The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel is a beautifully told Holocaust era novel recounting the life of Michel Chavreau and his wife, Ines; Edouard Thierry and his wife, Edith; Theo Laurent and his wife, Celine; as well as Samuel Cohn and his grandson, Julien; and Liv, through whose eyes much of this tale is told. It was a terrible time in France with the Nazi occupation reaching even into the country where Maison Chavreau was located, deep in Champagne. Fine champagnes had been made there for years and it seemed idyllic, but in reality held many secrets. It is the story of an immature young woman confronted with the horrors of occupation and war. Ines had no support. She was a young woman adrift: her husband was cold, her friends were busy with their lives, and war made everything difficult.

Harmel did a wonderful job moving the plot along but not really revealing the ending until it was upon the reader. The story was told from alternate viewpoints from 1940-1945 by the characters as they lived it, playing off Liv's odd trip with her 99-year-old grandmother in the year 2019. Back and forth, back and forth, finally revealing all. The story had the happiest possible ending in a no-win story that had me in tears for the last fifth of the book. Holocaust stories are always difficult to read, always from the viewpoint of the survivor and always touching. This was a wonderful journey through the lives and loves of people living the horrors of the time, some coming out the other end, some not. Heartbreaking as it was, this was a beautiful story. One I hope you will read. I highly recommend it.

I received a free ARC of The Winemaker's Wife. All opinions and interpretations are solely my own. #netgalley #thewinemakerswife

What a fantastic book! Kristin is such a great writer and has done so much research for her books. She brings her characters to life and really just want to reach in the book and help them out of the horrible mess they are in. Do I recommend this book, oh most definitely. Be sure to have your tissues handy! Thanks for the great story Kristin!

Enjoyed reading this book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. Enjoyed going down this journey and getting lost in this title.

Kristin Harmel has written another beautiful WWII historical fiction novel. I was completely engrossed in this book from the very beginning. A story of courage, love, betrayal and forgiveness with characters I will not quickly forget. This one is going on my Favorite Books for 2019. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

WWII, the Resistance, Love, and Betrayal

Divorce left Liv Kent feeling that she had lost everything until Edith, her French grandmother, arrives and spirits her off to France. Grandmother Edith has a story to tell. It’s difficult for her, but she knows Liv needs to hear it.

The story takes place during WWII in the champagne region of France. Ines is a young woman married to Michel, an older man who owns famous champagne cellars. She is struggling to find her place in the life of the chateau when the Nazis cross into France. Now they must hide the champagne and hope the invaders leave them to work the vineyards.

Celine, almost Ines’ age is married to the chateau’s chef de cave. She is half Jewish and the risk for her with Nazis in the area is tremendous. The fear of being shipped off to one of the death camps dogs her life. Although terrified, she joins Michel and Ines in the Resistance.

The intertwined lives of Ines, Celine, and Michel are the story Grandmother Edith must tell, but it isn’t easy for her.

This is a story of love, betrayal, and redemption. The setting in WWII and the adversity of that era is the background for the tragedy. I found the plot interesting, but the characters at times seemed rather thin. In the beginning Ines is young, naive, and rather self-centered. Celine and Michel are more mature, but I had trouble liking them.

The discussion of wine making is very interesting. The author has done a considerable amount of research, and it ads realism to the story. If you enjoy romance with a background of WWII this is a good one.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Another great historical fiction from Kristen Harmel! My first book by Kristen Harmel was When We Meet Again. I loved that book and quicky sought out her other books. This book is another dual timeline (past and present) with the viewpoints of Ines, Celine, and Olivia. Ines and Celine's chapters take place during WWII and Olivia's take place in present day. I loved all the characters and found myself identifiying with all of them. I really felt for Ines and Celine and how their secrets affected so many. I learned a lot about the French Resistance and enjoyed reading about WWII from the point of view of those in France. I also learned a lot about winemaking which was very interesting! I loved the ending and how everything finally came together. Highly recommend!

Kristin Harmel has once again written a book that has you deeply invested in the story of Inès, Céline, Edith, and Liv. Her ability to weave the story back and forth in time...during WWII and the Nazi occupation of France and the present day...is a gift. You will be drawn into the lives of the characters and find yourself judging some of them in negative ways. But hold onto your seats, because what you assume to be true may not be the case.

The information you learn about champagne and wine production is interesting. And the willingness of individuals to take a stand against the atrocities of the Nazi invasion...in small and large ways...is impressive.

The background research that the author did to present a story with truth and integrity only adds to its appeal. You will find yourself drawn into the intense dangers, tensions, lies, infidelities, and poor decisions. And hold onto your seats, but there is a great twist at the end. You'll be gasping in shock!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kristin Harmel for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. To be honest, I can't wait for the author to release another book!

Rating: 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars

This is a dual timeline story mainly focusing on northern France during WWII. There are some contemporary chapters interwoven which helped propel the storyline. I’m giving the book 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars. This book’s genre is Historical Fiction. For me there were not enough historical details about the French Resistance in the Champagne region of France during the war to sink my teeth into. It often felt more like a Romance or Chic-Lit/Women’s Fiction genre book.

There was a lot going on with the three main protagonists in the WWII era. There is Michel Chauveau, and his recently wed wife, Ines. Also in the mix are Theo and Celine Laurent. Michel recently inherited Maison Chauveau upon the death of his father. He has worked hard to learn the wine, specifically the champagne, business. Maison Chauveau is unique. Michel’s grandfather dug an elaborate system of caves under the main house. The grapes are made into champagne in the caves. The resulting bottles are stored and tended in the caves to until they are ready for market. Much of the dramatic action of the book takes place in the caves.

Theo is Michel’s chef du cave (cellar master). His half-Jewish wife, Celine, was raised in a winemaking family from Burgundy. She is a good resource for many facets of the wine making process. Ines is the odd person out in this mix. She has no wine making experience. She soon feels real and imagined slights from Michel and Celine. Her feeling of exclusion leads her to make some bad decision have catastrophic unintended consequences. However, she is not the only one with unclean hands.

Then we have the modern story of Grandma Edith and Liv. While reading the modern chapters I was usually impatient to return to the WWII era to see what new scrapes this foursome was encountering. This was a brutal time of German occupation, French citizens collaborating with the Germans, and French Resistance networks. Those elements were touched upon in the story. Michel was working for the Resistance. I would have liked to read more about that work in the book. The story often dipped into Romance/Chic Lit levels of angst, especially in the modern storyline.

I would recommend this book to wine making aficionados who want to learn more about the Champagne region during WWII. I would also recommend it to readers who usually enjoy Women’s Fiction and want to learn more about this region in France during WWII. The Author’s Notes at the end of the book also gave more resources for continued research about this era and region, and the backstory of how the book came about. I appreciated having that information.

‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Gallery, Pocket Books; and the author, Kristin Harmel for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Winemaker's Wife is a wonderful story of love, betrayal, redemption and resilience. The storyline alternates between 1940 and present day 2019. In 1940, Michel and Ines Chauveau operate the Champagne house Maison Chauveau with their wine maker Theo and and his wife, Celine, who is half Jewish. Celine's life becomes in danger when the Germans invade the region. Michel begins to get involved in the Resistance despite Ines' worries, causing a strain in their marriage. In New York, 2019, Liv Kent has just divorced her husband when her French grandmother whisks her away to Champagne with a story to tell. As the story unravels, you find out about the all the mistakes they have made and how their lives intertwine.

This was a very enjoyable read. The story was engrossing and if you are a wine lover, you may love it even more. I definitely learned a few things about wine making despite not being a drinker. There's not much mention on the war and the usual heaviness surrounding it, it was more focused on the characters' relationships and wine making. I think fans of Tattooist of Auschwitz would enjoy this!

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

🍇🍾 5 ★ A fabulous book I highly recommend!! Set at the century’s old Maison Chauveau Winery in the lush Champagne region of Nazi occupied France, The Winemaker’s Wife is an absolutely delicious concoction of love, secrets, betrayal, and redemption. It tells the story of winery owners Michel and Inez Chauveau, their relationship with their winery chef de cave’s half-Jewish wife Celine, and Inez’s best friend Edith while living under Nazi rule. The story also flashes forward to 2019 New York City gal Liv restarting her life after divorce. I just adored her feisty 99 year old grandmother!

Kristin Harmel has brought together a cast of character’s that made me laugh, caused tears, evoked anger and even caught me by surprise. I enjoyed the intriguing mix of its character’s loyalties; a German collaborator, members of the Resistance, the gray line in-between, and the sultry spousal affairs that literally brought down the house. I read this compelling novel in one sitting, yes it was that good! The Winemaker’s Wife is a MUST read for readers of historical and women’s fiction novels. A 2019 favorite for me!

Thank you to Gallery, Pocket Books via NetGalley and Kristin Harmel for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Winemaker’s Wife” by Kristin Harmel, Gallery Books, August 13, 2019

WOW! Kristin Harmel, Author of “The Winemaker’s Wife’ writes an intense, intriguing, captivating, riveting, page-turning, thought-provoking, heartbreaking and emotional novel. The Genres for this Novel are Historical Fiction and Fiction. There are two different timelines in this story. One takes place around 1940, and one is set in the present. Like pieces in a puzzle, the two eventually fall into place. The first timeline is during the occupation of France by Germany and World War Two. The story takes place at the champagne vineyards in Northern France. The author describes her dramatic cast of characters as complex, complicated, each with their own set of problems possibly due to the circumstances.

When one thinks of good champagne, one associates it usually with happiness, cheer, and when congratulations are in order. I don’t think any of us can imagine, the blood, sweat, and tears that occurred in France around 1940 during World War Two in the champagne vineyards and caves. I don’t think we think of the German occupation and the French Resistance. I appreciate that the author has done extensive research during this time period. It is not something that is easy to forget.

Michel, the owner of the Maison Chauveau, a champaign house marries Ines. As the Germans get closer, Michel becomes preoccupied with what he feels is the appropriate things to do during the war. He becomes less involved with his wife. Michel’s top winemaker’s wife Celine is partly Jewish, and that becomes a concern as the Germans start to round up Jewish families. It is difficult during the worst of times, to really know who loyal people are.

This is a story of loyalties, betrayals, dark secrets, redemption, forgiveness, love, and hope. I was deeply moved and touched by this story. Be warned: Keep the Kleenex close. I would highly recommend this intense and page-turning novel. I can easily see this be adapted to the screen.

In the Champagne region of France, newlyweds Michel and Ines owned a winery by the name of Maison Chauveau. During the 1940s when WWII breaks out, the Nazis invade their small town and take over the supply produced by their winery. Lucky for Ines, her life isn’t heavily affected by the war, but even still, her marriage is perishing before her eyes. And then Ines discovers that Michel is taking part in the French Resistance and she worries what his actions will cost them.

Celine and her husband Theo live in a cottage on Maison Cheuveau’s property, as Theo is Michel’s righthand man. When Celine learns that the Germans are arresting and sending Jews to work camps, she starts to worry, as she is half Jewish. Celine’s fears nearly consume her, but her husband doesn’t have the empathy she is looking for. Instead, she finds sensitivity in Michel, and they strike up a relationship, even in the midst of war.

In present day, Liz is recently divorced and doesn’t know what to do with her life now. She visits her 99-year old grandmother Edith in France—a chance to get to know her grandmother better while deciding where to go next. While in France, Edith starts to reveal stories of her past and Liv learns that Edith was more involved in WWII than she originally thought. She’s getting to discover her family’s history—but why did Edith wait so long to tell her story?

The Winemaker’s Wife is Kristin Harmel’s latest WWII novel set in France. I was intrigued by this story because it shed light on a part of French history I wasn’t familiar with. I never thought about how the wineries were affected by the war. I feel like the author could’ve delved deeper into how the Nazi’s invaded these wineries. This story doesn’t focus on the gritty, heartbreaking details of WWII and is instead more surface-level, which can be far more palatable for those who have a hard time reading about concentration camps. My problem with a lot of this story is the characters. I found Ines and Celine to both be unlikable characters and they both were only slightly redeemable by the end. I liked Liv, but I wish we saw more of her life. 3/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books and Kristin Harmel for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Love, betrayal, forgiveness, redemption.

The idyllic vineyards of Champagne France, 1940.


New York 2019, Olivia Kent has just signed her divorce papers, and at 41 is feeling lost. She gave up her job to have children, she wasn't able to convience, and now her husband has a new girlfriend. She loses her home, her relationship, her friends and has no career or children, in one low blow. Her estranged french grandmother Edith detests moping, so she arrives unannounced one day, dragging Olivia across the Atlantic to France, and reuniting Liv with her families history, and the eventful past that Champagne and Reims possess. But Edith is acting strangely, struggling with past demons and communicating important family history with her granddaughter. 

Champagne 1940, Inés is a newlywed and Lady of Maison Chauveau, a smaller but independent and largely successful Champagne House. This should be her paradise, but the arrival of the Nazis changes everything. As people are arrested, and the Nazi pillage their home frequently, Ines finds herself working hard labor alongside her husband Michael, their winemaker Theo, and the winemakers wife, Celine. As the war intensifies, Ines starts to lose control as her husband Michael turns his back on her and joins the Résistance. 
Céline is the wife of Chauveau’s Winemaker, and risks everything to follow her heart and find happiness, despite the ever present danger as she is the only Jew residing at the Maison, and everyone knows it. Every day her life is under threat, and she risks not just herself but the family she holds closest at the Champagne House. 


Kristin Harmel is a former People reporter and freelance editor, before turning her attention to writing historical fiction. She has resided in France for a time, and her best sellers involve novels set in France and its complex history. Her writing style is flawless and riveting. She researches her history and accurately transports you to another time and place to experience the world from your living room couch. 


This story is based around WWII, with the perspective of wine makers at the time. There are mentions of arrests and Auschwitz, so please so consider this if this is triggering material for you.


I didn't study Modern History in school, the politics and wars felt tiresome and boring to me. The only way I can take these facts in is through historical fiction (and subsequently looking things up to get more context). When these past events are humanized for me, I care alot. So although I do of course know about WWII I had no real knowledge of where places and times were, how people were targeted, how people survived during this time. I didnt know there was more than one Notre Dame or that Champagne is only champagne if it is from the specific region. I was able to learn a great deal of this things through this novel alone.

A quick read, in just one day - I was truly captivated by the characters in this story. They were horribly flawed, which is just about the only way I like reading about romances, and it was so thought provoking, to reflect on how the war and the ever present danger had completely altered lives and personalities. I don't blame the characters for any of their actions, not fully or wholly. I think it is a challenge to truly consider how we might act in similar situations. I think we all like to believe we have a certain moral code within us, but when the world plays hard like in this book, you can see where people crack and opinions change. Sometimes, survival mode kick in, and are very different to what we might have expected. 

The storyline is devastating, and it was a welcome style that Harmel made the chapters alternate perspective and time period. We were able to break away from the events of the past to take in the present day situations and slowly watch as the plots intertwined and merged into one, magnificent and heartwarming ending.

My only issue was the modern day perspective romance. It came together to quickly, to predictably, and overall was just plain cheesy for me- which surprised me give how the other relationships in the novel contained so much depth and complexity!

This book really makes you stop and ponder what your own actions and role would be in this environment. I'm honestly quite scared to think about and answer that, its unthinkable, and yet it is world history. 

⠀
I highly recommend this book- even if you are not a fan of romance (like myself) there is so much more to this story than love triangles and post divorce flirtation. If you are a crier, get the tissues ready.

The Winemaker's Wife will hold special appeal to wine enthusiasts. There has been a great deal of research into the intricacies and tradition of the wine making industry.
The story takes place in 1940, occupied France. The characters are activists of the resistance movement, helping the Jewish escape Nazi persecution.
The 3 main characters show us the challenges associated with running a successful business while trying to appear politically neutral. In secret they are working to smuggle arms, and people out of the country.
These same three characters become part of a love triangle, leading to love, loss, friendship, betrayal, allegiance, and guilt.
The story flip-flops between then and now, some generations later.
Memories are revisited and secrets of the past are revealed
Wonderful, emotionally charged ride. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free ARC of The Winemaker"s Wife, by Kristin Harmel, in exchange for my honest opinion..

For fans of all stories of strong women during WWII, a tale of courage, love, betrayal and survival. Set against the backdrop of the Champagne region of France for all lovers of historical fiction.

The story is set in Champagne, France during WWII and told from this time and current day, 2019. Similar to other stories set during this time period, it is about resisting the German Invasion and highlighting the heroic efforts normal people had to do to not only survive but try to stop the Germans. I love reading stories set during this time and this book did not disappoint. It focused on the owners of a champagne vineyard and is full of star crossed lovers, jealousy, determination, the effects of misinformation, redemption, and a bit of selfishness.

Ines is the wife of a winemaker who feels she does not quite fit in. In my opinion she is a bit immature and this shows in some of her selfish actions. However I loved watching her develop and grow throughout the story.

I cannot say too much about the story without giving away surprises but I was truly engrossed in this story. I stayed up way too late finishing the story because I had to know how it ended. I highly highly recommend it for anyone interested in WWII historical fiction.

"This book of historical fiction is also a surprising story of love, courage, and the resiliency of the human spirit. Set against all the danger and drama of WWII Paris, this heartfelt novel will keep you turning the pages until the very last word.

The Winemaker’s Wife is a fantastic work of Historical Fiction going from the late 1930’s and mid 1940’s while also visiting the present. The story takes you to the vineyards of France during the occupation by the Germans, the story of those who worked for the French Resistance and those who collaborated with the Germans. It’s a story of a woman who spent her whole life trying to atone for mistakes she made in her youth. There are twists and turns within this story you never see coming.

Kristin Harmel has written an intriguing and beautiful story of love and heartbreak, trust and betrayal, and a definition of family that is not necessarily tied by blood. The writing is exceptional and all encompassing as you live the story.

I absolutely loved this story and can’t recommend it highly enough. If you love historical fiction, if you love an extremely engaging and wonderful storyline full of twists, turns and intrigue this is a MUST read!

The Winemarker"s Daughter is a well written beauthiful story that takes place during WW Two and after. Its deals with lose, love, fear, and happiness. Kristin Harmel does an excellent job when she protrays the Jewish population fears as well asthe ordinary citizen who are trying to protect the Jews living in France. The main people in her story are complicated and have deep fears about their enviornment since they are involved in fighting the Nazis. I highy recommend this book to everyone! There is violence, sadness, fear as well as guilt in the book. However there is love,passion strong relationships and love as well.

What a great book . This is the first book I have read by this author and thoroughly enjoyed it . The characters were well developed and the setting was perfect. I liked the way the book went from the present time to past, it did make it a little confusing at times but I think it helped the story. I think I would have like to have Grandma Edith tell more of story to her granddaughter. I believe that they all needed a place to heal and France was that place. Loved the story and I will recommend to my friends.