Monday, February 22, 2021

Review: The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery

The Vineyard at Painted Moon
by Susan Mallery

Publisher: HQN
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Mackenzie Dienes seems to have it all—a beautiful home, close friends and a successful career as an elite winemaker with the family winery. There’s just one problem—it’s not her family, it’s her husband’s. In fact, everything in her life is tied to him—his mother is the closest thing to a mom that she’s ever had, their home is on the family compound, his sister is her best friend. So when she and her husband admit their marriage is over, her pain goes beyond heartbreak. She’s on the brink of losing everything. Her job, her home, her friends and, worst of all, her family.

Staying is an option. She can continue to work at the winery, be friends with her mother-in-law, hug her nieces and nephews—but as an employee, nothing more. Or she can surrender every piece of her heart in order to build a legacy of her own. If she can dare to let go of the life she thought she wanted, she might discover something even more beautiful waiting for her beneath a painted moon.
 


Kritters Thoughts:  Mackenzie Dienes fell into the perfect job through a relationship she fell into while in college, so up until the point of this book, her life has basically fallen into place.  When an interesting event sends her life spiraling, she must make some hard decisions about where she really wants to be and what her future will look like.

Although the factor that sent Mackenzie into reevaluation mode was based on love, I appreciated that most of the book was a self analysis of her career path because it was so closely tied to her relationship.  I loved watching Mackenzie take note of her passions and figure out where she truly wanted to go next.  Of course, some of the moves were predictable and I possibly rolled my eyes a few times, it didn't take away from the read and I still enjoyed the book overall.  

For me one of the most entertaining pieces was Mackenzie's mother in law, Barbara, what a hoot!  While possibly over the top, I still loved her reactions to the things life sent her way, I could also see her inability to change especially when the change was thrust upon her and not of her own accord.  

I love the Susan Mallery stand alone books and I appreciate the strong female characters she creates and depicts.  I hope she continues to work on these alongside her series.  


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2021 Challenge: 11 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from HarperCollins.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.


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