Grace Callaghan is a widow in her 20s. Her late husband Tom leaves her a letter telling her to go out and enjoy life and includes a world trip ticket for her to begin her adventure. Three years later and she is helping to organise a memorial but will this finally heal her heart...?
How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart? is a wonderful mix of humour and heartbreak. The letter from Tom at the beginning grabbed my heart and squeezed it so tight. His fun personality radiates through his 'goodbye letter' to his beloved wife, but the tinge of sadness almost had me blubbing in the opening pages!
The richness of the nuances of love and life are brilliantly evoked over the course of the book. The first person narrative of Grace as well as the letters she and Tom wrote to each other while he was travelling bring both characters to life vividly.
Grace and Tom did not have the perfect relationship but their love resonates through the pages. His final gift of a world trip gave Grace the unexpected opportunity to be a mother and to make unlikely friends, but she has still not moved on from her grief.
Despite the poignancy, there are wonderful turns of phrase and humour which make this a truly uplifting book. There are brilliant run ins with the head of the PTA, playground politics and family bickering that feels so natural and will have you smiling.
This is the fourth book to feature the Callaghan sisters and I loved the previous one Did My Love Life Shrink In The Wash? The sisters have a great relationship with each other and support each other whilst also teasing each other relentlessly.
How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart? is a genuine, warm novel that manages to make you both happy and sad as you read.

This is a little bit more of a serious, soul searching book than what I am used to from Kristen Bailey but I enjoyed it just as much, if not more than other books I have read by her.

I really liked the character of Grace, and although I could not relate to her story specifically, I could definitely relate to her need to separate her 'old' or previous life from her new life. Grace is a likeable, relatable, down to earth character and resilient character and I felt proud watching her grow. I was a little envious of her relationship with her sisters and loved seeing all their personalities!

Within the story itself, the pace isn't always fast but there is a definite sense of build up and anticipation to a key event, which helps to structure the book and give a sense of direction.

I really enjoyed this book and will obviously definitely read more by Kirsten, but I have to say I wanted more at the end!

How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart?" by Kristen Bailey

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As a wine enthusiast, I was immediately drawn to the title "How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart?" by Kristen Bailey, and it did not disappoint! This book is a delightful blend of humor, heartache, and the healing power of friendship, all with a generous pour of wine to keep things interesting.

Bailey’s story revolves around Grace, who finds herself grappling with the aftermath of a devastating breakup. The plot takes us through her journey of self-discovery and healing, accompanied by her quirky, wine-loving friends who are always ready to lend an ear and a glass. The author’s ability to intertwine the theme of wine into the narrative is both clever and relatable, especially for those of us who find solace and joy in a good bottle of vino.

One of the standout features of this book is the way Bailey depicts the characters. Grace is an incredibly relatable protagonist, navigating the ups and downs of heartbreak with a mix of humor and vulnerability. Her friends add a vibrant dynamic to the story, each bringing their own personalities and perspectives, which enriches the narrative. Their wine-fueled adventures and heartfelt conversations are both hilarious and touching, making you feel like you’re part of their circle.

The writing style is engaging and witty, with a perfect balance of humor and emotional depth. Bailey has a knack for capturing the nuances of human relationships and the complexities of moving on after a breakup. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, and the pacing keeps you hooked from the first page to the last.

As a wine lover, I appreciated the detailed and affectionate references to various wines throughout the book. It’s clear that Bailey knows her stuff, and she weaves this knowledge seamlessly into the story. The descriptions of wine-tasting sessions, the different varietals, and the settings where the characters enjoy their wine add an extra layer of enjoyment for readers who share this passion.

One of the most compelling aspects of "How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart?" is how it addresses the process of healing and self-discovery. The book doesn’t shy away from the messiness of heartbreak but instead embraces it, showing that it’s okay to lean on friends, find comfort in small pleasures (like a good glass of wine), and take the time needed to heal. Grace’s journey is a testament to resilience and the importance of self-love, making it a truly inspiring read.

In conclusion, "How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart?" is a heartwarming and entertaining read that beautifully combines humor, emotion, and the love of wine. Kristen Bailey has crafted a story that is both relatable and uplifting, perfect for anyone who has ever had their heart broken and found solace in the company of good friends and good wine. I highly recommend this book to fellow wine enthusiasts and anyone looking for a funny, heartfelt story about the highs and lows of life and love. Cheers to Kristen Bailey for creating such a delightful and resonant tale!

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

I laughed out loud while reading this story. You don't hear much of Grace's story until you read this book and I really enjoyed it. I loved getting to know her and I really connected with her.

I loved how the story was written and you got both Grace and Tom's stories in one almost. The letters he wrote to her and Grace's journey really make you lose yourself in the book and feel all the emotions! It was beautifully written in a way that wasn't really maudlin and left you feeling down when you finished it, it made you feel happy and hopefully and appreciating life a whole lot more!

Despite having some heartbreak it did make me laugh and the ability to have you doing both is a testament to Kristen's storytelling! I hope I can be as good a writer as her someday!

The whole Callaghan series has stayed with me since I finished it and I recommend it to everyone, all the stories are a must read, you won't be disappointed!

When it comes to uproariously funny and hilariously witty romantic comedies, Kristen Bailey’s books simply cannot be beaten and in How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart? she has penned another fantastic read that will have you roaring with laughter, but which will also touch your heart and bring a tear to your eye.

Grace Callaghan’s life had imploded when she lost the love of her life. With her heart smashed into a million tiny pieces, Grace had no other choice but try her best to forge ahead and move forward with her life which had been anything but easy. Having lost the man she had hoped to spend the rest of her life with, Grace had vowed never to experience that kind of pain ever again. Her heart was going to be off limits from now on and she was not going to let down her guard or allow anyone to get too close to her. Grace thinks she is protecting herself from pain and anguish, but could her resolve to keep the world at bay end up costing her the chance to fall in love again?

Grace doesn’t think she needs love and romance in her life. After all, she always has a bottle of wine close by which always helps to dull the pain, improve her spirits and brighten up her day. With her heart firmly barricaded, Grace decides to start letting her hair down and to begin having some fun. Of course, what everybody had omitted to tell her was that being footloose and fancy-free isn’t always a barrel of laughs! From guys who keep saying their ex’s name who refuse to take their socks off to breaking into replica ships from the fifteenth century and falling off the plank, Grace is certainly having her fair share of adventures. But will stepping out of her comfort zone and taking chances bring her closer to finding the happiness which she never thought she would experience ever again? Or will she end up paying the highest price of all because she is scared she will get hurt again?

Kristen Bailey’s How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart? exquisitely balances heart-wrenching pathos and searing emotion with side-splitting humour and delicious wit. How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart? had me reaching for the tissues and laughing out loud as I found myself cheering Grace on and hoping that she would find the happiness which she deserved.

In How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart?, Kristen Bailey deftly explores grief, the courage to start again and the resilience that sees us through difficult times in a hopeful, optimistic and engrossing page-turner readers will thoroughly enjoy.

I am a self confessed Kristen Bailey fan girl and I have loved the Callaghan sisters. As an only child they make me yearn for something I’ll never have but you feel part of the clan as soon as you read the first page.

I loved Grace. As a young widow navigating life without Tom her journey felt so sad but hopeful. Adopting the little girls and becoming a mum was a beautiful character arc. They were a delight to read about.

The problem I have when I love a book is I don’t know what to say. However I love this author and will auto buy anything she writes!

This book elicits several emotions that a reader hopes to go through while wrapped up in a story: sadness, humor, empathy, and hope. I found myself reflecting on my own life in comparison to the story and for that this book shines.

However, it falls short in capturing the reader’s attention and thus, took me awhile to get through. In a world of so many enriched stories, I feel that this book needs a bit of editing to really drive the reader’s ongoing interest.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect for the all the right reasons - feels like a warm hug on a cold day -- I loved it! Curl up with a nice glass of Chardonnay and enjoy this :)

Cute book that will make you laugh out loud at some parts. I think we can all see ourselves at some point in these pages.

I really enjoyed this, it was funny in places, with a great storyline.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I have loved each book in this series a little bit more than the last one, but I will admit to looking forward to the stories about Grace (and Lucy) the most.
From the moment that it was introduced that Grace had adopted two little girls from Vietnam, I knew that no matter what else her story contained, that I would be able to relate to her. And this review is going to be very personal for a particular reason.
Disclosure time:
My husband and I adopted our son from Ethiopia. He had just turned four when we brought him home. (Our son, not my husband 😊)
We had to go through adoptive parent training, which was different from Grace’s experience. But we learned a lot, including what it meant to be a “conspicuous family.” And yes, it is exactly what it sounds like – when the child does not match the ethnicity of the parents.
We have been fortunate enough to have lived in places where people accept us and where we rarely get a second look. In fact, we often keep a low profile at soccer matches because we think it’s funny to hear what other people say about our son when they think nobody is around to hear it.
Side note – it’s usually about how good he is (which is very cool). There was one time a coach walked right by us to ask our son where his parents were. The look on the coach’s face was priceless.
But I digress.
Anyway, I knew that Grace’s conspicuous family would feel familiar, and boy did it. We have had the “real family/real parents” comment thrown at us, as well as the “all countries of a region are the same” sentiment that Carrie exhibits when discussing the PTA fundraiser.
And, like Grace, I firmly put the mom in place with a few comments – when what I really wanted to do was punch her in the face. I imagine Grace to be the same way. I don’t have any sisters to help me out though.
But that’s why I was looking forward to her. Even that tenuous connection made me feel like I understood her better than the others. For that reason, I think I was able to also fit other aspects of her story into my own.
Example: my husband is still alive (thank goodness!) but as I read this book, he was in Spain with our son (soccer tournament – go figure). So, in a strange way, I could kind of understand Grace’s feeling of loss.
Tom sounds like he would have been a lot like my husband. A prankster, looking for the fun aspect of things, teasing and trying to make jokes when things got too serious. That all sounded familiar as well.
But mostly it was about the kids. That connected me to her character in a way I don’t think has ever happened before. Just about every thought Grace had about Maya and Cleo and her mothering them could have been picked from my brain.
Now, as to the book itself, it’s another great entry in the saga of the Callaghan sisters. They all make appearances and at this point, it’s like visiting with family you haven’t seen in a while.
I thoroughly enjoy how the author allows the sisters to continue their stories in natural time throughout the other’s stories. It adds realism and keeps the interest in the family. I mean, it’s really difficult to not like all of them, even as they are each very different.
What I liked most about this book, however, is that the author treated death and the toll it takes on those left behind with respect, but also with humor. Grief can take many forms, and everyone deals with it differently.
Whether it is reading a (questionably inappropriate) poem at a memorial or helping an old friend through an (oddly appropriate) interview at a school, Tom’s friends were reflective of the person he was. I loved getting to know him that way.
I also loved that Grace and Tom weren’t perfect. They weren’t a star-crossed, tragic, “meant to be” people. They just…were.
And I think the author showed great courage in how she chose to complete the story. In a sense, Grace’s trajectory was quite different from that of the sisters in previous books.
As Grace was using everything she had learned from people to move forward with her life, the hint of her future was very welcome at the end. I really hope we get a bit more of her in Lucy’s story.
Speaking of, after a drunken encounter on a historic ship (and an ensuing conversation with a child about mermaid features) I really cannot wait for her story!
Here’s where you can read my reviews of the other sisters’ stories: Meg, Emma, and Beth.

This was a lovely book. Funny, and very poignant as the main character, Grace, goes to a memorial for her husband Tom, who died at 28 of testicular cancer. The school where he taught has dedicated a wing to him, and Grace invited all the people whose lives touched his. He was a great traveler, and had friends all over the world. Grace adopted 2 little girls from Vietnam after his death, their deceased parents were friends of Tom’s. Grace is still grieving, but she has her girls and her sisters to help her, and she’s learning that there’s no timetable from grief to finally pass.

There were really funny moments, as well as some painful ones. I thought the title didn’t do the book justice. The writing was great, it really flowed. I highly recommend this book, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to #netgalley for the early access to this book, though I didn't finish it until after publication! Oops!
The story follows the fourth Callaghan sister Grace as she navigates the world around her after loss. It is a beautifully written story around grief and coming to terms with loss, as well as finding love, and healing, in new people and new family. It was a beautiful premis to the book and was written really well and sensitively, whilst retaining a light-hearted edge.
Grace was an okay character, I loved her daughters and her sister Lucy more- I can 100% see me picking up Lucy's story once it's written! I found myself feeling sad and empathy for Grace and her loss but also I laughed out loud at the inuendos and just real-life-like moments- this book had some great little comedy moments! And I loved the sisterly scenes as they filled me with joy! A real emotional rollercoaster!
I loved the story's essential view of take your time, there's no right way to grieve. And the ending was so satisfying and made me feel so positive for Grace and her future with her girls.

For all it's pros, the biggest reason this is a 3 for me is I just needed more storyline. It was a very minimal storyline which I imagine was to allow for it to focus on the raw emotion, but it just didn't keep me engaged, hence it has taken me an age to read! I liked it, it was funny in places and emotional, but it's just not one that kept me addicted and wanting to binge read, so I just don't think it was 100% for me overall.

It seems strange to describe this as a comedy, but it really is, despite that it is about grief, loss and life. Grace was devastated when her husband, Tom, was diagnosed with testicular cancer and died soon after. He was always such a cheerful person, making the most of life’s opportunities and he’s determined Grace will do the same after he has gone. He leaves her a letter, challenging her in a positive way and giving detailed instructions for her to follow…..

There’s no time limit to grief and it isn’t the same for any two people. This is the story of how Grace, her family, friends and Tom. It is shared through his letters to Grace, discussions of past events and planning for the future. Her two adopted children are key to many of the encounters, adding their own support and interpretation to everything. This is an inspirational story about moving on, opening your heart, remembering loved ones and being willing to risk loving again. With marvellous memories, wonderful wine, great friends, loving sisters, delightful children and lots of support, maybe Grace can learn to live again.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Hearts is the fourth book in the Callaghan Sisters series by Kristen Bailey. When I first picked up this book I had not realized it was part of a series, but even though it is part of a series it can definitely be read as a standalone. Although, after reading this one, I am definitely going to have to go back and read books 1-3.

Grace Callaghan lost the love of her life, her husband Tom, to cancer three years prior. Since then, life has been much different for her. She now has two adopted daughters, some crazy PTA friends and a semi relationship with a divorced father. Grace is navigating through life, a life that looks much different for what she originally planned with her husband Tom. Will Grace finally learn how to be at peace while learning how to live once again?

OMG The prologue of this story! Wow, it had me in tears and yet there were these little sprinkles of laughter mixed in with the sadness. Which I may add, seemed to be a recurring theme for me throughout the entirety of this story. Kristen Bailey has the right amount of sadness and laughter mixed in and sometimes you will find yourself doing both at the same time. This is a heartwarming story and even though it centers around the death of a partner, there are a lot of lighter moments that stop this book from becoming way too dreary. Everyone processes grief differently and Bailey did such a wonderful job of showcasing the ups and downs that Grace experienced in such a realistic way which made Grace all the more of a well rounded fleshed out character that I could bond with and root for.

If you love a laugh out loud story with heartwarming and tender moments then you definitely will want to pick up a copy of How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart by Kristen Bailey.

We have reached the time to learn Grace’s story, as we last saw her returning with the two little girls she adopted in Vietnam after a round-the-world trip arranged to help her deal with the grief after losing her husband Tom. Tom arranged the trip, paid for it and set the itinerary – determined that Grace (who should have travelled with him after Uni) would meet and bond with the people and places he found while traveling before coming back to adulthood and Britain and teaching.

Grace is still grieving, and has put ALL of her energy into raising the two girls she’s been entrusted to care for. From dealing with the other school-gate parents, to the PTA, and adjusting to living in a new place without her beloved Tom, she’s understandably stressed and struggling. And what I love about this series is the sisters – willing to drop everything to push, cajole, support and simply love on Grace and her girls – because they are family. This one is full of surprise laughs (because really, those sisters have mouths on them) and some really outrageous (but always amusing) ways of looking at situations, the world around them and even for Grace. With the understanding and support of the girls’ birth grandmother Linh who returned to England to help, the oft irreverent and always amusing youngest sister Lucy, some solid sistering from both Emma and Meg and a bit of drama from the usual gossip around the school gates, the story shows Grace growing, gaining confidence and being an all-around wonderful character – full of flaws, concerns and questions (like we all have) but pushing through despite them all in hope for more.

I love this book, and the Callaghan sisters – a group of ride or die supportive sisters with a Mum who is always frustrating to the sisters, but one who never lets the outside world see that she doesn’t support them fully and completely – the series is full of people you want to know, need to know, and wish you had the support and love from. For they love deeply, completely and unconditionally, even when they don’t fully comprehend your manner of going about things. One of my favorite series that focuses on family – the good, the bad, the messy and most of all the love.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aWP /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Reading this book was such a delight, although I wasn't prepared for the range of emotions I would experience. This heartwarming story had me laughing and crying at the same time.

Kristen Bailey does a remarkle job of striking a perfect balance of dealing with difficult topics such as the many facets of grief whilst making her readers laugh out loud. A difficult feat to accomplish.

A brilliant, heartwarming read. I look forward to reading more from Kristen Bailey.

Thank you Netgalley & Bookouture for the ARC of this book.

I absolutely adore this author! I knew this was going to be a hilarious and fantastic read from just the title.

I adore that we get to revisit characters in this one. The cover is also extremely aesthetically pleasing and instantly catches the eye of the reader.

This has been an unpredictable read which I have devoured. I absolutely need a Tom in my life. As well as the author’s hilarious element, there are also heartbreaking moments in this book.

I have been completely addicted to this one. I have devoured the entire book in just one sitting and can safely say it is my favourite yet. I am definitely excited for more.

Likes
Grief is a peculiar thing. It is hard to describe as it presents differently within each person. It also doesn't infinitely remain the same feeling; it changes, develops, diminishes. Bailey presented the image of grief perfectly within this novel. She highlighted the raw emotional battle you face including the lowest points and the guilt when you feel when you begin to move forward. Bailey didn't keep the characters locked within one phase of grief, instead she presented characters who were at various stages within their grieving phase, allowing them to develop as they interact with others, who can provide support and guidance to each other. I didn't feel the book focused on sadness, it easily could have slipped into something much more serious, yet Bailey opted to look at grief in a light-hearted, humours manner.


Dislikes
I feel the nature of the book, grief, made some of the characters appear weak or needy. I understand that the writer was describing how grief can hit each person differently, thus creating an individual reaction. However, certain characters who were stuck in a phase of feeling sorry for themselves, throughout the entire novel, were hard to digest. Once again, I can see the representation of a person who can't quite process what has happened, thus relies on others for support and affirmation that they can progress and get through said event. The representation of these feelings was tremendous, however having to repetitively read the same internal monologue, thoughts, feelings, actions etc. for over 200 pages, did become slightly exasperating.


Final thoughts
I found this book to be a light-hearted and entertaining read. Bailey explored strong themes in a very realistic and truthful manner. She allowed readers to relate to her characters, their thoughts and feelings. I'm sure if you read this book you'd have just as many "oh my gosh, that's me!" moments as I did!