A Vintage Summer by Cathy Bramley

This gives you everything that you expect from a Cathy Bromley novel, a warm and friendly heroine, a life changing situation for her and a support network that we all wish we have.  For this book she threw in a little homegrown wine (and not pea-pod burgundy you will be pleased to hear), a couple of eccentric old ladies and of course a romatic hero.  What would this genre be without a romantic hero?

My only real issue was with the growing of wine quality grapes so far North in the United Kingdom; the soil conditions and temperature (even allowing for Global Warming) make it a little too far fetched for this reader.  It is explained as the winery being on the same latitude as a sister winery in France that is within the Champagne region but it still seemed a little too far of a reach for me.

Other than that it is just what I want from a Cathy Bramley book.  Lottie is bright and warm, despite the opening portion of the novel being set around her abusive relationship she still has a vibrancy that engages the reader.  From her interactions at the crematorium with visitors, to her brief phone conversations the reader gets a good insight in to her character.  This means that as soon as she moves back home the reader is rooting for everything to work out well for her.  Even though, you already know that this is going to be how things shakeout; getting there is certainly fun.

Nothing about this book feels overly unrealistic; as oftentimes happens in the genre.  Whilst there is the expected will-they-won't-they romance element, it does not overpower the story and it does feel realistic.  Everything about their relationship feels like it progresses to a beat that chimes with how society and people operate - a little bit of romantic hyperbole never hurt anyone after all.

With the exception of Lottie's boyfriend in London all the characters are fully rounded and more or less believable; he is a little bit of a one-dimensional "baddie".  Fortunately, he takes up very little of the novel so you get to enjoy the rustic setting and the relationships that unfold.  So much so, I have to admit I can't remember his name (admittedly it is almost a month between finishing the novel and penning this review).

If you like a good bit of chick lit, this is an excellent example and will pair very well with a hot chocolate or cup of coffee as a glass of wine.