BOOK CLUB: Something in the Wine

Author: Tricia Stringer
ISBN: 9781489261502
RRP: $29.99
Publication Date: 15 April 2019
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Copy: Courtesy of the Publisher

Tricia Stringer is an author I have loved since first reading her work a couple of years ago, and I have tried to keep up since then. I think her debut is still the only one I have yet to read.

I read Something In The Wine very early in the month but life has been kicking my butt of late and so it’s been tricky to find time to get anything done, I managed to get a lot of reading done but that was at the expense of writing reviews. I’m pleased to say I’m almost caught up, I’m not happy to say that it was books that I really loved that I’m trying to review very much later.

Keely Mitchell is a high school teacher taking some time out for a well earned holiday on the coast of Western Australia. Keely is the daughter of school teachers, who seem to be quite over protective. I get the feeling Keely has been well nurtured and sheltered, she doesn’t seem the adventurous type but this holiday is taking her right out of her comfort zone. It certainly doesn’t help that she seems to be running away from recent events, that we don’t actually find out about until very late in the piece.

A three month sabbatical travelling up the coast of Western Australia from Perth is Keely’s plan, and that’s about as far as she’s planned. On her first night out she suffers a medical emergency; waking groggy and pained post-op in the hospital after major surgery. Not only that but it seems the bag she had with her was taken and she is left stranded with no ID, no phone and money.

The kindly older man she was seated with on the plane had left her his number and an offer of help if ever she needed it. Keely never intended to use the number but the situation she finds herself in leaves her few choices, because she refuses to head home before she has even begun.

Something In The Wine was a story that I really enjoyed, the characters were well formed even though they were frustrating a lot of the time. Many of the issues could have been sorted much easier with conversation.

The insight into the wine industry was fascinating, even for one who doesn’t drink wine. It really is the perfect combination of science and art I think.

Stringer paints her locations vividly and really helps us escape the cold wintry days we’re facing now for a warm West Australian vineyard.

A well told story that highlights some of the issues facing teachers as well as the wine industry: with a little romance, a neighbourly feud and new beginnings. I gave it 4 stars and looks forward to hearing what our members thought.

Available now from Harlequin and where all good books are sold.

Tricia can be found at Tricia Stringer.com and Facebook.

Thanks to Harlequin 15 of our Beauty and Lace Club members will be reading Something in the Wine so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.