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jan1234's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this on audible. I must admit I struggled for a lot of this book tbh. I liked the references
to John 15 etc and enjoyed The Christian aspect. I found it quite confusing for a lot of the time.
As the book progressed, I really enjoyed it. The Treasure hunt and mysteries intrigued me. All in all a lovely book. The last hour - hour and a half really sped up the story that I didn't want it to end then.
to John 15 etc and enjoyed The Christian aspect. I found it quite confusing for a lot of the time.
As the book progressed, I really enjoyed it. The Treasure hunt and mysteries intrigued me. All in all a lovely book. The last hour - hour and a half really sped up the story that I didn't want it to end then.
becsbookishdelights's review against another edition
5.0
My word! This is an excellent book in many ways but I have to say what struck me was the spiritual truths fleshed out in this story. I absolutely loved it. Brought me to tears! Will be re-reading this one!
anjleo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
princessjdl's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
3.75
Good book but it felt slow to get going.
literallyilliterate's review against another edition
3.0
This was my second JDP book, and though I didn't enjoy it as much as Finding Lady Enderly, there was still lots to love. This book follows Tressa, the poorest heiress in England, and Donegan, the vineyard manager of her castle, as they try to find the hidden fortune of Tressa's deceased father, before someone else finds it first.
I absolutely adore the author's writing and the metaphors she uses. In this case, there were a lot of vine/branches metaphors (based on the "I am the vine, you are the branches" verse in the Bible), as well as color-related ones (the love confession was EVERYTHING). The Christian themes were expertly woven into the story and felt like a part of the plot instead of an afterthought. There were a few instances when it felt like I was being preached to, but I didn't mind it too much.
Tressa and Donegan are fascinating characters to follow, though I didn't get as attached to them as I did to the characters in the other book I've read from this author. Donegan in particular was really cool to read about, due to things that were slowly revealed about his character throughout the story. The romance was sweet, but didn't stand out to me personally.
My main issue with this book is just that it was hard to get into. It took me a while to become invested, and even then I was still a little bored. I wish there could've been more of a "treasure hunt" instead of just saying there was. It felt like most of the book was just Tressa's thoughts about Donegan. I loved the insight into her complicated relationship with her father, though. And the ending was so heartwarming. The last 50 pages were 5-star pages for sure.
Overall, this was a decent book with a great ending and really well done faith content, but I struggled to get into it.
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part *insert large number here* of me trying to enjoy historical fiction
I absolutely adore the author's writing and the metaphors she uses. In this case, there were a lot of vine/branches metaphors (based on the "I am the vine, you are the branches" verse in the Bible), as well as color-related ones (the love confession was EVERYTHING). The Christian themes were expertly woven into the story and felt like a part of the plot instead of an afterthought. There were a few instances when it felt like I was being preached to, but I didn't mind it too much.
Tressa and Donegan are fascinating characters to follow, though I didn't get as attached to them as I did to the characters in the other book I've read from this author. Donegan in particular was really cool to read about, due to things that were slowly revealed about his character throughout the story. The romance was sweet, but didn't stand out to me personally.
My main issue with this book is just that it was hard to get into. It took me a while to become invested, and even then I was still a little bored. I wish there could've been more of a "treasure hunt" instead of just saying there was. It felt like most of the book was just Tressa's thoughts about Donegan. I loved the insight into her complicated relationship with her father, though. And the ending was so heartwarming. The last 50 pages were 5-star pages for sure.
Overall, this was a decent book with a great ending and really well done faith content, but I struggled to get into it.
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part *insert large number here* of me trying to enjoy historical fiction
lynnuwatson's review against another edition
5.0
This book has been in my kindle library for a while. I randomly chose to read it next. What a great story. I loved how it fits the Biblical lessons of Jesus being the vine and we the branches, and what it takes to produce good fruit. Indeed a treasure awaits!
helenaferreira's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
english_lady03's review against another edition
3.0
On one level, I liked this book better than Lady Jayne Disappears. The setting was atmospheric, and I liked the way that the family vineyard was used as a basis for moral and spiritual lessons. It was certainly a well-written story full of family drama and mystery, with plenty of twists and turns.
I also liked the central story line about a young woman who loved her distant father and her home, and only sets about finding the rumoured ancestral treasure to save it. She never expects to be confronted with some apparently shocking revelations about her father, and desires above all else to clear his name, so her image of him will not be shattered. Through the search, she learns to trust her Heavenly Father as well, and what real treasure means.
Maybe the hero was a little too perfect, and even Tressa at times. Another reviewer mentioned there were times when she wanted to shake her. Don't think I did at the time, but looking back, she was bit silly on occasion.
So why the lower rating? A couple of reasons. One was some apparent contradictions. Early in the story, I'm fairly sure it said Tressa and her mother had returned home after a long sojourn 'abroad': but afterwards it said they had simply been in London.
The constant Americanisms also contribute to it. The characters used the American 'trunk' and the British term 'chest' to describe wooden box believed to contain the family fortune interchangeably, sometimes in the same sentence.
Also, the characters sometimes referred to an area of the castle/stately home Tressa grew up in as a 'Hall Block'. I have no idea what that is. Is it a made up term? Never heard of anything called that before in a castle, or manor house, or any building, whatever its meant to be.
The audiobook narrator was good though. Liked her West Country accent. I requested this title from Netgalley, and purchased the Audible version of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
I also liked the central story line about a young woman who loved her distant father and her home, and only sets about finding the rumoured ancestral treasure to save it. She never expects to be confronted with some apparently shocking revelations about her father, and desires above all else to clear his name, so her image of him will not be shattered. Through the search, she learns to trust her Heavenly Father as well, and what real treasure means.
Maybe the hero was a little too perfect, and even Tressa at times. Another reviewer mentioned there were times when she wanted to shake her. Don't think I did at the time, but looking back, she was bit silly on occasion.
So why the lower rating? A couple of reasons. One was some apparent contradictions. Early in the story, I'm fairly sure it said Tressa and her mother had returned home after a long sojourn 'abroad': but afterwards it said they had simply been in London.
The constant Americanisms also contribute to it. The characters used the American 'trunk' and the British term 'chest' to describe wooden box believed to contain the family fortune interchangeably, sometimes in the same sentence.
Also, the characters sometimes referred to an area of the castle/stately home Tressa grew up in as a 'Hall Block'. I have no idea what that is. Is it a made up term? Never heard of anything called that before in a castle, or manor house, or any building, whatever its meant to be.
The audiobook narrator was good though. Liked her West Country accent. I requested this title from Netgalley, and purchased the Audible version of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
vibeke_hiatt's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book to start the year with. Setting the story in the Victorian period, Politano does an excellent job writing in a semi-Victorian style with enough modern touches to keep a modern audience engaged. The story is reminiscent of the works of Gaskell or Scott. Part mystery, part romance, part Christian fiction, this story has depth and wisdom that I found appealing. I need to get my hands on some of Politano's other books now!