I enjoyed this book. The parallels between the two women in different time periods, but going through separate life events. It was not my favorite but it did keep me interested.

I loved this story! The two timelines were perfectly written. The personalities and descriptive landscapes were easy to imagine and love. I look forward to more books by Kate Macintosh! Recommend.

I had to put this one down quickly because of how openly masturbating is celebrated. It doesn’t fit with my worldview and I don’t want to read about it. The outright feminist and anti-man language in the beginning also caused me to put this one down. I only read a few pages. I can’t speak to the story itself, but if you are a Christian, you might pass on this one.

“The Champagne Letters” by Kate MacIntosh is a historical fiction. The story is set in dual timelines. Loved this book so much. I especially enjoyed the Barbe-Nicoles historical POV. It was beautifully written, immersive. I really enjoyed the French setting. I couldn’t put it down. Such a solid debut novel. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an e-arc of this book.

The story was mainly Natalie’s modern-day tale of growth after her devastating divorce rather than about Barbe-Nicole although the letters did show an insight into her struggles to become the Grand Dame of Champagne. I felt it was rather naïve of Natalie not to see through Sophie and Gabriel’s charade but she was definitely out of her element and reeling with her husband’s betrayal and the divorce. It was an okay tale with an uplifting ending.

In this unique dual-timeline historical fiction novel, readers alternate between 1805 Reims (in France) where recently widowed Barbe-Nicole Clicquot wants to pursue her husband’s dream of becoming the premier champagne house as the Russian invasion approaches France and the politics of Napoleon’s court add further complications to her business plan. In the present day, recently divorced Natalie Taylor runs away from Chicago to Paris, where she finds a collection of Barbe-Nicole’s letters and draws inspiration from them to start her life afresh, but a series of challenges transform her trip and force her to choose between returning home and fighting for her future. With two fascinating narrators and two unique threats to their dreams and life plans, readers will love the epistolary nature of Barbe-Nicole’s chapters and the thrilling modern adventures in Natalie’s, and Kate MacIntosh balances these two different time periods and perspectives brilliantly throughout the book. The characters are the stars of the novel, and readers will love how their lives and stories evolve from their initial positions at the beginning of the book. With high stakes, excellent details and descriptions, and a fascinating historical premise, this is a fun, enjoyable, and exciting new historical fiction novel readers will love.

Can a woman take over a champagne business in the 1800? Would anyone take her seriously? How does a present day woman pick herself up from divorce and not lose sight of her own dreams? This two timeline book had me invested in both stories. With the interesting background of learning about wine and champagne and the fashion of Paris, paired with two strong female characters, this historical fiction piece is well recommended.
Thank you to Gallery Books for allowing me to read this ARC.

THE CHAMPAGNE LETTERS tells the story of Natalie Taylor who runs away to Paris following a divorce. She’s craving an adventure and finds a collection of letters written by Barbe-Nicole Clicquot to her grand daughter. The letters inspire Natalie, who strikes up a flirty friendship with a local wine merchant who takes her for a ride around Paris and teaches her about wine.

This book was NOT what I expected before I started it and a bit of the way in, I saw exactly where it was going but I still absolutely enjoyed the ride. It definitely wasn’t the emotional historical fiction I was thinking it was — the historical sections were shorter I feel and Madame Clicquot is… kind of a b?? Like do not even think to cross her, she’ll ruin your life for fun. (This kinda bummed me out.)

Rating: 4.8/5

Pop the cork on The Champagne Letters by Kate Macintosh and enjoy a journey of self-discovery! The Champagne Letters by Kate Macintosh follows Natalie Taylor, a woman who travels to Paris to escape the upheaval of her failed marriage. She finds inspiration in a book of letters from the widow Barbe-Nicole Clicquot. She follows the Widow Clicquot’s journey as she defies gender restrictions in establishing one of the most successful champagne houses in the world.

I found myself rooting for both Natalie and Barbe-Nicole from the jump. I deeply enjoyed learning about France and the French wine industry during the reign of Napoleon. Additionally, reading about the established gender norms of the period gave me a vast appreciation for Mme. Clicquot‘s business acumen and ruthless pursuit of success. I found myself with an insatiable curiosity about the history of Mme. Clicquot. Natalie’s re-established independence was such an inspiration. Her developing love for fashion and self-confidence was so fun to witness. I bought myself a split Veuve Clicquot champagne and savored this book to the very last drop.

This captivating novel follows two strong women, navigating life’s challenges in early 1800s France and the present day. With its beautifully written dialogue and historical backdrop, The Champagne Letters is a must-read for historical fiction enthusiasts. It’s a delightful blend of wit and wisdom.

The Champagne Letters by Kate Macintosh was a five star book for me. I couldn’t put it down. There were two timelines and I was totally invested in each one. I loved the strong, independent and courageous women in The Champagne Letters. Kate Macintosh’s storytelling was brilliantly crafted, her research was impeccable and her writing was captivating. I loved learning about the champagne industry, the era during which Napoleon was at the helm of France and about the act of wine fraud. If you enjoy really well written historical fiction then reading The Champagne Letters is a must. I highly recommend The Champagne Letters by Kate Macintosh.

Thank you to Gallery Books for allowing me to read The Champagne Letters by Kate Macintosh through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication was December 10, 2024.

3.5! I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, but the premise of this book intrigued me.

We follow along as Natalie, a recent divorcee, travels to Paris. She is taking a risk, which she never does, and decides to travel alone. While there, she finds a book of letters from a woman in the 1800's. the woman, Barbe-Nicole, wrote to her great granddaughter about the various obstacles she endured in her life. Natalie uses this book as inspiration to live her life. While in Paris, some interesting events occur and Natalie is forced to move forward, or react how she always has in life. We are able to read along with some of the passages that Barbe-Nicole wrote to get a better understanding of what Nicole was reading and how that affected her.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

In present day Chicago, broken from her divorce, Natalie Taylor runs away to Paris. In a book stall by the Seine, Natalie finds a collection of the Widow Clicquot’s published letters and uses them as inspiration to step out of her comfort zone and create a new, empowered life for herself. But when her Parisian escape takes a shocking and unexpected turn, she’s forced to make a choice. Should she accept her losses and return home, or fight for the future she’s only dreamed about? What would the widow do?

Natalie has a broken heart. To mend her broken heart, she takes off to Paris!! Nothing is better than that. I love how her strength slowly evolves as she learns what she wants for the rest of her life.

Then there is a big twist!…I mean it’s life…there are always big twists. Natalie does not let this stop her. She goes on a hunt..and you will need to read this to find out! You will not be sorry.

I loved the way the past is folded into this novel through the letters. The author did a fabulous job weaving these two stories together to create wonderful dual timelines.

Need an all around good tale which has quite a few twists and turns to keep you on your toes…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

This book has it all. An amazing Dual timeline. The setting of Paris, which is just 10/10. And wine, specially, learning about Widow Clicquot and her desire to make her champagne successful. I love it.

I also didn't know much about French history, but there is a good amount of that in here, and I enjoyed it.

I loved following Natalie as she tries to find herself, post divorce. And in Paris of all places? Love it.

4.5 but rounded up!

If you love wine and the idea of running away to Paris to escape your problems, this book is for you. I loved being able to learn about the history of Veuve Clicquot and the woman behind it, while also following a woman's adventure in present day. I especially enjoyed the focus on learning from influential women of the past, even though they might not be names you always think of thanks to history.

Fine dual time line historical fiction that alternates between Barbe-Nicole Clicquot in 1800s France and Natalie in present day Paris. Both women find themselves at an inflection point-Clicquot is widowed and war is looming while Natalie (and yes this is less of a crisis) is divorcing and has trusted the wrong person. Natalie learns from a book of letters written by Clicquot to her great granddaughter Anne, as do we. This skims over complicated French history (it does help to have a little knowledge of Napoleon etc but you'll be fine if you don't) and focuses more on the Widow Clicquot's efforts to make and sell her champagne. It's a story of determination and. to be honest, it's more interesting than Natalie's. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I just returned from Paris so was excited to read this book and immerse myself in the dual timeline. Madame Clicquot is the historical fiction character in this book, and Natalie is the American who escapes to Paris/France to find her way.
I was much more interested in the historical narrative than the present day and Natalie's storyline was somewhat predictable. It's still worth a read to escape a bit!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

This book was a very unique dual timeline book and I enjoyed it a lot. The timeline from France in the early 1800s was historical fiction following the widow, Veuve Clicquot, as she is determined to continue running her family's wine business despite being a woman and threats of war. The present day timeline follows Natalie, a recently divorced middle aged woman, who takes off to Paris on an adventure. There are lots of twists and turns and fun in this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for letting me read this one early in exchange for an honest review.

The Champagne Letters is the story about Nicole-Barbe Cliquot, the woman behind Cliquot Champagne, and Natalie, a present day newly divorced woman who finds her letters on a trip to Paris. Natalie uses the words of Nicole-Barbe to gain strength and courage to stand up for herself. This is a nicely written and interesting book which shows the abilities and value of women.

5.0

Fantastique!

I imagine that if I had read other reviews before writing this, I could second-guess myself with things that others claim as hard to believe or some other mark against this book, but my immediate feeling upon finishing was that it was truly satisfying. Plus some of the unbelievable parts really happened! Okay, maybe I would have liked to follow Natalie and Barbe-Nicole for a bit. Just me as a fly on the wall. Unless I was in danger from the French disease or any of the rats the size of puppies from the ship.

I took some breaks in the middle out of fear for the the vulnerable women, especially Madame Clicquot, even if she wouldn’t let it show. Some of the characters’challenges came up earlier than expected, but the surprises unfolded until the end like a finely wrapped present.

I usually don’t like bouncing around in time, but the chapters evenly alternate between the past and the present and I feel glad to have learned about the remarkable of Veuve Clicquot. I always appreciate an authors note at the end indicating which parts of the book are true to history and which are invented. It’s even sweeter reading that Madam Clicquot has been inspiring this book for all these years. An excellent first book, hopefully among many more, for Kate MacIntosh.

I immediately felt compelled to preorder it for a Francophone-obsessed old friend. Fortunately I caught myself before I could see how others have reviewed it.

A great read I will gladly recommend!

Thank you to Kate MacIntosh, NetGalley, and Gallery Books for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book for my unbiased review.