alliepeduto's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t absolutely love the story, but for what it was I thought is was fine. I’d compare it to when you leave a tv horror movie on in the background, and you’re not really paying attention but it’s still fun to watch. I enjoyed reading it (and of course opened a bottle of wine to pair with it!) but I probably won’t read more of the series since I came for the wine.
paracosm's review against another edition
3.0
None of the characters were particularly interesting. The protagonist, Elena, was okay at first, then she proved herself as an idiot after admitting she thought that she had all the knowledge in the world about magic, and was surprised when she found that there were spells she didn't know about.
The "twist" villain was obvious from the beginning. The author is not very good at writing action, so the ending wasn't very exciting. I also predicted the truth about who cursed Elena from the beginning, but this one was less obvious.
I have no interest in continuing the series and I don't recommend this book, but if you insist on reading it get the audiobook, the narrator is great.
flippingthepages's review against another edition
4.0
Wine? Witches? Sign me up. Once I started this book, I just couldn't put it down. Not many books keep me up past midnight reading and this was one of them.
francesca_mirime's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
impassionskin's review against another edition
4.0
inwonderland49's review against another edition
4.0
My Thoughts
I was thoroughly surprised about this book. I'm not going to lie, I initially picked this up because the cover is gorgeous and the title intrigued me. And then I read the first sentence in the synopsis and I was like, okay sounds good! So, by the time that I ended this book, which is refreshingly short within the fantasy genre, I was pleasantly pleased with how much I enjoyed this one. I'm not sure if it was the magic or the fact that it took place in a vineyard and I do love my wines. ;)
I'm still somewhat new to the fantasy genre, at least in the Adult Fantasy that is, but this was so well-written and it's such a unique setting for a fantasy. The atmosphere that Luanne G. Smith creates within this novel is just spectacular. I wanted to savor every drop of this story like I would my glass of Malbec. I simply adored this this book and by the time it was over, I just wanted more. I actually wished that this book was one of the longer fantasy novels. I wanted more of the atmosphere, more of the characterization, more development within the romance between Elena and Jean-Paul.
I was a little surprised at the ending with who ended up being the one who cursed Elena. But only a little surprised. And, the pacing of the book from the climax to the ending, seemed a little rushed, but all-in-all, I am really happy with this book. I think it's a great cozy read.
I am really looking forward to the second book The Glamourist which is coming out this upcoming June. If you're a big wine-o, love magic and witches, and books with a great atmosphere, you should really give this one a try!
luisaroesch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
spensersmiles's review against another edition
3.75
nkthomas720's review against another edition
5.0
celandine's review against another edition
5.0