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The Pact
Title: The Pact
Author: Sharon Bolton
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Published: 2021
Obtained: Audible
Six friends spend the summer together before embarking on their bright futures. The six of them have a secret game, however, that is dangerously risky; while they lucked out the first 5 times, they aren’t so lucky on the 6th turn. Privileged, young and self-centered, they panic. Megan, one of the six, agrees to take the blame for the accident–with a catch. Her friends soon turn their backs on her, leaving her to rot in prison. Twenty years later, she is a free woman and is out to collect on their part of the deal…and revenge.
Let me start of by saying that Sharon Bolton is one of my favorite authors. And The Pact starts off in true Bolton fashion–tense and suspenseful. I loved the premise of the story and the building tension. Of course, I also love the twists and turns Bolton writes. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, so I found myself surprised that I was so quickly engrossed in the novel. I was disappointed, however, by a few things–including the ending.
The Pact is almost like a character study that looks at how people deal with trauma and guilt in vastly different ways. Each one of these characters has flaws and ugly habits/tendencies that stem from the horrible accident they caused; this leads to the various dysfunctional ways they dealt with the aftermath. The only person I was rooting for was Megan, and that was mostly on principle. I disliked the other characters so much I wanted her to destroy them in vengeance. I was disappointed when her plan was revealed, as it was anticlimatic.
Bolton is the absolute queen of twisty thrillers. I devoured this book for it’s mounting suspense and the idea that I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. I enjoyed watching the five friends squirm as Megan always seemed to be a step ahead of them. I liked the way Bolton revealed more depth to the history of the friends. But, some of the plot devices seemed out of left field–unbelievable and disappointing. While I typically enjoy the surprising endings to Bolton’s books, they always seem to work. When I reach the end of her novels, I can look back and be mindblown that there were clues all along that I just didn’t grasp or pick up on along the way. I didn’t guess the ending to The Pact. But, in all fairness, I don’t think it made any sense. It felt cheap; I felt blindsided and cheated. There were so many other directions the story could have taken, and I was left feeling let down. Not every story can be everyone’s cup of tea and I can totally see how some people loved this novel entirely.
I am giving The Pact 3 out of 5 stars. I liked the book, but I didn’t love it. Maybe because I’ve gobbled up so many of her other books and felt consistently mind blown by the twists—I was just expecting so much more from the ending! But, as I’ve said, I can see why some readers wouldn’t have my same complaints. I paired this book with a rosé prosecco. La Marca was fitting as it made me feel like I was sitting by Tal’s lavish pool…minus the reckless joyride! It’s a perfect bubbly beverage for reading—it’s dry and crisp with hints of peach and berries. Honestly, I think I’d take the zesty prosecco over this read any day! Happy reading (and sipping)!
Rating: 3/5
Wine Pairing: La Marca rosé prosecco
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Rock Paper Scissors
Title: Rock Paper Scissors
Author: Alice Feeney
Genre: Psychological/Domestic Thriller
Published: 2021
Obtained: Barnes & Noble
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wright has been in trouble for a while. Adam Wright is a work-obsessed screenwriter with facial blindness; he doesn’t recognize any familiar faces, including his own wife’s. The couple has some optimism for their marriage, however, when they win a weekend getaway to Scotland to celebrate their anniversary. Adam’s wife writes him a letter each year, along with a traditional gift—but she never gives him the letters to read. This anniversary she decides to change that. Their romantic getaway takes a wild turn of lies, deceit, suspense and a lurking stranger in the remote Scottish landscape.
Rock Paper Scissors was at the top of my read list this year. I have a love for all things Scottish, mysterious and suspenseful. This novel had a few really strong bits, but also failed to deliver on some of the anticipated twists and turns. I liked the build-up of the characters, the setting and the general storyline. I found a lot of the story unbelievable to the point where it was distracting from the heart of the story. I didn’t particularly like Mr. or Mrs. Wright, which made it hard to always care what happened to them. And Adam’s facial blindness syndrome was a bizarre, albeit convenient, tidbit.
I typically enjoy a novel that bounces between different POVs with the characters; however, this one was difficult for me because I honestly wasn’t rooting for anyone…except Bob, the dog! I did like the way Feeney incorporated the letters from wife to husband—I thought this was a compelling way to give the reader some insight on the marriage history. I thought Feeney also did a nice job of peeling back each layer of secrecy between the characters.
Again, the setting was outstanding. The eerie and isolated church in the remote part of Scotland was perfect for a fast-paced, twisty read. As much as I loved the atmospheric descriptions and the tension that Feeney managed to build with the remote location…it all seemed to build up to nothing. I wanted more to happen after a suspenseful build up to the characters going into the creepy wine cellar and out into the Scottish landscape.
This was the first Alice Feeney book I’ve read, and I thoroughly enjoyed her actual writing. It was witty and twisty and full of great one-liners. She turns a phrase so well, that I think that’s what kept me so engaged in the novel. What I didn’t love was the bit about Adam’s facial blindness. I just felt it was a cheap way to make the character unreliable—it reminded me of how so many authors use the woman-is-an-undependable-drunk strategy when wanting unreliable narration. I found myself so distracted from the story and went down a rabbit hole on the internet to find out if facial blindness would play out the way it does for Adam. I’ll let you be the judge for yourself—but for me, it was a stretch.
I am giving Rock Paper Scissors 2.5 stars. I didn’t dislike the story, but I found I ended with a lot more questions than answers. I wasn’t really surprised by much in the book—at least not by anything that was purposely meant to shock me as a reader. I loved the setting, and I loved a lot of the prose. I paired this read with a red blend called Troublemaker. It is a full, dark red with hints of fruit, spices and rich caramel. I love a good syrah or zinfandel—so naturally I loved this blend where both of those could be really tasted! It also doesn’t hurt that it’s strong (14.5%)—which really helped me get through this one.
Rating: 2.5/5
Wine Pairing: Troublemaker by Austin Hope, Red Blend
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No Exit
Title: No Exit
Author: Taylor Adams
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Published: 2017
Obtained: Amazon
Darby is on her way home from college for the holiday when she becomes stranded at a rest area due to a Colorado blizzard. She finds herself waiting out the storm along with four strangers. As Darby is attempting to find some cell reception, she is shocked to find a child locked in the back of a van. Thus begins the longest night of her life—who is the child and which one of the strangers is responsible for her abduction?
Let me just channel my inner Janice Hosenstein and say…”OH MY GOD!” This book is intense—like nail-bitingly, jaw dropping, I need a strong drink kind of intense. I was a little skeptical going in because it had so much hype, and lately overly hyped books have been underwhelming for me. But this one did not disappoint! The main character, the tension, the twists…it all was pretty damn near perfect.
Darby is a fantastic narrator. I found her funny and intelligent. She is flawed, as is everybody, and totally believable as a character. I rooted for her throughout the story. I enjoyed the other characters, as well. It’s hard to go into too much detail without giving away spoilers, but I found them all to be written convincingly well. I was surprised that the villain is glaringly obvious from the start, and yet, I loved that not all the characters are what they initially seem to be.
The tension is deliciously stressful. I wanted to cover my eyes at so many parts, but they were glued to the words. Adams has a wonderful way of painting the scene with just enough gore and suspense to keep you engaged, but not too much to make you want to put the book down. A lot of the twists stem from mistakes the characters make, particularly Darby; however, this made it more believable, because at the end of the day, Darby is an ordinary young woman thrust into this terrible situation. Any bits that I managed to predict (or blatantly saw coming) didn’t deter me from devouring this book within two days.
Overall, I loved this read. It was fast paced, terrifying, a little gory, extremely intense and super vivid. If you love a good thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend it. I give No Exit a rating of 5 stars. I also recommend Tall Dark Stranger, a rich malbec from Argentina. It’s strong and smooth with a nice berry flavor, but not sweet—a full-bodied wine to sip with a rich, intense thriller. Enjoy!
Rating: 5/5
Wine Pairing: Tall Dark Stranger 2017 malbec
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Where the Crawdads Sing
Title: Where the Crawdads Sing
Author: Delia Owens
Genre: Fiction
Published: 2018
Obtained: Unknown—gifted
*This post contains affiliate links. This means if you clink on the link and purchase, I will receive a commission at no cost to you. My opinions in this post are my own!*
My reading buddy keeping me company Kya, the Marsh Girl, is no stranger to darkness and rumors. She was abandoned alone in the marshlands near a small town in North Carolina; she grew up depending on herself and figuring out life, largely, on her own. She teaches herself about the land, sea, animals and plants. Though timid and shy, she allows in two young men into her life over time. With the presence of these two men, she also allows herself to dream of a life and love she has never known. Then, one day, the unimaginable happens. Will a town of people who judged and shunned Kya support her when the time comes or outcast her as they’ve always done?
I was super impressed by Where the Crawdads Sing. For starters, Delia Owens has created prose in this novel that reads like poetry. She tells a story that unfolds slowly; she writes with a charm that pulls you into Kya’s lonely and beautifully sad world. She has crafted characters that the reader can relate to and some that might disgust one to his/her core. I really enjoyed this novel.
The voice in Where the Crawdads Sing is amazing. Owens writes so beautifully, that at times I didn’t even care that the story was slowpaced; the words were so vivid I was easily swept into Kya’s home and surrounding marsh. I listened to a bit of the audio version of the book because it really does flow rhythmically to the ears. Kya, though uneducated in terms of schooling, is brilliant. She is observant and detailed in her descriptions. The voice matched the character extremely well.
Though the story flows like molasses initially, it eventually picks up steam. I couldn’t wait to pick it back up and dive back into Kya’s marsh and find out what happens next. The characters were well developed—Kya, her father, Tate, Jodie, Chase, Jumpin’, Mabel. I loved the complexity of her feelings towards her family—especially her father and mother; I think Owens captured the confusion and innocence of a child’s outlook on abandonment superbly. While I couldn’t relate directly to some of the hardships that Kya endured, I could relate to her outlook and see her point of view with much clarity.
The story itself is engaging. I loved the strength of the main character as she not only figures out life, but also creates success for herself. I enjoyed the graceful way the story develops and how it, somewhere, shifts to being more urgent and heavy. While the ending wasn’t necessarily shocking, it was suiting to the story. Not to mention, there was one detail I did not see coming that sort of made me go back and reread some scenes with the new perspective I found in the ending. Overall, it was a fantastic story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I give Where the Crawdads Sing a 4.5/5. The story was engaging and well written. My only complaint was how slow the momentum was at first. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good story—there wasn’t as much mystery as I was anticipating, but in the end, I didn’t care. I enjoyed Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc with the book. It was a zesty, citrusy, earthy white wine that mingled nicely with the nature and setting of the book. The flavors of the wine unfold as do the layers of Kya. A good read deserves a good glass of wine, I say!
Rating: 4.5/5
Wine Pairing: Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2018
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The Split
Title: The Split
Author: Sharon Bolton
Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
Published: 2020
Obtained: Amazon
*This post contains affiliate links. This means if you clink on the link and purchase, I will receive a commission at no cost to you. My opinions in this post are my own!*
Felicity Lloyd is living in fear of her ex-husband, Freddie. She is so afraid that she pursues a job opportunity that takes her from Cambridge to South Georgia, a remote island in the southern Atlantic Ocean. Her doctor, Joe Grant, senses that she is hiding or repressing some pertinent information regarding her past (and her ex), and is eager to help. Will Joe and his detective mother, Delilah, be able to reach Felicity in the frozen Antarctic island before Freddie?
Sharon Bolton does it again! The Split is another thrilling masterpiece crafted with a deliciously woven plot, convincing characters and consistent tension. Bolton kept me turning the pages, even when I was sleep deprived and up at all hours with the baby. With every chapter I was swept up into Felicity’s confusing and eerie world.
Bolton’s storytelling is what I love most about her novels. She pulls you into an adventure that is never quite what you think it is—full of twists, surprises and mounting tension. I love that she plays with perspectives. The Split does this well; Bolton tells the story from the viewpoints of Felicity, Joe and Freddie. You see the mystery from different angles with little bits of new information at every chapter. I know nothing of the island of South Georgia, but I can tell you that I was able to see it in detail with her descriptions. The frozen and ice-cold landscapes add to the pressure of the mystery.
Bolton’s ability to craft well-rounded, convincing and complex characters is another one of my favorite things about her writing. She has perfected the art of not revealing too much too soon about her characters. Instead, she peels them back like an onion…layer by layer as you get deeper into the novel. This strategy helps build up to those famous twists Bolton is known for in her stories. I love that every time I think I definitely have a character figured out, I’m hit with a curveball. As a reader, it keeps me on the edge of my oversized armchair.
The tension throughout The Split is insane. Bolton even weaves it into the side plot. She creates suspense without gory horror—which is what draws me to her writing. The novel flows with the right amount of anticipation page after page. Bolton slowly reveals the past of her characters in order to help the reader speculate the ending—but, the ending is never quite what the reader expects.
I give The Split a 5 out of 5 for being a damn good story. The characters are robust, as usual. The story itself is well-crafted and written with the right amount of suspense. This was another Bolton thriller of which I could find no faults. I recommend sipping on Primal Roots Red Blend as you read this novel; it’s a dark blend that pairs well with the complexity of the story and the characters. It’s smooth with rich flavors. The 13.5% alcohol content may also keep up with your racing heartbeat as it thunders along with this engaging and spine-tingling story. Overall, It’s a great (affordable) wine to pair with a great story!
Rating: 5/5
Wine Pairing: Primal Roots Red Blend 2016
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Girl, Wash Your Face
Author: Rachel Hollis
Genre: Self-Help/ Christian Literature
Published: 2018
Obtained: Target
Author and Founder/CEO of Chic Media, Rachel Hollis, uncovers the lies that women tell themselves—the lies that hold them back from their dreams and goals. With humor and honesty, she then spends each chapter sharing her personal story of how she once believed each lie and her personal strategies to overcome them.
I’m finally back! I struggled to finish books without falling asleep every five minutes during my pregnancy…and the exhaustion only grew after giving birth to my son. I have been sleep deprived and run down, but I am finally feeling myself again and ready to explore some new reads. Let me start by saying that this book is not of a genre that’s typically in my wheelhouse. However, I picked this read because I’ve heard good things about Rachel Hollis and I was genuinely curious about what nuggets of wisdom she had to offer; it also looked like a book that would be easy to pick up and set down—which was appealing as a new mom.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Girl, Wash Your Face. Often, when I have attempted self-help books or non-fiction books that read as advice, I get annoyed or bored when I sense that I can’t relate or if the author is preaching too aggressively. While I rolled my eyes here and there, I overall found the writing humorous and easy-paced. I felt that Hollis wrote with a good intention to be applicable and relatable to a variety of women. I don’t, however, think she managed to be quite as accessible as she attempted.
The book is set up so that each chapter is titled after a common lie that women tend to tell themselves; Hollis then spends that chapter debunking those myths and offering some simple advice on what helped her overcome those lies. I could relate to some idea or story in most chapters; Unfotunately, I also consistently found unrelatable aspects. I found comfort in the chapters related to parenting—being a new mom, I’ve found my life has turned into a sort of emotional rollercoaster that’s flying off the rails. Knowing that I am far from the first woman to experience these things is comforting. Hearing someone else say the words that I am often too overwhelmed to say aloud is refreshing and reassuring.
I enjoy hearing other people’s strategies to success. I like sponging up tidbits of how other people deal with and overcome hurdles. I appreciated Hollis’ way of offering insight to what worked for her without shoving it down the reader’s throat. While she was attempting to blend a concoction of understanding and encouragement, these words sometimes came off entitled and predictable.
Therefore, my criticism of this book lies in some of the cliché topics and the author’s occasional tone deaf tendencies. Some of the messages are common—for instance, the message that there’s no right way to be a mom and that it’s okay to stay home or work. And although this isn’t an original message, I didn’t necessarily hate hearing it again…it simply wasn’t anything super new or groundbreaking as a reader. Hollis borderlines on being tone deaf more than once. While I’m a big advocate of not comparing our problems, I did feel irritated with her “problems” and goals to which I just couldn’t relate. For instance, her goal to buy a designer bag—I can’t relate to dropping a grand on a hand bag and calling it the proudest moment of my life. I’m not trying to be judgmental because I can appreciate that everyone is motivated differently, but I had a hard time digesting some of what she was putting down. And, I think that irritation I felt is what holds this book back from being applicable to women everywhere; there is something to be respected in sharing one’s truth, but some of Hollis’s issues read as “first world” problems to which not everyone will relate.
I enjoyed some aspects of this book; even if overused, a range of the advice and words were inspirational. It takes courage to lay your truths on the table for anyone to read. My motivation to work on me, which had been lying dormant since my pregnancy, began to creep back towards the surface as I made my way through this book. I feel an urge to find that balance between my role as an individual and my role as a parent. Other aspects of the book, however, were out-of-touch and slightly trite. I give Girl, Wash Your Face a 2.5/5. It was an easy read and it passed the time with an upbeat feel; on the other hand, it wasn’t all it was hyped up to be.
I recommend Butter Chardonnay to sip on while you read this book. It’s flavorful, crisp and strong. Occasionally, Hollis said some things that I needed to hear and it was invigorating—much like the strong citrus and oak tones of the wine. But I also needed something potent to swallow down some of the more contradicting parts…like when she describes how poorly her husband treated her at first, but then later states they’ve been best friends since the start (friends don’t treat each other that way). I think a very specific type of reader will enjoy this book—but if you’re looking for some quick inspiration, you can probably find the same messages on a Pinterest board. I’m glad I branched out, but it wasn’t my favorite, in the end. The wine, however, is amazing and I highly recommend grabbing a bottle to enjoy chilled!
P.S. I definitely just ordered 3 bottles for my wine fridge.
Rating: 2.5/5
Wine Pairing: Butter Chardonnay 2018
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Dead Woman Walking
Title: Dead Woman Walking
Author: Sharon Bolton
Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
Published: 2017
Obtained: Amazon
Thirteen people go up for a hot air balloon ride near the border of Scotland and witness a man commit a murder. Only one of the thirteen individuals comes back down. Unfortunately, the murderer and the female survivor have seen each other’s faces and thus the race for survival begins. Between the detectives on the case and the murderer hunting her, who will find the witness first?
Dead Woman Walking is the third Sharon Bolton novel that I have had the pleasure to read. It did not disappoint! Although this novel bounced around quite a bit between time frames and characters, it was engaging and suspenseful. The characters were well developed and multidimensional. The plot was climactic and full of tension that makes for a great read.
The opening of this book had me tense and on the edge of my sofa. It was a little more gory than the previous books I’ve read of hers, but not overly done. After the initial terror, the action settles and gives way to flashbacks and mounting tension. True to her style, everytime I thought I had the story figured out, Bolton threw one wrench after another into the mix. I can see how the shifting between time frames could be overwhelming to a reader, but I enjoy the way Bolton keeps me on my toes.
Bolton’s character development is by far one of my favorite elements of her writing. The protagonist, the villain, the detective and even the nuns were multidimensional and well-rounded. Bolton has a way of leading the reader to make assumptions about characters and then completely turning the theories upside down. I love this about her novels. She manages to make even the most evil of characters relatable on some level.
I highly recommend Dead Woman Walking to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful thriller with unpredictable twists and turns. I had a hard time putting this one down. This was the second to last book and wine pairing I was able to indulge in before my pregnancy. That being said, I suggest sipping on Chateau Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a dark, fruity wine that isn’t overly sweet. But, I suggest sipping slowly, as it has a 13.9% alcohol content and goes down smooth which can make it difficult to muddle through the details, flashbacks and shifts in time. I gave this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars; it was a fabulous read. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book and pour yourself a glass!
Rating: 4.5/5
Wine Pairing: Chateau Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
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The Craftsman
Title: The Craftsman
Author: Sharon Bolton
Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
Published: 2018
Obtained: Amazon
Florence Lovelady was an up and coming female officer in the late sixties when she made her career by arresting Larry Glassbrook for the disappearances and grizzly murders of local teens. Thirty years later, as she attends Larry’s funeral, she stumbles across new evidence suggesting that the mystery is, in fact, unsolved after all these years. Unable to live with a potentially wrong conviction, Lovelady must begin to investigate the case again…this time, however, the investigation becomes much more personal.
I picked up this book while I was recovering from a laparoscopy procedure, and it definitely helped keep my mind occupied. This book is fantastic! Bolton has created another masterpiece. The storytelling, details, suspenseful plot, three dimensional characters and overall mystery weaves the threads of this novel together. I had a really hard time putting this book down and when I did, my mind was still wrapped up in the story.
Sharon Bolton definitely knows how to keep the reader on the edge of his/her seat. I read this book after Little Black Lies, and while they both consist of exemplary storytelling, The Craftsman was much creepier. I loved the actual set up of the novel — it’s told in three parts. The first part is in the year 1999, following Florence Lovelady who is returning to the place where she first was investigating and, as it becomes apparent, arrested a man named Larry Glassbrook for the murder of missing teens. The eerieness seeps in fast with the initial setup, as the reader learns that Larry was a casket maker at the local funeral home — an alarming and harrowing career, especially as Bolton reveals details surrounding the mystery and deaths of victims. The second part of the story goes back to the last 60’s to tell Lovelady’s story of the missing teens and investigation, to the sexist treatment from Lovelady’s male coworkers, to the involvement of witches and finally to the arrest of the Larry Glassbrook. The final segment of the novel is set again in 1999 where Lovelady and her teenage son happen upon new evidence that leads them down a suspenseful, dangerous road. Lovelady is torn between her own safety and the truth from all those years ago. Bolton, naturally, crafts the story in such a way that the reader is lost in this case and the dark, grimy world she has created.
Bolton’s characters are wonderfully portrayed. Bolton has a knack for writing characters both with depth and mystery; you think you have them figured out, but leave each chapter questioning how much you actually know about them and their motives. Lovelady was a spectacular protagonist. She was tough and yet vulnerable — encompassing qualities that are familiar and relatable. She faces the men and women who scoff at her presence in the police force straight on without an inkling of giving up on the whole ordeal. She is intelligent, determined, open-minded and resilient as all hell. I’m super excited that Bolton will be creating a series with Lovelady because she is, quite frankly, a badass.
Bolton has a way of easing you into her mystery in such a way that, as a reader, you hardly notice your descent into her words. One moment I was on my couch, heating pad and tea, and next moment I was digging up a freshly mounded grave, sweating and questioning right along with the characters. My friend that recommended Bolton made a comment that as an author, she has a habit of hiding clues and information in plain sight; I couldn’t agree more. As with her previous novel, every time I thought I had the mystery and plot untangled, there would be another twist or another truth-bomb exploding off the pages that made me question everything I thought I had solved. As someone who largely enjoys mystery and thriller fiction, this is exciting! There is nothing more disappointing than reading a mystery novel and not being remotely shocked or surprised by the ending. Bolton does not disappoint in this aspect (in any aspect really, if you want my whole truth); again, up until the end, I was trying to figure out what the protagonist had decoded that I had not…what clue was she given to solve the case that I had not discerned? And, as my dear friend pointed out, it was a clue that was planted in the open that I had simply overlooked.
If you can’t tell from the review thus far, I recommend this book one thousand percent. It had the right amount of creepy without crossing the line into horror. It was beautifully written both with the language and with the creation of the plot. The characters are multi-dimensional and incredibly crafted. Most importantly, The Craftsman is an intriguing mystery that unfolds in a suspenseful way and leaves the reader contemplating the twists and turns even after the book has been set down. I give this book a golden 5 out 5 stars; it was gripping and deliciously eerie. I recommend Saved Red Blend as the wine pairing for The Craftsman. This wine consists of a few various wines, including Malbec and Syrah (two of my favorites) and has a fig-gy, spiceful taste. The soft tannins and explosive flavor pair well with the thrilling storyline and the combination of strength and vulnerability in Florence Lovelady. As a bonus, this wine has an alcohol content of 15%, making it well-suited to the spine-tingling story. Once you pick up a Bolton novel, you’ll be hooked on her writing! Enjoy!
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Wine Pairing: Saved Red Blend 2014
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