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ellenisthinking's review against another edition
2.0
Two stars instead of one only because I liked the descriptions of winemaking.
elvang's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this generational journey of two women in the wine industry and how the times they lived in shaped their lives. Moran slowly spins a tale of the lives of independent women in the Twenties and the Fifties but what resonated with me were the limited choices both Ava and Caterina faced in the decades portrayed in their stories.
Caterina in the fifties is a single parent working as a Sommelier in a restaurant trying to provide a life for her child until a lawyer informs her of a home in Italy bequeathed to her by her paternal grandmother. She is unable to face her mother Ava, the owner and manager of Mille Etoile winery in Napa Valley, nervous her rigid mother would not accept her illegitimate child. What she discovers in Italy unravels her mother’s past and shows Caterina just how many lies and untruths she has come to believe regarding her mother’s past. How she decides to confront her mother and her connection with the love of her life make for an entertaining read.
Ava, forced by circumstances to make choices unique to women in the Twenties is a survivor and a businesswoman first and foremost. When events from her past rise up to challenge her vineyard her decisions are hampered by the realities of the era in which she lives. Women owning property was unheard of in the Twenties, and the Fifties. The strength of women like Ava, forced into subterfuge to make a life and a business is fully explored in The Winemakers.
The finale does drift into melodrama and the book drags in parts but overall I enjoyed this look at the wine industry and the men and women who brought notoriety and respect for wine produced in the Napa Valley region of California. The author did her research and the story she has crafted is informative and entertaining. What struck home for me were the limited choices faced by business women in the first half of the Twentieth Century. Entrepreneurs were welcome in the USA, as long as they were male.
ARC received with thanks from the publisher via NetGalley.
Caterina in the fifties is a single parent working as a Sommelier in a restaurant trying to provide a life for her child until a lawyer informs her of a home in Italy bequeathed to her by her paternal grandmother. She is unable to face her mother Ava, the owner and manager of Mille Etoile winery in Napa Valley, nervous her rigid mother would not accept her illegitimate child. What she discovers in Italy unravels her mother’s past and shows Caterina just how many lies and untruths she has come to believe regarding her mother’s past. How she decides to confront her mother and her connection with the love of her life make for an entertaining read.
Ava, forced by circumstances to make choices unique to women in the Twenties is a survivor and a businesswoman first and foremost. When events from her past rise up to challenge her vineyard her decisions are hampered by the realities of the era in which she lives. Women owning property was unheard of in the Twenties, and the Fifties. The strength of women like Ava, forced into subterfuge to make a life and a business is fully explored in The Winemakers.
The finale does drift into melodrama and the book drags in parts but overall I enjoyed this look at the wine industry and the men and women who brought notoriety and respect for wine produced in the Napa Valley region of California. The author did her research and the story she has crafted is informative and entertaining. What struck home for me were the limited choices faced by business women in the first half of the Twentieth Century. Entrepreneurs were welcome in the USA, as long as they were male.
ARC received with thanks from the publisher via NetGalley.
lisah04's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, how I loved this book!
Caterina was raised by her widowed mother, Ava, in Napa Valley at a time when men were considered the head of a household and women's rights were few. Ava has secrets she has hid from her daughter that could have devasting effects on their futures. But Caterina has secrets of her own. Can they reveal the truth and come out stronger than before?
I enjoyed the descriptions of Napa, Italy, and France, and the winemaking process. I was transported back to my visit to Napa and dreamed of traveling to Italy.
If you like historical fiction with strong female leads, read The Winemakers. 4.5 stars
Thank you to Negalley for providing a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
Caterina was raised by her widowed mother, Ava, in Napa Valley at a time when men were considered the head of a household and women's rights were few. Ava has secrets she has hid from her daughter that could have devasting effects on their futures. But Caterina has secrets of her own. Can they reveal the truth and come out stronger than before?
I enjoyed the descriptions of Napa, Italy, and France, and the winemaking process. I was transported back to my visit to Napa and dreamed of traveling to Italy.
If you like historical fiction with strong female leads, read The Winemakers. 4.5 stars
Thank you to Negalley for providing a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
firstimpressionsreviews's review against another edition
1.0
First Impressions
When I first acquired The Winemakers written by Jan Moran I looked forward to starting up my kindle for a fun historical set in Italy. Sadly, these thoughts were quickly diminished.
Impressions On Plot
Jan Moran has written a book the held potential but quickly went awry. What started out as a novel about discovering hidden family secrets spiralled into a sordid love affair. This would have been fine if it had been a subplot but it soon morphed into the main event. Add yourself a helping of incest and we have ourselves a Judith Krantz novel. Unfortunately, that is not even the tip of the iceberg. The reader is then introduced to her deranged father who is set upon ruining the family vineyard. The conclusion to the story was ridiculous. It had me saying "what, did that really just happen?" I was struck dumb by the demise of evil and predicted happy ending.
Impressions on Characters
The characters were all one dimensional with no one standing out. My biggest problem was with Caterina, she constantly wrestled between her love life and what was best for her daughter, the result was an overgrown teenager pitching a fit when things don't go their way. It annoyed me to no end. I would have been perfectly happy if Caterina fell into a wine vat.
Final Impressions
In short, The Winemakers was a bust. It didn't hold any surprise or originality that made me look forward to reading at night. Instead of going to bed with a good book, I found my eyes rolling.
When I first acquired The Winemakers written by Jan Moran I looked forward to starting up my kindle for a fun historical set in Italy. Sadly, these thoughts were quickly diminished.
Impressions On Plot
Jan Moran has written a book the held potential but quickly went awry. What started out as a novel about discovering hidden family secrets spiralled into a sordid love affair. This would have been fine if it had been a subplot but it soon morphed into the main event. Add yourself a helping of incest and we have ourselves a Judith Krantz novel. Unfortunately, that is not even the tip of the iceberg. The reader is then introduced to her deranged father who is set upon ruining the family vineyard. The conclusion to the story was ridiculous. It had me saying "what, did that really just happen?" I was struck dumb by the demise of evil and predicted happy ending.
Impressions on Characters
The characters were all one dimensional with no one standing out. My biggest problem was with Caterina, she constantly wrestled between her love life and what was best for her daughter, the result was an overgrown teenager pitching a fit when things don't go their way. It annoyed me to no end. I would have been perfectly happy if Caterina fell into a wine vat.
Final Impressions
In short, The Winemakers was a bust. It didn't hold any surprise or originality that made me look forward to reading at night. Instead of going to bed with a good book, I found my eyes rolling.
hannasbooked's review against another edition
4.0
I had approximately 8 glasses of wine while reading this book.
All red.
This story looks at relationship between a mother and daughter to uncover similarities neither one saw coming. Taking place in California and in Italy, the book jumps between timeframes and builds on the family secrets to keep a reader engaged.
**Received as a Goodreads Winner**
All red.
This story looks at relationship between a mother and daughter to uncover similarities neither one saw coming. Taking place in California and in Italy, the book jumps between timeframes and builds on the family secrets to keep a reader engaged.
**Received as a Goodreads Winner**
jenwestpfahl's review against another edition
3.0
Although the big surprise/secret was obvious REALLY early in the book, it was still enjoyable following the characters along their journey to it. Once it was revealed, though, the rest of the book dragged a bit, even with some dramatic events taking place.
There were a few central conflicts and plot points that the author beat us over the head with. I pictured myself crossing out phrases and whole paragraphs. I wanted to yell "We know, we know. Oh so important. Get on with it already."
There were a few central conflicts and plot points that the author beat us over the head with. I pictured myself crossing out phrases and whole paragraphs. I wanted to yell "We know, we know. Oh so important. Get on with it already."
lauraanne9's review against another edition
4.0
First, with this you need to drink wine. Not because it is bad so you need the alcohol but because you spend so much time talking about wine, hearing about wine, and learning about wine that you want wine.
Was that just me? Probably not.
The detail and the depth given to the locations, the story and the characters draws you in with this one, from the beginning. The characters are so strong, to go through all that they do, the choices they have to make, the things that they have to deal with and still be able to function and get through it.
This review is not easy to write. It really is a novel about wine, and about secrets, just like it claims on the cover...and part of the great page turning fun of this one is that it is written in such a way that even if you have a pretty good idea where it is going, it is still a lot of fun getting there...of finding out exactly how it will get to where it ends up.
The writing is amazing, the pages turn themselves, I can say that much without giving anything away. This is my first novel by this author, but it won't be my last.
***ARC Provided by the Publisher and NetGalley***
Was that just me? Probably not.
The detail and the depth given to the locations, the story and the characters draws you in with this one, from the beginning. The characters are so strong, to go through all that they do, the choices they have to make, the things that they have to deal with and still be able to function and get through it.
This review is not easy to write. It really is a novel about wine, and about secrets, just like it claims on the cover...and part of the great page turning fun of this one is that it is written in such a way that even if you have a pretty good idea where it is going, it is still a lot of fun getting there...of finding out exactly how it will get to where it ends up.
The writing is amazing, the pages turn themselves, I can say that much without giving anything away. This is my first novel by this author, but it won't be my last.
***ARC Provided by the Publisher and NetGalley***
oddandbookish's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free through The Reading Room’s giveaways.
So first off, I simply adore historical fiction novels about women in their early 20’s trying to forge their own path in life. This book was precisely that so I liked that aspect of the book.
For the most part, I enjoyed the plot, however, the ending was a bit overdramatic.
I also really liked all the romantic locations (Napa, Italy, and Paris) that the book took the reader through.
My favorite thing about this book was how it was subtly sex positive. Like at one point someone says, “What? Sex is healthy between two people in love.” There was also some very nice french lingerie mentioned.
Overall, it was a great historical fiction novel.
So first off, I simply adore historical fiction novels about women in their early 20’s trying to forge their own path in life. This book was precisely that so I liked that aspect of the book.
For the most part, I enjoyed the plot, however, the ending was a bit overdramatic.
I also really liked all the romantic locations (Napa, Italy, and Paris) that the book took the reader through.
My favorite thing about this book was how it was subtly sex positive. Like at one point someone says, “What? Sex is healthy between two people in love.” There was also some very nice french lingerie mentioned.
Overall, it was a great historical fiction novel.
nepheletempest's review against another edition
4.0
I received an advanced copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review if I chose to leave one.
The Winemakers tells the story of three generations of strong women across three countries -- Italy, France, and the United States -- cutting back and forth between the narrative of Ava in the 1920s and her daughter, Caterina, in the 1950s, and their complex family circumstances, all against a backdrop of winemaking in the Napa Valley. The tangled web of lies that jump starts much of the action felt a bit overdone to me at first, but as the threads become sorted and the motivations clear, I found myself engrossed in these women's lives and their fight to maintain their family business in a world that often gives women very little credit for their abilities and talents. A good, quick afternoon's read that had the bonus of making me feel like I had traveled to some lovely locations.
The Winemakers tells the story of three generations of strong women across three countries -- Italy, France, and the United States -- cutting back and forth between the narrative of Ava in the 1920s and her daughter, Caterina, in the 1950s, and their complex family circumstances, all against a backdrop of winemaking in the Napa Valley. The tangled web of lies that jump starts much of the action felt a bit overdone to me at first, but as the threads become sorted and the motivations clear, I found myself engrossed in these women's lives and their fight to maintain their family business in a world that often gives women very little credit for their abilities and talents. A good, quick afternoon's read that had the bonus of making me feel like I had traveled to some lovely locations.
abookishaffair's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Caterina is living a charmed life in California wine country in the 1950s but she is hiding a deep secret that threatens to upend her relationship with her mother and her reputation. She runs away to the house in Italy that she has just inherited from the grandmother that she never knew she had only to discover that her mother is hiding secrets of her own. This book has all the deliciousness and guilty pleasure of a huge glass of red wine. It's full of secrets that will keep you turning the pages!
While some of the action in the book sometimes seems overwrought and over-explained, the story is well written. I dove into the secrets of Caterina's story wholeheartedly and stayed there throughout the book. There are family fights, secret babies, and a lot of romance all in this book. Moran does a great job of keeping the reader on their toes throughout the book and keeps the narrative moving at a good clip. This is a good family saga!
I really liked the characters. Caterina is fascinating to me. She is only seems to have one fear and that is her formidable mother who runs a tight ship on her winery. She really grows throughout the book and realizes that the truth, difficult as it may be, is much better than hiding or creating elaborate lies that will eventually be found out! Overall, this was a good book to relax with!
While some of the action in the book sometimes seems overwrought and over-explained, the story is well written. I dove into the secrets of Caterina's story wholeheartedly and stayed there throughout the book. There are family fights, secret babies, and a lot of romance all in this book. Moran does a great job of keeping the reader on their toes throughout the book and keeps the narrative moving at a good clip. This is a good family saga!
I really liked the characters. Caterina is fascinating to me. She is only seems to have one fear and that is her formidable mother who runs a tight ship on her winery. She really grows throughout the book and realizes that the truth, difficult as it may be, is much better than hiding or creating elaborate lies that will eventually be found out! Overall, this was a good book to relax with!