Determined to make it on your own, but do you have to?

Synopsis

It’s springtime at The Vineyard in Alsace, a new season and a new beginning

After being abandoned by her partner when she falls pregnant, Lottie Schell goes home to live on The Vineyard in Alsace, where she has started a new relationship with the estate’s winemaker, Thierry. Now about to give birth, Lottie’s determined to raise her child and to provide for them both on her own without having to depend on anyone else.

Thierry Bernard is still dealing with his grief and guilt following the death of his wife two years earlier, for which he blames himself. When he meets Lottie, the instant attraction he feels towards her gives him hope that he can move on from the tragedy of his past, as long as he can tell Lottie the truth of what happened.

When circumstances force Lottie and Thierry closer together, they both find it hard to compromise – she’s proudly independent and he’s fiercely protective – and they’re both wary about trusting someone new with their heart.

Can Lottie and Thierry take a chance on each other, move on from their pasts and start over?

Escape to The Vineyard in Alsace once again with this romantic read set in the heart of Alsace’s wine country.

My review

Lottie Schell thought she had find the love of her life. But when he leaves her after she announces she is pregnant, Lottie finds herself alone.

She wants to start all over, and what better place to do that than in Alsace with her sister?

But the vineyard is more than just a place to find herself again… she finds herself attracted to Thierry. Despite their attraction and all the time they spend together, Lottie does not want to be dependent of another man and she wants to make it on her own.

Is it true that love comes when you least expect it? And will Lottie accepts the helping hand Thierry is offering?

First of all, it was lovely to be at the vineyard again!

When Lottie arrived there, I was curious to see how she would adapt while so many things were changing for her.

I admired her courage, because it’s not easy to just start all over again. If you’re starting over being just you it can be a nightmare, but doing it while being pregnant, well…

Lottie got her heart broken the hard way, so now she is adamant to just make it on her own. And yes, she has moved to the vineyard where her sister is living also, but she doesn’t want to be burden to anyone.

She wants to make it on her own, and refuses any kind of help. She wnats to show she can do it alone. In a way, her determination is admirable, but sometimes also frustrating for the reader. Especially when the help comes from Thierry…

Thierry wants to help Lottie every way that he can, but unfortunately he is against a very stubborn woman.

Instantly I loved Thierry… how he is always there for Lottie, caring for her baby, it’s not something every man would just do.

Yet somehow he even pushed my buttons! He does everything with the best intentions, of course, but knowing Lottie, he should have known that some of his help would not be fully appreciated.

The further we get to know Thierry, the more his troubled past is coming out. And when it was all revealed, my heart just broke for him. The loss he had to endure, and the way it happened, just terible…

Yet he is manning up during the story, for Lottie’s stake… what a man!

The beauty about this story is how it flows easily. Once you start reading it, times flies by.

Each character has its own personality, with flaws and strengths. And yet each and every one of them are growing to the better version of themselves, even if sometimes they are afraid of taking that leap of faith.

A story in a beautiful setting, with stubborn, independent people, finding their place in the world. Characters wanting to keep their ‘freedom’ but realizing that asking for help is not a proof of weakness.

Each character stole a piece of my heart!