Wine People: A Novel

Don't judge a book by its cover.

From the title and cover art, you might think this is some frothy chick-lit book about women who love drinking wine. It's so much more than that. It gives an insider's view of the wine industry and women finding their way in a cutthroat business. I didn't think I'd find it that interesting, but the author makes it fascinating. It's also a sweet story about friendship.

The friendship between Wren and Thessaly was exquisite to read on the page. Female friendships are hard in real life, but the author Michelle captured a 21st century friendship painfully accurate with all the highs and lows. That is my big takeaway from "Wine People." Obviously wine is thee point of this novel, and the descriptions were magnificent as well. "What was this? It seemed to start off with a wisp of smoke or leather, but then that lowered, somehow, into something rich and mushroomery and close to earth, and at the same time there was something tart and spicy and fruity in there that she couldn't place -- a berry maybe...how could so many things be in this one liquid?" The structure of this novel was unique as well. It read like I was watching a play, maybe? It was a bit difficult to get into the groove of, but when the plot really got going, I was interested in the "watching" aspect of the writing. I really like this debut novel, well done!