As the sun sets on a perfect Maine day, I’m sharing The Widows of Champagne. This is my first Renee Ryan novel, but definitely won’t be my last. I fell in love with each of the strong women trying to preserve the legacy of their vineyard. I think you will, too.

Thanks to @reneeryanbooks @harlequinbooks and @tlcbooktours for the privilege of participating on this tour and reading early 🥂🥂

The Widows of Champagne pubs on July 27. Get your paperback copy exclusively at Walmart or a audio or digital copy online from your favorite audio or ebook retailer!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review! Attached is the link to my 7/24/2021 Instagram post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRuqpKgLMm-/

I love a multigenerational story so I found this book extremely enjoyable. Y’all know I’m here for some badass female characters and all three main characters – Gabrielle, Helene and Josephine – fit the bill. Gabrielle, especially, was such a likeable character and incredibly brave and strong, which made her easy to root for.

In fact, the entire family was easy to root for. Three widows running a successful winery and champagne house during an extremely tumultuous time? YOU GO GIRLS. I can’t imagine that in itself but then having a German soldier requisition your house for his personal use? Oh heck no.

I found it to be slow to start but after about 15%, it really picked up and I was invested! I thought the ending was perfect and that each woman’s story wrapped up beautifully. It hasn’t gotten nearly the love it deserves so I hope my fellow historical fiction fans will check it out! It reminded me of a lot of THE WINEMAKER’S WIFE by Kristin Harmel and I enjoy reading about Reims and the French wine country.

This historical fiction, focusing on three generations of women during the war, was so heartfelt and emotional. I ran through the gamut of emotions while reading this, celebrating with them and crying with them. It features a beautiful winery setting and strong female characters. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE is such an amazing historical fiction story that held my interest until the very last page. At times, I found myself holding my breath, afraid of what was around the corner for these strong and brave women! Three generations of widowed women taking care of the vineyards of Chateau Fouche-Leblanc which has been taken over by a German soldier and no one is safe. They have no privacy in their own home and family heirlooms begin to disappear. Not to mention, how much of their champagne stock the Nazis are depleting!

When I read the preview for THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE, I knew it was going to be an emotional story and I knew it was going to make me cry. I had no idea I would be sobbing and be an emotional wreck after finishing it. Renee Ryan’s latest book, THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE is the story of three women and how each reacts to the challenges of living in France under Nazi occupation. The brave and determined women suffer at the hands of the Germans and takes everything they deal with without ever losing their courage and commitment to their country and family.

While THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE is focused on the lives and different personalities of these three very strong women and how each in their own way responds to the horrors of war, the question at the very heart of the book is – would I risk my life and when and most important, my child’s life – to save my family legacy? Despite the often numbing effects of war and the constant threat of death, compassion and love underscore the characters’ decisions and actions. Needless to say, the story brings a strong emotional response. So keep the tissues handy. The persecution of the Jews is such an injustice it makes your heart bleed to read of what they suffered at the hands of the Germans. Few books have driven home the absolute atrocities brought on by war and the individual impact on women and their lives. Men have always been noted for their bravery, but the women bore their own sacrifices, seldom given credit for.

THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE will stay with you for a long time after you finish reading it. I have no idea when I will be able to read another book, but right now I can’t stop thinking about this one. There were several times I found myself desperately wanting to keep reading, to find out what would happen next, but I was afraid to turn the page, scared of the possible fates awaiting these characters. Renee Ryan has a magical way of telling dramatic stories about women, friendship and family. THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE will be sure to strike the reader’s heart and compassion for these brave women willing to do anything in an effort to protect their own will be strong!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Widows of Champagne is a generational story. Three women working in their own way to fight against the rein of terror upon their little town during WW2. All have lost the men they love and now all must fight to hold on to their last hope...the chateau and the vineyard during occupation.

✨Josephine, grandmother, in her late seventies is slowly losing her memories but trying to hold on to the remnants of her family’s history
✨Helene, her daughter in law, doing what must be done to protect her daughters regardless of the hell she will go through herself
✨and Gabrielle, Helenes Daughter, works to pick up the pieces and hold the family together through a strength all her own.

I went in blind and I enjoyed it that way. If you love historical fiction I think this is a great option. It doesn’t deflect away from the unspeakables that happen when a Nazi inhabits a home. I loved where some plot lines traveled and others felt fairly realistic. It explores family relationships and power in women.

There were a few things I wished would have been developed a bit more...especially when it came to the relationships. The second half of the book definitely was stronger than the first and I found myself wanting to know what would happen up to the very end! A solid 4 star story.

Gripping, Engaging, Tense. Those are the first 3 words I have come up with. You are drawn in immediately from the very first page and you stay there until the last word. Focusing on one family, 3 generations of widows in the Champagne vineyards of France, I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering who was going to be safe, who wasn't and what secrets would be revealed. I highly recommend this to all historical fiction lovers.

The Widows of Champagne is a very thought-provoking and thoroughly compelling story. I highly recommend The Widows of Champagne by author Renee Ryan. This story will stay with me long after reading the last page. Three widows run the LeBlanc winery in France as the Nazis come to invade France. Each one of them makes dangerous decisions to protect their family, their winery, and their country. Grandmere Josephine, mother Helene, and daughter Gabrielle's secrets and difficult decisions have them living in extremely tense times especially when a Nazi officer moves in and takes over their home.

"The weather was proving a more immediate threat than the evil lurking on the other side of the Maginot Line. One bad harvest would not ruin them. The other enemy very well could. Hitler and his ravenous henchmen showed no mercy. The conquered. They invaded. And then, they looted. If France fell into Nazi hands, they would not get the best of the LeBlanc treasures. Not if Gabrielle succeeded tonight."

"And, oh, how she loved them, with a fullness of a heart that couldn't bear another loss."

Fans of WWII historical fiction will find this riveting story fascinating and unexpected.

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy of The Widows of Champagne, all opinions are my own.

I have read a lot of WW2 books. This is probably the first one that evoked such strong feelings towards the German Nazi. Unlike the characters in the book I’m not sure I would have been able to do what they did to survive. Then to be banished from your home because of what you did to protect your family seems unfair.
These were strong female characters more than capable of doing whatever needed to be done.
I enjoyed the book, probably the second half more than the first half. It was a hard to put down book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I LOVED this book. A different kind of look at women involved in the French Resistance during WWII. The characters, while not all equally likable were well written. The storyline moved quickly and kept me fully engaged, so much so that I struggled to put the book down. This is my first read from Renee Ryan but 100% won’t be my last.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publish

Title: The Widows of Champagne
Author: Renee Ryan
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5

Champagne, 1939

Gabrielle Leblanc Dupree is taking her family’s future into her hands. While she should be preparing for a lavish party to celebrate two centuries of champagne making, she secretly hides Chateau Fouché-Leblanc’s most precious vintages behind a fake wall in the cellar in preparation for the looming war. But when she joins the resistance, the coveted champagne isn’t the most dangerous secret her cellar must conceal…

A former Parisian socialite, Gabrielle’s mother, Hélène, lost her husband to another war. Now her home has been requisitioned by the Germans, who pillage vineyards to satisfy the Third Reich’s thirst for the finest champagne. There’s even more at stake than Hélène dares admit. She has kept her heritage a secret…and no one is safe in Nazi-occupied France.

Josephine, the family matriarch, watches as her beloved vineyard faces its most difficult harvest yet. As her daughter-in-law and granddaughters contend with the enemies and unexpected allies in their midst, Josephine’s deep faith leads to her own path of resistance.

Across years and continents, the Leblanc women will draw on their courage and wits, determined against all odds to preserve their lives, their freedom and their legacy…

This was an incredible read! It wasn’t in the least what I expected, but it was so good. I will say that Hélène wasn’t my favorite character, but it was due more to her reserved and secretive personality than anything, as she was incredibly determined to protect her family. I didn’t care for the youngest daughter at all, but Gabrielle was a great character and I enjoyed her journey so, so much!

Renee Ryan grew up in Florida. The Widows of Champagne is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Love Inspired in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 7/7.)

With the German army on France’s doorstep, the 3 widows who live at Chateau Fouche-Leblanc, a premier champagne house, are not prepared for what the Nazis will bring to their home. Gabrielle, who does most of the running of the vineyard these days, hides some of the most valuable champagne in the hopes of rebuilding the family’s wealth after the war. Her mother Hélène is more interested in fashion than wine, but she will have her own part to play in the coming days. And finally Josephine, Gabrielle’s grandmother, though she struggles to keep her thoughts focused on the present, manages her own quiet resistance to the invading forces.

I’m sad to say that I didn’t love this book like I’d hoped. It was only okay. The characters are all very…not shallow, necessarily, but I’m not sure how to explain it. They are just so separate. So alone. It made the story slow and depressing, which may very well have been the point. But the way these women related to each other, and the way each of their late husbands hung over them like a dark cloud, despite each of them having died no less than 5 years in the past, made me sad, and the story became boring. I also didn’t connect with any of the characters at all.

As far as the plot goes, it was interesting to see the way each of these women, again, individually, did what they could or what they had to in order to keep the rest of the family safe. But I often felt like I was missing something, because so much seemed to happen “off screen” and was hinted at in the narration. Josephine, in particular, seemed to be involved in various things, but we only hear about her writing these things down. On the other hand, I could have been misunderstanding a lot of that, because every section from her POV was a little confusing. This was definitely intentional, because she was suffering from early dementia. I think the author did well in showing that, but maybe she should have gone back to Josephine less often.

The book is listed as Christian, and it does have some Christian tones to it. However, I would have liked to see more resolution for the two women who didn’t really believe God cared about them at the beginning of the story. It seems like mentions of God and faith were just thrown in to be able to publish it as Christian. It is a basically clean read, though, with only allusions to a physical relationship with two of the characters that was more out of necessity than desire (at least for one of them). I can already tell from other reviews I’m seeing about this book that I’ll likely be in the minority of thinking the book is only okay. It’s more pure drama than I generally prefer, but I will say I was really interested in the details about champagne and wine making and, though less involved, the information about France’s capitulation and later liberation. I do think fans of historical drama and complex family dynamics will like this book.

“A thousand German soldiers are not equal to one LeBlanc woman.”

The Champagne region suffered greatly at the hands of the Nazis; merciless pillaging and requisitioning of both homes and superior cuvees. Renee Ryan focuses on the 5 year Nazi occupation and its impact on Reims, the region made famous for its champagne production. She showcases the resourcefulness and selflessness of the people as they spent much of the war outfoxing the occupying forces.

In 1939 the Chateau Fouche-LeBlanc vineyard in Reims was requisitioned by the Nazis and the three generations of LeBlanc women, all widows, were expected to remain in the estate to serve a high-ranking official in the Wehrmacht who dictated their every move. When valuables start to go missing, the woman start to question his loyalty.

Josephine, the matriarch and my favourite character, is struggling with dementia. Ryan realistically represents her condition throughout the novel and readers are ever aware of the frustration at the debilitating effects of this disease. Josephine knows that her memory is going and makes accommodations. Read carefully, though, sometimes she plays up on her memory issues!

Helene, Josephine’s daughter-in-law, uses creative diplomacy in dealing with Hauptmann von Schmidt’s volatility. I can’t even imagine how difficult it would have been to smile and be sweet and accommodating to the enemy.

Gabrielle and Paulette, Helene’s daughters, each deal with the occupation differently. Gabrielle is strong and resourceful and finds a way to fight back. Paulette is young and naïve. Regardless of their reactions, each woman has the LeBlanc family interest at heart.

The vineyard may be fictional, but the methode champenoise is historical fact. Replacing select vintages with second rate wines and hiding the best were commonplace in this region known for its resistance.

This story of resistance, betrayal and heartache needs to be on your radar come July 27, 2021.

I was gifted this advance copy by Renee Ryan, Harlequin and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I don't know why I always think these books will be different. No tears. No heartache. I have no idea why I always think things will be ok. I mean it's history. These things really happened. Though this is a work of fiction it is a part of history. It could have happened. Actually it did happen. It may have happened to a family very much like the one in this story. In France during WWII. All the laughter, tears, sadness. All the things that happened during this awful time period. It did happen. I'm fairly certain that the people who owned these wineries and champagne houses were big targets for the Nazis. I'm sure those awful, mean, cruel, people targeted them and stole more than just their wines. Of course they did. It's history. Let us never ever forget. Let us never ever take our freedoms for granted. I happened and god forbid it ever happen again. But it could....

This is the story of a family. A family who love each other dearly. Three women and a teenage girl live in this story. They make champagne. They make wine. They grow grapes too for this purpose and work hard. At least the three older women do. They are all three widows who lost the loves of their lives early in their marriages. Each had a good marriage filled with lots of love and happiness. But it was cut short. Then the war happened. The second world war. The one that would change their lives forever.

Josephine is the the grandmother and mother in law. She is the eldest and the head of the family. She has loved this place her entire life. But she is also getting tired. She wants to join her husband. But it's not time yet. She has work to do. She has a family who needs her. Josephine is such a wonderful woman. She's truly strong even in her advanced age. Her memory is not quite as sharp as it was. But she is also very clever. Never under estimate her.

Helene is the daughter in law of Josephine and mother to Gabrielle and Paulette. She's very well respected and loved in her family. She's a force also. A strong woman who will do anything to protect her children. What she does and goes through is proof that she is not selfish. She loves this life and home. She loves all the women here. She fights to protect them.

Gabrielle is the one I really liked best of all. She is a fighter just like her mother and grandmother. She loves the villa with everything she has. She works very hard to keep the champagne going. Her whole life is geared toward making it better than before. Each year should be better. A very hard working woman who has pretty much sacrificed her life for her family and their livelihood.

Then we have Paulette. She's young and like most young ladies she is kind of selfish and dumb. Not dumb in a feeble way. Dumb in the silly things she does. The mistakes she makes. The trouble that seems to follow her. She has a good heart though. But I still didn't much like her. She got on my nerves.

The three main women are strong and forceful when they are pushed. They do what it takes to survive when the Nazi's invade their home. They each have a job to do. To keep each other safe and alive. This is the story of one family during the time France was invaded by the Nazis. How they endured the things that went on. Who did what they could to help. The big huge sacrifices they made just to keep each other safe. How far each was wiling to go to make sure they made it through this war.

This is a different kind of historical fiction than I usually read. It's excellent. It's centered around the LeBlanc family. The chateau where they grow grapes for making champagne. What happened to them. How they survived. It's part love story also. The love of family and friends. The love between two unlikely people also. It's a well rounded story that will give you many emotions. A whole lot of tears though. Be warned.

Thank you to #netgalley, #reneeryan, #harlequin for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

5/5 huge stars and a high recommendation. You don't want to miss this one.

The Wolf

The vineyards of Champagne create the best champagne around any of the vineyards. Those vineyards are tended by Gabrielle and her grandmother Josephine. Her mother Helene and her sister Paulette also live at Champagne.

When the war comes the Nazi's move into their home and the family becomes their servants. The Nazi's take their champagne, but not before Gabrielle hides the best of it where they cannot find it.

When the Nazi officer that has been living in their home disappears a Gestapo agent is set to arrest Helene. Paulette tells a secret that almost costs all of them their lives, however the Gestapo agent is not as he appears..

This is a story of resistance, betrayal, love and heartbreak. It is action packed and keeps you guessing. I loved all the characters, but especially that of Gabrielle for her corageous and her undying faith. Josephine's character was also good, she cared so much for all her family and fought valiantly to keep everyone safe even though she was facing health challenges of old age.

I was really interested in the history of how the grapes were grown and how champagne was made by blending different tastes. I thought that part added so much to the story.

This was a great read and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Renee Ryan, Harlequin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for my honest review.

Three generations of widowed women taking care of the vineyards of Chateau Fouche-Leblanc.

Gabrielle is the youngest of the women and the most responsible for keeping the vineyard alive, but she knows the Germans have been occupying European countries and knows France won't be spared.

Gabrielle knows she must somehow keep the best champagne from falling into the hands of the Germans. She builds a concealed wall to hide her best stock in hopes it will not be discovered.

Her mother, Helene, and her grandmother are concerned about the occupations, but they have another secret to keep.

Finding out the Germans had invaded France was bad enough, but when one arrives at the Chateau's door and demands to live there with the women is even worse.

We follow the women as they endure the German occupation of France and their home and struggle to save their champagne legacy.

Gabrielle was my favorite because of her resilience and efforts.

Helene was cool but calculating, and she was desperately trying to protect and save her family and her secret.

Josephine, the matriarch, was likable and tough, and I felt sorry for her because of her memory issues, but her diary is what helped protect her family since it told what she had seen and forgotten.

The fierceness of this family and the vineyard owners all over Reims to protect their vineyards, their champagne, and their country was very evident.

Fans of France during WWII, strong women, champagne and how it's made won't want to miss this marvelously written, pull-you-in storyline.

Ms. Ryan's writing style is engaging and quickly captures your attention.

THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE is a beautiful read with true-to-life characters and marvelous descriptions of what the French people and these women endured and fought for.

A fantastic read as you feel the terror, the love, and the strength of each woman.

Be sure it is in your reading list. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an excellent WW2 book set in the champagne region of France, and centered on the three women of the family who manage the business after all being widowed. With the war starting, and
the Germans literally moving into their house, the women are forced to actions that they may not agree with, but that can help them in resistance efforts. This is a story of strength, creativity, and resilience.

I absolutely LOVED loved loved this book! Fantastic writing, a clean read (i appreciated the author writing about hard issues in a sensitive way, and I've told some of my sensitive reader friends that this is a definite clean read for them), amazing story line. I was engrossed with this book from beginning to end. Thank you thank you for allowing me to read this!

I'm not sure that words will do this marvelous book justice. Renee Ryan definitely earns 5/5 stars for her creative historical fiction account of Champagne, France during the German occupation. There are many difficult parts to read due to the events and brutality of the era, yet it is worthwhile to capture a glimpse of what people endured. This account of three strong generations of women is beautifully written with a stunning conclusion and planted a motivation to read more from the author.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish

I did enjoy this sweet read. Which sounds strange to say about a novel set during WWII. But it was sweet and I loved the friendships in the story as well.