Julia is one of the best port winemakers in 1870’s Portugal. Following her husband’s passing she has maintained her vineyard’s status and is working towards fulfilling a contract they have with an English investor. When a man is sent to check on her progress, she is suddenly threatened by a man who can’t believe that a woman can effectively run the business. There are immediately sparks between the two, but another man has eyes on Julia and will stop at nothing to have her. To top it all off, there is a blight threatening the crop and Julia must find a way to stop it before her livelihood is ruined.
I love Portugal, so I was quite happy to read historical fiction set there. Julia is definitely a woman outside of her time, she was cunning, intelligent and headstrong. I am actually surprised she was able to run the place as long as she did in the type of society she was living in. The romance was not heavy handed, although there is some steam for those that need that (it wasn’t too much for folks who don’t like it). I think what I liked the most is that there was some science to the winemaking and grafting of the plants, I felt like I learned something while reading.
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.
What’s your favorite wine?
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