Up-and-coming winemaker Cerise Desloires believes in soul mates. Trouble is, she’s sure she’s already found—and lost—hers. Now the young widow has inherited half the vineyard she considers her own, and she’s got one chance to produce a vintage that could make or break her career. But when the flashy, impetuous Clovis de Valois is revealed as heir to the other half, her dreams of independence are … are dashed into chaos.
Cerise and Clovis seem to be opposites in every way that matters. Can their passion for winemaking—and secretly each other—unite them beyond their differences? Or will their clash ruin the vineyard, and the hearts, they’re both desperate to save?
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@luaraLaura Bradbury
One of my favorite authors! An excellent writer! Makes me want to revisit Burgundy and stay at her B and B.
Having married a Frenchman and lived in northern France, Laura Bradbury is intimately familiar with the people, everyday happenings and customs of this region. She brings them to life in a way that allows the reader to feel immersed in the culture. You will be enamored with Clovis who has endured loss and hardship and become a renowned and successful winemaker. He is a strong, powerful man with a loving, sensitive and kind nature who longs for a family. Cerise is a widow with two young sons and has endured her share of loss and hardship. With the loving guidance of Maxime, Clovis’ grandfather, she has emerged as a winemaker of distinction in a field dominated by men. The evolution of Cerise’s and Clovis’ relationship is at the center of this captivating tale.
If you love engaging characters and settings that transport you to beautiful locales, then A Vineyard for Two is ideal for you. Set in a lush vineyard in Burgundy, this charming saga will bring a smile to your lips. Excellent writing about France and wine—both of which Laura Bradbury lives every day. Perfect for Francophiles and those love a great story with well-drawn characters. Bonus: It’s the first in a series, so more treats to come. Be sure to sign up for her amazing newsletter, which includes French recipes and musing on daily life there. Her Grape memoir series is also a fine indulgence.
When the owner of the vineyard Cerise was renting from dies she is shocked when he leaves joint ownership to her and his grandson Clovis. Cerise didn’t know Clovis, but he hardly visited his grandfather and what she’s seen of him in the media did not give her a good impression. But when they start to work together, she realizes like she how dedicated he is to his wine making. And they can’t fight the attraction they feel for each other. Plus he loves her two sons. But the path of love is never smooth and events transpire to push them apart, which add to the drama of the story. I loved reading about the wine making process. It made me want to tour their vineyards, although I wouldn’t be pushy and presumptuous like the blogger and his friends. Cerise’s sons were precocious and Clovis was romantic.
A Vineyard for Two by Laura Bradbury is the first book that I have read from this author and it definitely will not be the last. I did not want to put this book down once I started reading it. This book drew me in right from page one until I read the last page. There were twists and turns that kept you turning the pages. The characters are very likeable and realistic, the descriptions of the countryside and the vineyards made you feel like you were right there. You could almost taste the food and the wine with the descriptions, no need to use your imagination. This book will make you laugh and cry. This is a very well written and researched book. I really did not want this book to end. I am looking forward to the next installment of this Trilogy.
I loved reading Laura Bradbury’s first published novel. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I had previously read her autobiographical Grape Series books, so fiction is a new path for her. A Vineyard for Two is a totally new story, yet it has some of the same elements that I love in her Grape series. In this novel, Laura magically weaves in the life and culture of Burgundy, France, that she shares with us in the Grape Series along with a romantic story that is fun and engaging to read. I quickly found myself lost in the world of winemaking in France and couldn’t put the book down. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! If you’re a Francophile, wine lover, or just enjoy a good fiction read, grab this book!
I was so looking forward to see what Laura would do with fiction as I enjoyed her memoirs so much. As always, she did not disappoint. Her characters were so alive, complex & true, that at times I forgot I was reading fiction. Her detailed descriptions of the work & lives of winemakers was fascinating. I felt the heat; smelled the sweat, grapes & the earth; and feared the dangers that that can befall the unwary in the wine industry. As her story unfolded, my heart went out to Cerise, a young woman who found her strength, independence and creativity working in the traditional, male dominated world of Burgundian wine making. Add the charm of Cerise’s children, who happen to have fallen in love with a man she is trying not to fall in love with and you have a very modern woman in a very modern dilemma. But, I will stop before I give too much away. Get yourself a copy & be surprised by the ending … which really isn’t the ending, as Laura says there 2 more books in this series. Yeah! As a beta reader, it was with great pleasure that I lost myself in “A Vineyard for Two” & I hope you will grab yourself a copy & a glass of wine, a bit of cheese & a few stolen hours. It will be one of the best escapes to France you will ever indulge in.
I love a novel that can transport me to another place, and Laura Bradford’s debut novel does just that and more!
I was drawn in by the beautiful word pictures she paints, as well as the very real emotions of her characters. The roller coaster ride of the highs and lows of new and perfect love, identifying with both Cerise in her quest to keep what she worked so hard to build and Clovis’s feelings after being wrongly accused made my heart ache for each of them!
A truly great book makes you FEEL, and A Vineyard for Two succeeded fabulously!
I love all of Laura’s past books and this fiction did not disappoint! Wonderful characters and a look into French winemaking and delicious food make it even more enjoyable. I loved the romance and the hint of mystery as well. Like taking a lovely vacation to French wine country. Can’t wait for more from Laura, both fiction and nonfiction! A must read!
Laura Bradbury’s latest offering and her first work of fiction, A Vineyard for Two, is replete with characters as robust and plot twists as complex as a good Burgundian red. The author’s experiences in Burgundy, which are depicted in her delightful 5 book memoir “Grape series”, are reflected in her descriptions of dusty stone villages, heat-soaked vineyards, and mouthwatering meals. The author kept this reader in suspense as the primary relationship in the book evolved. Caveat: don’t start this book unless you have a good chunk of time to devote to enjoying it!
This reader has only one regret: now we must hungrily wait for the next book in this series.
After the first couple chapters I thought this was a typical and predictable romance, but then it changed for the better. Some new characters and new plot twists added suspense and comedy into the story. Some sensual, well written romantic scenes also came into the chapters. I found myself with a book I couldn’t put down…until the very end and then I didn’t want the story to end so savored each of the last few pages..spreading them out over time. I’m so glad I already know this is a trilogy as I can’t wait for more!
A sweet, funny, French love story with realistic characters is a joy to read! Laura Bradbury has done it again with this book. If you enjoyed her other novels, you will love this one too. The characters are so realistic and wonderfully portrayed, it makes you wonder what will happen next in their lives. Well done, Laura!
I am getting ready to return to France in two weeks and this book just reminded me why I love the country and the people so much. I fun read that I couldn’t put down (although I had to for a short time so my kindle could recharge). Laura does a great job in capturing village life in France. The book was fun and I hated to see it end can not wait for the next book in the series.