The French House by Helen Fripp
Publication Date: March 4,2021 - Out Now!
.
Description from NetGalley...
In sleepy little Reims, France, grieving Nicole Clicquot watches her daughter play amongst the vines under the golden sun and makes a promise to herself. Her gossiping neighbours insist that the rolling fields of chalk soil are no place for a woman, but she is determined to make a success of the winery. It’s the only chance she has to keep a roof over her head and provide a future for her little girl.

But as the seasons change, bringing a spoiled harvest and bitter grapes, the vineyards are on the brink of collapse. Without her husband’s oldest friend, travelling merchant Louis, she’d truly be lost. No one else would stay up all night to help count endless rows of green bottles deep in the cellars, or spread word far and wide that Nicole makes the finest champagne he’s ever tasted. One magical night, as a shooting star illuminates their way under a velvet sky, Nicole gazes up at his warm smile and wonders if perhaps she doesn’t need to be quite so alone…”
.
Thank you to @netgalley for the digital ARC and to @bookouture #helenfripp for inviting me to the book tour.
.
My thoughts...
This book was set during post-French Revolution. Here we met Nicole, a feisty, independent and entrepreneurial woman. She married for love and was determined to make her vineyard a success because of love. Through bad luck, hardship, sacrifices and misogynistic industry she became a master vintner. We know this because the Champagne is from Chateau Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin after all. As a historical fiction, this was really good. The story flowed well and took us to the wars during Napoleon’s time. It gave us a glimpsed of a time when women were expected to be housewives and nothing else. But Nicole defied convention: as a young girl she was wild and played with the hired help; as a young woman she wanted more to life than be married off; as a married woman she was by her husband’s side overseeing their vineyard and as Widow Clicquot, she was empowering. You could say that she proved she had the “nose” for business.

There were so many things I loved about this book. Most importantly, I love a story about a badass woman entrepreneur who defies all expectations and makes herself a success, especially one that’s based on true events. The French House follows the story of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, the woman behind the famous Veuve Clicquot champagne. Nicole was going to run the vineyard with her husband, but she’s tragically widowed just years into their marriage. Everyone expected her to give up and sell the vineyard (it wasn’t “proper” for women to do business, everyone said), but she refused. Ultimately, she built a champagne empire.

Fripp’s writing totally transported me to 1800s France, and I loved how much I learned about the winemaking process throughout. Fripp perfectly captures Nicole’s spunk, spirit, and determination.

There are only two very small reasons this isn’t a 5⭐️ read for me. First, there is one relationship of Nicole’s that is central to the book that I was a little disappointed not to find any true evidence of (at least that I could find). I won’t spoil it, and I still loved reading the ins and outs of that relationship, but I was just a little bummed to find out that relationship wasn’t as crucial in the real Nicole’s life. Then second, I definitely grew attached to the title “The Champagne Widow,” which I thought fit the story a little better than “The French House.”

But those are two tiny things that don’t take away at all from how amazing this story is. Read this book, and when you’re done, join me in a champagne cheers!

You can also find this review (and some fun champagne photos) on my Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thenovelabby

This book transported me to another world and I was completely taken up with a heroine who really plunges into everything with a feistiness that is so admirable.

Set in post-Revolutionary France, the book opens with a high spirit young Nicole who witnesses the slaughter of local townsmen at the hands of an aristocrat and his men. Coming from privileged background herself, Nicole cannot stomach this injustice and vows to put an end to it.

As she grows up, she breaks off the man her family arranges for her to marry, and marries Francois, who teaches her to fall in love with the whole process of wine making. But Francois is a troubled soul and Nicole is often left to manage the vineyards on her own, despite all opposition to a woman doing so. When she is widowed, she is determined to make a success and fulfill Francois’ dream for their success.

The author takes us on a fascinating journey as Nicole fights against society, has her heart broken and is drawn into the intriguing politics of that time as she tries to market her wines. As the heroine grows into a shrewd business woman and someone who patents a way to preserve wines, the reader is also privy to her vulnerability, business failures, heartbreak, her longing for love and her passion for the land, the vines and the wine making process.

There are other fascinating characters in the book too – Louis, Theresa, Natasha and even Moet – who in their own way support Nicole and yet their own flaws and weakness let her down too.

I found it difficult to put the book down! Will be looking forward to more books from this author.

A great historical, woman-centric book, this seemed such a fitting read for this Women’s History Month.

Unlike most ladies in nineteenth century France, Nicole was a wild-child tom-boy who refused to marry for society but married François Clicquot for love, and to live her life her own way. Theirs was a love that grew like the vineyards they tended together, but also one fraught with depression and loss, leaving her alone in a world where women were not welcome.

The vineyards, terroir and Champagne making process are all easily visualised in this book, along with the French customs of the era. There are many who want her to fail, so knowing who to trust and who would sell out to her rivals is never easy, but her stubborn refusal to give in was what drove her on, even in the darkest of days. From dependable Xavier, to all-seeing Natasha, loyal Louis, exotic Therese and mysterious Alexei, we get passion, respect and deception, as well as a colourful cast of characters who intrigued and entertained me as we travelled through the French Revolution, 19th century Parisian society and Napoleon’s war with Russia.

This imagined story of a real-life remarkable woman is a fascinating read, as fate, mother nature, family feuds and war all have their part to play as the fortunes of Nicole Clicquot and her vineyard, ride high on success one minute and are plunged into disaster the next. I was with her every step of the way, from her most unladylike daring adventures in horse drawn carriages from Reims, to Paris, to Amsterdam, willing her to find the happiness and success that she deserved. Desperately wanting her to gain the respect from the men who were her rivals, and to prove to herself as much as the town’s gossips, that she was right to fight.

I don’t know the story behind the widow Clicquot name, although a glass or two of Veuve Clicquot Champagne has passed my lips over the years, but I’d like to think that this book does her, her hard work and extraordinary life justice.

The French House is available in ebook and paperback formats and if you enjoy historical fiction, with strong female characters and a fast-moving plot, all washed down with a glass of Champagne, add this book to your 2021 reading list.

Wow! An incredible historical novel about a woman who refused to be anyone other than herself. I have a massive book hangover.
Nicole refuses to be young lady - she runs with the boys, breathes the soil and falls madly in love. Together Francois and Nicole lay the foundation for a timeless vineyard.
After his death, Nicole refuses to quietly live in the country. The vineyard becomes her life focus, her obsession to overcome all obstacles.
All the feels.

I have heard of the champagne Veuve Clicquot, but did not know anything about the fascinating history behind its creation. Nicole marries Francois Clicquot, and even though she is a from a wealthy family, dedicates herself to the success of the vineyards. The book starts in 1789 France in the midst of the Napoleonic era and its endless wars. In a time that women were expected to stay at home and raise families, Nicole becomes a master vintner, in constant battle with Jean-Remy Moët for prominence in the champagne world. Well written and recommended for an absorbing story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The champagne widow is a historical fiction based in Paris and Champagne during the French Revolution and the Napoleon War of the late 17th century.

The story follows the real life of winemaker Nicole Clicquot. As stated by the author, it is a mixture of facts and fiction.

This is the first book of this genre I have ever read. So, going into it I was not sure how much I will enjoy this book. But I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.

From the beginning, the book managed to hold my attention completely. The characters were varied and every one of them were relatable, real and flawed.

But the character who I absolutely adored was Nicole. She was way ahead of her times, managing to make a place for herself in what is, still predominantly, a man's world. The author has managed to recreate the world then, to a great extent.

The narration was crisp but still emotionality evocative at the same time. The pace did seem slightly slow at places, but I guess it is understandable considering that the author has crammed a lot of years within 288 pages. As a result, we end up feeling we have read a lot, when in reality it's not so much the length but the content.

Overall, the book managed to transport me to 1790-1800s and also in such a way that I am totally rooting for Nicole. I definitely recommend this book for any person who want to come out of reading a book feeling inspired.

I would also like to thank the author and Netgalley for this ARC.

France, 1805. Nicole Chicquot, recently widowed, is trying to make the family business work on her own. Secrets, betrayals , family and hard work. A fun book to read.

This book takes place during Napoleon’s conquest of Europe. It follows Nicole and her conquest to make the best champagne. Not only does she have to contend with her husband’s melancholy, a rival’s jealousy but also trying to get her champagne to market.
It was an interesting story, Nicole is a strong woman . She has some characters who at times help but also seem to follow their own agenda.
I enjoyed the story, learned a few things about champagne along the way.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

What a treat to learn more about Nicole Clicquot. the woman responsible for my favorite champagne! A mix of fact and fiction, this tracks her life from the age of 11 in 1789 until 1825. Oh the history of the time and the political and social upheaval! Clicquot, however, was a focused businesswoman as well as a woman who sought love with difficult men. She stood up for herself and for her vineyard. Fripp brings the Reims region to life along with her characters (I found myself checking to see who was real as a read). Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This is emotional and Fripp clearly felt affection for Clicqot. An excellent read for fans of historical fiction.

Wow! What a story that transports you to Reims and the vineyards of Nicole Clicquot. I particularly enjoy Veuve Clicquot champagne but did not realise the story behind it. The author has certainly carried out extensive research.

I was captivated by Nicole's story and her dedication to her vineyards and her extraordinary pursuits to make it the best champagne in the world and to sell it in forbidden territories. Her bravery and that of those around her was astonishing and to be the first to invent the riddling method showed what a genius she was, especially in a profession that was dominated by men. I didn't realise that she knew Jean-Remy Moet and have since explored him more too. I found myself reading late into the night with this extraordinary story. It was so moving and totally enthralled me.

Since reading this book I have found myself trying to explore her later life but there is very little information so would love the author to do a follow-up to her story. It would be so interesting. Nicole's story will stay with me for a long time

Historical fiction based on the life of Nicole Clicquot. Very well researched. Inspiring story of Nicole as a widow with a young child, left to be the sole owner of a French vineyard. Her strength and determination and eventual success. Every page held my interest! Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copyl

This is the debut novel from this author and when I picked it up, I knew little of the subject matter and the history of Champagne. And if truth be known I am not a big fan of it - the drink not the book.

The book is simply fizzing with romance, intrigue, war, grief and the history of one of the most well know brands known across the globe.

Nicole as a young girl liked nothing more than running around the village and knew all the locals to chat to, she became friendly with people below her elevated position and when she finds the man she wants to marry it isn't about what her parents want, it is about what she wants.

That is how Nicole finds herself married to Francois Clicquot and wandering through the vineyards they both decide to make this their present and their future. But this idyll is short-lived when bade weather, bitter grapes and poor harvests along with war in far off lands where their product was popular causes problems.

Suddenly alone, Nicole finds herself as the Veuve and is determined to make a success - but she has some barriers to face and not just the vineyards, but exploding bottles, gossiping neighbours, close rivals, war and missing salesman.

Helen Fripp weaves the Napoleonic Wars of the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century into the story at time as the background to the events of Nicole and the other main characters; Xavier; Louis; Natasha and the enigma that was Teresa who brought a rather different view of how women should behave in these times.

At other points the Napoleonic Wars were very much in the foreground and I learnt as I wandered how a war seemingly fought a long way away, came to these remote French villages where there was no desire for war just to live peaceably and with everyone they love. War doesn't make that possible and times there was some horrific scenes which took me right back to these times.

Through it all Nicole had a determination not seen by many and should be recognised as a strong woman very much in a man's world who somehow overcame it all and became a force to be reckoned with and recognised.

I adored this book, it reminds me of my great love of historical fiction and was an part of history which I knew little about and also even less about the great Champagne houses. How wonderful to discover that a woman was behind one of the greatest much to the chagrin of most. Historical fiction is of course just that but what it does and this book does it in abundance is open your eyes and the world up to reading much more about these fabulous women who have shaped history, who have made an impact and should be recognised much more. It reminded me why I love history. 

A great read and I will certainly be looking to learn more from Helen Fripp in the future.

Extraordinary. Outstanding. This book moved and absorbed me. The story of an absolutely amazing woman so beautifully told. The writing is just wow! Sensuous and fizzy and glorious as the finest champagne. It is vivid and evocative and transports you immediately and completely to the chalky vineyards heady with ripening grapes. Beautifully researched, this book is exquisite. Absolute perfection. A masterpiece. One of my favourite reads ever. Cannot wait for more from this author. Do read this one. If you don't you're missing out on one of the finest books out this year and one of the best historical fiction reads ever.

4.3 Stars
The book is based on the true story of none other than Nicole Clicquot, the woman who ran the world’s greatest champagne house, Veuve Clicquot, when the world thought the business was no place for a lady. Of course, I wasn’t aware of this when I requested the book. The blurb and cover were enough to attract my attention.
The book deals with the life of Nicole Clicquot since she was 11 years old (1790) until the time things start to look hopeful after Russia defeats Napolean and decides to open the trade borders with France in 1815.
We see Nicole as a girl, a young lady with a spark in her eyes, a wife, a mother, a widow, and most importantly, an unrelenting businesswoman. She worked in the vineyards as a worker and took the business to new heights as a successful boss.
Of course, times were hard and even brutal. Things hit a new low, but Nicole continued. I’ve read about the great woman on Wikipedia and loved her grit.
Coming to the book, it’s a mix of facts and fiction. We have Louis, the real-life loyal salesman of the company, along with various fictional characters. The love shared by the husband and wife and their mutual love for the vineyards were taken from real life, the author said.
We see an array of characters, and a good number of them have been well developed. Theresa, Xavier, Natasha, Madame Oliver, Emile, Alexei, Moet (along with Nicole and Louis) have depth and appear quite real. They have flaws, they have positives, and their actions align with their personalities.
The descriptions of the vineyards, the growing vines, the champagne-making process are vivid and wonderful. I enjoyed them a lot. Some made me want to try champagne and see if it would really be as it was described in the book (I’m a teetotaller).
A lot happens in the book, and it can be overwhelming if you read it all at once. I mean, it felt like so much had happened, and I saw that I reached only 50% of the book. That’s both an advantage and a disadvantage.
This is one of those books you have to read in installments. You won’t mind putting it down to take a breather and pick it up the next day. But yes, you will pick it up.
Overall, The Champagne Widow is a lovely book with more grief and struggles than laughter, but it is worth reading if you like women-centric books, especially with a war backdrop.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Hey mama, look at me, I’m on the way to the promise land (AC/DC)

–or at least, I’m on a very lucky streak 😀 last month Edelweiss gave me The Wasteland and now Netgalley is trying to one-up on it with The Champagne Widow by H. Fripp.

First thing first, the cover. Isn’t it a thing of beauty?

It caught my attention right away : a pretty drawing, colorful without being too in-your-face, it told me all I needed to know about TCW at a glance. Perfect. I really want to stop for a moment here and compliment the artist who drew it: it’s very cool, I love it!

Now, the story itself.

Yay!

- Third limited pov. A real third limited, without a single switch in sight. Not even a tiny, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it one, cross my heart. I’m putting this as my very first yay, because yes, it makes me so happy. So so happy, you have no idea – thank you, Helen.

- We’re talking style here, and I have to mention the actual writing. Helen’s prose is delightful – no useless descriptions, every word has a meaning and a place. Given the setting and the concept, it would have been so easy to slip into purple, and that would have ruined it beyond belief.

Also, the amount of research behind TCW is obvious, but it’s not infodumped on the reader. Every information, every trick of the trade is relevant to the plot. Bliss.

- Moët. He’s the antagonist, I get it, but I like him anyway, because he’s not a cardboard-cut villain: an asshole? Yeah. Arrogant? Sure. 100% pure, unadulterated evil? No.

- Nicole. She’s the protagonist, she’s very well portrayed and has a lot of nuances. I often disagree with her choices, from François to Louis to Thérésa, but I can see (and respect) why she goes that way rather than this way.

- Nicole and Thérésa. It’s complicated, maybe a bit out of the blue at first; at the same time, it adds layers to the story and the characters.

- The ending! I’m so glad Alexei does what he, well, does and Nicole accepts it.

Nay!

- I’m not talking real flaws here, just minor ones. Maybe the only thing that gives me pause is how a couple of Nicole’s problems get deus ex machina-ed outta there. Her persistence in trying to strike a deal with Moët just to go back to it before it’s finalized doesn’t help either.

- Emile becomes Etienne once.

- I would have liked to see her relationship with Moët fleshed out a little bit more. They start out as enemies, keep going for a good portion of the book, and then I have him strolling in Nicole’s vineyard without a single pitchfork in sight. I understand truces, but just telling me isn’t enough in this case.

-Some vindictive parts of me would have liked to see Mr. Olivier break a couple of important bones, too 😛 Madame Olivier, I’m quoting Stephen King here, “An accident is sometimes an unhappy woman’s best friend.”

…Just saying.

Anyway! 8/10 stars here, 4 on GoodReads. Helen, you wrote an awesome book! I’m looking forward for more 😀

This was a fascinating book about a Barb Nicole Clicquot, a strong French woman who struggled against rivals, and innovated the Champagne industry, all during the Napoleon wars. She had to work against rivals such as Möet.

I actually googled Veuve Clicquot, the modern company, and they also have a brief history of her life on their website.

Part of the interest in this book was that she was mentioned in other books I have read about WWI where people were sheltered from bombings in the French wine cellars, which is a part of history that really shows the unity of country and spirit that I find very heartwarming.

I found this book very hard to put down and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book.

The famous vintner Nicole "Veuve Clicquot" is an excellent main character for a historical novel. No matter your level of interest in wines (I don't even drink any alcohol at all), the tale of her eventful life is really worth reading. The novel starts in 1789, when Nicole was 11, and skips years between chapters to show us other key moments of her youth. Then, by the time she's become the widow that gives her name to the reknown champagne, the reader can only feel heartbroken for her loss and anxious to see how she'll manage the vineyards by herself, surrounded by male vintners trying to discourage her, with other town people spreading rumours, and in the middle of the Napoleonic wars to top it all off. I greatly enjoyed following that bumpy journey to a well-deserved success.

<i>I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Helen Fripp, in ‘The Champagne Widow,’ expertly unveils the incredible true story of Veuve Clicquot, a young widow who single-handedly built a struggling vineyard into one of the world’s greatest champagne houses.

Fripp's prose instantly and completely immersed me in a beautiful romance, heartbreak and the passion of Madame Clicquot. The author’s ability to whisk me away to the vineyards of post-Revolutionary France and bring to life a feisty, determined heroine who blazed her own path in a man’s world is extraordinary. You’ll love how she brings Reims and the French countryside to life with her attention to detail and her descriptive writing. Furthermore, you’ll find yourself completely invested in the characters. Fripp has crafted each one uniquely; you’ll love the men who are besotted with Nicole, you’ll love to hate the best friend who uses Nicole as well as her biggest competition and the man she almost married, Monsieur Moët. Considering the insurmountable odds against this aristocratic young woman, it’s amazing that her vision and determination continued to fuel her passion for success.

If you love well-written historical fiction, are passionate about bubbly or if you want to learn more about the champagne process and Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, this is worth keeping on your radar - publication is March 4, 2021.

Helen Fripp’s next novel will be set in 19th century Paris and revolves around a determined young woman from the slums becoming part of the beguiling world of the new Impressionist painters. Fripp writes historical fiction that focusses on women in the past who have achieved greatness against the odds.

Thank you to Helen Fripp, Bookouture and NetGalley for the five-star advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an engaging read. I enjoyed the writing style and found the storyline interesting. The characters were well drawn. I did find that some parts of the story did drag slightly but overall it was a good read.