The Winemaker's Wife
The author of the “engrossing” (People) international bestseller The Room on Rue Amélie returns with a moving story set amid the champagne vineyards of France during the darkest days of World War II, perfect for fans of Heather Morris’s The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Champagne, 1940: Inès has just married Michel, the owner of storied champagne house Maison Chauveau, when the Germans invade. As the danger mounts, Michel turns his back on his marriage to begin hiding munitions for the Résistance. Inès fears they’ll be exposed, but for Céline, the French-Jewish wife of Chauveau’s chef de cave, the risk is even greater—rumors abound of Jews being shipped east to an unspeakable fate.
When Céline recklessly follows her heart in one desperate bid for happiness, and Inès makes a dangerous mistake with a Nazi collaborator, they risk the lives of those they love—and the vineyard that ties them together.
New York, 2019: Recently divorced, Liv Kent is at rock bottom when her feisty, eccentric French grandmother shows up unannounced, insisting on a trip to France. But the older woman has an ulterior motive—and a tragic, decades-old story to share. When past and present finally collide, Liv finds herself on a road to salvation that leads right to the caves of the Maison Chauveau.
Champagne, 1940: Inès has just married Michel, the owner of storied champagne house Maison Chauveau, when the Germans invade. As the danger mounts, Michel turns his back on his marriage to begin hiding munitions for the Résistance. Inès fears they’ll be exposed, but for Céline, the French-Jewish wife of Chauveau’s chef de cave, the risk is even greater—rumors abound of Jews being shipped east to an unspeakable fate.
When Céline recklessly follows her heart in one desperate bid for happiness, and Inès makes a dangerous mistake with a Nazi collaborator, they risk the lives of those they love—and the vineyard that ties them together.
New York, 2019: Recently divorced, Liv Kent is at rock bottom when her feisty, eccentric French grandmother shows up unannounced, insisting on a trip to France. But the older woman has an ulterior motive—and a tragic, decades-old story to share. When past and present finally collide, Liv finds herself on a road to salvation that leads right to the caves of the Maison Chauveau.
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Community Reviews
This was my second Kristin Harmel novel and it wasn’t nearly as good as the first one I read, The Book of Lost Names. I agree with other reviewers that the main characters in the 1940’s timeline were not likable and therefore hard to route for. On the other hand I did like the 2019 timeline characters and they actually are why I kept reading. The 3 star review (as opposed to fewer stars) is due to the setting in Champagne and the insight into the resistance in that area of France. I also thought the themes of forgiveness and redemption were interesting. Overall I could have done with more history and less romance.
I went into this fully convinced historical fiction just was not my thing. War settings, timelines from the past, all of it usually feels like reading a history book to me. But this completely changed my mind.
The story moves between timelines in a way that feels seamless and purposeful. The vineyard setting adds this rich, almost atmospheric layer. You can practically taste the tension and heartbreak alongside the champagne. The stakes feel personal and intimate, even when history looms large in the background.
What really hooked me were the relationships. They are complicated, emotional, and layered with secrets that slowly rise to the surface. Every reveal felt earned. I found myself completely invested in what happened, both in the past and in the present.
This was beautifully written without feeling heavy. It is emotional, yes, but also hopeful. If you think you are not a historical fiction fan, this might surprise you the way it surprised me. It absolutely won me over.
This book, set in WW2 in France, was a beautifully written historical fiction with some interesting twists.
This book encompasses a few of my favorite things: wine, France and a fascinating story set during WWII. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel of resistance in rural France. I could not put this book down. This book has a dual timeline between chapters, present day 2019 and the 1940s. Harmel did an exquisite job of describing the underground caves of the Maison Chauveau. The detail behind the wine making + storage process I found to be well researched. My favorite part about reading this book was uncovering the plot twists during the final chapters pertaining to the characters connecting to Liv’s present day existence.
If you enjoy historical fiction reads around WWII I would HIGHLY recommend this for your next read.
If you enjoy historical fiction reads around WWII I would HIGHLY recommend this for your next read.
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