Perfect Vintage: if you’ve ever wanted to run away to France and own a vineyard and open a chic boutique hotel, this is the book for you! 36 year-old Lea is an interior designer who finds herself in the Loire valley in France, working on the grand opening of a new hotel, when she finds herself attracted to her client’s 24 year old son

I did not like Lea - I like that she’s smart and driven but I hate how insecure she is. She frequently comes across as incredibly whiny and immature and she’s a bit of an asshole to Theo. I almost quit multiple times, but I’m glad I stuck with it for a satisfying end.

This novel is really well-written. It flows nicely and the character interactions are enjoyable, Its a charming book with just enough tension to keep you turning the page. However, I didn’t find myself rushing to turn the page. I kept reading a chapter, then putting it down. Reading, then putting it down. The writing was great, I just found myself struggling to stay excited about the story.

5⭐
PG-13 for a sexy book that isn't that spicy (like you could probably give it to your mom and it would be NBD)

If you read one book this summer, it should be this one. Americans in France, home (read: chateau) remodeling, a mature heroine, age gap romance, clandestine meetups in vineyards and lots of family drama. Also good therapy representation! What more could I want from a book?!

This book is smart. It's dramatic. It's French (bien sur). It's sexy. It's complex. It has these incredible characters that I'm now deeply obsessed with. This book was basically Emily in Paris's posh cousin who can actually speak French but still has fab outfits and messy relationships.

In the end, this book left me with the overwhelming emotion of a cathartic ending. I had to know what happened and was left with the right level of satisfaction where I truly so these characters grow and earn their endings. A Perfect Vintage was a perfect book and an absolute must read it when it comes out.

Thank goodness I pre-ordered this book because it will be taking a place of honor on my bookshelves.

4.5 stars - A perfect read for your summer vacation, paired with a glass of wine. There is truly nothing I hate more in a novel than an age gap romance, but I have to admit this one worked. While a bit cringey at moments, I couldn’t help but root for Theo & Lea.

I loved reading about life in the chateau, ongoing construction (the way to my heart), wine tasting, and messy relationships. Chelsea Fagan’s debut is a hit!

I *loved* this book. It was a gorgeous blend of a fun romance with the depth of a more serious novel dealing with difficult situations. A bit slower paced than I typically like in the first portion but it absolutely paid off. Lea is fabulous and raw and real and relatable.

First of all, what a fun way to spend a few hours in the Loire valley! If you want to forget your troubles, this is the perfect beach read. I have a few criticisms, mostly that this book resembles a hallmark christmas movie that takes place in the summertime. The main character is literally a single childless woman in her thirties who hasn't found love because she works too much. It's just too much of a cliche for me!! I would've loved more depth and development from every character, and I also would've loved more descriptive prose about the location - it was hard to tell if the author had ever even been there? Overall not a life changing book but a fun mindless romp.

This is a perfect summer read. I loved the details and pictures the author created. I loved the attention to detail for French culture. It has convinced me to seek one of these chateaus out (recommendations welcome!). I loved the MC’s clear flaws and being able to work on them.

I do think there were a few too many characters - Chloe versus Gabriel, multiple workers the MC would talk to that I could never keep track of, etc. but this wasn’t a dealbreaker.

I think my biggest thing is the disrespect of her niece. I know that’s why everything blows up, but it’s still very irksome. I wish it could’ve been written slightly differently where she fell for Gabriel (and he wasn’t as much of an ass) so each of the women got a man.

Anyway, cute book!

5 stars- i couldn't love this book more if i tried. i don't know who i have to beg to bring this to the big screen so i can see my beloved characters come to life. thank you netgalley & the publishers for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

This was definitely a good beach read. I don't love age gap romances and this one was tolerable for me (which is saying a lot). However, not sure that I was rooting for the main couple or even the couple that wasn't central to the plot. The characters definitely were not unanimously likable to me. The setting in the Loire Valley was lush and dreamy, and I did really enjoy the concept of the plot (family rebuilding hote, woman comes into consult)..... (maybe I just want to be a vineyard hotel consultant....)
I can see some people absolutely loving this, and it was a good read, just not 100% for me.

A Perfect Vintage is a very well written and luxurious novel. It gives perspective of a mid thirties single female who is comfortable navigating her career and life as an independent, a perspective that’s not commonly written. While the writing was quite detailed, it seemed a bit overindulgent and wordy at times. The story itself was not something new, but being transported to beautiful French chateau definitely made this story more interesting.

Thank you NetGalley and Orsay Press, LLC doe this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A PERFECT VINTAGE is deliciously decadent and delectable. Sensual, sophisticated, and savory... yet at the same time I found myself devouring every page as I couldn't get enough of this story. A love affair with a younger yet mature, sexy man in the beautiful French countryside surrounded by romantically aesthetic scenery and not to mention bottles of wine. After reading, I felt tan as if it was me who was laying out in the sunshine.

Lea is always the responsible one. People go to her to fix their problems, but when does Lea get to feel alive and let loose? When does she get to acknowledge her deep desires in life and put herself first? Lea dances with the struggle of when to indulge when it is her career and close family relationships that are on the line. I so loved the resistance and undeniable connection, building up the tension between Lea and Théo. I admired and appreciated the realness of the story and characters, which is most important to me in romance novels. So beautifully written and polished. What a pleasure it was to live in Lea and Théo's world. Looking forward to reading more of this author's work!

Thank you Orsay Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Head to the French countryside when you pick up A Perfect Vintage. This is a tantalizing summertime read. The whole time while I was reading, I felt like I was in France with Lea and her friends drinking champagne and indulging in all the delish foods. I loved how this book had romance but was not over the top and cheesy with it. Very sophisticated, adult romance and content. Lea’s character was so well written. She had such great energy and you just want to be her friend and tag along with her to revamp the chateau. She is such a perfectionist with her job and she struggles trying to juggle being a great friend to Stephanie and “ aunt “ to Maya while also trying to keep being a professional at her job at the chateau for the summer. She gives up a lot of her wants and needs for her job and lifestyle and is so afraid of things going wrong and just living her best life. When she finally starts her summer fling, things really start heating up and the betrayals and conflicts between family and friends begin. I loved how the novel showed an older woman falling for a younger guy. Ageism and sexism topics are well written by the author. I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in 24 hours. I am ready for a trip to the Loire Valley this summer after this read ! I highly recommend you get a copy ! Will be letting everyone I know to read this book this summer.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Orsay Press for the Arc in exchange for my honest review.

If there’s one thing I’ve come to adore, it’s romance/women’s fic novels that provide the perfect amount of balance between romance and character development.

Set in an idyllic French countryside, our protagonist, Lea, is tasked to transform a charming family chateau into the next ‘it’ hotel. Lea is witty, headstrong, and career-driven—truly the definition of a power woman. She’s also not one to react kindly to chaos—putting much premium on her ability and desire to control everything.

The plot may remind you a little bit of Emily in Paris, although I’d argue that characters in this novel behave much more like adults (and dress like them too). What I really appreciated about the book was @faganchelsea’s ability to make them more realistic; as much as the novel focuses on Lea’s winning characteristics, there is also no hesitation to point out her flaws and remind us that she’s painfully human. I honestly resonated a lot with her character (as an A-type who goes crazy when things don’t go as planned) and I loved that she was never afraid to put her best foot forward even if others perceived her to be intimidating.

This was really well written; I felt like I was actually in some idyllic French countryside, sipping some local sparkling white wine while I repotted plants. I think most know I’m not one for romance but I really loved the romantic storyline here because it was never too much or too cheesy; just the right amount of heat and a whole lot of well-written tension. I really was rooting for them to end up together but also wishing I were Lea because the male love interest was just *le sigh* dreamy. I really couldn’t put this down (as evidenced by how fast I finished it). if you’re looking for an entertaining read by the poolside (preferably somewhere in France), I highly recommend this!

p.s. Lea actually speaks French. Emily in Paris is shaking in her electric pink dress.