Blush
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4.0 • 68 Ratings
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
From acclaimed author Jamie Brenner comes a stunning new novel about three generations of women who discover that the scandalous books of their past may just be the key to saving their family's future.
For decades, the Hollander Estates winery has been the premier destination for lavish parties and romantic day trips on the North Fork of Long Island. But behind the lush vineyards and majestic estate house, the Hollander family fortunes have suffered and the threat of a sale brings old wounds to the surface. For matriarch Vivian, she fears that this summer season could be their last—and that selling their winery to strangers could expose a dark secret she's harbored for decades. Meanwhile, her daughter, Leah, who was turned away from the business years ago, finds her marriage at a crossroads and returns home for a sorely needed escape. And granddaughter Sadie, grappling with a crisis of her own, runs to the vineyard looking for inspiration.
But when Sadie uncovers journals from Vivian's old book club dedicated to scandalous novels of decades past, she realizes that this might be the distraction they all need. Reviving the "trashy" book club, the Hollander women find that the stories hold the key to their fight not only for the vineyeard, but for the life and love they've wanted all along.
Blush is a bighearted story of love, family, and second chances, and an ode to the blockbuster novels that have shaped generations of women.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Brenner's lovely latest (after Summer Longing) begs to be read with a view and a glass of wine as three generations of Hollander women—and the men who orbit them—come together at their family's struggling winery, each fighting their own inner battles. Vivian, the matriarch, doesn't have faith in her son's ability to run the business, and resents her husband's unwillingness to include her in decisions. Leah, Vivian's daughter, harbors anger that her father doesn't trust her to run the winery and frustration that her usually supportive husband has lately become pushy. College student Sadie has lost her position working with a professor she idolizes and can't find the inspiration to work on her thesis. These three women find a way to reclaim their power by starting a "trashy" book club, reading romance novels from the 1980s that they discover in the winery's library. In the process, they learn secrets about the family and the estate that could mean the end of the winery—or new beginnings in both business and love. Brenner tackles complex issues including gender inequality and the devaluation of women's interests with a light hand, balancing heavy topics with copious descriptions of wine, cheese, and classic romances. This is sure to please.
Customer Reviews
Blush. By Jamie Brenner
I loved everything about this book “ Blush”. It just grabbed my attention from the first few pages and was hard to put down. Excellent characters, good story, wisdom and drama all wrapped up.
A great beach read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Hollander Estates winery located in upstate NY is owned by Vivian and Leonard Hollander. When their daughter, Leah, son, Asher, and their granddaughter,Sadie, return to the winery over the summer, they are faced with the dilemma of their parents/grandparents selling the family winery. All whom are at crossroads in their lives. Leah’s life long dream is to help run the winery, so she has a mission to try to save it. Leah feels her father hasn’t marketed the winery enough and hasn’t been open to selling a variety of wines. Can she figure out a way to save the winery? In the process of saving the winery, what secrets and drama will unfold?
At the same time Sadie, is obsessed with reading and spends most of her time in the estate library where she discovers Vivian’s journal. In her journal, she finds out her grandmother used to lead a book club that read steamy romance novels that would make a person blush! When asking her mom, Leah and grandmother, Vivian about it, will it bring them closer together in a time of unraveling?
Be fine to add this book to your summer reading list as it keeps you entertained from start to finish. A great summer read to sit with a glass of wine and sip while reading! A perfect book for your pool or beach bag! A great book club pick!
Almost gave up ….
The first half of the book felt drawn out and dull, it improved and I’m glad I stuck with it to completion, however, only because I didn’t want to waste the money on a book.