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debs4jc's review against another edition
3.0
At the heart of this story is the journey that the main character, Tess, takes as a sudden revelation about her family jerks her out of her workaholic world as an authenticator of art and antique treasures. That revelation comes from Dominic, a handsome banker who tells her that her grandfather is close to death after an accident and that she stands in line to inherit his estate. Tess didn't know she had a grandfather - at least on this one, as her mother never told her anything about her father. So, fresh on the heels of a panic attack, she decides going to visit his estate--an apple orchard--and finding out more would be good for her. As Tess discovers family that she never knew she had, she discovers things about herself and about life. And she also discovers the secret behind a long lost family heirloom.
This book had a great balance between the relationships of the characters, their personal issues, and a suspenseful plot about a priceless treasure that needs to be discovered. I found myself thinking about the characters and their problems even when I wasn't reading it - a sign that the author has made them very real. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys books that deal with the value and issues of family relationships.
At the end I wanted to learn more about Tess's sister and hear her story--which of course set this up nicely for a sequel.
This book had a great balance between the relationships of the characters, their personal issues, and a suspenseful plot about a priceless treasure that needs to be discovered. I found myself thinking about the characters and their problems even when I wasn't reading it - a sign that the author has made them very real. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys books that deal with the value and issues of family relationships.
At the end I wanted to learn more about Tess's sister and hear her story--which of course set this up nicely for a sequel.
katietopp's review against another edition
5.0
This was a delightfully heartwarming lovely story. Honestly just what I’ve been looking for in this genre. Reminiscent of Secret Life of Bees and Growing Up Pretty. About family, and the meaning of treasure. A delightful easy read that had me in love with Tess and the gang from the start. Highly highly recommend.
fi1964's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
Tess Delaney makes finding old artifacts and turning them into treasures her job. Tess receives a shock when she finds out she has a grandfather. Not only a grandfather but also a half sister. In addition that she is has just inherited half of Bella Vista.
Tess takes time off work to visit her half sister and Bella Vista. Tess meets Dominic in the process. Tess and her half sister find some old letters. They uncover their family history.
The Apple Orchard is a charming, fast read. All the apple recipes in this book were a nice surprise as well. They had my mouth watering. However I could not spend too much time reading them as I wanted to get back to the story. Now that I am done with this book I can go back and try them out.
In the beginning I was not feeling Tess. I thought she needed to loosen up. However as the story progressed I did warm up to her and thought she and Dominic made a nice couple. The romance between them was on the sweet side. As I got closer to the end of the story, I became more interested in the past and where Tess’s grandfather came from. The Apple Orchard is as good as taking a bite out of a nice, crisp apple!
Tess takes time off work to visit her half sister and Bella Vista. Tess meets Dominic in the process. Tess and her half sister find some old letters. They uncover their family history.
The Apple Orchard is a charming, fast read. All the apple recipes in this book were a nice surprise as well. They had my mouth watering. However I could not spend too much time reading them as I wanted to get back to the story. Now that I am done with this book I can go back and try them out.
In the beginning I was not feeling Tess. I thought she needed to loosen up. However as the story progressed I did warm up to her and thought she and Dominic made a nice couple. The romance between them was on the sweet side. As I got closer to the end of the story, I became more interested in the past and where Tess’s grandfather came from. The Apple Orchard is as good as taking a bite out of a nice, crisp apple!
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
#1 in the Bella Vista Series – Loved this book! Wow, it was a little different than Susan’s normal books – as enjoyed the setting in Sonoma Wine Country, culinary (and yummy recipes), the love of food, wine, antiques, romance, travel – from generations past, Nazi, beautiful estate and apple orchards, family, lost and hidden treasures, family and love - this book has it all – from Italy to Ireland and more ---I am so looking forward to reading more in this series! Great research and well written -5 Stars--Makes you want to be there to experience this beautiful setting!
jbarr5's review against another edition
5.0
The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs
A really super book to me is one that talks of travel, food and the art of working with ones hands. This book has that and more.
The book starts out with the oldest of the family, Magnus Johnasen runs the apple orchard, Belle Vista in his 80's on the tree ladder when he gets a call on his cell...
Love that there are recipes in this book. Love the nature and especially trees as I come from a family of nursery men.
Tess Delaney works for an auction house in CA and she finds and restores and returns items to their rightful owners.
Love hearing about all the travel in this book to places I've never been.
Dominic Rossi a single dad runs the vineyard among other jobs.
Love hearing details of the traditions to honor those in need. Also the chapters are in the present time but go back so you learn of who the people really are as they themselves grew up.
Love how the apple orchard brings this whole book together and what it stands for.
There are so many other treasures in the book, priceless!
Love that this is just #1 in a new series!
A really super book to me is one that talks of travel, food and the art of working with ones hands. This book has that and more.
The book starts out with the oldest of the family, Magnus Johnasen runs the apple orchard, Belle Vista in his 80's on the tree ladder when he gets a call on his cell...
Love that there are recipes in this book. Love the nature and especially trees as I come from a family of nursery men.
Tess Delaney works for an auction house in CA and she finds and restores and returns items to their rightful owners.
Love hearing about all the travel in this book to places I've never been.
Dominic Rossi a single dad runs the vineyard among other jobs.
Love hearing details of the traditions to honor those in need. Also the chapters are in the present time but go back so you learn of who the people really are as they themselves grew up.
Love how the apple orchard brings this whole book together and what it stands for.
There are so many other treasures in the book, priceless!
Love that this is just #1 in a new series!
robyndawn82's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book - only thing keeping it from a 5 star is it jumped around a bit. Loved the characters and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
kimcheel's review against another edition
3.0
I think this book has heaps of potential, but was never quite realized. It is, at its heart, a relational story, with promises of character development. I never quite got that, and I wasn't sold on the development. I didn't understand why Tess had that panic attack in the elevator at the beginning of the story, and all of a sudden she has a condition? Why was this not fleshed out before? Why couldn't she have recounted past instances so it wasn't dropped on the reader like we're supposed to run with that. And she just quits smoking, and isn't dealing with that? The homegrown food and air miraculously clears her nicotine habit? I don't want to tear down this book, because like I said, it has potential, but so many things just didn't make sense. Both Tess and her mother were pretty unlikeable. I couldn't relate to them at all. Isabel's perfection grated. For a while, I felt there was going to be some rivalry for Dominic. Why else would Isabel protest just as strongly as Tess that Dominic wasn't Tess' boyfriend? I didn't buy Tess' decision at the end, either. It was unmotivated and unbelievable, and I felt was chosen just to follow a tired formula. Finally, things were mentioned once, and then forgotten. If you mention something, there has to be a reason. Don't jerk around the readers just to fake a mystery. Let the story speak for itself and the mystery to come out of natural circumstances. I'm not entirely pleased on the mystery of the egg played out, as once again, things were hinted at which then dissolved. I see there will probably be a second and maybe third in this series so perhaps questions will be answered, but they're not the kind of burning questions that will take me to the second book.
maryanne6828's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how this story interweaves history and current times together. The search for a family heirloom leads to family finding each other instead.