| Title | : | The Widows of Champagne |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1335427074 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781335427076 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 379 |
| Publication | : | First published July 27, 2021 |
| Awards | : | Christy Award Historical (2022) |
Champagne, 1939
Gabrielle Leblanc Dupree is taking her family’s future into her hands. While she should be preparing for a lavish party to celebrate two centuries of champagne making, she secretly hides Chateau Fouché-Leblanc’s most precious vintages behind a fake wall in the cellar in preparation for the looming war. But when she joins the resistance, the coveted champagne isn’t the most dangerous secret her cellar must conceal…
A former Parisian socialite, Gabrielle’s mother, Hélène, lost her husband to another war. Now her home has been requisitioned by the Germans, who pillage vineyards to satisfy the Third Reich’s thirst for the finest champagne. There’s even more at stake than Hélène dares admit. She has kept her heritage a secret…and no one is safe in Nazi-occupied France.
Josephine, the family matriarch, watches as her beloved vineyard faces its most difficult harvest yet. As her daughter-in-law and granddaughters contend with the enemies and unexpected allies in their midst, Josephine’s deep faith leads to her own path of resistance.
Across years and continents, the Leblanc women will draw on their courage and wits, determined against all odds to preserve their lives, their freedom and their legacy…
The Widows of Champagne Reviews
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Fabulous. What a wonderful story. I started out thinking that this is just another World WarII book. I was wrong.
“Courage is not a single act, Gabrielle, but a mindset that like the vines requires constant tending.”
This is the compelling story of three generations of woman and their battle to save their vineyard.
Josephine the matriarch is losing her memory and documents everything in her hidden journal.
Helene, Josephine’s daughter in law was married to her only son and has lost him in another war. Helene has her own hidden secrets.
Gabrielle is Helene’s eldest daughter.They are all widows facing Nazi occupation in France. Their chateau is taken over by a German soldier.
Each woman makes dangerous decisions to protect what is theirs, without telling the others.
Gabrielle builds a wall in the cave where the wine is stored to hide her precious champagne.
Helene becomes the personal assistant to the German soldier Von Schmidt and is at his beckoned call.
Josephine is losing her memory and using that to her benefit by pretending to be confused to obtain secret information to pass on to the resistance.
This is a powerful thought provoking novel. It is a heartfelt and gripping story, that is beautifully written. This book will stay with you long after you read this book.
Highly recommended.
I won this book from Goodreads giveaway program and the author, -
THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE is such an amazing historical fiction story that held my interest until the very last page. At times, I found myself holding my breath, afraid of what was around the corner for these strong and brave women! Three generations of widowed women taking care of the vineyards of Chateau Fouche-Leblanc which has been taken over by a German soldier and no one is safe. They have no privacy in their own home and family heirlooms begin to disappear. Not to mention, how much of their champagne stock the Nazis are depleting!
When I read the preview for THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE, I knew it was going to be an emotional story and I knew it was going to make me cry. I had no idea I would be sobbing and be an emotional wreck after finishing it. Renee Ryan’s latest book, THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE is the story of three women and how each reacts to the challenges of living in France under Nazi occupation. The brave and determined women suffer at the hands of the Germans and takes everything they deal with without ever losing their courage and commitment to their country and family.
While THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE is focused on the lives and different personalities of these three very strong women and how each in their own way responds to the horrors of war, the question at the very heart of the book is – would I risk my life and when and most important, my child’s life – to save my family legacy? Despite the often numbing effects of war and the constant threat of death, compassion and love underscore the characters’ decisions and actions. Needless to say, the story brings a strong emotional response. So keep the tissues handy. The persecution of the Jews is such an injustice it makes your heart bleed to read of what they suffered at the hands of the Germans. Few books have driven home the absolute atrocities brought on by war and the individual impact on women and their lives. Men have always been noted for their bravery, but the women bore their own sacrifices, seldom given credit for.
THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE will stay with you for a long time after you finish reading it. I have no idea when I will be able to read another book, but right now I can’t stop thinking about this one. There were several times I found myself desperately wanting to keep reading, to find out what would happen next, but I was afraid to turn the page, scared of the possible fates awaiting these characters. Renee Ryan has a magical way of telling dramatic stories about women, friendship and family. THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE will be sure to strike the reader’s heart and compassion for these brave women willing to do anything in an effort to protect their own will be strong!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. -
Three generations of widowed women taking care of the vineyards of Chateau Fouche-Leblanc.
Gabrielle is the youngest of the women and the most responsible for keeping the vineyard alive, but she knows the Germans have been occupying European countries and knows France won't be spared.
Gabrielle knows she must somehow keep the best champagne from falling into the hands of the Germans. She builds a concealed wall to hide her best stock in hopes it will not be discovered.
Her mother, Helene, and her grandmother are concerned about the occupations, but they have another secret to keep.
Finding out the Germans had invaded France was bad enough, but when one arrives at the Chateau's door and demands to live there with the women is even worse.
We follow the women as they endure the German occupation of France and their home and struggle to save their champagne legacy.
Gabrielle was my favorite because of her resilience and efforts.
Helene was cool but calculating, and she was desperately trying to protect and save her family and her secret.
Josephine, the matriarch, was likable and tough, and I felt sorry for her because of her memory issues, but her diary is what helped protect her family since it told what she had seen and forgotten.
The fierceness of this family and the vineyard owners all over Reims to protect their vineyards, their champagne, and their country was very evident.
Fans of France during WWII, strong women, champagne and how it's made won't want to miss this marvelously written, pull-you-in story line.
Ms. Ryan's writing style is engaging and quickly captures your attention.
THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE is a beautiful read with true-to-life characters and marvelous descriptions of what the French people and these women endured and fought for.
A fantastic read as you feel the terror, the love, and the strength of each woman.
Be sure it is in your reading list. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley and a print by the author in exchange for an honest review. -
Loved it! Five stars! 🍇
Reims, France 1939, widowed twenty-seven year old Gabrielle LeBlanc-Dupree, hides twenty thousand bottles of her family’s vintage champagne beneath her family’s ancient chateau. With the Nazi’s nearing France, Gabrielle is intent on securing their future’s new start should the Third Reich invade, and of course loot them of the chateau’s treasures. She tells no one her secret, not her sixteen year old sister Paulette, or her widowed mother Helene or grandmother Josephine, the family matriarch who’s losing her memory.
Reims, France 1940, Germany invades France, and within a month a cold, steely-eyed officer for the reich, requisitions the Chateau for his lodging. That’s when we find out about Josephine and Helene’s secret that could be their family’s undoing. They reveal it to no one. Until it is, and an unlikely friend protects this family of women, and their neighbors. I LOVED the surprise twist in this story, and through all the madness surrounding their small community.. love is found between the most unlikely pair! So good — not to be missed!
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for kindly sharing a review copy with me. All opinions are my own. -
The Widows of Champagne is about three generations of Leblanc women whose lives have been marred by loss and war. With the enemy literally at their door, each must choose a course of action. One will take a stand. One will cling to faith. One will strive to protect her secret. None of them will be the same when the war is over.
I appreciate Renee Ryan's efforts to develop a complex family dynamic. The invisible scars these women bear provide great insights into their motives. Of the three Leblanc widows, I connected most easily with Gabrielle. A fighter, she refuses to stand by while the Germans plunder her family's land and legacy. Joining forces with her against their occupiers is grand-mère Josephine. During her ever-shortening moments of lucidity, she proves to be a valuable asset to her family and to the Resistance. When presented alongside her daughter and her mother-in-law, Hélène Leblanc comes across as shallow and aloof. It wasn't until more of her backstory was divulged that I began to soften towards her.
As someone who has read numerous World War II novels, set in various countries and on multiple continents, it's good to be reminded just how much I have yet to discover about this period. As it's presented, the invasion of Reims and the Reich's demands on area farmers provided many tension-filled moments. Add to this the sense of presence I felt within each scene thanks to the author's detailed descriptions and you have a story that engages the reader's mind and heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. -
Stunning, gripping, and unexpected... this WWII story about three generations of widows in the Champagne region of France blew me away. There's danger, secrets, and love in this new story from Renee Ryan. Fans of The Nightingale will LOVE this one.
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See my review on my blog
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Three generations of women all working hard to bring their vineyard into the future in Champagne, France. These women are widows and all are strong in mind and body. Their family has worked the vineyards through good times and bad for over 200 years. Champagne runs through their veins, they will do anything to protect the family's vineyards.
The women, a grandmother,her daughter-in law and the granddaughter live comfortably well off.
Their home has been requisitioned by the Germans who give them the "courtesy" of allowing them to stay in their own home.
With their best vintages hidden behind a fake wall in the basement will the enemy be able to find it to satisfy the unquenchable thirst the Third Reich’s has for the finest champagne?
The family matriarch with her slipping memory is fighting the hardest battle of her life.
The women all carry secrets, one that would mean instant death for the family .
These family will carry on through sheer determination to keep things running showing courage in the face of fire.
Excellent book and I hope to see more like it by the author!
Pub Date 27 Jul 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own. -
2.5 stars for me rounded up to 3. I enjoy WW2 stories so this one caught my eye. It’s a good read but not one I loved. It was kind of slow moving and I didn’t like some of the story elements. There’s a surprising twist that was unexpected that made for a cool tilt to the story but overall this story was just okay for me.
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"The Widows of Champagne is a riveting novel of WWII France. I held my breath many times as the three generations of widows negotiated the treacherous landscape of war. Highly recommended."
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A heartbreaking, inspiring look at what we will do for the ones we love. Ryan confronts some of the ugly, difficult things that happened in France during the war, and the book is richer for it.
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Renee Ryan’s The Widows of Champagne is a beautifully written novel of strength, sacrifice and survival . If you are a fan of WW2 fiction with strong female protagonists I definitely recommend this book.
Three generations of widowed Leblanc women Josephine, Helene and Gabrielle operating their family owned vineyard struggle to survive during the Nazi occupation of France and subsequently their home in Reims. They shoulder their individual responsibilities to their family each bearing the weight of their own secrets and struggles. The sacrifices they make and the most difficult decisions they have to take while withstanding the pressures of an increasingly oppressive regime reflect their strength and indomitable spirit. The author has penned each of these women in a way that commands admiration and respect.
With the looming threats of discovery , betrayal and much worse how their choices and actions eventually carve their individual and collective destinies makes this a poignant and emotional story that will stay with me for a long time.
I received a print copy of this book in a giveaway hosted by the author with no obligation. This review reflects my unbiased thoughts and opinions. -
I'm not sure that words will do this marvelous book justice. Renee Ryan definitely earns 5/5 stars for her creative historical fiction account of Champagne, France during the German occupation. There are many difficult parts to read due to the events and brutality of the era, yet it is worthwhile to capture a glimpse of what people endured. This account of three strong generations of women is beautifully written with a stunning conclusion and planted a motivation to read more from the author.
I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion. -
Ryan wrote an incredibly heartfelt story about three generations of widowed Leblanc women who are taking care of the vineyards of Chateau Fouche-Leblanc during the Nazi occupation of France. Each of the women respond to the conflict in their own way, and they will be changed in more ways than they will ever know.
The writing is completely immersive and emotional. The atrocities and horrors of what the women had to go through is harrowing, and yet they continue to sacrifice their own lives to do what is right against the evil Reich.
I highly recommend this stunning and gripping historical fiction story. -
“A thousand German soldiers are not equal to one LeBlanc woman.”
The Champagne region suffered greatly at the hands of the Nazis; merciless pillaging and requisitioning of both homes and superior cuvees. Renee Ryan focuses on the 5 year Nazi occupation and its impact on Reims, the region made famous for its champagne production. She showcases the resourcefulness and selflessness of the people as they spent much of the war outfoxing the occupying forces.
In 1939 the Chateau Fouche-LeBlanc vineyard in Reims was requisitioned by the Nazis and the three generations of LeBlanc women, all widows, were expected to remain in the estate to serve a high-ranking official in the Wehrmacht who dictated their every move. When valuables start to go missing, the woman start to question his loyalty.
Josephine, the matriarch and my favourite character, is struggling with dementia. Ryan realistically represents her condition throughout the novel and readers are ever aware of the frustration at the debilitating effects of this disease. Josephine knows that her memory is going and makes accommodations. Read carefully, though, sometimes she plays up on her memory issues!
Helene, Josephine’s daughter-in-law, uses creative diplomacy in dealing with Hauptmann von Schmidt’s volatility. I can’t even imagine how difficult it would have been to smile and be sweet and accommodating to the enemy.
Gabrielle and Paulette, Helene’s daughters, each deal with the occupation differently. Gabrielle is strong and resourceful and finds a way to fight back. Paulette is young and naïve. Regardless of their reactions, each woman has the LeBlanc family interest at heart.
The vineyard may be fictional, but the methode champenoise is historical fact. Replacing select vintages with second rate wines and hiding the best were commonplace in this region known for its resistance.
This story of resistance, betrayal and heartache needs to be on your radar come July 27, 2021.
I was gifted this advance copy by Renee Ryan, Harlequin and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review. -
Absolutely fantastic
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Loved it! Five stars! 🍇
Reims, France 1939, widowed twenty-seven year old Gabrielle LeBlanc-Dupree, hides twenty thousand bottles of her family’s vintage champagne beneath her family’s ancient chateau. With the Nazi’s nearing France, Gabrielle is intent on securing their future’s new start should the Third Reich invade, and of course loot them of the chateau’s treasures. She tells no one her secret, not her sixteen year old sister Paulette, or her widowed mother Helene or grandmother Josephine, the family matriarch who’s losing her memory.
Reims, France 1940, Germany invades France, and within a month a cold, steely-eyed officer for the reich, requisitions the Chateau for his lodging. That’s when we find out about Josephine and Helene’s secret that could be their family’s undoing. They reveal it to no one. Until it is, and an unlikely friend protects this family of women, and their neighbors. I LOVED the surprise twist in this story, and through all the madness surrounding their small community.. love is found between the most unlikely pair! So good — not to be missed!
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for kindly sharing a review copy with me. All opinions are my own. -
The Widows of Champagne tells the story of three generations of women of the fictional Chateau Fouche-LeBlanc Vineyard during the Nazi occupation of France from 1940 to approximately 1945. We meet grandmother Josephine who is struggling with confusion and forgetfulness; daughter-in-law Helene who had been married to Josephine's only son; and Helene's two daughters: Gabrielle, the eldest who loves the vineyard as much as her mother and grandmother, and the youngest daughter Paulette, who is self-absorbed and foolish, putting all of their lives at risk. When the Nazis occupy the Champagne region of France, each of the women makes their own choices - some good, some incredibly misguided. I was surprised to learn that top Nazis "requisitioned" homes from the owners and helped themselves to their owners' possessions as well as the wine from the vineyards. I'm a sucker for a happy ending and this book gave me that. No spoilers - but I do recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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What would you do if the unthinkable happened? When the Nazis invade France, that is the situation which confronts Josephine, Gabrielle and Helene in this multi-generational story. What choices would you make to protect your family, your home, your country and yourself? Renee Ryan does a masterful job, hitting all the right notes, balancing historical accuracy with deeply layered characters. Occupied France comes alive as Ryan weaves an intricate tale of loss, betrayal, and the cost of love amidst the ravaging evil of war. Definitely a page-turner with a surprising twist near the end. This is one for the keeper shelf. Riveting, haunting, bittersweet in the best tradition of historical fiction. Lyrical prose not to be missed. Lisa Carter, Daphne award-winning author of The Stronghold
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This compelling story of three generations of women, all widows, are determined to save the Chateau Fouch-LaBlanc Vineyard during the Nazi occupation of France during World War II. They know that nothing will be safe, which leads Gabrielle to hide their most precious vintage behind a wall. The wine, not yet champagne, she proclaims is their family's legacy - it will be their future. This is gripping story of survival during a challenging time in history that will grab your heart from the beginning to the end. Highly recommend.
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This is a beautiful yet dramatic telling of WW2 France. When a member of the Nazi party moves into the château of a prominent family vineyard in Champagne, the lives of the women who live there are forever altered. These fierce women will protect what belongs to them all while playing along with the enemy. I’m always intrigued by the power of the resistance and to what lengths they will fight.
The story has religious views of Judaism & Christianity -
📚 Hello Book Friends! I took a small break and spent a wonderful weekend with my girlfriends at our place on the lake. It was such a fun weekend.
THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE by Renee Ryan is an extraordinary historical fiction. To start… look at that gorgeous book cover; it is absolutely perfect for this novel. The novel is beautifully written and stirs all the right emotions. It tells the story of three widows during WWII, their choices, their courage, and their losses. The characters are written perfectly and play each an important role in the story. I was captured by the intelligent and riveting plot. I cannot say enough about this book to give it all the praises it deserves. Pick up a copy today and find out by yourself how beautiful this book is.
#bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #canadianbookishlovers #LoveInspired #ContemporaryRomance #Harlequin #HarlequinBooks #romance #amreadingromance #HarlequinSeries #CategoryRomance #HarlequinBooks #ThatHarlequinFeeling #thewidowsofchampagne #reneeryan #bookreview -
Three generations of women fight to save their vineyards from the ravages of war in Champagne, France. Gabrielle, the youngest of the three, is bound and determined that they will not lose the vineyards. Helen, Gabrielle's mother, a former Parisian socialite, finds their family home taken over by Nazi officers who want to enjoy and confiscate all the many years of hard work producing wines. While Josephine, the family matriarch, watches her beloved vineyards suffer; and at the same time, finds her own path of resistance in her strong faith.
These three strong women each play their role in saving their home, their vineyards, and their lives. Impressive writing, full bodied characters, and deep historical research brings this intriguing story to life during a time of peril and hopelessness. This is my first read by Renee Ryan, and I look forward to future books by her.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review. -
The Widows of Champagne is a compelling novel which takes place during the Nazi occupation of France during the Second World War. The courage and determination exhibited by the three generations of Leblanc widows drew me into the story immediately.
The novel employs the alternative narrative technique which allows the reader to understand the characters thoughts and emotions. Renee Ryan’s descriptive writing depicts the family matriarch Josephine’s decline perfectly. Josephine struggles with her memory but, she’s clever enough to figure out that the Germans are stealing valuable paintings and family heirlooms. The Germans ignore Josephine believing that she is senile which enables her to pass on important information to the résistance.
Helene choses to fight for her family’s heritage in an unorthodox way as she believes she has the most to lose as the Nazi’s invade Reims. The author crafts Helene perfectly as she chooses to align herself with the German officers who occupy the chateau. Can she be trusted?
Gabrielle is the vineyards winemaker. She is determined to preserve her family and their heritage—the vineyards. I admired Gabrielle’s strength of character, her sense of duty and her determination to survive all of the obstacles in her path. Each of the three woman faced difficult choices and they remained steadfast in their beliefs.
The Widows of Champagne is a thought provoking novel of bravery, faith and sacrifice. The suspenseful storyline drew me into the story immediately and kept me on the edge of my seat with its unexpected twists and turns. I could feel the despair when France surrendered to the Germans, the tension when the chateau was occupied and the very real sense of danger that the widows faced every day. This poignant story has made a lasting impression on me. Through the characters of Josephine, Helene and Gabrielle, the author depicts the war in occupied France from a woman’s point of view -- this resonated with me.
The Widows of Champagne is a must read for historical fiction readers—it’s a beautifully written story of the Leblanc’s courage to preserve their heritage.
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A beautifully written story about the sacrifices and risks people will take to protect what they love. The three Leblanc widows, Matriarch Josephine, her daughter Helene, and her granddaughter Gabrielle are the women behind Chateau Fouché-Leblanc, a centuries-old champagne dynasty. The outbreak of WW2 will find all three forced to make difficult decisions in order to survive. None of these decisions are easy. At least one of these women will carry the guilt of her actions with her for the rest of her life.
Woven into all of this is a message that some things are bigger than ourselves and that having faith that a higher power will win out can keep us from falling apart.
Ryan's writing is top-notch. What I loved about this book is that she doesn't wrap everything in a neat bow. With a recognition that war changes everything, characters don't magically heal and rifts aren't suddenly repaired.
Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. -
The Widows of Champagne is a very thought-provoking and thoroughly compelling story. I highly recommend The Widows of Champagne by author Renee Ryan. This story will stay with me long after reading the last page. Three widows run the LeBlanc winery in France as the Nazis come to invade France. Each one of them makes dangerous decisions to protect their family, their winery, and their country. Grandmere Josephine, mother Helene, and daughter Gabrielle's secrets and difficult decisions have them living in extremely tense times especially when a Nazi officer moves in and takes over their home.
"The weather was proving a more immediate threat than the evil lurking on the other side of the Maginot Line. One bad harvest would not ruin them. The other enemy very well could. Hitler and his ravenous henchmen showed no mercy. The conquered. They invaded. And then, they looted. If France fell into Nazi hands, they would not get the best of the LeBlanc treasures. Not if Gabrielle succeeded tonight."
"And, oh, how she loved them, with a fullness of a heart that couldn't bear another loss."
Fans of WWII historical fiction will find this riveting story fascinating and unexpected.
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy of The Widows of Champagne, all opinions are my own. -
The Widows of Champagne is a generational story. Three women working in their own way to fight against the rein of terror upon their little town during WW2. All have lost the men they love and now all must fight to hold on to their last hope...the chateau and the vineyard during occupation.
✨Josephine, grandmother, in her late seventies is slowly losing her memories but trying to hold on to the remnants of her family’s history
✨Helene, her daughter in law, doing what must be done to protect her daughters regardless of the hell she will go through herself
✨and Gabrielle, Helenes Daughter, works to pick up the pieces and hold the family together through a strength all her own.
I went in blind and I enjoyed it that way. If you love historical fiction I think this is a great option. It doesn’t deflect away from the unspeakables that happen when a Nazi inhabits a home. I loved where some plot lines traveled and others felt fairly realistic. It explores family relationships and power in women.
There were a few things I wished would have been developed a bit more...especially when it came to the relationships. The second half of the book definitely was stronger than the first and I found myself wanting to know what would happen up to the very end! A solid 4 star story. -
I ended up enjoying the story, but it took about 3/4 of the book until I appreciated it and was hooked. It was informative about the theft of french champagne, the 13,000 jews arrested in Paris and held in the Velodrome d’Hiver and the Germany surrender signed in Reims.
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The Wolf
The vineyards of Champagne create the best champagne around any of the vineyards. Those vineyards are tended by Gabrielle and her grandmother Josephine. Her mother Helene and her sister Paulette also live at Champagne.
When the war comes the Nazi's move into their home and the family becomes their servants. The Nazi's take their champagne, but not before Gabrielle hides the best of it where they cannot find it.
When the Nazi officer that has been living in their home disappears a Gestapo agent is set to arrest Helene. Paulette tells a secret that almost costs all of them their lives, however the Gestapo agent is not as he appears..
This is a story of resistance, betrayal, love and heartbreak. It is action packed and keeps you guessing. I loved all the characters, but especially that of Gabrielle for her corageous and her undying faith. Josephine's character was also good, she cared so much for all her family and fought valiantly to keep everyone safe even though she was facing health challenges of old age.
I was really interested in the history of how the grapes were grown and how champagne was made by blending different tastes. I thought that part added so much to the story.
This was a great read and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Renee Ryan, Harlequin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for my honest review.
