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J**H
Relatable and engaging read
I loved this book. While the notion of inheriting something like a vineyard is farfetched for myself personally, Olivia's journey is infinitely relatable. It's a story about finding your place in life, and about that occurring at several stages throughout life (this point illustrated by not only Olivia, but the other central characters as well.) The plot and writing style are engaging, keeping you turning the page. By the end of it I was disappointed it was ending.This is a wonderful book - I highly recommend it.
J**B
A Great Story
I loved this story. The author writes with such a degree of detail that I felt this could have been a true life biography. The facts regarding the vineyard were interesting and well researched. The characters were well conceived and believable. Overall - top notch writing of a great story.
K**T
Light-hearted feel good read
The story started rather slowly but like wine taste better as it aged. A light-hearted feel good read with a purposeful ending. If you're experiencing midlife crisis, this book might give you some inspiration or courage to step out of your comfort zone. It will be nice if the author comes up with a sequel on Olivia's progress in her new wine venture and relationship with Gus.
K**R
great
The book was a smooth summer read on the beach in two wonderful days.
B**Y
Good book
Good story, enjoyed reading it
W**G
The climax is satisfying and the book finishes on a high
The book opens with a grumpy Olivia Holmes hating the idea of a get-together organised by her company, as a team-building exercise. A typical city-girl, spending her day in the wilds, rather than the comforts of her home was the last thing she wanted to do. Amidst all this, a call from a law firm keeps bugging her and when finally she gets it, it changes her life for good, or does it?The title intrigued me as something of a laughter riot, all mixed up and something, hilarious situations, things like that, though it is more of a feel-good book. Apart from that, a really nice looking cover adds to its overall aesthetics.As the title suggests, the book revolves around Olivia or “Liv” as her friends call her, inheriting a vineyard, just like that. However, any inheritance comes with its own price, and conditions, and this one does too. The book follows Olivia’s and others journey, as the characters struggle to keep life together, both at personal and professional front. Running a vineyard is no joke, and coupled with the mysterious life of the ex-owner, it keeps the readers hooked. How to run the business, how to make relations work and how to sort life out are some of the things the characters try to find an answer to, in the meanwhile trying to build an identity, which see-saws between a city and a countryside one.Mark Daydy has done a wonderful job in narration, the detailing is so vivid, I felt like it was happening in front of my eyes. Small things are the way to go! The storyline is very smooth, though sometimes, you can struggle to keep up with some of the technicalities associated with wine-making, good detailing, yes, but then again, something which I felt.Sheer determination of the characters is one of the highlights of this book. It gives you food for thought and coupled with the feel-good factor, it makes for a good read. The climax is satisfying and the book finishes on a high.Book Reviewed on Whispering Stories Blog*I received a free copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed
A**R
🍇Olivia faces some tough decisions and finds new family and friends in viticulture. Cheers!🍷
This cozy story of a forty-something divorcee exploring the new options that her Great Aunt Gloria has put in her path has its pluses and minuses for me. I felt the story started strongly and then got bogged down in the technicalities of running a vineyard. Olivia's odyssey through job insecurity, changing romantic partners and working out a formula to meet the requirements for her inheritance were the best part of the story. Olivia's lackluster attitude towards her London job would seem to make her inheritance a real godsend. But the financials of abandoning her London life for Kent don't add up. I found Olivia a sympathetic character, but, as the author describes her, she has way more industry and commitment to the rundown vineyard than she ever shows her office job. On the romantic front she is optimistic and naive. I found her relationship with Gerry incomprehensible and frustrating as she accepts Gerry's antics without question time and again. But the support of her newfound family and the folks in Kent is heartwarming and, in the end, her choices and hard work do pay off, ending the book on a high note.Apart from the (to me) boring technicalities of tending the vineyard, I had real difficulty understanding where Olivia and her partners Sue and Milo came up with the finances to fix up the decrepit property and cover vineyard operating costs. It just hit a false note for me and required that I suspend disbelief and just accept that the three partners had the wherewithal in hand.So, kudos for Olivia's emotional journey and the world building, both in Olivia's office environment and in rural Kent, but the story was too detailed in some respects and too vague in others.I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
A**R
WARM, WISE, AND WONDERFUL. I LOVED IT.
Delightfully written in fluid and witty prose, this book positively exudes warmth, humanity, and good humour. Olivia, the story's protagonist, is an immensely likeable creation - as relatable as she is funny, as flawed as she is (eventually) wise - and, for me, the entire book just slipped down like a fine Cabernet Sauvignon (and no, I know nothing whatsoever about wine myself. I actually had to go Google the name of a "smooth" wine there). These days, it's increasingly rare to come across a book brimming with such unashamed positivity. I loved it.
D**R
Nice Escapism
This story is a nice gentle escape from the rat race story, and no bad thing for that.It was nice that it didn't start as most do with a very quick reason why he/she has moved/bought/or inherited a tea shop/hotel/cinema, rather more build to the decision and more background which was good.An easy read which I enjoyed and wanted to go back to each night (my reading time before bed).Recommend this to any one wanting soem light relief from real life and a nce story with some likable charaters.Look forward to reading more form this author.
W**D
English Sparkling Wine Supernova Novel!
Finally found the perfect read for my guests! Living in KENT as I do this wonderful story about DFL’s( down from Londoners ) inheriting a vineyard is as sweet as a pudding wine, and as fun as a glass of fizz .Photos included because they match the lovely rural descriptions in the book.
B**Y
Loved it!
A good read. Very well thought out. SPOILER ALERT: I was half expecting a ghostly visit from Gloria but that didnt happen. And the Gus thing, while predictable still caught me by surprise. I am going through a similar experience in making a business work, so it was a real confidence booster as well. Next stop: London Calling.
A**T
Delightful
I thought this would be set somewhere warmer than the UK and would be a lovely warm read for winter evenings. I was wrong on one count but not the other.It is a lovely warm read and well researched and written. You find yourself willing the characters on and telling them to wake up to what was in front of their faces. A delightful read.
A**S
Easy read, pleasant enough.
I chewed this in a day. It was one of those nice but not particularly memorable reads. A bit twee for me but quietly inoffensive. The end seemed to be a bit rushed and contrived, but it was a bad weather day and perfect for a 'laying on the sofa' read.
E**E
Good read
A mature reader might appreciate this book as correlates to those of us over the age of forty! Story tells of lost family members being reunited due to the last will of a great aunt which changes all of their life especially for the good. I enjoyed every page and I'd like to read the sequel.
A**M
Good story keeps you turning the page
Great story well written in an entertaining style - keeps you turning the page. I am also into wine - usually French though this book just might tempt me to try some English- made in Kent!
M**Y
Very enjoyable light read
This was my first time to read anything by this author. I was not disappointed. Good story with good blend of humour throughout. Good holiday read. Will look out for more titles by this author. Highly recommended.
N**Y
An easy read
An easy read. The storyline was maybe a little predictable but if anyone wants to know how to look after a vineyard then look no further! Its a good book for a week in the sun
E**H
Reading this book made me feel happy
Lovely, feel good read. Highly recommended to amyone who would like to read an uplifting story. Very interesting insight into growing grapes for wine too.
V**E
Loved this book
What a great book. Such a captivating cast of characters and I loved the three main character, particularly Olivia. The book kept getting better and better, couldn’t guess how it would unfold so I couldn’t put it down. Had to finish it as quickly as possible. Sorry when it came to the end. Please write a sequel. My First introduction to the author Mark Daydy. Thank you sir.
G**M
A holiday read.
I would not say this was funny, or a real page turner, but it was an OK read. It helped pass some time on a long haul flight.
P**D
A wonderful and uplifting story
This book takes you on a wonderful journey, where you meet some fascinating people.
F**S
Finding family she didn’t know she had.
Really enjoyed this book, about a lady who finds she’s just inherited a vine yard. And how she turns it around, to be a successful business.
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