Blush

“Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.” – Andre Simon

The Hollander Estates winery located on the North Fork of Long Island, has long been a premier destination for lavish parties and romantic day trips. Owned by the Hollander family, it is a place that Leah, her husband Steven and their daughter, Sadie come every summer to visit her family. It is always a bittersweet trip. Leah grew up hoping that she would have a place at her family’s winery. She has beautiful memories of growing up there – walking the vineyard with her father, eaves dropping on her mother’s trashy book club (only to read her mother’s books in secret) But her father, Leonard, so set in his ways and beliefs, shut her out, instead having her brother Asher take a place of management at the winery.

Leah, now a successful cheese shop owner is shocked when she hears that the winery is in trouble and the only solution is to sell it. Her mother, Vivian is reeling, she cannot believe things have gotten so bad, what is worse, her husband has informed others of this weeks ago but not here. This is Vivian’s home, where she raised her children, where she worked. The winery was the legacy they wanted to leave their family. She is heartbroken.

This was an enjoyable yet frustrating book. I cheered for the women who bonded together, fought for the winery while examining their own lives. Leonard was the frustrating part. He annoyed me the entire book. So stubborn, so old fashioned, so set in his ways. UGH! Leah wants to save the winery, but her father believes there is no hope. She has always had ideas of how to improve the winery, the workers have had ideas of how to improve the winery over the years – but Leonard….

At its heart, this book is about family – about three generations of women. The female characters are the strength of this book. I also loved their discussions on the “trashy” novels they read. You will also be privy to the inner workings of the winery and may even learn a little about cheese as well.

Charming and engaging, this is a perfect book for summer. Sit back, grab your favorite glass of wine, and enjoy!

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.