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  • Writer's pictureJocelyne Fowler

The True Purpose of Vines by Giovanna Siniscalchi

If you are looking for a lovely historical romance, full of breathtaking vistas, a business minded and independent heroine and an exploration of different cultures than this is the novel for you. I was instantly intrigued by this historical romance that is set in the Portugal wine country. I was curious about experiencing a different location than just the typical English ballroom and countryside, and I will say that Giovanna Siniscalchi does a lovely job of opening up this new local and enriching it with custom and characters to help to show the different cultures and locals that the British empire had control over. Siniscalchi distills these differences down and really shows them through the mindsets of our hero and heroine as these two traverse budding feelings and differences of opinions when it comes to how the vineyard will prosper. Siniscalchi writing is accessible and interesting, I found the novel to be very well paced and the plotting helped to draw the hero and heroine together in a really lovely way.


Julia is the best winemaker in Douro, Portugal but when a greedy businessman threatens her land she must stand strong and defend her legacy and independence at whatever cost. Griffin is an Englishman sent to discover her secrets, but the last place he wants to be is in a small Portuguese town set back in time. But Griffin is not prepared for Julia and she disrupts his plans. As cultures collide and a mysterious plague decimates the vineyards, Griffin and Julia must work together to discover a cure while passion sparks and makes them question if they are willing to fight for love.


I really enjoyed this story, it felt refreshing and unique. Siniscalchi does a great job of balancing inner relationship tormoil as well as plot constraints to distance or bring Julia and Griffin together. This is another suitor for Julia's hand which helps Griffin to fully take action when it comes to his attraction to Julia and I found this to be a fun motivation for Griffin. I really enjoyed watching these two learn to understand and open themselves up to the other. Through their interactions that are both able to see a situation from another side as well as learn what is truly worth fight for. I think Julia and Griffin in the end provide a wonderful balance and support system to the other. Julia is a mother and seeing her care and devotion to her son and family and land really makes her a lovely heroine to follow. Griffin also sees her dedication as the true strength it is and that helps him to open his heart and fight for love. This novel is also sweetly sensual, they both let their relationship grow from animosity to curiosity to friendship to passion. Their attraction has a nice build into chemistry which can then be explored more physically once they both have learned to trust each other.


This is the first novel I have read from Giovanna Siniscalchi, and it will definitely not be my last. I would definitely highly recommend this novel if you love a historical romance and delight in one that explores a world outside of the typical regency ballroom! You will definitely not be disappointed.


Thank you so much to Giovanna Siniscalchi for sending be a review copy of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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