The French Winemaker’s Daughter by Loretta Ellsworth

I enjoy historical fiction and this dual timeline story was entertaining albeit predictable, which sometimes is just what you need.

In 1942 7 year old Martine is faced with surviving alone after the Germans take her father from their home in the Burgundy region of France. Her father was a vintner and left her a bottle to hold onto, hoping its value would ensure her livelihood in case anything happened to him.

In 1990s Paris, Charlotte is a pilot and visits an auction with the man she’s been seeing. She’s gifted a bottle of wine he purchased that may have originally been seized by Nazis, and hides clues that sets Charlotte on an adventure that will change her life.

As the timelines unfold, their stories intertwine and while not surprising or all that meaty for a wartime story, ends with a little happiness not always found in historical fiction novels.

I am embarrassingly behind on completing this book review and I apologize profusely😅😭🥴 I don’t remember *everything* but I think this was a 4.5⭐️ I loved the 2 povs and the time-jumping. I really liked the main female character, Charlotte. She’s a female pilot!! and I love that so much. That is so badass and cool and incredible. We love to see it! She’s traveling, she’s living aboard in Paris, she is a strong female, she is the moment. I forget if she’s a red-head or not, but I picture her as a red-head, lol someone confirm or correct me!! This was a historical fiction read and I really enjoyed it. The author seemed very knowledgeable and had resources and references in the back to support some of the guiding plot lines in the story. This may be strange to say, but I find this time period and this event in history so interesting to read and learn about. It’s so important and so sombering. I also always learn something new about this time on history and this book was no exception. I loved the winery and vineyard aspect. I don’t know much, but the French know their wine and I think that really shined in this book. I loved the significance and personal touches. I loved the small villa, family owned winery story points. Family and history are such big themes in this book! Charlotte’s drive to understand and discover and her sense of adventure were so beautiful and so human. I loved the connections that came from her genuine interest and honest curiosity. Now, a lot of this highlights the one pov, and I want to emphasize: I also LOVED Martine’s pov. This child went through so much. Sister Ada is a hero. There were some more intense moments in this pov, the stakes felt much higher (the time period) and the amount of things I learn and the amount of things that surprise me are at a max. The thing that took this book down a bit for me was… (classic Hannah) the ending. It got so obvious and the characters were still connecting the dots and it was painful. It hurt me. Judging by the dates, I ate this book. She was devoured. I liked this book and would recommend, but just know: you’re gonna seeing the ending before the characters do.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, for this historically woven and tragically beautiful ARC!

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel taking place in France during WWII! I liked the setting, the characters and the dual timeline. A most enjoyable read!

This was a sweet and heartbreaking, easy historical read. I really enjoy reading dual time lines, but do wish there was a bit more info in both of them. I liked reading about WW2 from a young Jewish girl's perspective, and how her story became intertwined with a total stranger.

I took 1 star off, because there were two detailed sex scenes I could have done without.

This was a quick historical fiction read! I enjoyed the differing timelines and the setting in WWII! It could be a bit predicable at a few points, but it was still an enjoyable read!

As a WWII novel, this dual-narrative takes readers back to 1942 France, where we first meet a young girl, Martine, who is told to hide because the Germans are coming. She and her father live on their family’s vineyard where Martine knows more about growing grapes than reading or writing. Her father hands her a bottle of wine and tells her to guard this with her life until he returns.

Now, it is 1990 and here we meet Charlotte. Charlotte is a pilot with frequent trips to Paris, which due to her seniority, she often chooses. Charlotte was very close to her grandfather who owned a vineyard in California, but her dad needed to sell it as no one in the family was interested in running it. Charlotte hates to see this family history being sold, but unfortunately doesn't have the means to buy it herself. After a recent flight to France, Charlotte meets up with her French boyfriend to attend an auction of highly sought-after wine, many left behind by German soldiers after WWII. Charlotte realizes that many of these wines were stolen from Jewish families by German soldiers & feels pretty uneasy about the auction because of the nature of it. However, her boyfriend Henri eventually wins a box of wine in the auction & Charlotte becomes determined to learn the history of this particular bottle of wine after finding out that it actually is quite valuable.
Charlotte begins a mission that takes her to various vineyards around France. Intermixed with Martine’s survival during the war & then Charlotte’s research to learn all she can about the vineyard on the bottle, this book will keep the readers excited to find out what happens next!

Martine was very innocent about what was happening in the world around her and survived numerous close calls. Her childhood was stolen from her at the age of seven and thinking back to myself being seven, I cannot even fathom having to go through something as horrific as she did.
I love both Martine's and Charlotte's characters SO much.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for a copy of this digital ARC.
I can't wait to read more by this author!

DNF’d at 27%. I really wanted to love this book. The premise was really interesting, but the writing didn’t draw me in at all. It felt stilted and overly simplified - almost like how things sound after they’ve been run through a translator. At first I wondered if that was because Martine was French, but I felt the same way about Charlotte’s chapters, as well.

There also was a lot of “telling instead of showing” in the writing. The repetitive internal questions of the characters made them feel one dimensional and undeveloped. I wanted to see things play out in the writing and in their actions that showed their thinking, instead of having it right there on the page.

Maybe I wasn’t the target audience for this book? I’m not sure.

Wonderful WWII history mystery when a woman finds a note hidden behind the label of an old bottle of wine. The dual storylines kept me in suspense. I enjoyed the history of wine making in France. The romance was a bit predictable but I liked the history of wine making and how the two storylines intersect in the present day. The narrative has a lot of interesting history and the main characters were well written. I think the theme of being true to yourself is the same for both the female pilot and the little girl Martine/Elizabeth. The beginning was a little slow but the ending really helped hold my interest.

Loretta Ellsworth’s The French Winemaker’s Daughter is a sweeping tale of love, loss, and resilience set against the lush vineyards of France. With vivid storytelling and meticulous historical detail, Ellsworth crafts a novel that transports readers into a world of tradition, family legacies, and the enduring power of passion.

The novel follows a young woman determined to preserve her family’s winemaking heritage amidst personal and societal upheaval. As she navigates love, betrayal, and the pressures of maintaining a centuries-old craft, her journey unfolds with heart-wrenching beauty. Ellsworth’s prose is rich and atmospheric, bringing to life the rolling vineyards, the scent of fermenting grapes, and the deep-rooted traditions that shape her protagonist’s destiny.

Themes of sacrifice, ambition, and the bond between generations are elegantly woven throughout, making The French Winemaker’s Daughter both a deeply personal story and a reflection on the struggles of preserving art in an ever-changing world. Fans of historical fiction and evocative storytelling will be captivated by Ellsworth’s ability to blend romance, history, and the enduring allure of winemaking into a truly unforgettable novel.

I'm a big fan of WW2 historical fiction, I found the plot so interesting, unique and informative. I felt more interested in the pov of past WW2 timeline. It was gripping, emotional and unpredictable. Unfortunately, I did not like the main character from the present day pov and found myself thinking how unrealistic her storyline was. I couldn't picture thing's happening the way they did in real life. I enjoyed the way the story came together in the end, I recommend reading this book especially if you enjoy reading WW2 historical fiction.

I requested this one not realizing it wouldn’t suit my convictions. I saw some spice coming and didn’t give it enough time to find out how spicy it would be. I could tell by the language it probably wouldn’t be good. So if you are like me and don’t like spice, skip this one.

A lost little girl in WWII France, a lost bottle of wine that was her inheritance.
A female airline pilot in 1990s France, a found bottle of wine that could change a life.
Two timelines, two women, one bottle of wine connecting them.

This book had a wonderful premise, and being an unapologetic WWII historical fiction junkie, I was excited to read it. I enjoyed the story, but it fell a bit short for me in the writing style (could have been more “show me, don’t tell me”).

3 Things I 🥰
The intriguing premise.
The dual timeline in WWII and 1990s France.
The storyline of the little girl during the war.

2 Things I 🥺
The difficulties of being one of the first females in a male dominated profession. ✈️
How devastating it would feel to be forced to hide your small child before being snatched away, knowing you were heading to your death and she had no one. 💔

1 Niggling 🤔
The intensity of the FMC’s response to anyone and anything that she felt infringed on her right to pursue her dreams.
I had to continually put myself in her shoes as a woman breaking the glass ceiling as an airline pilot – the trials she faced, the sacrifices she made, the strength she needed to achieve her goals – in order to understand her brittleness to the slightest perceived “threats.” I get it, but she still irritated me. 😉

Rounding this one up to 3.

Thank you to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, NetGalley, and author Loretta Ellsworth for the complimentary copy! It was my pleasure to write this candid review.

The French Winemaker's Daughter is a great read! A mix of two stories - the story of young Martine, a seven-year old daughter of a vintner in the French countryside and Charlotte, a female airline pilot in 1990. Martine's story begins with her father hiding her in a cupboard to avoid her being taken by the German soldiers rounding up the Jews in France. He gives Martine a bottle of wine which he tells her not to lose. Of course, the terrified young girl does end up losing the bottle as she runs for safety from the Germans.

Charlotte regularly flies in and out of Paris. Henri, the Frenchman she has been dating, takes her to a wine auction in Paris. He purchases a mixed lot, and takes the bottles that he feels are valuable, and gifts her a bottle as he leaves her apartment. Charlotte discovers that there is a false label on the bottle, with a note, written entirely in French, indicating that the bottle is the child's birthright and should be sold to provide for her care, When Charlotte has the bottle of wine appraised, its value is estimated at nearly $125 thousand dollars! Charlotte is drawn to this story, and begins a search for the true owner of the bottle.

Jumping between 1943 and 1990, we follow Martine's progress to Paris and then to a convent outside of Paris where she is raised by nuns, and Charlotte's investigation into the history of the bottle, and her relationship with Henri, as well as Julien, a vintner outside of Paris. I highly recommend this title!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book - The French Winemaker's Daughter is available NOW!

I am so sorry this review is so late. It definitely does not reflect my opinions on this story because I really liked it.

The dual timeline in this story of Martine in 1942 and Charlotte in 1990 was so well done. I loved how Martine’s story was revealed as Charlotte learned more about the bottle of wine.

For me, the connections between all of the characters wasn’t immediately obvious which is part of what kept me reading! I was so intrigued. While at times absolutely heart breaking, there are also some really beautiful, full-circle moments in this book.

The way both story lines come together on the end is absolutely wonderful. I now need to read the author’s backlist!

Thank you to Harper Perennial for the copy of this book. All views are my own.

As the Germans began to invade France in 1942, seven-year-old Martine hides in an armoire with her aunt’s address pinned to her dress and a bottle of wine given to her by her father. The Nazis quickly took her father away and once she felt it was safe to leave the armoire, she accidentally dropped the wine as she tried to flee. Once in Paris, there was no aunt to be found. Martine fell asleep on the doorstep of the Hotel Drouot and is found the next day by Sister Ada who whisks her away to save her. Fast forward to 1990, a commercial airline pilot, Charlotte, attends a wine auction with her French boyfriend while in Paris. After winning a box of a few bottles, her boyfriend takes the one he wants and leaves her with one as a gift. Charolette soon discovers a false label on the bottle that takes her on a journey to discover the truth.

Based on the premise, I thought this one would be a hit for me. However, it feels a bit flat and mainly because it was so predictable. There are so many stories once can right about WWII, with mostly the same outcome, but many other books have kept you guessing and this one just didn’t. It was still enjoyable though and was a quick one to enjoy while on vacation.

“The French Winemaker’s Daughter” by Loretta Ellsworth is a duel timeline historical novel set in nazi-occupied France during WWII and in Paris in 1990. Martine is just a child when the nazis come to arrest her Jewish father. Before they arrived, he managed to hide Martine, telling her to not come out until it’s safe. And he gave her a bottle of wine, telling her not to lose it because it was her inheritance. Unfortunately Martine does lose the bottle of wine, but fortunately, she manages to survive due to the kindness of various people.

In 1990, Charlotte is given a bottle of wine by her boyfriend Henri—who had purchased a case at a wine auction. It was his way of saying goodbye to her forever—by leaving her with a dud bottle of wine. It turns out, it was anything but. Charlotte sets off on a quest to discover more about that bottle of wine even though Henri became aware of the value of that wine and is trying to sue her to have it returned.

I really enjoyed this story, which kept me enthralled the entire time. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. My opinions are my own.

This was such an incredible read! I was completely captivated from the start to the finish.

This book was heartbreaking, infuriating, heartwarming, beautiful, tragic and wonderfully written!

This book highlights a lot of atrocious acts towards Jews during WWII and really focuses on how wine was stolen from families by Nazis, how they arrested Jews and sent them to concentration camps and that children had to live in fear every day of the war especially if they were Jews because they had to be in hiding.

This book was a journey of two women connected by a bottle of wine and it was such an impactful read! I loved how they ended up meeting and this book ended so perfectly! It was also a love letter to wine, wineries and winemakers.

Other aspects highlighted are - misogyny that female pilots face and working women in general, the possessions of Jews that were stolen by Nazis being auctioned off in the modern day.

I will be forever changed after reading this book. Historical fiction holds a special place in my heart and this book has left an impact on me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Paperbacks and Loretta Ellsworth for giving me an ARC of this incredible book!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The French Winemaker's Daughter by Loretta Ellsworth. I never get tired of reading WWII historical fiction novels. There are so many different avenues to pursue. I also love reading two time-lines to see the connections. This did not disappoint. Ellsworth’s writing is lush and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the French landscape, the beauty of the wine country, and the intricacies of French culture. The characters are well-drawn, particularly Charlotte, whose journey of self-discovery is both poignant and relatable. The historical aspect of the novel is rich with details that provide a window into the complex emotions and aftermath of war, including the scars it leaves on families and communities. While the novel occasionally dips into predictability, the strong character development and sense of place more than make up for it. This is a wonderful written novel for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

This was an enjoyable premise - a professional American woman ends up in possession of a bottle of vintage French wine with a secret label. Her research leads her to . . . the winemaker's daughter (sorry) who, in a separate timeline survives Nazi-occupied France. The writing was occasionally a bit clunky, especially in the present-day POV chapters. I wasn't surprised to discover that the author's previous books were largely young adult novels - the chapters with the little girl at the center seemed to flow better. I saw the ending coming a mile away, but enjoyed the ride.

3.5 stars rounded up. I've read a lot of WWII books so I am a bit picky of the genre. This one held my interest and was a quick read. I did find it predictable and it also reminded me of the book The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah. At times the Charlotte character was irritating and repetitive with her inner thoughts. I liked Martine's perspective the best. Overall, I enjoyed the premise the writing and storyline was just okay but I would still recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.