“In true Susan Mallery fashion, strong female characters, friendship, and family are at the center of THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON. You’re sure to laugh and cry along the journey and delight in the happy ending.”—Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Virgin River“The Vineyard at Painted Moon feels like a story about courage—about making hard choices so that you can live an authentic … courage—about making hard choices so that you can live an authentic life.”—Katherine Center, New York Times bestselling author of What You Wish For
Step into the vineyard with Susan Mallery’s most irresistible novel yet, as one woman searches for the perfect blend of love, family and wine.
Mackenzie Dienes seems to have it all—a beautiful home, close friends and a successful career as an elite winemaker with the family winery. There’s just one problem—it’s not her family, it’s her husband’s. In fact, everything in her life is tied to him—his mother is the closest thing to a mom that she’s ever had, their home is on the family compound, his sister is her best friend. So when she and her husband admit their marriage is over, her pain goes beyond heartbreak. She’s on the brink of losing everything. Her job, her home, her friends and, worst of all, her family.
Staying is an option. She can continue to work at the winery, be friends with her mother-in-law, hug her nieces and nephews—but as an employee, nothing more. Or she can surrender every piece of her heart in order to build a legacy of her own. If she can dare to let go of the life she thought she wanted, she might discover something even more beautiful waiting for her beneath a painted moon.
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Welcome to the wine country of Washington State! Follow Mackenzie Barcellona, through the vineyards of Bel Après, the family owned business in to which she married. A winemaker by trade, she lives a life immersed in grapes, wines, and vineyards. A romantic proposal to the winery’s owner, Barbara, at the annual Solstice party triggers an avalanche of emotional events for many members of the immediate family. Once the events begin, nothing will be the same for the entire Barcellona family.
The novel focuses predominantly on Mackenzie and the strong females in the family and their intertwining lives and emotions. In addition, the reader gets a great insider look at the running of a winery and its day-to-day operations. An intriguing family drama highlighting family, friendship, and a sense of belonging!
This copy was received from HQN and Netgalley. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery
Emotion laden, deeply moving, intensely poignant, well crafted – this story grabbed me and didn’t let me go till I finished at 3am. I felt so much and at times wanted to jump into the pages to “fix” things knowing that the author would bring things right for at least some of the characters by the end of the book…or at least I hope she would! This is a story of love, loss, growth, endurance, values, goals and family. It is a keeper and one I would reread in the future.
What I liked:
* Mackenzie: dedicated, focused, interesting. She has been stymied for a while and may need to move on from the safe haven she has lived within for over a decade and a half. She has a rough time of it but comes through rather brilliantly in the end.
* Catherine: sister-in-law to Mackenzie, loving, kind, in tune with the earth, grounded, warm, creative…really liked her.
* Stephanie: sister-in-law to Mackenzie, divorced, mother of two teens, stuck in a rut and trying to move forward but it isn’t easy for her to do so. She is Mackenzie’s best friend and has been since college.
* Bruno: wealthy, attractive, investor, wine distributor, and intriguing. He is warm, a good friend, caring, communicates brilliantly and is perfect for the woman he ends up with.
* Kyle: a good father, professional, a bit selfish…divorced from Stephanie and father of her children
* Rhys: not a bad guy, married to Mackenzie, wants what is best for both of them, a bit heavy handed at times and sometimes rather clueless…and also selfish, perhaps.
* Georgio: a good man, loving, kind, generous, and perfect for the right woman – the boyfriend of Barbara (mother-in-law of Mackenzie)
* The close relationships that were friendly, warm, and caring.
* That there was growth in a number of characters.
* The dynamics between various individuals and groups.
* The way verbalization of feelings, thoughts, and insight into the characters
* Learning a bit more about the winemaking business.
* The setting – love that area of the world!
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* Barbara: I won’t give details but if you read the book you will probably feel the same
* Lori: daughter of Barbara and quite a bit like her, I fear.
* The sadness I felt as I empathized with Mackenzie.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequen (HQN) for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
I loved this book. There are so many interesting people to meet!
Barbara, the matriarch who needs to always be in control to the detriment of her children and ultimately herself.
Rhys the son in the family, who married Mackenzie too young and becomes a friend rather than a husband, then resents the change in the relationship.
Stephanie, Lori, and Catherine aka Four, three daughters who want to please their mother, but when they try to dance to her tune, really can’t, and deal with their mother’s irritation with them in very different ways.
Mackenzie, the daughter-in-law. The prize. The pearl of great price. The one who has made the matriarch’s dream a reality. The viticulturist who babies the grapes and then turns the juice into exquisite wine. A sought after vintner. A hard worker who loves the vines more than she loves some people.
Everything is fabulous, a fairytale, until Mackenzie and Rhys realize they’re not lovers any longer, friends maybe, and both looking to change their situation. After living in the family compound for her whole married life, Mckenzie will be giving up her family if she moves. She only wants one thing…a part of the winery her wines have elevated to top of the line status. When it becomes clear that won’t happen, Mackenzie has to make some tough decisions. Not only for herself, but for others.
A fabulous book by a masterful writer. I highly recommend!
I first will admit that I never saw this book coming from Susan Mallery. I have read all of her books except her Sheik books, which I do plan to read. I do not remember any of her books being so angsty from or for so many characters. I had read the first chapter of this book at the end of another and couldn’t wait for it to come out. I have to say now that I have read it, I loved it. In my opinion she did something a bit different than she usually does and it shined bright.
The characters in this book were all in their own ways main characters. Each had their own important part. Yes, this book was about Mackenzie and how her family and life would change. But everyone involved played very important parts.
Mackenzie knew one life, being a hugely talented winemaker at Bel Apres. She had been a Barcellona for 18 years, married to Rhys, his mom was like her second mom, her best friend his sister had introduced them. His family was her family as was his winery. It was never a problem until they decided they were living more like brother and sister than husband and wife. They each had their own bedrooms, they didn’t hug or any kind of touching, they only talked about work. So they decided to get divorced. It seemed all amicable, easy, until it wasn’t.
Mackenzie had to figure out if she wanted to stay at the winery as an employee and nothing else. She was told years ago that is all she was and would never be anything more. Was she happy that way? Once they got divorced she would punch a time clock like everyone else that worked there. Would Barbara still want her there?
After the financial part of the divorce was worked out and Rhys told her what she would have she made up her mind to go out into the world and start her own winery. She went to Barbara and told her everything, Barbara was fine with Mackenzie staying on and working there, in fact she insisted, but Mackenzie told her she would be leaving. Her mother in law at that point turned on her. Mackenzie didn’t back down she stood her ground and left, with a heavy heart.
Mackenzie has made up her mind to move forward with her life. She would do what she had to and buy a winery and be a success. As she moves forward so many things happen. Rhys does things that make her question what type of man he really was. The family’s winery issues and Barbara’s wrath. But through it all her true friends stand with her, she buys her winery with a partner, and finds a really good friend in him, one that her relationship grows with. But there is one huge surprise that comes her way and really throws her off her center, for a bit anyways. I am not saying. This book is an awesome book. I read it in 2 days and loved the progression of it all. Every character had their “ends” tied up, and they all felt right, happy or not. This was a wonderful story about how you can “grow” and go forward when you need to, like when who you thought were your family simply turns on you or weren’t who you thought they were.
Please give this book a read, you will not be disappointed.
” I received a free, advance copy of this book from the author. This my unbiased and voluntary review.”
Set in the vineyards of the north west part of the USA, The Vineyard of Painted Moon introduces us to the important roles of wine producing. Chief among them is the winemaker and in this case this would be Mackenzie Dienes and she works for her husband’s family business. And… she is really good at her job, passionate to be precise.
The family? Well there is Rhys her husband, and his sisters Lori, Stephanie and Four! At the centre of all the action is the matriarch Barbara. Some of these characters are likeable and some not so much. The story is set off by a lovely man proposing to Barbara and giving her a beautiful ring. They look so in love. It sets in play for some of the characters the realisation that they are not living either truthful or satisfying lives. Some way through the book it clicked with me that Bruno who first appears at the vineyards Summer Solstice party, we have met before in another story.
I loved the choices Mackenzie made along the way. She had a lot to deal with. The family is the only one she knows, she has no family of her own. Stephanie is her best friend, she is divorced and struggling rather in life to find passion and meaning.
Barbara is something else, its a wonder all her children are even as sane as they are. She is a controlling woman, and doesn’t seem to know much about unconditional love. Her son Rhys I couldn’t make sense of. We didn’t see into his mind but could only judge him by what he says and does. I was left feeling sad for him.
I don’t want to give the plot away. Don’t read the blurb before you start this, go straight in, which as it happens I did, so even the beginning spoilers I didn’t have. I picked this book up when I was just not finding reading engaging.
The Vineyard at Painted Moon soon picked me up out of that slump and I loved every minute of the book, I kept wanting more and more. The challenges the characters faced, the plot the final epilogue all my kind of read.
Good novel. Great reading. I really liked it.
Mackenzie is stronger than she thinks, and that is what makes her such a great character. The people she thought she knew proved themselves, and showed their true colors. This is a story about never giving up, and moving on can be the best thing you can do for yourself. Susan Mallery writes stories that keep you engrossed from beginning to end.
Swirling in the aroma and warmth of the vineyard vines, the story of Mackenzie and Rhys evolves into somewhat of an unexpected development. The family compound is full of lots of warm love and emotional struggles. And the vineyard business is her whole life and all she has ever known. Family is important to her and so are the vineyard vines. Dedication is truly an understatement to describe Mackenzie’s commitment to the family business. But all that is not enough to get her through the most stressful time of her life. Fortitude, strength and great friendships guide Mackenzie into her new life. Highly recommend and the story will totally capture your heart.
The worst part of Susan Mallery is the last page! I always love to be sucked into the worlds she creates. We see some old friends and make some new ones. One of the best things about Susan Mallery’s stories is how real they are. You know people like her characters or have gone through the same things. The Vineyard is an amazing addition to her books!
This book is a wonderful book to read as it shows the family dynamics of what is perceived of a family and how it truly is once “things” change within. I really loved the main character Mackenzie as she is a strong-willed woman who was faced with many different challenges and succeeded both emotionally and successfully with each thing she faced. The mother-in-law is truly something that had surprised me yet also something that I can relate with as my own mom and mother-in-law are quite similar. This book will leave you on the edge of your seat for sure as I had a hard time putting it down (lots of staying up all night reading with this book). Susan Mallery really did it again as I was invested emotionally with this book. My only complaint is that this is not a series as I would have loved to get to know about each character and where their lives lead to, such as the best friend, mother-in-law, and her ex inlaws. Thanks for a great read Susan! I truly love Susan Mallery and her amazing books!
The perfect “feel good” book. Upon finishing “The Vineyard at Painted Moon”, I have a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart. What a great story! Not all the characters are likeable, but then that is how real life is. Then there are the wonderful characters that you wish were part of your life. They seemed so real, flaws and all.
This book is a great reminder that “family” does not have to be blood relations. Mackenzie has no blood relatives, but she is married to her best friend’s brother and feels a part of the Barcellona family. She has a reputation as a superb winemaker at the family-owned Bel Apres winery. Life is good. Until it all crashes down around her. She loses her husband, her job, her “family”. For the first time in her life, she is on her own. I loved her determination to get back on her feet and reinvent herself.
A real page-turner. I did not want to put it down. An engaging plot with equally engrossing sub-plots. Laden with emotion. A satisfying story of family and friendship and resiliency.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy. Opinions expressed here are my own.
The Vineyard at Painted Moon is a great book. My first five star read of 2021. When I start a Susan Mallery book I instantly fall into a book coma.This book was so enjoyable I was torn between want to keep reading and not reading fast because I never wanted the book to end. I love her characters and her stories. This is one of the first times she has written a character that was almost evil. When Mackenzie’s husband Rys suggests that they should divorce Mackenzie is very upset about the marriage ending as she is worried about her role in his family. She has worked at his family vineyard Bel Apres since graduating from college, her best friend is his sister and his mother is her boss.Will she be able to continue working there after the divorce? I love the twists and turns in this book, some expected and some unexpected. Susan Mallery also put discussion questions in the back if you want to read this with your bookclub. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romance or womens fiction. This book is a keeper.
Incredible writing! This story blew me away – the emotion, real life feelings. You can feel the agony and the joy in each word written, in each character, and in each situation. Never have I not been able to tell where the story will go next except to know that it will resolve itself in the end.
Having lived in the PNW, I can place myself in most of the locations which makes it even more real for me. These four ladies truly remind me of my three sisters and the complexity of families, both biological and created.
Life in a family business is complicated and no more so than when the success ends up resting on the shoulders of a few. Get out your tissues and plan to spend hours delving into this story!
The Vineyard at Painted Moon was yet another beautiful story crafted by Susan Mallery. The characters are strong, interesting, and perfectly imperfect. This book takes you on a journey through love, loss, and finding oneself. So so good.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Mackenzie Dienes, an elite winemaker, has everything she has ever dreamed of. She has an amazing husband, lives and works at one of the most successful family vineyard, her best friend is also her sister-in-law, and she is surrounded by family….except….it isn’t HER family…it’s her husbands. When her marriage starts to unravel…Mackenzie realizes that she has some hard decisions to make. Does she stay to be near all those that she is comfortable with, including her controlling Mother-in-Law, or does she quit and leave everything she knows for a future she never even dreamed of?
As Mackenzie navigates the uncoupling of her marriage, she takes the reader on an emotional roller-coaster of love, heartache, and finding your inner strength. She is the perfect example of how we all become so comfortable in our daily living that when forced to make a life changing decision, we are able lean on those we trust and dig deep for the courage to find the path of our dreams. After many steps forward and a couple back, Mackenzie found her path led her to Painted Moon and the man that helped her in every way that mattered.
I highly recommend this emotional complicated novel.
I’m a huge fan of the Blackberry Island books, and am thrilled that Bruno finally gets his HEA. When Mallery’s worlds intertwine, magic happens. It took a minute for this story to engage me, but once it did, I couldn’t put it down. I wanted the evil step-monster to lose it all, and was biting my nails and yelling at the book the whole time. The characters are so real (and so frustrating). It’s a phrase I say a lot to my clients: “You do not have to be miserable just because they’re family.” There is so much to learn from these wonderful characters who finally put on their big girl panties and deal with it.
“The Vineyards at Painted Moon” is a heartfelt story that kept me very interested with every page.
Mackenzie is married to Rhys and his family owns a vineyard that she will only ever be just an employee.
Her and Rhys marriage hasn’t been what it should be. They decide to get a divorce but she has to decide to stay or go. But with this decision her life turns upside down.
Once they work the divorce out, Barbara (Rhys’s mother) the matriarch of the family causes all kinds of problems.
Thanks for a couple of her sister-in-laws and a special friend/new partner Bruno. She finally finds her way.
The story has it all love, tears,personal growth, family, friends and of course wine. The setting sounds so beautiful.
I highly recommend this book.
The story of three women who go through situations that go from bad to the very best scenario. Set in wine country and you can just feel yourself walking through the vineyard! Grab a glass of wine and enjoy!
After 16 years MacKenzie and Rhys realize their marriage is no longer working. They agree to a amicable divorce. MacKenzie had no idea what a life changing decision this was. She was not only losing her husband and home, she was also losing her job as winemaker in the family winery. As you are reading her story you can feel the hurt and disappointment when her much-loved mother-in-law turns on her. You can feel the rage, hate, and anger coming from her mother-in-law, and the sadness when she discovers she never really knew her husband.
This is Susan Mallery at her finest!
A contemporary romance with set in the vineyards of Washington state.MacKenzie is a career driven elite winemaker that married into the family dynasty because of her talent.Life seems blissful with a dream job,beautiful home,and a loving husband.She finally has a “family” or does she ?When her marriage ends she realizes that she is “just an employee “ and nothing more.She has to restart her life and career.A can’t read with characters you will love or despise.The storyline takes a few turns and unexpected twists.I read it in one sitting as I just did not want it to end.