Reviews

Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much by Natalie MacLean

juliabegeman's review

challenging funny hopeful inspiring slow-paced

4.5

This is one of the most relatable and inspiring memoirs I have ever read. I was sneaking pages of it at work whenever I had a few moments free. I love how Natalie framed her growth over the year in the terms of winemaking. This is such a touching and heartfelt book, and I would highly recommend it to any woman who has ever felt unworthy.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol

Minor: Sexism

salimah's review

5.0

I had the opportunity to be a beta reader for Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much. I'd like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to review her work in exchange for an honest review. This memoir is equal parts enjoyable and informative. It is the perfect balance of the personal and the professional, making for a heady, yet judicious offering.

If you're interested in the world of wine, any part of it, there is a wealth of inside baseball to consume, interwoven throughout each chapter. If you're in the market for a second-chance-at-love story, there's something for you here too. If you'd like to read about a woman besting a bunch of misogynists, so much the better.

This would be a perfect book club selection. Even better? Look up Ms. MacLean's wine reviews to get ideas for vintages that will pair well with your discussion.

melissagopp's review

informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

I love the witchy theme that runs throughout this memoir that relays one of the most transformative periods in wine reviewer and author Natalie MaClean’s adult life. I dove in expecting to most relate to her experiences around divorce, single parenthood, and dating in middle-age. While I absolutely did connect with her thoughts and emotions around those events, I was surprised to find myself nodding along while reading about her brutal time at the center of an online mob, spurred by her real-life colleagues. It’s an experience more and more writers can relate to, especially writers who happen to be women who write about their lives. I also appreciated her insights into the ways misogyny manifests in the wine industry and how the opposite of addiction is connection. This was such an entertaining and enlightening read, and I’m thankful to have had a chance to read it.

lmcneil's review

emotional funny hopeful sad fast-paced

4.0

norapt505's review

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

4.0

Natalie MacLean's memoir covers many themes: heartbreak from divorce, online bullying, the wine industry, misogyny, struggling with drinking, history of witches, parenting with an uncooperative coparent and dating post divorce. There were points in the book that I felt there were too many things happening, but there are times in life that there are too many obstacles.  I am happy that after everything, she found success and happiness!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. 

lisalikestoread's review

hopeful medium-paced

3.0

mkbonzelaar's review

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

innae's review

emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I was honored to be a beta-reader for this book and was sent a digital copy by the author.

I have read Natalie’s Red,White and Drunk all over, which was very enjoyable, but this book offers something different.   

This super personal story of what Natalie went through during her divorce is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.  I found myself nodding in many places during this memoir, although I have not gone through a divorce (my parents did), I have worked in a male dominated career (law enforcement) and many of the trials suffered by the author were relatable to me.   I applaud Natalie for being brave enough to share this very personal saga and think that anyone can find themselves in the story.  

rage_among_the_page's review

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

While I’m not a sommelier or a divorcée, there’s so much to relate to in this book. I always hope that if (when…I should say “when”) I get around to writing a book, someone will relate to the challenges, reflect on their own lives and find hope in the words, even if we have completely different lives. In that same respect, I truly appreciate when someone is willing to be open and share their experiences for those that may have never heard of them or their work. 

I enjoy wine (and witch references), but I really don’t know much about it. I have enough knowledge to know what I can/can’t stomach, the only wine magazine I ever read just completely went over my head. I occasionally browse memoirs and biographies looking for something interesting, I life to bury myself in for a few days, but may never have come across this if it wasn’t for NetGalley and I appreciate the publisher and author for providing an ARC for an honest review. Point is, I wouldn’t have sought it out, never hearing of Natalie MacLean, and I’m so glad the catchy title caught my eye.

For some, it may be a fast read, but I personally didn’t find that flow with some of the structure and bouncing around. I found myself bummed at times, because I’d be really into a topic and it would switch, which lead me to the medium pace rating. As whole, it all comes together and I appreciate the writing style, the education…I’m still not a wine pro, but know way more thanks to the life/wine analogies that resonate way more with me than magazine descriptions. 

I think MacLean herself puts it best… 

Readers can’t identify with experts who remove themselves entirely from their writing. They touch your mind with their analysis like a cold point of steel, but they don’t open your heart with empathy.

We’ve all been scorned at some point, whether in relationships, business or friendships. You don’t need to have lived the life MacLean has to relate to what she’s experienced and feel empowered to rise. 

Another aspect I thoroughly enjoyed…it reads like you’re chatting with a friend. The early mentioned transitions that through me off a bit and slowed me down are totally justified when I think about catching up with friends over wine or coffee, we definitely jump around in conversations, and this ties it all together.

mac8403's review

5.0

Daring, honest, transparent and hilarious. Relatable for anyone who has gone through divorce or lost someone they loved...or lost everything! Spectacular imagery that takes you on a journey.