This woman Madame Pommery had everything against her. She couldn't own property if she was married, she was a woman, society rules, etc, yet she became one of the world's most successful women in the late 1800's. She knew what she liked, champagne and made it better. Easy to read and a wonderful journey reading about her life and champagne. Raise a glass to a delightful read. The author, Rebecca Rosenberg is my new favorite author, can't wait to read more of her books.

Excellent book that kept me interested. The historical details, woven throughout with the gripping story made for a book I didn't want to put down. Madame Pommery was an inspirational and courageous woman of vision who persevered through daunting times to find success. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more works by this author.

1858 France. Delicious. Heart wrenching during the war. Victorious afterward. Beautiful story about a strong, smart woman who followed her instincts in creating a new business when told she would fail, was betrayed and brow beaten, while caring for and nurturing an entire town with dignity and grace. And she changed champagne forever. Bravo! Hard to put down. (Mildly risqué.)

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#NetGalley #MadamePommery #RebeccaRosenberg #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #LionHeartPublishing #HistoricalFiction #FiveStarHistorical

I loved learning the story of Madame Pommery and this novel was rich in historical detail.
Many thanks to Lion Heart Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A fascinating historical fiction book, though I did enjoy the previous installment more. I liked the worldbuilding and the characters. I haven't known anything about the heroines of this series, so it has been fun to see these fictional versions of them and the stories behind these incredible and unconventional businesswomen.

Rebecca Rosenberg has done it again. After my love for Champagne Widows, I knew I had to continue on. Based in fact but with a fictional twist and hand to it, the story of Madame Pommery is enticing and addicting. Rosenberg has a talent for telling these historic stories with enough passion that anyone would be interested in staying until the end.

What I've learned from the writing is that the complexities and stigma that these women overcame to make a lasting name for themselves is truly inspiring. With so much grit and determination, Madame Pommery was another lovable character that held so much passion for her craft. Her entire personality throughout was gripping and the level of 'no-nonsense' from others she had, honestly I laughed out loud at some of her quips and quirks.

I'm curious where Rosenberg will take us next because I'm itching to know more about these powerhouse women who broke out of the societal mold and created a lasting brand for themselves.

Having visited the Champagne region a few years ago it was fascinating to read more about the people who created the drink that I do enjoy.
I had no idea that the style of champagne that is so popular now was such a late invention, nor that it was created by a woman who dealt with so much scorn from the other (male) champagne makers in the region. I also loved that she only created the drink because she didn't like the red wine that her family traditionally made.

I'm not sure if the snobbery story line told about her daughter's love life was needed or true and this did detract a little from the story for me but over all I enjoyed the book and did treat myself to a glass of bubbles while reading it.

In her first book about women makers of champagne, Rebecca Rosenberg introduces the reader to Madame Alexandrine Pommery, a former etiquette teacher and widow who turns to the champagne business after her husband’s death. Based on a true story, the reader follows the life of Madame Pommery and her struggles and triumphs as she attempts to establish Pommery Champagne while dealing with personal struggles and successes. Rosenberg’s characters are lively and exciting, and their struggles are varied and challenging. Set in Napoleon III’s France and around the destructive Franco-Prussian War, Rosenberg brings the settings and characters to life, painting a vivid picture of late nineteenth century France and bringing the reader into the midst of Madame Pommery’s life. Rosenberg’s characters are the highlight of the story, as are the many relationships that Pommery creates, ends, and maintains. Rosenberg’s prose and descriptions are compelling and interesting, while her familiarity with the history of champagne, the women who made it, and late nineteenth century France add to the charm of the narrative. Rebecca Rosenberg has begun a fantastic series with Madame Pommery, and if the next books are anything like this novel, then readers are in for a treat.

This was a well-written, interesting account of life in 1800s-1900s France and how difficult it was to run a business as a woman. Madame Pommery was a strong woman who had to revamp her husband’s business and created an empire that continues to thrive today. The writing was easy to follow and wasn’t bogged down with too many technical terms about champagne making. I enjoyed learning more about the champagne business but found the translations to be lacking and the idioms incorrectly used in some places. Otherwise, I was completely entranced by this story and am eager to try Rosenberg’s first Champagne novel about Veuve Clicquot as well as change any vacations plans to include a visit to Mme Pommery’s castle.

It’s the story of Madame Pommery, a woman who doesn’t listen well to what others tell her to do. I love that! Instead she listens with her heart, and does what she thinks is best. LIke secretly excavating the the champagne caves under the city dump, and then when the Prussians invade, she uses her secret wine caves to house the French resistance fighters. I loved this story!!

I found the Kindle Edition for free on Amazon via Freebooksy, then I was given a copy of the paperback from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
You should know: some form or other of LGBT
-I bought the book because it said it was book #1 of a series which I had already read book #2 but it wasn't part of a series at the time I read it. Ill-planned, Madame Pommery happens AFTER Veuve Clicquot; she's ~80 y.o. in this book.
-I've said it in Veuve Clicquot and will say it again: This particular author should stick to English. She doesn't know French, doesn't understand the quotes she puts in, and it's not because it's in France that you need to put French words here and there and have no idea how to use them. For ex., "à la santé" is not "au santé" and it means "Cheers!" nothing else. "La bise" is the action of kissing so you can't say "I kiss you the kiss" or "you're kissing me the kiss". This last one, as well at the previous one, are all over the book and it's insulting. There is Dutch, Scottish, German, French and English. I hope the other languages are better than the French and English. Since I had a published and unpublished work, I was reading from one to the other and on the more offensive ones, I checked both. No surprise, the published work was not edited at all.
-The description is wrong about: "But when her former lover, a Scottish Baron, unexpectedly proposes marriage, Madame Pommery must choose between nobility and her passionate quest for fine champagne and the most beautiful winery in the world." He never asked or she never answered and disappeared when his honor was crushed. When he came back, years later, he was already remarried and she didn't know about it. Her heart was also elsewhere so it would never had happened anyways. The second thing is that yes, she wanted to create a champagne, but the real goal was to leave something to Louis and Louise, her children, which is why she didn't marry her lover Henry, but unlike V. Clicquot, she kept him.
-Instead of translating with Google, the author should have done a better job and say the real meaning. Ex. "Avoir la tête dans le pâté To have one’s head in the pâté” really means to feel groggy. “Ce n’est pas la mer à boire. Not as difficult as drinking the sea." means it's no big deal. "Avoir d’autres chats à fouetter To have other cats to whip" Anglophones say "to have other fish to fry". Same with "Coûter les yeux de la tête To cost the eyes of your head". In English the correct expression is "to cost an arm and a leg".
-Confused. Why is Damas called the bird boy? Why does he have grey/white hair when he's just a boy?
-A bit unbelievable. She's 3 y.o. "Louise takes his hands and looks up at him with big violet eyes. “Grand-père Greno, please don’t take away our winery.”" I also thought unacceptable that Alexandrine brought Louise everywhere while Lucille was nowhere to be seen. And, as a child, she was in the way, and hindered business to proceed.
-Every time Mr. Wolfe was in the picture I couldn't believe my ears. WTF. It was about time she got rid of him, especially after he recommended her home for the Prussians.
-The Francs-Tireurs got caught in the tunnels and it's her fault but no one blames her. Her son tells her explicitly to stay away. What does she do? Runs to the crayères, all the while being following by the enemy.
-At the end, I laughed so hard it was ridiculous. She blows-up a giant bottle of champagne over the people and they are all dressed-up to the nines. I would have been furious but they are all laughing.
-I enjoyed how she adapted with every problems, the firsts being her husband dying without leaving her any money and losing many of his employees because she's a woman. Then we have the councilors in town, the war and the rest. Brave, with an idea in her head, with people believing enough in her to help create that dream.

My Review:

Madame Pommery is a fascinating story of an amazing woman who, irrespective of all the hurdles, decided to follow her vision and dream.

Set in the period of 1800s France, this story is based on the real-life story of Madame Pommery, creator of Brut Champagne. She goes completely against society, which liked more of a sweeter champagne and a market dominated by other champagne houses. It's also dominated by men who can not abide women in the business. She also encounters challenges of war and has to prove her business acumen.

This is a brilliant story, and I had to google immediately this amazing woman. The pictures of her creations are beautiful. I do not drink, or else I would have enjoyed a glass of this dry champagne. It's a book that I really enjoyed.

Thank you, Lion Heart Publishing and Netgalley for this book.

This book follows recently widowed Madame Pommery who finds herself in need of money to keep them going she has two companies inherited by her late husband a winery and a wool company. She decides to ditch the wool and focus all efforts on the winery. But in a world where women are not dealt with alot can she survive?

She makes bold decisions that are unheard of in this time frame. Changing wine to what we now know as Brute Champagne in a world where Champagne is sweet as heck. she decides to make it less sweet looking for a dryer Champagne.

So much happens in this book and you feel pulled in wanting to see how everything plays out especially during a Napoleon France. She is armed with her wits and a vision no could think would work. I really enjoyed seeing what she accomplished especially during the time frame!

Anyone who likes historical novels based on things we have now like Brut will appreciate what this author has given us a heck of a story about a wonderful lady!

“If life brings you troubles, drink some bubbles.”
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That’s a motto I can get behind!
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Madame Pommery is the second Champagne Widows book and follows Alexandrine Pommery, creator of brut champagne. I felt a special connection to Madame Pommery. She went from etiquette teacher constantly following all of the rules to rule breaker and way maker in the most badass of ways. The descriptions of the region and the winery made me want to book a flight to Reims. I’ve definitely added Pommery to my bucket list now.
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I highly recommend this book if you like historical fiction, badass heroines, and a great supporting cast including a feisty matagot named Felix.
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Thank you to Lion Heart Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Madame Pommery by Rebecca Rosenberg is the story of Madame Pommery, Jeanne Alexandrine Louise, who has founded an orphanage and also teaches etiquette, and some of her teachings are scattered throughout the book.

She loses her husband at a young age, and she is left with a young daughter and a teenage son. Her husband had operated a wool business and a small winery on the side. She is only 40 when her husband dies so she has to support her family. She decides to use the winery for making champagne and not wine. She is told by the villagers that it can't be done because she is a woman. In France at this time, women can only inherit if they are a widow.

She learns the trade from whomever she can just not from fellow champagne makers and once her business is off the ground, she now needs somewhere to store all the champagne that has been made. She starts excavating under the dump in the caves in Reims. She purchased 120 limestone and chalk pits, called crayeres which were carved underneath 12 miles of the city of Reims by Roman soldiers during their occupation of Gaul.

Soon France is involved in the Franco-Prussian war, after Napolean and his troops are captured, Prussian General Frederick Franz takes over her home and insists that she and the women in town serve his troops. She does, only to keep her champagne safe from them. Franz and his men are cruel but Madame soon is able to befriend him, although unwillingly. She will protect her winery at all costs.

Then her past lover proposes marriage but she turns him down as she has feelings for another. She struggles to make the champagne that she wants, dry champagne and not the surgery ones that England and France are used to.

This story is based on a true story of a woman who revolutionized the art of champagne making. Changing it to Brut champagne, she had opposition along the way, even from her own son. But she persevered and created a remarkable product for the world to enjoy!

I always love a good story about strong women and this is a good one. Great research, and great writing all make a great story!
I give it 5 stars.

"MADAME POMMERY" by Rebecca Rosenberg - Advanced Review Copy

"So glad I received an ARC of this lovely, well-written book.

It's been a stellar 2023 reading year for me thus far, and I am pleased to say this book is a part of this top notch group of books.

This is the first book I've read from Rebecca Rosenberg... and I am pretty sure it won't be my last. I enjoyed her writing style and the way she fleshed out Madame Pommery with a realism that sprung from the very pages of this book. Strong, determined, a woman with a vision that was destined to exist and thrive in an era where female entrepreneurs are frowned upon. I admire her conviction to fight for her place in the world... to make her dreams a glowing reality. The book illuminated my own hope and determination to never fold under pressure or if obstacles are thrown my way.

It's always a nice experience when a reader can connect with a book and be inspired. A wonderful, "true story."

Thank you kindly to Rebecca Rosenberg for an ARC of her lovely book."

RATING: 5 / 5

No one believe in her, everyone doubt her. Madame Pommery believe in her vision and make it happend. She make revolution in champagne world, it is a long journey with many obstacle. Her believe and support from her family make her strong and keep going. Till succsess reach her and finally she can leave legacy to her childrens. Her relationship with Henry really sweet, Henry always beside her no matter what happend, until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#MadamePommery #RebeccaRosenberg #BrutChampagne #NetGalley #ARC#IndependentBookPublishersAssociation #IBPA

This novel is about a widow named Madame Pommery and her vision to make entirely a unique and beautiful Champagne where she gets tutored by Champagne makers without imitating Veve Clicquot and Moet who dominates the market. Madame Pommery's husband passed away leaving behind his failing wool and wine business. Monsieur Greno owns half the business and he must be paid as well as she had a mortage on the building to be paid along with the payment of her son's education. Madame Pommery had dedicated her life to the orphanage started by her at the Saint Remi Auxillary. Reynad Wolfe, the young Germán banker, and executor of Madame Pommery's husband gave free financial advice to them which they enjoyed.

Madame Pommery wished to pay off the mortgage by continuing with her husband's business as selling would leave little for her and their children after liquidating, whereas Greno wanted to leave Pommery's business as it was too much for him. French wool was not selling as Britain lowered their prices and nobody would buy it as the French people faced with a breaking point with all the new taxes to pay Napolean.

I have never heard of an ambitious go-getter and inspiring woman named Madame Pommery until I read this book, about her jaw-dropping discoveries to create the first brut champagne to the world with great commercial success, the Pommery Nature in 1974. Her vision and her personality were seen in her champagne breaking the normal norms of sweet wine. The legacy of Pommery wines is pure and fine. Madame Pommery is known as a cultured, educated, and fashionable woman. She inherited her husband's winery but she loved champagne and becomes determined to make champagne. Even being told that woman especially a widow cannot get into champagne making business as it is dangerous and risky the bank cannot afford. Even then Madame Pommery had a vision and faith to create a champagne that is entirely refreshing, and beautiful and started making it. With her said traits Pommery becomes a champagne house and is exhibits in the Great London Exhibition. What drove her is the elusive process of creating the perfect champagne. I highly recommend this captivating and engaging story based on true events to historical fiction readers.

I just reviewed MADAME POMMERY by Rebecca Rosenberg. #MADAMEPOMMERY #NetGalley

Madame Pommery is a forty-one year-old widow who is left to raise a young daughter and support her adult son through college. In order to support herself financially, she decides to sell off her struggling wool business to make champagne. She wants to attempt what no other champagne maker has ever done before by adding less sugar. Even though her business prospect is risky, she is determined that her vision will succeed. However, there are many obstacles that stand in her way including war and love. Madame Pommery must overcome these challenges to establish her legacy in the champagne industry.

Madame Pommery is an admirable figure. Even though she took over her husband’s wine business, she still had to start from scratch because many of her husband’s workers left the winery, and she wanted to create a different type of champagne. Therefore, Madame Pommery was tenacious, a risk taker, and a visionary. She never gave up on pursuing her dream. She also found the right people who helped make her champagne a success. Thus, Madame Pommery was a pioneering figure because she revolutionized the champagne industry.

Overall, this novel is about dreams, family, and change. The message of this book is to never stop chasing after your dreams. While Madame Pommery is a well-developed character, many others are flat. I also found the romance aspect to be unnecessary. I also found it unconvincing that she had many suitors fighting over her. Despite these flaws, it was a fast-paced novel that was filled with historical detail. My favorite part was her entrepreneurship and how she established a successful business. Madame Pommery was an enthralling read of a fascinating woman whose story I had not heard before. Therefore, I am very interested in learning more about her. I recommend this novel for fans of The French House, The Winemakers, and The Winemaker’s Wife!

Once again Rebecca Rosenberg has delivered another great novel. This time an insight into the life of Madame Pommery. The creator of the first Brut champagne. I woman who led with her convictions and stood up to powerful men to achieve her dream.
Before I finished the book I had to go out and by a bottle so as I finished the final pages I savoured her creation. The woman led through hard times to create a path for herself and her children Louis and Louise. In a male dominated world she survived hard times and a war.
I would really love to see Ms Rosenbergs books brought to the screen. They tell of a by gone era. The first power women.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an ARC.