A review by happily_after_heas
The Truth About Myths by Giovanna Siniscalchi
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Check out this lush, full-bodied, fine wine of a book!
This is the fourth book in The Winemaker Series. I wish I had read the first three because I think I would have enjoyed them. Giovanna has immense talent for crafting rich, descriptive prose that draws in the reader. Setting the tales in Portugal (and Spain in this book) gives historical romance readers a chance to leave the ballrooms and back alleys of London and experience a new, vibrant life across the Channel.
I absolutely adored the character of Henrique, Viscount Penefiel aka Henri. He is a scientist but he's also extremely lovable and charming. He is a true sunshine. However, Princess Isabel was much harder for me to love. She is very much the grump. She's full of pride and doesn't see the women of her court as independent people. She assumes everyone wants what she wants--order, tradition, loveless lives. She's very overbearing and hard to love. TG for Henri's levity.
Bc Isabel is so very rule driven and adheres to society's expectations of her, she accepts her brother's request to go to Spain to defuse a "political situation" on his behalf. Unbeknownst to Isabel, her brother sends Henri to act as guard and keep an eye on the situation. And at this point, she's already decided she cannot stand Henri despite the pants feelings he gives her. (She doesn't understand pants feelings and thinks they are bad.)
There is a lot of political intrigue in this book that lost my attention at times. I found myself confused by the various players and historical events that I had forgotten since high school (if I ever knew them). But even so, I, like Henri, persevered to get to an HEA. Bc once we got to it, it was so delicious. I enjoyed watching Isa fall for Henri. She comes across as hating men and Henri calls her out for it, making her face some uncomfortable truths about herself.
Lastly, I do hope that Isa's brother and his estranged wife get their HEA. Perhaps that will be next?
This is the fourth book in The Winemaker Series. I wish I had read the first three because I think I would have enjoyed them. Giovanna has immense talent for crafting rich, descriptive prose that draws in the reader. Setting the tales in Portugal (and Spain in this book) gives historical romance readers a chance to leave the ballrooms and back alleys of London and experience a new, vibrant life across the Channel.
I absolutely adored the character of Henrique, Viscount Penefiel aka Henri. He is a scientist but he's also extremely lovable and charming. He is a true sunshine. However, Princess Isabel was much harder for me to love. She is very much the grump. She's full of pride and doesn't see the women of her court as independent people. She assumes everyone wants what she wants--order, tradition, loveless lives. She's very overbearing and hard to love. TG for Henri's levity.
Bc Isabel is so very rule driven and adheres to society's expectations of her, she accepts her brother's request to go to Spain to defuse a "political situation" on his behalf. Unbeknownst to Isabel, her brother sends Henri to act as guard and keep an eye on the situation. And at this point, she's already decided she cannot stand Henri despite the pants feelings he gives her. (She doesn't understand pants feelings and thinks they are bad.)
There is a lot of political intrigue in this book that lost my attention at times. I found myself confused by the various players and historical events that I had forgotten since high school (if I ever knew them). But even so, I, like Henri, persevered to get to an HEA. Bc once we got to it, it was so delicious. I enjoyed watching Isa fall for Henri. She comes across as hating men and Henri calls her out for it, making her face some uncomfortable truths about herself.
Lastly, I do hope that Isa's brother and his estranged wife get their HEA. Perhaps that will be next?