencing these events with her. And in those situations in which I experienced the same thing or something similar, I felt seen and like my own experiences were validated through her words.
My only critique of her book is that some chapters could have benefitted from a tighter narrative arc. At times, it felt like she was including too much detail when a more focused summary would have sufficed.
Overall, I enjoyed this read and recommend it to anyone looking for a breezy, yet engaging memoir to read this summer, perhaps on a beach with a glass of wine in hand. :)
4.5 Stars
saltygalreads's review
5.0
Is this a great title or what? I will take Wine Witch over Wine Babe or Wine Mommy any day of the week!
If you think this is only a book about wine, then you would be mistaken - it is about much more than that. This is a honest, hilarious and touching memoir from Natalie Mclean, which at times made me really angry on her behalf. I related to her feelings of being the recipient of mansplaining and patronizing behaviour, and of being underestimated by some men. The online "witch hunt" which she experienced is a timely and important subject, and most readers can probably relate to the experience of being targeted on social media with sexist, angry or inappropriate messages, although not to the degree that the author experienced.
But lest you get the impression that this memoir is a downer or an account from a man-hater, let me correct that immediately. It is actually brimming with good humour and optimism, describing her journey from emotionally-draining and painful life experiences to finding her place in the world again, with a renewed self-confidence, close family ties and the support of a good partner.
I really appreciated the author's honesty in this memoir, and for me that is the valuable piece of reading a well-written memoir - it reminds me to face my own problems and demons with clear eyes and equal honesty. I enjoyed this book immensely and many thanks to Natalie for allowing me to read it.
If you think this is only a book about wine, then you would be mistaken - it is about much more than that. This is a honest, hilarious and touching memoir from Natalie Mclean, which at times made me really angry on her behalf. I related to her feelings of being the recipient of mansplaining and patronizing behaviour, and of being underestimated by some men. The online "witch hunt" which she experienced is a timely and important subject, and most readers can probably relate to the experience of being targeted on social media with sexist, angry or inappropriate messages, although not to the degree that the author experienced.
But lest you get the impression that this memoir is a downer or an account from a man-hater, let me correct that immediately. It is actually brimming with good humour and optimism, describing her journey from emotionally-draining and painful life experiences to finding her place in the world again, with a renewed self-confidence, close family ties and the support of a good partner.
I really appreciated the author's honesty in this memoir, and for me that is the valuable piece of reading a well-written memoir - it reminds me to face my own problems and demons with clear eyes and equal honesty. I enjoyed this book immensely and many thanks to Natalie for allowing me to read it.
blondierocket's review
4.0
I had the opportunity to read Natalie MacLean's new upcoming book and it did not disappoint! It was a journey of discovery and finding true self (with some wine along the way). Life is like falling in love with wine - it's rocky, not every wine tastes good, but the more you fail and succeed and try again the more you find what you really like.
This book made me feel connected and seen. Natalie tells it all - good, bad, and ugly - and reminds every woman that you are not alone in this world. Whatever your profession or passion, there will be people who are bored enough to come after you, but you are strong, and you will rise above.
This book made me feel connected and seen. Natalie tells it all - good, bad, and ugly - and reminds every woman that you are not alone in this world. Whatever your profession or passion, there will be people who are bored enough to come after you, but you are strong, and you will rise above.
psyckers's review
5.0
The author asked me to beta read this story, which I did and was astonished at how well I enjoyed it.
It has characters and plots that are reminiscing drama packed with intrigue, bigotry, patience, vengeance, wisdom and eventually justice. The roller coaster ride of emotions in this book, this reader felt throughout the book and it tells the tale of redemption.
So too are the reality of the situations and the unfortunate current attitudes in the wine industry. In many ways you can think of this book as the authors version of Anthony Bourdain's 'Kitchen Confidential' as it exposes the wine industry, warts and all.
It has characters and plots that are reminiscing drama packed with intrigue, bigotry, patience, vengeance, wisdom and eventually justice. The roller coaster ride of emotions in this book, this reader felt throughout the book and it tells the tale of redemption.
So too are the reality of the situations and the unfortunate current attitudes in the wine industry. In many ways you can think of this book as the authors version of Anthony Bourdain's 'Kitchen Confidential' as it exposes the wine industry, warts and all.
erincataldi's review
4.0
Before picking up this book I had no idea who Natalie MacLean was, but I was so intrigued that I ended up reading this whole book in one day! Natalie MacLean is an award winning Canadian wine writer - which if you're reading this you probably already know - but I know nothing about wine (I am a bottom shelf gal) and I have never read any of her columns, articles, blog, or podcasts. Even though I didn't know of her - I was pretty quickly won over with her engaged and honest writing. Wine Witch on Fire details the years of her divorce and the "scandal" that almost ended her career. The wine industry (like most food and drink industries) is teeming with sexism and "boys club" mentality; which MacLean really goes into towards the end of the book. She recounts with brutal honesty what went down, her reactions and feelings (as well as her ever increasing drinking) and she doesn't come off smelling like a rose, BUT, it humanizes her and makes her story even more compelling. Another aspect I really liked, was learning about different aspects of the wine industry and getting some wine recommendations throughout her biography. I had no idea what went on behind the scenes of wine writing and it was fascinating. Engaging biography - now I want to read her other two books!