The True Purpose of Vines by Giovanna Siniscalchi

 

This was a Stuff Your Kindle Day pick. Siniscalchi is a new-to-me author but as soon as I found out that this book was about wine-making in Portugal, I knew I had to have it. And in that vein, THE TRUE PURPOSE OF VINES does not disappoint. Julia is a Portuguese wine-maker and single mother. As if that weren't difficult enough, an English man named Croft is threatening to take away her winery, and her grapes are under threat from the phylloxera louse.

The hero, Griffin, is actually engaged to Croft's daughter (IIRC), and is supposed to chase Julia down as a wayward debtor. To his surprise, she's female, hot, and supremely capable... of turning his crank. For most of the book, though, he only reluctantly respects her. He is very much a realistic portrayal of an English for his time: he doesn't like or appreciate foreign food or culture, he doesn't think that English people should marry outside their race, and he basically thinks that Julia should fall over herself in gratitude that he's into her.

I appreciated the richly researched story and realism of the culture, but it also made it difficult to read this as a straight romance because Griffin was a highly unlikable character and for most of the book, I was more interested in the chaotically unhinged Pedro as a love interest (thank goodness he has a future book). Griffin does redeem himself and the last act has him groveling like mad, but I was not really attracted to him at all. HOWEVER, I do really appreciate the author's bravery in telling a story that feels realistic for its time and doesn't step to unrealistic and modern conventions to be more "palatable."

Three stars for the setting, the wine history (OH, the wine history), and a completely bad-ass heroine who probably deserved better than what she got, but hey, at least her story ended happily. :)

I will definitely be checking out more from this author.

3 to 3.5 out of 5 stars