The Forgotten Summer

Blurb...

The annual grape harvest at the Cambon family's magnificent vineyard is always a cause for celebration. But not this year. When an accident destroys the crop, leaving the estate facing ruin, Clarisse Cambon knows exactly who to blame - her daughter-in-law Jane.

It's just the latest incident in a decades-long feud whose origin both women have concealed from Luc, who struggles to keep his wife and mother on speaking terms. But is Luc the saint he appears to be? When tragedy strikes, Jane is thrown into doubt. What secrets has her husband been keeping?

Forced to take charge of the ailing vineyard, Jane uncovers further proof that Luc may not be the man she fell in love with twenty years ago. And, worse still, she knows that her old enemy Clarisse is the only one who knows the truth .

I was drinking...

Set in Provence-it has to be rose! Even if it's blowing a gale outside!!

In my opinion...

As soon as I opened this book on a cold, misty January morning, I was transported to a land of sun & vineyards. Carol Drinkwater is not only knowledgeable about France in general, which makes the story very 'real', but her evocative descriptions of harvesting the grapes in Provence made me want to visit there straight away. At the same time, a sense of unease and mystery was skilfully developed, and I empathised with Jane’s discomfort& sense of not belonging. The characters in the novel are extremely credible, there are many twists and turns, and I found it hard to put down. This will make a great holiday read, particularly if you are visiting France!

Thanks to lovereading.co.uk & the publishers for providing me with a advance copy of this fascinating novel to be published February 2016

My rating....